57 Gippsland Life Summer

gippsland life summer $9.95

ISSUE #57

GIPPSLAND ART

MARK KNIGHT

Check out our brand new section

The creative genius

RALPH McTELL

BERNINNEIT

Legendary English music icon

ISSN 1838-8124

The new Cowes Cultural Centre

E D N E Y ' S L E O N G AT H A 1 Roughead Street, Leongatha, VIC 3953 | Tel: 5662 2327 www.edneysnissan.com.au Dealer Licence MD LMCT 1500

editorial Summer #57

our content

Welcome to Gippsland Life Summer issue 57!

10-11 12-13 16-17 18-19 21 24-25 58-59 62-63 64-65 66 68 72-74 78-79 80-81 82-84 110-113 114-115 116-117 155 156-157 158-159

Another year has flown past and here we are again coming towards the end of 2023 and hopefully all looking forward to a prosperous year in 2024.

This edition has been boosted by Gippsland Art. We were looking at running this separately in a stand alone magazine, but the people prefer Gippsland Life so it was a no brainer to include it in the current magazine, which in the end gives you all a bit more to read over the holidays.

WGCMA - Reflecting on a year of achievements.

Curtis Australia - Misty mornings lead to inspired ideas Foster Show 2024 The Kitchen Table - Fresh from the table Metung – East Gippsland Aurora at Kilcunda Crawford Marine on display at the Melbourne Boat Show Things to do in Toora The historic township of Toora Agnes Falls Whisky Bay to Picnic Bay – The Prom Octopuses Underwater Wonders Virtue Homes - ‘Building Excellence’ – The Olivia 42 Mirboo North Lyrebird Walk – Venture into this forest oasis Base Cabin - Tiny home construction company in Korumburra Cape of Good Cheer - The Cape Tavern Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club - 25 years of lifesaving CPK McLaren Motorbody Seeing with Stars Astrology -Stephanie Johnson MYLI - Unveiling Myli’s Phillip Island & Korumburra Libraries Canine Corner - Our best friends brought to you by Pets Domain

Plenty of great articles from our journalists and feature writers and our contributors to the magazine.

I will let the magazine speak for itself and remember if you are in a far away place away from Gippsland, you can view the magazine online for free via our website www.gippslandlifestyle.com or via ISSUU.com Thank you for your support in 2023 and always remember to Shop Local.

Doug Pell | Editor

our summer front cover Octopuses Underwater Wonders Photo by Zoe Strapp Feature: Pages 72 to 74

our advertisers 28 86 27 70 60 14 76 59 154 3 5 67 16-17 77 2 76 120 162 15 61 26 22-23 77 75 157 121 160-161 27 77 71 8-9 119 63 87 88-89 118 118 85 69 164 86 20 7

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All Sliding Door Repairs Melbourne - servicing Gippsland Berrys Gourmet Creek Cheese - World acclaimed cheese BJS Rental - Holiday Rental Insurance Brent Sinclair Catering - Mobile catering, Takeaway & Cafe Carpet Court- Dream It! Style It! Live It! CPK McLaren Motor Body – Gippsland Business Awards Winner 2023 Craig Young The Country Butcher located in Mirboo North Crawford Marine Morwell -Boating since 1964 Curtis Australia -It takes time to create a watch as special as this Edney’s Leongatha - Nissan Best in Class Drive Car of the Year Encore Retirement Living- For those 55 and better Evans Petroleum - BP Toora Now Open 24 Hours Foster Show 2024 Gary Wilkie - The Korumburra Dentist GJ Gardner Homes - Feel the joy building Great Southern Ride - E Bike sales & Bike hire located in Meeniyan Growmaster Traralgon - Garden, Fashion & Giftware Solutions Jeff Bourman MP - State Member for Eastern Victoria Korumburra Mini Golf & Magilla’s Play Centre Leongatha RSL Linen On Loan - Quality Linen Hire Made Easy LJ Hooker Lakes Entrance & Metung Melaleuca Nursery - Indigenous and Native plant farm Moos At Meeniyan - Eat, Drink and Have Fun! MYLI -Unveiling Myli’s new libraries in Korumburra & Phillip Island Newborough Pub -Eat, Drink and Enjoy at Your Local Pets Domain - The home for pets and proud sponsors of Canine Corner Redi Milk - Have you tried today’s milk?

Rigby Homemakers - Gippsland’s finest furniture & bedding store Riverview Hotel - The happening hotel in Tarwin Lower SJD Homes - Wonthaggi Display Centre Now Open South Gippsland Dental - World class dentistry here in Gippsland South Gippsland Shire - Find Your Flow In Toora Stony Creek Go Karts - Fun for all the family plus Go Kart Hire The Gurdies Winery - Take a detour to the Gurdies Winery The Kitchen Table - Great coffee, cakes and service The Melbourne Furnishing Co - Customer service is out specialty The Middle Korumburra Hotel - Voted No.1 Hotel in Victoria Toora Tourist Park – Holiday close to Wilsons Promontory Virtue Homes - ‘Building Excellence’ Victorian Display Home of the Year 2023 Waratah Hills Vineyard - Award winning wines West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Wonthaggi Lotto - Authorised Tattslotto Agency

DETAILS

CONTENT COVERAGE AREA

SOUTH GIPPSLAND PUBLISHING PTY LTD. Trading as Gippsland Life magazine ABN 81 144 063 089 ADDRESS PHONE EMAIL

PO BOX 862 WONTHAGGI VIC 3995 0404 301 333 gippslandlifestyle@bigpond.com ONLINE DIGITAL issuu.com/james448

WEB www.gippslandlifestyle.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/gippslandlifemagazine INSTAGRAM gippslandlifestyle WRITERS Chris West, Anita Butterworth, Megan Woolfe, Ken Roberts & Sarah Mott CONTRIBUTORS Paul Henderson (Curtis Australia) Stephanie Johnson – Seeing With Stars Astrology Sammy Spark – Foster Show Sheree Marris – Octopuses Underwater Wonders Karen Milkens-Hendry- Director of Learning – Newhaven College PHOTOGRAPHERS Doug Pell, Ken Roberts & Maxine Sando

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.

SPECIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Ginnie Alwood – Aurora at Kilcunda ADVERTISING Maxine Sando - Sales Manager Doug Pell - Sales Consultant

PRINTERS

EDITOR Doug Pell SUB EDITOR Maree Bradshaw

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

CREATIVE media101 | Alex Smirnakos + Tilka DISTRIBUTION Gippsland Life 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.

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

South Gippsland Publishing acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures, and to Elders past and present.

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Southern Impact (VIC) Pty Ltd is environmentally conscious.

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

OUTLETS GIPPSLAND LIFE OUTLETS Bairnsdale newsXpress 21 Bailey St Bairnsdale Main Street Newsagency 212 Main Street Berwick Newsagency 29-31 High Street Briagolong Post Office & Newsagency 4 Avon Street Bunyip IGA 2-6 Main Street Cowes Newsagency Chapel Street Drouin Newsagency 93 Princes Way Fish Creek Discount Pharmacy Plus 25 Falls Road Foster FoodWorks 37 Main Street Heyfield IGA 18-22 George Street Inverloch FoodWorks 10-12 Reilly Street Inverloch Paperplay 10 A'Beckett Street Korumburra Michael's Supa IGA 1 South Railway Cres Leongatha Authorised Newsagency 30 Bair Street

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 Maffra 102 Johnson Street Paynesville 3-5 Wellington Street Sale 177 York Street Wonthaggi 160 Graham Street

Leongatha Michael's Supa IGA Cnr Church & Bruce Sts Metung Village Store 62 Metung Road Morwell Newsagency 174-176 Commercial Road Neerim South IGA 147 Main Road Noojee Little Red Duck Café 1 Bennett Street Omeo Post Office 155 Day Avenue Rhyll General Store 41 Lock Road Rosedale Butchers 32 Prince Street Sale Newsagency 308-310 Raymond Street San Remo IGA 135 Main Parade Stratford IGA 67 Tyers Street Swifts Creek General Store Great Alpine Road Tarwin Lower IGA 45 River Drive 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

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

Gippsland Life 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 2023, 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.

