Hillscene - Issue 30 - Winter edition 2018

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Winter The hillscene is created in partnership with Burrinja

edition Issue 30, 2018

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HAIKU

blossoms hide in buds are they shy? or do they know the risks of beauty?

poem: Kate Wilson

photo: C Semmens

Enter the inner life of Australian Icons @ BURRINJA this Winter

Letters to Lindy

photo:AP via AAP

TUES 24 JUL 8PM Portrayed with humour and heartbreak, this enthralling work by award-winning playwright Alana Valentine (Parramatta Girls, Head Full of Love) explores the public’s relationship with one of 20th Century Australia’s most iconic figures.

Women Painting Women

21 JUL – 19 AUG Giving insights into the relationships between the artists and their sitters (among these Yorta-Yorta soprano Deborah Cheetham, actress Sigrid Thornton, domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty and labour senator Penny Wong), the works touch on a variety of contemporary themes while revealing personal stories of reward and loss.

Official opening at 3pm July 22nd – following the performance Musical Compositions by Women.

photo: Dave Anlezark

Who Am I…?

SAT 8 SEP 8PM Burrinja Theatre.

Written and performed by Russell Cheek, ‘Who Am I’ shares his story of climbing out of unemployed-actor poverty by attempting to win the jackpot on Sale of the Century in 1993.

Painting by Sally Ryan of Yassmin Abdel Magied BURRINJA – Cnr Glenfern Road and Matson Drive, Upwey – ph: 9754 8723 – w: burrinja.org.au

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facebook: The Hillscene

website: www.hillscene.com.au

blog: hillsceneblog.wordpress.com

to and

Yes, here I am, literally putting out the welcome mat for you... come on in!

Come on in... and learn where to go dancing in the hills; how to set up your own art studio; and the value of community and nature!

Come on in... leave your shoes at the door, snuggle into the couch and read the ‘Five Wonderful Adventures in The Hills’ article – great suggestions for great places to visit; and the story about the Lantern Parade – maybe you could help out next year!

One unique element, as the guest editor, that I have brought to The Hillscene ‘zine is a generous sprinkling of haikus.

If you don’t know what haikus are, they’re a small Japanese poem form comprising of

© Copyright, 2018.

3 lines with a set number of syllables per line (5, 7 & 5). They are great to capture just a single feeling, or a fleeting moment.

Traditionally they’re nature-based and include a hint of the season, thus I thought they’d be perfect for this Winter edition.

So I put the invitation out to all and sundry to send in their forest-inspired haikus... and I got stacks of responses. Sadly I couldn’t include them all, but I have a selected a choice few for your reading pleasure. And well done to Ferny Creek Primary School who really got on board – creating their own complimentary artworks too.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this Winter season AND this Hillscene ‘zine Winter edition.

Yours poetically, Cam

Guest Editor and Designer: Cameron Semmens.

Cover: Art by Jenny Rowe. Photography by Cathy Ronalds.

Editorial Committee: Adriana Alvarez, Toni Main and Anna James.

Contributors: Toni Main, Bluzel Field, Naomi White, Tiffany Morris-North, Luella Cochrane, Glen Stephanson, Lisa Ford, Adriana Alvarez and all the haiku-ists!

For submission and advertising enquiries email: hillscene@westnet.com.au

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WOW – that cover!

Introducing Jenny Rowe’s beautiful sculptures Words: Adriana Alvarez. Photos: Cathy Ronalds.

Jenny Rowe’s studio was the first Open Studios I ever visited when I moved to the hills over 10 years ago. I fell in love with it and her work straight away. The studio is charming and with the creek running through it makes for a fairy tale setting. Jenny was very engaging and friendly making me feel immediately welcome.

Her works have a graceful serenity that is both magical and grounded.

Her ceramics have an otherworldly quality which is difficult to pin down and seem deeply rooted in the natural landscape. They’re predominantly figurative or animal works which are beautiful but not in a conventional way. The figures are delicate and vulnerable but also strong and powerful. They are pared back versions of nature with a personality of their own. Their matt, unpolished surfaces and muted colours makes them earthy whilst their ethereal nature inspires awe and delight.

Last weekend some friends and I did a ceramics workshop with Jenny and her generous spirit meant that a 3 hour workshop turned into a

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whole day whilst she helped us bring our ideas to life. It was obvious that she just loves the whole creative process, the sharing of ideas and has that still curios and accepting nature that allows some artists to see inspiration everywhere. She answers some questions about her art.

How would you describe your creative practice?

I just love the making part. I’m happiest when I’m immersed in a new sculpture. Starting from the seed of an idea and then making it grow into something of meaning.

What do you enjoy about living in the Dandenong Ranges, and is the environment you live in important to your making?

The Dandenong Ranges is a unique and special place to live and it definitely influences my work.

The huge trees, 200 year old tree ferns and the sound of Ferny Creek running past my door are an ever present backdrop to what I am making.

Your work seems to be both fantastical and earthy, are your ideas inspired more by the imaginary or the real landscape?

