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BODYOGRAPHY
By Sam Murdoch Pretty Bird Creative Valla, NSW
Before creating this design, Sam started thinking about how much she loves summer in Valla – especially days spent on the beach. Some intense anxiety came up and even though it’s a story told a million ways, women’s bodies – especially those who don’t conform – are all too often erased or sexualised. So she designed this piece for herself; for all women. It draws on Valla’s estuaries and lagoons and how they are always shifting and evolving, just like our bodies. Through her work, Sam questions how we love the curves of the land but want them erased in other places.
FOUND Regional is published by The Found Media Group PTY LTD
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CONTENTS
COVER STORY
28 WIRADJURI STARGAZER
Indigenous artist Lauren Freestone never dreamed people would buy her art – today, her pieces grace the walls of homes countrywide. She’s inspired by her childhood, her family, their story, the country they call home and the stars above.
FEATURES
38 IN CONVERSATION WITH Deb Cartledge 42 TIME OF YOUR LIFE
Sam Murdoch, Pretty Bird Creative 50 WALTZ ON OVER Matilda's 76 BEST OF THE BUSH
The Peel Inn Hotel
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Editor's Letter
My grandma loved autumn in Armidale. We’d watch the leaves change on the tree-lined road behind her house, forever beguiled by the golds and reds, bursting forth from the green.
I'd visit her often. We drank tea, ate Sargents meat pies and fed the birds – including a magpie she’d oddly named Jacques Chirac, after the former President of France. When I was off school with a cold, we’d watch Fawlty Towers and dress paper dolls in paper outfits –the ones made to fit thanks to nifty foldable tabs. On special family occasions she’d prepare cubed cheddar cheese and cabanossi, pickled gherkins and Jatz, and dad would pour her a Coolabah Chardonnay direct from the fridge cask into her silver goblet.
All of those memories come flooding back every time I see the leaves change colour in autumn. Seasons are pretty magical like that. They almost throw you back in time with a single shift in the air – inviting you to reconnect with moments past.
It’s a feeling that’s familiar to many of the incredible humans in this issue. Meet our cover feature, contemporary Indigenous artist Lauren Freestone, whose art always comes back to the storytelling of her own ancestors and the country they walked before her.
Then there’s Jane Smith and Kristy Bland, the happy new owners of Matilda’s in Nambucca Heads. Together, they’ve re-designed the space to honour the restaurant’s heritage, as well as the homes of Jane’s grandmothers. Today it stands pink and proud, complete with white picket fence.
And finally, we chat to Armidale’s own Rachael Parsons, NERAM Director, about how the gallery is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. She shares the story of how it all began, the highs along the way and how the history of this cherished community space is inspiring its future.
Because we’ve all got to keep moving forward, right? That’s how the world works, and the chance to create new stories along the way is something to be cherished. But it’s also important we steal time to soak in the stories already told. Allow them to fuel you for what lies ahead – just as the autumn leaves fuel me.
STEPH WANLESS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, learn and work, the Anaiwan people, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend our respect to the Yaegl people to the north and the Gumbaynggirr people to the south, and all the Aboriginal people of this beautiful land we’re lucky enough to call home.
LAUREN FREESTONE
@freestone_art
With thanks to Lauren Freestone for sharing this beautiful artwork, Seasons Change. Lauren is a contemporary Indigenous artist based in Newcastle, NSW. While she follows the artistic lead of her father, Lee Freestone, a proud Wiradjuri man, Lauren has developed her own style inspired by her love for nature, her family and story. We’re also thrilled to welcome her as our issue three cover feature. Read her story on pages 28-33.
“This piece is inspired by the change of season and the way our Ancestors read country. The colours are the everchanging textured tree trunks, fallen gum leaves and bark scattered throughout the bush floor, the scribbles left behind by moth larvae tunnelling between bark layers. The outer pink areas and the centred green area show the texture and changing hue of the tree trunks as they shed their bark. Our Ancestors read country in many ways. They used waterways, the bush, the animals, the stars in the sky to indicate seasons change.” | ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Look for the good, the helpers, the folks who are here to make the world that little bit better.
Like the good folks of the seaside town of Scarborough, UK, who cancelled their New Year’s Eve fireworks display so they wouldn’t disturb an unexpected visitor napping on the shore – an Arctic Walrus named Thor. Or to Disney for creating their first-ever plus-sized female protagonist, a ballerina named Bianca, in the short film Reflect
Look to Armidale local and violinist Eliza Scott who recently returned home from London – where she performed for the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and taught Princess Charlotte – to teach upcoming students at the New England Conservatorium of Music.
Look to the Khasi and Jaintia peoples living in the mountainous state of Meghalaya, India, creating eco-friendly suspension bridges from tree roots to enable access to essential services, and to the team at Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park who rescued and reunited a baby elephant with its mother after being forced into the Thai tourism industry three years prior.
Look to Tasmania, where an exciting new trial by LINE Hydrogen will seek to create an entirely renewable energy-generated supply chain for hydrogen-powered vehicles, and to Denver for successfully introducing an e-bike voucher scheme to get more people out of their cars and onto greener modes of transport.
Look to 10-year-old Rosie, a sheepdog who found her way to the local police station after running away from home when frightened by the sound of fireworks, and to Jonathan the tortoise – the world’s oldest known living land animal who just celebrated his 190th lap around the sun.
That’s a whole lot of good. Cheers to that.
If you want to know what's happening from the mountains to the sea, hit up our brand spanking new events calendar. From markets to music, art exhibitions to comedy, you'll never be short of regional adventures ever again. Please email to: events@foundregional.com.au
BEHIND THE LENS
SERA J WRIGHT
“I took this portrait at the end of 2022. I hadn’t had a day off in over three months and had just wrapped up a month straight of photographing families with Santa on the beach, something I do annually in my hometown of Byron Bay. It meant being away from my fiancé, our two dogs and our Tenterfield farm for 30 long days. It’s rewarding, but exhausting – of course time spent by the beach is always joy-filled too. I was also working on an Instagram tourism campaign, Airbnb and editorial shoots, among a host of other client projects. In short, 2022 was a big year and this photo was taken just one hour after I’d completed all my edits. I was tired and dazed, but happy and looking forward to everything 2023 has to bring.”
@serajwright photographybyronbay.com.au
Tenterfield and Byron Bay, NSW
FOUND X FOUND
Latest Products And FOODIE Finds
1. BACK DECK DINNERS, COFFS COAST
James Ellis has a goal – to stir things up a bit and bring the restaurant quality food, service and dining experience into a more personalised realm at home. Enter Back Deck Dinners, where guests can book their own chef to bring the good food to them. He’s partnered with Dan and the team from The Vin to throw in a great range of natty wines. The result?
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2. FULLER FOOD CO, MACLEAY VALLEY
Ben and Renaye Fuller create the most divine grazing tables and canapés your next function could ever hope for. Searching for something a little extra? They also design menus for weddings, special events and pop-up picnics and are the proud owners of a newly-built caravan that functions as a mobile cafe, burger bar or cocktail bar at the click of your fingers.
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3. STONEFRUIT, TENTERFIELD
The vision of Sydney tree-changers Alistair Blackwell and Karlee McGee, Stonefruit is Tenterfield’s latest Rouse Street gem – the namesake a nod to the Granite Belt and its recognised produce. You can expect a cellar full of handselected wines, both local and imported, while the small bar menu honours growers from the Granite Belt and New England regions. An exquisite, low-key seasonal offering to be explored.
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4. MINNIE’S TUCKSHOP, URALLA
Not your average small-town diner, Minnie’s Tuckshop is serving up freshly made salads, sandwiches and acai bowls daily, alongside some seriously fanworthy smoothies, milkshakes and jaffles. Word from the wise,
the cheeseburger jaffle is already a firm favourite. Open Tuesday to Sunday, Minnie’s Tuckshop is all about fresh, tasty and healthy go-to options, with casual seating – including a window bar to watch the world go by.
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5. THE PIG & TINDER BOX, TAMWORTH
Setting up shop in 1848, the original Pig & Tinder Box was one of the first pubs in the New England region. Fast forward to the present, ‘The Pig’ (now located at 429 Peel Street) is reinvented as a casual dining and urban bar oasis. So whether you’re looking for casual drinks, great food or a place to celebrate with friends and family, be sure to check them out. Book your table now and let their friendly team guide you through your experience.
thepigandtinderbox.com.au @thepigandtinderbox
6. FILL COFFEE, INVERELL
Already well known as the place where Tim Adams Specialty Coffee and Sourdough Crumpet Co go hand in hand (one right, one left that is), Fill coffee has taken a leap into a unique new space at the fabulous Oxford on Otho precinct in Inverell. A must-try is the Croque Monsieur crumpet, a Fill original and the perfect way to start your day.
@fill.coffee
7. SUNDOWN LINES, TAMWORTH
Ellen Daly launched Sundown Lines, a small business selling custom textured artworks, in January 2022. Her artworks have since been sold to customers all over Australia and also decorate the hallways of the new Multiple Sclerosis facility in Albany, WA. Ellen also hosts online workshops (which have been enjoyed by more than 2500 people worldwide!) to teach others how to make textured art and turn their hobby into a thriving business. sundownlines.com @sundown.lines
8. ANT HILL POTTERY, INVERELL
Ant Hill Pottery is a celebration of colour and creativity – from beautiful vases and vessels to stunning platters, bowls and plates, each piece is individually handcrafted by Trina and is guaranteed to bring joy to your life. As well as finished pieces, Ant Hill Pottery offers regular hands-on workshops where you learn about pottery and how to unleash your own creative genius. anthillpottery.com.au @ant_hill_pottery
9. MRS MACK, BINGARA
Think of all things fun and colourful, stylish and sophisticated and you’ve just met Mrs Mack. This joy-filled rural boutique located in bustling Bingara offers a range of soft linen clothing, leather, local jewellery and all things giftware. You can also snap up any of the above thanks to their online store too!
mrsmack.com.au @mrsmackco
10. WEEKEND LIQUOR
At Weekend Liquor, the hard work is done for you – no need to fill your booze cabinet with expensive spirits! Working with industry experts, they’ve created restaurant quality bottled cocktails delivered directly to your door, wedding or event, ready to be enjoyed with friends. Check out their range of classic cocktails with some great little twists. After all, life’s too short for bad cocktails.
weekendliquor.com @weekendliquor
11. THE PLAINS PANTRY, WILLOW TREE
The Plains Pantry is, in a word, divine. The family-run store offers a variety of gourmet groceries such as locally made jams, granola, meats and cheeses and fresh flowers to boot. You’ll also find your favourite boutique beers, wines and gins gracing their shelves. Need a pickme-up on your travels? Stop in for a delicious coffee and house-made pie – a must-visit on your next regional adventure.
theplainspantry.com.au @theplainspantry
Regional Gigs, Plays And events
1. FRINGE FESTIVAL, NEWCASTLE
Thursday 9 – Sunday 19 March
In a city that boasts a vibrant cultural heritage, Newcastle’s Fringe Festival has been running since 2016 and showcases a smorgasbord of performing arts from Newcastle, Australia and the world over two amazing weekends across several venues in March each year. The Fringe Festival promises a variety of entertainment, including comedy, theatre, children’s theatre, music, dance, cabaret, burlesque, spoken word, performance art and circus. newcastlefringe.com.au @newcastlefringe
2. BLACK HEAD BAZAAR, BLACK HEAD
The first Sunday of each month
At Black Head Bazaar you’ll find a mix of stalls selling arts and crafts, flowers, bric-a-brac, clothes, fruit and veg, home-cooked preserves, jams, pickles, cakes, biscuits, chocolates and gingerbread on the first Sunday of each month. The Bazaar is also renowned for its large number of plant stalls ranging from specialised palms sales to tube stock and local native plants.
PS – a barbecue breakfast runs all morning… winning.
@blackheadbazaar
3. THE GUNNEDAH SHOW, GUNNEDAH
Friday 28 – Sunday 30 April
Bring the whole family along to enjoy one of the biggest shows in the North West. The Gunnedah Show has everything from show jumping to arts and crafts, pigs, poultry, cattle and horse judging, to live night entertainment, rodeo action and sideshow alley. The Grand Parade is not to be missed –always a firm family favourite. gunnedahshowsociety.com.au @gunnedah.show.society
4. WINE MACHINE, HUNTER VALLEY
Saturday 18 March
Garden party by day, fiesta by night! If that doesn’t scream best time ever, we don’t know what will. Wine Machine can only be described as a day of decadence, dining, drinking and dancing. Located on the beautiful Dalwood Estate with a line-up that would impress any festival-goer. wine-machine.com/wine-machinehunter-valley @wine_machine
5. AUTUMN FESTIVAL, TENTERFIELD
Friday 7 – Monday 10 April
Spend the Easter Long Weekend in beautiful Tenterfield, celebrating a changing of season. As the leaves change colour in this picturesque country town, Tenterfield comes alive with a festival for all to enjoy. Easter egg hunts, wine tours, live music, haybale competitions and more.
Bellingen Community Markets is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse markets in Australia. Running from 8am-2pm every third Saturday of the month, the market showcases a large and unique range of art and crafts, handmade and grown, clothing, shoes, textiles, homewares, bric-a-brac and more.
