Esperance Tide December 2022

It’s hard to believe we’ve arrived at December already, and Christmas is knocking on our door. It’s a funny time of year, when every day begins to feel like a holiday, even if you still have to go to work. Perhaps it’s the sunny mornings, the warm days, and the long afternoons. It makes us want to crack a coldie and have a barbecue every night of the week! We’re looking forward to a few days off later in the month when we can really kick back and relax. Who cares what we do for Christmas, so long as there’s time to chill out?

Speaking of Christmas plans, we were a little nosy this month and caught up with five local foodies to ask what they’re thinking of cooking on Christmas Day [p. 34]. We loved hearing about what their childhood Christmases looked like. Their stories are filled with turkey, trifle, and even potato chips, so if you weren’t hungry before you started reading, you will be when you’re done! These days, most of our foodies keep it delicious but simple, and encourage everyone else to do the same. We’ll definitely be taking their advice this year!

With the weather (finally!) warming up and more and more lovely visitors arriving in town, we thought the time was ripe to share with you our top 10 swimming spots [p. 4]. Even as lifelong locals, this was a great refresher on the very best beaches to head to this summer. We didn’t dare rank them, but we’d love to know your faves! If you’re getting sandy and salty this month, make sure to tag us on Insta so we can follow your beach adventures!

#esperancetide

We also sat down with a couple of locals doing great things, like Kaaron Mitchell from Pink Lake Butchers [p. 12]. Kaaron is a smallgoods queen, winning big in recent state and national smallgoods competitions. What a champ! And Ben Pratt from the Restore Hope Foundation took time to tell us about the amazing work the foundation does for those in town who need a helping hand [p. 32]. Their annual Toy Run is also happening this month, so make sure to drop a toy into Florissons, to be gifted to a local kid in the leadup to Christmas, and then line the streets for the Toy Run parade on December 10!

No matter who you’re with, what pressies you get, or what’s on the table at lunchtime, from all of us at the Tide , we hope you have a very merry Christmas. Thanks for all your support this year and over the last six years. We look forward to seeing you happy and healthy in 2023!

Established in 2016, Esperance Tide is a free, monthly publication that shares our community’s most uplifting and inspiring stories. We strive to support small business and community events, and champion the heroes that reside within our region. Esperance Tide is 100 per cent locally and independently owned. Thank you to our advertisers who make this possible and the 4,000 people who pick up a copy every month.

Esperance Tide acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work and play, the Kepa Kurl Wudjari people of the Nyungar nation and Ngadju people, and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bronte Vincent bronte@esperancetide.com

EDITORIAL

Hannah Siemer hannah@esperancetide.com

CONTRIBUTORS

FOLLOW US /esperancetide @esperancetide

WE ARE ONLINE esperancetide.com tideandco.com.au

Rosie Henderson

Lucy Vincent

Karli Florisson

Kyron Smithson Katie White

Our Top 10 Spots to

Swim This Summer

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY ROSIE HENDERSON

Esperance is renowned for its sparkling turquoise waters and squeaky white sand – a combo that makes for the most magical of swimming spots! There are many, but we’ve saved you some driving by picking out our top 10 for you. So, grab a towel, throw on the togs, and don’t forget to slip slop slap!

Wharton Beach

Ahh, Wharton. A looong stretch of retina-burning white sand and sparkling water. Wharton is just past the Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park, which you’ll find out at Condingup, about an hour’s drive from town. She’s well worth the drive, with a magical spot in the eastern corner that is perfect for a day trip. Park in the car park or drive right onto the beach, then throw your towel out and settle in for the day. Great for a surf or swim and protected from those easterlies. A must visit for all visitors to Esperance. There are facilities, and it’s dog-friendly, too!

Blue Haven

Only 10 minutes from town, you’ll find this Instagrammersdelight nestled at the bottom of a winding stairway. Complete with a long stretch of beach to wander along and rocks to sunbathe on, this is the perfect spot to set up for the day. Great in the morning sun, and when the wind is blowing from the south or west. No facilities.

West Beach

A favourite with locals and visitors alike, and only three kilometres from town. This stunning beach features swimming lagoons between the reef and shore, as well as surf breaks between and beyond the reef. Rips are common here, so take care and assess the conditions before diving in. The long length of beach makes for a great beach stroll, and you’re sure to meet a smiley face or two (on both people and dogs). To the eastern end of the beach, you’ll find the iconic Dempster Head, a large rocky headland that is great for a bush walk, picnic, or watching the sun go down. Toilets above the beach, in the car park.

Salmon Beach

This is a great little nook, especially when that easterly wind comes in and you’re looking for somewhere to hide away. A small bay with big rocks to explore. The eastern end of the beach is popular for an afternoon dip, snorkelling around the rocks, or fishing off the beach. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset. Be aware that big swells can bring in big waves here, and the rocks are very dangerous when wet, so be sensible. Whatever you do, stay off the black rocks and never turn your back on the ocean! No facilities.

James Street Jetty

Located in the heart of town, this is a top recommendation for families. With the recently installed shark net, this spot offers peace of mind in a beautiful bay right on the Esperance Foreshore. There’s a pontoon and a slide, sure to keep the kids and adults alike entertained for hours! There are lots of facilities including barbeques, a grass area, and shaded tables to perch at.

Port Beach

Located at the southern end of the Esplanade, Port Beach is nestled right beside the Esperance Port, so you might just catch a ship coming in as you’re cooling off! This is a quieter spot that is very protected and is great for a swim at any time of day. Once you’re done, pop across the road to Aurelia's Ice Creamery & Cafe for a sweet treat.

Twilight Beach

Voted the Most Popular Beach in Western Australia for many, many reasons. Twilight is a sheltered bay complete with crystal clear water, white sand, and an iconic rock with a hole in it, that is a popular spot to explore and jump off (when the conditions are safe and only for those competent enough to do so)! This popular spot has easy access to the beach and facilities, and is just 10 minutes from town. Twilight is also patrolled by the Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club during summer weekends, making it a very safe spot!

Lucky Bay

This one needs no introduction, but no beach list would be complete without this amazing spot, with its squeaky white sand and kangaroos on the beach. This spectacular beach is located in Cape Le Grand National Park, about 45 minutes east of town. You can swim anywhere along the beach, but there is a beautiful protected bay on the southern end that is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. With ample facilities including barbeques, showers, picnic tables, and toilets, and with easy access for all, this makes a great spot for a day out of town. Camping is also available, but you’ll need to book months in advance if you want to nab a spot!

Eleven Mile

On any given day, this rocky favourite is postcard perfect. Located at the end of the Great Ocean Drive, Eleven Mile has the most amazing lagoons at the bottom of two stairways, inside the reef. This is a perfect spot for kids, as the waters are shallow and safe, but there are still lovely deep lagoons for the rest of us to dive in. Throw your towel on a rock and park up in the sunshine between refreshing dips in the sea. No facilities.

Castletown Beach

Located at the eastern end of the Esperance Foreshore, Castletown Beach is a long stretch that runs from the Esperance Jetty all the way to Bandy Creek Boat Harbour. This is a great spot to stretch the legs and take a dip. Being such a long strip of beach, you will always find your own area to dive in. Car parks are located at a few spots along the length of the beach, with toilets towards the eastern end on Castletown Quays. Please use the designated tracks to access the beach and don’t walk through the delicate dunes!

Agenda Briefing Sessions & Ordinary Council Meetings Dates

January - December 2023

In accordance with section 5.25(1)(g) of the Local Government Act 1995, Public notice is hereby given of Council Ordinary and Agenda Briefing Sessions for January - December 2023.

Agenda Briefing Sessions commence on the third Tuesday of every month at 1pm, and Ordinary Council Meetings commence on the fourth Tuesday of every the month at 4pm, with exceptions to these rules occuring in April and December in order to to accomodate public holidays

Agenda Briefing Session Ordinary Council Meeting

17 January 24 January 21 February 28 February 21 March 28 March 18 April 26 April 16 May 23 May 20 June 27 June 18 July 25 July 15 August 22 August 19 September 26 September 17 October 24 October 21 November 28 November 12 December 19 December

Please be advised that the above dates are subject to change.

