Esperance Tide March 2023

HELLOOO, AUTUMN! CRISP MORNINGS, WARM DAYS, AND BALMY NIGHTS AHEAD. AND A LONG WEEKEND TO WELCOME IT ALL IN? IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. FEB WAS FAB, WITH HEAPS OF MUSIC AT THE BREWERY, POTTERY GALORE AT THE CANNERY, AND ENOUGH BEACH DAYS TO KEEP US HAPPY FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. WE CAN’T WAIT TO DO IT ALL AGAIN THIS MONTH!

A highlight on the autumn calendar is the Grass Patch Yabby Classic, which is on again for the first time since 2020. The Yabby Classic is a family-friendly fundraiser complete with food, entertainment, competitions and, of course, yabbies! Whether you’ve been a loyal attendee since day dot or have no idea what we’re banging on about, check out our story about the quirky event on page 14 and then head along for your fix of everything yabbies on April 1 (we promise this is not an April Fools joke!).

This month, Harmony Week will be celebrated around the country, recognising our diversity and bringing together Australians from all different backgrounds. Here in Esperance, our community is made up of people from all four corners of the globe, helping to make our town an interesting and vibrant place to live. In honour of Harmony Week, we caught up with four people who have come from afar and now call Esperance home. Check it out on page 8.

Another person who has come from afar is Peruvian Michelle Vallejos, who has been teaching Latin movement classes to local women once a week. Michelle has only been in Esperance for four months but has already had a huge impact on those who have attended her workshops, helping them to connect with their bodies, meet new people and, perhaps best of all, let go and have fun! There are only a couple of classes remaining, so read the story on page 22 and if you’re inspired, get along!

Speaking of movement, Pilates is so hot right now. But did you know that it’s actually a method of exercise that’s been around for almost a century? If you’re not already a Pilates devotee, you’ve probably thought about giving it a go, so we’ve compiled a complete guide to getting started on page 4. We’re super lucky to have three great Pilates studios in town, so you’ve got no excuses not to get off the couch and give it a go!

As we march into March, we encourage you to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather, and challenge you to attend as many community events as possible. You never know what you might experience, or who you might meet! 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.

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.

Going with the Flow 22

Esperance Leading the Way on Tiny Houses 12

Yabby Classic Makes a Comeback

Cajun Corn Ribs

bun bliss hiding in the tee pee!

Discovering the Power of Pilates

WORDS HANNAH SIEMER

The popularity of Pilates has skyrocketed in recent years, with the industry now estimated to be worth more than $600 million in Australia alone. However, the practice is far from a new fitness craze, having been around for almost 100 years. Developed by German Joseph Pilates in New York in the late 1920s, Pilates has evolved from a method of rehabilitation for soldiers and dancers to a popular choice of exercise for people with varying health and fitness goals. Though Joseph’s work has been modernised, advancing as we learn more about the human body, the six principles of his original method remain: Breath, concentration, centering, control, precision, and flow.

W HAT IS P ILATES ?

According to the UK’s Pilates Foundation, Pilates is a holistic exercise system designed to elongate, strengthen, and restore the body to balance. Exercises involve the whole body and are performed on a mat or using a spring-assisted apparatus, known as a reformer. Sometimes small pieces of equipment are used, too, like balls, rings, and resistance bands.

Local physiotherapist Kira Vermeersch has been teaching Pilates since 2020 and opened her own studio, By The Bay Pilates, last year. She says Pilates is multifunctional and can be tailored to suit people’s different needs. “I love how versatile Pilates can be,” Kira says. “It can be a gentle, low impact form of exercise or a high intensity, high impact form of exercise.”

W HO IS P ILATES FOR ?

Erin Cummings owns local fitness studio Salty Fit and instructs around 20 mat and reformer Pilates sessions a week. Erin says Pilates is suitable for just about anyone, including those recovering from injury, people with hypermobility and joint issues, athletes, pre- and post-natal women, and those new to exercise. “The list goes on!” she says. “I teach a range of ages, body types, and genders.”

W HAT ARE THE BENEFITS ?

Rochelle Baker, owner of local studio Cornerstone Pilates, has been practising Pilates for around 20 years and instructing for almost a decade. She says Pilates is beneficial for both mental and physical wellbeing, from challenging strength and flexibility to reducing anxiety and loneliness. In the years she’s been practising, Pilates has assisted Rochelle in a variety of ways, like recovering from birth and providing a reprieve from the daily grind. “It makes me stronger, I have better balance, it gives me greater mental clarity, and makes me less snappy,” Rochelle says.

Kira agrees that the benefits of Pilates are many and varied. “It is an empowering form of physical activity,” she says. “It makes my clients feel strong, it connects them with mind and breath, it improves movement patterns, strength, endurance, and balance. In my career as a physio, I promote movement and activity in a safe, structured, and progressive way, and Pilates allows a lot of people to do this.” ⟶

Rochelle Baker's studio, Cornerstone Pilates.

W HERE DO I BEGIN ?

Trying a new type of exercise can be daunting, particularly if it means turning up to a group session on your own. But all three local studios, as well as the Bay of Isles Leisure Centre, offer a welcoming environment and encourage beginners to have a go. Chatting with a Pilates instructor before booking your first class is a great idea. You might like to seek advice on whether you’re better starting out with mat or reformer Pilates, and whether a group class or a private session will suit you better. It also gives you an opportunity to discuss any injuries or health concerns you have, and where you’re at in your fitness journey.

Kira recommends booking a 1:1 or 2:1 class first, so your specific concerns or goals can be addressed, and you can be closely monitored. But even if you’re in a bigger group, your instructor will have their eye on you, particularly if you’re a first timer. With your approval, they might be hands on, adjusting your position to ensure you’re executing an exercise correctly to reap its benefits and avoid injury. Don’t be embarrassed! This is totally normal and is all part of getting the best out of your practice.

Rochelle says it’s important beginners leave their expectations at the door. “Lower the bar on where you expect you should be, and then lower it again,” she says. “Do what you can, rest when you need, but keep on showing up.” Erin agrees that consistency is key, advising those just starting out to, “Have fun, be consistent and always ask questions.”

PRACTISING PILATES IN ESPERANCE

No matter your reason for wanting to practise Pilates, there’s a class, time, and instructor to suit you.

BAY OF ISLES LEISURE CENTRE

www.esperance.wa.gov.au/bay-isles-leisure-centre

An easy-going, friendly environment with approachable instructors. Offering four mat Pilates classes a week.

BY THE BAY PILATES

www.bythebaypilates.squarespace.com

An inclusive community of like-minded people who enjoy moving their bodies and improving their general wellbeing. Expect laughs, fiery exercises, and a coffee after class. Offering beginner, intermediate, stretch, and private classes on both the mat and the reformer.

CORNERSTONE PILATES

A diverse community of people, ranging from their late teens to their 80s, practising Pilates in a light and calming space. Offering mat, reformer, and private classes six days a week. Call or text Rochelle on 0428 850 669 for further information and to make a booking.

