Coast magazine Spring 2016 issuu

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5.95

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in this issue

LA R R Y E DWA R DleiSl dressing Cirque du So

SE N K E V IN M O R T E Nan discover the Bird M

TA M SI N C A RVA N

a seat at her Table R SAVO UR TH E FL AVOU where to eat TH E GO OD LI FE live green & clean

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Superbly located only 800 metres from the main street of Cowes and even closer to the beach, Seagrove is Phillip Island’s most sought after environmentally-sustainable address.

Master-planned by award-winning designers, Seagrove features over eight acres of landscaped parks, wetland habitat, underground services, including gas and broadband, rich birdlife and regionally significant eucalypt woodland.

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from the editor

Spring is a time for new beginnings, for new growth. It’s hard to ignore it when nature is blooming and blossoming all around us. It is the perfect time to get into the garden or out into the sunshine and shake off the winter blues.

For me, this spring is about other sorts of growth too. In this edition we meet people who share their stories of navigating new challenges, nurturing new ideas, starting on new paths in life … it’s inspiring stuff. If you have a germ of an idea, a dream for a new path or are trying to rebuild a life, I hope you’ll find something in these pages to encourage, inspire or nourish you.

From little things, big things grow.

Watching the news from around the globe, it’s hard not to feel that the world is having some kind of mid-life crisis – so much violence, division, destruction and pain. One of our stories talks about truly feeling the land by being in the stillness and the quiet. If spring represents Mother Nature in all her glory, perhaps now is a good time for us to sit quietly and reconnect with our humanity … and with the places we love.

Cheers, Eleanor

the coast team publisher Maria Reed managing editor Eleanor McKay sub editor Anne Roussac-Hoyne words Christina Aitken, Katie Cincotta, Eleanor McKay, Sally O’Neill, Simone Short photography Warren Reed 0414 753 739 design Staffan Hakansson print manager Nigel Quirk advertising Robyn Kemp 0432 273 107 ads@coastmagazine.net

P.S. We were thrilled to win the Bass Coast Business Excellence Award – just as we went to print. Yay us!

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Phillip Island to the Prom Coast Magazine © published

by Coast Media P/L. ISSN 1833-3648. The publisher is not responsible or liable for any omissions or human error in Phillip Island to the Prom Coast Magazine.

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Photographed at Clifftop, Smiths Beach

SKETA AUSTRALIA

COME VIEW OUR INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FOR SPRING. MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Australian designed and made – Limited quantities for the individual look – Quality accessories Mornington 71 Main Street T 5976 3311 Sorrento 42 Ocean Beach Rd T 5984 0927

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contents

sociaL warrior 30 “Family comes from the heart,” says Samiro Douglas, a passionate feminist, political and human rights activist.

Her story is living proof of that.

dressed For success 16 His nomadic lifestyle with Cirque du Soleil has taken Larry Edwards all around the world. On his visits back to Australia, he likes to unwind at his parents’ house on Phillip Island.

just down the road 86 Every Sunday, there’s a little bit of magic happening in the hills of Poowong. We pull up a chair at Tamsin’s Table and talk about the joys of fresh food, cooking and conversation.

worshiPPinG the waves 68 Simon McShane is one of Victoria’s most dominant surfers: a joint record holder for the highest number of state titles and former Australian champion. For him, surfing is like a religion.

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dancinG For joy 82 Katie Cincotta heads to Warragul to explore the mystery and passion of belly-dancing.

contents

contents

people 9

15 Minutes of Fame Tony O’Connell

12

2 Coast People Rachel and Karl Russo

the Bird man 34 For the last 30 years, artist Kevin Mortensen has called Venus Bay home. With works in the National Galleries of Victoria and Australia, his Nordic ancestry and the South Gippsland hinterland continues to inspire him.

42

No plastic … fantastic Tammy Logan

113

Feet First Phillip Island to the Prom

137

Young & inspired Rebecca Slavin

places 93

Savour the flavour Where to eat

110

5 things we love about …

Wilsons Prom

118

Lifestyle Review – Harkaway Graham Alexander Homes

the Good LiFe 39 Enjoy the good life and discover ways to live clean, green and healthy.

124

Lifestyle Review – Sandy Point S.J. Vuillermin Master Builder

reGuLars 10

Coast Life

14

Latest Products

22

Events Calendar

24

Coast Events

74

Education Feature

94

Dine Out – Captain’s Lounge, Esplanade Hotel

102 What’s Cooking 115 Property & Lifestyle

someone to watch over me 26

116 Coast Style – Southern Bazaar

Patsy O’Neill, a talented singer who wooed the smoky clubs of Chicago with her haunting voice and dazzling smile, is centre stage once again and loving her life by the sea in Inverloch.

136 Fitness

134 Coast Directory & Stockists 135 A Good Read 138 Where Am I

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Putting family into homes.

A family business building high quality affordable homes in coastal areas for more than 40 years.

Visit our Display Homes at Wonthaggi and Surf Beach or go to our website for more details Wonthaggi Office: 03 5672 5680 Head Office: 03 9579 2277 sales@ljhomes.com.au

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fifteen

minutes

of

fame

words as told to eleanor mckay photo warren reed

Three years ago, Tony O’Connell didn’t even consider himself a runner, yet in the past few months he has run 36km through the Grampians and 100km along the Surf Coast. At the heart of his transformation is a worldwide phenomenon known as parkrun.

In 2013, I signed on for a 12-week fitness challenge through my workplace, and after it finished I started going to the gym three or four times a week. I was also doing a bit of running. During our summer holidays, my wife signed me up for a parkrun in Merimbula, because she thought I would go crazy without my gym sessions. I went along expecting it to just be a run, but it was more than that. It wasn’t only for professional athletes: it was a social gathering. A few months later I went along to another parkrun in Albert Park, then one in Endeavour Hills. After that, I was hooked.

Because it’s called parkrun, people have a perception that you have to be a runner, but in fact everyone is welcome.

The concept started out in the UK and spread around the world. It’s a weekly, timed, five-kilometre run on a Saturday morning. Some people walk, some run; there are family groups, people with dogs, parents with prams. It doesn’t cost anything.

You register online, print out your barcode and then come along. Once you register, you can go to any parkrun anywhere … in South Africa, the US, UK, Poland … even Russia.

Back then there were no parkruns in Gippsland, so a couple of us decided to start one in Inverloch. We launched in September 2014, and on average about 85-90 people participate each week. When we started, Inverloch was the 94th parkrun established in Australia – now there are 190.

This summer, around 30,000 people a week across Australia will be doing a parkrun.

As the Territory Director, I look after nine events across Gippsland. I help get the events up and running, getting the right permits and funding. There are strict guidelines for a parkrun course … for example it needs to be five kilometres and cannot cross any roads.

The thing I like most is watching people improve. We have plenty of people who can’t run the 5km the first time, but each week they go a little bit further. Some people start out walking the course, but end up jogging it. It’s fantastic to see the improvement in their health.

I’ve been to parkrun at 28 different locations and run in over 70 events. Anyone who completes 50 events gets a red parkrun tee-shirt with a big 50 on the back. You get a black shirt when you reach 100. There are a few people in our group who are almost at the 100 mark – I’m looking forward to our first Inverloch black shirt.

parkrun is not all about running. You can walk, run or everything in between. And afterwards, we all go and have a coffee and chat. It’s not just about exercise: it’s about community. www.parkrun.com.au

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coast life

exciting edge The Edge of Us is going to set the Waterline towns alight. Guided by Artistic Director Jessica Wilson and an enthusiastic team of volunteers, this exciting two-year community art project wants to use light, the night and the local environment to celebrate the unique identity of the area. Right now, The Edge of Us is looking for local artists to contribute ideas to the project. Get involved via the Facebook page @theedgeofus.

Puppy love mum’s the word What do you do when the surf’s up but you can’t get a babysitter?

You join Phillip Island Surfing Mums! Each week they meet at Smiths Beach and take it in turns to hit the waves and look after the kids. Most days the surfing gang includes mums, dads and kids ranging in age from six months to three years. Find out more on their Facebook page – Phillip Island (VIC) Surfing Mums - or email jlow1980@gmail.com. www.surfingmums.com

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We’re unabashed dog-lovers in the Coast office and can testify just how much joy a canine friend can bring into your life. It seems we’re not the only ones. “Woof” is a book of happiness filled with quotes (including some from famous dog-lovers like Aldous Huxley and Mark Twain) and terrific photos of our four-legged best friends. www.exislepublishing.com.au

this little piggy …

Local Kilcunda celebrity Euphemia Jane Piglet gives an honest and revealing insight into the pressures and excitement of being a media star.

It takes a lot of work and dedication to prepare for a successful photo session.

“Euphemia Jane’s Media Commitment” – a colourful and quirky children’s book by local author Katia Langenheim. Available at the Kilcunda General Store.

who’s kidding … seriously cool!

Norte is the online love-child of Inverloch sisters Amy and Casey and it has some seriously cool and comfy children’s clothing. Norte’s mission is to see kids play hard until the sun goes down. They’ve got you covered all year round with their great selection of jackets, and their spring and summer range is just around the corner. www.norte.com.au

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2

two coast people

A passion for a slower, simpler life recently led Rachel and Karl Russo and their wee bub Wilma to the shores of Kilcunda, where they have realised their dream of opening a gorgeous produce store.

KARL: I was a loud and persistent child, but I also knew how to have fun. We were always outdoors building or making something on our forty acres of bush. Dad’s ability to create just about anything – and his willingness to help us do crazy things – gave us a limitless sense of possibility. Now I work as a landscape architect, which, reflecting on my childhood, seems so logical.

Rach and I crossed paths a few times at parties when we were seventeen – almost half our lifetime ago! I managed to get her number and was on the hunt, but she made me work for it. We made it official around the middle of year 12 and have always talked about the future, so I guess we felt a sense of permanence from an early stage. I was drawn to her relaxed nature. She was very real and honest, and had a good heart, which was important to me. If I could sum her up in one word it would be ‘natural’.

Rach has taught me to live in the moment, and introduced me to travel. I was pretty focused on saving money and building a comfortable life. I still am, but she has allowed me to relax and enjoy life a little more along the way.

When Wilma was born, we decided it was time for a change, so we left the city for a simpler life. An opportunity came up for Rach to pursue her passion and dream of opening a local, sustainable food store – and here we are. I’ve always loved this coast and have surfed here for over ten years.

Rach is solid and supportive, with a drive to achieve goals like opening ‘udder & hoe’. We also remember to pull each other back and relax every now and then.

Bringing little Wilma into the world was an enormous joy for us.

She’s such a beautiful little soul. My favourite moments are when the three of us are hanging out, making each other laugh.

When we were nineteen, Rach went overseas for a year.

That was a pretty telling time, but we stuck it out and hit the ground running upon her return. Rach walking in on our wedding day will always be a favourite moment in my mind – simply amazing.

In the short term I’m looking forward to Rach’s banana pancakes on Saturday morning. Beyond that, I’m excited about having some more kids and finding a nice property to settle into on the coast, and all the simple pleasures that come with that.

It was a big change for quiet little Rach to come into a loud and busy Italian household. Wholesome and delicious food was part of our everyday life: it really seemed to get her thinking, and her love of food grew.

RACHEL: I was a shy child with an inner toughness. I rarely wore shoes and loved being outside. I have fond memories of my family’s camping, canoeing and bushwalking adventures.

My love for nature and native animals definitely stemmed

words as told to sally o’neill photos warren reed

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two

coast

from these younger years. As did my love of blood plums: my favourite time of year was when our tree was full of fruit.

Karl and I crossed paths in our late teens through mutual friends. There was definitely a spark. I could tell from the first time we spoke that he had his head screwed on and was really genuine.

It would be difficult to top the amazing feeling of walking down the aisle on our wedding day, but our adventures through Tasmania, Mexico and Europe follow closely behind.

We’re a great team and are both very relaxed. We laugh at each other’s quirks, speak openly, and support each other through whatever life throws at us. We were brought up with similar family values and want the same for our own family. If I could sum Karl up in one word it would it be ‘solid’.

It’s nice to finally be here in Kilcunda. It’s a very creative and exciting time. We’re building an place that our children can flourish in. I can’t think of a better environment than nature, the ocean, kind people, nutritious food, and family.

people

grandparents lived, in particular their connection with food and the richness it brings. Gippsland is full of passionate farmers, growers, producers and self-sufficient families.

I wanted to create a space for them to be showcased to promote a slower way of living. Slow food and slow living is the ‘udder & hoe’ life philosophy.

We both have ties to Gippsland, having grown up in West Gippsland and holidayed in Kilcunda and Sandy Point.

I’m not surprised we ended up here. It felt right. Karl loves the ocean and I’m drawn to the bush, but I’m rather fond of Karl, so here we are.

Karl always manages to make me laugh and I wouldn’t have it any other way. A life without laughter would be pretty grim.

I’m looking forward to exploring more of Gippsland in Karl’s third love, his 1973 bus ‘Berryl’. Hopefully with a few little people in tow and a picnic basket full of Gippsland produce…

We created ‘udder & hoe’ in partnership with Mindy from the Kilcunda General Store. The shop is inspired by the way our

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naturally ornamental Bonsai plants & arrangements Grace Landscapes

Gotta get mee one of thes Latest news and products from your coast retailers

Go bush Indigenous & native plants Melaleuca Nursery

tears of joy Stix & Flora Teardrop double conical Mookah Studio, Inverloch and Warragul $55

coast 14

treat yourself Passionate Kiss $4 Connells Bakery

rug up Provincial Lane Assos rug Carpet Court Cowes from $990 RRP

top shelf Premium cognac and wine selection Harry’s on the Esplanade

Get into the grind Waldner Silence Grain Mill Upbeet Health & Wholefoods $665

Grow up Organic vegetable seeds Burra Garden Supplies

hanging around Glass Necklaces ArtFusion Gallery – prices vary

decadent desserts Home-made profiterole Gusto Gelateria $5

Gourmet greens Vegetable garden beds Edible Gardens & Peninsula Plants

vintage crop Recycled ladies fashion, shoes & accessories Gathered Concepts

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words simone short photos supplied

Dressed for

His nomadic lifestyle with Cirque du Soleil has taken Larry Edwards all around the world. But for now, he still calls Australia home and says his parents’ house on Phillip Island is the perfect place to unwind.

When Larry Edwards made time to talk to Coast while he was at home in Northcote on a short break, it wasn’t long before he was back on a plane to Europe.

Describing his background as ‘eclectic’, Larry’s path from children’s librarian to Cirque du Soleil has involved teaching, theatre and even his own costume shop.

Travelling the world for the best part of a year is just part of the job as Head of Wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil’s production Amaluna. Currently working in Manchester in the United Kingdom, Larry will soon be heading off with the rest of the crew to Düsseldorf in Germany, and then to Austria early next year.

During his time at teachers’ college, he reveals his peers voted him the least likely to see out his first year of teaching. “In a way, they were right because, after the first year, I started teaching performing arts to students. I was working in Preston, where there were a lot of children for whom English was their second language. I was using performing arts as a way to increase their confidence in other subject areas.”

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to witness the worldfamous Cirque du Soleil, you’ll know that the spectacle is about more than jaw-dropping, gravity-defying acrobatic acts.

Remarkable, meticulously designed costumes complement the performances, bringing colour, texture and illusion to the stage.

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This led the primary teacher into school productions and his Masters in Arts Education before he landed a job in the wardrobe department for the Australian Opera’s production of Carmen. His interest in costumes, however, had been

Remarkable, meticulously designed costumes complement the performances, bringing colour, t�ture and illusion to the stage.

ignited much earlier in life. Rather than performing in school productions, Larry preferred to be behind the scenes. “In the end, design and the look of the show were where I was always meant to be,” Larry says.

His involvement with Carmen was a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career in the performing arts: it was during this time that Larry realised that costumes could become his profession. He applied for leave to follow the show up to Sydney, and joined the crew of Phantom of the Opera when it came to Melbourne in 1990, and again in 1996.

With further studies a constant in Larry’s career, he went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Costumes for Performance and discovered the circus – or costume design for circus

performers, to be exact. Larry suggests that designing costumes for National Institute of Circus Arts performers (attached to Swinburne Univiersity), is the reason he interviewed so well when Cirque (as he calls it) recruited in Australia for the first time in 2007.

The job was in the costume department of Zaia, a new show opening in Macau in the south of China.

“I’d seen all the Cirque shows that had come through Melbourne, and I was very familiar with the company,” Larry says. “I knew it was very avant-garde in terms of costumes and its production quality, and it was definitely on my radar as the dream job to have.”

And so Larry ran off to join the circus. >

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Larry, who loves the thrill of live theatre, says his job with Cirque is the ultimate working holiday.

After two years with Zaia, Larry had resigned and come home when he received an email asking if he’d unpacked. Ten days later, he was in London working as Head of Wardrobe for Varekai at the Royal Albert Theatre. “That was my first step into the bigger shoes. We took the show through Europe and Asia (South Korea, Taipei and Manila) and then moved it to South America. After two years, I decided to leave the show.”

On his trip home via Montreal, however, Larry spoke to Cirque about a new show they were creating – Amaluna. “They said, ‘We’d like you to be Head of Wardrobe, so you’re not going home – you’re going to work on that here.’”

Larry explains that when he joined Zaia in Macau, the show had already been created. He was lucky enough with Amaluna to be in Montreal – the birthplace of all Cirque’s shows – during the whole creative process. He was working with the director, costume designers and artists on costumes that had to be tested and approved by all, including the performers.

“For one costume we went through 13 different versions

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before it was approved,” Larry says. “The director wants something they like the look of, and the costume designer wants it made to their aesthetic. But most importantly, the performer must be able to perform in it safely.” Costumes also need to be repaired or replaced if they begin to wear out and become a danger to the performer.

Larry works with two assistants to ensure all 800 costume pieces have been cleaned, repaired, modified or replaced, and are ready for up to ten shows a week. The Head of Wardrobe is also responsible for hair as well as make-up, which all 46 artists are required to do themselves … some taking up to two hours.

Larry, who loves the thrill of live theatre, says his job with Cirque is the ultimate working holiday. “The most exciting thing about what I do is the travelling. Every six to eight weeks there’s a different country to explore,” says Larry, who uses his day off every week to see as many local sights as possible. He names New York, London and Paris as three of his favourite cities. >

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His number one, however, is Melbourne. Larry says he hasn’t found anywhere else in the world he would choose to live, and also mentions Phillip Island as the first place he escapes to on his occasional trips home.

“I’ve been going to Phillip Island since I was about eight; we basically grew up there. We had an onsite van at the Cowes Caravan Park for years. Mum and Dad didn’t have to entertain us. Instead, we’d hang out with the same group of kids every year,” Larry says.

When all four children left home, his parents bought a house in Wimbledon Heights. “It’s so peaceful. I love the fact that you can wake up in the morning to total silence. The whole island has changed so much over the years, but the vibe of the place is the same – the friendliness and the community feel are still there.”

Despite having spent almost a decade travelling the world, Larry says he doesn’t have any plans to settle down just yet – and isn’t sure he ever will. “It’s always about having a balance.

Melbourne is not somewhere I could live constantly: the peripatetic life of the theatre is all I’ve ever known. It’s exactly the same with Phillip Island. It will always be there – a place I can go to escape and get my energy back.”