With live music from 10am-2pm and many talented buskers around the park, take your pick from the large selection of delicious food, drinks and coffee and sit back to enjoy the moment.
bellingenmarkets.com.au @bellingencommunity
IN PICTURES
ARTISANS OF THE NEW ENGLAND
This International Women’s Day we shine a spotlight on four incredible female artists from across the region, thanks to Jim A. Barker’s project in progress, Artisans of the New England.
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker twelvepoints.photography @thejimclasshero
Artisans of the New England is a project which aims to provide a snapshot in time of the incredible bounty of talent found in the New England. When my wife and I moved to Glen Innes just over a year ago, we were blown away by the sheer volume of creative artists and artisans practising their trade here. As a fan of documentary photography, I wanted to ensure this was collected for posterity while also creating something we could use to promote the region and attract like-minded folk to move here. I’m about 15 per cent of the way through it already, and with every new subject I meet, I’m introduced to two more, so the scope keeps growing (champagne problem). But I’ll keep shooting until I reach at least 100 artists. It’s been truly awesome to meet so many fantastically skilled people joined by the common thread of just wanting to create stuff – I don’t think any one of them could stop creating even if they wanted to. It’s been quite self-affirming – as a newly minted creative myself – to meet folk who’ve been making and creating and tinkering for years and learning that, once you turn the tap of artistry on, you can’t turn it off again, only direct the flow in new directions. I want this project to open people’s eyes not only to the depth and breadth of creativity in the New England, but to make them think about picking up a camera, a brush, a hammer, whatever, and giving it a go themselves. We’ve all got it within us, it’s just a matter of finding and feeding that spark. *
ANDREA GLEDHILL
ARTIST
@andrea.gledhill.artist
How did you come to live in the New England? “I was a Sydney girl originally, but have moved all over the place. I lived in Darwin for a while before heading to the Queensland College of Art where I did my fine art degree, majoring in painting. I eventually made my way to Armidale in 1998 as a single mum with two children and have stayed ever since.” How does life in regional NSW fuel your creative energy? “There are opportunities begging at every corner in this region. I’ve had the great opportunity to work as an art teacher, as a curator at NERAM and more recently as part of the Armidale Art Gallery committee. But after a 22-year hiatus of actually making art myself, I picked up the brush again in 2021 and I’m now taking my art very seriously. I pinch myself every day that I get to paint and live here – it’s paradise. I’ve always loved the New England light and landscape, Armidale gives me a sense of place and it’s bursting with so many talented and productive people. It’s a thrill to be part of that.”
Name your favourite local haunt… “My treat is to go to Uralla – I love The Alternate Root and Little Birdy, and I adore Melrose too. But to me, it’s about who you go with – that’s what makes those moments all the more special.”
ISABELLE DEVOS ARTIST
@isabelledevosart
How did you come to live in the New England? “I was born in Belgium but grew up in a small rural town in Canada. My husband is Australian, from Melbourne, and neither of us had ever been to Armidale before when we decided to move here about 20 years ago. We started a new life with our family on a farm just outside of Armidale and love being part of a place where the arts and higher learning are key parts of the community.” How does life in regional NSW fuel your creative energy? “I love that I live near several national parks, as well as rural grazing properties full of open spaces, big skies and small towns. The wilderness is literally on our doorstep here, from New England National Park to the massive gorges at Dangars and Wollomombi Falls. I can be out in the landscape in a matter of minutes – that gives me the space to spark my imagination. The four seasons we’re able to experience here are so beautiful, too. We’ve fallen in love with this creative community, as well as the incredible mix of people who call it home.” Name your favourite local haunt… “I love a coffee from The Goldfish Bowl and also Kinship Kitchen. When I need fresh roasted coffee beans I go to Altitude Coffee. For my favourite delicate and sweet treats I stop in at Café Patisserie in Armidale – it reminds me so much of my European origins.”
SIOBHAN O’HANLON SILVERSMITH
@bonniedeedesigns
How did you come to live in the New England? “I grew up in Sydney where I initially trained as a scientist and earned my PhD in biology. After travelling around for a few years, including living in London and Sweden, I returned to Sydney where I met my (now) husband. In 2017, he was offered a job in Armidale and we made the move without ever having visited. It was a big leap, but we love it here. Now that we’ve started our family too, I think we’re here to stay.”
How does life in regional NSW fuel your creative energy?
“The pace of life is so much less intense here – it’s given me the mental space and time to pursue silversmithing as well as my teaching career. The beautiful landscape does it for me too. I’m one of those people who’ll spend an hour on a very short bushwalk because I get caught up looking at all the tiny details. I think I’m drawn to jewellery-making because of the fine detail involved. It’s so interesting to see that mirrored in nature too, and soaking up all those lines and patterns in landscapes and plants puts me in a great headspace when I’m designing.” Name your favourite local haunt… “I have lots! Right now I’m really loving Laneway Cafe – great coffee and lovely people. And my favourite lunch in town is from Paper Tiger. The food is just beautiful and they make anything on the menu vegetarian for me. Love it!”
CARLOTTA CHIESA FURNITURE RESTORER
@carlottas_atelier
How did you come to live in the New England? “I grew up in Barcelona in an Italian family and studied economics and antique furniture restoration in Italy. I moved to Australia six years ago with my Australian husband and now live on a cattle farm outside of Guyra with my family.” How does life in regional NSW fuel your creative energy? “Moving to the country made me slow down. I’m constantly inspired just by being in nature and also feel very grateful to be surrounded by a community of such creative people.” Name your favourite local haunt… “One of my favourite places to grab a coffee on the go is Boobooks in Armidale, a second-hand bookshop. While I’m waiting for my coffee, I walk through the aisles in search of treasures.”
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Jim is a photography professional with panache and a pleasing personality. He’s also an enthused gardener, was once a scout, then a bartender, then a PR. He specialises in event and portrait photography and is always prepared to make a drink and ensure people know about it. Jim lives in a mudbrick home on a rambling 100 acres outside of Glen Innes with his wife Jamie and their standard poodle, Joe.
Jim A. Barker, Twelve Points Photography
NERAM: 40 YEARS STRONG
*
MAKE FRIENDS WITH NERAM
Keep this good thing going by becoming a friend of NERAM, volunteering or simply checking out the exciting calendar of exhibitions and events planned for the year ahead. To find out more, visit the gallery’s website and social media. neram.com.au @neramuseum *
Armidale’s own New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) is celebrating 40 years in the New England community this year. FOUND Regional recently chatted with the gallery’s Director, Rachael Parsons, about where it all began, the highs along the way, and plans afoot for the next 40 years.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN…
It all started with Howard Hinton. Between 1929 and his death in 1948, the retired shipping company director bought and donated over 1000 artworks to the newly built Armidale Teachers’ College. The condition of the donations was that the collection stay intact and always publicly available. So when the Teachers’ College transitioned from a public to a private structure, there was a strong community campaign to build a new space to house the collection. At the time, a gallerist from Armidale called Chandler Coventry also stepped in and pledged to donate his own art collection if the community could raise the funds to build a gallery –which they did. So Hinton’s collection of early Australian impressionist works combined with Coventry’s collection of over 150 modern Australian and international artists form the cornerstone of why NERAM was built. Doors officially opened on 26 March 1983 and over the past 40 years, the space has evolved into the dynamic gallery we know and love today.
THE HIGHS ALONG THE WAY…
There have been many. Firstly, the longstanding Packsaddle Exhibition has served as a continual fundraiser for NERAM for the past 38 years. Originally established by four female artists, the external annual exhibition has raised commissions in excess of half a million dollars. This money is then gifted to NERAM either through acquisitions of new artwork, conservation of our collections or as a contribution for a range of building projects.
The UNE School Acquisitive Art Prize, Let’s Hang It, is also celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – so we’re
welcoming all previous winners back to celebrate. This constant engagement with schools and young artists ensures NERAM is playing its role in supporting the next generation of creatives.
In 2021 we also welcomed the first big showing of our First Nations Collection, entitled Juncture. This was a really important exhibition for us and one I’m especially proud to have been involved with, along with my pet project the Winter Blooming Festival and the launch of Culture Club. NERAM is really committed to supporting diverse voices and making sure everyone feels welcome – these projects help us do just that.
A big highlight for this year was the opening of Wonders of Hinton – a new display of works from his collection. You’ll still see some crowd favourites such as Tom Roberts’ Mosman’s Bay (1894), but the majority of works are pieces that didn’t appear in the first display.
PLANS AFOOT FOR THE NEXT 40 YEARS…
The NERAM team, along with our incredible community of 100-plus active volunteers, are looking forward to delivering this year’s jam-packed program, including 30 exhibitions, and a whole range of incredible workshops and events. We’ll celebrate our 40 years with a long lunch on 26 March and a gala event in July (everyone’s invited!) and are also looking to the next 40 years, our continuing purpose in the community and what we need to support that. A big part of facilitating that comes down to the building itself, so we’re currently working on a new masterplan for a development and extension. Watch this space! *
toWelcome the stagetoWelcome the stage
TIME IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH MUSICIANS, PERFORMERS AND ACTORS FROM STAGE AND SCREEN.
BILLY WHITE
Driven to perform from the age of five, Coffs Coast actor Billy White believes there’s always room to educate and find humour in any kind of subject matter –even niche topics like gay diabetes.
Let’s start at the beginning – where did you grow up? I grew up in Bonville, just south of Sawtell. My folks built a house on acreage there back in 1994 and my whole life has blossomed from living in this incredibly beautiful, natural and nourishing environment they created in that community. Since then, I’ve spent the past 10 years living back and forth between Sydney and Coffs Harbour.
What inspired your interest in performing? We had a family band – mum was on keyboards, dad and my brother played guitar and I was the vocalist. We’d cover everything from The Beatles to Aretha Franklin to Elvis. It was wild. I was performing from such a young age and loved it – I’m so appreciative to mum and dad for letting me run free and express myself on stage. From that time onwards I was constantly putting myself into any sort of production via school, local arts groups, drama clubs and eisteddfods. I even did a Channel 10 commercial for dad’s business, Coffs Carports, every year until the age of 18. That really gave me a taste for the industry and ignited this fire in me to explore a different version of myself by being an actor. Even as a child I can remember thinking about how I could transform myself into another type of personality. I’d ask myself: How does that make me feel, and what does that do to an audience?
How have your challenges fuelled your work? I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic at the age of 14 and came out when I was 18. I found my way through, but learning
WATER FOR THE MADMAN
Water For The Madman is presented by Seacrest Productions Inc.
Billy is represented by Sydney Creative Management and he’s also a writer / director for product house Jack Ginger. @billywhite.au
to manage my chronic health condition and myself emotionally as a young queer person has certainly informed my work. I found performing soothing, it became my outlet to better understand who I am, what I am and enabled me to see just how far I’ve come in that time. It also ultimately set me on my path to exploring the niche topic of gay diabetes. It’s absurd, right? There’s obviously no correlation between the two – being gay doesn’t cause you to have diabetes and having diabetes doesn’t make you gay. But if you are diabetic and gay, there are health and lifestyle challenges that come with that. There are so many risk factors for diabetes management in general, but when you add in the smoking, drinking and eating disorders often associated with the gay community, as well as the high percentage of poor mental health because of the stigma we face, the result is not good. There are limited support groups for LGBTQI+ people living with diabetes which can feel incredibly isolating –that’s why I wrote Water for the Madman
How long have you been working on this performance, and what does it mean to you? I’ve been writing this show for three to four years, but it really only took shape last year and appeared at Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Memorial Theatre earlier this year. The show comprises spoken word, film and music and is ultimately about bookending my 20s as a gay diabetic. Which sounds ridiculous, but I thought the only way I could create something to spark conversation about type 1 diabetes and gay mental health was to satirise myself and my life, to bring some humour to the subject matter. So I built the show around the world's reaction to a pandemic by swapping out the Coronavirus with a newly discovered, autoimmune sexuality called ‘gay diabetes’. LGBTQI+ rights and diabetes health care has a vast and complex history, so combining the two provided a wealth of material to explore. It’s almost a fine balance between pleasure and pain – it’s about educating people, but also giving them a chance to laugh at themselves.
Where to from here for Billy White? I hope to rework Water for the Madman into a number of different formats to reach different audiences, and plan on bringing the show to Sydney later this year. Most of my new work continues to explore type 1 diabetes, queerness and mental health. Whether that's through film, performance art, experimental video, visual art, spoken word or music, I’ve found my very unique niche and am driven to raise awareness of the issues faced by type 1 diabetics and the LGBTQI+ community all around the world. This is my life’s work – there are so many real, raw and authentic stories that deserve to be told and that’s what I intend to do. *
WIRADJURI STARGAZER
Contemporary Indigenous artist Lauren Freestone never dreamed of people buying her art, instead imagining painting would remain a hobby outside of her paid work. Today, her pieces grace the walls of homes countrywide. She’s constantly inspired by her childhood spent beneath the Scotts Head sun, her family, their story, the country they call home and the stars above.
WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY This page Sophie Tyler Following pages Shan Rose Photography and Beach Road Interiors
She remembers the light first. The way it cast colours skyward and would shapeshift from dawn to dusk. She remembers how the landscape lay beneath it all, grounded and still.