I’ve always been interested in myth, legend and allegory. The juxtaposition of the natural world with the manmade keeps enticing me to say another little something about what I ‘see’.

Tell us a bit about your workshops. What makes you want to share your creativity? Is it important for artists to share ideas?

Workshops are all about sharing. I’ve never run a workshop where I haven’t also learned something new.

Making art is a way of communicating thoughts and ideas and is innate in the human psyche. The great pleasure a child has when they make their first marks is how I hope people feel when they are at a workshop.

You have been in Open Studios for many years, what is the most rewarding part of being part of that program?

I very much look forward to Open Studios each year. I get direct feedback about what I’m making at the time and I love knowing where my pieces go and who chooses them. It is much more meaningful than selling anonymously from an exhibition.

Who are your creative heros?

Leonard Cohen for word imagery, Van Gogh for passion and every person who pursues the urge to create beautiful and or challenging interpretations of our world.

Where can people find more information on your practise or upcoming exhibition?

I’m selling online and through pop-up exhibitions with arttoart.com.au.

Visitors are always welcome to drop in to my studio to see what I’m doing.

Something else you want us to know?

Here is your chance!

I’m also growing pistachios! We have an orchard of 2,000 trees on the old family farm in Central Victoria. I now know how to sprout mass seeds, tend seedlings for rootstock, then bud graft those 2,000 seedlings and grow them into pistachio producing trees. A very intense and rewarding kind of tree change.

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5 Wonderful Adventures

in the Dandenong Ranges to inspire you

Words by Bluzal Field

Creativity is a ďŹ ckle creature, one that needs to be engaged deliberately and nourished through equal parts action, contemplation, observation and fun. Sometimes it is in the making of art and sometimes a change of perspective is needed. This could be a splash of the new to reinvigorate the senses, or experiences that open up potential while appreciating the world and its myriad of form.

Whether that form is human-made, nature at its best or a combination, each of these 5 places might be just what the doctor ordered.

1. R.J. Hamer Arboretum

Chalet Rd, Olinda

Part of the original Dandenong and Woori Yallock State forest, proclaimed over 110 years ago, the R.J. Hammer Arboretum is 120 hectares of breathtaking beauty and incredible diversity. It has views that overlook Silvan Dam and the Yarra Valley and the garden grounds have 150 species of native and exotic trees that spread like a patchwork quilt across the grounds. There are numerous walks to explore the grounds and breathe in the invigorating air. For the early risers it is a beautiful place to see the dawn. Parking is on Chalet Rd, Olinda.

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photos: Parks Victoria

photos: Cathy Ronalds

2. Leaf Studios

77 Monbulk Rd, Kallista

This collective arts studio in Kallista houses the artistic endeavours of six local artists, also has a retail space, a shared communal space and runs regular workshops. On any given day you can see (and buy) works from the felt monsters of Nik Tardrew, to the wearble art of Lillebeart and Moiety, to the unique illustrations of Wayward Harper.

Leaf Studios is a visual and textural feast that will have you hands itching to make.

Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 4pm Sunday 11am – 3pm

3. Burrinja Community Cultural Centre

Cnr Matson Dve & Glenfern Rd, Upwey

Located a little off the beaten track of Burwood Hwy, this amazing Community Cultural Arts Centre has been the creative heart of the Dandenong Ranges since its inception in 1998. Its mission is to build community through art, creating a place where artists of all kinds can develop work and connect with the artistic community. Their gallery has numerous exhibitions every year, an amazing arts festival, Dandenong Ranges Open Studios, as well as on site studio artists honing their craft. In addition it has an eclectic theatre season, and a lively café/speakeasy, The Skylark Room, which showcases local and interstate musicians.

Entry to the gallery is free Tues – Sun, 10am – 4pm.

The Skylark Room is open Thurs – Sun, 10am – 3pm and in the evening for performances.

Check out their website at www.burringja.org.au for info on the theatre season.

photos: Bluzal Field

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4. Proserpina Bakehouse & Precinct

361 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd Sassafras

If great artisan food gets your creative juices flowing then Proserpina Bakehouse in Sassafras is a must. It brings Gary Cooper from Bella Verde and Carolyn Deutsher of Ripe together in this communal hub of bakery goodness.

Antique benches and purpose built shelving give this place a warmth and beauty which wraps around you. Add to the equation a menu full to the brim with classics and fresh ideas, great coffee (very important) and service (also very important), Proserpina offers a place to soak in the atmosphere, observe the ebb and flow or cosy up with a friends.

Open: Wed – Mon, 7am - 5pm.

(Closed on Tuesday)

photos: Bluzal Field

While you are there check out Emma Jennings Gallery.

Emma Jennings’ work is inspired by cultural traditions, Australian Indigenous and oriental, her work reflects on nature. Her labyrinthine paintings on Japanese paper have botanist flair with an oriental twist. Her gallery is a space that is serene and elegant, much like Emma herself. On display are large and small works, postcards and antique Japanese crockery.

Open: Thur & Fri 10 – 4, Sat & Sun 10 – 5.