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spring 2016

events guide sePtemBer Spring Exhibition – Sue Gilford & Ian Bevington 3 September–30 November The Fish Creek Hotel ArtSpaces Contact: 0408 871 379 Facebook.com/fishcreekhotelartspaces Kammermusik Quartet 4 September, 4pm The Fish Creek Hotel ArtSpaces Contact: 0408 871 379 Facebook.com/fishcreekhotelartspaces Newhaven College Spring Concert 9 September Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre, 96 Graham St Contact: Kirk Skinner – info@ newhavencol.vic.edu.au www.newhavencol.vic.edu.au Save the Phillip Island Wildlife & Rescue Shelters 11 September, from 3pm San Remo Hotel Contact: Rachel 0478 724 568 School Holiday Program 17 September–1 October Phillip Island Nature Parks Contact: Education Rangers 5951 2826 www.penguins.org.au Arts-Print – Exhibition Showcasing Selected Gippsland Printers 22nd September–17th October ArtSpace Wonthaggi, 5–7 McBride Ave Contat: Ursula Theinert 0439 699 241 www.artspacewonthaggi.com.au Leukaemia Foundation Light the Night – Pakenham 30 September, 5.30pm Toomuc Valley Reserve www.lightthenight.org.au/event/ pakenham1

octoBer

Berwick VIP Fashion Festival 7 October, 3–9pm Berwick Village incl. Berwick Pharmacy, 51 High St Contact: 9707 1555 Facebook.com/berwickpharmacy The Turner Gallery 8 October–19 February 2017 Gippsland Art Gallery Contact: 5142 3154 www.gippslandartgallery.com Baw Baw Garden & Home Expo 10–11 October, 9am Lardner Park, Warragul Contact: Maureen 5625 4589 gardenexpo@droiunlions.org.au Toorak College Open Day 13 October, 9 –11am Old Mornington Rd, Mount Eliza Contact: 9788 7234 www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au Spanish Night (live music & paella) 15 October, 7pm Archies Creek Hall, Archies Creek Rd Contact: Vicki 0438 787 430 or Mez 0415 445 215 archiescreekhall@gmail.com South Gippsland Annual Flower Show & Plant Sale 15–16 October, 10 am – 4pm, $4 entry Leongatha Rec Reserve Contact: 5664 2221 Newhaven College Celebration of the Arts 12 October Newhaven College, Boys Home Road Campus Contact: Fiona Anastasi, info@newhavencol.vic.edu.au www.newhavencol.vic.edu.au Australia Post Honours Vietnam Veterans Exhibition 19 October 2016 to April 2017 National Vietnam Veterans Museum, 25 Veterans Drive, Newhaven Contact: 5956 6400 www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org Financial Planning Seminar for families 19 and 20 October, from 5.30pm Wonthaggi Workmans Club Contact: mark@markfarmerfs.com.au or call 5672 5565 Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 21–23 October Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Contact: 9258 7166 www.motogp.com.au

Sunday Fun Day at The Nobbies 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October 1320 Ventnor Rd, Ventnor Contact: 5951 2800 www.penguins.org.au

Art of Remembrance Luncheon 22 October, 12 noon Toorak College, Old Mornington Rd, Mount Eliza Contact: Jenni Sloan 0411 479 118 www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au

VCE Art Exhibition – Toorak College 6 October Old Mornington Rd, Mount Eliza Contact: 9788 7200 www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au

Somers Art Fair 23 October, 10am–5pm Somers Primary School, 87 Camp Hill Rd Contact: info@somersartfair.com www.somersartfair.com

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Artists’ Society of Phillip Island Cup Weekend Exhibition 29 October–1 November, 10am–5pm Cowes Cultural Centre, Thompson Ave Contact: Warren 0420 789 531 www.aspi-inc.org.au

novemBer Back to the Museum Day for Vietnam Veterans and families 5 November 25 Veterans Dr, Newhaven Contact: 5956 6400 www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org Bass Coast Cycle Challenge & Family Festival 12 November, 8am A’Beckett Street, Inverloch www.basscoastcyclechallenge.com Open Gardens Victoria 12–13 November Crosses Rd, Traralgon Contact: info@opengardensvictoria.org.au www.opengardensvictoria.org.au Kammermusik Trio 13 November, 4pm The Fish Creek Hotel ArtSpaces Contact: 0408 871 379 www.facebook.com/ fishcreekhotelartspaces/ Inspired by Light Exhibition – Diana Edwards 17 November–12 December ArtSpace Wonthaggi, 5–7 McBride Ave Contact: Ursula Theinert 0439 699 241 www.artspacewonthaggi.com.au Phillip Island Jazz Festival 18–20 November Contact: Jill Boyce 0417 416 300 www.phillipislandjazzfest.org.au Berwick Pharmacy Christmas Gala Event 24 November, 3–8pm Berwick Pharmacy, 51 High St Contact: 9707 1555 www.facebook.com/berwickpharmacy

reGuLar High Tea by the Sea 25 Sept, 30 Oct, 27 Nov 3.30pm, $38 pp The Cape Kitchen, 1215 Phillip Island Rd, Neewhaven Contact: 5956 7200 www.thecapekitchen.com.au Make It Bake it Market 11 Sept, 9 Oct, 13 Nov 8am–1pm McBride Ave, Wonthaggi Contact: Leah Montebello 0427 587 104 Facebook.com/Wonthaggi-Make-it-Bakeit-Market

Chef De Cuisine – Jake Sommers.

Chef De Cuisine translates to “cooking chef ” or “chef in charge”. As Anthony Bourdain puts it – “a traffic controller that runs the kitchen, Chef de cuisine is the flashy cook who wows everyone with his great stuff in the high-end dining room.”

Jake has worked in Melbourne at several large 4.5 star hotels and most recently at a new French brasserie.

He travels to work daily on his Harley, and enjoys his new Island life in Cape Woolamai with his fiancé and baby girl.

Jake has previously worked at world-leading restaurants including: The Atlantic @ Crown (1 hat), Attica (3 hats), Ben Shewery, Vue De Monde (3 hats), Shannon Bennett Dinner by Heston @ Crown, (3 Michelin stars), Heston Blumenthal.

17 Potters Hill Road, San Remo VIC 3925 State Awards for excellence

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allison svoboda The extraordinary work of Chicago-based artist Allison Svoboda is on display across the world from Nashville to Dubai. After meeting Phillip Island’s Catherine Robinson at a shibori workshop in Japan last year, Allison is coming to Australia in November. The trip will incorporate a two week Artist Residency in Cowwarr and an exhibition at Mingara Gallery, Cowes, opens on 3 December.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see her exquisite mandalas up close. www.allisonsvoboda.com www.mingaragallery.com.au

traralgon goes green Open Gardens Victoria will open six gardens to the public on 12 and 13 November in Traralgon’s very first Open Gardens program. Proceeds from the openings will go towards expanding LaTrobe Valley’s Life Skills for Young People program, which currently can’t keep up with demand. Full details of the gardens and the program for the weekend available at www.opengardensvictoria.org.au.

Tickets available at the gates.

wildlife rescue In our spring edition last year, we ran a story on Kaylene Mendola and Colleen Gilbee and the amazing work they do to look after sick and injured wildlife. These dedicated women desperately need funds to keep this valuable service going and are holding a fundraising event at the San Remo Hotel on Sunday, 11 September from 3pm. For more details, visit the Wildlife Rescue and Carer Shelters Phillip Island Facebook page.

Going spanish at the creek The Archies Creek Hall is a community-owned and run venue with big plans.

A group of committed locals have banded together to help restore the hall and are holding regular fundraising events. Next on the calendar is a Spanish Night on 15 October – complete with live music and paella. To find out more contact Mez 0415 445 215 or Vicki 0438 787 430.

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Home of Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate, a unique, interactive and educational celebration of all things chocolate. ° Daily hot curry lunch from 12 – 3pm ° Hot Chocolate made with real chocolate ° Choc dipped frozen bananas

Phillip Island Chocolate Factory, 930 Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven phone 5956 6600 web www.phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au

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Someone to watch over me

Singing has always been a joy and a safe haven for Patsy O’Neill. And it’s been the soundtrack for an incredible journey from London’s East End, to America and finally Australia.

It’s a memory that’s almost eighty years old – a lifetime away from her idyllic life in the sleepy hollow of Inverloch – but it’s burned into Patsy O’Neill’s past. With London in the grip of World War II, four-year-old Patsy was taken from her East End home and put on a train to Hertfordshire, unaware it would be six years before she would see her family again.

Britain’s Railway Children Program paid strangers in the country to take in children from the city during the German Blitz – 267 days of air raids that would bomb the city mercilessly. The stories of hundreds of children like Patsy would inspire the creation of Paddington Bear, the beloved character of children’s literature.

“I remember all the mums standing along the pavement, and I said to my eldest sister, who was eleven: ‘Why is Mummy crying? We’re only going away for a day.’”

Patsy’s brother Jim went to a family in the same area, but Patsy wasn’t allowed to play with him, only catching sight of him at the local school. “It’s not something that I ever talked about until my 50s, when I was asked by a personnel trainer: ‘What does anger look like to you, Patsy?’ And I said, Mrs Crew – and sobbed for twenty minutes. That was the first time I’d ever talked about my time during the war.”

Patsy made the two-hour train journey to the country’s north, and at the end of the line was handed a bag of groceries and asked to stand in a queue. “We had to wait while people decided which child they would choose. Nobody wanted me because I was little,” she says still with a hint of Cockney accent.

The family who took her was cold and cruel, regarding her as a nuisance. “The Crews didn’t want me. I was an outsider. I was never held, or made to feel welcome. It was just awful.”

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Patsy’s family survived WWII, but their home didn’t. “Our house was bombed. My mother was visiting her sister at the time, so she survived, but we lost everything.” What sustained the young Londoner was her singing. She could escape inside the

words katie cincotta photos warren reed and supplied

bubble of a melody, and channel her deep sense of loss and longing into the sweet, high notes of a song. “Singing – and dreaming about singing on the stage – was the thing that kept me going.”

years on the circuit with Tony Bennett and Frankie Laine.

But it all went sour after the birth of their son – his handsome playboy father unwilling to accept the responsibility of parenthood. “He was a bit of a gigolo, a heartbreaker. When I was pregnant, I would have girls ringing up to speak to him.” Just weeks after their son was born, he abandoned Patsy and the baby.

“He buggered off and I never got a penny.

He turned up on Robert’s first birthday and said, ‘Have you forgotten who his father is, lassie?’. I told him: ‘I will never forget who his father is but I think his father will.’”

Patsy’s voice carries all the vulnerability and heartache of the greats …

She’s never had a lesson in her life, but Patsy’s voice carries all the vulnerability and heartache of the greats – Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Karen Carpenter.

She won her first singing competition in her teens with the song ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’, went on to play the pubs of the East End, and found a partner who shared her showbiz dreams – Robert ‘Bobby’ Gordon Johnstone, a professional soccer player for Scotland and fellow-performer.

The couple left for the bright lights of Chicago, where they worked in musical theatre and nightclubs. It was a good few

Patsy worked days and sang nights, wearing herself out during the bitterly cold winters of Chicago, and eventually returned to the UK. But to continue to sing professionally, the young starlet was forced to leave her toddler with her sister in Cornwall. “They wouldn’t allow children in the council flats, >

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so it was really hard to get anywhere to live. It was heartbreaking – he would cry and I would cry and he’d say, ‘Why can’t I come and live with you, Mummy?’”

The breaking point was when her brother-in-law, having no children of his own, asked to adopt Robert, which prompted Patsy to migrate to Australia. “It absolutely threw me. And then I was talking to a woman who said you could get a flat in Melbourne. I said, ‘What – with my own front door!?’ So I went to Australia House the next day, and we arrived here in 1972. Robert was seven and I didn’t know a soul.”

When a single man in Blackburn offered to share his house, Patsy accepted, but said no to sharing the double bed. “I think he thought he’d gotten a ready-made family.”

and the two of them made a life for themselves in an apartment block on Marine Parade.

Only decades later, when she retired, did Patsy sing again.

It was her son who encouraged her to rediscover her true passion: “You’ve always loved your music. Why don’t you go back to that?” And so the talented singer who’d wooed the smoky clubs of Chicago with her haunting voice and dazzling smile took centre stage once again.

It’s been a joyful journey back to singing: recording CDs, singing her trademark love songs, watching fellow seniors delight in the memories of those famous swing tunes. When Patsy puts on a vinyl record of a song she recorded in Chicago, her pure, clear voice fills the room with tales of both heartache and hope. It has a delicacy and richness that carries you to another place – somewhere bright and warm, a safe haven.

What sustained the young Londoner was her singing.

She could escape inside the bubble of a melody…

The leggy brunette scored a singing gig in the city, and attracted attention with some TV appearances on New Faces and The Penthouse Club. But in her heart she felt a life in entertainment wasn’t sustainable as a single mother. “I gave music away completely.

I thought, ‘I’ve got to be here for my son’.” She moved into the human resources sector, met a man, married and moved back to London, only to discover her police-officer husband was a wife-beater. “It was the worst year of my life. He controlled me completely. Robert once jumped out of an upstairs window to try and get help when my husband was attacking me. In the end he nearly killed me.”

A nervous wreck, Patsy visited a clairvoyant for the first time in her life and was told that her life was on the other side of the world. She cashed in her life insurance policy, bought two tickets to Australia, and moved into a flat in St Kilda with 12-year-old Robert. It was a new start in bayside Melbourne,

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When Robert and his family decided to make a seachange to Inverloch (a town where she’d come every year to sing at the jazz festival), Patsy was united in the decision. The town reminded her of England’s rugged southwestern tip, and in a matter of weeks, the extended family had moved to the beach. And Patsy says life has never been better.

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Social Warrior One decision, one moment, can change a life forever.

For passionate feminist, political and human rights activist, Samiro Douglas, that moment came when a young Aboriginal girl put her on her ‘safe hand’.

Twenty years ago, Samiro Douglas made a promise to a troubled girl called Natalie that she would be there for her.

Eleven years ago that promise was put to the test as they sat in a hospital waiting-room not knowing if Natalie’s four-yearold son Khan would survive an emergency liver transplant.

Melbourne-born Samiro hadn’t lived or worked in an Aboriginal community before she moved to northern New South Wales to work in women’s housing. Yet she was quickly immersed in the local communities, including working with Aboriginal women and girls. The move marked the end of a journey for the social warrior and opened a new and exciting chapter in her colourful life.

In her own words, Samiro has “lived a big story”, and the story starts with a small girl growing up in post-war Melbourne. words sally o’neill photos warren reed

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“It was a boring, white family existence,” Samiro says of her childhood in Preston. “Structurally, society was re-grouping and women like my mum, who had been active in the air force, were just sent back to the kitchen. It was a struggle.”

It was also a struggle for a naturally curious young girl who intuitively wanted to know more, though of what she wasn’t sure. Perhaps her Catholic neighbours held a clue: maybe her life could be transformed by religion. “I thought something really brilliant would happen if I took communion,” she laughs.

“But nothing did. And the wine tasted shocking.”

Finding no answers in church, she explored left-wing politics.

She was a rebel just starting to find her cause. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. In the early seventies there was no shortage of feminist and social justice politics, and she

I knew there were injustices in society and not everyone had the opportunity to live outside those.

and her partner jumped in feet first. “We went to demonstrations and the era just swept us along. It was a very extreme time – the Vietnam War, conscientious objectors … I was involved in all of that, and it was a bit nerve-racking at times.”

healing. But her sense of justice wouldn’t allow her to fully succumb to such a self-absorbed lifestyle, and she wouldn’t let go of her politics. “I knew there were injustices in society and not everyone had the opportunity to live outside those.”

She found herself in some “quite radical positions” – many of which she still can’t talk about. In some of her most extreme moments she questioned her motives. “I wasn’t sure what I was on about, or if I was where I wanted to be.” Fronting a radical protest in the early stages of labour with her daughter Kate, things got a little wild, and she thought, ‘Something’s not right here’.

She jumped back into politics at one of the most radical points in feminist history and rode the wave of social change, challenging the role of women, fighting for women’s rights and discovering a “real sense of freedom”.

Turning to New Age and leaving her marriage, Samiro became more radical in her personal quest, embracing the philosophies of astrology, meditation, rebirthing and spiritual

Skip forward to working within the Aboriginal communities of northern New South Wales, where she felt a little culture shock at first. “It was a real journey to understand how to walk the path between black and white. I talked with people about what it really meant to be Aboriginal, and I started to understand how recent the impact of invasion was for the >

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He was on life support? A transplant? 24 hours? It was surreal.”

The four-year-old endured a 12-hour operation that gave him a second chance at life. The liver came from an 18-month-old child who was not so lucky, and the thought of it still haunts her. “I don’t think you ever get past something like that. It took me a long time to be able to answer the phone without panic.

I was supporting Natalie, organising the kids and working.

It was huge.”

After the operation (now eleven years ago), the family sat around and agreed it would be better for Khan to live with Samiro full time in Melbourne with the other kids visiting as necessary. “Natalie adopted me and I didn’t say no. She says I’m the mother she has chosen. I’ve met her birth mother and there was no animosity. I’m just the kids’ nana.”

I remember thinking, well, lots of people have let her down, and I’m not going to.

Samiro and Natalie parent the children together, talking each day and making decisions jointly. “It looks like I’m the one who is raising the kids, but in fact we are raising them together.

I think I make people’s heads spin. It’s not easy for people to understand that family can come from the heart. And when it’s cross-cultural, it’s so loaded – white woman, black baby.

A lot of people say that they don’t know how I do it, and I say I don’t know how I couldn’t do it: they are my grandchildren.”

Working across two skin colours has been interesting. “When the kids got a little older they’d say things like, ‘You’ve got white skin, Nana,’ and I’d say, ‘You’ve got brown skin,’ - and that would be the end of the conversation.”

First Australians, and the journey I needed to make with ‘guilt’ as a white Australian. When you start to understand black history you carry some white guilt. You feel cautious and you are not really yourself. I just had to get past it.”

Working in schools and at the community health centre, Samiro would often take girls on camps. One girl, Natalie, stood out: she could control her “unruly” cousins and had their respect – Samiro was in awe. The bond between them grew until Natalie put her on her ‘safe hand’, meaning that Samiro was the person she would come to if she needed help.

“I remember thinking, well, lots of people have let her down, and I’m not going to. And here I am twenty years later…”

When Samiro moved back to Melbourne, Natalie and her partner joined her with their two children: Jerome and Khan and later their daughter Tilisha was born. Then disaster struck.

Khan rapidly developed what doctors thought was hepatitis, ending up in the Royal Children’s Hospital. He went into liver failure and they had 24 hours to find a donor.

“I remember getting the call at work. They told me that Khan had to have a liver transplant. I couldn’t get my head around it.

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Life settled down. Samiro continued in her role as CEO at the Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE), living with Khan and sometimes his brother Jerome and sister Tilisha in their two-bedroom flat in Brunswick. The job perfectly satisfied her political drive, and desire to achieve equality for women.

Last year she retired and swapped her flat for a four-bedroom house on Phillip Island. It’s been a good move. The family has happily settled into school and life by the beach, and Samiro is enjoying relaxing and having time to reflect and write. She is also working towards getting an Indigenous theatre group up and running. Khan recently starred in the short film ‘Brown Paper Bag’ and is keen to develop his acting skills.

As the new chapter begins, she feels completely at ease with the small girl searching for meaning who lived a big, big story.

“I’m still that same radical person and I don’t have any regrets.

I wouldn’t do anything differently. I believe in letting go and allowing life to flow through you rather than trying to control it.”

In glass and rust we trust.

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It takes four emails and six phone calls over eight days to make contact with Kevin Mortensen. Off the grid and out of reach is exactly how this eccentric artist likes it.

For the last 30 years, Kevin has called wild, ruggedly-beautiful Venus Bay home. A small winding dirt track leads to his secluded timber pole house, which sits hidden amongst the coastal scrubland of the remote Point Smythe peninsula.

With its dramatic vaulted ceilings, the open-plan home he designed comes alive with wall-to-wall sculptures, paintings, and installations inspired by the animal kingdom – windowshelves lined with bones and skulls; a stuffed Wedge-Tailed Eagle flying from the rafters; the beginnings of a giant raven’s head which will sit atop a 3-metre pole.

The evocative display tells the story of a life dedicated to interpreting the natural world – decades spent considering mythology of his Nordic ancestors, of exploring both our symbiosis with nature and the crisis we face as a result of our relentless consumption in a world of finite resources.

At 77, Kevin continues to find inspiration amid the unspoilt hinterland of South Gippsland: land that hasn’t been farmed, land where the kangaroos still outnumber the people.

Seventy kilometres inland from here in East Poowong, his Danish immigrant father put down roots after jumping ship in Port Melbourne. “He sold his sea-boots for six and twopence, and then walked from Melbourne to East Poowong where he heard there was a Danish settlement.” words katie cincotta photos warren reed

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Kevin believes his gravitation towards 3D art was influenced by his father John, who laboured with his hands – a man who built his own slab house, paved the roads of Gippsland and erected the bridges, including the spectacular Kilcunda trestle bridge. “At the time, painting – like poetry – struck me as rather effeminate by comparison to working with stone or wood. Something created in three-dimensional space often seems to take on a reality beyond what a painting can.”

As a reputed artist with works in the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia, Kevin – a contemporary sculptor with a decidedly environmental bent – has used clay, wire, iron and bronze in his practice. His prolific art career is the subject of an illustrated coffee-table book, Serious Play: The Art of Kevin Mortensen by Rob Haysom, which documents this unique artist’s place in Australian art folklore. The striking black and white cover depicts Kevin performing as his hybridised Bird Man character – a man’s body, a masked bird head – a motif that has been a constant in his career.

As a child, Kevin listened to his father’s tales of Norse mythology – of birds as the ‘spirit carriers’, of ravens feasting off the dead after battle, of the Viking God Odin and the two ravens that sat on his shoulders to advise him at night.

artist profile

The greatest tale of all was of the omnipotent Bird King.

“Since my childhood I have been familiar with a Danish ritual that goes back to the year 1473. According to history, the Swedish King was very envious of the Danish King. He sent to Denmark a magic bird, which took with it the symbols of his power – the ring from his finger and the crown from his head.

The Master of Arms saw the bird leaving and called out to his soldiers to shoot it. One man shot down the ring from his beak, another the crown, others its head and each of its wings

– but it kept flying. Only when a man shot it in the heart did it fall down to earth, and that man was called the Fuglekonge, the first Bird King.”

That story has been re-enacted by Danes ever since, in a ceremony during which an elaborate wooden bird is shot to pieces by participants wielding .22 rifles.

Having watched his older brother return bloodied and bandaged from World War II, Kevin reviles the violence of war. >

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He remains ambivalent about having shot the Wedge-Tailed Eagle that hangs from his roof. “As soon as I did it, the reality was very ugly. The bird didn’t die quickly. And what’s more, when I got it to the taxidermist’s it was the smallest bird there.

I’d shot a juvenile. But it’s remained with me ever since.”

His enigmatic art is permeated by an elemental and mythical quality that harks back to his Danish roots – forever elevating the bird as a symbol of power and life. “Did you know that humans and birds have the same number of bones in their bodies, in the same positions? And yet they are so distant from us. They lead such a different life, because they can fly,” Mortensen says.

frescoed farmhouse. There were ducks in the yard, a gypsy in the back room, a woman who would ride a rickety old bicycle across town with a huge basket full of marijuana – the Venetians were just so colourful.”

There is humour, and depth, and daring in Kevin’s work – not provocative for its own sake, but confrontational in order to elicit a response: art that you simply can’t ignore. “What has always appealed to me about sculpture is that it inhabits a space like we do. It has its own particular energy.”

… a life dedicated to interpreting the natural world

Grounded by two marriages and three children, the sculptor turned to teaching to earn a living in the 70s and 80s as an art lecturer at both Deakin University and RMIT. He recalls his sabbatical in Italy in 1981, when he represented Australia at the Venice Biennale with a piece titled ‘Even the hairs on your forearms grow in the same direction as feathers’. His work included a sculpture and performance based on the Bird Man in a confronting pose: upright, legs splayed, his penis and testicles front and centre. “I wanted to go from being dressed as a business man to this elemental character, so as part of the performance I went behind a screen and came back naked. Initially, nobody took much notice, but as soon as it hit the local paper, I drew big crowds.