All of the above Council Meetings are open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend. All meetings will be held in Council Chambers located at the Shire Administration Office on Windich Street, with the exception of the September meeting which will be held in Gibson

Agendas include all reports Council make decisions on, minutes from Council and committee meetings, monthly financials and an operational report. To read the full versions of the agendas and minutes please go to the Shire of Esperance website.

Agenda Briefing Sessions &

The Agenda Briefing Session is an informal meeting and is not a decision making meeting. It is an opportunity for Councillors to gather further information by asking questions and discussing agenda items. The Agenda Briefing also gives the public a chance to discuss and ask questions with Councillors.

Ordinary Council Meetings Dates

January - December 2023

The Ordinary Council Meeting is a formal, decision making meeting. Council meetings are governed by the Local Government Act 1995 and the Shire of Esperance Standing Orders Local Law 2015.

In accordance with section 5.25(1)(g) of the Local Government Act 1995, Public notice is hereby given of Council Ordinary and Agenda Briefing Sessions for January - December 2023.

SHIRE OF ESPERANCE PO Box 507 Esperance WA 6450 (08)9071 0627 F:(08) 9071 0600 shire@esperance.wa.gov.au www.esperance.wa.gov.au

Agenda Briefing Sessions commence on the third Tuesday of every month at 1pm, and Ordinary Council Meetings commence on the fourth Tuesday of every the month at 4pm,

Bringing Home the Bacon

When Kaaron Mitchell started making smallgoods for the business she owns with husband Scott, she had no idea where it would lead her. The couple purchased Pink Lake Butchers in 2011 and by 2014, Kaaron had decided to try her hand at creating a range of specialty meats for the shop. It took a couple of years of experimenting to learn how to create her own cured meats from scratch. Kaaron remembers the pain of throwing out entire batches when things went wrong, but the pain soon paid off. When she began selling the smallgoods, Kaaron found locals were buying the products faster than she could make them.

WORDS KARLI FLORISSON PHOTOGRAPHY ROSIE HENDERSON

BaconKaaron grew up on a farm outside of Wickepin, which provided a good grounding for running a busy butcher’s shop. Her early working life was spent on farms, driving machinery, working in shearing sheds, and sometimes cooking for the hardworking shearers and roustabouts. Kaaron learnt to cook from her amazing nanna. “She rarely used recipes or measuring cups,” Kaaron says. “But she could stretch a meal made for two to feed an extra six hungry mouths.”

Scott was an Esperance boy, however his family moved away later in his school years, and he completed his butchery apprenticeship in Perth. The couple share a love of great food and a love for Esperance, and took the opportunity to move back to town to raise their family. Their youngest son Brady is now part of the team at Pink Lake Butchers, too, having completed his apprenticeship earlier this year. Kaaron admits that working alongside family has its difficult moments, but they’re all pretty good at getting on and getting the job done.

Although Scott learnt how to make smallgoods as part of his training, he’s more than happy to leave that job to Kaaron. The first products she made were Coppa, Bresaola, and Lonzino. Kaaron then introduced more products to the range, such as Basturma, Pancetta, and Prosciutto, which also proved popular with customers. Making these meats is a lengthy process. Each product takes anywhere from four days to six weeks to cure, and it then needs to dry and mature for up to six months, or sometimes longer, depending on the product.

After some encouragement from a friend, Kaaron took the plunge and entered some of her meats into the 2020 Perth Royal Smallgoods Awards, facilitated by the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. Pink Lake Butchers received three gold and three bronze medals in its first competition, which was a huge encouragement to Kaaron. “The judging process isn’t just first, second and third, but runs on a point system looking at workmanship, visual appeal, flavour, and spice palette,” Kaaron explains. “Bronze rates from 74.0 - 81.9 points, silver 82.089.9 points, gold 90.0+ points, and champion is the highest result, so even a bronze medal means the product is of excellent workmanship.” ⟶

After this early success, Kaaron entered more of her smallgoods in the 2021 Perth Royal Smallgoods Awards and, with more encouragement from her friend, she also entered the national competition at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. Again, she did well, being awarded one silver and two bronze medals in the national competition. “I almost fell off my chair and actually started crying happy tears,” Kaaron says.

Kaaron says that the recognition is absolutely humbling, because she knows she is competing against well-known companies and names that have been making these products for generations. Aside from the effort and time spent to get the products ready for the competition, there are also substantial costs involved, as they have to pay for freight, entry fees, and testing to ensure the products meet the competition’s rigorous standards.

This year, Kaaron entered Coppa, Basturma and Bresaola in both the national and state competitions. She was delighted to pick up a silver and two bronze medals in the national competition. Encouraged by the success she’d had so far, Kaaron decided to fly to Perth for the Perth Royal Smallgoods Awards Presentation, where the state awards would be announced and she could finally meet some of the people she’d been competing against. Kaaron was delighted to receive bronze medals for a couple of products, and even more so to hear that Pink Lake Butchers’ Basturma had been awarded a gold medal. Then, much to Kaaron’s surprise and delight, the MC announced that her Basturma had been awarded the top prize of the night for cured meats, the State Champion of Specialty Dried and Cured Smallgoods. “I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry,” Kaaron says. “So I’m pretty sure I did both!”

Back home, Kaaron is on cloud nine after receiving such a wonderful result. However, there is always plenty to do in the shop to keep her grounded. The team is looking forward to a busy summer, expecting to be run off their feet. Kaaron says that their orders are already filling up for Christmas and that by the time December 25 comes around, she’ll be sick of the sight of ham. Kaaron’s still got plenty of specialty meats on the go, though, and is continuing to make them as fast as she can. And, in what is another incredible recognition of the quality of their products, Kaaron reveals that Pink Lake Butchers have recently been asked to supply an Italian restaurant in Perth with smallgoods. “It’s not bad for a country girl from Wickepin,” Kaaron says.

New Lease on Life for Prime Foreshore Reserve

Council resolved to lease Reserve 53801 on the Castletown foreshore to RAC Parks and Resorts at the November Ordinary Council Meeting. As the site is a Reserve, the Shire has a management order over it with the power to lease, but does not own it. The building on the site will continue to be used as short-term worker accommodation until RAC begins redevelopment in May 2023. Much of the site is to be taken up by another 20 self-contained chalets in the estimated $7.5 million redevelopment. The existing building is not able to be retained; asbestos has been identified as a major issue. RAC have said they will help with relocation of the building if a community group is interested, or otherwise will dismantle the building and incorporate elements of it into the redevelopment.

Users of Sustainable Transport Beaming

The 12-month Beam electric scooters trial is complete and they are here to stay, after Council voted to approve their five-year trading permit, subject to a range of conditions. Beam scooters are very popular in Esperance, which has the highest per scooter use across Beam’s Australia and New Zealand network, and they are believed to have had a positive impact on tourism and economic development. Supporting this sustainable transport option expresses Council commitment to the community’s wish for ‘Shared responsibility for climate action and sustainability’ expressed in the Council Plan, and they are used widely by residents and travellers alike.

Wards and Representation Review Now Open

As part of State Government reforms to Western Australian Local Governments, the Shire of Esperance is required to review its Wards and Representation and make changes to how many Councillors represent our community, and how the Shire President is elected. The Shire does have some say on how the reforms are implemented; we urge the community to read about possible scenarios and let us know what you think at esperance.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/review-of-wards-andrepresentation-2022 . This feedback will be examined by staff and Councillors, and taken into account when making these important decisions.

Flinders Subdivision Upgrade

Council approved a budget amendment of $100,000 for the Flinders Subdivision Redesign to take advantage of contemporary design practices, and achieve a better result for the community. Much has changed since the subdivision was initially developed from a 2005 Structure Plan. For instance, many buyers look for smaller blocks now, which are not well catered for currently. The Shire has partnered with industry stakeholders to develop pragmatic solutions to local housing needs and understand likely future demand in the short to medium term. Revisiting the plans for Flinders will allow for better design, and consideration of how best to release the subdivision.

