50 Gippsland Lifestyle Autumn

$9.95 Autumn #50 SAN REMO

The fishing village that grows

TRUE SURVIVOR The Peter Nixon story

PATTIES FOODS

Baked in Tradition

50

ISSN 1838-8124

METUNG HOT SPRINGS

Springing to life

th issue we’re celebrating

editorial Autumn #50 Finally, after 49 editions we have reached our 50th milestone edition.

We have had two testing years with covid-19, and I am confident that as a region we can move on and do what we do best and that is to be one of the leaders in tourism, industry and we can all enjoy the lifestyle we strive for.

Peter Nixon A.O. tells his story of triumph, love of Gippsland, the country life, the sadness, and the hope. Peter of course was a Federal Member going back to the days of Sir Robert Menzies and served under 5 further Prime Ministers. After his time in politics Peter has kept on giving.

Patties Foods and Harry Rijs go hand in hand. A wonderful feature of how this business began and of course they bought back that iconic pie Four ‘n’ Twenty to Bairnsdale, Australia. Harry and his family tell a great story of tradition that glows through this business.

Metung Hot Springs will soon be delivering one of the biggest tourism projects to East Gippsland. Read all about this soon to be opened venue, another great asset for the area.

Our town feature is the iconic fishing village of San Remo.

To many it is the gateway to Phillip Island, but this wonderful town is full of its own great places to see and visit and you can feed the pelicans.

On a personal note, I would like to mention the passing of the great Ben Buckley, Ben was an iconic Gippsland character and has recently passed away due to illness.

Australia needs people like Ben, they don’t come around that often and our sympathy goes out to Ben’s family.

The magazine is about bringing the people back to visit, to enjoy some of the great attractions we have, to be gender tolerant, there is something here for everyone.

Enjoy this edition, we love bringing it to you!

Douglas Pell | Editor

our autumn 50th edition front cover

4

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

50

th issue we’re celebrating

our content 8 – 11 12 – 13 16 – 17 18 - 19 20 – 21 22 – 23 30 – 33 34 – 35 58 – 60 62 – 63 64 – 67 68 – 69 72 – 73 74 – 75 78 – 79 96 – 97 99 100 – 101 104 – 106 110 – 111 112 – 113 116 – 117 118 – 119 120

True Survivor – Peter Nixon A.O. Curtis Australia – The lure of gold The evolution of a magazine they call Gippsland Lifestyle WGCMA – The flow down on estuaries The road map to South Gippsland wines Silverwaters Vineyard – Love, Family & Wine Patties Foods – Baked in tradition South Gippsland Supermarket Stalwarts – A story of two brothers On trend Glamping in Gippsland Virtue Homes – Building Excellence Metung Hot Springs – Springing to life Boating with Crawford Marine Morwell – Out and About in San Remo West Gippsland Libraries – 24/7 Library Membership WAS Gallery in Warragul The magical Wilson’s Promontory – Tidal River to Squeaky Beach Walk Erin Miller – Creating Heaven on Earth Seeing with Stars Astrology – Stephanie Johnson Wonthaggi Newsagency & Lotto – A Fleming family legacy Frighteningly Popular – Haunted Hills Bike Park – Attracting big numbers Gippsland Performing Arts Centre – Set to be a showstopper Millie’s Adventures – South Gippy Girl Canine Corner – Our best friends Liz Fleming – Grants for your business – It’s all in the preparation The Middle of Everywhere – New magazine for Central Gippsland

our advertisers 121 108 61 70 – 71 122 109 15 3 81 76 2 36 103 107 76 102 57 29 114-115 24 – 25 37 95 5 80 27 98 77 28 37 124 26 76 14 7

ANZAC WEEKEND AIR SHOW – Sale April 23 & 24 BRENT SINCLAIR CATERING – Mobile catering & Takeaway meals CARPET COURT – Dream It. Style It. Live It. CITY TO COAST AIR WONTHAGGI – Servicing Bass Coast & South Gippsland CPK MCLAREN MOTOR BODY – Leongatha’s Motor Body & Vehicle Repairer CURTIS AUSTRALIA – Designed and crafted in Australia DAHLSENS – Bairnsdale’s Garden Centre EDNEYS LEONGATHA – Nissan X-Perience X-Trail EVANS PETROLEUM – BP Leongatha & Westside GARY BLACKWOOD MP – Member for Narracan G J GARDNER HOMES – Build your dream home with a local builder GROW MASTER TRARALGON – Garden, Fashion and Giftware solutions HAYMES PAINT STORE – Servicing Cowes, Leongatha and Wonthaggi JEFF BOURMAN MP – State Member for Eastern Victoria LAURIE COLLINS – Check the coming events for Autumn LEONGATHA RSL – Family friendly venue MELALEUCA NURSERY - Indigenous & Native plant farm MOOS AT MEENIYAN – Eat, Drink and Have a good time!

PETS DOMAIN – The Home for Pets PHILLIP ISLAND WINERY – The Food, The Wine, The Times RIGBY HOMEMAKERS – Gippland’s finest furniture & bedding ROSEDALE BUTCHERS – Family owned country butcher RUSSELL NORTHE MP – State Member for Morwell SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE – Explore South Gippsland SILVERWATERS VINEYARD – Order wine online, free local delivery STONY CREEK GO KARTS – Fun for all the family, Go Kart hire THE GRANTVILLE GROCER – Delivers 7 days – Same Day THE GURDIES WINERY – Take a detour to the Gurdies Winery VAN STEENSEL TIMBERS – We have everything for Autumn VIRTUE HOMES – ‘Building excellence’ WARATAH HILLS – Award winning wines, created for celebrations WARRAGUL CAMERA CLUB – 49th Warragul National Photographic Exhibition WEST GIPPSLAND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY WONTHAGGI LOTTO – Authorised Tattslotto Agency

Russell Northe is your local MP for the Morwell Electorate in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Assembly

”Gippsland, such a great place to live, work and visit.Through natural disasters and even pandemics the generosity and goodwill of Gippsland people always shines through” RUSSELL NORTHE MP M E M BE R F O R M O RW EL L

Proud Parliamentary representative of the following local towns and communities including:

RUSSELL NORTHE MP M E M B E R F O R M ORW E L L

12 – 14 George Street Morwell, VIC 3840 (03) 5133 9088 Russell.Northe@parliament.vic.gov.au russellnorthe.com.au

Boolarra, Callignee, Churchill, Cowwarr, Glengarry, Hazelwood, Jeeralang, Koornalla, Morwell, Newborough, Toongabbie, Traralgon, Traralgon South, Tyers, Yallourn North & Yinnar

Authorised by Russell Northe, 12-14 George Street Morwell, Funded by Parliamentary Budget

50

GIPPSLAND LIFESTYLE DETAILS

th issue

CONTENT COVERAGE AREA

SOUTH GIPPSLAND PUBLISHING PTY LTD. Trading as Gippsland Lifestyle magazine ABN 81 144 063 089 ADDRESS PO BOX 862 WONTHAGGI VIC 3995 PHONE 0404 301 333 EMAIL gippslandlifestyle@bigpond.com ONLINE DIGITAL issuu.com/james448 WEB www.gippslandlifestyle.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/lifestylegippsland INSTAGRAM gippslandlifestyle WRITERS Chris West, Anita Butterworth, Danielle Ralph and Ken Roberts CONTRIBUTORS Erin Miller, Stephanie Johnson, Liz Fleming and Millie Roberts SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Paul Henderson (Curtis Australia) PHOTOGRAPHERS Doug Pell, Danielle Ralph, Ken Roberts ADVERTISING Maxine Sando - Sales Manager Doug Pell - Sales Consultant EDITOR Doug Pell CREATIVE media101 | Alex Smirnakos

DISTRIBUTION Gippsland the Lifestyle Magazine is published quarterly, usually available at the beginning of each season and distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Gippsland region and surrounding Melbourne regions and parts of Victoria.

Through continual research, we seek and find new products and innovative manufacturing processes; implementing energy saving efficiencies, removing potential waste and harmful processes affecting the environment.

Southern Impact adheres to all current governing laws and regulations set down by the State and Federal Governments in relation to Environmental and Conservation Acts.

Southern Impact is active in ensuring all their disposable waste materials are disposed of in accordance to those laws. Regular audits are carried out on the companies they use to ensure they follow the strict guidelines set out by these laws.

Vegetable based low Volatile Organic Compounds and VOC free inks are used and all of their paper waste material is recycled. As a result, their factory and current printing processes are some of the most environmentally friendly on the market today.

PRINTERS

Southern Impact (VIC) Pty Ltd www.southerncolour.com.au

Issues are also available to read online on desktop and mobile devices.

Southern Impact (VIC) Pty Ltd is environmentally conscious.

They take action to minimise their waste and recycle their waste products; ethically and responsibly.

6

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR COPY GIPPSLAND LIFESTYLE OUTLETS Bairnsdale newsXpress 21 Bailey St Bairnsdale Dahlsens Mitre 10 19 Dalmahoy Street Bairnsdale Main Street Newsagency 212 Main Street Berwick Newsagency 29-31 High Street Briagolong Post Office & Newsagency 4 Avon Street Boolarra Store & Newsagency 9 Tarwin Street Bunyip IGA 2-6 Main Street Churchill Newsagency Hazelwood Village Shopping Centre Cowes Newsagency Chapel Street Drouin Newsagency 93 Princes Way Fish Creek Alison Lester 1 Falls Road Fish Creek Discount Pharmacy Plus 25 Falls Road Foster FoodWorks 37 Main Street Garfield Licensed Post Office 77 Main Street Glengarry General Store Main Street Grantville Newsagency Shop 2 Bass Highway Grantville The Grantville Grocer 1536 Bass Hwy Heyfield IGA 18-22 George Street Inverloch FoodWorks 10-12 Reilly Street Inverloch Paperplay 10 A'Beckett Street The Jindi Caf 1070 Jacksons Track Korumburra Michael's Supa IGA 1 South Railway Cres Lake Tyers The General 575 Lake Tyers Beach Road Lang Lang IGA 32 Main Street Leongatha Authorised Newsagency 30 Bair Street Leongatha Michael's Supa IGA Cnr Church & Bruce Sts Loch Village Emporium 5 Victoria Road Maffra newsXpress 144 Johnson Street Marlo General Store 14|16 Argyle Parade Metung Village Store 62 Metung Road Moe Nextra Lotto Shop 2, 1-3 Moore Street Morwell Newsagency 174-176 Commercial Road Nar Nar Goon, Clough Fuel 1975 Princes Hwy Neerim South IGA 147 Main Road Newry General Store 44 Main Street Noojee Little Red Duck Café 1 Bennett Street Omeo Post Office 155 Day Avenue Poowong IGA 17-19 Main Street Port Albert Interiors by Jade Gift Shop 65 Tarraville Road Rosedale Butchers 32 Prince Street Sale Newsagency 308-310 Raymond Street San Remo IGA 135 Main Parade San Remo The Yards 117 Marine Parade Stratford IGA 67 Tyers Street Swifts Creek General Store Great Alpine Road Tarwin Lower IGA 45 River Drive Toora Fancy Goods & Relics 26 Stanley Street Toora FoodWorks 66 Stanley Street Trafalgar IGA 5 McCrorey Street Trafalgar Newsagency 97 Princes Hwy Traralgon News & Lotto 51-53 Franklin Street Traralgon Seymour Street News 83 Seymour Street Ventnor The Anchorage Caravan Park Ventnor Road Venus Bay General Store 139 Jupiter Blvd Warragul Newsagency & Officesmart 43 Victoria Street Welshpool Supermarket 18 Main Street Wonthaggi Newsagency 31 Murray Street Yanakie General Store 3640 Meeniyan-Promontory Road Yarram Artichoke Books 1/243 Commercial Road Yarragon Fozigobble Café 79 Princes Highway

EVANS PETROLEUM OUTLETS Fish Creek 2 Falls Road Foster 94 Main Street Inverloch 25 Williams Street Johnsonville 1760 Princes Highway Korumburra South 2-8 Commercial Street Leongatha Westside 7 Anderson Street Leongatha 95 Bair Street Mirboo North 106 Ridgway Newmerella 5327 Princes Highway Rosedale Prince Street Sale 344-350 Raglan Street Toora 26 Foster Road Wonthaggi 103-105 McKenzie Street Yarram 325 Commercial Street

RITCHIES SUPA IGA Stores Churchill 5-8 Georgina Way Eastwood 30 Howitt Avenue Maffra 102 Johnson Street Paynesville 3-5 Wellington Street Sale 177 York Street Wonthaggi 160 Graham Street

WONTHAGGI NEWSAGENCY & LOTTO OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK | CLOSED SUNDAY 31 Murray Street, Wonthaggi Vic 3995 Tel: 5672 1256

Gippsland the Lifestyle Magazine is published quarterly.

This magazine is distributed throughout Victoria. All photographs in this publication are copyright to Gippsland the Lifestyle, and if any are used in other publications or used in a commercial sense, you are liable to prosecution. Permission to use any photos in the publication must be obtained by contacting South Gippsland Publishing Pty Ltd via email to: gippslandlifestyle@bigpond.com Disclaimer: © South Gippsland Publishing Pty Ltd 2022, All Rights Reserved, has the discretion to add or remove words or photos that are deemed unsuitable for the magazine. South Gippsland Publishing Pty Ltd is not responsible or liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or use of information contained within these pages, offering no warranties, either expressed or implied with respect to any material contained within the pages. Material in this magazine cannot be published or reproduced without South Gippsland Publishing Pty Ltd's written consent. Failure to heed to this could result in prosecution.

The opinions and views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 7

Peter Nixon Minister for Shipping & Transport

T R U E S U RV I V O R ON THE CUSP OF HIS 94TH BIRTHDAY, RETIRED NATIONAL PARTY STATESMAN, BUSINESSMAN AND GRAZIER, PETER NIXON AO, REFLEC TS ON A REMARKABLE LIFE. WORDS: CHRIS WEST

Peter Nixon on the farm

8

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Peter Nixon as a young politician

PETER JAMES NIXON Like anyone who has experienced life on the land, Peter Nixon has faced the perils of Mother Nature that conspire to challenge all farmers over time – drought, flood and fire.

Memories of these experiences extend back to his childhood. He still vividly recalls as a young boy of 11 in 1939 spending part of one night standing in the waters of the Snowy River at Orbost with his family to seek refuge from threatening fires in the area.

Numerous other subsequent blazes, including the recent East Gippsland fires two summers ago have caused varying degrees of impact upon his family’s substantial cattle farm holdings in the region.

Many other events over the course of his life have tested Peter’s resolve. There is little, if anything, he hasn’t seen and lived through.

Survival instincts and resilience are also necessary weapons for longevity in the sphere of politics, where Peter spent more than two decades of his working life from 1961 to 1983.

It is both poignant and significant from a historical sense that he and National Party colleague, Ian Sinclair, are the only two former politicians still alive today who served under revered ex-Australian Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies.

“Ian was a minister in the Menzies Government, whereas I was only a back-bencher at that time,” Peter notes.

“All the others from the Menzies era are gone now,” he adds.

Peter went on to serve as a minister under five different Prime Ministers – Harold Holt, John McEwen, John Gorton, William McMahon and Malcolm Fraser – and was entrusted with responsibility for a variety of portfolios across his career. He held ministerial office as Minister for the Interior (1967 – 1971), Shipping and Transport (1971-1972), Postmaster-General (1975), Transport (1975-1979) and Primary Industry (1979-1983).

Entwined with those ministerial responsibilities was more than 21 years of dedicated service as the Member for Gippsland in Federal Parliament from December 1961 to February 1983.

Not only was Peter a political survivor, he also recovered from a horrific accident on his farm near Orbost in the 1990s.

“I had come home from a board meeting in Melbourne. My wife Sally had gone to Bairnsdale for dinner with friends, I thought I would take the opportunity to spray a few blackberries on the property,” he recalls.

Peter was carrying a tank with 100 litres of spray on his back as he drove around on a quad bike.

“The bike flipped over backwards and dragged me down a hill with my foot jammed between the brake pedal and the frame. I could hear bones breaking,” he remembers.

“What worried me more when I came to a stop was that I was upside down with the engine still running and petrol pouring out from the tank.

The ignition key was out of my reach, but somehow I managed to get to it and turn the engine off.”

The extent of Peter’s injuries was no less than twenty breaks in his ribcage, a lost kidney, spinal damage, a broken sternum and partially collapsed lung. He was battered, but far from beaten. Peter James Nixon was born in Orbost on 22nd March, 1928, continuing the family’s deep-rooted presence in East Gippsland.

“My great grandparents were the first Nixons to settle in Orbost in 1865,” he reveals.

Peter left home to be educated at Wesley College in Melbourne as a boarding student. He found the experience a broadening one that would help shape his eventual future.

After leaving school, Peter took an interest in the issues of the day but concentrated his focus on becoming the fourth generation of his family to farm in Gippsland.

His introduction to politics came through driving his father to Country Party district Council meetings and State Conferences, and later handing out ‘how to vote’ cards at State and Federal elections for the Country Party (which later became the National Party).

In 1954 he married his wife Sally, a member of the prominent Dahlsen family from East Gippsland, and she became his rock of support across almost sixty years together.

It wasn’t until the beginning of the 1960s that Peter took the step into politics when he nominated as a candidate to succeed the retiring George Bowden, who had spent close to two decades in office as the Federal Member for Gippsland in the House of Representatives.

A somewhat reluctant candidate at first, Peter nominated mainly at the behest of his father.

He remembers wife Sally’s words of advice.

“I think you should stand,” she said.

“You can’t win, but I don’t want you complaining that you didn’t at least try as your father has done all his life.”

Peter didn’t expect to win pre-selection, but prevail he did, and then went on to win the seat at the 1961 Federal Election.

He would become accustomed to the Liberal-Country/National Coalition being in power. Of his 22 years in Canberra, 19 of those were with his party in office.

Peter successfully combined the responsibilities handed to him in his various ministerial portfolios whilst never losing sight of the importance of his ongoing duties as the Member for Gippsland.

“If I said I would attend a function in the capacity as the Member for Gippsland I would always honour that commitment,” he states.

“I once turned down an invitation to dine with the Queen on one of her Australian visits to instead present a flag at a sports meeting in Club Terrace, which has a population of less than a hundred people.”

Peter made many enduring friendships on all sides of politics during his time in Canberra.

Peter lost consciousness for an unknown length of time but came to and extricated himself from the upturned vehicle. His mobile phone wouldn’t work in the gully, so he had to walk up to the top of the hill to get a signal.

“I was actually great friends with about half a dozen of the Labor blokes. We used to play a billiard game called Russian Pool together on Thursday nights,” he says.

“It was sheer agony,” he says.

Peter remembers his robust verbal jousts with Labor’s Fred Daly with particular fondness.

“I rang my son Chris who came to get me. He took me to hospital and I was then flown by helicopter to Sale.”

“We both enjoyed the banter and would often cook some of the stuff up between us,” he recalls.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 9

PETER JAMES NIXON

Peter & Sally Nixon

“One time we had to debate the respective merits of wool versus man-made fibre. I spoke first in support of wool. Fred then got up and said: ‘The Member for Gippsland has just spoken about wool. Look at him! The suit he is wearing is artificial! The shirt he is wearing is artificial!

The socks he is wearing are artificial! The tie he has got on is artificial and the smile on his face is artificial!”

Peter cherishes many proud moments from his time in politics.

“In each portfolio I was given, there was something that I can look back upon with pride,” he says.

One achievement that springs immediately to Peter’s mind was his instigation of a cheap international airfare regime in the late 1970s after Aviation became part of his Transport portfolio.

“I struck a deal with British Airways for the introduction of an off-peak fare, which really threw a spanner in the works in the industry at the time, but ultimately led to other airlines around the world following suit despite a lot of resistance at first,” he says.

Peter also worked hard to assist farmers, especially through the terrible nationwide drought during his period as Minister for Primary Industry in the Fraser Government.

“Bob Hawke later abolished certain funding arrangements I had put in place to help farmers,” he recalls.

Peter & Sally Nixon with their sons

10

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Peter Nixon and young family in Canberra

“I was disgusted and told him he was making a serious mistake.”

In 1983, Peter bowed out of politics on his own terms.

“I had tried to retire earlier but was persuaded to stay,” he remarks.

Following his retirement from politics, Peter then devoted his attention and expertise to the business world. He received invitations to join a number of boards, which required spending considerable time in Melbourne, prompting him to purchase a small and unobtrusive townhouse in the leafy inner eastern suburbs as his city base.

In the same vein as his political career, Peter made an extremely significant contribution to the corporate sector. He served with distinction on the boards of numerous companies and organisations for many years, including being the Founding Chairman of Southern Cross Broadcasting and a Foundation Commissioner of the AFL. The honour roll of his board service is far too long to mention in full and continued on until he was aged in his eighties.

In January 1993, Peter was deservedly made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to the Australian parliament and to the community.

Alongside Peter across all his time in politics and business was his wife Sally. It was a devastating blow to him when she passed away in 2013 and her presence in his life continues to be sadly missed.

“Sally was an absolute gem,” he says.

“She would accompany me on many political trips and to various functions and was always a superb ambassadress. She was highly regarded and respected around Gippsland and the same applied wherever we went.”

