FLEURIEU LIVING T H E B E S T O F S O U T H A U S T R A L I A’ S F L E U R I E U P E N I N S U L A A N D K A N G A R O O I S L A N D
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SPRING 2025
We design and build award winning homes.
Stone, steel and soul at Willunga Meet me on the Mid The wood keepers at Hayborough Fresh destinations Artist Carly Tarkari Dodd Art · Design · Food · Wine · Fashion · Photography · People · Destinations
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Visit us at our NEW McCracken Showroom! Showroom 2, 8–18 Hindmarsh Road, McCracken SA 5211 p: 08 8552 3696 w: bettacurtainsblinds.com.au Follow us:
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We believe in being yourself. We celebrate your differences. We embrace change. We, like you, are one of a kind. Let us design and make your space. South Australian HIA Award winners, year after year. spacecraftjoinery.com.au
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Sarah Homes are made for sunny days and seaside stays PAVILION 170 NOW OPEN AT VICTOR HARBOR
There’s something in the air — the warmth of spring, the scent of the sea, and the feeling that now’s the time to plan your perfect summer escape. Our display homes are open and ready to inspire, including the striking new Pavilion 170 design with its signature butterfly roof — a design that captures the light and lets the fresh spring air flow right through. It’s made for coastal living, with open-plan interiors, wide decks, and views that stretch as far as your holiday dreams. Explore our newest home designs at the transformed Victor Harbor display village and see how easy it is to picture summer from here. Your summer lifestyle starts with a visit this spring.
Our display homes are open 7 days a week and are located at Victor Harbor, Old Noarlunga, Mile End, Pooraka and Murray Bridge*. Visit our website for details. BLD 175837 Imagery for illustration purposes only.
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STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS
Key personnel
Publisher information
Petra de Mooy Petra started her career as a furniture designer and maker, but always had aspirations to write so … why not start a magazine? Making the connections we’ve made and getting to know this region indepth has been a gift.
PUBLISHER Fleurieu Living Magazine is published four times a year by Fleurieu Living Pty Ltd ISSN 2200-4033
Jason Porter Jason has worked as a graphic designer, creative director and more recently photographer for thirty-five plus years. When not in the office, he can often be found in the garage working on his 1963 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason Porter jason@fleurieuliving.com.au
Emma Craggs Emma brings with her a passionate and strategic mindset, drawing from her extensive experience in brand marketing. When she’s not at FLM, you’ll find her running Bio Fit – a local gym she owns with her husband, David. Jessie Byrne Jessie is a writer and editor. She loves a good story and a well-placed apostrophe. Her other day job is director of Byrne Kelley, a strategic content company she runs with her childhood best friend, Yvonne Kelley.
PUBLISHING EDITOR AND MANAGING DIRECTOR Petra de Mooy petra@fleurieuliving.com.au
ADVERTISING SALES Emma Craggs emma@fleurieuliving.com.au COPY EDITOR Dr Jessie Byrne PRINTER Newstyle Print DISTRIBUTION Wrapaway SUBSCRIPTIONS Print: isubscribe.com.au Digital: zinio.com ALL ENQUIRIES Petra de Mooy petra@fleurieuliving.com.au POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 111, Aldinga, South Australia 5173
Other contributing writers, photographers and stylists Other contributing writers and photographers Jacob Barter, Diana Brandt, Poppy Fitzpatrick, Connie Francis, Sam Healy, Nina Keath, Kieren Kuzyck, Mark Laurie, David Parkinson, Lauren Parkinson, Micaela Radue, Myriah Smith, Katie Spain and Esther Thorn.
ONLINE fleurieuliving.com.au facebook.com/FleurieuLivingMagazine instagram.com/fleurieulivingmagazine/ COPYRIGHT All content is the copyright of Fleurieu Living Magazine Pty Ltd unless otherwise stated. While Fleurieu Living Magazine takes every care to ensure the accuracy of information in this publication, the publisher accepts no liability for errors in editorial or advertising copy. The views of the contributors are not necessarily endorsed by Fleurieu Living Magazine. Printed on paper from well-managed forests and controlled sources using environmentally friendly vegetable-based inks.
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FLM a
Intellectual growth. Connection to others. Personalised pathways. Tatachilla offers a continuous journey from Reception to Year 12, where students dare greatly, learn deeply and achieve personal excellence. Scholarships available. Enrol now: www.tatachilla.sa.edu.au FLM advert (full page) inside_54.indd 3 - September 2025.indd 1
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ACKNOWLEDGES
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Silent Disco 4 Kids Party at Strathalbyn Library Community Centre on 27 April *Sista Girl, at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 5 May Our Mob 2015, Aboriginal arts at Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa from 5 May to 11 June Good Things Small Packages, at South Coast Regional Art Centre, Goolwa from 5 May to 18 June *Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - The Elton John Tribute Show at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 20 May
kings 03 9005 7750) olwa on 8 and 9 April hic Exhibition at m 9 to 23 April Kids Magic Goolwa on 17 April at Festival at the d 23 April fiths at Centenary
* tickets/ booking required
ncil’s Visitor Information Centre on 1300 466 592. Alexandrina Council online for more events in the region, www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au
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92 - 2021
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From the publishing editor This issue is filled with love. Love of our coastline, sustainability, thoughtful makers, entrepreneurs, destinations, excellence in design, music, art and nature. Nature is awe-inspiring, beautiful and fragile. As we write, our region faces the challenge of the algal bloom on our coastline. In the words of world-renowned shark expert Charlie Huneevers: ‘It’s affected the entire marine ecosystem with many invertebrates and fishes also affected, including threatened species. We don’t yet know the long-term impact of the algal bloom or whether we’ll see a secondary die-off later. There’s so much we don’t know.’ Despite this uncertainty we remain hopeful of a strong recovery, guided by the resilience of our environment, government support and the scientists working hard to understand and respond. While algal bloom will eventually dissipate naturally, the timing is uncertain and monitoring efforts continue. In the meantime we can all help by patronising small businesses on the coast. You can’t watch the news without the growing awareness that businesses are doing it tough. This winter we had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with the Packer family who own Kangaroo Island Oysters. Aquaculturist Todd Packer said, ‘People don’t realise how complex the ocean is. A big flood up the Murray years ago dumped nutrients out to sea. Then the Bonney Upwelling – a deep ocean current – stirred it all back up. Warmer waters this year made it worse. It all connects.’ Ashley Bastian’s fragile ceramics reflect this fragility. Her sculptural vessels are layered in both texture and story, shaped by the rugged beauty of the Fleurieu coastline and the quiet rhythm of her own creative process. Grounded in nature and made with intention, her work invites us to slow down, observe closely and appreciate the power of repetition and solitude.
We are also honoured to share the artwork of Carly Tarkari Dodd, a remarkable artist from Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri Country who, at just twenty-six, has already made extraordinary strides as both an artist and a curator. Her work speaks volumes on First Nations resilience, identity and activism and her work powerfully amplifies First Nations voices. On the homes front: Longy and Margot Longhurst built a beautiful home from repurposed timber, showcasing sustainability, creativity and community. In Willunga, a humble stone house was transformed by J Turner Constructions into a thoughtful coastal retreat blending heritage with sustainable design. Music lovers, rejoice! A multitude of festivals and live performances is going to take place across the peninsula this spring, from intimate local gigs to larger-scale events marrying sound with sea air. It’s a joyous reminder of our region’s rich creative pulse. Add to that the entrepreneurial energy bubbling across the Fleurieu which continues to open new doors, bringing fresh innovation and vitality to our townships. It’s a privilege to witness and share in the rise of these local dream-makers. See page 44 for Fresh Destinations. And then there's the Mid Coast – our beloved Port Noarlunga. With its rugged cliffs and welcoming community, it’s more than a destination, it’s a gathering place. Diving at the reef, strolling the esplanade or lingering over a coffee as the waves lap the sand: whatever activity, Port Noarlunga reminds us once again why the Fleurieu is so special. See page 58 for Meet me on the Mid. As always, this publication is devoted to curiosity, purpose and community. Thank you for reading, reflecting and growing alongside us.
Below: One of the many images we captured for our Shore Thing feature on page 78. This one was taken at Pennington Bay on Kangaroo Island.
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THIS ISSUE
Contents
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22
COVER FEATURE Stone, steel and soul Front cover photo by David Parkinson
ARTIST FEATURE Carly Tarkari Dodd
FOOD, WINE & SPIRITS
PENINSULA PEOPLE
88 Willunga Farmers Market producers’ profile: Saturday starts at Virgara’s Garden
102 Sharks, science and shared seas: Charlie Huveneers
74 Uncorked: Fizz and flavour with Jacob Barter 40 Saltwater soul: Kangaroo Island Oysters 32 Cream of the crop: Fleurieu Milk
106 Pace Cadets: fundraiser for Charlie Nicholson and Nick Dugmore
MAKE A DATE 10 Diary dates to keep you busy this spring 96 Exhibition feature: AGSA, ten years of Tarnanthi 98 Event feature: Sounds of spring
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58
66
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LOCATION FEATURE Meet me on the Mid
HOME FEATURE The wood keepers at Hayborough
FASHION FEATURE About face
ART, DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY
HEALTH & WELLBEING
BOOKS, WORDS & FILM
22 Artist Carly Tarkari Dodd
100 The sound of us: healing power of music
08 Katie Spain: home is where the heart is
26 Fashion feature: About face 36 Places we love: Small Circle Co-op 42 Photo from a reader: Damon Matthews 50 Ceramic artist Ashley Bastian: layers 78 Shore thing 90 All Saints: building a future
EAT, SHOP, PLAY, STAY LOCAL 54 What to buy, where to buy it: indulge in Fleurieu fare 58 Meet me on the Mid 64 Norfolk Property Management 110 Local selections
76 Kangaroo Island: the movie 84 Ageing, inquiry and imperfection
BEING SOCIAL 114 FLM winter launch at Mt Beare Station 116 Out and about: Where would you go?
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Above: This year marked the launch of Fleurieu Food Festival event Crafta Pasta, a relaxed gathering Katie (right) hosted with local chef Carly Carter (left) of Cutie Petutie Crafts at Our Place at the top of Willunga Hill. Guests enjoyed Andy Clappis food, wine and creative time to make craft and simply pause and breathe.
Home is where the heart is
Words by Katie Spain. Photograph by Ben Macmahon.
This year's Fleurieu Food Festival 2025 was better than ever. During her launch event speech, food and wine journalist and festival ambassador Katie Spain told us why. We have included it here because we were struck by the ease with which Katie expressed her love for this region. As a food and wine writer, it is impossible to choose a favourite South Australian region. I love them all for their individual landscapes, agricultural heartbeat, quirky characters, rich history, evocative vineyards and, of course, the wines they produce. The Fleurieu Peninsula, however, is the place I call home. Says it all really. My photographer partner Ben and I live on a small farm, located between McLaren Vale’s rolling ranges and the Adelaide Hills. We straddle the lands of the Kaurna and the Peramangk people and as we work (me writing, him editing photographs) we look out over kangaroos grazing, blue wrens dancing and farmers moving their stock. High above, koalas laze in gum trees, while kookaburras cackle at the ridiculous beauty of it all. What a backdrop. Those of us here – especially those who grow the good stuff or get up with the roosters to set up their market stalls, those who create magic in kitchens across the Fleurieu or who pour the wine – we know how good we’ve got it. This annual festival is a chance to share our everyday magic with the rest of the world. It’s a chance to open our doors to hidden
places and spaces. From sensitively restored old buildings and barns to modern feats of architecture, olive groves and paddocks. It’s a chance to collaborate with others for one-off culinary collisions that people will talk about for years to come. And they will. It’s a chance to do what we do best … community. Perhaps wine has something to do with it, but the welcome here is as genuine as it gets. This is a wonderfully progressive, creative place. We are proud to be at the forefront of biodiversity, environmental awareness, thoughtful farming and forward thinking. The line-up of events this year is [was] next level. Congratulations to everyone for stepping out of your comfort zone. Events dedicated to oysters, to mushrooms, to halloumi, to fermentation, to painting in olive groves, to making pasta just like nonna does, and to dressing up in Alpine gear and drinking wine in a barrel shed. It goes on … and on. I thank the Fleurieu and the festival for welcoming me with open arms. Other than op-shopping, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be an ambassador for. I also can’t think of a better part of the world to spend August in. The world right now is an uncertain place. Food, wine and community have never been so important. They are touchstones to what really matters – time. Time to grow, to create, to savour and to connect with each other. If you missed this year … make sure to look out for The Fleurieu Food Festival in 2026.
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DIARY DATES
Make a date FESTIVALS AND EVENTS September Victor Harbor Rock ‘N’ Roll Festival Warland Reserve, Victor Harbor 19-21 September Three days of family fun across Warland Reserve and nearby spots. Enjoy markets, food vans and Shannon’s Show ‘N’ Shine with 200+ classic and custom vehicles. Victor Harbor buzzes with music all day and most of the night. Check out rocknrollfestival.com.au. Grenache & Gourmet Festival Various locations, McLaren Vale 19 September-6 October The Grenache & Gourmet Festival invites you to savour McLaren Vale. Enjoy seasonal lunches, exclusive tastings and behind-thescenes winery experiences, perfect for wine and food lovers who appreciate the artisanship and stories behind each bottle. Explore the program at grenacheandgourmet.com.au.
October Yankalilla Show Corner Jervois Road and Main South Road, Yankalilla 4 October The 142nd Yankalilla Show, presented by the Yankalilla, Rapid Bay and Myponga Agricultural and Horticultural Society, promises a fun family day. Enjoy agriculture and horticulture displays, entertainment on two stages, rides, animal nurseries, art, competitions and plenty of food and drinks! To find out more visit yankshow.com. PGA Webex Players Series Willunga Golf Course 23-26 October The PGA of Australia brings the Webex Player Series to Willunga Golf Course, featuring top male and female pros. Junior and all-abilities players compete alongside their heroes in the final rounds, gaining valuable experience to advance their careers. Don't miss this exciting event! More information at pga.org.au/webex. SA Viking Festival Warland Reserve, Victor Harbor 24-26 October, 10am-4pm Head to this year’s SA Viking Festival. Test your skills at axe throwing, watch combat displays, interact with animals or enjoy a pint of ale and some hearty food. There is something for everyone. More details at visitvictorharbor.com/events.
MUSIC
Above: The Myponga Reservoir. The theme of this year's Nature Festival is Flow, from rivers and oceans to creative flow, from ephemeral desert flow to the flux of communities and generations.
Nature Festival Various locations 26 September-12 October Celebrate the theme of Flow at the family-friendly Festival of Nature with art, music, food and wine. Across South Australia, connect with Aboriginal culture and community through the flowing themes of rivers, oceans, creativity and life across generations. For the full program and to book tickets visit naturefestival.org.au.
Feelin’ Groovy Goolwa and Strathalbyn 21 September Goolwa’s Centenary Hall will be Feelin’ Groovy with the songs of Simon & Garfunkel. Book now at alexandrina.sa.gov.au/ communitynoticeboard. Planning an event? Goolwa Centenary Hall and Strathalbyn Town Hall are available for hire with stage, lighting and modern tech for performers and community groups. Contact 8555 7000 or visit alexandrina.sa.gov.au/venuesforhire. Space Jams Almas Hem, Inman Valley, Ramindjeri Country 4-5 October Space Jams is back with a family-friendly music, arts and camping festival, celebrating five years! Returning to Alma’s Hem on Ramindjeri Country, the event features a diverse line-up, fire performers and art installations. Headliners Watty Thompson and his Total Fire Band bring country-flavoured Australiana folk exploring themes of love and togetherness. Camp under the Fleurieu stars and enjoy chill beats, coffee and breakfast in the AM. For more information and tickets, visit spacejamsfest.com.au and turn to page 98 for more information.
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NOTE: For long-time or even sometime readers of FLM, you may notice our ‘Markets’ listing has been omitted. In an effort to create more space to focus on what’s happening seasonally in the region, we’ve opted to move the listing to our website (fleurieuliving.com.au/markets).
Spring is music festival season on the Fleurieu. Space Jams on 4-5 October always promises a great day out.
South Coast Jazz Festival Various venues, Goolwa 17-19 October For the sixth year and better than ever, the South Coast Jazz Festival brings music to the streets and to four venues around town, with a new band appearing each hour. For more information and tickets visit sajazzfestivalsinc.com. The Persia Brokensha Band Southport Surf Life Saving Club 3 November, from midday Persia Brokensha captivates with her smouldering stage presence and rich, soulful vocals. The band, featuring special guest Gabs Chammah on sax, delivers a powerful mix of blues-driven soul. Food and drink available. Grab your tickets for gates open at 12 noon and music from 2pm at trybooking.com/CTYPN. Fleurieu Folk Festival Willunga 25 October (one day this year) The Fleurieu Folk Festival celebrates its 19th year with a 12-hour day of music at Willunga Recreation Park, showcasing top SA musicians across diverse genres. Visit fleurieufolkfestival.com.au to secure your tickets. Handpicked Festival – SOLD OUT Lake Breeze Wines, Langhorne Creek 8 November Set among the vineyards of Lake Breeze Wines, Handpicked Festival offers a day of wine, local food and live music under pink skies. With a line-up including Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, The Rubens and
Xavier Rudd, it's no surprise the event is sold out – but you can still join the waitlist. Turn to page 98 for more information or go to handpickedfestival.com. Wirrina Bluegrass and Acoustic Roots Festival Wirrina Cove 21-23 November Mark your calendar for the Wirrina Bluegrass and Acoustic Roots Festival on the fourth weekend of November. Enjoy bluegrass, old-time and acoustic roots music and join open mic sessions, workshops and fireside jams. Visit wirrinabluegrass.com for tickets and more details. Port Noarlunga Blues Festival Port Noarlunga 21 November-23 November A seaside blues and roots festival in Port Noarlunga, featuring local and interstate artists. Enjoy three days of soulful music, with a curated line-up delivering electrifying performances and the raw emotion of the blues. Visit portnoarlungabluesfestival.com.au to grab your tickets. Dougstock Willunga Hill 5-6 December Get ready for two days of top original music in a stunning rural setting on SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Held the first Friday and Saturday of December, Dougstock offers scenic views of the Gulf St Vincent and McLaren Vale, with a soulful, welcoming vibe you won’t forget. Turn to page 98 for more information or book now at dougstock.com.au. > 11
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Above left: 'It will all come out in the wash, Bub’, Gamilaroi artist Dominique Chen and Ngugi Quandamooka artist Libby Harward at The Blak Laundry, 2023. Photo by Ketakii Jewson-Brown. Right: Alexandrina’s Centenary Hall is available for hire—offering historic charm paired with modern amenities – a great venue for any occasion.