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Reflecting on a year of achievements Like every year, 2023 has been a busy one for West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA). Across the catchment, the team has been working with Traditional Owners, partners and community to protect and enhance rivers, wetlands and estuaries.

We’re proud to report on achievements made for catchments, communities and wildlife in 2023 with the release of our 2022-23 Annual Report.

Recovering from floods

Protecting waterways

Caring for coasts

Works continue the recovery from storms and floods in 2021.

Projects focus on creating wildlife habitat and building waterway resilience.

Initiatives protect critical wildlife habitat and improve biodiversity.

 Planted 14,250 trees.  Fenced 4.13 kilometres.  Stabilised 7.31 kilometres of riverbanks at eight sites.

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 Fenced 23 kilometres of priority waterways.  Planted 62,500 trees.  Delivered 29,191 megalitres of water for the environment.

 Controlled 1,060 hectares of pest animals and 174 hectares of weeds in Corner Inlet.  Worked together to find alternatives for land management in Powlett Estuary.  Created 11 hectares of revegetation.

“We thank everyone for their ongoing support as we present this year’s achievements for West Gippsland’s catchment health that ultimately contributes to Gippsland’s wealth.”

MIKAELA POWER, BOARD CHAIR

TOGETHER ACROSS THE CATCHMENT WE ACHIEVED A TOTAL OF:  178,339 hectares of weed control  194 hectares of revegetation and vegetation enhancement  9,744 hectares set to benefit from farm, irrigation and soil erosion management plans.

Sustainable agriculture

Productive partnerships

Community safety

Sustainable farming practice and innovations mean healthier waterways.

Working together is at the heart of everything West Gippsland CMA does.

A key function of the CMA is supplying permits and advice.

 Improved management practices on farms over 1,079 hectares in Corner Inlet.  Saved 107 megalitres over 48 hectares on four on-farm irrigation efficiency projects.

 The Community Engagement Network met three times to share information.  Worked with 5 Traditional Owner groups and 91 Community Groups.

 Processed 984 planning permit referrals and requests for flood advice.  Ensured appropriate permitting and planning to protect waterways and floodplains.  Offered a free online Community Flood Portal to see how flood may impact their property.

for more information visit wgcma.vic.gov.au

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Misty mornings lead to inspired ideas A magical moment inspired a jewellery collection and International Recognition

By Paul Henderson Almost every design is inspired from something the designer finds special and personal to them, and this is exactly how the free flowing abstract design of the Curtis Australia Myst Collection came to be.

Evocative memories of setting out with his Dad to fish on Lake Curlip in the early morning came to mind, with Glenn remembering seeing the mist rising over this enchanting lake as dawn slowly approached.

Rebecca Foerster of Argyle Diamonds (managing their New York Office) approached Master Jeweller Glenn Curtis to create something to showcase their newly discovered silver coloured diamonds.

The rays of early sun light bouncing off the golden reeds created a special and memorable effect that later inspired the intriguing design of the ‘Myst Collection’.

Rebecca talked about the soft colour of the diamonds and an idea was sparked by the thoughts of Glenn Curtis’ childhood.

Located in far eastern Victoria, Lake Curlip is fed by the Brodribb River.

The out flow merges with the iconic Snowy River and the lake changes throughout the course of the year.

Myst Watch in rose or yellow solid gold & Australian South Seas Mother of Pearl

Myst yellow gold Bracelet Watch

Glenn’s interpretation of the patterns of golden reeds and glistening early morning water is expressed in the modern yet classical style of the Curtis Australia Myst Collection.

Initial sketch for the Myst Watch

The range consists of a standout pen and necklet exhibited at the world famous Las Vegas Jewellery Fair.

The story follows on the next page.

Also included in the Collection are the solid gold Myst watch in the various forms shown as well as elegant two tone gold pendants, earrings, and rings.

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Myst 'Opal Sunrise' ring

Exhibited at World famous Las Vegas Jewellery Fair The JCK Jewellery Fair in Las Vegas brings together more than 30,000 influential watch, jewellery and media professionals from around the globe.

Curtis Australia’s Glenn Curtis was the first Australian to be invited by the National Colored Diamond Association to exhibit the Morning Myst necklet and pen at their stand.

The pieces attracted large crowds, garnered several luxury magazine articles and was featured in TV interviews.

Glenn said at the time he really had to pinch himself, to check if it was really happening.

As mentioned earlier, the inspiration for the design was only a matter of seconds, but what followed next was literally hundreds of painstaking hours of craftsmanship, including intricately laying out where each diamond was to be, so the overlay of yellow gold criss crossing reeds could perfectly fit onto the tapering necklet segments. A Master Jeweller for over 50 years, Glenn Curtis has crafted thousands of unique pieces in his career.

Rebecca Foerster from Argyle Diamonds USA, after seeing the pen and necklet when interviewed on TV said:

‘It's really a piece of art and absolutely gorgeous - you really did justice to our Silver Mist Diamonds - it's really exceptional.‘ The necklet consists of thirteen segments hinged with cleverly concealed hand riveted pins. This allows the piece to flow beautifully around the subtle form of the neck.

The hundreds of brilliant cut round diamonds are individually chosen and each patiently set by hand.

The Morning Myst Pen features hundreds of Silvermist Diamonds - each set by hand in solid gold

As well as diamond set models, Curtis also creates much more affordable pens from sterling silver & colourful acrylic resins

The Myst Necklet

New addition to collection Recent additions to the Myst Collection are this matching Golden Pearl Earrings and Pendant.

The pieces are formed from a combination of white and yellow gold sections in elegantly flowing ‘never ending’ ribbons that gently embrace the golden pearls.

Lustrous Golden pearls enhance this matching pendant & earrings

Next time you're in Bairnsdale, drop in and see Curtis Australia for yourself - they're just behind the Shire Offices in Macleod Street, along from the railway station. If you find yourself taking a holiday in this beautiful area of Gippsland why not pop in and take a look. The team at Curtis Australia look forward to seeing you soon.

www.curtisaustralia.com

129 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale

Ph | 03 5152 1089

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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  VEHICLE LOG BOOK SERVICING

insurance claims assistance

17-19 Roughead Street, Leongatha | 5662 4173 | info@mclarenmotorbody.com.au 14

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cpkmclarenmotorbody.com.au

OPE

JanuNING ary 2024

Korumburra Mini Golf have a putting good time!

9 Mine Road Korumburra Vic 3950 * OPENING: January 2024

Magilla's play centre fun for everyone 9 Mine Road Korumburra Vic 3950

Open Wed – Fri 9.00am – 3.00pm Saturday 10.00am – 3.00pm

FOSTER SHOW 2024 Words by Sammy Spark / Photos supplied by Foster Agriculture Show & Doug Pell

Fancy a trip down to beautiful South Gippsland? The Foster Show is located in Foster, the gateway to Wilsons Prom. The Foster & District Agricultural Show has been showcasing the region’s agriculture and has been bringing the community together for 116 years. The Foster Show is a true agricultural show, and welcomes people of all ages, ability, talents and backgrounds. We’re proud to offer an event true to what country shows started as – a showcase of the best stock, produce and crafts in the district and the opportunity for locals to catch up with old mates and check out what’s new in farming and their community.

