Esperance Tide June 2022

ISSUE 86

FREE MONTHLY JUNE 2022

W INTER W EEK E ND S

BEHIND THE SCENES

BUSINESS

The Road to Bremer Bay

Hellfire Hot Sauce

Beating the Budget Blues

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PAGE 12

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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: LUCY VINCENT (Fitzgerald River National Park)

W e can’t b e lie v e w e’ v e a r ri v ed a t our f i r s t w int e r e dit ion for t he y ear! W h il e w e c a n ki s s our b el ov ed wa rm days goodbye for t he ne x t f ew m o n th s , w e w o n ’ t d e ny we’ re enj oy i ng t he op p ort unit y t o rug u p an d s it a ro u n d t he f i re pi t wi t h a g l a s s of Condy V ine yard re d in h an d. Th e re is s o m uc h t o l ove a b out wi nt er in t his p art of t he w orl d, an d w e h o p e yo u h a v e a s m a ny pl a ns for c ol d w e at he r act ivit ie s as w e do. S c ra b b le , a n y one?

Pottery is a great winter activity. Not only is it indoors, but you can craft vessels for all your favourite cold weather food and bevs, like soup and hot chocolate.

This month, we caught up with Krystal and Carol from the Esperance Pottery Club, to find out a little about both the group and the artform (p. 4). Pottery has bounced right back into vogue in recent years, so it’s little wonder the club is going from strength to strength. They’re currently holding an exhibition and sale down at the Cannery, too, so if you’re potty for pottery like us, get down there ASAP! We also hit the road this month, spending a weekend in Bremer Bay, four hours west of here. Bremer’s a teeny-tiny town, which makes it the ideal spot for a quiet winter weekend. For those who like to get out and about, there’s breathtaking beaches, ample dining options, and history galore. However, if you’d prefer to stay cosy, there are few boujee Airbnbs in and around the town perfect for bunkering down in. Check out everything there is to see and do on page 8 and then jump on South Coast Highway the next chance you get.

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SP O T LI GH T ON Esperance Pottery Club

Q &A Angie Colman

One way to warm up this winter is by adding hot chilli sauce to everything you eat (and when we say everything, we mean everything). Did you know there's an award winning hot sauce made right here in Esperance? Hellfire Bay Sauce has been kicking around since 2014, founder Ernest starting the biz after leaving the mining industry. Alongside his trusty helpers (Mum and Dad!) Ernest makes a range of hot sauces using locally grown chillies, with spice levels ranging from not-that-bad to blow-ya-brains-out. You can read all about Hellfire Bay Sauce on page 12 before you head to the next market day to buy yourself a bottle or two.

If you’re celebrating the long weekend in style, don’t forget to take a few snaps and tag us on Insta #esperancetide. We love seeing what you get up to! Until next time…

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.

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HI ST O RY Thelma Chadwick

RE CI PE Winter Warming Vegan Stew

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.

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Potty for Pottery W O R D S & P H OTO G R A P H Y R O S I E H E N D E R S O N

Founded in 1978, Esperance Pottery Club is a group of locals who share a passion for being creative with clay. The club has called the Cannery Arts Centre home since 1986, where you’ll find the pottery room filled with moulds and bags of clay, wheels and brightly coloured buckets, its walls lined with clay creations and books about the craft.

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Krystal Obschonka, a pottery teacher of 35 years who originates from the Goldfields, has been involved with the club since 2009. When Krystal moved to town, she joined forces with the Cannery to obtain funding to run the range of adult art programs that we see on offer today. “It’s a very good facility,” Krystal says. “The pottery club allows people, men, women and children, to come and feel free to be able to use clay, to be able to create their own cups and bowls, and allows them to be creative, which opens a door that they’ve never experienced before.”

Krystal got into pottery in 1978, through TAFE in Kalgoorlie. She went on to become a teacher throughout the region, before moving to Esperance. “It’s been a part of my life for a long time - helping people develop themselves. A piece of clay is so soft, you can squash it and throw it, and when you’re happy with it, it becomes a beautiful art piece you share with your family and friends,” says Krystal. “You can see the adults giving themselves permission to go and play with clay, reconnecting to nature and their own time, which is so lovely and powerful.” ⟶

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The Pottery Club, open to anyone over 18 - with the oldest member currently in her 90s - has come a long way since its humble beginnings, with over 50 members now involved. Esperance Pottery Club secretary Carol Hoggart, who became involved in 2020 after moving to Esperance and being inspired by seeing some of the work on display at the Esperance Wildflower Festival, says that the community of the club brings in a lot of people of different ages and backgrounds, all with a unique style and eye.

“You get to meet so many interesting people, and it’s lovely making stuff all together. There’s a lot of inspiration,” says Carol. “While the club has a very fluid membership - some people will join for a year and we’ll see them a couple of times and that’s it - a lot of people have been coming for years and years.”

For Krystal and Carol, the Pottery Club is an opportunity for members to express themselves and to find creativity in expression. “It can be hard to own the term artist, especially as someone working with clay,” says Carol. “So much of pottery has a practical use, so you think it’s not art if you can drink out of it. But it is!

Especially when you see some of the work that comes out of here! There’s something I love about making practical things beautiful.”

Carol enjoys making cups and as we speak, she is arranging a display of her pieces for the opening of the annual Esperance Pottery Club Exhibition and Sale.

Showing now until June 26, the exhibition includes work created both on the wheel and using handbuilt techniques, featuring everything from bowls to baskets, vases to wall-hangings, mugs, cups, bowls, and other homewares, enhanced by vibrant glazes and other artistic finishes. For the members, the exhibition is an opportunity to showcase and appreciate their work and the work of others. “The exhibition helps you to stand back and appreciate what you have created, because you can see it as a body of whole work that was created throughout the year and you get the opportunity to present it artistically,” says Carol.

The club recommends taking one of Krystal’s classes that are run through the Cannery to get started, with Carol saying it can be a good step to figure out the basics, build your confidence, and see if you like it.

“Having said that, we have a lot of people who have taught themselves, even on the wheel, and are doing very well,” says Carol.

If you’re interested in getting involved, an annual membership for the Pottery Club is $100. This fee covers studio use and equipment during the club opening hours on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. You can also try before you buy, with the club allowing you to attend three times before signing up. Individuals just need to fund their clay (which is supplied at a reduced rate to members) and their firing costs.

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N OW SH OW I N G The Esperance Pottery Club Exhibition and Sale is showing at the Cannery Arts Centre until June 26.

The exhibition is open Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday 12pm - 4pm.

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Winter Weekends

The Road to Bremer Bay WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY HANNAH SIEMER

Bremer Bay is a small seaside town 400 kilometres west of Esperance. While it’s alive with tourists seeking an orca encounter in the summer and autumn, in winter, it’s a sleepy little spot, buoyed by those looking for a quiet escape. With good food, great beer, and even better vistas, it’s ripe for a weekend getaway.