8photo: Emma Jennings

5. William Ricketts Sanctuary

1402 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd Mount Dandenong

Every time I enter this sanctuary it is like I can hear history calling. Embedded amongst the ferns, tucked away on winding paths are Ricketts’ sculptures of the Indigenous Australians he loved so much. Concentric circles telling the story of the sacred, detailed works in stone made to appear as if growing from the ground itself. Parks Victoria has curated a fascinating story of his life while maintaining the garden and the art. Places to ponder the universe and your place in it abound in the sanctuary.

Open: Everyday, 10 – 4:30pm. photos: Parks Victoria

HAIKU

Dragons in our midst, Mighty Giants rise through mist.

Forest of myst’ry

poem: Emma Taylor

photo: C Semmens

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Confessions of a newbie mushroom forager Words and photos by Naomi Clarke.

I’m trying to not get all existential on you guys here (cos this is meant to be an environmental piece) but I feel like some background will help… A few years ago I was feeling pretty crap about life when I came across this parenting resource that said my kids will know whether I have enjoyed or endured them, great… add that to the list of parenting requirements. Anyway, in an attempt to regain some joy I set myself the basic goal of “enjoying my life and my kids more” …it took months of mulling over how exactly I was going to achieve this when finally, an epiphany struck, DO THE THINGS THAT YOU ENJOY – MORE and do them with the kids. Maybe its selfish but driving kids from one activity to the next where I get to stand and watch them while compensating myself with coffee or another book purchase didn’t always feel satisfying.

As a child I loved making bush soup and picking strawberries from my nannas garden. I dreamt all the adults would disappear and I could build shelters and forage foods and do whatever I wanted.

First on the list of potential enjoyable activities was foraging!

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And so far I have taken the kids to bush foods walks and edible weed tours, we have borrowed or bought ALL the foraging books, we have found all the wild fruit trees in our area. Then a friend and I did a home growing mushroom course with Urban Kulture, where we learnt about the basics of at home cultivation and left the course with fruiting bags ready to grow. And then they grew, almost before your eyes, theses huge, intricate, delicious oyster mushrooms. We were all in love.

Now my kids think I’m addicted, I would say joyfully obsessed! I’m dreaming of foraging.

I feel like my eyes have grown bigger, I’m seeing differently. Mushrooms are everywhere and I’m moving through the landscape looking for them. When I stand at the bus stop now waiting for my boys I’m not scrolling on my phone – I’m scanning my surroundings. I want to know what’s here that I can eat! Where are the pines? is that a birch? a beech? an oak???

I’m distracted by weeds and trees and potential mushroom harvests. I have fallen off bridges and jumped over creeks. I have

cut myself and gotten a thorn stuck up my finger nail. I am foraging on cold wet days filled with the joy of the hunt!! The joy is visceral. It has surprised me. What is this? Is it because I am essentially an animal for the first time, learning how to feed myself? Is this satisfaction garnered from increased self-sufficiency? When I go to Aldi for the weekly shop I get no rush like this. But finding onion weed, dandelions, mellow, saffron milk caps, shaggy manes and turning this into a foraged soup – that’s joy!! As a child I loved making mud pies and bush soup but I never learnt what was actually edible or how to cook with foraged foods.

This feels like a return to childhood fun. And now my boys (aged 6 and 9) are obsessed too. We are learning together. We are outside with wide eyes, appropriate clothing and purpose. And it feels ridiculously good.

For us this free, outdoors activity has resulted in many adventures, we rope in friends and teach them, nearly every dinner incorporates mushrooms. It’s the ultimate screen free, fresh air, grocery bill reducing pursuit.

If learning to forage interests you, a couple of locals can help you get started and explain the potential risks.

The Perma Pixie runs wild food and medicine walks www.facebook.com/ThePermaPixie Walk About Education run by Jamie Simpson focuses on bush food experiences and cultural awareness. He has a wonderful book full of bush foods and survival plants found throughout south-east Australia www.facebook.com/walkabouteducation Aaron Boyer from Urban Kulture travels the land educating budding gourmet mushroom cultivators with all the basics. His workshop includes tons of relevant information, fruiting bags and mushroom spawn to take home and play with!! www.facebook.com/urbankulture13

Naomi Clarke is a mother of two young boys and runs a small home based osteopathic clinic in the hills. A greying, often barefoot, messy mum trying to prioritize the simple pleasures that life offers.

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How to set up an art studio 3 experienced artists share their wisdom Words: Toni Main. Photos: Cathy Ronalds.

The hills are full of hidden artist studio spaces, but where do you start in creating one for yourself? The coordinator of Dandenong Ranges Open Studios sat down and had a coffee and a chat with three of these lovely artists. Here’s how they developed their artistic sanctuaries.

HAIKU

Thin breath in dense fog, eucalyptus as my guide— I’m ecstatically lost.

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poem: Natalie Jeffreys

photo: C Semmens

Gerard Russo

Copper etching artist in Belgrave

When I was a university student, there was an abandoned house on the family farm (it was actually the house my father was raised in, built in the 20s-30s). I needed my own space to make a mess. I was coming into my own, my own head space and I needed the space to hang out, to be away from my family and to make art. Certain spaces call out to be more than just a room, and I cleared a room (it was being used as storage) and created my first studio.