On Saturday 24th February 2024, people will flock to the Foster Showground for the fantastic Foster & District Agricultural Show. One of the Foster Show committee members, who is the 2022 Victorian Rural Ambassador and 2023 National Runner Up, Alexandra Pattinson, cannot wait for show day. Looking forward to many things, Alexandra has a particular interest in the Young Farmers Challenge, her initiative for the 2022 Foster Show that has carried success to the 2023 and 2024 Foster Show.

“Each year a team of holiday-makers from Melbourne make competition tough, but young local talent takes the trophy. With some never-before-seen challenges and our new young contenders in the Young Farmers Challenge for kids, we welcome all to the competition in 2024,” says Alexandra Pattinson.

The Foster Show is for everyone! Check out everyone’s favourites for a country show, like the woodchop, dog high jump, working dog trial, horse competitions, and sheep display. The exhibit shed harbours local creativity with cakes, flowers, vegetables, sewing, patchwork, art and more on display. There is plenty of fun to enter on the day, like the fashions on the field, the pet parade, and the Young Farmers Challenge.

Whilst you’re there, check out the Avenue of Agriculture, giant pumpkin competition and display, photography, and follow the Golden Brick Road with showbags and activities for kids.

Unique to the Foster Show is the very popular sheaf tossing competition.

The Foster Show are excited to be hosting the 2024 Victorian Sheaf Tossing Championships. With classes for novice and female competitors, you too can learn to hurl a burlap sack of wheat at great heights! Who knows, maybe you will take home a prize?

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Planning for show day is easy, with plenty of information available at www.fostershow.com or via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/fosteragshow.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Kids under 12 are FREE in 2024, so bring the entire family for the day out! Kids between 13-17 are only $5 entry.

There will be an early bird special for adult tickets, $12 for tickets purchased before 31st January 2024.

As parking can get a bit tight, there will be shuttle buses available from Fish Creek and Toora on the day. COVID safety is still a priority, with hand sanitising stations available throughout the showground.

Do not miss the action at the Foster Show, check out the timetable for the day, or the show day map of the grounds via our website.

Spending the day at the Foster Show is simply a great way to show your support of agriculture in Australia and your local community, whilst having lots of fun. The people of Foster have loved their show for over 100 years and they're excited to share it with you!

FOSTER SHOW 2024 Station Rd, Foster, VIC | Saturday 24 February, 2024 www.facebook.com/fosteragshow www.fostershow.com

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FRESH FROM THE TABLE

Recognised as an intrinsic part of the fabric of the Foster community, The Kitchen Table café has a dedicated local following and a welcoming atmosphere that also brings in holiday makers and day trippers.

WORDS BY CHRIS WEST | PHOTOS KINDLY SUPPLIED BY THE KITCHEN TABLE

Tourists travelling to and from Wilson’s Promontory, the Ninety Mile Beach and Gippsland Lakes often make The Kitchen Table in Foster a compulsory stop on their journey. If you haven’t yet made a visit, make sure you plan to call in when next in the area, either to taste the best coffee in town or to enjoy something appetising to eat while taking a break from the road.

Local Foster residents already know the attraction of this modern, stylish café located in the centre of the town in the heart of South Gippsland.

Owner Nicole has transformed what was a busy takeaway and dine-in eatery into a complete café experience since taking over the premises five years ago. In creating The Kitchen Table, Nicole has added a commercial kitchen, altered the layout of the café to offer the choice of indoor and outdoor dining spaces, and completely refreshed the site’s visual appearance with a full renovation.

“The café is spacious but at the same time very friendly and inviting,” Nicole says.

“We have our regular local customers as well as welcoming visitors from everywhere around Australia and overseas."

The Kitchen Table offers the choice of indoor dining, a popular rear garden courtyard and front footpath tables.

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One of the most striking aspects of Nicole’s visual transformation of the premises was adorning the walls with living greenery. There is also a slightly rustic feel with some industrial cast iron tables along with old Tarax drinks boxes on the walls for the climbing plants to grow on.

Customers love the look, but it is the coffee and dining experience that attracts them the most.

“We are known for having consistently excellent coffee and our wholesome food, whether dining in or wanting to take away on the go,” Nicole states.

“People are always offering compliments about our coffee, brewed wet chai and organic loose-leaf teas, and the freshness of our food. Everything we serve is fresh and nearly all cooked on the premises, and I also make all my own cakes,” she adds.

Nicole’s home-made cakes attract many admirers and are always popular.

“The favourites are probably the passionfruit sponge cake, or the baked gluten free cheesecake, and I’ve been told my carrot cake is the best ever. We often get comments like that,” she says.

When you step inside The Kitchen Table and are welcomed by Nicole and her staff, it’s impossible not to notice the cakes in the large refrigerator, while the glass cabinet on the front counter holds all the pastries, including various croissants (plain, almond and pistachio), pear and cherry Danishes, and Portuguese tarts.

“Our gourmet pies and sausage rolls are also very popular, as are our delicious toasted wraps or focaccias, and our healthy summer salad bar is up and running and doing incredibly well,” Nicole reveals.

With a wide range of selections available from the breakfast, lunch and all-day menus, there is always something for every taste. There’s no better way to start the day than with a choice of poached eggs, scrambled eggs, bacon, smashed avocado, or buttermilk pancakes made to order.

The Kitchen Table is also mindful of special dietary requirements and Nicole makes it a priority to provide plenty of gluten-free and vegan options.

“I’ve always catered for those requirements, but the need to do so due to the level of demand in the community is becoming increasing prevalent,” she observes.

Nicole has a strong background in hospitality, having previously operated a busy café in Melbourne for five and a half years, after also owning a bar in the inner city.

Earlier in her career, she lived in Thailand for a period while working for the Australian Government.

“I’ve been in South Gippsland for close to ten years now.

I wanted to get out of the city, and this is a particularly scenic part of the world,” she says.

Whilst always busy running a thriving regional business, Nicole remains very active in the community and is a passionate supporter of charitable causes.

“I have a very close association with local not-for-profit organisation Manna Gum Community House and regularly send down muffins and pastries to assist their food programs,” she notes.

This initiative, and other community organisations and events that Nicole gets involved with, are a meaningful way of giving back to the people of Foster who have made The Kitchen Table the best seat in town for café style dining.

“Like many of our customers already do, people can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch with all the news and items of interest about the café,” Nicole concludes.

Address: 30 Main Street, Foster Ph: 5682 2587 Web: www.thekitchentablefoster.com

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Metung

EAST GIPPSLAND

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Lakes Entrance & Metung 15 Heaths Road, Metung $985,000 4 Bed 2 Bath 4 Car METUNG'S HIDDEN GEM Privately nestled in an exclusive pocket of Metung, this bright and spacious home sits on a large 5334m2 garden full of thriving plants & beautiful established trees.

Impeccably maintained inside and out with garden & bushland vistas captured at every turn, promoting relaxation through large windows and skylights.

Only moments away from the Metung Village, access to Box's Creek, Metung Hot Springs, House of Yoga and Abayda Day Spa. Lynette Coulson | 0408 135 654

10 Besley Close, Metung $1,295,000 | 4 Bed 2 Bath 4 Car MASTER BUILT COASTAL HOME ON THE GOLF COURSE Introducing this exquisite property in the beautiful Metung area! Nestled in a quality estate, enjoying golf course frontage, only a short stroll from the Metung Country Club for dining and coffee. You can also walk to the Metung Hot Springs and explore beautiful walking tracks in the area.

