37 gippsland lifestyle summer 2018/19

Summer ISSUE #37 Alexandria Tzatzimakis On The Spot

ISSN 1838-8124

$7.95

Finmaw Farm Certified & Thriving

Meeniyan

The Beautiful Township

Food, Wine Accomodation features inside

more insid e

NISSAN | HYUNDAI | DEMO & USED VEHICLES | SERVICE | PARTS | FINANCE 1-5 ROUGHEAD STREET, LEONGATHA, VIC, 3953

P (03) 5662 2327 F (03) 5662 2642 E edney@dcsi.net.au

LMCT 1500

www.edneysleongatha.com.au

editorial summer #37

index our content THE PHOENIX - KINGBUILT LOUIS - KINGBUILT JOIN THE GREAT PELICAN COUNT ALL ABOARD - SOUTHERN RAIL JOIN THE SURFING RESERVE CHALLENGE ON THE SPOT - ALEXANDRIA TZATZIMAKIS CRICKET AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE BASS COAST CYCLE CHALLENGE COROMANDEL ABORETUM THE CHANGING SHAPE OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOOD, DANCE AND A LITTLE ROMANCE FROM STRESS TO STRENGTH THIS SUMMER HOME AWAY FROM FOOTBALL - MARK ROBINSON BLOKIT - REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA SPECIAL FEATURE OH, THE PLACES THEY’LL GO… THE BID TO SAVE SOUTH COAST MOBILE LIBRARY RELAX CHRISTMAS EXPECTATIONS HA HA HA! PUT A SMILE ON YOUR DIAL GOLDEN RULE - ANDREW RULE RHETT McLENNAN CANINE CORNER MILLIE AND ADA THE SOCIAL BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND DOGS TRAINING YOUR GUN DOG RETRIEVER PART 5 YOUR SUMMER STARS - KERRY GALEA WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR COPY OF THE MAGAZINE

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gippsland FOOD + WINE + ACCOMMODATION & CULTURE INDEX

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our advertisers ALEX SCOTT AND STAFF BLUE HILLS RISE RIAGOLONG ART GALLERY COAL CREEK COMMUNITY PARK & MUSEUM CRAWFORD MARINE CURTIS JEWELLERY DALE CARRUTHERS EDNEYS LEONGATHA EVANS PETROLEUM GROW MASTER TRARALGON HIT FM 94.3 97.9 GET UP WITH NICK & ZOE KINGBUILT HOMES THE KORUMBURRA DENTIST WEST GIPPSLAND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY WONTHAGGI MEDICAL GROUP WONTHAGGI LOTTO WONTHAGGI NEWSAGENCY

+our regular features

Spring just came and went and now we are into Summer and this latest edition of Gippsland Lifestyle Issue 37 has the lot!

There is the usual array of great features, and perhaps some controversial stories, but being in Gippsland we must feature what is happening whether we all agree or disagree, some of the stories printed in this edition affect the people, good or bad, but as Editor I make no apologies.

We welcome two new writers to our Summer edition in Lia Spencer and Tristan Saltnes, who have brought a lovely mixture of features to the magazine.

Our regular journalists, writers, contributors again have brought some beautiful features, about the people, the town of Meeniyan which is our Town Feature for Summer and the ever-growing Food Wine and Accommodation along with Gippsland Culture.

There has been a lot of discussion about the Mobile Library Service closing, one thing we should remember is this decision to close the service impacts on the elderly and those that cannot make it to the libraries in town. Money is always the key factor with these decisions, but we should not ever forget and support the people that need this service and our magazine wholeheartedly supports the group behind saving this service. Perhaps it is a sign of the times, as the digital way of life has changed our ways and methods, we all should of course move with those times, but our elderly people still need to be seen and heard.

So, on this note, I would like to thank all of the work that our current team has provided.

Alex the Creative Director has again exceeded his talent and has created yet another beautiful magazine and next year his workload will be increasing with more new magazines being released, exciting times ahead.

To all our readers, enjoy this edition and have a safe and very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2019, see you soon!

Editor

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meeniyan THE BEAUTIFUL TOWNSHIP OF MEENIYAN MEENIYAN ART GALLERY ALLFORMS OF DESIGN MOOS AT MEENIYAN THE HEART OF MEENIYAN - MEENIYAN SQUARE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS - LAUREN JACOVOU QUIRKY PICTURES STONY CREEK RACING CLUB SWANLEE MEENIYAN HOTEL RIGHT ON COURSE - STONY CREEK RACING CLUB FRESH FROM THE FARM TO THE DOOR - TRACEY ROBERTSON STONY CREEK GO KARTS TREASE BUILDERS THE SMELL OF SUCCESS – DAVID & KIRSTEN JONES MEEN FEEDZ HISTORICAL MEENIYAN MEENIYAN OKTOBERFEST BREAD & PICKLES MEENIYAN’S MARVELLOUS TOURISM & TRADE MEENIYAN GARLIC FESTIVAL MEENIYAN STORE MEENIYAN PHARMACY FOR THE LOVE OF OBJETS – OUTER SPACE OUTER SPACE

Summer in Gippsland!

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Doug Pell

Writers Contributors Photographers Advertising Proofing Editor Creative Printers

Chris West, Wendy Morriss, Matt Dunn, Lia Spencer, Tristan Saltnes, Trevor Stow, Lisa Maatsoo and John Turner MAAPM. Ali Fullard, Erin Miller, Kerry Galea, Paul Henderson, Frank Butera, Christie Nelson, Christine Boucher and Terry Earl.

Wendy Morriss, Matt Dunn, Lisa Maatsoo, Doug and James Pell.

Doug Pell James Pell media101 Southern Colour (VIC) Pty Ltd | www.southerncolour.com.au

our summer front cover Gippsland Beaches

Photography by media101 Gippsland's Great Beaches

GIPPSLAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE/COAST/COUNTRY A: PO Box 862, Wonthaggi 3995 P: 0404 301 333 E: thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au W: we’re updating - new website coming soon! facebook.com/lifestylegippsland instagram | g_the_lifestyle

ASTROLOGY, POSITIVE LIFESTYLE TIPS, CANINE CORNER , MILLIE’S ADVENTURES

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thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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THE PHOENIX

KINGBUILT’S CHARACTERISTIC HIGH QUALITY IS EVIDENT WHEREVER YOU LOOK, WHICH FLOWS THROUGH TO THE STYLING AND FURNITURE Walking into the spacious, light-filled family living area of Kingbuilt’s display home in Traralgon, you can picture yourself entertaining your family and friends on those magical summer nights. You might even be tempted to sit and pour yourself a drink!

“Our popular Phoenix floorplan has been brought to life by Jo Daly, our Interior Designer. She really has made this house feel like a home for everyone who walks in” says Shane Duncan, Kingbuilt’s new General Manager.

“Kingbuilt’s characteristic high quality is evident wherever you look, which flows through to the styling and furniture choices that Jo has made”.

With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, The Phoenix will appeal to young families, parents with teenage children or empty nesters who still need extra bedrooms.

The master bedroom with stunning ensuite and oversized walk in robe opens out to the undercover garden courtyard at the rear of the home, with all the other bedrooms located at the front.

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BUILD AN ENTERTAINERS DREAM WITH KINGBUILT. Highlights include the spacious, high impact entry with feature pendent lighting, the generous openplan family, dining and state-of-the art kitchen area with walk in pantry.

The seperate formal lounge with gas log fire has been cleverly designed to include a TV, but not as the focal point.

Everything has been thought of for a full and luxury life at home; activity room, study nook, laundry directly accessible from the kitchen, double garage and loads of storage within a compact but spacious 30 squares.

Like all of their display homes and floor plans, the Phoenix can be tweaked to meet your unique needs and budget. Use this home and style as inspiration for your custom Kingbuilt home.

Contact Kingbuilt’s design consultants on 1300 546 428 | sales@kingbuilt.com.au www.kingbuilt.com.au

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THE LOUIS Every Kingbuilt home has been built on the same philosophy of honesty, transparency, trust, design innovation and design freedom.

With all of that in mind, Kingbuilt are proud to offer Victoria’s only display home where what you see, is exactly what you get.

“That includes everything; the flooring, tiles, carpet, cabinetry, bathrooms, kitchen appliances, everything you see inside this home is what we would include as a standard quote” says Shane Duncan.

The Louis’ hard working 22 square floor plan is compact but cleverly designed to ensure no design elements are sacrificed. Built in bench seats, spacious walk in robe, a multi functioning theatre which could be a guest room, living or formal lounge, linen press, walk in pantry and cupboards galore are all part of this innovative design.

Ideally suited to first home buyers, investors or those looking to downsize, The Louis can also accommodate growing families, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, indoor and outdoor living spaces and a double garage.

This industrial style home has been given a tribal twist. Explore it for yourself and see how you would rework this design to suit your lifestyle and budget.

Contact Kingbuilt’s design consultants on 1300 546 428 | sales@kingbuilt.com.au www.kingbuilt.com.au

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thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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JOIN THE GREAT PELICAN COUNT THE GIPPSLAND LAKES GREAT PELICAN COUNT IS BACK ON 7 APRIL 2019 AND YOU CAN BE INVOLVED. ACCORDING TO DEB SULLIVAN, BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA PROJECT OFFICER IN EAST GIPPSLAND NEARLY 150 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN VICTORIA’S FIRST GREAT PELICAN COUNT IN APRIL 2018.

PREENING ON THE NICHOLSON RIVER

“We’re hoping our 2019 count is bigger and better than the last one,” said Deb. “The Count is a snapshot – like a census – of pelicans across the Gippsland Lakes taken at the same time on the same day.

“Anyone can be involved in the count; pelicans are distinctive and easy to spot making it an event the whole family can be involved in. All you need to do is register.

“Last year’s count of 541 pelicans suggest that many of the young pelicans and nomadic pelicans weren’t at the Gippsland Lakes,” said Deb. “But we don’t know how many leave or where those pelicans go.

“Annual counts help provide insights into population fluctuations from year to year and help understand the arrival and departure of nomadic populations that use the Lakes in times of high or low rainfall or both,” continued Deb.

“We began pelican banding in late November and we’ll be asking citizen scientists to report banding as part of their sightings. The bands are bright red with white writing, making them easy to read. Hopefully we’ll be able to build a picture of where the pelicans move to and how they use the Gippsland Lakes.”

The Count will be held from 11.30am to 12.00pm on Sunday, 7 April 2019 at many locations around the Gippsland Lakes.

But why is this important? Deb explains that the data gathered is used by people and organisations working in the environment space.

Although the pelican is easily identifiable and iconic, some of its behaviours remain a mystery.

Pelicans are highly mobile and respond to rainfall levels inland by moving to and from the coast.

“This is really valuable information,” continues Deb. “It’s used by natural resource management professionals to understand why the pelicans prefer a certain type of wetland or habitat. They can then set about trying to recreate those habitats at other sights meaning that the pelicans have more safe places available to them”

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The Gippsland Lakes is home to one of only two permanent pelican rookeries in Victoria.

Pelicans are colonial nesters, meaning they nest en-masse. Their young form creches that stay together for around two months learning to fly, feed and fend for themselves.

Continued and consistent monitoring is vital to help inform the future management of the Gippsland Lakes and its surrounding wetlands.

Information gathered about species, like the pelican, helps us understand what management actions are working and what are the needs of the species into the future.

“The Gippsland Lakes provide a refuge for nomadic pelicans during time of regional and national drought,” continued Deb. “We would expect to see more pelicans around the Lakes in dry times as they look for food. Data from the Great Pelican Count gives information about current numbers and their locations.”

“Register for the count, grab your friends and family and get out and enjoy the Gippsland Lakes. Your observations as citizen scientists can really make a difference.

PELICAN CLOSE UP

PELICANS OF THE LAKES

PELICAN LANDING ON THE TAMBO RIVER

“This count will, over time, help us to quantify the changes in pelican numbers across the Gippsland Lakes and enable volunteers of all ages to participate in counting one of Australia’s most recognisable birds.”

THE POTTS FAMILY SPOTTING PELICANS AT THE 2018 COUNT

THE MORPETHS SPOTTED PELICANS AT NORTH ARM BOAT RAMP

There will be at least 80 sites across the Gippsland Lakes with counters allocated to them. Some sites will have lots of birds, others may have none, but this also provides useful information.

“We’re also keen to get some local knowledge of roost sites, or places where pelicans ‘hang out” continued Deb.

YOUNG PELICANS AT THE GIPPSLAND LAKES (COURTESY JOHN HUTCHISON)

“We need to find as many as possible so we’re asking people to give us a call or send an email to let us know.”

Registrations will open early 2019.

To be notified when registrations open, email greatpelicancount@birdlife.org.au registrations will close on 20 March 2019.

BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving outstanding conservation results for native Australian birds and their habitats.

This project is funded by the Victorian State Government for the health of the Gippsland Lakes.

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Leongatha Railway Station

All Aboard

A strategic plan to return rail services to South Gippsland What started as a casual chat amongst a small circle of friends on Facebook earlier this year quickly turned into a serious bid to revive the tourist rail and commuter train services in South Gippsland.

“We have worked twenty four hours a day, seven days a week on this. Something has literally been happening every hour of the day. I’d estimate that in the space of six months we’ve probably done two years of work,” Stuart says.

“One of us said that if they ever won Tattslotto that’s what they’d do with the money,” recalls Stuart Gilbert, one of the five founders of the Southern Rail Preservation Group.

The multi-faceted plan the group has devised involves firstly bringing back South Gippsland’s tourist railway which ground to a halt in late 2015 and ultimately returning commuter services to the region which ceased in 1993 under the Kennett Government.

“I went away and had a think about it. It was immediately apparent to me that if we wanted to make it work, it had to be done as a business. I came back to the others and said we needed to establish ourselves as a private railway operator and formulate a proper business plan and viable funding model. We were all in agreement and everything has just snowballed from there,” he adds.

Two separate entities were established – the Southern Rail Preservation Group as the arm to run the tourist rail and the Southern Rail Group as the company behind the overall venture.

Stuart and his four co-founding partners - Luke Macwhirter, Winston Martin, Matt Cantle and Dan Gilliland – have each had to find time to devote to the business around other work and family commitments.

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The plan is contingent on securing the lease to the rail corridor from VicTrack, which had previously been negotiating solely with South Gippsland Shire.

“The door was almost closed on the lease when we emerged, but thankfully not shut,” Stuart notes.

“Our dialogue with VicTrack has become very positive after a challenging start. We are working towards making us their preferred first option,” he adds.

The group members are all aged between their early thirties and early forties and reside in areas ranging from Traralgon, Pakenham, Gembrook and Frankston.

“All five of us are involved in heritage railway in some capacity – either with the Mornington Railway at Moorooduc or with Puffing Billy - and two of the group are train drivers, but is important to for people to understand that we not are not seventy-five-year-old train buffs who are doing this as a hobby,” Stuart emphasises.

“People are often surprised when they meet us.

They are probably expecting us to be a loose collection of elderly trainspotters rather than an organised and professional business enterprise with fresh ideas and the energy and commitment to get things done. We have a good blend of skills. I bring the business background and the others have the rail expertise. We have strong connections in the rail industry and the business sector, both here in Australia and overseas.”

Stuart also says it is important to distinguish their newly-established entities from other similarly named groups that have been involved with plans for the rail corridor in the past.

“To eliminate any confusion, anyone who has had anything to do with the railway prior to the establishment of the Southern Rail Preservation Group and Southern Rail Group and earlier this year have no ties with us whatsoever,” he states.

Dan Gilliland, Luke MacWhirter, Stuart Gilbert & Winston Martin

is gathering steam & winning widespread community support.

“The corridor has been passed over many times before and we appreciate that promises have been made in the past, so people may understandably be sceptical. That’s ok. The difference with us is that our plan is solid and stacks up in every way.”

Stuart says the group’s plan takes everything and everyone into consideration.

“Urban growth and business growth forms an important part of our thinking. We are not against anyone and have a plan that considers all. As a company that wants to come in and operate the rail corridor, we have to take into account the whole railway and everyone’s interests.

“We have people behind the scenes assisting with strategy and have included some really clever thinking in the planning that makes it all work. Nevertheless, in order to get this thing going, it has to be one hundred percent united. We need everyone on board.”

Negotiation on major projects can be like a game of cards and the Southern Rail Preservation Group is still holding some of its aces close to its chest.

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Korumburra

Korumburra Nyora

“Certain aspects of our plan remain confidential as it gives us a competitive edge. In time, the sensitive information will all come out, but I can confidently predict that what we’re proposing will turn the heritage rail scene on its head. There’s some thinking in there that’s really outside of the box,” Stuart states.

Although the group’s strategy includes the introduction of new elements, much of the plan revolves around utilising the rail corridor’s preexisting assets that currently lie dormant.

“We’re proposing to reinstate the rail and get everything back to working order. Much of the infrastructure is still there, including the tracks, stations, signals and the yards at Korumburra and Leongatha,” Stuart says.

“Our plan would be to do the whole track in one hit and we want to do everything properly so it only has to do be done once.”

The plan includes reinstating the train stations at Nyora, Loch, Korumburra and Leongatha. Other disused stations between those stops could also potentially return at a later stage.

“We are also looking at a new layout for the yard at Nyora and another important part of our plan for the railway is provision for the establishment of an accompanying bike trail. We like to be outdoors ourselves and understand the need to have a system that also complements and harmonises with the recreational pursuits of cyclists,” Stuart says.

“Self-sufficiency has a role to play in our plans and we’re even looking at manufacturing rail sleepers and producing our own fuels,” he adds.

The disused line between Nyora and Wonthaggi that was closed forty years ago does not presently form part of the Southern Rail Preservation Group’s plan.

Leongatha Railway Station

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“That track on that line was pulled up and replacing that section isn’t on our radar for now, but we would be open to considering it at a later time if our more immediate plans come to fruition in the way that we hope,” Stuart explains.

The Southern Rail Preservation Group estimates the cost of their plan at around $87 million.

Funding would be provided via a combination of private equity and local investment.

“The way we are proposing to run the business provides scope for a commercial return for investors,” Stuart says.

“As part of our research, we found a case model in the UK - the Severn Valley Railway - where the British Government invested thirty-five million pounds into rebuilding the whole railway. If our Government here doesn’t come to the party financially on our project, we’ll go elsewhere for funding assistance.

Our plan has a funding model that can stand alone and is certainly not dependent on a contribution from Government.”

The group has been liaising extensively with Tourism Victoria and Transport Board Victoria with a view to taking the pressure off the State Government.

“We’ve got the plan and model that works.

If the Government assists with financing the rejuvenation of the corridor, we’ll do all the heavy lifting,” Stuart comments.

Korumburra Turntable

“The attitude from Government has been that there is not sufficient population in South Gippsland to warrant the return of commuter rail services. They also don’t really have any desire to operate a tourist attraction, so we’ll happily step in and do that.”

In order to fulfill its intention of operating the rail services, the group has gained the necessary accreditation that allows it to do so.

“The tourist railway would be the stepping stone for returning a regional rail service back to South Gippsland. The first step is to get the tourists in and build from there,” Stuart explains.

“The second phase of the plan involves the return of commuter services which cannot happen until the State Government proceeds with its plans to extend the Cranbourne line to Clyde.

The Clyde duplication project is a huge job, but ties in well with our longer term plans as it would be the connection point linking the rail in South Gippsland with services to and from Melbourne.

We were looking at other options early on until the Government committed to Clyde.”

In anticipation of one day operating both commuter and tourist rail services on the same line, the group has already identified the necessary scheduling arrangements that make this achievable.

“It’s just simple timetabling really,” Stuart says.

In conjunction with developing its business plan, funding model and holding discussions with relevant authorities associated with pursuing the lease to the rail corridor, the Southern Rail Preservation Group has also been actively engaging with the local community throughout the region.

“We’ve had a very positive response from local people on the ground virtually everywhere we’ve been,” Stuart notes.

Loch

Re-opening of the line in 1984

“The only place where we have experienced any opposition has been in Korumburra because of pre-existing plans for a community hub which has been proposed to be located at the site of the rail yard. We need the rail yard as part of our plans, but are working to find suggested alternatives for the community hub in an endeavour to reach a mutually agreeable outcome for all.”

Stuart says the group encourages communication with all stakeholders.

open

“We are real people, who are approachable and transparent. We want people to come and talk to us.”

As part of its networking and communication channels, the Southern Rail Preservation Group has a dedicated Facebook page and website at www.southernrailgroup.com.au to provide news updates and information of interest on the project.

A significant breakthrough for the group occurred in October when VicTrack gave written permission for them to access the rail corridor.

“Being granted access by VicTrack was a sign that they recognise that our plan has substance,” Stuart states.

“Access is important because it has enabled us to begin carrying out inspections to ascertain the current condition of the railway. We are pleased to have found that the sections of the track we have examined so far have been in the kind of state we expected and the required level of repairs will be in line with what was anticipated in our budgeting.”

Hypothetically, Stuart estimates that if the group took the lease tomorrow, there would be about six months of work to do before they could have trains rolling once again on the tourist rail.

Image by Pete Bass - Near Korumburra

Stuart and his partners lament the fact that the rail in South Gippsland has been laying idle.

“It’s a fast railway with amazing scenery. If we did it right it would rival the top seven railways in the world,” he states.

“In doing what we plan to do with the heritage railway, we are mindful of the fact that we wouldn’t want to see anything taken away from Puffing Billy, which is Tourism Victoria’s star attraction.

In fact, our plans complement Puffing Billy which invariably experiences excess demand from customers. We can take that overflow of demand and provide an option to bring the tourists into South Gippsland.”

“One of our group founders, Winston Martin, has memories of it as a kid. His father was a driver on the heritage rail. It’s a crying shame that such a spectacular tourist rail has been lost and overlooked. I see it as an opportunity to change something for the better. It’s a good thing to do.”

Stuart says the group’s intention is to build up the region.

Stuart says the group’s planning has found a formula that combines the past with the present to create an exciting future.

He is keen to highlight the considerable tourism, employment and economic benefit emanating from the group’s plan.

“We have a deep respect for the history of the rail in South Gippsland and think it’s important to recognise that in our thinking. It’s really all about fitting in the new with the old and making everything come together.

“Bringing people in through the rail has flow-on effects to local business. Under our economic modelling, even at seventy-five per cent capacity, the tourist railway alone should inject three hundred and fifty million dollars into the local economy per annum. There will be full-time jobs created, alongside the opportunities for volunteer work.”

“Tourist railways often run on the smell of an oily rag, which places pressure on them to eke out their survival. There is often a lot of pressure on volunteers to get the job done and sometimes it’s simply beyond their capacity. We don’t want that sort of battle and believe there has to be a better way. Our approach has been to look at reinventing how best it should be done.”

In its plans to bring back the local tourist railway, the Southern Rail Preservation Group aims to enhance the entertainment experience.

“As part of that, we will build viewing platforms at strategic locations. There are so many interesting things that go on around a railway operation that a lot of people may not realise and we want to put all that on show,” Stuart states.

“South Gippsland should be the agricultural powerhouse of the Eastern seaboard. We want to open up the area to more people.”

Stuart says that the group is deeply committed to the project and wants to see its hard work rewarded through turning their vision into reality and creating a lasting legacy.

“We want the local people of South Gippsland to have belief in us and recognise that we aim to make things happen.

“We have the intention of being there for the long haul. The lifespan of the equipment will certainly outsee us, so our plan is to create a sustainable operation that will be there for future generations to enjoy.”

“We certainly want to see things moving as soon as possible, in whatever capacity we can,” he says.

Southern Rail Preservation Group thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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JOIN

THE SURFING RESERVE CHALLENGE

Now in its sixth year, the event has become a favourite in the surfing calendar due to the diverse team make up and tag team format and reflects what surfing and the Reserve are all about - fun, family, community and great waves. There is also plenty for spectators to do such as massages and kids’ activities through the day, so you don’t have to be in the water to be part of the fun.

Along with $2,000 first prize, teams have the added incentive of competing for the Dave Fincher Memorial Trophy in honour of one of Phillip Island’s surfing legends.

The event not only showcases the breadth and talent of surfers, it is also an opportunity to enjoy the quality waves of Victoria’s only National Surfing Reserve.

Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve is made up of four sites along Phillip Island’s coast:

PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE’S ANNUAL TEAM CHALLENGE WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019 SURFERS OF ALL AGES AND STYLES INVITED TO JOIN THE FUN. CAPE WOOLAMAI

including the world-famous breaks at ANZACS and the Clubhouse.

SMITHS BEACH

including the ‘hero wave’ Express Point, a barrelling reef break, along with its importance in training the surfers of the future at the sheltered beaches of Smiths and YCW.

EVENT SUMMARY WHAT

2019 Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve Surfing Teams Challenge

WHEN

Saturday 23 February 2019

WHERE

Cape Woolamai 8am -5pm, then presentation ceremony from 5.30pm

SUMMERLAND

which is the ‘birthplace’ of surfing on Phillip Island dating back to the 1920s and boasts iconic reef breaks that work in the largest of swells.

CAT BAY

includes Left and Right Point breaks and Flynns Reef. Cat Bay was included in the Reserve for its high quality breaks that allow surfing in big swells when the other south-facing beaches on Phillip Island are onshore.

Each area of the Reserve has its own special bronze plaque and was officially opened by surfing legends including Dave Fincher, Steve Demos, Dogga Luke and Matt and Sandy Ryan.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Photos available upon request.

Sally O’Neill | 0408 101 976 sally.oneill@bigpond.com Eleanor McKay | 0422 313 847 e_mckay@icloud.com

Follow us on Facebook: phillipislandnsr Facebook updates all day @Phillipislandnsr

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EVANS PETROLEUM

and it’s customers METUNG VILLAGE STORE 62 Metung Rd, Metung VIC 3904 Phone: (03) 5156 2201

BP Service Stations FISH CREEK 2 Falls Road, Fish Creek, Vic 3959 Tel/Fax: 5683 2521 Email: fishcreek@evanspetroleum.com.au

FOSTER 94 Main Street, Foster, Vic 3960 Tel/Fax: 5682 2008 Email: foster@evanspetroleum.com.au

INVERLOCH 25 Williams Street, Inverloch, Vic 3996 Tel/Fax: 5674 1442 Email: inverloch@evanspetroleum.com.au

JOHNSONVILLE 1760 Princes Highway, Johnsonville, Vic 3902 Office/Fax: 5156 4102 Workshop: 5156 4233 Email: johnsonville@evanspetroleum.com.au

KORUMBURRA

The Metung Village Store has been sourcing their Unleaded and Premium Unleaded fuel from the Evans Petroleum, Sale Depot team over the past three years and provide a valuable service to the community supplying cars, boats, lawnmowers and assorted machinery through their very well stocked shop in the main street of the beautiful Metung township. Katie at the front counter will ensure that all those last minute items that you need can be catered for and she does it with a willing smile. Ensuring that they have the best quality products for sale provides the buyer with the comfort of knowing that they are being well looked after and keeps them coming back. Why not drop in and say hello to the team and pick up your food and alcohol needs for the body while making sure your car or boat are full of fuel and ready to take you to your destination.

SWAN REACH GENERAL STORE 2025 Princes Hwy, Swan Reach VIC 3903 Phone: (03) 5156 4224

2-8 Commercial Street, Korumburra, Vic 3950 Tel/Fax: 5655 1668 Email: korumburra@evanspetroleum.com.au

LEONGATHA 95 Bair Street, Leongartha, Vic 3953 Tel/Fax: 5662 2440 Email: leongatha@evanspetroleum.com.au

MIRBOO NORTH 106 Ridgway, Mirboo North, Vic 3871 Tel/Fax: 5668 2377 Email: mirboo@evanspetroleum.com.au

MUDDY CREEK 26 Foster Road, Toora, Vic 3962 Tel/Fax: 5686 2324 Email: toora@evanspetroleum.com.au

NEWMERELLA 5327 Princes Highway, Newmerella, Vic 3886 Tel/Fax: 5154 1601 Email: newmerella@evanspetroleum.com.au

SALE

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There is a changing of the guard at the Port Albert Store with Rob and Ulla taking a very well earned break from the day to day running of the General Store and Post Office after eight years of providing a terrific service to the residents and visitor’s of the picturise Port on the Southern tip of Victoria . Annette and Mark Turvey, the new management team, are very much looking forward to meeting all the regular customers of the store as well as those dropping by for a spot of fishing or sightseeing in the area. Having been a customer of Evans Petroleum’s Leongatha Depot team since 1999 the Port Albert General Store offers the highest Quality, Unleaded, Premium Unleaded and Diesel products as well a large range of Castrol Lubricants. Coupled with coffee, alcohol, bait, groceries etc , the store is a wealth of information on the weather and best fishing spots for all their customers. Well worth a visit at any time of the year.

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SPOT NINE LOCAL NEWS VICTORIA’S SENIOR REPORTER IN GIPPSLAND, ALEXANDRIA TZATZIMAKIS, IS DRAWN TO THE IMMEDIACY OF TELEVISION. Words by Chris West

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As a young girl growing up in Melbourne, Alexandria Tzatzimakis was always interested in hearing people’s stories.

“I did work experience at a primary school, but that very quickly turned me off any thoughts of a career in teaching,” she recalls.

“There’s no history of journalism in my family but when I was younger I can remember my dad had a tape recorder and I’d tape myself doing make believe interviews with people. My interest just grew from there really,” says Alexandria, who away from her on-screen presence at work is known to all as Alex.

“At high school I had started to give some thought to my future career and where I was going. I became more serious about it in Year 11 and 12 and by then had definitely set my sights on television news reporting. I made sure I got the score I needed to get into university.”

“I generally only get called Alexandria when I’m in trouble now,” she laughs.

Alex relocated to Gippsland in 2013 when she secured her first job in television at WIN News in Traralgon. She has enjoyed becoming part of the local community over the past five years whilst taking a further step in her career with a subsequent move to the Nine Local News Victoria team in 2017.

“I arrived in Traralgon to join WIN as a single girl of twenty-five with a cat. I didn’t know anyone and it was a bit isolating at the start,” Alex recalls.

“My work colleagues became some of my closest friends. I didn’t think I’d be here for more than a year, but it has been a great move. I’d encourage anyone from the city to try the country lifestyle.”

It was a help to Alex that she was already well familiar with the Phillip Island and Bass Coast area.

“My grandparents have a holiday house at Cape Woolamai and we spent many summers there on the beach when I was young. That part of the world was like my second home. I already had that connection with Gippsland, but it has only grown stronger as I’ve become a bigger part of the community through my work,” she says.

Alex grew up in the south east Melbourne suburb of Endeavour Hills, where her parents Stan and Mandy still live.

There is Greek heritage on both sides of Alex’s family. Her father Stan migrated to Australia from Greece when he was young and his family settled originally in Oakleigh, whereas her mother Mandy was born in Melbourne after her parents came to Australia from Greece.

Alex describes her parents as honest, hardworking and down-to-earth people.

“My dad is a painter and decorator with a very strong work ethic. My mother was a stay-athome mum, but now works in a reception role at Dandenong Hospital.”

Alex is the eldest of two girls but is currently at a very different stage of life than younger sister Georgina.

“She’s the cute baby, who is now navigating her own way through motherhood,” she notes.

Both siblings went to school at St John’s Regional College in Dandenong.

“Literature and English were amongst my strongest subjects at school,” Alex says.

For a brief time, Alex may have possibly been headed for a future as a school teacher.

Alex commenced her studies at Monash University in 2006 and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Journalism in 2010.

“The grounding I received at Monash gave me the basic knowledge needed to craft a story and a good foundation in media law, which is an important thing to be thinking about when preparing a story,” she acknowledges.

Throughout the four years studying for her degree, Alex’s career ambitions never wavered from television.

“For me, the focus was always on television reporting rather than newspaper journalism. I was attracted by the immediacy of television and the idea of breaking news. I was very interested in being able to package and present something on camera or to be able to do live reporting,” she explains.

“I didn’t really think seriously about the newspaper path, although after university I did do a couple of days of work experience at the Warwick Daily News during a visit to Queensland.”

Finding the type of career she coveted was not easy for Alex after graduating from Monash.

She spent over a year working in a Public Relations/ Media Communications role for Monash Health in Clayton where her responsibilities included media liaison and internal communications. The job required Alex to be a provider of information and assistance to journalists, so although she was gaining useful experience it was still the opposite side of the fence to where she actually wanted to be.

“Most people go from journalism to PR, but I did the reverse,” she observes.

Alex did other makeshift jobs including working in a pizza shop while trying to get a break in the television news industry.

“It’s a bit of a catch-22 situation when you’re trying to get your foot in the door,” she suggests.

“You can’t really put a showreel together when you don’t have a job. It can be difficult and frustrating, but you have to be persistent.”

Alex did a brief stint of work experience with WIN News Bendigo, but her big opportunity eventually came a considerable time later when she joined WIN News in Traralgon in March 2013.

“I was quite fortunate in that I knew someone who knew the Chief of Staff there and called to see if they had any jobs available. It just so happened that someone had resigned that same week,” she recalls.

Leaving her family home in Melbourne, Alex moved to Traralgon to take up a journalist/ reporter role.

“I remember being told I would find a country boy and fall in love. I always laughed at that.”

Although Alex may have dismissed such predictions, they proved to be right on the money.

She found herself attracted to one of her work colleagues – cameraman Ethan St. Ellen – and the feeling proved to be mutual.

“We met on the job and have been together for about five years now,” she says.

During her time at WIN, Alex took on the extra responsibility of performing the Chief Of Staff role in addition to her duties as a reporter. As Chief of Staff, she was managing two other journalists and three camera operators, including her partner Ethan.

“The additional responsibility of managing people was more challenging than I thought it would be. There was also the responsibility for what goes to air in terms of accuracy and from a legal perspective,” she says.

In early 2017, opportunity knocked for Alex when Channel Nine was looking to establish a Gippsland base in Traralgon as part of the launch of its newly-devised Nine Local News Victoria service.

“I heard they were taking expressions of interest and after almost four years at WIN I was looking to take the next step in my career,” she states.

“Channel Nine had always been the network I wanted to work for. I grew up watching Peter Hitchener reading the news on Nine and felt I had that association as a lifelong viewer. Nine also has a reputation for presenting quality news and I felt the role with the Nine Local News Victoria team would bring exciting new challenges, including the ability to do live crosses.”