On the Road with Tour Esperance

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY ROSIE HENDERSON

Today we’re on Tour Esperance’s Half-Day 4x4 Adventure, which takes us on a journey to Cape Le Grand National Park in one of the best ways possible – in a car and on the sand! We’re big fans of our 4x4ing and beach driving in Esperance. With the windows down, tunes cranking, sun shining through the windows, and the white sand squeaking beneath the tyres, it really is one of the best ways to get out there and explore.

We pile into Sandy the Sandrover, our luxurious ride for the day, and head out of town. The tour departs Esperance daily, and the first leg is the 25 kilometre beach drive along Wylie Beach out to Cape Le Grand National Park. This leg of the tour can vary depending on the tides and beach conditions, so there’s a chance you may only be able to drive one direction along the beach, with the other direction being driven along the road in an attempt to stay dry (and un-bogged)! It’s a real 4x4 adventure, working with nature and its conditions.

We arrive at Cape Le Grand National Park, with tour guide Chris giving us the history of the area as we drive past Frenchman Peak and make our way down the road to Hellfire Bay. The sun is shining and the beach is occupied by keen fishermen and beachgoers. We climb the rocks and watch as the waves roll in, before heading back to Sandy and making our way to the famous Lucky Bay. She certainly puts on a show for us this day, as she does on most days, with blue sky, white sand, birds overhead, and smiling faces of fellow explorers taking in the experience.

We drop down onto the beach and drive around to the end of the bay. The windows are down and our faces are soaking in the salt air and sunshine. We pull up towards the end of the beach and the Tour Esperance team set up a delicious morning tea of baked goods from local favourite Bistro Louis, which includes orange cake and croissants, served alongside a hot cup of tea. Tick of approval from us! We spend some time here enjoying the scenery while sipping our brews and having a yarn. This stop allows us to enjoy free time to relax on the beach, explore, go for a swim in the sparkling sea, or make the most of such a photographic opportunity!

After a much enjoyed stop, we jump back in Sandy and head back along Lucky Bay before waving her goodbye and heading for Cape Le Grand Beach. Chris stops here to tell us about some of the history of this area and the Recherche Archipelago that lies ahead of us. With the tyre pressure dropped down so we can make it through any sandy patches, we then cruise back towards town along the beach, in awe of the beauty of our surroundings. Driving back this way allows everyone in the vehicle to be on the ocean side for a leg of the drive.

As we reach the end of Wylie Bay, we explore the large rocky headland that offers views of Wylie Bay, Cape Le Grand, and Esperance. The huge expanse of blue ocean that lap at the long white shoreline are really something, no matter how many times you’ve seen it before. We then arrive back in Esperance, sad the tour’s come to an end but filled with excitement at the beauty of what we’ve just experienced.

JUMP ONBOARD

Departing at 8am and returning just in time for lunch, Tour Esperance’s Half-Day 4x4 Adventure can be paired with a range of flying tours, including the Fly Lunch Fly or the Lake Hiller Le Grand scenic flights. Discounts are offered if you bundle the tours (who doesn’t love a discount?). The 4x4 tour is $179 per adult and $149 per child, and can be booked at www.touresperance.com or in their office at 87B Dempster Street.

Edge of the Bay Festival

SAT 3 DEC @ 10AM

ESPERANCE SKATE PARK

Moving Movies: A Boy Called Christmas

SUN 11 DEC @ 7PM

ESPERANCE SOUNDSHELL

Rug up and settle down with a picnic before being treated to a free Christmas movie under the stars.

Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland

SAT 20 DEC @ 7:30PM

ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE Tickets $69.00 • Shire website

LBB Quiz Night

THU 8 DEC @ 6PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Text your team of six to 0429 777 714.

Community Christmas Pageant

SUN 11 DEC @ 4PM

TOWN CENTRE

Carols by Candlelight

SUN 18 DEC @ 6PM

ESPERANCE SOUNDSHELL

Gold coin donation

LIVE MUSIC Nellie

M

FRI 2 DEC @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

The Albany Shantymen

SUN 4 DEC @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

A sea shanty sing-a-long and workshop. Feel free to BYO instruments and play along.

Myles Mitchell

FRI 9 DEC @ 5PM & SUN 11 DEC @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Bec Shutz

FRI 16 DEC @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Saturday Night Vice

SAT 17 DEC @ 6PM

ESPERANCE BAY TURF CLUB

Tickets $46.50+bf

Bottom of the Barrel

SUN

Rowan Donovan

FRI

Christmas Eve ft. Kyza and DJ Ace

Beach Dazed

WED

THE BRIDGE

Paint, The Stunned Mullets, Echo Run, and Star Arcana. Now’s the time to hit Spotify - they’re all on there and they’re all rad AF. Head to www.kyzapresents.com for tix.

My Fitbit has been racking up the steps both mentally and physically over the past month. Kyza Presents slices an interesting balance between admin and event delivery. At times, I love one element while simultaneously disliking the other. They bounce along casually together; one fails to exist without the other.

December brings warmer days, characterised by ridiculous howling easterlies. Bring on those sunsoaked moments at Wharton Beach, or the far reaches of Arid. December features a completely ridiculous amount of live music in Esperance including one of my favourite shows, Saturday Night Vice. Who doesn’t love a bus ride to an ever-rowdy adventure at the Esperance Bay Turf Club? Saturday Night Vice has delivered the past two years and in 2022, it shall again. December 17 draws together six brilliant Western Australian acts, headlined by Pretty Uglys. The lads are joined by Sunsick,

Beach Dazed is one of my longest running shows and fires into action on Wednesday 28 December at Lucky Bay Brewing. A completely different pace to Saturday Night Vice, Beach Dazed has always picked up where the last beers left off. Chilling on the lawn with friends and family, pint in hand, celebrating all the good things. Add to that one gorgeous line up featuring James Abberley, DJ 7uice, Moon and Honey, Pleasure Valley, Rachel Vibart, and Kiera Jas. Bloody ludicrous, if ya ask me. A return bus is included in the ticket price, so you can really let loose and have a good time. Grab your tix at www.kyzapresents.com , which will set you back $28.50+BF for adults, $12+BF for 12-18, and free for the under 12s.

Beyond Esperance, Grand Casual is getting a sneaky look in on December 9 at Clancy’s Fremantle, December 10 at The Bird in Northbridge, and on December 11 at Clancy’s Dunsborough. Tell ya mates, tell ya mum, tell ya next door neighbour. For everything else head across to www.kyzapresents. com . Peace out, y’all, and stay safe this Silly Season.

KYRON SMITHSON - KYZA PRESENTS

Kim Maslin

Kim Maslin is a digital technologies educator and children’s author. Kim fell into the world of felting when she wanted to make finger puppets to offer alongside her book, The Little Possum who Looked Up. Faced with COVID-related shortages and excessive shipping costs, Kim couldn’t get her hands on the ready-made felt sheets she needed, so she decided to make her own. She hasn’t looked back. As well as making her own felt and felt creations, Kim is also a regular at the Cannery, hosting kids’ workshops that combine her love of felting and all things digital.

What is felting?

Felting is the process of turning loose (wool) fibres into something solid, such as a piece of material or a 3D object.

Can you explain the different methods of felting?

There are two types of felting I enjoy, wet felting and needle felting. Wet felting involves connecting the loose wool fibres by laying them on top of each other and wetting them, then rubbing them together so they form a piece of flat felt material. Needle felting involves using a special barbed needle to poke at the loose wool fibres until they connect together into a 3D form. I’ll select a different method depending on what I’m trying to create.

What do you enjoy about felting?

Almost everything I do involves looking at a screen, so I have loved finding something that is creative and constructive, which is screen-free! Felting is also a relaxing activity, and it is so satisfying to have something tangible at the end that you can then use, gift or sell.

Tell us about some of the workshops you’ve hosted at the Cannery.

I’ve loved running a whole range of workshops at the Cannery this year! Some highlights have been a stop motion workshop, where children used felt play mats as backdrops, as well as DIY felt puppets with textiles artist Nell Edwards, green screen movie making, and creating art pieces out of old computer parts. I will continue running workshops next year at the Cannery, and hopefully at some schools, too!

Have you found a way to combine your passions for the digital world and felting?