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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: LUCY BURROWS

No worry, no hurry. That’s our motto for the weekend, so we head to Bremer Bay via Hopetoun. It’s a small detour but the ideal spot to stretch your legs at the almost-halfway mark and grab an early lunch. Shipwrecked Bakery beckons us with the pastry-laden offering and effervescent service one expects from a quintessential Australian bakery. We opt for a couple of veggie tandoori pies, made in-house, and enjoy them under the winter sun in nearby Jim McCulloch Park.

Before leaving Hopey, we dart into the spectacular Fitzgerald River National Park to admire a micro-selection of the region’s abundant native flora, then head towards Ravensthorpe, admiring the Farm Gate Art Trail along the way.

There are 32 pieces of junk art on the trail, many of them dotted along Ravensthorpe-Hopetoun Road, and each and every one worthy of slowing down for a closer inspection.

Ravensthorpe

Hopetoun When we get to Ravy, we give into temptation and stop at Candylicious Candy Shack for a quick sugar hit. No matter how sweet your sweet tooth, Candylicious is a must-visit, with everything from kids’ faves like candy bracelets and everlasting gobstoppers, to olde worlde treats, like double and triple salted liquorice. And of course, you can’t leave without getting a photo of the world’s largest lollipop, which makes itself at home right outside the shop. While we’re in Ravy, we also take time to visit the heritage listed Moreton Bay Fig Tree on Moir Street. The tree was planted around the turn of the 20th Century and is so big, you can step into it and be completely encased in its branches.

Another 15 kilometres down South Coast Highway, we pull into the Kukenarup Memorial, which commemorates the killing of as many as 36 Noongar people on the site in 1880. The memorial is comprised of a picnic spot, sculptures of Aboriginal family totems, and a 250-metre walk, marked by plaques inscribed with poignant quotes of some of the descendants of those killed in the massacre.

Opened in 2015, the memorial was one of the first of its kind in Australia and has achieved national recognition for its ability to acknowledge the past and reconcile the future. It’s eerie and impactful, and not to be missed. ⟶

By the time we pull into Bremer Bay, it’s nearing 3pm. There are several luxe Airbnbs in Bremer, including John Street Shed in the centre of town, and The Ridge, a little further out. We stay at the Bremer Bay Resort (AKA the pub) and after checking in, we take a short stroll down the road to Bremer Bay Brewing Company to check out what’s on tap.

Bremer Bay Brewing Company draws on the town’s proud marine heritage – the bar is made from a boat, décor includes a life-size great white shark hanging from the ceiling, and the beers are brought to life with quirky names such as the Bloated Blowfish (a brown ale), the Squirting Squid (a porter), and the Crafty Cuttlefish (a citra pale ale).

If you’re not into beer, you won’t go thirsty – they also brew a ginger beer, distil their own vodka, and have a small selection of quality Great Southern wines on offer, too.

Hungry? They’ve got you covered with a tasty assortment of Aussie staples, including burgers, pizzas, and fish and chips.

After a couple of coldies, we head back up to the Bremer Bay Resort for dinner. The pub is a classic Australian rammed earth building, with a wraparound veranda for warm days and a wood fire for cold nights. It’s cosy and welcoming, and perfect for whiling away the hours over a bottle of regional red on a winter’s evening. The menu boasts familiar favourites and showcases local produce, including panko-crumbed whiting fillets, dumplings with pickled octopus, and porterhouse from the nearby Stirling Ranges.

The next morning, we’re ready to explore the rich and rugged coastline. Our first port of call though, is Museum Café for brekky. As the name suggests, this establishment is part museum, part café, so we take in a bit of Bremer’s history before sitting down to eat.

It’s a lush little spot, complete with rolling green hills and resident kangaroos. The menu is vibrant, including choices like pankocrumbed poached eggs, a vego quesadilla stack, and bacon and egg waffles with chilli maple syrup.

The lunch menu begs us to stay on, but we beat retreat before the staff have to roll us out of there.

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About 10 minutes up the road, we arrive at Blossoms Beach, one of Bremer’s most popular beaches. With clear blue water and pristine white sand, we hate to admit it gives Lucky Bay a run for its money. The turnoff to Blossoms signals the road is 4WD only, though the gravel road appears suitable for all vehicles – just take it slow and park up before you hit the beach. We walk off brekky along Blossoms then drive up to the rocky headland overlooking the adjacent beach, Native Dog. You can feel the weight of the ocean as you watch the waves roll in and out at this surf beach. It’s a spectacular place to simply sit and enjoy the view, or walk over the incredible rocks, moulded by millions of years of exposure to an unforgiving environment.

The Point Henry Drive Trail is a great option for those who don’t like to wander around aimlessly. Beginning at the Bremer Bay Community Resource Centre, the 60-kilometre loop takes in two of the town’s scenic lookouts then heads out to Point Henry Peninsula, with a series of interpretive panels telling the story of early settlers along the way. A brochure containing a map and description of the trail can be picked up from the CRC or just follow the brown weedy sea dragon road signs.

Our final stop in Bremer is Seachange, a cute clothing and giftware boutique in the centre of town. Stocking brands like Status Anxiety, Little Lies, and Paper Heart, and with heaps of great gift ideas for every member of your family, it’s the perfect place for some retail therapy before leaving town. We #shoplocal, then hit the road back to Esperance, our car just a little fuller than it was on the way over.

With a comfort break or two, the drive home takes just on four hours. Though we’ve only done it the day before, it’s anything but dreary – South Coast Highway is currently ablaze with Hakea laurina. The flaming magenta flowers don’t quite blind the weary driver, but the pops of deep colour do manage to stave off restlessness as they light up the way home.

W HERE W E STAY ED Bremer Bay Resort. Rooms start at $155 per night for a basic motel-style room.

W HAT W E AT E Juicy burgers at Bremer Bay Brewing Company, hearty homestyle curries at Bremer Bay Resort, and classic big brekkies at Museum Café.

W HAT W E L O VED MO ST Working our way through the selection of craft beers at Bremer Bay Brewing Company. Oh, and the beaches weren’t half bad either.

O UR B EST T IP Chill out, man! The pace is slowww in Bremer, so enjoy a sleep in, then go wherever the day takes you.

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Hellfire Bay Sauc

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ce

Brings the Heat W O R D S & P H O TO G R A P H Y R O S I E H E N D E R S O N

Ernest Austin has been tantalising the Esperance community’s taste buds with his chilli-based hot sauces for over eight years, since beginning Hellfire Bay Sauces in 2014. For Ernest, a lover of all things chilli, those first sauces were a way to keep him busy and find joy, with the business starting as a form of therapy following an accident. “I’ve been into cooking from an early age, maybe around 12, and I’ve always loved chilli,” says Ernest, who grew up in Esperance after making the move from Geraldton.

Ernest is a qualified pastry chef, who completed his chef apprenticeship at the Pier Hotel before relocating to Kalgoorlie and moving into pastry. After working in the food industry all over Western Australia, Ernest ventured into mining, where he suffered a workplace accident that left him with post-traumatic stress and injuries.