Alex successfully applied for a reporting role and made her dream move to Channel Nine when the new regional service commenced in February last year. Her partner Ethan was also recruited by Nine as a cameraman and made the switch at the same time.

Nine’s Gippsland-based team comprises Alex as senior reporter alongside two other journalists and two cameramen. The unpredictability of television news means there’s never a typical work day for the five members of staff.

“Things can get turned upside down very quickly,” she notes.

“We come in around 8.30am or earlier and monitor the news service so that we can plan our day and coordinate where we are all going. That could mean covering a story in Phillip Island or Mallacoota or anywhere in between.”

The regional team is generating stories for Nine’s 6pm bulletin but may also potentially provide content for the earlier 4pm bulletin.

“For the 4pm bulletin, they pick stories from various bureaus and often look to use the biggest stories of the day or the ones with a quirky angle.

We may not have a story featured in the 4pm bulletin for a week. It tends to be sporadic and really depends what you are putting forward,” Alex explains.

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ALEXANDRIA TZATZIMAKIS “The 6pm bulletin is what we predominantly work towards each day. We average two stories each day and after doing our interviews head back to the office in Traralgon to write the scripts, which have to be pumped out pretty quickly for a 4pm deadline. Ideally, I need to be back and start writing around 1.30pm or soon after.”

When her working day is over, Alex always remains on stand-by and ready for any urgent calls.

“My phone can ring at any time of the night. If you get a call at two or three in the morning, it’s generally not going to be good news.”

Alex says the experience she has gained already at Nine, including working on live crosses, have added to her skill set.

“I’ve been able to get accustomed to working under pressure in the kind of environment where you have to deliver on the spot.”

Joining Channel Nine has also enabled Alex to benefit from the knowledge and guidance of some of the network’s most experienced news personnel.

“Our team here in Gippsland is not looked upon by Melbourne as the poor cousins and we are certainly able to tap into the network’s wider resources. We have received a lot of support from people like Andrew Lund and Brett McLeod who have been very helpful. They’re always willing to help us out and their experience is invaluable,” she comments.

“We’re also fortunate at Nine to have Jo Hall, who is a legend of the industry. Jo’s been on the beat and done the hard yards from a young age and is definitely a figure we can turn to for advice whenever we need to.”

Alex says her main role model at Nine has been Melbourne reporter, Laura Turner, who is presently on maternity leave.

“I’ve spent years of watching news and worked on voice and presentation style by picking up the sounds and nuances of my favourite reporters.

Laura is the person I’ve studied and listened to the most,” she says.

Of the many stories Alex has covered, the most memorable for her have been associated with court cases.

“A few of these have stayed foremost in my mind mainly due to the emotion and the incredible strength shown by the families involved. The way they have overcome adversity in those situations is something that a lot of people couldn’t begin to imagine,” she reflects.

Alex has enjoyed immersing herself in the Gippsland community, both at work and in her moments of leisure time.

“In Gippsland you have everything at your doorstep, from the mountains to the beach and the lakes and so much more all throughout the region. You get to know people and there’s a really welcoming feel,” she remarks.

In their spare time, Alex and her partner Ethan like to explore the region.

“We go for drives and walks through places like the Jeeralangs or Tarra-Bulga National Park,” she says.

“I try to get back to Phillip Island as much as I can and attempt to surf. I’m not very good at it, but it’s something I really enjoy doing. I find it to be a good release; a way of disconnecting from everything. Being on the ocean is like a form of meditation.”

Alex and Ethan have no immediate plans to alter the nature of their present relationship.

“We’re just focused on our careers at the moment. Things like marriage and children have taken a back seat. We’re like an old married couple anyway and are just happy in each other’s company,” she says.

Alex says she doesn’t know what the next step in her career will entail.

“I’m very happy at Nine and would be happy to still be there at retirement. I want to stay within the network and am really happy with how I’m treated here. We’re like one big family at Nine. There’s no division between Melbourne and regional.

“One of the great things about working in a regional environment is that you get to make contacts and become part of the community.

I really enjoy that aspect. In regional areas, you also have the ability to build close contacts and form working relationships with local police and emergency services in a way that you don’t really get to do in Melbourne.”

Alex is grateful for the many friendships she has made since moving to Gippsland, but one day sees her future back in Melbourne to be closer to family.

“Eventually moving back to Melbourne is a goal, but would be for personal reasons more than anything, as that’s where my family is.”

Alex has earned the admiration and respect of her work colleagues in the Nine Local News Victoria team and senior newsroom staff, including Melbourne-based Executive Producer, Emily White, who is the line manager for the regional team in Gippsland.

Emily was also formerly with WIN News in both Mildura and Ballarat and has watched Alex’s career progression from its beginning.

“Alex is committed to putting together the best quality stories to showcase the diversity of Gippsland,” Emily says.

“She is passionate about telling the stories of people living in her community and has covered a wide range of stories in her time living in the region. Alex has developed into a strong reporter who is valued for her hard-working nature and ability to chase stories. This has been recognised with her commendation in the 2018 Rural Press Club of Victoria Awards, for a story about a pursuit arrest. The award judges commented that it was a near perfect crime story with a cracking sense of pace and high energy.”

Emily describes Alex as one of the Nine Local News Victoria team’s senior journalists and believes she has all the attributes required for ongoing success in her career in television news.

“Alex is a strong role model to other journalists in her region, making her a valuable asset to our team. The skills and experience she has already gained from her time working as a television journalist sets her up for a bright future in the industry.”

Images courtesy of Channel Nine

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thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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23

CRICKET AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE Bundalaguah is home to one of Victoria’s most unique & historic cricket settings.

Words: Chris West

Nobody has such a strong family connection or would know more about the interesting history of the Bundalaguah Cricket Club than Life Member, Neil Wrigglesworth. At nearly 80 years of age, Neil either has first-hand knowledge of the people and the events that have shaped the club, or he can tell you about them.

According to Neil, although it took until the beginning of the 1920s to have a formally established cricket club in Bundalaguah, there is historical record of the game being played in the area as early as 1888 when a team of locals was rounded up to play against Sale.

But another 32 years passed before the first chapter in the story of the Bundalaguah Cricket Club was written when it was decided that a team should be established for the youthful lads attending the local school.

“It was the teacher Charles Unkles who got it going,” Neil says.

“He knew a bit about cricket and turned out to be a pretty good player.”

Sufficient money was raised for the club to begin playing in 1921 and it was Neil’s grandfather Arthur Wrigglesworth who provided somewhere for the team to play.

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“My grandfather gave the club a corner of his farm to use as a ground. They decided not to fence it off and instead let sheep run on it to keep the grass down. The club has never moved in all that time and still plays on the same land today,” he notes.

There are now two ovals on the reserve at the club’s home base. Beside the main oval stands a majestic gum tree which is the ground’s iconic feature.

“The gum tree is part of what makes playing at Bundalaguah unique,” Neil says.

“I’ve seen cars nearly run off the road when they drive in. People can’t believe what they are looking at when they first see our ground.”

Neil is one of the few players who have managed to hit a ball over the tree, a feat that requires a huge swing of the willow.

“It’s a pull shot over mid wicket and you have to be a pretty big hitter to do it,” he states.

Quite remarkably, the Wrigglesworth family’s involvement with the Bundalaguah Cricket Club now spans five generations.

Four of those five generations have produced players who have represented the club.

Arthur Wrigglesworth wasn’t a cricketer, but both of his sons were. They started the playing tradition within the family and both had success in the game. Eldest son Vernon captained Bundalaguah for over 20 years and was a very good wicketkeeper. Arthur’s other son Colin – Neil’s father – also played for the club and went on to captain Sale-Maffra in Country Week.

Neil continued the family tradition and had a long career playing at Bundalaguah. He started at the age of thirteen and played his last game at fifty.

“I had my share of wonderful experiences with cricket,” he reflects.

“At one stage I attempted to play at a higher level and managed one game with St. Kilda’s second eleven. It took about four hours to get to Melbourne in those days and at the same time I was helping dad on farm, so I soon realised that trying to do both just couldn’t be done.”

Neil’s brother Barrie also played at Bundalaguah and captained the club. Barrie’s son Ian Wrigglesworth was a fine all-round cricketer and went to Melbourne to further his career.

B U N DA L AG UA H C R I C K E T C L U B

Very first team in 1920. Back Row: Walter Cross, Jack Cross, Colin Wrigglesworth, Allan Cross, Harry Schroeder Middle Row: Dave Langshaw, Jim Wrigglesworth, Frank Cross, Jack Smith, Harry Schroeder Senior, Andy Chrome, Bob Cameron, Peter Booker, Alan Johns Front Row: Vern Wrigglesworth, Tom Cross, Len Cross, Charlie Uncles (Teacher), Eric Johns, Hec Mitchell, Neil Chrome.

Photo taken next to “famous gumtree”

Neil & Marian Wrigglesworth

He played Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria and won the prestigious Jack Ryder Medal in Melbourne’s district cricket competition in the 1996/97 season when playing for Carlton.

“Ian played for several clubs during his time in Melbourne and he also played for us at Bundalaguah before and after he went there,” Neil says.

At present, there are seven members of the Wrigglesworth clan playing cricket for Bungalaguah.

“That makes me feel pretty proud,” Neil says.

Two of Neil’s adult children, Trevor and Greg, still play at the club and five of his grandchildren are also making their way in the game – Lachlan, 21, Megen, 18, Grace, 16, Abby, 13, and Hayden, 12.

Trevor is currently the Club President and Lachlan plays in the first team.

Of all the grandchildren, Neil identifies Abby as showing considerable promise.

“Abby tried out for the State Under 15s but didn’t quite make it. She has the makings of a really good fast bowler. All three of the girls play with the Sale Maffra Women’s team on Sundays, whilst Grace and Abbey play juniors here at Bundy and also take the field with the men on Saturday afternoons if we’re short of players,” he says.

Neil is one of four living members of the Wrigglewsorth family to have been bestowed with Life Membership of the Bundalaguah Cricket Club, along with his wife Marian, his son Greg and brother Barrie.

At 74, Marian still contributes around the club by cleaning the pavilion and in the past has been involved with various duties including scoring and arranging afternoon teas amongst many other forms of involvement.

“Marian has done all sorts of things for the club over the years. She never missed a match that I played in and always brought the kids along,” Neil comments.

Although Neil’s nephew Ian Wrigglesworth is no longer playing with Bundalaguah, his standing as a former Victorian player and Ryder Medalist assures his place amongst the legends of the club. But Ian is not alone, being one of several outstanding cricketers produced by Bundalaguah who have progressed to higher honours in the game.

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B U N DA L AG UA H C R I C K E T C L U B Travis Birt playing for Tasmania

Neil and Marian Wrigglesworth in front of pavilion

“The best has been Travis Birt, who played for Australia at international T20 level between 2010 and 2012 after earlier making the Australia A team,” Neil states.

The Bundalaguah Cricket Club has won more than 70 premierships in its history, the earliest of which came in 1930/31 when its First Grade team was the competition’s best that season.

“Travis was a local kid who firstly went to play for Richmond in Melbourne but then moved to Tasmania in 2003 where he really began to make his name.”

Bundalaguah now plays in the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association, which was officially formed in 1950/51.

“We’ve been the most successful club in the SMCA since it came into existence,” Neil says.

A left-handed batsman who became known for his big hitting, Birt crossed over to Western Australia in 2011 for the remainder of his firstclass career and has played for both the Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes in the domestic Big Bash competition in recent season as well as securing contracts to play in several overseas T20 tournaments.

“A recent highlight was in the 2014/15 season when we won all four senior premierships that were available in the competition at that time,” he adds.

“We’ve had quite a few other very talented cricketers come through Bundalaguah over the years,” Neil continues.

Bundalaguah’s home ground accommodates two ovals, the main one having a turf wicket and the other a synthetic surface.

“Apart from Travis’s achievements, we’ve had my nephew Ian and two other players – David Shepherd and Nathan King – play Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria. David was a fast bowler and Nathan a bowling all-rounder. They both went to try their luck in Melbourne and proved to be good enough to gain State selection.”

“It’s purely a cricket ground, although I believe the football umpires may train there next season,” Neil observes.

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Anyone visiting Bundalaguah’s home base will notice permanent recognition of two members of the Wrigglesworth family at the ground. The whole reserve carries Neil’s name, whilst the main playing oval is named in honour of his father Colin.

Travis Birt signed Tasmanian Shirt

“I thought you had to be dead to get something named after you,” Neil says of his own recognition.

Also located at the ground is an indoor cricket centre which is owned and operated by the Salebased Sporting Legends group.

“The indoor centre at Bundalaguah is popular with cricketers across Gippsland and the Victorian Cricket Association even sends down some of the promising Under 17 and Under 19 boys and girls to use the facility,” Neil comments.

“When the Sporting Legends got involved, they made the indoor centre free to everyone in the Shire of Wellington. You just need to book it.

Former Richmond player Ian Simpson is managing the centre and has had a residence built on site.”

Bundalaguah has a long-standing connection with the Richmond Cricket Club, an association that began by chance when Neil was on holidays in Merimbula many years ago.

“I arranged to meet up in Merimbula with an old friend of mine, Alan Crompton, who was coming down from Sydney. Alan actually ended up becoming the CEO of the Board of Control for Australian cricket. Also in Merimbula at the same time was a young bloke named Graeme Paterson, who was a fast bowler from Richmond,” Neil recalls.

The Wrigglesworth family. Standing: Dianne, Greg, Trevor, Greer, Marian, Neil, Lachlan. Front row: Abby, Hayden, Grace, Megen.

“The three of us got together and all we did was talk cricket over beers and in the end I suggested to Graeme the idea of bringing Richmond down to Bundy for a pre-season game. That was about forty years ago when they made their first visit and, apart from a break for a while, it’s just about became an annual tradition. I reckon they’ve been down here around thirty times since we began the arrangement. In return, we try to send our players up to Richmond if they’re good enough to have a go in Melbourne.”

Neil says that the Richmond players and any other visiting cricketers get to experience something special when they play at Bundalaguah.

“It’s very unique because we’re not only out in the country, but right out of the way between Sale and Maffra. Bundalaguah only has school and a hall.

There was a church, but that’s gone now. It’s just different here,” he states.

“I can clearly remember Graeme Paterson stopping in his run up the first time Richmond came up here and he said:

‘ This is how cricket was meant to be played – in the peace and quiet.

No trams, no trains, no noise, just a cow mooing in the background.’

I thought that was very true. We’ve still got that peace. It’s a real English sort of atmosphere.”

Known as the Bundalaguah Bulls, the club fields four senior teams and four junior teams in the SMCA competition.

Cloete Buitendag is a batsman who plays first class cricket back in South Africa. Both of them are in their first season with us and are really impressive blokes. They are as enthusiastic as hell and set the example to the rest of the players in our club.”

“For a long time we were known as the Bundy Boys, but someone thought Bulls was more fitting for a club in a rural area like ours,” Neil says.

Munasinghe is performing the dual role of player/ coach alongside the club’s non-playing coach, Alec Young.

“People wonder how we can keep our player numbers up in such a small place.

“Our players have access to some excellent coaches here,” Neil says.

Our players tend to come from adjoining towns and we also have a few locals, but not many.”

“We also have Ian Simpson who coaches throughout Sale-Maffra and also adds his experience by doing some coaching at the club and Ash Miller is in charge of our juniors, where we have two coaches for every team.”

Neil says that the club is fortunate to have assembled a strong group of coaches and also has secured the services of two very talented players from overseas this season.

“We are allowed two overseas players and whereas we’ve generally had English players in the past, this year we have the captain of the Italian cricket team, Gayashan Munasinghe, who is of Sir Lankan descent and Cloete Buitendag who is South African,” he notes.

“Gayashan Munasinghe is an opening bowler and pretty good batsman. His now lives in Rome and skippers the Italian national team that competes on the world stage in the ICC competition.

Over the years, no fewer than eight visiting clubs from overseas have found their way out to play at Bundalaguah.

“These clubs have come from as far away as England, India and British Columbia. In turn, we’ve taken teams abroad to the USA and Canada,” Neil says.

“A couple of years ago our club was invited to practice at the MCG and just recently in November this year it was organised for a group of our juniors to go to the Junction Oval in Melbourne for training.”

thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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B U N DA L AG UA H C R I C K E T C L U B

Many fine cricketers have graced the turf at Bundalaguah and many significant events have occurred in the club’s history, but perhaps the most notable took place on 18th March in 1933.

“That was the day when England captain Douglas Jardine faced a ball here at Bundalaguah,” Neil declares.

England were in Australia on the infamous 1932/33 Ashes tour that became known as the Bodyline series because of the tactics that Jardine employed, particularly in relation to intimidating

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short-pitched fast bowling from Harold Larwood aimed at the bodies of the Australian batsmen with the added use of a leg-side field. The theory was utilised mostly to curb the batting brilliance of Australian hero Don Bradman.

face an over and went out to the middle without gloves on. They gave the ball to Emmett Lanigan, a fast bowler from Maffra who happened to be good enough to be selected for Victoria without ever going to Melbourne.

“A fellow from our local district had attended Oxford University with Jardine and invited him down here to visit during the tour,” Neil explains.

“Lanigan bowled a thundering bouncer that missed Jardine’s nose by a fraction. Jardine said ‘that will do gentlemen’ and walked off. If that ball had been one inch closer to his face, Bodyline may not have happened and we might have changed the course of cricket history.”

“There was a game of cricket going on and Jardine sat watching in a big flash car. They eventually talked him into having a bat. He said he would

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COROMANDEL A SUSTAINABLE AND

IMAGINE a place where visitors can eat branches, lose time in a labyrinth, trees sing and giant worms cohabitate. This is not a fairy tale however a feeling of magic does exist here.

Coromandel was a 522 tonne ship that brought Dr Jan Miller’s ancestors to Australia in 1802.

Arboretum is a tree museum, which is perfect when describing this property. Meandering amongst the breathtaking paths leading through a forest of trees and plants from around the world which all serve a purpose; whether for food, furniture, tools or for medicinal purposes.

The garden was established in 1986 by Jan’s parents. Jan became custodian of the property in 2011. A large swamp took centre stage in the middle of the property surrounded by cows, the rest of the property was a blank canvas.

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The pair had the swamp drained and now there are four springs and two damns which house a plethora of noisy frogs and inquisitive ducks.

The property is a sanctuary for one of the largest varieties of oak trees in Australia. Many varieties of foreign trees are now not able to be imported into Australia by the general public due to diseases present in individual plants, which just adds more weight to the uniqueness of this wonderland.

In 1972, Jan’s parents read the report of the Club of Rome and were convinced that the world would be left without oil. The idea was that they would grow their own food however they were not keen on the idea of crops and also wanted to be able to make furniture from the trees. Jan’s mother also kept bees, hence the vast array of stunning flowers which coexist amongst the herbs and vegetables that utilise the full sun, along the peripheral of the arboretum.

All the plants and trees in the edible forest have a purpose from the Kentucky Coffee Tree, Japanese Raisin tree, pistachio, persimmon, bay trees, rows of walnuts from around the world which drop their fruit at various times of the year, Feijoas, acorns used for flour which the North American Indians used as staple food years before, to the edible pine nuts and various berries and fruit trees.

THERE ARE 600 VARIETIES OF OAK AROUND THE WORLD. COROMANDEL ARBORETUM BOASTS 160 OAK TREES AND 60 VARYING SPECIES. THE TREES WERE PLANTED CLOSE TO MAKE A CANOPY PROVIDING A THICK MULCH.

ARBORETUM

MAGICAL TREE MUSEUM 100 varieties of daffodils sit protectively at the base of the forest; Jan knows when they bloom winter is ending. A metre-high Celtic cross stands upright in amongst the forest of oak, paying homage to the ancient Druids who revered them, often meeting under the oak trees and performing rituals.

An enormous magnolia tree holds centre stage when in bloom close to one of the damns, giant camellia bushes and a Chinese Golden Rain tree. The colours of the leaves vary from almost iridescent green to golden, depending on the light and season.

As the Gippsland representative for the Australian Labyrinth Network, it was only fitting that Jan create one of her own in her garden. What started out as a temporary labyrinth just got bigger and bigger. Jan invited a member from the labyrinth society to help plan the pattern.

BY TRISTAN SALTNES

Labyrinths and mazes are similar in that they each have an intricate combination of paths. A maze can prove to be difficult to locate the exit with choices in direction and dead-ends whereas a labyrinth has a single path to and from the centre, making it easier to exit.

The labyrinth on Jan’s property only adds to the peace and tranquillity for visitors, a true resting place for the weary and sometimes sick.

Tree bathing, otherwise known as Shinrin-Yoku allows guests to slowly walk around the forest in a mediative state, so caught up in the tranquillity even getting lost at times!

TO ADD TO THIS EXPERIENCE, JAN HAS A TOOL WHICH ALLOWS FOR MUSIC TO BE PLAYED THROUGH THE TREES ‘MUSIC OF THE PLANTS’.

A symphony of nature created by the vibrations of the plants, which coincidentally ….or possibly magically, has been known to mirror the mood of the audience.

For enquires about Coromandel Arboretum contact Dr Jan Miller PhD at drjanmiller@gmail.com

The premise behind tree bathing is to support well-being through sensory immersion in a healing environment such as a forest.

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THE CHANGING SHAPE OF

health & wellness

BY CHRISTIE NELSON

The way we look at the health and wellness industry has altered in recent times and it’s refreshing to see that consumers, businesses and manufacturers are changing their habits by leaning towards a more educated and healthier lifestyle.

Traditionally we’ve considered the “health industry” to be derived of doctors, hospitals and pharmacists, which when considered is actually more representative of the “illness” industry. The inter-generational shift we’re seeing is skewed towards gaining the right education and support tools to accommodate better daily habits in order to avoid the need to visit healthcare professionals too frequently.

We as consumers like to feel some sort of empowerment that we are making ethical decisions and trends are moving towards greener, cleaner and healthier choices.

The health and wellness industry is something of which I’m proud to be an advocate, for many reasons and I’m excited to see what the future holds as the world is embracing change for the better. “In 2016, analysts reported that the global wellness economy reached $3.7 trillion and growth is expected to accelerate by 17% in

the next five years,” (1) which is an encouraging demonstration of how we’re looking to take better care of ourselves and live life to the full.

We are living in a busy world of fast lives, degrees of uncertainty, little time and higher expectations, which can lead to a lack of exercise, buying highly processed, convenient food that often has very little nutritional value and we also tend to make personal product purchases based on price instead of product knowledge and quality. Consider how many times you may have consumed a take-away or pre-packaged meal, dived in head first like Augustus Gloop at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory and inhaled a highsugar or high-sodium meal that left you feeling hungry and dying of thirst and low in energy again an hour later?

Or perhaps purchased the supermarket brand cosmetics because they’re cheap, just to throw them out because they smell like chemicals and make you itchy? I know I have done this many times myself and thankfully didn’t end up stuck in a tube after falling into a chocolate river or having irreparable skin problems however, it did prompt me to make changes and take control of my own actions and adopt a more holistic approach.

A holistic view of wellness can include combining regular exercise with healthy, clean eating and adequate sleep, which may assist with better gut health, reduce stress levels, support your body to rebalance and also promotes maintaining a healthy weight. Another more readily embraced health benefit is mind and emotional health, which are factors that tie in with physical health benefits.

Sometimes you may wake up full of motivation and positivity, only to end up dragged down to a state of blubbering mess, looking for a Kit Kat, chewing your nails with an elevated heart rate and feeling like the whole world is against you.

There's nothing worse than the feeling of being overwhelmed, under-appreciated or feeling unhappy in your own body or own head for that matter.

It’s then important to look at some of the cumulative factors that lead to these feelings; look at what toxins are around us doing the damage.

The word toxin or toxic is usually associated with things like harmful ingredients for example, but toxicity can disguise itself as many forms which can affect us every day without us realising it.

what's good for consumers is good for business changing consumer demands are driving preferences for products and services

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TOXICITY CAN COME IN THE FORM OF

Christie Nelson

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Technology: Overuse of our technology can lead us to eliminating personal interactions, conversations and general social skills practice.

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Poor diet: Our bodies don't function correctly when we don't look after them.

The compounding effect is also on our selfesteem and being happy in our own skin.

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Bad habits: Smoking, excessive drinking or drugs, lack of exercise, too much refined sugar or stimulants such as coffee or energy drinks. Remember, what goes up must come down; your mind and body will just keep chasing the 'up' in a never ending cycle.

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Toxic friends, relationships or workplace: YOUR VIBE ATTRACTS YOUR TRIBE. Consider why spending the time with negative people is making you feel different. Perhaps you feel like you should surround yourself with more like-minded, supportive people?

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Are you toxic to yourself? How do you talk to yourself in your own head? Would you talk to your children or friends the same way as you talk to yourself?

These are all physical things that can be within your control in order to achieve so much.

"Your philosophy attracts your attitudes, which create your actions, which creates your results, which creates your life. " Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge

TOP TIPS FOR A LIFESTYLE DETOX

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Switch off the news/social media in the morning. Start your day by reading / listening to something inspiring. Un-friend/unfollow the people who constantly post negative content.

Christie is a dual health and wellness business owner, business builder, social networker, educator and busy Mum who can offer solutions and products to those looking for a postive change.

For further information, please email youcanactivewear@gmail.com or go to www.youcanlifestyle.com.au www.christienelson.arbonne.com youcanactivewearandlifestyle youcanactivewear christienelson0827

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Switch habits: Make healthier choices, exercise for half an hour per day, swap your Netflix membership for a gym membership.

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Set realistic goals to kick some bad habits and have a trusty accountability partner to support you.

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Surround yourself with positive, open minded people or look for a career that makes you happy.

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Tell yourself the wonderful things you're going to achieve, do daily affirmations if it helps you.

Consider the example we're setting our children. There's no way we would ever tell them not to reach for their dreams, that they're not good enough, not pretty enough or not worthy enough of being loved, so why do it to yourself?

1. www.womensmarketing.com/blog/2014/11 health-and-wellness-market REFERENCE CONSUMER GRAPHIC 2. www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/consumer-industrialproducts/articles/health-wellness.html

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“Food, Dance

& A Little Romance”

The Good Ol’ Fashion Social Dance is in Full Swing in Gippsland

By Lia Spencer

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On any given Monday, men and women are flocking to the Longwarry Hall to dance the night away.

The Longwarry dance has been running for about half a century and is one of about twenty social dances held weekly or monthly in the Gippsland area.

About 40 people from across the region will show up every week or on one Saturday a month to share a supper, socialise and ballroom dance.

They follow a set routine of steps over 16 or 32 bars of music. Each routine is danced several times over the length of the music being played, and everybody dances in unison.

Jim Garnham, who has attended the weekly event with his wife Heather for about 30 years, is not surprised by the longevity of the popular event.

“Every second little town used to have dances.

Some have closed. But the ones that keep going have picked up a bit lately. People return every week because they know the dances and can do them with confidence,” Jim said.

“It’s also about the social interaction with each other and the camaraderie amongst us that keeps this dance going. We enjoy each other’s company.”

Albert Bateson also attends dancing at Longwarry every Monday night. Albert used to attend weekly dances when he was a teenager, but as he got older and work became a priority, dancing took a back seat. It wasn’t until 21 years ago that he and his wife Leanne decided to start dancing again, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Jim and Albert both receive dance training of their own from different instructors in Morwell. They then teach amateurs or newcomers’ basic skills or more advanced moves so that they too can be

confident to join the group who dance in unison.

Some weeks, groups of school students show up at the Longwarry Hall to learn a dance for an upcoming event. Young couples have attended to learn how to dance for their upcoming wedding.

But mainly, the same core group of people have been coming week in and week out. Some of them are aged in their eighties or nineties and have danced their entire life.

“Dancing keeps people feeling their best. It’s good exercise. It helps the mind and body,” Jim said.

“Physiotherapists will tell you that dancing, and doing crosswords, is one of the best brain teasers going around to keep you mentally intoned with what you are doing.”

Albert agreed. He said that even the music could resonate with aging crowds and bring back memories of their younger years. That is why he often takes a group of dancers to senior citizen’s home to perform for them.

“They love hearing the old music,” Albert said.

“They love watching people dance and they tap along.”

“And it’s romantic,” Albert added.

And because there is a romantic element to dancing, it’s no surprise some relationships have formed between attendees over the years. ““We do get a few single people who come and meet,” Albert said.

“And traditionally, that where people used to go to meet people.”

Jim and Albert encouraged everyone, young or old, single or partnered, to come along to the weekly or monthly dances to have fun and keep fit.

If people can’t make the weekly event, they can attend the social dance on the last Saturday of every month, where music is provided by organists Ronda Richards from Leongatha or Ian Shields from Sale who alternative every month.

All money made at the weekly or monthly dances go the Longwarry Hall Committee.

Anyone wanting more information can visit the website www.socialdancegippsland.yolasite.com or call Albert at 0401 257 519 or Jim at 5659 6345.

Jim and Albert both believe that the type of dancing younger people do today pails in comparison to the dancing they grew up learning and loving.

“What they do in the pubs today is just bouncing around,” Jim said. “(What we do) is structured.

It has a meaning to it and it makes you think,” Jim said.

“I’m not a rock and roller, some people are, but I find that boring because you are doing the same sequence all the time. Here, you get about five or six different variety of dances.”

Those dances include Blues, Rumbas, Waltzes, Tangos, Cha Cha’s, and Saunters. But both Jim and Albert’s favourite dance is the Modern Walz.

“There’s a beautiful flow to it,” Jim said.

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FROM STRESS...

TO STRENGTH THIS SUMMER So you have had a hectic year and life has been “busy”. You have been flat out at work and there hasn’t been much downtime. You have had a lot on your plate this year and have experienced your fair share of stress. You need a break and as we wind down the year, there is no time like summer to recharge and relax. Days are longer, weather is warmer, holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to take a well earnt rest.

Summer is the perfect time to take back control of your health, release the stress and reclaim your physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. There are 4 simple steps you can take this summer which will realign your authentic inner self, reinstate balance, harmony and strength back into your life.

According to Corporate Health and Performance Coach Christine Boucher from Natural Health Balance reducing stress, regaining your strength and getting healthy comes down to four simple lifestyle considerations: nutrition, exercise, relaxing and connecting.

NUTRITION

There is no time like the summer to eat nutritious healthy meals. Nurturing your body for health and happiness promotes the energy and mood beneficial for releasing stress. Crisp cold salads, seafood on the BBQ, luscious juicy tropical fruits all contain the nutrients, vitamins and minerals that honour our physiology and inspire a healthy attitude towards life.

Summer is ideal for hydrating ourselves, water provides us with energy, vitality and a summer glow. Nothing quenches your thirst quite like water, especially when it is hot outside. Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint over ice to give it a refreshing twist and kick of flavour.

RELAXING

There is something that is relaxing about the summer season; so, make the most of that relaxation by getting a little more rest. Sleeping is the one thing people over look when getting healthy. Yet, getting enough rest makes exercise and eating right that much easier. Reading a good book in the hammock, meditating in a field, relaxing under the shade of a tree are all great ways to promote rest.

Sleep and relaxation promotes the rest and digest response, this is the opposite of the fight and flight stress response. It is the optune time for our bodies to heal, cells to rejuvenate and repair, digestion works effectively and our bodies absorb the vital nutrients required for optimal health. Our immune system is enabled to ward off harmful viruses. Our bodies become strong our minds become focused.

CONNECTING

Summer is the time to connect with friends and family. Have a chat over the garden fence with neighbours. We can lose touch with loved ones during the year when life is hectic. The warm weather and reduced pace brings people out into the sunshine and provides the opportunity to reconnect with each other off line, face to face in real time.

Connection is powerful for our well-being, a simple hug can stimulate oxytocin opening up our arteries and allowing blood and oxygen to flow to our vital organs. It makes us feel good, happy with a sense of belonging. Time is precious and it’s the special moments we spend with those we love that fills our cup with love, reducing the stress and giving us the strength we need. Summer is a time to strengthen connections and sooth your soul.

When we are under stress our digestive system is deactivated and we are simply not absorbing the vital nutrient’s our bodies need. Providing a healthy diet helps to strengthen our immune system giving us the resilience to ward off harmful viruses.

Nurture your health, increase your strength and eliminate stress through good nutrition.

EXERCISE

The warm summer months inspire outdoor activities, walking along the beach, kayaking, swimming, hiking and bike riding to name a few.

Get the kids off their devices and out into the sunshine. Involve the whole family. Exercise is important for everyone young and old.

Exercise stimulates our healthy, happy hormones, increasing endorphins and regulating cortisol.

Cortisol is a hormone which increases during stress and stores fat around our waist as a survival response. Not only will you reduce your waist line but all your stress will simply melt away.

Strengthening your physical self, whilst promoting good mental health.

CHRISTINE BOUCHER of Natural Health Balance is a corporate health and performance coach transforming organisations to work productively and cohesively as a team. Improving the health of staff and the well-being of business through performance management, health coaching and team building to improve productivity, performance and profitability.

Christine is dedicated and passionate about Health & Wellness. Holding a Bachelor of Nursing Degree, specialising in Intensive Care Nursing.

With over 20 years’ experience working in the healthcare industry. www.naturalhealthbalance.com.au

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HOME AWAY from FOOTBALL The attractions of Inverloch provide a summer escape from the AFL jungle for the dedicated football media professional known throughout the game as ‘Robbo’.

WORDS BY CHRIS WEST Inverloch has become a home away from home for Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson.

Mark says he hadn’t previously been familiar with this beautiful part of the world.

For about six and a half weeks each year in December and January, the town acts as his sanctuary from the stress and daily grind of covering AFL football from every angle. It is a workload consumed by his position at the Herald Sun, along with other commitments on television with Fox Footy and radio spots on 3AW.

“I grew up in Bendigo and although I can remember going to Phillip Island once when I was young, we would always head to the Surf Coast side past Geelong to places like Torquay and Ocean Grove. We rarely went to the other side of the peninsula.”

The AFL football writer known as ‘Robbo’ discovered the Bass Coast area in 2005 after accepting an invitation to spend time at the Cape Paterson holiday house of friends Phil and Tracey Gardner.

“I thought it was a good spot, but Trace told me I’d like Inverloch even more,” he recalls.

Taking up her tip, Mark went for a drive along the coastal road.

“The first time you take that drive, it’s one of the most spectacular things you’ll see. I thought to myself, wow, how good is this?”