SALTY FIT

www.saltyfitpersonaltraining.com

A safe and welcoming space with big smiles, good music, and Erin’s beloved plants dangling around. Offering a variety of low and high intensity in-studio and outdoor mat classes, as well as 4:1 reformer classes, six days a week. Private sessions are also available.

1. Fromage 2 Person Stake Luxe Floral & Home Co $24.95

2. Fox & Finch Wallaby Roo Jumper Wild Posse $59.95

3. Salty Aura The Desert Travel Rug Tide & Co $179.00

4. Afends Happy Hemp Crew Socks Innertube Surf Shop $20.00

5. who is elijah HAZE Perfume 100ml Azure For Beauty & Body $159.00

6. JBL Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker in Red Dick's Electronics $189.00

7. Epokhe Candy Sunglasses in Tortoise Polished Tide & Co $210.00

8. Alias Mae, Amie Boot in Black Leather Woven $299.95

9. Comet Grapefruit & Quandong Syrup 500ml Bob & Jim's General Store $17.99

10. Good Vibes Retro Table Barbecue in Hamptons Sage Barbeques Galore $109.95

From All the Lands on Earth We Come

This month, Harmony Week will be celebrated around the country, recognising the diversity of culture that makes Australia what it is. In Esperance, a quarter of residents were born overseas and an increasing number of people from foreign shores are choosing to call Esperance home. We caught up with four international residents to find out where they’re from and how they came to be here.

Maya Assad

Maya Assad came to Australia to escape the discrimination and corruption of Lebanon. Arriving in Esperance in January last year with her husband Mohamad and son Naim (3), Maya was looking for a better life for her family - a life where one’s success didn’t depend on religion, gender, or status. “In Lebanon, favouritism plays an important role in everything,” Maya says. “Such as getting a job, enrolling in school or university, or even getting to the hospital.”

Despite being born and raised in Lebanon, Maya is not a Lebanese citizen; she is a Palestinian refugee and to the world, is considered stateless. This made leaving Lebanon challenging. A civil engineer, Maya unsuccessfully applied to skilled immigration programs in numerous countries. “It was an impossible mission as I am a refugee,” she says. “Luckily, I found an organisation which helps skilled refugees to travel, and I got a job with Bluemar Engineers.”

Having always resided in cities, Maya says living in Esperance is different, but special. Upon their arrival, Maya and her family visited the Rotary Lookout. “We stood there amazed, saying, ‘This is paradise,’” she recalls. The beauty of Esperance continues to astound Maya, but she says it’s the people who make the town an amazing place to live. “I didn’t know how the people would treat us,” Maya says. “But they are lovely and friendly. What I’ve found is beyond my expectations.”

Looking ahead, Maya can’t wait to further her career, become an Australian citizen, and continue to be accepted for who she is. “The thing I like most about Australia is that people here treat us as individuals and not based on our religion, gender, or nationality,” Maya says.

WORDS HANNAH SIEMER PHOTOGRAPHY LUCY VINCENT

Jimena Ramon Montemayor

Jimena Ramon Montemayor is proud of her Mexican heritage. Every year, no matter where she is in the world, Jimena celebrates her favourite Mexican festivity, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). Held annually between October 31 and November 2, the unique and colourful celebration honours the deceased with an abundance of candles, food, music, and flowers.

Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Jimena lived in Spain until the age of seven, before moving back to Mexico, to the seaside region of Yucatán. Jimena was living in Bali with her partner, Esperance local Scott Timmins, prior to relocating to Esperance in March 2020. The move wasn’t entirely intentional - two days after arriving in Esperance for what was meant to be a short holiday, the international borders closed, and she’s been here ever since.

Esperance’s outdoorsy, easy-going lifestyle suits Jimena. She works as the Enviro-Experiences Project Officer with South Coast Natural Resource Management, and enjoys camping, and discovering Australia’s flora and fauna. “I love it here,” Jimena says. “Its proximity to the ocean allows you to be connected with nature on a daily basis, and I like that nobody seems to be in a rush like in the cities.”

While she has adopted the Aussie way of life, Jimena is enthusiastic about sharing her culture. Last year, she encouraged locals to observe Día de Muertos, creating an altar at Esperance Community Arts to celebrate loved ones who have passed. Highlighting Esperance’s multiculturalism is something she’s keen to see more of. “I hope that the multicultural community in Esperance keeps growing and we keep learning from and enriching each other,” Jimena says.

Oanh Ngo

Born and raised in Vietnam, Oanh Ngo’s childhood was spent alongside her parents in the rice field, and tending to pigs and chickens. Oanh says Vietnam is a beautiful country, with friendly people and delicious food. However, corruption, environmental degradation, and government control of religion cast a dark shadow over the socialist republic. In 2011, Oanh arrived in Australia seeking asylum, with the hope of settling in a country where she could practise her Catholicism freely and speak up for human rights without fear.

Oanh moved to Esperance with her husband Phi and children Peggy (9) and Nelson (5) in 2018. Her first impression of the town was one of peace and tranquillity - the perfect place to raise children. “I want my kids to grow up here because it is a safe and nice place,” Oanh says. “The people here are very kind and friendly.”

Staying connected to both her Vietnamese culture and her Christianity is important to Oanh. She continues to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and attends the local Catholic church every Sunday. At home, her family eats Vietnamese food, especially spring rolls and pho (noodle soup), most days. But they love dining out, too, with lamb shanks, steak, and fish and chips topping the list of their Aussie favourites.

Oanh and Phi work hard to build a comfortable life for their family and, as the owners of Esperance Nails Salon, pride themselves on creating employment opportunities for locals. “I am proud to say that we are striving to be the best citizens and not be a burden to Australian society,” Oanh says. “We hope our children and future generations will do even better than we do.”

Augusto Galeazi

The pace of Esperance is vastly different to that of Brazil’s biggest city São Paulo, which is home to 11 million people. But that’s what drew Brazilian Augusto Galeazi here. Holidaying in Esperance three years ago, Augusto thought the town looked like a pretty nice place to live. So, in April last year, he secured a job as a maintenance technician and relocated. “It has the perfect, calm lifestyle that I was seeking for this moment in my life,” Augusto says.

Augusto had an idyllic childhood, playing with his friends on the streets surrounding their homes while their mothers sat outside watching on. But as an adult, he knew he needed to escape his comfort zone. Moving to Australia provided Augusto with that challenge. “Coming to Australia was hard and it still is, being so far from family and friends,” he says. “In the end, my reward is the beauty and peace that this place can provide to a simple soul like mine.”

Augusto loves the spectacular Australian nature, living near the world’s most beautiful beaches, and the food. While he’s still ascertaining what ‘traditional’ Australian cuisine is, some of his local favourites include chicken parmigiana and meat pies. He remains connected to his culture through food, too, opting for rice, beans, meat and salad whenever he’s craving a taste of Brazil. “There’s nothing better than a good meal that reminds me of home!” Augusto says.