When I bought my own house, I knew which room was going to be the studio. You need to get into your head what the space can be, what you need it to be and what you want it to be. I like that I can’t hang artwork on my triangular angled walls because when I am not surrounded by my work, I am not referencing it. This gives me the ability not to stagnate.

In my new studio, I realised I couldn’t work on the floor anymore; I had to get an easel and I needed a sink. The hardest part was how long the build took. I did all the work myself, rather than pay someone else, which would have been quicker but more expensive. I acquired things as I needed them, including the sink. All in all, it has cost around $2,000 to create the ideal creative space, but 6 years on and it’s still not completely finished.

Final tip: Your studio has to inspire you. It has to resonate with what you do and who you are.

Think about location, noise control and space to sprawl out if needed. Think about the furniture, the light, the vantage, you want it to fulfil all your artistic needs.

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Jessie Yvette Journoud-Ryan

Sculpture artist in Upwey

I learnt a lot from having a studio in Burrinja, it informed how I would go about making my own studio and I basically set up my bungalow the same as the Burrinja studio.

Before the Burrinja studio, I did have another space, but it became a storage space. I needed to formalize my working area, make my studio days as working days, to be more efficient. Through my studio at Burrinja I flourished with continual access to the public, receiving the frequent feedback was a stimulus that escalated my productivity.

Transitioning out of Burrinja, I knew I needed a wet area, so it was better to have a space outside the house. In my artistic process, I make a lot of work, continuously refining ideas, so having a separate area to exhibit the works has been very beneficial. I started exhibiting my completed work in the spare room in the house; but now the exhibiting capacity has expanded to 1/3 of the house interior. In the most recent Open Studios, I had a silent auction, clearing the walls to make space for a new series of work.

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I have had challenges; the materials I use to make my work are heavy, and for that reason my bungalow needs to be restumped. Now that the studio is at my home it is difficult to maintain the discipline, there are always domestic distractions.

Working in isolation has also been a challenge; I lost confidence in my work with no access to the general public and their continual feedback.

Final Tip: I need a space that won’t become chaos, I want to walk into that space and get to work. I have such a slim timeline, juggling my regular work and my studio time, I can’t waste it.

Lee Goller

Ceramicist in Tecoma

I’ve had my own studio now for 20 years, making my studio has been a long, slow process. For many years, actually I still believe this, I have the mindset ‘be determined to work and make the space wherever you are’, it’s tricky but not impossible. For many years I used the kitchen bench, unpacking and packing up after each work session. At just the right time, a fellow artist asked if I would like to share a studio in the meat market. I did that for only 18 months but it was very memorable. I had to get organised, I had to be there at certain times, working. I had to bring in the materials I needed that day, and if I forgot anything, there was not a lot I could do; this was a very disciplined time.

My art is my obsession, my drive and to come to the realisation that you need your own space is an important decision. I never asked anyone how to do it, it just evolved, but it started as a big messy space. I had a shed and over time I accumulated what I needed, the tools, the materials, the kiln. Then I had to pack it all up and move to Tecoma.

I now have a lot of space; in fact I am at a point where I am looking at downsizing, getting more efficient with the use of my space. When I am working, I ignore the chaos, the mess. I work to get the work to evolve, to be critical I need the space to work myself into serious concentration.

Having the space has allowed me to move from painting and print making into clay.

Final Tip: When I needed more space, I decided to build a shed. I love my shed, but it was a challenge to get up. I was impatient to have my working space and rather than wait for the experienced project manager to be available, I went with the one that was available. My advice is do your research, ask around for recommendations from others that have something like what you want built and be patient for the right person to do it for you.

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Photo: Glenn Stephenson.

Howzat for girls in footy!

Words and photo by Glenn Stephenson – Coach, Coach, U/TJFC U16 Girls.

It was such a poignant occasion; to kick off National Reconciliation Week hosting Worawa Aboriginal College at the Upwey/Tecoma Junior Football Club (JFC) with the U16 Girls team.

The Worawa football team is a first for the college this year; coinciding with the popularity of the ‘Girls In Footy’ phenomenon, we were very excited to have them come and play our 2nd year team.

Worawa is an all girls boarding college situated near Healesville, whose students come from as

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far away as Darwin, Katherine, Croker Island and the Islands of the Torres Straits.

The students board at the college throughout the term and return home for the holidays.

For the fixture to have brought us together at this time was something quite special and unique for the team and he club.

As coach of the U16 Girls team, I look forward to taking our team out to Worawa for a game some time soon.

HAIKU

HAIKU

poem & art: Eliza Baird

poem & art: Summer Bush

Haiku from Ferny Creek Primary School Year 4 students HAIKU

HAIKU

poem & art: Casper Gladkoff

poem & art: Chloe Kellyf

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Do you feel like dancing?

Oh Yeah!

Where can you go in the local area if you want to get a dance fix? There’s your local clubs, bars and pubs where they may be playing a band or have a DJ. Or if you’re looking for something a little bit more alternative you can try Dance in the HIlls.