As Mark continued the coastal drive and reached his destination at Inverloch, he noticed a house for sale which particularly caught his eye.

“I’m not one to muck about with these sorts of things and I was quite keen on trying to get it,” he remembers.

“The next day they held an open house on the property and I went back at lunchtime on the Saturday only to find out it had been sold.”

Although Mark was initially disappointed to miss out on the opportunity, another option immediately emerged.

“The real estate agent recommended I buy a block of land and build the same house design on it. I thought it was a pretty good suggestion, so that’s exactly what I did.”

Mark found a block at a new estate near the beach at Inverloch. After securing the land purchase, the construction of his house commenced and was completed during 2006.

“Twelve years later I still go down there every summer during the break from football,” he says.

“I like to head down before Christmas and the first thing I do is try not to work.”

He manages to leave his work behind enough to enjoy time playing lawn bowls with the locals at Inverloch, golf at Leongatha, fishing, swimming and barbecues. Away from his time-poor life in Melbourne, Mark appreciates the opportunity to enjoy simple pleasures such as walking his dogs Elvis and Tiger on the beach.

“Although it does get busy over the peak Christmas period, it’s just a beautiful, relaxing spot,” he states.

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Mark, Elvis & Tiger at Inverloch beach

Fishing in the Inlet with friends at Flat Rock

MARK ROBINSON

“I’ve met a ton of people down there and made many friendships with people like Esplanade Hotel publican Bruce ‘Keyhole’ Clark, Craig “Bumper” Butcher and Ross Splatt, who runs the BIG4 Inverloch Holiday Park. After twelve and a half years of coming down, I feel like I’m half local now.”

“Football’s such a part of mine and so many other people’s lives. It’s only a game, but it’s so serious for so many people. I take it very seriously. One thing I can tell you is that you know you’re alive when you do the Top 50 because the comments that come back are, let’s just say, more than interesting.”

“People like human interest stories and I really enjoy that side of my work. There is always something interesting when people in football are talking about other aspects of their lives. It gives an insight into how those things influence their football and how they are as people. I’ve done many of those interviews.”

Mark has held the status as number one ticket holder for the Inverloch-Kongwak Football Club for past two years and has readily given his time to assist the club with several fundraising events.

The task of assessing the finest and most influential players in the game in order to put together the Top 50 list takes Mark about three days.

As Mark observes, there is always interest in football stories because of the huge appetite fans have for the game.

“I try not to talk footy too much down at Inverloch during the summer, but you can never really switch off completely from football in Victoria,” he notes.

“I’m proud to have been given the responsibility for it, but really it’s only such a tiny part of what I do. I work seven days a week as a footy journalist during the AFL season. I don’t get down to Inverloch at all in that period because of the commitment I have to my work,” he notes.

“Over a few beers people inevitably ask me how I reckon their AFL team will go next year.”

Mark’s long association with football began when he pulled on the boots at Under 7 level in Bendigo.

He played at school and in local competitions in his home town until his early twenties.

“I was only an average player,” he concedes.

A few years before hanging up his boots, Mark had secured his first job in newspapers at the Bendigo Advertiser at the age of 19. After gaining an introduction to journalism with his home town’s main paper, he felt ready to spread his wings and experience life on the other side of the world.

“After I stopped playing footy in 1990 I went overseas for two years. I worked at the Yorkshire Post for a year and went backpacking for the other twelve months,” he says.

“One week after coming home, I landed a job at the Herald Sun and moved to Melbourne. That was August 1992. I’ve been lucky enough to stay there ever since and progress to chief football writer.”

For the past six years, Mark has been compiling the eagerly anticipated “Top 50” players list which is published twice a year in the pre-season and post-season periods, having been handed the baton following the retirement of his predecessor Mike Sheahan.

“Mike did the Top 50 for more than fifteen years and I do feel a sense of responsibility with it,” he remarks.

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“At that time, football is literally my life. I watch seven games a weekend, Fox Footy takes up four nights a week and the Herald Sun is five days a week. It’s a big commitment but that’s okay.

Footy’s been wonderful for me and I’m mindful of what the game has been able to give me."

"My place at Inverloch is only a house but it enables me to go down and spend about eighty per cent of my time off over summer relaxing and catching up with people.”

Although his media workload switches between print, television and radio, there is little doubt which hat Mark feels most comfortable wearing.

“I am first and foremost a newspaper journo,” he acknowledges.

After more than 25 years of covering football, Mark has seen the expansion of the game into a national industry that continues to dominate the local sporting landscape.

“There’s so many different aspects of football now – the games, the politics, the scandals, the news, then there’s the post-season trade period and the drafts. The AFL likes to keep the game in the limelight all year round,” he says.

“Our data at the Herald Sun illustrates the demand.

We put football stories up on superfooty.com.au every day and they’re some of the highest read articles on the paper’s website.

“We have to put out a newspaper every day. It’s informative, it’s opinionated and agenda setting.

Football throws up a lot. If people didn’t care about their clubs and their players so much, half of us wouldn’t be in a job. It’s a very unique game and it affects a lot of people. I’m just in a very fortunate position where I get to write and talk about the game.”

Commenting on certain aspects of football can be challenging and place pressure on the relationships Mark has with figures at the highest level of the game, but he is a hard-nosed, old school journalist who is prepared to call things as he sees them.

“At times we have to put the AFL under scrutiny.

Not everything they do is right and it can be testing writing those stories,” he states.

“It can also be difficult writing pieces about coaches who know so much more about the game than yourself, but you can only offer an informed opinion from afar.”

Mark is one of many AFL journalists who can be targets for criticism by coaches or players for offering views when they don’t have first-hand experience of playing football at the highest level.

“You’ve got to respect the people who have reached the top of the game. There are eighteen coaches of AFL clubs and I respect them all immensely, as I do the players for what they produce on game days and the level of their preparation,” he says.

“I respect them for being able to play at the highest level. But really, all that means is that they were better players than you or I.

They don’t love the game any more than us.

As journalists, we can’t overlook the fact that sometimes if coaches or players have performed badly, the question of their form or tactics has to be addressed. You can’t be condescending or patronising, but sometimes you’ve got to have strong opinions.”

Gerard Whateley, Jack Riewoldt & Mark Robinson | AFL 360

As a journalist, Mark gets to make an important contribution to the game through his work in the football media.

“There are times when I am really proud of stories that I have written or those of my fellow colleagues,” he states.

Mark insists it would be impossible to do his role without being fascinated with football.

“You’ve got to get to as many live games as possible and make sure you watch all the others.

People following the game have got to know and trust that I’ve watched their teams and know their players.”

The emergence of social media over recent years and its infiltration into the AFL has brought opportunities and risks for journalists and players alike. It has become a prolific source of news stories, but has all the hidden dangers of a minefield.

“Social media is a beast,” Mark warns.

Mark has more opportunity to show his lighter side on television through his on-air partnership with Gerard Whatelely on Fox Footy’s hugely popular program AFL 360.

In recent times, the aesthetic appeal of AFL football has been called into question and Mark holds strong views on the evolution of the modern game style.

The paring places the knockabout newspaper journo alongside the polished, professional radio and television presenter. It’s a combination that is often described as football television’s version of the Odd Couple, with Mark being cast as the Oscar Madison to Gerard’s Felix Unger.

“I think the way football is played changed more in the decade from 2005 to 2015 than any other period in the game’s history,” he says.

“I don’t know if it was a great invention and whether the pros outweigh the cons. With social media, there’s no proof. There’s no evidence.

It’s just commentary. I think people still trust newspapers as the more reliable source of information.”

“Rod Law from Fox Footy put us together,” Mark reflects.

Mark says many people would be taken aback if they knew the extent of the abuse journalists and the participants in football receive via the various social media platforms.

“I didn’t know Gerard beforehand, but it’s been eight years now and we’ve done close to six hundred shows. We bring serious discussion amid some funny moments.”

“Every day of your working life, when you get up the next morning after writing a story and check your social media, it is certain you’ll find abuse. It was quite confronting at first. Now I just tend to ignore it. There are so many eyes on the game.

Everyone sees it differently, but some people take it really personally.”

Mark says that he and Gerard respect each other and respect the game.

On his Twitter page, Mark describes himself as an AFL writer with a good head for radio.

“It’s an interesting one. I think reporters and journalists have got to be spokesmen for the people because the fans aren’t in a position to put their views across,” he suggests.

The self-deprecating comment is indicative of his willingness to show his humorous side at certain moments.

“Footy’s serious to me. I’m not there to write comedy. I’m there to write serious football stories,” he asserts.

“But you’ve still got to be able to take the piss out of yourself sometimes. Life can get too serious.

There are times when you have to remind yourself that it’s just a game – but then again, as we all know, it’s more than that.”

“We’ve only had four arguments in all the time we’ve known each other. I’d describe us as great working companions. We are good friends but don’t socialise together away from the show.

There’s no doubt we’re very different. For starters, Gerard’s married with kids and I’m not. He is tucked up in bed at quarter past ten and I don’t turn in before midnight.”

It is commonplace to hear ‘Robbo’ referred to by many football followers as a man of the people or a mouthpiece of the fans. He is not sure how those labels came about.

“I’m mindful of the position I hold. The first responsibility I have is to the newspaper, but I think there’s a responsibility to the game as well.

Sometimes those pathways divide. On occasions I have to chastise the game and the people running it. The people who read the newspaper and follow the game expect me to question, push and prod where necessary.”

“In about Round Four last year I wrote a story in The Tackle column in the Herald Sun with the headline – Gill, we have a problem. I was suggesting to AFL chief Gillon McLachlan that it had become very noticeable that the game was being played in a seventy-metre bubble, with the congestion of players causing ugly scrums.

Tackling was up and scoring down. I didn’t like what I was seeing and nor did many other people.

It became a major talking point.

“It’s funny, if you push for change, you’re accused of being too progressive. If you hanker for the past, they call you a romantic.”

Mark is hopeful that rule changes being introduced next season will open up the game.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what effect the rule changes have. We don’t have to make major changes. All we have to do is correct the imbalance caused by defence taking over offence. If we can stretch the ground, as I call it, I think football’s going to be in a healthy spot.”

But before the 2019 AFL season comes around, Mark will put behind another hectic year and enjoy his summer break at Inverloch.

“All footy journos know that we have to take some time off at some stage during this period.

I’m no different. Footy takes up about forty two or forty three weeks of my year, so I welcome the opportunity for some respite from it.”

Mark always returns from Inverloch feeling refreshed and ready for another new season of football.

“By the time the first round comes around, absolutely I’m as excited as anyone and can’t wait for the opening bounce.”

Images courtesy of Mark Robinson & James Pell

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REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA TRAINING COMES TO GIPPSLAND

BY LISA MAATSOO

CURRENTLY IN AUSTRALIA, MORE CITIZENS LOSE THEIR LIVES TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSE THAN TO ROAD ACCIDENTS OR USING ILLICIT DRUGS. WORLDWIDE USE OF OPIOID BASED DRUGS FOR PAIN RELIEF IS GROWING AT AN ALARMING RATE.

A report from Australia’s National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre indicates the number of accidental deaths from opioid abuse has doubled in the last ten years. These drugs are used in general anaesthesia during surgery, and they are also prescribed for postoperative pain management. Healthcare professionals are now turning their attention to establishing preventative measures, rather than resorting to post damage treatment strategies.

A change in approach within the practice of anaesthesia is looking to deliver Opioid Free Anaesthesia (OPA). Drug protocols free of opioids provide significant advantages to patients, and more broadly to the healthcare system in general.

Opioid Free Anaesthesia offers the patient a risk free post-operative pain pathway, that also enhances their recovery process.

Overnight stays for surgery can be reduced to day procedures, which significantly reduces pressure on required hospital resources.

In regional centres such as Latrobe Valley, where the ageing population continues to increase, relieving strain on available health care facilities is identified as a key priority area. At a national level, the combined benefits of Opioid Free Anaesthesia will reduce pressure on the Australian health care system.

The approach of administering a group of nonopioid medications is a stepping stone towards achieving a state of Opioid Free Anaesthesia.

However, the cornerstone of this modern practice is the use of regional anaesthesia. Ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia involves identifying the nerve clusters that need to be made inactive and blocking the pain perception by the injection of local anaesthetic agents.

Unlike general anaesthesia, this practice minimises the risk to vital organ systems whilst selectively anaesthetising the part of the body to be operated on. This approach to anaesthesia is used extensively in Europe, however it has not yet been widely adopted in Australia.

Dr. Watson Gomez and Dr. Reginald Edward

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DR. WATSON GOMEZ AND DR. REGINALD EDWARD IN GIPPSLAND

“BLOCKIT in Gippsland” is an intensive training program that will be offered by Dr. Reginald Edward and Dr. Watson Gomez in Latrobe Valley to medical practitioners. The training will provide participants with an opportunity to learn and observe advanced ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia techniques.

The tools and knowledge gained in the program will support implementation of Opioid Free Anaesthesia in the Gippsland region and beyond.

Dr. Edward and Dr. Gomez are both practising physicians at Latrobe Regional Hospital. Dr. Gomez has been working in Australia for four years now, and Dr. Edward arrived in Victoria about six months ago. Both have settled in Traralgon with their families, and Gippsland is lucky to have acquired their international skills and expertise.

They both completed their initial medical training in India, before moving to London for specialised training in anaesthesia. Dr. Edward founded the BLOCKIT movement, and he was soon joined by his like-minded friend Dr. Gomez.

Between them, they have successfully delivered the BLOCKIT program in the United Kingdom, and in several developing countries around the world.

Photogrpahy by Lisa Matsoo

Their combined knowledge and previous teachings will see them pioneer the BLOCKIT program in Latrobe Valley starting in early 2019. The training day will involve lectures and demonstrations with a maximum of 30 delegates per group. The program is aimed at practicing Consultant Anaesthetists, GP Anaesthetists,Trainee Anaesthetists and ED doctors and nurses. It is expected the course will also attract national and international delegates.

Dr. Edward and Dr. Gomez are looking forward to educating medical practitioners and consumers in these superior and safe pain management strategies. They believe this is essential to achieve a change in attitudes and behaviours, that will result in longevity to human lives. Their aim is to spread the word on Opioid Free Anaesthesia, and to educate Gippsland on the practice of regional anaesthesia. The innovative pair hope that “BLOCKIT in Gippsland” will see the region take the lead in implementing this world class evidence-based practice into mainstream anaesthesia in Australia.

BLOCKIT training course underway in the United Kingdom (image supplied)

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OH, THE PLACES THEY’LL GO...

Imagine waking up with the wind in your hair, the sand at your feet and a different section of the east coast as your backyard each day. Also imagine being a school-aged child and not having to sit in a classroom and read from textbooks, but instead learning by immersing yourself in travel and nature.

For one family, that Australian dream will soon become a reality.

Jordan and Christie Edwards recently shut the doors to their popular Drouin shop and will soon begin the trip of a lifetime with their four young children, Stevie,7, Bowie,6, Quil, 3, and Elka 6 months.

Christie and Jordan said the decision to close Seahorse Boutique didn’t come lightly. Jordan had worked as a jeweller in Warragul for over 13 years, but after he and Christie had Stevie and Bowie, he decided it was time to branch out on his own. But rent was expensive, so after they spotted an old house for sale in Drouin, the two decided it buy the property and turn it into two shops, with the house in the back. Jordan designed and built the beautiful brick building with his father, while Christie helped with interiors.

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Seahorse Boutique operated in Drouin for nearly three years and was a booming success, but with a growing family, life got busier than anticipated.

“We dove into it when I was pregnant,” Christie said. “We moved into the house out the back when Quil was six months old. I did the caring part with the kids while Jordy was doing the business part.

While we both enjoyed it, we thought by owning our own business that there would be more flexibility in our lives- but there wasn’t. A few years into it, it was a lot more hectic then we thought.

And we didn’t want to raise kids while we were working all the time. Especially with our decision to unschool the kids, it’s a lot more hands on.”

Jordan agreed.

“I got to the stage where I thought that business was good, and money was good, but I just wasn’t fulfilled. I enjoyed the community and their support, but I knew that the last thing I wanted to be was a rat in the wheel twenty years down the track, stuck in a square box and not growing as a human.

“We scratched away at the idea of travelling across Australia. We knew if we sold the house and rented out the properties we would have the money

coming in do to it. We have always just winged our way through life and it’s always come up trumps for us. So, we finally took the plunge. It was so scary, but happiness is our number one priority.”

The family will travel for 12 to 18 months, beginning in Tasmania then working their way up the east or west coast, stopping where their hearts desire for as long as they please.

“We don’t make a lot of plans,” Jordan said. “Life just seems to fall into place.”

And because of the Edwards unique approach to education, their kids will learn important lessons and life skills through experiences instead of through a set curriculum.

Christie said the decision to unschool her children was based on her own experience as a teacher for seven years, as well as her daughter’s reluctance to go to kinder.

“I loved the students I taught and there are a lot of brilliant teachers, but the system is flawed. It’s data-driven, not child-driven. There are not enough

THE EDWARDS’ CREW HAVE SHUT UP SHOP TO EMBARK ON A TRIP OF A LIFETIME

BY LIA SPENCER

opportunities to let children explore their passions or interests and I think that’s really important in growing a human who is confident in themselves, knows what they want and what they love in life,” Christie said.

Christie said she had no regrets about her decision.

“We go through twelve years of schooling learning what we are told to but not want we want to.

Humans are so controlling. There’s freedom of speech but is there freedom of thought? Is there freedom to learn what you want? Not really. That’s something we should really think about. People have trouble with letting kids control their own education.

Christie said there was not a lot of support for families who unschool their children, but she discovered a group online and now meets at Jindivick once a week with about ten like-minded families from around Drouin and Warragul.

“When I had my own kids and I saw how much they learned on their own – to crawl, to walk, to walk- I thought it was amazing. Unschooling is a natural progression of that. It’s letting them learn naturally with some help and support along the way.

“When Stevie started going to Kinder, she hated it and she hated being away from me. It caused a lot of anxiety. I went with my gut and decided that she could be with me at home. It was the hardest decision but best decision I ever made. She’s very confident now, very happy, and a social butterfly.”

“If they want to go to school eventually, they can,” she said. “I’m not anti-school, but I am an advocate for unschooling.”

“We do have a desk at home where the kids can write and read, but I don’t design lessons and stand there and deliver a curriculum,” Christie said.

“Their learning is based on their interests and I just follow it through with them.”

Christie and Jordan hope the trip around Australia will broaden their children’s interests, teach them about the environment and give them an unforgettable experience that they would never get within the four walls of a school classroom.

“They will just learn from the world!” Christie said.

Most importantly, the family hope to create lasting memories together.

“We want to slow time down and spend it as a family,” Jordan said. “Kids are only young for a short amount of time and I want to be there for as much as I can while they’re little.”

At the end of the trip, the family will return to their roots in Drouin with another business venture in mind.

As well as continuing Jordan’s jewellery business from home, the pair bought a bus which they plan to renovate and hire out as an eco-friendly Airbnb where people can relax, slow down and breathe in the world around them.

“We will drive it to their preferred location, whether its Wilsons Prom or Torquay or wherever,” Jordan said. “But there will be a safe in the bus to lock up phones and technology. We want people to shut off and get back to nature.”

Anyone wanting to follow the Edwards’ experience can do so on Instagram: @slow_moving_mob @flowbus, or @seahorseboutique

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AT G R O W M A S T E R T R A R A L G O N I N S P I R AT I O N A W A I T S Y O U GROWMASTER TRARALGON

Twilight Night | NOVEMBER 21 – 22

For further information please ask in store

COME TO GROW MASTER FOR ALL SHOPPING, GIFTWARE, HOME WARES, LADIES FASHION AND GARDEN SUPPLIES OR CHOOSE A GIFT CARD

W E A R E Y O U R D E S T I N AT I O N For advice, range and quality.

For an experience and a garden encounter that will enchant you.

For solutions, inspiration and motivation.

Wa n d e r t h ro u g h t h e l a y e r s o f o u r b e a u t i f u l G a rd e n C e n t re , e a c h s t e p l e a d i n g you into another chapter of ideas for your home, garden and lifestyle.

Hours | Monday to Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm 62 Argyle St, Traralgon Vic 3844 Ph: (03) 5174 2861 Em: growmastertraralgon@yahoo.com.au www.growmastertraralgon.com.au

Christmas has arrived at Grow Master Traralgon Words & Images by Lisa Maatsoo

Grow Master Traralgon held their Christmas VIP event on the 21st and 22nd November 2018. The evening function saw guests treated to drinks and finger food, with music provided by a local musician. The annual function marks the start of Christmas festivities at Grow Master in Argyle Street. Now is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the Christmas displays, and choose your presents for family and friends.

The vast array of gifts on offer include homewares, fragrances, ladies’ fashion, scarves, jewellery, summer hats, blankets, photo frames, candles, ornaments, soft toys for kids, and many more items. Indoor plants and decorative pots are more popular than ever for your home.

In the outdoor displays you’ll find garden needs including mature trees, citrus trees, seedlings, cottage plants, succulents, roses, water features, bird baths, pots, outdoor furniture, and ornamental figurines. Landscaping supplies are also available include toppings, compost, bark, etc. Explore the tranquil Japanese garden on display, and you can even purchase goldfish to fill your water ponds.

Come and enjoy the colour and summer splendour at Grow Master Traralgon, 62 Argyle Street. Phone 03 5174 2861 December trading hours are 8.00am till 6.00pm

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Library Officer Robyn White has managed the mobile library for many years and she also drives the truck

Coronet Bay resident browsing through books

THE BID TO SAVE SOUTH The arrival of the digital age has led many to lose sight of the important role libraries still play in the economic and social development of our communities. Our libraries aren’t just about borrowing books, although this component alone is essential; they provide a culture that promotes a life-long love of reading and learning assisted by trained librarians. They also provide a wonderful, safe public space shared by people from all walks of life, young and old for social connectedness, collaborative learning, creativity and independent research.

This is the view of many Bass Coast residents who are currently faced with the closure of their beloved South Coast Mobile Library that is due to be retired in June next year.

The loss will be felt by the towns of Coronet Bay, San Remo, Corinella, Kilcunda, Grantville, Fish Creek, Toora, Sandy Point, Tarwin Lower and Welshpool that currently receive a visit from the mobile library for one to two hours every week or fortnight.

The service is provided by the Shire through its membership of the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation, who claim the mobile truck is now more than 20 years old and breaks down frequently resulting in costly repairs. They also claim that patronage has declined over the past three years, which they believe indicates it is no longer the best way to deliver library services to these communities.

The Library Corporation’s proposed alternative is exploring unique partnerships with community groups to provide ‘micro libraries’ or book dropoff and pick-up points in community centres.

People can speak with librarians over the phone to get book recommendations and assistance and have books and other physical loans delivered to these micro sites. They believe the opening hours of these will be greater per week than the mobile library is able to provide.

According to the WGRL, the numbers of active patrons who used the South Coast Mobile Library in the last 12 months were 121 people in South Gippsland Shire and 252 in Bass Coast Shire.

This doesn’t include patrons who use both the mobile library and a centralised service. Meanwhile the Northern Mobile Library service that operates in the Baw Baw Shire is exceeding benchmarks and will continue to operate.

Within a few weeks of the announcement to close the South Coast Mobile service, a group of Bass Coast residents, appalled by the decision, have come together to protest against the closure, claiming the alternative proposal is not a viable one.

The group have put up a Facebook page, which has garnered much support and a change.org petition has collected more than 300 signatures in five days.

Peter Granger, a Tenby Point resident said people living in remote areas within the Shire are very upset. “We just feel that the people who have made this decision need to be made accountable for it and that what is going to happen and how it’s going to happen needs to be explained. If they do what they are planning to do, it will mean instead of having the mobile library, we will have to phone the centralised library in Wonthaggi and order books that are then delivered to a community centre, but ordering library books is not like ordering pizza.

Coronet Bay resident with his children in the mobile library

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Mobile library patrons at Coronet Bay

COAST MOBILE LIBRARY It’s entirely different. A library experience is browsing, reading a bit of this and that and choosing material.”

He said the decision to close the service was made by the WGRL four years ago and in that time, he believes they have allowed the mobile service to become run down and have not come up with an alternative that is workable.

“Part of the problem is that this was a decision made in Warragul where the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation is based. It’s an amalgam library covering the Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shires. The three shires share the burden, which makes sense in one way because it’s economically responsible or a rationalist way of doing things, but the down side is that decisions are made a long way from remote areas that tend to get overlooked. They are seen as not being very important and a drain on the system.

“We can’t say numbers aren’t important but we do have to give due weight to the people who use the mobile service that love it and care about it.

A regular patron who brings the library officer a rose each week

These are people that are not as mobile as the rest of us, they are not as connected to their communication systems as other people and they often live a long way away from Wonthaggi.

It doesn’t mean going to ridiculous lengths but striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and social equity.”

The group also argue that it’s a service they pay for because a large percentage of Bass Coast rate payers live outside Wonthaggi and are funding a centralised service. They believe what they deserve in return is the connectedness to those services to be maintained and enhanced, not ditched.

Peter said the mobile library is a service that needs to be there until there’s a better alternative.

“There needs to be a transition period of at least 10 years not 10 months. Ultimately in the future, who knows, there may be a visual digital interface to visually browse books and the books delivered remotely by drones.

“Currently though, we have many older people in our community that live their lives in books.

They’re people that are no longer participating in the work force and most of their families have grown up and left.

Many are lonely, they are not connected socially and they don’t understand the internet and how it operates, but they get pleasure out of reading books. A library for them is an opportunity to meet other people and interact with the service. It’s also important for children, it encourages them to use books and adults and children can interact with each other, jobseekers can access opportunities through using computers and students can research and study using the free Wi-Fi internet service.

“Really I can’t think of anything more important in a community than a library, it is an essential investment.

“We have been described as a minority – well, Australia is a country that gives minorities a fair go!”

Words + Images by Wendy Morriss

Peter Granger from Tenby Point using one of the library computers

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relax

ERIN MILLER

christmas expectations

Expectation is the killer of joy, the shortest road to disappointment Seth Godin

By Erin Miller

Erin Miller is a personal life coach, motivational speaker, published author and proud mama to 3 very active little boys.

Her previous career roles have been quiet diverse and she has a background in hospitality/ travel, disability/ mental health and business management.

Erin is formally trained in a variety of modalities including NLP, Life Coaching, Mindfulness & Meditation, and has had the privileged to work with clients all around Australia and also runs empowerment workshops, retreats and group events.

Do you have a question or a topic you would like Erin to write about?

Send me an email at erin@erinmiller.com.au Erin Miller is a Holistic Life Coach, NLP Practitioner, Healer and Writer. Her aim is to live life with a sense of excitement, anticipation and energy!

Her passion and purpose is to help and guide others to also find their true calling and zest for life!

LET’S FACE IT, IF WE ARE HONEST WE ALL HAVE IDYLLIC EXPECTATIONS OF HOW OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS SHOULD PLAN OUT. Everything from decking your house out with intricate Christmas lights, decorating the Christmas tree, beautifully wrapped gifts, Santa photos and the perfect Christmas family photo.

Truth is reality rarely looks as idyllic as we might have hoped and turns out to be the real Grinch who steals Christmas. A thief by nature who loves to rob us of joy, overshadowing us with expectations.

Or you may find them pulling ornaments off the Christmas tree and opening presents saying, “This isn’t what I asked for.”

My point here is; Life isn’t perfect and our expectations can do us in. The further our reality is from our expectation the more disappointment we feel – even if reality is pretty darn good.

LET’S LOOK AT A FEW OF OUR EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATION You're seated at a beautifully decorated Christmas dining table. Cheerful Christmas music plays softly and a twinkling Christmas tree stands in the background. This is a time of peace on earth, good will toward others.

Your family and relatives are all sitting together around the table chatting, laughing and getting along so well.

REALITY Sometimes, in spite of our efforts, people knock heads, even at Christmas. For some, it can be one of the most difficult times of the year, a reminder of isolation, loneliness, and stress.

EXPECTATION Maybe you’re hoping that this year your children will be cheerful, patient and thoughtful of others.

REALITY If that’s how they are from January through to November, you might have a chance in December.

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inspired living event

Rather than be driven by a list of expectations, there is a better way to approach Christmas.

There’s a way to find it much more personally satisfying.

Be inspired by all things uplifting for the mind. body. soul. at this one day women's expo/event. Showcasing a collective of amazing producers, makers, retailers, foodies, and health/ well-being businesses servicing the Bass Coast and surrounds!

Christmas is packed with expectations. There’s plenty of room for failure and disappointment, not just because of our own expectations but also because of the multiplied expectations of everyone around us!

Why? Because, somehow we think the perfect Christmas is happening in someone else’s house, yet not our own.

For further information please call 0418 328 441 or visit my website www.erinmiller.com.au

This whole day event is designed to expand, grow and inspire YOU! Grab a friend or two and join us for what is sure to be a FUN filled day!

RELAX THE EXPECTATIONS AND DO IT YOUR WAY There are many ways to celebrate Christmas so it is unrealistic to please everybody or to live up to high ideals of the perfect Christmas. Let alone have expectations of our self or others outside of what we would consider “normal” just because its Christmas.

Happy memories are created when we are relaxed, so remember to give yourself the gift of kindness – be as realistic about your expectations of yourself as you are with your children, partner and family members. Set aside time to, pause and be present and to do some of the things YOU enjoy.

This year can be different. It can be a Joyful Christmas, indeed.

WISHING ALL THE GIPPSLAND LIFESTYLE FAMILY A WARM AND CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS!

what to expect

• Inspirational Guest Speakers • Interactive Sessions • Door prizes, gifts & giveaways • Practical tips • Tools & Information • Market stalls - yes there will be shopping!! • Coffee cart and food to purchase refreshments from • Community, come together with other women and journey together.

leave feeling strengthened, supported & inspired Tickets just $30 plus eventbrite fees $4.20 & must be pre-booked at the following link: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/inspired-living-womenswellbeing-event-tickets-51545287342 If you are a producer, maker, retailer, foodie or health/wellbeing business servicing the Bass Coast and surrounds, I would love to hear from you! Limited opportunities for stall holders and exhibitors. Stalls $70 for the day.

Contact Erin directly at erin@erinmiller.com.au for further details.

a h a h ha

PUT A Smile ON YOUR DIAL A UNIQUE CLUB IS HELPING PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE TO GET HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER

BY LIA SPENCER

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PUT A Smile ON YOUR DIAL

Laughter is the best medicine. So, it’s no wonder thousands of people across the globe have joined a growing club which focuses on improving mental and physical wellbeing by having a laugh.

The Laughter Club was created by Indian Physician Dr Madan Kataria in 1995. Today, the not-for-profit organisation has over 6000 clubs in 60 countries worldwide. Laughter Clubs Victoria (LCVi) was founded in 2002 by Phillipa Challis and now there are over 40 clubs in the state, including clubs in Neerim, Beaconsfield Upper and Traralgon.

Trained Laughter Leader and LCVi Victoria President Mahes Karrupiah-Quillen became involved with the club after she travelled to India in 1999, where she stayed for two months and learned from the founder himself. Since then, she encourages people to let go, have fun and have a laugh to improve their health.

“We have fun by doing laughter exercises infused with yoga breathing.

We don’t need a reason to laugh.

We fake it until we make it. And at the end of it all, you feel great. It dials up the happiness metre,” she said.

“Personally, I’m on a high when I’m finished.

The endorphins last hours, days or sometimes a week. You just need to keep reactivating it.”

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ha a h ha

Kaz Thurgood is part of the Laughter Club in Traralgon. She is one of four people who meet every Saturday at 10am for half an hour at Victoria Park. Kaz said she became involved with the club after seeing a newspaper ad by Laughter Yoga Trainer and Leader Caz Nicholson's offering lessons.

As a casual nurse at the local hospital, she was interested in how people could change the chemistry and health of the body and mind through laughter.

ha a h ha

“I was very intimidated at first. I had to step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “But once I was explained the benefits, and that you get out of it what you put in, I was able to step into my inner child and find my playful side. When I’m doing it, I feel a lot lighter and happier.”

Laughter Clubs Victoria present authorised internationally certified Laughter Leader Training workshops four times a year and they are open to anybody who chooses to have more laughter in their lives and who may want to start their own laughter club anywhere in Australia or anywhere around the world. There is a cost to attend the Laughter Leader Training workshops, but the clubs are free and open to people of all ages and from all walks of life.

“Victoria has the largest number of laugher clubs in Australia and by default it is the happiest state in Australia,” Mahes said. “Laughter cuts across all ages, religious, ages. Laughter is for everyone.”

For more information on the Laughter Club in Traralgon, contact Kaz on 0427 149 455.

To find information about your nearest club, visit www.laughterclubsvic.org And if you want to participate in a Laughter Club in Melbourne, the group meets at Federation Square the first and third Sunday of every month from 11 until 11:30 or the South Yarra Laughter Club at Fawkner Park, near the tennis court, every third Saturday from 10:30 until 11am.

There is also a special Laughter Club at the Docklands Library every first Saturday of the month from 10 until 11, which includes half an hour of laughter and half an hour of laughter meditation.

For more information, contact Mahes on 0431 166 002 or by email at info@laughterclubsvic.org.au Photos supplied by Mahes

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GOLDEN RULE AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR ANDREW RULE HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM WINNING THE ESSAY COMPETITION AT THE SALE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

WORDS BY CHRIS WEST

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A master of telling other people’s stories, Andrew Rule is equally adept at recounting his own fascinating journey in a life that began in East Gippsland.

Andrew’s early upbringing was on a rural property in the bush at Lake Tyers between the coast and the Princes Highway. He went to school nearby, sometimes riding there on horseback.

It was a simple life, without the luxuries most families now take for granted.

“There wasn’t a television in the house when I was young and we didn’t even have electricity at first,” he recalls. “I can remember the power lines coming in and the electricity being connected when I was a primary school kid.

“As a result, I became a voracious reader. I read book after book and that built my vocabulary. I guess that gave me a foundation for writing.”

Andrew went to boarding school in Sale then spent three years of his secondary education living with relatives at Stratford.

His talent for writing developed as his knowledge and skills consolidated.

“I was always a reasonably good writer. I wasn’t unbelievably creative, but I’d read so much that I could pick up how it’s done. We learn by imitation,” he says.