For now, Esperance is home, but Augusto remains enthusiastic about Brazil and encourages people to visit. “It’s an amazing country with many colours and faces,” he says. “It has the most vibrant people, and different food in every state, and beautiful nature anywhere you look outside of the big cities.”

Esperance Leading the Way on Tiny Houses

Tiny houses are an affordable, sustainable housing option, offering the attractive possibility of fast construction. Unsurprisingly, they are growing in popularity in Australia. However, when the Esperance Shire Council looked into a Tiny House on Wheels Policy for Esperance, they were surprised to find that no Australian local government had a planning policy in place for these small, semi-permanent dwellings. The Shire of Esperance went ahead with their own Local Planning Policy - Tiny Houses using a draft policy from the Australian Tiny House Association, and became unexpected trailblazers in the process.

With a critical shortage of rental properties in the Esperance region, the Esperance Shire Council expects the new Tiny House Policy will provide more residential and short-term housing options. At the same time, the council has implemented the Chalet Development Outside of Townsites Local Planning Policy, allowing eco-friendly chalets to be installed on rural land. This policy is expected to alleviate the pressure on tourist accommodation in town. Richard Hindley, Shire of Esperance Manager of Building, Planning, and Land Projects, says there has already been significant interest in both new policies. Richard notes they may be amended to make them as user friendly as possible, and the Shire are happy to have made the opening move on creating new housing policies for our region.

Credit: Ben Wrigley Cotter Reid Architects

A ‘tiny house on wheels’ is defined as a semi-permanent dwelling on wheels that can be connected to water and power. It is different to a caravan in that it is built to be a permanent, self-contained dwelling that can be moved if required, whereas a caravan is designed to be easily towed. Some benefits of tiny houses are that they are affordable, quick to install, sustainable, have lower energy costs, and are much easier to clean and maintain than a regular house. They can also be moved if required, offering flexibility in the long run. As these buildings are designed to be transportable, they must be small enough to go on the road. This means the maximum width is 2.5 metres and the maximum length is 10.5 metres. Due to their growing popularity, there are many tiny house designs available and several Western Australian manufacturers, giving those interested in purchasing a tiny house plenty of options.

Local Alissa Mack is currently considering a tiny house. Alissa and her fiancé can see many benefits to having a small, transportable house, such as the ability to own their own house without incurring a huge debt. The couple also want a sustainable house with minimal energy costs, and a tiny house provides huge flexibility for being able to live off the grid. “I also really like the idea of living a minimalist, simplified life, especially after getting away from the busy pace of life in Perth,” Alissa says. “And with a transportable house, we have a lot more options as our lives change in the future.”

Tiny houses can be placed on town or rural blocks, or used as granny flats alongside current buildings. “They can go anywhere that you could put a single house,” Richard says. The Shire of Esperance’s new Tiny House Policy states that people in the Esperance region who want to put a tiny house on wheels on their property don’t need to get building approval. While planning approval is still required, Richard says that this is a simple process.

The President of the Australian Tiny House Association, Janine Strachan, acknowledges the Esperance Shire Council’s leadership in implementing this new policy. “We understand that other councils are observing this action taken by the Shire of Esperance, and it will only be a matter of time for other councils to follow in Western Australia and throughout other Australian states,” she says. As an affordable and sustainable model for housing, it is likely that tiny houses will continue to grow in popularity, and it is exciting to see how and where they will be utilised in Esperance.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information about the Shire of Esperance’s new policy, visit www.esperance.wa.gov.au/ news/2022/dec/22/big-ideas-tiny-houses or contact the friendly staff in the Shire’s Planning Department.

Credit: The Tiny House Company

Yabby Classic Makes a Comeback

WORDS KARLI FLORISSON PHOTOGRAPHY GRASS PATCH P&C

In 1999, the Grass Patch P&C was looking for a way to fundraise for the community’s small primary school. Realising that yabbies were something most farms in the district had in abundance, the group decided to hold a unique fundraising event – the Grass Patch Yabby Classic. This event, which continues today, is a celebration of the humble yabby and the resilient Grass Patch community.

The Grass Patch Yabby Classic is a highlight on the calendar for locals, as well as those who visit from Esperance and beyond. The event features an afternoon of fun, with yabby races, competitions, food, and entertainment, followed by an evening of live music. Over the years, there have been competitions for the largest yabby, with 1999’s record of 83.9mm still unbroken. The normally biennial event hasn’t been held since 2020 due to Covid, so the community is excited about the Yabby Classic making a comeback.

The stars of the Yabby Classic, the yabbies themselves, are native to the eastern states of Australia, but were introduced to dams and lakes in Western Australia in the 1930s. They are hardy and fast growing, and can reproduce several times in one season. During dry years, they survive by burrowing into tunnels at the bottom of lakes and dams. They have long been a staple of farms, where catching and eating yabbies is a delicious recreational activity. However, yabbies are actually an invasive species here in WA and in the wild, they pose a threat to native species of crustaceans such as marron and gilgies.

Grass Patch Yabby Classic committee member Natalie Bowman says people across the district have already begun collecting and training yabbies for the April event. As it’s been a wet year in the district, the yabbies are plentiful. The best way to train a yabby to race is a closely held secret, but as anyone who has gone yabby fishing will know, the little crustaceans can be very quick at scuttling back into the water. Yabster, the event’s yabby mascot, has been in hibernation, but he, too, is out and about, preparing for a day of excitement.

Grass Patch is one of the oldest Mallee towns in the Esperance district. Grass Patch Farm was first established in 1896, and a little community of farmers sprang up in the area over the next couple of decades. The town was officially gazetted in 1923, with a store and post office built in 1926. The small town went through some tough times, as the Great Depression and difficult farming conditions made life hard for those who settled in the area.

Grass Patch has continued to weather the ups and downs of remote small town life. Natalie says that when the historic post office deteriorated to the point that it almost needed to be bulldozed, the community stepped in and renovated the beautiful building, restoring it for its original purpose. These days, the town’s hall is a vibrant hub for the community, having hosted many groups and community events over the years, such as a patchwork group, the local CWA, and a playgroup. With the local pub closing down several years ago, the Grass Patch Community Hall now also hosts a regular night with a community bar where locals can come to catch up. This year, the Yabby Classic’s fundraising efforts, organised by the town’s Community Development Association, will go towards upgrading the Grass Patch Community Hall, with the group hoping to upgrade its kitchen and outdoor barbeque facilities.

This year’s Yabby Classic will feature several yabby races, including one for kids, with organisers encouraging people to bring along a yabby to enter. There will also be a yabby shelling competition, followed by an opportunity to try freshly cooked yabbies. The cheesecake competition is also a popular event, with up to 40 cheesecakes having been entered in the past. This year, kids can also enter a biscuit or cupcake decorating competition, adding to the deliciousness of the day. There will be stalls and entertainment, including bouncy castles for the kids, and a display from the Veteran Car Club. Attendees can stay for a buffet roast dinner and live music by Steve West and the Billy Baxter Kentet. This year, the committee is also trialling a kid’s movie tent in the evening. Camping is free for those who want to stay the night, and a hot breakfast will be available the next morning, with proceeds donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

GET OUT TO GRASS PATCH

The Grass Patch Yabby Classic will be held on April 1, with gates open at 1pm. For more information, visit the Grass Patch Yabby Classic Facebook page or email grasspatchyabbyclassic@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY

Outta The Shed Inc. Car & Bike Show

SUN 5 MAR @ 9AM

ESPERANCE MECHANICAL RESTORATION GROUP

Come and wander around the many historical, classic, vintage and street rod vehicles that have ventured out of the shed for your enjoyment.