Yes! I have been surprised by the different ways I’ve been able to combine the two. For instance, I have used the felt to create additional products in The Tweeting Galah series, including finger puppets and play mats inspired by scenes from the stories. I am currently in the process of producing a new story in The Tweeting Galah series, which will be released as a stop motion film. Felt features heavily in the set design of the film. I have also included felt and felt making into the STEM workshops I run through the Cannery.

You exhibited a beautiful reflection of our native bush in this year’s Esperance Wildflower Festival. Tell us about the piece.

‘It Felt Right’ was a sculpture I created using an upcycled piece of driftwood. The flowers and leaves were crafted either by needle felting or precision cut techniques. This process involved designing the flora using Adobe Photoshop, and then precision cutting the felt with my Cricut machine. Having a competition with a theme and deadline was a great way to focus my felting energy!

Lastly, tell us where we can find your work!

I share felting tutorials on YouTube, www.youtube.com/@ kim_maslin . And you can keep up-to-date with workshops and anything else of interest via @kimmaslineducator (Facebook), @kim_maslin (Instagram) or www.kimmaslin. com.

OUR STORIES: DISCOVERING CULTURE IN MOVIES AND FOOD

Esperance Community Arts (ECA) continues its Our Stories: Many Cultures, Many Places program with a series of new events in December. These events aim to give participants a taste of different cultures through movies and food. The first two events will be hosted by Divyan Varghese, who will share his Indian culture with the community. The program begins with a free movie night on Friday 2 December, with a screening of Bend It Like Beckham to be held in the CWA Hall. After the movie, Divyan will host a Q&A session about the themes and issues raised in the movie.

On December 10, Divyan will host a cooking class where participants can learn to cook Indian dishes in a handson experience. When the food is ready, the group will sit together to share the meal they have prepared, and participants will also get recipes for the dishes they’ve created to take home. There is a cost of $20 per person for this event, which covers the cost of ingredients, and limited places are available. After the great success of ECA’s Taste of the World event earlier this year, this program continues to give the community the opportunity to get to know more about food from different cultures.

As a member of the Cultural Advisory Group that is running the Our Stories program, Divyan hopes that these events will help to promote a sense of unity in the Esperance community, and will also highlight the many cultures that are represented in our town. He is looking forward to the opportunity to share his own culture, and to be able to use food and movies to explore some social and cultural topics that might be unfamiliar to participants. ECA is also inviting people who would be interested in hosting an event to share their own culture with the community to get in touch. Divyan is hoping that these events will be ongoing, and that other

people will take the opportunity to share their cultures, as movies and cooking are great ways to bring people together.

ECA’s Our Stories project is also currently hosting Artist in Residence Michelle Vallejos from Peru, who is a Latin performer, actress, and dancer. Michelle is hosting two more Flow into Dance body movement workshops in December. These workshops are open to female participants, and will be held at the CWA Hall on December 5 and 12.

KARLI FLORISSON

DISCOVER ANOTHER CULTURE

For more information, or to book your place at any of the upcoming events in December, you can email Esperance Community Arts at admin@esperancecommunityarts. org.au , or visit www.esperancecommunityarts.org.au to subscribe to their newsletter and keep up to date with upcoming events.

FIVE MINUTES WITH

Pretty Uglys

KYRON SMITHSON

Pretty Uglys are set to bring their raucous brand of surf/punk to Esperance, locked in to headline Saturday Night Vice on Saturday 17 December alongside The Stunned Mullets, Star Arcana, Echo Run, Sunsick, and Paint. The first half of 2022 saw the band join forces with Skegss as the main support for their Western Australian tour, as well as play multiple festival slots and headline shows. Their latest single ‘Roll On’ dropped on October 6, hastily followed by their east coast debut at legendary Sydney venue, The Chippo Hotel. Over a few short years, Pretty Uglys have shared the stage with some of Australia’s favourite artists such as Ruby Fields, Spacey Jane, Pist Idiots, Sly Withers, and The Stunned Mullets.

Lads, thanks so much for joining us. We’re absolutely stoked to have you down to Esperance for your first show on December 17. I thought I'd kick off by asking a little about your favourite beverages. Any stand out delicacies currently wetting the taste buds?

Coopers Green always goes down a treat. But, if we are talking local, Rocky Ridge from Busselton (our home town) do some real tasty stuff.

Who did you work with to record and produce ‘Roll On’? And how do you feel their influence impacted the final product?

Tristan Sturmer at Sumo Studios in Osborne Park. We’ve done multiple tracks with him and he always keeps the finished product real polished, while at the same time having open ears if we want to try something.

Are you currently working towards recording and releasing new material?

We’re currently working on our debut album, but it’s a slow process. We currently have no idea when it will be done but it’s happening!

Could you tell us about your greatest show to date?

Supporting Skegss at the Astor Theatre. It was easily our biggest ever show and a super juiced crowd. Won’t forget that one.

If you could support any artist, living or not, who would it be?

Paul Kelly.

If you were able to inspire everyone reading this article to listen to one artist, or one particular song, which would it be?

Pool Toy’s ‘Puddles’. Really cool stuff! Pretty unknown it seems, also.

I’ve saved the most important question for last… What’s your favourite condiment?

Dad's homemade sriracha sauce. Use with caution!

CATCH PRETTY UGLYS LIVE

Pretty Uglys will headline Saturday Night Vice at the Esperance Bay Turf Club on Saturday 17 December. For further info and tickets, head to www.kyzapresents.com.

The Ultimate (Local!)

Classic Flower Press E.S.P. $24.00

Robert Gordon Watering Jug

Luxe Floral & Home Co $49.95

The Green Thumb

Dig up a pressie that’s as lush as their garden.

If you’re shopping for someone who loves to grow their own food, First Nations Food Companion: How to Buy, Cook, Eat and Grow Indigenous Australian Ingredients by Damien Coulthard and Rebecca Sullivan, available at Dear Village , is a book that will be treasured for seasons to come. Check out the Urban Culinary Flowers Grow Kit from Naturally Esperance for an impressive homegrown garnish, or drop into Bob & Jim’s to inspect their range of retro seed packets. They come in a variety of herbs and veggies, like kale, coriander, rocket, and tomato, and make great stocking stuffers. Kat’s Living Gifts is a treasure trove of gardener’s goodies, including the Annabel Trends Glass Plant Water Bubble, which ensures indoor plants never go thirsty. Here, you’ll also find the Annabel Trends Garden Tool Set and matching kneeling pad, the perfect pressie for the fashion-conscious green thumb. Gardening can be hot and dirty work, so encourage sun safety with an Esperance Tide wide brim hat from Tide & Co , and keep ‘em clean with the Thurlby Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Gardener’s Soap, which is on a rope and wrapped in loofah, available at Naturally Esperance . Then help them cool off with a 200mL Triplet Gin Gift Pack from Esperance Distillery Co , made with native botanicals they’ll recognise and appreciate. If indoor plants are their jam, the one-litre Robert Gordon Ceramic Watering Can from Luxe is as stylish as it is functional, and they’ll love DesignWorks Ink’s Indoor Plants Playing Cards from NewsXpress , or Ridley’s House Plants Jigsaw Puzzle from Kat’s Living Gifts .

The Entertainer

Give the gift of a damn good time. An extra serving dish will never go astray, so gift a Le Creuset pasta and salad bowl from Retravision , a versatile and classic piece that is microwave, oven, and freezer safe. Or for something locally handcrafted, drop into Tide & Co to peruse the limited range of pottery by Antoinette Vincent. Get the party started with McClure’s Spicy Bloody Mary Mixer from Bob & Jim’s , and pair it with a bottle of Esperance Distillery Co limited release Eight Islands Vodka. Add a set of four Salt & Pepper 500mL Cocktail Glasses from Luxe and you’ve got yourself a gift to remember. Every good bar cart needs a SodaStream from Retravision and garnishes with a decent shelf life, like Cocktail Candy Dehydrated Oranges, available at Luxe . Swing by Flickr for a packet of Watto’s Smokehouse Smoked Boozy Wine Salts, which come in lip-smacking flavours like hot chilli, garlic, lemon, and rosemary, or encourage a pizza night with an Arrosto Gas Portable Pizza Oven from Barbecues Galore . This little beauty heats to 500°C and cooks a pizza in just a couple of minutes. No dinner party is complete without candles, so elevate the table setting with a Black Blaze Brass Candle Holder from Woven . When dinner’s over, it’s playtime. Get physical with a dartboard from Sports Power , or pick up What Do You Meme , a hilarious social media party card game, available at NewsXpress

COOK. Recipe Notebook Luxe Floral & Home Co $39.95

200ml Triplet Gift Pack

Esperance Distillery Co $99.00

Roy Studio Candle Bundle Wild Posse $34.00

Why go online when there’s a gift for every personality right here in Esperance?