On Wiradjuri Country, the home of Lauren Freestones’ ancestors, the sunset hits sandstone cliffs and throws greens, pinks and earthy golds into the sky – delivering the inspiration she takes to the canvas.
“We walk through the changing light, watch the sun come down over the hills and wait for the stars,” she says.
“There’s something so special about being there – the stillness, the solitude, the connection and sense of belonging.”
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
Growing up on Gumbaynggirr Country in Scotts Head, Lauren will always call the ocean home. While she’s since moved to Newcastle, her coastal Gumbaynggirr upbringing and ties to Wiradjuri Country inspire her work to this day, as does the man who first sparked her passion – her dad, artist Lee Freestone.
“His house was like a gallery – there were bits and pieces everywhere,” says Lauren.
“But it wasn’t like the canvases he creates today. He’d collect scraps of wood and metal from his building and plumbing work to paint on, cut up a dining room table to make ornamental boomerangs and carve tiny timber fish. He’d prop those fish up on stands, and we’d place seashells we’d ››
“It’s definitely a special bond to have with dad, and one that he shared with his father too.”
gathered at the base. I was always inspired by watching him create things, he’d come up with something out of nothing.”
Lauren describes her dad as a unique, lifelong creative, someone who enjoys his own space and is very much his own person – but art was the common ground they’d always shared.
“It’s definitely a special bond to have with dad, and one that he shared with his father too,” adds Lauren.
“Taking time out to connect to country together is also really important for us. My great, great-grandfather was a Wiradjuri man called James Gillis McDonald. He was a well-known tracker for the Mudgee police and Henry Lawson’s short story Black Joe was written about him.
“We try to spend as much time as possible out there, to be where our ancestors were and sit beneath the same stars.”
While Lauren followed her dad’s artistic lead, she’s developed her own contemporary style that highlights her love of nature, her family and story. Today, her work’s been featured by brands like Auguste the Label and Bed Threads, appeared on The Block in 2021, and graces the walls of homes countrywide.
But there was a time she didn’t even dream about becoming an artist.
A LEAP OF FAITH
It started with a conversation with a high school art teacher.
“I was three-quarters of the way through my year 12 major work when my teacher turned to me and said: ‘I don’t really know where this is going…’.
“I stopped working on it immediately and started something
new,” says Lauren. “I was gutted. I’d always sort of thought I was okay at art, but it really threw me. In hindsight, I was too much of a perfectionist. I think that came from dad and watching him create his work, which always had such precision and accuracy.”
While art remained Lauren’s favourite school subject, she never pursued further study. Her dad worked on and off around his art, while her mum worked at a bar throughout Lauren’s childhood. The family worked to get by and to make ends meet.
“The idea of university never even crossed my mind,” says Lauren. “I had no idea what I wanted to do and it wasn’t really a big thing for me. I’d worked casually in hospitality on and off since I was 14, so I packed up, moved to the Gold Coast and found work.
“I met my boyfriend – now husband – there when I was 20. We went to Palm Cove, Cairns, then followed the work to Newcastle, where I eventually got a new job in retail.”
It was here Lauren’s art first started getting noticed. Throughout her travels, she’d continued to buy canvases and paint whenever time allowed. But she never sold her work, instead gifting it to family and friends. While Lauren would have happily continued with her role in the store’s merchandising department forever, people kept asking where they could find her art.
“I loved working in retail, I had a knack for styling and loved putting different things together,” says Lauren. “My stepdad Tim triggered that in me. He’s a carpenter and would bring home house plans – I found interior design fascinating and he’d let me choose paint colours and tiles.
“But requests for my work kept on coming, so in one giant leap of faith, we poured our life savings into a website. We’d been saving for a house – another life goal we never ››
expected to reach. That was four years ago now and we’ve never looked back since.”
PERFECTION IN IMPERFECTION
These days, you’ll find Lauren creating artwork on an almost daily basis from her home studio in Newcastle. The space backs onto bush, forever providing the gift of birdsong, the shifting light of day and, when the clouds turn, the sound of rain.
“I love painting in the rain, that’s when I’m really in my element,” she says.
“But no matter the weather, I’m always drawn to the natural world, the bush and the beach and the different textures that can bring to a piece. There’s so much inspiration in nature, I’ll often work on multiple pieces at once – each mapped out and brought to life in its own time.
“I’ve learnt it’s not always going to be what I’ve envisaged in my head and that’s okay. My younger creative self would have had a tantrum and thrown it away. Not now – now I’ll leave it, I let it sit and come back to it. There’s perfection in imperfection.”
For Lauren, no matter the vision she has in mind, Indigenous art always comes back to storytelling – the story of her own ancestors and the country they walked before her.
“I’m always trying to put our family story and what’s happened to us into my painting,” says Lauren, who shares a one-year-old son and six-year-old daughter with her husband Lucas.
“I paint for me, for my story and my emotions. Because years from now, when my children look at my artwork and read everything I’ve put into it, I want them to know that’s our history, that’s where we come from. I want them to be proud and to know that anything’s possible. I went from waitressing to running a small business as an artist who can now share my story with the wider community. I never dreamed I’d be doing this today – I hope they reach for the stars too.” *
AS TIME PASSES
Lauren reveals the story behind her artwork, As Time Passes, shown top left in the image above.
“The centre piece represents the sun – the giver of life, bringing the banksias to flower. To the left, the U shapes show people sitting down along the rivers. When in flower, Wiradjuri people soaked banksias in water to make sweet tea. The wood of the banksia tree was used to make small hand tools and the dried cone and its fibres were used to strain water. The earthy pink section shows three campsites – these represent the generations of my family that lived on Wiradjuri Country. The dried banksia cone was also used to carry fire between camps with the clay detail around the campsites and throughout the pink section representing fire.”
GIVING BACK
Lauren donates 50 per cent of profits from selected artworks to MiiMi Mothers Aboriginal Corporation. She has also made donations to Warlga Ngurra Women’s and Children’s Refuge. Both services are putting in the hard yards to support women in their local community.
“I just want to help where I can,” says Lauren. “My great nanna Edith was a big giver, she would often bring people in off the street. So I always thought, if I ever get anything good, how can I do more with it? There are so many grassroots organisations, places run by volunteers who are really putting in the hard yards. It’s a small thing I can do, but when you don’t come from a lot of money, you appreciate it so much more and know the impact it can have where it really matters.”
MIIMI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
Established in the late 1980s by Aunty Ruth Walker and founding jindas (sisters) Rita and Florence Ballangarry, the MiiMi Mothers Aboriginal Corporation offered support to Aboriginal women and their families in the Bowraville community. Incorporated in 1993 and governed by a board of management, MiiMi (which means ‘mother’ in the local Gumbaynggirr language) changed its name to MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation to recognise the need for services for the whole community. Today, MiiMi delivers a range of projects and programs including:
• NAIDOC week activities.
• Through Our Eyes – a language and culture program using music, visual arts and textiles.
Mother / Daughter getaways – promoting better communication skills between mothers and daughters to improve and build their relationship.
• Well Women workshops – promoting awareness of breast and ovarian cancer by way of sculpture.
• Future Voices I and II – building individual and community resilience to create a strong future for Bowraville and surrounding communities.
Donations can be made to: MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation 90 High Street, Bowraville miimi.org.au admin@miimi.org.au
WARLGA NGURRA WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S REFUGE
Located in Newcastle, the Warlga Ngurra Women and Children’s Refuge offers emergency accommodation and support to women who are homeless due to domestic violence. They also provide court, outreach, housing and child support, as well as children’s activities and referrals. The refuge strives to provide a culturally appropriate service to all people from all nations, ensures children’s wellbeing is a priority through early intervention and support networks and embraces change and opportunity for learning.
For more information or to donate, go to: warlgangurra.org.au
AN EPIC JOURNEY
Meet the New England architect making the epic journey to ‘living the dream’ a joyful one.
WORDS Tina Irving PHOTOGRAPHY Jim A. Barker
The passion that Armidale-based architect Jena Glover brings to the creative process of designing a space is contagious. Her warmth and excitement – along with more than 20 years of experience – quickly dispel any fears you might harbour about aspiring to the architecturally-designed home or project of your dreams.
“Helping someone to imagine something as intimate as their dream home is a very personal journey of discovery that we take together,” Jena says. “I tell my clients, ‘We’re going to become such good friends you’ll be asking me round to jump in your pool’.”
And since she lives nearby, she just might pop over. Dedicated to the close-knit community she found in regional NSW, Jena’s found her calling helping locals ‘live the dream’ in the beautiful place we call home.
The magic begins at the design stage, where you’re invited into the creative process with Jena and her team.
“In the workshops we have at every design stage, we walk the client through their vision. We show them how it would feel to come home to their space,” Jena says.
“It’s empowering for them to see their dream take shape right before their eyes, making changes or exploring ideas in real time on our big digital screen.”
REGIONAL WHERE?
So how did a commercial architect from ‘the friendly Midwest’ of America find her calling creating homes for families on the other side of the world?
“In 2003, my sights were set on travelling to Italy to study
architecture when a friend said, ‘No, we have to go to Australia’ – and I was like, where?” Jena admits. But all it took was one glimpse of the regional Australian lifestyle in the glossy pages of a magazine and she quickly reassessed her plans.
“At 20, it was the image of an Aussie surfer that caught my interest, but in a heartbeat, I connected creatively with that snapshot of the vibrant Australian lifestyle. The second I landed I knew this country was different, and I knew I could create something special for myself here.”
A love of that lifestyle took root during a semester at Newcastle University’s architecture program. “That move wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family, as well as my mentor of now 20 years, architect Dean Marske at HKG Architects, who always encouraged me to push my boundaries. That support, combined with my experience in Newcastle and work throughout Australia, changed my creative outlook completely. It shone a light on the difference between my commercial work and residential design – and that's the emotional connection with my client and the way they like to live. That's the part I love.
“I went on to work with several Australian architects between my undergrad and master’s degree, then took some time off to have our two kids. During that time we visited my husband’s hometown of Armidale on a regular basis and I discovered a niche I could carve out in regional Australia’s residential design market.”
It started when a friend asked Jena to design her home – she jumped at the opportunity and EPIC Architecture was born. But forming that emotional connection with her clients and their projects isn’t the only exciting part for Jena – she’s ››
constantly striving to delight her clients with adventurous architectural details they can call their own.
“I love bringing personality to the simplicity of liveable design, with fun architectural elements that speak for themselves. When a client wanted the spacious feel of a pitched ceiling, my mind went straight to a massive butterfly roof which gave his home a wow factor he really enjoys,” she says.
Taking the time to ensure the client feels seen, heard and understood means Jena can create something special, and the client can relax and enjoy the creative process.
THAT EPIC MAGIC
The EPIC journey is immersive, taking clients behind the scenes to understand the practical considerations of each design decision.
“Our clients really appreciate being equipped with this level of knowledge, because when the time comes for them to be dealing with builders and tradespeople, they’re able to dig into the detail of what they want with our support – I have great respect for the role trades play in the process.”
Part of the EPIC magic is thanks to the creative energy amongst the wonderful team Jena’s assembled. “We’re a fun-loving, friendly bunch who get every bit as excited about seeing your home take shape as you do, which makes codesigning your home an absolute joy.”
Jena’s vision for EPIC Architecture was always holistic home design that offered impeccable interior design to complement her imaginative architectural concepts, so it’s no surprise that every team member embodies this ethos in their work.
“It takes a very particular talent to guide people through the choices of finishes, fixtures and every other decision that needs to be made along the way for a place to truly feel like their own,” Jena says.
“Our in-house interior designer, Kate, is so clever with helping our clients to create a look and feel they can fall in love with, always mindful of staying within a budget that’s realistic to the project.”
Kate is passionate about helping people see interior design as an immensely rewarding investment in their everyday enjoyment of life, one that doesn’t need to break the bank.
“I’ll be upfront if your budget isn’t realistic for what you want to achieve, but our clients tend to be amazed by what’s possible when we know how to design a creative, beautiful space within a proposed budget, and how to incorporate some unique pieces that really make the space,” Kate says.
Architectural fee budgets are another stress Jena and Kate spare their clients by offering fixed rates. “While I can never guarantee complete control over a building project budget and final costing, we do use our extensive skills and connections to give clients the most realistic and objective
numbers available,” Jena says.
“We are both ethical and transparent with our fee structure – we have eight phases of design and go to drastic lengths to balance a realistic fee with the output of deliverables. We take your investment very seriously.
“The fees include two or three workshops per design phase, so that you see exactly what you’re getting at every step of the creative process. “We run through so many variations of what’s possible, that once we get to the build, we’re all fully satisfied that we’ve arrived at the very best outcome.”
LOCAL CHARM
Living and working in Armidale gives Jena and Kate a deeper understanding of all there is to love about the lifestyle their clients enjoy, and helps them tailor their designs. Local networks also go a long way to streamlining a local build.
“You’re so excited to have your home design in your hands that you don’t want to hit a stumbling block at the next stage and experience uncertainty surrounding your build,” Jena says. “While we don’t have control over the build itself, our connections, process of design and documentation arm our clients with the suppliers, knowledge and understanding needed for that next stage.