The focus of Peter’s life today is on his family, farms and friends. He and Sally raised three children – Joanne, Mark and Chris. Joanne lives in Sydney, whilst Mark runs a boarding establishment in Marlo and Chris manages the farming properties. Collectively, the three children have provided him with seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Peter continues to divide his time between Melbourne and East Gippsland. When in Orbost, rather than staying on the nearby farm, he instead resides in town.

Peter & Sally Nixon

“I’ve had the house in Orbost since 1974. I had it moved into town from one of our former farms after the property was flooded out. The house wouldn’t have survived another flood,” he comments.

Peter spent the Covid lockdown period in Orbost and had no difficulty with the isolation. Gippsland has always occupied a special place in his heart, although he is saddened by certain changes that have occurred within the region in his lifetime.

“We had thirty sawmills in Gippsland when I was first elected and now we’ve had the last three closed,” he laments.

Peter is similarly concerned by the steep decline in numbers of dairy farmers.

Although his days in politics are long behind him, he still follows the political scene in the news.

“You can’t avoid it,” he notes.

On rare occasions, Peter even steps back into the limelight. As recently as last year he was calling for reform in the dairy industry.

“There’s no dairy co-ops anymore. They’re all gone now unfortunately,” he says.

“The supermarkets are screwing the production companies down on price and the farmers have no voice. I was calling for the introduction of a levy which would be passed on directly to the farmers, but so far it has fallen on deaf ears.”

The Nixon family at Christmas time

Peter says there will be no fuss around his 94th birthday in March.

“It will be very low key,” he promises.

A true survivor in every sense of the word, Peter will be perfectly content with just bringing up another year without any great fanfare.

Images kindly supplied by the Nixon Famijly

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

11

THE ALLURE OF GOLD A FA S C I N AT I O N T H AT N E V E R FA D E S

BY PAUL HENDERSON

FLUID AND FUN, THE 'COSMOS' RING FEATURES BRILLIANT DIAMONDS AND A TACTILE MOVING BALL FEATURE HANDCRAFTED IN WHITE AND YELLOW GOLD

GOLD HAS HELD A FASCINATION FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. EVEN ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS THAT NEVER MET WERE FOUND TO HAVE A COMMON LOVE OF GOLD THAT TRANSCENDED TIME AND BRIDGED THE MOST DISTANT OF CULTURES. Early gold coins date back to 1500 bc, but today gold has many uses, from electronics to medicine, dentistry to mobile phones, but one of the most significant is still the creation of beautiful gold jewellery, accounting for three quarters of the gold used today.

Gold is incredibly malleable – one ounce of gold can be hammered into a foil sheet that can cover nine square metres. Another quality is ductility, and again, an ounce of gold can be drawn down into a continuous wire 80 kilometres long at an absolutely tiny five microns in diameter! These remarkable qualities see gold used in a wide variety of ways, from reflective coatings on space helmets, to gold leaf on books, (even cakes!) to stunning jewellery.

One question Curtis Australia often get asked is to explain gold carats.

In its purest form at 24 carat, gold is too soft for everyday wear. In Australia, jewellery is often stamped with numbers. Most often seen are 375 for 9ct, which means the gold is 37.5% pure, or 750 for 18ct – 75% pure gold.

Curtis Australia jewellery always carries a hallmark indicating which gold is in your piece, along with their unique Koala maker's mark and the Kangaroo mark, indicating their membership of the Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia. Together these marks are your guarantee of Curtis Australia quality.

The talented jewellers in the Curtis Australia studio work with gold every day. Whether they're working on your ring, their own exclusive and unique jewellery, or one of their hand crafted solid gold watches - the patience, skill and care they take is always the same.

Some of the world's earliest jewellery dates back to Egyptian times, and some techniques date back that far. Lost wax casting is a special way of creating jewellery where a wax model is replaced by gold in a special plaster flask – the molten gold is poured into the cavity created by the wax being melted away - hence 'lost' wax. It's a remarkable technique still being used by today's jewellers.

EVERY JEWELLER KNOWS WHY GOLD IS SO SPECIAL. IT 'S A TRULY REMARKABLE METAL, WITH A COMBINATION OF QUALITIES UNLIKE ANY OTHER. Bairnsdale based jewellers Curtis Australia love working in gold, in fact they rarely work in anything else. Gold doesn't tarnish or corrode, it has a wonderful lustre and is great to wear. A very special metal that can be shaped, hammered, cast, woven and formed into a myriad of designs that, if looked after, can last a lifetime - and beyond.

MAKE A WISH COME TRUE WITH THESE STUNNING YELLOW GOLD AND DIAMOND EARRINGS, HANDCRAFTED BY CURTIS AUSTRALIAÍS MASTER JEWELLERS

With over 50 years experience in jewellery design & creation 12

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

A TIMELESS DESIGN, THE SOLID GOLD 'SOPHIA' LADIES WATCH HAS CLEAN, CLASSIC LINES IN A BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLE SHAPE

INSPIRED BY AUSTRALIAÍS DISTINCTIVE GUM TREES, THIS TWO TONE PENDANT IN YELLOW GOLD AND WHITE GOLD IS HAND SET WITH SPARKLING DIAMONDS

One of the many services they offer is to hand craft new jewellery – they can even reuse your gold, bringing designs up to date, while keeping your special memories intact. You can choose yellow, white or rose gold for your jewellery, each has a special character - and can even be combined in one special piece. Be assured too that nothing leaves the premises, so you can be confident your treasured jewellery is in safe hands.

THERE'S ALWAYS A GREAT SELECTION OF BEAUTIFUL JEWELLERY ON DISPLAY, SO WHY NOT POP IN WHEN YOU'RE NEXT IN BAIRNSDALE – YOU'RE SURE OF A WARM, DARE I SAY 'GOLD STANDARD' WELCOME!

WHEN YOU'VE JEWELLERY TO REPAIR, RESTORE OR EVEN REMODEL, GLENN AND HIS TEAM AT CURTIS AUSTRALIA IN BAIRNSDALE ARE READY TO HELP. You'll be assured of a warm welcome, and more importantly, the professional service and care your jewellery deserves. Next time you're in Bairnsdale, pop in and say hello – there's a lot to see. Browse and be inspired by their unique jewellery collections, see a growing range of exclusive Australian made solid gold Curtis watches and wonder at their ranges of beautifully imagined silver pens, all created in house. This really is more than just a jewellers, this is a destination too.

AND DON'T FORGET THAT ADVICE ON YOUR PRECIOUS JEWELLERY IS FREELY GIVEN TOO!

PART OF THE EXCLUSIVE AND UNIQUE 'FLORIALE' COLLECTION, THESE SHIMMERING PEARL EARRINGS HAVE DIAMOND EDGED PETALS

THREE COLOURS OF GOLD COME TOGETHER IN THE FLUID AND TACTILE 'COLOURS OF AUSTRALIA' RING

You can see more at 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. Ph | 03 5152 1089

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 13

THE EVOLUTION OF A MAGAZINE THEY CALL

WORDS BY DOUG PELL I have often been asked why I started this magazine, and the answer was and has always been simple.

Here is my story.

Back in 2007, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I decided to move to the Bass Coast, I had previously visited Inverloch earlier in the year prior to the cancer diagnosis and fell instantly in love with the area.

This wasn’t hard to do as I had been living in Mulgrave, with a view of the busy and noisy Springvale Road, an old sewer in front of the fence and one of those massive overhead power line structures in my back yard.

The moment I moved into Kilcunda, I was in love with the area, the rugged coastline, the Killy Pub, and people would take time out to talk to you and not ignore you as they did in the ‘burbs.

In 2008, I began my radiation treatment and other treatments that I needed to battle this awful disease. My PSA was 91.5, I was supposed to be a goner, but for some good people at Peter MacCallum’s Hospital I am still here to tell the story.

I also met my future partner in 2008 and sadly we have since parted but have remained good friends and Maree has always been an enormous help with the magazine and always good for a chat and support in the tough times that we have all endured with covid-19.

A funny thing happened after the cancer treatment, I suddenly developed my old creative self again, I had shelved this part of my life for many years, but I thought about running a magazine. My aim was to do this in South Gippsland, probably because I hadn’t travelled past Foster, and it seemed a logical and easy way to start.

The first edition came out in the Autumn of 2009, we had no writers, we did however have a photographer, but we had some very loyal clients and some of them are still here today.

Notably, in the first edition we had a feature on David Tree. David was the man behind the Sam the Koala story of giving a koala a bottle of water to drink from after the fires had devastated the bush.

David was reluctant to tell the story as he had and was continued to be pounded by the media for this amazing happening, and he insisted that I run a feature predominantly on his snake catching abilities.

16

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

So here I was, deep in the Mirboo North forest, following David through the bush as he picked up Tiger snake after Tiger snake like a Mum picking up her child’s toys. I can vouch that I was not keen on taking photos of snakes within inches of their fangs, so David was able to do this for me, he had this hypnotic effect on the snakes, and they would sit still long enough for him to take the pictures before they slid off into the wild.

For the first four editions we were learning the craft, the biggest edition was No. 4 which was 56 pages. The first edition was 40 pages, hardly any competition to our already established rivals, but you must start somewhere.

We then upped our standard with a designer, not just any designer but a Walkley award winning designer who was running the newsagency in Mirboo North at the time and saw our magazine and wanted to tidy it up.

He was contracted for two editions and then he and his partner eventually moved to Geelong.

Then from Edition 7 to the present time we found after many unanswered phone calls our man. The unanswered phone calls was because our soon to be Creative Director was in Bali, a place I know he dearly misses thanks to covid-19.

Alex Smirnakos, who wishes to remain anonymous but sorry Alex, I must tell your story as well, because without you we would not have this beautiful magazine that we present to the public.

Suddenly we found someone who knew what we wanted, he was polite, enjoyed a joke, didn’t lock us out from conversation for a month while he designed the magazines, innovative, always friendly, and apart from that a bloke who I call a friend, my bro, now a lifelong friend and his vision and creativity has put the magazine where it is today and has done so since the winter of 2011.

Many writers have come and gone, some have come back, but our mainstay of permanent writers is impressive and again the loyalty factor is there, big thanks to Danielle Ralph our first journalist who left to see the world and then came back to us, Chris West, my good friend for over 30 years, professional to the core and Anita Butterworth who I chased for months on linkedin and finally I persuaded her to write for us.

Trevor Stow, my good friend from Bairnsdale still finds time to write for us despite his busy days of being on the East Gippsland Council. Wendy Morriss our long time journalist and photographer has also returned on a part time basis.

Gippsland Lifestyle has covered topical features, sporting, culture, towns, places, famous people, famous local people, we developed the popular feature of Millie the Jack Russell Dog with her owner Ken Roberts and their many Gippsland adventures.

We have had our share of photographers as well, for many years Geoff Watt was our photographer, and he would most likely be still taking happy snaps for us, but the family decided the cold of Boolarra in winter doesn’t match the even colder winter of Ballarat and he took the family to new pastures and their photography business is booming, not surprised by that, but I must thank Geoff because without my persistent enquiring about photography I would not have learned the art of taking a good photo.

We have had some wonderful contributors over the years in Kerry Galea who was our astrology expert for many years, now Stephanie Johnson has taken over. Liz Fleming our business coach is one of our newest contributors who is already making an impact. Erin Miller who has given us tips on a better life is now leaving the magazine and will be missed and Christine Boucher and Christie Nelson are now moving on to new adventures.

I had mentioned previously my former partner Maree, we met after I had made many visits to the Kilcunda Hotel and we eventually married, we did this in the USA in 2008 after I finished my cancer treatment. No, we didn’t marry in Las Vegas, but a place called Buchanan, which is a small friendly town in Michigan.

As an aside when we flew from New York to Charlotte and then drove to Buchanan, our pilot was Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, we had the pleasure of flying with him three months to the day that he landed his plane in the Hudson River. We had a chat with Sully before exiting the plane, he is a nice man, he wished us well and I knew that after finding out he was the pilot that the passengers would all be safe.

Back to the magazines, it has been an adventure, The Lifestyle South Gippsland, became The Lifestyle South Gippy, then The Lifestyle South Gippsland - Yarra Valley - Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne, we then settled for The Lifestyle, then The Lifestyle Gippsland. We were going to end it all after edition 14, exhausted, being continually smashed by our rivals, not enough advertising, and rising debt, we were coming to an end.

After a short conversation with an 85-year-old man in a shop one day when I was whinging about not selling enough magazines, he informed me that my masthead was all wrong. He was right. So, we swapped Gippsland with Lifestyle, and it has remained the same ever since.

The magazine continues to evolve and revolve, we have had some wonderful covers over the years and notably two beautiful cartoon covers from the Herald Sun’s award winning and best Australian cartoonist Mark Knight.

So, we have now reached Edition 50.

I play cricket every now and then and I cannot remember the last time I made a 50, it is a milestone that I am immensely proud of. Edition 50 is special, not the biggest one we have had, but it is a special one, and with our usual number of features, lovely photography, and our most loyal advertisers and of course we have discerning readers who keep supporting us. Afterall we are Gippsland, and we will always remain Gippsland.

By the time this magazine is in the shops, I will start working on a new magazine called The Middle of Everywhere for the Wellington area and of course Gippsland Lifestyle Winter 51 will also be on the drawing board.

Thank you to everyone that has contributed in any shape or form over the journey, you have all been appreciated and to our wonderful clients and readers, a big thank you. As I say in each edition enjoy our magazine, the magazine that is for Gippsland.

We have never looked back after that day.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 17

THE FLOW DOWN WEST GIPPSLAND’S RIVERS BEGIN IN THE MOUNTAIN

West Gippsland’s rivers begin in the mountain headwaters and wind their way to the sea. The areas where the saltwater rises to meet the fresh rivers and creeks are known as estuaries and that’s where you will find West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s Coastal Waterways Officer Callum Edwards on most days.

“Put simply, an estuary is a body of water that has both fresh and salt waters and is the interface between the rivers and the ocean,” says Callum who started work at West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in 2021.

Within these dynamic systems lives a wide range of plants and animals – with those adapted to fresh water living in the upper reaches and the more salt tolerant species closer to the river mouth. In between these two zones, you find plants and animals adapted to both fresh and saline conditions.

“That’s what makes estuaries so cool - they are so varied.”

Most estuaries within the West Gippsland CMA region are tidal - meaning they are open to the sea. Waterways such as Powlett River near Wonthaggi and Merriman Creek near Seaspray open and close intermittently, operating as tidal systems when they are open and are no longer tidal when the mouth is closed.

Intermittently closed estuaries naturally close over during periods of low river inflow and high wave heights which transport sand across the mouth. When the estuary can no longer get rid of that sand, due to the low flow of water, sand builds up until the river mouth is completely closed over. On the flip side, when there is enough rain or water coming over the ocean side, the water will eventually break open the sand barrier.

“Sometimes stakeholders request artificial opening of estuaries, mainly to reduce flooding risks,” explains Callum.

“West Gippsland CMA plays a role in managing intermittently closed estuaries and regulates artificial openings. We keep an eye on what the river mouth is doing – whether it is open or closed and respond to any risks that arise from that. There is a lot of work and planning that goes into any opening events.”

The team also works closely with landholders, partners and community to care for these special parts of rivers through working with Traditional Owners, stock exclusion, fencing and revegetation works in estuaries across the region. Controlling the weed, spartina, is also a key focus in Corner, Anderson and Shallow Inlets and their estuaries. “Spartina is a particularly large threat because it covers and takes away the intertidal areas that birds and animals need to feed.”

Image by Darryl Whittaker | Powlett River

Image by Darryl Whittaker | Powlett River

18

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Image by Darryl Whittaker | Powlett River

ON ESTUARIES...

HEADWATERS AND WIND THEIR WAY TO THE SEA. MEET WEST GIPPSLAND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY’S COASTAL WATERWAYS OFFICER CALLUM EDWARDS

All estuaries are highly significant with many recognised nationally and internationally for their role as habitat for wildlife, notably migratory birds, their high cultural values and for providing recreation and nature-based activities for communities and visitors.

The Powlett River estuary flows southwest from the Strzelecki Ranges near Korumburra and enters Bass Strait between Kilcunda and Wonthaggi. It is a Nationally Important Wetland due to its extensive saltmarsh and wetland communities and heritage values. It is also a priority waterway for the West Gippsland Region as it is a significant part of Victoria’s environment with value to the agricultural sector, private landholders, recreational users, Traditional Owners and the community.

“I love my job - estuaries have such cultural, environmental and social benefits, and I also really enjoy going kayaking in them,” reflects Callum.

And, along with contributing to major projects, such as at the Powlett, Callum will continue to visit the estuaries of West Gippsland, checking on their overall health and going with the flow...

Follow the story and keep up to date on projects www.wgcma.vic.gov.au

This year, West Gippsland CMA will begin a project to work collaboratively with landholders and partners to develop a plan that will reduce risks such as the effects of pest plants and animals and the effects of climate change on the river system – including the Powlett estuary.

“We will also continue our monitoring and works across other estuaries in the region including Wreck Creek in Inverloch and Bourne Creek near Kilcunda.

Further east in Gippsland, estuaries include Merriman Creek which flows east from the Strzelecki Hills and out to sea near the township of Seaspray.”

Image by John Morgan | Merriman Creek Mouth

Image by John Morgan | Merriman Creek Mouth

Image by John Morgan | Merriman Creek Mouth

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 19

the road map to

With the (COVID) roadmap now open, a holiday visit to the Bass Coast and South Gippsland is sure to provide the quality local produce, some hidden gems and memorable days we’ve all been missing.

The region is part of the Pinot Coast Pillar, renowned for its early-ripening cool-climate wines, but it’s not always the famed Pinot Noir that brings home all the gold medals. Some of Victoria’s top Sparkling and Chardonnay wines also come from this Gippsland region. And in recent years, the Best Wine of Show in the Gippsland Wine Show, has come from South Gippsland/Bass Coast.

For example, the 2019 Chardonnay from Purple Hen Wines, based in Rhyll on Phillip Island, won the 2020 Gippsland Wine Show Best Wine of Show. It was awarded a gold medal score of 96 by the judging panel, which has been chaired for the past three Gippsland Wine Shows by distinguished national judge, Sarah Crowe (Yarra Yering).

Purple Hen Wines, run by Rick Lacey and his team, offers the visitor impressive views from its cellar door, which is open seven days a week from 27 December to end January, and five days a week at other times.

The Purple Hen vineyard grows a range of varieties, which benefit from the mild temperatures, protected from extreme summer heat by the cooling maritime climate. They have an enviable record for producing elegant varietal wines from the vineyard, which will celebrate 20 years in 2022 since the first vines were planted. www.purplehenwines.com.au Nick and Misha Say’s Phillip Island Winery on Berry’s Beach Road, Ventnor has some exciting changes to share with visitors this summer.

They have just opened their new Atrium function room to add to their welcoming cellar door, restaurant and providore offering. Once you’ve enjoyed a tasting and grazing platter, or a restaurant meal with some of Gippsland’s finest produce, you can finish off your visit by popping into The Yards providore, to stock up on gifts and local produce and take home a little Phillip Island vibe. www.phillipislandwinery.com.au The Gurdies Winery has been undergoing a major transformation of its cellar door since the purchase by neighbours, Bruce Preston and Wendy Heaney, of Heaston Estate WinesThe wines from here also benefit from the maritime climate, to get the best from its eight varieties of estategrown grapes using traditional winemaking processes. Enjoy a picnic of local produce or, if the weather’s cool, there’s always a warm fireplace and comfy armchairs where you can enjoy taking time to make your wine choices. thegurdieswinery.com.au If you are enjoying a break on Phillip Island and would rather the wine comes to you, the newly-relaunched Silverwaters Vineyard delivery services may be what you are looking for. Emily and Herco who have moved to San Remo, Phillip Island, with their young family and have rejuvenated the Silverwaters Vineyard label, working with well-known Gippsland winemaker and wine producer, Marcus Satchell (of Dirty Three Wines, Inverloch). silverwatersvineyard.com.au Harman Wines is a boutique family-owned and run vineyard and winery from David and Nicole Harman in Wattle Bank, not far from Inverloch, Wonthaggi and Kongwak. Their cellar door is a hub for local and regional produce, which also features in their tasting plates and grazing platters.

It is open daily in January and on weekends from 11am-5pm throughout the year. They offer several different premium cool climate wine varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Merlot,. Their cellar door offers wood-fired pizzas every Sunday, and they also stock local beers and ciders, spirits, non-alcoholic drinks and coffee and teas. harmanwines.com.au

20

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

A warm welcome, fabulous local food and a view of the rolling hills of South Gippsland is on the menu when you visit Lucinda Estate on the outskirts of Leongatha. It offers an ideal example of the cool-climate complex and flavoursome Pinot Noir. For the visitor, the cellar door offers farmers’ platters and gourmet pizzas. Don’t forget to save room for their freshly-baked cakes and coffee. Their cellar door is open from 11.30am to 4.30pm Thursday to Sunday. lucindaestate.com.au Bass River Winery at Glen Forbes was one of the first five vineyards planted in Gippsland, nurturing the land since 1983. Generations of the Butera family still passionately grow the grapes and produce award-winning wines. With an emphasis on developing premium wines incorporating organic and sustainable viticulture principles, they create distinctive wines that celebrate the terroir and protect local biodiversity.