Esperance Cup 2022

SUN 5 MAR @ 11:30AM

ESPERANCE BAY TURF CLUB

Thundering hooves, bright colours, and a lively social atmosphere are all part of the thrill and excitement of a great day out at the Esperance Bay Turf Club.

Top Hats and Tiaras Ball

SAT 11 MAR @ 6PM

NEWTOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Tickets from $50 • trybooking.com

Offshore Angling Classic

MARCH 10 - 12

ESPERANCE DEEP SEA ANGLING CLUB

Our monthly arts & culture guide brought to you by:

Condingup Community Fair

SAT 18 MAR @ 10AM

CONDINGUP COMMUNITY CENTRE

LBB Quiz Night

THU 23 MAR @ 6PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Ocean Heroes Esperance

25 & 26 MARCH

TWILIGHT BEACH

Free (bookings essential) • eventbrite.com.au

Scott White

FRI 10 MAR @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Open Mic Night

FRI 10 MAR @ 5:30PM

CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

South Side Of Summer

Hopetoun Edition

FRI 10 MAR @ 6PM

HOPETOUN COMMUNITY CENTRE

South Side Of Summer

SAT 11 MAR @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Tickets $28.50+BF • kyzapresents.com

Headlined by Australia's own Nathan Cavaleri and joined by Sunday Lemonade, Tanya Ransom, and Esperance's Everybody Love Everybody and Campbell Garratt. A brilliant day to kick back on the lawn with a pizza and pint in hand.

Evan Ayres

Adam Grok Duo

FRI 3 MAR @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Pinstripe Live Band

FRI 3 MAR @ 10:30PM

THE PIER HOTEL

Marco Peluso

SUN 5 MAR @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

SUN 12 MAR @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Skipjack Duo

FRI 17 MAR @ 5PM & SUN 19 MAR @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Matt Higgins

FRI 24 MAR @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

LIVE MUSIC

Tom Clark and Matthew George

SUN 26 MAR @ 3PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING

Zac Bourke and Laura Petrie

FRI 31 MAR @ 5PM

LUCKY BAY BREWING EXHIBITIONS

Sixteen Legs

FEB 23 - APR 23

CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

The Cannery Arts Centre proudly presents the free exhibition Sixteen Legs. A mix of art and science, highlighting the environmental and cultural significance of Australia's deepest caves.

THE BRIDGE

new tunes in the bag. It’s a ride-anda-half, I can bloody assure you.

Esperance Growers Market

26 MAR @ 8:30AM ESPERANCE MUSEUM VILLAGE

Artlab Series

There’s heaps of exciting stuff happening on the Kyza Presents front. To kick it off, I’m absolutely wrapped to be partnering with Rave About Arts for 2023 in the delivery of their contemporary music program, with a whole heap of fantastic live music events, workshops, and open mics planned in the Hopetoun/Ravensthorpe region over the next 12 months. There’s great news out of the Cannery Arts Centre, too, with WA company Mineral Resources Limited set to sponsor the upcoming run of eight open mics for 2023, with our first falling on Friday 10 March at 7.30pm. The funding allows our open mics to be free, so head on down for a great family night out. Many thanks to Shannan Gillespie for her work on this one.

Our Balmy Nights date for 2023 is set, with the sensational Cannery show returning on Saturday 25 November, supported by a number of satellite events over the weekend. Stay tuned as that one slowly but surely takes shape. Grand Casual is on somewhat of a dream run, off the back of supporting The Rubens in Kalgoorlie and headlining South West Beer Fest, we are amped to return to the studio on March 13 to get some

Condingup Community Fair

When I was young I remember watching Nathan Cavaleri tearing it up on TV. The lad was an absolute shred lord on the guitar. As I dive into his Wikipedia page, I find a stunning story of perseverance within the music industry. Overcoming leukaemia, being mentored by and touring with BB King at age 13, working with Jimmy Barnes and Tommy Emmanuel to release his first album in 1993, multiple releases with Nat Col and the Kings, a six year break to focus on mental health, and finally the relaunch of his career in 2018. Cavaleri heads to Lucky Bay Brewing on March 11, the weekend after performances at Nannup Music Festival, for South Side Of Summer. I am so curious to experience the depth of this man’s musical talent and the song writing that has resulted from such a diverse life story. Nathan is joined by his three-piece band to perform a show stopping set. South Side of Summer brings forth those delicious March vibes, with our headliner accompanied by a stunning group of musicians in Sunday Lemonade, Tanya Ransom, Everybody Love Everybody, and Campbell Garratt. Tickets are running hot - grab yours from www.kyzapresents.com Don’t forget we have a free bus run included in the ticket price and kids under 12 are free.

KYZA PRESENTS

THURS QUIZ NIGHT IS BACK!

EPIC LIve music PROGRAM OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30am - 8pm (9pm Fri) luckybaybrewing.com.au

KYRON SMITHSON

Grant Haua playing at Lucky Bay Brewing last month. Credit: Letiesha Van Bekkem

Brittany Norton

Brittany Norton is a jack of all trades, having dabbled in a variety of mediums over the years, from printmaking and pottery to embroidery and furniture restoration. In April last year, Brittany began making flamboyant earrings, which she says give the wearer the sass they need to face the world. Brittany arrived in Australia from New Jersey on a working holiday 12 years ago and settled in Esperance four years later. Working as the Administration Manager at the Cannery Arts Centre, Brittany says the thriving arts community makes Esperance feel like home.

What inspired you to begin making earrings?

I was going through a huge life change and needed something to redirect my energy to. Once I started, I couldn't stop. I gave a few pairs to friends and they spread so much joy, I was hooked. Seeing people happy and wearing my art is what keeps me going. I hope to grow a community of people who find happiness in my earrings - the colours, sparkles, and designs. The positivity is truly addicting.

Your orchid earrings, made from real orchids, are particularly unique!

I recently started creating the orchid earrings. I dry the orchids for up to two weeks. Once they are dry, they are extremely fragile. I then paint tiny bits of quick set UV resin on them until they are firm enough to handle and continue to paint on layers to make them sturdy enough for everyday wear. The orchids are so different to what I am used to working with, so I really feel I am pushing myself with design ideas and forcing myself to think outside the box.

Tell us about your work at the Cannery.