Individual Design: This home is not just well-built; it's a masterpiece of design, boasting solid construction and meticulous attention to detail.

Outdoor Bliss: Outside, you'll find a spacious deck area, perfect for entertaining friends and family. There's ample room for kids to play, an outdoor spa with solar heating, and also a sunny north-facing outdoor space. Impressive Shed: A large 8 x 7.5-metre shed with high doors is ideal for storing a caravan or a large boat, catering to your recreational needs.

Lynette Coulson | 0408 135 654

Lynette Coulson Sales Consultant Ph: 0408 135 654

12a&b Banool Close, Metung $645,000 | 2 Bed 1 Bath 2 Car BANOOL COTTAGE – WALK TO EVERYTHING Nestled in the heart of Metung, this charming property offers the perfect getaway for those seeking a tranquil escape.

Location: Situated close to Chinaman’s Creek and Bancroft Bay, the home is surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.

Native gardens abound, creating a picturesque setting that will enchant nature lovers and anyone looking for a peaceful retreat.

Convenience: The Metung village is just a 15-minute walk away.

This means you can easily explore local shops, restaurants, and the welcoming community of Metung.

Jessica Stevens Sales Consultant Ph: 0499 361 519

Elevated Views: One of the highlights of Banool Cottage is its elevated verandahs. These provide a wonderful space to sit and soak in the treed outlook, making it an ideal spot to unwind and relax.

Income Stream: The cottage is successfully set up as holiday accommodation therefore providing an income when not in use by the owner.

The property consists of 2 titled blocks selling as one package.

Lynette Coulson 0408 135 654

Brendan King Sales Consultant Ph: 0407 302 273

Lakes Entrance (03) 5155 6777 | Metung (03) 5156 2555 www.lakesentrance.ljh.com.au | www.metung.ljh.com.au

30 Hendries Lane, Toorloo Arm $3,000,000 4 Bed 4 Bath 6 Car UNIQUE LAKESIDE PARADISE WITH OCEAN VIEWS Commanding, breath-taking, amazing views of Lake Tyers and the 90 Mile Beach form a part of this tranquil 23-acre (approx) secluded sanctuary.

An exceptional lifestyle opportunity that is rarely offered. Occupying its own private point, bordered by pristine waters on two sides with approximately 800-900 metres (approx) of lake frontage, this piece of paradise is perfect for swimming, fishing, nature walks, sightseeing and boating representing a true escape with an architectural main residence, selfcontained unit, abundant shedding, outdoor living spaces and extensive flora and fauna.

The home has been Architecturally designed with simplicity, elegance and an eco-friendly concept that positions the home perfectly with the rise and setting of the sun.

Jessica Stevens | 0499 361 519

16 Lands End Grove, Metung $1,350,000 | 3-4 Bed 2 Bath 2 Car

41 Limestone View, Swan Reach $1,048,000 | 3 Bed 2 Bath 4 Car

WATERFRONT LIVING

"LIMESTONE VIEWS"

This stunning property offers a remarkable living experience with unparalleled water views. Nestled in an exclusive pocket of Metung, this ultra-modern home boasts sensational sunset views and a unique design that takes full advantage of its surroundings.

The house is designed to maintain a strong connection with nature, with blinds that block out the heat while preserving the stunning views.

Whether you're relaxing in the comfort of your home or engaging in outdoor activities.

Truly a home that encapsulates the WOW factor, 'Oolong' presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of paradise with unbeatable water views, modern luxury, and access to the beauty of Metung's surroundings. Don't miss the chance to make this extraordinary property your own.

Lynette Coulson | 0408 135 654

Renee Shine Sales Consultant Ph: 0418 485 498

A modern elegant home, sitting on 3 acres with stunning views of the Limestone cliffs, the Tambo River & surrounds.

on chilly nights.Convenient bi-fold doors leading outside for easy entertaining and large windows allowing lots of natural light.

Masterfully configured to capture light, natural ventilation and the surrounding vistas, this stunning home boasts a flowing floor plan with an adjoining alfresco deck and a separate pergola for enjoying the outdoors in any weather.

The kitchen is every chef’s dream equipped with Miele appliances, beautiful stone benchtops, huge butler’s pantry and bi-fold windows also opening to the alfresco area.

Near new shedding, plenty of water tanks, paddocks for livestock & situated in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Perhaps the most appealing feature is the spacious open plan living/dining room with high ceilings, a cosy wood heater with a stone fireplace to keep warm

Ryan Hooper Property Manger Ph: 0488 218 181

Lynette Coulson 0408 135 654

Alison Dingwall Administration Ph: 03 5155 6777

Aurora at Kilcunda

by Ginnie Allwood

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Ginnie Allwood takes photographs of places and experiences that are awe-inspiring. Her instagram account is soulfire_images – images that set your soul on fire.

There are two types of photoreceptors involved in sight in our eyesrods and cones.

Ginnie’s astro photography journey began in Iceland with a goal of capturing images of the aurora. She recently achieved this goal, spending a month in Norway chasing the aurora in the snow.

Rods work at very low levels of light. We use these for night vision because only a few bits of light (photons) can activate a rod.

Rods do not help with colour vision, which is why at night, we see everything in a grey scale. Cones require a lot more light and they are used to see colour.

Now she hunts the aurora along southern Australia, forfeiting sleep whenever the chance of capturing the aurora arises – which requires the right space weather, a view to the south and skies that allow you to see fantastic stars – no clouds and away from the city lights.

On this night, there was a lot of light in the yellow/green part of the aurora, which fired some of the clones to see the colour.

If you are wondering what you can see of the aurora without the camera, the answer is that you can see whispy white and perhaps yellow-green and a bit of red if the aurora is very strong. This is because the human eye cannot see the colours in the dark-but the camera can.

Single shots edited in Light Room Sony A7iii + Sony 14mm f/1.8 14mm f2 3sec ISO 3200

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QUALITY LINEN HIRE MADE EASY WITH LINEN ON LOAN WORDS BY ANITA BUTTERWORTH | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL

With quality, attention to detail and a steadfast friendship at its core, Linen on Loan has quickly become the preferred linen hire service for holiday home owners, property managers and guests in South Gippsland.

Lisa Williams and Donna Cameron are passionate about the muchneeded service their business provides to the holiday havens dotted around the South Gippsland region. They spent months researching the highest quality products and streamlining their business model before launching in 2020.

“When we started looking into linen hire in the region, we realised there was a gap in the market,” Lisa explained. “We wanted to take it up a notch and provide quality linen to the doorstep.”

Linen On Loan provides a bed linen pack hire service for all bed sizes, with one fee covering the hire for up to 14 days. They also have doona covers, bathmats, hand towels and tea towels available to hire, making their service much sought after by holiday home owners, holidaymakers and property managers.

At the forefront of Linen on Loan is the optic white, hotel-quality linen, sourced from a Victorian-based global textiles company. All of the linen is commercially laundered and quality controlled.

“We’ve been with our launderer since day one and they are a longestablished family business,” explained Donna.

A point of difference with Linen on Loan is that they supply fitted sheets in their linen packs. “I’m yet to find another business who provides fitted sheets,” Donna said. “No more triple sheeting, which is fine for an overnight stay in a hotel, but not for a week or two in a holiday rental!”