Their cellar is open every day (except Wednesday). bassriverwinery.com Heading a bit further south and on your way to The Prom, you will come to Waratah Hills Vineyard at Fish Creek, under new ownership from 2020. This is another perfect place to enjoy cool-climate favourites of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, from vines first planted in the 1990s, and in a tightly planted trellis style. Their cellar door offers the popular local produce platters topped up with fresh food from the property’s kitchen garden, and can arrange picnics on the Lawn by booking ahead. waratahhills.com.au Other Bass Coast and South Gippsland wineries worth a visit, either in person, or via their online shop: Dirty Three Wines – sumptuous and popular wines from three vineyards owned and run by renowned Gippsland winemaker, Marcus Satchell and Lisa Sartori. As 2021 draws to a close, they have just started preparing a further vineyard for planting, Their Inverloch cellar door is a welcoming wine bar, offering light lunches and Gippsland cheese, and also showcasing some of the best beer, cider, gin, vodka and food from South Gippsland. dirtythreewines.com.au The Gippsland Wine Company, under Mark Heath’s guidance, has built an impressive portfolio of vineyards across the Bass Coast and South Gippsland, often rejuvenating neglected vineyards into producers of premium wines. Cellar door is open daily in the summer until 27 January, other times at weekends. gippslandwinecompany.com Djinta Djinta Winery at Kardella South, with cellar door featuring light meals and platters from The Grazing Room. djintadjinta.com.au

south gippsland

3 12

8 4

9 7

6 5

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

PHILLIP ISLAND WINERY PURPLE HEN VINEYARD & WINERY THE GURDIES WINERY SILVERWATERS VINEYARD WARATAH HILLS LUCINDA ESTATE HARMAN WINES BASS RIVER GIPPSLAND THE GROVE GIPPSLAND

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 21

L O V E , F A M I LY & W I N E WOR D S B Y D A N IE L L E R A L PH | I M A G ES S U P P L I ED B Y S I LVER WATER S VI N EYA R D

The van der Walt family

Emily & Hercules van der Walt

22

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Spontaneity is the spice of life. Spontaneous is exactly how best to describe Hercules and Emily van der Walt and their journey to becoming the owners of prime real estate overlooking the silver waters of Westernport Bay. The couple, now married with three gorgeous daughters, met each other in the UK whilst on a backpacking adventure around Europe. Hercules (Herco) grew up on a cattle farm in South Africa and Emily was the city girl from Melbourne. Their worlds collided and would certainly change.

It didn’t take long to commit to building a future together in Australia.

If fact, they were engaged just one month after meeting and married within the year.

Making a life on land in San Remo has been one of their best, courageous decisions to date. The beloved Silverwaters Vineyard was the surprise bonus. “We were heading to Phillip Island for Australia Day weekend and saw that this 18-acre property was for sale. We actually bought it with the intention to remove the vineyard and just have cows,” Emily begins.

“When we moved here and spoke to the locals, they said that we can’t get rid of those award-winning grapes! We didn't know how to run a vineyard, so we first leased it to local winemakers. They taught us how to run the vineyard. So, the last seven years we've been learning how to manage a successful vineyard.”

The more the van der Walt’s spoke with winemakers in the region, the more they began to understand the quality of the produce that was growing on their land. “There's just something about that vineyard with the slope, the wind and the soil. It just works right. And you could see the winemakers and locals would be devastated if we pulled out those vines.

We loved to drink wine, we just knew nothing about the process and just how much work is involved,” Emily reflects.

They haven’t shied away from the hard work and after seven years of learning, growing, and pouring their hearts into this business, the muchloved Silverwaters Vineyard label is back up and running. They began with managing the vineyard and selling the grapes before releasing their first bottles of wine under the Silverwaters Vineyard label in September 2021.

“The years leading up, we never thought we'd get to the stage of bottling our own wine. That first bottle we shared tasted great! Then there was that anxiety of what people would think,” Emily says. The response has been incredibly positive. The added touch of quick, local delivery is also bringing smiles to peoples faces.

“Word of mouth has been the biggest thing. People order our wine, love it, reorder it, and tell their friends. We provide a very reliable service and it's a really good product. When you have a good product and people like your story as well, they support you.”

“People also like that we don't blend our grapes with other vineyards. We don't buy in other grapes. So, if we have a really bad year, we just don't make much wine under the premium Silverwaters Vineyard label. But that keeps the quality there.

Everything in that bottle is from our vineyard in San Remo,” Emily says.

Silverwaters Vineyard 2020 Cabernet Shiraz and a 2021 Pinot Gris

“The girls love when we are out picking grapes and spending time out on the motorbike. We built them a BMX track and they love it. As they get older, they will further appreciate this luxury of space as well,” Emily says. “For me, coming from a farming background to finding this place to settle into, it’s like a dream. I still pinch myself to actually own this place,” adds Herco.

“Everyone always talks about things they would love to do, so why not just do it? Yes, this came with hard work and so much risk. We could have lost everything that we have invested and had to start back at square one. We didn’t know which way it was going to go, and we are still finding out. But to actually be the people that just do it, I find that very rewarding,” Emily concludes.

The van der Walt family amongst thier vineyards

Well known winemaker Marcus Satchell has been a mentor to the couple, which they are grateful for. They don’t plan on establishing a cellar door on the property at this stage, which would significantly impact on their current family lifestyle. Instead, the focus remains on that quality product sold online with a local delivery service on offer. Restaurants in the area have also been keen to get Silverwaters Vineyard back on their tables.

Emily and Herco also started a sub label, which is called the Malusa Project. Malusa is the first two letters of their girls’ names, Maisie, Lulu and Sage. This label is all about collaboration. Over the last few years, the family have made a point of their holidays being in wine regions, so Emily and Herco could visit cellar doors and source blends for this side label.

“It was also nice to see what other people were doing and hear their stories and how they've made it work. There are lot of wineries that are run by families, who are all hands-on-deck, which was great for us to see.”

The family relish in coming home to San Remo, where they have an abundance of space and exceptional views out to the bay.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 23

24

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

THE FOOD. THE WINE. THE TIMES.

Phillip Island Winery is serious about food, serious about wine, and serious about great hospitality, but that doesn’t mean we take ourselves too seriously.

Phillip Island Winery is nestled in the rolling farmland of Ventnor with vies out to Bass Strait and beyond.

Truly encompassing all that is beautiful about the Island. We offer several different dining experiences from fine dining in the restaurant to a more relaxed experience in our newly built Atrium. Spilling out from the Atrium is several picnic tables and sprawling lawns with picnic blankets and lawn games making it the perfect spot for families and larger groups to enjoy. We also host regular live music afternoons and special events available to all.

Our cellar door offers not only a personal one on one tasting experience, but recently we have introduced our very popular tasting paddles, offering guests the chance to taste at their own pace. The cellar door is also packed with local gourmet produce in the providore, and a beautiful selection of homeware and giftware, so you can take a little piece of the winery home with you.

We also host events corporate groups and weddings of up to 300, giving you the chance to enjoy the winery exclusively for yourself. With plans for further extensions and offerings in the near future, this is one venue to keep your eye on!

PHILLIP ISLAND WINERY 414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor Vic 3922 www.phillipislandwinery.com.au Open Thursday to Sunday 11.30am – 5.30pm Check our socials for extended summer hours @phillipislandwinery

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 25

Aw a r d w i n n i n g w i n e s , c r e a t e d f o r c e l e b r a t i o n s

Our Story

Cool Climate Vino

Waratah Hills Kitchen

Waratah Hills is a small, family-run vineyard, owned and managed by the Smith and Blomley families. It is situated at the gateway to Victoria’s famed Wilson’s Promontory, the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland. Vines, first established in the mid 90’s, are tightly planted, low trellising style, reminiscent of Burgundy. The vineyard focuses on chardonnay and pinot noir. South Gippsland’s cool, maritime climate is widely acknowledged as one of the best Pinot Noir producing regions in Australia.

Waratah Hills was initially planted 25 years ago in the French Burgundy style of low trellising and close planting. It is a beautifully sited vineyard with two acres of Chardonnay planted on the north slope and seven acres of Pinot Noir, separated into two distinct areas of the property. The wine is made by local producer, Marcus Satchell. The property also produces a Blanc de Noir and a Rose.

Fresh, local ingredients - celebrating the Prom region.

The cellar door and restaurant occupy a former tractor shed, with seasonal, local produce platters, and plated dishes with ingredients more than often from the property’s kitchen garden.

The Prom Road label is the secondary label, curated by celebrated wine consultant, Mark Protheroe. Sourced from various Victorian regions, including the Yarra Valley and King Valley, the wines are made for celebration – approachable and convivial. The current selection includes Prosecco, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and our two Picnic wines.

The vineyard’s kitchen provides a seasonal menu, matched to the cellar door wines. Using local produce, often from our own kitchen garden, the homestyle menu is designed to share.

We encourage indulgence and celebration, in our dining room or out in the sunshine, on the Terrace and Lawn.

Picnics can also be pre-arranged by contacting the cellar door.

Waratah Hills 20 Cottmans Rd, Fish Creek VIC 3959 | (03) 5683 2441 | vineyard@waratahhills.com.au

www.waratahhills.com.au

The new Silverwaters Vineyard label was launched last year. The range featured a Pinot Gris, which sold out within weeks!

It also includes a Cabernet Shiraz and a new release of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In April, the range will be expanded with a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

“Everything under the Silverwaters label is from our single site vineyard. We don’t blend."

Silverwaters Vineyard also stock a “project series” called the Malusa Project.

“This is wine we have sourced from elsewhere, of varieties that we don’t grow. We’ve collaborated with other wine makers from different regions within Australia.”

The wine is sold through the vineyard’s online store, which offers free local delivery, with no minimum purchase. The free delivery covers a huge area from Lang Lang to Phillip Island and all the way to Inverloch, including the towns in between.

“People can order ahead and have the wine delivered to their home, their holiday house, caravan park or hotel.”

All orders are gift wrapped, can ship Australia wide and offers a mix 6 or dozen across the two labels.

You can follow their story on Facebook and Instagram, and order online at silverwatersvineyard.com.au Order Wine Online with Free Local Delivery – Guaranteed Next Day Lang Lang to Inverloch including Phillip Island - Free shipping Australia wide on 6 or more bottles

s i l ver wat e rs v i n e y a rd . c o m . a u

LATEST RELEASE THE GURDIES SPARKLING RED

TAKE A DETOUR TO THE GURDIES WINERY Located on the top of the hill at The Gurdies, our winery boasts breathtaking views of French Island and Western Port Bay. Our large Cellar Door with open fire place, huge patio and newly built outdoor function area, caters for all your special occasions.

Come and experience what The Gurdies Winery has to offer.

All our wines are made from Estate grown grapes.

Riesling, Chardonnay, Verdelho Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Our grazing platters showcase Bassine Cheese and local produce supporting our farmers. Bring your own picnic, or book one of our bbqs, Gippsland cider, Burra, Ocean Reach and Loch beer also available.

215 Gurdies-St Helier Rd, The Gurdies VIC 3984 O P E N F R I DAY T O S U N DAY 1 1 A M T O 5 P M Phone (03) 5997 6208

|

Email info@thegurdieswinery.com.au

www.thegurdieswinery.com.au

FROM BREKKY TO BOOZE, YOUR LOCAL IS MOO'S

R E C E N T LY R E N O VAT E D + S E R V I N G T H E F I N E S T T H AT S O U T H G I P P S L A N D H A S T O O F F E R

BREKKY

|

LUNCH

|

DINNER

|

TAPAS

|

RESERVE A TABLE CALL 03 5664 0010 EMAIL eat@moosatmeeniyan.com.au

www.moosatmeeniyan.com.au MOO’S AT MEENIYAN 89 WHITELAW STREET MEENIYAN VIC 3956

Photography by Mark Thurman | Nicky Cawood

COFFEE + CAKE

Baked in tradition From humble beginnings in East Gippsland, Patties Foods has grown to become the world’s biggest pie bakery and a household name throughout the nation.

Words: Chris West | Images: Doug Pell & Patties Foods

30

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Harry Rijs All Gippsland Lifestyle readers would know the Patties Foods name, but few are likely to be familiar with the remarkable story behind the evolution of the business.

Patties Foods is firmly entrenched as one of Australia’s leading companies in its sector and fulfilling its mission to be recognised as Creators of Irresistible Comfort Food. The company has a growing presence in both the domestic and international markets, a far cry from where the business began its journey more than half a century ago.

It all started in 1966 when Dutch immigrants Piet and Annie Rijs purchased a humble cake and coffee shop in Lakes Entrance called Patties. The name attached to the shop was an inherited reference to local lass Patty Neat (nee Hubbard), who previously owned the shop with her husband Nick before selling it to Piet and Annie.

By then, Piet and Annie had been in Australia for ten years. After taking over the shop, the couple took the business up a notch by extending its trading hours from three days a week to five and a half days a week and worked tirelessly to ensure its success.

Piet was a baker by trade but added a new skill to his arsenal when a Melbourne-based friend showed him how to make pies. The business initially found its niche in making cakes and pies, but soon also went into bread making in Lakes Entrance to service the local tourism market.

Patties was very much a family-focused enterprise. Progressively, all six of Piet and Annie’s children – sons Leo, Richard, Frank, Harry, Nick and Adrian – eventually joined their parents in the business and became hands-on contributors towards its ongoing success.

“We worked our guts out,” says Harry Rijs, whose own involvement in the family business now spans 50 years.

Pies and cakes remained central to the shop business, but bread became the backbone of the operation as it grew. The major competitor in the bread market in the region was Sunicrust in Bairnsdale, which was taking over numerous smaller local bakeries at that time.

“We thought Sunicrust was going to buy us out but they actually approached us to buy them out,” Harry explains.

“We had not long finished building a new bread bakery in Lakes Entrance and had only been in it for twelve months, but we took the plunge and bought Sunicrust out,” he adds.

The Rijs family relocated the bread bakery to the premises in Bairnsdale that had formerly been occupied by Sunicrust and continued making pies and cakes in Lakes Entrance.

“Eventually we consolidated our pie making into Bairnsdale and divested the cake shop In Lakes Entrance,” Harry notes.

“Then in 1996 we sold the bread business back to Sunicrust. Our focus had shifted to pies and the only way for us to expand was to get out of bread.”

The next momentous milestone for Patties Foods was to bolster the brand portfolio, by purchasing the iconic Four’N Twenty pie business off Simplot in 2003. The acquisition came packaged with several other well-known and long-established pie brands, including Herbert Adams, Wedgewood and Nanna’s.

Three years later, the family made the decision to float the rapidlyexpanding business on the Australian Stock Exchange. Patties Foods remained a public company for the next decade before delisting from the ASX in 2016.

Since then Patties Foods has operated as a private company, with majority shareholders Pacific Equity Partners and also the Rijs family.

Harry believes the current structure operating over the past five years has served the business better than when it was a public company.

“Pacific Equity Partners has invested heavily in the business and been instrumental in more than doubling our size. The highly experienced management team is very switched on and doing a fine job,” he comments.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

31

HARRY RIJS ON THE LEFT WITH JOHN TIMMS ON THE RIGHT

HARRY RIJS WITH A PHOTO OF HIS PARENTS

Harry retired from the business eleven years ago but continues an involvement as a board member, as does his brother Richard, who was formerly the company’s managing director. None of the other Rijs brothers maintain an active presence within the business, although Frank retired only last year after a 49-year involvement. Amongst Frank’s many contributions to the business, he was instrumental in historical recipe and product development and installing new equipment

“Our presence in the USA is really starting to grow through our international brand Four’N Twenty which is extremely exciting for us.

It’s been hard work but we’re making excellent progress. After all, people do love the taste of a Four’N Twenty pie.”

Harry believes the fellow board members and executive management team value the input he and Richard continue to provide to the business through their experience, industry know how and network of contacts.

“Ben is a once in a generation athlete who grew up in Melbourne on Four’N Twenty pies and is a natural fit with our Four’N Twenty brand,” Paul says.

Patties Foods Chief Executive Officer, Paul Hitchcock says that the Rijs family members have a deep passion for the business they founded and have been a great support to him in his role. He describes the past five years as having been a period of rapid expansion and organisational transformation into new categories, channels and geographies by the new management team.

“I arrived at a business that had great brands and great people, but probably hadn’t reached its full potential,” he said.

“What we’ve been able to do is invest in the business in the way of capital, plant and equipment, including spending $20 million on a new world class pie-line at our Bairnsdale Bakery in early 2020.”

Patties Foods has also introduced new products into its portfolio including ready meals and pasta to add to its famed traditional staples – pies, party pies and sausage rolls. The company is also increasing its exports into New Zealand, the USA and Japan and plans further expansion into South East Asia.

“Building off the really strong foundation that the Rijs family had built with Patties, we’ve been focused on continuing to invest in the core categories of pies and savoury rolls and expanding into adjacent categories such as the fast-growing ready meals category,” Paul says.

32

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Helping to increase awareness and boost sales in the American market is US-based Australian three times NBA All-Star, Ben Simmons, who relishes his role as a Four’N Twenty brand ambassador.

Today the Patties Foods Group’s stable of businesses is generating sales of around $500 million per annum. By comparison, after its establishment in 1966 it had taken the company ten years to turn over its first full million.

“We’re a great Australian company and we have been growing at just under 10% per annum over the last four years and we’re projecting to continue to grow at that rate,” Paul proudly says.

“We will achieve ongoing sales momentum through continuing to leverage our world class consumer-led innovation capability, investing in our iconic brands and working with our trade partnerships to commercialise exciting new products. Examples of this include our new plant-based pies, premium wine infused pies and our exciting new Four’N Twenty Hi-Protein Traveller range.”

Patties Foods presently employs approximately 1000 people across the group in Australia and New Zealand. Around 400 of that workforce are based at the Bairnsdale Bakery and a further 150 at its worldclass Pakenham site, which was purchased in 2019 as the production base for frozen ready meals and Leggo’s chilled pasta and sauces. It is also where frozen desserts such as Nanna’s classic apple pies are produced.

“Our Bairnsdale Bakery is a very important facility for is. It’s our biggest site, it’s where our pie production is done and where the majority of our revenue comes out of,” Paul informs.

“We have invested to ensure that the Bairnsdale Bakery remains world-class. We have a very experienced, skilled, loyal and committed team there who go above and beyond for Patties Foods and we’re very grateful for that. We want Gippslanders to know that we’re totally committed to the region through the bakery in Bairnsdale and the jobs we create. It’s not just the direct jobs, but all the indirect jobs as well. We always try to support the communities in which we operate.”

Sponsorships are another way that Patties Foods contributes to the local economy. There would hardly be a sporting club or charitable organisation in East Gippsland that hasn’t received support from the company at some point.

One initiative that Patties Foods is particularly proud to assist is the Hope Restart Centre, a live-in alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility run by Odyssey House which is located just out of Bairnsdale.

“The impact of one extra employee in Bairnsdale is the equivalent of a thousand extra employees in Melbourne. Everyone was touting it as a pie-led recovery in Bairnsdale because the town had been in the doldrums a little bit before then.”

Piet Rijs passed away in 1985 at the age of 72 so didn’t live long enough to witness all of the growth, but Annie was around to see a lot of the expansion. Harry says his mother was a skilled marketer and one of the driving forces behind the business.

“Mum was 91 when she passed away in 2013. She was blown away by how much the business had grown,” he states.

“Both she and dad would be amazed by the extent of the recent transformational growth and equally proud of what has been achieved over the entire history of the business.”

Patties Foods promotes itself as the ‘world’s biggest pie bakery’ on giant signage at the Bairnsdale Bakery. It is a claim that has not yet been disputed.

“Not only is Patties Foods the biggest, we’re also the best,” Harry concludes without the slightest hesitation.

“Helping people get their lives back on track is a great cause to support and we’ve got right behind it,” Paul says.

Reflecting on the business his parents started and its subsequent evolution and growth, Harry Rijs also acknowledges that however far the company’s horizons may reach, its home will always be in East Gippsland.

“I remember when we bought Four’N Twenty we put on an extra hundred people in Bairnsdale overnight and I don’t think it was a coincidence that local property prices started going up,” he says.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

33

South Gippsland Supermarket Stalwarts

Chris O’Leary As young blokes growing up around the beaches of Dromana, Brendan and Chris O’Leary earned their coin in the local supermarket – like so many other teenagers. But they’ve since forged decades-long careers out of their afterschool jobs and are now welcoming the next generation of the O’Leary family into the retail fold in South Gippsland.

The pair now head up supermarkets in Leongatha and Inverloch, and remain steadfast brothers in arms as they navigate one of the most challenging times for retailers.

Ironically, Brendan and Chris started their retail careers working for brothers – Michael and Tony Lorenz. The Lorenz brothers owned the Dromana IGA, or Festival as it was known in the 90s, where Brendan, the older of the brothers, began working as a cashier.

“I started off when I was 15 as a casual in the supermarket in Dromana so I was there as a casual when Michael and his brother bought the store,” Brendan explained. “I think I’d been there for four or so years by then. I got my Bachelor of Education but at the time the Kennett government had just got in and were cutting back on the jobs, so I initially didn’t get a placement and Michael offered me fulltime work at the supermarket and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”

Meanwhile his brother Chris was looking for work, and the Lorenz brothers took him under their wing. “I sort of walked off the beach one day and Michael pulled me into the office and said he didn’t realise I was looking for work,” said Chris. “I used to wash his car in the carpark for a bit of cash in hand back in the day, and I pretty much started the next day fulltime. Been there ever since.”