I can honestly say it is my dream job. The people, location, the beautiful building, and being surrounded by so many inspiring artists is amazing. I took the job because I wanted to feel like I was making an impact on a community organisation that would benefit my daughter. She has grown up on the floor of the gallery and did her first volunteer shift at about six months old. Since working at the Cannery, I have started Messed Up Sensory Play, a messy play program for babies and

children aged from six months to four years. Kids come and dive into trays of cooked spaghetti, slime, coloured rice, and cereal and just make a mess. It’s been a hit! Doing that with my daughter has been so rewarding.

What advice would you give a budding artist wanting to sell their art?

Being successful in selling your art is more about selling yourself. People want to feel a part of something, like they know and connect with the artist. Also, if you are passionate about something just do it. Sink your teeth in, become obsessed, never stop talking about it, and make sure everyone you speak to knows that you make the greatest earrings on the planet. If you don't believe in yourself then why would anyone else believe in you? You can do anything.

Lastly, where can we find your work?

You can find me and my crazy antics on Instagram, @bye.see.you_ . In person, I can be found at the Esperance Growers Market, and I also have stock in the Cannery office. Orders can be placed through my Instagram messages or at w ww.etsy.com/au/shop/ ByeSeeYou.

ARTS & CULTURE

S I x TEEN L EGS

Sixteen Legs is a multi-award-winning documentary film and touring exhibition featuring the fascinating world of prehistoric cave spiders. This March and April, the Cannery Arts Centre is hosting the Sixteen Legs exhibition, inviting attendees to enter the mysterious world of Tasmanian caves and meet the giant spiders who have thrived there since ancient times.

Sixteen Legs features photos of the breathtaking caves, deep in the wilderness of Tasmania, and the strange animals that live there, accompanied by a dark fantasy story by international best-selling author Neil Gaiman, and art from Queensland artist Jodee Taylah. Marcia Leonard, the Cannery’s Artistic Program Manager, is excited to see this exhibition come to Esperance. “It’s an interesting mix of art and science,” she says. “It’s also an opportunity to see an amazing underground world that many of us might not otherwise get to see.”

The Tasmanian cave spider featured in the touring exhibition has a leg span of 18 centimetres, and has survived in the vast caves of Tasmania for 200 million years. These spiders have a fascinating reproductive life. While most spider eggs hatch in two to four weeks, these spiders spend eight to 10 months in their specially constructed egg sacs. They also live for many years, which is unusual for a spider. As well as photos and information about these unique creatures, the exhibition also features giant sculptures of the spiders, so while it may not be ideal for arachnophobes, it will be fascinating for everyone else.

The Sixteen Legs documentary was a seven year project created by biologists and educators who have been studying the life cycle of the Tasmanian cave spider, a species that has survived for millions of years. The documentary, which has won a slew of awards, features Neil Gaiman and Stephen Fry, among others, and a score written and performed by Kate Miller-Heidke. As well as the accompanying exhibition, the Cannery will host a screening of the documentary on March 11. Both the exhibition and the documentary are free to attend.

Dr Niall Doran, a zoologist and filmmaker, is the codirector and producer of Sixteen Legs. He is pleased to be bringing this experience to regional and remote areas of the country. “At a time when science, education and the environment are often caught in the political crosshairs, we feel it is significant to bring to the world a tale that celebrates the fun and wonder of the world that preceded us and may still outlast us,” Dr Doran says.

KARLI FLORISSON

UNCOVER A WORLD OF PREHISTORIC CAVE SPIDERS

Catch Sixteen Legs at the Cannery Arts Centre until April 23. A screening of the Sixteen Legs documentary will be held on March 11. For further details, visit www.canneryartscentre.com.au.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: JOE SHEMESH

FIVE MINUTES WITH Tanya

Ransom

KYRON SMITHSON

I’ve caught Tanya Ransom perform in multiple settings over the past few years - Club 75 at the Cannery Arts Centre, in full flight at Nannup Music Festival, and most recently on top of the WA Art Gallery for WAMfest 2023. Each and every time I’ve felt drawn in by her lyricism, honesty, depth of character, and exceptional knack for writing great tunes. For most of her career, Tanya has been based in the remote North West of the state, but the tyranny of distance has had little impact upon her ability to feature strongly within the WA music scene. “Tanya Ransom exudes beauty, from her music and performance,” Nannup Music Festival Director, Phaedra Watts, says. “She delivers with strength and passion. Radiating her Kimberley glow. Her shows at Nannup Music Festival are always loved, from the audience and fellow musicians who embrace her magic.” Honestly, I couldn’t have said it better.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: ALLYA DUBS

Our readers in Esperance may not be aware that you’re currently residing within the South West. How has the move impacted your ability to perform regularly?

I’ve spent a lot of time in the South West over the past decade, touring each summer when the wet season kicks in up north. It’s been a nice and natural progression to live somewhere, although still regional, that has more venues to perform at and I can happily drive a few hours to a show instead of a few days. The North West will always have a massive place in my heart.

Greatest highlight from the past six months?

Probably the extreme of going from a show in Kununurra where it was close to 40 degrees and a day later, I was in the snow in NSW. Snow! That was one of my highlights after living up north for over 20 years and having not seen snow for much longer than that. And, of course, the run of shows I did through regional NSW after not being there since before Covid.

Pivotal moment that drove you to follow a career in music?

To be honest, I don’t think there was just one moment. It was consecutive moments over a couple of years in my early 20s when I realised that was what I wanted to pursue. I was and still am grateful for always having supportive musician friends who encourage me.

If you could give one piece of advice to upcoming WA musicians, what would it be?

Persistence and patience. Keep writing. Keep playing shows. Find a mentor or another musical friend that you can work alongside and support each other with your goals. It helps to keep you accountable and is less isolating for self-managed artists.

Being a musician entails a number of different roles. Where do you feel most at home?

When I give myself the time and space to just focus on songwriting. I love that place! I want to live there all the time.

How

do you approach each performance?

Over time I’ve come to realise that I like a bit of quiet time before a gig, to sit and mentally prepare myself for a performance. Along with some vocal warm ups.

Do you think collaboration is important when it comes to songwriting?

For me personally, I’ve mostly written on my own and then taken songs to a good friend or mentor in my preproduction and recording process. I think it’s good to have someone who is next level, honest, and trusting, who will give you constructive feedback and genuinely wants your songs to be the best they can be.

Who are you currently listening to?

I’ve recently been introduced to the music of Courtney Marie Andrews. Super beautiful songwriting.

Greatest influence on the lyrical element of your songwriting?

Early on in my discovery of songwriting and stories in song, I listened to a lot of Paul Kelly and The Waifs. Favourite restaurant you have eaten at in the last 12 months?

About 12 months ago I went for the first time to Emily Taylor in Freo. The most delicious Asian-influenced share plates. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Anything else you would like to add?

I can’t wait to be back in beautiful Esperance!

Tanya hits Lucky Bay Brewing for South Side Of Summer on March 11. For tickets and further details, visit www.kyzapresents.com.

esperancedistilleryco.com

Check our website for opening hours.

Launched in 2020, Esperance Distillery Co is a small-batch distillery created by a father and son team. By crafting spirits from native botanicals in a custombuilt copper still, Esperance Distillery Co offers a distinctively Western Australian twist on the classics.