It was quite rebellious.”

Kevin made friends with many of the local Venetians and enjoyed a period of hedonistic living among them. “I stayed there for four months, getting to know them, scoring hash from them, living with the local guards in a beautiful old

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While Kevin will call himself a sculptor, a painter, a printmaker and a performer, he refuses to use the term artist in describing himself. “Other people can call me an artist, but it would be quite pretentious of me to use that term. This is a principal of high art – a golden rule that has been in place at least since Leonardo Da Vinci’s time.” Kevin explains that among the Italian art community, legend has it that Da Vinci spoke these dramatic words on his deathbed: “What a pity I’m dying today. I thought for sure that by tomorrow I would be an artist.”

To this sensitive and charismatic man who lives a simple life among the birds, creating work with real purpose and reflection seems as natural as breathing in the brisk sea air.

“You simply have to ask yourself, ‘Is what you’re doing creative enough; is it personal enough; is it important enough?”

Serious Play: The Art of Kevin Mortensen Rob Haysom Published by Thames and Hudson 1 January 2016

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No plastic … faNtastIC

words eleanor mckay photos warren reed

If you have ever wondered just what you can do to help make the world a greener, cleaner place, it’s hard not to be inspired by Tammy’s story. Living on a Gippsland dairy farm with her husband and two small children, Tammy found herself increasingly concerned about the impact our modern, disposable lifestyle has on the environment. “Even though I’ve worked in local environmental organisations ever since I left uni, I felt that I wasn’t doing enough to address the issues.”

She decided to find a way to make a difference. Searching the internet for inspiration, she stumbled across the Plastic Free July Challenge run by the Western Metropolitan Regional Council in Perth. She’d recently seen a presentation on the problem of plastic in waterways and the ocean and its impact on birds and marine life, so she decided to sign on. “I thought: it’s only for a month, so I’ll give it a go.”

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Completing the challenge meant that for one month Tammy and her family would have to live without any single-use plastic. And as she found, that meant a change of mind-set and shopping routines. “You do have to think differently. You can’t just go to the supermarket. Some things are difficult to get rid of, but it’s easy to get rid of a lot of plastic packaging.

And you can make a huge difference.”

The key to her plastic-free success was shopping locally and talking to the store-owners about what she needed. Putting purchases into her own containers, reusing packaging or accessing bulk supplies from stores, Tammy said she had an overwhelmingly positive response from businesses.

Adjusting her own expectations was also important. “When I started, I was thinking … ‘oh man, how are we going to give

up chips and chocolate’? I thought, ‘Am I going to be completely deprived?’ But I just decided to stop buying them and then figure it out. And during the time I was figuring it out, I’d gone without all these things and I hadn’t missed them at all.” She soon realised that it wasn’t possible to find a replacement for everything. “After a while, I realised that you just have to change the way you eat.

You’re not going to be able to have all your treats and all your usual things plastic-free.

There just aren’t options for some things, and you can’t make everything yourself. You do have to change. But it does happen … it feels more fulfilling, and it’s much healthier.”

By the end of that first month, Tammy was hooked. She decided to keep going, because it had become about more than just plastic packaging. She started a blog – Gippsland Unwrapped – to share her journey and provide advice and encouragement for anyone else wanting to make the change. “I realised how much things are connected. Waste really goes across all areas of our lives. You realise there’s a lot you can do without. You start thinking about how much you’re consuming.”

Now twelve months into their waste-free journey, Tammy says the family consumes much less than they used to. “These days, I really only buy personal-care products and food. We get a lot of clothing given to us second-hand, and our focus is more on trying to have some experiences rather than getting things to make us happy.”

She’s also now an old hand at a range of homemade products like lip balm and deodorant. “Learning to make things initially takes time, but after that, it’s going to take you literally five minutes to mix a few ingredients together.” She has a pantry of staples (that she can buy in a box or packagefree) including bi-carb soda, lavender oil, coconut oil and arrowroot flour. “I’ve been really surprised at how many uses things like coconut oil and bi-carb soda mixed in different quantities can have.”

The success of the Gippsland Unwrapped blog makes it clear that there are plenty of people looking for ideas on how to live more sustainably, and Tammy hopes her blog can get people motivated to change the way they look at waste. “Just start somewhere. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

By taking small steps, you’re in the best position to take the next steps later on.”

Tammy says plastic is a good place to start.

“I really feel that by focusing on plastic, you can make such a difference to your household waste, because there’s so much of it. I’ve been doing sustainability forever, but I’ve never had an impact like this before.”

Tammy says that if you don’t feel ready to take on a full plastic-free challenge, here are some things you could do: Use your own shopping bags, including for produce.

In one week, we go through 10 billion plastic bags world-wide.

Stop buying coffee in disposable takeaway cups.

Find five minutes to sit down and enjoy it, or buy a KeepCup. Say no to straws. There are 500 million straws thrown away every day in the US alone. If you have to use one, look at reusable options like glass, steel or bamboo.

Always have a reusable water bottle rather than buying bottled water.

www.gippslandunwrapped.com

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Melaleuca Nursery INDIGENOUS & NATIVE PLANT FARM

‘Natives, because they’re beautiful’ Melaleuca Nursery has been supplying quality indigenous & native plants to West & South Gippsland for over 30 years. Whether it’s a few plants for the backyard or thousands for a revegetation project; we provide excellent advice on what’s best for your area.

ADDRESS:

OPEN:

PHONE:

EMAIL & WEB:

50 Pearsalls Road, Inverloch Vic 3996

Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5pm

Phone: 03 5674 1014 Trade enquiries welcome

info@gonativelandscapes.com www.melaleucanursery.com

AUSTRALIAN PLANTS SOCIETY SOUTH GIPPSLAND GROUP

enquiries 5664 2221

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Alyogyne huegelii

plant sale . book sale

EAT WELL LIVE WELL SHOP WELL Expert advice, trusted products, healthy living solutions

SHOP ONLINE AT

UPBEET.COM.AU

Grain mills, bamboo brushes, medicinal mushrooms, water systems, organic teas, essential oils, organic skin care, natural makeup, orgone products and much more.

125 Graham St, Wonthaggi, 3995 Phone: 5672 5825 Email: info@UpBeet.com.au Open 9am – 5pm coast 45

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BuiLdinG & desiGn

Beach house constructions Accredited GreenSmart builders, our homes are designed to improve energy, resource and waste efficiency and create healthier homes. A GreenSmart home is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. We provide a wide range of designs, quality materials and our exceptional team deliver outstanding service. Winner – 2015 HIA National GreenSmart Sustainable Custom Home of the Year. www.beachhouseconstructions.com.au or call 0425 512 999.

BeachLiFe (ehouse) A family building/design business operating since 1979, Geoff and Sandra Ashby work closely with you to create and build your new home. Geoff employs strong passive design principles to ensure your living comfort, whilst externally his designs impact softly on the environment. Modern energy efficient home designs that suit both your individual lifestyle and budget. By satisfaction we succeed. www.ehouse.net.au or call 0418 341 413 / 9707 2801.

Beaumont concePts

ecoLiv

Beaumont Concepts have won a range of industry awards since establishing in 2001 – most recently national recognition

by NABD for the Silverleaves house. We provide innovative sustainable design and precision construction with high level customer service and personal involvement.

Our sustainable designs capitalise on natural elements to reduce energy output, ensuring an environmentally-friendly home with the highest possible energy rating.

Ecoliv prefabricated modular homes provide compact yet functional housing solutions for permanent or holiday living in any location.

Sustainable modular design options allow you to adapt, change or add to your home by arranging predesigned modules in a variety of configurations. Constructed in our factory and transported on site, modules can be used as extension or a complete new home.

www.beaumontconcepts.com.au or call 5672 5196.

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www.ecoliv.com.au or call 5672 5196.

Contact Drew Cooper E: drew@ediblegardens.com.au P: 0407 466 523 | www.ediblegardens.com.au

Will Peters E: will@peninsulaplants.com.au P: 0419 513 505 | www.peninsulaplants.com.au coast 47

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Compact cleverness

When Beach House Constructions built a cleverly designed, compact house on farmland in Kongwak, it wasn’t just a win for the environment. It also won the 2015 HIA National GreenSmart Award for the Custom Built Home.

A family company established by Mark and Melissa Plant, Beach House Constructions has built its reputation on beautiful, environmentally sensible homes. The Kongwak home is the latest in a series of award-winning projects. “Our client was looking for a local, sustainable builder,” explained Beach House Constructions’ Amy Plant. “She wanted someone who would be open to different ideas and approaches, and who used local trades and suppliers where possible. That’s all key to our service, so we worked together really well.”

Incorporating features such as a worm waste farm, doubleglazed windows, water tanks, photovoltaic power and a grey water system, the Beach House Constructions team worked closely with their client to come up a design that worked for her and for the environment. The house has a small footprint, which was cost effective and meant less earth movement and less vegetation removal. “We like to design houses that are easy to live in,” said Amy. “They don’t require a lot of energy to run, or need a lot of personal energy to clean, organise and maintain.”

Using their in-house draftsperson and interior designer, Beach House Constructions made sure the house was liveable and sustainable. That included orienting the house to get the

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best cross-flow ventilation and maximum passive solar heat gain. The design considered both form and function from day one, including realistic household storage needs. The use of recycled materials, such as the front door made from recycled timber, and FSC/AFC certified and local timbers for the decks and cladding, added to the house’s green credentials. Using local trades and suppliers was a key criterion for this project.

Beach House Constructions used Finding the Grain, Dean Bould Electrical, Ash Watt Plumbing, and Capeview Building Products for materials as well as the joinery. Amy explained: “We also encourage our clients to use local suppliers when it comes to the finishing touches of their homes – landscaping, carpets, blinds, furniture and decor – it’s about keeping it local and stimulating our local economy!”

The end result? A beautiful, compact home that delivered rewards for its owner and the environment alike.

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preloved ladies clothing boutique 5 Lyon Street, Leongatha coast 50

0408 387 859

gatheredconcepts@gmail.com

Sustainable design, Smart living

WINNER 2015 BDAV AWARDS Residential New Homes up to $300,000 Construction Cost

ECOLIV OFF THE GRID DISPLAY

Ecoliv’s factory built modular homes use fewer resources and energy to ensure minimal site disturbance right from the start. Our transportable designs allow you to adapt, change or add to your home with ease by simply arranging predetermined modules in a variety of configurations. Each home configuration features 7 star thermal performance rating for affordable, comfortable and sustainable living.

Standard inclusions:  Solar Hot Water  Solar Electricity  Energy efficient lighting  Electricity usage meter  Maximum star rated appliances

 10,000 litre water tank configuration  Water saving plumbing fittings  Double glazed windows  No VOC Ecolour paints  Renewable plantation timber

 EarthWool insulation  Boral Enviro plasterboard  Green First Laminex joinery  100% wool carpet  Reconstituted Ceasarstone benches

Visit our display home at 332 White Road Wonthaggi Ph. 5672 5196

www.ecoliv.com.au coast 51

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BuiLdinG & desiGn

LanGFord jones homes

staBiLearth

Langford Jones Homes is committed to building energy efficient homes. We achieve our 6 star energy efficient rating for our homes by featuring double glazed windows throughout, LED down lighting and a 2000 litre slimline water tank, among other market-leading standard inclusions.

Stabilised rammed earth specialists.

Rammed earth has a low environmental impact, is highly suited to bush fire prone areas, requires little to no maintenance, and its high thermal mass can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs. As registered Green Living domestic builders, StabilEarth Constructions can complete your project from start to finish.

www.langfordjoneshomes.com.au or call 9579 2277.

www.stabilearth.com.au or call 0429 841 057.

Gardens & outdoors

Burra Garden suPPLies This local family-owned business is the largest combined garden supplies and nursery in South Gippsland. Their extensive range includes garden toppings, pavers, screening, sleepers, soil, mulch, scoria, crushed rock, compost and firewood. The nursery carries roses, ornamentals, fruit trees, natives, citrus seeds and seedlings. Also offer truck hire and supply pig manure for farms and domestic gardens. www.burragardensupplies.com.au or call 5658 1687.

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ediBLe Gardens & PeninsuLa PLants There is nothing more satisfying than a kitchen full of produce from a garden that is full of life. With our complete landscaping and maintenance team, we combine food plants into a low maintenance indigenous garden for a unique and bountiful landscape.

Come down to our production nursery in Fingal and meet our friendly team. www.peninsulaplants.com.au, ediblegardens.com.au, or call Drew on 0407 466 523.

GRACE LANDSCAPES

Design Solutions, Beautiful Landscapes

Landscape design & construction

Flowers for all occasions

Living art arrangements made to order

Classes available – learn how to create your own arrangements

Bonsai, Tillandsia, cacti, pots, planters, terrariums and glass also sold individually

Indoor and outdoor plant display Rustic timber furniture made to order

Heath Grace 0404 596 504 Nela Grace 0434 423 339 8 Vista Place CAPE WOOLAMAI | Open 6 days 9am – 5pm, 9 – 3 weekends (closed Tuesdays) | www.heathgracelandscapes.com coast 53

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On the Island’s frontline

If you ask most folks what comes to mind when thinking of Phillip Island, you’re likely to get a range of answers including beautiful beaches, lazy summer holidays and of course the penguins. But there’s a special group of people whose responses are more likely to include topics like eradicating feral animals, weed management, revegetation and wildlife rescue.

These are the Environment Rangers from Phillip Island Nature Parks. Their work on the front line of conservation allows us all to enjoy this idyllic location.

Since their introduction to Australia in the mid-1800s, foxes have played a significant role in the decline of many native species. Here on Phillip Island, foxes are the little penguin’s biggest threat on land, having been responsible for many penguin deaths, with a single fox capable of killing up to 30 penguins a night.

After many years of effort to remove the island’s foxes, Nature Parks’ Rangers welcomed the adoption of a Fox Eradication Project in 2006, which incorporated a range of integrated techniques such as night-time searches, fixed cameras and track searches, to rid Phillip Island of foxes completely.

The eradication program was further enhanced in 2014 with the introduction of two fox detection dogs, a couple of highly trained springer spaniels named Sam and Jazz. Alongside their handler the dogs have achieved excellent results, covering over 2700km of survey areas in 2015 alone.

This dedicated team, along with an integrated approach to eradication, has been responsible for reducing the fox population on the island from an estimated 60 to 70 at the words & photos supplied

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commencement of the program, to what is estimated to be less than 6 individuals now. Testament to the team’s hard work is the fact that there has been no physical evidence of foxes found since August last year.

Just as pest animals can wreak havoc on wildlife, so can pest plants wreak havoc on wildlife by destroying its natural habitat. The dictionary defines a weed as ‘a plant growing where it is not wanted’, and the Nature Parks’ Environment Rangers have long been targeting many areas where weeds or pest plants are not wanted.

Thanks to the ongoing work of Rangers, the focus of weed management has shifted over the years from large scale infestations to more targeted follow up and habitat restoration. Major works carried out 5 years ago at Observation Point in the Ramsar listed Rhyll Inlet for example, have dramatically improved the natural values of this significant part of the wetlands. Rangers are now able to focus on the removal of seedlings of such invasive weeds as Polygala and Dolichos pea, to ensure the ongoing protection of this site.

2016 marks 10 years of concerted weed management on Cape Woolamai, with work continuing on the removal of Boxthorn, Inkweed, Apple of Sodom, Horehound, Capeweed, Buffalo grass, Kikuyu and thistles. Rangers employ a variety

of techniques including hand weeding, bagging seed heads, cutting and painting, spraying, and the Ecoblade, a specialist piece of machinery that simultaneously slashes and applies herbicide in a single pass.

Grasses such as Kikuyu and Buffalo stop birds including shearwaters and penguins from digging burrows. They can also affect other ground nesting birds like Cape Barren geese and lapwings by tangling and injuring their feet and wings, and forcing them to nest in hazardous or difficult areas.

Weed removal is only part of the story of course, and needs to be followed up with revegetation. The major focus over the past 12 months has been on increasing biodiversity as well as plant numbers to maintain sustainable habitats. To that end, a total of 55,000 grasses, shrubs, trees and ground covers were planted during the last year by Rangers and a group of volunteers. As these plantings mature over time, the selected vegetation is able to out-compete the weeds, allowing native plants to self-generate and maintain a sustainable habitat for the island’s wildlife.

This wildlife is at the heart of operations carried out by Nature Parks’ Rangers in the area of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Highly trained Rangers are on duty 365 days a year, responding to reports of sick or injured wildlife on Phillip Island, receiving 820 calls for assistance last year alone.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, and the successful fund-raising activities of the Penguin Foundation such as the adopt-a-penguin program, the Nature Parks opened a state of the art rehabilitation clinic in 2011 within the Penguin Parade precinct. This clinic is the hub of wildlife care undertaken

by Nature Parks’ Rangers on the island, and its facilities have hosted a wide variety of wildlife species.

The clinic treats approximately 500 animals each year, with the focus being to release them back into the wild when they are strong and healthy enough to do so. Last year the clinic saw a total of 48 different local species including penguins, wallabies, possums and geese, along with a Fiordland penguin from New Zealand which found itself a long way from home and needing help.

Nature Parks’ Rangers also carry out an important rescue program when the short-tailed shearwaters commence their annual migratory journey to Alaska each April. The shearwater chicks have difficulty flying and can be attracted to street lights, often finding themselves on the roads at the mercy of traffic. Rangers and volunteers rescued around 360 shearwaters last year, giving them another chance to complete their long migration.

As a world leader in eco-tourism, Phillip Island Nature Parks takes its role of conservation and managing the environment very seriously, and is at the forefront of world’s best practice when it comes to caring for the natural habitat and environment on Phillip Island. So next time you’re enjoying watching the penguins waddle ashore at the Penguin Parade, or lazing on one of our wonderful beaches, spare a thought for the Rangers, the unsung heroes who are on the front line of maintaining this much loved holiday destination.

www.penguins.org.au

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Gardens & outdoors

Grace LandscaPes

meLaLeuca nursery

Grace Landscapes create beautiful, functional and sustainable residential and commercial landscapes. Specialists in natural and formal design, including native flora and fauna, billabongs and outdoor living spaces, using the latest in design concepts, construction techniques and material. Their Cape Woolamai store includes living art, bonsai, terrariums and rustic timber furniture made to order.

Based in Inverloch, Melaleuca has one of the widest ranges of indigenous and native plants suitable for the West and South Gippsland regions. Let us help you choose the best plants for your property – be it a small garden or a large-scale revegetation project. Wholesale enquiries welcome. www.melaleucanursery.com or call 5674 1014.

www.heathgracelandscapes.com or call 0404 596 504.

Fashion, Food and Furniture

PeninsuLa shade saiLs

Gathered concePts

Peninsula Shade Sails is synonymous with quality weather protection. Locally owned and operated since 1995, our range of shade sails and waterproof structures are designed and manufactured inhouse in central Mornington. Using premium materials, our service spans initial consultation to installation with workmanship excellence guaranteed. Discuss your next project with us today.

Wondering what to do with the unworn clothing lingering in your wardrobe? Bring it to Gathered Concepts of course! With an emphasis on quality brands this new boutique, nestled down a quaint lane way, buys and sells an extensive range of recycled ladies fashion, footwear and accessories. Visit their store: 5 Lyon Street, Leongatha or stall at Factory 7 Wonthaggi.

www.peninsulashadesails.com.au or call 1800 501 084.

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Call 0408 387 859.

KEEN ON BEING GREEN. Talk to us about eco-furnishing options. We stock environmentally-friendly floor coverings and a range of recycled and sustainable timber furniture, plus a stunning selection of homewares, furnishings and gifts.

Add luxury to your home and care for the environment with 100% recycled fibre carpet or low-emissions-rated luxury vinyl planks.

155 Thompson Avenue, Cowes

|

Ph. 03 5952 1488

|

Fax. 03 5952 1348

|

www.southcoastfurnishings.com.au

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“our well-considered designs focus on the individual, we create energy efficient healthy living environments for you to enjoy, designs that are delivered on time, on budget and built by our team of quality tradesmen.”

– by satisfaction we succeed

ehouse builders designers custom homes

www.ehouse.net.au designing sustainable architecture since 1979 PO Box 1372, Narre Warren MDC, 3805 | Phone: 03 9707 2801 | Fax: 03 9707 2801 | Email: ashbrae@bigpond.com | www.ehouse.net.au

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Design & dedication to detail.

Peninsula Shade Sails is synonymous with quality weather protection.

Locally owned and operated since 1995, our range of shade sails and waterproof structures are designed and manufactured inhouse in central Mornington. Using premium materials, our service spans initial consultation to installation with workmanship excellence guaranteed.

Give us a call today to discuss your next project.

1800 501 084 www.peninsulashadesails.com.au 3A Barrett Lane, Mornington coast 59

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Fashion, Food and Furniture

orGanature

south coast FurnishinGs

A family owned business that manufactures and sells certified organic cotton manchester, mattresses, beds, baby goods, futons and clothing. Also sells toxic-free hardwood timber furniture. Environmentally friendly and perfect for anyone suffering from allergies or chemical sensitivity. All fabrics are made from GOTS certified organic cotton, grown by non-toxic methods and only using rain water. Guaranteed chemical free.

Come in and talk to us about eco furnishing options. We now stock environmentallyfriendly floor coverings including carpet made from renewably sourced polymer containing 37% natural corn sugar, which is stain, fade and soil resistant. Our 100% recyclable luxury vinyl planks have the lowest emissions rating for flooring. Also check our great range recycled or sustainable timber furniture.

www.organature.com.au or call 5678 5444.

www.southcoastfurnishings.com.au or call 5952 1488.