Both Donna and Lisa have strong connections to South Gippsland, and the area has embraced their business. Initially servicing Sandy Point, Waratah Bay and surrounding areas, Linen on Loan now provides linen for holiday homes across the region.

Linen On Loan is a completely online platform, that gives holidaymakers, owners and property managers the flexibility to book their linen packs when it suits them.

“Hiring is easy via our website; guests simply select the linen packs they need as well as provide their delivery details,” Donna explained.

“The beautifully packaged and presented linen is then delivered on any day of the week, with only 48 hours’ notice required. No more lugging the linen with you, just sit back, relax and enjoy everything this beautiful region has to offer.”

Contact Details: Lisa : 0412 599 211 | Donna: 0409 662 238 Email : info@linenonloan.com | www.linenonloan.com 26

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PHILLIP ISLAND RSL PHILLIP ISLAND STRAWBERRIES – Verti Gro Australia RALPH McTELL – STREETS OF OZ – English Music Legend playing at Berninneit SAN REMO TIDAL SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – Highlights from this great festival THE WESTERNPORT HOTEL – Where country hospitality meets city smarts THE WOOLI TAVERN – Friendly family restaurant with Courtesy Bus WILDLIFE COAST CRUISES – Experience unique coastal journeys

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It’s personal at Newhaven College

NEWHAVEN COLLEGE EQUESTRIAN TEAM

With under 1000 unique children from ages 5-18, Newhaven College offers a relentless spotlight on each child in their care. Students are seen and valued for the experiences they bring to school each day. This aspiration of deeply knowing each child is implemented through the holistic program offered by the College.

SENIOR SCHOOL MENTORS

With the flex of Independent education, the ‘Hearts & Minds’ strategy allows individual strengths in a range of academic and non-academic areas to be nurtured. Relationships are at the heart of decisionmaking with the giving and acceptance of feedback between students, staff and families paramount to our ongoing improvement.

Inclusion and belonging thrive through the provision of supportive learning environments and opportunities to be part of teams which strive for personal excellence in a range of areas from Performing Arts through to the Surfing Academy.

Make it personal – explore the Newhaven difference and join our welcoming community.

Karen Milkins-Hendry, Director of Learning

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YEAR 8 CAMP KINGLAKE

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COWES CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTRE Berninneit - Gathering Together WORDS BY SARAH MOTT | PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY BASS COAST SHIRE, LISA BURGE AND DOUG PELL

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The long awaited and much anticipated Cowes Cultural Centre is finally open, and from all accounts, it has exceeded expectations. The facade is curved and resembles open and welcoming arms ready to embrace the community.

It has been constructed to Passivhaus standards and has involved multiple years of consultation and collaboration with the community to create an outstanding location that has already been hailed as a source of civic pride.

Encompassing purpose-built community spaces you will find a visitor information area, library, flexible exhibition spaces with moveable walls, a 260-seat auditorium, the historical museum, function and meeting rooms, café and box office, grand hall and community enterprise space.

The opening event took place on Wednesday 1st November.

The sun was low in the sky creating a dappled effect on the building from one of the mature trees on site that was kept out of respect to the people and the land. First impressions are quite overwhelming as the effect is at once majestic and calming. The afternoon sunlight highlighted the pink and cream hues of the bricks that dominate the facade. It is almost as though they were bespoke, so in touch are they, with the natural colours of the cliffs and sand that wrap around the island. As Architect Graham Burrows of Jackson Clements Burrows confirms, they were actually a new line from Nubrick just outside Melbourne.

Inside, it is the extraordinary soaring beams and columns of timber that predominate and were sourced from Heyfield in Gippsland. Graham confirms that using local was a priority for the construction. The maximum height of the Grand Hall is an astonishing ten metres. He adds that the cue and form of the concept was designed to reflect the Island itself.

The gentle sweep of the building harnesses the topography of the Island.

For him, it was important to create a design that wove its way over the existing landscape. A building that was open and accessible and inviting and a place for Council to facilitate some really great programs for the Community.

Malcolm Russell, coordinator Arts Culture and Heritage and Greg Box in his capacity for economy and culture, both emphasise that it has been a strong team that has put this together. In 2016 Council made a strong commitment to create a building that can service the whole community and be a source of civic pride.

Former Mayor Cr Michael Whelan of Bass Coast Shire mentions he is proud to be a part of this build, picking up on the good work of those before him including ex CEO Ali Wastie who found a way to make it happen. [ continued over next page ]

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Cowes Cultural & Community Centre | Berninneit - Gathering Together

He says, “We have now christened the building, so it can begin its life as a vibrant arts and culture centre. I love the building and am very proud and chuffed with the outcome. We worked closely with the community, saving the existing trees, was one of the things the locals wanted, and we did that.”

What a christening it was. The evening kicked off at 6pm with an introduction by Mark Brown, the senior cultural heritage officer from the Bunurong Land Council. He provided a beautiful welcome to country and thanked everyone for being there. He spoke with eloquence and created a blessing on the building paying respects to past, present and emerging First Nations People and acknowledged the importance of connection to country. In addressing the crowd, he emphasised Respect, Unity and Reconciliation. He talked about a celebration of diversity on a shared journey. People were visibly moved as they filed quietly into the building through the cleansing and healing smoking ceremony.

Inside the quietness was replaced by a buzzing atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm to be part of the opening night. It was a ballot invitation and with a glass of champagne in hand from the local Purple Hen winery, the guests gazed up in awe at the scale of the project. The internal grand hall of glass and timber is like a spine as it meanders through the building with open spaces that draw you in.

Che McMahon Manager Balik Arts

I meet Laura A’Bell, the communications and media officer whose excitement is palpable and infectious as she announces, “We have got a big surprise happening this evening!” With her background in working with several aboriginal groups she sees that council made it a priority to put First Nations People first.

“The Shire have led by example.”

In chatting with Project Manager, Damian Prendergast, he mentions the 2015 Activity Centre plan which highlighted the need to connect the two ends of town. He came on board in 2020 in January and picked up the project that carried with it all the work that had been done before in consulting with all the user groups. Six weeks into the job and Covid hit. All consultation was done in a Covid environment which had its pros and cons. [ continued over next page ]

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Former Mayor Cr Michael Whelan

Inside Cowes Cultural & Community Centre

Smoking Ceremony

Mark Brown

Greg Box GM Partnerships Economy & Culture

Malcolm Russell Co Ordinator, Cultural Arts & Heritage Bass Coast Shire Council

Kutcha Edwards with Sarah Bond from Creative Victoria

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Cowes Cultural & Community Centre | Berninneit - Gathering Together

The Victorian State Opera

“Our mantra is that it is a building for the whole community to use and love.”

Then it was time for the ‘big surprise’ and it was actually huge.

The crowd flowed into the auditorium and were treated to a spectacular visual and audio feast. First nations musician and performer and proud local, Kutcha Edwards walked onto the darkened stage singing a powerful song about country accompanied

by Sean Kelly on electric guitar and Rosie Westbrook on double bass.

Kutcha later tells me, “I was in here last Monday and there is a resonance here even though it is a brand new building. I’m not a cultural guru but I do know when ancestry is here. The Old People will look after this place.”

The rest of the performance included a selection of up-and-coming acts. There were two principals from the Australian ballet who performed a pas de deux from Swan Lake. This was followed by Garry Starr a comedic genius who created an informal audition for the ballet, complete with a paper G-string. After everybody had picked their jaws up off the floor, the audience was raucous.

A video presentation complete with drone footage and talks by all those involved including the community groups was presented.