The Hellfire Bay Sauces journey began after Ernest’s partner introduced him to a Buffalo wing sauce from Canada that caught him by the taste buds. Ernest embarked on a mission to “recreate” this sauce, using his own recipe and homegrown produce. “Experimenting and making the sauces gave me a purpose and rekindled my love of cooking,” says Ernest.

Ernest started by growing a cayenne chilli plant to get the spices he needed for cooking. From the first crop he produced more than he needed, and within two months it had produced too much for him, which is when the idea of making his own hot sauce to sell to others emerged.

After a few trials, his Gold and Red Sauces were released with great success.

Eight years on, Hellfire Bay Sauce now produces 15 varieties of sauces and pastes, some of which are seasonal, but all of which are preservative and gluten free, with no artificial colours or flavours. A majority of the chillies and peppers used in the sauces are grown by Ernest, and looked after by his “green-thumbed” mother.

Ernest currently grows the majority of his superheats including cayenne, habanero, jalapeno, and Thai birdseye, and then works with a local grower who grows a mix of others. ⟶

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Ernest Austin and dad, Robert.

Hellfire Bay Sauce is a family affair, with Ernest’s mum and dad helping with the business by running the Esperance markets stall, caring for the chilli plants in their garden at home, and assisting with the production and bottling. Dad Robert couldn’t be prouder of his son.

“As a father and as a parent, you don’t know what your kids are going to do. But my kids have just excelled in everything they do,” says Robert. “Watching Ernest doing well in something that he loves makes me so proud.

He’s always been into cooking, since he was very young, and it’s brilliant to see him take that passion into his adulthood.”

Robert says a highlight for Ernest and the family was when he won his first awards in the United States, placing in two categories of the 9th Annual Hot Pepper Awards.

He was thrilled to learn that his Chilli Honey creation had taken out third in both the ‘Pepper Blend’ and ‘Sweet’ categories of the competition. “That was a bit of a wow moment, seeing him being acknowledged in America – the hot sauce capital of the world!” says Robert.

Hellfire Bay Sauces are cooked and prepared in the commercial kitchen of the Esperance Civic Centre, a couple of times a month depending on demand. And with Ernest spending his time between Esperance and the Southwest region, Hellfire Bay Sauces are sold both online and at markets in Esperance and Bunbury.

If you’re interested in trying one of Ernest's sauces, he recommends the Beach Bum for a milder introduction to hot sauce. And for those who like a bit of heat, he recommends the Black Jack, which has now overtaken his previous best seller, C4. “It’s just flying out the door,” says Ernest. “The community response has been amazing.

I have regular clients from all over the state and local chefs who use my sauce in their recipes.”

When asked what makes his sauces special, he says it’s all in the slogan, Where flavour dances on your tongue, then brings the heat. “If you don’t get flavour, you just get burn, and if you don’t get heat, you don’t get flavour,” says Ernest.

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Council Connections Council Plan Endorsed The Esperance Council and Shire staff have received their instructions from the community for the next four years after Council approved the Shire of Esperance Council Plan at the May Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM). The Plan is the most important document the Shire has. It is designed to be practical and easy to understand, something people can flick through quickly and absorb information about the Shire’s future direction, from infographics and dot points.

The Plan is available on the Shire website, or a hard copy can be requested by emailing shire@esperance.wa.gov.au and collected from the Administration Building on Windich Street.

IGO Recovery Fund Keeps Giving Esperance Aged Care Facility (EACF) are a step closer to reopening a 10-bed wing after Council approved their request for IGO COVID Recovery Funding at the May OCM. IGO Limited generously donated $150,000 to the Shire in June 2020 to help the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This has provided a subtle but constant overall boost to our community, with many organisations and businesses taking advantage of the support offered. The funds for EACF will go towards specially designed mattresses, electrical work and painting needed before the 10-bed wing can be made available again.

Electric Vehicle Chargers in Safe Location Council approved a request from Horizon Power to licence a small area of land between the War Memorial and CWA House. Fast Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers will be built at the site, allowing up to four cars to charge at a time. After much dialogue Shire successfully negotiated a safe site off the street and in the middle of town. Facilitating the installation of the chargers is in line with the Shire’s Climate Change Declaration commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impact of climate changes, and our Cities Power Partnership pledges. The chargers will become part of the WA EV Highway, opening up more opportunities for sustainable tourism.

Memorandum of Understanding with SAFE Esperance Homeless animals in the Shire will be better off after Council supported a Memorandum of Understanding with SAFE Esperance. Up to three dog and three cat cages in the Shire’s Animal Management Facility (AMF) will be available to SAFE under certain conditions, including that SAFE assume full responsibility for their animals, that daily cleaning of facilities used is carried out, and that the cages will only be available when AMF occupancy rates are below 75 per cent. This agreement will exploit empty enclosures at no cost to the Shire, an efficient use of available space for the benefit of homeless animals and the community.

Upcoming Council Meetings

Agenda Briefing: 21 June 2022 at 1pm Ordinary Council Meeting: 28 June 2022 at 4pm

/ShireOfEsperance @shire_esperance @shireofesperance Ph: (08) 9071 0666 • PO Box 507, 77 Windich Street, Esperance, WA 6450 shire @esperance.wa.gov.au • www.esperance.wa.gov.au

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Our monthly arts & culture guide brought to you by:

Meggan Carswell Live @ LBB FRI 17 JUNE @ 3PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

Club 75 Vol.2 SAT 18 JUNE @ 6PM CANNERY ARTS CENTRE Tickets from $17.50+BF • kyzapresents.com

ENTERTAINMENT

LIVE MUSIC

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow

Tim and Josh Live at the Brewery

SAT 4 JUNE @ 7:30PM ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE

FRI 3 JUNE @ 5PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

Tickets from $17.50 • The Shire website

Buckle up for a night of stand-up, sketch, satire, silliness and song in this rip-roaring road trip designed to satisfy all your comedy cravings!

Opera in Esperance FRI 10 JUNE @ 7:30PM ESPERANCE CIVIC CENTRE Tickets $25 • The Shire website

Be moved by the powerful voices of West Australian Opera artists and sing along to show stopping arias in a concert of wellknown operatic hits. This is an experience for the entire family to enjoy.

COMMUNITY

World Ocean Day

The Washing Line Economy SAT 4 JUNE @ 8PM BREMER BAY RESORT

Bottom of the Barrel Live at Lucky Bay Brewing

Volume 2 of this winter series is headlined

by Perth singer songwriter Angie Colman in her first Esperance appearance. Angie is joined by John Ratcliff, Meggan Carswell, Scott White, and Izzy Raszyk.