South Gippsland Therapy Centre

SGTC provides a broad selection of professional natural therapies.

Thorough, personalised care for all aches, pains, injuries and ailments.

Modalities available are: Myotherapy, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Pilates, Podiatry.

Emphasis is on a thorough treatment approach, always prioritising the cause of your symptoms, providing long term relief.

Helping you to feel your very best.

a: 8 Peart St, Leongatha p: 56625225 e: admin@sgtc.com.au w. www.sgtc.com.au

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Feng Shui

Robyn Collins Make the most of the surrounding environment to support you to reach your full potential. With balance comes the likelihood of better health, wealth, career and relationships.

Robyn Collins is a certified Feng Shui practitioner who has a passion for sharing her knowledge.

Covers Bass Coast and Gippsland p: 0423 237 003

One StOp ShOp Locally owned & operated Open 7 days Mon–Fri: 7.30am – 5pm sat: 8am – 3pm sun: 10am – 2pm

seedlings fruit trees ornamentals natives roses shrubs rock sand pavers pebbles mulch soil

truck cartage delivery all areas

redgum firewood fertilizers ornaments pots

32 Leongatha Road, Korumburra 03 5658 1687 email: burragardensupplies@bigpond.com

www.burragardensupplies.com.au coast 61

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Fashion, Food and Furniture

Switch to plant based skincare for toxic free beautiful skin

uPBeet heaLth & whoLeFoods A total approach to healthy living, Upbeet stocks a wide range of grocery products with an emphasis on food for those living with dietary restrictions or food allergies. Health conscious and environmentally aware, all their foods and products have a low impact on the planet and are GM free. Shop online or instore for a fantastic range of organic wholefoods and health products. www.upbeet.com.au or call 5672 5825.

We’re thinking green hair, with a range of eco-friendly products.

Pureology Serious Colour Care – ZeroSulfate shampoos, conditioners and treatments. 100% vegan formulas, 100% recyclable bottles, FDA approved recycled plastic.

Evo brushes: professional quality brushes and combs for all hair types, made from FSC certified hardwood. Whether it’s Bruce, Hank, Pete or Roy… there’s a perfect match (brush or comb-wise) for you. p.s. we use Spray Aus tan – full of natural & certified organic ingredients

Open 9am–5pm Tue & Fri, 10am-8pm Wed & Thu, 8am–1pm Sat a: 103b Marine Pd, San Remo p: 5678 5323 w: beachsidehairandbeauty.com.au

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Combat the signs of ageing naturally with our revolutionary AgeDefying formulas. Rejuvenate the look of your skin with the AHA Facial Exfoliator and Phytox™ Oil, helping refine the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin looking and feeling softer, brighter and more radiant.

Available now at Berwick Pharmacy. KORA Organics products are proudly Australian made, certified organic and not tested on animals.

Phone orders welcome with Free Delivery on purchases over $50.

Open Mon–Fri 8am to 9pm, Sat 8am to 8pm and Sun 9am to 6pm a: 51 High Street Berwick, Victoria 3806 p: (03) 97071555

StabilEarth Constructions rammed earth

South Gippsland’s rammed earth specialists.

Residential builds in the local area and contracting for rammed earth works throughout Victoria and interstate.

Sandy Point, South Gippsland, Vic. mob: 0429 841 057 w: www.stabilearth.com.au e: owen@stabilearth.com.au DBU 43000

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island landscape + design

SOLAR HOT WATER

Reduce water heating energy usage by up to 80%.

Heating hot water is the single largest source of energy usage in the home. Replacing an electric HWS with a Rheem Solar HWS could save up to $700 off your electricity bill per year.

Supplied and fitted for only $2,795*.

It all starts with a design consultation where you tell us what you need and want. At Island Landscape + Design we give you a garden that will suit your home and your lifestyle, delivering a design that will work best for you – and your budget. Our reputation for high quality and attention to detail is built on 20+ years experience in residential, commercial and government projects. Call Matt Crooks for a free consultation, you won’t be disappointed.

Gippsland Solar & Roof Supplies p: 0400 531 555 or 5664 4428 andy@gipsol.com.au

p: 0419 356 222 e: info@islandlandscaping.com.au w: www.islandlandscaping.com.au

*subject to site inspection

The Good Life Directory – SPRING 2016

Beach House Constructions

(p 49) www.beachhouseconstructions.com.au 0425 512 999

Beachlife Projects (eHouse)

(p 58) www.ehouse.net.au 0418 341 413 / 9707 2801

Beachside Hair & Beauty (p 62)

www.facebook.com/BeachsideHairAndBeauty/ 5678 5323

Beaumont Concepts

(p 122) www.beaumontconcepts.com.au 5672 5196

Berwick Pharmacy (p 62) www.berwickpharmacy.com.au 9707 1555 Burra Garden Supplies

(p 61) www.burragardensupplies.com.au 5658 1687

EcoLiv (p 51) www.ecoliv.com.au 5672 5196 Edible Gardens & Peninsula Plants (p 47)

www.ediblegardens.com.au 0407 466 523

Feng Shui Elements (p 60)

0423 237 003

Gathered Concepts (p 50)

www.facebook.com/gatheredconcepts/ 0408 387 859

Gippsland Solar & Roof Supplies (p 64)

0400 531 555 or 5664 4428

Grace Landscapes (p 53) www.heathgracelandscapes.com 0404 596 504, 0434 423 339 Island Landscape & Design (p 64)

www.islandlandscaping.com.au 0419 356 222, 5952 3838

Langford Jones Homes

(p 8) www.langfordjoneshomes.com.au 9579 2277

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Rybie Lawn

Golf course quality lawns at an affordable price.

• Mowing and garden care • Lawn construction • Tree and hedge trimming • Fertilizing and weeding • Fully qualified and insured • Reliable on time service Call Ryan Hall – over 20 years experience in the horticultural/turf industry.

Residential, commercial, body corporates & holiday homes.

Open 7 Days M-F: 7am–4.30pm SAT: 8am–2pm SUN: 9am–12noon a: 11 Inverloch Road, Wonthaggi p: 56723757 e: info@wonthaggigardensupplies.com.au w: www.wonthaggigardensupplies.com.au

0400 259 237 rybie@bigpond.com

Melaleuca Nursery

(p 44) www.melaleucanursery.com 5674 1014

Peninsula Shade Sails

(p 59) www.peninsulashadesails.com.au 1800 501 084

Phillip Island Nature Parks (p 54)

www.penguins.org.au 5951 2800

Organature (p 40)

www.organature.com.au 5678 5444

Chris and Melanie Carlisle’s family-run business stocks a huge range of garden supplies, including mulch, pavers, aggregates, toppings, sleepers, pebbles, rocks, soil, sand and compost. Chris has over 20 years landscaping experience and is happy to help you with your garden plans and ideas. They look after you and the environment - carefully considering the origin of the products they stock. All firewood is sourced from certified sustainable forest and mulches are produced with recycled materials.

South Coast Furnishings (p 57)

www.southcoastfurnishings.com.au 5952 1488

South Gippsland Therapy Centre (p 60)

www.sgtc.com.au 5662 5225

StabilEarth (p 63)

www.stabilearth.com.au 0429 841 057

Westernport Water

(p 66) www.westernportwater.com.au 1300 720 711

Winnmill Design (p 62) www.facebook.com/winnmilldesign 0418 536 950 Wonthaggi Garden Supplies (p 65)

www.wonthaggigardensupplies.com.au/ 5672 3757

Upbeet Health & Wholefoods (p 45) www.upbeet.com.au 5672 5825

Rybie Lawn (p 65)

0400 259 237

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Changing landscapes

words geoff russell photos warren reed

For the past seventeen years, Westernport Water has worked with the Bass Coast Landcare Network on conservation projects to help protect and repair the local environment.

Both Westernport Water and Bass Coast Landcare Network share a passion to protect and improve the biodiversity of the local environment. Through the partnership, Westernport Water makes it possible for Landcare to help educate and assist landholders to undertake on-ground works in the catchment and develop land management plans to make their farms more sustainable.

Helping protect and enhance farmland by controlling weeds, fencing and planting native vegetation also provides protection for the waterways. In particular, keeping grazing livestock away from the water’s edge is a priority. “Candowie Reservoir is in an open catchment,” explained Westernport Water Managing Director, Peter Quigley. “To provide good water quality, we rely on landholders and farmers within the catchment area to carefully manage their activities to help prevent nutrients entering the reservoir.”

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In August this year, a team of volunteers, including Westernport Water employees, local farmers and Landcare volunteers braved the wet weather to plant 1000 trees on land upstream of Candowie Reservoir. Landowner Alister McBride had been driving past this Almurta property since he was young and watching as more landslips occurred over the years.

“I remember thinking that a lot of the steeper gradients in the area probably shouldn’t have been cleared in the first place,” said Alister. “My partner Georgia and I ended up buying the property in 2015 and we saw the potential for a beautiful place to live. We really appreciate our long-standing relationship with both Landcare and water authorities and with their assistance we have revegetated 10 acres this year. This would not have been possible without their help! Our intention is to revegetate approximately 45 acres in total, helping to set up a property that is more productive and easier to manage.”

So far this year, 10,000 trees have been planted on the property and these will help restore the land, which is suffering from landslips and erosion. This is stage one in a larger, ongoing program funded by Melbourne Water through their Stream Frontage Management Program.

Bass Coast Landcare Network Chair, Mike Cleeland, is excited about how this catchment will look in future years. “This project is a game changer for the catchment. Once these plants grow, the landscape will look completely different. You won’t recognise this property in ten years time. Repairing and improving the landscape is good for everyone. It has a lasting effect, protecting creeks and water quality, by naturally filtering the water runoff before it reaches the drinking water reservoir.”

This is just one of a number of projects in the catchment area facilitated by the Landcare Network which directly compliments Westernport Water’s focus on improving water quality.“ Landcare’s expertise and local knowledge, combined with their know-how in improving and restoring agricultural land provides real benefits,” said Peter. “On top of their land management activities, the Landcare Team also provides

community and school education, conducts workshops and helps local landholders develop sustainable practices and plans.

“As an organisation we recognise the value of our partnership with Bass Coast Landcare Network and the important work they do in our community with landholders,” said Peter.

“We also take advantage of their skills and knowledge to help us sustainably manage our environmental resources.”

Mike Cleeland is similarly proud of the partnership and its achievements. “Clearly this partnership is one we use as an example throughout the region. It has all the fundamentals in place. Westernport Water is passionate about supporting local organisations to deliver quality products and services to the community. We are proud that Westernport Water hold us in such high regard”.

This highly successful partnership has provided many benefits for the local community and environment. With both parties guaranteeing the partnership through until 2021, it’s a clear win for the environment.

WESTERNPORT WATER

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Worshipping the waves

words sally o’neill photos warren reed and supplied

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surfer profile Surfing is “like a religion” to Simon McShane, and the 42-year-old has spent most of his life worshipping at the altars of the world’s great waves.

Look on many surfing websites and you’ll find mention of Simon McShane. From winning competitions to being spotted as the ‘solitary man in an isolated lineup somewhere on a south-facing coastline’, he’s there in his quest for the perfect ride.

This modest family man is actually one of Victoria’s most dominant surfers. He’s co-holder of the record for the highest number of state titles, has been an Australian champion, and has won almost every competition you can name. Competing with guts, skill and style, he not only ripped through the traditional surfing scene, but also placed second in the ‘Australian Airshow Title’. In this specialised style, surfers launch themselves off waves while performing technical aerial moves – not for the faint-hearted.

Growing up and learning to surf in Tasmania (often with snow falling on his head and a slightly dodgy wetsuit) provided a solid grounding for the tough world of competitive surfing.

He was addicted to the sport from the first wave on his twinfin Eagle and made the state team each year. “My first trip away was to Western Australia in 1987, and that was a long way for a kid. It was an addiction, and of course, I wanted to be a professional surfer, so that’s why I left Tassie. You can only go so far there.”

Arriving in Victoria at the age of nineteen, he drove straight to Bells Beach. When the waves died, his friend suggested that the conditions would be perfect for Phillip Island, so they hit the road. “The Island waves were pretty much as good as they get.”

The deal was sealed when he was offered a job, and 23 years later he still works with Mark Plant at Beach House Constructions.

He recalls that the Island surfing scene then had a “totally different vibe”, with core groups of local surfers. “Now there are a lot more day-trippers and tourists and you see surfers in really nice cars. Back then you just didn’t care about stuff like that: I remember spray-painting my car myself. When the surf was up, there was no one at work – now there are tradies here who don’t surf. They make money and build houses – it’s a totally different world.” >

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When I met Carly …

I was just a monk to surfing.

He admits competitive surfing was tough, having to find money for airfares and hire-cars, and even sleeping in the car if needed. “I loved surfing and would’ve been doing it whether I was paid or not, but when I won some money or the airfare – it didn’t get much better than that. I was out on some of the world’s best waves with just a few guys. These days you have to be the total package and invest at least $100,000 to chase the circuit seriously.”

Retiring from competition didn’t change his passion for the sport. Now it’s more about seeking out the best waves, the most fun and the biggest adventure. Like the time he and mate Sandy Ryan went back to his home state to face the demon waves at Shipstern, a location that had been considered unsurfable when he lived in Tasmania. “Sandy pestered me, so we went down in 2009. We rocked up to find the biggest waves they’d had there to date – 20-30 foot. It was huge, extreme and terrifying. Would he do it again? “Yes”.

Due to the “fear of death” he won’t name his favourite Phillip Island waves. He loves Indonesian frontier waves such as Nias (on its day) and he currently has his eye on “probably one of the best and longest left-handers in the world”, discovered recently in Namibia. But that wave will have to wait …

Even the wildest surfer can be tamed – just. “I give him a very long lead,” laughs wife Carly. Since meeting Carly and becoming the father of their two children, Rosie and Sonny, Simon has learnt that he doesn’t have to surf every day.

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“When I met Carly, my life one hundred percent revolved around surfing – that was a no-brainer. I had one cup when she moved in – I was just a monk to surfing. I was using t-shirts for pillowcases, and made all my own furniture from scraps off job-sites. I didn’t have a computer; I would just go to work, eat, surf and go to Indo each year. But now things have changed.”

A quick surf trip to Indonesia before the birth of his second child was a wake-up call. Carly’s waters broke unexpectedly at eight months, and it took him a few days to get back home due to flight delays from volcano ash. He then broke his acromio-clavicular (AC) joint at Woolamai, and was out of the water for five months (which he describes as harder to bear than the shoulder pain and two operations that followed).

“I had to keep the money coming in, so I painted three houses with one arm.” For once life got in the way of surfing. “It was an extremely difficult time, and we’re stoked that we’ve got through it now,” says Simon, who has been back in the water since March.

Despite major life changes, Simon is still a dedicated devotee of the sport and is not going to lose his ‘religion’ anytime soon. His passion has just had to mellow a little. “Once a surfer, always a surfer: you go into it with a contract almost, and it will never change. You surf until you die.”

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building stronger communities

A REWARDING CONTRIBUTION Through a diverse and innovative set of programs, projects and scholarships, San Remo District Financial Services Ltd has supported the growth, health and well-being of the community.

For the past five years, the local Bendigo Community Banks® have been helping local students attend university. The three branches overseen by San Remo District Financial Services (San Remo, Cowes and Grantville) have helped 11 students achieve their education goals. Each year, at least three first-year university students are awarded scholarships of $5000. As an added incentive, the students qualify for a further

$5000 the following year if they pass all their first-year subjects. Two recipients of our inaugural University Scholarship program have now successfully graduated from their three years of study and are now reaping the rewards of their hard work. Congratulations Alister Hadley and Maddie Gardiner. In total, $105,000 has been allocated to helping the careers and skills of our young people.

COMMUNITY PROMISE Our Bank believes successful customers and successful communities create a successful bank – in that order.

First and foremost, we’re a good bank. But it’s the way we help communities to prosper that makes us unique.

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Applications for scholarships close in January each year. Details on how to apply are available online or at your local Bendigo Community Bank® branch.

A Bendigo Community Bank® funded student re-engagement project at Wonthaggi Secondary School works with students who have lost interest in education and have stopped coming to school. Now in its third year, the project helps fund a Youth Re-engagement Officer, who works with individual students to find ways to help them reconnect with school and to pursue further education options. The school is thrilled with the success of the project and the impact it is having on the lives of students and their families.

In Cowes, the brand new CFA tanker provides a very visual reminder of the contribution

“We return approximately 80% of our profit to the local community in the form of sponsorships and grants.”

Bendigo Community Banks® makes in their local area. The CFA was on a fund-raising drive to purchase a new tanker, so we set up a challenge account, and promised to match their funds once they reached $10,000. We were very happy to present them with a cheque in April this year.

Another vehicle is at the heart of a special project the Bendigo Community Bank® has been involved with over the last three years.

The successful L2P project helps 16 to 21-year-olds who don’t have access to a supervisor driver or a vehicle to get their 120 hours of learner driver experience. To date, this project has helped 14 young people from our area receive their licence.

Each year, over 30,000 people die from a heart attack (or sudden cardiac arrest). Every

Your Bendigo Community Bank® has provided

$1.3 million in sponsorships

$717,000

in community grants

$413,500 in dividends

minute that a victim remains untreated their chance of survival reduces by 10 per cent.

An easy-to-use piece of equipment known as a defibrillator can change those frightening statistics. Over the last three years, 29 of

these fantastic life-saving machines have been installed in local sporting clubs, businesses and shopping centres from Kernot to Cowes, thanks to San Remo District Financial Services. To make sure the machines provide the biggest possible benefit to the community, several local groups have organised their own information sessions (open to the public) on how to use the defibrillators.

In another life-saving link, for the past 11 years, we have proudly supported the San Remo Channel Challenge (the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club’s major annual fund-raiser) and the Cowes Classic. This year, San Remo District Financial Services contributed $11,000 to these popular events.

We offer a diverse range of products and services that can satisfy all our customers banking needs:

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• Business Banking • Superannuation • Financial Planning Grantville & District Community Bank Branch Shop 4, 1503 Bass Highway, Grantville Phone 5678 8773

community. Drop into your nearest branch today.

San Remo & District Community Bank Branch 103a Marine Parade, San Remo Phone 5678 5833

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e D U C AT i o n

Sometimes IT TAKES A VILLAGE “Oh, the places you’ll go!

There is fun to be done!

There are points to be scored.

There are games to be won.”

“So be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So...get on your way!”

– Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Every child is precious, especially those faced with unique challenges such as intellectual disability, and Autism.

South Gippsland Specialist School in Leongatha has a precious motto – ‘Together We Grow’ under the logo of a tree’s umbrella of leaves, which is a beautiful metaphor for the work it does for children who need specialist learning.

Not just a dedicated school – a second family – that extends its branches of support to welcome students with special needs aged between 5–18. With big classrooms, a pool, multipurpose hall, fruit and vegetable garden, a chicken coop, and a café style kitchen, nobody is missing out on fun and learning.

Our unique kitchen has doors that can be opened up to the courtyard for celebrations, which makes for a wonderful al fresco experience in the fresh air of this beautiful part of Gippsland.

Personalized education programs around Literacy, Numeracy, Communication, Art, Science, P.E., Swimming, The Arts, ICT, Kitchen, Garden, Life Skills and Work Experience deliver a broad range of knowledge and skills.

Small class sizes, one teacher and support worker for each classroom, and social workers, speech pathologists and occupational therapists on hand give every student at South Gippsland Specialist School a chance to thrive.

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Dr Seuss inspired us with his delightful spin on planning and success. “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed).”

We also want children to experience success, to reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally, to function independently and cooperatively within the school and to engage in local community programs and activities so they can feel like a valued part of the region.

It’s a framework based on respect, learning, safety, teamwork and social justice, which is how children grow to become empowered members of society. Our focus on social skills and building positive relationships goes beyond text book learning so that children have a caring and stimulating school environment to rely on.

As parents and guardians you are the family tree, and we are the outstretched branches, the open arms, ready to share the load and show your child the beauty and wonder of learning and friendship.

For a tour of the school, please call (03) 5662 4496 during office hours and let us show you our philosophy in action.

Together we grow.

Our dedicated staff adopt a flexible approach to teaching and learning bringing with them a variety of skills, interests and experiences to enhance programs.There is strong commitment to the development of the whole child and we are sensitive to individual student abilities and circumstances. Our supportive environment encourages students to be enthusiastic learners.

Our broad curriculum aims to encourage our students to function independently and cooperatively within the school and local community maximising potential in all areas of development. Students are encouraged to reach their full potential in a safe learning environment that fosters positive community relationships.We pride ourselves on providing a caring, stimulating environment for all students and welcome you to visit our school at any time.

WE ARE NOW TAKING ENROLMENTS FOR 2016.

Please call (03) 56624496 during office hours to arrange a tour of the school.

13 Horn Street, LEONGATHA 3953 Australia. Phone: 03 5662 4496. Fax: 03 5662 5873. Email: south.gippsland.ss@edumail.vic.gov.au

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e D U C AT i o n

Learning TO PLAY

The secure and nurturing atmosphere at Newhaven College provides the perfect environment for your child’s school life.

Newhaven College’s Junior School is set on 82 acres at the beautiful Phillip Island Road campus. Those first years are vital in any child’s education journey where the school focuses on both the intellectual and emotional development of students.

“This is a happy, welcoming community where students feel secure and valued,” explained Ralph Arceo, Head of the Junior School. “Our teachers strive to create a safe, caring and nurturing environment and we incorporate programs into

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the curriculum that foster the development of self-esteem and confidence.”