34

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

A year later, the Lorenz brother sold the store to Ritchies and dissolved their partnership. Michael Lorenz purchased supermarkets in Korumburra and Leongatha, and eventually convinced Chris and Brendan to come and work for him at Michael’s SUPA IGA in the towns.

“I think I started off as an assistant manager at Leongatha and Chris was working at Korumburra,” said Brendan. “I worked there for four years and after about six months I became manager of the store in Leongatha and then I left there in 1999 to come and work for Dom and Tracey down here in FoodWorks Inverloch at the old shop. It used to be where Paul the Pieman is now.”

While the O’Leary brothers no longer work under the same roof, they still rely heavily on each other’s advice.

“I know Brendan and I try and have the same weekends off, because we’re pretty close, we socialise together. Unfortunately, we talk a bit of shop when we do get together.”

Brendan agrees: “We are pretty close, and when we get together, we’re talking shop a fair bit.”

The close relationship has never been more important than during the pandemic, as both brothers deal with stock uncertainty and staff shortages.

Keeping It In The Family Words by Anita Butterworth

Brendan O’Leary

“This summer has probably been our hardest one ever in that, we’ve lost a few staff having to isolate or actually catching Covid,” explained Brendan.

“The supply of goods is very erratic and it’s still nowhere near what it should be. Our warehouse is still three days behind where they normally would be. We’re usually waiting for stock while we’re doing orders for more stock and there’s a lot of ‘out of stock’ as well at the moment.”

And it’s a similar story for Chris.

“We get a lot of our groceries out of the same warehouse, he being Foodworks and myself being IGA. So, all the suppliers, groceries and cold goods all come from the same place pretty much. So, we’ve had to talk with each other over the journey, especially over the last couple of years and say, ‘Have you got any communication that you’re able to get stock?’.

"There’s been occasions when we’ve had stuff delivered to each other’s store and I’ll give him a buzz and say, ‘Do you realise you’ve got this here?’ so we work in with each other.”

While Brendan and his family initially lived in Korumburra, they recently built a home in Inverloch. He says while the coastal town’s supermarket has its unique challenges, it also has a loyal customer base.

“When I was at Leongatha, it’s pretty much week in week out, same sales pretty much except for Christmas and Easter. Whereas down here in Inverloch it’s all over the place. Quiet in winter, busier when the weather’s nicer. Flat out at Christmas and summer and then you’ve got your peaks of Easter and long weekends, so the challenges are staffing and ordering.

“But I think we’ve gained a bit more loyalty because of the pandemic, I think probably a lot of people were doing their main shopping in Wonthaggi, going to the chains I think they’ve decided that it’s just as good for them to do their shopping with us, so we have gained a bigger basket size since the pandemic began. And we haven’t really seen that drop off even when things are relatively normal.”

Both Chris and Brendan are keeping retail in the family, with their wives and children taking up positions at the various stores.

And as to whether Brendan and Chris will ever be working under the same supermarket roof again? Never say never.

“I’d love to work with Brendan again, we had a great working relationship.”

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

35

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

GROW MASTER TRARALGON

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.

WANDER THROUGH THE LAYERS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL GARDEN CENTRE, EACH STEP LEADING 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

Full range of Water Tanks, Building Materials, Gates, Rural Supplies & Nursery.

Available for pick up or delivery. To Order Phone 5678 8552

GRANTVILLE Cnr Bass Highway & Dalyston-Glen Forbes Road,

OFFICER 421 Princes Highway

Mon – Fri 7.00am – 5.00pm Sat – 7.00am – 12.00pm | Sun – 9.00am – 2.00pm

Mon – Fri 7.00am – 5.00pm Sat – 7.00am to 12.00pm | Sun Closed

E: grantville@vansteenseltimbers.com.au | www.vansteenseltimbers.com.au gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 37

San Remo Index

38

152 – 54

A TALE OF TWO BRIDGES

44 – 45

DAIKIN AIRCONDITIONING – The best air everywhere

46

GARTH LISLE – Property Consultants

39

HER SKIN SPA – Laser, Beauty and Day Spa

46

LATITUDE TRADING – Great range of giftware

40 – 43

SAN REMO – The fishing village that continues to grow

56

SAN REMO BUTCHERS – High Quality Meats

48 – 49

SAN REMO FISHERMAN’S CO-OP – A San Remo institution

47

SAN REMO IGA – Celebrate good times

39

THE GOLDSMITH’S STUDIO – Jewellers and Artisans Gallery

55

THE WESTERNPORT HOTEL - #whereelse

57

THE YARDS – Homewares, Giftware, Local Produce

38

WILDLIFE COAST CRUISES – Check out our great cruises!

50 – 51

WILDLIFE COAST CRUISES – Connecting with nature

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Well made – Handmade – Australian made Unique, Bespoke Jewellery Featuring the work of Gold and Silversmiths Bronwyn Pratt, Monica Szwaja and Steven Nicolaou

Jen Manhal

Bronwyn Pratt Tim Bowler

Tears of the Desert B.Pratt

The Autumn Exhibition features the “Nature’s Wonder” by Jen and Bob Manhal & T im Bowler.

The exhibition is open till March 31, 2022 Open Wednesday to Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm Other times by Appointment or Whim

Bob Manhal

The Goldsmith’s Studio | Jewellers & Artisans Gallery Bridgeview Arcade Shop 3, 157-159 Marine Parade, San Remo www.goldsmithstudio.com.au | Bronwyn@goldsmithstudio.com.au |

@TheGoldsmithStudio | 0409 934 543

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 39

SAN REMO THE FISHING VILLAGE THAT CONTINUES TO GROW Photo supplied by Garth Lisle Property Consultants

San Remo 1950s

40

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

San Remo was originally named after the famous Italian Riviera resort town and it is situated at the southern entrance to Westernport Bay. A bridge in the town centre provides a link from the mainland to the popular holiday destination of Phillip Island.

Originally formed as a fishing village, the economy is largely based on tourism and there has been an explosion of housing growth in the past few years.

With a distance from Melbourne of only 122km this idyllic town that is nestled between ocean and bay is attracting more visitors and families looking for the escape from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne.

San Remo’s commercial centre stretches along Marine Parade which runs parallel to Phillip Island Road and the bridge across to the island.

Cafes, bakeries, two hotels, restaurants, super market and gift shops line this tourist precinct. Across the road from the shops at the western end of Marine Parade is a park with BBQ and picnic areas that stretches down to a sandy beach.

Originally established as a deep water port for the transportation of farm produce and coal to Melbourne in the mid 1800s, a thriving fishing industry soon developed in San Remo and it is currently the base for Australia’s largest shark fishing fleet. The main hub of boating activity occurs around the network of elevated walkways which constitutes the San Remo Jetty, offering direct access to both Western Port and Bass Strait. On the beach foreshore adjacent to the San Remo Jetty, pelicans are fed daily from freshly caught fish at around 12pm.

The Australian Pelican

A scenic coastal track commences near the entrance to San Remo Jetty.

It curves around Davis Point and follows the length of Childrens Beach and offers views along the coast towards Griffiths Point and also across the water to Phillip Island.

San Remo’s Back Beach, located off Back Beach Road, is situated at the base of cliffs and directly opposite Cape Woolamai at Phillip Island. Lions Park, which sits above the cliffs, features BBQ and picnic areas and a scenic cliff top walk.

One of San Remo’s most secluded beaches is Bore Beach, located at the southern end of the unsealed Potters Hill Road and facing Bass Strait.

A scenic track winds its way down from the car park at the top of the cliffs down to a large stretch of sandy beach below.

A bridge spans the fast moving waters of “The Narrows”, linking San Remo with Phillip Island’s settlement of Newhaven. The 700 metre long bridge was opened in 1969 and includes a pedestrian walkway which offers good views of San Remo, the jetty and towards Phillip Island.

The Esplanade San Remo

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 41

SAN REMO

THE FISHING VILLAGE THAT CONTINUES TO GROW

San Remo wharf

42

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 43

WHY CHO O SE DAI KI N?

EXPERTS IN AIR CONDITIONING As specialists, air conditioning is all we do. We take pride in designing products that provide clean, efficient, and superior comfort in the places we live, work and play.

SPECIALIST DEALER NETWORK With over 450+ strong dealer network, Daikin is available through our Specialist Dealer network, who will assess, plan and install the right air conditioning solution for your home.

QUALITY AFTER SALES SUPPORT Our comprehensive range of services from our dedicated after sales support team will ensure the long term durability and keep your Daikin running smoothly for many years to come.

SENSITIVE CHOICE® APPROVED Daikin's split system air conditioners are approved by the National Asthma Council Australia Sensitive Choice® program, and are the only split systems that carry the blue butterfly symbol

THE BEST AIR ANYWHERE

1/60 Genista Street, San Remo 5678 5190 After hours commercial breakdown office@picra.com.au www.coastalrefrigandaircon.com.au

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC REGRERATION & AIR CONDITIONING

|

REFRIGERANT TRADE AUTH NO: AU 51246 - PI 48651

Garth Lisle Property Consultants is your local boutique Real Estate Agency prominently situated at Shop 3, 129 Marine Parade San Remo.

We are a family owned and operated company spanning over three decades specialising in residential, lifestyle, new land subdivision, commercial and rural properties along with business sales. Director, Scott Lethbridge has put together a dynamic sales team consisting of experienced agents Mike Cunningham and John Shaw. Both Mike and John are active members of the community that bring many years of sales management and customer service experience.

In recent months Garth Lisle Property Consultants has achieved exceptional sales results for our clients throughout the Bass Coast region including properties in the townships of Grantville, Bass, San Remo, Newhaven, Cape Woolamai, Sunderland Bay and Cowes.

If you are considering buying, selling or just wanting to get an appraisal on the value of your home there is no better time to drop by our office for an obligation free discussion.

At Garth Lisle Property Consultants we pride ourselves on integrity, experience and team work.

Thinking Real Estate?

Think Garth Lisle Property Consultants

Shop 3/129 Marine Parade San Remo Proud supporter of the MND foundation

5678 5878

www.glpc.com.au WE KNOW REAL ESTATE

U N DE R NE W MA N A G E ME N T GREAT RANGE OF GIFTWARE BY ROBERT GORDON, LEATHER GOODS, HOMEWARES, CLOTHING, JEWELLERY, CANDLES, HANDBAGS, GIFTS, AND BABY WEAR 139 MARINE PARADE SAN REMO VIC 3925 | TEL: 03 5678 5122 | OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK - 10.00AM – 5.00PM lattitudetrading.com.au Like us on face book 46

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

FISH AND CHIPS

GREAT VIEWS FROM THE SAN REMO FISHERMEN'S CO-OP

SAN REMO FISHERMEN'S CO-OP

GREAT VARIETY OF SEAFOOD ON THE MENU

48

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

PELICAN FEEDING TIME

prawns, scallops, oysters, octopus & more… featuring fresh gummy off the boats

Pelican feeding Daily at noon 170 Marine Parade, Sa Phone: 5678Parade, 5206 Sa arade, San Remo 170 Marine 6 Phone: 5678 5206 www.srfco.com.au

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 49

CONNECTING WITH NATURE WORDS BY DANIELLE RALPH PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY DANIELLE RALPH & WILD LIFE COAST CRUISES

Dolphin gliding through water

It’s been a lifetime of loving and appreciating the wonderful coast and wildlife that surrounds Philip Island for Wildlife Coast Cruises founder John Dickie. We have him to thank for affording everyone the opportunity to experience the natural splendour that is to be uncovered around the Island.

Australia’s largest seal colony along with dolphins and humpback and southern right whales (in the winter season) are the stars of the Island’s waters. With 28 years of operational experience, Wildlife Cruises provides educational, up-close encounters with the majestic marine mammals.

Furthermore, a shorter one-hour cruise departing from San Remo takes in the granite cliffs and caves of Cape Woolamai. It’s a glide along the turquoise waters before drawing closer to the spectacular scenery in more thrilling waters. It’s a beautiful experience for a minimal cost. The timings of operations for this cruise also ties in perfectly with the San Remo Fisherman’s Co-operative Pelican feeding on the foreshore. While the birds enjoy the feed as a welcome treat for the day, they don’t rely on this. The presentation touches on how to improve conservation and protection for the Pelicans and similar species. Often large stingrays are also spotted in the shallow waters.

These breathtaking scenes found at San Remo and Phillip Island have been John’s backyard, for which he is grateful. “I was born in this area and have lived here all my life."

"I’ve always had that connection and appreciation for what we have here. The idea for the business Wildlife Coast Cruises was to grow that appreciation through the tour boats,” John begins.

FAMILY BONDS

A special aspect to Wildlife Coast Cruises is that it has remained a strong family unit. Kasey Lee and Brianna Lee are not only the beautiful names of John’s daughters, but they are also imprinted on the special ladies of the sea. Both twin deck catamarans seat up to 100 people. Notably, they will both have battery inverted power systems installed, saving thousands of litres of fuel a year. Wildlife Coast Cruises is an advanced Eco Certified business with all tours aiming to having minimal impact on the environment as well.

John’s son Ben Dickie now also plays a key role having taken the lead in the marketing space. Other family members helping out part time are John’s brother in-law Drew and daughter in-law Brianna. “They all do a great job and to have family there to watch over the business when I’m not there is great,” John shares.

Alongside a fantastic team, local families have given so much support, notably The Martin family Rachael, Phil and Margaret. John mentions locals Snow and Brett Lacco as having contributed to the business since the very beginning.

Wildlife Coast Cruises and all thier staff

50

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Whale watching aboard Wildlife Coast Cruises Ben and John Dickie

“I love that our business can keep our family and the area history alive. I’m proud of maintaining and growing a small family business after putting a lot of years of work in.”

Beneath the San Remo Bridge

Playful Seal

You don’t have to travel that far to see different scenery and have these memorable experiences.”

That affection also extends to the staff at Wildlife Coast Cruises, who are employed mostly for their passion. Ben notes just how fatherly his dad is to those who join the business. “He's like a dad to everyone. He is very friendly and easy going. Dad is always happy to let people share their ideas as well. He will always listen.”

So how can you predict where the whales will be? “We record as much information every year on where they have been spotted to identify a bit of a pattern. We often have people out scouting from the land and people in the community also keep us up to date on sightings. We also structure those cruises to go a little bit longer, so we also have that time to find them,” Ben explains.

A WHALE OF A TIME

CRUISING INTO THE FUTURE

Queensland and Western Australia receive high levels of recognition for their cruising scene and Wildlife Cruises is contributing to putting Victoria on the map. “There still isn’t that many cruise boats operating here in Victoria for us to get that same recognition. That’s been a challenge in Victoria since we started in 1993,” John reflects.

Catamarans Kasey Lee and Brianna Lee will soon have an addition to the family with a new boat in the works. This latest project will be of great benefit to the business and its position out at Wilson’s Promontory. Once in operation, one of the three will be able to be stationed in Wilson’s Promontory to offer more regular full day cruises from Port Welshpool.

“Our whale watching cruises have proven that yes you can do that here in Victoria. Because we are locals, I feel we get great support though the local community. We do get that recognition locally.”

“This new boat is a big milestone for us. We can structure new products based on that as well,” says Ben with excitement. More tours operating means more people with smiles on their faces and a continued bright future for a business that has made a significant positive impact on this region.

Ben adds: “We get great feedback on how much of an amazing day the whale watching cruise is. It’s a very special experience. A lot of people also don’t realise how scenic some of these areas are.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 51

a Tale of Two Bridges

52

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

THE FIRST AND THE LAST OBJECT MOST PEOPLE ENCOUNTER WHEN VISITING PHILLIP ISLAND IS THE LARGE BRIDGE SPANNING THE NARROWS IN WESTERN PORT BAY, LINKING THE ISLAND TO SAN REMO AND THE MAINLAND.

What few may realise, though, is that the current bridge had an older sibling, which now leaves almost no trace of its existence, but is part of a long and fascinating history.

In the early years, access to Phillip Island was difficult, as the Koo Wee Rup swamp made it a long and harrowing journey down the east coast to the San Remo area, the closest point on the mainland to the island.

In 1878, a paddle steamer began operating from Hastings to Cowes, Rhyll and Newhaven, becoming the first regular passenger service on the mainland to the island.

Vehicle access became possible in 1929 when a two-car punt commenced running between Newhaven and San Remo, which was replaced in 1938 by a six-car punt.

A one-service-a-day ferry from Stony Point to Cowes also operated, although after several years it became obvious that neither a larger punt nor the ferry could satisfy the transport needs of the islanders or visitors, and particularly the farmers whose crops needed to be transported to the mainland.

In 1927, a committee was formed to push the Victorian state government to construct a bridge linking Newhaven with San Remo, yet it took many years for the final decision to be made. It wasn’t until November 1938 that Premier Albert Dunstan committed to the project, promising to fund the proposed cost of £30,000. Naturally, this decision was met with great applause, such as from the Bass Shire Council, who stated that the bridge would be a “blessing to the people of the island and to hundreds of motorists in Victoria.”

Due to the need for boats to enter through The Narrows, the wooden and steel structure was built as a suspension bridge, with a 12-metre clearance at its highest point above the water.

On November 29th 1940, what was once a needlessly long (and expensive) trip could now be accomplished in a matter of seconds over the new structure.

The bridge allowed simultaneous passage of vehicles and pedestrians on and off the island, though not long afterwards, its popularity clashed with its load limit of six tonnes; milk tankers could not cross it, and tourist buses had to unload their passengers and travel across empty.

Occasionally the weight restrictions weren't heeded by truck drivers, resulting in several of the steel cables snapping; it hadn't helped that many of the materials used for the bridge were secondhand. So in the 1960s, plans were drawn up for an entirely new bridge.

Several options were explored for the location of the second bridge, mainly to improve the passage of traffic from Melbourne to Cowes One included a crossing from Somers on the Mornington Peninsula, which would cut the current trip length in half (from 135km to 77km), but would require a massive, hugely expensive, three-kilometre bridge over Western Port Bay, close to an area earmarked for a deep-water port.

Cooler heads (and possibly accountants) prevailed, and it was decided to situate bridge no. 2 further east from the old one and construct it from steel and pre-stressed concrete, with firmer footings on the sea bed and a greatly improved load capacity, with enough space for twoway vehicular traffic and a pedestrian crossing.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

53

a Tale of Two Bridges Due to the strong tidal currents and deep water in The Narrows, there would always be challenges for the engineers, though the new alignment helped to mitigate these somewhat, as the water was less turbulent and shallower in the new location.

On November 21st, 1969, the second bridge was opened to traffic. A large crowd of over 1,000 locals gathered for the occasion, significantly higher than the expected 300-400. While the second bridge hasn't changed much since its construction, its width has allowed the usual two lanes (one inbound, one outbound) to become three (one inbound, two outbound), usually during periods of heavy traffic such as the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The number of permanent residents on Phillip Island has grown from just over 500 in 1871 to more than 10,000 in 2016. This figure balloons significantly during summer and particularly in October when the MotoGP is held.

The overwhelming majority of the 3.5 million annual visitors enter the island, unsurprisingly, via the bridge. Access onto and off the island can still be slow and frustrating at times; if an accident occurs on or near the bridge, then access to the island can be completely blocked.

Recently there has been much talk of plans to construct a jetty on the northern side of Phillip Island to allow mooring of a passenger and vehicular ferry, which would connect the island to the Mornington Peninsula, and thus offer another route onto and off the island. Depending on whom you ask, this proposal is either sorely needed or incredibly unnecessary; there does seem to be consensus, though, that the current bridge cannot cope, and that the jetty's arrival is almost inevitable and the main point of contention is simply where it will be built. It seems the history of Phillip Island and its bridges may soon have a new chapter.

Black & White Images courtesy of The State Library Victoria

54

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

WHERE COUNTRY HOSPITALITY MEETS CITY SMARTS

It’s the place where thongs, boat shoes and Blundstones come together, where ‘collars up’ is ok, but ‘no collar’ is better, where the beer glass has those little pearls of ice on the outside, and your favourite whisky winks at you from the top shelf. Where your favourite band plays their best set, while a bloke tries to tell you an over-exaggerated story of the one that got away.

WELCOME TO THE WESTERNPORT HOTEL – WHERE ELSE? LIVE MUSIC | CRAFT BEER | PET FRIENDLY | BEST PARMA AROUND | KIDS ROOM | GREAT PRICE FOR ACCOMMODATION #WHEREELSE IMAGES BY TOMMY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

THE WE ST E RNPORT HOT E L 161 Marine Parade, San Remo VIC 3925 | info@thewesternport.com.au | www.thewesternport.com.au Tel: 03 5678 5205

LOCAL GIPPSLAND B E E F & LA M B

SAN REMO BUTCHERS HIGH QUALITY MEATS

LYNN, JENNIFER, DES & STACEY

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED GIPPSLAND GRASS GROWN BEEF GREAT RANGE OF BBQ RIBS & CHARCOALS

WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS WELCOME OPEN 6 DAYS PER WEEK MONDAY TO SATURDAY

SAN REMO BUTCHERS

119 MARINE PARADE SAN REMO VIC 3925

Tel: 5678 5489

Homewares – Giftware – Lo cal Pro duc e – Apparel

117 Marine Parade San Remo Vic 3925 Tel: 8595 2156 Hours: Wednesday – Monday 10.00am – 5.00pm Like us on faceb o ok and instagram

theyards_atphillipislandwinery

Melaleuca Nursery has been supplying quality indigenous and native plants for over 30 years.