Pam Rothfield from the Historical Society says it has exceeded our expectations and is exactly what Cowes needed. Current president Doug Waugh and past President Graeme Clauscen are absolutely overjoyed as it is something they have been wanting for years.

Elli Poletti

Comedian Garry Starr

Host Jane Clifton

Kutcha Edwards performing on stage

All three agree that it is an opportunity to showcase the curated artefacts in a new way and continue to share history in a relevant manner.

The entertainment continued, expertly introduced by MC Jane Clifton, who with her trademark wit and intelligence was the perfect choice. Without a program the audience never knew what to expect next. The night culminated in a stellar performance by Kate Ceberano. All the performers are booked to return, and the lineup is amazing. The locals are so fortunate to have a world class entertainment and arts precinct which includes all of the spaces dedicated to community groups.

In conversation with David Burrows, Cultural Program Coordinator, a couple of weeks after the event, we agreed that the importance of nourishing and embedding the arts in community is of vital importance to the health of a community.

David came on board in 2018 as an arts administrator and when the new build began to take shape, he was to work with a team that was to provide a service plan. This simply means a way of planning how the project would be run and managed in the long term. “Part of our role is to generate conversations in an environment where people can come together. It is important to amplify and nurture the creative capacity of our community.”

Kate Ceberano

The Victorian State Opera

He says that the community have embraced what the building has to offer and mentions that the library has been inundated with new memberships. The Phillip Island Movie Club who will have monthly screenings have similarly been overwhelmed with interest.

Kutcha recently commented to David, that this place is about ‘Gather together for Cultural Business’. It is the first time that David and brother Graham have been involved in the same project.

“It was with deep pleasure that there was a handover of his part of the project to my part of the project. In a way, we were kind of like bookends. I am just so pleased that the community have embraced the concept of Berninneit, which means Gather Together.”

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English music legend Ralph McTell has scheduled two performances in Gippsland on his upcoming tour of Australia early next year.

Words by Chris West | Photos kindly supplied by Jameson and Co

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Ralph McTell has to pause for a second or two to calculate how many times he has travelled to Australia during a celebrated career spanning more than fifty years.

“I think this will be my fourteenth visit and it’s been five years since the last time,” the influential singer-songwriter says.

Best known for his international hit Streets of London which rocketed him from the fringes of the folk scene into the musical mainstream in 1975, Ralph has maintained an enduring presence as a prolific writer and performer who continues to add to a vast catalogue of work that has been shaped by his own life experiences.

One of the great musical storytellers, Ralph is renowned for his virtuoso guitar style, a rich singing voice, and a natural gift for weaving a narrative that is both significant and poignant. He is a quiet, contemplative writer of songs with deep substance.

Fresh from a highly successful tour of Ireland which finished in November, Ralph can now ease his workload over the Christmas period as he prepares to bring his Streets of Oz Tour 2024 to several Australian states in February and March next year.

The 17-show tour begins in Tweed Heads in northern-most New South Wales on 7th February and the Australian dates culminate with consecutive performances at the Port Fairy Folk Festival on 9th and 10th March. In between, Gippsland audiences have two unmissable opportunities to see Ralph perform – firstly on 22nd February at The Wedge in Sale, and then on 23rd February at Berninneit, which is Phillip Island’s newly constructed cultural centre in Cowes.

“I always love coming to Australia and am really excited about this tour,” he emphasises.

Prior to heading Down Under, Ralph has a one-off performance scheduled in London on 2nd December, the day before his 79th birthday, and he is also looking forward to again providing a special show or charity at a local pub where he lives in Putney in south west London on 17th December.

“It’s something I do each year for the Streets of London charity to help raise money to assist homeless people,” he explains.

Ralph is still buzzing from the response to his recent shows around Ireland.

“I was mainly playing in smaller venues with around two hundred to five hundred seats and the reaction was absolutely staggering,” he states.

Ralph will be travelling light when he boards the plane for Australia, bringing with him just one guitar. His entourage will consist solely of son, Tom, who also performs the role of manager. Spending time together is a pleasurable experience for both father and son.

“It’s just the best thing,” Ralph suggests.

“I had another of my sons join us on the Ireland tour to look after the merchandising, but he’s now gone back to South Africa where he lives and won’t be coming to Australia,” he adds.

Ralph’s first visit to Australia back in the 1970s coincided with his chart success with Streets of London and saw him perform at the Sydney Opera House.

“I’ve joked that it’s been downhill ever since,” he quips.

“Every time I go to Australia, I think it may be the last time. It’s more than likely this will be my final visit, but I’ve said that before.”

Ralph has always felt comfortable and completely at ease in Australia.

“From day one I’ve just felt at home there,” he describes.

“With England and Australia, I know that we have great rivalry with cricket and other sports, but I think we have far more in common than divides us. I wrote a song for my great friend Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Australia called In The Dreamtime which is all about the paradox of being as far away as you can be yet feel such a spiritual connection and kinship.”

Ralph actually came very close to becoming an Aussie himself as a very young boy growing up in Croydon in outer south London.

“Our family was planning to emigrate to Australia as Ten Pound Poms just after the Second World War in 1946 or 1947. It very nearly happened but my father left the family home due to what nowadays would most likely be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder from the war,” he explains.

Ralph has become familiar with some parts of Australia from his previous visits but is looking forward to discovering many new locations on this tour, which encompasses stops in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

“It’s so personal. Everybody wants to shake hands or take a photograph.”

“The main cities are places that I have played before, but the itinerary this time around includes a number of little obscure places in the regional areas that I haven’t been to previously. I certainly know Port Fairy. I’ve done that four times and it is an amazing festival,” he observes.

Ralph’s Irish shows attracted a wide demographic amongst the audiences.

“I’m just delighted at the opportunity to have a look around and see some more of the country.”

“Most of the people that come to see me are adults in their forties to seventies, but there was also a sprinkling of very young ones. Often with the kids, they are ones who play guitar and, in many cases, will have probably learnt Streets of London as a beginner’s piece,” he says.

Audiences can expect to hear a broad range of Ralph’s work and musical influences. He will include songs covering from the 1960s through to a few numbers from his most recent album Hill of Beans which was released in 2019.

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“I try to provide a quite varied set. It will be pretty much the same as I’ve just been playing in Ireland,” he promises.

“I’m mindful that many people want to hear the old songs, so I’m not someone who forces his latest material on the audience. There are some songs that are well known than others, but the reaction overall has been fantastic.”

“I know now in my mature years how fortunate I am to have had a song that has meant so much to people, and every time it’s played it continues to gain interest,” he comments.

“I’m reverential towards it because it changed my life. People come up to me in tears over it. It still has that effect.”

Ralph says the song is written about alienation rather than homelessness.

Ralph will also use the piano on some numbers where venues have one available. He also likes to keep the audience interested with stories and explanations about his songs, which adds an extra element of personal significance to his performances.

“It’s about people that are in the city but don’t communicate with the city.

I used to talk to tramps as they were known then when I was a kid and would listen to their stories. This is voluntary homelessness not forced homelessness,” he clarifies.

“I’m a great believer in demystifying songs,” he remarks.

“Some songs sound a bit obscure when heard for the first time and need to be listened to more than once to catch the lyric properly. I do like to talk about where the songs come from, and people tend to find that quite interesting.”

Ralph’s iconic classic Streets of London has a remarkable story of its own.

“I started writing it while living rough in Paris through the cold winter of 1965,” he notes.