Walking into the Belgrave Heights and South Progress Hall it’s hard to know what to expect.

People are milling around doing a bit of warming up and stretching, others are greeting each other with hugs, the lighting is low, fairy lights along the floor and there’s a table set up in the corner with some equipment. Sarah Winter one of the coordinators explains that Dance in the Hills is a collective which started 4 years ago. It started off as people wanting to run dance nights offering something different every week, with different members of the community facilitating. That slowly grew to get some more experienced facilitators with dance teacher training to run the nights.

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Words by Adriana Alvarez.

When Sarah and her partner Jo, both Open Floor teachers, took over at the start of the year they sent out some feedback forms to see what the community was interested in. “We heard from the community that they really liked a high level of experience with the facilitation,” said Sarah.

“Jo and I were wanting to keep the whole focus of Dance the Hills similar where we’re offering a range of different movement practices so that it’s not just one thing. Tonight we have a 5Rhythms teacher coming, other nights we have Open Floor, other nights we have dancing freedom and then we also have members of the community where they just do their own thing.

There’s different people offering different flavours.”

Their main aim is to put dance in the middle, not one particular practise. The idea is to just provide the community with a weekly, local place where they can come and get their fix of conscious dance.

With conscious dance there’s no steps to learn, there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s a process where you’re encouraged to just dance however you feel. “In Open Floor on our movement practise we have a tagline or an offering which says move and include. So the idea is that whatever is coming up for you on the dance floor you include it in your movement expression. So it means if the music might be fast but you’re feeling tired it doesn’t mean you have to match the music.” explains Sarah. It’s a process that most of the facilitators at Dance in the Hills are encouraging, authentic movement, which is a hallmark of conscious dance.

Authentic movement being, dancing what you feel and what feels right for you.

“It’s much more about personal expression and personal inquiry. And the other thing I’d say about that too is this particular community has a hunger for connection and belonging. So for a lot of these people it’s a place for them to come together and get that hunger met for connection and belonging as part of a community. And very much on a non-verbal level. The connections people have in the dance are very different to what would happen if we were just speaking together.”

Tips for a first timer: there’s no right or wrong; there’s no steps, just tune in and dance how you feel; warm up and stretch your body like you

would for any other exercise class; if you’re nervous watch other people and copy their moves to see how it feels; be curious and just follow any movement impulse a bit like a wave through your body; and try and drop the self consciousness. Armed with these tips, I go out for my first dance.

The music is great and takes you on a journey, fast, chill, some familiar, some dance club with a huge bass drop. It’s easy to get into it and drop the self consciousness when you see that noone is watching you and everyone is doing their own thing. During the night I rediscover my love for dance without having to worry about looking cool, just moving to the music however I feel, it was liberating. It makes me think of something Sarah said which sums it up nicely “it’s not a night-club, there’s no sleazy people, people aren’t drunk and inebriated, it’s actually just that practise of being ecstatic or sad or confused or whatever it is and just expressing that with movement.”

Dance in the Hills meet Thursday nights at 7.15pm Belgrave Heights and South Progress Hall 127 Colby Drive, Belgrave Heights www.facebook.com/danceinthehills

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A Vibrant New Art Studio

Words: Toni Main. Photos: Belgrave Emporium.

Belgrave is a lively creative hub with great cultural events, unique arts businesses, plenty of live gig venues, great street art and fabulous cafes… and now there’s a new and exciting multipurpose arts and music venue called Two Floors.

I was lucky to be invited by business partners Lucy and Claire to have a sneak peak of this exciting new space before it opens to the public on Saturday 23 June, after the Belgrave Lantern Parade.

Entering through a secret back door at the rear of the Belgrave Emporium, I hear the sound of power tools and smell the sawdust as the small team of friends and family put together the final touches to this distinct new space. I head down the stairwell and enter a curious vast space where I am greeted by Lucy who wastes no time to show me around. She tells me, “Welcome to Two floors. This has been a labour of love that has taken a long time to get to this point. We’re excited with the creative extension of our existing retail business (Belgrave Emporium). We hope that Two Floors will be a place that nurtures and supports local artists and musicians.”

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I am shown a venue that will do just that! Lucy and Claire have thought of all the details when it comes to fulfilling their goals. It has an open floor plan community art studio and workshop space; with artist storage space, a generous wet room/ wash room, and a separate kitchenette.

There is also an enclosed exterior space for woodwork and other creative processes that require good ventilation. Lucy goes on, “Two Floors will be an open community art studio. We want it to be the artistic home for 8 resident artists, and it doesn’t matter how messy their practice is. Painters, woodworkers, potters, etc. are all welcome. I am a screen printer and I know how much mess that can be, and how hard it is to find studios that will allow that kind of messy freedom.”

The studio is designed as a communal space for artists to set up, create, pack down and store away for their next session, leaving the space ready for someone else to use, or for another event entirely. There will be arts workshops and demonstrations presented in the studio, and the space is equipped to transform into an event venue, with a good sized stage and a beautiful wooden bar.