Andrew was probably destined for a career in writing from the moment he entered and won his first essay competition at the Sale Agricultural Show in 1974 as a Form 5 student. He repeated the feat the following year.

“One of the essays was about something to do with the importance of agriculture,” he recalls.

“The other one I can’t remember. It’s a while ago now.”

The prize was five dollars, which was worth having back then.

“The money was donated by the local newspaper, the Gippsland Times. It therefore made sense that whoever won that prize came to the notice of the newspaper. I was given the chance to do work experience at the paper, which included writing a few little items and picture captions.”

Andrew had been intending to begin an Arts degree but deferred his studies ato accept a job offer at the Gippsland Times.

“I spent a year there and settled into the job pretty well, even managing to write my share of stories that made the front page,” he says.

Working at the Gippsland Times was very hands-on and provided Andrew with a sound introduction to journalism.

“With only a handful of us at the paper, there was always a good variety of work. The Gippsland Times also produced Maffra Spectator and I used to go over there to write stories once a week.

“Our top A-Grade journalist was a woman named Leonie Macdonnell, whose husband was the local high school principal. Leonie had been a big city journo with plenty of experience and knew her stuff. She told me I had a future in newspapers and should stick with it.”

Although Andrew had enjoyed his stint at the Gippsland Times, at the end of the year he informed his boss he was heading to Monash University.

“I didn’t study journalism. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts degree which was skewed to literature, history and politics.”.

He became a regular contributor to the Monash student newspaper Lot’s Wife.

After completing his degree, Andrew approached the Herald & Weekly Times group and The Age with a portfolio of clippings of his work from his year at the Gippsland Times and his contributions to Lot’s Wife.

“I considered myself a walk-up start for a job and told the bloke at the Herald & Weekly Times that I’d love to work there. At the end of the interview he told me he couldn’t offer me a job right there and then, but I suspect that was mainly because I wasn’t Catholic,” he suggests.

Undeterred, Andrew went back to The Age for another interview.

“I told them the Herald had offered me a job but that I’d rather work for The Age. It was a total bluff, but they thought about it for a minute, took another glance through their applications and then offered me a job.”

Andrew has also established himself as a prolific author, having written dozens of books. He is probably best known as a crime writer, but his books cover a wide range of subjects including biographies on businessman Kerry Stokes and one of Gippsland’s most famous sporting sons, former world bantamweight boxing champion Lionel Rose.

Andrew self-published his first crime book in 1988. Titled Cuckoo: A True Story of Murder and Its Detection, it told the tale of the 1966 double murder of an 18-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl who disappeared from a Shepparton rock dance.

Infamous criminal Raymond “Mr Stinky” Edmunds was convicted of the killings almost 20 years later.

The book’s success boosted Andrew’s profile and paved the way for the catalogue of work that has followed over the past three decades.

As Andrew observes, crime never fails to provide characters and material to write about.

“I had always found crime interesting when I’d been a police reporter. Crime and punishment involves life and death, which are amongst the best things you can write about. Look at Shakespeare and the Greek tragedies. In the end, they’re mostly about life and death, right and wrong.”

Andrew started at The Age in January 1979.

Andrew has also enjoyed phenomenal success co-authoring books with crime writer John Silvester, a collaboration that has produced some of Australia’s most popular crime books.

“I did the agricultural rounds, sport and courts, but never politics. Over the years, I’ve found that the sports department always has the most interesting people on a newspaper” he says.

“John approached me about doing a novel together basically about bent coppers which would be heavily based around real events.

Around that time, he had written a story on Mark ‘Chopper’ Read, who was in prison. Chopper had said to John: ‘Why don’t you write a book about me?’ John replied: ‘You’ve got a pencil and paper. Why don’t you write your own story?’

“I developed a liking for that life and realised sport was good to write about because there are winners and losers. I also did plenty of courts and police work and ended up chief police reporter.”

“Chopper then started sending John letters from jail. They were scrawled in terrible hand writing and littered with bad spelling, but they were very dark and extremely funny. As John showed these letters to me, it became apparent to us that they had the potential to make a collection of stories. So we decided to weave them together. John adding bits to them and inserted further background to give it more structure and I polished it all up into a narrative.”

Andrew enjoyed a rapid rise in the early part of his journalistic career, progressing from a cadet at the age of twenty-one to a B-Grade journalist by 1983 after just four years.

The following year he was recruited by The Herald, which was then Melbourne’s evening newspaper before its subsequent consolidation with The Sun to become the Herald Sun. “I went over as an A-Grade journalist as a general feature writer and columnist.”

Since then, Andrew has spent most of his career working for extended periods at both The Age and Herald Sun. But there have been several interesting and notable diversions along the way.

“In 1989, I had a year in television as a documentary producer with Terry Carlyon, the younger brother of Les Carlyon, who was a great mentor of mine at The Herald,” he says.

“Unfortunately, the television industry went from boom to bust and I went back to The Herald around the time when the paper merged with The Sun and became the Herald Sun. Later on I worked at 3AW for three years producing the breakfast show. That was where I extended my knowledge of the people around town. We also went overseas doing outside broadcasts, which were a great part of the job.”

The co-authors completed the task of compiling the book and then recruited help from the late John Handley, a Gippslander who was then an expert compositor at the Dandenong Journal.

“We went out there one weekend and locked ourselves in the production room and laid all the pages and photos out, which then gave us a book we then had printed.”

The result was Chopper: From the Inside, published in late 1991.

“It turned out to be a massive hit and led to a series of books. I can recall the Australian Test cricket team getting off the plane in London and they were all carrying a copy of the Chopper book,” Andrew says.

“Following on from that, John suggested we assemble some of the true crime stories we’d written for the newspapers and call it Underbelly.

It was another idea that really worked well and Underbelly also became a series of books.

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I think it is safe to say that I am the only winner of the Australian Journalist of the Year Award to have also ridden the winner of a horse race.”

Andrew likens Winx to former Olympic champion Cathy Freeman.

“Winx is a lean running machine. She looks like she’s been put together by not so much an artist as a draftsman, but just beats everything that is put in front of her,” he says.

“One of the many remarkable things about Winx is that she is never in any distress when she returns to scale after a race. She’s never come back without plenty left in her and we’ve never actually seen the bottom of her in terms of her full capability. She has a tremendously deep girth and it seems to be a trait that most outstanding horses have in common. Champions like her usually have plenty of heart room.”

ANDREW RULE My brother Chris, who is a cartoonist for the Weekly Times, did the covers for both the Chopper and Underbelly books.”

The Underbelly books were the inspiration for the television series of the same name. Andrew says the television show ended up being banned in Melbourne for legal reasons, but not the book.

Andrew is not the first member of his family to come in close contact with a legend of the Australian turf. His uncle once had the privilege of inspecting the mighty Phar Lap around ninety years ago.

“My uncle was a steeplechase rider and was at Caulfield one day. I think it must have been around 1929 or a bit earlier. He was shown a horse in Lord Street in Caulfield, I assume by trainer Harry Telford. It was a young, raw-boned chestnut horse called Phar Lap,” Andrew says.

“The book was reprinted and kept selling, so we got out of jail financially, even though Chopper was still inside.”

“I was keen on Winx because I’d been following her career and had backed her in the first of her Cox Plate wins in 2015.”

Andrew describes the combination of Winx’s trainer Chris Waller and regular jockey Hugh Bowman as “a sort of coalition of the country boys” and thinks his own country upbringing in Gippsland helped him to connect easily with both horsemen.

“I understood Bowman, too. I had grown up with horses and rode as an amateur jockey as a kid, very badly, at picnic meetings in East Gippsland at places like Omeo, Buchan and Swifts Creek.

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Andrew’s career to date has been an impressive body of work, but he is able to single out some personal highlights.

“My proudest moment was winning my first Graham Perkin Award for Australian Journalist of the Year in 1996. I had met Graham Perkin as a youngster and also worked with his daughter Corrie at The Age.” Andrew’s first Perkin Award in 1996 was in recognition of his significant portfolio of his work in an outstanding year, which included a number of high-end feature stories. He also won the prestigious honour again for an expose of ATSIC Chairman, Geoff Clark.

In addition to the two Perkin Awards, Andrew has also won a Gold Walkley and many other notable accolades.

Andrew says he is fortunate to have made his mark at both of Melbourne’s major newspaper houses. He is presently an Associate Editor at the Herald Sun.

“I worked at The Age for more than 20 years and it was the place that gave me my initial break in newspapers in Melbourne. I’ll always be thankful for that. Today, I’m very happy what I’m doing at the Herald Sun, working for Australia’s biggest newspaper. As a mid-market tabloid, it is a family newspaper that aims to please most people.

“Someone else had been commissioned to write it but the arrangement had fallen through, so I agreed to step in and do it,” he says.

“I can speak their language. We milked cows when I was growing up. I can talk to Chris Waller in a way that most other journalists and writers probably couldn’t because they wouldn’t know much about his dairy farm origins, whereas I got it immediately. I knew exactly who he is. I could smell it. I sensed the things that have influenced him. I could glean that from one conversation and that understanding was only reinforced after meeting his family and other people who know him.

“I’m a story teller and these podcasts offer another way that is different from newspapers and books.”

“The two things I have enjoyed most in my career was working for the Sunday Age in the 1990s but more especially working for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun now,” he says.

Andrew’s latest work, Winx: The Authorised Biography, is the result of an approach in September last year by publishers Allen & Unwin to write the definitive book on Australia’s current racing superstar. The book details the story behind the story of this freakishly talented horse.

“Chris Waller is a dairy farmer from rural New Zealand. He comes from just outside Foxton, which is a one-horse town on the North Island.

Hughie Bowman is from an old family farm in Dunedoo in country New South Wales.

“It’s nothing fancy. We just sit down and talk and then the producer John Burton, who is a genius, tidies it up, adds music and puts it out to the world. It’s that simple,” he says.

“My uncle ran his hands over Phar Lap’s legs and looked him over. His assessment of the horse was that he was a staying type and might make a jumper. Well, I reckon Phar Lap possibly could have jumped, but he didn’t need to as he turned out to be pretty handy on the flat!”

Andrew says the Winx book has been selling fast since its launch in October, just before the mare’s fourth Cox Plate win.

“If it’s not the biggest sports book this summer it means books are in trouble, and so is racing,” he suggests.

In recent times, Andrew has also been devoting timed to his Life and Crimes series of podcasts for the online version of the Herald Sun. He enjoys taking crime stories off the page and bringing them to a listening audience.

“Despite newspapers being at a tough point right now, I am fortunate to have the perfect job for me at this stage of my career. I’m writing regularly and am pretty much in the newspaper every weekend, especially Sundays. I’m happy being a lone wolf writer. I also have a bit of a mentoring role, assisting some of the trainees with advice where required, plus there’s the podcasts to do, so I have plenty to keep me busy.”

The story of Andrew Rule’s career as a wordsmith undoubtedly still has more to come, but amongst all the twists and turns along the way it is safe to say that things might have turned out a little differently had he not entered the essay competition at the Sale Agricultural Show back in the 1970s and found his way to the Gippsland Times.

Andrew Rule portrait photogrpahy by Earl Carter Rule on Crime image supplied

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RHETT MCLENNAN

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NEWLY NAMED GIPPSLAND POWER FOOTBALL CLUB COACH RHETT MCLENNAN KNOWS MORE THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAD A TEAM. BY MATT DUNN Whether in the studio or on the foot field, the man known locally as ‘Rooster’, has an almost obsessive interest in coaching. A former Queenslander, who was cruelled by injury on his way to the big time, Rhett drifted towards country footy – enjoying premiership success at Leongatha.

When he hung up the boots, he stepped into his next big challenge, coaching Gippy Power’s Under 16 squad as well as acting as assistant coach for the Under 18s.

Although now working in the top job at the AFL feeder club – a role that sees him travelling around five Gippsland satellite sites - he also hosts the 99 Coaches podcast on Sound Cloud, which endeavours to crack the secrets of coaching success.

“The podcast is pretty much what the title suggests.

I’m interviewing 99 coaches. I’m up to 17. And the interviews have been with coaches from whole range of backgrounds – whether sporting, leadership, business, new age health coaches, life coaches, and then what you kind of expect – footy coaches, an NRL coach, a basketball coach, an athletics and a boxing coach,” he said.

Interviewees have included wheelchair wunderkind Beau Vernon, former national Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann, and a host of others.

“The whole basis of the interview is a casual conversation. The initial title was ‘Coffee with Coach’, because I really wanted to have that feeling of two people having a yack,” he said.

“But there’s a set seven questions, which I weave into the interview. The way I ask the questions changes from interview to interview, but really the guts of the questions are very similar.

“The answers are interesting, in regards to whether a discipline of a personalities changes the answer.

That’s been a really interesting process for me. It’s really difficult these days to walk up to someone and say, I find you really interesting, can we sit down for an hour or so and have a chat?”

He believes podcasts are a “perfect excuse” to do just that.

“Most people are really kind with their time. I certainly haven’t struck many roadblocks with the people I’ve asked,” he said.

“The cross section of people you get in the different disciplines is really wide. I’ve really explored a lot of different coaching disciplines and I’ve only interviewed 17 people so far. It’s really cool.”

He concludes the interviews with one essential question.

“The final question I ask in 99 Coaches is, if you were going to pass on a small piece of advice to a person who was starting in their coaching career or leading a team, what would it be? The majority of people say, ‘Listen more and talk less,’” he said.

“A lot of coaches have emphasised leaving your ego behind. It’s not about you, it’s actually about the people you’re coaching. At least a third talk about leaning into something that’s uncomfortable and attacking things head on.

“They say, don’t sit in a lane your comfortable in when it comes to imparting advice. Make sure you’re pushing into places you’re not quite comfortable.”

He said the coaches often spoke about the relationships they have with their players “and making sure there’s the emotional buy in”.

It’s a theory Rhett subscribes to and one he is keen to use at Gippsland Power.

He cites Hawthorn Football Club’s legendary ‘Threepeat’ general Alistair Clarkson playing mediocre acoustic guitar, as one example of a leader pushing out of his comfort zone to create a bond with his soldiers.

“I think it was his way of saying, ‘I actually appreciate you.’ I think there’s been too much emphasis on what used to happen in the old days, as opposed to what happens now,” he said.

“How people’s switches are flicked and how they want to be led, probably hasn’t changed as much as some may believe. I don’t think people have changed nearly as much as what they make out. I think folklore has a huge influence on those perceptions, along with the media too.

He believes there’s “a natural human inclination to think familiarity and nostalgia is better than what lies in front of you”.

“I actually think if you show respect and share a clear vision of what success will look like, that probably paves a good way to success. No matter what era you’re coaching in,” he said.

“Understanding your group is probably, as a coach, the first thing you need to get a handle on.

You need to do that in any way, shape or form you can. Understanding how people work, how people tick, is very important.”

Rhett believes building that bond is all important and what is imparted to a player, especially one in the formative years of his career, can have lifelong effects.

“Leigh Matthews has a fantastic saying: ‘What John Kennedy and Alan Jeans taught me about football, I could write on the back of a stamp with a texta. What they taught me about life I’d filled more than two books,’” he said.

“The game plan can get overly complicated, but it’s actually the relationship you have with the players, the ability to have them buy in to the game plan that you’ve got, that is all important.

“The beautiful game plans are simple, but sometimes they can be lost.”

“There’s a great old clip of Ron Barrassi when he coached North Melbourne in 1976. He’s in the change rooms going bananas, saying, that’s the problem with you blokes these days. Too soft and spoilt. Not like in the good old days. That’s 42 years ago.”

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MEENIYAN THE BEAUTIFUL TOWNSHIP OF

MEENIYAN HOTEL

MEENIYAN PARK

MEENIYAN POST OFFICE

MEENIYAN RAIL TRAIL NEAR SITE OF MEENIYAN RAILWAY STATION MEENIYAN SQUARE

SHOP AT MEENIYAN SQUARE

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MEENIYAN IS A SMALL, VIBRANT TOWN ON THE SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY FEATURING A WIDE, COMMUNAL TREE-LINED MEDIAN STRIP WITH ATTRACTIVE PICNIC SEATING, FLOWERBEDS AND THE TOWN’S WAR MEMORIAL. EITHER SIDE OF THE STRIP IS OCCUPIED BY A VARIETY OF WONDERFUL BOUTIQUE SHOPS AND EXCEPTIONAL FOOD STORES AND EATERIES.

BY WENDY MORRISS

MOOS AT MEENIYAN

WHITELAW STREET MEENIYAN

STONY CREEK RACING CLUB

MEENIYAN HALL

Meeniyan is a small, vibrant town on the South Gippsland Highway featuring a wide, communal tree-lined median strip with attractive picnic seating, flowerbeds and the town’s War Memorial. Either side of the strip is occupied by a variety of wonderful boutique shops and exceptional food stores and eateries.

THE POPULAR STOP IS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS ‘THE TURNING POINT’, WHICH REFERS TO THE CHOICE TRAVELLERS HAVE TO CONTINUE ALONG THE HIGHWAY TO FOSTER, PORT WELSHPOOL AND PORT ALBERT OR TO TURN OFF TO EXPLORE FISH CREEK AND WILSON’S PROM. Meeniyan was a location for the filming of the popular ABC mini-series, ‘Bed of Roses’. The town now attracts a variety of national and international music acts that perform in the Meeniyan Town Hall.

While it is a creative centre for the arts, craft and sensational food attracting many tourists, the town is also the commercial, social and sporting centre for the surrounding farming area, with a golf course, a bowls club and sports stadium.

The town’s name, Meeniyan is an aboriginal word meaning moon, and land in the area was selected from the late 1870s.

The town was surveyed in 1890 when many businesses were established to cater for railway construction camps. The post office opened in August 1890 and the railway line opened in 1892. In the same year a mechanics institute hall was built and a school opened the following year.

Meeniyan continued to grow with the opening of many shops including a general store, hotel, butchers and baker’s shops and saddlery. Later a bank and police station opened. A small bush nursing hospital serviced the district from 1912 to 1935.

The surrounding area was largely dairy farming. Cream was the main produce and the by-product was used as feed by the increasing number of piggeries. The town became a centre for selling livestock and in the early 1900s, a bacon factory opened and pig sales were held in the town from the 1920s until the 1950s. The saleyards closed in 1982, when a large stock selling centre opened at nearby Koonwarra.

The railway closed in 1992 and the line is now part of the Great Southern Rail Trail. The original hotel was destroyed by fire and a new one was built in 1933.

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MEENIYAN THE BEAUTIFUL TOWNSHIP OF

The original Mechanics Institute Hall burnt in 1938 and a new public hall was built in 1939.

The hall became a popular place for most of the districts entertainment and held a well-attended Saturday night dance from 1939 to 1976.

In 1996, extensive work was done on the hall by the community with assistance from the South Gippsland Shire and it has since become an entertainment centre for South Gippsland attracting local, state, national and international performances.

A horse racing club, established in Meeniyan in 1896, held their last race meeting in 1955 as nearby Stony Creek had developed a stronger club with a more improved track.

STONY CREEK GO KARTING CIRCUIT

The land for the Stony Creek reserve and track was first surveyed in the 1890s and the racecourse was initially ploughed by bullock team. The reserve now covers an area of more than 36 hectares and is home for the Stony Creek Racing Club, Stony Creek football and netball clubs, the Meeniyan Pony Club and the extremely popular Stony Creek Go Karts, established in 2008.

The Stony Creek Racing Club hosts five great races a year including a Ladies Day, a Community Race Day and the Stony Creek Cup.

THE TOWN’S ANNUAL GARLIC FESTIVAL HELD IN MID-FEBRUARY IS A FANTASTIC CELEBRATION OF THE MANY AMAZING VARIETIES OF LOCALLY GROWN GARLIC AND THE OUTSTANDING FOOD, WINE, ARTS AND CRAFT OF SOUTH GIPPSLAND. THE ENDLESS DISPLAYS, ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT ATTRACTS ALMOST 8000 VISITORS. STONY CREEK RACING CLUB

MEENIYAN ART GALLERY WHITELAW STREET MEENIYAN

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MEENIYAN PRIMARY SCHOOL

MEENIYAN RAIL TRAIL

The Meeniyan Square in the main street is a large outdoor space with an undercover area that is used for a range of community activities, exhibitions and events including a monthly Farmers Market on the second Sunday of the month and weekly Friday Twilight Markets throughout the summer.

The farmers market offers a wide range of high quality, fresh, local produce including meats, fish, fruit and vegetables while the twilight markets are for socialising with great street food, local beers and wines and entertainment while browsing through wonderful artisan-made crafts and produce.

MEENIYAN IS A GREAT PLACE TO STOP WHILE TRAVELLING THROUGH HOWEVER, FOR VISITORS THAT INTEND TO STAY A WHILE THERE ARE SOME OUTSTANDING ACCOMMODATION CHOICES INCLUDING CAMPANIA OF MEENIYAN WHICH IS SOUTH GIPPSLAND’S LATEST LUXURY COUNTRY ACCOMMODATION OFFERING A 5 STAR HOTEL EXPERIENCE.

The nearby Meeniyan Art Gallery, in the historic weatherboard corner store, showcases Gippsland’s best visual artists and artisans with a focus on handcrafted and original works. The gallery promotes both emerging and established artists and has a gift shop.

TREASE BUILDERS

STONY CREEK GO KARTING CIRCUIT WATCHING THE CRICKET AT MEENIYAN

D.P.MCKITTERICK. GATE

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MEENIYAN ART GALLERY

BY WENDY MORRISS

Gallery volunteer Bruce Granger

MEENIYAN’S DELIGHTFULLY ATTRACTIVE ART GALLERY WAS ESTABLISHED ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO

BY A GROUP OF RESIDENTS WHO COULD SEE THE WEALTH OF ARTISTIC TALENT IN THE AREA, THE LACK OF GALLERY SPACE FOR THEM AND THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TRAVELLING THROUGH THE TOWN TO STOP AND ENJOY ITS OFFERINGS. Since then the gallery has become a popular place to visit and the quality of the exhibits both from local artists, artisans and others outside the area, has equalled many in larger more prominent spaces.

and bakery by different proprietors until 1954, the last being Tobias and Considine. Many original features including the original Baltic pine floors and walls have been retained and the butcher’s marble slabs are still in place in the front window.

A recent exhibition in the gallery, that attracted a large number of visitors to Meeniyan over the Melbourne Cup weekend, was ‘Chimera’ featuring works by Bryan Dawe, who is wellknown for his work on ABC radio and television.

The gallery is managed by a community committee and operated by volunteers. Ross Garner is the president, Jenny Mountford is the secretary, the treasurer is Robyn Schmidt and Zeeta Kanta is the curator. “We are a community gallery with no paid employees at all,” Ross said.

The historical building that houses the gallery, was constructed on a block near the Dumbalk turnoff in the late 1880s, and was moved to its current location by bullock dray in 1900 to comply with the newly surveyed, town boundaries. It was used as a bakery until 1910 and then as a butcher

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The building is owned by a group of business proprietors who have purchased a number of shops in the town including the gallery and they lease it to the committee under a normal commercial lease agreement.

“They are benevolent landlords that work with us to improve the quality of the building and the gallery,” Ross said. “Over the last four years they have added a number of extensions and modifications to the interior of the building and now they are working on repairs to the outside to make sure it remains water tight and sound.

We have worked in consultation with them and self-financed special gallery hanging systems and gallery lighting.”

He said they exhibit all forms of artwork, from three-dimensional objects and sculpture to photography, jewellery, video and textile art and the traditional visual arts hanging on the wall. They also have a wide variety of artworks available for sale in the gallery gift shop.

Bruce with volunteer and gallery shop manager Chris Beehag

“We support local artists by providing a place to exhibit and by creating enthusiasm for the arts so they have prospective customers that are more sensitive to artistic pursuits. We also bring in artists from outside the area to stimulate and encourage our local artists.”

their contribution is large or small. We focus very much on caring for our volunteers. They are one of the most important aspects of the gallery and I think it’s critical for us to ensure we help them remain involved and we encourage them as much as possible.”

“We have to ensure that when people come through the door they have an enjoyable experience and also ensure that the volunteers that are there have an enjoyable experience, while acknowledging the important contribution they’re making to the community.”

The gallery building has three internal gallery spaces with different price points that are available to rent for a month. “Artists that wish to exhibit will discuss their needs with our curator who assesses the quality of the works. We then work together to choose which of the three galleries will reflect the artworks the best possible way and also the price the artists want to pay.”

He said while they are a volunteer artistic organisation, they are also running a business.

“Almost all volunteer organisations now have to be operating as a business. We have fixed annual costs of $25,000 and we have to work hard to raise that money through our sales to keep the door open.”

Ross believes the arts are an important part of a holistic community. “The arts tap into a different way of looking at things, it makes people sensitive to light and colour and the gorgeous scenery we live within. People who are involved in the arts either as a maker or as a viewer become conscious of the environment around them and the elements within it. I think the great contribution of the arts community fleshes out a different part of our soul really and I think it’s important that small communities expose their local artworks and support the creators.”

The gallery is open six hours a day, six days a week and 300 days a year and is supported by around 50 volunteers. Some work in the gallery for up to eight or nine hours a week, while others may work for three hours a month. Ross said they are flexible with respect to people making a contribution. “We encourage them to participate and each participant’s efforts are valued whether

The committee and volunteers all believe they are providing a valuable service not only for artists and artisans but as an important part of the attraction and appeal of Meeniyan. “We have to run it in a way that will see the gallery open in ten or more years’ time while still keeping the important aspect of looking after volunteers and continually strive for everybody to have fun.

www.meeniyanartgallery.com.au Photography by Wendy Morriss

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The Heart of Meeniyan

by Matt Dunn

Happening place: Helen Byrne, Helen Ritt, Marty Thomas, Doug Merrett, Verity Karavis, Isley Sutherland (and children), David Paxton, Caitlin Pilkington, Jane Coker, David Paxton, Francesco Laera and Pete Arnold, are among the many people who love the square.

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MEENIYAN SQUARE IS FAST BECOMING THE PLACE TO BE. Of course, the history of this community hub is fairly recent, but there is a sense in Meeniyan that all things are new. Call it “a vibe”, if you will, but the place known colloquially as ‘The Turning Point’ is no longer the sleepy hamlet people drive through on their way somewhere else.

With a vibrant business community producing some of the best food, drink, art and jewellery in Gippsland, rather than a turning point, Meeniyan is somewhere to stay. And many have, entranced by the beauty of the region and the can-do attitude of townspeople who know the best days lie ahead.

Ask just about anyone in the Meeniyan business community, when and who ushered in this new era and they utter one name with hesitation: “Marty.”

Marty Thomas, who opened the legendary restaurant and cafe ‘Moos at Meeniyan’ in 2009, is, more often than not, known as “Marty Moo”.

It’s a moniker that ties him inextricably to the success of the business and the success of the town.

“I guess Moos has given some of the more recent business owners in Meeniyan a sense of security,” he said.

He admits, though, that he “took a big risk opening up in small town”.

“I had some misgivings in setting up in a town of, at that stage, 400 and something people. Most of my friends thought I was crazy,” he said.

“But, I soon realised there was a much bigger catchment area and community to serve than just Meeniyan. I was very well supported. I guess, by having me as a business that has shown it is possible to succeed in a small town, others are attracted, and others are attracted, and others are attracted. It’s a bit of a snowballing effect.”

Few who have watched the growth of Meeniyan would argue.

A strong traders group, community events like ‘Meeniyan on Fire’ and regular top name acts playing at the Meeniyan Hall (Neil Finn and Liam Finn played earlier this year and legendary English Socialist troubadour Billy Bragg is on his way) have helped keep the buzz buzzing.

“The traders’ group is very cohesive and the size of our town makes it really easy to communicate.

We always communicate pretty clearly and we always come up with different events throughout the year,” Marty said.

“David Jones coming along and doing the garlic festival has been another huge boost for us, along with the establishment of the Meeniyan Square.”

It’s got a really nice feel. With this sort of village green in the middle of our town, people can get together.”

The Meeniyan Square is owned by a group of investors from the community, who share a financial stake in the space and the retail outlets on it. The square itself sits between the Meeniyan Pantry and Cellar (which Marty runs, along with Trulli Pizzeria’s Rhia Nix and Francesco Laera and clothing designer Helen Byrne’s HB Studio. While the Meeniyan Square is privately owned, there is very much a feeling among Meeniyanites that it belongs to the town.

Meeniyan Square investor Doug Merrett – who is one among 25 people with a financial interest in the space - said the site had been a “bit of a wasteland” until recent times.

“As far as events go, Meeniyan Square’s owners are very much the ones who developed the Friday Night Twilight Market and hire out the space to others for special events,” Marty said.

“The big thing we do at Pantry and Cellar is to create events ourselves, which have included the barbecue events like the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend’s ‘Smoke and Smoulder’.

“After the success of that, we decided to bring on the Oktoberfest. We’ve got other events lined up for the days between Christmas and New Year, along with Australia Day 2019.”

For musician and Meeniyan Square coordinator Jane Coker, the space is something very special.

“It’s something that Meeniyan really needed. An outdoor space you could go to on an evening and have dinner, a drink, meet your friends, listen to music and hangout. That’s the sort of vibe that kicked it off,” she said.

He said MAG (Meeniyan Art Gallery) was the square’s original “reason for being”.

“We were keen to promote a commercial space that could serve a variety of community purposes,” he said.

“It’s a space that we envisaged would be more of a market and events space. I think it’s going to turn into more of an events space, as opposed to market after market. We’ve got a wine maker over there in the corner, dress shop, architect, cellar and pantry.

“It’s got a great feel.”

Easy access to parking, power and undercover space, made it ideal, Jane said. She believes future events could include a circus with a “little big top”.

“It becomes like the kind of outdoor festival site that you’d go to in other places,” she said.

“The expectation that, because things have been rolling so fast in the town – with the establishment of a number of dynamic businesses and now the square – Meeniyan’s a place where something’s happening.”

“It’s made people feel, oh yeah, that’s a place to socialise, not just a place to go and buy things.

The Meeniyan Farmers Market kicked off last month and helped to attract even more people.

Fundraising organisations have found it a great place to have their community events.

“Everybody just turns up and they’re all sitting on hay bales, having a sausage. It’s great. They’re all talking to each other and being together.

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Recipe for Success

Lauren Jacovou said it was never about the prizes, but rather recognition... that tangible bit of proof that she was doing something different, something special.

by Matt Dunn

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Lauren Jacovou The Meeniyan gourmet’s profile has grown since her remarkable three gold, three silver and four bronze medals at the Official Great Aussie Pie Contest earlier this year. It has also fuelled the success of her bustling eatery, Bread and Pickles, which is as famous locally for its cakes and coffee as its pies.

“We have a lot more interest in our pies now – a lot more interest. In the past, people would discover our pies, stumbling upon our little shop and taking a chance on them. It’s changed a lot, with people now having read about them,” she said.

“News is certainly spreading a lot faster these days and we’re selling more – and a lot more cold pies too, straight out of the fridge.

“I’m really keen to get the word out. It was never about winning the awards, it was more about gaining the validation that I am on the right track by making a good product. The awards have been a wonderful bonus.”

Lauren said that working in a little town with a wealth of amazing food businesses, meant you needed to have “a point of difference”.

“Being awarded prizes in a couple of categories meant that we have a strong point of difference now, which is something I was after,” she said.

But there is nothing cutthroat in her attitude.

Indeed, she is full of praise for Meeniyan.

Meeniyan’s shopkeepers are always happy to help one another and celebrate each other’s triumphs, she said. It’s one of the main reasons she loves her town.

“Meeniyan has been on the rise for the past 10 years and it’s constantly evolving. The people who are here are open to the future and they enjoy that growth. It’s a real community,” she said.

“

The traders association is really strong in Meeniyan and the shop owners as individuals are so supportive of each other.

Angela Bonser next door at All forms of Design has been amazing in helping me make little changes to my business - whether it’s making the shop more visible or producing online material.

”

“Kirstyn Armstrong who has MeenFeedz on the other side of me has been wonderful too. She’s let me use her cool room when I had a giant order,and we stagger our weekend opening times to suit one another since we both have school aged children. It’s stuff like that that makes operating here such a joy. I needed coffee one day so Marty from Moo’s dropped off a couple of bags. Everybody is really supportive.”

Support is strong at home too, with partner Justine and Lauren’s family all playing a part in keeping the business rolling along – whether by doing the shop’s laundry; getting her six-year-old daughter, Elsie-Mae dressed and off to school; or spending afternoon with Lauren cleaning the shop.

“It means I get to focus on making the business a success, and that I get to go home and enjoy my time with Elsie-Mae,” she said.

But family and being a part of Meeniyan’s renaissance are not the only thing on Lauren’s menu. Her other great love is music.

“I always joke that the singing is my paying job and I make pies for the love of it,” she said.

Lauren is one third of the trio Limerence, with Matt Walker and Mel Coleman.

“We performed at the Octoberfest in Meeniyan.

We do a lot of weddings and private functions.

We do all the popular covers – everything from Bruno Mars all the way back to Daddy Cool’s ‘Eagle Rock’. There’s some Barnesy thrown in their too,” she said.

“It’s all music people can sing along to. We’re there to entertain.”

Lauren said she was inspired by “strong female voices”, like Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Nina Simone.

“I’ve got a bit of a growl in my voice. I did some training when I was young, but Mel is classically trained. She has a pitch perfect voice. It’s incredible,” Lauren said.

“Matt has an amazing drum kit. He plays guitar and has the drum kit at his feet. It’s got the bass drum, high hat, snare and a cymbal attached.

It’s imported from America. He’ll be playing the guitar and harmonica and drums, then he’ll sing backup. He’s brilliant.

“I play some guitar and sing. Because we do such long performances, sometimes up to four and a half hours, we’ll alternate who sings lead.

Otherwise you’d be wrecked by half way through the gig.”

Not that Lauren is a stranger to hard work. In fact, it’s the main ingredient in her success. But her attitude is far from businesslike. Whether she’s striving to make the nation’s best gourmet delights or the sweetest music, the Meeniyan bon vivant is feasting on life.

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Quirky Pictures ‘Summer adventure begins in the town of Meeniyan; with eats and arts and dashing racing starts – you won’t know which way to turn...’

by Ma rguerite Sh a rlot t

Marguerite Sharlott has a humorous outlook on life which is reflected in her quirky pictures and humorous writing. She has had some diverse jobs, the favourite being an on-air presenter with sister Michelle on channel 10’s ‘Good Morning Australia' with Bert Newton, producing fabulous fashion on a budget. Currently a hotel receptionist, channelling Basil Fawlty and working on a humorous book about a trip to London to see Barry Gibb in concert. Available for commissions.