“The song was going to be about Paris until someone reminded me that there was already a tune called The Poor People of Paris, so I instead let the idea stew a bit and kept working on it before eventually deciding to change it to London. I had completed it by 1967 and first offered it to a semi-professional folk singer in Cornwall who rejected it on the basis that he thought it was a bit too sad and not suitable for him.”

Based on that initial negative feedback, Ralph didn’t perform the song anywhere and even chose not to include it on his first album Eight Frames a Second, which was released in 1968. Fortunately, he gave Streets of London to another friend Derek Brimstone who began performing it in clubs and first noticed the song’s effect on those who hear it.

“Derek said it had been going down unbelievably well with his audiences and encouraged me to play it myself. Against my initial wishes, my producer Gus Dudgeon also insisted it go on my second album, Spiral Staircase in 1969, and the rest is history really,” Ralph remembers.

But in fact, the Streets of London story had only just begun, as Ralph continues the tale.

“When the song was released in 1969 it travelled by the folk method. It was passed on to others who started singing it. I was told that it became so popular in the folk clubs that you had to book in advance if you wanted to sing it. I also did a radio broadcast on the BBC where I played it for the first time on air and the reaction was such that their switchboard was jammed,” he says.

"None of this was known to me at the time. There was no social media then, so I had no way of knowing what was happening with it and how the song was gathering such a following. After four or five years I had made at least five albums of new stuff and wasn’t getting a look in, and that’s when I made the decision to re-record Streets of London which ultimately changed everything for me.”

Ralph made some critical alterations for the song’s re-recording and release as a single in late 1974, including not singing with as high a pitch as he did on the original version from 1969. He also called upon the talents of Rod Clements on bass and backing vocals group Prelude.

“We did it in one take,” he recalls.

By the first week of 1975, Streets of London had reached No. 2 on the charts and was on its way to becoming a worldwide smash hit. Coinciding with the single flying up the charts, Ralph had been preparing to go on a big tour with a band for the first time ever, but when they went out on the road audiences only wanted him to play Streets of London.

“In the end you kind of give up. You can’t fight City Hall,” he muses.

Ralph says he has never tired of performing Streets of London.

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The lyrics remain just as impactful and relevant today more than fifty years after the song was written.

As much as Streets of London is Ralph’s signature tune, he has compiled an impressive catalogue of hundreds of songs and dozens of albums amongst a lifetime of performing. Amongst his many other acclaimed works are Michael in The Garden, From Clare To Here and the social injustice ballad Bentley & Craig, which was based on an infamous criminal case centred near where Ralph had grown up in Croydon.

Despite the professional success he has enjoyed, Ralph’s humble roots have always stayed with him.

“Our family lived in poverty during my upbringing, but I still managed to have a happy childhood,” he reflects.

Now nearing his eighties, Ralph does not have a specific end date in mind for his performing. He continues to try to extend his longevity by keeping fit, which includes some regular jogging in his exercise routine.

“I refuse to get tired of touring, but at my age the travelling has become a test of stamina. The performing aspect is fine. It’s really just all the travel in between from show to show that is the hardest part now,” he states.

“It’s hard for me to imagine a life without touring. I’d like to think this won’t be my last Australian tour but realistically it may be. For me, the key is being creative. I’ve got to be writing and working. If that involves touring, then provided I’m fit enough to do it, I will continue to do so for as long as I possibly can.”

Tickets to see Ralph McTell’s Streets of Oz Tour are on sale now and are already selling fast. Readers interested in seeing him perform are recommended to check ralphmctell.co.uk for details and updates.

Ralph McTell in concert

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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

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Summer Serenity at Phillip Island A COASTAL E S CAP E

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Looking for the ultimate summer retreat? Look no further than Phillip Island, a haven for beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife seekers. This charming island offers a plethora of activities, ensuring an unforgettable summer escape.

Embark on a unique coastal adventure with Wildlife Coast Cruises, the perfect way to explore the island's beauty. Choose from a variety of short tours suitable for all ages and interests. The Phillip Island Seal Cruise promises an incredible wildlife encounter, taking you to the largest fur seal colony in Australia. Witness playful seals, with summer being a particularly enchanting time as newborn pups explore their surroundings in small rockpools, bleating at their mothers.

Venture beyond Seal Rocks to discover other breathtaking spots like Cape Woolamai, renowned for its towering granite cliffs, caves, and the remnants of an old granite quarry, all surrounded by mesmerizing turquoise waters. The Cape Cruise, a one-hour tour departing from the historic San Remo fishing village, offers a scenic exploration of this iconic area.

After your cruise, indulge in the local culinary scene with a visit to the Fisherman’s Co Op for freshly caught fish and chips featuring flake straight off the boats. In the evenings, unwind with a glass of local wine and delectable appetizers on an Evening Sunset Cruise. Cruise across the bay, marvel at birdlife, and witness the sun setting along the captivating coastline.

For those craving a musical vibe, the Bay and Beats Cruise is a must-try, showcasing outstanding local talent as you tour around the bay. With an array of cruising options, Phillip Island invites you to come aboard and make the most of this summer sanctuary. Don't miss the chance to experience the island's wonder this summer!

For more information Wildlife Coast Cruises at 1300 763 739 or visit their informative website www.wildlifecoastcruises.com.au

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Phillip Island Summer 23-24 Events Calendar DECEMBER Sat 2nd

Sun 3rd Sat 9th Sun 10th Tue 12th

Fri 15th

Sat 16th Sun 17th Sat 23rd Wed 27th Sat 30th Sun 31st

Clay & Co Twilight Market – 4 Shorland Way, Cowes Churchill Island Farmers Market – Churchill Island The King & Guy; Teddy Tahu Rhodes & Guy Noble Berninneit, Cowes Cowes Sunday Market - Jetty Triangle Cowes Island Craft Market - St Philip’s Church, Cowes Cowes Sunday Market - Jetty Triangle Cowes Carols by the Bay - Cowes Foreshore Christmas Family Cruise & Christmas Party Cruise Rhyll & San Remo San Remo Christmas Carols - San Remo Foreshore Rhyll Twilight Market – Rhyll Park Steph Strings & Friends – Berninneit, Cowes Newhaven Market – Newhaven Primary School Cowes Sunday Market - Jetty Triangle Bay & Beats Cruise, Wildlife Coast Cruises – San Remo Jetty Market on Church – St Philip’s Church, Cowes Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes Churchill Island Farmers Market – Churchill Island Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes New Year’s Eve Cruise, Wildlife Coast Cruises – San Remo Jetty

JANUARY Rhyll Twilight Market – Rhyll Park Ocean Sounds - Churchill Island Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes Sat 13th Churchill Island Farmers Market – Churchill Island Cowes Island Craft Market - St Philip’s Church, Cowes Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes Fri 19th Rhyll Twilight Market – Rhyll Park Sat 20th Newhaven Market – Newhaven Primary School Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes Kate Ceberano – Berninneit, Cowes Bay & Beats Cruise, Wildlife Coast Cruises – San Remo Jetty Sat 20th & Sun 21st Model Railway Exhibition Cowes Senior Citizen’s Club Sat 27th Churchill Island Farmers Market – Churchill Island Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes Market on Church – St Philip’s Church, Cowes Children are Stinky by Circus Trick Tease – Berninneit, Cowes Sun 28th Kilcunda Lobster Festival - Kilcunda Foreshore Fri 5th Sat 6th