“People have jobs to get on with and lives to live. We love being able to make the process of getting into their dream home easier, every step of the way.” *
“I love bringing personality to the simplicity of liveable design, with fun architectural elements that speak for themselves.”
SEEKING INSPIRATION?
Watch this space in 2023 for an EPIC series of home designs exploring the way locals love to live, including the New England Collection, Beach Collection, Luxe Collection and Eco House Collection.
“We set out to fill a gap in the market for pre-estimated, eco-savvy options that offer more originality and inspiration than your average ‘off the plan’ options,” Jena says.
‘The Collections’ offer more choice, providing multiple design packages that suit different lifestyles, so you can choose the design the home of your dreams.
“We feel that people are going to love the simplicity of being able to see a whole, finished package they can happily picture themselves in. And with The Collections, people anywhere in Australia can take these documents to their builder of choice to continue their journey.”
epicarchitecture.com.au
IN CONVERSATION with
DEB CARTLEDGE
THE ARMIDALE BOUTIQUE OWNER ON MISMATCHED ART, EMBRACING COLOUR AND DOING WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.
FINDING FIKA
Deb Cartledge, owner of Fika Home and Living (formally The New England Collective) has always loved colour. While her story started with earrings – unique designs bursting with fun known as Pinot Cat Designs – the latest chapter reveals something much bigger, brighter and bolder in a beautiful new space she’s proud to bring to the people of Armidale.
WORDS As told to Steph Wanless
There comes a time in life when you just don’t give a shit anymore – you decide to do what makes you happy. That’s where it all began for me, back in 2018. There were five of us in the beginning, three of us had been doing markets together regularly and we decided to open a pop-up store in Hannah’s Arcade for Mother’s Day. We stayed open from that day onwards and The New England Collective was born.
The original concept was to fill the shelves with local makers and creatives – and that worked well, for a while. It gave us the opportunity to showcase our own brands, including my own Pinot Cat Designs, but once I was made redundant from my full-time job at UNE I had more time to focus on the Collective’s model. I knew then it wasn’t going to be sustainable in the long term. So we slowly started bringing in other products and eventually needed to move to a larger space to really pursue the direction we were heading in.
It was 2020 when we moved to the mall, smack bang in pandemic times – not ideal for a bricks and mortar. But it worked, and I still felt there was more room to grow. I’m a worker and my brain never switches off. I consider myself a student of shops now, always looking at what they do and studying different displays. There are so many places out there that look absolutely beautiful, but I can’t see how they sell. Part of me wonders if people are even a little scared to touch the display, in case they mess it up.
There’s an old saying I heard years ago: stack it high, watch it fly. It’s a tactic most shops won’t roll with these days
because it doesn’t look aesthetically beautiful – but that’s exactly what I do. So you’ll always see piles of things here, teamed with moments of beauty around the store too. I want people to feel like they can pick things up, feel at home and be able to visualise how products will look in their own space. I want people to feel inspired and be bold with colour, patterns, fabrics and art. Bringing those things together can bring so much joy and you know, life’s short, people should do what brings them joy. I’ve always been creative, I’ve always made things and drawn things, that’s always been in me and made me happy.
But I lost myself when I was married – I became a reflection of him instead of who I wanted to be. I can remember sitting down after the divorce, I had the TV remote in my hand and I didn’t even know what I wanted to watch because I didn’t know what I liked. He had always held the remote. From that moment on I decided: I’m going to be 100 per cent me, I’m not compromising on who I want to be anymore. So if I love yellow because it’s just bursting with sunshine and happiness, I’m going to wear it. If I want to pair that with pink shoes because they make me feel good, I’m going to do it.
It’s like when people buy art for their home, they worry too much about whether it will all go together – but it will because you love it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lighthouse or a panda and a train, collect the things that make you smile, put them together and feel good. That’s what I’ve always focused on here. This is just me. It’s a collection of the things I love and I’m so excited to rebrand as Fika Home and Living to ››
“I’m also very proud to bring a space like this to Armidale – because I love this town.”
reflect that. It’s a Swedish term that’s often related to sitting down with a coffee and a pastry, taking the time to stop and be in the moment.
I couldn’t sleep one night, so I got up at 3am and started Googling words. Fika just leapt out at me and it feels so right. My great grandmother was Swedish too, so it ties in beautifully. Working with designer Krysten Barros has been a dream and the end result feels like a real extension of me. It was time to move on from the word ‘Collective’ – it doesn’t represent what we are anymore and I needed the brand to have colour. But mainly, it was time to step forward and put my own personal stamp on it. When I walk through these doors, I see me, and I'm very proud of that.
I’m also very proud to bring a space like this to Armidale – because I love this town, my soul is happy here. I’m not a hippie, I don’t know why I say shit like that. But I feel like I’m doing a real service for people and love that I can be a constant in a country town that has experienced its fair share of ups and downs. I love being able to cater for everyone and that people can walk in here and smile. Because life can be shit sometimes. But if you can go somewhere with an awesome playlist (we’re talking Backstreet Boys one minute and Frank Sinatra the next) and feel happy, then that’s what I want.
I also like that everyone knows your business in a small town, because I think there’s a sense of caring in that. If I was living by myself in Sydney and had a heart attack, people wouldn’t find me for days. I’d be half-eaten by something by the time someone noticed the smell and prised the door open. But here, if I don’t turn up to work tomorrow, someone will notice. So, you know, that’s a big win too. *
Deb and the Fika Home and Living team can’t wait to show you their new space. While the address was yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, keep your eyes peeled on the New England Collective website and socials for exciting updates!
SAM MURDOCH, PRETTY BIRD CREATIVE Time Of Your Life
Sam Murdoch knows better than anyone that life throws curveballs. Some of hers include diagnoses of anxiety, depression and a chronic health condition. But above it all, Sam’s thirst for knowledge and drive to keep trying new things has led her to a life fuelled by design, family and that ever-calming coastal breeze.
WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Ella Fletcher, Bella Bellucci Photography
Sam is a graphic designer, a mentor for the Billy Blue College of Design and, once upon a time, a high school design and technology teacher after a (very) short stint studying PR. She has a deep connection to nature, place and community – so unsurprisingly found herself regularly returning home to the Mid North Coast during her varied creative pursuits. Here’s how her travels, from Bellingen, around the world and to her new home at Valla Beach, unfolded…
1985
Location: Casino, NSW
Sam struggles to say it out loud, but she was actually born in Casino. “We didn’t live there long – my parents' marriage broke down so we ended up moving to the coast. We lived in Burringbar and Mooloolaba for a few years, before moving on again to Bellingen.”
1992-1997
Location: Bellingen, NSW
By school age, Sam called Bellingen home and found herself exposed to a more creative, artistic side of life. “It was the best place to grow up as a kid and I still consider it to be my home ››
town. We’d spend long days by the river and had a big extended family with my mum’s close female friends –my little sister and I called them our ‘other mums’. It was incredible to be part of such a creative community – I was always drawing and making things at home. My mum had studied fashion when she was younger too, she was always sewing and making clothes. I’d sit and pore over her fashion design folios, trying to copy the illustrations.”
1997-1998
Location: Paddington, NSW
If Sam thought Bellingen was a worldly place, she got the shock of a lifetime when the family upped sticks and headed for the city.
“Mum needed to get out of a work rut, so we moved to Sydney. I cried for three days when she told me we were leaving Bellingen. It was a crazy jump. One minute we're in this little home in the country, the next we’re sharing a Paddington terrace with my aunt and uncle –it was such a culture shock. But it ended up being the best thing because of an art teacher there called Fiona Xeros-Marks. She was an incredibly strong woman, a feminist and single mum, and she invited me to take part in her adult art classes. She was the first teacher I’d ever known who saw something in me and made me feel like I was talented.”
1999
Location: Sawtell, NSW
One year later, just as Sam’s world was opening up, she felt it shut down again. The city was no longer a financially viable option for the family and Sam found herself at Toormina High.
“One minute I’m on track to hopefully go to Sydney Girls High, I had great friends who were so culturally diverse and creative, and I ended up in a school that was really different to what I’d previously experienced. My anxiety increased, I felt alienated from my peers and I was making bad decisions. But when I moved to Coffs Harbour Senior College, life changed. I met one of the most influential people in my early life, a teacher called Ian Rushforth. He was so encouraging and guided me through my HSC art. All I wanted to do was get back to Sydney – I had laser vision. I knew the score I needed to get into a Bachelor of Public Communication at the University of Technology, and nothing was going to stop me from getting there.”
2004
Location: Sydney, NSW
Despite facing grief twice over during her HSC, Sam scored the marks she needed and without taking a moment to breathe, headed straight back to the city.
“Both my grandma and my great grandma passed away that year. Looking back now, I should have stopped, I should have given myself some time. But I was so fixated on being in Sydney that I kept pushing. I started the degree I’d longed for – then dropped
out in the first trimester. I realised pretty quickly it wasn’t the course for me; I didn’t want to learn about conflict resolution! I also wasn’t in a good place with my mental health. I hadn’t grieved and I needed to slow down. I spent the rest of the year working in hospitality, then headed back home to the coast.”
2005-2008
Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW, then Newtown, Sydney… again
In the first year she returned home to her mum and sister, Sam rested. She breathed in the coastal air and eventually took on a one-year fashion design course at TAFE. Twelve months later, she knew it was time to go back… again.
“I took a huge left turn and ended up doing a Bachelor of Art History and Theory at UNSW College of Fine Arts (COFA). Some friends and I moved into a danky terrace in Newtown where rats died beneath the floorboards. But I was finally happy, it was fun and I seized the opportunity to learn about photography, feminist art and really learn the language of how to speak about creative pursuits. I drank too much coffee, smoked too much, but it was a messy, scary, beautiful and expansive time and I’m so happy I got that experience.”
2009-2012
Location: Bellingen, NSW
Then the GFC hit and work prospects in the city were limited to say the least. Sam returned ‘home’ to Bellingen to join her mum and sister, who had also recently moved back to the village. She pressed the reset button again and shifted into teaching.
“I did a Bachelor of Technology Education, majoring in graphics multimedia and textiles. My earlier studies contributed to the course, so I ended up completing a four-year degree in two. By then study fatigue was setting in. Looking back now, I can see I was terrified of making the leap into adulthood – the constant study was a self-sabotaging cycle. Something switched in my body. I’d previously experienced panic attacks, but this time they were lasting four hours at a time. I needed help. Thanks to a great psychologist I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and clinical depression.”
2013-2014
Location: London, England, then Bellingen… again
It had been building up her whole life. Sam faced serious health issues as a child, spending weeks at a time in hospital. She also believes she has a genetic predisposition to anxiety and depression. But it wasn’t until a psychologist said the word ‘trauma’ to her that everything seemed to fit.
“So I was diagnosed as anxious, but I’m also too anxious to take the medication to fix it. Speaking as someone who’s now very happily medicated, I wish I could go back and shout at my younger self to take the damn drugs!
PRETTY BIRD CREATIVE
Pretty Bird Creative focuses on intuitive business, conscious design and creative solutions. Sam is passionate about the power of design in making social and environmental change and knows her work will always be inclusive and sustainable. pretty-bird-creative.com @prettybird.creative
Still, I made the decision to leap to London to try and further my teaching career. I scored some temp work, but after four months, I didn’t want to be there anymore. I went home to Bellingen. There’s a theme here, right?”
2014-2017
Location: Sydney, NSW
Three years – that’s the longest block of time Sam had spent in one place in her entire life. She was teaching art, she was happy, then she became unwell… again.
“I was teaching design and technology at a senior college in Western Sydney. The community was fantastic and I just loved working with HSC students. But I became unwell – I was exhausted, falling asleep on the train, in constant pain and couldn’t eat anything without being in agony. When I finally worked up the courage to get some tests done, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. As hard as it was to leave, I knew city life wasn’t conducive to living with a chronic illness. I also missed my family, so I moved to Ballina where I had aunts and uncles nearby – it was time to head back to the coast.”
2017-2018
Location: Lennox Head, NSW
Sam secured a teaching contract split between Lismore and Ballina. While she was grateful for the opportunity to connect with students and guide them in their creative pursuits, something was still missing.
“So a friend and I formed The Well, a meeting place for
women that focuses on mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and their connection with running a business. It was based in Byron Bay and I met some beautiful humans, but by the end of 2018 I felt something pushing me again, like a guiding hand. By that time my sister had her first baby and was living a beautiful life in Valla Beach. I wanted to be close to her and my mum, and be around while my niece was young. So I followed them there and boy am I glad I did.”
2019-2023
Location: Valla Beach, NSW
Soon after her move, Sam’s region was hit by fire, then floods, then COVID. Grateful to be close to her womenfolk during such challenging times, Sam felt ready to upskill in the graphic design field and enrolled in a Diploma of Graphic Design at Billy Blue.
“It feels like everything I’ve done, every subject I ever studied, every move I ever made was leading me here. I’m now a student mentor for Billy Blue and contract with an incredible local agency led by Marty Brown. He's been a huge support and influence on my work. Since I started white labelling for him, I’ve also gone out on my own and launched Pretty Bird Creative.