ART EXHIBITIONS POSTWORLD Signal Point Experience Centre, Goolwa Wharf Precinct 13 September-23 November Umbrella presents this national touring exhibition. POSTWORLD features eleven Australian artists who create parallel universes. Audiences are invited into the playful, sublime, poetic and cautionary in this exhibition, exploring worlds with their own internal languages that exist in alternate time and space. For more information visit umbrella.org.au/exhibitions/touring-exhibitions/postworld. ARCHE – Emerging artists group show. Coral Street Art Space 3 October-29 November Over the course of months, each of the four participants – Ruby Yates, Tyler Jackson, Aza Newland and Chelsea Evans – has engaged in a dynamic and immersive development program. Throughout the program, participants were exposed to a wide range of experiences that supported both their creative and professional growth from business fundamentals and marketing to grant writing, exhibition planning, cultural awareness and artist wellbeing. This transformative journey culminates in a group exhibition, from 3 October to 29 November 2025, showcasing the bold and powerful new works created by these four emerging artists. coralstreetartspace.com Tarnanthi Art Fair Adelaide University, Adelaide 17-18 October Take this incredible opportunity to learn about First Nations art and artists at the Tarnanthi Art Fair. View and purchase the paintings, ceramics, sculptures, woven works, jewellery, textiles, clothes and homewares on offer. All artworks are created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, working independently or from art centres across the country, with every dollar you spend going directly to the artists and their community-run art centres. To find out more visit agsa.sa.gov.au/whats-on/event-calendar/tarnanthi-art-fair-2025. Gemma Rose Brook Sauerbier House, Port Noarlunga 27 September-1 November In this exhibition entitled She was Both the Light and the Landscape, discover new works by contemporary painter Gemma Rose Brook
at Sauerbier House. Developed during a twelve-week residency Gemma celebrates the feminine form in the Fleurieu landscape inspired by Kathleen Sauerbier and Dorrit Black. Also through spring at Sauerbier House see exhibitions by Fruzsi Kenez, Alyssa Powell-Ascura & Louis Bullock, Anne Stevens and Maarten Daujdeij. For details see onkaparingacity.com/Arts-events-tourism/Arts/Sauerbier-House
ONGOING Aldinga Soup Kitchen Aldinga Institute Hall First Wednesday of every month from 4.30pm Drop by Aldinga Institute Hall on the first Wednesday each month for a free meal, music and community connection. Bring your own bowl, share food and enjoy the age-old ritual of sharing. It’s a community event born from kindness and togetherness. Donations welcome. Find more information on Facebook or Instagram @aldinga_soup_kitchen. Digital Savvy Sessions September-October Alexandrina libraries regularly run sessions throughout the year for those looking to become digitally savvy. Sessions feature topics including ChatGPT, eBooks and eAudiobooks, holiday planning online, online shopping and banking, and smart homes. The hour-long training sessions are open to all ages and held at the Goolwa and Strathalbyn libraries. To book, visit alexandrina.sa.gov.au/events. Yuntulun Ku:li-war (interactive exhibition) Signal Point Experience Centre, Goolwa Wharf Precinct Ongoing, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm The Yuntulun Ku:li-war interactive exhibition, hosted by the Alexandrina Council, tells the stories of the First Nations people of the area. Translated as ‘coming together on the headland’ in Ngarrindjeri, it dives into the early settlement history of Goolwa and the ecology of the Murray Darling River system to educate the community through pictures and words. To find out more visitalexandrina.com/itinerarybundles/operatorsextradatalist/ykw. DID YOU KNOW? Alexandrina’s Centenary Hall events are no longer council run but excitingly they have moved to ‘hire only’. Upcoming bands? Community performances? This is a great community venue known for its charming historic character and modern facilities.
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Start the journey to your new home
08 8472 9290 WATERMAYNE.COM.AU BLD 234680
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Stone, steel and soul Story by Petra de Mooy. Styling by Cooper Style Co. Photography by David Parkinson.
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Page left: Exquisite architectural lines span a large outdoor entertaining space, linked seamlessly with interior comforts in this expertly crafted home built by J Turner Constructions. Above: Original Winstow stone fireplace was extended to remain a hero in the main living space.
Tucked away in the backstreets of Willunga, what was once a humble threebedroom home has been transformed into a coastal retreat, one that balances material honesty with timeless warmth. Anchored in the strength of local stone and elevated by the precision of modern building practices, the home is both an ode to its past and a considered leap into the next chapter of its life – and that of its owners Jacqui and Jake Kearsley. A cohesive flow now runs through every space, shaped by a close collaboration between client, architect and builder. 'We always knew this house had good bones,' says builder James Turner of J Turner Constructions. 'It just needed a new rhythm.' Owners Jacqui and Jake Kearsley had long been drawn to the Fleurieu Peninsula, spending years casually looking for the right property – something with potential and a sense of place. It was a visit to friends that sealed their fate.
'We loved it the moment we went to visit them, and let them know if they ever wanted to sell we’d be interested,’ Jacqui explains. Serendipitously, an opportunity came up for their friends whose move to Victoria in 2020 made way for the Kearsleys to purchase the property. While not new to renovation – having previously updated their home in Prospect – this was a far more ambitious project. Their brief was clear: a relaxed but refined home for themselves, their grown children, and a future that might include grandchildren. Something timeless, beautifully appointed and low maintenance. The design journey began with the late architect Anatoly Patrick, whose clean lines and reverence for natural light aligned perfectly with the couple’s vision. Anatoly’s influence lives on in every aspect of the home’s layout, from the framing of ocean glimpses to the way the structure embraces the contours of the land. 'I found Anatoly through a Google search. We loved his style – and it helped that he was local to McLaren Vale. He was thoughtful, talented and unassuming,’ says Jacqui. She adds that he sadly > 15
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Page left: Deep green cabinetry with integrated wine display creates a striking focal point in this elevated kitchen by Innovative Kitchens. Above: Interior styling by Cooper Style Co exudes a sophisticated warmth throughout the home.
passed away just after handing over the concept plans. ‘I think of him often when we are down at the property.’ After his passing, James helped connect the Kearsleys with architect Sally Stansbury of Stallard Meek Flightpath Architects, a trusted collaborator who honoured Anatoly’s original vision with only minimal changes. 'Sally was the right person. She respected what Anatoly had begun,' says Jacqui. While the original plan was to demolish, Anatoly was adamant: the Wistow stone deserved to be retained.' We didn’t want to lose the original charm, James says. 'The idea was always to honour the stone – patch it, work with it, raise it where we needed, but never erase it.'
The original Wistow stone walls, once hidden beneath layers of plaster, now take pride of place, framing a generous new entryway and anchoring the contemporary addition in the landscape it belongs to. The house itself blends old and new through a contemporary addition that includes a second storey atop a poured slab and steel structure. The old garage has become a separate guest wing complete with bathroom and kitchenette, creating a versatile space for visitors or extended family. Inside, the layout has been entirely reimagined. Three additional bedrooms occupy the addition, with the master suite offering a walk-in robe, en suite and long views across the vineyards to the sea. A study and additional bathroom add to the functionality while underfloor heating in the bathrooms lends warmth underfoot. Throughout, built-in joinery by Innovative Kitchens brings cohesion > 17
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Page left: A soaring cathedral ceiling and sweeping expanses of glass create a harmonious dance with the vistas beyond. A cocoa bamboo fan from Lights Down South brings energy-enhancing airflow to the space. Top and bottom left: Understated styling by Cooper Style Co. Top and bottom right: Quality vanities and storage were designed and installed by Innovative Kitchens.
and style. The cabinetry in the kitchen and laundry are a lovely rich green and the functionality is clearly well thought out. 'Innovative Kitchens were fantastic,' Jacqui says. 'They even suggested thoughtful touches I hadn’t considered – I’d definitely work with them again.' Though not designed as a certified passive home, the build evolved with J Turner’s growing focus on sustainability. 'Once you learn the building science behind it, you can’t unlearn it,' builder James explains. 'Peace of mind goes a long way when you’re handing over a home to someone.’ That and knowing that as builders they’ve been thorough in assuring the owners' year-round comfort. Connected to the grid but fitted with solar panels, battery storage and a 165,000-litre rainwater tank, the home embraces practical
sustainability. With Pro Clima wraps and careful attention to airtightness and moisture control, the home now quietly outperforms many of its kind. And in a place where coastal breezes can turn fierce, design choices like orientation, shielding and insulation mean comfort is built in – whatever the weather. At the core of the project’s success was a fluid, respectful dialogue between builder and design. James Turner brought more than just technical skill to the table: he brought a builder’s intuition and a deep respect for architectural intent. Known for his hands-on approach and eye for detail, James worked closely with both Anatoly’s original concept and Sally’s refined direction to ensure the build remained grounded in purpose. Rather than overtake the design, his role was to elevate it, interpreting the language of drawings into lived-in materiality. The result is a home where every junction, finish > 19
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Top left and right: Timber accents, large-format tiles and brushed nickel tapware create a timeless palette in both guest and main bathrooms. Bottom left and right: Designed by Innovative Kitchens, the striking black outdoor kitchen perfectly compliments the architect-specified Blackbutt timber ceiling.
and structural choice feels intentional, not just executed, speaking to a builder who values process as much as outcome.
head back to the city. Once you hit McLaren Vale, the stress just melts away,' says Jacqui.
'James and his crew were incredible – professional, passionate and always up for a chat, even in the worst weather. And genuinely lovely people to boot,’ says Jacqui.
There are whispers of a housewarming gift in the works – some quality barbecue tools, no doubt – to complement the built-in outdoor kitchen (also by Innovative Kitchens). Because, for all its architectural merit, the heart of this home beats loudest when it’s full of life: friends gathering around the kitchen island, dogs pattering across the tiled floor, the golden hour sun lighting up the stone. This isn’t just a renovation. It’s a renewal. A new beginning, deeply rooted in what came before.
As the final touches fall into place – landscaping nearing completion by local company Five Acres Landscaping softening the edges, alfresco areas ready to welcome long summer evenings – the owners are looking forward to finally settling in full-time. 'We’ve been spending most weekends down there during the build, but we’re looking forward to not having to pack up on Sunday and 20
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J BUILT TURNER CONSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE. DESIGNED FOR LIVING. JTURNERCONSTRUCTIONS JTURNERCONSTRUCTIONS
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Carly Tarkari Dodd Story by Petra de Mooy.
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Page left: Mayinngi est 1859. 2024, Linen and recycled cotton. Photograph by Connor Patterson. Top left: Mummy Morag Necklace and Brooch, 2024. Raffia, ribbon and stainless steel wire. Top right: Koyi baskets, 2025. Linen and recycled cotton yarn. Photograph by Connor Patterson. Bottom right: Watch and Listen opening night, Nexus Gallery, 2024. Photograph by Lana Adams.
Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri artist and curator, Carly Tarkari Dodd recalls the moment when art and making started to take on a deeper meaning for her. She was at Camp Coorong near Meningie with her family. It was there she met Ngarrindjeri artist Aunty Ellen Trevorrow, a world-renowned cultural weaver. Camp Coorong is a cultural learning centre at Meningie, South Australia, established in 1985 to promote understanding of Ngarrindjeri history, language and traditions. It’s a place for crosscultural education, reconciliation and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge and heritage. ‘I made this little basket there and I still love it – it’s so little and wonky and not neat at all,’ Carly says with a smile while holding it up for me to see. She loves the naïve, unselfconscious quality of that first piece. The simple stitch she used is part of a weaving tradition that dates back thousands of years, with artefacts found dating back to the Holocene period – an ancient thread that continues to shape her practice today.
The Dodd family has broken moulds and chains as independent thinkers. Carly’s grandfather Seth Dodd was born on the Raukkan mission. ‘Growing up, people would be punished for speaking language and attempting other forms of culture. My pop didn't see eye to eye with the superintendent so he ‘signed away’ his Aboriginality to leave the mission to get a job. Living away from Country added another barrier to practising culture. But he would always talk about the tall reeds when travelling back to Raukkan across the punt,’ Carly shares. In her teens Carly began to attend more weaving workshops and was unconsciously building up her skill – enjoying the practice and further developing her understanding of the importance of her cultural roots. After high school she enrolled in a Visual Arts degree but she found better learning through what she was already doing ... making art and teaching. So she turned to a different pathway to learning. In 2018, Carly enrolled in an emerging curators program at Carclew Arts. ‘I didn't really know what curating was before I signed up for it. I would just give anything a go,’ she says. As part of that program, Carly curated her first show. That year she was recognised as NAIDOC SA Young Person of the Year. >
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Above left: First basket, 2008. Sedge grass. Photograph by Connor Patterson. Right: Carly Tarkari Dodd wears the sapphire and diamond earrings, sapphire and pearl necklace. Raffia, blue and silver ribbon. 2022, Part of the Crown Jewels collection. Photograph by Brooke Bowering.
In 2021, a colleague suggested she apply for a role at the Jam Factory as the First Nations Assistant Curator and, at only twentytwo years of age, she won the job. Eventually the role became the First Nations Engagement Officer and was funded by Tarnanthi. Through this role, Carly curated numerous First Nations artists into exhibitions like Ernabella Arts: Ceramic Warka Wiru 20 Years-kutu (20 Years of Creating Ceramics) and James Tylor: Mudlirna. Only a few months ago she took up another role at the Art Gallery of South Australia as the Assistant Curator of Tarnanthi, an annual festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Carly takes all of this in her stride but finds it a bit frustrating that the cultural celebrations and exhibitions are concentrated during NAIDOC and Tarnanthi. ‘That needs to change,’ she says. Coinciding with all of her heady curatorial work, Carly has always found time to continue making her own art. She has an ability beyond her years, contextualising her traditional weaving work in a very modern and contemporary language with her work being widely shown through exhibitions at the Adelaide Contemporary Experimental (ACE) Gallery, Craft Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria, among others. Her initial forays into weaving with alternative materials came about at art school when they asked the students to bring a material from home to create with. ‘I was wrapping presents the night before, and so there was this gold ribbon thing on the table. I just took that, and that was the first basket that I'd made with the gold ribbon. And I kind of just stuck with that and just bought more colours. I kind of liked the fun, playful nature of the ribbon with the weaving,’ she says. The shiny aspect of the ribbon led her to start making jewellery and, as a way of scaling up her work, she also introduced materials like raffia and satin ribbon – all applied to traditional weaving techniques. Carly has gained inspiration in unexpected places, like a poetryreading night with friends. Poet Natalie Harkin was reading and she was talking about Aboriginal domestics, because her grandmother
had been one. The domestics of the day wore neutral-coloured linens for their uniforms. It made Carly rethink fabric: she started weaving with linen. 'I can get height and width quite easily. I just felt like I was a bit stuck with scale and the chunky, sculptural nature of these linen tubes just made it really easy. Then I was working with not only linen but also satin. I found when I was going to the fabric shops, I was gravitating towards satin fabric in gemstone colours,’ says Carly. It made Carly think of crown jewels and from this fabric she made giant necklaces, crowns and brooches. Conceptual works like her Royal Jewels series strategically challenge the hierarchies of colonisation, using symbolism to critique and subvert its value systems. All of the threads of colonisation, modern and ancient language, and valued traditions come together to make compelling work. Recently, Carly has been collaborating with her five-year-old niece, translating her drawings into weavings. The works were displayed last year in an exhibition entitled Watch and Listen at the Nexus Gallery. She is also proud of a recent exhibition at the JamFactory, Aunty Ellen Trevorrow: Weaving through Time, a celebration of Trevorrow’s work as part of the gallery’s ICON series. The exhibition is a showcase of intricately woven garments and celebrates design and weaving by Aunty Ellen and her long-time collaborator Dr Jelina Haines, accompanied by the work of Robert Wuldi, featuring his beautifully crafted, woven copper designs. In what Carly describes as a full-circle moment, she feels deeply honoured to have collaborated with Aunty Ellen in staging this exhibition. Years ago, she learned to weave under Aunty Ellen’s guidance — and now, she’s played a key role in shaping the vision that celebrates this remarkable body of work. ‘Each stitch connects our Miwi wisdom,’ says Carly. ‘Little did anyone realise that my entire career as an artist and curator grew from that one workshop seventeen years ago.’
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Contact us today about building your dream kitchen. 11 Commerce Cres Victor Harbor. Phone: 08 8552 2090 innovativekitchens.com.au
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Millie Bird is the creative force behind Chicky Ceramics, handcrafting one-of-a-kind pottery inspired by nature and nostalgia. With a love for colour and drawing, each piece reflects Millie's passion for storytelling through clay and her vibrant artistic spirit. Clothing, leather bag and sunglasses available at Mist, Port Elliot.
About face
Celebrating the creative forces shaping community, art, design, wellbeing and connection in our region. Photography by Jason Porter. Hair by Kieren Kuzyk. Make-up by Lauren Parkinson. Shot on location at Small Circle Co-op. 26
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Elisabeth Blomberg is a Wiradjuri artist whose intricately woven baskets and artworks beautifully honour ancestral connections to the land, stories and culture. Through her workshops and community practice in South Australia, she creates immersive spaces where tradition, mindfulness and creativity come together. Jacket and jewellery available at Morocco by Mish, Aldinga.
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Rebecca Elson and Mark Twohig are the founders of Art of You, blending art, therapy and community. Rebecca is a clinical hypnotherapist and art therapy practitioner. Mark is an artist, musician and youth worker. Together, they use creativity to foster wellbeing and connection. Rebecca: Clothing and accessories available at Gorgeous Soles, Aldinga. Mark: Jacket and shirt available at South Seas Trading, Port Elliot.
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Holistic counsellor and creative arts therapist Rossy Reeves champions mind-body connection, creativity and community. Through Rossy Reeves Holistic Counselling, she empowers others to live authentic, connected lives. Her work with Operation Flinders and the South Coast Suicide Awareness & Prevention enriches her practice and supports both individual and community wellbeing. Jacket and shirt available at Miss Gladys on Sea, Aldinga. Jewellery and ceramic art available at Fossick Made and Found, Goolwa.
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Chloe and Adam Cocks live in Middleton with their two sons, embracing coastal life on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Since moving from the city in 2011, they've built a strong community presence, Adam through his work at 4Life Constructions and Chloe via Roar Speech and The Selfish Podcast. Their days are shaped by surf, space and a slower, more connected lifestyle. Chloe: Clothing and accessories available at Gypsy Life, Moana. Adam: Jacket and shirt available at Miss Gladys on Sea, Aldinga..
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17–18 Oct 2025 Free Entry PRINCIPAL PARTNER
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PROGRAM PARTNER
Level 5 & 6 Union House Adelaide University CO-PRESENTER
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
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Cream of the crop Words by Petra de Mooy. Photography by Jason Porter.
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Page left: Roslyn Amdena Jerseys making their way to the milking shed. Above left: Milker Adrian managing the afternoon round at Jolley Farm. Right: Herd manager BJ at Brokenshire Farm.