By catering for all learning styles, Newhaven College helps all students reach their potential. “We try to ensure that learning experiences for every student are meaningful, relevant and challenging,” said Ralph. “The activities we design focus on developing the whole child.”

Outside the classroom, they have a veritable ‘chose your adventure’ playground. The children enjoy a rambling, outdoor setting with play spaces that include tee-pees, a cubbie house, sandpit, a shop, piano, a vegetable garden with chickens and a boat.

“Our students have so much space to play in. There’s room to be themselves while having fun and sharing experiences with others.” There’s also a serious side to playground fun.

“Play is vitally important for physical, emotional, social and cognitive development,” explained Ralph. “It increases social skills by encouraging the children to be creative, flexible and adaptable. These traits are essential for learning.”

Pastoral Care is also integral at Newhaven College. “The way students behave and the way they care for one another is an important aspect of our school life. We foster an environment that encourages mutual respect and trust between our teachers and students. Our aim is to give every student the best possible opportunity to develop socially, emotionally, physically, academically and spiritually.”

2017 Prep Places Available Inspiring Exceptional Futures

Contact Belinda Manning, 5956 7505 1770 Phillip Island Rd, Phillip Island, 3923

www.newhavencol.vic.edu.au

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e D U C AT i o n

The time is right

to join toorak College

Toorak College in Mount Eliza encourages students to dream big and set high goals, with a range of scholarships available to help inspired students reach their full potential.

Principal Mrs Kristy Kendall is passionate about encouraging students to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

“Anything worthwhile takes hard work,” she said. “Students need to feel safe to take risks, to embrace challenge and to learn that mistakes are an inevitable part of life that help us to grow and learn.”

Year 7 (currently in Year 5)

For Year 11 student Kellie, a scholarship to Toorak College was a golden opportunity. “Toorak has really pushed me to achieve my best and accept nothing less,” said Kellie. “The scholarship has shown me how important education is and what a difference you can make in the world when you have a great education.”

Testing is on Saturday 12 November.

To encourage students to make the most of their opportunities, Toorak College is offering scholarships from Year 3 through to Year 10. “Our scholarships enrich our school and support students everywhere to follow their dreams,” explained Mrs Kendall.

Kellie encourages anyone considering putting in an application to give it a shot. “You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You will learn to reach for the stars and meet many girls and teachers who want you to achieve your best and nothing less.”

Academic Excellence and General Excellence Scholarships are on offer. In order to apply for the November scholarships campaign, students must be entering the following years in 2018: Year 4 (currently in Year 2) Year 5 (currently in Year 3) Year 6 (currently in Year 4)

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Year 8 (currently in Year 6) Year 9 (currently in Year 7) Applications open Monday 5 September.

Applications close Friday 4 November.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the independent academic examination, current school reports and an interview with the Principal.

For more information visit www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au Visit Toorak College at Open Morning, Thursday 13 October.

Tours at 9am and 10am or phone 9788 7234 to book your tour.

Her future

STARTS NOW

Ran primked top seco ary a on Mndary scnd h o Pen rningtoool insu *Bet la * n ter E duca tion

Become a Toorak girl Academic and General Excellence Scholarship Program for 2018 is now open.

Applications close: Friday 4 November 2016

Scholarships available: Wardle House - Years 4 to 6 in 2018 Senior School - Years 7 to 9 in 2018

Testing date: Saturday 12 November 2016

Toorak College students are inspired to shine, be their best and to take on new challenges.

Open Morning: Thursday 13 October 2016, tours at 9am and 10am.

www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au | Call 9788 7234

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words katie cincotta photos warren reed

Dancing for joy In a Gippsland hall, a group of women are keeping the ancient tradition of belly-dancing alive. Coast’s Katie Cincotta went along to experience the magic and mystery first-hand.

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By day, Meredith Mooney runs a café and catering business in Warragul. She’s busy, scheduled, frantically filling food orders, her days a blur of phone calls and cooking.

(as striptease) is wrong. It’s been sensationalised by dancers such as Little Egypt at the World Trade Fair, and Hollywood movies like Cleopatra.

By night, Meredith Mooney takes off her apron, puts down her phone and slips into a jewel-encrusted gown. She brushes her eyelids with silvery-blue eye-shadow and strings a necklace of exotic turquoise stones around her neck. She is a lady of the night, but not as you know it.

Meredith says that once when she was driving to a gig in costume, her car loaded with props like a scene from Arabian Nights, she was pulled over by the police. “We’d left a class in Moe, and were travelling to a nursing home in Newborough when we were stopped to be breathalised.”

The gorgeous 55-year-old, one of Gippsland’s most proficient belly-dancers, heads up a dance group called The Veils of Ishtar, and when she steps into her ornate Egyptian costume, she leaves the rest of the world behind. “As soon as I put my costume on, I become a totally different person from the busy caterer, mother, dog-owner. The joy of belly-dancing is that you can let go of all those things. In my costume, I stand a little bit taller.”

A zero alcohol reading and some raised eyebrows behind her, she was off to shake up the monotonous evening of a group of seniors in aged care. Most were enthralled by the performance, except for one. There’s always one, isn’t there?

“An old guy in a wheelchair with his oxygen mask on, yelled out ‘Show us your tits’. It doesn’t matter how old and how decrepit, he still thought he had it.”

It’s a part of her life she doesn’t share with everyone. Bellydancing for Meredith is personal and empowering, but so often misunderstood by the masses. “For me it is elegant, it is graceful, it is contained, but most people’s perception of it

The belly-dancers of Warragul have invited me to give this thing a whirl, and I accept enthusiastically. At the class, the women file in buzzing with chatter and curious about the new face. But first, a little transformation is in order. Meredith ties a black hip-scarf with a fringe of silver coins around my waist. >

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The gentle swish of it over my bum makes me giggle. “I feel like a cat with a bell on.”

We spread out across the hardwood floors of the old Victorian Railway Institute, and the pulse of Arabic music fills the room.

Today’s class leader is Barbara. With her swathe of long auburn hair, she begins to move her thighs, her hips tilting gracefully from side to side. Her face is radiant as her legs course in and out like small waves descending on the shore.

I struggle to find the rhythm, my knees locking, my gluteus maximus tightening in concentration. Barbara is next to me, hips rolling like the Queen of the Nile. She leans over and whispers: “Think of your legs as pistons.” … “Too much rearend on this model. Engine is stalling,” I say.

Within minutes we’re gliding, soaring and spinning and I’m forced to improvise in order to just keep up. My heart is racing, and I realise how talented these dancers are. I’m a hot mess, red-faced and confused. The experts are a picture of poise: calm and centred, moving as if stepping through clouds.

Belly-dancing might look delicate and exotic, but all that shimmy-shaking is hard work – it’s real-deal cardio. Many of the belly-dancers in Warragul have been at the craft for more than ten years (which lessens my shame at what can only be described as my Jerry Lewis-style interpretation of the form).

While these women brought the old art-deco hall to life with sashaying hips and a perfectly-timed jangle of sequins and beads, I was wrestling to pull my veil out from under my armpit, praying my hip-flicks were more Nagwa Fouad in City Lights and less Beyonce at the MTV awards.

When we take to dancing with sticks, a flurry of uptempo twirling and tapping makes me wonder if Warragul has its own hospital. One wrong move from the novice and there will be blood on the dance floor soiling all that gorgeous fabric.

After half an hour of laughter and flailing about, I retreat to the corner with a bottle of water and the realisation that I’m going to need more than a good sense of humour to improve at this.

Another woman says her costume makes her feel beautiful, but she regrets there are so few occasions to squeeze into its delicate form: you can’t exactly wander through the supermarket in a burst of peacock blue. Which is why she’s taken to doing her housework in it, mopping the floors, dusting the top shelf, loading the washing machine in a bodice of jangly beads. “No-one can see me. But the dog does give me strange looks,” she laughs.

The unwritten rules of belly-dancing are that you don’t sit in your costume, you don’t eat, smoke or drink in your costume – in fact you shouldn’t even be in the costume until you’re about to grace the stage.

It’s a ritual designed to preserve the mystery and sanctity of the dance. “It’s not a secret society, but we don’t have to tell everyone what we do,” says Meredith.

One of her students is a university professor who chose to dance at her 40th birthday party as a surprise. “Nobody knew she belly-danced, and all these crusty old scientists nearly died when they saw her.”

Barbara is next to me, hips rolling like the Queen of the Nile.

I watch on in wonder as these women – of all ages and body shapes – lose themselves in movement and music.

They share something that’s almost spiritual. “You watch the change in the ladies’ faces when they start dancing. The normal day disappears,” says Meredith. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, or what shape you are, or even how good at belly-dancing you are. When a woman discovers belly-dance, it’s like discovering her long-lost self.”

This is a dance steeped in rich history, a coming-of-age story for women of the Middle East and Africa. “Belly-dancing was conceived by women, for women, originally as exercise before marriage and before childbirth. If you look at children in the Middle East, they are dancing almost before they can stand.

I love the fact that it brings women back to their femininity.”

Belly-dancing may be sensual, but those who practise it say its main aim is personal expression. “I love the way belly-dancing makes me feel. You can’t buy that,” says Barbara, a veteran of more than twenty years. One dancer gives us a demonstration of her pleated gold wings, pulling them in and out like a butterfly in flight. “You can never have too much gold. I figure if I can’t dance that well, at least I can look the part,” she jokes.

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What many of these women love about the ancient female dance is that it celebrates the curvaceous glory of the female form – the ‘chocolate and cheese layer’ as Meredith calls it.

In a world where girls and women are so often conditioned to reject their natural shape, starving themselves to achieve an impossible ideal, here is a dance that welcomes you as you are, with all your jiggly bits. In fact, it shows you exactly what to do with all that undulating flesh … what a wonderful way to feel like a woman.

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When Tamsin arrived in Poowong almost 14 years ago, she was chasing a dream to have a little earth beneath her feet.

words eleanor mckay photos warren reed

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Just down the road Every Sunday in the emerald green hills of Poowong, at the top of a long, winding driveway, you can find a little bit of magic. It’s a place where friends and strangers come together to experience food, conversation and joy.

A warm and homely welcome greets you when you step inside Tamsin Carvan’s farmhouse. Delightfully rustic, with stunning views across the hills, this modest home harbours what has become a sought-after dining experience. At the end of the main room, a large table is carefully laid with vintage glasses, bone-handled knives, cloth napkins and exquisitely printed menus.

Each week, Tamsin’s Table hosts mouth-watering lunches (and workshops) using meat and produce grown on the farm.

Depending on the season and what’s abundant in the garden, you might find hand-made ravioli, pulled pork, chestnut pasta, pumpkin pie or succulent scotch fillet on the menu.

The concept is brilliantly simple: 10-12 people share a table for a relaxed country lunch. Guests arrive with a few friends, as a couple, or even flying solo, for the chance to experience

homegrown, home-cooked food right at the source. It has proved incredibly popular … so much so that lunches are booked out for the rest of the year.

When Tamsin arrived in Poowong almost 14 years ago, she was chasing a dream to have a little earth beneath her feet.

Setting up a business was the last thing on her radar. “I arrived here by a very circuitous route, via most of the eastern states and territories,” laughs Tamsin. After a stint in advertising in Sydney, she moved to Queensland to study philosophy and then travelled across the country working as a social researcher. But the avid gardener was looking to make a change. “I always knew I wanted to do something outdoors.

I didn’t have a concrete sense of what that was: I just knew I hated sitting in an office.” Her work in drought-affected areas around the Murray-Darling basin during the 90s did >

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confirm one thing. “I didn’t want to be exposed to that kind of environment, so I literally opened a map of Australia and overlaid it with a rainfall diagram to find the places where the average rainfall exceeded evaporation.”

Jumping on a plane to Melbourne, Tamsin drove down to explore Gippsland. “I had no idea what to expect, but I remember stopping on the side of the road and crying with sheer joy at the greenness.” She bought a 113-acre farm in Poowong East, and along with her then-partner Mark, made the move. “I had no idea what I was doing,” laughs Tamsin. “Fortunately, Mark had grown up on a farm, so he had a bit more experience than me. Both of us were new to this climate and new to this land. We were on a huge learning curve.”

As the garden began to take shape, another idea crystallised.

“I made a really strong commitment to myself to try and eat from the farm. I was thinking philosophically, ethically, nutritionally.” Part of Tamsin’s motivation came from trying to find a way to make a viable life on a small farm. “People used to make a good living on these farms, but now they’re relics of a time gone by. I’m really interested in finding ways for them to be viable pieces of land that people can look after and make a living from.”

Everything we do is really geared around finding the beauty and the joy in things.

Tamsin’s initial goals were modest. “Originally, I wanted to have a couple of chooks and a bay tree at my back door … that was pretty much it.” Until her daughter Martha (born in 2006) started school, she continued her social research work, juggling travel with trying to create a garden next to the farmhouse. “When we moved here, there were a few established trees around the house, but the rest was gravel.

In my naivety, I thought I’d just get all the gravel scraped up and moved off to the side and plant a garden. But I was trying to plant into earth that had been compacted under trucks for 60 years. Making holes with crowbars, shoving in little trees and trying to encourage them to grow with wind howling across the hilltop: it was an incredibly arduous experience.”

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Learning to get the most out of her farm and garden, Tamsin says she “grew everything, tried everything and did everything”. Over time, it’s been whittled back to what works in this climate and soil … and what her family likes to eat.

“I’m always trying to think about this earth, this place, this weather, this hill … what can we do that tastes of here? When I cook, I’m not trying to replicate someone else’s flavours, but because our climate is similar to a Mediterranean climate, the ingredients we can grow are similar to what you’d find in Italian or Spanish cuisine.”

Although Tamsin has no formal cooking background, as her garden grew, so did her cooking. “I’ve always loved food, and cooking – but only when I’ve had lovely ingredients to work with.” Still, cooking only with ingredients produced on the farm presented challenges. “One of the hardest things about learning to live with what you grow is what to do when you don’t have a specific ingredient,” said Tamsin. “You’ve got to learn to improvise. And that’s when your cooking really starts >

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M IN SPRING AUSTRALIA POST U honours VIETNAM VETERANS S E U M Exhibition to commemorate 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan

Exhibition runs Wednesday 19 October 2016 to 30 April 2017.

Standard admission fees apply

NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS MUSEUM 25 Veterans Drive, Newhaven, Phillip Island ph (03) 5956 6400 Open Daily 10am - 5pm

www.vietnamvetsmuseum.org

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I’ve always loved food, and cooking – but only when I’ve had lovely ingredients to work with.

to improve. You’re thinking for yourself. You’re thinking independently. You have to step away from recipe books and start thinking more imaginatively about how you eat.”

With so much joy – not to mention sensational meals – from her farm-produced cooking, increasingly Tamsin wanted to share the spirit of how and what they were doing. “I had more fresh produce than I could use. I was giving it away … selling vegie boxes to the neighbours … but I just kept coming back to the same question – how could people enjoy it right here where it was grown?”

She started to explore the options. “I loved the idea of having a little restaurant, but the shire had told me I could only ever have 10-12 people here at a time, so I thought I’d do cooking classes.” Then came the light-bulb moment. “Someone said to me, ‘I’d love to come and see what you’re doing, but I don’t want to do the cooking. I’m tired. I want to sit down and enjoy you doing the cooking’. At first, I wasn’t sure if people would enjoy sharing the table, but as it’s worked out, it’s been the most magical thing for all involved.”

That initial idea might have grown, but it remains true to Tamsin’s concept of sharing the bounty of the garden. “People

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often ask me: ‘if you didn’t have the garden, would you do as much cooking?” And the answer, really, is no. It’s all about being able to grow something, then do something with it that, to me, is utterly exciting. It never, ever gets less exciting, and it’s so beautiful – aesthetically and taste-wise.”

There is definitely a touch of magic about the Sunday Tables, a dream born out of an old-fashioned desire to live from the land. Nowadays, Tamsin runs the farm, lunches and cooking classes with her partner Allan (she and Mark parted amicably in 2011) and continues to explore all that her garden and farm have to offer. “If you looked at it on paper – it might not seem to stack up very well,” smiles Tamsin. “We work hard physically, we don’t have much money: but I never think of it like that. I’m always thinking ‘that’s the beauty of it … where we live, the food that we grow’. Everything we do is really geared around finding the beauty and the joy in things. I think that’s probably the essence of it.”

Memoir Man offers the gift of life stories A BEST-SELLING writer is encouraging coastal residents to capture their life stories for future generations.

“This the chance for anyone with a meaningful story or message to create a priceless legacy,” says Neil Bramwell, the author behind Memoir Man. “What better present for a loved one, or colleague, than to recognise their achievements in a book? It’s the next best thing to the gift of life – the gift of a life story!”

The memoirs are compiled through a series of taped one-to-one interviews and individually tailored packages range from a simple digital copy all the way through to professionally designed and printed editions.

“This is the perfect way to ensure that respected values, opinions and achievements, are never lost to your family or business,” Neil adds.

For more details call Neil on 0488 022118, email at neil.bramwell@virgin.net or visit www.thememoirman.com.

Neil Bramwell interviews a Memoir Man client at Mount Eliza’s Ranelagh Club

Located at Rip cuRL phiLLip isLand 10 -12 phillip island tourist Road, newhaven 03 5956 7553 e: info@islantis.com.au www.islantis.com.au

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Trulli Woodfire Pizzeria offers inside, al fresco and garden area dining. You can find antipasto plates, Pugliese char-grilled meat and beer and wine on tap in addition to our woodfire oven pizzas.

Our food menu is designed to be take away or dine in.

The Deli is stocked with homemade fare such as pasta, biscuits, fresh bread and an ever expanding gluten free range. Find a bit of info about South Gippsland in the information area while you stop in for a bite!

Three Function areas, both private and public available.

03 5664 7397

93 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan (Sth Gipps Hwy) rhia@trullipizzeria.com.au Hours: Wed-Fri: 4-late | Sat-Sun: 12-late (Closed Mon & Tues) www.trullipizzeria.com.au

The natural choice Set on 65 acres of natural bushland, Ramada Resort Phillip Island is the perfect location for your conference or family celebration.

World-class conference facilities Bass room accommodates up 190 guests catering options include BBQ, Buffet, cocktail and set menu studio, 2 & 3 Bedroom cot tages licensed restaurant & Bar fitness centre and pools

Enquire now: 5952 8000 events@ramadaphillipisland.com.au www.ramadaphillipisland.com.au 2128 Phillip Island Rd Cowes Resort Management by Wyndham Pty Ltd CAN 099 634 830 trading as Ramada Resort Phillip Island.

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Savour

The flAVoUr

Spring is bursting with fresh new produce and amazing flavours.

Our fabulous corner of Victoria boasts award-winning chefs, artisan producers, master wine-makers, champion bakers and signature coffee blends. It’s time to treat your taste buds.

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experience A mighTy fine

words eleanor mckay photos warren reed

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dine out

Seaside charm, incredible flavours and good old-fashioned service guarantee your visit to the Captain’s Lounge will be a night to remember.

This institution of Inverloch dining has undergone something of a renaissance since reopening earlier this year. Under the watchful eye of manager Dylan Clark and head chef Steve Finne-Larsen, the Captain’s Lounge is cementing its place as one of the region’s best dining experiences.

Given that you can hear the ocean from the restaurant balcony, it’s hardly surprising that seafood is a big feature of the menu. With that in mind, we decide to stick with the ocean theme for our entrées. First up: sashimi made with Yellowfin Tuna and served with infused sake. It’s brilliantly fresh and the accompanying rice-ball – made with a combination of sushi rice, coconut, chilli and coriander seeds – is fantastic. A plate of house-made Nori rolls, served with ginger, wasabi and Kewpie mayonnaise – and beautifully decorated with herbs and a tiny pansy – arrives looking almost too good to eat … but not quite. Melt-in-your-mouth, these were a perfect taster to start the meal. Our final entrée showcases delicious oysters – some au naturel, plus one Bloody Mary chaser.

The Captain’s Lounge has an à la carte menu that changes regularly to reflect seasonally-available local produce, and vegetarians are well cateredfor. There’s an eclectic mix of styles and flavours, so you’re sure to be able to find something to appeal to all tastes. The restaurant stocks a boutique selection of local wines – the perfect accompaniment to your meal.

We start our main course with the Moroccan-inspired Root-Vegetable Tagine, which features couscous infused with preserved lemon and a chermoula-marinated chicken breast on a bed of carrots, parsnips and potato. This dish was simply bursting with flavour. The vegetables are coated in a tomato-based sauce that also includes raisins, dried apricots and prunes, as well as a hint of chilli. The corn-fed chicken, tender and spicy, completes an irresistible combination.

The Wagyu beef is a fantastic dining experience. The quality of the meat is the focus of this dish – everything is about showcasing the beef.

As chef Steve Finne-Larsen explains, “This dish allows the ingredients to speak for themselves.” >

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Thin slices of beef cluster around a roasted bone marrow and a whole field mushroom topped with a poached egg. The rich yolk becomes a dipping sauce for the tender beef, and a sprinkle of dried porcini powder adds further flavour. This is a premium meal for any meat-lover.

The Fillet of Yellowtail Kingfish features a tender, crispy-skinned fillet of fish resting on a bed of tangy pickled fennel and citrus salad. This wonderful combination is light and fresh, a perfect Spring dish. It not only tastes fantastic: it looks amazing with its multi-coloured citrus segments (ruby grapefruit, blood orange) contrasting with the white flesh of the fish.

The Vanilla Poached Pear is a real treat. I was expecting a sweet, traditional dessert, but the flavour of this dish was a big surprise. The tangy taste of the pear contrasts brilliantly with the ricotta infused with truffled organic honey. If you’re looking for a dessert with depth, rather than a quick, sweet sugar hit, this is definitely the dish for you.

… crispy-skinned fillet of fish resting on a bed of tangy pickled fennel and citrus salad.