Meggan Carswell Live @ LBB SUN 19 JUNE @ 3PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

Kris Nelson Live @ LBB FRI 24 JUNE @ 5PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

SUN 5 JUNE @ 5PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

Steve West and the Latitude FRI 10 JUNE @ 5PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

Open Mic Night

Surf Shops Cops ‘High’ WA Tour

FRI 10 JUNE @ 5:30PM CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

SAT 25 JUNE @ 9PM THE PIER HOTEL

WED 8 JUNE @ 3PM ESPERANCE COMMUNITY ARTS

Tickets $5 at the door

A World Ocean Day celeration with activities for kids, art installations, ocean inspired poetry and more. This event is free and welcome to everybody.

Sunday Sesh ft. Scott Timmins and Kyza SUN 12 JUNE @ 3PM LUCKY BAY BREWING

WORKSHOPS

Songwriting With Angie Colman SUN 19 JUNE @ 1PM CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

Learn more about what’s on in Esperance by visiting esperancetide.com/whatson Tickets available from Shire Administration, Esperance Library, Visitor Centre Online www.esperance.wa.gov.au/civic-centre

STARDUST+ THE MISSION

WATCH TRAILER

Esperance Civic Centre 5 July at 7.30pm

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EXHIBITIONS

THE BRIDGE

Esperance Pottery Club Exhibition & Sale UNTIL JUNE 26 CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

Ngalak Unity Exhibition Opening THU 30 JUNE @ 5PM CANNERY ARTS CENTRE MARKETS

Museum Village Markets SUN 6 & 20 JUNE @ 8:30AM ESPERANCE MUSEUM VILLAGE

Esperance Grower’s Market SAT 13 & 27 JUNE @ 9AM ESPERANCE SCOUT HALL FOOD

WA Beer Week Event SUN 5 JUNE @ 3PM LUCKY BAY BREWING Argentinian BBQ, live music, and a complimentary beer with every main meal purchased.

Taste of the World MON 6 JUNE @ 11AM CWA HALL (JAMES ST) Celebrate multiculturalism in our community by sharing food and other activities from different cultures from around the world.

LeSouper by Chef Laura SAT 18 JUNE @ 5:30PM LUCKY BAY BREWING Tickets $110 • trybooking.com

An intimate seated, 5-course event with Chef Laura Charlet. Arrival drink and live music by Campbell Garratt throughout the evening included. Limited tickets available.

For The Bridge this month I thought I’d give some insight into how the creative industries have been impacted by the pandemic through a little lived experience. Mid-February I was contacted to organise live music for a Saturday event in Ravensthorpe, with the show to fall mid-March.

I touched base with Finn Pearson, and Finn was keen for the show so I moved forward with the intention of securing Finn three or four other gigs in the region, allowing the trip out of Perth to be financially viable. We quickly locked in a set in Hopetoun for a Thursday and a Sunday at a mine site within the region. With all shows finalised, I stepped back from the mini-tour and applied my focus elsewhere. A week or two later, I received word that positive COVID cases had been recorded at our Hopetoun venue. With our Thursday now shaky, I worked to touch base with management, though with the venue unable to be reached due to closure, the show seemed in doubt.

A few days later, Level Two COVID restrictions were announced to fall across March. Saturday’s show could shift to the Sunday so it would be outdoors, but that caused a clash with our mine site show and as such, was unviable. Ravensthorpe organisers were accommodating and changed the format completely, with Finn now set to perform on the Friday around a campfire. Hopetoun remained unlikely but Finn was open to two performances.

Fast forward two weeks, I received an email from Hopetoun that they were keen to roll with the gig.

Stoked with the outcome, I reached out to Finn and he was wrapped.

That evening he messaged me back to let me know he had tested positive for COVID and would have

to quarantine for a week - he would be allowed to leave Perth the day after the scheduled Hopetoun gig. Hopetoun now off the cards, I touched base with the mine site. To be fair, I had expected the outcome and with strict COVID regulations for the site we lost the show. Finn now had one show left, to fall on the Friday in Ravensthorpe. I touched base with organisers who signed off on some extra funds to combat the loss of the other two gigs at a time when fuel prices were ridiculous.

Friday of the Ravensthorpe event rolled around. Finn hit the road around 8am. At 9.30am, I received a call from Finn that his car had broken down and he was being towed back to Perth. The two of us had a hearty chuckle about the whole scenario. I jumped into finding a replacement for Finn, and here is a random turn of events. Lachy John was preparing to jump on a set at the Brewery for the Sunday of that weekend. I knew he had a show in Bunbury on the Friday, but I thought to myself, “I bet that’s been cancelled.” I jumped on his Facebook page and to no surprise, it had been. I called Lachy and he was two hours out of Perth on his way to Esperance, and absolutely stoked to pick up the gig. He mentioned that earnings from that unexpected show would go towards upcoming studio time. Finn, myself, the Ravensthorpe organisers, and Lachy were all stoked.

Stories like this are now the norm.

The arts are absolutely essential for societal wellbeing, but artists and arts workers are struggling within an industry devastated by uncertainty.

How does the need to survive impact creativity? Support the arts. Much love.

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ME E T T H E ART I ST

Lana Marshall While Lana Marshall dabbled in art throughout early adulthood, it’s only in recent years that pursuing the passion has become more of a focus. Lana paints vibrant reflections of Esperance’s natural surrounds, and has recently begun exhibiting and selling her work out of Brodeine & Deine in Museum Village under the name The Yellow Fig. Firstly, tell us about your paintings.

I endeavour to paint something beautiful to look at and that has a story that people can enjoy. Currently, I am drawn to painting with mainly alcohol ink where I get the brightest of colours to the most subtle marks on paper. As I am constantly evolving, I am sure the art will too. Most of my inspiration is drawn from my love of Esperance and the beautiful coastline, flora, and fauna.

However, my inspiration is constantly expanding through all things I find captivating and intriguing.

Do you have any formal training?

I don’t have any formal training, however the confidence I have gained over the years has allowed me to just express my imagination on a blank canvas. I have taken classes with Tammy Andrews in the past and through the love of painting and Tammy’s encouragement, a passion was sparked to continue creating my own art.

Prior to The Yellow Fig, had you ever exhibited or shared your work in public?

Back at the end of 2021, I went to see the beautiful blown glass of a man named Steve Cooke. He told me that he was putting together a small group of fellow artists to share what they have to offer with the Esperance community. This would be in the newly renovated Cannery shop for a month or two over the Christmas period. Steve was determined to get people with passions out there, and I was excited that he would want to include my art, sight unseen. A few weeks before, I went to Steve to say that we were too busy with harvest, and I couldn’t produce enough in time.

He’d heard this all before and encouraged me to produce just two pieces. I remember driving away from that shop elated that it was going to happen. I worked like crazy and ended up with many more than two pieces. Steve was excited about every artist and what they brought to the group. He gave me so much belief. One week in, Steve unexpectedly passed away. He was the reason I went on to start The Yellow Fig. I’m forever grateful!

Any other hidden skills or hobbies we should know about?