Dairy industry leader Fleurieu Milk Company (FMC) began in 2006 as a bold move by three farming families in Myponga, South Australia to take control of their future. Frustrated by falling milk prices, the Clarkes, Hutchinsons and Royans decided to bottle and sell their own milk – prioritising quality, animal welfare and local production. From a small facility and a handful of staff, the fledgling company grew steadily with local baristas loving it for the best milk froth available and families loving the homegrown taste. The ever-evolving business quickly added to its excellent offerings, starting with flavoured milk. (We here at FLM have long been fans of their exceptional iced coffee.) Over the years, they’ve also added pouring cream, yoghurt and – most recently – sour cream, all without compromising their roots in transparency and community. As demand outgrew the original family’s farms, the company scaled thoughtfully – staying true to its values by committing to other local producers – sourcing milk directly for its full range of products and investing in long-term partnerships with eight local farming families, embracing the approach as a way to support regional resilience and sustainability. The company continues to prove that great milk starts with supporting the people behind it. And nearly twenty years on,
it remains proudly independent and one-hundred per cent South Australian owned. Barry and Merridie Clarke of Roslyn Vale are one of the founding FMC families. Baz has been milking since 1976 and the farm, originally bought by Merridie’s grandparents in 1926, now runs more than threehundred Jerseys across four-hundred acres. 'What began as a simple idea has turned into something that supports more than fifty families,' Baz says. 'We’ll never take that for granted.' Winter brings cold and rain, but it's also the peak of milk production. We had the pleasure of visiting some of our local farmers this past July, and it was a true privilege to see the passion and care that go into every drop. We arrive at Brokenshire Farm in Mount Compass during milking time. Owners Robert, Mandy and Nick Brokenshire make up one of the families that has shifted from selling their milk to the wider market to supplying FMC. The large herd of Roslyn Amdena Jerseys is making its way to the milking shed, a newly built, state-of-the-art facility featuring a rotary milking parlour. The cows are routine oriented; they know it’s milking time and that they’ll receive grain feed while also getting relief from the pressure of their full udders. There is a calmness and no serious jostling for position. Herd manager Bernard Watson is giving one of the cows a back rub. There appears to be a bit of a queue forming behind him. >
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Above: Hayley Pacitti and a couple of her prize-winning Holsteins at Munbilla Dairy.
As we approach, the naturally curious cows nudge their way towards us, poking their heads over the fence for a closer look. As herd manager, Bernard oversees everything related to the cows. 'I run the mating program, so we try to get the best out of them and improve genetics along the way,’ he says. He explains that the increased income from supplying FMC allows reinvestment in the farm – building new dairies and staying up to date with the latest technology. The farm is constantly working on ways to become more sustainable, improve and expand the herds and to supply a quality product. 'It makes a huge difference to be able to invest in the farm and stay viable doing it.’ He gestures to the sheds where his son Tripp is managing the milking operation singlehandedly. 'What’s happening here is we’re actually putting solar panels in with a factory system. It’s all about reducing carbon footprints and that’s probably one of the best ways for us to do it – it helps reduce energy costs too, because energy eats into a huge part of the profits.' At Munbilla Dairy on Hindmarsh Tiers Road we meet Hayley Pacitti and her prize-winning Holsteins. It’s been a week of heavy rain, so the paddocks are lush with long green grass, making it a challenge to photograph the cows with their heads up – the grazing is simply too good to pass up. Munbilla is owned by Jeff and Mandy Green and managed by Hayley and Ash Pacitti. Hayley tells us that the partnership with FMC brings welcome stability in pricing. ‘It takes away the stress of worrying about what’s coming next. We used to be on a two-year contract and then it was, “What’s the price going to be now?” But now, we know where we stand. And it’s nice – it’s local, and it feels like a proper community,’ she says. Over at Jolley Farm in Hindmarsh Valley, we meet farmhands Jesse and Millie who are preparing feed for the younglings. Owner Deb Jolley tells us that she and her husband Grant always liked the idea of being local suppliers and knowing their milk would be available in nearby
shops. Their partnership with FMC offered exactly that – and, as it turns out, it’s also financially better for them. So it’s a win-win. Fewer food miles and better returns. The farmers we didn’t meet with directly reflect the same values. Just down the road from FMC headquarters in Myponga is Windy Vale Farm run by Rob and Bec Walmsley. Originally from Mount Gambier, they took over the farm after a chance conversation with Fleurieu Milk co-founder Geoff Hutchinson. Rob’s been milking since he could walk, while Bec brings deep expertise in dairy nutrition – a perfect pairing, both in life and on the land. Steve and Inge Pacitti of Manna Springs nearly left the industry altogether – until FMC came calling. Inge, originally from the Netherlands, met Steve while backpacking. Now, their sons Tom and Jack are part of the operation. The partnership with Fleurieu Milk gave them reason to reinvest and find new purpose in dairy farming. At Misty Brae, Gino and Mandy Pacitti continue a legacy started by Gino’s parents, who migrated from Italy in the 1950s. What began as a small family farm is now four-hundred hectares, producing more than 2.5 million litres a year. 'It’s in our blood,' Gino says. Further inland at Verde Valley, Eddy and Domenica Mignanelli, along with their son Nick, own the same land Nick’s grandparents once settled – nearly six-hundred acres that remain a cornerstone of the Hindmarsh Tiers community. While Verde Valley is run by Nick, Eddy and Domenica also own Gum Dark in Myponga, which is operated by brothers Tim and Shane Mignanelli. There, a small herd of Friesians grazes under red gums, with the brothers as passionate about the cows as they are about the sweeping views. As a company, FMC reflects on its supportive growth. ‘Our farmers are the heart and soul of our company. Many have been dairying for generations, and all share a deep connection to the land, their animals and the local community.’ We love the ethos and the hard work of all of these folks who pursue excellence in their products and their businesses.
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DESIGN BUILD BY
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Small Circle, big vision How Kieren Kuzyk is redefining salon culture and creative co-ops Story by Nina Keath. Photography by Jason Porter.
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Page left: Kieren Kuzyk – hairdresser, barber, enterpreneur and visionary. Above: Kieren has curated a space he hopes encourages creativity and collaboration.
It’s the summer of 2024, and I’m strolling the quiet backstreets of Port Elliot when I spot a striking new building on Elliot Street. A sleek, industrial-style warehouse tucked next to Yeo House, just a stone’s throw from the ever-busy Factory 9 precinct and only eight-hundred metres from the café strip of The Strand. Pressed up against the window, I feel it immediately: potential. The kind of feeling you get when something special is about to happen. Fast forward one year, and I find myself stepping inside that very space – now fully realised – and sitting across from the person who brought it all to life. Small Circle, at 3/10 Elliot Street, is not your typical hair salon – and Kieren Kuzyk is not your typical founder. A seasoned hairdresser and barber, Kieren has always been drawn to more than just the cut and colour of his craft. 'I’ve always loved design and how people interact with their environments,' he tells me. 'This project was about creating not just a salon, but a space which other creatives and independent businesses could share too.'
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That vision is now fully embodied in Small Circle, a hybrid salon, concept store and co-operative that blends form and function into a unique hub of creativity, wellness and community. When I ask him about the name, Kieren smiles, 'It just came to me one day. It’s about quality over quantity and quiet discernment. Plus, this space is a tribute to the inner child. It's like a playground!' And he’s right. From custom steel structures that create modular work zones to upcycled plastic elements, ambient projections, bold colour splashes and tactile finishes, the space hums with creativity and thoughtful design. But what keeps it grounded is intention. Playful, yes, but with a calm, structured energy that feels purposeful and inviting. 'This space,' Kieren says, 'is the culmination of a lot of learning. It’s everything I've taken from years in the industry – what worked, what didn’t, what I needed but couldn’t find. I just ran with it.' He pauses, then shares something unexpected, 'I’m not Buddhist, but I spent some time in a monastery. What I took from that experience was the power of people coming together with intention. There was hardcore structure and from that structure you got freedom.' 'I didn’t want this to be loose like Andy Warhol’s Factory,' he says. 'I wanted something with integrity, something that created the right conditions for people to collaborate and feel inspired.' >
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Above left: Two wash basins adjacent the three-station salon area. Above right: Part of the Australian-made hair, skin and scent range on offer. Below right: The industrial-style warehouse frontage on Elliot Street gives little hint of what awaits inside.
When I ask about his guiding philosophy, he doesn’t hesitate. 'It’s care,' he says. 'Hair is my medium, but it’s not the end point. In a digital, overstimulated world, I wanted to offer people the opposite – presence, regeneration, space.' The three-station unisex salon operates with a stripped-back, cutand-colour-to-wear approach. It's a fusion of contemporary barber studio and salon refinement. Every session begins with a detailed consultation, hair analysis and a game plan tailored to the individual. 'We slow everything down,' Kieren explains. ‘There’s no production line here. We do hair the way we do everything else – custom always, but never too precious.’ What sets Small Circle apart is its co-operative business model. 'This isn’t just about me,' Kieren says. 'It’s about creating a platform for others – hair stylists, beauty techs, designers, innovators, artists – to come together, share space and collaborate. There’s The Nook, a sub-space available to beauty techs, pop-ups or flexible office use. A communal lounge accommodates guests and tenants, designed for light co-working, casual networking or quiet reflection. This year will also see the launch of two major additions: a creative studio, ideal for artists, photographers and stylists to rent flexibly or join as residents, and a private office space designed for small agencies looking for a base that inspires.
'I didn’t want to build something with limitations,' Kieren explains. 'The model is designed to evolve, just like the people inside it. Just like life does.' The retail offering is also curated with intent. Shelves feature a rotating selection of Australian-made hair, skin, scent and lifestyle products from brands that share Small Circle’s values of sustainability and authenticity. Currently in stock are EVO, Orb Oils, Daniel Mostyn Lab and INTO CARRY, with seasonal collaborations and pop-up features always on rotation. 'We’re not just selling products,' Kieren says. 'We’re supporting makers. We’re giving these brands a real-world presence, where they can be seen, touched and appreciated.' Choosing to open in a small regional town wasn’t a compromise for Kieren. It was the whole point. 'There’s a strong appreciation here for small business and for people doing things differently,' he says. 'I wanted to contribute something meaningful to help elevate that existing culture.' And while the brand is undeniably contemporary, its heart is rooted in something timeless – authentic hospitality. 'More than anything,' Kieren smiles, 'I want people to feel at home here.' And somehow, in the balance of structure and freedom, steel and softness, discipline and delight, that’s exactly what he has achieved.
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Saltwater soul Story by Petra de Mooy.
Above: Marisa Packer serving up freshly shucked oysters at the farm shop.
American River on Kangaroo Island was named by American sealers in the early 1800s, mistaking the long inland channel for a river. It’s here you’ll find Kangaroo Island Oysters – a family-run business owned by Todd and Marisa Packer and managed by their son, Jack. The quiet, sheltered waters of Eastern Cove make it the ideal spot for an oyster farm. Shellfish farming must be in the Packer family blood. Todd is no stranger to these shores – more than thirty years ago, he worked for seafood company A Raptis & Sons when they were setting up to farm mussels. ‘I helped set up the very first lines here,’ he recalls. ‘There were no sheds – this was all just a big carpark.’ Todd went on to complete an Advanced Diploma in Aquaculture at the Lincoln Marine Science Centre. Marisa, meanwhile, came from a background in the medical and tourism industries. Though not directly involved in aquaculture early on, she helped manage the books when they were starting out in Port Lincoln.
Todd was among the first to hold an aquaculture lease in South Australia, under the name Shellfish Australia, located in Port Lincoln. He and Marisa farmed mussels for a decade before selling the business and moving to Adelaide so their children – Frank, Grace and Jack – could attend school. During their years in the city, they worked in a variety of roles. Todd helped in the Packer family business and tried his hand at property management, while Marisa worked in the medical industry. Later, with the children grown, Todd and Marisa began spending more time at their holiday home in Normanville. Jack was working as a jackaroo at Anna Creek Station in the far north. He was thrown off a bull at a local rodeo, breaking his collarbone and wrist and was out of work for months. ‘He couldn’t go back to work there,’ says Marisa. While recovering, Jack took up a job at what was then Kangaroo Island Shellfish, owned by Ken and Amanda Rowe. Todd and Marisa visited him on the island and soon started looking for a property they could renovate for Jack to live in and they could use when they visited. The house was, in Todd’s words, ‘a wreck – there was a sheep living in it with a goanna.’
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Top and bottom left: Fresh from the sea at the Kangaroo Island Oyster farm shop. Top right: The lease sits in the pristine waters of Eastern Cove. Bottom right: Jack Packer loves the work and life on the island.
Conversations turned to business. They considered opening an oyster bar in Normanville with fresh product from the Rowes’ farm. But as their visits increased, so did the opportunity. The Rowes were ready to move on and the Packers stepped in – buying the farm, shed and licence, and rebranding it as Kangaroo Island Oysters. ‘We’ve got the licence for oysters, scallops, abalone and heaps of different seaweeds,’ says Todd. The move was driven by lifestyle – a slower pace, the tight-knit community and the opportunity to work alongside Jack. ‘It’s really good – more often than not it’s smooth sailing,’ says Jack of working with Mum and Dad. ‘They knew I loved living on the island. I knew they would too.’ The fifteen-hectare farm sits two kilometres offshore. Oysters are brought in by boat and shucked right on the wharf. The Packers have set up a small farm shop with outdoor seating. Pelicans swoop in, seals laze on nearby rocks – and when things are going well, it’s hard to imagine a better place for oyster lovers. It’s not often you see a working oyster farm up close. The family loves sharing that experience – and seeing visitors enjoying both the oysters and the charm of American River. ‘That’s as simple as it is, really,’ says Marisa.
But like all farming, aquaculture has its challenges. A recent algal bloom tested all affected areas in the fishing industry. For the Packers, it was a moment to adapt, selling oysters from other farms, keeping the shop open and staying connected to their community. Water quality is already improving, and they’re hopeful for a strong recovery. ‘People don’t realise how complex the ocean is,’ Todd reflects. ‘A big flood up the Murray years ago dumped nutrients out to sea. Then the Bonney Upwelling – a deep ocean current – stirred it all back up. Warmer waters this year made it worse. It all connects.’ Despite this, there’s plenty to do. ‘There’s always maintenance, and we’re still grading oysters consistently,’ says Jack. They’ve also been strengthening the business via planning, organising and working on the next phase. Boat tours aren’t yet on offer, but the family is developing something more intimate: an oyster shucking experience right on site. Visitors can learn to open oysters while looking out over the very waters they come from. Or they can just grab a dozen and sit at the water’s edge and enjoy the slow lapping of water on the shores of American River. ‘You can’t be in a bad mood here,’ says Marisa. ‘You come in, eat oysters, watch the pelicans – it’s good for the soul.’ 41
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Taken an amazing photo on the Fleurieu lately? Tag us on Instagram and you could see your handiwork in print. Each issue we’ll choose an image to publish right here in the pages of FLM. @fleurieulivingmagazine This photo: Beautiful Stormy Sunrise at Second Valley was taken by Damon Matthews. @damomatthewss
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Opening 2026
Early Access Club now open: For first choice on home selection
Luxurious over 55s resort living Contact Karen to make an appointment Sales Office: 1300 414 002 | 2-26 Ocean St, Victor Harbor cliftonvictorharbor.com.au
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Fresh destinations Words by Petra de Mooy.
The Fleurieu Peninsula has long been a hub of bold ideas and fresh beginnings. In recent times, a wave of new, relocated and reimagined businesses is breathing new life into this already vibrant region – each one a testament to the enterprising spirit that
Fleurieu Gin, Myponga Atop the rolling hills of Myponga with sweeping views of the coastline, Fleurieu Gin is a family-owned distillery where passion, community and craft converge. Founded by Shane and Kylie Magor, the distillery began with a single G&T and a dream. In just under a year of operations, it has grown into a much-loved destination for locals and visitors alike. With deep farming roots across three generations, Fleurieu Gin blends local pride with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy gin flights, handcrafted cocktails and shareable plates like antipasto, arancini or salt and pepper squid. The expansive lawn, golf tee-offs and putt-putt greens make it perfect for relaxed afternoons and family-friendly fun. Fleurieu Gin also shines as a venue for weddings and private events. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, the panoramic setting offers a romantic and unforgettable backdrop. Tailored packages make every occasion feel special. Fleurieu Gin invites you to stop in for a drink, a celebration or simply the view. Slow down and savour the moment – with a G&T in hand, of course. fleurieugin.com.au
Found Coffee House, Victor Harbor Found Coffee House is a new café with an old vintage soul, bringing sustainability and creativity to Victor Harbor’s café culture. Opened in April 2025 by locals Adriel and Ryan Booker, Found is more than just coffee – it’s a café, vintage store, co-working studio and more. The first on the Fleurieu Peninsula to go completely single-use cup free, Found invites guests to bring their own takeaway cup, borrow one through a return system, or choose a vintage mug to linger and enjoy in house. It’s all part of a bigger vision: to foster a sustainable, connected and creative space for both locals and visitors. The menu features specialty coffee, teas, fresh soups, bagels, sandwiches and sweet treats (including gluten-free and vegan options). Guests can browse vintage furniture, homewares and curated secondhand clothing; grab a book from the community library; unwind with the kids in the indoor and outdoor play areas; or enjoy desserts during weekly Lowlight Jazz Nights. 'Ordinary goodness is timeless,' Adriel says. 'Our hope is that the whole space feels like an invitation to connect, be nourished and inspired.' With nostalgic style, feel-good music and intentional design, it is indeed true – good things are found here. @found.au
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thrives so well here. From boutique distilleries to unique cafés, these ventures blend creativity with community, reshaping the local landscape while staying rooted in what makes this region so special.