To round off the meal, we select a trio of desserts.

The Tartufo comes as a deconstructed ice-cream cone. The two scoops of homemade icecream filled with nougat, coconut, couverture chocolate pieces and glacé cherries are exquisite. It’s beautifully presented with ribbons of crushed pistachio, dehydrated raspberry and Dutch cocoa. And this dish comes with a warning: be prepared to fight over the

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homemade Cherry Ripe ball, a coconut-covered, chocolatecoated ball of scrumptiousness.

Lastly, we treat ourselves to a fabulous cheese platter. It’s a United Nations of fromage – with a Gippsland blue cheese, French triple-cream brie and English smoked cheddar. Like everything on the menu, the quality of the ingredients is what shines through. All these cheeses are beautiful and full of flavour. Accompanied by a selection of crackers and a Fig and Walnut roll, this is a perfect end to a wonderful meal.

The Captain’s Lounge is the ideal choice for that special occasion or an everyday indulgence. Relaxed and stylish, it’s a true dining experience.

Bassine specialty cheeses Bass Hwy, Bass (opp. King Rd) Call 0466 183 513 Treat yourself to delicious, handmade, artisan, farmhouse-cheese at this familyowned boutique cheese factory. Bassine’s range of soft cheeses (including feta, brie, camembert and ricotta) is made on site with milk from their own cows. Watch cheese being made, enjoy a light lunch or cheese tasting at the Cheese Café or buy fresh, non-homogenised farm milk.

Small groups welcome.

Cafe Blue BamBoo

The Cape KiTChen

4 The Esplanade, Cowes Call 0407 331 007

1215 Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven Call 5956 7200

Cafe Blue Bamboo is owner-operated by two chef partners. Located at beautiful Erehwon Point in Cowes, our deck has an uninterrupted view of Westernport Bay. Open for breakfast and lunch, all our products are created on the premises, Gluten Free options available. We use Crave coffee and teas. We also sell retail items including NAUDIC clothing. Disabilityfriendly and plenty of seaside parking.

The stunning view and an inventive menu make this a unique dining experience, focusing on local ingredients and fresh produce. Specializes in beautiful breakfasts and now open for lunch and outside dining, there’s a menu to suit every taste and budget, plus an All-Victorian wine list and beer selection. The Cape Kitchen also hosts weddings and special events – ring or email them for details or to join their mailing list. www.thecapekitchen.com.au.

www.bassinespecialtycheeses.com.au

Gippslands finest dininG experience

CAPTAIN’S LOUNGE 1 A’Beckett St, Inverloch | 03 5674 1432 | functions@ invyespy.com.au | www.invyespy.com.au

RESTAURANT + FUNCTION ROOM

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Cheeky Goose CAfe

The ChuTney Bar

Clover Cottage

4/72 Chapel St, Cowes Call 5907 6900

16A William St, Inverloch Call 5674 6999

54 Manuka Rd, Berwick 9707 1066

Located in a unique, historical Tudor style building c1933 you’ll find local produce, wine, craft and handmade products showcased at its best. Award Winning Chef and Owner Rob van den Brink welcomes you and your family for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or just pop in for coffee and cake. We are open all day. Relax, unwind and enjoy a real foodie experience. What will you have next?

This great little Indian restaurant has a curry to suit every taste, a fine selection of tandoori breads – and its Butter Chicken is justifiably famous! There’s also a fabulous selection of vegetarian meals. Eat in or take away. It’s a good idea to book, as the small room fills quickly.

For over 40 years, Trevor Burr and The Chipperfield Family have offered a unique dining experience for a romantic dinner for two, weddings and corporate functions. The restaurant is set on eight acres of beautiful gardens and bubbling fountains, with meals served to the strains of a grand piano. Classic home cooked dishes, great desserts and above all, friendly service. Open Wednesday till Saturday evening and Sunday lunch. www.clovercottage.com.au

www.thechutneybar.com.au

As nature intended.

Enjoy the tenderness and flavour of naturally raised grass fed beef with no artificial growthpromoting hormones. All our animals are raised on top pastures and allowed to roam free.

With strong welfare ethics and world-class environmental management we produce MSA graded meat and supply restaurants, butchers, cafes, workplaces and homes. We have a range of home value-pack options and deliver to Melbourne and across Gippsland.

www.gippslandnatural.com.au

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Coffee Traders

Connells Bakery

EsplanadE HotEl

3 Blake St, Mornington Call 5977 1177

33-35 Murray St, Wonthaggi Call 5672 1050 Wonthaggi or 5678 2133 Bass Service Centre

1 A’Beckett St, Inverloch Call 5674 1432

This Mornington coffee institution serves Melbourne quality food and fabulous 5 Sense coffee. They do a roaring take-away trade, but step inside and enjoy the cosy, friendly atmosphere as you indulge in a delicious sweet or savoury treat. Open 6am to 6pm daily, so you can get your coffee fix whenever you need it.

Delicious fresh bread, trays of glistening slices and cakes, good coffee and friendly service is the Connells trademarks. You can start the day with their Big Breakfast Pie, or something sweeter. For lunch, there’s a great selection of fabulous pies, including the award-winning Miners Pie and platters of salad. Truly scrumptious.

Dine in at the family-friendly bistro or enjoy a fine-dinning experience in the Captain’s Lounge. The Bistro is renown for it’s fantastic ‘Espy Grill’ and also serves an excellent selection of classic pub food. Upstairs, The Captain’s Lounge showcases seasonal, fresh local produce in innovative, contemporary combinations for the best of a la carte dining. Also available for private functions.

www.connellsbakery.com.au

www.invyespy.com.au

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Gippsland MushrooMs 1880 Loch-Wonthaggi Rd, Ryanston Call 5678 3350 Chris Puyol and partner Anne Marie Chibber own and run Gippsland Mushroom Farm.

They supply IGA supermarkets in San Remo and Tarwin Lower, cafes and restaurants in the region and frequent the local Farmers Markets. Fresh grown and delicious, their mushroom include Champignon, Swiss Browns and Portobello. Open Mon-Fri for mushroom and compost sales, they also host group tours and information days on how mushrooms grow.

Gippsland natural Meats Call Paul Crock 0418 377 264 orders@gippslandnatural.com.au

Gippsland Wine Company 6835 South Gippsland Hwy, Loch Call 5659 4279

Enjoy the tenderness and flavour of naturally raised beef with no artificial growthpromoting hormones. All the animals are raised on top pastures and allowed to roam free. With strong welfare ethics and worldclass farm management, these boutique producers of finest MSA graded meat supply restaurants, butchers, cafes, workplaces and homes. They have a range of home delivered value pack options and deliver to Melbourne and across Gippsland.

A hidden gem just outside Loch Village, this boutique vineyard produces beautiful wines created by artisan winemakers. They tend their grapes by hand and source additional fruit from other passionate Gippsland growers. With tastings at the cellar door, this friendly place lets you bring your own cheese platter or picnic, or cook up lunch on their barbeque facilities while enjoying their wonderful wine. Open 11am – 5pm Friday to Sunday, public holidays and daily throughout January.

www.gippslandnatural.com.au

www.gippslandwinecompany.com

pastry filled with caramel and coffee cream, named Gusto Gelateria and Pastry specialises in house made desserts. Hailing directly from Italy, we have been making after the patron saint of pastry!

Special occasion or just because? Don’t worry if you sweets for years, perfecting our product just for you! don’t have time, visit us online to order your sweets and We churn out up to 18 flavours of gelati to tempt you we’ll have it ready for you to swing by and pick it up. whatever the weather! …And remember, Stressed is just DESSERTS spelled Our pastries range from single portion tiramisu and backward! profiteroles to cupcakes and of course, gelati and sponge cakes for any occasion, all made by hand.

You’ll find St.Honoré pastry; a burnt caramel choux Gluten free and dairy free products available throughout our range. sun, wed, thurs: 12–8pm, fri, sat: 12–9pm. from dec 5th, open 7 days from 11am 9 williams st, inverloch, 5674 6164, made_in_inverloch@gustogelateria.com.au

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www.gustogelateria.com.au

Gusto Gelateria 9 Williams St, Inverloch Call 5674 6164

Harry’s on tHe esplanade 17 The Esplanade, Cowes Call 5952 6226

If you can’t visit Italy, a trip to Gusto is the next best option. Their range of exquisite house-made gelato features the classics (chocolate, lemon, tiramisu…) plus some new combinations (we love the apple pie flavour). Try their fabulous range of desserts and pastries including gelato cakes, chocolate chip cookie gelato sandwiches, friands, pasticciotto and tarts. Everything made from scratch. Gluten-free and dairy-free options available. Sun, Wed, Thurs: 12–8pm, Fri, Sat: 12–9pm, closed Mon and Tues. From December 5th, open 7 days from 11am.

It’s worth a visit for the view alone plus the menu uses local, natural and authentic produce. Seafood fresh off the boat and Island-grazed beef and lamb are specialties.

Artisan breads, cakes and ice-creams are all made at the in-house bakery. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, plus breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. Harry’s also offers “EzyMeals” – restaurant quality frozen meals for delivery or pick-up.

IGA SAn Remo 135 Marine Pde, San Remo Call 5678 5337 There is always an impressive array of specials at this newly renovated supermarket. But where the store really shines is in their incredible range of gourmet sauces, expansive cheese selection and local smoked salts. They also stock a great range of local wines and products, from fresh vegetables to honey to snap-frozen fresh seafood.

www.harrysrestaurant.com.au

MELBOURNE QUALITY FOOD AND COFFEE IN MORNINGTON’S ICONIC VINE COVERED CAFE.

3 Blake St, Mornington 03 5977 1177 coffee.traders.mgr@gmail.com Open 6am-6pm 7 days

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What’s c

king

Spring is here and who wants to be stuck in the kitchen all day?

It’s all about fresh ingredients and fabulous flavours … these light and easy dishes can be whipped quickly so you can get back outside and enjoy the sunshine!

Oven Baked Thai Chicken Meatballs Fresh and delicious! Serve these yummy meatballs in lettuce leaves for a healthy spring dinner.

Ingredients: Meatballs 500g lean chicken mince ¼ cup panko crumbs (or breadcrumbs) 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon minced ginger 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoons extra sweet chilli sauce (for brushing) Sesame seeds (for sprinkling) Sauce 1/3 cup sweet chilli sauce 1½ tablespoons lime juice Method: 1. Preheat oven to 220 degrees celsius.

2. Lightly grease a non-stick mini-muffin tray with cooking

spray and set aside (if you don’t have a mini-muffin tray, lightly grease a non-stick baking tray).

3. Place the chicken mince, panko crumbs, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce and lime juice into a bowl and mix to combine.

4. Roll mixture into heaped tablespoon sized balls (if your mixture is difficult to roll, add in some more panko crumbs).

5. Place one ball into each hole of the mini-muffin tin.

6. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

7. Brush with the extra 2 tablespoons of sweet chilli sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

8. Bake for a further 2 minutes or until cooked through.

9. To prepare the dipping sauce, lightly whisk the sweet chilli sauce and lime juice with a fork until combined.

10. Serve in lettuce leaves with the dipping sauce.

Need a snack?

Are you looking for a perfect breakfast-onthe-run or snack? Come and try the crunchy deliciousness of these granola clusters. www.coastmagazine.net

Lucy began her website ‘Bake Play Smile’ in 2013 and it has since grown into one of Australia’s most popular food blogs. Bake Play Smile is all about fun, food and happiness. Lucy is living the dream in our beautiful part of the world and loves to share family favourite recipes that are quick, simple and most importantly, delicious!

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Kilcunda General Store 3535 Bass Hwy, Kilcunda Call 5678 7390 This friendly café is famous for beautiful breakfasts, great coffee, delicious lunches and fabulous cakes. They only use freerange eggs and chickens, and all ingredients are locally-sourced where possible. Their pastries, sauces and chutneys are all made from scratch. The gift shop showcases sustainable, locally-produced items, and you can pick up a jar of the store’s own range of chutney. Open 7 days from 7am.

Kilcunda Ocean View HOtel 3531 – 3533 Bass Hwy, Kilcunda Call 5678 7011 With hearty-sized portions and favourites like chicken parma, local steak and salt & pepper calamari on the menu, “The Killy” is a great lunch or dinner option. Fresh seafood and local produce are a focus. With great views and friendly service, no wonder they’ve been named one of the Top 20 Country Pubs in Victoria (Herald-Sun, July 2015).

Mario’s at san reMo 93 Marine Pde, San Remo Call 5678 5365 Mario Zinellu is practically an institution on the coast, and this fabulous bistro is the latest chapter in his food journey. Focusing on ‘food with heart’ with Continental influences, you can expect the same focus on flavour, freshness and local seafood at this new eatery. Come in and experience la dolce vita.

www.kilcundaoceanviewhotel.com.au

Chef De Cuisine – Jake Sommers.

State Awards for excellence

ISM

WINNER 2014

AC

CO

MM

I

A)

TOUR

17 Potters Hill Road, San Remo VIC 3925 03 5671 9300 info@silverwaterresort.com.au | silverwaterresort.com.au

OD

ATI

I ON AUSTRALIA (V

CT

OR

AAA RATED | 4 1/2 STAR RESORT STYLE ACCOMMODATION | STUNNING VIEWS ACROSS THE BAY | WATERMARK RESTAURANT, CAFE AND BAR – ALL VISITORS WELCOME | FUNCTIONS, WEDDINGS, CONFERENCES

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Numbers Café, ramada resort 2128 Phillip Island Rd, Cowes Call 5952 8000 Fabulous food, great service and a genuine family-friendly approach, Numbers Café serves breakfast and dinner every day.

The menu caters for all ages and tastes, with a good selection of seafood, plus Asian-influenced dishes and popular staples like parmas and Gippsland steaks.

With full bar service and extensive selection of local wines, it’s also a great place to meet for a drink.

The Palms

Penny Lane Café

Cnr Chapel & Steele St, Cowes Call 5952 5858

Shop 4, 22 Thompson Ave, Cowes Call 5952 2531

This restaurant and cocktail bar in the Kaloha Comfort Resort in Cowes boasts a seasonal a la carte menu with an emphasis on local produce. Chef Tim Stephens’ 20 years experience and passion for seafood is reflected in the menu. Dishes include vegetarian options and excellent local beef, so there’s something for all the family.

Small in stature but big on taste, this little café has already built a reputation for wonderful coffee and organic teas. The allday breakfast menu includes eggs benedict – free range of course – bircher museli, avocado smash and hotcakes. For lunch, try a mouth-watering burger, a quinoa salad or pulled pork bean quesadilla. Kids menu and gluten free options available.

www.thepalmsphillipisland.com.au

www.ramadaphillipisland.com.au

BASS: Located inside the service centre 03 5678 2133.

Open Mon to Fri: 6.30am– 3pm Sat & Sun: 8am– 3pm WONTHAGGI: 33-35 Murray Street 03 5672 1050.

Open Mon to Fri: 6am–5pm Sat: 6am–1.30pm

Baked fresh from our family to yours

We bake all our breads, pies and cakes in our Wonthaggi Bakery and deliver each day to Bass.

It is our aim to provide good quality fresh food at reasonable prices and hope that you will come visit either of our stores to see for yourself.

Don’t waste your time waiting in line to place your order just download “Hey You” from your App Store and search for Connells bakery to view and order from our menu. Your order and payment will all be taken via the app and you can can then collect everything from our coffee station at the store you have ordered with!

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COFFee BY

PhilliP island ChoColate FaCtory CaFé

Prom Coast ICe Cream & sorbet

930 Phillip Island Rd, Newhaven Call 5956 6600

Sweetly – 8/157-159 Marine Pde, San Remo Call 0418 349 489

Newly renovated, this bright and airy café opens out onto an expansive deck and not surprisingly offers a great range of chocolate treats. Drawing on owner Panny’s Indian/ Malaysian heritage, the café also serves a variety of superb curries, and the satay wraps are legendary. Open 7 days from 9.30am to 6.00pm.

Sweetly brings award-winning ice cream and sweets to San Remo. Our offering includes Prom Coast Ice Cream & Sorbet, hand-crafted in South Gippsand. Flavours include the famous “Redskin Lolly”, bronze medal-winning “Creme Brulee”, dairy-free coco creams and the gold medal-winning blood orange sorbet, in addition to the classics. All ice creams are made from Gippsland dairy. In a cone or a cup there is a great range for everyone with gluten-free and vegan friendly options. www.promcoasticecream.me www.sweetlysanremo.com

www.phillipislandchocolatefactory.com.au

PurPle Hen Winery 96 McFees Rd, Rhyll Call 5956 9244 This award winning winery located on Phillip Island produces a variety of elegant wines, and is particularly well known for fine Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Their cellar door opens from 11am, 7 days a week during school holidays and over the summer. Please check their website for other opening times.

Purple Hen also provides a tasty black board menu to accompany your wine tasting. www.purplehenwines.com.au

Freshest local seaFood on the Island

Freshest local seaFood on the Island

Local fresh produce with seafood straight from the boat, Island grazed beef and lamb and in-house bakery.

Local fresh produce with seafood straight from the boat, Island grazed beef and lamb and in-house bakery.

Waterfront dining With panoramic bay vieWs 17 The Esplanade, Cowes Vic.

Ph (03) 5952 6226 www.harrysrestaurant.com.au

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Sherwood’S reStaurant

Three Aces cAfé

TrisTa’s KiTchen

5 Thompson Ave, Cowes Call 5952 3773

Shop 2/148 Thompson Ave, Cowes Call 5952 6384

1300 020 380

Enjoy elegant and casual dining just 100m from the Cowes foreshore. The daily dinner and lunch menus focus on fresh produce and beautiful seafood. With plenty of vegetarian, gluten free & dietary friendly options available. Also serving Phillip Island’s best seafood platter.

Private function room with beer garden also available.

A spacious, light-filled modern café with a family-friendly, relaxed environment, in the main street of Cowes. Global all-day breakfast and lunch, plus daily specials, reflecting the flavours of the season.

Hearty meals crafted from local produce – pancakes and crepes are a house specialty.

Our own blend of excellent coffee and a daily selection of house-baked cakes, muffins, sliced and scones. Proudly supporting local artists – with a range of artworks available to purchase.

www.sherwoodsrestaurant.com.au

Trista and her team prepare and deliver fresh, healthy meals to help you reach your nutritional goals. Fresh cooked using organic vegetables and low fat protein sources, meals are seasoned with fresh herbs and spices – and are chemical and preservative free. A variety of menus, including family meals, snacks and smoothies are available.

With pick-up points across Gippsland or home delivery to your door, eating well has never been so easy. www.tristaskitchen.com

Catering for the Community.

Organic, detox, gluten free, unsweetened, activated, free range, non toxic, non phosphorus.

facebook.com/sanremosupermarket 135 Marine Pde, San Remo, VIC 3925. Phone: 5678 5337. Fax: 5678 5756.

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top 20 country pubs

in Victoria

FRESH FOCUS.

We pride ourselves on serving fresh seafood and sourcing as much of the produce locally as possible. Behind the bar, the local focus continues, stocking a wide variety of Australian craft beer and Gippsland wines. With great views and the friendliest service it is no wonder the Ocean View Hotel Kilcunda (the Killy pub) was named by the Herald Sun as one of the top 20 country pubs in Victoria.

Lounge Bar – 03 5678 7245 Ocean View Bistro – 03 5678 7011

Always on sale: Fresh fruit and vegetables Local and imported delicacies KGS mayonnaise, hummus, chutney and jams Gorgeous home and giftware items

Kilcunda General Store Mon – Sat: 7am – 5pm Sun: 7am – 4pm 3535 Bass Highway, Kilcunda Ph: 5678 7390

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Trulli Woodfire Pizzeria

Watermark @ SilverWater reSort

93 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan Call 5664 7397

17 Potters Hill Rd, San Remo Call 5671 9300

Delicious wood-fired pizzas are the house speciality, but don’t miss the antipasto plates, Italian-style grilled meats and pasta selection. Hosts Francesco and Rhia give everyone a big family welcome and their food will transport you to the Italian countryside. Dine inside, al fresco or in the garden and enjoy their fine Italian wine selection (including Francesco’s brothers’ wine). Open Wed – Fri from 4pm, weekends from 12pm.

With an eye for presentation and an innovative approach to flavours, ingredients and techniques, Watermark sets the bar on local fine dining. The menu focuses heavily on fresh local produce and inventive reinterpretations of classic dishes and their seafood is a standout. Exceptional food served in such a stunning locale is an absolute winner and you don’t have to be a resort guest to enjoy it.

Youki’s Shop 1, 68 Thompson Ave, Cowes Call 5952 6444 Authentic Japanese food with friendly service. The world has gone crazy for Ramen (egg noodle soup) and Youki’s Ramen is as good as Melbourne’s best! They also do fabulous vegetable, bacon or prawn Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) and Tempura Udon Noodles. Fresh sushi, rice paper rolls, and a selection of hot food available for takeaway or dining in.

Open 7 days, 10am – 5pm (Sunday till 3pm). www.youkis.com.au

www.silverwaterresort.com.au

www.trullipizzeria.com.au

We grow, make and bottle on Phillip Island Beautiful Cellar Door with stunning bay and farm views

Vineyard & Winery 96 McFees Road Rhyll Phillip Island Hours: 11am – 5:30pm 7 days a week in Summer & School Holidays Other times: 5 days a week (closed Tuesday & Wednesday) Ph: 5956 9244 www.purplehenwines.com.au

2015 Gippsland Wine Show Gold Medals – 2014 Pinot Noir, 2014 Shiraz, 2009 Late Disgorge Blanc de Blanc coast 108

H E A LT H Y P R E PA R E D M E A L S D E L I V E R E D PHoTo: SHELLEY PRICE

We specialize in preparing & delivering fresh, healthy meals to help you reach your nutritional goals.