Going with the Flow...

WORDS HANNAH SIEMER PHOTOGRAPHY LUCY VINCENT

Latin performer, dancer, and actor Michelle Vallejos is a world away from her home in Lima, Peru. Her roots, however, have not been forgotten. Since arriving in Esperance in October last year, Michelle has been sharing her love of Latin dance and music with local women through a series of body movement workshops, Flow Into. Offering a safe, intimate, and judgement-free space for participants to connect with their bodies, Michelle’s classes have proven incredibly popular with women of all ages.

Michelle began dancing at the age of five and by 13, she was dancing professionally. Attending a prestigious Peruvian dance academy throughout her high school years, Michelle went on to study a Bachelor of Theatre at university, integrating her passion for dance with theatre. Michelle’s graduation from university coincided with Covid lockdowns and political unrest, challenging her quest to pursue performance as a career. “It was difficult to be an artist,” Michelle recalls. “We did a lot of independent projects with our own money, and I taught theatre and dance for kids, which I’d done since I was 17.”

Michelle loved teaching children. However, when friends requested she open a space for adults, so she could share her love of dance with them, Michelle was hesitant. “I wasn’t sure, but they pushed me to do it,” she says. With the encouragement of her friends and motivated by the lack of female-centred performance spaces, Michelle opened two dance studios, just for women. “We need more spaces for women,” she says. “It’s important that we can come together in a safe environment to support each other.”

As political unrest in Peru heightened, Michelle sought a lifestyle change. With her sister Sharon living in Esperance, last year Michelle applied for an Australian working holiday visa and boarded a plane. Coming from Lima, which has a population of almost 13 million people, it took time to adjust to the size and pace of Esperance. “It was hard for me because I came from a city and Esperance was so different. It was very quiet and everything felt so slow,” Michelle admits. “But now I enjoy it.”

Michelle was snapped up by Esperance Community Arts (ECA) as soon as she landed in town. Her local workshop series, Flow Into , is part of ECA’s Our Stories program, which celebrates multiculturalism Esperance. Despite some apprehension about whether the style of Michelle’s workshops – which encourage free expression using artistic tools such as dance, theatre, music and improvisation – would work, almost 20 people signed up for the first class. Most classes have been at capacity since. “The people who were there really wanted to be there,” Michelle says. “They were so happy and grateful for the class, and that’s so beautiful.”

Like Michelle’s dance classes back in Peru, her Esperance workshops are targeted at women. Participants range in age, have varied backgrounds and, according to Michelle, many, if not most, have never danced before. However, Michelle assures this is not a barrier to participating. “There’s no pressure,” she says. “We are not here to be professional dancers, we are just here to enjoy.” Alongside enjoyment, Michelle says the biggest benefit of Flow Into is gaining the support of a diverse group of women. “I really believe in women supporting women because I think the world makes us compete against each other,” she says. “This helps us trust each other.”

Paula Urtasun is ECA’s Marketing Officer and an active participant of Flow Into . Paula, who grew up in Spain, danced when she was younger but says classes were usually focussed on learning choreography in order to perform. “We’d take it seriously,” Paula says. Michelle’s classes are a vastly different experience. “This is just for fun. You don’t have to worry about your physical state, or that you’re not fit enough, or that you’ve never danced before. You just go, laugh, and enjoy.” ⟶

From ECA’s perspective, Paula says Flow Into has been “really, really successful,” and a strong finish to the yearlong Our Stories program. “It’s been super enriching,” she says of the program. “People didn’t realise how many cultures there are in this community and thanks to people like Michelle showing their culture and sharing it with the rest of us, we’ve been able to experience so much diversity.”

PUT YOUR DANCING SHOES ON!

Flow Into has two remaining workshops, on March 13 and 20 at 5:30pm at the CWA Hall. Anyone aged 18 years and older who identifies as a woman is welcome to participate. No registration is requiredsimply turn up. For further information, contact Esperance Community Arts at admin@ esperancecommunityarts.org.au or head to www.esperancecommunityarts.org.au.

Michelle Vallejos

Council Connections

Local Planning Policy – Development for which Development Approval not Required

After an advertising period during which no submissions were received, the draft Local Planning Policy – Development for which Development Approval not Required came back to Council, who voted to proceed with it. The Policy is one of several actions being implemented to improve customer experience, reduce approval times, and improve internal efficiencies to support small business, and sets out conditions under which Development Approval does not need to be obtained. Processes streamlined are changes of use for small business premises where the required parking standards are the same or less, mobile food vans associated with an event, and camping associated with events. Local Planning Policies are available at esperance.wa.gov.au/planning-policies.

Body Worn Camera Policy

Council endorsed a policy for the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) by Shire compliance and enforcement officers and approved a trial of the cameras, after a number of adverse incidents involving Shire officers. Use of the cameras will be in accordance with Shire policies and procedures and state and federal legislation, attached to a prominent location on the officer’s clothing, and where reasonably practical notice will be given verbally that the BWC is switched on and recording. BWCs have been shown to de-escalate situations, and they are expected to reduce aggression and complaints against Shire officers, increase their safety, and evidence of enforcement and prosecutions.

Historic Building To Be Partially Retained

Council supported RAC Parks and Resorts request to amend their lease over Reserve 53801, next to RAC Esperance Holiday Park, to enable a large section of the existing Blue Waters Lodge to be retained on site. The original plans included demolition of the building, or relocation if a community group came forward with a proposal to move it. No community group has expressed interest, so the RAC proposal to keep some of the building is a way to preserve a part of this historic structure. Under the amended plan, a portion of the building will be turned into family accommodation.

Mingle with the Grantmakers

Applying for a grant can be intimidating, so it’s no wonder the feedback for the Shire’s informal Mingle with the Grantmakers information session was positive. This event brought together funding bodies such as Horizon Power, Mt Burdett Foundation, Esperance Ag Fund, Lotterywest, Healthway, Esperance District Recreation Association, as well as the Shire of Esperance, to discuss funding opportunities and give tips on applying. Shire Community Development staff arranged this event as an opportunity for attendees to chat about their projects, explore funding avenues, and create connections. The Shire’s Annual Grants for amounts of over $3,000 are open for applications until March 14, details at esperance.wa.gov.au/community-grants-program.

Great Women of Esperance

WORDS KARLI FLORISSON INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHY ESPERANCE MUSEUM

Here in Esperance, we have no shortage of notable women in our past – women who have been courageous, persistent, hard working, and resourceful. In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, here are some of their stories.