Gift Guide

The Kids

Give Santa a hand - he’s a little short staffed this year.

Go retro this Christmas with clothing in oh-so-80s Care Bears prints from Toy Station . While you’re there, keep the throwback theme going and buy the kids a pair of roller skates or an Original Stretch Armstrong, the late-70s action figure that stretches up to one metre! If you’re encouraging the kids to read, look no further than Dear Village , where an entire room of children’s books awaits. Our pick for the littlies is something from Sara Bell’s mix-and-match series, like Build-A-Bug , which allows the reader to make their own weird and wacky bug combinations. Sporty kids will want to get stuck into Ash Barty’s Little Ash series, which explores themes of school, sport, friendship, and family. With summer upon us, bathers make a great Chrissy gift and Wild Posse has a range of Huxbaby swimwear that is as cute as it is durable. Don’t forget the hat either – pick up a Cry Wolf bucket hat while you’re there. A SunnyLife Inflatable Giant Dinosaur Sprinkler from Tide & Co will be a hit on Christmas Day, as will the Lenox Quad Ride-On from Dick’s Electronics , which motors along at 3km/h and is suitable for ages 2 – 7. Bob & Jim’s have your stocking fillers covered, with Funday Natural Sweets and Koko Black mini blocks of milk choc, which come in cute characters like Wilma Wombat and Eddie Echidna.

The Kris Kringle

Shopping for someone you barely know? We’ve got you.

You can’t go wrong with chocolate, so pop into Bob & Jim’s to peruse their mouth-watering selection of Christmas choccies, which includes Koko Black Bon Bons filled with milk chocolate stars, and Koko Black Edible Ornaments, in festive flavours such as pavlova and peppermint. Coffee lovers will go ga-ga over a packet of locally roasted beans from Cloud Eleven or for something a little stronger, grab a four-pack of Lucky Bay Brewing Sandy Hook pale ale. Have some fun with a SunnyLife Ombre Underwater Camera from Tide & Co , or Diesel & Dutch’s Australian Trivia Box from Toy Station . If you’ve drawn a girly girl in this year’s Secret Santa, consider a Glass House Christmas Bon Bon with 5mL eau de parfum and 50mL body lotion from Luxe , locally handcrafted earrings by BB Clay Co , available from White Sands , or Huckleberry’s Make Your Own Natural Lip Balm Kit, which you can pick up in delectable scents like raspberry sundae and tangerine sherbet macaron from Naturally Esperance . For a more gender-neutral gift, an Annabel Trends Shower Steamer will give your Kris Kringle the best shower of their life, or have a look at the Urban Spicy Salsa Grow Kit. Both are available from Kat’s Living Gifts . The Splash Double Wine Bottle Cooler from NewsXpress is a great option for those who love to BYO, or for room for a few more drinks, check out the SunnyLife drinks cooler bag from Tide &

The Thrill Seeker

Wrap up something that will get the blood pumping.

Give the gift of adventure with a KTM E-Bike, available from Sports Power . While you’re there, pick up a Yeti Rambler 1-Gallon Jug, the perfect size for a daytrip off the beaten track. If your thrill seeker is from out of town, they’ll froth over a Le Grand 4x4 Beach Adventure by Tour Esperance , or a Lake Hillier Scenic Flight by HeliSpirit Make sure they look the part with a Patagonia puffer vest and an exclusive Esperance cap by Rusty, both of which you can grab at Innertube . The surf shop also has an array of sunscreens, including the We Are Feel Good Inc. range, or pop into Tide & Co for some WA-made mineral sunscreen by Mother SPF or a tube of Winki Zinc, which has the staying power to outlast even the sweatiest of hikes. For campers, check out the Campout Card Deck from Dear Village . The deck of 50 cards includes camping recipes, tips, and games, promising to elevate the outdoor experience. A travel-size citronella candle in a handy tin with a lid is the perfect addition to the camping box, too, available from Flickr . All good adventurers need a hat, so drop into White Sands to check out their range, which includes Jacaru Australia crushable hats, made from Aussie wool.

The Yogi

Bend over backwards to find the perfect gift.

Keep your yogi hydrated throughout their yoga practice with a Project Pargo Insulated Water Bottle from Tide & Co . When they step off the mat, they’ll look forward to refuelling with Kissed Earth Vegan Chocolate Protein for muscle recovery and digestive balance from Luxe , or a Margaret River Chai Company chai, which come in a range of delicious varieties, like turmeric, rooibos honeybush, and classic black, all available at Bob & Jim’s . Hannah Barrett’s Yoga Anywhere cards from NewsXpress offer 50 simple movements, postures, and meditations for any place, any time, which they can practise on a vibrant yoga mat from Naturally Esperance , or a gorgeous Salty Aura rug from Tide & Co . A pair of EMU Mayberry Sheepskin Slippers from White Sands will keep their toes toasty as they travel to and from their early morning yoga sesh. For something so good it hurts, opt for a Shakti Acupressure Mat from Naturally Esperance . This spiky mat promises deep and restorative acupressure, to effectively target deep tissue and melt away tension. A Ladelle Charcoal Filter Compost Bucket from Retravision is a must for the eco-aware yogi, as is The Low Impact Home: A Sourcebook for Stylish, Eco-Conscious Living by Margot Guralnick and Fan Winston, available at Dear Village . Encourage them to grow their own herbal tea with an Urban Grow Your Own Chamomile Tea Kit from Kat’s Living Gifts

Every Beer Has A Story

CYCLOPS IPA

Seven years of Lucky Bay Brewing! We are so grateful for your support, it makes it all worthwhile and possible. A huge thank you Esperance, from all of us at your local brewery. Come celebrate with us at our 7th BIRTHDAY PARTY on Sunday 18th Dec with live music, kids treats, b’day prizes and more!

In 2022 we won a Champion Beer Award for the 3rd year in a row, after taking out Champion Small/Medium Brewery at the 2021 Perth Royal Beer Awards, and 8 awards at the 2022 Australian International Beer Awards !!!

EVERY BEER HAS A STORY kicks off with CYCLOPS! Beer adventures celebrating the iconic places our beers are named after. Check out the Cyclops videos on the Lucky Bay Brewing YouTube channel.

Summer vibes continue with loads of live music thanks to Kyza Presents including the epic Beach Dazed Festival Wed 28th December.

Wishing you all an amazing Christmas & New Year!

LUCKYBAYBREWING.COM.AU

FIVE MINUTE HISTORY

The Cannery

KARLI FLORISSON

The Cannery Arts Centre is a much-loved cultural hub, bustling with activity most days of the week. But while this building now hosts art exhibitions, workshops, and live music events, the building once had a very different purpose.

In 1948, Hunt’s Fish Cannery was constructed in Esperance by businessman Daniel Samuel Hunt. Hunt was a former water policeman from Fremantle, who had also worked as a contractor for military infrastructure in Darwin and the northwest of Western Australia. Hunt already owned a fish cannery in Albany, which was opened in 1947. After the success of this initial venture, Hunt decided to expand his business, opening canneries in Hopetoun, Geraldton, and Esperance. The construction of Hunt’s Fish Cannery reportedly only took one week. The brick building was originally one large room, with a sloped concrete floor and corrugated iron roof. The bricks for the building were handmade onsite.

Despite being located so close to the beach, the fish for the cannery were primarily caught at Cape Le Grand and Israelite Bay, so the next challenge Hunt faced was constructing a road for the fish to be transported back to the cannery. The route that the road would take was marked out from the air, ‘bombed’ with flour bags from a Tiger Moth, flown by pilots Bob Cooper and Alan Fox. The road was then cleared using a Stewart army tank dragging heavy logs behind it. Later, the same tank was used for transporting fish from the beach to the road, using a

makeshift ‘flying fox’ to get the fish from the boats to the tank. The road that the fishing crew constructed is now named Fisheries Road.