I make baskets out of rope using fabrics, dyes, and different techniques to produce something a little unique. I have also recently started sewing pyjamas and wheat bags after focusing on masks when they were mandatory. This interest in sewing came from sitting beside my mum for years and watching her sew before getting the chance to sew on my own. I now sit at the sewing machine for hours, enjoying this skill my mum gave me.

Lastly, tell us where we can find your work!

After the Cannery had finished, I knew I had to follow through - now or never. The lovely Brodes from Brodeine & Deine in Museum Village was happy to share her space with me and I knew that this was one space where I could see it working. Her collection evokes a lovely relaxed coastal town vibe and my art compliments this.

You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook as The Yellow Fig, where I am constantly adding my creations.

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ARTS & CULTURE Our Stories: Many Cultures, Many Places Esperance Community Arts’ ongoing project Our Stories: Many Cultures, Many Places will see several interesting events and workshops take place over the month of June. The goals of the project are to build relationships and bring people together across cultures in Esperance, raising awareness of the diverse cultural backgrounds that are represented in our local community.

On June 6, the Our Stories project, in partnership with Escare, will feature ‘Taste of the World’ at the CWA Hall between 11am and 2pm.

This free event will provide people an opportunity to share language and culture through food. There will be a range of foods from different cultures for people to taste, as well as other activities to participate in.

On June 8, Jimena Ramon, member of the Our Stories advisory group, will facilitate a World Oceans Day celebration at Esperance Community Arts from 3pm to 6:30pm. A marine biologist from Mexico, Jimena is keen to raise awareness about the importance of our oceans and highlight protection and conservation efforts in this

space. The celebration, which is supported by the Department of Fisheries and the Parks and Wildlife Service, will feature kids’ activities and screenings of the awardwinning short film, The Sea and Me (screenings at 4pm and 6pm). Jimena hopes that the event will promote love and respect for our oceans, and raise awareness about the urgency to protect them.

Esperance Community Arts also has two artists in residence visiting in June. Performer, storyteller and filmmaker Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa will be facilitating oral storytelling workshops at ECA from June 30 until July 3. During the workshops, which are being delivered in partnership with the Centre for Stories, Sukhjit will be available to work with people who want to develop their own stories for broadcast or public performance. Artist in residence Perdita Phillips will also be hosting workshops at ECA from June 23 to 26. Perdita’s art focuses on the physical environment, and her workshops in Esperance will involve mapping our connections to the local environment and other places of personal significance. These workshops will also look at raising awareness of local ecologies.

Oral storytelling workshop facilitator, Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa.

Esperance Community Arts Executive Officer Jane Mulcock is excited about the upcoming workshops, which aim to celebrate and showcase the many diverse cultures and languages represented here in Esperance. “This is the start of a journey designed to create space for people of many different backgrounds to share their stories, and to pursue new collaborative and creative projects,” Jane says.

KARLI FLORISSON

F IN D O U T MORE For more information about Our Stories, contact Esperance Community Arts on 9072 1158 or visit their website www.esperancecommunityarts.org.au.

COMING SOON

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COMING SOON

Five Minutes With

Angie Colman

INTERVIEWED BY KYRON SMITHSON

The upcoming Club 75 is for the songwriters; the artists geared towards telling a story, honest and laid bare. Angie Colman sprung to mind as I considered acts for the June 18 gig. I’m yet to catch her perform live, though her latest single ‘Maths’ left a lasting impression. These really crisp vocals wind their way through ‘Maths’, a track with folk/country leanings, bold, bright and beautiful. Miles Gilbert (drums) and Kieran Barnes (bass) join Angie for full band sets with their influence transforming her sound into a more homogenous, indie/pop/rock entity.

For Club 75, Angie will strip it back to a solo format, with her smoky vocals supported by the gentle hum of an electric guitar. Before Angie’s first Esperance performance, I thought I’d catch up with her for a classic Esperance Tide Q & A.

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I thought I’d kick off by asking for a little back story behind ‘Maths’. Do you remember the day the song began to take shape?

Yes! I had been playing the guitar hook for this song for a couple of months and had written a few different types of lyrics to it that hadn’t really stuck with me or felt right. Then I was driving home from work really late, as I worked at a cocktail bar in Freo, and as I parked up I heard this melody in my head that went perfectly with the hook, and sang the first few lines of the song in the car in front of my place. It was probably 3am, and I sat in the car for about 30 minutes writing lines for it. The next day I put the guitar to it and worked on the whole song.

Do you find certain experiences will put you in a creative mental space?

Oh man, all the time! Definitely more so with live music, because it creates such an energy. I’m lucky enough to have the time to go to about one to two shows a week, and I’m consistently inspired by live music, more so than any other form of creative inspiration. Especially in Perth, where we have such a thriving and talented music scene, it’s really easy to go to shows and be excited by what your friends and fellow industry folk have to say and play.

I watched a beautiful solo set by Tanaya Harper recently that made me desperate to write something in the same vein, so I was up at 1am, after the show, writing a song and making a demo! Best form of inspo you can get!

Could you tell us about your greatest show to date?

I have two moments that come to mind! The first was a fun, illegal, alleyway gig in Northbridge that I did for Grunge Barbie’s album launch a few years ago, where I sang this original song called ‘I Stand On Rooftops’, and the people who lived in the apartments above the alleyway I was playing in got out of their houses and stood on their roofs in the sunset while I sang. The other time was playing a new song for the first time, one that was quite emotional and vulnerable, accompanied by one of Australia’s best lap steel players, Jy-Perry Banks, and having it be absolutely beautifully understood by Jy and the audience. It honestly felt like I was floating to feel so understood musically and emotionally by everyone in that room.

Did your family listen to a lot of music growing up?

My dad has influenced most of my music taste, but he was never one for nostalgia. So I mostly listened to Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Gorillaz, Jet, Michael Franti, and other kind of new rock/reggae music, which I still love and listen to today. But the way I write is influenced differently. The music I carry with me now is more the stuff I discovered for myself later in life, in high school, namely Bon Iver, Matt Corby, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ben Howard… They seem to be the artists I undoubtedly fall back to, although I don’t know if I really sound or write much like any of them!

At what point did you decide to launch yourself completely into live performance?

I think a few years ago I played a song for a friend in his lounge room really late at night and he adored it, and asked me to play a set at this locally run festival called Yardstock a few weeks later. I said yes and played, and ever since then I have been performing as much as I possibly could!

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Fitness & Fun

MetaCub Arrives at Bay of Isles Leisure Centre If you’re looking for an activity for the kids that helps develop their fundamental movement skills while also improving their coordination and confidence, look no further than MetaCub. Running four times a week at the Bay of Isles Leisure Centre (BOILC), MetaCub is an engaging new HIIT workout for kids aged 3 to 10 years old. Not only does it assist with strength, coordination, confidence, and self-esteem, but it teaches the foundations of a healthy lifestyle and great exercise habits, too. Oh, and it’s heaps of fun!