Giftwares Picture Framing Art Supplies

Custom Framing of Artwork, Photogrpahs, Needlework & Memorabilia

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10.00AM – 5.00PM | CLOSED: TUESDAY | SATURDAY TO SUNDAY 10.00AM – 4.00PM

PHONE | (03) 5664 7337 124 WHITELAW STRETT, MEENIYAN VIC 3956

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Proprietors: Andrew, Samantha, Gabriel & Greg Willcocks

You do it well...

MEENIYAN HOTEL

GREAT FOR A PITSTOP Open every day from 12 noon

LIVE MUSIC Every Sunday on the sun drenched deck

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We Do Meals All Day 12.00pm to 9.00pm 117 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan VIC 3956 | Phone: (03) 5664 7203 www.meeniyanhotel.com.au

RIGHT ON THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT

Flemington, it is not. But for newly elected Club President Michael Darmanin, that’s the country course’s one great advantage.

“Melbourne races are completely different to country races. We’ve got that hospitality.

Everyone knows each other, they talk about the footy, what they’re betting on next,” Michael said.

“You don’t get that in Melbourne. Everyone’s doing their own thing and you don’t really know everyone. I’ve always had a passion for Stony Creek, because it’s got a good country feel and the people are friendly.”

Both Michael and Club CEO Sarah Wolf have longstanding affiliations with Stony Creek.

For Michael, it began in the 1990s, when he met his wife Tania. At the time, Tania worked as the track curator and she also rode early morning trackwork. Michael became a member of the Club, and then joined the committee two years ago, which Tania is also a part of.

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Meanwhile, Sarah has been involved with the Club for the past eight years. She believes that Stony Creek is a course that represents the entire region to the rest of the race-going world.

“Stony Creek doesn’t have a town. All South Gippsland is our town. That’s who our attendees and members are. All of South Gippsland,” she said.

“When people come to Stony Creek, it’s unlike any of the other tracks in Victoria. You’d be hard pushed to find something so boutique and unique. The lovely thing is, you walk around Stony Creek and people want to know how so-and-so is going.”

“People who have met at previous race meetings reconnect. The bookies love coming here as well, because we have our combined ladies committee, who do the barbecue. They get upset when the barbie’s not on!”

Michael is a passionate racing man, and he believes that Stony Creek has untapped potential.

“I want to improve on what we’ve got and get our memberships and race day attendances up. Our goal down the track is to win the award for best country club. We’ve been nominated for it before so why not raise the bar high and shoot for the stars?” he said.

The Stony Creek committee is made up entirely of volunteers. They can be found on the last Sunday of most months doing maintenance around the racecourse.

It’s an ethos that prevails at Stony Creek: muck in and get the job done.

Michael and Sarah share a goal: to have more than 3000 people attend Ladbrokes Stony Creek Cup Day on Sunday, March 10. Featuring Fashions on the Field and sponsored for the past 17 years by Influence on Dusk in Leongatha, the day boasts a packed racing schedule, and plenty of on-course entertainment. It’s little wonder the crowds flock to the track.

Picking a winner: Stony Creek Racing Club CEO Sarah Wolf & President Michael Darmanin have big ambitions for the course.

COURSE

By Matt Dunn

THE STONY CREEK RACING CLUB THAT SETS IT APART.

“It’s a really popular day for people to have get-togethers,” Sarah said.

“That’s our biggest day and that’s our last race meeting. It will be a big finale,” Michael said.

There are many markers along the way before then, including the Publicans’ Day on Wednesday, February 13, that sees the majority of the pubs from around Gippsland get together for an friends competition that also raises valuable funds for a chosen local charity. A tradies’ event on Friday, February 1 has also been added in 2019, which will be known locally as POETS day (P..s Off Early Tomorrow’s Saturday).

The first meetings of the season is Kids’ Day on Saturday, December 29, part of Country Racing Victoria’s ‘Summer of Racing’ campaign. The event will see 300 free treasure-packed kids’ backpacks given away to children and the Return of Kelly Sports to entertain the children on course.

Wednesday, January 9 sees Kelly Sports Back again with Country Racing ambassador Chris Humfrey and his Wild Action Zoo. A further 240 Country Racing kids backpacks will be given away.

“It’s a big family focus for those two days. And a lot of people do Melbourne day trips for those ones. We get a lot of people come in who are holidaying at one of the many caravan parks. Bus driver Ross Wise does a bus run from Wonthaggi and Inverloch and surrounds,” Sarah said.

There is also a number of community groups who benefit from working at the track on race day, with the Meeniyan Pony Club, Stony Creek adult riders, Allies Football Club members, Foster netballers, Meeniyan CFA and Venus Bay surf lifesavers all using race days to raise funds.

While Facebook has proven a successful promotional tool, the racing club’s volunteers have done a lot of the leg work when it comes to getting the word out – putting posters here, there and everywhere.

As far as Michael goes, he is looking forward to becoming more a part of the race day fun. Along the way he’ll give Sarah’s partner, Glenn (another volunteer), a chop-out behind the bar when he needs it, and do a lap of the course to make sure stewards, owners, sponsors, bookies, jockeys, punters and sightseers are all enjoying the day.

“Meeniyan has been fantastic in embracing and supporting the racing club. The shops are more than happy to display the posters. In fact many of the businesses and pubs around the region are more than happy to put the posters up as well,” Sarah said.

“You can do that on a small course. I want to become familiar with as many people as I can, and make sure to welcome them back,” he said.

Michael said the racecourse has had a big economic benefit for the region, with racegoers spending up at pubs, restaurants and places offering accommodation.

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fresh

BY WENDY MORRISS

from the farm to the door TRACEY ROBERTSON AND HER HUSBAND ALISTAIR GROW, SOURCE AND DELIVER FRESH SEASONAL PRODUCE THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY TO RESIDENT’S HOME IN MANY AREAS OF SOUTH GIPPSLAND. The business is operated from a small country property in Tarwin Lower where they live with their three young children. Tracey said they grow a small amount of produce on the property and then source as much as they can from local farmers and producers; the rest is delivered to their premises once a week by Paul Ahern who has Ahern’s Fruit and Vegetable Market in Foster.

“The sourced produce, which is pre-ordered by our customers, is then delivered to their door, so it’s very personal.”

She said Paul is very supportive and the produce they get from him fills in the gaps. He is also a distributor sourcing Gippsland produce and he goes to the Melbourne Market in Epping. “I was going to Melbourne but it became too expensive.

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Tolls have doubled and then there’s the fuel expense and my time, which would increase the prices.”

All their suppliers deliver to their home once a week. Among the many are Schreurs Tarwin Farms that supply celery and leeks, Mirboo Farm that supplies garlic and some producers in Koonwarra who have old orchards with heirloom varieties of apples, pears, nashi pears, persimmons and kiwi fruit. They also source herbs and salad mix in Koonwarra from Herbert’s Herbs and boutique varieties of potatoes directly from a grower in Erica that includes Dutch creams, King Edwards, Kipflers and Pontiacs. To that they also add free-range eggs and other produce from their own small farm at different times of the year.

For Tracey and Alistair the business is all about supplying fresh and seasonal. “It’s silly to try and have something like mandarins when they are out of season because people only pay a premium price and the quality is not going to be there if they aren’t ready or ripe,” she said.

“Supplying what’s in season is a really big thing for us and we try to educate people regarding what they should be eating at different times of the year because it’s healthier.”

The couple try to source organic where they can from small producers but much of what they have is mixed. “Many of the producers are organic but aren’t certified. Others that aren’t use only what is absolutely necessary and not for the sake of it.

Bananas of course aren’t organic and come from Queensland. For us it’s more about the ethics and we are always frank with customers about where their food comes from.”

They deliver the produce in boxes to customers in Venus Bay, Tarwin Lower, Meeniyan, Leongatha, Inverloch and other areas In South Gippsland.

They also deliver produce to the Meeniyan Hotel, Moos at Meeniyan, the Pandesal Bakery, Kitchen in the South in Tarwin Lower and potatoes to the general store.

“

Our customers generally return the boxes so they are recycled and the heavy paper potato bags that go back to the grower,” she said.

“We don’t wrap anything in plastic but salad greens are packed in cellophane bags that break down.

Many customers have their own bags and beeswax wraps so I’m dealing with many people who already get it.

'' The farmers and producers deliver Tracey and Alistair’s orders on Thursday around lunchtime.

The couple then pack as many boxes as they can and the rest on Friday ready to go out fresh to customers.

“We have a lot of weekenders and holiday home owners, which we’ve captured and it’s a really good market for us,” she said. “A lot of people come out from the city and don’t stop at the supermarket. They just want to get to their house and relax so we see them on a Friday night or Saturday morning.”

Prior to doing the box deliveries Tracey sold produce from a store they had in Tarwin Lower and before that they sold produce at markets.

“Selling at markets became tiring and laborious for us particularly with small children and what we didn’t sell was a financial loss. We then went into a shop to show people we were in business because we could see there was potential. It was where we built our data base, so we don’t have a website we just have peoples telephone numbers.”

She said she and her husband deliver the boxes together and make a great team. “Alistair works full time as a painter and previously he was a butcher so he understands the industry.”

Tracey has recently started working as a home loan specialist with the National Bank in Traralgon.

“It’s money in the bank for our future,” she said, “and it will help build the produce business.”

Selling quality produce to the community became an avid interest for Tracey several years ago after spending time working in the industry in Tasmania.

I think deep down I was a frustrated retailer,” she said. “I like playing shops. In Tasmania I got a real feel for it and for small farmer’s beautiful produce.

Also the love of my Gippsland country upbringing, being connected to the community and being aware and conscious of what we are supporting.”

She said going from the store to delivering boxes was a natural progression. After talking to people and gaining support they started with half a dozen regular customers and now have around 100 customers on the books. “I keep in touch by sending text messages once a week detailing what’s available. Then I’m always out going to farms and markets to source more and I like supporting cottage industries.

“We’ve found that delivering boxes is better for us than selling at markets or in a store because people are pre-ordering what they want so we can estimate our costs and time and there’s no waste. It’s become easier since we started because we are better at what we’re doing.”

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Stony Creek Go-Karts is now well and truly one of the highlights of South Gippsland.

■ Hire Karts ■ BYO Kart Membership (Day/Yearly Rate) ■ Corporate Days ■ Group Bookings ■ Birthday Parties & Functions ■ Driver Education ■ Phoenix Kart Agents ■ Kart Sales & Spares ■ Café

Please check website for dates and times.

PH : 5664 7272

EM: info@stonycreekgokarts.com.au For more information visit stonycreekgokarts.com.au Please Note: When Stony Creek Racing Club is holding a race meeting the venue will be closed. During the winter period the venue is closed mid week unless prior booking is made.

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OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 10am

"A HOME OF DISTINCTION" AN ODE TO M.C. ESCHER

ARCHITECT | HAYNE WADLEY

TREASE BUILDERS MULTIPLE NATIONAL, VICTORIAN AND REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS FOR BEAUTIFUL HOMES

91 whitelaw Street, Meeniyan VIC 3956 T [03] 5664 0118 E info@treasebuilders.com.au

www.treasebuilders.com.au

THE SMELL OF SUCCESS

DAVID & KIRSTEN JONES

THE HILLS AROUND MEENIYAN HAVE COME ALIVE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WITH THE ARRIVAL OF TWO EXOTIC NEW INGREDIENTS GARLIC & OPERA MUSIC.

Operatic performance: he doesn’t sing, but David is quite adept at organising events, be it a garlic festival or a night of opera.

BY MATT DUNN Both have arrived courtesy of Mirboo Farm’s David and Kirsten Jones, who chucked in life in the city for a slice of country heaven. Not really knowing what to expect when they embraced the change, the Jones’ now vow they will never return to the big smoke.

It’s fair to say the couple - award winning garlic producers and co-founders of the wildly successful Meeniyan Garlic Festival - has been heartened by the warm embrace of a community that is searching for ways to do things a little differently.

And as far as garlic goes, there are few better places in the world to grow it than South Gippsland. That is, once the garlic has had some time to adjust.

“What makes good garlic? Good soil. I think the soil is a very big part of garlic’s success, as well as the climate down here,” Kirsten said.

“We’re on 10 acres here and there’s only an acre and a half you can grow on. It needs to be north or northwest facing. Since we got the ball rolling, we’ve been approached by quite a few farmers with small parcels of land – or they’ve got larger parcels they’re just using for pasture and they want to diversify the farming by rotating crops and grazing.

“We are collaborating on two projects this season.

We’re not growing on our farm this year, but we’re growing on two other farms – one at Walkerville, on three acres, and one at Nerrena, on one acre. One’s beef and sheep and one’s beef, sheep and wine grapes.”

David said the partnerships had already produced great results, with a “structured model” developed with the experienced gained from eight years tilling the soils at Mirboo Farm and an investment in shared resources.

“The garlic does take some time to acclimatise though. We’ve taken Spanish garlic and planted it year after year for the past three or four years – until it acclimatised to our colder and wetter climate.

“What we learnt is that if you’re doing it by yourself, it can take you three to five years before you’ve got a real commercial crop for garlic,” he said.

“There are more than 300 types of garlic. They vary a lot in flavour and the length at which they can be stored. We grow Spanish garlic because it will store for almost 12 months.”

But those growers coming along now are being fast tracked, thanks to the hard yards Kirsten has already done – not to mention a willingness to help others by sharing her knowledge.

Kirsten, a past board member of the Australian Garlic Industry Association, said she and David found that other types of garlic weren’t as conducive to lengthy storage, meaning a serious supply shortage from April until later in the year.

“For growers to start up, a lot of the work is manual.

For them to progress to a level of production where they can mechanise to reduce costs and still produce garlic of artisan quality is very difficult,” David said.

“Over winter the Australian population don’t have locally grown garlic. They start buying imported stuff.

In the last garlic conference we went to, we learned that nearly 90 per cent of garlic consumed in Australia is imported,” she said.

“Although consumption has gone up in Australia, 10 per cent more has been imported over the past five or six years. There are more and more garlic growers coming on to the scene. It’s one of the reasons David and I are working heavily in the area.

“WE BELIEVE SOUTH GIPPSLAND IS A REALLY GOOD AREA TO GROW FABULOUS GARLIC. WE BELIEVED IT WAS AN INDUSTRY WE COULD HELP AND WE WERE HAPPY TO GIVE PEOPLE THE BENEFIT OF WHAT WE’VE LEARNT.” Whether planning an event or working with other farmers, the couple takes a collaborative approach.

Kirsten believes the sky is the limit for garlic farming in the region.

“It’s going to increase agriculture in the area and it’s going to increase employment in the area. The other thing is, you don’t need a lot of land,” she said.

“No one small to medium sized producer has a full system of specialised garlic processing equipment.

The model we’ve set up means we have the processing equipment. One farm has planting equipment, Kirsten and I have cracking, cleaning and grading equipment and another has a range of support equipment. Each of them has large volume spray units.

“There’s a huge gap there to be filled.”

David agrees.

“The industry has done a lot of education, and the rise of all the cooking shows has helped too. It’s the Master Chef impact. The average punter is picking up a lot more knowledge about vegetables,” he said.

“There’s a re-discovery of the types of things our mothers told us about. We’re seeing that discernment and over time this will lead to more Australian garlic on supermarket shelves over the full year. The garlic industry in Australia can never compete with the processed food markets – all the stuff that goes into the bottles. We need to have a presence in the major retailers.”

Aside from the garlic festival, which has drawn thousands to the region in the past two years, David is also an integral part of Opera Australia’s HeartLand Concert, which came to the Meeniyan Town Hall last year and will be staged again on Friday, December 7.

The concert, which enjoyed the imprimatur of the biggest players in the industry, was well received by the local audience. David came up with the idea of a Meeniyan opera after his son, Nick, performed at the garlic festival and people started asking for more.

For David, an interest in opera came later through attending Opera In The Market in Melbourne.

“Events like the HeartLand Concert provide the best, most loved songs of opera. The music is familiar and memorable. And these arias were like the pop songs of the 1800s and 1900s. They are quite similar in structure to modern pop songs today,” he said.

“What we’re offering is a journey into the medium through a concert performance of some of the best known and best loved songs.”

“By having equipment shared across farms, it is a bit like the old cooperative model. To complete the picture, we are setting up a garlic warehouse in Meeniyan, which will be opened in February 2019.”

Despite photos at last year’s event suggesting otherwise, David is not an opera singer. As in most instances, he’s the man behind the scenes, organising the grand event. The people person and the talker.

Kirsten said the co-operative model was a great way to bring more players into the industry. Rather than being fearful someone will take over their patch, David and Kirsten say there is room for many more.

But does he ever sing to his garlic?

The bourgeoning local garlic market has been driven partly by an industry that is keen to promote itself as a better and more natural alternative.

“I talk to it. There’s a lot of conversations with the garlic, but it doesn’t answer back,” he said.

For a man who is often at the hub of human activity, it may just be the best kind of conversation of all.

Photos by Ken Spence and Matt Dunn

“The imported garlic gets sprayed with all sorts of things. We talk to people all the time about the quality and the flavour of Australian garlic. We believe it’s great. A lot of people want Aussie garlic over the winter. They just can’t get it,” Kirsten said.

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Meeniyan’s delightful café and takeaway

By Wendy Morriss

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Meen Feedz, a warm, earthy yet contemporary café in Meeniyan, is a family-owned business with a passion for providing great food and a warm, friendly, relaxing atmosphere.

The food is high quality, fresh, house-made and affordable, complete with perfectly brewed coffee. The service is fast and friendly with the convenience of dining in or takeaway.

The café speciality is a delicious, mouth-watering burger range that includes vegetarian options. The popular burgers feature the café’s renowned house-made beef patties and their special, unique Meen sauce.

Their light meal selection includes freshly made rolls, sandwiches and focaccias and patrons can choose their own fillings from the extensive salad bar.

The available sweet treats are home-made muffins, a variety of cakes and slices and soft-serve ice cream in cones or sundaes, with an endless variety of toppings and sauces to choose from.

OUR MOUTH TRY W

EO “ME F OUR EN B FAM URG OUS ER”

GE

HOM

D

NG BURGER R AN ERI AT

COME IN AN

All day breakfast is available every day.

So, drop in on your way through Meeniyan and say hello to the bubbly, warm, friendly team at Meen Feedz who provide great food with great service and aim to continuously diversify their menu as the seasons change.

HOURS Monday to Thursday 6.00am – 4.00pm Friday 6.00am – 7.00pm Sunday 9.00am – 4.00pm Closed Saturday Friday night Takeways till 7.00pm All Day Breakfast available every day

The Bubbly, warm and friendly “ Meen Team” at your service Kirstyn, Beccii, Haylee, Fiona.

107-109 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan VIC 3956 Phone 0456 751 330 | Email meenfeedz@gmail.com thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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Early Meeniyan Railway Station

Historical

Meeniyan

By Lyn Skillern

A highly successful annual garlic festival, vibrant art gallery, trendy cafes, funky art and craft outlets and a history of servicing the surrounding agricultural community.

These are all part of the contemporary and past culture of a small rural community in South Gippsland called Meeniyan.

As you travel through the rolling green hills of South Gippsland past Korumburra and Leongatha and approximately half way to Foster, you will come across this delightful village. As you enter the township you are struck by the treed divide flanked by rows of verandaed commercial buildings Victorian Railway engineers first surveyed the area of Meeniyan in 1881. Later in the 1880s a railway construction camp was established at Meeniyan and a township was proclaimed in 1889. The following year John Lardner surveyed and mapped out the township with business blocks, house blocks, streets and roads. Blocks were sold and Meeniyan started to grow. By the time the township was surveyed, many businesses had already been established to cater for the railway construction camps in the area. Some moved on when the railway was completed but others stayed on to serve the new settlers.

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Why the name Meeniyan?

According to Bunce's Language of the Aborigines of the Colony of Victoria (1859), Meeniyan is an Aboriginal word-meaning moon. This quaint little town is also called ‘The turning point’, meaning it is the place at which you turn off the South Gippsland Highway on your way to Wilson’s Promontory In the second half of nineteenth century the construction of railways throughout Victoria was seen as essential for the development of isolated pioneer communities. Pioneer settlers in South Gippsland had to make their way into the region by sea, horse drawn vehicles and on foot and there was much agitation for better roads and most importantly a railway.

The Great Southern Railway was the name given to the rail line mapped out to go between Dandenong and Port Albert.

The Surveyor General for Victoria was responsible for this fabulous name. It took three years to build the section from Whitelaw near Korumburra to Toora. The line had to go through swamps, steep valleys and thick forests and provided employment for hundreds of construction workers.

By the time the railway line opened in 1892, Meeniyan was a thriving township with general stores, butchers, a baker, blacksmiths and saddlers. A mechanics’ institute hall was constructed in 1892 and a school commenced the next year. The first saleyards were built in 1896 and these stock markets were essential to the development of the town.

Overtime several companies held cattle sales at Meeniyan and the railways were used to transport animals to markets. McPhail Bros were the first to conduct regular pig sales every two weeks.

Meeniyan Pub

Meeniyan Railway Station

Meeniyan Hall

The company built pig yards and following each market the pigs were driven on foot to the trucking yards at the railway station and transported to Melbourne.

One company that purchased pigs was Dandy Hams in Dandenong. McPhail Bros paid cash for pigs and calves and farmers came to town with their wives who could buy household supplies with the cash. Thus pig sale day became Pig and Lady Day with the CWA, Guild and Red Cross using the day for their meetings. The pig sales reached their peak after World War Two when up to 500 pigs were sold at one sale. The pig sales went on for 55 years and eventually closed when pig and calf numbers on farms declined due to changes in farm practices.

Being so close to the confluence of the West and East Branches of the Tarwin River, Meeniyan has experienced several major flooding events in its history.

As the forests of the Tarwin River Basin were cleared and farms established the ability of the land to absorb rainfall decreased and in times of heavy rain vast amounts of water made its way to the river and downstream.

The super flood of 1934 occurred when 8 to 10 inches of rain fell in much of Gippsland in a few days. Outlying areas flooded quickly. A landslip blocked the Tarwin River at Mirboo South and logs blocked the flow of water at Koonwarra.

Eventually the logs broke the bridge and sent a wall of water down the river. Houses were flooded to the spouting, large numbers of stock drowned and the railway bridges were washed away at Meeniyan and Koonwarra.

It is difficult to look at the old railway bridge at Meeniyan and imagine the level of the water being nearly as high as the bridge itself. A Statewide appeal was held to assist the community and repair the damage.

The town of Meeniyan was cut off and a plane dropped yeast near the school to enable the baking of bread. Following this flood the Tarwin River was snagged and some major meanders cut off. This helped floodwaters disperse at a faster rate and protected farmland.

A significant event regarding pigs occurred during the big flood of 1934. The railway bridge at Koonwarra and the road bridge at Tarwin had both washed away. There were 350 pigs in Meeniyan that needed to driven to Tarwin Station.

They were driven along the railway track over the Tarwin River and on to Tarwin. Only two pigs were lost when they fell into the water.

As with all pioneer settlements a hotel was established quickly and it is believed that the first building in Meeniyan was a pub. This facility was described as a store and grog shanty. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Tonkyn ran a hotel and store and in 1902 a Miss Dunne, licensee of the Meeniyan Hotel was given permission to run a publican’s booth at that year’s race meeting.

Early Meeniyan Postcard

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Meeniyan State School 1920. The French Consul presents a flag to the Head Girl Mary Neish in appreciation of aid given to Allonnes France after The Great War

Historical Meeniyan Several owners and managers ran the hotel before it burnt down in 1933. The hotel was rebuilt on the same site and has become another important icon in Meeniyan.

These dances continued until 1977 with patrons coming from all over the region. During the 70s a popular annual art show and wine tasting attracted many visitors as well.

In the late 50s, motel units were built on the hotel site and the Meeniyan Motel became well known as travellers enjoyed this new form of accommodation. The hotel still provides the town with a venue for all types of events

Over the years facilities were updated and currently the hall is used for significant events including special music concerts. The Heartland Concert run by Opera Australia and the Meeniyan community is one such event. A series of beautifully framed photographs showing the history of Meeniyan are on display in the foyer and supper room of this much loved hall.

Another significant icon in Meeniyan is the hall and the current building and its predecessor have been part of the fabric of the community since 1892. In June of that year a meeting was held in Tonkyn’s store to discuss the building of a hall.

Funds were raised and by November the hall was ready for the grand opening ball and concert. As time went on the building was improved and a small library established.

The hall was used by the Education Department and religious groups as well as all community groups until 1938 when, despite the best efforts of fire fighters, the hall was destroyed. The people of Meeniyan and district worked to raise the funds and a new hall was constructed with a unique ceiling and magnificent jarrah floor. Meeniyan hall dance floor was considered the best in South Gippsland. The new hall opened with a ball on Friday 18 July 1939.

Another grand ball was held to celebrate the end of World War Two in 1945 and regular dances became the most popular use of the hall.

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Education for the community’s children was needed in pioneering Meeniyan. The first school opened in 1894 in a modest rough sawn timber building next to the present school. At first there were 20 students and when the numbers grew to 70 a year later lessons were relocated to the hall.

A new school was built in 1908 and by 1913 they had a Sloyd room for woodwork and a cookery room. In 1920 a French banner was presented to the school by the French Consul in return for an Australian one sent to the school in Allonnes France. The two schools had been engaged in a two way correspondence after the devastation of the Great War and funds were raised in Meeniyan for the French school.

One of the attractions in the main street garden is the war memorial. This unusual cenotaph is a broken column signifying the broken lives from World War I.

Names of the men from Meeniyan and district who died as a result of the war are shown on the four faces of the square plinth. It is sobering to see the number of names on the memorial. One name is that of Tom Murray of Buffalo. Tom’s father also called Tom travelled to Gallipoli in 1919 to try and fine his son’s remains. This journey by Murray is believed to have inspired the story The Water Diviner.

Meeniyan’s fortunes declined somewhat after the loss of the sale yards and other businesses but the people of Meeniyan capitalised on the increase in tourist traffic on the South Gippsland Highway. Historic buildings have been changed into interesting facilities such as an Art Gallery, cafes and restaurants, and crafts, gifts and clothing stores.

New residents have been attracted to the country lifestyle on small blocks of land in the area and have added much to the community. Local events such as the farmer’s market held in the new Meeniyan Square and the open garden program on Melbourne Cup Weekend attract visitors. Meeniyan is seen as a go ahead place where people want to come on a weekend and enjoy what is on offer.

References

Murphy John No Parallel

Richard Powell & John Cocking Editors Menniyan 1881-2006 P M Boyd Meeniyan 1881-1981 A Century of Progress

Tom Murray of Buffalo

The site of what was Meeniyan Railway Station

Meeniyan Cenataph

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MEENIYAN OKTOBERFEST | MEENIYAN SQUARE | 2018

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MEENIYAN’S

MARVELLOUS TOURISM & TRADE

BY WENDY MORRISS

THE MEENIYAN TOURISM AND TRADERS ASSOCIATION WAS BORN OUT OF THE FORMER MEENIYAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND IS NOW A THRIVING COMMUNITY GROUP IN A VIBRANT, BUSTLING TOWN. Greg Willcocks, the current president, who is also the proprietor of the Meeniyan Hotel, said the MTTA is a great forum for getting together, communicating and keeping up to date with current issues and if it did nothing else, it would be doing its job. “Meeniyan is a small town yet everyone gets along really well and there’s a sense of pride in the town that you often don’t see.

Group secretary is Angela Bonser who owns and operates Allforms of Design, the treasurer is Lucy Fleming and Marty Thomas of Moos at Meeniyan restaurant and café is vice president.

“We regularly have around 20 people at meetings once a month, which is a fairly good call given that people work long hours running their own businesses. The hotel operates seven days and nights a week, so we employ someone to come in so we can attend them.”

“It started with the establishment of Moos at Meeniyan several years ago that drew more people into the town. Then Trulli Woodfire Pizzeria that draws customers from as far away as Phillip Island and Melbourne for pizza. Greg and his wife Gabrielle took over and rejuvenated

Angela said people are drawn to the township’s wonderful food premises and then other businesses like hers benefit from them being there.

the hotel almost five years ago, and they provide wonderful meals seven days a week.”

She said since then, there’s been a steady influx of other businesses like the Pantry and Cellar that has a lovely outdoor area and offers local artisan foods, boutique wines and culinary delights from around the world. Pandesal Bakery specialises in sough dough, fine breads, pastries and coffee.

“Recently they had a beetroot and fetta sough dough that was just sensational.

“Lauren who has Bread and Pickles has just won gold, silver and bronze awards at the National Pie Competition in Australia. Kirstyn runs Meen Feedz café and takeaway that serves all day breakfast on Sundays.

President Greg Willcocks and Vice President Marty Thomas

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Group Secretary Angela Bonser Then Felicity Jones over at the Meeniyan store provides beautiful organic and local products and produce and she serves coffee as well.

“I should also mention Lacey’s Jewellery and Gallery; they have been here since 2005. Philip is an excellent craftsman and people travel long distances to have their special pieces made.”

Angela said their traders all have a common goal, which is being open on weekends and it’s why so many people come into the town.

To compensate most of them take a day off during the week. “When the traders want a break during winter, we coordinate it, so when one business closes for two weeks, another one closes when they get back. We do the same thing when we are super busy around Christmas, Easter and school holidays when people need time with their families. We have a roster so all the traders know who is open, which helps them plan their stock orders and manage staffing levels.”

Greg said the festival was embraced by the town and 230 volunteers from a population of 850 people assisted. Around 8000 people attended and almost half of them travelled from Melbourne for the event.

“Initially many local people insisted they weren’t going to pay to look at garlic when they could do that in their back yard for free, but once the momentum started to build and they could see that it was much more, they were happy to come along and not only pay the entry fee, but become a part of the volunteer network that made the whole thing possible.”

Since then, the immensely popular Meeniyan Garlic Festival has been awarded the 'Community Event of the Year' by the South Gippsland Shire Council.

Angela, who loves Meeniyan and enjoys participating, has been trading in the town for just over a year. Previously, she ran the same business for 12 years in another regional town.

I’m ex-Melbourne,” she said, “and I used to work as a freelance interior decorator but then I wanted a change and chose retail. It’s something I really enjoy. I just love my shop and it doesn’t bother me working seven days a week, which I do during January and February.”

Greg and Gabrielle, with the help of their son Andrew and his wife Samantha, have used their lifetime of experience, in various areas of hospitality throughout Australia, to bring the Meeniyan Hotel back to life. Greg said it was while operating a company they owned called Publicans on Tap, that provided specialist hotel relief management, when they discovered South Gippsland.

“One of our postings was a hotel in the area and we became attracted to the South Gippsland lifestyle and the quality of the community spirit.”

Photography by Wendy Morriss

GREG SAID ONE OF THE GROUP’S EARLIER ACHIEVEMENTS WAS ESTABLISHING THE ‘MEENIYAN ON FIRE’ STREET FESTIVAL, WHICH RAN FOR SEVERAL YEARS. “IT WAS HELD IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, WHICH WAS A BRAVE THING TO DO BUT IT WAS HUGELY SUCCESSFUL." "The whole town participated but unfortunately the few that were doing the heavy lifting were time poor and found it difficult to manage the physical logistics.”

The first Meeniyan Garlic Festival in 2017 was held under the auspices of the MTTA who applied for funding from the South Gippsland Shire. From that came the establishment of the Meeniyan Festival and Events committee chaired by David Jones and they now hold the garlic festival annually and a music festival in the Meeniyan Hall.

Greg said that David, who initially instigated the idea, runs a garlic farm with his wife Kirsten in Mirboo and has a strong background in event management. “He had researched garlic festivals in the United States and England and saw how big they were.”

Moos at Meeniyan restaurant and cafe

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Fruit & vegetable shop · Cafe · Speciality food shop Tuesday to Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm | Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm | Sunday 10.00am – 3.00pm | Closed: Monday

106 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan VIC 3956

M EENI YAN PHARMACY Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturda 9.00am – 12.00pm Phone 03 5664 7244 Email blochs.pharmacy@nunet.com.au 118 Whitelaw Street MEENIYAN Victoria 3956

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UNWINDING IN THE UNIQUE GARDEN SETTING

FOR THE LOVE OF OBJECTS Grant Flather and Helen Wilkinson love objects. Their home in Yanakie is alive with art and objects collected over many years.

“I sometimes feel that these beautiful things find me as much as I find them” says Helen. “I’m constantly rearranging furniture, lamps, artwork and objects into satisfying new positions and arrangements. It just feels natural to me.

My eyes and brain need lovely, interesting new things to look at.” In some ways, then, you could say that Helen’s new job - that of owner and curator at The Outer Space gallery in Meeniyan - is a dream job.

“I NOW HAVE MANY, MANY OBJECTS TO MOVE AROUND AND UNIQUE SPACES IN WHICH TO MOVE THEM. NEW WORK ARE ARRIVING ALL THE TIME, SO I DON’T THINK I’LL EVER BE BORED!”.

The Outer Space gallery certainly has a lot of objects. It’s a gallery which specialises in 3D art and garden features. “We wanted to create an indoor-outdoor space which was inviting, accessible and kind of exciting”, says Grant.

The gallery, (at the western entrance to Meeniyan, opposite the Meeniyan Hotel), features a large triangular garden with raised platforms, a meandering pathway through the artwork, and several indoor galleries. Everybody is welcome here, including pets (they have had donkeys walking around it), and children. “Just come for a look, you’ll be surprised” says Grant.

Grant and Helen have been serious parttime artists, especially since moving to Yanakie from Melbourne 18 years ago.

“We get a lot of inspiration from our garden, and the unspoilt coastal environment down here. We’re right on the doorstep of The Prom, too. The wildlife, and, the bird life down here just takes your breath away on a regular basis” says Grant. He worked almost exclusively with wire for many years, creating life-like animals.

HELEN LOVES WELDING

He exhibited locally and in Melbourne and had several very successful shows with Helen. Grant worked on each piece until he could see a living, breathing animal looking back at him. He still aims for this realism in his work, although he is now working in steel and wood.