Hunt’s Fish Cannery commenced operations in Esperance in December 1948, with a large haul of eight tons of salmon. The boss of the fishing team was former RAAF pilot Bob Cooper, who used his Tiger Moth aircraft to spot the schools of salmon from the air, before radioing their location to the fishing crew. Hunt made further use of ex-army equipment that was being sold to the public in the years following the end of World War II. Along with the Stewart army tank, Hunt also used Blitz trucks to transport fish along the roughly constructed roads. Cooper would land the Tiger Moth on the beach, sometimes requiring help from one of the crew members, who would lie across the wing to balance the weight to get the plane airborne again if there was a cross wind. The freshly caught fish were canned in the cannery’s factory space. From Esperance, the cans were sent by train to Perth. Along with the salmon, the plant was later used to can garfish, sardines, and herring. At one point, the cannery employed 27 people, so it was a significant industry for Esperance, which in those days had a population of less than 800 people.

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In mid-1949, the cannery temporarily suspended canning, despite there being an abundance of salmon in the area, due to the almost impassable condition of the road to Israelite Bay. The matter was brought to the attention of the Minister for Works, who advised that 1000 pounds had been allocated towards upgrading Fisheries Road, but the Esperance Roads Board was not able to undertake the work at that time. Operations recommenced at the cannery later that year but in 1950, the facility closed permanently. Canning operations were moved to the Albany facility, which was highly successful at this time, canning 50,000 cans per day and employing 120 staff.

Hunt’s Cannery closed down in 1950. The building was vacant until the early 1960s, when various businesses leased the building. One of these businesses was Ratten and Slater’s Chamberlain tractor dealership, which opened in the cannery building in 1964, operating there for a year before moving to their new premises on Norseman Road.

Other businesses

The Cannery, soon after being built

that operated in the cannery building were a dry cleaners, a welding and metalwork business, and a cabinetmaker. Syd Townrow’s Engineering Works also operated from the site for a time, under an outside veranda.

When the last of the businesses moved out of the cannery building, it sat vacant for a while. In the early 1970s, the Main Roads Department wanted to demolish the building in order to build a road. The community rallied

against this suggestion, and a group of locals banded together to buy the building. After paying $1200 for the old cannery, which by that time was in bad shape, the group renovated the building and converted it into a youth centre. The building was used by the local Cubs and Scouts, and was also used for various youth activities, including boxing and deportment classes. In the 1970s, school socials, stomps and discos were also held in the building.

In 1976, the Esperance Shire Council took control of the old cannery. It was renovated, and the hall was made available to hire for weddings or other functions. Various arts groups around town became interested in using the building. These groups, which included a pottery group, arts group, wool spinners, and even the town’s brass band began meeting at the cannery. The building was converted into an arts centre, officially opening in 1984. A committee of local people from each of the arts groups took over the management of the new Cannery Arts

Centre, leasing it from the Shire of Esperance for a peppercorn rental. Since that time, the Cannery has grown into a vibrant facility, and now includes a flat for visiting artists, and a beautifully landscaped wind garden and community garden.

In the early 1990s, the old Lingalonga building was also moved onto the site, and is now known as ‘Innerspace’. This building was originally built in the 1940s, and features the high ceilings and wooden floors of the time.

Today, the Cannery Arts Centre hosts a community of artists, musicians, potters, gardeners, and other creatives. Run by a dedicated team of volunteers, along with a small team of paid staff, the Cannery regularly hosts a variety of exhibitions and workshops. Esperance’s thriving local music scene also uses the venue to hold concerts and open mic nights. From a fish cannery to almost being demolished, the old building is now a beautiful and bustling community centre, much loved, visited, and utilised by locals and visitors alike.

Construction of The Cannery

advertisement for Hunt's Canning Co.

Restoring Hope for Local Families

HANNAH SIEMER

Bikers, start your engines - the Restore Hope Foundation 13th Annual Toy Run is just around the corner. The charity event raises much-needed funds for the local foundation and collects toys for kids who might not have much under the tree on Christmas Day, all while making a huge ruckus through town.

The Restore Hope Foundation was founded by local pastor Chris Boland in 2006. Chris was concerned about homelessness in Esperance, particularly for those suffering from chronic mental health issues. By 2008, Restore Hope had set up a soup kitchen out the back of an old ambulance, which they parked up at the bus shelter in the centre of town. Before long, the ambulance became a trailer and in 2012, a Lotterywest grant enabled the group to buy a van with a fridge/freezer compartment, to assist in the pickup and delivery of food. While the soup kitchen no longer operates in a traditional sense, delivering food to locals in need remains at the heart of Restore Hope. The foundation delivers food hampers and ready-to-eat meals to local families once a week, a service facilitated by Jan Mackenzie. Around 30 households are on Jan’s delivery list – a number which has dropped from 50 just a couple of years ago. “Perhaps the best news story is, postCovid, our deliveries are getting lower,” says Restore Hope member of 10 years, Ben Pratt. “People are providing for themselves, and people are cooking more.”

According to Ben, Jan has been instrumental in this shift, which has seen many Restore Hope clients move from relying on ready-made meals to preparing their own food. Jan gives clients recipes and advice, so when a food hamper is delivered, they have the confidence

to make their own meals. “Jan’s been an inspiration,” Ben says. “A lot of our clients aren’t needing us so much now, which is a good problem to have.”

Most of the food in Jan’s hampers is donated by Woolworths, Pink Lake IGA, and Esperance IGA. Domino’s also donates pizzas on a weekly basis. Restore Hope relies on public donations, too, which can be made by dropping non-perishable food items into the green tubs at Woolies, and at both Esperance and Pink Lake IGAs. Ben says donations have reduced recently but hopes the festive season might encourage more people to give. “We understand the cost of living has gone up for everyone, so our donations have gone down a bit,” he says. “Christmas is always a good time to provide something for families that are struggling. Anything is appreciated.”

For Restore Hope, the festive season also means the annual Toy Run, which raises awareness of the work the foundation does, as well as funds for their food deliveries. As the name suggests, the event also encourages the public to donate toys, which will be gifted to Restore Hope clients in the leadup to Christmas. Now in its 13th year, the Toy Run sees decorated mopeds, motorbikes, and classic cars loop around Great Ocean Drive, before roaring through the centre of town and out to Florissons Home Furnishers. Spectators are encouraged to line the streets, with Blue Haven, West Beach, and

Dempster Street being popular vantage points.

Once at Florissons, the public are invited to peruse the vehicles in the car park and enjoy a sausage sizzle, donated by The Choppin Block Butchery, for a gold coin. In its early days, the Toy Run was a bikers-only event but has grown to include a variety of vehicles, so long as they’re decorated. “We don’t discriminate,” Ben laughs. “A few of the Veteran Car Club members support the event, and there’s even a trike that enters, so two-, three-, and four-wheeled vehicles are welcome along for the ride.”

JOIN THE TOY RUN FUN

The Restore Hope Foundation 13th Annual Toy Run will be held on Saturday 10 December, kicking off from Esperance Bay Turf Club at 9am sharp. The convoy will arrive at West Beach around 10am, before heading through town and arriving at Florissons around 11am.

DONATE A TOY

To donate, drop a new, unwrapped toy to Florissons by December 10. Need a suggestion? Lego, books, and anything that encourages kids to get outside make a great gift. Younger age groups are often quite well catered for, so gifts for the older kids (12 – 15 years) are always appreciated.

Festive Foodies

WORDS HANNAH SIEMER

We caught up with five local foodies to ask what’s cookin’ for Christmas.

Lauren Benefer

Pastry Chef, Bread Local

Growing up in the southwest of England, Lauren’s Christmases were a traditional English affair – with a twist. “Dad would serve a side of salted Kettle chips on our plates,” Lauren says. “He insisted that this was very normal and lots of families did it where he was from. As a kid, I accepted it wholeheartedly. It was only as we got older that we started to question it.”