The Bulk Cellar, Aldinga Arts Eco Village After years of global travel and seeing plastic waste everywhere, founder Lindsey McEwen launched the business in 2021 with a simple mission: help locals reduce single-use plastics in their everyday routines, without sacrificing quality or affordability. The Bulk Cellar has grown from a small refill store into a vibrant community hub owing to its new location in the Aldinga Arts Eco Village. Shoppers can scoop bulk wholefoods – everything from oats and pasta to spices, nuts and even chocolate – refill eco-friendly cleaning products, and stock up on low-waste kitchen and personal care essentials. There's also an easy online store with local delivery and pickup. Rooted in the philosophy of 'doing what you can, within your means', the shop invites customers to rethink waste without pressure or perfection. As a long-time local and avid beach lover, Lindsey is passionate about protecting the region’s stunning coastline and believes small choices can lead to big change. The Bulk Cellar is the place for eco-friendly goods and good vibes. Scoop, refill, repeat – your low-waste lifestyle starts here. thebulkcellar.com.au @thebulkcellar
Bloom & Brew Co, Normanville When Normanville’s 163-year-old old courthouse became available in late 2024, Luisa Berry-Smith leapt at the chance to revive the historic site and grow her business. After eighteen months running the much-loved Southbound Café, Luisa envisioned something bigger – a space to unleash her creativity, support local makers and give back to the community. The new venue – rebranded as Bloom & Brew Co – quadrupled her seating, expanded her team of local women, and made space to spotlight producers from South Australia and the Fleurieu Peninsula. More than just a café, the restored space now offers a lush garden courtyard, indoor dining and a cozy front veranda. There’s also a coworking hub upstairs, a lounge-style library, and a retail area stocked with local crafts, flowers and food. True to Luisa’s bold, communityfirst ethos, Bloom & Brew has become a creative hub. Regular workshops, live music, themed dinners and an open-air cinema in summer make it a local favourite. Luisa and her all-female crew have transformed the old courthouse into a vibrant meeting place where locals can connect, collaborate and sip the best coffee in town. facebook.com/bloomnbrewco > 45
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FRESH DESTINATIONS
Pony@Moana The Pony@Moana is an outpost of the award-winning Prancing Pony Brewery in Totness. The Pony@Moana was established in collaboration with the Deep Blue Café, an iconic, time-honoured and family-owned restaurant. It’s the perfect place to eat, drink and relax. The venue is set up to deliver good times. With an industrial-chic yet rustic outfit, it complements the retro beach vibe of the Deep Blue Café. The philosophy is to serve delicious food matched to quality beverages, all under one roof and in a non-pretence venue. Add an old-fashioned attitude to customer service excellence, and you have a winning combination. There are sixteen super-fresh Prancing Pony beers on tap: lagers, ales and stouts. There are also ciders, wines from Emmalene, spirits by The Still Co, vodka mixers and fancy non-alcoholic drinks. Visitors can try tasting planks and enjoy seasonal dishes and, on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, listen to cool tunes played by local musicians. Pony@Moana’s motto is simple: Look after your community and the community will look after you. deepbluecafe.com.au
Ziba Fit, Aldinga and McLaren Vale Born in Aldinga and now thriving across two sites, Aldinga and McLaren Vale, Ziba Fit is a place where people feel seen, supported and inspired – no matter their fitness level or stage of life. Its Aldinga site is purpose-built and boasts 24/7 gym access, group fitness, reformer Pilates, a full wellness space (featuring a sauna and an ice bath), and onsite childminding. McLaren Vale offers a second home for movement, with a 24/7 gym and group fitness facilities. Ziba’s real edge is its diverse offerings, tailored for almost everyone: sweaty high-intensity cardio workouts, peaceful yoga classes, strength-building programs, thirty-minute rest and restore sessions, and quiet moments with mates in the recovery spaces. This is fitness done differently, grounded in care, community and a genuine love for movement. Members say that Ziba is their happy place, and that’s exactly what the team aims for. They’re here for your 5am start, your comeback story, your nervous first session … and everything in between. They warmly invite you to join them and experience the energy for yourself. zibafit.com.au
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Vintage Bloom Company, McLaren Vale Launched in early 2024 by talented, hands-on florist Kasey Lynch, Vintage Bloom Company offers a conscientious and creative alternative to the local floral scene. Rooted in sustainability and elegance, Kasey's vision brings together locally grown blooms with refined styling for weddings, events, school formals, whatever special moment you can imagine. Running alongside the florist shop is a family-run micro flower farm that specialises in growing premium dahlias, vibrant sunflowers and sculptural and aromatic foliage. These carefully cultivated elements are woven into Vintage Bloom’s seasonal arrangements, adding a truly ‘Fleurieu’ touch to each bouquet and event installation. The newly opened storefront on Main Road in McLaren Vale will capture your attention with its striking black and white rooftop FLORIST signage. Inside, a charming barn-style aesthetic welcomes visitors with warm timber interiors, natural light, artisan hampers, floral books, creative workshops, handpicked gifts and – of course – those wonderful blooms. Kasey’s seed-to-vase commitment to sustainability and local artistry will always satisfy, whether you’re looking for a fresh market bunch, a bespoke bouquet or arrangements for that big event. Vintage Bloom Company isn’t just a florist – it’s a blooming experience rooted in beauty, ethics and community. vintagebloomco.com.au
Pilgrim by Eleanor Downs, Parndana Pilgrim by Eleanor Downs is a charming boutique nestled in the heart of Parndana, the agricultural centre of Kangaroo Island. Parndana literally means ‘Place of Little Gums’. Situated within walking distance of the Parndana Soldier Settlement Museum and Lions Park, Pilgrim adds a creative retail touch to this historic town born from the post‑WWII soldier‑settler scheme. Embodying the town’s emerging mix of history, craft and community spirit, it blends French antiques with sustainable fashion, homewares, Kangaroo Island‑made products and unique Australian designs to create a truly special shopping experience. Discover carefully selected items that reflect the island’s character – artisan homewares, ethically made and sustainable fashion, and nourishing, non-toxic skincare and makeup products. To add to the experience, the owners have recently established Grasshopper Brewing in the shed space behind. Pilgrim has now become an inviting place to unwind over a cup of tea or Grasshopper’s craft beer as you relax under the dappled shade of gums or browse the boutique’s wares. From meaningful souvenirs to goods that will enrich your pantry and your home, Pilgrim brings panache to the heart of Kangaroo Island. Google: Pilgrim by Eleanor Downs >
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FRESH DESTINATIONS
Any3Pieces, Willunga Now located in a light-filled, spacious setting beside the Golden Fleece Café on High Street in Willunga, Any3Pieces has grown into a beautifully curated homewares and lifestyle store at the heart of the town’s popular shopping precinct. The store is owned and operated by Janene Lyttle, a local with a sharp eye for interiors and a deep appreciation for texture, soul and story. A lifelong lover of wood, wicker and linen, Janene is drawn to pieces that bring warmth and depth into a home. She has a particular passion for vintage Indian furniture – timeless pieces rich with hand-carved detail, earthy patinas and the kind of raw individuality that sparks conversation and anchors a space. Each item in the store is personally sourced – from locally made ceramics and artisan décor to statement furniture, textiles and distinctive lifestyle goods. The expanded space has allowed Janene to showcase larger items with Janene’s wider, carefully chosen range reflecting a clean, natural aesthetic with a relaxed, rustic charm. Originally opened in 2022 just down the road, Any 3 Pieces quickly developed a loyal following for its originality and warm, layered style. The 2025 relocation has offered more room to grow the collections, both in scale and vision. Come browse this space of beautiful, intentional and totally approachable style – earthy, timeless and quietly confident. Google Any3Pieces Willunga
Ginny Pig Distillery, Mt Compass Award-winning artisan distillery Ginny Pig is set to open its stunning new purpose-built cellar door in the beautiful countryside of Mt Compass this October. Founded by former nurses Bec and Craig in 2020, this local success story has earned international acclaim, including 'Best in Class Overall Gin' at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards – making them only the third Australian distillery to achieve this prestigious recognition. Set amongst rolling hills and natural beauty, the solar-powered facility will showcase its unique small-batch gins that have captured hearts across Australia. From their signature Botanic blend to adventurous seasonal flavours like Hot Cross Bun and Spiced Fig, each gin tells a story of innovation and craftsmanship. The new cellar door offers triple the production capacity of the current operation, with sustainable practices at its heart including solar power, battery storage and water recycling. Visitors can enjoy gin flights, cocktails and light meals while soaking in the tranquil country atmosphere. Operating Thursday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm at 240 Cleland Gully Rd. This country escape promises unforgettable gin experiences where every sip celebrates the art of distillation, innovation and friendship.
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South Seas Books
South Seas Trading
53 North Terrace, Port Elliot P: 8554 2301 www.southseasbooks.com.au
56 North Terrace, Port Elliot P: 8554 3540
is an independent bookshop on the Fleurieu’s south coast. South Seas will ignite your imagination.
offers a selection of vintage art and design pieces · clothing · jewellery · giftware and books in an evolving Arcadian haven.
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Layers
Story by Poppy Fitzpatrick. Photography by Jason Porter.
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Page left and above: The Layers collection was created for SALA 2025 – left in earthy red and above in off-white, both with a gold lustre glaze.
As I enter Ashley Bastian’s home studio, my eyes are drawn immediately to a collection of large vases on the opposite wall. Their textured, raw surfaces make a strong statement against the modern aesthetic of her home. I hesitate as I reach out to touch one of their delicate layered exteriors, but Ashley kindly encourages me to interact with its tactile qualities. The pieces summon the muted tones and textures of the Fleurieu coastline indoors, reminiscent of the Hallet Cove Conservation Park at the end of Ashley’s street – a place she and her family frequent daily and a constant source of inspiration for her work. ‘The reserve and beach come into play a lot for me,’ Ashley says. ‘It's constantly changing – the colours, layered rocks, it’s just really rugged and raw.’ Ashley’s practice began with a short TAFESA course on the pottery wheel, which she quickly learned wasn’t for her. Shortly after, she joined a class at the Wakefield House community centre under the guidance and encouragement of experienced local women. Absorbing various tricks and techniques, most notably coiling, allowed her to build vessels with more control than she could master on the wheel. From here, Ashley took her practice home and over two-and-a-half years her unique style has slowly evolved.
Ashley’s experience of her environment and art practice are often a solitary exercise which, for a self-proclaimed introvert, suits her just fine. Coming from a background in floristry, Ashley appreciates the meditative power of withdrawing into repetition and experimentation – as well as the striking imagery that results. ‘In my fourteen years as a florist, I always liked my arrangements to be one type of flower – I think one thing, repeated on mass, has more of an impact,’ she says. ‘So I really like to do the same with patterns and textures.’ The textures on Ashley’s works are resonant of dirt, sand, petals and stone – taking inspiration from as far as the Three Sisters rock formation in NSW and as close as the reserve on her doorstep. Ashley’s work has been through numerous evolutions, but with a consistent connection to nature and a steady growth in size – something she has never quite been able to contain. ‘It was a running joke in class that I just couldn't make anything small,’ Ashley laughs. ‘I tried so hard but I just kept on being drawn to making large vases and they just kept getting bigger and bigger.’ Ashley’s most recent works – and some of her largest – earned her a place as a finalist in The Advertiser Contemporary Art Award. Her first layer vase was displayed in a collection at Adelaide’s Keith Murdoch House during the South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA) in August. These works are a standout in her studio, some carefully flecked with flourishes of a gold lustre glaze that elevates their earthy roots into a space of understated luxury. > 51
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Top left: The Layers series in black and earthy red. Top right: Artist Ashley Bastian at the Hallett Cove Conservation Park. Bottom left: Detail. Bottom right: White and earthy red bottles.
Ashley’s pieces have also appeared in the carefully curated spaces by MAD Studio interior design, and hold a regular space at Fleurieu Arthouse, as well as displaying in Gallery M in Marion.
‘I feel like I really have found my style, which is a nice feeling,’ she reflects. ‘But they also take so long to make and galleries need you to have a backlog.’
Ashley’s intention is for statement over function; despite her background in floristry, she doesn’t create her vases as vessels for blooms. Every piece asserts itself as a sculptural work, its intricate detailing needing no further embellishment to make an impact.
Dividing her time between two young children, her partner Ash and an energetic golden retriever, Ashley is committed to creating on her own terms – making only what calls to her and releasing pieces when the timing feels right. With a fluid, intuitive approach that echoes the shifting seasons she closely observes in the Hallett Cove reserve, she looks forward to gently uncovering the next layers of her ceramic journey.
As Ashley gradually garners more attention for her work, she remains committed to the therapeutic nature of the process, unwilling to compromise the joy it brings her, even as recognition of her talent grows. Treating this year as a ‘foundation’, Ashley looks forward to releasing her works with a slow and steady approach. 52
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Congratulations Adam Bowden on the purchase of Elders Insurance Southern Fleurieu! All the best from Simon, Austin and the team at Elders Insurance Broken Hill and Mildura.
(08) 8084 6900
Elders Insurance Broken Hill • (03) 5025 8777
Elders Insurance Mildura
Mildura: Mildura Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 67086648213 trading as Elders Insurance Mildura AR No. 256076 is an Authorised Representative of Elders Insurance (Underwriting Agency) Pty Limited ABN 56 138 879 026, AFSL 340965. Insurance is underwritten by QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited ABN 78 003 191 035 AFSL 239545. Visit www.eldersinsurance.com.au to consider the Product Disclosure Statement and any applicable Target Market Determination to decide if the product is right for you. Broken Hill: Mildura Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 67086648213 trading as Elders Insurance Broken Hill AR No. 256076 is an Authorised Representative of Elders Insurance (Underwriting Agency) Pty Limited ABN 56 138 879 026, AFSL 340965. Insurance is underwritten by QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited ABN 78 003 191 035 AFSL 239545. Visit www.eldersinsurance.com.au to consider the Product Disclosure Statement and any applicable Target Market Determination to decide if the product is right for you. Southern Fleurieu: The Trustee for Southern Fleurieu Insurance Services Unit Trust ABN 55322739901 trading as Elders Insurance Southern Fleurieu AR No. 256076 is an Authorised Representative of Elders Insurance (Underwriting Agency) Pty Limited ABN 56 138 879 026, AFSL 340965. Insurance is underwritten by QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited ABN 78 003 191 035 AFSL 239545. Visit www.eldersinsurance.com.au to consider the Product Disclosure Statement and any applicable Target Market Determination to decide if the product is right for you.
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RETAIL THERAPY
Indulge in Fleurieu fare We’re incredibly fortunate to live in a region abundant with skilled growers and passionate producers. Fresh, local and thoughtfully crafted products are readily available through local retailers, farmers markets and online. Choose local when shopping for your weekly groceries – you’ll enjoy higher
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01 & 10: Taronga Almonds produces a rich range including artisanal flavoured almonds and creamy almond butters – all small batch and grown on the Fleurieu Peninsula to ensure maximum freshness and flavour. tarongaalmonds.com.au 02: Peninsula Providore offers certified Australian extra virgin olive oil, flavour-infused oils and other premium value-added products crafted in the heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula. peninsulaprovidore.net.au 03 & 05 & 09: Port Willunga Fine Foods’ new visual identity debuts in Fleurieu Living. It embodies their promise: produce that is local, artisan and flavour-forward. portwillungafinefoods.com.au 04: Limon Limoncello is a premium South Australian liqueur crafted from real lemons, offering a vibrant, zesty Mediterranean flavour that elevates any cocktail experience. limonau.com.au 54
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quality while supporting local businesses. Slow down and shop with purpose at our local retailers and make our community and sustainability come first.
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06: Kangaroo Island Spirits crafts bold, authentic spirits inspired by the island’s wild, natural beauty, masterfully blended in a selection of bold and nuanced flavours. kangarooislandspirits.com.au 07 & 08: Kangaroo Island Fresh Garlic delivers a premium range of flavourpacked garlic essentials – savoury flavoured garlic salts and fragrant dried powders and flakes. kifreshgarlic.com.au 09: Orange Choc Block with oranges from Port Willunga Fine Foods. Delicious! 10: The flavoured almonds from Taronga Almonds are dry-roasted enhanced with all-natural flavours. 11: Long-time favourite Fleurieu Milk continues to expand its range of high-quality products – enjoy their creamy yoghurt, rich pouring cream and their newly introduced sour cream. Available at fine retailers all over South Australia. > 55
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RETAIL THERAPY
Indulge in Fleurieu fare Celebrate our specialty retailers who invite you to slow down and shop consciously, embracing sustainable living through a warm, community-focused experience.
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12: Heart & Whole in Port Noarlunga offers beautifully curated, eco-conscious products, an extensive array of bulk food and more in a calm, coastal space that radiates warmth and mindful living. @heartandwholebulkfoods 13: Maxwell’s Grocery in Aldinga stocks an appealing range of fresh produce, pantry and health food items, all within the backdrop of its popular café. @maxwellsgrocery 14: Explore an abundant selection of pantry essentials and unique specialty items at The Bulk Cellar in Aldinga, from a wide variety of organic foods and bulk cleaning supplies to thoughtful gifts and self-care products. thebulkcellar.com.au 56
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Environmentally conscious landscape design
contemporary | native | coastal www.viridiadesign.com.au
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Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens. Get ready to be surprised. PH. (08) 8327 3356 | info@adelaideoutdoorkitchens.com.au ADELAIDEOU T D O O R KI T C H EN S.C O M.A U
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Meet me on the Mid Words by Emma Craggs.
Above: The Witton Bluff Base Trail now provides an accessible, scenic connection between Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga.
Australia's east coast has Lennox and Burleigh and Fremantle captures WA’s coastal charm, then surely Port Noarlunga is South Australia’s answer to a laid-back seaside suburb where food, wine and culture come together? Or maybe that’s just my local bias talking. Either way, let me show you why ‘Porties’, as we locals call it, is well worth a day trip, or better yet, the perfect home base for a full Fleurieu weekend escape. Lined by red sandstone cliffs, rich with the sound of waves rolling over the reef, speared by an historic jetty, Port Noarlunga beach is a natural showstopper. At first glance, it’s easy to think that’s where the magic ends – but beyond lazy beach strolls and the underwater wonderland revealed to scuba divers and snorkellers, you’ll find a vibrant township alive with creative energy and indulgence.
Two great new additions add to Port Noarlunga’s premium tourism appeal. The recently completed Witton Bluff Base Trail, a 1.1km accessible coastal pathway, now links Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga, completing a section of the Coast Park Trail network that connects O'Sullivan Beach to the north and Moana to the south. Behind the high street, between the coastal dune system and Ngangkiparri (the Onkaparinga River), sits a revamped Wearing Street precinct. Loved by locals for generations, the riverfront is now a well-equipped hub for water-based recreation. Community input and funding from the South Australian Government and the City of Onkaparinga have resulted in a first-class foreshore, safe riverbank access, dedicated paddle-craft launch areas, a seated viewing shelter, public toilets and car parking. Low key in the best of ways, this is my town, and I’d love to share with you my top places to eat, play and stay.
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Top: Sculptural seating overlooking Ngangkiparri (the Onkaparinga River), part of the Wearing Street development. Bottom left: A seafood twist on a classic pasta dish at Mamma Carmela. Bottom right: Drifter’s serves up cold fermented wood-fired pizzas and locally produced beers.