Two Floors will house monthly licensed live music and arts events on Saturday nights, showcasing live music and local artists. This will also be an opportunity for the resident artists to exhibit on a rotational basis.

“And we have had a lot of artists get in touch with us about running workshops here; there’s been a real excitement about it!”

Located in the downstairs space of the Emporium (1662 Burwood Highway), the studio has its own entrance via Blacksmith Way, which is covered by the iconic street art (a legacy of the Tiffany Bishop Collective). Two Floors resident artists will have studio access 7 days a week from 9am until 10pm. There is all the necessary amenities such as wifi and bathroom facilities (with plans to build an accessible toilet in the future).

The Emporium is already well known for being a great place to buy arts and crafts by local artists, and Two Floors Studio feels like the perfect accompaniment. The downstairs space has a great vibe, with a spacious, airy feel, despite having no windows. I could feel the creative potential in the opportunity that Lucy and Claire are creating here. As I say goodbye to Lucy and Claire, letting them get back to the dirty work in preparation for the opening, I can’t help but feel inspired by the tenacity of these two local women. I look forward to attending the launch after the Belgrave Lantern Parade, seeing the space in action. I can’t help but find the timing so perfectly fitting, that these ladies have chosen this iconic community event to share their new space with the public, as Lucy has been an integral member of the parade committee, volunteering many hours to the community event over the years. What a great way to celebrate!

If you are interested in finding out more about Two Floors, or you are an artist that would like to become a resident of the studio, or run workshops, please contact Lucy and Claire at twofloorsstudio@gmail.com they are taking expressions of interest now.

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The Belgrave Lantern Parade – YOUR Cultural event!

The Hills Community has a long history of presenting incredible cultural events like Belgrave Survival Day, SelbyFest , hillsceneLIVE and the Belgrave Lantern Parade to name a few. On Saturday 23 June, we got to experience another fabulous Lantern Parade on the streets of Belgrave.

With over 10,000 people in attendance, it is one of the biggest free events on the hills calendar, so how does this great event happen? Toni Main has interviewed current Lantern Parade coordinator Justine Walsh to get the details.

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Words by Toni Main. Photos by Darren Clarke.

What is the Belgrave Lantern Parade?

Each year the Lantern Parade brings together the community of the Hills in a celebration of friendship, light, warmth and creativity on the shortest day of winter. The street is reclaimed for the people and thousands flock to take part in one of best and biggest community-made spectacles as hundreds of lanterns line the main street, accompanied by drummers, dancers and performers of all sorts. The Parade celebrates the Winter Solstice – our shortest day of the year. It marks the midst of Winter in our cycle of seasons, but most importantly it heralds the turning point – the new beginnings as we turn toward Spring and the blossoms of the Hills that are just around the corner.

All over the world people come together in their communities to acknowledge this important moment, celebrating with festivals, food, music, rituals, costumes, arts and more. In the Dandenong Ranges we head to Belgrave with our lanterns, our community groups, our friends and our festive spirit. The Lantern Parade has been running for 12 years, and each year it gets bigger, brighter and better. From an estimated 2,500 people in the first year, we now welcome over 10,000 people annual to Belgrave for the parade.

How did the parade start?

The parade was dreamed up in 2007 by two very active community members, Shakti Mclaren and Neil Bateman. To enable community engagement with the event, they created the Belgrave Community Arts Partnership (BCAP) with the aim to bring together local groups, organisations, individuals and businesses to support community and strengthen networks and connections through creativity. BCAP partners include Yarra Ranges Council (through the Partnership Grant), Burrinja Cultural Centre and The Belgrave Traders Association. Over the years, BCAP has been steered by a number of dedicated people and coordinated many amazing projects, including the infamous End of the Line Festival.

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Have there been any challenges?

Absolutely, the event is very ambitious, with over 10,000 people in attendance, the closing of a major road and car park, and delivering a spectrum of community lantern making workshops. Each year we rely on our network of volunteers, which can radically uctuate. Unfortunately over the last few years we have seen less and less local community members engaging in BCAP and other similar committees, we have found that it is the same 3-4 people doing all the leg work for most of the local cultural community events.

Are you looking for more people to get involved?

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We are always looking for more people to get involved, and there are so many levels of involvement, from volunteering on the day of the event, to facilitating lantern making workshops or even becoming part of the leadership team. For us, building township community ownership of the event is very important, as well as continuing to have a sustainable leadership team. Though everyone involved volunteers their time, not all roles are unpaid. BCAP aims to develop and support local artists, facilitators and coordinators, and we do that by providing an income to those roles thanks to the funding and support from Yarrra Ranges Council.

What are the benefits of being part of such a team?

By joining the BCAP team you can build your skills in community arts, event management and marketing. The Lantern Parade is a wellestablished successful project, providing an opportunity to learn the ropes with minimal risks.

You will also make connections and meet new friends within the local community, the people I’ve met and the opportunities I’ve had have opened up new horizons (in my life and my creative practise).

Then there is always the night of the Belgrave Lantern Parade, which is always special, so many smiling faces milling around the street. A particularly happy memory for me was last year when we asked Kallista Primary School to lead the parade, and they went above and beyond making a swarm of bee lanterns and a big bee hive.