When one year the chips didn’t appear alongside the Christmas dinner, Lauren and her siblings refused to start eating until the much-loved side was presented. “He grabbed a bag from the cupboard and started throwing handfuls of chips at us,” she says. “That then stuck for a few years.”

Lauren describes her Christmases in England as magical. They were cold and cosy, with the sparkle of lights and anticipation of snow. Now settled in Esperance, things look a little different. She says the 40-degree Christmas Day in 2020 was “definitely a first,” but despite the warmer weather, she still looks forward to the day.

In the leadup to December 25, Lauren gets together with those she’ll be sharing the day with to chat about what each person will bring to the Christmas table. “It’s fun menu planning with other people with different cooking styles, ideas, and dietary requirements,” she says. But while Lauren plans her menu in advance, the preparation is usually left to the last minute. “Christmas is really busy for us at Bread Local, so my prep for Christmas Day is usually a mad dash!”

Not a fan of traditional Christmas pudding, this Christmas, Lauren’s planning to make a boozy amaretto, gingerbread and chocolate tart. “But I always try to throw something very English in the mix, too, like pigs in blankets,” she says. “Maybe the kettle chips will make an appearance this year!”

Anna Stewart

Owner, Bob & Jim’s General Store

Anna was one of those kids who wouldn’t sleep a wink on Christmas Eve, in anticipation of what was to come the following day. “I was so excited about waking up for Christmas morning,” Anna reminisces. “The morning then seemed to drag on as we had to wait for my grandparents to arrive before we could open presents.”

Anna’s childhood Christmases were a sit-down lunch of pork, turkey, and her mum’s homemade fruit cake (which Anna says were so delicious, she excitedly received one in the post once, while she was living in the UK). However, things are more relaxed these days. Anna works tirelessly in the leadup to Christmas Day, ensuring the fridges of Esperance are fully stocked on December 25. As such, Christmas Day is a relatively chilled affair in Anna’s house. “We make our Christmas Day very casual and fun, with no set times or menus,” she says. “It’s more about enjoying the day with our friends and family.”

This Christmas, so long as the sun is shining, Anna will be heading to the beach for a breakfast of champagne and croissants. It’ll then be home again for a siesta, before catching up with friends for a late lunch. Everyone brings a plate, meaning there’s always an eclectic array of flavours on the table – some traditional, some more modern – but, without fail, there’s always ham and cherries.

When it comes to sweets, Anna’s family love tiramisu, which she says makes for an excellent breakfast on Boxing Day. Desserts from Bread Local will make an appearance, too. It’s all part of her plan to make Christmas as easy as it is delicious, with very little prep involved. “After all the craziness in the world the last few years, days like Christmas should be about making memories and not creating stress,” Anna says. “It all comes together in the end, and we always have leftovers!”

Sophie McMeikan

General Manager, Taylor St Quarters

Sophie’s childhood Christmases were abundant with chaos and laughter. Usually, brunch rolled into present unwrapping, which rolled into a big Christmas dinner. Her nan’s trifle was always a highlight of the dinner, even if it was a little strong. “Every year it would get stronger and stronger because my pop would sneak up and glug a bit more port in it when Nan wasn’t looking,” Sophie says. “She would chase him out the kitchen with a wooden spoon.”

Today, Sophie keeps her nan’s trifle tradition alive, saying that her go-to dessert is a big tiramisu trifle. Christmas is still chaotic in Sophie’s house, though she likes to think of it as “organised chaos.” Sophie and her sister-in-law Emily do most of the menu planning and tablescaping in the lead up to the big day, admitting that they’re the Christmas enthusiasts of the family. “It’s great fun,” she says.

Running a restaurant right up until Christmas Day means limited time to prepare, so Sophie’s family try to keep it simple. Roast chicken and rolled porchetta are always on the menu, as is seafood, loads of salads, and roast vegetables. They opt for whatever local, seasonal produce they can find, including Esperance pork. This year, in addition to the tiramisu, Sophie will also be making a citrus tart for dessert.

According to Sophie, the key to preparing for Christmas is delegating jobs and playing to people’s strengths. “Pick your proteins, stick to what you’re good at, and then if you want to change things up, just get creative with salads and veggies,” Sophie recommends. “You can’t really go wrong in that department.” Christmas music and good drinks are the perfect way to finish the day. “Pick a signature cocktail for the night, keep them rolling, and blast the Bublé!” she says.

Mario & Claire Abram

Owners, Sir Juice

Mario Abram’s family didn’t have a Christmas tree when he was growing up. Instead, the presents were placed around a nativity scene. After Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the presents were opened and it was off to bed, leaving Christmas Day to be all about the food. Mario always looked forward to vitello tonnato, a creamy Italian dish of veal, anchovy and tuna, which he describes as “surprisingly amazing.” Then there was the salami gelato. “It was a special rare treat,” Mario says. “It wasn’t salami ice cream but made to look like salami. Delish.”

Mario’s wife Claire was raised in the UK, where Christmas was a traditional affair. “I’ve grown up with roast turkey and all the trimmings, where the turkey is usually too big for the oven and has to start cooking the night before,” Claire says. “And Christmas cake and Christmas pudding that has to be made months before so it tastes ‘just right'!”

Both Mario and Claire do things a little differently these days, preferring an array of indulgent nibbles and Brumby’s cakes and fruit mince pies over a full spread. This Christmas, Claire’s parents are visiting from the UK, so the traditional roast turkey may make an appearance. This doesn’t bode well for Mario, who thinks turkey is overrated. Claire, on the other hand, isn’t a fan of ham. “I can’t see the point when you can have roast turkey!” she laughs. “It’s an English thing…!”

From Boxing Day, Sir Juice will be operating seven days a week. As such, Mario and Claire don’t mind too much what ends up on the dinner table, as long as they have time to relax. “I’m not the cook but my advice is to make it easy on yourself so you can enjoy the day too,” Mario says when asked for his top Christmas tip. “I agree with Mario,” Claire adds. “Have a day off!”

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. It can be financially stressful, lonely, or a reminder of the loved ones we’ve lost. If the thought of Christmas Day fills you with dread, reframe your thinking and do something different this year. Think outside the box and create a new meaning for the day. If you’re Christmas-mad, however, then ho- hohooray! You’ve finally arrived at the most wonderful time of the year!

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 20

Quit procrastinating! Easier said than done but this month, try your best to get a wriggle on. You’ll feel so much better when all your jobs are ticked off your list and you’ve got time to do some Christmas baking, or head out to Hellfire for the day. You’re lacking in energy, but not as much as you think. Once you get going, you’ll find you have more stamina than you initially thought so cut the excuses, have a double espresso, and get on with it!

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 17

You’re going to have a win this month. Luck is on your side, so buy up big in the RFDS Retravision Raffle, or ask your loved one for an extra special pressie - Santa may just bring home the bacon. Unfortunately your luck may cause jealousy in others, so be wary of green eyed monsters. Your true friends know you deserve to be rewarded for your efforts this year. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to be kept at an arm’s length.

PISCES FEB 18 - MAR 19

Unexpected news will prompt you to rethink your priorities over the next few weeks. You’re a loving and loyal friend and partner but you have been a little self-centred recently. Now’s the time to check in with your loved ones and show them how much you care. Use Christmas as an excuse to spoil those closest to you, whether it be with gifts, dinner and drinks, or simply your time. You can put yourself first without neglecting your nearest and dearest.

ARIES MAR 20 - APRIL 19

With the Silly Season upon us, now’s the time to blow off some steam. You’ve worked hard this year, and haven’t allowed yourself a minute to stop. Give yourself permission to enjoy life this month. Head to Westies instead of work, have an extra drink at your street Christmas party, and shout yourself a festive facial. You deserve the chance to chill out just as much as anybody else - don’t let the taskmaster on your shoulder tell you otherwise.