Sarah Brooks was only 24-years-old when she arrived in Albany with her brother and widowed mother in 1874. The trio were determined to take advantage of the generous land leases that the Western Australian government was offering at the time, to lure settlers to remote areas of the colony. They walked from Albany to Thomas River, along with a horse and cart piled high with all their possessions, including two pigs and a cockatoo in a cage. The three established a pastoral settlement called Balbinia, in a remote area inland from Israelite Bay. While their pastoral efforts didn’t meet with much success, Sarah began collecting botanical specimens for Victorian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. The hundreds of specimens she collected led to many of the plant species of the Cape Arid region being classified, and Mueller named two plant species in her honour. There were other women in the Esperance region who also collected botanical specimens for Mueller, including Sarah’s mother Emily Brooks, and Emily Dempster. Sarah was also an artist, and wrote articles about the landscape and ecology of the region where she lived out the rest of her days.

Like Sarah Brooks, Amy Crocker was an artist and naturalist who lived in the remote and isolated region to the east of Esperance. Amy was the granddaughter of Stephen Ponton, one of the first European settlers to move into the Cape Arid region. Amy grew up in the remote region, and later married Walter Crocker. The couple ran Balladonia station, and Amy had her own herd of Friesian cattle, which she loved. Amy was a prolific artist, and she also painted and collected many insects, adding to the knowledge of insects in the region. She collected specimens of a rare ant species, allowing this unique species of ‘dinosaur ant’ to be classified. One of Amy’s paintings of the horse that the town of Norseman was named after is hanging in Parliament House in Perth. Amy was also a keen observer, and wrote extensively about the history and ecology of the region where she lived, contributing to our knowledge of the area today.

Thelma Sims, daughter of Esperance’s first town clerk Henry Sims, spent her early childhood in Esperance. The family moved to Albany, and Thelma later married Robert Chadwick. It was an unhappy marriage, and although the couple had two

children, they later divorced. Thelma Chadwick went back to Esperance, where her father was the secretary of the Roads Board. She worked as his assistant for nine years and then when he retired, in 1936, Thelma applied for the job. At the time, Esperance did not have a local municipal council, and the secretary of the Roads Board was responsible for administration of the town, a very important and influential role. Despite the fact that it was very unusual at the time for a woman to occupy such a role, and despite fierce competition, Thelma was given the position. She remained in the role for nine years, supervising the gangs of men building roads, collecting rates, and overseeing the building of the aerodrome. She was well respected by the men who worked for her, and often helped with the physical work of maintaining the roads. She played a significant role in the district as it recovered from the Great Depression.

Many of the notable women in Esperance’s past worked hard, often alongside their husbands, establishing homesteads, caring for livestock and growing crops, raising and educating children, and taking part in the civic life of the

town. One such woman was Effie Turner, who grew up in Esperance. She married Norman Turner, and the couple took up a lease of land at Truslove (North Scaddan) in the 1920s. They had 10 children, and undoubtedly faced incredible difficulties establishing a farm without modern farming methods throughout the years of the Great Depression. As was not uncommon during those years, the bank foreclosed on their property and Effie sought a divorce from Norman on the grounds of desertion. She took up the lease of another property in her own name, and worked to make a living for her family, doing all kinds of physical work from milking cows to driving teams of horses ploughing the fields. In the 1940s, Effie moved to Esperance, where

she established a dairy. She delivered the milk around town by bicycle, and was well known as a generous, hardworking, and hospitable member of the Esperance community. She sold the dairy in the late 1960s, when she retired. One of Effie’s children had a disability, and she donated some of the land that she owned to a group that cared for children with disabilities.

These women are just some of the many women whose hard work has contributed to the arts, farming, conservation, civic life, business, and education in our district. Frequently working behind the scenes, and often uncelebrated, the women of our past have made this town the place that it is today.

Effie Turner

Sarah Brooks

Thelma Chadwick

PISCES FEB 18 - MAR 19

You’re going to feel under the weather this month. You’re mentally exhausted, which will take its toll on your physical health. With a bit of fresh air, plenty of fruit and veg, and a vitamin or two, you can avoid too much sickness. A drop in energy over the next few weeks is a sign to slow down and return to the simple pleasures of life. Stay home and bake, head to Wharton for a day, or lounge around in your PJs til noon. It doesn’t matter what you do, so long as you’re taking care of yourself.

ARIES MAR 20 - APRIL 19

You love where you live but a change in scenery every now and then is needed to help balance your perspective on life. A feeling of entrapment creeps up on you this month. Now’s the perfect time to plan a getaway. If there’s room in your schedule and budget, think big. However, if you’re overcommitted and underpaid, a weekend escape to one of our regional neighbours will do just fine. It doesn’t matter if you’re headed to Norseman or New York, so long as you’re headed somewhere.

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

Workwise, the year feels like it's dragging already. Figure out how to put the spring back in your step, or else you’re going to feel 100 years old before the year’s out. If you work for someone else, speak to your boss about a new challenge, project, or even a promotion. If you rule the roost, have a chat with a trusted employee, friend, or advisor about ways to grow your biz or take it in a different direction. Get out of your rut and get inspired!

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 20

As you get older, it gets harder to make friends. Your old pals are ace, but branching out is important. This month, take up a new hobby, or reignite your interest in an old one. You never know who you’re going to meet on the tennis court, in a drumming circle, or at the Cannery’s Forage garden. Reframe your thinking about finding new friends. Look at it like dating – have a go and if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t matter. And, if it does, great! You’ve snagged yourself a new mate!

CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22

Valentine's Day has come and gone but this doesn’t mean you’ve missed your opportunity to play with your passionate side. A shift in romantic energy this month means you’re in the mood to spoil your loved one. Think outside the box. Slow strolls along West Beach and candlelit dinners are nice, but tailoring a surprise to match your partner’s interests will really get sparks flying. No lover? No worries! Treat yourself by nurturing the part of you that’s been neglected for too long.

LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22

If you want to make more money, quit dreaming and start doing. Your bank balance isn’t going to inflate itself. There aren’t any unexpected windfalls coming your way – not now, not in the future. As such, you need to come up with real, tangible ways to fatten your wallet. Nothing is without risk, so whether you’re thinking of investing, starting a side hustle, or posting your feet on Only Fans, know there’s a chance you mightn’t come out on top. But if you never try, you’ll never know.

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEP 22

The health of your loved ones is front of mind this month. Your gut is telling you to encourage a friend or family member to head to their GP for a check-up. Doing just that may avoid a major health catastrophe down the track. While looking out for others, ensure you don’t neglect yourself. Evaluate how you can improve your health, whether that’s physical, mental, or both. There are always ways we can look after ourselves better, and you’re no exception.

LIBRA SEP 23 - OCT 22

It’s time to pack your bag and get out of town – no excuses. You’ve had a hectic few months, with work, family, and social commitments coming at you from all directions. A boost in energy has seen you through your packed calendar but that will soon dwindle, and you’ll find yourself needing to recharge. Look at heading somewhere that will allow you the breathing space required for rejuvenation. When booking your vacay, think country, quiet, and calm.

SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21

There’s no point dragging yourself to work every day if you don’t love what you do. There are endless job opportunities going at the moment, so if you’re ready to throw in the towel at your current workplace, do just that. This goes for volunteering, too. Tired of doing the same thing week in, week out? Then look for something new. Interesting and exciting prospects present themselves this month. Be open to pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

A friend needs your support this month. Make time for your mate, even if you can’t squeeze another thing into your day. You’re more sensitive than usual this month, making you highly empathetic to your friend’s situation. Don’t get so swept up that you take their emotions on board. Practice being a good listener and a comfortable shoulder to cry on, but don’t lose sleep over someone else’s troubles. Your friend is stronger than you give them credit for.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 20

A relationship rut has you feeling down in the dumps. Your partner isn’t holding up their end of the bargain and everything you say falls on deaf ears. Encourage them to listen by scheduling time to talk about what’s missing in your relationship. Do this on neutral territory – have a picnic in the park or find a table in a hidden corner at the Quarters. Lay your cards on the table and let them respond honestly. You mightn’t like what you hear but this is what’s best for you both.

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 17

You’re going to have a win this month. It mightn’t be the lotto, but you could bag yourself a bargain or see a pineapple floating down Dempster Street, so keep your eyes peeled. Now’s a good time to be frugal. Esperance weather is unpredictable and a rainy day could come along at any moment. Stock up on 2-for-1 deals, fuel up when petrol prices dip, and don’t be afraid of home brands. Your future self will thank you when you’ve got extra funds to fall back on.

TIDE KITCHEN

Cajun Corn Ribs

RECIPE LAUREN BENEFER

Corn! In season, abundant, cheap, versatile, and now trending on TikTok. This recipe is perfect for your last of the summer BBQs or as a side dish to your taco Tuesday.

Ingredients

4 cobs of corn, husks removed

2 - 3 tbsp olive oil

SPICE MIX

3 tbsp smoked paprika

2 tbsp oregano

2 tsp dried thyme

3 tsp onion powder

3 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp salt

TO SERVE

Your favourite sauce (aioli, chipotle mayo, lime sour cream, and smoky BBQ pair well)

Crumbled feta

Coriander

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

2. Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Using a sharp knife on a stable chopping board, cut the corn by standing it up vertically with the wider part against the chopping board. Chop in half, then chop those halves into quarters. Cutting it this way prevents squashed kernels and the corn rolling away while cutting it. You will end up with 4 - 8 pieces, depending on how big you want them.

4. Place the corn ribs in a large bowl. Add the oil and a few tablespoons of the spice mix. Stir to coat. Add more spice mix and/or oil if required.

5. Line a baking tray with baking paper and arrange the corn in a single layer. Cook for 25 - 30 minutes, or until the corn is slightly crisp and curled.

6. Top with your choice of sauce, the crumbled feta, and coriander. Eat hot!

TIDE TIP...

Refer to YouTube for helpful tutorials on how to cut your corn.

BUSH BANTER

What is a weed?

I recently had the opportunity to see one of Esperance’s worst invasive weeds in its natural habitat - the destructive Victorian Tea Tree, Leptospermum laevigatum

Visiting northern NSW, I knew of course that this coastal shrub was where it should be, where it grows naturally and is an important player of coastal ecosystems. However, I still couldn’t help but shiver, reflecting on the march of seedlings colonising and destroying our Esperance bushland. This leads me to ponder the question, ‘What really is a weed?’ Where do we draw the line on a plant’s presence being healthy for the environment or destructive? Are all non-native species considered invasive? These questions can be more complex than you think.

A non-native species is simply a species that was not known to historically occur in the area naturally. A weed is a plant that is growing in an unwanted place. This could also apply to native species. For example, the

common coastal wattle, Acacia cyclops , mightn’t be welcome to germinate and grow in your garden and thus could be considered a weed. It’s all about context. Additionally, the term ‘invasive species’ is generally applied to plants that have the potential to spread through the bush, outcompeting the natural bush and having a destructive impact. Victorian Tea Tree in Esperance is a classic example. It was originally planted as a shelter tree around townsites, or introduced to gardens for hedging, growing remarkably well in conditions very similar to its natural environment in NSW. At this point it may have only been considered non-native, and a welcome and purposeful addition to our Esperance landscape. But before long it escaped into the surrounding bush, where it began to dominate, and it is now considered an invasive species. Taking a step into the theoretical realm of ecology may seem a little boring, but it’s important to understand the layers of complexity of plants in our systems to understand how we manage them.

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

01 A blue whale was spotted off the coast of Cape Le Grand on February 14, the first recorded sighting of the species in the area. Researchers from the Cetacean Research Centre WA were completing a bluefin tuna survey when the whale, estimated to be 18 - 20 metres long, emerged near their boat. While blue whales are an extremely rare sighting in Esperance waters, they are sometimes seen off the coast of Albany and Bremer Bay.

02 An artist aiming to paint 100 murals across Australia visited Esperance, completing three murals while in town. Patrycja Hannagan is driving around the country with her husband Ben and border collie Zen, raising funds for the not-for-profit mental health organisation Black Dog Institute as she goes. While in Esperance, Patrycja painted murals at homes in West Beach and Gibson, and on the outside wall of Luxe Floral & Home Co.

03 Esperance Hockey Association President Niccole Cooper was crowned the 2022 WA Good Sports Volunteer of the Year and the 2022 National Good Sports Runner Up Volunteer of the Year at the Good Sports Awards in Canberra. Niccole has taken on various roles at the club over the years, and was recognised for making it stronger and more familyfriendly, by going above and beyond the usual undertakings of a volunteer.

04 Esperance was named in the Tourism Sentiment Index’s Leading Places: The 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World . Esperance ranked number 12 in the list, in front of other Australian destinations like Noosa (number 14) and Margaret River (number 66). The Index uses an algorithm to derive sentiment about tourist destinations from online conversations and content pieces to understand how tourists feel about destinations across the globe.

BUSH BANTER IS KINDLY SPONSORED BY VALANNE FOUNDATION

KATIE WHITE - CALADENIA CO.

Victorian Tea Tree.

Credit: Stephen Bain

POSITIONS VACANT

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORATE OFFICES

Electorate Officer –Maternity Leave Cover

Full Time/Part Time

Level/Award/Salary: ER 1 - 7, EREGA 2021, $84,582$102,124 per annum

Location: Esperance

Applications are invited for the above position at the Electorate Office of Hon Shelley Payne MLC, Member for the Agricultural Region, based in Esperance. In this role, the successful applicant will be required to respond to constituent enquiries, liaise with Government departments and other organisations, prepare and coordinate correspondence, perform administrative tasks, and assist in organising travel, events, and meetings. Visit: jobs.wa.gov.au and key in the above mentioned position title to access detailed information. For specific job-related information, please email: shelley.payne@mp.wa.gov.au

Closing Date: Friday 17 March at 5pm

TABLE TENNIS PLAYED AT THE SCOUT HALL

Thursday Mornings 9am11.00am. $5.00 each session.

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TIDE

Do you know someone missing out because they don’t live locally? Why not treat them to an Tide subscription for only $5 per month? Head to www. esperancetide.com/subscribe to sign up.

Can you help find Sammy the Seal?

He is hiding on one of our pages.

Work with us

Making our region a fantastic place to live, work and play!