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If you are interested in getting involved with the Lantern Parade or any other hills community events, don’t hesitate to contact them.

B������� L������ P�����

celebrate@belgravelanterns.org.au

B������� S������� D�� Eucalypt leaves lit by the full moon are transformed into twinkling stars

survivalday@gmail.com

���������LIVE F������� hello@hillscenelive.com

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selby@selbyhouse.com.au There are many other community events and groups that would also appreciate your support.

poem: Annette Muir

photo: C Semmens

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Winter in The Hills ‘I’m over the cold weather already!’, complained my frowning colleague, just 3 weeks into Winter and its first real cold snap. I looked around the office. Staff hunched over their computers, rednosed mouth-breathers cocooned in puffer jackets and scarves, crumpled tissues and half empty packets of Butter Menthols scattered close to hand while they hacked and sniffled away in a discordant chorus. Other desks lay empty, their occupants either at home in bed having fallen victim to the dreaded Winter lurgies which seemed to have evaded our work flu shots, or having fled up north to escape said plagues. Outside, uniformly grey skies tainted the corporate landscape an even bleaker pallet than usual.

I pondered what my colleague had said. Fair enough, we Australians love warm weather, blue skies, long days enjoying company and outdoor activities, and the tantalizing promise of holidays

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Words by Lisa Ford

this weather brings. Yet I was also struck by the futility of us raging against something as elemental and inevitable as the change of seasons.

I myself have always had a soft spot for autumn, the ‘season of mist and mellow fruitfulness’ with its soft golden sunlight, gentle relief from summer’s heat and the brilliant red and yellow foliage we enjoy in the Hills. What’s not to love?

But as I drove home from work that afternoon (headlights on in the gloom, of course), I couldn’t recall anyone naming Winter as their favourite season. Similarly, a quick Google search revealed that poets describe Winter with harsh words, like ‘death’, ‘cold’, ‘sting’, freezing’ and ‘bitter’. I guess that historically, when food was scarce and most people were poor, Winter probably deserved its universal

bad rap. Seeing Winter through, especially in colder climes than ours, would have been a matter of survival and endurance, nothing more, or less.

But now, at least for most fortunate people in temperate Melbourne, with our heated homes and access to transport, food, warm clothing and medical care, I wondered whether Winter might merit a kinder reappraisal.

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The wind blows gently The sound of the singing trees causes my soul to sing.

Certainly in the Hills, there is a sense in which Winter comes into its own. As the deciduous trees drop their last precious leaves, their twisting, entwining branches reveal a surprising beauty. The grasses seem to breathe a sigh of relief as they relax into damp hibernation. My favourite birds, the black cockatoos, don’t fly over our house in Winter, seeking more available food elsewhere. Instead, frogs hop over from the creek into our garden where they chirp away merrily during the Winter rains.

We humans also adapt, settling into our cosy homes earlier in the evening to dine on hearty soups and stews, our fireplaces blazing away to release their smoky haze into the crisp night air outside. Socialising seems to take a back seat, as neighbourhood parties either move indoors or are put on hold until the warmer weather.

Throws and fur blankets are pulled out of storage to adorn sofas and beds, encouraging us to snuggle under and spend more time at rest.

In these ways, Winter encourages us to hibernate a little, offering the opportunity for much-needed quiet, rest and reflection, if we choose to take it – a welcome respite from busier times.

poem: Rod Haig

photo: C Semmens

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Spending more time around the home, I find I read more, bake more and write more. I also finally get around to sorting out those little jobs that have piled up over the warmer months – sewing, finances and repairs.

By Spring, my home will be a little-more lived in, my life a bit more ordered, my creative juices more fired and my soul more rested. And despite my inevitable yearning for the sun and warmth and outdoor play, I hope that I remember to be thankful for the gifts of Winter.

These lives above me have been slow dancing longer than I have had breath

poem: John Englezos

photo: C Semmens

ART Safari hillsceneLIVE meets The Wild Awards Words by Bluzal Field.

hillsceneLIVE Festival is a fringe festival for the hills. Passionate about nurturing experimental works and embracing risqué ideas, the festival intends to resist easily definable norms of artistic endeavour. It’s about facilitating a place for artists to experiment and realise ideas. With this in mind this year’s launch needed to be something fun, different and experimental. A place to play with new works, enjoy Burrinja in a different way, enter the idea of ART Safari – an evening to showcase the artists and reinvent the gallery space.

The gallery will be inhabited by these ingenious folk, establishing the interior scape of a performative participatory party. Intended as an interactive responsive experience of the hillscenceLIVE performers, the evening will launch the 2018 hillsceneLIVE program. These works in progress have been developed by the

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artists with the developmental support of creative co-directors Justine Walsh and Toni Main.

At the same time Burrinja Gallery will be exhibiting the works from The Wildlife Art Society of Australasia’s major biennial exhibition ‘The Wild Awards’. An exhibition of art excellence, this fine display proudly demonstrates the Society members’ strong passion and respect for wildlife and its habitat.