Whether it’s a few plants for the backyard or thousands for a revegetation project, we have a wide range of plants suitable for your area.

WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES WELCOME

03 5674 1014 |

info@melaleucanursery.com.au |

50 Pearsalls Road, Inverloch Vic 3996

www.melaleucanursery.com.au

Find us on facebook @MelaleucaNurseryInverloch gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 57

58

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

ON T REN D GL A MP ING IN G IPPSL A N D WORDS & IMAGES DANIELLE RALPH | IMAGES SUPPLIED BY INVERLOCH GLAMPING CO

Unplugged from life’s obligations, I am listening and watching the nearby ocean waves rise and gently fold. I smell the carefully curated floral arrangements amidst native bushlands and taste freshly picked berries, complemented by a glass of prosecco. I am tucked away in this handcrafted hideaway at Inverloch Glamping Co. My agenda is to be present in nature…with an on trend added touch of glamour, of course.

My fully prepared Scandinavian styled luxury bell tent faces Inverloch’s dynamic estuary and is named Anderson’s Let after the pioneering explorer who settled in this region. Cosy rugs, handmade soft furnishings, and a split system is on hand for year-round comfort in this rural oasis.

The accompanying bathroom cabin features both indoor and outdoor rain showers and is equipped with eco-friendly mandarin and lemon myrtle fragranced amenities as well as a personal robe. Set upon my own viewing deck wrapped in the robe, I am primely positioned to totally relax as I watch the sun set. It’s glorious.

"Everything with the landscaping has a meaning, whether that be a scent, for cut flowers, a structural element or a practical element like the grasses that can be cut for basket weaving. The fresh flowers in the accommodations all off the property.”

As Vanessa explains, her guests are often surprised that everything is here for them including a camp kitchen stocked with pots and pans. “I wanted to have that ease for people in getting the full experience with minimal effort on their part. I also love the idea that people can be communal here or they can be completely private. I do love it when people do meet other guests and use the camp kitchen as a communal space,” she comments.

Alternatively, the bath house is the perfect private spot to book for a romantic evening for two. Epson salts and candles creates a beautifully calming setting should guests opt to utilise the facility. A two-night stay is encouraged to fully unwind and appreciate the surroundings.

At Inverloch Glamping Co, life is simple and fulfilling.

“My hope is that people get exactly what they want out of this experience. Most people do, I feel. Most people come to reset. I want people to take in the scenery and encourage them to catch a sunrise. They are amazing. I get to see in people’s faces how they are just so different when they leave,” Vanessa shares satisfied with her part in this positive experience.

This wonderful experience was owner Vanessa Bostock’s vision and now pride and joy. From growing up in the United Kingdom on a farm, to understanding the trends of what people want from an adult only sustainable getaway with a few creature comforts, Vanessa along with her husband Rod, a South Gippsland local, have established an outstanding business on their property in Inverloch.

Three years into the business and with sons now 13 and 17, Vanessa also likes to encourage family involvement and is always forward thinking.

She has several enhancements to the property floating in her mind for when the time presents to expand. First, the bell tent Anderson’s Let will become a geodesic dome where a 180 degree viewing window will bring the sunrise to the guests without even getting out of bed.

As the moon takes its place in the night sky, my wood fire chimenea is lit. For added comfort, a blanket and cushions are available to use as I please. The stars glitter magnificently. Shall I admire them from my campsite, personal decking space, the large hammock bed fitted with cushions and hand-woven blankets or the outdoor bath house?

This is glamping at its best.

“It became evident to us when we bought this property that it had a soothing, magical effect.

We wanted to share that. It was just the ponies and the sheep in the paddock. So why not share it?” Vanessa begins.

“We had an opportunity with some inheritance and my sister had sewn the seed of this idea with her business back in the UK as well having knowledge of the popularity of glamping there, but I had no experience in hospitality,” Vanessa reflects.

“One of the main concepts for me was the landscaping and the types of plants that I have. Getting creative in the garden is always my savouring grace.” she says.

With a background in remedial massage, Vanessa also plans to incorporate this service into the business as well as hosting relevant workshops on site, potentially offering a bike hiring option to guests and a top-secret new style of accommodation. The possibilities are endless for a very hard-working woman. She just needs to find the time to keep up with her ever-expanding ideas.

“My boys were actually one of the main reasons I started this business because I wanted to show them that if you do have a dream and an idea, if you work hard enough, you can actually achieve some big things.

My dad always used to say, ‘where there's a will, there's a way’ and I pretty much have to live my life like that,” Vanessa says.

“I'm really proud of what we have built. It's been a hell of a ride. It's here, doing really well and it's popular. People are loving it, so I'm proud of that.” Vanessa certainly should be proud. The desire for experiencebased travel is growing stronger and stronger and Inverloch Glamping Co sits pretty as one of the special ones.

R O N G OTA I HEA R , SE E , SME L L , TA S T E T H E O C E AN I N V E R LO C H G L A M PI N G C O gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 59

O N TREND G L AMP IN G I N G I PPSL A N D

60

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

VIRTUE HOMES 'BUILDING EXCELLENCE'

THE ACURA 38 WARRAGUL

ACURA DISPLAY HOME

NOW OPEN

243 COPELAND'S ROAD, WARRAGUL

WED - SUN 11AM - 4PM

THE ACURA 2021 WINNER

2021

2019

2018

AWARD WINNING BUILDERS WINNER 2019

WINNER

WINNER 2019

VICTORIAN DISPLAY HOME OF THE YEAR 2021

DISPLAY HOME LOCATIONS HUDSON ( POP UP ) 12 CORNELL WAY, TRARALGON FAIRVIEW 27 4 FRANKLIN AVENUE, WARRAGUL

03 5176 5997 | info@virtuehomes.com.au | www.virtuehomes.com.au Photography by Open2ViewGippsland

S P R I N G I N G TO L I F E

METUNG HOT SPRINGS IS SET TO BECOME EAST GIPPSLAND’S ICONIC NEW DESTINATION AND AN INSTANT DRAWCARD IN ATTRACTING MORE VISITORS TO THE REGION WORDS BY CHRIS WEST IMAGES KINDLY SUPPLIED BY METUNG HOT SPRINGS

64

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

“WE’RE EXCITED TO INVITE GUESTS TO BATHE AMONGST WILDLIFE AND NATURE FLORA AND FAUNA UNIQUE TO OUR REGION.” ADRIAN BROMAGE.

Fancy the idea of soaking away the stresses of your busy life and immersing yourself in the pure bliss of a luxurious wellness wonderland?

Who wouldn’t? Well, soon this indulgent dream will become an accessible reality with the upcoming opening of Metung Hot Springs later this autumn.

Construction works have been progressing with clockwork precision since late last year and visitors from day one are certain to be in awe of the breath-taking setting and experience that will await them.

One of the key motivating forces behind the development was Rachel and Adrian’s long-held desire to revive hot pool bathing in Metung. With Rachel having grown up in Bairnsdale and Adrian originally from Bruthen, they hold many fond memories of the former Metung Hot Pools which were located on the northern side of the town and operated for over 30 years before closing in the 1990s.

“We had that local connection through childhood with the old pools.

There was nothing fancy about them. They were corrugated tubs and pretty rustic, but they were part of the fabric of the local community,” Rachel recalls.

Metung Hot Springs has brought together some of the most creative and entrepreneurial minds in this field. The project is a collaboration between Charles Davidson, co-creator of the hugely successful Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula, and prominent local accommodation and tourism operators, Rachel and Adrian Bromage.

“Many people have tried to resurrect them. Adrian and I tried for three years while we were at McMillans but things just didn’t fall into place.

We reached out to Charles Davidson in 2010 but he was focused on the Peninsula site at the time, so we decided to put the idea to bed.”

Rachel and Adrian have a proven history of success in owning and operating businesses throughout East Gippsland, including McMillans of Metung, 5 Knots, The Moorings and Director Boat Charters. They were also responsible for the refurbishment of the historic Riversleigh Hotel in Bairnsdale.

After then spending eight years operating the Riversleigh, the Bromages were preparing to move to Perth to pursue a career opportunity for Adrian when the job suddenly fell through at the last moment. Four days after they received that deflating news, an upbeat Charles Davidson rang to deliver an announcement that changed everything.

Both are bringing their renowned energy and excellence in overseeing the on-ground management of Metung Hot Springs – Adrian as Managing Director and Rachel in the role of Operations Manager. It is a combination that ensures that everything from the facilities and amenities to the customer experience will be of the highest standard.

“Charles suggested it was finally time we did a hot springs project together and revealed that he had found the perfect location in Metung adjacent to the Kings Cove Golf Club. The 25-acre property had an inland lagoon within its environs and undulating hills that would provide incredible, panoramic views. Charles said he couldn’t think of anywhere in the world better suited to bathing,” Rachel remembers.

Together with Charles Davidson and his partners who form the Peninsula Hot Springs Group, Rachel and Adrian have master-planned a worldclass, multi-faceted wellbeing experience. With expert skill and precision, they have purposefully designed Metung Hot Springs to harmonise perfectly with the stunning natural topography and capitalise on spectacular views of Lake King.

“The project draws upon the inspiration Charles has utilised with such great effect at Peninsula Hot Springs, but it is not simply a clone of that facility,” Adrian explains.

“It was really important in our planning that Metung Hot Springs has a strong identity of its own,” he adds.

“The timing was all quite serendipitous, and somewhat ironically, the land was owned by a group of developers, one of which happened to be my father. Having thought by then that the hot springs dream had probably passed us by, suddenly the opportunity presented itself and became a reality. Adrian and I had actually previously recognised the potential of the site ten years earlier, but again the timing hadn’t been right back then.”

After acquiring the property, it has been a three-year journey to bring Metung Hot Springs to life, as the project has passed through various stages of planning, consultation, permit approvals, and finally, civil construction.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

65

GLAMPING SAFARI TENT | ARTIST IMPRESSION

“Everything we are doing now in our infrastructure works is provisioning for the future and setting up the rest of the development,” Adrian states.

Geothermal water needed to supply the pools is being bored from 500 metres below ground. The water is naturally infused with minerals and trace elements to add to its detoxifying and rejuvenating qualities.

WHAT CAN VISITORS TO METUNG HOT SPRINGS EXPECT? Visitors will have the option to come for the day or stay. Daily attendance numbers will be capped to prevent overcrowding.

“We are going to offer some amazing relaxation and accommodation experiences in a secluded setting that is next-level beautiful,” Rachel promises.

It is important for prospective visitors to understand that the project is being delivered in stages.

66

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

“We have ensured there will be many different experiences to enjoy from day one, yet still so much more to look forward to as we progress,” Rachel explains.

To kick things off, an impressive array of facilities will be ready to open in the first phase of Stage 1 this autumn including: 10 luxurious hot spring pools of varying depths and temperatures up to 41 degrees Architecturally designed Hillside sauna and Floating sauna with geothermal showers A boutique day spa offering Relaxation/Stretch tent Clay Ridge – an outdoor area offering body painting with natural clays providing enriching therapeutic benefits Reflexology Walk Reception/Coffee Shop 10 Safari glamping tents offering five-star standard accommodation

The most exclusive bathing experience will be enjoyed at the Hilltop Escarpment pool which offers the site’s best views of Lake King. This area, which will be accessible only to visitors aged 16 and above, also features seven 500-litre bathing barrels.

The glamping tents at Metung Hot Springs are also certain to be highly coveted, with each equipped with their own four-poster bed, ensuite and private deckside bathing barrels. More glamping tents are in the pipeline for planned introduction later this year.

“Accommodation is going to become an increasingly important part of what we’re doing here as we continue to grow,” Adrian comments.

“We’re confident that Metung Hot Springs is going to have an immediate impact and become a year-round attraction which will add to East Gippsland’s appeal as a must-see destination. It will be particularly important in reducing the seasonality factor by providing a welcome boost to the traditionally quieter times for local tourism in winter and the shoulder seasons.

“I think there will be a real sense of anticipation around our opening, as one of the by-products of Covid is that people are now valuing and prioritising their own personal wellness, both physically and mentally, more than ever.”

“The whole element of the attraction plus accommodation is going to be pivotal. We need to have the balance of both, because when people come to East Gippsland from Melbourne and other major centres, they’re not just coming for a day trip.”

Visitors to Metung Hot Springs will be able to escape the hustle and bustle of their busy lives and immerse themselves in a setting of blissful tranquility and incredible beauty.

“In everything we’ve done we’ve purposefully worked around the natural environment,” Adrian says.

“It’s important we integrate all the facilities with the environment. We have seven hundred metres of water frontage to the lake and there are some ecologically sensitive areas in the buffer between Lake King and our internal lagoon which we’ve had to be mindful of in our planning.”

Several thousand new trees are being planted within the overall site, part of a strategy to go beyond sustainability into regeneration with the project.

FUTURE STAGES

The second phase of Stage 1 involves taking over the operation of the Kings Cove Golf Club and updating the venue into a country club environment with its own small hot springs facility. Plans are currently awaiting permit approval, but a full refurbishment of the clubhouse is intended to proceed later in 2022 independent of that process.

Beyond Stage 1, plans for Stage 2 of development at the main site include the addition of further bathing pools and accommodation options, an Amphitheatre and other visitor amenities which would increase Metung Hot Springs from a 100-person facility to more than three times that size.

The jewel in the crown is the intended future creation of a resort and marina. The timing of the delivery of Stage 2 is dependent upon funding and subject to the necessary approvals.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The local community has been at the forefront of consideration in the planning for Metung Hot Springs.

“Our location dictates that we will attract visitors who need to stay somewhere so hopefully that economic benefit will flow through the whole village of Metung and nearby towns. In creating Metung Hot Springs we are giving people a reason to not only stay but stay for longer. It will be easy to combine a visit with enjoying the many other attractions in the surrounding region – everything from golf to the wineries, the lakes and the high country,” Rachel comments.

“Local people will also enjoy the direct benefit of convenient access to our walks, yoga classes and community concerts we plan to host. We are also creating a wide variety of employment opportunities for locals, covering positions from construction jobs through to pool cleaners, gardeners, administrative and customer service positions, and food and beverage roles.”

For news updates or general enquiries, connect with us via any of the following platforms: Metung Hot Springs 73 Storth Ryes Avenue, Metung Phone: (03) 5141 2300 Web: www.metunghotsprings.com Email: info@metunghotsprings.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/metunghotsprings Instagram: www.instagram.com/metunghotsprings Gippsland Lifestyle will be following the progress of Metung Hot Springs in future editions over the coming year.

COUNTDOWN TO OPENING

Metung Hot Springs is set to welcome its first visitors in the coming months. With demand certain to exceed capacity, pre-bookings will be recommended to guarantee entry.

“Everything is on track for our planned autumn opening, but we are also hoping to tie in an official launch celebration in conjunction with the East Gippsland Winter Festival, which is perfect timing, as the colder weather is the best time for hot bathing,” Rachel notes.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

67

BOATING WITH

CRAWFORD MARINE Out and About in San Remo

We were greeted with another beautiful day at San Remo and we were underway early to make sure we made the high tide at Newhaven boat ramp.

The boat we tested was one of the new 2022 model Stacer Outlaw Side Consoles that feature the latest Revolution Hull that provides an extremely soft ride while offering stability at rest and underway. I can vouch for that as we pulled up near Cape Woolamai and I was able to take some photos in fairly still conditions.

The one is the 448 Outlaw model that measures 4.7m overall and has as beam width of over 2.1m making it a surprisingly roomy boat in an easy to manage combination overall.

68

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Some of the standard features include front and rear casting decks, live bait tank, in floor 50 litre fuel tank and two bucket seats.

The boat as tested has the thruster bracket, bimini, factory paint with stripes and the Stacer alloy drive on Sports trailer.

Packaged up with the mighty and economical Mercury 60 hp four stroke motor, and ready to go with all safety gear and registration, this great top quality boat is priced as tested from $36,000 Well Terry, that was a great day again boating with Crawford Marine Morwell and we topped the day off with some fish and chips at the San Remo Fishermen’s Co-op which offers not only tasty food, but great views of the water.

TERRY RAYMOND

CRAWFORD MARINE

CAMPION BOATS ARE BACK IN AUSTRALIA

BOATING SINCE 1964

71-77 Chickerell Street, Morwell 3840 P: 5134 6522 E: info@crawfordmarine.com.au www.crawfordmarine.com.au

MEMBER

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 69

Servicing Bass Coast and beyond for over six years From Phillip Island to Inverloch, Grantville to Tarwin Lower, Venus Bay to Foster, Wonthaggi and Leongatha

City to Coast Air Wonthaggi | Mark & Harry onsite

RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS $1,000 CASH BACK WITH OUR HEATING & COOLING AUTHORISED GOVERNMENT REBATE Home Heating and Cooling Upgrade rebates are available for rental properties to lower running costs and improve the health and wellbeing for renters.

Under the Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades Program, eligible rental properties can receive $1,000 towards the cost of energy-efficient reverse-cycle air conditioner to upgrade inefficient gas heaters, electric heaters, and wood heaters. $500 is available for switchboard upgrade.

Visit www.heatingupgrades.vic.gov.au

BEAT THE HEAT

47%

ENERGY AP SERIES

MIRBOO NORTH LIBRARAY

As the name suggests it means that 24/7 library members at Foster, also now at Mirboo North and Poowong libraries, can simply swipe a card to gain access to their library branch whenever it suits them outside of public opening hours. Thanks to the help of technology and strict control measures, Myli – My Community Library can offer this service safely to these local communities.

FOSTER - PATRON AT SELF CHECKOUT FOSTER LIBRARAY

“We first piloted the 24/7 library service in Foster. We are now offering 24/7 membership at our Mirboo North and Poowong libraries. With the support of our Board all our libraries will provide a 24/7 service in the future.” Leanne Williams, CEO, Myli – My Community Library.

After a short occupational, health and safety induction and 24/7 library members are given a swipe key that provides access the building when the library would otherwise be closed.

24/7 library members can use free wi-fi, study spaces and borrow books and other resources after-hours when the libraries are usually closed like on Sundays. In towns like Foster, where 25% of the community doesn’t have internet access at home, this is an essential way residents can stay connected with friends and family and have free access to essential services.

The self-checkout facilities give 24/7 members the convenience pick up holds when it suits them. Members can call ahead and use the online catalogue to place holds in advance, or just browse at their leisure.

Simply extending library hours would not be a benefit for many like busy families, that are juggling school pickup and drop-offs and after-school activities. A 24/7 library membership means your library can be available when you need them to be. The demand for this type of flexible service is critical for ensuring libraries can continue to provide the essential access to its resources.

MIRBOO NORTH LIBRARAY

72

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

POOWONG READING AREA

24/7 Library Membership Most library services operate within usual business hours but that doesn’t always suit everyone, particularly people who work or study full time.

Myli – My Community Library are the first library service in Victoria to provide a 24/7 membership program that operates similar to a 24/7 gym membership.

Along with the 24/7 membership upgrades, both the Mirboo North and Poowong Libraries have also received some other upgrades. At Mirboo North, the library’s interior now has a fresh new look, including new carpet, shelving and circulation desk. Patrons can look forward to enjoying a comfortable borrowing experience with new furniture and a Wi-Fi lounge where they can make a tea or coffee.

Mirboo North Library is located at 2 Brennan Street and is open 2:00pm - 6:00pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:00am - 6:00pm on Thursdays and 9:30am - 1:00pm Saturdays.

POOWONG SELF CHECKOUT

Poowong Library’s facilities now include a kitchenette, improved storage, fresh new furniture and a self-checkout kiosk. Poowong Library is located at 18 Ranceby Road and is open 3.30pm-5.30pm on Thursdays, and on Fridays from 11am-12.30pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm.

Foster Library is located at 6 Main Street and is open 10:00am 4:30pm Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00am - 5:00pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 10:00am - 1:00pm Saturdays.

For membership enquiries call 1800 HI MYLI, visit myli.org.au or visit your local library branch.

POOWONG LIBRARAY

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 73

WAS GALLERY

in WARRAGUL

Nestled in a large leafy block between residential and light industry is the new WAS Gallery (Warragul Art Studios Gallery). Set up by the Lorraine family, the gallery opened in 2020. Perhaps not such a good time to launch an ambitious creative venture but, nevertheless, over the past Covid years WAS has organised exhibitions and welcomed visitors whenever possible. The driving force and director of the gallery, Anne Lorraine, took the solid, character filled, art deco house and turned it into a splendid space in which to show a broad range of artworks.

The addition of a ceramics studio for family members to work in makes this a vibrant and creative hub.

The artistic credentials of the family is impressive; Judy Lorraine is a well-known potter, significant in the chronology of mid-century modern Australian art, represented in the National Gallery of Victoria and designer of the Benalla Ceramic Mural and other public works. At 93 she is now retired and living in Warragul. Hans Lorraine (died 2012) was a painter, architect and Dunera Boy. As a Jewish boy he fled German persecution and on his own at the age of 13 travelled to England. There he went to school for three years and at 16, when he was declared an enemy alien by the British Government he and 2000 other refugees were transported on the HMT Dunera to Australia. The voyage was horrendous but he spent time in the Hay and Tatura internment camps, where he came into contact with many artistic and creative people and his future direction in the arts was established.