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GRANT AT WORK ON A PIECE

Helen too continues to experiment with steel, wire, paper, driftwood and found objects and creates intricate 3D pieces for your walls and your garden. Her latest pieces include flowers and leaves made from copper, wire mesh, beads and rusty steel, incorporated into mirrors.

THE OBJECTS AT THE OUTER SPACE ARE ALL BY AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS, AND THEY ARE NEARLY ALL FROM GIPPSLAND, OR VICTORIA. It took a lot of searching, driving, meeting and talking with artists and makers to find the right mix of hand-made objects and garden features for the Space. “There actually aren’t many people working in this area, making unique, hand-made pieces of top quality, who are also professional enough to keep work up to us when we need it” says Grant. “There is a lot of rusty laser-cut stuff out there. We’re looking for hand-made, unique, one-off or limitededition pieces, but still affordable. It’s a challenge, but there are these makers out there, and now their work is in Meeniyan”.

The gallery makes it possible for Grant and Helen to indulge their love of objects, as well as to fulfil their dream of being fulltime artists. “We aim to provide a personal service to the artists - to have their work displayed in an interesting way and put in front of as many people as possible. We pay the artists within four days of the end of each month. Being artists, ourselves gives a an insight into how we would want to be treated.

We also aim to provide people looking for something unique and long-lasting for their house or garden, or that of their love ones, a unique place to come and shop. And a great place for the curious to come and be surprised or even inspired. It also allows us to experiment with different ideas in our own work, and to meet and talk to lovers of Australian art and hand-made things.

I really enjoy telling people the stories behind each piece and a little about the artists behind the work.”

Grant has recently completed his first major public art commission at Walkerville North - Corten panels along a 38-metre-long retaining wall. “The gallery gives me the opportunity to talk to landscape designers, architects and project managers about public art ideas. I’m not really a pure artist, I love the design process, too,” he says. He has recently designed a range of beautiful, unique outdoor furniture incorporating reclaimed timber from a Gippsland jetty.

Two of these pieces will be a feature of the Walkerville North re-furbishment.

With all this to keep him occupied, it looks like Grant won’t be bored. And neither will you be when you visit The Outer Space.

The Outer Space 140B Whitelaw St, Meeniyan Ph: 0427 375 020 E: theouterspacemeeniyan@gmail.com W: theouterspace.com.au

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r e n cor Cookie + Frosty

Millie

Tilka

Jasmine

Cookie

Uli

Curly + Nelson

George

Myrtle

Cynthia

Mini

Georgie

Do you want to place a photo of your dog in Canine Corner ?

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Millie&Ada

By Ken Roberts

A road trip with my sidekick Millie the wonder dog often takes me to far flung places across Gippsland that I would otherwise never venture to.

That’s how I happened to be driving 24kms off the sealed road then walking one and a half kilometres to get to the elusive and mostly unheard of “Ada” Tree in the Yarra State Forest.

On the edge of Baw Baw shire I have no idea where or how I heard of it but most people I mentioned it to had never heard of it either.

This enormous Mountain Ash tree is considered to be one of the largest known flowering trees in the world. It stands at over 76 metres tall, the top is thought to have blown off in the 40’s and it’s estimated to be 300 to 400 years old.

By chance the Ada tree survived bushfires and logging, nestled in its little pocket of rainforest.

The story goes that the loggers thought it was full of white ants and left it alone. The tree gets its name from a nearby river named after a woman from the area.

Ada Mortimore knew the surveyor and when he named the river he could not have known that Ada’s name would become famous for this giant of the forest.

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THE ADA TREE NOOJEE TRESTLE BRIDGE & GIPPSLAND GEMS The walk to get to the Ada tree is magic. Through ferny glades and the towering tall timbered Myrtle Beech rainforest the dappled light transports you into a hidden ancient world. The stumps that you pass by are enormous and you can only wonder how many even larger trees have disappeared.

The scenic reserve has picnic tables and toilets and for those who venture, not far, off the beaten track the journey is well rewarded.

Back tracking and heading towards Noojee, another place I have never been to, we visited the towering Noojee trestle Bridge. It is the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in Victoria. It was built in 1919 to connect the rail line from Noojee to Warragul but was burnt down in the 1939 bush fires. Rebuilt that same year, the bridge is 21 metres high with a 102 metre span.

It is an impressive structure and a testament to the skill of the workers of the day with the tools they had at the time. Millie has no fear of heights and scampered up the steep steps and across the wide expanse without hesitation.

The elevated view of the majestic tall timbers surrounding the bridge is beautiful. There is a 3 km rail trail along part of the old rail line that takes in the picturesque rainforest. It is a magnificent part of local Gippsland history and it’s fantastic that it has been preserved.

A short drive away is the charming small town of Noojee. It still retains links to its timber heritage with working timber mills. It sits on the Latrobe River and is on the main access route to the Mt Baw Baw ski fields. Noojee is named after the aboriginal word for contentment or place to rest.

The Noojee Hotel is a family friendly country pub set in tranquil bush surrounds.

A road trip is a great experience but we are especially spoilt for choice in the variety of places that it’s possible to visit for a day trip in Gippsland. This adventure yet again amazed me at the diversity that abounds across the breadth of our region. Glistening snowfields, lush tropical rainforests, deserted beaches and glorious high country mountain ranges, we have an abundance of places to see and visit.

It really is a wonderful place to live and explore.

Mills and I have a wonderful time charting new courses and seeing new areas as well as revisiting old and forgotten places....

New Gippsland gems await us!

Millie is a wonderful traveller and she settled in as we slowly meandered through the rolling green hills on the way home.

Around every turn there is a beautiful vista and another sight unseen until now. It’s interesting to linger in some of the little towns on the way and see what they have to offer.

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THE SOCIAL BOND BETWEEN HUMANS & DOGS

By John Turner B.Social Welfare, Master International & Community Development, GAICD You arrive home after being away for a few hours and as you put the key in the latch to open the front door you anticipate an excited welcome.

The door opens; you look down and gaze into the unmistakeable face of a devoted friend and member of your family. Brimming with excitement and tail wagging furiously, you are greeted with a familiar bark and a slobbering lick; confirming as if you didn’t already know that your return is the best part of their day. This is a scene that is repeated every day in millions of homes across the globe.

The unique bond between dogs and humankind goes back many thousands of years. Dogs and humans have lived together in a symbiotic relationship for at least 12,000 years and the interactions between them may have begun as long as 40,000 years ago. As we lovingly stroke our pet dog it is remarkable to think that they and all other dogs are descended from wolves; possibly from a single wolf pack. Today there are about 340 dog breeds recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the world governing body of dog breeds and there are probably many more breeds that are not recognised officially. Nevertheless, in all the biological essentials dogs remain wolves.

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There is much disagreement about how when and where wolves first became domesticated.

The most recent DNA analysis suggests that dogs first split from wolves 40,000 years ago as the result of human contact, most likely this was in East Asia. Domestication probably started with wolves approaching hunter-gatherers camps in search of food. Gradually as wolf-human contact increased they became domesticated although it is possible that humans intervened directly and raised wolf cubs selecting those that were best disposed towards humans and less threatening.

Eventually these domesticated wolves acted as our security alarm, helped us track prey for food, assisted in catching our prey, disposed of our food scraps, protected our children and kept us warm at night. In turn humans provided food, shelter and companionship in a classic mutually beneficial relationship.

Over time the wolves’ physical appearance changed: their skulls, teeth and paws shrank and their ears flopped. The domesticated wolves became less threatening, more docile and learned to read the complex expressions of the human face and human body language. In other words they evolved into humans’ best friend, the dog.

The DNA analysis suggests that domesticated dogs may have inter-bred with wolves and been re-domesticated many times.

This type of domestication is borne out by an experiment spanning five decades by Russian geneticist Dmitry K. Belyaev who achieved something never seen before: a domesticated fox. By selectively breeding foxes over a number of generations, selecting those foxes that fit in with humans the best, the foxes became more like dogs than foxes. The usual fox wariness of humans and aggressiveness has disappeared; they wag their tails, enjoy being petted and will lick their handler’s faces and generally act in a manner more akin to dogs than foxes. This socialized ‘dog’ behaviour happened without any training on the part of the researchers. Physical changes have also occurred such as drooping ears and these specially bred foxes have generally became more dog-like in appearance.

Human ingenuity in selective breeding dogs for a specific purpose has resulted in the hundreds of different dog breeds we see today. Breeding dogs for activities such as hunting, retrieving, killing vermin, herding, the protection of farm animals, as guide dogs and for many other purposes including simply for companionship, has created dogs of many different shapes, sizes, sensory abilities and temperament.

PART 1 DOMESTICATION FROM WOLVES TO DOGS

Today dogs are even being used in health services as therapy dogs, to give advance warning of epileptic seizures and to warn of low blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Earlier I deliberately used the phrase ‘member of the family’ to describe the pet dog. Detailed studies of dog-human relations show that about 40% of dog owners do consider their pet to be members of the family. Dogs and humans have socially adapted to each other in ways that are truly remarkable. Humans generally pamper their dogs even to the extent that some dogs sleep on or in their owner’s beds. Dogs in turn are amazingly attentive of human behaviour and have an uncanny ability to predict what their owners will do; they are incredible readers of human body-language.

Human brains respond to dogs in much the same way as they respond to babies and young children by increasing certain hormones and chemicals in the brain that are associated with empathy, happiness and reward. When dogs and humans look at each other for a period of time both experience a massive increase in the brain chemical oxytocin that is associated with a general feeling of happiness.

The evolutionary change to dogs has been significant even if biologically they remain essentially wolves. Unlike wolves, dogs are able to process language in ways similar to humans and can distinguish between significant and insignificant words. Intelligent dogs can understand between 150 and 200 words. Furthermore, dogs’ facial recognition is exceptional even when those faces are in picture form. They also have rudimentary understanding of the abstract as demonstrated when they will look to where you are pointing to find an object or food or simply follow your gaze. For example when you look towards your dog’s collar and lead they are likely to jump up anticipating a walk. This abstraction is something which is beyond most Chimpanzees.

You may ask what has all this got to do with bringing a dog into your family? It needs to be understood that like the Wolf, the ‘pack’ is the natural social unit of dogs and your dog will display ‘pack’ behaviour. A Wolf pack has a hierarchy of dominance; members of the pack are territorial, co-operative and emotionally bonded with other members of their pack greeting each other enthusiastically after they have been separated. Sound familiar?. Furthermore, the purpose for which a dog has been bred is intrinsic to its temperament and to its social and physical needs.

An essential understanding of these facts will help you make the right decision about whether to get a dog and what breed and type of dog that is right for you. This is something that Part 2 “Choosing a Dog” will consider in the next edition of the magazine.

REFERENCES Coustal, L (2017) “Study throws dog domestication theories to the wolves” phys.org.news/2017-07-dog-domesticationtheories-wolves.html Archer, J (1997) “Why do people love their pets” in Evolution and Human Behaviour, 18, 237-259 Yong E (2016) “A new origin Story for dogs” www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/theorigin-of-dogs/484976/ West Highland White Terrier Club of Victoria Inc (2018) “All about Westies” www.westieclubvic.org.au/about-westies

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PART FIVE

BY TREVOR STOW

TRAINING YOUR

OUR NEXT “BEST MATE” AT 8 WEEKS.

WE HAVE REACHED THE FINAL PART OF TRAINING YOUR PUP It was only a few years ago that very few people in Australia had even heard of Swim By. Now it is unusual for any decent retriever trainer not to use Swim By. Swim By is an exercise that teaches your retriever to handle in the water.

Teaching a retriever to handle in water is a lot harder than teaching them to handle on land. Bearing in mind that duck dogs will do most of their work in the water, it is a big advantage to have a dog that can be directed where you want him.

Remember that last duck season that we spoke of previously when you shot that pair of ducks? One landed with a splash near you but the other flew some distance before coming down. Your dog saw the duck splash and that retrieve was no problem for the old dog, but he had no idea where the other bird was, and he was not trained to handle so the second bird was lost. This season pup has completed Swim By and you will be able to line pup up with that long bird and send him to retrieve it. He may wander off line, but you will be able to stop him by using your whistle and then handle him in the direction of the lost bird without getting your feet wet. You may have to handle him several times, but you will eventually get the bird. Boy that will impress the other shooters particularly those who are out in their waders chasing their lost bird through the swamp themselves with their own retriever running along behind them.

Swim By is not usually taught to pups until they are about 11 months or older. Firstly, pups need to be very solid at handling on land before he is subjected to Swim By. You will need 4 bumpers and a smallish dam to teach pup this exercise. The ideal dam will have a barren shore where bumpers can be placed in view of pup. It may take several weeks to complete the training and then pups memory should be refreshed on a regular basis.

Handling in water separates the good dogs from the pack.

I will not detail how to train pup for this exercise as there are lots of YouTube videos on the subject and it is easier to watch the instructions and copy them than to read about it.

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ELLE BRINGS BACK A BIRD WHILST COMPETING IN A RESTRICTED TRIAL

ONGOING TRAINING Over the past year or so you have spent considerable time training pup. He has now been through the programme and you are keen to use him during the duck and quail seasons. You may even get the chance to do a special trip and hunt pheasants on one of the game farms. The operators of these farms are usually very pleased to allow hunters to bring along their gundogs provided they are trained and under control. As we have seen many times in the field, there is nothing that will ruin a shoot more than an out of control gundog and a hunter yelling at him all day.

However, that is not your dog is it? You have put in the hours and you and pup are a team. Pup still lacks experience and sometimes makes mistakes, but overall pup is doing a lot right.

During pups first few hunts we need to do what we did in training- hurry slowly! If it is possible, it is a great idea to be the dog handler and not the shooter for the first couple of outings. Let your mate do the shooting and you and pup do the retrieving. This will give you more control over a young and eager pup who may get swept up in the excitement of his first hunt.

Just because you have spent the past year training pup does not mean that the job is finished. Training needs to be ongoing. The more that you do, the better pup will perform. If you are both enjoying training, why not continue with a little every day. If you are not so passionate perhaps you could manage 15 minutes, once per week. In this case, perhaps you could ramp it up a little for a few weeks before the opening of the season. Dogs do get a little rusty and forgetful. They also get a little bit slack if they can do so.

In Australia we have Retrieving Trials where some of the best dogs in the country compete against one another. Most of the trainers of these dogs agree that retrievers do not reach their full potential until they are 4 or 5 years old. And, remember, these dogs get hours of training every week. And even these dogs make mistakes from time to time.

With pup, you have put in many hours and he is doing some great work.

He still makes some mistakes but isn’t it great being out in the swamp or the quail paddock with your best hunting mate. You get a lot of satisfaction watching pup do some great work. You do not scold him when he makes a

GUNDOG RETRIEVER mistake. Instead you take him back to the training ground and educate him in the correct way of doing things. Even with his odd mistake, pup makes you the envy of your shooting mates. He runs rings around their untrained dogs.

FINAL THOUGHTS A good shooting dog must be content to curl up in his kennel and wait patiently for food and water whilst his owner is toasting his friends and making excuses. Pup must be in great shape to hunt all day. Neither too fat nor too light. I weigh my Labradors every 6 weeks or so and if they are not under 30kgs, they get put on a diet until they return to their working weight.

When I pat them, I want to feel some rib bones.

Give your dog great dog food. Today’s dry foods have everything that pup will need to be healthy and in top working condition. I use Coprice Working Dog which retails for under $40.00 per bag. Never feed pup table scraps nor cooked bones. For a treat our dogs get some uncooked chicken frames and necks and the occasional gutted rabbit complete with skin still on.

I do not like dogs that are fighters, biters nor run-off artists. Who needs them? I want a dog that is trainable, has endurance and a nice attitude.

A cowboy likes a horse that has good “cow sense”. I like a dog that is “birdy”. A dog that will lay at your wife’s feet when she is watching TV but will not hesitate to charge into the blackberry’s chasing a wounded rabbit.

Good luck with your new best mate.

GEORGIE WAITS FOR THE “OK” BEFORE SHE IS ALLOWED TO EAT

RETRIEVING TRIALS If you have followed these gundog training articles over the past few issues, you may have a very good gundog and you may be interested in trying out your dog against other gundogs. Or, alternatively, you may be interested in going to a retrieving trial in Gippsland and see the skill level of other gundogs at a venue where you can talk to some of the best trainers in the country and get a few training tips at the same time.

RETRIEVING TRIALS ARE DIVIDED INTO 3 SECTIONS ■ Novice. These dogs are required to heel up to a peg and sit steady whilst the handler shoots a bird that is thrown by a mechanical device at a distance up to 100 metres. No animals are harmed in these trials and the shotgun fires blanks. The dog is then required to retrieve the bird back to the handler. They also will be required to do simple water retrieves.

■ Restricted. These dogs must do all the “Novice” things but at a greater distance. Most dogs have progressed through Novice and are quite well trained. The distance that a bird can be thrown increases in Restricted and sometimes more than 1 bird must be retrieved. They also need to be able to be stopped using a whistle and be able to be handled onto a blind. A blind is a bird that has been placed in a position that is unknown to the dog.

■ All Age. These are the top dogs. They are required to remember where up to 3 birds fell and pick them up in the order that the judge decides. They are also required to retrieve blinds and marks at distances up to 150 metres.

They also need to be well trained in water and will need to be able to be handled onto blinds through water which is harder than handling on land. All these dogs are highly trained gundogs and any hunter would be proud to own one of these animals.

Any registered gundog breed is eligible to compete in these trials. By far the most popular breed is the Labradors but there are also Golden Retrievers, GSP’s, various spaniels, Vistula’s and other minor breeds that successfully compete.

There are numerous retrieving trials held in the Sale area throughout the year.

Details can be found on the website “Retrieving Australia”. Alternatively, you can contact me for details through the magazine.

Images by Trevor Stow

OUR DOGS ARE EXPECTED TO SIT AND WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE TOLD “OK” BEFORE THEY CAN EAT

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lifestyle | coast | country

food + wine + accommodation Focusing on our extraordinary winemakers, our abundant and wonderfully diverse stays and of course our amazing food providers, producing fare from lush Gippsland farms or creating delectable dishes for the table.

index BASS STRAIT BEEF - PURE SOUTHERN BEEF BISTRO GRATA - A NEW DINING EXPERIENCE BLUE HILLS RISE - CRANBOURNE EAST BRANDY CREEK ESTATE - DROUIN SOUTH BRENT SINCLAIR CATERING/FEAST ON US THE CAPTAINS LOUNGE - INVERLOCH DUCK INN - WILLOW GROVE FINMAW FARM CERTIFIED AND THRIVING FISH CREEK HOTEL FOSTER SEAFOODS HARMAN WINES - WATTLE BANK HARVEST FEST 2018 HICKSBOROUGH STORE- WONTHAGGI LEONGATHA RSL MANSI LUXURY ACCOMMODATION - SALE MIRBOO NORTH ITALIAN FESTIVAL MORWELL BOWLING CLUB MOUNTAIN VIEW LEONGATHA PHILLIP ISLAND RSL PINOS TRATTORIA ROSEDALE BUTCHERS SLICE OF HEAVEN - KAITY-LEE TAYLOR THE CHEQUE - THE CAPTAINS LOUNGE THE WHY, WHEN AND HOW OF WINE BLENDING

108-109 -113 114-116 162-163 164 106 105 132-135 124-126 107 120 131 110-112 117 121 128-130 122-123-127 117 139 129 140 130 118-119 138 136-137

gippsland culture index ALI’S ART ART FROM THE HEART BY FIONA KENNEDY BRIAGOLONG ART GALLERY CHRISTOPHER TOBIAS DESIGNS CURTIS JEWELLERY – THE ART OF JEWELLERY GIPPSLAND ART GALLERY – SALE GIPPSLAND EVENTS LAURIE COLLINS RED TREE GALLERY LEONGATHA ART & CRAFT GALLERY SALE MUSIC FESTIVAL THE WEDGE – ROMEO & JULIET AT KILMANY PARK THE WEDGE – SONGS AND TIMES OF SAM COOKE WITHOUT PIER GALLERY – DREW GREGORY WITHOUT PIER GALLERY – STUART WESTLE WITHOUT PIER GALLERY – CHELTENHAM

Gippsland lifestyle / coast /country A: PO Box 862, Wonthaggi 3995 P: 0404 301 333 E: thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au W: we’re updating - new website coming soon! facebook.com/lifestylegippsland instagram | g_the_lifestyle

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144-145 146-147 57 148-150 141 156-157 158 143 151 142 143 – 151 140 154-155 152-153 159

A FA N SELE TASTIC C THE W TION O F ON HOS DERFUL GIPP PITALITY SLAN TO O D HAS FFER

D I N N E R T H U R S D AY - S A T U R D AY BOOK NOW ON

| S U N D AY B R U N C H

5674 1432

L e ve l 1 o f Th e I nv y Es p y H ot e l 1 A ’B e c ke tt S tre e t , I nv e r loc h 3 9 9 6 f u n c t i on s@i nv ye s py.c o m .a u w w w. i nv ye s py.c o m .a u

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TRUCKING AROUND GIPPSLAND TO ALL YOUR EVENTS, WE CAN CATER ANY LOCATION. We are fully self-contained and can take care of everything including attendants.

BOOK US FOR LARGE SCALE FESTIVALS - EVENTS - CORPORATE FUNCTIONS.

We also offer catering for many other occasions including birthdays, weddings and engagements.

You can find us at Markets around Gippsland and we can prepare our menu to suit your event.

Contact us today on 0447 728 547 or brent@brentsinclaircatering.com.au

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When looking for a superior culinary experience from an intimate gathering to a lavish banquet choose Brent Sinclair Catering.

Relax and have the Brent Sinclair Catering team handle all the details and tailor any menu to perfectly suit your event.

Call Brent Sinclair on 0447 728 547 146 McCartin Street, Leongatha, Vic 3953 E: brent@brentsinclaircatering.com.au www.brentsinclaircatering.com.au

The iconic Fish Creek Hotel (1939) is a magnificently imposing Art Deco building located in the heart of Fish Creek.

Seven comfortable upstairs bedrooms and nine motel units provide accommodation.

With the Great Southern Rail Trail and art galleries on its doorstep, award winning wineries nearby and only 25 minutes from the gates of Wilson’s Promontory, it is ideally located as your accommodation base.

Enjoy a plate of fresh handmade Gippsland pasta.

Craft Beers on Tap The Bar has TAB facilities and also provides Foxtel on a giant 100” plus HD screen to show all sports live. ◊◊◊◊◊ The Fish Creek Hotel ArtSpaces - a new exhibition space in the Art Hub of Fish Creek featuring local artists. ◊◊◊◊◊

BISTRO O P E N 7 DAYS

LUNCH Mon – Fri: Midday – 2pm Sat – Sun: Midday – 2.30pm

THE

DINNER Sun – Thur: 5.45pm – 8pm Fri – Sat: 5.45pm – 8.30pm

FISH CREEK HOTEL

1 Old Waratah Rd, FISH CREEK, Vic 3959 (03) 5683 2404 www.fishcreekhotel.com.au

BAR OPEN Mon – Sun: 11.00am till late

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A NEW BRAND FOR HIGH QUALITY GIPPSLAND BEEF RESPONDING TO CONSUMERS’ DEMAND FOR ETHICALLY RAISED BEEF, GREENHAM HAVE LAUNCHED THEIR INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED BRAND FROM THE RECENTLY UPGRADED MOE MEATWORKS. “As a company producing premium and reputable consumerfacing beef brands, Greenham views strict animal welfare standards as an integral part of the final product offering,” Greenham Marketing Manager Trevor Fleming explained.

“Savvy customers want to know that the meat they are enjoying has been treated in the best way possible from birth to slaughter.

“Our aim is to demonstrate we are doing everything we can to ensure the best conditions for production animals. Gaining the third-party audited Certified Humane accreditation means we are getting on the front foot and leading our industry in setting a high standard with this program.”

Bass Strait Beef is processed at export accredited Greenham Gippsland which has recently undergone a multi-million dollar refit to increase processing capacity. That means supporting the local community and industry with jobs for skilled locals who are keen to pursue a career in the meat processing industry whilst embracing the Greenham values of Safety, Integrity, People, Ideas and Community. Many of those new employees are currently training to achieve a recognised industry qualification in meat processing. Check out our website at www.Greenham. com.au for further details.

Bass Strait Beef is bred, grown-out and finished by 1,000 accredited beef producers, predominantly located in Gippsland and also Western Victoria and Limestone Coast, SA. The range is designed for butchers and food service operators looking to provide their customers with a quality product that is bred and grown in a natural and benign environment with an assurance all cattle are treated ethically and humanely, throughout their lives.

Cattle suppliers are required to comply with feed, medical inputs and animal welfare standards as per the CERTIFIED HUMANE protocol. Under Greenham’s Never Ever program, production standards specify cattle must also be 100% grass fed, never fed grain and never fed feeds containing GMOs. In addition they must never been fed any hormone growth promotants (HGPs) or administered antibiotics.

Bass Strait Beef is available as a range of vacuum packed cuts. Beef is derived from cattle that are less than 36 months and carcases are hung from the hip, termed the ‘natural state hanging method’ a process that significantly improves the eating quality of Loin (Porterhouse) and Rump cuts.

Residents of the Latrobe Valley are able to purchase Bass Strait Beef from Butchers on George in Moe, IGA (Moe) and also at Newborough Foodworks.

To serve Bass Strait Beef in your Latrobe Valley venue, please call Andrew from Butchers on George for fast and friendly service on (03) 5127 2018 www.bassstraitbeef.com.au | www.greenham.com.au

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LUCINDA ESTATE

MIRBOO FARM

ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE GIRLS ON STILTS

JJ ‘N’ RAY

CAMELS RIDES CROWD OUTSIDE HOWLER BREWERY

TONY DAWKINS FROM GLENMAGGIE WINES KASEY CRESTANI FROM BLERICK TREE FARM CLIFDEN FARM

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9 - 11 NOVEMBER | LARDNER PARK | GIPPSLAND BAW BAW ARTS ALLIANCE

HALLSTON VALLEY FARM

JULIE & DOUG FROM FRUITS OF STRATHMORE IN MIRBOO NORTH

ROB FISHER & DANNY BALBOA’S SAUCE CO.

TANGLED IN FOOD ROB FISHER FROM BLUE TREE HONEY FARM

MARIA ANTONIE FROM ST FIACRES FARM

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EVENT MANAGER SUSIE FILLETI

GIPPSLAND’S HARVEST FEST

BY WENDY MORRISS

The inaugural Harvest Fest held recently at Lardner Park, near Warragul was a three-day farming and lifestyle event that was brought to life through the pillars of ‘Grow, Make, Eat and Live’ with food, wine, other exhibitor stalls, hands on experiences, entertainment and educational activities in farming, food and sustainability.

The event was sponsored by Gumbuya World, Lardner Park, McPherson Media Group and Worksafe Victoria. Some of the highlights included live filming of Channel 10’s Good Chef Bad Chef, a jousting demonstration, camel rides, backyard and urban farming demonstrations, cooking with chef Trevor Perkins, a Harvest Fest farmers’ market, working dog demonstrations, native food experiences and a celebration of Gippsland’s food, wine and arts and crafts.

Susie Filleti is Harvest Fest’s event manager.

She is based in Melbourne and employed by McPherson Media Group in Shepparton. She said the event was held by McPherson Media Group, which is a private company in partnership with Lardner Park, a not-for-profit organisation. The premier venue is a 121-hectare site with indoor and outdoor facilities that hosts more than 100 events annually. This includes Gippsland’s ‘Farm World’ and ‘Beyond the Valley Music Festival’.

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McPherson Media Group runs the well-known ‘Seymour Alternative Farming Expo’ held in Central Victoria in February and the ‘Wild Deer Hunting, Guiding and Fishing Expo’ held at Sandown Racecourse in March.

November was chosen because Gippsland weather was a factor. “No one really likes going to events when it’s raining,” she said. “We also looked at the calendar of events in farming and lifestyle to find a potential gap.

Susie said Harvest Fest came about when the company saw a gap in the market for a contemporary event that catered for small to medium scale farmers in Gippsland.

“The attendance wasn’t as high as we were targeting but we felt that it was solid enough to keep building on for future years. We noticed that several thousand of those attending were from the Melbourne suburbs, so we do see an exciting growth path ahead for the event in Gippsland.”

“It was an opportunity to expand on the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo because many other farming and lifestyle events tend to cater for broad acre or traditional farming, and Gippsland is an area rich in small farm resources.”

During the planning, she said they initially talked to many exhibitors at Farm World to get some feedback and found there was quite a lot of interest. “There were a few that said they couldn’t get involved at that time of the year but generally, most could see it as an opportunity for the regions small farmers and producers.”

She said they will now review their visitor surveys and assess any changes they need to make. “We acknowledge that you never get it right in the first year, so we will look at the research to find out how we can improve and build on it.

“Several exhibitors were quite successful at the event and indicated they were keen to sign up for next year. There’ll also be some that feel the event didn’t fit their needs and what they wanted to achieve, which is quite standard across many events.

“I would love to use this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who supported the event including the exhibitors, the sponsors and the visitors who came out to Lardner Park.”

Photography by Wendy Morriss

Bistro Grata A new dining experience in Gippsland

WORDS & IMAGES BY LISA MAATSOO

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In August this year a new restaurant opened in Seymour Street, Traralgon. With a focus on quality food and service, Bistro Grata supports local producers and features native indigenous ingredients in its menu. Owner and chef Troy Anderson is committed to showcasing the best of Gippsland produce, prepared in his own unique way.

Black and white images displayed on the walls at Bistro Grata are a collection of memories for Troy. One of the images is a photo of his grandfather, who was a wellknown baker in the town of Maffra. As a youngest growing up, Troy remembers his family working around the clock to fill orders in footy season for the famous Maffra meat pies. To this day, Troy’s grandfather still inspires him to be the best chef that he can be. Troy takes great pride in every dish that he creates, and his reward is the enjoyment that diners experience when in his restaurant.

Troy started his food journey as an apprentice at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Black Rock. He studied at Chisholm Institute of TAFE, and during his time there he was part of a student team who won first place and a gold medal at the Victorian TAFE championships.

Several years later, Troy’s accolades continued when working at Wild Oak restaurant in the Yarra Valley wine region. In 2010 the venue was voted the best Modern Australian Regional Restaurant.

Troy has 23 years’ experience in the food industry, working in many locations including Geelong, Canberra, and several local Gippsland restaurants also. Troy has always felt at home in Gippsland, so he’s pleased to now live at Willung South on a 90acre property. He and his wife have started work on planting their own native ‘bush tucker’ garden, which will provide ingredients for Bistro Grata. At present, Troy and his wife forage a wide area to find fresh ‘bush tucker’. They are often seen collecting ingredients, and Troy relishes the opportunity to explain to people what they are doing. He encourages people to taste the ingredients he has found. Troy says

“

Gippsland has some incredible local producers.

From handmade cheeses to venison farms, craft breweries and distilleries - we are really very fortunate.

”

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Throughout his career, Troy has always strived to improve his skills by participating in courses or doing his own self-study. He completed a food science course in molecular gastronomy where he learnt about chemical transformations that occur with different ingredients.

Troy enjoys manipulating food to create new and interesting textures. One of his favourite quotes comes from internationally acclaimed chef Marco Pierre White:

“

Perfection is a lot of little things, done right.

�

Troy also encourages his staff to increase their knowledge base. He has helped with their education about wines, which inspires them to learn more in this area of hospitality. This benefits individual staff, but also the venue and the customers.

Now in his own restaurant, Troy is looking forward to sharing his passion for good food with the people of Gippsland. His menu reflects seasonal produce, whilst also catering for individual dietary needs including gluten free and vegan. Bistro Grata is open for lunch and dinner, special occasions and functions. Opening times and other information can be found on the website www. bistrograta.com.au. You can also follow the progress of Bistro Grata on Facebook and Instagram.

Bistro Grata

Shop 4, 19-23 Seymour Street, Traralgon, VIC 3844 Phone (03) 5174 7282 Email info@bistrograta.com.au Monday Tuesday - Saturday Sunday

Closed 11 am - 11:00 pm Open by appointment.

www.bistrograta.com.au

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REVITALISED HISTORIC CAFE OFFERING LOCAL PRODUCE DINE IN OR AL FRESCO IN THE BEAUTIFUL COURTYARD ALL DAY BRUNCH MENU | FULLY LICENSED FUNCTIONS CATERED FOR

HAPPY HOUR FROM FRIDAY NOVEMBER 23RD IN THE COURTYARD

HAPPY HOUR PIZZA | LOCAL BEERS $10 COCKTAILS + MUSIC Tuesday to Friday: 7.00am to 3.00pm Saturday + Sunday: 8.30am to 3.00pm

184 WHITE ROAD, WONTHAGGI, 3995 PH | 5672 5441

MORWELL BOWLING CLUB

The Morwell Bowling Club is the ultimate in function dining!

We delight in meeting your every requirement, through personalised professional service, attention to detail and friendly staff.

The Morwell Bowling Club provides wedding packages or we can tailor to suit your needs.

Morwell Bowling Club caters for group bookings, and is great for children.

OPEN SEVEN DAYS - SERVING LUNCH, DINNER, COFFEE & DRINKS RESERVATIONS OR WALK-INS ARE WELCOME Visit www.morwellbowls.com.au for news and upcoming events.

NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME Winner of Peoples Choice Award 2014 for Excellence in customer service

Winner of CCV 'Best Bowling Club'

Finalist of CCV 'Club of the Year'

52 Hazelwood Road Morwell 3840 Ph: 03 5134 3449 Em: functions@morwellbowls.com.au www.morwellbowls.com.au thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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Slice of

Heaven TURNING HER OBSESSION INTO A THRIVING BUSINESS MEANS THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN HECTIC FOR LEONGATHA CAKE MAKER KAITY-LEE TAYLOR.

BY MATT DUNN

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The 28-year-old Tarwin Veterinary Group veterinarian nurse has a style all her own – creating cakes that look almost too good to eat. Bite into a ‘Cakey Lee’ cake, though, and guilty feelings instantly vanish. They’re works of art, but they’re tasty works of art.

“I’ve put my own twist on things. I’ve tried to stay away from the mainstream things.

The cakes sometimes look a little bit rustic – a bit slapped together. But they look exactly the way I want them to look,” she said.

“I like creating something a little different.”

Mass produced, supermarket specials, they are not.