“Finally, I feel a sense of freedom, of peace and fulfilment. I work on projects that feel connected to me, that truly align with me, and while the ride to get here might have been bumpy at times, it’s also been magic. I feel so lucky. But I also know that without hard work and the support of my family, mainly my incredible mum, I wouldn’t be here.” *
Croissant Tour
THE REGIONAL ROAD TRIP
Croissant queen Carole Hollebrandse samples the delights from 1. Armidale’s Café Patisserie, 2. Armidale’s Black Kat Espresso, 3. Bellingen’s Swiss Patisserie & Bakery and 4. Sawtell’s Hearthfire Bakery.
THE CROISSANT QUEEN
Carole Hollebrandse, tragic Francophile and dedicated consumer of pastries and chocolate, couldn’t knock back this gig. Though as a former teacher, she had to give us a lesson on the origins of the croissant – which apparently were in Austria in the 13th century when they were called kipferl and were denser than today’s version. But in the 17th century, when the Ottomans were defeated in the Battle of Vienna, bakers decided to make them crescentshaped to demonstrate their victory as they consumed the symbol on the Turkish flag. It was in the 19th and 20th centuries that the pastry was adapted by the French patissiers to become the flaky breakfast treat we now love.
“As the newly dubbed Croissant Queen, I take it as my royal duty to taste test delicious local produce. Noblesse oblige!”
CAF É PATISSERIE, ARMIDALE
@cafe_patisserie
Traditional Croissant “I’ve heard that the way to eat a croissant is to bite the ear first, that way you can see if it’s as light and flaky inside as it’s supposed to be. From there, you start to peel away the outer layers and savour each torn piece. This croissant is an exceptional example – it’s crispy on the outside and light, layered and buttery on the inside. Delicious!”
BLACK KAT ESPRESSO, ARMIDALE
@blackkatespresso
Matcha Pistachio Croissant “Now this is a first! I couldn’t go past trying this creative twist on the classic croissant. When Black Kat first released this pastry, they wrote about how the combination of matcha and pistachio act as a detox for the body. What a bonus! But it also tastes divine – fresh, light, crispy, undoubtedly unique and a great alternative to an almond croissant if you’re up for trying something new. This is a full-bodied croissant that packs a big matcha punch!”
SWISS PATISSERIE & BAKERY, BELLINGEN
@bellingenswisspatisserie
Traditional Croissant “The first thing you’ll notice is the size – this beautiful, classic croissant is huge! But then you’ll be won over by the taste. It’s ever so slightly softer than other croissants I’ve tried, making it the perfect match for my homemade cherry jam. It’s buttery too, and boasts some incredibly delicate layers. A very happy way to start the day.”
HEARTHFIRE BAKERY, SAWTELL
@hearthfire_bakery
Traditional Croissant “This croissant has a slightly straighter appearance than the others, with a gentle nod to the crescent shape. Actually there’s some controversy around the shape of a croissant – some people in France say the straight version of the pastry is made with butter, while the crescent uses margarine. But then some say it’s the other way around! Regardless, this is a superb example of a croissant – crispy on the outside, soft and delicate on the inside. Yum!” *
WALTZ ON OVER
From a community convenience store to the locals’ favourite restaurant for over 30 years, Matilda’s has seen its fair share of fun. Thanks to new owners Jane Smith and Kristy Bland, the good times keep on rolling.
WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Jamie Davidson
When Jane Smith and Kristy Bland quit their Sydney-based jobs for a #vanlife adventure in 2019 – they had no idea they’d end up driving directly towards their destiny.
Well, towards The Destiny Motor Inn at Nambucca Heads.
“We bought a van off the internet and spent six months doing it up – it was a thing of beauty,” says Jane.
“We drove it down through the Snowy Mountains to Bright, Victoria – then we had a bit of engine trouble.”
With their plan to drive around Australia cut short for the time being, they decided to turn their skills to a regional area. With Jane’s background working in logistics for the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and Kristy’s in hotel management for TFE Hotels, they were on the lookout for a hotel or restaurant they could run together.
“We knew we needed to play to our strengths, so when an opportunity arose to help transform The Destiny Motor Inn into The Cubana Resort and launch their on-site restaurant, Hemmingways, we leapt at it,” says Jane.
But it was when they were driving into Nambucca that the couple’s true destiny was revealed.
“Jane’s been obsessed with Matilda's from the second she set eyes on it,” says Kristy. “We drove past it on our way to The Destiny Motor Inn and there it was in all its 70s glory. It felt familiar, nostalgic. It was pure Australiana.”
“It was our destiny – and I couldn’t believe it had a ‘For Sale’ sign on it,” adds Jane. “I turned to Kristy that minute and said, ‘I want to do something there one day’.” ››
MATILDA’S 2.0
On 15 July 2021, after multiple viewings and negotiations, the couple purchased Matilda’s and got straight to work. Wallpaper came off, carpet came up and paint went on. Jane and Kristy worked with a local team of carpenters, electricians, plumbers and painters for eight weeks straight to give Matilda’s a whole new lease on life.
While she’s now sporting a coat of pink paint, has beers on tap and cocktails on the counter, and serves freshly shucked oysters and pizzas, her name remains the same.
“We wanted to maintain the heritage,” says Kristy. “This has been an important place for the Nambucca Heads community for over 30 years –it’s where people would come to gather, celebrate and splash out on the surf and turf. We want everyone to know that Matilda’s is still that place to come and be with your friends and family.
“Those communal vibes extend to our menu too –it’s simple, fresh, sourced locally and shareable. Good pizza and great oysters are perfect for gatherings, it’s not too intimidating but it still feels special. We’ll also be collaborating regularly with different chefs and recently welcomed the exceptionally talented local Kyah Lulham over the summer to add his signature flare of native ingredients to the menu.”
Alongside the exceptional menu, Kristy and Jane have created a space for the whole community.
“Painted above our door are the words ‘Home is a place where not only our family feels welcome, but yours does too’,” says Jane.
“So whoever you are, you are welcome to come here, work here, bring your family here. You might be the most dudey dude who wants a good beer, a mother of three on a girls night out, or part of the
LGBTQI family. This is a space for everyone.”
And what a space it is. Inspired by the homes of Jane’s grandmothers, a white picket fence frames a pretty pebbled courtyard dotted with picnic tables and umbrellas. A wooden bar wraps around the front of the building serving up the perfect possie to sit and enjoy ‘arvo wines, decent pizza and fancy oysters’. Inside, the fun vibes continue with a soft pink bar teamed with moss green tiles, warm wooden floors and lobster pot lights floating above it all.
“You might be the most dudey dude who wants a good beer, a mother of three on a girls night out, or part of the LGBTQI family. This is a space for everyone.”
“My grandmothers were incredible women, born before their time,” says Jane. So we created something for them, a beautiful place people can walk into and feel like they’re stepping inside the home of an Australian Nanna.”
SEALED WITH A DANCE
In April 2022, Jane and Kristy sealed their connection to Matilda’s when they were married on a stage behind the restaurant. Surrounded by family, friends and gum trees, the couple sealed their marriage with a choreographed dance to Tilted by Christine and the Queens. A traditional ceremony? Not quite. Is that the best bit? Absolutely.
Above it all soared Matilda’s pink rooftop, emblazoned with the invitation to ‘Waltz on over’. Don’t mind if we do! *
MATILDA’S SHACK
As if this slice of Nambucca Heads history couldn’t get any better, Jane and Kristy have also recently renovated the small cottage next to the restaurant to create an Airbnb aptly named Matilda’s Shack. Wake up to great coffee and fresh sourdough after a fun-filled night next door, stroll across to the beach and be back home again in time for those arvo wines. Bliss.
The Nambucca Valley is a true gem on the NSW coast and the girls are just a couple of the new faces bringing the town into its next heyday.
“When we moved here, we were told you have to live in Nambucca for at least 20 years to be a true local. We’re just three years in and the wave of support we feel from the town and our team makes our hearts sing every damn day.”
Matt Meehan might be known locally for his financial smarts and friendly smile, but there’s more than meets the eye to this pillar of the Armidale community.
WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Terry
When you meet Matt Meehan for the first time, you’ll come face-to-face with a switched-on financial planner and accountant with a sharply-pressed shirt and a great smile. He’s smart, he’s sincere and he seriously knows his stuff when it comes to supporting farming families with all their financial needs and succession planning. Ultimately, Matt’s business Lifesolver Financial exists to help agricultural people prepare for life.
But there’s more to Matt than meets the eye. Scratch the surface and you’ll find a mixed-up combination of all things quirky and fun – a story that begins at the age of 18.
“I grew up in Melbourne and loved listening to dance music. I’d go clubbing with my mates all the time and later on at university I was given the nickname Movin’, because I was always dancing,” he says.
“One of my mates even became a professional DJ, but I had bigger plans. I decided to go jackarooing.”
Not your average fork in the road, but one that ultimately steered Movin’ towards a life dedicated to serving the land, the people who call it home and the community that comes with it. He made the call and responded to an advertisement in Stock & Land – weeks later, he took the 20-hour bus ride to Bollon where he met his boss, Mr Tinkler.
“The man was six foot six and covered head to toe in red dust,” says Matt.
“There was no hello, just a simple ‘put your gear in the quarters and come over for dinner, son’. We shook hands and that was it – I worked alongside him for 12 months, attempting to tame the wild 50,000 acres of country he called home. There were some tough days and plenty of nights when we didn’t speak at dinner. But there were good days too, days that ended with him saying to me, ‘Oh Matty, it’s been a big day today, we better make it a two-stubby night tonight’.
MOVIN’
ON UP
In those 12 months with Mr Tinkler, Matt learned firsthand the challenges faced by agricultural families – and all his career decisions since have fuelled his mission to help arm them with the tools they need for life on the land.
From his first accounting job at Armidale’s Cameron Kirk Rose to working in agribusiness audits in Sydney’s Ernst & Young, and back to regional life and Cameron Kirk Rose before side-stepping to Rabobank as a bank manager
and financial planner – Matt was building a powerhouse of knowledge. But knew he could put it to better use.
“I saw that I could do so much more for them than just their tax – I knew that I could also support them with their financial planning, their succession planning and help them achieve intergenerational harmony for a secure, successful future,” says Matt.
So Matt, never one to stop Movin’, went out on his own in the year 2000.
“The business was originally called Agbis and helped farmers with their cash flow. After four years, I took up an opportunity with Rabobank, then Invest Blue, before ultimately stepping out on my own again in 2011. That’s when I launched Agbis Financial Planning and Agbis Accounting – we rebranded as Lifesolver in 2018 and we’ve been growing ever since.”
The first of Lifesolver’s key offerings is called ‘Farm Business Success’, a program that starts with a vision meeting designed to get people talking about their problems, their pain points, their opportunities and strengths.
“It’s all about them and their future – not only are we here to give them what they want, we’re also here to deliver what they need,” says Matt, who never turns up to a client meeting without a loaf of Goldfish Bowl sourdough under his arm.
“The key thing for farming families is succession planning, so our program supports them in their quest for a smooth transition to a bigger future. It doesn’t happen overnight, but our team will walk them through it every step of the way.”
Lifesolver has also recently launched a second program called ‘Farm Family Office’, where the business acts as a trusted adviser and business coach to farming families.
“Farmers like being on the farm, but they’re also running big businesses and don’t have time to be in the office,” adds Matt. “So rather than employing someone to manage things like preparing business planning, cash flow budgets and finance reviews, we partner with them to ensure that side of the business is taken care of.
“It’s about being so much more than a tax accountant – we’re here to help them grow their business, build the best team possible and support them as a family. Because ultimately all those things flow into stronger rural and regional communities. It’s not just about finances, it’s about your mindset and wellbeing, a sense of community and bringing people together.” *
WHERE’S MATT?
When Matt Meehan isn’t helping farmers achieve business success through vision, planning and action, you might spot him swimming with the High Cows, DJing at someone’s wedding (originally known as DJ Movin’, now known as DJ Matman), dancing in Armidale’s own Dancing With The Stars or lending a hand at Signor Vertelli’s. And by bringing freshly baked sourdough and financial advice to every meeting, Matt sustains his community in more ways than one.
You can find him with his business cap on at: Lifesolver Financial Planning 160 Rusden Street, Armidale lifesolver.com.au @lifesolver
scan here to stay tuned for more details
GOING PUBLIC
GOOD HUMANS DOING GREAT THINGS, AND HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR MISSION.
MISSION TO RIDE
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the Tour de Rocks – a 260km bike ride from Armidale to South West Rocks in the name of raising funds for cancer research.
WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Studio LJ
The year was 2010, the weather was frosty, but the mood was high. A local Armidale man named Jonathon Wheeler had organised a three-day trek as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Program.
What happened next surprised even him.
The event that began as five adults and four kids covering 210km on mountain bikes from Armidale through to South West Rocks has gone on to host up to 400 riders. Officially established in 2013 and extended to cover 260km, this April marks the trek’s 10th year. The event name? The Tour de Rocks. Its mission? To engage and inspire communities to raise awareness around cancer prevention through healthy living, assist those battling the disease and raise funds for cancer research.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
To date, the Tour de Rocks has raised over $1.8 million for cancer research, awareness and prevention programs – and has no plans to stop anytime soon. Event organiser, Kay Endres, says no matter what challenges come their way –drought, fire, flood or landslides – the Tour’s committee does whatever it takes to keep the great work going.