In 2020, the gallery hosted a major retrospective exhibition of Hans Lorraine’s paintings and in 2021a comprehensive collection of Judy Lorraine’s ceramics. There have been numerous shows of other artists’ work, of photography, paintings, prints, ceramics and mosaics.

The gallery has provided opportunities for local artists, while some are well known in the region, others were first timers who have now had the chance to exhibit their work in a professional space.

“People always comment on how lovely the old art deco building is and how well the artwork is displayed ” says Anne, “along with the established garden with fruit and mature trees WAS Gallery is a venue people enjoy coming to. Every now and then we open up the original garage and have a sale of artefacts and collectibles from the family’s collections.”

WAS Gallery is at 37 Latrobe Street, Warragul and open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, most weeks of the year. The website, at wasgallery.com.au, has the full gallery story, artists’ histories and examples of artwork. Contact Anne Lorraine for any enquiries on Contact 0428 513 905 or anne.lorraine@bigpond.com Entry is free. Just look for the gallery flag on Latrobe Street.

Sue Lorraine and Catherine Truman are co-founders and partners of the renowned Gray Street Workshop in Adelaide, one of the longest running Artist Run Initiatives in Australia. Both are jewellers and object designers, represented in National and State gallery collections around Australia.

Anne Lorraine and Gary McPhedran both originally trained as graphic designers, however, Anne blossomed as a painter and photographer and after a long teaching career Gary established a ceramics practice.

As Director of WAS Gallery, Anne juggles her time co-ordinating artists and curating exhibitions with time in the studio.

VISITOR, MIRIAM POTTS VIEWING JUDY LORRAINE’S CERAMICS

74

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

THE ENTRANCE DECK

VISITORS READING ABOUT HANS LORRAINE DURING HIS RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION

ANNE LORRAINE, DIRECTOR OF WAS GALLERY IN GALLERY 4

PAINTINGS BY JULIE ROSEWARNE FOSTER IN GALLERY 2

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 75

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 AUTUMN EXHIBITIONS 2022 MARCH

Ingrid Thomas with her colourful paintings

APRIL

Anita George with calligraphic art

MAY

Ross Vanner with his artwork

Anita George

Ingrid Thomas

Ross Varner

For more info visit www.redtreegallery.com.au Thanks Laurie - Good on ya

420 Main Jindivick Road, Jindivick VIC 3818 P: 5628 5224 | E: info@lauriecollins.com.au

www.lauriecollins.com.au

76

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

GROCERIES & FRESH PRODUCE FOR CALL & COLLECT – HOME DELIVERY

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 77

The Magical Wilson’s Promontory The southernmost tip of Australian’s mainland is arguably the most spectacular place in our fine country. Wilson’s Promontory National Park, affectionately known as the Prom, will take your breath away with its picturesque landscape and natural beauty.

The Prom is a walker’s paradise. Victoria’s largest coastal wilderness area, spanning over 50,000 hectares, houses not only an abundance of wildlife including kangaroos, emus, wombats, echidnas, and swamp wallabies but a labyrinth of walking tracks around Tidal River, which is a 30-minute drive from the national park entrance. The variety of trails encourages spending several nights in the national park with an option to also complete an overnight hike.

Ranging from a grade 2, which is suitable for all walkers on a track that is generally mostly flat, to grade 4 hikes that require previous experience and a good level of fitness, the Prom walks are the best way to take in all this national park has to offer.

In the middle of difficulty levels and one of the most popular tracks is the Tidal River to Squeaky Beach walk. Starting at Tidal River footbridge, this walk hugs the contours of the coast offering views of Norman Bay and the famous Squeaky Beach before strolling on the white sand of the latter.

78

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Although this is a walk, you certainly will want to go for a swim at Squeaky Beach. The alluring turquoise ocean is irresistible.

Located just a few hundred metres from the Tidal River Visitor Centre (where you can collect a walking guide and map), Tidal River footbridge provides access from the camping grounds to the north side and is a wonderful spot to start this walk. In good weather, canoers and children playing give a joyous spirit to the tea-coloured river that floats out to Norman Bay. Take in the granitic mountains and hills from the bridge and throughout the walk. It’s a steady climb over the headland to the first viewing and rest point if you need. The outlook to Norman Beach is worth the pause.

Sections of the gravel trail are pleasantly shaded by a tunnel created by the lined tea trees and grasslands.

The Prom’s grass trees Xanthorrhoea australis provides food in the form of nectar, pollen, larvae and seeds for the birds, insects, and mammals in the area. This unique plant is also unfortunately susceptible to a deadly pathogen, so as the signage indicates, people should stick to the formed paths to stop the spread.

Tidal River to Squeaky Beach Walk Words & Images Danielle Ralph

Half-way through the walk, there is the option to continue up the path to Pillar Point before returning to the intersection and continuing to Squeaky Beach. Pillar Point is an outcrop of granite boulders from which panoramic views of Norman and Squeaky Beaches and the Prom’s offshore islands can be obtained. However, you will need to navigate uneven ground and rocks to get to this lookout, so proceed with caution.

The gravel path turns to sand having arrived at the beach. It’s recommended to take a dip and refresh at the opposite end to the entrance from the walking trail. As noted on the signage and like many beaches here, swimmers need to be mindful of ocean swells and conditions. Surf Life Saving patrols generally do not supervise here.

One of the most spectacular features on this walk is the large granite boulders. As the descent down to Squeaky Beach commences, the striking size, quirky shapes, and shades of colour of the rocks become even more eye-catching.

Although the guide is an hour and half to complete the Tidal River to Squeaky Beach walk, to fully enjoy the experience including a swim in the beach, allow half a day.

The track that leads to Squeaky Beach is the same one for the return journey to Tidal River.

There is no better path than one that has the green mountains on one side and the sparkling turquoise ocean on the other.

Take in just how glorious that ocean is as it comes into view along the windy path that heads down to Squeaky Beach. This beach may be famously named after the fine, rounded grains of quartz sand that squeaks under your feet, but the true beauty is that stunning turquoise water in contrast to the mountains and surrounding rock formations.

For those ready for a grade 4 challenge, the uphill Mt Oberon Summit hike should be on your bucket list. The reward is the 360-degree views of Wilson’s Promontory National Park. What a treasure.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 79

EVANS BP

LEONGATHA & WESTSIDE

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 SOUTH South Gippsland Highway, Korumburra, Vic 3950 Tel/Fax: 5655 1668 Email: korumburra@evanspetroleum.com.au

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

LEONGATHA - WESTSIDE

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

7 Anderson Street, Leongatha, Vic 3953 Tel/Fax: 5662 2834 Email: westside@evanspetroleum.com.au

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

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

ROSEDALE 65-79 Prince Street, Rosedale Vic 3847 Tel: 5667 2951 Email: Rosedale@evanspetroleum.com.au

SALE 344 Raglan Street, Sale, Vic 3850 Tel: 5143 1030 Fax: 5143 2686 Email: sale@evanspetroleum.com.au

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

TRARALGON 23-29 Shakespeare Street, Traralgon, Vic 3844 Tel: 5174 1138 Email: Tim@evanspetroleum.com.au

WONTHAGGI 103-105 McKenzie Street, Wonthaggi, Vic 3995 Tel: 5672 3988 Fax: 5672 5229 Email: wonthaggi@evanspetroleum.com.au

BP WESTSIDE

YARRAM

7 Anderson Street, Leongatha, Vic 3953

325 Commercial Street, Yarram, Vic 3971 Tel: 5182 6019 Fax: 5182 6458 Email: yarram@evanspetroleum.com.au

Tel/Fax: 5662 2834 Email: westside@evanspetroleum.com.au

EVANS PETROLEUM HEAD OFFICE 22 Hughes Street, Leongatha Vic 3953 Tel: 5662 2217 Web: www.evanspetroleum.com.au

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 81

Phillip Island Index 123 90 – 91 82 84 – 85 88 – 89 95 87 87 94 92 86 83 93

82

ALEX SCOTT AND STAFF – Real Estate from the mountains to the sea AN ISLAND SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW BOWENS PHILLIP ISLAND – Get tradeperks when you shop with Bowens DESTINATION PHILLIP ISLAND – Phillip Island 101 – One Amazing Place DESTINATION PHILLIP ISLAND – Phillip Island naturally playful FINDING THE GRAIN – Handcrafted, reclaimed timber furniture ISLAND SHOES – Cabello comfort NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS MUSEUM – Learn about our history NEWHAVEN COLLEGE – Discover our college OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA – Shining inside and out PHILLIP ISLAND RSL – A family friendly modern venue with great food THE CAPE KITCHEN – Waterfront Restaurant Phillip Island THE WOOLI TAVERN – Family friendly restaurant, Live music

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Waterfront Restaurant Phillip Island

The Cape Kitchen is Gippsland’s award-winning, oceanfront destination restaurant, boasting breathtaking views of the sea and coastline. They are part of a longer vision that is anchored by the Hot Springs development.

The best produce is sourced, prepared and served with care and respect for our guests, each other and the environment. They showcase local produce and are proud of their collaboration with businesses which share their passion to position Gippsland for quality produce and dining. Warmly welcoming guests with genuine hospitality, they are a place to celebrate every moment.

Merry everything and celebrate always.

Have something in mind for your End of Year celebration?

Talk to the Events Team.

Eat & Dr i n k

|

Event s & C elebrations

Table with a view, start your day with a Zest Coffee alongside a ricotta and buttermilk hotcake topped with caramelised banana, maple mascarpone and toasted pecans. Return to enjoy a coursed lunch that features Mornington Black Mussels and Gippsland Scotch Fillet, alongside a wine, beer and cider list featuring only Gippsland produced beverages.

Embracing a new way of gathering together they have created some exciting new experiences. Join them for a Pop Up Picnican intimate, outdoor dining experience complemented with Bohemian styling and featuring local produce. They offer the perfect backdrop for your picnic; including a locally designed and custom built pod and an oceanfront lawn space.

|

Digital G ift Vouc hers Av ail ab l e

THE CAPE KITCHEN 1215 Phillip Island Road Newhaven Vic 3925

Tel: 03 5956 7200 Em: hello@thecapekitchen.com.au

www.thecapekitchen.com.au

84

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

ONE AMAZING PLACE Welcome to Phillip Island, one amazing place home to 101km2 of extraordinary experiences.

Driving over the bridge from San Remo, you’ll feel the pace slow down. So take a deep breath, switch gears, and let all your worries go - you’re in the land of early morning surfs, cruisy pub lunches, late arvo beach walks and sunset beers with a view now.

Phillip Island 101 is your guide to making the most of your stay.

From seeing motorcycles zoom around the Grand Prix circuit, to spotting unique native wildlife on bushwalks or taking to the skies on a thrilling scenic helicopter ride - whatever your reason for visiting, you’ll find it within 101km2.

Whether it’s the heart-stopping moment a humpback whale breaches in the distance, or the breathtaking sight of thousands of Australian fur seals sunning themselves on rocks, extraordinary experiences like these makes this island sanctuary a wild paradise for nature lovers.

And then there’s the Little Penguins. These little showstoppers have been wowing us for a century. Yes, a century. A hundred years later there’s still no greater feeling that rugging up to watch a sublime sunset in anticipation of seeing that first penguin cross the beach.

Here on Victoria’s Phillip Island, the question isn’t where do you start... but, why does it have to end?

Wander along the rugged coastline and you’ll find legendary surf breaks, magnificent rock formations at the Pinnacles Lookout, and walking tracks with spectacular views. Oh, and if you time your visit right, that view might include dolphins and whales too.

Feel like treating yourself? Book a luxe cabin to wake up to sweeping sea views in style. Prefer a low-key stay? Try a caravan beach break, airy apartment or resort-style retreat. When it comes to food, the island packs a lot of variety into 101km2.

Fish and chips on the beach, a sneaky bite of rocky road straight from the chocolatier, a drop of cracking good red at a cellar door or grilled prawns at a waterfront restaurant – the choice is yours.

Whether you come for a few days or a week, we can’t wait to show you around so you can see what us locals have long known – Phillip Island is one amazing place!

Start planning your adventure at visitphillipisland.com.au

Start planning your adventure visitphillipisland.com.au

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 85

PHILLIP ISLAND RSL A VENUE FOR ALL OF LIFE’S OCCASIONS BIRTHDAYS | CHRISTENINGS | ANNIVERSARIES | WEDDINGS | CONFERENCES | MEETINGS | WAKES

FAMILY FRIENDLY AND FULLY ACCESSIBLE | KIDS PLAY AREA OPEN DAILY MENU FEATURES HEALTHY CHOICE OPTIONS CATERS FOR VEGETARIANS, VEGANS, GLUTEN FREE | SENIORS AND KIDS MENUS AVAILABLE

OPENING HOURS PHILLIP ISLAND RSL VENUE: OPEN 7 DAYS 11.00AM TO LATE

BISTRO: LUNCH AND DINNER BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL LUNCH: FROM 12.00PM DINNER – SEATING TIMES: FROM 5.30PM

Phone BH: 03 5952 1004 Enquiries: functions@pirsl.com.au www.pirsl.com.au

island shoes COWES PHILLIP ISL AND

Great European Brands, Exceptional Quality & Brilliant Customer Service

134 - 138 Thompson Avenue, Cowes 3922 | Phone: 03 5952 2515 Follow us on Facebook @islandshoesphillipisland

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 87

ADVENTURE OR ROMANTIC GETAWAY? LET PHILLIP ISLAND SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET THIS AUTUMN. A stone’s throw away from Gippsland, Phillip Island is a mustdo this Autumn. The Island’s compact size and diverse range of things to see and do is what makes Phillip Island so unique. It’s a place of welcoming locals, exciting attractions, captivating wildlife encounters, great food, award-winning wine and locally brewed beer, and accommodation to suit all styles.

With 360° of coastline, the Island offers endless opportunities to admire some of Victoria’s most stunning scenery and wildlife. From coastal walks, scenic bike trails and kayak tours, immerse yourself in what makes this Victoria’s Island sanctuary.

Experience some of Australia’s most unique wildlife in their natural habitat as you wait for the famous Little Penguins to cross the beach at sunset. Wander treetop boardwalks, and spot sleepy koalas nestled among the gumtrees at the Koala Conservation Reserve or take a Wildlife Coast Cruise seal watching tour out to see one of Australia’s largest fur seal colonies. Embark on a nature walk and admire the spectacular views of Phillip Island’s coastline, or meander your way through remnant bushland, mangroves and wetlands at Rhyll and Churchill Island. For cycle enthusiasts, bring your own or hire a Super Cruzer E-Bike and explore Phillip Island on two wheels.

Get the adrenaline pumping with an Ocean Adventures Thundercat or Jet Boat Tour around Cape Woolamai, a perfect mix of speed and scenery. For something a little more relaxed, take a sea kayak tour with Pioneer Kayaking and admire the sheer beauty of Cape Woolamai or the tranquillity of the Rhyll Inlet and mangroves. If you would prefer to take to the sky, marvel at Phillip Island’s stunning landscapes and scenery from onboard one of Phillip Island Helicopters scenic flights - and trust us, the views are worth it.

Phillip Island’s culinary scene continues to grow for food and wine aficionados, with several new exciting businesses calling the Island home. Bringing a touch of Europe to Cowes, Anerie is where you will find French-inspired cuisine, including entrees, mains and of course, French champagne. San Remo’s newest edition, Kelp, oozes vibes offering a delicious tapas menu, a rotating cocktail list, and has the locals raving.

For award-winning wines, Purple Hen Winery at Rhyll offers tranquil views, cheese platters, and a chance to taste some of the region’s best wines. The winery recently took out five of the top six trophies and awards in the 2021 Westpac Gippsland Wine Show.

Phillip Island Winery’s new atrium space is where you will want to be spending cooler Autumn days, sipping wine and indulging in charcuterie boards in front of the open fireplace.

When the night rolls around, Grenache Wine Bar is where you’ll find over 100 different types of gin, a wide range of local and international wines, and a flavoursome menu to accompany your beverage of choice.

88

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

To completely immerse yourself in the relaxed vibe of Phillip Island, discover one of the Island’s many boutique accommodation options. Admire Phillip Island’s landscapes with captivating views at Five Acres, Grey Goose @ Smiths, Bimbadeen Phillip Island, The Waves Apartments, Silverwater Resort and Omaru Farm Stay.

If you prefer to hit the wide-open road in your caravan or camper van, Phillip Island has an abundance of fantastic caravan parks to cater for all needs. Set up camp next to the beach and within walking distance to restaurants, cafes and shops at NRMA Beachfront Phillip Island Holiday Park, Anchor Belle Holiday Park, Big 4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island and Amaroo Park.

If you are looking for accessible accommodation, enjoy a holiday away at Rollers Retreat, a wheelchair accessible holiday house located in the tranquil seaside town of Rhyll. Or check out Ripples ‘N’ Tonic Farm, a unique, accessible farm stay in Ventnor.

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE FROM B&BS, SELF-CONTAINED APARTMENTS, WATERFRONT CABINS AND CAMPING SITES TO FARM STAYS, HOLIDAY HOMES, AND COSY MOTELS. WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, BE SURE TO FIND YOUR ADVENTURE AT PHILLIP ISLAND. For inspiration for your next weekend away, mid-week getaway or week-long holiday, visit www.visitphillipisland.com.au

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 89

An Island,

Somewhere Over The Rainbow Words by Anita Butterworth

For Mykey O’Halloran, Phillip Island is a place of childhood dreams. Where he soaked up summer holidays with his family, exploring its rugged edges and adorable wildlife. But one random Tuesday, a nightmare unfolded on his beloved Island that threatened to undo every beautiful woven memory.

It was an incident so jarring and out of character for his peaceful slice of paradise that Mykey couldn’t quite fathom what was happening. But rather than let one night of terror ruin his dream, Mykey used it as a spark to shed light into dark corners, and closed minds.

“I used to visit Phillip Island as a kid, we used to go on family holidays and see the penguins,” Mykey, a renowned hair stylist, explained.

“I love the nature of Phillip Island and how friendly the people are and its peacefulness. I go to Cape Woolamai and walk frequently. I love being by nature because I’m from Noosa, Sunshine Coast. So, it was really the nature and the people and the small town, coastal feel of it.”

While Mykey runs his wildly successful and utterly magical salon Unicorn Manes in Melbourne, his heart was always with Phillip Island. It was where he’d planned to retire, but last year he decided he couldn’t wait that long.

“I wondered if I could live here and if that would be possible. Why am I waiting to retire to do that?”

His dream was to find a house, and transform it into a rainbow masterpiece, an extension of Mykey’s passion for rainbow hair transformations. And of course, a nod to his LGBTQI community. And in February 2021, he found ‘the one’.

“It’s nice to have my own little slice of the Island and I’ve always wanted to have a rainbow house. So, when I looked at this one, I could just see exactly how it was going to look.”

The horizontal boards on the house’s exterior were perfect for painting different colours, to achieve the ultimate rainbow house. He wasted little time, getting stuck into painting the interior. He excitedly shared his plans for a rainbow wonderland paint scheme with anyone who’d listen, and like in most small communities, news travelled fast.

There were offers of help from complete strangers, willing to roll up their sleeves and transform the house into a rainbow house of dreams. There was support from across the globe. And the small voices of a few, were drowned out by the actions of many. Mykey’s house became a symbol of hope.

Mykey had spent weeks preparing to have a spa put into his backyard and was finally able to enjoy it on March 16, 2021. But his peaceful soak didn’t last long. He heard banging on his door, and was then confronted by five men, who were angered by his rainbow house plans, levelling threats at a shocked Mykey.

“I’ve met so many wonderful people on the Island, in my neighbourhood and from around the Island and San Remo.

There’s so many supportive people of the LGBT community as well. Everyone’s just really down to the earth. It’s just that two percent minority that’s not. That whole incident really shows that the majority are cool.

“It is generally quiet. But on a Tuesday night, these guys were really rowdy and that was really unexpected. I was just getting into my jacuzzi to enjoy it for the first time and then there’s five men in the backyard. I didn’t expect that, and I thought, ‘Have I made a mistake?’. It’s not like a rental where you can get up and move.”

“I could never have imagined that it turned into what it did. In hindsight it brought up a lot of awareness and conversations. Because really, what it was, was the heterosexual people around me, were trying to tell me not to do something, because it would be too bold for them. And it would impact them.

Not one to back down, Mykey decided to speak out about the encounter and forge ahead with his painting plans. And that’s when the true spirit of Phillip Island emerged.

“I guess it really did show to put your foot down and stand up and not let people dictate your life.

90

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Mykey O’Halloran

An Island,

Somewhere Over The Rainbow "The only reason that I agreed to go public with it was because the youth of tomorrow that aren’t quite comfortable with themselves are going to see it and learn from it and know that it is ok. I think it’s really important for the youth to know that it’s safe to be themselves as well."

“Especially in country towns where it can be a little bit harder to come out as yourself because you’re not surrounded by LGBT or you’re worried about not being accepted.”

Mykey’s rainbow house has become somewhat of a Phillip Island drawcard, with visitors posing for photos and uploading images to social media. And it’s prompted positive action not only on the Island, but across South Gippsland.

“We did the first flag raising in Wonthaggi for IDAHOBIT, International Day Against Homophobia in May. It was like a month after the house got painted, so I’ve seen that sort of change.”