“I feel like I’m quite creative and making cakes is my creative outlet. I can’t draw and I can’t paint, but putting things together seems to be something I’m good at,” she said.

Balancing her cake-making with being a veterinary nurse can be difficult at times, but Kaity-Lee wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I never get much sleep. I work four days a week at the clinic, plus a weekend every two months. I’ve got Fridays off, which allows me more time for cakes,” she said.

“I usually start on a Thursday night, for a cake to be ready on a Saturday. But I often overbook myself, where I’ll have three cakes to do. But I feel like I’m the queen of multitasking. I can get it all done.

“You definitely need good organisational skills.”

And where does she see Cakey Lee in the future?

“I love my vet nursing job too much to give it up, so I feel like it would be a part-time business. I want to stay in South Gippsland. I really don’t want much to change, though I’m happy if Cakey Lee becomes more popular,” she said.

“I’d definitely like to pick up a few more weddings and big occasions like that.”

Laid back as she seems, Kaity-Lee admits to “getting in the zone” when she’s creating a cake.

“If someone comes over and they’re asking me questions, I can’t even think about what they’re talking about. Once it’s in the fridge and away, I’m back,” she said.

Despite having her own unique vision when it comes to creating cakes, Kaity-Lee said she is happy to try and work with her clients.

“People will come to me and say, ‘I want this and this, but I don’t want this.’ I have a little note pad at home, that I keep to make sketches. I’ll then send the person a photo of the sketch, asking if what I’ve got is okay,” she said.

“Often it’s about taking two cakes and morphing them together.”

Kaity-Lee said her dream cake will always have “pretty flowers”, but beyond that the perfect creation will be something she has never done before.

“I like always trying something different. Before today I hadn’t incorporated long stem roses into a cake. It was a good opportunity to try it,” she said.

“If the client doesn’t care, I will always try and do something different. Especially if I get directions like, I like these colours but the rest is up to you. Thinking outside the box is what I like to do.

“So far I haven’t had a complaint. People seemed to be really happy that I am thinking outside the box. It’s never the same as every other cake I’ve done or every other cake they’ve seen.”

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Specialising in Local Fish

Order Your Seafood For Christmas & New Year

For all

the best in fresh

Seafood

For all the best in fresh seafood, there is none better than Foster Seafoods This shop has everything for the seafood lover.

Alice and Lachie Duncan have added new lines to their business along with the freshest and best fish caught locally within Corner Inlet and Bass Strait.

On offer are freshly cooked Prawns, Moreton Bay Bugs, Crayfish, freshly opened Oysters, Mussels and a large variety of Local Fish – whole or filleted; along with our beautiful sauces.

Just give us a call or drop in. You are always welcome!

And you can be assured that the quality and service is still the best!

Crumbing: Sardine and Garfish fillets Smoking: Hot Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Chilli Mussels & Smoked Sardines all in Olive Oil Pickling: Local Scallops, Oysters with Tartare and Seafood Sauce, Home Made Chilli Sauce on the Mussels

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35 Main Street, Foster, Vic 3960 Tel/Fax: (03) 5682 2815 Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, Saturday 8:30am - 12:00pm Contact: Alice and Lachie Duncan

thelifestyle spring 2015

LEONGATHA RSL •

BISTRO OPEN 7 DAYS

New Members Welcome. Reciprocal rights with RSL'S in Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania

Members Happy Hour

Members Discounts On meals and drinks 2 Function Rooms available Members Draw $800-$1000 to be won

Relaxed and welcoming atmosphere Gluten Free, Kids Menu all available Reservations required for most nights of the week

Seniors Meals

Monday to Friday Now Available Fantastic Members Nights every Thursday and Friday

NORMAL TRADING HOURS

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR TIMES:

CONTACTS

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

DECEMBER 24 DECEMBER 25 DECEMBER 26 DECEMBER 31 JANUARY 1

OFFICE: RECEPTION: BISTRO:

11.30AM - 10PM 10AM - 10PM 10AM - 11PM 10AM - 11PM 10AM - MIDNIGHT 10AM - MIDNIGHT 10AM - MIDNIGHT

10.00AM – 10.00PM 11.00AM – 4.00PM CLOSED 10.00AM – 10.00PM CLOSED

5662 2012 5662 2747 5662 4487

www.leongatha-rsl.com.au Find us on Facebook

BOOK YOUR FUNCTION TODAY AT LEONGATHA RSL

Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Any Special Occasion Catered for Business Breakfasts Seminars

CALL RICKY TO ORGANISE A QUOTE! Corner of Smith Street & Michael Place, Leongatha

CORNER OF SMITH STREET & MICHAEL PLACE, LEONGATHA

Plans are well underway for the 2019 Mirboo North Italian Festa and it’s promising to be an awesome day for the whole family.

The highlight of the event will be an exhibition by the Sbandietori di Faenza- a group of 14 flag throwers from the Emilia Romagna region of Italyperforming the ancient art of tossing, twirling and catching flags to the beat of drums and trumpeters, all dressed in medieval costumes.

You will be transported to a piazza in Italy as you watch this spectacular demonstration of a centuries old tradition- never before seen in Victoria.

Well-known comedian James Liotta will host a fantastic afternoon of on stage entertainment including popular performers singer Dean Canan, the Rustica Project (Southern Italian band), the Melbourne School of Tarantella and the Mirboo North Primary school students.

Not interested in the on- stage performances?

This year our cooking demonstrations will be held in the Baromi Centre and feature our beautiful Nonna’s sharing some of the recipes in the Nonna’s Secret Recipe Cookbook Limited copies will once again be available for sale. Guest chefs will also include Leigh Marino (The Courthouse -Warragul) and James Mele- Artisan Butcher (The Meat Room -Kilmore) We invite you to indulge yourselves with mouth watering gastronomic delights from dozens of FOOD trucks, vans and stalls- a delectable range of Italian favorites- Pasta, Wood fired Pizza, Arancini, Polpette, Arrosticini, Calamari, Panini, Gnocchi, Italian BBQ sausages, Meat rolls, Cannoli, Gelati, Zeppole, Italian cakes and Biscotti, Caffe and so much more..

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Gluten free? Vegetarian? There’s plenty for you to choose from too! Don’t forget to try an Aperol Sprtiz or traditional Prosecco (only inside the red line bar areas) or a locally crafted beer or cider.

Visit the cafes, bars and eateries in town for a wonderful array of food and beverages. Take a stroll through the many market stalls at the East end of Baromi Park, purchase something hand made or lovingly created, taste the wines; take home some fresh produce.

Get involved…put your hand up for the grape stomping or spaghetti eating competitions, step on to the dance floor and try the Tarantella. It’s FUN!!

Throw in the free kids activities, Inflatable Jumping Castle and Obstacle course, and the whole family is catered for.

DON’T MISS THIS FANTASTIC DAY - BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ENJOY THE WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE OF A TRADITIONAL ITALIAN FESTA - RIGHT HERE IN MIRBOO NORTH! AND - IT’S FREE!!!!

You are also welcome to attend the traditional open air Mass to celebrate St Paul. This commences in the park at 10.00 am and is followed by a procession through the park at the conclusion of mass (approx. 11.00am) The first Mirboo North Italian Festa held in 2016, attracted around 5000 people from across the State. The following year- crowds were even larger despite dismal weather conditions. And the Festa was named the 2017 Australia Day Community event of the year for both Mirboo North and the South Gippsland Shire.

This year- 2018-an estimated 15,000 people attended the event, obviously coming for the wonderful array of Italian food and entertainment on offer.

Each year we try to make the event more authentic through providing activities that show a real insight into Italian cultural life. In 2017, the focus was on a vintage wedding gown exhibition with stories of proxy marriage and immigration to a new land. A video has been produced to record this display. In 2018, Nonna’s Secret Recipe book was a resounding success, with over 1000 copies sold. Some of these Nonna’s will be showcasing their cooking skills in the cooking demonstrations next year.

In 2019 the highlight of the Festa will be a performances by the Sbandietori di Faenza- a troupe of flagthrowers who will demonstrate this medieval skill- only seen in the towns and villages of Italy and never before seen in Victoria.

Already people are excited about what’s in store and the Festa is being cemented as a not to miss event.

Graphics by Kage Design & Photography

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RED POLL CATTLE

A PADDOCK OF GARLIC

finmaw farm certified & thriving

By Wendy Morriss

Pam Mawdsley and her two adult children, Tyler and Hannah own and operate a mixed NASAA Certified organic farm in the rich, green rolling hills of Mardan in South Gippsland.

PAM NEAR THE ORCHARD

HANNAH WITH A DORPER LAMB

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DORPER SHEEP AND LAMBS

Their venture began when they made a tree change from the city to their 31-hectare property in 2011 where they now produce organic lamb, beef, 32 different types of vegetables and a large variety of fruit, which is packed into boxes each week for customers who want guaranteed healthy food.

orchard and started working towards becoming certified organic.

chemicals on the property and nor had the previous owners, the soil tests were all fine.”

In 2011, they purchased an adjoining two hectares with a country home and moved permanently to the property where they established another vegie garden and purchased more poultry for eggs.

“We were living in a large house with a small backyard in Berwick when we became interested in living a healthier lifestyle,” Pam said. “We set up a small vegie garden and purchased a few chooks. I learnt to make bread and purchased a grinder to mill the flour and we made our own rolled oats, which we still do today. We also had beehives for our own honey and we really loved the lifestyle. We then had the desire to move to the country to develop this more subsistence type of living further.”

Since then they have expanded the vegie garden into a small market garden and continued breeding their cattle and sheep for sales of organic meat, fruit and vegetables.

The process of becoming completely certified organic took three years. When they purchased the neighbours small property, they had to wait another year for that to also be certified. They then started selling produce to a local health food shop and a few other stores in the area.

In 2005, Pam and her family purchased a bare 29-hectare property that they visited on weekends and initially leased out to a local farmer.

Later they purchased some red poll cattle and a few dorper sheep. They also planted an extensive

She said becoming certified organic took some time. They had to have soil tests done and audits and put together a whole farm plan. “We were then in pre-certification for a few years. Because we hadn’t farmed conventionally or used any

The farm has been certified with NASAA for the last nine years and Pam said they never considered anything else. “We as a family like to eat fresh, healthy, chemical-free produce and know where our food comes from, which is guaranteed with certification.”

In April 2017, they joined the Prom Coast Food Collective and started selling pre-ordered produce directly to the public.

The collective, which is based in South Gippsland, has 21 producers selling more than 400 products including several meats, eggs, dairy foods, fruit, vegies, mushrooms, saffron, olive oil, seedlings, honey, artisan bread, handmade soaps and essential oils.

TYLER WITH SEEDLINGS READY TO PLANT

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SOME CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCE

finmaw farm / certified & thriving

Customers pre-order and pay online via the Open Food Network in the Prom Coast Food Collective shop. They then pick up their order on the first Sunday of the month at the Blue Tree Honey Farm in Dumbalk. For those that can’t make it, there are now extra pick-up points in Fish Creek, Meeniyan, Lilydale, Somers, Coburg, Phillip Island, Inverloch and Hampton East. Pam said everything is transported in refrigerated vehicles.

“The good thing about it for us is when we pick our vegies, we know what we’ve sold so on the Sunday we go to Dumbalk, we just pick fresh on the day and pack it for each order. There are no sales on the day; it’s all presold so there’s no waste. Every producer does their own thing within the guidelines of the collective.

“We have also starting doing boxed weekly orders ourselves because people often want vegies once a week. We have several people on our books and we hope to expand the list over the summer. Any excess we have we offer to shops but we are trying to sell as much as we can directly to the public because being a small producer, it’s the only way we survive.”

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She said certified organic farming is more costly and time consuming. “There’s a different price level because there’s a different level of input.

There are also researched and proven guidelines we have to follow, the soil is tested and the farm is regularly audited.” When asked if it’s all worthwhile, she said yes.

“The people that buy from us buy our produce because it’s certified.

They want the assurance that their food is chemical and hormone free and healthy and the number of people who understand that seems to be growing.”

Tyler, who said he does a bit of everything on the farm, also has a sideline of his own that he thoroughly enjoys, which is breeding and training pure Australian stock horses. Hannah, who is still doing some study, said she also does a bit of everything on the farm and really enjoys cooking.

Pam said they all work together as a team with different abilities.

Most of Tyler’s input is managing the seedlings and the garden while she tends to the administration, the selling, deliveries and managing the meat preparation and packing from the butcher.

“Hannah helps in the garden, she helps pack and we both take care of the baby animals while Tyler rotates the large animals and we all help bring them in for anything that needs to be done.”

Tyler said he loves working on the farm.

It’s something he wants to do long term and he enjoys every aspect of it. “Working on a mixed farm is great because I’m doing something different every day either with the animals, the pasture or the garden. I also do a lot of research and particularly like the principles used by JeanMartin Fortier, an organic farmer and educator based in Canada. We’ve applied many of his principles with a lot of success.”

MANSI

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION WITH ALL THE COMFORT & SPACE OF HOME IN SALE.

OUR BACKYARD IS A BEAUTY.

Sale. A town with charm and class, and a golden glow we can’t quite describe. (It might have something to do with the gold rush here back in 1851). And it's back yard... Lakes Entrance, Bulga National Park, Tarra Valley, Port Albert, Walhalla, Mount Hotham, Mount Baw Baw… well and truly putting the suburban sandpits to shame. Pull on your boots, pack a picnic and explore the Gippsland Riviera. And then come Mansi.

WORK AND PLAY

Mansi, accommodation comes set up for both business and leisure. Work stations, highspeed internet, smart TVs and living spaces that moonlight as meeting rooms all mean you can go about your business, before getting a solid night’s sleep and breakfast in bed (if that’s how your work self rolls). Set in the centre of Sale Mansi gives you food, shopping and fitness tempting you from the door.

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A PLACE OF YOUR OWN.

This eco-friendly accommodation has been designed to balance luxury and comfort. While the furniture is custom-designed, it's OK to put your feet on the couch. The design is infused with a sense of nature to help you relax and disconnect, but includes high-speed internet for when you want to reconnect. The spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments have been designed to offer you everything you need.

So you needn’t ever leave.

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION.

For groups and families (or solo travellers who like to swirl around in their own company), the townhouses feature full living areas, kitchens and courtyards. Studios are self-contained worlds of focus for solo travellers and couples who like to live (and visit) in luxury.

OUT AND ABOUT

Mansi on Raymond lives in the heart of Sale, at the edge of the Gippsland Riviera. So you can lift your feet and rest your head in their beautifully appointed eco-apartments when you’re done spying on our green neighbours.

For more information on Mansi visit www.mansi.com.au

PHILLIP ISLAND RSL – A VENUE FOR ALL OF LIFE’S OCCASIONS BIRTHDAYS/CHRISTENINGS | ANNIVERSARIES | WEDDINGS | CONFERENCES/MEETINGS | WAKES

Lone Pine Bistro located at the gateway to Cowes + The Terrace Family friendly and Fully accessible Vegetarian, gluten free, children’s and senior’s options Kids playroom, monthly Funday Sunday and free Playful Puggles playgroup Wednesday mornings Function rooms ideal for weddings, reunions, seminars, wakes, parties

OPENING HOURS MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9AM TO 1AM SUNDAY 10AM TO MIDNIGHT THE TERRACE

Phone: 03 5952 1004 BH

Enquiries: functions@pirsl.com.au

LONE PINE BISTRO PHILLIP ISLAND RSL LUNCH: NOON TO 2PM DINNER: 5.30PM TO 8.30PM

Visit www.phillipislandrsl.com.au

Welcome home, to Mansi.

Here you’ll find luxury accommodation with all the comfort (and space) of home. The door is open, the kettle is on.

All it needs now is your head on the pillow.

Mansi On Raymond 474 Raymond Street, Sale, Victoria 3850 T – 0488 104 447 E – booking@mansi.com.au W - www.mansi.com.au

ROSEDALE BUTCHERS Local Family Owned Country Butcher

Three generations of Vaux Family owned and operated business since 1977.

In 1986 their first smokehouse was purchased and then later in 1992 a second larger smokehouse was obtained and are still used today, which allows them to produce the quality products that Rosedale Butchers have become known for.

Ray and Janet Vaux took over the business in May 1977 with their son Neville starting his apprenticeship with them and eventually he and his wife Debbie took over the business in July 1995. In turn, in 2012 their son Matthew after completing his apprenticeship in 2012 took on the job of smallgoods making and created the line of Matty’s Gourmet Sausages.

Call now for all Meat and Smallgoods Needs 32 Prince Street, Rosedale 3847 Ph 5199 2210 Like us on Facebook www.rosedalebutchers.com.au 130

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HARMAN WINES

S O U T H G I P P S L A N D • Delicious Wines • Wood Fired Pizzas • Live Music • Amazing Views • Family friendly •Functions • Local Produce OPEN 11AM-5PM WEEKENDS | WOOD FIRED PIZZAS OPEN DAILY IN JANUARY | EVERY SUNDAY REGULAR LIVE MUSIC Check website for more information and for our live music dates

612 Korumburra-Inverloch Road, Wattle Bank (C441) | Ph: (03) 5611 3857

www.harmanwines.com.au

CHICKEN TOSTADAS

DUCK INN for a great dining experience

BY WENDY MORRISS

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SEAFOOD PLATTER

Willow Grove Duck Inn is the perfect place to experience the best in alfresco dining. The beautiful bluestone building set in a glorious rural location, has an attractive courtyard where patrons can enjoy drinks with friends and sensational food under the willows and the stars.

The service is second to none; the atmosphere is warm and family friendly so patrons can completely relax. The distinctive meals are made in house from scratch and complimented with a wonderful selection of great beers, spirits, cocktails and wines.

Manager Annie Allen said alfresco dining is very popular and it’s a beautiful venue. “There’s nowhere else in the area as nice and it’s a particularly popular place on Sundays for lunch.

Recently we held a cool evening function here with the outdoor fire going and everyone had a really good time.”

Annie is dedicated to providing quality customer experiences so the front of house staff are always ready to take care of patron’s needs, while head chef Emma Answorth cares very much about everything she prepares and strives to provide a food experience that is different, fresh and delicious.

Their new summer menu includes an interesting Mexican entrée treat – Chicken Tostadas, which are deep fried small tortillas with shredded lettuce, slow-cooked chicken chill con carne topped with guacamole and jalapeños. “Eddie our sous chef was born and bred in Mexico City and has worked in several big hotels in Cancún,” Emma said, “and we utilise some of his skills and experience.”

Another edition to the menu is an exciting seafood platter with beer battered flathead, salt and pepper squid, grilled prawn skewers, chilli lime mussels and pickled octopus served with a lemon dill aioli, crisp chips and fresh garden salad.

“This is different to the usual fisherman’s basket,” she said. “I think many people now like their seafood cooked in a variety of ways and not all deep fried. It’s also something different. The lemon dill aioli is a lot lighter and fresher than the usual tartare sauce and it complements the seafood perfectly.”

A delectable fresh, light dessert afterwards is Emma’s house-made citrus cheesecake.

“Our winter cheesecake was a popular apple pie cheesecake that I created myself, so I’ve layered the citrus cheesecake to give it a point of difference and to make it just as exciting.

It’s topped with candied lemon and then drizzled with the syrup that I candied the lemons in.”

“Our bistro food that includes our Wednesday Night Parmas, Thursday Night Steaks and our pizzas are awesome,” Annie said. “The pizzas, both traditional and gourmet have a nice thin base with a generous amount of topping and they’re available all the time. The rest of the menu is modern Australian with some Asian and now Mexican influence and fusions and we continually try different things.”

What Duck Inn provides that many other restaurants and pub venues overlook is great coffee and the staff are barista trained to serve it.

The business is owned and operated

by Simon and Rosie Duck who are also the proprietors of the hugely successful Noojee Hotel and the Little Red Duck Café in Noojee.

Managing the three businesses with up to 40 employees across all three locations and the needs of six children the couple have between them, keeps them extremely busy.

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HEAD CHEF EMMA ANSWORTH AND MANAGER ANNIE ALLEN

DUCK INN It seems the secret for the venue’s success has been providing a warm, friendly atmosphere and exceptional service. Simon said it’s called hospitality for a reason.

for a great dining experience

Both Annie and Emma love the jobs they have.

“The customers are lovely, the staff are great and Simon and Rosie are wonderful people to work for,” Annie said. “They are very family orientated and work with us around our family needs.”

“What I encourage all our staff to do is to be the same as me – easy going and hospitable because that’s what people want to come to."

Emma said, “They also trust us enough to be creative and put our own spin on things, which works really well.”

"We also have the ability to cook really good tucker that’s loved by different people from young kids to seniors.”

“The customers that come here know what they want and they expect to be served good food, which is great because we don’t have to dumb it down for them.”

PROPRIETOR SIMON DUCK

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Simon and Rosie, who are known for the care and respect they have for children, believe being family-friendly is particularly important. Simon said, “I like the fact that our venues are places people can take their families, where their kids can be kids and they can relax and enjoy the experience.”

He said it also makes him happy knowing that the three great businesses employ many local people.

CITRUS CHEESECAKE WITH CANDIED LEMON

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THE WHY, WHEN & HOW

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OF WINE BLENDING The majority of the wines you drink are blends, but why do winemakers blend and what does each portion of the blend bring to the final wine?

For winemakers the next most exciting process after harvest is blending wines in preparation for bottling. Almost all wines are blends of some sort. Some might be a blend of different barrels, vineyards or blocks of a single variety.

Others might me a blend of different vineyards or Geographical Indicators (GI).

The skill of blending wine is to take individual pieces and make the sum of the parts better than the individual components. To me, whether the winemaker is blending two or more grape varieties or many components of the same variety, the skill of blending wines is an onerous task.

Once grapes are in the winery during harvest, winemakers immediately start evaluating what they have, tasting first each fermenter and then barrel, keeping notes, rating and ranking along the way. Winemakers build a map and link combinations that work well. Such which wines have earthiness or bright fruit or oak contributions.

Once winemakers start blending, we select samples from each barrel or vat, and prepare sample blends. Often referred to as the “blend,” which the base blend. From there components are added.

Some approaches may include blending in larger percentages of the same variety (or clone) and then move to smaller percentages, evaluating all along the way. Perhaps tweaking the just one or two percent of a wine.

The art of blending different cultivars into a wine that is balanced, cohesive and therefore delicious and utterly drinkable is an age-old tradition, and many well-known blends have been made for centuries in their area of origin, and are now replicated all over the world.

By Frank Butera

While recently in Chianti, Tuscany during the northern hemisphere vintage, I visited a castle that had making wines since the 1300’s. Their house blend was a wine blended to produce a traditional Chianti Classico style wine. The base blend for Chianti Classico was a significant or 100% Sangiovese. However, many other red varietals are also permitted. These may include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Canaiolo. There was a time when white wines were also blended.

Increasing the complexity for the winemaker.

At Bass River we have up to five different Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones and vintage 2018 there are up to 35 separate batches that are to be blended. The blends consist of grapes picked at differing ripeness levels or seen different lengths of skin contact, and various types of oak and different clones. The tasting process takes around eight weeks, and we blend the bulk wine just before bottling – we believe this gives us the best chance of making the best, most balanced and complex wine.

From a commercial standpoint the primary function of blending is to help the winery keep a consistent product from bottle to bottle. Blending among the various storage vessels of a particular vintage cancels out any variation created that year from a number of factors, such as differences in vineyards, fermentation containers, and tannin levels in barrels.

Blending is a practical operation, and winemakers like to retain an element of flexibility. The goal, however, is the same: to make the best possible wine each year.

The most complex blend of all is Champagne, where sometimes dozens of wines, including reserve wines, need to be blended before secondary fermentation can take place. At times the winemaker may decide to blend the wine early.

Hence, there are two basic approaches, especially for red wines.

One is to blend the wine early, which in practice means once the malolactic fermentation has been completed.

The second approach is to keep the various parcels separate until the barrel ageing is completed. That way the winemakers can monitor the evolution in barrel of each grape variety and each significant block in the vineyards. Inferior or disappointing lots can be declassified into a second wine or sold off to wholesale merchants.

This is the more labor-intensive choice, as a wide range of batches needs to be kept under surveillance for around 10 - 18 months or so.

Frank Butera is the wine maker at Bass River winery. frank@bassriverwinery.com

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THE CAPTAINS LOUNGE ESPLANADE HOTEL INVERLOCH, 1 A’BECKETT ST INVERLOCH 3996 | PH:03 5674 1432 WWW.INVYESPY.COM.AU/CAPTAINS-LOUNGE

THE LOOK

Contemporary bistro fit out with a big ships bar dominating the room.

Hip lighting and comfortable chairs. It’s all very stylised but the local touches of well-placed wood details on the roof and bar give it a great Gippsland identity. The view is out to the ocean and the tables are well spaced.

THE FEEL

It is a warm room which has a very different feel to the bistro. A feature wall with running water emphasises the exclusivity of the room. Its sizing is regulated by a sliding panel wall which changes the feel from comfortable restaurant to well-appointed function room.

THE THEORY

A main of Fillet Mignon, Truffle and balsamic glaze with greens and Potato.

The potatoes are a highlight. Dry, flavoursome and perfectly cooked. It’s a stacked bake with subtle lactic flavours that let the creamy spuds shine. The roasted baby vine tomatoes are so sweet you could serve them for dessert, the Steak supports the whole meal with its rich density adding weight to an essentially fresh flavoured plate. All the aspects are simple and very well delivered.

The chocolate remoulade with Baileys cream filling and chocolate fudge sauce is well balanced and an easy end to the meal that doesn’t over fill.

It is not as rich as it sounds.

The aim is to provide a finer dining experience to the ground floor bistro.

This is a restaurant with all the requisite elements. The secondary offering is the opportunity to use this lovely space for weddings, corporate events or large scale socialising.

Our wine was the Dirty Three, Dirt one 2016 Pinot Noir. A great meld of ripe fruit characters and yet a resoundingly fresh and vibrant nose, Sap and strawberry nose with the fruit depth to handle most meals.

THE SERVICE

On a Thursday night the Captains Lounge offers two courses for $45.

A selection of three mains and 2 desserts is offered. There is a vegetarian option upon request. The Dirty Three single vineyard wine was $80 a bottle.

Holly served us admirably and attentively with a cool as cucumber demeanor.

The cutlery and table ware were quality and food timing was spot on. Whilst the venue is offering a finer experience, it does so without being intrusive or intimidating.

THE CREW

Holly Keysers ran the floor and the head Chef is Kaid Flynn. Sue and Dylan are the family owners of this constantly evolving and dynamic hotel.

THE TASTE

A Spinach and cheese filo appetiser is intensely flavoured and avoids the insipid flavours common to the dish. the cheese notes are equal with the spinach.

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THE PRICE

THE WASH

All the effort to create a special space upstairs has not been in vain.

The food and service offering match the atmosphere of the lounge. The food was excellent and great value. The room inspires conviviality and would have to be one of the best medium sized function rooms in Gippsland.

Review by Stuart Hay Photographs by Doug Pell

OPEN FOR INSPECTION from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and weekends by appointment

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We invite you to be a part of our family, our passion and our love for all things Italian.

Come and enjoy the best Italian dining in town.

Lunch from 12pm Dinner from 5pm Pizza served all day

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29-31 Thompson Ave, Cowes PHILLIP ISLAND VIC 3922 T. (03) 5952 2808 E. info@pinostrattoria.com.au www.pinostrattoria.com.au

THE ART OF JEWELLERY

BY PAUL HENDERSON

THE SIGNIFICANCE AND MEANING OF OUR JEWELLERY The great thing about jewellery is that it takes many, many forms, from craft inspired pieces to 'haute joaillerie' – (the French for 'high jewellery').

All are equally valid forms of expression and, regardless of value, can hold tremendous personal significance for their owners.

Over centuries, jewellery has held special meaning for people, from amulets or charms that protect the wearer, to engagement and anniversary rings to express our love for one another. In the precious jewellery area, pieces are usually bought or commissioned for a reason, so there's often tremendous significance behind the decision.

Bairnsdale based jewellers Curtis Australia have met many people over the years who commission special jewellery from their studio. Stories vary of course, but behind every piece is a common goal, to recognise or remember an occasion or celebrate an event. Rarer perhaps, but equally welcome, are the customers who want a piece of jewellery 'just because' – no special reason, just the fulfilment of a long held wish, or even a whim!

Happily Curtis has carved a reputation in Gippsland for creating specially commissioned jewellery.

Again, clients vary from the ones who know 'exactly' what they want to those who claim 'they have absolutely no idea'. 'Both lead to unique conversations', says Master Jeweller Glenn Curtis.

'Those who know exactly what they want may have their heads turned by a special gem, while people with no idea are often inspired by the ready to wear pieces on offer in the showroom.'

'Simply by showing different pieces, we can hone in on likes and dislikes, favourite colours and other preferences and it's amazing how quickly people become more focused. It's simply our job to listen carefully, and take into account all the factors, so we can arrive at the perfect design'

Occasionally customers want rings remade, restored or even redesigned.

The common thread here is that the gems are often the more significant part, and most often these are incorporated into the new design.

'This way the client has a direct connection with the new ring, holding as it does all their precious memories of why, when and where it was received' explains Glenn.

Clients of the company enjoy the relaxed surroundings of the Curtis showroom, where stories can be told, gemstones shown and chosen, and every aspect of their jewellery discussed and agreed.

But why is jewellery so important to us? Over the centuries the meaning of jewellery has in fact changed little. In ancient times, jewellery might have been worn to reflect status, for religious reasons, or simply for decoration. Today, ceremonial jewellery such as chains of office are still worn by mayors, and at the highest level crowns are still worn by kings and queens. Religious jewellery is still very much part of rituals even today.

CURTIS GUM NUT RING Cleverly combining different golds this unusual ring is a Curtis exclusive

CURTIS FANCY WEDDING BAND In two tone gold, this intricate design is just one of many designs

On a more relative level, we all know the significance behind engagement and wedding rings – interestingly wedding rings are worn on the finger thought to be directly connected by a vein straight to the heart. These rings also show others the relationship status of the wearer – no need for a Facebook profile!

Whatever reason you wear your jewellery for, the jewellers at Curtis understand just how precious and meaningful it can be. From complex commissions to relatively simple repairs, nothing leaves their Bairnsdale studio, and this gives Curtis clients tremendous reassurance, that their jewellery, and indeed the special memories and meanings it contains, are always in the safest hands.

If you're going through Bairnsdale, be sure to look them up in Macleod Street, where you can see for yourself the many capabilities and fascinating work of their experienced designers and jewellers.

You can see more of Curtis Australia’s stunning work at www.curtisaustralia.com or, next time you are in Bairnsdale, why not pop into their studio at 129 Macleod Street.

03 5152 1089

CURTIS LIFE PENDANT Interwoven forms make the ‘Life’ pendant unusual

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SUNDAY MARCH 10TH 2019 11.00am - 7.00pm SALE'S 7TH ANNUAL SALE MUSIC FESTIVAL 'WELCOME TO BYO FOOD, DRINKS, BLANKETS AND CHAIRS.' LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM LOCAL SERVICE CLUBS

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Where Sale Botanic Gardens

When Sunday March 10th 2019, 11.00am – 7:00pm

Find us on Facebook!

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Sale’s Seventh annual Sale Music Festival!

Contact details 0407 965 313 salemusicfestival@gmail.com

Photographs courtesy of Sale Music Festival

Set in Jindivick’s rolling green hills discover an acre of recycled metal sculptures and browse the gallery space hosting the work of contemporary artists and Laurie’s small stories sculptures. Call in anytime, no cost and see the studio (amongst the metal chaos!)

RED TREE GALLERY EXHIBITIONS COMING UP AT THE RED TREE GALLERY JINDIVICK OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS ARE A RANGE OF SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES.

SUMMER EXHIBITIONS 2018/19 DECEMBER

GRAEME MYRTEZA His wonderful landscape paintings which are mainly about light.

JANUARY

ANITA GEORGE With her Calligraphic Art

FEBRUARY

MIN BROWN Bodies in colour Good on ya and all the best Laurie 420 Main Jindivick Road, Jindivick VIC 3818 P: 5628 5224 | E: info@lauriecollins.com.au

www.lauriecollins.com.au

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ALI'S ART

BY ALI FULLARD

THE ART OF ETCHING Gippsland is home to several Printmaking groups who enjoy meeting and working together to further their own skills and work on joint projects for exhibitions. I, (as have others), am always asked many questions about the printing processes which have been used to produce the work, particularly about the etching process.

1: FILING, CLEANING & APPLYING GROUND TO THE PLATE

2: INKING THE PLATE

3: WIPING INK FROM THE PLATE

4: PRINTING THE IMAGE

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ETCHING The etching process was used in the fifteenth century Germany, as a means of decorating armour. Armorers would cover swords with wax, scratch through the wax and put the sword in a weak acid until the acid bit a line in the metal.

Gradually, this was applied to printmaking using iron plates. By the sixteenth century all throughout Europe, Artists such as Durer and Rembrandt were soon using the process on copper plates for artistic expression, usually for religious purposes.

STEP 3: TRANSFERRING THE IMAGE

WHAT IS AN ETCHING?

STEP 4: ETCHING

Etchings are an example of the “Intaglio” printing process. Lines are drawn with a needle like implement, through a wax or bituminous coating on a metal plate. The plate is immersed in an acid bath to etch or “bite” the lines into the metal. The time in the acid determines the depth of the lines. The lines are then filled with printer’s ink. The ink in the etched lines is transferred under pressure onto a sheet of dampened paper.

After the image has been drawn, the copper plate is immersed for a period of time in an etchant, a mixture of ferric oxide and water, for about 45 minutes.

The bituminous ground will resist the acid where there is no drawing. The greater the length of time, the deeper the lines will etch or bite. Rinse plate in water and dry.

The surface can be directly drawn on with a variety of etching needle like tools or have textures and objects such as leaves, pressed into the soft ground by rolling the objects on the plate through the press. A drawing or design can be transferred onto the surface using a coloured carbon paper or placing an image on soft tissue paper over soft ground and drawing over paper drawing with a pencil which will remove the ground.

STEP 5: PRINTING

THE PROCESS. STEP 1: PREPARING THE PLATE

The edges of the copper plate are filed to a 45degree angle to avoid the sharp edges cutting the blanket on the press.

The surface of the copper plate must be cleaned of all grease by using a cloth and whiting or Ajax. The plate is degreased when a film of water can evenly coat the plate.