We deliver your meals as fresh as possible.

All meals are cooked and prepared the day prior to your delivery! Using fresh organic vegetables, low fat protein sources and seasoned with preservative and chemical free herbs and spices.

No Shopping, Chopping, Mess or Stress!

1300 020 380 www.tristaskitchen.com

info@tristaskitchen.com.au

Anchor belle holidAy pArk Anchor Belle Holiday Park is an ideal family friendly holiday destination, only 90 minutes from Melbourne. Set amongst 3 hectares of bush, 100 metres to the beach, 2 km from the main shops and restaurants and central to all attractions.

Over the years we have grown to ensure we cover everyone’s accommodation and travel needs, whether you are here for a short break or a relaxing holiday we’ve got you covered – Offering; Powered tent and caravan sites NEW powered ensuite sites- your very own private bathroom!

A great range of accommodation from budget cabins to luxury 2 storey, 3 bedroom townhouses with private court yard and lock up garage.

Our park features; UV protected indoor heated pool with separate toddler paddling pool (closed 10/7-16/9) complimentary BBQs throughout the park as well as a fully enclosed camp kitchen, toddler playground, games room with free to use playstations and arcade games, WIFI, 2 well equipped laundries, infant bathroom, kiosk, complimentary secure boat storage area with a boat ramp nearby, excellent modern amenities with disabled access & dump point.

We have some exciting changes happening at Anchor Belle – stay tuned for details!

272 Church St, Cowes , 3922 | Phone : +61 3 5952 2258 | Email: info@anchorbelle.com.au | www.anchorbelle.com.au

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5things we love

ABOUT Wilsons Prom

Rocks This place is definitely a rock star. When you clamber over these massive, magnificent boulders, it’s like some kind of time warp has hurtled you back to prehistoric times.

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5 things we love ABOUT Wilsons Prom

When the river runs green At certain times, the Tidal River mouth is transformed into an expanse of shimmering green. We were lucky enough to catch the moment.

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5things we love

ABOUT Wilsons Prom

Weather The locals will all tell you that Prom weather changes quickly and often.

An incoming storm is always a spectacle.

Wildlife There’s no better place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Just ask the kookaburras.

Surf Whatever the winds or tides, there’s a break working at one of the Prom’s beaches. Some waves require serious dedication (you’ll need to be up for a half day hike or overnight camp), while others are a quick skip from the car park.

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words and photos supplied

Feet first The majestic splendour of the coastline from Phillip Island to Wilsons Prom attracts thousands of visitors each year. Looking to get to the heart of this spectacular countryside, four friends set off walking from Cape Woolamai to the Prom’s Big Drift.

On a weekend away in his Prom ‘backyard’, local adventurer and co-founder of 50days.com.au, Bill Playne, spent time in an area known as the Big Drift. A large sandy area of spectacular and ever-changing form on the isthmus of the promontory, it is often bypassed by campers and day-trippers. Gazing east toward Cape Liptrap from the highest dune, Bill contemplated the notion of journeying to the Prom on foot. For Bill, it presented as an exciting concept: “It was something a bit different and an opportunity to really experience our local landscape, rather than just whizzing down to the Prom in a car.”

Joined by his wife Anthi and two friends, and using their local knowledge of beach trails, secret surf spots and campsites, the group started putting together a route for the journey.

“We quickly realised we didn’t need to follow a specific path or trail – the coastline provided the direction and expanse of the walk.” Enlisting the help of local friends, the group also factored in some friendly backyard camping, food-drops and even the opportunity to sneak a shower.

Day One started early, with a peaceful sunrise walk along Cleeland Bight and a breakfast stop in San Remo before experiencing the magnificence of the Punchbowl cliffs. Picking

up a food-drop in Kilcunda, the group settled in for the night at Powlett River, cooking dinner with the sand between their toes and waking up as sunlight hit the curve of the dunes.

From Powlett River, they headed towards Cape Paterson.

Roads, signs and buildings were replaced with an expanse of beach, cliff caves and the sight of the Wonthaggi wind turbines in the distance. “It felt like we were viewing the land from the outside in,” Bill explained. And it brought fresh revelations about walking distances and previously-unknown coastal features. Arriving into Cape Paterson that night, a friendly backyard provided the perfect camping spot.

Day Three saw another early start, as the trek from Cape Paterson to Venus Bay was the longest leg of the journey.

Walking the Bunurong Cliffs through to Eagle’s Nest, the group took to the shoreline as they approached Inverloch and enlisted the help of a local sea-kayaking company to make a trip across to Point Smythe. “This was one of the hardest days physically,” explained Bill. “After battling headwinds on the crossing, we got to the Point and the tide was rising fast, so we were walking through deep sand and every step felt heavier than the last!” >

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After camping overnight in the dunes at Venus Bay, the friends headed east along the beach before climbing the cliffs of Cape Liptrap National Park. “There were Gaudi-like fossilised tree-roots and incredible rock formations,” said Bill.

“We really were open-mouthed with awe.” That night, friends in Walkerville provided a backyard tent site (complete with a welcoming cheese platter) and the next day, the foursome got their first glimpse of Wilsons Prom as they made their way to their Sandy Point campsite. With the Prom in sight, they fell asleep contemplating the next day’s Inlet crossing.

The hike finished on top of the Drift’s biggest dune, the group drinking in the extraordinary scenery and reflecting on their achievements. “We’d taken in cliff tops, scrambled across sand dunes, crawled through scrub, walked, talked, listened and connected – with each other and the places we walked through,” explained Bill. “It was a completely different experience of walking for all of us.”

We’d taken in cliff tops, scrambled across sand dunes, crawled through scrub, walked, talked, listened and connected …

But Mother Nature had other ideas, and the morning’s harsh winds and rain meant abandoning their plan to swim the Inlet. A local fisherman – Bill from Mirboo North – offered the group a ride across on his boat, depositing them ashore for the final leg of their adventure.

The last few kilometres of the walk (with the occasional crawl through coastal scrub) into the Big Drift struck a new and seemingly haphazard track into the sandy wilderness.

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Back home and inspired, all the walkers are keen to explore other parts of their ‘backyard’ on foot.

For Bill, the chance to get up close to these local spaces is life-affirming – and an experience everyone can share. “You don’t need to be super-fit.

You don’t have to commit to a six-day hike like we did. Getting out and walking to explore where you live is something everyone can do. I really believe that it’s in the stillness and quiet moments, listening to the spaces around us, that we can begin to feel country.”

spring

lifestyle property guide

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coast style

DECORATING INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME

Beachside charm doesn’t have to mean nautical stripes, bright colours and seashells.

Taking your inspiration from the colour palette and textures on our shores is a great place to start.

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Southern Bazaar’s Wendy deKunder is often asked to help design warm and welcoming spaces in new homes. For Wendy, the key is natural timber. “In many modern houses, the entry hallway is large and can be quite stark,” explained Wendy. “But rustic timbers and older pieces work really well on white walls and in spaces with clean, clear lines.”

Recently, Wendy worked with the owner of a new house in Inverloch to create a coastal theme in the entry. “We started with a beautiful hall-table made from recycled elm.

It’s a very practical piece, because it provides storage and a place to put your keys, but the recycled timber is reminiscent of driftwood.”

The owner decorated the table with ornaments also purchased from Southern Bazaar. Reflecting the coastal theme, there was a water motif in the selection which included a metal penguin, a sailboat and an Indian water-pot. The textures and natural colour palette of several small vases are reminiscent of seashells and the shoreline, and a simple, recycled timber mirror above the table finished the look.

Using recycled timber furniture is a very effective way to bring warmth and character into a newly-built house. “We stock a lot of individually-crafted pieces made from old timber, and no two are exactly the same,” said Wendy. “It’s the recycled wood that gives it personality.” If you’re looking for decoration inspiration, she recommends taking photos of your room and having them with you when you shop. “I always tell my customers to bring in a photo and we can look through our stock to find something that will work for your space. We can even help you customise a new sofa with our range of Australianmade Molmic sofas.”

Southern Bazaar stocks a wide range of new and recycled furniture and a range of coastal homewares. You can shop at the online store at www.southernbazaar.com.au or visit the store in Wonthaggi (58 McBride Ave) or the Inverloch warehouse (74 Cashin St).

Aspire with 30 years experience.

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For peace of mind, you need a builder you can trust.

Aspire has 30 years experience with a reputation for quality homes and professional service.

Come talk to Aspire!

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Opening hours: Sat/Sun 11am – 4pm Mon/Tues/Fri 10am – 3pm Or by appointment Karen Sherwood, Sales Consultant M 0411 774 699

karensherwood@aspiredesignerhomes.com www.aspiredesignerhomes.com.au Head Office Ph: 9785 5100 coast 117

words eleanor mckay photos warren reed

lifestyle review

hillsiDe

hideaway Nestled on a hillside in Harkaway, with views out across the city, this beautiful family home feels a million miles from the hustle of daily life.

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When Mark and Cecilia bought a house on a sprawling block in 1999, they were drawn to the tranquillity of the area. A decade or so later, they still loved the space and the peace, but the old 70s house was in urgent need of repair. With an established garden – including a pool and tennis court – and plenty of space for their two active teenage boys, the couple began searching for the right builder to help them renovate.

“There was a house close by that we loved the look of,” explained Cecilia. “So we talked to the owners and found out it had been built by Graeme Alexander Homes. Mark looked at

their website and saw that they did renovations. We contacted them and they organised for us to visit some of the other houses they had built and to talk to previous clients.”

Reassured by all they heard and saw, the couple knew they’d found the right person for the job. “Graeme was easy to talk to and he never pressured us,” said Cecilia. “That gave us a lot of confidence.”

When it came to discussing ideas for the renovation, the first decision was which parts of the existing house Mark and Cecilia wanted to keep. “There was no part of the house that >

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we really loved – we just didn’t want to move,” said Cecilia. “We’d never thought about a new build until Graeme asked if he could put a proposal together for us to consider.”

When they saw the concept for a new house that maximised their views and provided access to all the existing areas, including the pool, the couple were sold. “Graeme talked to us about our budget and got us to put together a wish list. Then he designed a house around that.”

With its white, rendered walls, raked ceilings and spotted-gum floors, the house feels relaxed and inviting.

The result is a house that suits the family’s lifestyle, and blends beautifully with its surroundings. From the street, it appears to be a modest, light-filled, single-storey home. “When Graeme first talked about a two-storey house, I was little concerned,” admitted Cecilia.

“That wasn’t in keeping with the area, and we didn’t want to build something that would be intrusive for our neighbours.” Instead, the clever design tucks the house into the hillside, so the second storey is not visible from street level.

The upper level includes a study, side patio and the kitchen, plus an expansive living area that opens out onto the main deck. The deck overlooks the gardens, pool and tennis court, with clear views down the valley to Melbourne.

With its white rendered walls, raked ceilings and spotted-gum floors, the house feels relaxed and inviting. “It’s very spacious and comfortable and I love the easy flow between the indoor and outdoor areas,” said Cecilia. “Having big windows optimises the view and I wanted to have lots of sun coming in.” The family congregates in the kitchen – “it’s the hub of the house” – and with an island bench that can comfortably sit nine people, they only use the formal dining area when friends come over. “It’s a good house to entertain in. We have friends over a lot more than we did in the old house.”

Downstairs there are three bedrooms, a bathroom, laundry and rumpus room, as well as a study nook and the garage. Like the upper level, there’s an interface between inside and out. “The rumpus room opens out to a sunken courtyard on one side of the house and to the pool on the other,” explained Cecilia. “The house really was designed to fit around the pool.” Again, enormous windows, some floor to ceiling, let the sunlight come streaming in.

As well as sitting properly in the landscape, it was important that the house was good for the environment. In terms of energy efficiency, the design needed to consider the existing features of the block, and factor in the rural nature of the area. “Even though we’re only a ten-minute drive from a major shopping centre, it’s quite rural in some aspects,” said Cecilia. “We use tank water and bottled gas as there are no mains water or gas here. And we have solar panels for the hot water system.” Cecilia and Mark decided to upgrade the home’s insulation, a decision that was good for soundproofing (particularly between floors) and energy efficiency, while all the windows in the house are double-glazed.

Describing the whole building and design experience as stressfree, Cecilia said: “I had a lot of confidence in Graeme from the start, but as the project progressed, I knew we’d made the right decision.

I really liked working with him. Because he was easy to talk to, any issues were easy to resolve. He always kept the budget in mind and answered all my questions honestly.”

Careful planning and good collaboration has created an oasis of calm on the city fringe. “This house is everything we wanted in a home,” said Cecilia. “And at night, I like to sit in the living room and watch the city light up.”

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tel: 03 5956 7415

www.southcoastkitchens.com.au

28 boys home road, newhaven, phillip island. info@southcoastkitchens.com.au Domestic • Commercial • Wardrobes • Creative Storage • Wardrobe Sliding Doors • Toilet Petitions • Shop Fit Outs • Solid Timber Joinery

aspirations in design Graeme Alexander Homes P/L Designing and building your vision is a very personal and rewarding experience.

Helping create the Peninsula Dream for now 30 years, we encourage you to be as much a part of the journey as you wish.

Your involvement increases your enjoyment from the original design lines through to the construction and beyond - we are with you all the way.

Graeme Alexander Homes P/L 1 Albany Way, Mornington Vic 3931 P: 1300 301 055 I F: (03) 5976 4561 I www.gahomes.com.au

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Winner 2015 naBD aWarDS Residential New Homes $300–$500,000 Construction Cost

Winner 2015 BDav aWarDS Residential New Homes up to $500,000 Construction Cost Residential New Homes up to $300,000 Construction Cost

Multi Award Winning Building Designer of Contemporary Sustainable Homes.

332 White Rd. Wonthaggi Tel. (03) 5672 5196

www.beaumontconcepts.com.au

SilverleaveS ProjecT

Coastal Refrigeration & Airconditioning we don’t just install, we look after you . . .

Servicing Phillip Island & surrounding areas

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION & AIRCONDITIONING Sales, installation & service of all major brands.

Rick North is a fully qualified refrigeration & airconditioning technician with over 20 years experience in the trade. Coastal Refrigeration and Airconditioning provide professional before and after sales services.

Shop 2/65A Street, Back Beach Road, 5678 San Remo 1/60 Genista San Remo 5190 5678 5190 Afterhours hourscommercial commercialbreakdown breakdown coastalrefrigandaircon@bigpond.com coastalrefrigandaircon@bigpond.com After www.coastalrefrigandaircon.com.au ARC www.coastalrefrigandaircon.com.au ARCAuthorisation AuthorisationNo: No:AU22840 AU22840

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AIR CONDITIONERS www.mhiaa.com.au

www.mhiaa.com.au

HOTONDO HOMES 3D EXPLORE

E EW R D N TU E TE A CK SI FEPA EB W

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HOTONDO HOMES HOME NAVIGATOR

Get the full picture with an online virtual tour of every one of our display homes.

Find the home that matches your needs and personality in less than two minutes!

HOME PLANNER

HOTONDO HOMES HOME PLANNER Change the floor plan, add a bedroom, make your garage bigger the choice is yours!

We have Sales & Selection Centres and Display Homes all over Regional Victoria and Metropolitan Melbourne.

Visit our website for your nearest location.

Call 1800 677 156 hotondo.com.au coast 123

Capturing the light Blending beautifully into the coastal foreshore at Sandy Point, this compact beach-house is the perfect place to relax and replenish the spirit.

In 2008 when Ellen Lyall found a block of land within walking distance of the beach at Sandy Point, she had more than a coastal-getaway on her mind. She bought the land a year after her sister Alexandra had lost her long battle with breast cancer. “In those last months, she talked about how she’d love to have one more swim in the ocean,” said Ellen. “We’d spent our childhood on Phillip Island, and Sandy Point reminded me of Phillip Island back then.”

Setting out to build a house in memory of her sister, Ellen also wanted to reflect her family’s history of living in lighthouses at Cliffy Island, Gabo Island and Wilsons Prom.

Designed by Nettle Architects in Melbourne, the house is an homage to the lighthouse. From the angled rooflines to the stainless steel balustrade on the mezzanine level to the wooden ladder stairs, the spirit of the lighthouse echoes through the building. >

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words eleanor mckay photos warren reed

lifestyle review

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To bring the design to life, Ellen enlisted Steve Vuillermin from local company SJ Vuillermin Master Builders. “I wanted someone local, and Steve came highly recommended,” explained Ellen.

“Because I was based in Melbourne, it was imperative that I found a good builder. And Steve was fantastic. He is a great communicator and it was a really joyous experience.”

Selecting materials for the build was a combination of budget and environmental considerations. “I don’t like ‘look-at-me’ houses,” said Ellen. “I really wanted this place to blend with the environment.” Cladding the outside walls in Colorbond was an inexpensive option, and using merbau timber on some walls and the back deck allowed the house to blend into the native vegetation surrounding it.

Although the house has a small footprint, it feels surprisingly open and expansive. Stepping through the front door, the angled rooflines and big windows allow sunlight to stream in from every direction. “It’s a compact space, but because of the atrium it doesn’t feel small,” said Ellen. The mezzanine level provides extra sleeping spaces, including a built-in day-bed tucked in under a sloping roof – and adds to the spacious feel of the main living area. Ellen is frequently joined at the house by friends and by her grown-up children (Cam, Alice and Dougal and wife Leia), so this clever use of space is a major bonus.

Ellen says she has Steve to thank for some of the most attractive features of the house. “The stainless-steel balustrade was his suggestion, and he changed the design of the stairs up to the mezzanine,” said Ellen. He also offered plenty of practical advice throughout the build. “Essentially Steve was the builder, the project manager and my advisor. It was his suggestion to put the fireplace in the lounge. The angled floorboards were

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also his idea. Little touches like that make such a difference, and Steve really cared about the outcome. He managed the details and understood what was important to me.”

For Ellen, another key reason the build was so successful was Steve Vuillermin’s commitment to using local tradespeople and suppliers. “All the local trades were fantastic. It’s very reassuring to know I can still contact them all and that they stand by their products,” said Ellen. The house’s joinery, kitchen, fittings and fixtures were all provided by local suppliers, while local landscaper Rob O’Sullivan did the garden. The garden is a particular joy for Ellen and is home to a vast array of birds, a resident wombat, and the occasional visiting koala. The house is serviced by tank and bore water, while the garden is full of native and indigenous plants.

After a trouble-free build, Ellen can now relax in her beachside getaway. “Building this house was a cathartic experience for me. It was a creative diversion from the sadness I was experiencing at the time of Alex’s passing.” She says the back deck is a favourite spot. “I like to sit out on the deck and watch the sky,” smiled Ellen. “It’s something I used to do a lot with my sister. It gets beautiful morning sun and is very protected from the elements.”

This beachside sanctuary is the perfect holiday house – energy-efficient, compact, easy to clean and maintain. But with family history embedded in its very design and Ellen’s beloved sister’s paintings adorning the walls, it’s a family home in a very real sense.

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One-of-a-kind. Your home. Our service.

You deserve individualised attention and the highest calibre workmanship.

We pride ourselves on delivering quality service, building great relationships and using the best local products and trades. Talk to us about how our experienced team can create your beautiful new home, extension or renovation.

117 Sandy Point Rd, Sandy Point VIC 3959 | T: 0428 598 237 | svuillermin@bigpond.com | www.sjvuillerminmasterbuilders.com.au

Your local builders.

Locally owned & operated, custom homes, house & land packages.

Drop in for a chat at your local G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington: 5/234 Main St (03) 5975 1122

Phillip Island: 1/219 Settlement Rd (03) 5952 2150

Visit: gjgardner.com.au

Wonthaggi: 114-116 Graham St (03) 5672 1818 Mornington franchisees: Scott & Judy

Bass Coast & Wonthaggi Franchisees: Garry & Gill

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Shaping the Built Environment.

Builders of distinctive, designer homes.

TS Constructions create living spaces that are stunning, innovative and finished to perfection. Our aim is to work with owners and designers to develop and build exactly to your requirements.

03 5672 2466 admin@tsconstructions.com.au www.tsconstructions.com.au

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Creating Quality Coastal Homes for more than 50 years.

With choices ranging from two to five bedrooms, with double and single storey, brick or modern claddings – there is a design perfect for every lifestyle. Take a look online at our complete Leisure Range.

Gippsland Sales & Display Centre | Cape Paterson Rd (Next to Mitre 10) Wonthaggi.

Phone: 5672 1999. Open 7 days (closed public holidays). Mon–Fri: 8am-5pm Sat-Sun: 1pm–4pm.

Wonthaggi Sales Centre | 111 Graham Street, Wonthaggi.

Phone: 5672 5260. Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm. Sat 9am to 1pm.

Phillip Island Sales & Display Centre | 36 Phillip Island Tourist Rd, Newhaven.

Phone: 5956 7992. Open Thu to Mon & public holidays. 11am–4:30pm (Closed Tue & Wed).

Phillip Island Display Home | Whytesands Estate (Off Ventnor Rd), Cowes.

Phone: 0408 103 830. Open by appointment.

coldonhomes.com.au coast 129

coast directory Pop into your local library today

Fill up and reFuel.

Convenience is everything. Your local Bass Caltex is open 24/7, with competitive fuel prices, a large variety of drinks and confectionery and a wide range of groceries and automotive supplies.

Free wifi and access to public internet PCs. Books, dvds, magazines, audio books, plus heaps of programs and activities for all ages and interests. Your library membership offers you access to over 1 million items.

All free...of course. If you haven’t been to the library in a while, it’s time you came back - we’d love to see you!