And Mykey is keen to continue painting the Island with his colourful brand of positivity, with exciting events planned.

“This year we’re going to be focusing on having drag queens coming to the Island. I did a fundraiser around the house being painted, and an auction because people wanted to donate things, so I did an auction online. So now we have a budget to pay artists and, performing artists who come to the Island.

“So probably around March or April we’ll look at getting performers in once a month on a Sunday afternoon, all ages event, drag bingo style we think. You don’t have to be LGBT to attend, but I think it will just bring a bit more diversity to the Island in an artistic way of drag performance.”

It seems that somewhere over the rainbow, dreams really do come true.

gippsland gippslandlifestyle lifestyleautumn autumn���� ���� 91

OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA C AT H O L I C

S H I N I N G

P R I M A R Y

I N S I D E

Stage Two of our original masterplan is now complete with our spectacular outdoor kitchen, the sensory gardens, our discovery centre (library) with its own amphitheatre and new playgrounds.

We have such a wonderful space to work with and the final product is certainly a winner with eight classrooms, new inside and outside kitchens, an extended staff room, four playgrounds, a synthetic oval with three running tracks, the flexible library/discovery centre, entrance façade and natural gardens and grounds.

Our students have been involved with the planting of the new vegetation and are very proud of their efforts as they have worked with the landscape gardener and our science teacher to learn about the importance of being environmentally aware and their role in looking after our world.

S C H O O L

A N D

O U T

As sustainability is part of our philosophy, we have solar panels, water tanks and biodiversity areas including a bird hide, orchard and sensory gardens.

The size of our school lends itself to a close knit and inclusive family style atmosphere. Our learning spaces are designed to allow the students to learn both inside and outside and always have bright stimulating outlooks.

We welcome enquiries and tours as “Open Day” is every day for our school community. All denominations are welcome.

6 Cowes-Rhyll Road, Cowes 3922 | Phone: (03) 5951 1700 | Principal Catherine Blackford olsscowes.catholic.edu.au

FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT, BEER ON TAP, BEAUTIFUL LOCAL WINES, COCKTAILS AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

UPSTAIRS FUNCTION SPACE FOR UP TO 50 PERSONS | POOL TABLES AVAILABLE BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR AND INDOOR FACILITIES MONDAY & TUESDAY CLOSED WED, THU & SUN 12.00PM - 10.00PM

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 12.00PM - 11.00PM

T H E W O O L I T AV E R N 1 VISTA PLACE, CAPE WOOLAMAI VIC 3925 TEL: 03 5956 6836 FOR BOOKINGS

LUNCH 12.00PM - 2.30PM DINNER 5.30PM - 8.30PM

FINDING THE GRAIN

HANDCRAFTED TIMBER FURNTIURE

Finding The Grain is able to produce life lasting, hand crafted furniture created from reclaimed timber.

COMMISSION AND CUSTOM DESIGNS A SPECIALTY WITH ATTENTION TO CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS. Salvaged from local demolition sites around Phillip Island, this timber has historically been sent to landfill.

Finding The Grain is dedicated to reclaiming that timber, and not only reducing our carbon footprint, and allowing the timber to live on preserving nature’s history.

Beautiful furniture and home dressings are created on site from all types of magnificent timber Red Gum, Native hardwoods, Huon Pine, Jarrah - the list is endless.

Mark Davis 0418 355 148 | 40 Phillip Island Road, Newhaven VIC 3925 www.findingthegrain.com.au

ROSEDALE BUTCHERS Local Family Owned Country Butcher

Three generations of Vaux Family owned and operated business since 1977.

Smallgoods made in the premises from ham and bacon to a range of cabanas, plain, garlic, chilli, cheese and chilli.

Ready to heat home style meals. Fresh Gippsland fish on Wednesday’s. Maffra and Gippsland cheese, as well as other locally sourced Gippsland products.

Call now for your Meat & Smallgoods needs or call us to conveniently place your order

32 Prince Street, Rosedale 3847 Ph 5199 2210 Follow us www.rosedalebutchers.com.au gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 95

Creating Heaven on Earth

By Erin Miller

96

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

C R E AT I N G H E AV E N O N E A R T H H E AV E N I S N OT A P L AC E , B U T R AT H E R A S TAT E - A WAY O F B E I N G

As a soul you made a choice to come to earth and participate in the human experience that we call life-yet how many of us can really put our hands up and say that we are embracing, enjoying, and making the most of it-like every day?

From what I’ve seen-not many of us are and this is a sad reality as we only get one chance at it.

I have witnessed it in myself, those close to me and many clients over the years.

SO WHY ARE SO MANY OF US BEING HINDERED

BY O U R H U M A N N E S S , C H A S I N G T H E E L U S I V E “ H E AV E N O N E A R T H ” ?

Personally, I believe every day gets to be our big life experience to be enjoyed in its entirety-the messy, the brilliant and the in between- if we decide it to be.

I believe that “heaven on earth” is a state of being, a state of mind that we can create in every next now moment-if we choose.

I T C A N B E F O U N D I N T H E P E A C E T H AT S E T T L E S I N Y O U R H E A R T. T H AT M O M E N T O F C A L M A N D S T I L L N E S S A M O N G S T T H E B U S Y. The look in your child's eyes when they embrace you and say "I love you" All those magical moments captured throughout the day where you feel deep and real gratitude.

Erin Miller is a NLP life coach, mentor, writer and proud mama to 3 very active young boys.

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

Trained in a variety of modalities including NLP, Life Coaching and as a Soul Modes Mentor, she has had the privilege to work with clients all around Australia and also runs empowerment workshops, retreats and group events.

And your version of "heaven on earth" may look different to others (it’s supposed to!) and it may look different on different days-but the constant is you and your ability to acknowledge all the magic, all the amazingness, and all the great things that goes on around you all of the time, despite what is going on externally to you.

So often we base our thoughts/feelings/energy/life direction on what is going on external to us and we become reactive to all the things.

But by being very intentional in creating your version of “heaven on earth” each day and each moment, navigating our human experience becomes more ease filled, it can be fun, playful, it gets to be embraced and it begins to flow.

U N L O C K I N G A N D C R E AT I N G Y O U R H E AV E N O N E A R T H D O E S N ’ T N E E D T O B E A O N E D AY S O M E D AY T H I N G B U T R AT H E R BY C H O O S I N G I T A S A S TAT E O F B E I N G W E C A N A B S O L U T E LY EXPERIENCE THIS NOW!

For further information please call 0418 328 441 or visit my website www.erinmiller.com.au or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Do you have a question or a topic you would like Erin to write about? Send her an email at erin@erinmiller.com.au

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 97

Stony Creek Go-Karts is now well and truly one of the highlights of South Gippsland.

EVENT DAY – RETRO KARTING AUSTRALIA F100

■ 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.

Please check our facebook for updates Some changes are in place to keep you healthy and safe.

1. Bookings are essential. Please call to book your time.

2. There is a maximum of 12 karts only.

3. A 50% deposit is needed to secure your booking.

4. If you are sick, please stay at home.

5. Karts and Helmets will be disinfected between groups.

with

Stephanie Johnson

YOUR STARS 21 March – 19 April

It’s full throttle in your professional life this month. Outwardly you may appear calm but lots of behind-the-scenes action helps you move forward. You are like a duck gliding smoothly along the surface while its legs are paddling fast under the water. Your manifesting powers are strong. All you need to do is avoid conflict.

You are a tour de force from March 3, and particularly in mid-May when Jupiter enters your Zodiac Sign. Avoid forcing others to match your pace. If you speak and act within your own truth and allow others to do the same, then all will be well.

20 April – 20 May

The next few months are busy as you broaden your horizons. Your daily chores are not the focus, but rather interests that help you escape everyday mundanity.

Travel plans, sporting events, publishing, teaching, studying, conferences, and even legal matters are all highlighted with planets moving through the 9th House of your Solar Chart. Your only hurdle may be relationship politics. The trick is to include your loved one, rather than becoming too maverick. Two Eclipses highlight your Zodiac Sign in May triggering realisations that remove obstacles and move you forward in your aspirations.

21 May – 20 June

The question that arises for Gemini during Autumn is: Are you happy in your professional life? If so then you are likely to enjoy a boost in the form of a promotion, opportunity to study or to teach. You receive recognition, and perhaps rewards for a job well done. If not, then you are likely to get a chance to change course.

Not overnight, but through study, a legal contract, or a conference experience. It’s time to bolster your confidence and show commitment to your career path. This may also be linked to joint resources, your own fiscal investments.

21 June – 22 July

You may be dreaming of an overseas trip, or perhaps an escape to a tropical island. Romance may also be in the air whether you are single or married. You can let your imagination flow. It’s important to dream. You need to expand your horizons and the best way to get started is to visualise possibilities. It may be time to brush up on the universal Law of Attraction. If things are tough financially or in your partnership, or lack thereof, then perhaps it’s time to turn your focus to what you would really like. Visualise the positive and take action.

23 July – 22 Aug

Abundance is your favourable theme now. You can count your blessings, adopt an attitude of gratitude, and watch your bounty flow. You are now reaping what you have sown in recent times. The more that you have used your time and money wisely, then the more that you are likely to enjoy this period. But this is not a time to be prideful, or boastful. Otherwise, you may experience some misunderstandings with those closest to you, particularly your personal partner.

Live in the land of plenty and show your appreciation for those who have helped you along the way.

23 Aug – 22 Sep

Romance is in the air. This could be a new love, or a renewed spark with your spouse. The planets are lighting up your romance and marriage sectors. If you are single, then a special someone may catch your eye. Try to suspend any critical Virgo thoughts, and go with the flow, at least for a while. If you are already in a committed partnership, then it’s time to take notice of your loved one. Grandiose gestures are not necessary. The idea is to take action that shows that you are open to learning more about your loved one, and your relationship.

AUTUMN 2022 23 Sep – 22 Oct

The private sector of your Solar Chart is lit up like a Christmas tree indicating that home and family are your top priority. Childhood memories may be on your mind. If so, it’s time to focus on childhood beliefs and whether they still serve you.

Then, you can take action to change anything that is uncomfortable in your private life. This can include making changes to the way that you relate to family members, creating a space for yourself in your home, decluttering your living abode and so on. The idea is that you need to firm up your foundations.

23 Oct – 21 Nov

Strategy is your friend this Autumn, particularly when it comes to neighbourhood matters, speaking engagements, and sibling encounters. You may be tempted to speak your mind because it’s sharper than usual right now. However, communication is a two-way street, and you need to ensure that you actively listen as well as speak. It’s the connection that you are aiming for. You may also be drawn to classes that sharpen your communication skills, or perhaps a hobby that excites your passion. If you are a teacher or an advocate, then speaking up for others is your superpower this month.

22 Nov – 21 Dec

Fun times in your private life abound. If you have been dreaming about a sea change then Autumn sees you make a move, or at least take a short break, or travel further afield in search of a change of scenery. It’s time to dream a little about your ideal living quarters. Perhaps some rearranging, or refreshing, of your furniture or rooms would help enliven your home life. These external changes reflect a shift in your emotional, mental, or spiritual self. It’s time to search for answers within, and changing your external situation, even temporarily, helps you manifest your dreams.

22 Dec – 19 Jan

Capricorns at the top of the corporate ladder need to brush up on an artistic or spiritual pursuit. If you are a hard-working mountain goat then it’s time to soften, to reassess your attitude to success. If you are more of a domestic goat then you are likely to be focused on more mundane matters, such as personal finances and whether to take a class to improve your situation. Either way, the planets are calling you to manifest more abundance which first means removing any personal obstacles. You need to value yourself, and to firm up your personal values.

20 Jan – 18 Feb

Your motivation level is high this Autumn, particularly when it comes to your physical appearance, personal happiness, and love life. The planets Mars and Venus unite in your Zodiac Sign on March 6, sparking up your love life and your love of life. If you are not in a relationship, then perhaps find a place or pursuit that ignites your passion. Like playwright Willy Russell’s character Shirley Valentine, you need to fall in love with yourself, and then life in general. Then it’s just a question of letting go and enjoying living true to yourself and your own values.

19 Feb – 20 March

This is your period of many blessings. It’s time to face your fears and embrace the positive aspects of your life. You don’t need to be a Pollyanna, just optimistic.

Your imagination is your superpower and you can use it to visualise what makes you happy and fulfilled. Take a moment, or many moments, and contemplate what makes you feel happy and purposeful. Then write it down or make it a visual creative project. The planets, Venus and Mars move into your Zodiac Sign in April giving an extra boost to your love of life, and your love life.

Stephanie Johnson (BA/J) is an international consulting astrologer running her own Seeing With Stars business for personal and business clients.

Stephanie also heads up the company that produces astrology software for professional astrologers around the world. She was one of the original creators of the world-renowned Solar Fire for Windows and continues to co-create apps for the iPhone, iPad and macOS. Stephanie lives and works on the Mornington Peninsula, and writes horoscopes for her own business, as well as local bespoke magazines. She is also the author of numerous astrology reports which are used across the globe.

You can follow Stephanie @seeingwithstars on Instagram | Twitter | www.seeingwithstars.net

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 99

WONTHAGGI NEWSAGENCY & LOTTO For the Fleming family, customer service is in the blood - the Fleming name is synonymous with business in the Wonthaggi region. And despite the many ups and downs of business ownership, the family continues to support not only local customers, but other small businesses.

Her early grounding in small business put Fiona in good stead when she and her husband took over the contract with Consolidated Media Distributors to deliver newspapers on the Cowes run. Eventually, another business opportunity caught their eye.

Fiona Fleming first moved to Wonthaggi when she was just three years old, after her parents decided to chase a rural dream and shake off the urban expansion happening in Melbourne.

“We found out about the newsagency coming up for sale. At that stage Cowes came up, Wonthaggi came up and Inverloch came up within the space of 12 months of each other. We looked at it and went to dad and said this looks like a handy business to get into, so he gave us a hand with it and we ended up buying the newsagency while we still had the paper run.”

“They decided to get out of Melbourne because Melbourne was getting too developed,” Fiona explained. “We lived in Doncaster, and they were starting to bulldoze all of the orchards across from us and start to build, this was before the shopping town was built.

“So, they decided we needed to get out of Melbourne, with my sister and I. They were looking for dairy farms around Gippsland and then the agent told them there was a Holden dealership going in Wonthaggi, complete with house. So, because he was already a mechanic, and cars were his trade, my dad’s ears pricked up.”

Fiona’s dad moved on from his garage in Northcote, where he built and raced Austin 7s, and took over Wonthaggi’s Holden dealership from Lionel Curtain on April 17th, 1961.

The family continued to run the dealership for 14 years, before a major health scare prompted her dad to look into new business ventures. He eventually bought the town’s taxi service and gas centre, with her parents sharing the load of both businesses. “So, I’ve grown up with business in the town.”

100

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

With the sale approved by News Limited and Fairfax, Fiona and her husband took over the Wonthaggi Newsagency, which was at that time located in McBride Avenue. It was almost 50 years to the day since her family had taken over the Holden dealership – April 18th, 2011.

They purchased the store just as the Desalination Plant was nearing completion, and the extra workers in the town kept the family on its toes.

“Extremely busy. It was 5am starts, because of everybody getting ready to go off and work at the Desal.”

But eventually, the huge number of construction workers left Wonthaggi, and what had always been the backbone of the business began to decline.

“Newspapers have dropped off probably at least 50% at a guess. We just watched it drop over the years. More and more people are going online. News Limited have maintained their coverage, but more people are getting their news online.”

A FLEMING FAMILY LEGACY As with most small businesses, diversification was the only answer. The larger store located in Murray Street now includes Lotto and is under the Newspower banner. It also stocks a wide range of gifts and stationery, as well as art supplies for local art groups.

Wonthaggi Newsagency & Lotto is also one of only two V/Line agents in the area, and operates the Blueshyft Platform (incorporating Toll, TNT and Ladbrokes to name a few). And the store also collects dry-cleaning for Traralgon Drycleaners.

But it’s still an uphill battle to stay competitive.

“We already were doing magazine and cards. Magazines have dropped monumentally as well. The Plaza being built and the supermarkets selling magazines has impacted us. Cards have dropped off minimally but have held their own to a large extent. Especially in the lead up to Christmas, we were one of the few places that had cards in October because ours are locally produced. Lots of places waiting for overseas stock didn’t get their cards until a couple of weeks before Christmas.

“I’ve always been a very active and consistent stationary supplier in the town. We’re an OfficeMart which has now hooked up with Office Choice.

When we moved into the bigger shop, we were able to expand the stationary range.

“About five years ago I started going to the gift fairs and working my way through in that respect to diversify. I try to be a point of difference. A large percentage of us in the town work together. We try not to be crossing over.”

Words by Anita Butterworth Photos by Doug Pell

Fiona has a strong belief in the town's stores working together to help ride the small business rollercoaster.

“We also tend to be a bit of a pseudo information centre in the town.

Because we’re open when they’re not and people tend to come into us for directions and where to get things. If I don’t carry something, I’ll send them to whoever in the town does. We’re supporting each other.”

And the Fleming family is continuing its strong tradition of putting customers first, particularly those who have been there through it all.

Including the man who fostered her love for small business.

“I do tend towards having the older demographic, a large percentage of them because I’ve grown up in the town, and we have a lot of our home delivery customers who are the older demographic and we really look after our older people in the town, and that’s been one of my differences.

“I’ve still got my dad, he’s 91 and a half. And having grown up in the town and having a business in the town I’ve known these people most of my life. I work to make sure that they’ve got a service that can help them out.”

WONTHAGGI NEWSAGENCY & LOTTO Open Six Days a Week | Closed Sunday 31 Murray Street, Wonthaggi Vic 3995 Tel: 5672 1256

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 101

LEONGATHA

RSL BISTRO

New Members Welcome. Reciprocal rights with RSL'S in Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania

LEONGATHA RSL CONTACTS OFFICE: RECEPTION: BISTRO:

5662 2012 5662 2747 5662 4487

www.leongatha-rsl.com.au Find us on Facebook

TAKE-AWAY MEALS SEE LUNCH & DINNER MENUS ON FACEBOOK CHECK FACEBOOK FOR ANY ONGOING UPDATES

Corner of Smith Street & Michael Place, Leongatha

CORNER OF SMITH STREET & MICHAEL PLACE, LEONGATHA

PAINT SHOP LEONGATHA

LEONGATHA | PH: 5662 2941 | 68 BAIR STREET, LEONGATHA VIC 3953 Tel: 5662 2941 | Email: Leongatha@haymespaintshop.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm | Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm | Sunday Closed

LEONGATHA MANAGER: LUKE WATSON

WONTHAGGI MANAGER: ROB GEYER

WONTHAGGI

WONTHAGGI | PH: 5672 5522 MANAGER: ROB GEYER | 57 KORUMBURRA ROAD, WONTHAGGI VIC 3995 Tel: 5672 5522 | Email: wonthaggi@haymespaintshop.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 8.30am to 1.00pm | Sunday 10.00am to 12.00pm

COWES MANAGER: DAVID FUSINATO

COWES

COWES | PH: 5952 2522 MANAGER: DAVID FUSINATO | 215 SETTLEMENT ROAD, COWES VIC 3922 Tel: 5952 2522 | Email: cowes@haymespaintshop.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 8.00am to 1.00pm | Sunday 9.00am to 1.00pm

WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED

FRIGHTENINGLY POPULAR

HAUNTED HILLS BIKE PARK ATTRACTING BIG NUMBERS WORDS BY ANITA BUTTERWORTH

104

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

NICHOLAS KING | PROJECT MANAGER

Keen adventure-seekers aren’t being deterred by the spooky name of Gippsland’s newest adventure hotspot, flocking to the Latrobe Valley’s Haunted Hills Bike Park to test their skills.

Located between Morwell and Moe the collaborative project was officially opened in December 2021, after more than a decade of uphill toil. And the park has been buzzing with cyclists young and old ever since.

“Pretty much ten years of planning works through to construction, led

by Gippsland MTB,” explained Destination Gippsland Tracks and Trails Project Manager Nicholas King. “A huge journey, Gippsland MTB have a vision for Gippsland as a mountain biking mecca and the Haunted Hills Bike Park is the gateway to mountain biking in Gippsland.”

Perfectly nestled in the historic Haunted Hills, where ghost sightings and spooky yarns abound, the bike park includes 13 kilometres of progressive trails, as well as a pump track and kids’ trail.

With an adventure menu to suit everyone from young children to experienced riders, the Haunted Hills Bike Park has understandably gained a cult following in just a few short months. And that was the aim all along.

“The gateway to Gippsland mountain biking captures the eastern Victorian market. To come through, visit Gippsland and see what it has to offer. The Haunted Hills Bike Park is a progressive bike park for beginners right through to advanced.

“It’s also been coined as a bit of a ‘pocket’ mountain bike park. It’s quite small compared to other mountain bike parks, but it has something to offer to beginners right through to expert riders,” said Nicholas, who is also on the Haunted Hills Bike Park Trail Crew and a founding Gippsland MTB member.

The Haunted Hills Bike Park was carefully designed to reflect the enigmatic and mysterious history of the area. From the tombstone-shaped signage to the Mad Cows Trail and the pump track, which, from above, forms skull and crossbones, every turn and every run has been meticulously planned.

“The facility is free to the public. There’s a pump track which is perfect for kids and it’s right next to the visitor amenities – barbecues, seats, tables, there are also toilets available.