STEP 2: APPLYING THE “GROUND”

Etchings on copper plate are developed by covering the plate with a film of bituminous emulsion or ground. This may be a “soft” or “hard” ground and can be in liquid form, applied with a brush or a cake form which is softened with heat and rolled onto the plate with a roller. The ground is left to dry. Some varieties need to be heated in an oven.

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The ground is removed using turpentine or white spirit. Intaglio printing ink is applied to the plate with a squeegee and wiped away usually with phone book paper, tissue paper and tarlatan, a form of muslin, leaving ink in the lines.

The inked plate is placed on the bed of an etching press. Dampened quality printing paper is placed over plate and both are rolled through the press. Paper can be dampened in a bath of water and blotted on a towel or by using paper towelling.

STEP 6: ADDING TONE, TEXTURE, TO IMAGE

Tones and textures areas can be added by linework or what is called aquatinting. Rosin powder is evenly applied to the surface of the plate by shaker or by placing the plate in an aquatint box which blows the resin particles around by using an electric fan and lets them settle on the plate. The plate is then gently heated from underneath, until small bubbles of melted rosin form. When placed in the etchant, a small trough forms around this resin bubble. This pitted surface catches the ink. An easier alternative is to spray paint straight onto the surface of the plate. Tones can be achieved by stopping out areas with liquid ground and re-immersing the plate for time increments to obtain the gradations of tone required.

BRIAGOLONG & SURROUNDS

Multi coloured prints can be obtained by preparing plates for each colour and making sure the position of the paper and plate are registered on the press so each plate prints the image in the correct position.

“I work across a range of media inspired by the natural world and dramatic landscape of the Gippsland region.”

Two of our local printmaking groups are: Freestone Press, at Briagolong Arc Gallery’s Printer’s workshop at Yinnar The Print Council of Australia actively encourages printmakers across Australia.

P r i n t s | D r a w i n g s | Wa t e r c o l o u r s Mixed Media | Digital images | Original cards

Open: By Appointment | All Welcome 75 Landy Lane Briagolong 3860 Ph. 0427327494 | Email alifullard@bigpond.com

5: IMAGE WITH LINEWORK

6: IMAGE WITH AQUATINT TO CREATE TONES

WHAT’S ON “RE-IMAGING THE PAST” is the title of Briagolong Art Gallery member’s annual show. Artists are exploring how we weave the past into our everyday lives and experiences. Any subject matter that reflects the interpretation of the theme will be used.

Historical things, past experiences, ancestors, old trees, decay, regeneration will inspire the artists. Works will cover a range of art mediums.

As an example, I have completed a series of black pastel drawings of a beautiful old shearing shed. It was constructed from local red gum timber and traditional bush building techniques. I viewed this shed across the paddocks, from the windows of my house.

One day I went out and arrived home to find the shed had been demolished or deconstructed. Hence my series of drawings titled “SHEDDING TEARS”.

Come, hear the stories and view what has “touched” the other artists.

Original artist’s cards will also be for sale. Makes a great Christmas greeting.

Exhibition on from November 24th to January 27th 2019 Briagolong Art Gallery open 11.00 am- 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday Cnr Forbes and Avon Sts Contact 03 51 455 439 or 0424 327 494 briagolongartgallery@gmail.com briagolongartgallery.com facebook.com/briagolongartgallery

BRIAGOLONG ART GALLERY

Cnr Forbes and Avon Streets, Briagolong 3860 Open Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm or by appointment Contact 03 51 455 439 or 0427 327 494 | Email briagolongartgallery@gmail.com | Web briagolongartgallery.com Find us on Facebook | facebook.com/briagolongartgallery

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art

from the heart

BY FIONA KENNEDY WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY LIFE SO FAR – FROM WHEN I FIRST STARTED AS AN ARTIST TO NOW – I FEEL PROUD OF WHAT I’VE CREATED. IT HASN’T BEEN EASY.

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ANGELS AND TURTLES It’s not always smooth sailing for families; there will always be rough seas, but if you can ride the waves together you will always reach calmer waters and understanding.

In this painting, a mother sits, warmly embracing her children as the sun sets around them. She loves that they are all together on the wild seas.

Her wings aren’t showing, but that doesn't mean she can’t fly. It’s a symbol of strength, being grounded and stable, protecting her loved ones and encouraging them to take off when the time is right. Two girls and one boy have their wings. They have so much to explore, experience and learn.

Life has so much to show them – but for now, they enjoy the adventure of being together: watching, learning, experiencing.

Turtles appear as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation. They have an ability to roll with the patterns of the sea and are there to remind this family to be grateful. If they can do that, they will find their happiness.

Butterflies in this painting show them how life will constantly change, their wings are there to grow when they need them. A butterfly’s life span is such a short, but beautiful one. They remind us to enjoy every moment, and to do the things you have always wanted to do.

Being a female contemporary artist in Australia and raising my three kids alone, I relied on my artwork as my main income. I’ve experienced struggle and sacrifice. But I wouldn’t change a thing, because it’s led me to where I am today.

THOUGH I STILL HAVE SO MUCH MORE I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH MY ART, I FELT THIS YEAR WAS A GOOD TIME TO REFLECT ON MY CAREER. I’VE EVOLVED AS A PERSON, AND MY ARTWORK HAS TOO. My journey started in highschool, when I picked up a paint brush for the first time. I was told I should try something else, that I wasn’t very good. After studying clay in university, I picked up a brush once again after I opened my first studio. I decided then and there that no one could tell me what to do – I believed I was meant to paint, create and share stories with people.

In 2006, I received a call from the Arts Department of Austrade. I’d been selected as one of fourteen artists to represent Australia in contemporary art. My paintings were sent to Toronto to be exhibited. They all sold before the exhibition opened.

I quickly realised that in order to succeed, I needed to have an open mind. I started to think about my career on a global scale, not just a local one. After all, art is universal. Finding connection with art lovers on the other side of the world became a guiding force in my work.

I wanted to bring people together through symbolism, emotion and nature.

Today, I’m focusing on commissioned work and originals for a new exhibition. I love hearing about people’s lives and immortalising them in paint. It’s these stories that have inspired my next project: a coffee table book showcasing my artwork over the years.

It’s a collection of every painting and every story that has shaped my career. Once completed, it will tell a story of life, love, passion and nature.

This book will hopefully bring a little of the magic I feel when painting, into the lives of those who flick through it.

For this edition, I wanted to share an exclusive excerpt from my book. The story behind a painting titled, Angels and Turtles. Enjoy.

Black cockatoos fly overhead, guiding them on their journey and teaching them to be mindful.

They are classified as water birds and are known to sing about the rain. Grasshoppers energetically fly across the canvas, bringing courage and bravery to leap forward and learn from past mistakes.

Mistakes help you learn who you are; those that love you will forgive; those that don’t – it's ok, let them go.

Two royal gold eagles fly overhead to help guide them with wisdom and knowledge. I can’t help but imagine these majestic birds as grandparents looking out over their family. They spiral up as they fly, seeing things from a different perspective.

Reminding them to rise above and not sweat the small stuff.

An abundance of blossoming flowers and love hearts come from the children, these are their ideas and magic that they bring to the world.

Finally, two little wrens, a male and female, represent balance and remind this family to keep their minds open to the world. There are many challenges to face and ideas to explore in their lifetime. But, with an open mind and forgiving heart, they can conquer anything.

FIONA KENNEDY ART STUDIO & GALLERY 26 Williams St, Kongwak Victoria 3951 email: fionakennedy@dcsi.net.au www.fionakennedy.com

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Designer Chris Denzil-Williams and his cream drill and tulle two-piece bridal outfit modelled by Ruby Whiteley

CHRISTOPHER TOBIAS DESIGNS CHRIS DENZIL-WILLIAMS OF WONTHAGGI HAS A FULL-TIME JOB AND A PART-TIME PASSION FOR CREATING CLASSIC, SIMPLE CLOTHING FOR WOMEN UNDER HIS OWN LABEL – ‘CHRISTOPHER TOBIAS’.

BY WENDY MORRISS

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Loose fitting tied cream top in a heavy linen-textured fabric

Designing clothes is an avid interest Chris has had since childhood, one he has become more serious about pursuing since suffering through a family tragedy mid-last year. It has culminated with several of his garments recently being displayed publicly for the first time in the ‘Classic Cream, Beautiful Black’ fashion exhibition held in the Wonthaggi Town Hall.

The exhibition, hosted by The Bygone Days Historical Fashion Collection in partnership with the Bass Coast Shire Council, showcased vintage pieces from the 1800s through to the 1950s put together by owner and curator Anne Dixon.

Chris said both he and another local designer, Karen Murphy-Ellis were invited to provide some contemporary pieces to offset the vintage selection and other displays. “It was a brilliant and beautiful exhibition,” he said.

His clothing label features his Christian name followed by Tobias, a name that is reminiscent of his earliest memories with his grandparents who lived in Tobias Avenue and his grandfather also had a cat named Tobias.

His contemporary design style is influenced by the simplicity and minimalistic lifestyle of the Japanese. The lines are clean without darts or panels and many of the fabrics used are heavier drills and denims with various textures.

“Many of the pieces are Japanese inspired,” he said. “During my secondary school years, I spent three weeks as an exchange student in Japan and I loved the lifestyle. I found it interesting and I could relate to the simplicity in everything and their quiet way of living."

"Their homes are simple and bare without furniture and you can’t tell when one room ends and another one starts. It was an eye opener for someone like me who is used to being surrounded by stuff like the couch, the wall unit and a place for the TV. In this day and age, everything moves so fast, so I loved that kind of minimalism where you can just be and I think that is reflected in the designs. They aren’t loud or obnoxious and the style is classic and simple.”

When asked where and when his designing journey started he said in primary school.

“I would draw The Spice Girls and then design and draw their costumes, and when Britney Spears came along I did the same with her.”

While attending secondary school, Chris took sewing as a class and said the first thing he made was a pair of boxer shorts. “At the time, I thought oh wow, you can actually make things; you don’t have to go to the store to buy them, so I continued doing sewing all the way through secondary level and I took classes in the local fabric shop. A lot of what I did was trial and error. I think my path would have been easier had I completed some tertiary level studies but things work out the way they do.”

He said he had become more serious about what he was doing over the last two to three years. It was sadly spurred on last year by the death of his mother who had been ill for some time. “She was only 60 years old,” he said. “I am 30 so I thought my life was half over already even though it’s not, but it was a kick in the pants.”

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Denim and knit wrap top with side-split pencil skirt

Light textured front over grey knit teamed with side-split black knit pencil skirt

CHRISTOPHER TOBIAS DESIGNS CHRIS DENZIL-WILLIAMS Chris’s view on fashion today is a hope for more distinct designs. “I started collecting Vogue back in 2003 and the individual voices today don’t seem to be as prevalent as they once were. One designer looks the same as another, which I suppose is great if they are selling their clothes. Clothing today is also a big waste problem so I try to make better clothing choices.”

Chris would like to one day be a full-time designer. His creations presently sit somewhere between wearable art and commercial garment categories, which he would like to retain and function as a cottage couture business.

“I would like to design a small line of limited pieces and work with individuals to create something for them, still using my style, but with their input.”

A close-up showing the featured tulle pleats across the front and pearl buttons

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KILMANY PARK BED & BREAKFAST PROUDLY PRESENT

BY THE AUSTRALIAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY | SATURDAY MARCH 16 AT 8PM A timeless classic celebrating the joy of young love, the power of family, the value of friends and the futility of hate. You will swoon at the romance and cry at the tragedy. For never was there a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Proudly brought to you by Kilmany Park Bed and Breakfast, come and experience Shakespeare’s greatest love story in one of Sale’s most beautiful estates. The Australian Shakespeare Company celebrates its 30th anniversary of Shakespeare Under the Stars with this brand-new production.

Directed by Glenn Elston with Music by Paul Norton Date | Saturday March 16 at 8pm Location | Kilmany Park Bed and Breakfast, 1613 Settlement Road, Sale VIC More Information | Check out the website www.thewedge.com.au for more information

LEONGATHA ART & CRAFT GALLERY { situated up the round steps opposite the post office }

UNIQUE ART & CRAFT FOR ALL SEASONS THINK GIFT, THINK GALLERY LOCAL ART A SPECIALITY

FREE ADMISSION Open Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm | Sat 10am - 2pm | Closed Tuesdays & Sundays. (unless the signs are out)

2 Michael Place, Leongatha Vic 3953 | Phone 5662 5370 | www.leongathagallery.org.au thelifestyle summer 2018/19

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STEWART WESTLE

Stewart was born in Adelaide, 1952, where he developed a love for art at school. On leaving school he committed to practice enthusiastically; he travelled throughout Australia, Asia and Europe and, although largely self taught, completed several painting courses on returning home.

His main practice has been painting in oils, although he has extended his skills to include sculpture and installation. During his development years, Stewart was greatly influenced by Fred Williams and John Olsen, among others.

In latter years his influences have included the art of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Austrian artist and architect, and the intimate relationship that Indigenous Australians have with their land.

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WESTLE SAYS, “My aim as a artist and landscape painter is to express what being in the bush means to me. My paintings speak of the precious moments when we take time out to communicate with nature. The time we sit on the headlands and dream about the future and reflect on the past, the times we walk along the lonely track and wonder about the complexity of it all. The times we share friendship and just marvel at the beauty of it all. It’s a wonderful world we live in, I strive for my paintings to reflect some of that wonder.”

Westle’s love and enchantment for the Australian landscape and seascape is evident in the colour, freedom of application and raw energy emanating from his paintings, through which he has evolved a distinctive language for his landscapes. He believes that his best paintings are executed in a near meditative state.

Stewart Westle Peninsula is Dancing

Prom Perfect1 90 x 120

WITHOUT PIER GALLERY DIRECTOR”S COMMENT Stewart Westle’s paintings are childlike in appearance that belies the subtle sophistication that is truly present and that reflects his intimacy and connection to the subject, The paintinmgs are rich in texture, colour and form and the viewer cannot help but engage with the work. They are at once dramatic, but in the same breath, sensitive to the subject, causing the viewer to look at the landscape differently. Elements are drawn out that cry ‘look at me’!

Stewart immerses himself in the paintings applying layers of oil and leaving a roughly hewn surface. From lollipop trees to simplified yachts dancing on blue water, one is compelled to say ‘I want to have a go too”.

Stewart’s paintings grace many homes and businesses around Australia over the last decade and beyond, and there is still more work to come and observations to be made.

These are joyous works that bring smiles to young and old alike.

Terry Earle | Director Without Pier Gallery ”My paintings speak of the precious moments when we take time out to communicate with nature.”

Stewart uses his art to enhance his own sense of belonging. He currently lives in Red Hill, a small town on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, where Family and Community Involvement are integral to his daily life.

In recent years, Stewart has ventured into the world of sculpture, experimenting with the use of locally sourced Red Gum, Driftwood and Glass.

After starting with smaller projects, Stewart began to make temporary largescale artworks on the beaches up and down the East Coast of Australia.

These were momentary pieces of work made from found beach jetsam that were washed away once the tide came in.

As Stewart’s art practice matures, his fascination with the shapes, textures and colours of the natural world seems to be intensifying, translating into an ever-evolving practice.

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DREW GREGORY Slip Sliding Away

Drew Gregory was born in Melbourne in 1947. He studied printmaking and painting at Prahran Technical College and R.M.I.T. and Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne. He received tuition from many notable artists including George Baldessin, Jan Senbergs, Andrew Sibley and Peter Booth.

Later in life he gained valuable insights and advice from Albert Tucker and Clifton Pugh.

Gregory has held over 50 solo shows and has been involved in numerous group exhibitions throughout Australia. He has also held highly successful solo exhibitions in Chicago, Toronto, Hong Kong and Singapore.

He has repeatedly been a finalist in national exhibitions including the Doug Moran Portrait Prize where he won Nation`s Choice; in 1994, the A.C.T.A. Shipping Awards (twice), the Tattersall’s Club National Landscape Prize (ten times), the Discovery Art Show and Prints Across Australia touring regional galleries. In 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2014.

The Delatite River, Merrijig, Oil on canvas on board. 25 x 40 cms

GREGORY’S AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPES | A CRITICAL REVIEW BY FREDERICH AULT HONG KONG 2007 Gregory`s landscapes leave many viewers astonished by his ability to look so deeply into his subject-matter with so much understanding. He is a ‘super-realist’ artist but his work does not rely on photographs, nor is it slick and superficial in technique or content. He has had fifty years to hone his considerable skills and develop a wide and innovative range of paint application.

Shadow areas contain more interest and information than we would normally expect in an oil painting displaying far more detail than a photograph, since a camera cannot explore these areas as accurately as the human eye.

Foregrounds of fine sand, gravel, pebbles, rocks and shrubs are rich in painstakingly rendered detail without becoming muddy or overworked.

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His landscapes are readily identifiable by their extremely realistic and ‘gritty’ foregrounds and by the artist`s ability to incorporate sky areas as an integral and important part of the overall composition. Skies for many artists can be an after-thought, but Gregory manages to convince us that we are standing in the landscape with the clouds passing over our heads.

A Gregory landscape invites us to walk into it, become one with the subjectmatter and forget where we are for a while. The experience is addictive ….we feel we are actually there.

Here is an artist without peer in Australia for this type of realist work. Few artists world-wide have the conviction and courage, stamina and ability to attempt what he does, and few achieve it so brilliantly.

'Sail Away' Oil on Canvas 102 x 152 cm

DREW GREGORY MORNINGTON PENINSULA BASED ARTIST

‘Over the Hill’ Oil on Caravaggio Linen, 69 x 1000 cm

DREW GREGORY RECENTLY GIFTED HIS PAINTING ‘SAIL AWAY’ TO THE GIPPSLAND ART GALLERY AT SALE. THIS IS THE STORY.

DREW GREGORY WRITES: In 1988 I entered the A.C.T.A (Australian Container Transport Association) Art prize depicting Australian shipping. I didn't win the $20,000 prize but Esso Australia purchased my entry to become part of their corporate collection.

My entry was a large oil on canvas of the ship 'Esso Gippsland' in Port Phillip Bay titled 'Esso Gippsland on Course for Melbourne'.

Fast forward thirty years. I visited the Gippsland Art Gallery at Port Of Sale, Sale, Victoria in September 2018 and to my surprise and delight saw that this 1988 painting had been donated to the gallery by Esso Australia along with a number of works from their private collection. The Esso Collection was officially opened at the gallery on October 19th 2018.

I had read some years ago, that the 'Esso Gippsland' ship had been scrapped, and decided in 2011, to paint a similar sized whimsical picture of the ‘Esso Gippsland’ vessel floating up through the clouds with other deceased ships heading to ship heaven.

To add an extra dimension to the painting, I constructed the background so that all blue sky areas peeping through the clouds formed exactly the islands in the Outer Hebrides.

Why? Because the main Island is SKYE. It was just one of several visual puns.

Another visual pun illustrated in the painting is that ships sink when they die, they only float when alive. In some way I was saying that ships have souls and the ‘Esso Gippsland’, despite having no physical body after being scrapped, was still floating happily away through clouds rather than the ocean. In short, we are looking at the astral body of a wrecked ship.

A-la Marie Celeste!

This 2011 painting was twice exhibited at Without Pier Gallery, in Melbourne and when it was returned to me, I decided it needed to be displayed alongside the original 1988 painting in order to (visually) tell the whole story.

My offer to gift this work to Gippsland Art Gallery was gladly accepted by Director, Simon Gregg, and the two canvases will be exhibited side by side for the very first time in 2019.

Drew Gregory exhibits at Without Pier Gallery where he has held 2 exhibitions and where his work can be viewed and purchased.

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WHAT’S ON

GIPPSLAND ART GALLERY DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019

Wellington Centre | 70 Foster Street SALE VIC 3850 Open Mon-Fri 9.00am - 5.30pm, Sat-Sun and Public Holidays 10.00am - 4.00pm T (03) 5142 3500 E galleryenquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au W www.gippslandartgallery.com

THE PEACOCK GARDEN – ANN GREENWOOD NOVEMBER 24 TO JANUARY 27

THE ART OF ANNEMIEKE MEIN JUNE 2 TO JANUARY 20

A permanent, evolving showcase of works from Australia’s favourite textile wildlife artist.

Donated by John Leslie OBE through the Australian Government Cultural Gifts Program, 2009

Renowned for her monumental weavings and exquisite embroideries, Gippsland-based Ann Greenwood has a unique creative practice that spans fifty years.

The Peacock Garden celebrates life in its material and symbolic senses and, in the artist’s words, ‘evokes ideas of connecting, binding, and continuity’. Drawing together three recent bodies of embroideries, the exhibition opens up space for spiritual exploration of the seeing, dreaming, and imaginative self.

Courtesy of the artist, Ann Greenwood

THE ALCHEMIST – KEVIN MORTENSEN DECEMBER 8 TO FEBRUARY 17

SOLAR LOGGERHEADS – CAMERON ROBBINS NOVEMBER 24 TO JANUARY 27

‘Solar Loggerheads’, commissioned by MONA for Cameron Robbins’ 2016 solo exhibition ‘Field Lines’, is an elaborate art-making machine that wrangles the opposing forces of creation and destruction through a continual act of drawing and erasing.

Harnessing solar energy for the pen, and mains electrical power for the erasing, the instrument is locked in eternal conflict. Solar Loggerheads exemplifies Robbins’ role as facilitator of the creative forces of nature.

Courtesy Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Hobart

Kevin Mortensen’s enigmatic artworks are as diverse as his many and varied materials, which range from painting and drawing, to sculpture, installation, and performance.

Throughout his expansive oeuvre, which now spans five decades, Mortensen has explored the themes of transformation, animals (especially birds), and the natural environment.

The Alchemist is Mortensen’s first major solo exhibition at Gippsland Art Gallery, and will run the wide gamut of his practice. Underscoring the eclectic and often mysterious works are the deeply personal narratives drawn from his ancestral homeland of Denmark, of ocean scenes and familial longing tinged with peril and adventure.

Collection Ballarat Art Gallery.

Purchased with assistance from the Visual Arts Board Australia Council, 1983

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MAFFRA EXHIBITION SPACE

150 Johnson Street, Maffra 3860 Open Mon & Wed-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-12pm. Closed Tues & Sun. Enquiries to Gippsland Art Gallery T: 03 5142 3500.

A FINE ROMANCE – REALISM IN AUSTRALIAN ART DECEMBER 8 TO FEBRUARY 17

Picasso told us that ‘art is a lie that makes us see the truth’, but what happens when the line between truth and fiction becomes blurred beyond recognition?

A Fine Romance is an exhibition about beauty and deceit. Featuring hyper-real paintings and sculptures by a range of contemporary artists, it is as seductive as it is awe-inspiring. Drawing on the Gallery’s collection, together with dazzling artworks sourced from behind the closed doors of private collectors, A Fine Romance is an experience not to be missed!

The line-up represents a who’s-who of Australian realism, including Natasha Bieniek, Robin Eley, Louise Feneley, Juan Ford, Sam Jinks, Sam Leach, Matt Martin, Matthew Quick, Shannon Smiley, and Heidi Yardley. missed.

Courtesy the artist and Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney

KILMANY PARK BOYS HOME – JEFF CARTER DECEMBER 13 TO FEBRUARY 11

Photographs taken in 1958 by Australian photo journalist, Jeff Carter of the buildings and residents of Kilmany Park Boys Home.

Kilmany Park was a grazing property established in the late nineteenth century with a large Federation style mansion. In the 1920s the property was acquired by the Presbyterian Church and the house and grounds were transformed into a farm/home for underprivileged and orphaned boys and existed until the late 1970s.

The photographs record aspects of the homes buildings as well as the daily activities of the resident boys. Some show the boys reading and involved with their hobbies as well as preparing for picnics, birthday parties and trips away.

Collection Gippsland Art Gallery / Purchased, 2001

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Your Events Guide to Summer december | january | february | march DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

BAIRNSDALE CHRISTMAS PARADE MARKET & FESTIVAL Date: December 8 Time: From 9.00am Contact: Visit Bairnsdale

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND KENNEL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWS Date: January 4 – 5 Time: 6.30pm Location: Burrage Reserve, John Field Drive, Newborough Contact: Margaret Horn 0400 160 361

KORUMBURRA SHOW Date: February 9 – 10 Location: Cnr Charles Street & South Gippsland Highway Contact: Josie Buchanan 5655 2648

BOOLARRA FOLK FESTIVAL Date: March 1 -3 Location: Railway Park and Centenary Park, Boolarra Contact: 0467 080 921

MIRBOO NORTH ITALIAN FESTA 2019 Date: February 10 Time: From 10.30am Location: Baromi Park, Mirboo North Contact: www.italianfesta.net

SALE MUSIC FESTIVAL Picnic On The Green Date: March 10 11.00am - 7.00pm Location: Sale Botanic Gardens Contact: 0407 965 313 salemusicfestival@gmail.com

2019 BRUTHEN BLUES & ART FESTIVAL Date: February 15 – 17 Contact: bruthenblues.com.au

OPERA BY THE LAKES Date: March 17 Location: Nyerimilang Heritage Park, near Lakes Entrance Contact: 0409 771 526

CHRISTMAS IN THE BOO Date: December 7 Time: From 3.00pm Location: Ridgway, Baroni Park, Mirboo North Contact: Visit Bairnsdale MITCHELL RIVER TRAIL RUN Date: December 9 Location: Mitchell River Walking Track Contact: www.mitchellrivertrailrun.com.au STONY CREEK RACING CLUB – FAMILY DAY Date: December 29 Time: Gates open at 12.00pm Location: 22 Stony Creek-Dollar Road, Stony Creek Contact: 5664 0099

STONY CREEK RACING CLUB – LADIES DAY Date: January 9 Time: Gates open from 12.00pm Location: 22 Stony Creek-Dollar Road, Stony Creek Contact: 5664 0099 AGL LOY YANG TRARALGON INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR EVENT Date: January 9 -17 Time: From 10.00am Location: Traralgon Tennis Association Cnr Franklin & Davidson Streets, Traralgon Contact: Susie Grumley 0448 551 610

MEENIYAN GARLIC FESTIVAL Date: February 16 Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm Location: Meeniyan Recreation Reserve Contact: meeniyangarlicfestival.com.au

BASS COAST SUMMER AGRICULTURAL SHOW Date: January 12 Location: Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve Contact: www.basscoastagshow.org.au

SUNDAY MARCH 10TH 2019 11.00am - 7.00pm SALE'S 7TH ANNUAL SALE MUSIC FESTIVAL 'WELCOME TO BYO FOOD, DRINKS, BLANKETS AND CHAIRS.' LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM LOCAL SERVICE CLUBS

If you require your events or markets to be promoted please email Gippsland the Lifestyle / Coast / Country thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au

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SUMMER DECEMBER | JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2018/19

SUN SIGN ASTROLOGY forecast with KERRY GALEA ARIES 21 MARCH – 19 APRIL

A burst of persistence and determination helps you discover and learn something new. Keep things private until later in the month as there is more going on than you know. Soon you have a dose of extra vitality which will manifest with the role you do.

If it happens at work then tensions with authority figures will magnify. Journeys, studies, different cultures, or holidays become important and changes are coming. If you don’t decide what to change, the universe will decide for you. Whenever you rush forward, authority figures could hold you back.

TAURUS 20 APRIL – 20 MAY

You have influence in your working life or in any role you do and your social life and ability to communicate increases. Being busy means that long-term plans fade into the background, so spend this time living in the present rather than the future. Your mind is expanding and you are learning far more than mere academical knowledge. A self-reflective mindset will increase your communication which can open your eyes to the way forward, but can also reveal habits or actions you may want to release. Be sure and steady, and you will get there.

GEMINI 21 MAY – 20 JUNE

Putting in lots of energy and effort does not equal the amount of outcome you gain. Slow down and in a short while, your vigor, and your ability to make a difference, will rise stronger than ever.

Then look at the big picture and decide where you want to be in 2 years’ time. Act like a detective and think deeply and reflectively, especially on what information should be shared or what should be kept private. Social occasions will soon increase and can interfere with your working role. Later, complications arise in groups or networks which will be difficult to resolve.

CANCER 21 JUNE – 22 JULY

Partners and loved ones will hold their position with strength, so don’t even try to take an opposing stance. Learning a logical subject is difficult, but learning how to be creative or intuitive is easy. Soon you are ready to move ahead. Ideally you are working on your own project as authority figures will try and tell you what to do. Others are not as motivated as you, but they do have the information you need. Later in the season there is more assistance and help. Then it’s time to move ahead, especially with a project, work, or in a job you need to finish.

LEO 23 JULY – 22 AUG

Taking responsibility means that you also accept the hidden consequences that goes with it. Get comfy at home, but if something looks too good to be true, then it is too good to be true! Look for the hidden costs. Arguing will not get you anywhere but quietly following your beliefs, ethics and your own inner truths will! Soon creativity and imagination will rise, so please don’t let responsibilities get in the way of some fun and self-expression.

Later in the season nothing seems to be happening, but a green light will come and it’s time to open oneself to new experiences.

VIRGO 23 AUG – 22 SEP

Wait at least a week before making decisions then go ahead and make lots of them! Your communication begins to flows easily, and you can speak your inner truth. Friends and loved ones alternate between being tough, testy, indecisive or confused and then repeat the cycle! Let go of anything that is not working out.

This is the time to be creative, or to start something new. You may decide to beautify your home but keep plans simple. Later in the season you are helping others but blocking yourself. Half the problem is solved when you become aware of it.

LIBRA 23 SEP – 22 OCT

Your family, home, and your personal “nest” is very important and it’s a great time to work productively around the home, making plans, cleaning up, recycling, and reducing clutter. You will find a treasure that brings a smile and a fresh attitude. There will be momentary lapse in your desire to work, but then a fresh surge keeps you focused on the job at hand. Soon you have Venus helping you communicate with charm and grace to attain win-win outcomes. Loved ones or close friends are in a state of tension and while some may welcome change, others are struggling to adapt.

SCORPIO 23 OCT – 21 NOV

You have one foot on the brake and one foot on the accelerator.

Use it wisely by rushing the things that can be rushed and making careful decisions for the things which need time to “brew”. With Venus entering your sign you will be noticed, attract attention, enjoy fun times and help will come if needed…. or when you ask. Soon you easily find the information you seek, make the connections you need, and make the decisions you want. Later some realizations will be made and it will be easy to overspend on the pleasurable things of life.

SAGITTARIUS 22 NOV – 21 DEC

While tensions bubble away with family members, there is nothing you can do except love them. The situation is far too confusing, or you have not been given all the information. What is more important… is an important new start for you! Let your ideas come to life, let them know what you can do, and trust in the road ahead. Soon Venus, the friendly goddess, will help by bringing charm and attention your way and a dash of luck to gain what you need. Impulsive actions and decisions will involve a cost, be it financial or emotional, but not as much as you think.

CAPRICORN 22 DEC – 19 JAN

This is a time of movement, networking and expressing opinions.

You are restless and feel blocked. Ask lots of questions, accept confusion, and do not make any decisions… for more is yet to be revealed in this time of tremendous personal growth. Focus on yourself and what you need to do. Accept that some decisions may upset others. Disharmony can be the result of reacting impulsively or spontaneously. Later in the season, holding your ground is not the answer. Keep asking questions and something good will come your way. Then it’s time for some changes to be done around the home.

AQUARIUS 20 JAN – 18 FEB

Is something telling to save your resources? This month you will get lots of chances to waste money. Is a bargain really a bargain?

Buy at haste; repent at leisure. On a cheerful note, an opportunity, good news, or some recognition is coming but a touch of selfdoubt may develop. Try and look inward and trust yourself instead. Then it’s time to speak your mind and express your opinions with passion, although take care not to be too forceful.

Groups of like-minded people can inspire you, or perhaps you will be inspiring them!

PISCES 19 FEB – 20 MARCH

A recent blockage was designed to help you look to the future rather than the past. Soon confusion reigns supreme and I suggest that you let it happen! Take your confusion to the park, to the theatre, to a music experience, to dreams and fantasy moments. If one has to be confused, then one may as well enjoy it! Soon it is the time to think of the future and to work with groups, networks or organizations on a collective matter. To help, Venus comes into your work, or your role, bringing the ability to attract attention, and to achieve compromise and great outcomes.

KERRY GALEA ASTROLOGY Palmistry and Ancient Moon Gardening Email: kerry@kerrygalea.com.au Web: www.kerrygalea.com | Web: www.ancientmoongardening.com

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blue

Family owned and operated - Blue Hills Rise joins the multi award winner Blue Hills Residences as the best 55 plus resort lifestyle options in Cranbourne East.

Looking for the best way to spend your retirement, Blue Hills Rise offers six unit designs with modern furnishings and fittings.

If you want to downsize our two bedroom Stephanie Apartments, may just be the answer.

Live independently, within a secure, caring environment.

START THE RETIREMENT YOU HAVE WORKED TOWARD.... CALL THE TEAM AT B LU E H I L L S R I S E TODAY ( 0 3 ) 5 9 9 1 5 0 0 0

Hills Rise Where the lifestyle continues

Under 90 Units left!

fantastic Onsite facilities

There are so many 55 plus lifestyle resorts around, all offering something different, the biggest question you need to ask is ‘What am I looking for?’

Swimming Pool / Spa Indoor Bowls Dance Floor Tennis Courts Alfresco Café - Orange Leaf Gymnasium Library Restaurant Sports Bar Cinema Arts and Crafts Centre Administration Centre ATM Computer Room BOWLING GREEN VILlAGE BUS

Well, if you are looking for a quality home with access to some of the most amazing onsite facilities, then Blue Hills Rise is the best choice for you. This family owned and operated 55 plus resort, has a variety of home designs, all offering something just a little different.

You will quickly realise that the Resort Owners, the Clarkson family, are serious about the homes they build in their very popular resort in Cranbourne East. No expense has been spared; all fittings and furnishings are of an extremely high standard.

The recent addition of Shopping On Clyde Shopping Centre right next door - you have a great variety of shops within walking distance.

Remember Blue Hills Rise is only a 50 minute drive to Melbourne, and close to the Dandenong Ranges and the door step to Phillip Island and the Gippsland region.

Call David & Rikki today to kick off the retirement you have worked towards Blue Hills Rise 240 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East 3977

phone: 03 5991 5000

Open 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or via appointments on the weekend.

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