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

It’s the end of the year and you’re tired. Who can blame you? The last 12 months have been a rollercoaster of emotions. Thankfully, the ride is finally pulling back into the station. Switch off this month. You’re going to be inundated with social invites, Christmas wish lists, and household chores, but only do what you want to do (we dare you). Adopt a she’ll-beright attitude, crack a coldie, and feel the year melt away.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 20

Money’s on everyone’s mind at the moment and you’re no exception. As the cost of living continues to rise, so too does your financial anxiety. Christmas will only further drain your bank account. Budget for the month ahead, calculating how much you can afford to spend on pressies, parties and food. Gift home baked or handmade goodies if need be - these are just as thoughtful but won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22

You’re a sucker for a Christmas romcom, so you already know this can be the most romantic time of the year. If you’re shacked up, spoil your loved one with a pre-Chrissy surprise, like a bottle of bubbly and some canoodling on top of Dempster Head. If you’re single, throw a festive fiesta complete with Michael Buble and mistletoe. Invite your love interest and you’ve got yourself the beginnings of your very own Christmas movie.

LEO

Just because there’s a seemingly endless offering of cocktails and crackers right now, doesn't mean you have a free pass to overindulge. Health doesn’t need to be your top priority this month, but you shouldn’t forget about it either. You’ll find yourself more energetic than usual over the next few weeks. Combine that energy with your festive activities - cycle to the brewery, train for your backyard cricket match, and swim off Christmas lunch.

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEP 22

You spent all of November one step behind. It feels like there is still some catching up to do but this month, you need to prioritise. Work out what tasks you can knock over in five minutes, put off until the New Year, or delegate to someone else. If there’s something that doesn’t fit into one of these categories, put metal to the pedal and get that job done before Christmas Eve. Don’t spend Chrissy stressed - spend it stuffed from too much pud!

LIBRA SEP 23 - OCT 22

How did the end of 2022 roll around so quickly? There’s a few goals you didn’t kick this year. That’s okay! Instead of looking back with regret, look forward with excitement. It’s never too early to start planning ahead, so sit down with an Esperance Distillery Co G&T and make a list of what you want to achieve next year. Like any good NY resolution, make your list achievable. You don’t want to find yourself in the same situation this time next year.

SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21

Are you exhausted from everything you’ve endured this year? It’s been a big one and this month is about reflecting and relaxing. There’s still a lot to do, but allow yourself ample me-time throughout December. Schedule it in your diary as you would a doctor’s appointment - it’s just as important. Treat yourself to a massage at Azure, round up your mates for a day of golf, or simply veg out on the couch with a D-grade Christmas movie. You deserve it.

Epic Christmas Stuffing

RECIPE LAUREN BENEFER

Make a double batch of this epic stuffing as it won't hang around on the table long! This is a versatile dish that you can adapt to your liking. Any herbs work well and you can make it vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using veggie stock too!

Ingredients

1 loaf stale sourdough or crusty bread (crusts on), cut into approximately 3cm pieces

1 packet of smoked bacon rashers or bacon cubes

75g salted butter (plus extra for topping)

1 onion, finely chopped 6 cloves garlic, crushed 3 tbsp roughly chopped sage 3 tbsp roughly chopped parsley

1/2 cup dry white wine

1+1/2 cup good quality chicken stock

1/2 tsp salt (1 tsp if you're using salt reduced stock)

1 tsp black pepper

Zest of one lemon and orange 150g dried cranberries

2 eggs

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and grease a medium size baking dish.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add the bread.

3. Fry off the bacon until golden and slightly crisp, then set aside and roughly chop when cooled.

4. In the same pan you cooked the bacon, add the 75g of butter and when almost melted, add the onion and garlic. Cook until just starting to soften, stirring occasionally.

5. Add the herbs, and cook for one minute. Add the wine, and let simmer for a minute or two. Then add 1/2 cup of stock and the salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.

6. Add the mixture, along with the fruit zest and cranberries, to the bowl with the bread and give a good stir.

7. Pour the mixture into your baking dish. Squish it all down so no bits are sticking up to avoid burning the top.

8. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and add the remaining cup of stock. Pour over the mixture. Add a few teaspoons of butter over the top.

9. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden.

BUSH BANTER

Return of the Goose

Summer in Esperance is characterised by many things; sunburnt noses, cocktails at TSQ, sparkling turquoise water and, of course, the return of our beautiful Cape Barren Geese. Scientifically, they’re known as Cereopsis novaehollandiae . What an absolute mouthful! These birds spend most of their time hanging out on the islands off Esperance, along the Recherche Archipelago. It’s where they spend the wetter months grazing on island grasses and breeding new babies. When the available water dries up on the islands, they move into town, just in time to become an icon of Esperance over our peak tourist season. They’re not only recorded in Esperance, but along the south-eastern coast of Australia and southeastern Victoria. While they’re regulars to Esperance, they are listed as ‘vulnerable’, meaning that they’re protected under environmental legislation as a matter of national significance. A fun (and rather cute) fact about Cape Barren Geese is that they’re considered to be monogamous and create life-long relationships. True romantics!

While the warmer weather seems to be taking a while to say hello, it will be here shortly. And with it comes the Silly Season, jam-packed with people enjoying our beautiful coastal landscape. A friendly reminder that coastal environments are extremely sensitive, impacted by the smallest of footsteps. To make sure that we can all enjoy Esperance’s natural wonders for many years to come, and to protect the habitat of birds such as Cape Barren Geese, think about the coast care principles: Only stick to existing tracks, use provided toilets, only 4WD when it’s not going to damage, and take all of your rubbish with you. Simple things that make a huge difference!

BUSH BANTER IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY VALANNE FOUNDATION

“Continuing the family tradition of giving back to the community”

01 Esperance three-piece band Grand Casual was named Best Regional Act at the West Australian Music (WAM) Awards on November 1. It was the fourth nomination but first win for the band, which is made up of Matt Cooper, Joe Franzone, and Kyron Smithson. Grand Casual are the second Esperance act to be recognised by WAM this year, with local hip hop artist Dr Tasty taking out Song of the Year in September, with the song ‘Hopscotch’. Both Grand Casual and Dr Tasty appeared on WAM’s Demos from Esperance album, recorded locally last year.

02 Local tourism operator Doc Reynolds won the prestigious Sir David Brand Medal for Tourism at the 2022 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards on November 5. Doc, the outgoing chair of the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council and one of the driving forces behind the development of Aboriginal Tourism in WA, was awarded the highest honour for his outstanding contribution to the tourism industry. Esperance Farm Experience was also recognised at the awards, winning bronze in the New Tourism Business category.

03 It was announced the next phase of the Esperance extension to the State Barrier Fence will soon be underway, to protect local farms from the impact of emus, wild dogs, and kangaroos. Locally, the initial phase of the project built 74 kilometres of fencing in Cascade. The new works will see 300 kilometres of fencing erected over two sections from north of Ravensthorpe to east of Esperance, extending the overall length of the fence to 1,850 kilometres across WA.

04

Esperance will be the first region in WA to receive standalone power systems (SPS), with Horizon Power rolling out 50 systems next month. Forty-one customers from Beaumont and Munglinup have signed up to receive one of the 50 systems. The deployment of SPS allows for the removal of 260 kilometres of overhead powerlines. The systems will provide an average of 80 per cent renewable energy. Each system consists of solar panels, a PV inverter, battery storage and back-up diesel generation, with its size depending on the customers' demand.

KATIE WHITE - CALADENIA CO.

Cape Baron Geese, Wickham Island. Credit: Emma Adams

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PUBLIC NOTICES

TABLE TENNIS PLAYED AT THE SCOUT HALL

Thursday Mornings 9am - 11.00am & Friday Night 7.00pm - 9.30pm. $5.00 each session.

Saturday 3rd December 2022

Friday 16th December 2022 (Builders Day)

Monday 26th December 2022 (Boxing Day)

Monday 2nd January 2023

Friday 13th January 2023 (Family Day)

Friday 20th January 2023

Friday 3rd February 2023 (Tab Touch day)

Saturday 18th February 2023 (Ladies day)

Sunday 5th March 2023 (Esperance Cup)

OLD TIME / NEW VOGUE BALLROOM DANCING

Held at RAOB Hall every Friday, starting at 7pm. All welcomed, with or without a partner and we will teach you if you don’t know the dances. Contact Daryl on 0419370089 or Jan on 0420638851.

ESPERANCE COMMUNITY SINGERS

Tuesday Nights from 7pm. at Esperance Senior Citizens Centre. $2pp new members welcome. More info Martin 0403 567 079.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TIDE

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