Fitness instructor Marta Magennis runs the MetaCub program at BOILC. She says the 30-minute sessions are designed to keep kids engaged, using familiar themes that capture the imagination. ‘Ocean’, ‘Sports’, and ‘Jungle’ are three such MetaCub themes, the latter incorporating

exercises like monkey jumps and tiger lunges into the workout.

“Where we would normally just call it a squat, we rename it a kangaroo jump, or a lava jump,” Marta says.

“It’s teaching kids to use their bodies in the right way but making it really fun.”

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One of Marta’s favourite MetaCub themes is Rescue Squad, where participants are told they’re on a mission to rescue magic beans from an island. To get the beans, they need to swim through a crocodileinfested pond, kick their way through a forest, jump over lava, and crawl

ADV ER TO R I AL

under smoke, before finally climbing a tree to capture the magic beans.

Each direction is matched with a movement, like squat kicks and a commando crawl. “It gets the kids to use their imagination,” Marta says.

“And it teaches them that it’s fun to move your body around, while getting the blood pumping and wearing them out.”

Through her role as both a fitness instructor at BOILC and, outside of work, a tennis coach, Marta says she has noticed a rise in the number of children lagging behind when it comes to fundamental movements.

She says MetaCub is a great way for parents to get kids off their digital

devices and ensure they’re not only keeping active, but also learning correct exercise techniques from an early age. “It’s important to keep the muscles moving so as they get older, they use their body in the right way,” Marta says. “It also gets it in their head now that it’s normal and healthy to exercise, because as you get older, it gets harder. It shows them that exercise doesn’t have to be a chore.”

Kids of all abilities are welcome to join the MetaCub fun. Parents are also encouraged to join in and workout alongside their kids, though they’re just as welcome to simply sit and watch if they’d prefer. The

creche is available for siblings if need be. Marta says MetaCub is an opportunity to socialise as much as it is an opportunity to get physical. “In addition to the physical benefits there are also benefits for their social development such as increasing their confidence, peer acceptance, leadership skills and empathy,” she says. “These social developments can have a sufficient effect on a child’s health, happiness, sleep, concentration, and mental health. Plus, kids who regularly exercise are better equipped to handle physical and emotional challenges.”

J OIN TH E F U N MetaCub is held at the Bay of Isles Leisure Centre every Monday at 10.30am, Tuesday and Thursday at 3.30pm, and Friday at 9.15am. The 30-minute sessions are just $5 per child, pay as you go. The creche is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 12pm, and Tuesday to Thursday between 3.15pm and 6.30pm. For further information, drop into BOILC or call 9083 1700.

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Beating the Budget Blues WORDS KARLI FLORISSON

Inflation is big news at the moment, and it’s hard to miss. Aside from copious media coverage of this issue, our groceries are costing more and fuel prices are soaring, leading to more and more everyday Australians feeling the pinch. It’s easy to pinpoint some of the causes. The war in Ukraine has impacted fuel prices worldwide, which has a flow-on effect to transport costs throughout different industries.

Ukraine is also a major wheat and vegetable oil producer, so the war is causing shortages of those products, resulting in rising costs around the world. Australia’s housing shortage is causing an increase in rent for some people, and the flooding on our east coast has also impacted the availability and cost of some of our produce. And of course, COVID continues to cause disruptions in some industries, although (hopefully!) we are beginning to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

Smith Shearer accountant Dave Mackenzie is noticing the impacts of inflation here in Esperance. “Every person I speak to seems to be affected by the rising costs of living in some way or another, whether it’s through their home loan, the cost of fuel or the cost of their weekly grocery shop,” Dave says. “It’s hard to predict whether inflation will be an ongoing issue as it comes down to a number of factors, including the new Labor government, the Russia-Ukraine war, global supply chain issues… the list goes on.”

If you are feeling the pinch, here are some steps that you can take to make sure the budget blues don’t get you down.

Keep a budget Yes, we know, it’s not at the top of anyone’s list of fun activities. But knowing where your money is going is vitally important if you want to keep things under control and avoid excess worry. “It comes down to being selfaware about what your income is, and what your expenditure is,” Dave says.

“If you haven’t already, start doing some personal budgeting. It doesn’t need to be complex - the more complicated you make it, the less likely you are to commit to it.

Budget for your fixed costs, focusing first on accounting for those expenses you can’t easily change, for example paying your mortgage or rego, followed by those expenses that are a little more flexible, like how much you are spending on your weekly grocery shop.”

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Plan ahead for purchases

Dust off the bicycle

Impulse buying is a habit that will cost you far more in the long run. Whether it’s your groceries or your winter wardrobe, don’t buy things just because they’re on sale, they’re the latest trend, or because you feel like it.

Instead, decide what you really need, find the best price, and where possible, buy quality items that will last.

With fuel prices causing a big chunk of the inflation we’re feeling, driving less can really help the budget.

It’s also better for the environment, and better for your health!

Check for hidden costs Are you paying for streaming services that you’re not using? If you are still using them, see if there’s a cheaper plan that you can switch to. Can you change your mobile phone to a cheaper plan? Is your bank charging you fees for account features that you aren’t using? Credit cards and ‘buy now pay later’ services like AfterPay are particularly bad money-traps, probably costing you far more in interest and fees than you expect. Pay them off and get rid of them!

Get some professional help with your finances With tax time coming up, consider getting your taxes done by a professional service rather than doing them yourself. “For the cost of engaging a CPA to do your individual tax return, you’re getting the peace of mind in knowing you’re claiming all of the allowable deductions possible and any rebates you may be entitled to,” Dave says. “It’s about maximising your refund while knowing you are being compliant with the ATO.” If you do have some spare cash and are thinking about investing, don’t tuck it away under your mattress or jump on the latest internet trend. Instead, talk to a financial advisor for expert advice that will help you make a sound investment. And finally, if you are really struggling, Escare has a free financial counselling service for individuals and families on low incomes who are facing financial difficulties. Call Escare on 9071 3101 to make an appointment.

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FI V E M INU T E H I ST ORY

Thelma Chadwick

BY KARLI FLORISSON

Thelma Marion Sims was born in Esperance in 1898. Her father Henry Sims was Esperance’s first Town Clerk, and the instigator of the importation and planting of the Norfolk Pine Trees that are an iconic part of our landscape today. Esperance had experienced a dramatic population boom in the early days of the gold rush but by this time, the town was experiencing a rapid decline. After Thelma’s brother died when she was around four years old, Henry moved the family to Albany, where he ran the London Hotel and was the Mayor of Albany between 1908 and 1912.

Thelma and her two sisters grew up in Albany, living in separate quarters at the London Hotel, which is still in use today. One of her early memories was watching the ANZAC ships leave Albany during the First World War. In 1918, Thelma married Robert Chadwick, a medical student who had returned from the war. After their marriage, Robert was diagnosed with a mysterious illness and was not expected to survive. Thelma stated later that this illness was encephalitis and although her husband did survive, the illness caused him to become very moody and depressed. By that stage, the couple had two sons, and Thelma was concerned about their

Thelma Chadwick in her car next to a mountain of salt at Pink Lake.

welfare. With her husband becoming increasingly erratic, Thelma left him, although she continued to be known as Mrs Chadwick for the rest of her life.