It will feature works from a diverse selection of artists from across the Australasian region.

Works are in multiple mediums, sculpture, canvas and paper.

The meeting of these two programs promises to be an expedition into the wild side of art.

Come get launchy at ART Safari!

ART Safari SAT SEP 15 7PM – 9PM Burrinja 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey, 3158 Please RSVP – www.burrinja.org.au 03 9754 8723

photo: Sabrina Testani

hillsceneLIVE is supported by Creative Victoria, Burrinja Community Cultural Centre and Yarra Ranges Council.

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Left you years ago.

For a city abroad now home.

My heart weeps daily.

poem: Peter Hibberd (written for the forests of The Dandenongs)

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photo: C Semmens

The Power of Community and Nature … or …

Why living in the Hills is so good for you!

Words and photos by Luella Cochrane.

Every day as I wind my way along Monbulk Road taking my kids to and from school, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude. With the forest on either side and sunshine or mist filtering through the layers of trees, I know in my heart that I have chosen the most beautiful place to raise my family. I was fortunate enough to grow up in the hills myself, so although I travelled away for a while, there has never been another place that I would call home.

When people ask me what I love about living up here, two factors immediately stand out. One is the strength of community spirit and the other of course, is the beauty and healthfulness of the environment.

I treasure my morning ritual of dropping the kids to school and then heading for a local coffee shop. This sacred pause that exists between being a parent and a business woman provides an opportunity to immerse myself in the richness and diversity that is unique to the hills. Without fail, there is always someone to say hello to and have a chat with. I love the chance to share and to learn from one another and to connect with mutual respect, empathy, curiosity and inspiration.

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Studies have shown that a strong sense of community has multiple benefits on physical and mental health. These include decreased stress and systemic inflammation, increased immune function, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, decreased susceptibility to depression, panic disorders and generalised anxiety and a longer lifespan. As a Kinesiologist and Health and Education Consultant, it brings me great joy to witness the organic healing that takes place in a space of cumulative knowledge, shared wisdom and the gathering of friends and strangers in times of need. I feel so very fortunate to have this gift for myself and my family.

The benefits of living in nature have also been thoroughly researched and report increased energy, happiness, concentration and longevity.

The colour green has a soothing effect on our brains and bodies and is energetically related to the heart chakra – our centre of compassion, love and beauty. With constant exposure to computers, mobile phones and wi-fi, we are saturated with electromagnetic pollution, so getting out amongst the trees and literally earthing ourselves, can help to re-set and rebalance our nervous systems. Brain MRIs have shown notable differences in the amygdala (fight/flight centre) in those who live in built up urban areas compared with those living in greener, nature-filled suburbs. Research on brain plasticity supports the hypothesis that the structure and function of our brains is affected by the environment. How lucky we are then, to have nature therapy at our doorstep.

As a big picture thinker and someone who instinctively sees the links between all things, I have to say that the hills have got it all. Living here nurtures and nourishes us in so many ways, giving us the greatest chance of health, happiness and success. When we mindfully appreciate these resources, we all stand to beneďŹ t. I encourage everyone to take a moment consider just how lucky we all are.

Founder of Strength Resources, Luella is an International Speaker and Trainer with over 20 years experience in the health industry. She closed her clinical practice in 2017 in order to reach more people through quality education and presentations. You can find out more at www.strengthresources.com

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The lyre bird calls Love songs in the reserve Forest feathers fan poem: Fotoula Reynolds

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photo: C Semmens

Chieftans Fine Foods, Tecoma Words: Tiffany Morris-North.

For years people have walked past and wondered if anything would ever happen to the old travel agents premises in Tecoma. We’re wondering no more. Chieftans Fine Foods is the new deli/eatery that has recently opened right in the centre of town.

Chieftans Fine Foods is an off shoot of Chieftans Smokehouse in Cockatoo, an artisan smokehouse specialising in hand crafted, naturally smoked and cured meats.

The day I chose to visit Chieftans was a cold and blustery winter’s day. The smokey smell as you enter is so inviting and you’re welcomed with a counter full of deliciousness. The staff are friendly and knowledgable, and are happy for you to sample any of their delights – smoked cheese, smoked mushrooms and tofu, as well as salamis and sausages.

As far as eating in is concerned, the menu is small but highlights the best they have to offer.

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A good range of tasting platters are available and now baked potatoes have been added to the menu. I chose a baked potato with smoked chicken, bacon, coleslaw, cheese and sour cream. It was delicious, filling and homely on a cold Melbourne day. They don’t serve coffee but you are welcome to order and pay for a coffee in the cafe next door and they will deliver your drink (in a proper cup) right to your table. I’ve also noticed that hot soup sometimes appears on the menu, perfect for this time of year.

The prices are pretty good, about $14.00 for my potato. Deli goods are more than you’d pay in a supermarket but the quality just doesn’t compare, its definitely worth paying a bit extra for quality.

Every time I leave Chieftans Fine Foods I have a paper bag full of delectable delights that have tempted me. Well worth stopping by.

May you enjoy the sweep and swerve of the long and windy road before you

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photo: C Semmens