Mamma Carmela At Mamma Carmela’s iconic jetty views and million-dollar sunsets perfectly complement friendly service, a warm ambiance and authentic Italian cuisine. Centred on fresh ingredients and genuine flavours, the menu features traditional dishes like pasta and pizza alongside Mediterranean-inspired creations that, paired with the stunning outlook, will transport you to the Amalfi Coast. It’s ideal for a romantic dinner for two or a family meal to refuel after a day at the beach. The menu and the hospitality will surely delight. mammacarmela.com.au Drifters Pizza Bar With feet still adorned with sand, you’ll stumble upon Drifters Pizza Bar serving up handcrafted pizzas, local wines and smallbatch brews. A sister venue to Aldinga’s Kick Back Brewing, Drifters combines laid-back Mid Coast vibes with a serious love of traditional pizza. Each dough is cold-fermented for up to seventy-
two hours and topped with house-made sauces and premium local ingredients, then cooked to perfection in a Marana Forni oven which has travelled all the way from Italy. An impressive tap or take-away line-up courtesy of Kick Back Brewing, alongside clever seasonal cocktails and pizza specials, makes Drifters a place where great food and great memories come together, whether it is your first or tenth time dining there. driftersmidcoast.com.au Noori Set in a renovated early 1900s barn – complete with an historic stonewell turned communal bar – Noori embodies the essence of a big-city wine bar in an intimate local hideout. Known for its cocktail theatrics, curated wine list and warm hospitality, this stylish neighbourhood spot serves up small plates like anchovy toast and patatas bravas, perfectly paired with rotating local and international wines. An eclectic mix of refined design and quirky charm sets Noori apart, including its unique pelican sculpture. The name 'Noori,' meaning pelican in Ngarrindjeri, nods to local roots and the coastal > 59
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Top left: Fancy a cocktail? Noori will get you sorted. Bottom left: Sun-drenched dining in the Port Noarlunga Hotel beer garden. Above right: A Heart & Whole regular stocks up on good food, naturally.
birds that migrate through the area. Ask for a wine recommendation, and you might just find Noori founder Jacob or another passionate team member, pulling up a chair to take you on a memorable journey through the origins, makers and stories behind the glass. @noori.onthemidcoast Port Noarlunga Hotel We simply couldn’t coin this a ‘township’ without a pub. The iconic Port Noarlunga Hotel offers year-round appeal with a cosy fireplace for winter warmth and a sunny beer garden for summer sessions. A bright mural on the exterior of the hotel pays homage to the Frangapani Gardens, which was the first outdoor beer garden in South Australia. Known for fresh local fare, pub favourites, live music and welcoming vibes, the Port Naorlunga Hotel is the perfect spot to relax with a drink, a meal and great company. portnoarlungahotel.com.au
Heart & Whole Whether you're after a healthy snack for the family, your weekly grocery haul, or assembling the perfect platter for an afternoon at your accommodation, Heart & Whole is hard to go past, especially when the fresh-baked sourdough hits the shelves. Lovable locals Luke and Birdie are champions of health-conscious living, proffering a thoughtful selection of wholesome pantry staples, fresh organic produce and locally made goods. Brimming with knowledge, the team is happy to guide you through more than two-hundred-and-fifty bulk wholefood lines, a fridge and freezer packed with nourishing options, and a growing range of sustainable packaged products and eco-conscious cleaning supplies. Since 2021, Heart & Whole has been helping locals and visitors make mindful, sustainable choices while supporting small producers and making real food easy to enjoy, naturally. @heartandwholebulkfoods
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Above left: Delicious plates and local brews at the institution that is Agatha’s café. Top right: Tequila N Tacos serving up fresh Mexican fare. Bottom right: Port Naorlunga reef and jetty among ever-changing shades of blue and turquoise.
Agatha’s Agatha’s has been the beating heart of Port Noarlunga’s high street for nearly three decades. This beloved café serves up delicious food, barista coffee, fresh smoothies and a wine list that supports producers across South Australia. The menu is built around the best local produce, offering everything from classic bacon and eggs to inventive seasonal dishes, drawing a steady stream of happy diners for breakfast and lunch from Tuesday to Sunday. While bookings are wise, you might be lucky enough to score a sun-drenched table outdoors or a cosy spot inside on a whim. Otherwise, a takeaway spread enjoyed by the beach or river is every bit as satisfying. agathascafe.com.au Port Burger Housed within an architecturally repurposed shipping container, Port Burger pairs bold, flavour-packed fare with a relaxed coastal vibe. A spacious lawn and pirate-themed sandpit make it ideal for a laidback afternoon, even with the kids in tow. Now home to Shifty Lizard
Brewing Co, the drinks list is as impressive as the mouthwatering burgers and snacks. portburger.com.au Tequila N Tacos Bringing the vibrant flavours of Mexico to Gawler Street, Tequila N Tacos is a locally owned, family-run favourite with a menu full of crowd pleasers. From crispy jalapeño poppers and mouth-watering taquitos to loaded nachos, hearty enchiladas, sizzling fajitas, tender pork rib and steak done the Mexican way – there’s something to satisfy every craving. If you're feeling bold, pair your meal with a house-made Margarita, a glass of Sangria, a handcrafted cocktail or a choice of tequilas – and indulge in the full fiesta experience. @tequilantacosportnoarlunga Sauerbier House culture exchange and Arts Centre Port Noarlunga Adding to the region’s coastal beauty and culinary delights, two celebrated arts venues – Sauerbier House Culture Exchange and >
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Top: Historic Sauerbier House welcomes guests to explore art from creation to exhibition. Bottom left: Local works available for sale at the Arts Centre Port Noarlunga. Bottom right: Sculptural installation ‘The Goggles’ by Anna Small and Warren Pickering, a symbol of the underwater wonderland that awaits.
the Arts Centre Port Noarlunga – form the heart of a thriving creative hub. Just a short stroll apart and linked by accessible pathways, they offer distinct yet complementary offerings: one alive with contemporary, artist-led exhibitions and immersive studio practice, the other vibrant and busy with a long history of community use. Together, they create a vibrant pulse of creativity, beating at the northern gateway to the Fleurieu Peninsula’s celebrated cultural life. Sauerbier House is a welcoming contemporary art space comprising galleries, artist studios and an artist-led garden of local species. Collectively, its programs support the creative development of projects led by local and visiting contemporary artists, makers, thinkers and craftspeople whilst offering opportunities for visitors to experience and interact with creative processes. Discover galleries featuring compelling contemporary exhibitions, artists working in open studio settings, offerings of skill sharing workshops, artist talks and friendly staff to guide you through.
Housed in the grand Old Institute building on Gawler Street, the Arts Centre Port Noarlunga has been an enduring cultural beacon since 1924. Once Port Noarlunga’s only movie theatre, today it thrives as a flexible, multi-use arts hub, comprising two gallery spaces, a performance space, rehearsal studios, a visual arts studio, and an inviting art shop showcasing over one-hundred local creatives. Enjoy a dynamic program of exhibitions and workshops, along with tribute concerts, cabaret and theatre performances. The spaces can be hired for events, conferences, workshops and shows. onkaparingacity.com/arts Looking for somewhere to stay? Driven by a passion for exceptional stays, locally owned Wine Coast Holiday Rentals has three unique properties within walking distance of the township. Guests can immerse themselves in the local way of life with one of these beautifully presented homes, each immaculately prepared, thoughtfully styled and sure to exceed expectations.
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Top left: The open-plan meals and lounge room at Oceanview Escape makes for the ultimate group accommodation. Top right: The sunsets over the ocean at Mid Coast Surf & Vines. Bottom: Stylish bedroom comfort at Sunrise to Sunset Port Noarlunga. All: Accommodations available to book via Wine Coast Holiday Rentals.
Sunrise to Sunset, Port Noarlunga This stylishly furnished four-bedroom home invites you to savour every sunrise and sunset with breathtaking views over the Port Noarlunga wetlands. The spacious living area flows onto a breezy deck perfect for alfresco meals, while modern interiors, full amenities and four generous bedrooms make it an ideal home for families or friends.
Mid Coast Surf & Vines, Port Noarlunga South A laid‑back fusion of coastal comfort and modern elegance, this three-bedroom gem sits just south of the village close to rolling waves and a mere fifteen-minute drive to the lush vines of McLaren Vale. Relax in a light‑filled living space with sleek finishes, then wander to Port Noarlunga via the Coast Park Trail. Ideal for up to six people seeking sun, style and a touch of adventure.
Oceanview Escape, Port Noarlunga South Closer again to the township is Oceanview Escape, where ultra-luxe meets relaxed coastal living in this four‑bedroom entertainer. The open‑plan living area and deck, which capture sweeping panoramas of the South Port cliffs and the blue waters of Port Noarlunga beach, will be hard to step away from – but it will be worth it for all there is to discover nearby!
Locally owned and deeply connected to the Fleurieu, the Wine Coast Holiday Rentals team manages high-end holiday homes right across the Fleurieu, making possible that romantic night for two in Whites Valley, a micro-wedding or corporate retreat in Port Willunga, or a family getaway at Sellicks. winecoastholidayrentals.com.au The charm of Port Noarlunga is hard to resist. But don’t just take my word for it – get over here and experience it for yourself.
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Norfolk Property Management Premium, personalised properties.
Above: The outdoor bath at The Gazebo in Encounter Bay – enhanced by a local gin is a win. Photo by: Lor Vis Media.
Whalers Rest Arguably the best-positioned holiday home on the Fleurieu, Whalers Rest is perched over the water, offering uninterrupted views across the bay and out to the islands. Nestled into the side of the Bluff, it’s a frontrow seat to nature – where whales glide by and sunsets feel close enough to touch. A truly magical escape. Photo by Evan Bailey. norfolkhouse.co
The Gazebo Tucked high above Encounter Bay, The Gazebo is one of South Australia's most secret and soulful stays. With sweeping panoramic views, an outdoor bath nestled among the trees, it’s the ultimate romantic escape. A hidden gem made for stargazing, slow mornings and reconnecting with nature. Photo by Lor Vis Media. norfolkhouse.co
Wistow House A private hilltop escape, Wistow House is a beautifully restored architectural gem crafted from South Australian Wistow Bluestone. With its striking angular design, earthy textures and refined finishes, this serene retreat offers a blend of modern luxury and natural charm. Surrounded by open gardens and treetop outlooks, it's the perfect hideaway for couples, families or groups seeking style, comfort and seclusion. Photo by Evan Bailey. norfolkhouse.co
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Top left and right: Alice and Connie of NPM enjoying the views at Wistow House – style, comfort and seclusion where rustic and modern are beautifully combined. Photos by Evan Bailey. Bottom left: The Gazebo includes an expansive outdoor area for guests to enjoy.
The Boat House Lovingly renovated by locals Max and Alex Longhurst, The Boat House captures the essence of coastal living – light filled, relaxed and effortlessly stylish. In the heart of Goolwa, it’s a home made for connection, whether that’s wandering to nearby shops and cafés, sharing stories around the firepit framed by heritage railway sleepers, or enjoying the beautifully landscaped gardens. The pub is just through the back gate and some of the Fleurieu’s best restaurants are within walking distance, so it’s the perfect base for slow, memorable days by the coast. Photo by Evan Bailey. norfolkhouse.co
Jimmy Smith's Dairy Set in Port Elliot’s rolling farmland, Jimmy Smith’s Dairy is a beautifully restored midcentury dairy turned luxury retreat. Once home to Jimmy Smith’s herd, the crumbling structure has been reimagined by Robyn and Noel Akmens in collaboration with architect Amy Grundy. Original charm meets modern comfort, with Noel’s bespoke furniture and Robyn’s considered interiors creating a serene, design-led escape. Photo by 75 Vibes. norfolkhouse.co
Sandy Shores On the lakefront at Encounter Bay, Sandy Shores is a rare double-storey retreat with its own private beach. Owner Milan fell instantly in love with its charm, character and the water views from every room. Sleeping up to ten guests, this character-filled home is made for relaxed coastal living. Think morning strolls to the water’s edge, hours spent kayaking or the quiet lap of water as you paddleboard on the lake. Photo by: Evan Bailey. norfolkhouse.co
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The wood keepers Story by Nina Keath. Photography by Jason Porter.
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Page left and above: Longy's house is a dynamic blend of angles, recycled materials and superb craftsmanship with stonework and landscaping by Mark and Margot's son Max and his company Five Acres Landscaping. The family has created a beautifully personalised ode to their combined skills.
'Everything you can see in this house has been repurposed,' announces Mark Longhurst – better known as Longy – with a grin that spreads from his eyes down to his paint-splattered, steel-capped sneakers. 'It’s been a labour of love.' Beside him, his wife Margot smiles. They stand together on the threshold of their recently completed home in Chiton. As they step back to welcome me into this timber sanctuary, I catch a view all the way out to the trees beyond. Sunlight spills across the honeyed walls and the air smells richly of aged wood. A builder and timber craftsman by trade, Longy has spent decades collecting, shaping and reimagining wood. Now, with this one-of-akind home, he and Margot have created something deeply personal: a hand-built celebration of sustainable living, creative design and the soulful integrity of reclaimed materials.
'We wanted the build to be creative,' says Margot, 'and an opportunity for Longy to use all of his skills, to stretch the envelope and show what’s possible.' 'And also to use up my wood collection!' quips Longy. The couple worked on the project for two years, building the house piece by piece, moving in part-way through construction. 'If we were paying someone to do it,' Margot says frankly, 'we couldn’t have afforded it. But we both worked on it, side by side.' Longy gazes fondly at Margot saying, 'Margot has the design ideas and I make it happen. We do it together. She’s a nurse, not a builder, so I trained her on the docker. Everything in this house is on an angle and she did a good job, she’s very precise.' Their home is a testament not just to craft, but to character, friendship and family. Their son Max, who runs Five Acres Landscaping, did the stonework using rock from the Goolwa quarry. They called on family and friends to do the formwork before the concreter came to do the pour. > 67
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Page left: The kitchen was a collaborative effort between local company Innovative Kitchens and Mark (via the woodwork). Top left: The laundry features a banksia motif tile from Beaumont Tiles Victor Harbor. Top right: The indoor swing was installed on a whim for the grandchildren and has become a permanent fixture. Bottom left and right. Handmade and foraged finds are everywhere.
‘All our friends lent a hand. Anyone who came within cooee of the house got a job – even the blokes who talk too much (Bazz)!' grins Longy. Margot adds: 'Our grandkids think Longy can solve any problem. One night, our granddaughter knocked on the door with a popped balloon and asked him to fix it!' Designed in collaboration with architects A-HA! Design Studio from the Adelaide Hills, the brief was simple but ambitious: timber, glass, light and sustainability. Longy and Margot wanted to erase the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, inviting nature into every corner. It worked. You can see right through the home to the trees and gentle curve of the creek. Frogs croak in the reeds outside and birdsong floats through the open windows.
Solar panels and a battery power the home, meaning no power bills, and are a welcome reward in retirement. Tilt-and-turn PVC windows from AWS in Lonsdale 'seal up so tight,' says Longy 'that it’s warm and cozy all year round. If we keep everything shut, the house sits at twenty-five degrees, easy.' The house is nestled within the Beyond estate, an example of sustainable development done right. Beyond has flipped the script on suburban sprawl. Instead of the mandated twelve-per-cent open space, it offers forty-seven per cent parks and wetlands, plus an adjacent sixty-four hectares of native revegetation. 'You have to take your hat off to the Wright family who had the vision for this development. We get to enjoy what they’ve created,’ says Longy. > 69
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Page left: The interior timber ceilings and walls are expertly cut to fit by the Longhursts and sourced from Eco Timber. All tile work is from Beaumont Tiles. This page: The exterior timber pergola will eventually have the cover of a grapevine for summer shelter. The rustic timber beams are sourced from Port Adelaide.
'All the houses here are built to high energy-efficiency standards. People ask me if it’s annoying having all these restrictions but I say putting restrictions on buildings is the best thing you could do. Things like insulation, double glazing, orientation, nature – they all make life better.' Nothing about this house is off-the-shelf. Longy and Margot have sourced every beam, panel and fixture with care, salvaging treasures from demolished homes and forgotten stockpiles. 'There is so much waste in the building industry,' says Longy. He describes recently walking past a 1960s house being torn down. 'It had beautiful Oregon timber and by the afternoon, it was all in matchsticks. That stuff is irreplaceable. It’s criminal.' He explains that South Australia is fortunate because Jarrah from Western Australia and Oregon from America were brought in as ship ballast and swapped for wool and grain around the 1940s to 1960s. 'We have incredible timber in our older houses and nearly every time one is demolished, it’s destroyed. Some is at least two-thousand
years old. It’s way better quality than anything people are using today,’ says Longy. ‘Builders say they can’t use secondhand timber because it’s not graded but that’s a myth. I use it in all my builds and it’s easy. You do a simple course in grading and you’re good to go. For any young aspiring builders, I’d love them to get inspired about what can be achieved if you start collecting and preserving old timber.' Longy’s love for wood goes back decades, including years working alongside renowned woodcarver and artist, Robin Turner, creating unique pieces for galleries across Australia and beyond. 'He taught me so much,' Longy says, 'He gave me my love for wood.' In this house, sleepers from Port Adelaide now frame windows and doors. The bench tops are made from salvaged Oregon and dozens of tiny offcuts, lovingly joined. 'I was throwing the offcuts in the fire one night,' Longy says, 'and thought – hang on, that’s fifty cents every time. So I set Margot up >
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Above: A cool winter's eve is to be enjoyed around the outdoor fire with the backdrop of the fabulous curved stonework wall by Five Acres Landscaping. Metal, stone and wood unite to create a super stylish outdoor entertaining area.
and she joined it all together. She’s got patience, but that’s what the timber deserves.'
construction, now drifts gently in the breeze, a fixture of joy in the heart of the home.
The cladding, inside and out, is Tasmanian Oak, saved from becoming pulp by passionate timber salvaging business Eco Timber. 'It breaks my heart that it was from old-growth forest,' Longy says, 'but at least we’ve saved it from becoming toilet paper.'
Margot, a talented artist, will have her studio upstairs. Her artwork lines every wall throughout the house. A portrait of Longy – blond surfer curls, cheeky smirk and sunnies – hangs in pride of place next to the piano.
Every corner tells a story. Longy admits he pinched Margot’s rice and cookie jars to make the kitchen lightshades, hanging them from reclaimed rusted chains. The stair balustrade is made from salvaged Rio rod. Peepholes cut from drainage pipes peek through the walls. The elegant black pantry shelves are made from the leftover plywood used for the concrete formwork. And a hallway swing, hastily hung to entertain grandkids during a busy day of
The final touch? The sunbed in the living room, an inviting cluster of cushions in a dappled corner where, one morning recently, Margot sat with her breakfast porridge and looked out over the creek. ‘I turned to Longy and said, “We’ve made it”.’ And they have. The Longhursts have built a timber sanctuary from the past – for the future. A home that honours the earth, celebrates craft and welcomes all who enter.
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Service Manager Showroom/Factory Showroom/Factory
32
delivering on your comfort for 32 years
refrigeration + air conditioning 24 / 7 Air Conditioning
47 47 Maude MaudeStreet, Street, Victor Harbor Victor HarborSA SA5211 5211 Showroom/Factory p: 08 8552 8666 p:88 08Hill 8552 8666 Street, Elliot SA7666 5212 f:f: Pt08 8552 08 8552 7666 p: 08 8554 3957 m: 849 m:f:0418 0427 611 008 405 08 8554 3956 e: ovh@belowzero.com.au e:e:sam@belowzero.com.au dale@belowzero.com.au w: w: www.belowzero.com.au www.belowzero.com.au
With Compliments
Postal Address PO Box 1379 Victor Harbor SA 5211
Locally owned, comfort at home Delivering tailored comfort for over 32 years, we combine expert advice, in-house system design, and premium brands Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin. Locally owned and trusted across the Fleurieu and South Australia, we provide quality residential and commercial air conditioning solutions designed to impress and built to last.