In 1925, Thelma’s father Henry returned to Esperance to take up a position as the Secretary of the Roads Board. By this time, the population of Esperance, which was estimated to be as high as 5000 during boom times, had dropped to around 350. Although Esperance had been gazetted as a town in 1893, the decline in population meant that the town could not sustain a Municipal Council. The Municipality of Esperance was abolished in 1908, at the request of the townspeople, and the administrative roles and duties of the town were taken on by the Esperance Road Board, meaning that

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Henry Sims was taking on a significant and influential role in the district. He needed an assistant in this role so, in 1927, Thelma moved to Esperance with her two small children and took the role as her father’s assistant.

Thelma worked alongside her father for nine years, undertaking an unofficial apprenticeship as a Roads Board supervisor and engineer. In 1936, when Henry Sims retired at the age of 77, he suggested that she apply for the job. Despite being told that “men wouldn’t work for a woman,” Thelma applied, along with 43 men, and was chosen for the job. It was noted in the newspaper that she was not the only woman in the state to hold such a position – a Mrs Scahill was the secretary of the Coolgardie Roads Board for several years.

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as the trees her father had planted were a much-loved landmark even then.

Though Esperance stayed safe from attack, there were reports of Japanese submarines being spotted off the south coast. Thelma carried on with her regular work with a much-reduced crew, as many young men from the district went off to war. She regularly did tasks like cleaning out blocked drains herself, and was bemused when she requested a raincoat and rubber boots, only to be denied because they were only for “men’s work.” During the war years, Thelma also helped to raise funds for the Red Cross and the Esperance Hospital.

Thelma Chadwick at Lort River.

When Thelma became the Secretary of the Roads Board, Esperance was a quiet town, still suffering from the effects of the Great Depression.

Thelma supervised the gangs of men who built and maintained the roads in the district, which covered a huge area, stretching to Balladonia in the east, and almost to Norseman in the north. Thelma also supervised gangs of men who came down as subsistence workers, working on the roads to earn a government payment during those difficult years. One of her roles was to collect property rates and car and truck licence fees. She had a bright green car that she nicknamed Annabelle, which was well known around the district, meaning that sometimes when she went to collect unpaid rates, the farmers would see her coming and

disappear into the bush. Sadly, many properties were confiscated and sold for very small amounts when the rates remained unpaid for several years.

With the outbreak of the Second World War on the horizon, Thelma supervised the construction of an aerodrome at the site of the present day airport, and was responsible for maintaining it during the war years. There was concern that the Japanese might attack the southern coast, and so the Esperance townsite had to maintain a blackout at night for a period of time. During that same time, Thelma reported that an official told her the Norfolk Pines in Esperance made the town too easy to spot from the air, and they would need to be lopped. She told the official, “Over my dead body”,

When the war was over, Thelma reluctantly decided that nine years of running the Road Board would have to be enough. Her boys were grown up, so she moved to Perth where her family was living. She took a job managing the Commonwealth Loans Office but was “bored to tears,” and left to work as an organiser for the State Liberal Party. She stayed in that role for 15 years, before leaving to work with the Citizens Advice Bureau, and join the board of the Lotteries Commission. Through those years, she maintained a connection with Esperance, always believing that the sleepy little town would boom again.

Esperance was administered by the Roads Board until 1961, when the Roads Board was renamed the Shire Council. In 1971, the newly developed suburb of Chadwick was named after Thelma Chadwick and, of course, Sims Street was named after her father.

Thelma died in 1982 and is buried in the Esperance Cemetery.

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GE MI NI

M AY 2 1 - J U N 2 0

If you’re feeling a little dissatisfied with yourself right now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can inspire positive change. You might want to improve your health, quit procrastinating or make more of an effort with your friends. Whatever it is, now is an important time to renew your resolutions and improve your general lifestyle habits. You don’t need to overhaul your life to increase your satisfaction. Small changes can make all the difference.

CA N C E R

JU N 2 1 - J U L 2 2

You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders right now. Don’t let your health suffer because of this.

Modify your timetable, so you can take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Allocate an hour in your day for the gym, a jigsaw or time in the garden. Have a massage, or pop on a podcast and walk from West Beach to Twilight. If you don’t take time to stop and smell the roses, you will soon burn out and then where will you be?

LE O

JUL 2 3 - A U G 2 2

Lighten up! Life isn’t supposed to be taken so seriously. You’ve been very focussed and goal-oriented recently which is awesome, but it has been exhausting for those closest to you.

Your stress doesn’t just affect you, it affects your family and friends too.

When was the last time you allowed yourself the opportunity to unwind and have a laugh with your nearest and dearest? Let go and have some fun this month. You need it more than you probably realise.

L I B RA

SE P 2 3 - O CT 2 2

AQ UAR IUS

JAN 2 0 - FEB 1 7

You’re a dreamer and it’s easy to get carried away with fanciful plans and thoughts about the future. There’s nothing wrong with this, so long as you can separate what’s realistic and what’s not. Recently, you’ve dreamt up a couple of plans that are so out there, your friends aren’t even trying to hide their amusement. However, if you’re serious about making these happen, it’s time to do something about it. Quit being the mate that’s all talk and no action.

You like to see things done in the most efficient way possible, so dealing with people who hate change is particularly difficult for you. If you have a better way of doing things, it’s time to speak up. If you don’t, who knows when this torment will end?

Put your case to the right people and show them how sticking to the same old format is extremely inefficient.

Your way will not only save time but get the creative juices flowing, too.

SCORPI O

P IS CES

O CT 2 3 - N O V 2 1

Don’t be surprised if you temporarily lose your enthusiasm and determination this month. You’ve pushed yourself so hard that you’ve now reached the end of your tether.

Be gentle with yourself and less demanding of your performance, in order to reignite your passions. Take a well-earned break and spend the time off doing something you enjoy that you haven’t done in a long time. It doesn’t matter if it’s active or passive, so long as it’s giving your mind a break.

SAGITTARIUS NOV

22 - DEC 21

Things are generally going well for you now but there’s a vague feeling that there is still something missing from your life. It’s difficult to put your finger on. Give more attention to yourself and to try to understand the underlying motivations within you. Work backwards. What’s not making you happy? Write a list of your life’s pros and cons if need be. Eliminate those things that don’t spark joy with a view to focus on those things that do.