“Nothing compares with the community spirit and generosity we receive when we tell people we need a hand,” she says.
“The volunteers, donated equipment, resources and product required to feed and water in excess of 500 people has to be seen to be believed. The catering team alone has become legendary.”
While the Tour’s primary focus is raising funds for cancer research, there are a number of parallel activities that strengthen the Tour de Rocks’ reputation as a worthy cause.
“We provide the opportunity for people to give something back to our communities, the opportunity for them to do something they thought unachievable, and significantly, we offer an activity that brings families together through common objectives – building memories that will last a lifetime and can be drawn upon when times get tough,” says Kay.
“There are very often tears at the finish line when people realise what they’ve achieved not only through completing the ride, but also successfully fundraising and contributing to their communities.”
ANYA’S WISH
In 2021, Tour de Rocks partnered with the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) for the inaugural ‘19 for 19 Challenge – A Walk for Anya’s Wish’. The 19km walk (and a 5km option) are in honour of Anya who passed away in 2020 at the age of 19 from a high-grade metastatic osteosarcoma (an aggressive tumour that grows in the bones of the body). Anya’s family are working with the CCIA and have established a research project. The aim is to raise $600,000 over three years for a world-leading research project to significantly improve therapies and survivability for young people diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
The 2021 Tour raised $130,000 towards this cause, while the 2022 raised $370,000.
“We were thrilled with that result and are well-placed to continue our growth into 2023 and beyond,” adds Kay.
“We hope to continue to have a significant impact on cancer within our communities, and hopefully one day, we will find that cure!”
GET INVOLVED
The 2023 Tour de Rocks kicks off on 20-22 April – so if you’re keen to take part, we suggest you start training, stat! While it’s described as a fairly straightforward ride, word on the street is it’s far more enjoyable with some basic training in tow. Riders stop about every 30km to catch their breath, rehydrate and soak up the team spirit.
Here’s the itinerary for your diary:
• Day one – Thursday 20 April – Armidale to Georges Junction (94km).
• Day two – Friday 21 April – Georges Junction to Willawarrin (80km).
• Day three – Saturday 22 April – Willawarrin to South West Rocks (83km). *
DONATE TODAY
Raising funds is crucial in enabling Tour de Rocks to continue its work in the community – and you don’t have to ride 260km to contribute. Secure donations can be made via their website, are tax deductible (if over $2) and will be remitted directly through to the Tour de Rocks. Every little bit counts and any amount donated is hugely appreciated. raceroster.com/ events/2023/62893/2023-tour-derocks/fundraising-organization/39173
IN THE FRAME WITH INVERELL ART GALLERY
ART FOR ALL
From contemporary exhibitions to online sales to ‘mud chucking’, the Inverell Art Gallery is open to everyone.
They began meeting in a backyard shed, and now they run an art gallery in one of Inverell’s grandest historical buildings; The Inverell Art Society has been determined to support regional arts since the early 1960s. The result of their dedication is a vibrant and resilient hub for the arts, a welcoming and inclusive space that is run almost entirely by a passionate team of volunteers. Jane Peterkin, now the Gallery Manager, was once one of them, and she stresses their importance to the running of the space.
“We are a little bit different because we are a community gallery. We are at the front desk, hanging and changing the exhibitions. A lot of the day-to-day operations are carried out by volunteers.”
Located in an impressive building that is over 100 years old in Inverell’s cultural precinct, the Inverell Art Gallery has a history of many local council business operations before it was an Art Gallery. The building consists of the School of Arts where workshops and weekly classes are held, and Butler Hall which is used as the collective retail store and exhibition space. Also a pottery studio that is home a group of enthusiastic makers known as the ‘Mud Chuckers’.
“The Art Society started with a group of pottery ladies using the shed at the side of the gallery,” Jane explains.
“That was 60-odd years ago, and it has grown from there. When I began as the manager there were only about six members who visited less frequently, then over COVID there was a bit of a resurgence in interest for pottery, and now we've got close to 40 members. We have a wonderful
volunteer tutor who donates her time and energy to guide beginners, then mud chucker members find their own path as to whatever techniques they want to practice.”
As well as an important centre for social connection and community arts, the Inverell Art Gallery hosts an impressive annual program of exhibitions and art prizes, providing valuable opportunities for regional artists to exhibit and sell their work. The Gallery’s Contemporary Exhibition, held annually in May, started as an initiative of local artists wanting to organise a group show, is now an important point of reference for contemporary art in regional Australia. Jane attributes this success to the president of the Art Society and curator Christina Smith, and her ability to identify emerging artists nationwide.
“Christina has a great eye for scouting out these artists before they get taken up by larger organisations and go on to something bigger. We try to incorporate local artists, as well non-regional artists. We have approximately six artists that exhibit, with six to eight bodies of their work, including ceramic artists as well.”
Aside from this contemporary exhibition, the gallery also hosts the Inverell Art Prize and Photography Prize throughout the year. With prizes for the Inverell Art Prize of over $12,000, the volunteers from the Inverell Art Society and the Inverell Art Gallery are an impressive example of how grassroots community initiatives can create a thriving artistic hub in the regions. The secret is enthusiasm and inclusivity, and the unique combination of exhibition spaces and their makers, who create a hub of expression and connection, with doors open to all… even mud chuckers! *
TAKE NOTE…
THE INVERELL ART PRIZE
The building might be very old, but the gallery is keeping with the times. This year the website is expanding to offer online sales – an upgrade which has not come without its challenges. But if you ask Gallery Manager Jane Peterkin, it will be all worth it for the increased sales opportunities for artists.
THE INVERELL PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE
Entry forms are currently available for the Inverell Photography Prize, which will be exhibited at the gallery from 24 March to 28 April 2023. Simply collect one from the gallery or download via the website.
REGIONAL ABODES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES, SURE TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY, OVERNIGHT RETREAT OR RENOVATION PROJECT.
TRANQUILO BEACH HOUSE
Peta Wilson invites you to experience her family’s beachside retreat – a luxurious, character-filled space that shares 13 acres of beachfront land with the friendly local wildlife. While here, Peta wants people to feel restored – to relax, heal, ignite a fire of energy and leave inspired. Designed with rooms to gather as a group and corners to curl up on your own, Tranquilo Beach House is the ideal place to get away from it all and enjoy this jaw-droppingly beautiful slice of the Coffs Coast.
PHOTOGRAPHY Brendan Ray, Skyview Photography
GETTING THERE
This magical beach house is just a 20-minute drive from Coffs Harbour airport. The big smoke, aka Sydney and Brisbane, are both a short 45-minute flight away and the friendly Tranquilo team is only too happy to arrange transport to and from the airport if needed. As for the New England regional folks who are ready and raring to hop in their car / ute / preferred mode of transport, head east and stop when you get to the ocean. All in all, we strongly recommend using some form of map as a guide above these instructions.
THE STORY
Owner Peta Wilson personally selected the trees used to build the timber beach house from the Dorrigo timber yard – she can remember watching the Dorrigo mill cut them like lego pieces for local builder Eddie Broomfield to put together based on her own design, drawn by Queensland-based Logan Homes. It had been a dream of Peta’s to create a timber home by the ocean, a place that reminded her of her tree-filled, tranquil childhood in Papua New Guinea where her family could enjoy being together. The result is a unique, six-bedroom, sevenbathroom (including one fully accessible) beach house with mountain views on oceanfront acreage. What’s not to love?
FAST FACTS
WHO?
Peta Wilson’s private beachside residence. Designed by herself with plans drafted by Logan Homes, Queensland. For recent upgrades, Peta is collaborating with Tony Ross at Design Studio 22 and interior designer Emma Kate Barnes.
WHAT?
Tranquilo Beach House
WHEN?
Book online at: tranquilobeachhouse.com @tranquilobeachhouse
WHERE?
Woolgoolga, NSW
THE STAY
There are a whole range of dreamworthy spaces for you to relax and recharge in at Tranquilo – whether that’s in one of the six spacious bedrooms, the reading room, the day beds, the saltwater pool, the spa or the infrared sauna. Feeling a little more active? Head into the garden to pick organic veggies, count the joeys in the kangaroos’ pouches and scrub up on your bird watching. If you can bear to leave the house itself, you can also walk to the local beach, head to Glenreagh to swim in the waterfalls at Scouts Falls, dine out at nearby Woolgoolga, go paddle boarding with Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours or visit the world heritage rainforest area in Dorrigo.
THE INTERESTING BITS
Not your ordinary beach house, Tranquilo comes with a fabulous concierge service. Would you like a private chef for a lunch or dinner party, or your entire stay catered? No problem. Want to put the pizza oven to good use? Ingredients delivered to your door. Keen for some musical entertainment while you feast? The band’s on their way. Ever wanted to experience a smoking ceremony with a local Gumbaynggirr-owned organisation? That can be arranged. As can a fresh seafood basket from Tranquilo’s fisherman friend Tony Want, private pilates and yoga classes and massages, as well as helicopter runs to the Solitary Islands or out to a rural cattle farm. Say the word, Tranquilo will make it happen. *
ECO WARRIOR TALES FROM ACROSS THE LAND, SHOWCASING THE SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES BUSINESSES ARE BUILDING FROM THE GREEN GROUND UP.
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Emily Honess – operator of Tamworth’s newest op shop, Talking Threads – is on a mission to normalise second-hand shopping, revitalise the lost art of mending and protect the environment, one piece of vintage clothing at a time.
WORDS Steph Wanless
Emily Honess has loved three things for as long as she can remember: fashion, op shopping for vintage treasures and face-to-face interaction with good humans.
On the other hand, three things she doesn’t love include the rise of fast fashion, throwaway culture and the lost art of mending.
“Those parts have never felt right – even though I love retail and I love clothing, the fact of the matter is the fashion industry is the third biggest polluting industry in the world,” says Emily.
“And yet, clothing production has doubled since the year 2000, people are purchasing 60 per cent more clothing and they’re only wearing it for half as long.”
The startling stats continue. Australia rates as the highest consumer of textiles anywhere in the world outside of the US and yet just seven per cent of these clothes are being recycled.
“There’s been a lot of discussion around where our waste goes, particularly since the ABC’s program War on Waste, and that’s a great thing – but the waste is the end result and we all too often forget about the first step, to reduce,” says Emily, who has worked in the not-for-profit retail sector for close to two decades.
“With second-hand clothes shopping you can jump a step –think about how that one item already had all the production
value and labour go into it, appreciate that and reuse it to reduce those stats. That’s an achievable first step people can take and it starts right here, in your local op shop.”
TALKING THREADS
In October last year, Emily teamed up with a group of friends to establish their own not-for-profit, Talking Threads, to support arts and culture. A treasure trove of vintage finds and pre-loved pieces on Tamworth’s Peel Street, the store realises a long-held dream for Emily, whose vision originally started out as a hobby hosting markets on weekends and online.
“It was a way to justify my op shopping habit,” she laughs.
“But the timing felt right and it all came together really quickly. The space we’re in wasn’t even on the market, but we made some enquiries and have been fortunate to secure a three-year lease. We cleaned, painted, built the change rooms, put up some racks and let the pieces speak for themselves – it was a case of ‘build it and they will come’.
Emily and the Talking Threads team put the callout to friends, family and the wider community for donations –and it worked. The majority of their pieces are gifted, with a handful collected by Emily on her op shopping adventures further afield.
“We’re curating the store with quality to encourage a circular economy – so even if you are buying second-hand,
TRACKING DOWN TALKING THREADS
Head to 529 Peel Street, Tamworth for all your second-hand shopping and creative workshopping needs. You can’t miss it thanks to the incredible street number artwork created by local sign painter, Panther Hand Painted.
@talkingthreadsaus
@pantherhandpainted
you’re still investing in quality pieces that can re-enter the cycle and be passed on again,” says Emily. “There’s so much good in that, but it’s also fun.”
Talking Threads will also use the space to host workshops designed to revitalise lost skills such as darning, stitching buttons and zippers, as well as more unique techniques such as Boro-inspired sessions, the Japanese practice of visible mending.
“The workshops will be held with local artisans and makers to put textile waste to good use, while also giving people the opportunity to gather here and enjoy the space,” says Emily.
“We’re curating the store with quality to encourage a circular economy – so even if you are buying secondhand, you’re still investing in quality pieces that can re-enter the cycle and be passed on again.”
“That time together is really special and working with your hands is incredibly relaxing, nurturing and peaceful. With the rise of fast fashion and a throwaway culture, the practice of sitting down and mending something has had a time out – we want to change that. So whether you’re looking to learn a new artform or seeking more skills-based learning, Talking Threads will be somewhere people can come with a creative community atmosphere.”
HONE YOUR STYLE
Once upon a time, the fashion industry celebrated just two seasons on the fashion runway each year – Autumn / Winter, Spring / Summer. Today, there are 52 microseasons.
“Meaning they’re dropping new stock every week,” says Emily.