Phillip Island - 89 Thompson Ave 5952 2842 South Coast Mobile Library 0418 358 016 Inverloch - 16 A’Beckett St 5674 1169

Bass Highway, Cnr Soldiers Road 3991 Phone 03 5678 2346 | www.caltex.com.au

Wonthaggi - Murray St 5672 1875

www.wgrlc.vic.gov.au

www.coastmagazine.net

Carpet • Timber • Laminate • Vinyl Bamboo • Cork • Internal Blinds & Shutters External Blinds & Awnings

K.B. CARPET COURT 33 Bair Street, Leongatha Ph: (03) 5662 4164 PHILLIP ISLAND CARPET COURT 9 The Concourse, Cowes Ph: (03) 5952 6377 www.carpetcourt.com.au

EXPERT ADVICE AND GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SERVICE. TIMBER

HARDWARE PAINTS HUGE RANGE OF WATER TANKS

TOOLS

EST. 1965

Cnr. Bass Highway & Glen Forbes Rd, Grantville 03 5678 8552 421 Princess Hwy, Officer VIC 3809 03 5943 2371

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26 October - 13 November

The Original Sth. Channel Light deconstructed Oil on Linen 92 x 71 cm

W o n t h a g g i

DREW GREGORY

7 McBride Avenue,Wonthaggi.

Open Thursday to Monday, 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Or by appointment 0439 699 241 www.artspacewonthaggi.com.au Phone: 03 5672 1415 | artspacenquiries@gmail.com

320 Bay Rd Cheltenham Telephone: 9583 7577

Community Gallery | Supporting Regional Artists | Regular Exhibitions

Mon to Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12-5pm

enquiries@withoutpier.com.au

www.withoutpier.com.au

g estudio c kgallery o

Second Hand, Vintage, RetRo and collectableS

9.30am – 4.30pm 6 days a week (closed tuesdays)

FRee tea & coFFee, KidS aRea

monthly exhibitions of contemporary artwork | art materials | picture framing | jewellery | ceramics

120 McKenzie St, Wonthaggi (behind Voyage gym) Enquiries: Antoinette 0419 342 815

15 Falls Road, Fish Creek Ph 03 5683 2481 opening times thurs-mon 10am-5pm

e: framing@geckostudiogallery.com.au w: geckostudiogallery.com.au

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coast directory www.coastmagazine.net

ArtSpace

coast directory www.coastmagazine.net

A treASure trOVe OF pre-lOVed, retrO, VINtAGe & MOre...

Opens at 10 every Sunday in Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

Enjoy fine wine by the glass or choose your favourite bottle to have with your BYO food, in the cosy wine lounge or al fresco soaking up the magic of Mordialloc.

Ask our staff for a tasting to help you choose the perfect wine to take home and enjoy.

Open 7 days 622 Main St, Mordialloc Call 9580 6521 www.mordycellardoor.com.au

Main Street, KONGWAK, Victoria

(only 10 minutes from Inverloch) For more info call Jane on 0417 142 478

NEW & GENTLY USED QUALITY GOODS

‘Browsers Always Welcome’ Where there are no strangers... only friends you’ve yet to meet

• WINE & BEER • MUSIC • DELICIOUS FOOD • LOCAL PRODUCE • WOODFIRED PIZZA • TAKE AWAY

10am–8pm Thurs and Sun. 10am–10pm Fri and Sat.

1075 Loch-Kernot Rd, Kernot Phone: 5678 8555 coast 132

Oracle Cards Body Jewellery Silver Jewellery Japanese Incense Erstwilder Brooches Himalayan Salt Lamps Mind, Body & Spirit CD’s San Marco Wildflower Jewellery Clothing for Ladies, Men & Kids Short Story ‘Hope in a Box’ Bella Donna Harmony Balls Gemstones: Tumbled, Specimens & Jewellery Black Ice Sunglasses Hats, Bags, Scarves Bric-a-Brac, Books 31 MAIN STREET, FOSTER PH: 5682 1381 WEEKDAYS 10AM–5PM SAT 9.30AM–4PM SUN 10AM–4PM OPEN 7 DAYS NOVEMBER – APRIL OPEN 6 DAYS CLOSED TUESDAYS MAY – OCTOBER

www.mainstreetrevelations.com.au

Do you care about Gippsland’s natural environment?

Innes

Dawn

Sheena

Doxie

We sure do. We work with Landcare, farmers and landowners to help boost land productivity and protect Gippsland’s natural resources. See how we’ve worked with others to protect and enhance our natural environment including improving soils, creating habitat for native animals and improving overall catchment health. More details and resources are available on our website and Facebook page.

Island Shoes 134 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Vic. 3922 Ph/Fax: 03 5952 2515

ER , AT N CLE OB BO AVA CY OCT R E R CA OTO BL M LA D VAI AN E A AG OR ST

Secure. Safe. Peace of Mind.

www.wgcma.vic.gov.au

Island Secure Storage

Easy car and truck access.

Wide range of unit sizes to suit all your needs.

We stock all your packaging requirements.

Access is 24/7.

On-site manager during business hours.

All Units have an individual alarm and the facility has security cameras inside and out.

Storing with us will be a breeze. mob: 0400 214 446 4 Industrial Way, Cowes VIC 3922 e: storage@islandsteel.com.au

www.islandstorage.com.au

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coast directory www.coastmagazine.net

Now available at Island Shoes for Spring 2016

coast directory www.coastmagazine.net

directory Artists & Galleries Annette Spinks ArtFusion Gallery ArtSpace Wonthaggi Gecko Studio Gallery The Goldsmith’s Gallery Manyung Gallery Mingara Gallery Without Pier

Hair, Health & Beauty 37 33 131 131 85 21 38 131

Automotive Bass Caltex Service Station Edney’s Leongatha The One Stop Shop The Tint Professor Wonthaggi Toyota & Holden

130 29 71 71 33

Builders & Designers Aspire Designer Homes 117 Beach House Constructions 49 Beachlife Projects eHouse 58 Beaumont Concepts 122 Coldon Homes 129 Ecoliv 51 Graeme Alexander Homes 121 GJ Gardner Homes 127 Hotondo Homes 123 Langford Jones Homes 8 SJ Vuillermin Master Builders 127 StabilEarth 63 TS Constructions 128

Entertainment Kongwak Market Turn the Page

132 135

Fashion

Gathered Concepts 50 Island Shoes 133 Main Street Revelations 132 Sketa 5 Tyde 133

Government & Schools Mary McKillop 80 Newhaven College 77 South Gippsland Specialist School 75 Toorak College 79 West Gippsland Library 130 West Gippsland CMA 133 Westernport Water 66

Green & Gardens Burra Garden Supplies Edible Gardens Grace Landscapes Island Landscape & Design Melaleuca Nursery Peninsula Shade Sails Rybie Lawn Wonthaggi Garden Supplies

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61 47 53 64 44 59 65 65

Beachside Hair & Beauty 62 Berwick Pharmacy 62 Feng Shui Elements 60 South Gippsland Therapy 60 Upbeet Health & Wholefoods 45 Wellness Manor 37 YMCA 136

Homewares & Furniture Factory Seven Mookah Studios Organature Southern Bazaar South Coast Furnishings

131 85 40 38 57

Trista’s Kitchen 109 Trulli Pizza 92 Upbeet Health & Wholefoods 45 Waterfront@Silverwater Resort 103 Youki’s 108

Tourism, Travel & Recreation Islantis 91 Phillip Island Chocolate Factory 25 Phillip Island Nature Parks 54 Vietnam Vets Museum 89

Trades & Hardware

The Goldsmith’s Gallery 85 Lacy Jewellery Studio & Gallery 140

Carpet Court Coastal Refrigeration Gippsland Solar & Roof Supplies Island Secure Storage South Coast Kitchens Van Steensels Timbers

Professional Services

Wineries

Jewellery

Bendigo Bank – SRDFS Mark Farmer Financial Solutions Memoir Man Telstra Wonthaggi Winnmill Design

72 89 91 81 62

Property & Accommodation Alex Scott Phillip Island Anchor Belle Mountain View Leongatha Ramada Resort Seagrove Estate Silverwater Resort

139 109 19 92 2 23

Food, Cafes & Restaurants Bassine Specialty Cheeses Cafe Blue Bamboo The Cape Kitchen Captain’s Lounge Cheeky Goose Cafe Chutney Bar Clover Cottage Connell’s Bakery Coffee Traders Esplanade Hotel Gippsland Mushrooms Gippsland Natural Meats Gusto Gelateria & Pastry Harry’s on the Esplanade Kernot Food & Wine Store Kilcunda General Store Kilcunda Ocean View Hotel Mario’s at San Remo Number’s Cafe, Ramada Resort The Palms Penny Lane Cafe Prom Coast Ice Cream San Remo IGA Sherwood’s Restaurant Three Aces Cafe

97 97 99 97 98 98 98 104 101 97 100 98 100 105 132 107 107 103 92 104 104 105 106 106 106

Gippsland Wine Company Mordialloc Cellars Purple Hen Wines

130 122 64 133 121 130 100 132 108

Stockists Aspendale News Anchorage Store, Ventnor Balnarring Village News Bass General Store Baxter Newsagency, Frankston Beach St Newsagency, Frankston Benton Square Newsagency, Mornington Berwick Newsagency Black Rock News Blairgowrie Newagency Bunyip Newsagency Caltex Bass Carrum Newsagency Carrum Downs News Cape Woolamai Bottlo Cellar & Pantry, Red Hill South Chelsea News Cheltenham News Corinella General Store Coronet Bay General Store Cowes IGA Cowes Mobil Cowes Newsagent Cranbourne Newsagency Dalyston General Store Dromana Newsagency Drouin Newsagency East Brighton Newsagency Edithvale Newsagency Fish Creek BP Fish Creek General Store Flinders General Store Foster BP Foster Newsagency Gardenvale Newsagency Garfield Newsagency Grantville Newsagency Hampton East Newsagency Hampton Newsagency Hastings Newsagency Highett Newsagency Inverloch BP Inverloch Foodworks Karingal Hub Newsagency, Frankston Kilcunda General Store Koonwarra Store Koo Wee Rup Newsagency Korumburra BP Korumburra News Kunyung Newsagency, Mt Eliza Lang Lang Newsagency Leongatha BP Leongatha Newsagency Longwarry Newsagency Lonsdale News, Dandenong Meeniyan Newsagent Mentone Newsagency Middle Brighton News Mirboo North BP Mornington News Morwell Newsagency Mt Eliza Newsagency Mt Martha Newsagency Narre Warren Newsagency Narre Warren North News Neerim South Newsagency Newhaven Newsagency Newsxpress Inverloch North Brighton News Orbost Newsagency Pakenham Newsagency Parkdale Newsagency Pearcedale Newsagency Rhyll General Store Rosebud Newsagency Rye Newsagency San Remo - Freedom Fuels San Remo IGA San Remo Newsagency Sandringham News Sandy Point General Store Scribes News & Tatts, Mornington Seaford Newsagency Seaview Newsagency, Beaumaris Silverleaves General Store Smiths Beach Store Somerville News & Tatts Sorrento News Strzelecki News & Tatts, Mirboo Nth Tarwin Lower Supermarket Toora Newsagency Tooradin Newsagency Traralgon Newsagency Tyabb Newsagency Venus Bay Store Warragul Newsagent Warren Village Newagency, Mordialloc Wilsons Prom - Tidal River Store Wonthaggi BP Wonthaggi Newsagent Wonthaggi Ritchies IGA Yanakie Store

a good read Browse through these gorgeous books from Rhonda Hetzel and discover ways to live more simply and sustainably.

DOWN TO EARTH: A GUIDE TO SIMPLE LIVING “I was pulled into simple living before I knew what it was. It crept up on me using the smallest of steps and didn’t reveal its true beauty and real power until I was totally hooked. I was searching for a way to live well while spending very little money.

What I found was a way of life that also gave me independence, opportunity and freedom.”

Find the pleasure and meaning in a simpler life. Whether you want to grow tomatoes, bake bread, make your own soap and preserve fruit, or just be inspired to slow down and live more sustainably, Down to Earth will be your guide.

THE SIMPLE HOME: A MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE TO SELFRELIANCE, PRODUCTIVITY AND CONTENTMENT “Being in charge of your own life and making decisions based on what you want to do rather than what you have to do, gives you a rare kind of contentment and shows you that every ordinary day offers magnificent opportunities.”

Award-winning blogger Rhonda shares the day-to-day practicalities of a simple life, with a year of monthly projects that make household management easier. This is an inspiring, indispensable guide to slowing down, taking stock of life and finding pleasure and satisfaction at home.

YOUNG ADULT FICTION BAD BONES: SOME THINGS ARE BEST LEFT BURIED

by Graham Marks SLEEPLESS: THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS WHEN YOU’RE AWAKE

by Lou Morgan FLESH AND BLOOD: YOU BELONG TO US

by Simon Cheshire A new teen series by various authors.

In Bad Bones, Gabe heads off into the hills surrounding L.A. where he stumbles across a secret that will change everything. In Sleepless, Izzy and her friends are young, rich and good-looking, but at Clerkenwell failure is not an option.

In Flesh and Blood Sam’s neighbours are hiding something. He is determined to find out, but is there anyone he can trust?

NON-FICTION NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

by Adele Dumont In 2010, 24-year-old Sydneysider Adele Dumont volunteered to teach English to men in immigration detention on Christmas Island. She didn’t expect to find the work so rewarding or the people she met so interesting. So when she was offered a job working at Curtin Detention Centre near Derby in Western Australia, she took it, living a fly-in fly-out lifestyle. This unique personal story takes a humanitarian stance on immigration detention and makes the issue far more accessible than newspaper articles. Vividly told, full of characters and humanity, it is the story about immigration detention all Australians need to read.

Nature and books belong to the eyes that see them

ADULT FICTION BARKSKINS

by Annie Proulx This brick of a book from renowned author Annie Proulx has been described as a “masterpiece, an epic, dazzling, violent, magnificently dramatic novel about the taking down of the world’s forests”. A history of stripping the world of this valuable resource is told through the stories of the descendants of two penniless young Frenchmen wood-cutters.

NON-FICTION SURFING THE MENU: NEXT GENERATION

by Dan Churchill and Hayden Quinn The original Surfing the Menu series introduced us to Curtis Stone and Ben O’Donoghue, and now it’s time to hit the surfing trail again with a new generation of food lovers and cooks. Dan Churchill and Hayden Quinn discover the spectacular natural diversity of northern Australia, along with Gigi, an intrepid vintage VW Beetle. They travel from Shark Bay through Kununurra across to The Whitsundays and finally to Byron Bay in New South Wales. Along the way, they explore the incredible produce of each spectacular region -- and catch some waves too! Stunning photography of each lush location and the mouthwatering produce and recipes they discover and cook along the way. Get cooking and share in the trip of a lifetime!

40a Thompson Ave, Cowes P: 03 5952 1444 E: lois.turnthepage@bigpond.com W: turnthepagebookshop.com.au

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

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fitness tips

GIVING YOUTH A VOICE Young people are the voice of our future, and we need to listen when they speak. A great opportunity was presented to the young people of Bass Coast at the recent YMCA Youth Parliament program and they grabbed it with both hands.

Bass Coast Shire was strongly represented by six Newhaven College VCE students at the 30th Annual YMCA Youth Parliament.

Focused on improving the Mental Health of the community the team presented a Bill for the Implementation of Psychologists in Government Schools.

For the past 30 years, YMCA Youth Parliament has given young Victorians (aged 16-26) the opportunity to put forward their ideas, beliefs and opinions on the future of their state and country, by producing genuine bills to be debated at Parliament House.

Teams from around the state propose and contest bills for a week in Parliament, and the ones that pass are then considered

by State and Federal Government for implementation. Some bills that have contributed to legislation in the past include: Roadside Drug Testing for Drivers, Over the Counter Availability of the Morning after Pill, Mandatory Wearing of a Bicycle Helmet and

Find your Fit

Removal of Glass from Identified High-Risk Entertainment Venues.

disability, so why do we disregard the importance of mental health?”

Thanks to financial support from Bass Coast Shire Council, YMCA Bass Coast was able to submit its first application in over ten years. The team from Newhaven College consisted of four Year 12 students and two Year 11 students. The bill they conceived, developed and presented to Parliament, proposed mandatory psychologists in all Victorian Government Schools. In front of a special guest Speaker of the House, Brian Paynter (Member for Bass), the team’s assertion of the need for the employment of one psychologist per 300 students was passionately debated by Youth Parliament and eventually emphatically passed through the Legislative Assembly.

Participant Jessie Van Hammond highlighted the relevance of the issue for youth by stating: “As young people, we believe that this is probably one of the biggest issues for us, and we think if we tackle it in schools while kids are growing up, hopefully we can normalize and destigmatise the issue.”

The Newhaven students were emotive and passionate when they presented their bill, with Claire Anstey asking poignantly of her fellow debaters: “We wouldn’t hesitate to help people suffering from a physical

The Bill will now go to Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Families and Children and Minister for Youth Affairs, for consideration. Following a successful experience, the students also presented to the Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Jordan Crugnale and councillors.

The YMCA Youth Parliament Program for Bass Coast students was a huge success and we are looking forward to submitting a team in 2017.

If you are aged between 16 and 26 and would be interested participating in Youth Parliament, please contact Michael Feehan, Community Development Officer at YMCA Bass Coast.

with YMCA Bass Coast

Our qualified staff and modern equipment combine to offer you a great Health Club catering for all your training needs.

Gym • Cycle Studio • Group Fitness • Sauna • Creche • Swimming Lessons Bass Coast Aquatic & Leisure Centre 41 Wentworth Rd, Wonthaggi 5672 4194

Phillip Island Leisure Centre 10-14 Church Street, Cowes 5952 2811

www.basscoast.ymca.org.au coast 136

young & inspired

A fateful decision to try ice at a party plunged Rebecca Slavin into four years of hell. With the support of her family, she turned her life around and now mentors other young people battling addiction.

as told to christina aitken photo warren reed I grew up in Traralgon, the youngest of three girls. My family moved to Inverloch when I was fourteen. Less than two years ago I was stuck in darkness, but now I travel all over Australia telling the story of my journey from ice addiction to freedom.

When I was seventeen, a friend’s older brother offered me ice at a party. I didn’t know what it was, but I wanted to fit with the cool kids. I’d heard about teenagers falling into addiction, but never thought it would happen to me.

I spiralled very quickly … it was like living in hell … and it lasted around four years. The turning points came when I overdosed and actually died. And when I lost my family. I was in an abusive relationship, and my family said I

couldn’t come home if I continued to live like that. My boyfriend wouldn’t let me contact them, because he knew I’d go if I did. I had a secret phone, and one night I jumped out of the window while he was passed out and texted my mother. I said that I was sorry, and that I loved her. She said I could come home, but I didn’t feel like I could. That night, I cried out to the sky. I said, ‘You have to save me, whoever you are.’ The next day I tried to leave. My boyfriend was going crazy, but somehow I got to the corner store and called Mum. I was put in hospital as a result of domestic violence. Mum took me home. Then I got into rehab with Teen Challenge.

The things people say have an impact on you, even if you don’t always realise it at the time. I didn’t respond to my parents and counsellors initially, but in the end their words clicked. I knew my parents would stand by me. They had boundaries, but their door was open. That’s the difference between enabling and loving.

I don’t wake up with a battle of addiction in my mind. I get to create and build my life. Going to the gym gives me friendship, and a healthy mind and lifestyle. I’m aware of my thinking patterns and I know my worth. People say to me, ‘You don’t look like someone who has been on ice.’ I wasn’t a monster or a bad person. I made bad choices. I look up to my parents, and to my aunt, Deb Rielly. She was the link between me and Teen Challenge. My family has a strength, a fire inside us, that no matter what happens, can’t be put out.

At school I never knew what I wanted to do, but now I have a purpose. I speak at schools and different organisations, mentor young people with addictions, and I’m working with AFL Gippsland in the ‘Fight against Ice’ program. Teen Challenge sent me interstate to share my story.

These opportunities came about after I won Bass Coast Young Citizen of the Year.

I’m studying Counselling and Community Services, and work as a barista. I’d like to create a centre — rehab or counselling — where people can find themselves again. It will be somewhere to experience freedom.

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where am I?

Trek down the hillside, clamber across the rocks … and an incredible, deserted beach awaits you. That’s one of the joys of exploring our coastline. There are hidden delights around every corner.

Coast photographer Warren Reed captured this stunning landscape on one of his walks.

Do you think you know where it might be?

Why not drop us a line on Twitter or Facebook and tag your suggestions #coastwhereami. @ourcoastmag CoastMagazineAustralia Don’t forget, limited edition images such as this can be viewed and purchased at warrenreedphotography.com.au The Winter 2016 edition – Where Am I was taken from Pyramid Rock, looking towards Seal Rocks.

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F R OM T H E M O UNTAI NS TO THE S EA

CLASSIC GOOD SERVICE Since 1886

We’ve embraced our regional communities over the past 130 years and we’re especially proud of building great relationships and contributing to the success of our region during this time. We’re part of growing our shared regional successes and this Spring we invite you to put your trust in our classic good service when it comes to all things related to real estate in our community.

Melbourne (03) 9526 8611

Inverloch (03) 5674 1111

Leongatha (03) 5662 0922

Venus Bay (03) 5663 7111

Berwick (03) 9707 2000

Korumburra (03) 5655 1133

Pakenham (03) 5941 1111

Warragul (03) 5623 4744

Grantville (03) 5678 8433

Lang Lang (03) 5997 5599

Phillip Island (03) 5952 2633

Wonthaggi (03) 5672 1911

CLASSIC GOOD SERVICE SINCE

1886 ALEXSCOTT.COM.AU coast 139

132 Whitelaw St Meeniyan VIC 3956 | Phone 5664 0055 | coast 140

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