CA PRI COR N DE C

2 2 - JAN 2 0

VI RGO

AU G 2 3 - S E P 2 2 With the end of the financial year looming, money is on your mind more This month is all about taking risks. than usual this month. You’re reflecting The timing is absolutely right for you to on the last 12 months and questioning go out on a limb and say something or what you could have done to manage do something you once wouldn’t have your finances more effectively. dreamt of in a million years. There’s an Whether you’re in the red or you’ve aura around you at the moment which come out on top, it is not a bad idea will see people be kinder and more to critique your money skills. More receptive to you than usual, so use this often than not, there is something to your advantage. Forge ahead with that could be done better. Watch something scary – you’ve no idea what your spending until you’ve thoroughly the outcome will be but who cares? analysed your income and expenditure.

28 / ESPERANCE TIDE / JUNE 2022

FE B 18 - MA R 1 9

It is normal to doubt your ability from time to time, however constantly second-guessing yourself needs to stop.

Now. If there is something you’ve been longing to do, quit making excuses and just do it. Perhaps part of the problem is the people you’ve surrounded yourself with. Are they excuse-makers or go-getters? Try branching out and mixing with people who inspire you and encourage you to become the person you really want to be.

AR IES

MAR 2 0 - A PR IL 1 9

You need several different hats on hand as your workload, social responsibilities and family demands increase. This will take quite a bit of creative management and clever negotiation with people in all different directions reaching out to you to fulfil their varying needs.

Prioritising your schedule is essential this month. Don’t be ashamed to lean on friends if you need a hand to get through the workload. You’ve given a lot to them over the years and now they can repay the favour.

TAUR US

AP R 2 0 - MAY 20

You are on fire at the moment and with little effort, you should be able to keep up the momentum this month.

Harness this energy for competitive activities, like challenging your mate to a game of Scrabble, joining a footy team or putting your hat in the ring for a promotion. With all this get-upand-go, you’ve got a good chance at success. You won’t be an Energizer bunny forever, so smash a few goals while you can.

T ID E KI T CH EN

Sweet Potato, Lentil & Coconut Stew

A healthy but hearty winter warmer that the whole family will enjoy.

Serves 4

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 brown onion, diced 2 inch piece of ginger, peeled & finely grated 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp turmeric 1 tbsp ground coriander 1 tbsp ground cumin 2 large sweet potatoes (or 800g), diced into 1cm cubes 4 cups vegetable stock 1 can lentils, drained & rinsed 1 can full fat coconut milk (Ayam for creaminess) 1-2 tbsp sriracha 2 large handfuls baby spinach 1 lime Salt & pepper To garnish (optional) Nigella seeds Coriander leaves Spring onions Sesame oil Coconut milk drizzle To serve Steamed brown rice Flatbreads

Method 1.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan or dutch oven over a medium heat and fry the onion, garlic and ginger until soft but not coloured (roughly five minutes).

2.

Add the spices and cook for approximately one minute, or until fragrant.

3.

Add the sweet potato and stir to coat in the spices.

4.

Pour in the vegetable stock and simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes, until the sweet potato is soft but not mushy.

5.

Add the lentils and coconut milk (reserving a small amount for garnish), and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a tablespoon of sriracha, or more if you like a kick.

6.

Let it simmer for a few more minutes. Turn the heat off and stir in the spinach and lime juice.

7.

Check the seasoning again, and serve with steamed brown rice or flatbreads and your choice of garnishes.

T IDE T I P We highly recommend adding the sriracha even if you are not a big chilli fan. It adds a subtle heat that balances the sweetness of the coconut milk and sweet potato.

RECIPE LAUREN BENEFER

P H OT O G R A P H Y L U C Y V I N C E N T

29 / ESPERANCE TIDE / JUNE 2022

BUSH BANTER Pin Cushion Hakea At this time of year, there’s only one plant that everyone is talking about. It’s the vibrant fireworks popping across our roadsides and gardens. Changing from baby cream, to yellow, to pastel pink, to a dusky rose and then a vibrant shiraz…. It’s the Pin Cushion Hakea, Hakea laurina! The ‘flower’ is actually made up of hundreds of flowers that are all bundled together into what’s called an inflorescence. The colour changes of the inflorescence reflect the different stages of the individual flowers maturing. If you look closely, it’s likely many are still in bud. If you haven’t seen any in the wilderness this season, now’s the time to head out across the Esperance sandplains and check them out. Hot tip, I was recently exploring the central Cascade area and Neds Corner Road was absolutely alight with Pin Cushion Hakeas.

K AT I E W H I T E - C A L A D E N I A C O .

B U S H B A NT E R I S K I NDLY SPO N SO RED B Y VAL AN N E FO UN DAT IO N “Continuing the family tradition of giving back to the community”

01

Premier Mark McGowan and Energy Minister Bill Johnston officially opened the Shark Lake Renewables Hub on May 27. Horizon Power partnered with Pacific Energy to deliver the new integrated power system comprising of a solar farm, wind turbines, battery energy storage system, and high-efficiency gas power station. The system will feed into Horizon Power’s network and provide cleaner, greener power to Esperance. Nearly 50 per cent of Esperance’s total electricity demand will now be met by renewable sources.

02

Flights between Esperance and Kalgoorlie could take off as soon as September, after it was announced negotiations were underway with prospective carriers. The KalgoorlieBoulder-Esperance Aviation

Development Partnership – made up of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Shire of Esperance and Australia’s Golden Outback – are working to establish an air link between Melbourne and Adelaide with Kalgoorlie, and provide a connecting service to Esperance.

AGO Esperance tourism development manager Simon Latchford said the service would be a “game changer.”

03

Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise broadcast its weather live from Esperance on May 1, showing off the town to viewers across Australia.

Presenter James Tobin began the broadcast at the Cannery Arts Centre, before heading to West Beach. The visit was arranged by Australia’s Golden Outback, to raise the profile of Esperance and educate viewers about the experiences on 30 / ESPERANCE TIDE / JUNE 2022

offer in the region. Among the locals interviewed by Tobin were aerial photographer Jaimen Hudson and his wife Jess, a yoga instructor.

04

Esperance Shire Council approved an application by Horizon Power to install two new electric vehicle charging stations in the centre of town. Four car bays will be leased by the power company behind the RSL building on James Street, with the two fast-chargers able to service up to four cars at any one time. The lease was approved for 10 years, with the option of extending it for five years.

There is currently only one charging station in Esperance, located in the industrial area. The lease aims to encourage drivers to visit local businesses while recharging.

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Thankyou to the Shire of Esperance for funding a new show jump for the 2022 Esperance & Districts Agricultural Show through the Community Grants Program.

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OLD TIME / NEW VOGUE BALLROOM DANCING We are having a break and will resume on Friday the 28th of January 2022. Held at RAOB Hall starting at 7:30. Contact Daryl on 0419370089 or Jan 0420638851. All welcomed, with or without a partner.

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Escape the wind and join us for an informative and ‘hands on’ farming adventure.

Half Day Tours of Oake Marsh Farm, or full day tours which also include visits to Stonehenge, Yirri Grove and Esperance Distillery Co. Visit our website esperancefarmexperience.com to find out more and book your ‘must do’ Esperance Escapade.

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