“And while the new styles might showcase minor changes, it’s forever fuelling fast fashion and pushing us to be on trend. But what if those trends don’t suit you? The value in second-hand shopping is spending time to develop your own style, search for fun pieces and create new looks. If you can’t find something ‘on trend’ that suits your body, dig deeper – focus on quality fabrics, colours and patterns to create a capsule wardrobe.
“Going against those trends, taking the time to hone your own style and being a bit of a rebel to the system is an empowering experience – and it’s good for the environment. If you ask me, that’s a win-win.” *
THE PERFECT TONIC
Maryann Dooner has created so much more than a beauty salon – instead offering a tonic for our souls, a place to pause, take a breath and be nurtured. Here she shares her story on how she came to be the proud owner of Skin and Tonic, Armidale.
My mum never went anywhere without her lipstick. I can still see it now, a glossy blue tube of deep red elegance. Back then, we all had the classic 70s perm too, and when my sister and I wanted our ears pierced, we went to the doctor’s surgery.
Times have changed, but one thing that’s remained the same is my passion for helping people. That’s how I’ve always been, even in primary school. I like to take care of others and create a beautiful space where they can stop, breathe and take a moment for themselves.
My ultimate goal was to be an air hostess, but at five foot four I was way too small. At the time you needed to be five foot seven, and while I could possibly get there in heels, it would have been a push.
So after school the opportunity came up to enter the world of beauty therapy and I haven't looked back – I’ve loved every minute of my time in the industry since.
In 1982, I spent six months in Sydney to train at the Academy of Scientific Beauty. It was on the corner of King and Castlereagh Street and Cornelius Furs was just down the street – fur was all the rage at the time. I stayed in a Catholic boarding house run by nuns; it was so strict. But I caught the train into town each day to learn the trade, while also working part-time at a pharmacy.
Sydney was a lonely place. It was difficult to meet people and as the youngest of six children, I missed my family. I remember smiling at a woman who I’d see most mornings at Wollstonecraft train station – I gave her a little wave to say hello; she looked at me as though I was mad. Ultimately the city wasn’t the place for me – I missed the community feeling of regional living and happily returned home to Armidale later that year.
In 1986 I began working at Ché for Beauty, a small salon on the corner of what was the Tatts Arcade back then. It had blush pink carpet and a chandelier to match. I loved it. It was an incredible opportunity that saw me invited to Paris twice
to study with Clarins. I’d never been overseas before and felt like I was travelling to the end of the earth, as I was the first in my family to ever travel overseas.
Each visit I’d spend a whirlwind two weeks training with the brand’s founder Jacques Courtin – he taught us the Paris Method, a specific facial technique, and how to apply their range of products. I still remember the carpet, stamped with the Clarins logo, the internal walls covered in live ivy, and the daily five-course lunch. The French really know how to live.
I was 25 years old when I opened my first salon. Face to Face Beauty ran for 19 years and grew to a team of seven. In 2007 I opened a second Face to Face in Guyra. It was incredible, and after a couple of years I then sold both salons to two of my staff members in 2009. I loved what I had created, but selling the salons gave me the opportunity to have a well-deserved break and time to think about the next chapter of my life .
I took a few years to rest, reset, and to renovate the beautiful old cottage we purchased in 2011 and then opened Skin and Tonic on 17 March 2013.
Built in 1934, the building was originally the town’s baby health centre – I like knowing it’s always been a space to nurture women. I’m so happy to be back with my clients one-on-one, it’s where I’m meant to be. Since launching Skin and Tonic, my interest in organics has really grown and helps me live my best life. You see, no matter what you put on your skin, it goes into your bloodstream. You also breathe it in and that can have a profound effect on your body and digestion. It’s so important to me to know what’s in those products – and that’s where I’m here to help you, by using and stocking a full range of beautiful, organic skin, beauty and body care products and offering alternative treatments like the infrared sauna.
I get so excited when I see a product that ticks all the boxes. One of our newest products is an all-organic sunscreen made in Byron Bay called Sun JuJu. As for my mum, I know she’d be reaching for the red lipstick – except this time it’s organic. *
Guy Downes uses hand-drawn cartoons and illustration to prod, question and explore business thinking, ideas and stories. Based in Uralla, he has run his illustration business since 2010, but started his drawing odyssey at age four with a stack of pencils and paper at the kitchen table.
Today, Guy offers his clients a range of visual communication services such as illustration, cartoons, visual note-taking, journey maps and video scribe animations. He believes drawings can help grab attention, quicken understanding or merely make someone smile. *
guydownes.com officeguycartoons.com
BEST OF THE BUSH
The Peel Inn Hotel has stood tall on Nundle’s soil for the past 160 years and was recently awarded Best Bush Pub by the Australian Hotels Association. A gold rush pub, it was built by William McIlveen in 1860 after the discovery of gold at Hanging Rock. But as the story goes, McIlveen lost the hotel in a game of cards against John Schofield in the late 1860s. Today, fourth generation publican Robert Schofield has run the hotel for the past 54 years with his wife Margaret. The couple’s two sons, Nathan and Drew, have also played their part in the pub’s evolution, ensuring it remains the hub of the community and attracts visitors from far and wide.
Here, FOUND Regional talks to Robert and his son Drew on life as a landlord at Nundle’s oldest (and best) pub.
WORDS As told to Steph Wanless
ROBERT SCHOFIELD
It was won in a card game – true story straight from the mouths of the McIlveens. It was built by their family in about 1860. My great grandfather, John Schofield, came out from England that same year – he was from Dukinfield just outside of Manchester. You think Manchester was bad enough back then, well, Dukinfield was worse. He came over as a gold miner and sat down to a game of cards against William McIlveen one night and won the hotel.
John ran it up until 1922 and his youngest son Victor put the balcony on the front of the place in 1914. Then my dad, Jeff Schofield and his brother Guy, bought the hotel back in about 1950.
It was 1966 when I started at the pub. Back then a beer cost 17 cents, then it went up to 18 cents and suddenly jumped to 20. Unheard of, I thought it was the end of the world. But we got over it eventually.
We had Tooth’s on tap. Someone had bought it into the pub years before so the hotel was ‘tied’ to it – that meant you could only sell Tooth’s. But that practice was banned in 1974, so the deal was cancelled and we started selling Tooheys.
A lot of rum and whisky was drunk in those days too, and there were just four wines – that was the extent of the wine list. Those wines like Porphyry Pearl and Ben Ean, awful stuff. We’ve seen a lot of change on that front thank goodness.
A few places had just started doing counter lunches too, but we also had a dining room. We’d ring the bell and everyone would head out, pull up a chair and eat there, that’s the way it was. ››
Then there were the bar fights. The fellow who ran the hotel before me said he’d go through three white shirts on a Saturday. But you’re not even allowed to think of having a fight at the bar now, it’s all changed for the better. Although one thing I never thought they’d ban is smoking in hotels –then that happened. We used to have to paint the bar out every two years just to keep the walls fresh.
“Back then a beer cost 17 cents, then it went up to 18 cents and suddenly jumped to 20. Unheard of, I thought it was the end of the world.”
I’m 80 now and have stood behind that bar for 56 years. A lot’s changed, that’s for sure, but a lot of it for the better too. I sit back and think about all my mates who’ve gone over the years, all the people I’ve chatted to over that bar. They were marvellous, hard-working people – all they knew was work, but I guess change is inevitable. That’s the way it is and the hotel’s changed completely too. I never thought I’d see it reach this point, but I’m proud of what it’s become. It’s been a good life.
DREW SCHOFIELD
We lived upstairs, above the pub. It was a pretty unique childhood and it’s definitely shaped the person I am. There was always so much interaction with the community, we were the hub of the town and it was a great place to grow up. My
POP ON IN TO THE PEEL INN
What Nundle lacks in size, it makes up for in personality. Check it out for yourself – and be sure to pop in to The Peel Inn while you’re there.
brother and I used to run down to the river for a swim – when the street lights came on, you knew it was time to go home. Either that or mum would stand on the verandah of the pub and yell out to us. We’d hear her no matter where we were. It was a really happy, stimulating environment to grow up in.
By the age of 15 we were working in the pub, collecting glasses and pouring beers. Of course there were no RSAs back then – we probably got away with a bit more in those days. The policeman might have turned a blind eye too, possibly because he wanted a beer.
Today, my brother Nathan and I are the fifth generation to work in the pub. I’d worked in real estate in Mosman for 20 years before moving back five years ago. But I’ve since been married and while my family home is based in Sydney, I regularly travel back and forth between the city and Nundle; it’s the best of both worlds.
We started out with one cook and two dishes. Now we employ three full-time chefs and a staff of 20. So those changes are big. But we still need to work with the infrastructure of the pub – it’s a 160-year-old building we’ve done up and tacked onto along the way. I always say it’s a bit like painting the Harbour Bridge, right? You start at one end, renovate to the other, and by the time you’re done you go back and start again at the other end. My brother did a lot of that, and now I’ve started on it too.
We’ve got 12 rooms upstairs, 14 beers on tap, an extensive bistro menu and we’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’ve done a lot of work to evolve over the years and it’s great to be recognised by the Australian Hospitality Awards – that was a good pat on the back. But we don’t do it for the accolades, this is our family’s passion. We do it for us,
for our team and for the community. We all work together and I think Nundle really punches above its weight for community interaction. The Nundle Tourism and Marketing Group do great things to keep Nundle on the map, and that’s important, because it’s not a town you pass through, you have to make the choice to come here.
But I believe you’ve always got to row with the oars that you’re given, and that’s what we especially need to do in Nundle. We don’t always have everything, but we’re proud of what we do have and we hope to use it to the best of its ability.
“I believe you’ve always got to row with the oars that you’re given, and that’s what we especially need to do in Nundle. We don’t always have everything, but we’re proud of what we do have.”
Dad’s just turned 80, he started in the pub on Melbourne Cup Day 56 years ago. It’s certainly been a labour of love for him. A lot’s changed in the time that’s passed, there’s so much technology and other bits and pieces that we try to keep up with. But we still believe we’re the same little old country pub, the place you come to get a cold beer, a good steak and some country hospitality. *
DREAM SANDWICH
A CELEBRATION OF FOOD AS A STORYTELLER, CULTURAL PECULIARITIES, NOTICING THE UNNOTICED, NOSTALGIA AND LOVE.
THE ANZAC
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY Jen Drew @adventuresofjen
Anzac biscuits. The classic bickie. We all know them. Tasty little heroes.
Aussies and Kiwis are always at each other over who owns things. The pavlova, the flat white, Sam Neill. But never the Anzac. It's an unwritten rule that this little bickie is off limits. We have shared ownership – like a set of respectful co-parents.
This delicious biscuit has been woven through my childhood. Anzac Day is always a big deal in a country town and a day I treasured. It was my grandfather’s day. Memories of him marching with his mates, medals pinned proudly on his chest and his face told of memories he just couldn’t bring himself to share with his family. After the march, there would always be a fresh batch of these bickies sitting on the table, with cups of tea drunk to excess.
And not just a once-a-year treat in our house. I have a catalogue of Anzac making memories, standing on the cork floor tiles next to my mum in our orange 70s kitchen, watching the bi-carb soda reaction in the buttery syrupy goodness. Magic.
Hands down one of the best bickies ever made. Why?
1. They are dead easy to make. 2. They keep for ages.
3. They manage to be both team chewy and team crunchy. No mean feat.
4. No egg. So you can eat the whole raw dough if that’s what makes you happy… it’s off the charts.
5. Butter.
6. Golden syrup.
Here’s the recipe. Straight from my grandmother's handwritten cookbook. You’re welcome.
(Slight changes made as “bake in a good oven” and “bake until done” probably won’t cut it for a published recipe.)
THE RECIPE
• 1 cup rolled oats
1 cup plain flour, sifted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup fine desiccated coconut
• 130g butter
• 2 good tablespoons golden syrup* (or slightly more if you fancy)
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon bi-carb soda
Preheat oven to 160C or 140C fan forced.
In a large bowl, combine sifted flour, oats, brown sugar and coconut. Set aside.
In a small saucepan over low to medium heat, stir the butter, golden syrup and water until combined, melted and warm. Add the bi-carb and stir. Watch the foam. So good.
Pour into dry ingredients and stir until combined. Roll into balls – the size is up to you, a 40g to 50g ball is my ideal. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and flatten slightly.
Six will fit nicely on a standard baking tray with some decent space around as these guys flatten out.
Bake until they are looking golden (say, 20 minutes). They’ll be very soft, so you need to leave them on the tray to cool. Don’t be fooled by their softness and overcook them. They’ll harden as they cool.
*Side note on the syrup – before anybody writes a letter to the editor, yes, ironically I use English golden syrup in a very Aussie bickie. Why? It’s thicker. Aussie golden syrup of today tends to have a more watery consistency and I’m all about recreating my childhood memories. And back in the olden times of my childhood, when I was obsessed with the Sega Master System, Cabbage Patch Kids and never took my Minnie Mouse t-shirt off, that syrup was really thick. So, find me an Aussie golden syrup that has that thicky, sticky thing nailed and I’m 100 per cent there for it. *
MY SMALL BIZ & Me
Q&A TIME WITH BUSINESS MINDS FROM A WHOLE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES. DISCOVER HOW THEY GOT THERE, DID IT, BOUGHT THE T-SHIRT.