47 Maude St Victor Harbor 08 8552 8666 www.belowzero.com.au
DIAMOND DEALER
Sam Lawson, Managing Director and Tilly the office dog!
AU00285
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FOOD & WINE
Fizz and flavour
Words by Jacob Barter, with thoughts and commentary from Darren Oemcke.
With a love for local wines and the stories that pour from them, Jacob brings his trademark energy and warmth to every word – we’re thrilled to share his fizz-filled reflections with you. POP! Here we are folks, all things sparkling wine. Somehow Vino Bozo landed the best job around, tasting some unreal examples of bubbles from the Fleurieu, how good! With the record button pressed down we let the good times roll, popped some corks, broke some crown seals and took a glance into the effervescence. With amazing wine made by some amazing humans, we’d like to boast that gold was uncovered. Check out the Vino Bozo podcast for what we are calling two of our best podcasts yet. Massive love to Fleurieu and its producers. Now, get your glasses out, it’s time to get bubbly. Lake Breeze Wines Langhorne Creek 2021 Blanc de Blancs One word? Insane. This Langhorne Creek Chardonnay, made in the traditional method, hits that perfect equilateral triangle balance of acidity, fruit and texture. Integrated toastiness mingles seamlessly with fresh apple and a lemon balm. What could be boxed and sharp has soft, creamy edges. Complex, long and effortlessly elegant. The kind of wine you could picture sipping in a hot air balloon while someone scrapes melted raclette onto your scallops. Rich, textural and indulgent, yet still bright and refreshing.
Honey Moon Vineyard Echunga, Adelaide Hills Rosé Brut Reserve This wine beams from start to finish, there’s no dip, it just keeps going. There is no wrong that Honey Moon can do. This salmon-topeach colour sparkling from Hylton and Jane bursts with red apple, strawberry and Nashi pear, underpinned by toast and fresh-baked pastry. The bead is fine and persistent, carrying a beam of flavour from first sip to a long, graceful finish. Richness without heaviness, tartness without sharpness, a Rosé that is beautifully Australian in its generosity, wonderfully French in its finesse. Coriole McLaren Vale NV Prosecco We love a crown seal on a Prosecco, and here it works a treat. This non-vintage fizz shows off beautiful clarity and a hint more depth of colour than the pale star-bright styles we see so much of. Aromas of tangy starfruit, ripe apple and pear. On the palate it’s got a pleasing weight with the crisp acidity keeping everything lively and fresh. Bright, approachable and utterly smashable, it’s the kind of wine that makes perfect sense at ten-thirty in the morning, especially if you’ve got a flight to catch. Berg Herring McLaren Vale 2025 Sparkling Pecorino This makes me think of pink grapefruit…like ruby grapefruit…and blood orange, and that’s just the start of the fun with this pale, finebubbled Pecorino. Crafted by Sam and Chloe from their charming old-church cellar door near the Victory Hotel, its tangy and zippy
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It’s time to pop a cork (or a crown) and revel in the sparkle of bubbles from across the Fleurieu. Guiding us on this journey of effervescence is the ever-spirited Jacob Barter, the friendly face behind Noori in Port Noarlunga and now a familiar voice on his latest passion project, the Vino Bozo podcast, co-hosted with Darren Oemcke.
laser-beam acidity is balanced with its red citrus-fruit energy. There’s an easy boho in a glass vibe. Authentic and unpretentious, we couldn't stop talking about a casual beach picnic with freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters and a bottle of this to see out the afternoon. Stoke Wines Kangaroo Island 2023 Petillant Naturel I’m stoked about this wine. Banana, beetroot, guava, dark cherry. When have all those words been put beside each other? Probably never. Delight and wonder comes with Dougy’s wines. With KI fruit there is always this saline whisper present for these are vineyards virtually licked by the ocean. One of my favourite humans with one of the most interesting and ‘wait let me have another look' wines around. It is just as fun as it is thoughtful. With roots in a vineyard where regenerative farming is more than a buzzword, it’s a coastalenergy fizz that delivers freshness and outrageous flavour. Froth on. Orbis Wines McLaren Vale 2024 Petillant Rosé It’s not trying to be cool … it just is. A naked Shiraz Rosé from a little naked Maslin Beach vineyard bursts with pomegranate, strawberry, watermelon with a touch of citrus fruits. The fizz is lively, the acidity bright, and there’s a fruit-salad juiciness with surprising weight and an enigmatic mid-palate texture, very morish. Verity, Orbis’ new winemaker and Fleurieu local, has channeled some Provence Rosé energy with its colour. Lift and detail with defined red fruit, it’s
smart wine for those who like a bit of intrigue. Looking forward to checking out the rest of Verity’s new releases! Orbis Wines McLaren Vale 2023 Petillant Naturel This is bottled energy. This cloudier Shiraz Pet Nat shows antipasto savouriness, jube lolly, fruit leather, guava, with a gentle brush of balsamic adding intrigue. The softer acidity matches these notes really really well. We got caught up on this wine trying to decipher why it worked so well. It's approachable and easy drinking, The structure is more muscular than its Petulant Rosé sibling, with a dash of umami/dashi character for extra depth. Think hot days, plates of tomato and burrata, and glasses refilled without hesitation. Dandelion Vineyards McLaren Vale Field of Wonders Chardonnay and Lemon Myrtle Spritzer This is what Zeus got drunk on and made Hercules. At just eightper-cent ABV, this lightly sweet, lemon-myrtle-kissed spritz-style wine is pure fun. Aromas of chamomile, bergamot and orange blossom honey leap from the glass and dance on the brain. Fresh and delicate sweetness follows that’s balanced, light on its feet. Ambrosia is the word we were trying to remember. This is a demigod making juice, it's terrific. Like a high-end cocktail bar spritz in a glass, it’s refreshing, floral and impossible not to smile over.
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Above: Still from Kangaroo Island. Photograph by Ian Routlidge.
Kangaroo Island, the movie We meet director and producer Timothy David and actor and screenwriter Sally Gifford at Stokes Bay Cliffs on Kangaroo Island in the weeks before the release of their independent film, Kangaroo Island. Independent filmmaking is a rewarding challenge. The impetus for Kangaroo Island came from a love of the story, a desire to take a risk and an alignment of creative forces – with Sally’s screenplay at the heart of it. The story came from a raw place. ‘We were on holiday here and there was roadkill everywhere, and it sort of spoke to something that I was thinking about a lot and obsessing about a lot, and worrying about – just, you know, what does it all mean? Was there any purpose to life?’ says Sally. ‘I thought it would be interesting to examine that theme in the context of a family that’s experienced something that nobody would want to experience. And then, how do they go on to create a meaningful life for themselves? I wanted the two sisters to be foils for one another. One turns to religion and one turns directly away from it and becomes kind of hedonistic.’ When Tim read the script, he loved it. ‘What I loved about the script when I read it is that the trauma and the tragedy that occur, that inspire the drama in the film, occurred ten years ago. So the film actually doesn’t have to deal with anything too tragic,’ he says. ‘I think what Sally did very cleverly in the script, that is revealed over the hour-and-a-half of the movie, is layers of history. And it just keeps hitting you. When I read the script, I just thought that would be a pretty powerful, emotional film to make.’ The sisters played by actors Rebecca Breeds (Lou) and Adelaide Clemens (Freya) have not seen each other for ten years when their father Rory, played by Erik Thomson, summons Lou home under
the guise of family reconciliation. Lou arrives – and the past and present unfold. Their story is set against the backdrop of a family property near Stokes Bay and draws on the island’s iconic locations such as Vivonne Bay General Store, the Ozone Hotel, Pennington Bay, Snellings Beach and the island’s long, winding roads, made possible, according to Tim, by the welcome and willingness of locals to volunteer or offer their properties for filming. The local scenes are authentically depicted through the filmakers’ real, lived connection to the place. The emotional direction of the movie is dialled into the landscape with the quiet of the sea, the golden grassy hills of summer, and the nostalgia of the family home rich with its memories, laughter and heartbreak, revealed through the characters as they tease out their love and losses. While Kangaroo Island is set in a specific geographical location, its powerful messages are universal. Tim says, ‘There’s plenty of proof that life can be tragic but there’s also plenty of proof that it is really beautiful. As one audience member said, “It has it all”.’ Preview screenings both in Australia and overseas have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from audiences. ‘I laughed, I cried.’ ‘It was real.’ ‘I really loved how humour was used. It lightened the mood during the more intense times in the film and made it a really enjoyable experience.’ ‘The message was amazing.’ ‘11 out of 10.’ Perhaps the most insightful comment was that of a young woman: ‘I didn't know what to expect but I am thrilled with what I watched and it reminded me that life is a beautiful thing and that we don’t appreciate it enough. And all of these different facets of it from familial relationships to romantic relationships – it touches on it in a really nuanced and beautiful way … ’
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Adelaide Fuel & Safety
The one-stop shop for everything you need to be safe & efficient on the job. 55 Seaford Rd, Seaford. 7260 3340 77
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Shore thing Shore Thing takes to the skies for a fresh look at some of the most striking coastal landscapes on the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. From the sculpted limestone of Pennington Bay to the dramatic geology of Ochre Point, the view from above reveals the beauty of our rugged southern edge. Photography by Jason Porter.
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Pennington Bay delivers a wild, cinematic canvas: powdery white sand opening to the raw power of the Southern Ocean, backed by windswept dunes and striking limestone formations. It’s always our first stop on KI. Serenity and power combined. >
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Ochre Point at the north end of Maslin Beach is renowned for its dramatic coastal cliffs showcasing stunning bands of red, orange, yellow and white, created by varying concentrations of iron oxides in the sedimentary layers belonging to the Eocene epoch around fifty million years ago. Ochre Point is culturally important, as the ochre was traditionally used by the Kaurna people for ceremonial and artistic purposes.
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Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island. This awe-inspiring place never gets boring. A friend visiting said while driving the long stretch from Pennshaw to the west end of the island, ‘These Remarkable Rocks better damn well be remarkable!’ He wasn’t disappointed. >
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The Witton Bluff Base Trail now links Christies Beach and Port Noarlunga. It not only enhances active travel and tourism, but weaves cultural acknowledgement of the Tjilbruke songline and Kaurna heritage with climate-resilient design, making it into one of Adelaide’s most scenic coastal stretches.
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Empowering future leaders, advocates and entrepreneurs Our student leadership opportunities, student-led fundraising and events, and Entrepreneurial Education and Rite Journey programs build responsible, enterprising young minds. The school’s industry-leading Innovation Centre, featuring robotics studios and innovation laboratories, will further unleash the next generation’s potential.
ELC TO YEAR 12 (08) 8551 0900 INVESTIGATOR.SA.EDU.AU
New concept in old style.indd 2
Come and see the ‘Yuntulun Ku:li-war’ interactive exhibition, the jewel in the crown of the Signal Point Experience Centre. Cost:
Free
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm Where: Signal Point Experience Centre, Goolwa Wharf Precinct For more information 8555 7000 or aace@alexandrina.sa.gov.au
16/07/2025 2:49:20 PM
Alexandrina Council is pleased to present the national touring exhibition
POSTWORLD POSTWORLD features 11 Australian artists who create parallel universes. Audiences are invited into the playful, sublime, poetic and cautionary in this exhibition. When: Saturday 13 September to Sunday 23 November Where: Signal Point Experience Centre, Goolwa Wharf Precinct Image: Alison Bennett, vegetal/ digital (Waratah), 2021, Still of photogrammetry pointcloud. POSTWORLD is a touring initiative co-curated by Kate O’Hara and Daniel Qualischefski, developed by Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts (Umbrella), commissioned by NAFA and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland (M&G QLD). This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program and by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Umbrella and M&G QLD are supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Umbrella is also supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and receive funding from Creative Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund.
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Above left: 67-year-old Bridget Gardiner. Above right: 79-year-old Chris Banks.
Ageing, inquiry and imperfection Story, photography and video by Petra de Mooy.
This year I participated in the Advanced Fleurieu Future Leaders Program led by behavioural scientists Charles and Janice Manning of Face the World. The program focuses on leadership development through behavioural science, personal reflection and community engagement. I had completed the original Future Leaders Program in 2018, which I loved, so when I saw the call-out for alumni to apply for the advanced program, I was all in. At the first Future Leaders program, I wrote and presented a reflection on moving from Canada to Australia and starting Fleurieu Living Magazine. It was about sliding door moments – when one door closes, another opens. It was about risk-taking and the benefits of being naive and staying open to opportunity. At the start of the six-month advanced program, we were asked to bring a curiosity – something we wanted to explore. I began with questions about business growth and succession planning for the
magazine. But early on, it became clear this wasn’t going to be a straightforward business exercise. We talked about the importance of staying open and not fixating on a result or defined goal. To remain a mutual learner (learning together as a group), to keep asking questions, and to look at how we operate as individuals and within organisations. Through behavioural science models we learned simple concepts like values, mission, making change, learning and purpose – how we reflect on these in both work and life. We studied Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a motivational theory outlining five levels of human needs, from basic survival to self-actualisation. Having the time to dig deep and think expansively on these concepts was a rare gift. We were asked to journal and reflect; to create a life board representing who we’ve been and what has shaped us each decade of our lives, starting from one and for me now reflecting on fifty to sixty. At almost sixty, I found that tough to fit on an A3 sheet! Still, it was a useful process – one that made me consider the layers, the highs and lows, the ebbs and flows. Early in the program we discussed the concept of Ubuntu – the South African philosophy that means ‘I am because you are’. That
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Above left: 79-year-old Suzanne Gebhardt. Above right: 59-year-old Rossy Reeves.
idea stuck with me. It speaks to empathy, shared responsibility and the importance of community – principles that shaped how I approached the next phase. The program introduced us to action research. For those unfamiliar, it’s a process of learning by doing. You research, test, reflect, adjust. Being allowed to keep adjusting suited me. We looked at double-loop learning where, instead of just changing actions, you also question the underlying beliefs and assumptions behind those actions. The process matters as much as the conclusion. As Charles stated on more than one occasion regarding our approach – the answer is the death of the question. This was critical in challenging me to resist premature conclusions and stay present with uncertainty. We also explored our ‘leadership shadow’ – what’s serving us well, what isn’t, and what needs to shift. As the program evolved, my project shifted to an inquiry into ageing – sparked by a milestone birthday next year: I’m turning sixty. And a realisation that to do anything well, I need to find balance. It’s also a reflection on my mum, who passed away last year at age eighty-seven. In the last decade of her life, she lived with chronic pain
and limited mobility. She managed it with a pharmacy’s worth of opioids – and eventually morphine. It wasn’t simple. The meds dulled the pain, but they came with a cost: nausea, confusion and addiction. And it made the last years of her life harder than they needed to be. Watching that unfold, I thought: How can I do this differently? I’ve always been mentally strong – I know how to cope, how to push through. But I also lean into denial and procrastination pretty well. Just like my mum. With the utmost respect for her, I’ve long had this quiet thought: I want to do better. So I decided to take a more proactive approach, both externally and internally, something I’ve always done but that I leant into more rigorously within the scope of my project. I started riding my bike to the gym a few times a week and doing high-intensity interval training classes. I challenged my inner belief that I’d hate group classes and the ‘fishbowl effect’ – and guess what? It’s actually a great little community and everyone’s on their own journey and everyone’s working with their own ‘skin bag’ – a term Charles used to describe the unique physical and emotional form each of us inhabits. > 85
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Above left: 73-year-old Evette Sunset. Above right: 75-year-old Susan Caporn-March.
I went down the research rabbithole: podcasts on ageing, menopause, bodily autonomy, end-of-life choices. I watched the documentary on psychiatrist Phil Stutz, who says the three certainties in life are: pain, uncertainty and constant work. I even found a podcast specifically about knee injuries. That was because I fell off my bike halfway through the program and hurt my knee – no break, but I couldn’t walk properly for weeks. In all honesty, I was making stabs at trying to find answers but they eluded me and I was drowning in the sheer volume of content available. It felt like the universe was saying: Let’s make the research immersive. You want to understand ageing? Try immobility. Feel it. Sit in it. It made me think more deeply – about my mum, chronic pain and what it means to have your body start to betray you. It wasn’t just physical. Emotionally, I felt vulnerable. Unsteady. At one point, I honestly thought I might quit the program. I felt like I was coming undone – but in a slow, quiet way where the seams are still neat. It hit home that outwardly, I seem together – and I am, mostly. But underneath is a mix of complexity, strength, grief and years of practised stoicism. Like so many women, I’ve held it all. But denial is a powerful selfpreservation strategy. And this program kept asking: Why? What else? And then why again? Eventually, you run out of places to hide. So I shifted. I started taking small, meaningful actions. I walked – even when the pain from the knee injury was acute. Once my knee got better, I rejoined the gym – but this time I took a slower gentler approach. I cried but found ways toward healing. (Magnesium soaks in the bath are highly recommended, by the way – Mum was right about that.) I began shaping the actual project. Originally, I imagined a roundtable of older women chatting about their lives – but logistically, that was out of scope (too many cameras and microphones). So instead, I recorded one-on-one interviews. Simple conversations. Human stories.
I selected women ranging from sixty to eighty in our community that I’ve admired for their grace, creativity and warmth. They are thoughtful and purposeful people. They are Chris Banks, Susan Caporn-March, Bridget Gardiner, Suzanne Gebhardt, Rossy Reeves and Evette Sunset. In these interviews I asked: Who have you been? Who are you now? What has challenged you? How important is mindset? What does self-care look like in your sixties, seventies, eighties? How do you nurture relationships, find purpose and navigate grief? What the interviews revealed is just a scratch on the surface of who these women are and what they offer. These women are mothers, gardeners, artists, designers, foodies, carers, teachers, businesswomen, entrepreneurs, volunteers, participants in social change. They’ve navigated life’s challenges and continue to grow. They are sources of wisdom. As grandmothers, they offer unconditional love. They can sit and listen without rushing to the next task. It hasn’t all gone smoothly. The technical aspect of creating video and editing it into something good was difficult. It is slow, methodical work, but I streamlined it enough and I captured each of these resilient women through still photos as well. More than anything, the value of these conversations isn’t in the edited video – it’s in the time spent listening. Here’s what I’ve gathered so far … There is no holy grail to ageing well, but growing up with a resilient parent helps. A positive mindset really matters – and so does community. Be proactive in your own health. Laugh at yourself. Be accepting of yourself and others. Don’t be too hard on yourself. This project – and this process – is still unfolding. And as always, I’m staying curious. Because the process is the point. Scan the code to view the short film we made:
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Above: Every Saturday you'll find Sarina Virgara and her family's produce at the Willunga Farmers' Market.
Saturday starts at Virgara’s Garden Words Myriah Smith.