"You can come along for the day, bring some food, cook it up on the barbie and watch the kids ride around all within eyesight."

“The main trailhead area is really great for beginners because you can have that visual ‘eyes on’. For more adventurous riders, they can head over ridge where more of our intermediate to advanced trails are.”

But what if you’re more of a skater, or scooter rider? No worries, says Nicholas, with the bike park also being frequented by those not in the mountain bike saddle.

“What we’re starting to see is a lot of families with kids that are coming out even just using their scooters and trikes and little balance bikes. I’ve seen some skaters using the pump track. I’ve also seen some of those electric skateboards using the trails and even a rollerblader! It caters for all types of wheels!

“We don’t want to pigeonhole it as just a mountain bike park, it’s lending itself to more adventure sports and alternative adventure sports where you don’t have to have organised training meet ups or activities on the weekend, you can just come, and participate whenever you feel like it.”

A mammoth project, the bike park was developed in partnership with the Gippsland MTB Inc., Latrobe City Council, Energy Australia, Destination Gippsland, and the Victorian and Australian Government – with almost one million dollars invested by the Commonwealth for stage 1.

With free entry, the success of the park is being gauged by visitor numbers, with anyone attending the park being encouraged check the current trail status, and log their visit through the Trailforks app. Gippsland MTB also encourages donations, called ‘Trail Karma’ to assist the volunteer trail crew to maintain and develop the trails through the Trailforks app. You can also download a digital map of all the trails, so you will never get lost!

“The visitation numbers at the bike park are huge. The numbers we are getting, the data coming through, the car park’s full every day. From open to close. We have people waiting at the gate for it to be opened.”

From the data that has already been crunched, Nicholas says most of those visiting the park are from outside of Gippsland – which bodes well for the next stage of the project.

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

105

HAUNTED HILLS BIKE PARK

Stage two has already been fully funded by the Victorian Government, with another million-dollar investment. Once again Gippsland MTB, Latrobe City Council, Energy Australia, Destination Gippsland, Trailscapes, and locally based HCM Constructions are joining forces to deliver the project.

Once completed, the park will be the gateway to the Central Gippsland ‘G7’ Mountain Bike Hub – which are seven Mountain Bike Parks dotted around Central Gippsland.

“Construction of Stage 2 will be complete by mid-2022. And we hope to open a further 10-12 kilometres of what we call down country trails, so more of journey type of trails, so a bit longer. We’re intending to open them for Spring 2022.”

While the focus of the park was to attract new visitors to the region, the facility may also be in the running to host major events – and perhaps even get a Commonwealth Games nod to host a cross-country Olympic (XCO) format event.

106

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

“All the hard work, all of the sweat and all of our friends and volunteer efforts that have gone into it from Gippsland Mountain Bike Club have paid off.”

Haunted Hills Bike Park is located at 354 Haunted Hills Road, Hernes Oak. There are easy, intermediate, and difficult trails. Entry is free and gates are open between 6am-9pm during Summer daylight savings (Oct-Apr), and between 7am-6pm (Apr-Oct) BMXs, scooters and skateboards are all suitable for riding on the pump track. While the trails can be ridden with any type of bike, a bike with gears is best for the uphill sections.

Jeff Bourman

is your local MP for the Eastern Victoria electorate in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council Jeff fights for regional jobs, promoting regional and rural lifestyle Jeff is your voice in the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament Jeff Bourman MP Member for Eastern Victoria Unit 1, 9 Napier Street Warragul Vic 3820 Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party Victoria (03) 5623 2999 Jeff.Bourman@parliament.vic.gov.au

Authorised by Jeff Bourman, Unit 1, 9 Napier Street Warragul, Funded by Parliamentary Budget

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 SPECIAL OCCASIONS - 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

108

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

During the COVID restriction period we are offering TAKE AWAY MENUS. Please visit our Facebook @BrentSinclairCatering for weekly changing menus and specials.

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

GIPPSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE The heart-pounding moment before the curtains lift, as the house lights dim, and the audience stirs in anticipation – it’s what performers live for. On this occasion, the house itself is waiting in the wings to make a spectacular debut, as an entire community prepares to applaud Gippsland Performing Arts Centre’s opening act.

After years of planning and almost 24 months of pandemic-plagued construction, Latrobe City’s GPAC is ready for lights, camera, action in March 2022. And Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan will be front and centre on opening night.

“I’m a little bit too excited about this one I’m afraid,” Kellie gushed. “The biggest risk is that I’ll be there for every single event, every step of the way and they may have to move me on!”

While Latrobe City holds a soft spot for its beloved Little Theatre, the region’s thirst for bigger productions and a venue to match has grown in recent years. It prompted a call for a modern, state-of-the-art facility, capable of attracting a wider range of performances and increased grassroots opportunities.

“It’s really important to us that the GPAC is a community venue and I know that’s something that’s in the hearts and minds of the community that advocated so passionately to have this space created,” Kellie said.

While the mammoth, $40 million dollar facility is the true headline act, the original Little Theatre remains just a stone’s throw away and will still retain a place in local arts. The pair of venues are a theatrical entwining of old and new in the one precinct.

“I think one of the tricks is giving an appropriate nod to the history people have with these buildings,” said Kellie. “Certainly, the early consultation focused around - what this will look like? Where the Little Theatre fits in the precinct and what role it would have.

110

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

“There have been some changes to the precinct’s green space so we could keep the Little Theatre and the Town Hall for educational and smaller scale productions so there is plenty of community access.”

Built with funding support from the state and federal governments, along with council contributions, GPAC has the capacity to attract major productions and touring shows the Little Theatre wasn’t quite big enough to host.

“We’ve got a 750-seat theatre at GPAC, which is a huge step up from the 227 seats that we have in the Little Theatre,” Latrobe City Director Creative Arts Bec Cole said.

“What’s really great about the venue as well is that we’ve got a full-sized fly tower. So, what that means is that we can present the kinds of productions that need a full scale, fullsized production."

“A fly allows a backdrop to come in and out, and without a full fly you get really limited with what you can bring into the space. So, it opens up the opportunity for people across Gippsland to see a range of programs a bit closer to home, without having to travel to Melbourne.”

The new centre also houses meeting rooms, an indoor/outdoor café and two open air event spaces, including an amphitheatre. The highly anticipated 3 March opening is billed as a four-day immersive experience for locals and visitors to sample a taste of what their new star attraction can offer.

“We’ve got some really amazing acts lined up to christen the stage in style,” Bec explained. “Client Liaison will rock the house with their partypop vibes – a huge musical act fresh off playing at the Australian Open.

SET TO BE A SHOWSTOPPER

WORDS BY ANITA BUTTERWORTH

"We’ve got a barrel of laughs rolling out with some familiar faces in store for the Saturday night comedy show. Across the weekend we’ve got a host of family activities from workshops, 10-minute dance parties, to arts and crafts activities so there will be plenty for families and kids to come and experience at the venue.”

The opening couldn’t come at a better time for the wider arts community, as well as Gippsland’s performers, who’ve been living in limbo for two years. Bec said while some larger productions would need time to get back on the road, there would still be entertainment headed Gippsland’s way in the short-term.

“What we’re seeing is that live music and comedy can stand up pretty quickly.” Said Bec. “In the first six to 12 months we’ll probably lean quite heavily into those genres, but we’ll be working with different community groups and producers to bring some local theatre to the venue so that’s really exciting for us too.”

In line with the community-first push, ticket prices will be capped at $40 for the regular program, with $25 ‘Access’ tickets also available – without the need for any form of concession. Patrons can choose which price they wish to pay, depending on what they can afford at the time – in a bid to make theatre, live music and comedy accessible for everyone.

Kellie said the collaborative approach to GPAC – from its inception through to its construction - meant the community would feel a sense of ownership, and hopefully throw their support behind their newest arts precinct.

“It’s something that’s been built from a grassroots idea and an underpinning philosophy has been to deliver something the community can engage with at a variety of levels,” she said.

“It comes from a really solid grounding in terms of the local arts and creative community. They know the benefits of what the arts can bring to the table beyond just shows and performance. It’s about connection, wellbeing and having an opportunity to come together as one and celebrate a shared passion.”

All that’s left is to raise the curtain, cue the spotlight and let GPAC shine.

Gippsland Performing Arts Centre’s full program is available at www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/gpac

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 111

South Gippy Girl Photos & Words by Ken Roberts

MILLIE AND I WERE INVITED ON A MYSTERY ADVENTURE! WE LOVE FINDING NEW PLACES IN GIPPSLAND, ESPECIALLY THOSE HIDDEN AWAY THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF OR VISITED. THE DIRECTION OF OUR TRAVEL WAS TOWARDS SOUTH GIPPSLAND. The start of our journey wasn’t very promising as misty rain began to fall when we drove out of the driveway. We carried on and slowly as we rolled along the South Gippsland Highway the weather started to clear. The sky remained cloudy and there was a breeze but when we stopped at our first destination, Port Welshpool, it was fine.

The Long Jetty at Port Welshpool is a fantastic structure with an interesting history. It was built in 1930 and utilised in World War 2 by minesweepers and vessels. In the 1960’s it was used by ships and barges for oil exploration in Bass Strait. The jetty was closed to the public in 2010 due to fire damage and a public battle was fought to save it. At a cost of 11 million dollars the jetty was restored and reopened in 2018 and has been a popular attraction ever since. I had been there before on a sunny calm day and it was great to see people enjoying the almost one kilometre stroll to the end of the jetty where ample facilities are set up for fishermen and sightseers. Many people and children were taking advantage of the safe, shallow water and beach at the entrance to the jetty.

112

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

On this visit with Millie the moody sky and fresh breeze made me decide to take only a short walk.

Toora was our next destination and though it was a quiet weekday when most of the shops were closed I was amazed at the feeling of resurgence that was evident there. Buildings were being refurbished with several galleries and interesting shops to visit. The town has such a quaint appeal with some beautiful old buildings both restored and in original condition.

It’s definitely worth a stop!

Millie and I drove up the hill above the town to a scenic lookout that has a majestic view over corner inlet towards Wilsons Promontory. Though rain clouds were covering most of the “Prom” the view was still stunning.

Clouds hung like fairy floss over what appeared to be a toy town below.

I could only imagine the sight on a clear sky day. I vowed to return on a weekend and experience the delights of Toora and hopefully experience a further than the eye could see view of the beautiful region.

Into the car and we drove further up the hill until we came to a viewing area of the towering wind turbines of the Toora wind farm. Standing beneath them we were dwarfed by the massive size. The 12 turbines built on 5 farms in 2001 supply enough electricity to power 6600 homes. They stand out at the top of the rolling South Gippsland hills and are definitely worth a look to experience their massive size close up.

Millie and I drove back down the hill towards Foster where we were eager to join our friend for a trip into the unknown. I had no idea where we were going just that it was somewhere “special”. I road shotgun as we drove up the back of Foster and after a few turns I lost track of where we were.

The road narrowed and turned to gravel with the views of the hills, deep gullies and thickening bush really beautiful. The change of scenery was gradual but soon we were in a place that seemed lost in time. Towering trees and more tree ferns than I had ever seen before totally enveloped us. At a bend we stopped to admire the most glorious surroundings.

There was total silence apart from the breeze softly rustling the vegetation and I stood in awe of such a magnificent place. It was easy to see that at one time this is what the whole of the area had been like before civilisation.

I almost expected some ancient creature to emerge through the fronds.

I’ve been to other places similar but the fact that this seemed almost forgotten about and able to remain in its natural state was just brilliant.

I could have stayed there for hours. The magical scenery continued as we went on, it was delightful. Slowly we began to travel forward through time from the Jurassic age as the touch of humans became evident.

The fern fill gullies sadly emptied until slightly cleared sections of the hillsides emerged. These eventually became pine forests and farmland.

It was an eye opening trip that illustrated the journey of man and nature.

I thought this had been our destination, it was more than enough, but it wasn’t. We soon stopped at a small parking area as we came to Turton Creek Falls.

A place I had never heard of and, by the look of it, many others hadn’t either. It was only a small series of a couple of little waterfalls but it was a lovely secluded place and had obviously been cared for once but now parts of the area were overgrown and the infrastructure had been allowed to decay. Looking past this, the place itself was surrounded by bush, tree ferns and large trees. I was kind of glad that it was forgotten about as it was so nice having this beautiful haven all to ourselves. According to the information board there was a walking track but it was well and truly overgrown. We sat for a while enjoying the serenity before we moved on again.

As we drove on pockets of bush remained but the cleared rolling hills of the region became evident. Even these vistas were beautiful in their own way. I was unsure where we were heading until we came across the “township” of Mirboo and the original public hall. It is a once grand building, now on private property but still a fascinating sight and worth a look.

Luckily our driver knew where they were going as I was totally bamboozled by the myriad of tracks and roads but eventually we arrived back on the South Gippy Highway and headed back to Foster.

It had been a very satisfying and interesting day. It always fascinates me that there are so many places to see and things to do within a few hours drive from home.

Millie and I wandered home slowly with a couple of stops at towns along the way and soon our day out was over.

Gippsland always has more adventures, more stories and more beauty ready for anybody willing to seek them out.

We love this place!

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 113

canine corner

autumn

116

George - it gets a bit nippy

Kevo - wanna explain again human

Miss Poppy - Why am i in the back?

Jasper - my basket, my ball!

Lucy - what ya doin back there?

Tilka (Tonki) - we gettin' outta this car?

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

proudly brought to you by

Crunchy - Poppy I sit in the front

Charlie - happy to sit

e n i n ca ner r o c

Sam - wanna race me?

Mini - this couch is not for sharing

Angel Tov - luving you is the best?

our best friends Do you want to place a photo of your dog in Canine Corner ?

It's easy, just email us your pic and their name at thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au

...just pawfect

Millie - Are you serious Ken? gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 117

GRANTS

For Your Business

PHOTO TAKEN AT DRIFTY FIELDS, MORWELL

It's All in the PREPARATION with Liz Fleming The Efficiency Coach 118

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

Image by Kim Keltie Photography

Welcome back to 2022! It’s a new year and there’s a great sense of business confidence in the air! Let’s hope we all stay operating as best we can and take full advantage of any opportunities that come our way!

That’s our approach here at The Efficiency Coach HQ. I’m expanding and have my fabulous PA, Deb with me on a permanent, part-time basis.

Having additional support in my business will be great so I can be more efficient in achieving my business goals and having fun along the way!

It’s that time of year when everyone is back from their summer holidays, the kids are back at school and it’s full swing into business work. Time to knuckle down and make hay while the sun shines! Government officials are busy too – there will be several grant programs being released over the coming months, which is all very exciting! The problem is, we’re never quite sure what grant programs will be released or when these will happen!

Is your business ready for a grant? Do you even know what is required to apply for a grant? Would you have sufficient time and resource to complete a grant application tomorrow, if a grant program was released that suited your business?

I must make a confession, (a geeky one) but I love writing grant applications for small businesses and community groups, for me it’s the best way to gain a comprehensive understanding of a business, to capture their goals and aspirations, drawing out their creative genius to develop project plans and financial projections to support a grant application. It’s usually an enjoyable, collaborative process working closely with business owners, both aiming (and hoping) for a positive outcome, with a few tight deadlines thrown in (nothing like a bit of pressure). I treat grant applications a bit like writing an exam (I told you I was a geek!)

A grant application normally represents some form of business improvement, a new project, building on existing projects or trying something new in the business, which normally leads to some form of efficiency being created! I’m all about creating those efficiencies!

There’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be done prior to a grant application even being written. It’s all in the preparation, to ensure nobody gets overwhelmed and nothing gets overlooked, leading to the business having the best chance of being successful in their grant application.

There’s always a stack of documents and information that is necessary, that are sometimes hard to find or complicated to produce (especially in a short timeframe), so I cannot stress enough that it really is all in the preparation.

Grants can come in many forms, from various organisations, with various conditions and requirements, depending on what the desired outcomes are for the funding organisation. There are grants available at a federal, state, and local government level, as well as private organisation grant programs and community grants on offer.

We all love it when a grant program is released, but are we as small business owners in a position to make a credible grant application to be in the running for the grant at the time it comes out? Sometimes the answer is no. That’s my focus for this year, educating small business owners about the grant application process and how to be best prepared for you and your business.

Liz Fleming The Efficiency Coach is a business mentor and accountant based in Traralgon in Gippsland. Liz is passionate about supporting small businesses to thrive, by utilising her skills and experience to develop processes, systems and strategies for small businesses to become more efficient. You know how there are never enough hours in the day and you don’t know where to start, Liz will show you how to maximise your time and discover who is best to do what and when. Her promise is more profit, more time and more fulfilment.

I have been involved in various grant programs from both sides of the table. I was once responsible for a grants team in a senior government role, and I have also written a few successful grant applications across a number of grant programs. I currently have an 80% success rate of grant applications as I take an honest approach to assessing the likelihood of how suitable the grant is for your business, from the very beginning. I strive to ensure that nobody wastes their precious time (including mine), to ensure an efficient allocation of resources within the business to complete the grant application.

In my opinion, grants should be treated like a bonus, it’s great if you get one, and not the end of your business if unsuccessful. I also encourage business owners to consider if that project would be most likely to be undertaken regardless of the grant and whether the grant may be a great opportunity to fast-track the improvements or project.

It is also important to do your research and determine whether there are other small businesses that you could partner with, collaborate with, and potentially submit one grant application that will mutually benefit several small businesses for the same common goal and collective outcomes.

The process of applying for grants can provide valuable insight and clarity of where your business is heading, as you’ll be forced to better understand and know your numbers and business operation metrics.

This is especially important if there is a co-contribution requirement of the grant - can you afford to fund the co-contribution, do you have the ability to source the funds? Other important factors to consider include such questions as; are there suppliers who can deliver the project, and do you have the resources and capacity to project manage the project in the given timeframe if you were successful (especially when a number of grants do not allow for project managers to be funded)?

Grants are an investment that can pay-off substantially for your business over the long-term, mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding the entire grant process, nothing is guaranteed in the world of grants. Grant applications can also not be rushed, as you normally need to collate several business and official documents, some that you can create yourself, but some require input from other businesses, such as quotes, plans and designs, and letters of support.

Each grant program is different with different eligibility criteria, different outcomes and benefits, different timeframes, different requirements, different co-contribution percentages, different application forms and different formats, but they do all follow a general format that does allow for some forward planning and preparation.

Nobody ever really knows when grant programs are released, but we do know that the application period is never very long – sometimes as little as 4 weeks from the grant program being released and applications closing. It’s all in the preparation.

If you are a small business owner who wants to know more about the grant application process, please get in touch and keep an eye out for my online webinar ‘7 Steps to Writing a Successful Grant Application’ that I will be presenting and sharing throughout the year.

Let’s make the year of 2022 a prosperous year for us all.

Stay efficient!

Liz is a Chartered Accountant with a Masters in Forensic Accounting, with more than 15 years of finance experience across various industries (including government) and has called Gippsland home for the past 5 years.

She works with small business across a number of industries including primary producers, artisan producers, retailers, services, tradies, helping them to thrive in their business. Please get in touch if you want to work with Liz in 2022. @lizfleming_theefficiencycoach

gippsland lifestyle autumn ���� 119

A N E W P UBLI CA T I ON I S COM I N G It takes time to find your perfect fit. It can be hard to balance all the essentials of a fulfilling life, the right place to live, the right career, the right life balance. Sometimes, you have to meet it all the middle.

But sometimes, the middle is where you find the perfect combination of all of life’s treasures.

It’s time you found yours elf in T he Middle of Ever y where.

So where can you find it? Where is The Middle of Everywhere? We’re glad you asked.

Just a 2.5hr drive from Melbourne, you’ll find a wide range of beautiful environments to explore, with its pristine beaches, picturesque mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, wetlands and plenty of diverse, contrasting spaces to take your breath away. Whether it’s a stroll along the iconic Ninety Mile Beach, a canoe down the Mitchell River or a bush walk through the Alpine National Park, there’s plenty to keep you busy in The Middle of Everywhere.

Home to a range of tight-knit communities such as Maffra, Stratford and Yarram, you’ll quickly find yourself right at home with the wonderful people that make these towns so special. From our lively restaurant and café culture to the very best in local produce, you’ll never be short of Sunday brunch ideas and places to try!

HE AD I N G YOUR WAY SO ON

120

gippsland lifestyle autumn ����

GIPPSLAND’S PREMIER PRESTIGE MOTOR BODY REPAIR FACILITY

WE NEVER COMPROMISE PREMIUM QUALITY & SAFETY STANDARDS CPK McLaren MotorBody is recognised as one of the State’s leading Automotive Repair Facilities, one of only 5 Regional Finalists over 3 years in the VACC Industry Awards Best Body Repairer, Passenger Vehicle Category.

UTILISING THE LATEST

Environmentally friendly automotive refinishing technologies.

Diagnostic, Fault discovery & Safety Restraint System equipment.

ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING PRESTIGE CLAIMS ASSISTANCE GENUINE VEHICLE PARTS ONLY GENUINE CAR GLASS & WINDSCREEN REPLACEMENT ONLY 24 HOUR TOWING COMPANY FLEET VEHICLES

insurance claims assistance

17-19 Roughead Street, Leongatha | 5662 4173 | info@mclarenmotorbody.com.au

cpkmclarenmotorbody.com.au