SHARON THE LOVE.
As a fossicker’s granddaughter, Sharon Makim believes searching for gold is in her blood. Her jewellery designs uncover all kinds of gems thanks to the pearls and beads she discovers on her op shopping adventures, making Sharon the love. a jewellery brand with a conscience.
WORDS Steph Wanless PHOTOGRAPHY Leigh Dorothy Photography
What led you to a career in jewellery making? I’ve always had a passion for jewellery and first started designing and selling polymer clay earrings in 2018. It was a side hustle back then, originally called Makim Beautiful Earrings. I’ve since rebranded to Sharon the love. and it’s now my full-time business. I like to describe it as a jewellery brand with a creative conscience, because I share my love of op shopping by integrating upcycled, second-hand beads and pearls into all my bespoke necklaces, earrings and interchangeable charms. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so mum would always encourage us to go op shopping and I just loved the thrill of the chase, finding the diamonds in the rough and giving them a new lease on life. Why perpetuate the cycle of overproduction when there are so many beautiful things out there, just waiting for you to find them and take the time to look at them in a slightly different way?
What drove you to start your own business? I actually opened my store within a week to the year of losing my job – that was the catalyst. It was a tough time, but I decided I was going to soldier on, that I could do this on my own and seized the opportunity to really give this business a go. I’ve just moved into a beautifully light, white space on Otho Street, Inverell, where I sell my designs out the front and host jewellery-making workshops in a space behind the shopfront. All the furniture in the space is thrifted too – my front desk is an old cupboard turned on its side and my shelves are repurposed curtain pelmets. It’s just about thinking outside the box.
Tell us a bit more about your workshops… I’ve been hosting mobile workshops for a while, but now that I have a dedicated space I’m so excited to offer them on a regular basis. People can make an appointment, name their budget, then I’ll guide them through the process of creating a piece within that price range. They can of course choose their own beads, pearls and gold or silver hardware, customise the length of a necklace or shape
of an earring, and walk away with a truly unique, bespoke piece of jewellery they’ve designed themselves. It’s once again my way of getting away from mass consumerism – I want people to have an experience here. I want them to come and sit down, have a chat, learn new skills, tap into their creativity and find pride in what they’ve made.
What’s your creative process? I’ve always been a play-by-hand designer. I’m impulsive, so I actually suck at designing pieces too far in advance. If I’ve got something pretty in front of me I can’t settle until I make it – I instantly need to get the design out of my head. I’m also inspired by my latest op shop finds too, and often let the shape and size of the pearls and beads guide the design, whether that’s creating one of my favourite wirewrapped necklaces, or a big chunky ring. I’m a fossicker’s granddaughter, so I think finding gems and searching for gold is in my blood. I still can’t quite believe I get to do this for a living. Creating in my store brings me such peace, it’s truly my happy place. *
SUPPORT LOCAL
Discover the joy of creation with Sharon the love.
Tuesday-Friday – 10am-4pm Saturday – 10am-2pm Workshop bookings available anytime by appointment.
When your hair looks good, you feel fabulous - not just on the outside, but on the inside too."
TENILLE REDWOOD, HAIR STYLIST
Bezzie
Claudia and Jack Massey are husband and wife, business partners, parents to the beautiful Juliette and above all, best friends. This year they celebrate 10 years together.
CLAUDIA
Jack might be my husband, but he’s my best mate too. I remember the first time I heard his name. I was driving to a wedding and at the ripe old age of 22 was down and out that I hadn't yet found ‘Mr. Right’. It was then one of my friends said, “I think you’d like my mate Jack.”
I realised I’d seen Jack before. Having recently moved back to Tamworth after university, my life at the time revolved around work and the gym. My 10:00pm gym sessions were where I’d seen him – we’d politely smile and wave at each other, but had not actually met. After a little nudge from our mutual friend and some polite banter via Facebook, we spoke for the first time in the front bar at the Tamworth Hotel. I have no idea what we talked about, all I remember is the jumper Jack was wearing and that we have barely spent a day apart ever since.
As mates we laugh together, share a passion for creativity and enjoy a botanical gin and Aperol spritz. As a team, we’re business partners for
life. We work hard and have achieved many goals together. We learn from each other, share the hard truths and show support.
And as husband and wife, we’ve had a baby and built a home. I love and adore Jack more than anything in this world. What makes me smile when I think about Jack? His dance moves – very groovy. His smile brightens my days. His level-headed thinking and kindness puts my heart at ease.
JACK
What best sums up my ‘bezzie’ Claude is a moment from our honeymoon.
When travelling around Europe, I was heavily into photography and Claude and I were experiencing the most beautiful and wonderful places – places that were also a little treacherous at times when seeking the perfect shot!
I excitedly decided we’d go on a hike in the Dolomites. It was a warm, sunny day, and a big dusting of snow had come through the night before. Here we were, strolling through snowcapped mountains in one of Europe’s most stunning regions, when the snow suddenly became deeper and deeper. At times waist deep! We’d take a step and our legs would be engulfed in snow down to our torsos. It was relentless. We were getting absolutely
nowhere and the emotions kicked in. It was a full slog, we were both exhausted. I wondered whether we were ever going to get out of there!
Claudia, being the amazing person she is, forged ahead and continued to follow me along the hike, chasing that magical Dolomites shot. In a sense, that period of emotion and fear sums up Claude. She is willing to give anything a crack and, most importantly, when the chips are down she will always pull through to the other side. Luckily once we started the decline, it got a little easier. Falling in the snow only every few steps made for a good chuckle.
There are always ups and downs in a husband and wife team. Being the mates we are, lovers, and partners for life, we roll with the punches and soak up the good times. She puts up with my endless search for the next ‘project’. She is an incredible mother to our daughter and I feel very fortunate to be married to the most passionate, loving, kind and beautiful person I know.
Claude’s passion for food is unmatched and has saved me from eating Vegemite toast every night for dinner, even if I do have to wait a moment until she gets the perfect Insta shot of my food before I can eat. Often, it is the little things that make you love someone, and I can’t get enough of Claude. Those little things make me want more of her every day. *
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A COLLECTION OF FINE WORDS AND EXQUISITE LYRICS, REVIEWED BY THE FINE FOLKS AT ARMIDALE’S READER’S COMPANION.
UNPLUGGED WITH READER'S COMPANION
THE BOOKS
UTOPIA BY HEIDI SOPINKA
It's okay for men to make bad art. There's no price on their head for doing it… Nothing for men is predetermined, except their chance at great success.
Los Angeles, 1978.
When Romy, a gifted young artist in the male-dominated art scene of 1970s California, dies in suspicious circumstances, it’s not long before her art-star husband Billy finds a replacement.
Paz, fresh out of art school in New York, returns to California to take her place. But she is haunted by Romy, who is everywhere – in the photos, notebooks and art strewn around the house, and in the eyes of the baby she left behind.
As Paz attempts to claim her creative life, strange things begin to happen. Photographs move, noises reverberate through the house, people start to question what really happened the night Romy died, and then a postcard in her handwriting arrives. As Paz becomes increasingly obsessed with the woman she has replaced, a disturbing picture begins to emerge, driving her deep into the desert, the site of Romy's final artwork, to uncover the truth.
At once an exquisite exploration of creativity and an atmospheric page-turner, Utopia is a book that takes hold of you and will leave you altered.
THE TRIO BY JOHANNA HEDMAN
Elegant, reflective and sumptuously atmospheric, The Trio is Hedman’s debut novel about three young lovers navigating the risks and possibilities of intimacy.
Thora, August and Hugo come from different worlds – one an art school dreamer, one a wealthy scion of the old world elite, and one an ordinary boy from the suburbs. But over the course of two sky-blue summers in Stockholm, they are drawn together magnetically.
Many years later, Hugo is living alone in New York. He hasn't spoken to Thora for over two decades. He didn't reach out to her when August died. But one day their daughter turns up, fully grown, on his doorstep, with questions about her parents that only Hugo can answer – and the memories of those luminous days come flooding back.
Modern yet timeless, poignant and euphoric, The Trio is a
novel about the path not taken, the people we might have become, and the relationships which shape and haunt us long after they come to a close.
WHO IS VERA KELLY? BY ROSALIE KNECHT
An exhilarating page-turner and perceptive coming-of-age story, Who is Vera Kelly? introduces an original, wry and whip-smart female spy for the twenty-first century.
New York City, 1962.
Vera Kelly is struggling to make rent and blend into the underground gay scene in Greenwich Village. She's working night shifts at a radio station when her quick wits, sharp tongue, and technical skills get her noticed by a recruiter for the CIA. Next thing she's in Argentina, tasked with wiretapping a Congressman and infiltrating a group of student activists in Buenos Aires. As Vera becomes increasingly enmeshed with the young radicals, the fragile local government begins to split at the seams. When a betrayal leaves her stranded in the wake of a coup, Vera learns war makes for strange and unexpected bedfellows, and she's forced to take extreme measures to save herself.
THE MUSIC
THE HEALER – JOHN LEE HOOKER
The Healer is a critically acclaimed album from the ‘King of the Boogie’, John Lee Hooker. First released in 1989, the collection features collaborations with artists including Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat, Los Lobos and George Thorogood. Hooker was 73 years of age when The Healer came out and earned his first, of many future, GRAMMY accolades, winning Best Traditional Blues Performance for I'm in the Mood
WHEN ROSIE MET MONSTERS – THELMA PLUM
When Rosie Met Monsters is a double EP of Thelma Plum's first two releases, Rosie and Monsters, available for the first time together and as the first-ever vinyl pressing.
Thelma says, “I am super excited that my first two EPs, full of songs that started me on this adventure, get to hang out together! ” *
FRIENDS OF FOUND
Armidale Regional Council armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au @armidaleregionalcouncil
Barnson barnson.com.au @barnson_pty_ltd
Brennan & Smith Optometrists brennanandsmith.com.au @brennanandsmithoptometrists
Central Hospitality Group thechgroup.com.au
Charlesworth Bay Beach Resort charlesworthbaybeachresort.com.au @charlesworthbaybeachresort
Regional Australia Bank regionalaustraliabank.com.au @regionalaustraliabank
Roberts + Morrow rm.net.au @roberts_and_morrow
Skin and Tonic skinandtonicarmidale.com.au @skinandtonic_armidale
W. Short Hospitality wshorthospitality.com.au @w.shorthospitality
Advancing the Armidale Region
Water security cannot be taken for granted in regional Australia. Just two years ago our community was facing the prospect of running out of water – an outcome which would have crippled our community and devastated our region.
Our water is currently supplied from Malpas Dam which was constructed more than 50 years ago, when our population was just over half what it is today. With around 13,000 million litres of storage capacity, Malpas Dam in its current configuration does not give our region the security it needs. Indeed, with a changing climate, Malpas Dam will only provide about 60 percent of our daily water needs even with no further growth. This isn’t acceptable.
The good news is that we have been working hard with the support of the NSW Government to identify options to improve our resilience to future droughts. We have secured $27 million from the NSW Government towards the upgrade of the Malpas Dam wall that will double the current storage capacity, and Council has committed to purchasing the Oaky River Dam for $4.3 million.
Our plan to address our future water needs relies on a range of measures to ensure appropriate water supply and treatment capacity. Of course, there is no quick, easy or cheap way to fix water security, but our plan will provide the region with the security it needs for at least the next 30 years.
Addressing and delivering water security cannot be achieved alone, and Council will need significant financial support from our government partners to deliver this program of works. Our current estimate for delivering water security to the region is $165.9m which includes upgrading the Malpas Dam wall, restoring and upgrading the Oaky River Dam, providing a pipeline to Armidale and upgrading our treatment capacity in Armidale.
Even though we are not currently in drought, we cannot afford to wait until the next drought to address this issue. We look forward to working with our government partners to deliver a stronger, more resilient region.
Mayor Sam Coupland
“Water
security is the number one issue preventing our region from growing. We need to provide a long-term solution to allow the region to sustainability support growth over the next 20 years.”
Delivering Regional Water Security
Options to deliver long-term water security to the Armidale region will require a combination of both Malpas Dam wall raising and restoration and upgrading of the Oaky River Dam.
Oaky River Dam is currently in the process of being acquired by Armidale Regional Council. Water treatment facilities in Armidale will also need augmentation in a staged capacity.
Pre-construction activities are continuing on the Malpas Dam wall upgrade in-line with funding available from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2024.
TALES FROM THE BAR
WITH BRI PERKINS AND HARRISON MOWER
THE SAWTELL HOTEL
sawtellhotel.com.au @sawtell_hotel
“It’s almost like a rite of passage for tourists returning to the hotel,” says Bri.
“They call it the ‘Sawty Slammer’,” adds Harrison. “It’s handed down from employee to employee, generation to generation. I remember learning it for the first time – that was a big moment.”
“It’s not uncommon to see three generations of family members enjoying its taste – a unique blend of Midori, Malibu and pineapple juice. They sit side by side, right here at The Sawtell Hotel, the sound of the surf crashing in the background.”
“Sounds good, right? We’ll be here, as two of the hotel’s cocktail supremos, ensuring you get your Sawty Slammer hit when you next come to visit!” *