At Willunga Farmers’ Market, the early birds don’t just line up for coffee, they queue for Virgara’s Garden. Trolleys in tow and kids weaving through the crowd, shoppers happily line up for a chance to stock up on Sarina and Francesco’s fresh, seasonal produce. Among stalls selling artisan products, ready-made hot food, boutique wines and lively demonstrations, it’s this humble veggie stall that consistently draws a crowd. If you’re a regular at the market, you’ve likely spotted eager shoppers patiently waiting for the opening bell before running to Virgara’s Garden to grab their chosen produce before it sells out. Sarina’s parents were market gardeners who sold their produce to shops through the Adelaide East End Market and later in Pooraka. Originally based in Myponga, they relocated to Willunga in the mid1980s, where they have continued farming ever since. As demand for their produce grew, they expanded by purchasing an additional farm at Finniss. Sarina remembers her dad Domenic Scarfo's very first Willunga Farmers Market in 2002, where she learnt the ropes and began her journey as a stallholder. In 2004, Sarina and Francesco officially took over the business. Wholesale growing was considered but would have meant narrowing their focus. They quickly determined that the variety and energy of the farmers’ markets suited them better, allowing them to grow a diverse range of produce and connect directly with their community. Virgara’s Garden grows seasonal crops simply because it makes sense – the produce grows more easily and tastes better. Sarina and
Francesco rotate crops, compost their soil and work hard to farm in ways that care for the earth. While many producers choose to grow in Virginia for logistical convenience, with suppliers and services nearby, Virgara’s Garden has chosen to remain on the Fleurieu. They believe the water here is better, and that difference is reason enough for them to happily stay here. In addition to their seasonal vegetables, Virgara also produces its own olive oil. The olives are carefully hand-harvested using mechanical rakes and nets, a slower and more labour-intensive method, but one that ensures a high-quality result. Their dedication doesn’t stop there. With fresh produce to eat and olive oil to cook with, they decided the only thing missing was something to drink. Their solution? Wine. Virgara now also offers its own single estate Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, the perfect pairing for a meal made with its homegrown ingredients. Like many small-scale producers, they’ve weathered the highs and lows of farming, particularly challenging for a business subject to adverse weather, droughts and pests. Sarina shares that this past spring, summer and autumn brought drought conditions that she had never experienced before. Weather, she says, is the biggest factor they face and can be a friend or foe. Where they once relied on the predictability of the seasons and for growing stages to occur at certain times, she notes that certainty is becoming increasingly rare. Talking to Sarina it is evident that farming also contains other unpredictable setbacks, from unexplained crop failures or occasions where wildlife decimate patches overnight. But even in the face
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Above: A spectacular foccacia was prepared by chef Matt at The Green Room, Willunga using fresh produce from Virgara's Garden. Photograph by Jason Porter.
of this adversity she says the process of growing fresh, nutritious produce remains a joy. She enjoys all stages of growing: from watching seeds germinate to seeing them thrive and then picking the harvest. She maintains it is wonderful to work on the land. Knowing they have grown crops for consumers to have fresh, seasonal produce, to not only eat but to enjoy, has always made the setbacks worthwhile. In farming, the future is uncertain. Methods and practices that previously delivered reliable results are not guaranteed, seasons shift and conditions remain unpredictable. But amid change, one thing remains certain. The market is undeniably richer for having Virgara’s Garden as a long-term stallholder. And week after week, the local community shows up for them, offering the same care and commitment that Sarina and Francesco have poured into their produce for many years. You’ll find Virgara’s Garden from 8am to 12noon at Willunga Farmers Market every Saturday – rain, hail or shine. Come early!
Farmer’s Market foccaccia Keep it simple when you have the freshest, healthiest, grown-closeto-home produce available… This spring vegetable showcase is zesty and deliciously balanced with fresh pesto, in-season vegetables from Virgara’s Garden and crumbled goat feta. We used a delicious and fresh sour-dough focaccia sprinkled with salt and rosemary from Basket Range Baker available at the Willunga Farmers Market every Saturday. We had the pleasure of working with the charming and delightful Lisa Maxwell at The Green Room in Willunga and their chef, newish local and Dutch-born Matthias Wiersma, to bring this to life.
Recipe Cut the top off of the focaccia and spread the kale pesto onto the fresh focaccia Matthias’ kale pesto Blend the following together in a food processor: 1 small bunch kale – stems removed ¼ cup raw cashews 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast Juice of one small lemon 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove Salt and pepper to taste Follow by topping with: Thinly sliced zucchini Grilled lemon wedges Blanched asparagus Roughly torn dill and mint ½ cup marinated blanched peas Goat feta – we used Woodside Cheese Wright’s – available at – you guessed it – the Willunga Farmers Market! Salt and pepper to taste For the marinated peas: Shuck the peas and blanche. Toss the blanched peas with lemon juice, lemon zest and finely chopped mint and dill – about a teaspoon of each or to your taste. Cut the remaining focaccia into finger-width strips (soldiers) and toss with ¼ cup of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and grill in the oven or an air-fryer, if you have one. Toss them until they are golden brown all the way around. Keep watch – this happens fast. Serve on the side with a plate of any of the leftover pesto. Flavour, energy and feel-good vibes in every bite. 89
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Building a future Words by Connie Francis.
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Page left: All Saints Principal Nick Wright with primary school students in the nearly completed building. Above: A 3D render of the new learning facility.
All Saints Catholic Primary School in Seaford is set to expand, with the construction of a stunning new doublestorey, purpose-built learning facility to support innovative education and growing enrolments. Currently under construction, the new building will feature sixteen architecturally designed classrooms and expansive breakout spaces that reflect the evolving needs of twenty-first-century learners. 'Families looking to join a future-focused, nurturing school community will be excited to hear about this next chapter at the school,’ says Principal Nick Wright. ‘Our mission is to be a spirit-centred community of learning, inspired by Jesus, seeking integrity and fullness of life. We strive to create a supportive environment where children can live fully, learn deeply and lead with compassion, growing academically, socially and spiritually. 'Through our expansion, we aim for every child to live fully with confidence, pursue their curiosity, and feel valued as capable leaders who can make a positive difference.' The new building is designed to deliver on the school’s commitment to providing supportive, faith-based teaching.
'This project represents more than just bricks and mortar,' says Terence Corcoran, Business Manager at All Saints. 'We’ve designed these spaces to be flexible, with a strong emphasis on fostering engagement, creativity and collaboration. Our goal is to create a place where students feel inspired and supported, while also encouraging a sense of belonging and community.’ Each classroom will include areas for quiet reading, small group work, targeted support, and personalised and dynamic educational experiences. The central breakout areas will be large enough to host small assemblies and community gatherings. Importantly, the new building will connect to the existing MacKillop Building, further strengthening the school’s commitment to connected, wholeschool learning. All Saints Catholic Primary School received funding from the South Australian Government, which helped make this project possible. 'We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the state government,' says Terence. 'Their contribution has allowed us to bring this vision to life and invest in an exciting future for our students and wider community.' Enhanced technology is a key driver of the new development, supporting all curriculum areas. The new building is designed to seamlessly integrate teaching tools such as interactive whiteboards and built-in device storage and charging. > 91
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Top and bottom right: 3D renders of the open and airy interior flexible-use spaces. Bottom left: Under construction. The building will be complete in time for the 2026 school year.
'We aim to ensure that all children can easily access their devices – and charge them – within each of the new spaces, supporting continuous and enriched learning throughout the day,' says Gaye Briggs, ICT Manager at All Saints. 'Breakout areas will also support the collaboration of children using technology to produce videos, podcasts or digital art projects.'
that they deserve the very best, a place where they will be thriving people, capable learners, leaders for the world God desires,' he says. Enrolments for 2027 and 2028 are now open. Call (08) 8327 0020 or visit www.allsaints.catholic.edu.au to discover the All Saints difference, book a tour and secure your place in the school’s growing, futurefocused school community.
Nick Wright emphasises that the school is ‘growing with purpose’. 'This building stands as a promise to our current and future students 92
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BOOKS & WORDS
Spring book reviews by Mark Laurie of South Seas Books, Port Elliot.
with studied observations of nature and cosmology, this book satisfies immediately and provokes long-term reflection. An author who has long given herself to our forests and animals has painfully described a world which is all too inevitable from the trajectory we are taking now. Reading it ‘sets a charge moving over my skin’ to do more to de-rail those who would take us there. For there is hope here too, in a collective awakening, a thickening of will.
The thinning by Inga Simpson Published by Hachette Australia ISBN 9780733643514 $32.99 Novelist and naturalist Inga Simpson has again turned her hand to an environmental thriller, this time catching our civilisation a little before the apocalypse in a world which, dismayingly, is recognisably our own. Set in western New South Wales, in the remnants of its forest country lapped by pools of smouldering hydrocarbons, it follows a band of outliers awaiting an epic solar eclipse – while they endeavour to remain clear of the heavy surveillance of a nascent corporatised police state. Astronomers and astro-photographers, they grieve the burgeoning rate of extinctions, the shrinking natural environment and the loss of a night sky veiled by light pollution from the unending urban sprawl and thousands of satellites. Fracking accidents, mining on the moon that has altered its size and orbit, and other violences visited by an unthinking, unseeing but endlessly wanting humanity have yielded heavy casualties. Deftly combining the apparent contradictions of a fast-paced thriller
work’s undoubtedly high price tag, novel technique and inability to ‘be reduced to an aesthetic judgement based on traditional criteria constructed for formal art’* were a siren call to the provincialism and smallmindedness of 1970s Australia when the Whitlam government made the purchase. Now a much-admired ‘destination painting’, an icon within a more mature collection, its value having multiplied outlandishly, Blue poles has settled as a source of affection and pride. Author Tom McIlroy’s first book is compelling reading as he narrates the history of the painting’s creation and journey to Canberra amid the larger-thanlife personalities who made it possible. He has chosen his story as well as he has meticulously researched it. Setting the machinations of Australian politics and New York’s art scene against the Shakespearean tragedy of Pollock’s life is bound to fascinate, even as it demonstrates the relative smallness of our place in the world. From the vantage point of hindsight, here was a point of inflection in our nation’s cultural consciousness, well worth reconsideration and remembering within the imagined community we call Australia. *Alberto Busignani, Pollock, Florence: Hamlyn Publishing, 1970: 38.
Blue poles: Jackson Pollock, Gough Whitlam and the painting that changed a nation by Tom McIlroy Published by Hachette Australia ISBN 9780733651960 $34.99 Polarising at the time (pun intended), the controversy around our National Gallery’s famed acquisition of Pollock’s Blue poles seems rather quaint when set against modern-day scandals involving such things as secret ministries and Robodebt. The
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Playing nice was getting me nowhere
previously entered and extended the James Bond canon, it was perhaps inevitable that he would plumb the conspiracy theories associated with JFK’s assassination, doing so with evident enjoyment. The result is a book which lies somewhere between Fleming and Le Carré, at times escapist, at others sombre and reflective, always human. Boyd expertly reveals that the shiny, gaudy sheen of conspiracy diverts us from the darkness which may lie within the human heart.
by Alex Cothren Published by Pink Shorts Press ISBN 9781763554177 $32.99 An AFL scout celebrates the talent emerging from refugee ranks, free from concerns about concussion and litigation. Balding men seek gothic hair revival remedies. A class-conscious Terrific Three solve mysteries without Timmy the dog or any semblance of empathy. The lines between reality and TV prove indistinguishable for a new detective pursuing a recognisable beat in Los Angeles. Painting the bleached Barrier Reef for tourists evokes memories of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Empathy International Inc’s expertly framed pathos cures compassion fatigue. These and many other short fictional works explore the increasingly blurred line between our reality and the dystopian culmination of the societal, technological and media pathways we seem to tread so inexorably. A creative writing academic at Flinders University, Alex Cothren’s biting satires draw equally from his United States’ origins and his new Australian home. Provocative and perceptive, predicting where our current paths might take us, he asks that we consider what should be lost and retained in the path of progress. Be prepared to be amused and appalled by a world ruled by delivery drones, warmed by a ‘red meat sun’ and where even the overflowing rubbish bags have been graffitied. In the middle of it all, however, are glimmerings of hope – and of humanity – that may light the way to an alternative future. After all, if ninetythousand people are prepared to jam Wembley Arena together to celebrate Oasis’s reunification, night after night, it’s difficult not to believe that we may yet rediscover a common good.
The predicament by William Boyd Published by Penguin Viking ISBN 9780241761144 $34.99 Travel writer and part-time espionage agent Gabriel Dax returns in his second outing, in 1963. This time his combined occupations take him from his quiet country home in Essex to Guatemala, where a popular leftist movement is poised to wrest power from a military dictatorship, and Berlin, where President John F Kennedy is to visit and speak before the newly constructed wall, Die Mauer. His romantic obsession with his handler is ruthlessly exploited, overriding his reluctance to engage in spying and, while the extra cash is handy, he is seeing a psychiatrist. Alternatively aloof and alluring, Faith Green from the euphemistically named Institute of Developmental Studies has Gabriel securely tethered on a string. This prolific and versatile author brings vivid descriptive powers to the spy genre, befitting a travel-writing protagonist. Having
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Above (left to right): The Ken Family – Tjungkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Yaritji Tingila Young and Paniny Mick – with their collaborative work Kangkura-KangkuraKu Tjukurpa – A Sister’s Story, 2017 © Ken Family collaborative/Tjala Arts.
Too Deadly
A decade of Tarnanthi set to shine in 2025 Adelaide, Australia – 2025 marks ten years of Tarnanthi, the Art Gallery of South Australia’s bold and brilliant celebration of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. To mark the milestone, the festival is going all out with its most ambitious program yet – headlined by a landmark exhibition, a new-look art fair, and a vibrant statewide takeover across twenty-five partner venues. At the heart of the anniversary celebrations is Too Deadly: Ten Years of Tarnanthi, opening at AGSA on 17 October. The show brings together more than two-hundred pivotal works from the gallery’s collection, all created by First Nations artists and acquired through Tarnanthi since its launch in 2015. Curated by Barkandji artist and Tarnanthi’s long-time artistic director Nici Cumpston, Too Deadly is both a powerful retrospective and a dynamic remix – placing works in fresh dialogue, spotlighting excellence and setting the stage for the festival’s next decade. The name Tarnanthi comes from the language of the Kaurna people, Traditional Owners of the Adelaide plains. It means “to spring forth” – a fitting reflection of how the festival has grown to become Australia’s leading platform for contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Too Deadly features work by an extraordinary line-up of artists, including Tony Albert, Vincent Namatjira, Angelina Karadada Boona, Thea Anamara Perkins, Reko Rennie, Kaylene Whiskey and many more. Alongside the main exhibition, AGSA’s The Studio will be taken over by Layne Dhu-Dickie, a Banjiyma artist whose hand-drawn comic Captain Hedland versus The Fisherman invites visitors to cocreate a collaborative comic wall. Dhu-Dickie was just fifteen when he first showed at Tarnanthi – now, at twenty-one, he returns as a featured artist, underscoring the festival’s commitment to nurturing young talent. The exhibition also showcases other premier works. Kulata Tjuta (Many Spears), a monumental installation created by fifty-nine
Anangu men and women, was first shown at Tarnanthi in 2017 and is now returning after an international tour. Suspended spears, hand-carved piti (wooden bowls) and immersive film bring to light the ongoing legacy of atomic testing on Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Country. Kungka Kunpu (Strong Women) is a powerful display of work by women artists from the APY Lands, cultural custodians whose storytelling spans sculpture, painting, weaving and performance. The Blak Laundry is a living, breathing laundromat-meetsinstallation in AGSA’s courtyard, led by artists Libby Harward and Dominique Chen. Audiences will be invited to interact by observing, washing, folding, listening, yarning or joining scheduled ‘agitations’ – interactive performances, meditations, games and storytelling sessions. From 17 to 18 October, the Tarnanthi Art Fair returns at a fresh new venue – Union House at the University of Adelaide. The fair is a rare chance to buy original, ethically produced and sourced works directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and community-run art centres, with every dollar going straight back to the creators. This year’s Tarnanthi Festival extends well beyond AGSA, with more than one-hundred artists exhibiting at twenty-five partner venues across South Australia – from city spaces to regional towns. Expect painting, ceramics, sculpture, digital media, weaving, dance, film, photography and more, all telling rich and complex stories of culture, place and identity. Over the past decade, Tarnanthi has not only launched careers but also reshaped the national conversation about First Nations art and culture. Under Nici Cumpston’s direction, it has become a dynamic, intergenerational space – one where tradition meets innovation and where artists lead the way in defining what’s next. Tarnanthi runs from 17 October 2025 to 18 January 2026, with Too Deadly touring to regional galleries around the country from 2026 to 2028. Whether you're a long-time supporter or a first-time visitor, this is the year to experience the energy, power and possibility of First Nations art at its finest.
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Sounds of spring
Above: King Jeff at Space Jams 2024. Photo courtesy of Space Jams by Raine Arthur.
While planning content for the spring issue, we had a lightbulb moment – spring on the Fleurieu is bursting with music festivals! We counted seven in total: Dougstock, Fleurieu Folk, Handpicked, Port Noarlunga Blues, South Coast Jazz, Space Jams, and the Wirrina Bluegrass Festival. So dust off your rockin’ shoes because it’s time to hit the dance floor and make the most of the sounds of spring. For a start, check out what’s happening at these three great events. Dougstock: where music, nature and community converge Every December, as summer settles over the Fleurieu Peninsula, the hills of Willunga come alive with the sights and sounds of Dougstock, a boutique music and camping festival with a soul as rich as the McLaren Vale wine region it overlooks. Held on a private property on The Range, Dougstock offers panoramic views of Gulf St Vincent and some of the most captivating sunsets on the peninsula. Since it began in 2020 – originally a fortieth birthday celebration for founder Doug featuring artists like Chris Finnen and Velvet Moth
– Dougstock has grown into a must-attend annual event for music lovers and families alike. More than just a music festival, it boasts market stalls, food trucks, a kids’ zone and licensed bars that offer the best local wine, beer and spirits. Sustainability takes centre stage too, with an expanded revegetation program in collaboration with Biodiversity McLaren Vale. Thanks to a new partnership with Dragonfly Dreaming Festival, there’ll be even more music with the introduction of a second stage. And while full details remain under wraps, early headline teases include jazz-drum innovator Alexander Flood, ARIA-winning guitarist James Muller, rising R’n’B star Ms Chipeta, and the psychedelic, genre-melding Sons of Zoku. tickets@dougstock.com.au Handpicked Festival 2025: the biggest and best yet (SOLD OUT) Returning on Saturday 8 November, Handpicked Festival 2025 promises its biggest and most exciting line-up yet with Hilltop Hoods, Xavier Rudd, The Rubens, Meg Mac, Hot Dub Time Machine, Mia Wray, Marlon, and Lotte Gallagher lighting up the lush lawns of Lake Breeze Wines. Over its eleven years, Handpicked has grown into South Australia’s most beloved boutique music festival. From its humble beginnings to a sold-out crowd of seven-and-a-half thousand last year, the festival
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Top left: The ever-popular Handpicked Festival at Lake Breeze Wines always attracts a large crowd. Top right: Sonix at Dougstock. Photo courtesy of Samra Teague. Bottom left: Empty Threats at Dougstock. Photo courtesy of Pete Hammond. Bottom right: People and art at Space Jams. Photo by Raine Arthur.
blends world-class live music, local wines, gourmet food trucks and a gorgeous selection of market stalls in an unbeatable atmosphere. Handpicked is more than a festival: the organisers have thought of everything to make it a stress-free celebration of music, wine and community, perfect for both young festival-goers and families. If you missed out on tickets this year … head down to the region regardless to the new Wine Down Weekend when Handpicked guests and other visitors are invited to explore the region’s rich food and wine offerings. The place will be buzzing. We heard on the vine that there is a waitlist so you can also give that a go. handpickedfestival.com Space Jams: Get ready to launch into a cosmic weekend as Space Jams 2025 touches down at Alma’s Hem amphitheatre at Inman Valley on Ramindjeri Country on the October long weekend (4 and 5 October). This year marks the festival’s fifth anniversary, a milestone for the team of this multi‑award‑winning celebration of music and arts. Presented by Imperial Measures Distilling and Pirate Life, Space Jams continues its tradition of championing world‑class, homegrown talent with a genre‑diverse, expansive line-up of eighteen performances across two dreamy stages – the Amphitheatre Stage and the Tipi Stage.
The stellar line-up includes headline act Watty Thompson and His Total Fire Band and an eclectic cast including King of Spain, Bree Tranter, Bromham, Druid Fluids, Brad Chicken & The Bootstraps, Ella Ion, Full Cream, Kara Manansala, Marley Love, Of the Wild, Soulbird, DJ Con Air, Liebe Hause Groove, Svnsæt Rendezvous, DJ T.A.F.S, Space Jams DJs and Dragon Mill. But it’s not just about the music. Immerse yourself in a sensoryrich experience with fire performers, striking art installations and a selection of food and beverage vendors serving up delights. Dance under the stars and then find sweet repose in the scenic campsite at Alma’s Hem. Wake to mellow beats, a yoga session with Sublime Yoga followed by a strong coffee and a hearty big brekky. There’s a dedicated kids’ area, face painting, playful installations by The Plai Space, and loads of room to roam – just supervise those little space cadets! Plus, there's a cheeky rule: leave your ‘d*ckhead’ behaviour at home and come with good vibes only. Space Jams 2025 promises a weekend of community, creativity and cosmic connection. Whether you're drawn by the rising local talent, the magical setting under southern skies, or that unbeatable festival spirit – this is one event not to miss. See you among the stars, Space Cadets! spacejamsfest.com.au 99
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Above: Young children enjoying a school music class. (Representative image. Not the therapists featured in this story.)
The sound of us Words by Sam Healey
One of the greatest love stories ever told is between humans and music. This dynamic relationship is perhaps humans’ oldest and dearest, with evidence suggesting music has been with us for 43,000 years. And extraordinarily, age after age, its ability to heal us has been recorded, with cultures uniquely moulding their own musical ways of healing. The Ancient Greeks employed musical ‘modes’ to heal specific ailments. The seven-stringed instrument, qin, has nurtured the connection between the human heart and health since the earliest Chinese dynasties. India birthed Nada Yoga, using aligned sounds to heal the mind and body. Today, the practice of music therapy quietly heals as it always has. This modern approach has naturally courted a modern language. The Australian Music Therapy Association defines music therapy as ‘the planned and creative use of music to attain, maintain and progress the physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of people of all ages’. Through her practice, local music therapist Rebecca Reyna witnesses the humanity behind the more technical definition. After teaching singing in schools and for organisations like the Australian Girls Choir, she began to wonder how music could be used for deeper healing. ‘I wanted to discover the depth I could go with music, and how I could use it to have a real impact on people’s lives,’ she says. That curiosity led her to complete a Master’s degree in Music Therapy. Since then she has crafted and honed her approach. Her sessions are personalised and moulded around the client’s needs. These can involve improvisation, singing, listening or movement, but the one consistent, Rebecca explains, is that ‘music is the tool that I use to achieve therapeutic results.’ Rebecca has witnessed how music's healing embrace has delivered great outcomes for many of her clients, including expression
of feelings, processing of emotions, enhanced memory, and management of stress, anxiety and depression. It has also helped clients to develop self-understanding, self-expression and improved communication. This deep respect for the practice is also at the core of Johann Dreyer’s work. A registered counsellor and founder of Beat Frequency, he blends counselling with music studio technology to help clients connect with themselves and others. His path to this work started with teaching music production and audio engineering at an international audio school. Through his personal experience as a parent, Johann realised the potential to merge his musical insights and knowledge with a new passion for counselling. In each session, his studio is effectively used as an interactive counselling space. ‘It’s essential that clients feel free to play, enjoy themselves and express their creativity. My technology supports this by offering tools that let clients play any instrument, ensuring it stays in key and sounds musical,’ Johann says. ‘Many of my clients have shown improved mental health, with increased confidence, a more positive outlook and enhanced resilience to daily challenges.’ His approach is simple: he trusts the process and focuses on letting his work demonstrate its worth. Rebecca and Johann’s message is clear – and it’s one echoed throughout history. Music isn’t just a hobby or a soundtrack to life. It’s a profound, therapeutic force that can help people regulate, relate and remember who they are underneath the chaos. It can be felt in the car when your favourite song comes on. At a concert when thousands of people are singing together. In a soft hum while making your bed. Music’s ability to soothe and heal is etched in us. Yes, it’s entertainment and can dress us in fame and riches. But music can also hold us in the most fragile of moments. Move what we thought unmoveable. Such is the power of one of humanity’s greatest loves.
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Find Your Remarkable at Woodcroft College A coeducational, Anglican school from ELC to Year 12
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Sharks, science and shared seas Words by Esther Thorn.
Above: White shark swimming over seagrass meadow, Neptune Islands Group Marine Park. Photo courtesy of Andrew Fox / Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions.
Scheduling an interview with an internationally renowned shark-expert based in Adelaide, when South Australia is in the grip of what may be its most severe marine crisis, is no easy feat. When we eventually meet for lunch in a café at Port Noarlunga, Charlie Huveneers is surprisingly calm and relaxed. It’s a quiet contrast to the frantic pace he’s been working at since early 2025. ‘This summer was really different,’ he explains. ‘The warm weather and calm conditions meant we expected that a marine heatwave was likely. But we never expected such an intense, harmful algal bloom. Then surfers began reporting respiratory problems after being in the water and by March we started receiving news of sharks, rays and other marine life washing ashore.’ The toll has been grim. One community database has recorded more than nineteen-hundred dead Fiddler Rays, with dead sharks and other species of rays also all too common sightings. ‘It’s affected the entire marine ecosystem with many invertebrates and fishes also affected, including threatened species,’ Charlie says. ‘We don’t yet know the long-term impact of the algal bloom or whether we’ll see a secondary die-off later. There’s so much we don’t know.’
For Charlie, who has dedicated most of his life to understanding sharks and rays, the sight of the dead marine life is particularly painful. His fascination with the ocean’s apex predators began when he was a schoolboy, growing up in Belgium. ‘I had to do a presentation for school about an animal. Most of my classmates chose tigers or lions, but my mother bought me a book about sharks. What intrigued me wasn’t the fear of sharks, it was how little we knew about them,’ he recalls. That curiosity never faded. As soon as he was old enough to take part in a Rotary Exchange program, Charlie spent twelve months living in Queensland near Hervey Bay. He went on to study Marine Biology in England, before returning to Australia to complete a PhD on wobbegong sharks. Since arriving in South Australia, his research has changed focus to shark-bite mitigation measures. “We’re trying to shift the language away from ‘attacks’ and toward ‘shark bites’ to change misconceptions,” he says. ‘That doesn’t lessen the trauma for those affected but if we want to prevent bites, we need to focus on data rather than opinions.’ Today, Charlie heads the Southern Shark Ecology Group and the Marine and Coastal Research Consortium at Flinders University. His research spans everything from population monitoring to the testing of shark deterrents. ‘There’s been a noticeable increase in shark bites globally and we don’t fully understand why, as there are many factors that likely led to this increase,’ he says.
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Above left and below right: White shark swimming around cage-diving vessel, Neptune Islands Group Marine Park. Photos courtesy of Andrew Fox / Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions.Top right: Charlie Huveneers getting ready for a cage dive, Neptune Islands Group Marine Park. Photo by Mark Tipple.
‘South Australia had a particularly high number of shark bites in the 2023-24 summer. Our hope is to reduce the risk of shark bites, by testing and informing government and the public which mitigation measures work and which don’t work.’ Charlie’s team has tested various deterrents but, as the main species responsible for shark bites in South Australia is also a protected species, it raises complex ethical questions: how do we protect a species that can, and sometimes does, kill people? White sharks, also known as Great Whites, have been protected in Australia since 1999 due to fears their numbers were declining. ‘It makes sense that twenty-five years on, their numbers should be recovering. But there is currently no scientific evidence to show that the species has recovered. There are ongoing studies which we’re contributing samples to which aim to get a better understanding of white shark population size and trends,’ says Charlie. Living on the Fleurieu Peninsula gives Charlie a front-row seat to the species he studies. He’s a keen surfer and beachgoer and his respect for marine life is unmistakable. ‘The Southern Eagle rays at Christies Beach are incredibly friendly and can often be sighted swimming along Seacliff shores,’ he says with a smile. ‘And we have a beautiful aggregation of Port Jackson sharks off Christies Beach as well.’
That respect is tied to a broader message: ‘We’re moving away from oversimplification. A lot of my work responds to emerging issues, but I want science to be proactive not just reactive.’ The current algal bloom is a stark reminder of why proactive science is important. While Charlie’s focus has been on sharks and rays, they are part of an interconnected marine system that can be destabilised by events like heatwaves. ‘We need to understand not only the immediate impacts, but also what this means for food webs and predator-prey dynamics years from now,’ he says. This approach doesn’t just strengthen environmental response – it also supports Charlie’s vision for the future, a shared ocean where people and sharks can coexist more safely. ‘If we can predict when and where sharks are likely to be, we can reduce risky overlaps and protect both species,’ he says. Despite the devastation of sea life this season, Charlie remains optimistic. Advances in tracking technology, greater public interest in science-based solutions, and growing partnerships between researchers, local communities and industry give him hope. As we step out of the café, the breeze carries the smell of the sea and the steady rhythm of the waves. For Charlie Huveneers, the challenge is to ensure that centuries from now, those same swells still move across an ocean rich with life, where humans and sharks can share the water safely.
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Above: Charlie Nicholson and Jacob Barter at Noori in Port Noarlunfga. Photograph by Charlie Nicholson.
Charlie and the Pace Cadets Words by Emma Craggs.
When you meet Charlie Nicholson, it’s easy to assume her warmth and positivity come from a life untouched by hardship. In reality, her optimism is hard-won – shaped by perspective and resilience. Now at the helm of operations at Noori wine bar in Port Noarlunga, Charlie channels her gift for calm and order into balancing the boundless energy (and occasional chaos) of its spirited owner, Jacob Barter. The pair first crossed paths in 2021, when Jacob was knee-deep in bringing Noori to life – ‘paint on eyelash, dust on lip and generally dishevelled’ is how he remembers it. Charlie was the welcoming face behind the counter at the Coffee Factory across the street. ‘Charlie served me coffee every morning … even with the day-to-day nonstopness, seeing Charlie was that little thing that made me feel levelled,’ recalls Barter. But behind her smile and genuine care for others, Charlie has been fighting the debilitating effects of myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer. In 2021, after months of unexplained bruising, pain and fatigue she had dismissed as stress, Charlie received the shock diagnosis. What could have been a moment to retreat instead became a catalyst for action. She embraced treatment, learned everything she could about her condition, and became an advocate for others living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) – the group of blood cancers to which her disease belongs.
Today, she volunteers with MPN Alliance Australia, manages social media outreach, and speaks at global conferences, amplifying the voices of those affected worldwide. Now awaiting a stem cell transplant that, she says, will save her life, Charlie makes the most of every day – across her advocacy work, at Noori, and most importantly with her family: husband Johnny, son Sam and daughter Libby. To date, Charlie and her family have raised over $40,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation, including a marathon spearheaded by Libby at just thirteen, which raised $11,000. Jacob and Charlie’s friendship deepened when he offered to help with her daughter’s fundraising efforts. Charlie’s spirit of giving is now at the heart of another community initiative: the Pace Cadets Run for Cancer. Scheduled for October, this twenty-four-hour team running event will see Jacob, friends and local supporters clocking kilometres to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation, as well as supporting their friend Dougie (Nick Dugmore of Stoke Wines), who has also been diagnosed with cancer. From serving coffee and wine to serving the MPN community, Charlie’s journey is one that demonstrates the strength of kindness and the extraordinary impact of showing up for each other. For progress and donations: @pacecadetsrunforcancer
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ART & DESIGN
Local selections New builds, renovations and custom-design projects all call for the right blend of skill, creativity and attention to detail. Across the Fleurieu and South Australia, trusted professionals are delivering exceptional results – inside and out. From high-quality
01. 01. Five Acres Landscaping With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and outstanding customer service, Five Acres Landscaping provides expert landscaping solutions across the Fleurieu Peninsula. Owned and operated by Victor Harbor local Max Longhurst, the business is dedicated to creating beautiful, functional and sustainable outdoor spaces for homeowners and businesses alike. Specialising in hardscaping, stonework, retaining, garden design and large-scale tree removal or installation, every project spells craft with attention to detail and care for the natural environment. Featured project: A charming limestone turret forms the standout feature of this character-filled custom home in the Beyond Development at Chiton. Encasing the staircase, the deep stone structure is punctuated with carefully placed portholes, meticulously
01 installed by Max and his team to add a touch of quirk and architectural intrigue. Max Longhurst 0421 467 16702. 02. Below Zero Comfort at home begins with the right climate control. For more than twenty-one years, Sam Lawson from Below Zero has kept homes and businesses throughout the Fleurieu comfortable with quality systems and professional service. Collaborating with homeowners and builders alike, the experienced team designs and installs tailored climate solutions for every space. Their experienced trades supply, install and repair ducted and reverse cycle systems from leading brands. As an official service agent for Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric, Below Zero delivers
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masonry the newest innovations in air-conditioning to lighting and designer fans, these local experts bring vision to life with precision, care and a collaborative spirit.
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expertise you can rely on for your building or renovation project or your upgrade of an existing unit. Product featured: Circular jet diffusers turn climate control into an architectural statement in this custom-built home by South Coast Constructions. Sculptural and streamlined, they deliver both visual impact and performance, perfect for high ceilings and open-plan living. belowzero.com.au 03. Lights Down South From their Seaford Meadows and Morphett Vale stores, Lights Down South offers tailored lighting, fan and electrical solutions, installation and genuine local service – informed by the latest trends. Owned and operated by passionate locals for more than twenty years, the team works with homeowners, builders and designers
03 to create warm, functional and beautifully lit spaces. From bespoke pendant installations to full home fit-outs, their attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensures every project is both practical and refined. Featured project: The ‘Big Ass Haiku’ ceiling fan, finished in stunning cocoa bamboo, is harmoniously integrated into this room – a striking feature that never steals the show. With energy efficiency at its core, it delivers refreshing airflow in summer and circulates warmth in winter. An extension rod positions this beauty at the optimal height for maximum performance. Handcrafted from premium materials and engineered with cutting-edge smart-home technology, it’s the perfect statement piece for living rooms, master bedrooms and outdoor entertaining areas. lightsdownsouth.com.au
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SOCIAL PAGES
Fleurieu Living winter launch at Mt Beare Station On June 11, we launched our winter 2025 issue with a beautiful launch event hosted at the stunning Mt Beare Station – a fitting location as we love to celebrate the Fleurieu Peninsula’s best in food, wine, arts, homes and destinations. Mt Beare has long been a favourite as Ian and the team are exceptional hosts. Photography by Emily Gangell.
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01. Emma Craggs (centre) with Dain and Ali McLeavey. 02. Carrie Hams, Hayley Cooper and Lauren Langfield. 03. Ian Bromell. 04. Susan Craig and Marc Simpkin. 05. Kym Denver. 06. Josiah and Amelia Whyte. 07. Esther and Rich Maxwell. 08. Bec Cates and Lucy Langdon. 09. Elly and Matt Parker. 10. Elle Campbell and Emily Gangell. 11. Mayor Keith Parkes and David Cocks. 12. Amy Albrechtsen with Brennan and Natasha Galley. 114
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Restaurant · Functions Victor Harbor Golf Club Book your next function at 4ORE Lunch and Dinner Booking welcome. Phone 08 8852 2030 7.30am – 4pm Daily 207-208 Port Road Aldinga
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Out and about
We went out and about and asked locals: If you had a friend visiting, where’s the one place you’d take them for a meal or drink? Photography by Diana Brandt. Eric Varga, MV2, Noarlunga Eric brings visitors to the Coffee Factory because of the beach and the culture down here. ‘I want them to experience our lifestyle.’ Brenton (Preecey), Preece’s Surf Shop Preecey brings visitors to the Star of Greece for ‘good food and good views’. Ariel Moore, Local Ariel likes Chalk Hill Winery because of the scenic views and the vibes. ‘It is very green and open and their wine is the best.’ Michael Russo, Owner of the Coffee Factory ‘I would probably go to Drifters or Pizzateca because they make nice pizza and I like the energy and the quality and the ingredients are good.’ Jo Headon, Artist Jo would go to Noori for a drink. ‘The vibe is good, they have good drinks. It’s all about local.’
Cate Tank, Local Cate has lived here her whole life and would take a visitor to Fox Creek for their pretty garden, with its lovely outside sitting area, nice wine and good little platters. ‘It’s like a different world with butterflies. It’s magic.’ Sophie, Local Sophie likes taking people to Agatha’s in Port Noarlunga. ‘It’s a nice environment, amazing food and really lovely staff.’ Adam Farrelly, Real estate agent For many a local, Adam is on point with bringing friends to The Salopian Inn. ‘Amazing food, good wine and great service. Their eye fillet is phenomenal.’ Shane, Local surfer ‘I would take them to the Willunga Farmers Market. It’s a good vibe with lovely fresh produce. For a good local chocolate, I would take them to Bracegirdle’s House of Fine Chocolate in McLaren Vale.’
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Visit us at our NEW McCracken Showroom! Showroom 2, 8–18 Hindmarsh Road, McCracken SA 5211 p: 08 8552 3696 w: bettacurtainsblinds.com.au Follow us:
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Stone, steel and soul at Willunga Meet me on the Mid The wood keepers at Hayborough Fresh destinations Artist Carly Tarkari Dodd Art · Design · Food · Wine · Fashion · Photography · People · Destinations
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