FEBRUARY Sat 3rd Sun 4th Sat 10th Sun 11th

Sat 17th Sun 18th Tues 20th Fri 23rd - Sun 25th Fri 23rd Sat 24th Sun 25th

Churchill Island Farmers Market – Churchill Island Cowes Sunday Market San Remo Channel Challenge - San Remo Foreshore Cowes Sunday Market Cowes Island Craft Market - St Philip’s Church, Cowes All Abilities Surfing Event - Smith Beach Newhaven Market – Newhaven Primary School Victorian Open Surfing Series Round 2 – Cape Woolamai Cowes Sunday Market Bay & Beats Cruise, Wildlife Coast Cruises – San Remo Jetty NEWK, The John Newcombe Story – Berninneit, Cowes World Superbikes – Phillip Island Circuit Ralph McTell – Berninneit, Cowes Market on Church – St Philip’s Church, Cowes Cowes Sunday Market

MARCH Sat 2nd Sat 9th Sat 16th

Sat 23rd Sun 24th Sat 30th

Cowes Classic & Little Penguin dash - Cowes beach & CBD Churchill Island Farmers Market – Churchill Island Cowes Island Craft Market - St Philip’s Church, Cowes Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes Bay & Beats Cruise, Wildlife Coast Cruises – San Remo Jetty Market on Church – St Philip’s Church, Cowes Elly Poletti – Berninneit, Cowes Around French Island National Catamaran Challenge All Abilities Surfing Event - Smith Beach Island Foreshore Market – Erehwon Point, Cowes

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Be inspired at visitphillipisland.com.au

HIGHL IGHTS OF THE SAN REMO TIDA L SEAFOOD FESTI VA L OCT O BER 15 – 1 7 SEPTEM B ER 2023 P HOTOS BY DOUG P ELL

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San Remo

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My Seaside Café in Rhyll offers a sumptuous breakfast and lunch and along with their warm friendly service you can enjoy the beautiful views of Westernport Bay, either inside the spacious café or outside under cover.

So if you want to have a break or simply appreciate some time out to relax with a perfect coffee, a delicious bite to eat then head to My Seaside Café located on the esplanade at Rhyll – Phillip Island.

1/9 Beach Road , Rhyll Vic 3923

Verti Gro Australia – made in rural Victoria and 100% Australian owned!

Vertical planters ideal for strawberries, herbs and vegetables.

Ideal for home gardener with limited space, serious hobby farmer and great for people with disabilities. See the full range and system in action at Phillip Island Strawberries.

122 Ventnor Beach Road, Cowes, Victoria 3922 0417 189 073 vertigroaustralia.com.au 54

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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

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 56

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PHILLIP ISLAND RSL A VENUE FOR ALL OF LIFE’S OCCASIONS

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 10.00AM TO LATE

Phone BH: 03 5952 1004

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

Enquiries: info@pirsl.com.au

www.pirsl.com.au

on display at the Melbourne Boat Show Crawford Marine Morwell, featured their stock of Stacers and Campion boats at the recent Melbourne Boat Show held at the Docklands, Victoria Harbour in October from the 26th to the 29th. This event was very popular and massive crowds turned up for the event over the course of the exhibition that would have been Victoria’s Premier Waterfront Marine event. Having the Melbourne Boat Show in and around the water gave a wonderful atmosphere and Crawford Marine Morwell is a regular exhibitor to this event.

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CRAWFORD MARINE

Crawford Marine Boating since 1964

BOATING SINCE 1964

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

MEMBER

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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

TOORA Situated along the eastern coastline of South Gippsland, the tiny farming town of Toora is a summer escape by both the land and the sand. A getaway of tranquillity where adventure awaits, with picturesque landscapes, diverse outdoor activities, and a vibrant, welcoming community.

One of Toora's greatest draw cards during the warmer months are the stunning, nearby coastlines. The crystal-clear waters of Corner Inlet and Port Welshpool, provide hours of activities including relaxing in the sun, frolicking in the ocean and even casting a fishing line. Take a stroll along the sandy shores as the sun rises and sets, and embrace the open space and serenity that is guaranteed when visiting Toora.

The tiny township of Toora is a nature enthusiasts oasis, offering hiking opportunities and nature-based attractions. The Great Southern Rail Trail is a favourite among hikers and cyclists, offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. Silcock Hill Road Lookout also provides an excellent advantage point, where you can witness the splendour of South Gippsland's country side stretching out before you. The walk to the Toora Bird Hide which provides an outlook over a RAMSAR recognised wetland is well worth the short walk and a must for any bird lover.

Other priceless views can be experienced from the Toora collection of truly unique stays. The contrast of beautiful blue summery skies and the lush greenery of the forever rolling hills can be witnessed from quiet cottages, farm shacks and even star gazing retreats.

Make the most out of the warmer weather and longer days by exploring magnificent attractions entailed within the town of Toora. Swap the busy boardwalks and crowded beaches for the jaw dropping sight of Agnes Falls. Cascading over 59 metres of rock into a deep gorge, Agnes Falls is truly remarkable. Make a day out of visiting the falls by packing lunch to enjoy at the picnic spot where you can take in the view, listen to the crashing of the water against the rocks and discovering the abundance of native wildlife that call this beautiful area home.

Toora is grounded in rich history, and summer is the perfect time to explore its heritage. Visit one of Victoria’s first commercial wind farms to learn about renewable energy or explore the historic Port Welshpool Long Jetty, which offers an excellent spot for fishing and a glimpse into the past.

Many of the best experiences for families in South Gippsland are free.

Families with children will find plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained. The Stanley Street and Sagasser Park Playground are fantastic places for kids to burn off energy, whilst the local Farmers' Market provides a sense of fun and a community experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Toora in South Gippsland is a captivating destination for those seeking an authentic Australian country/coast side summer experience. Whether you're relaxing in the sun on pristine beaches, exploring nature's wonders or immersing yourself in the local culture, Toora offers a delightful summer escape that won't be soon forgotten. So, pack your bags and embark on a journey to discover the beauty of Toora this summer.

You can also find out more via our website: visitsouthgippsland.com.au

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THINGS TO DO IN TOORA  

Enjoy fishing from Corner Inlet.

Walk the Toora Bird Hide (this boardwalk walk is well maintained and wheelchair friendly)

 

Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal with a view at Mount Fatigue Visit the Toora Lion’s Den Market on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month (8.00am to 1.00pm)

THINGS TO DO NEARBY   

Visit Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve (13-minute drive) View the falls at Turtons Creek (20-minute drive) Experience the fishing village of Port Welshpool (15-minute drive)



Explore the historic Lime Kilns at Walkerville (35-minute drive)



Visit the Prom Coast Farmers Market in Foster (Markets are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8.00am to 12.00pm)

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Toora is a small, historic township situated between Foster and Welshpool. Nestled in the hills above the town are numerous wind turbines and Victoria’s highest single-span waterfall, Agnes Falls.

Toora offers visitors breathtaking views of Wilsons Promontory National Park, the view from the lookout at Silcocks Hill road is particularly impressive.

Photos by Doug Pell

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Agnes Falls Hidden within the green rolling hills of the Strzelecki Ranges, the meandering Agnes River cascades from a 59 metre height over rocks into a deep picturesque gorge, forming Agnes Falls.

There are toilets, shelters, information and a pleasant walk to the waterfall lookout and alongside the Agnes river with an abundance of native birds and bushland.

Photos by Doug Pell

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EVANS BP TOORA

BY THE TANK OR THE TANKER FULL - EVANS DELIVER

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 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

Evans Petroleum’s association with Muddy Creek Service Station extends back some 32 years, providing a fuelling and convenience service to the people of Toora and District as well as the traveller looking for a place to rest and fuel their vehicle and themselves.

Evans have recently extended our fuelling offer to an after hour card machine to provide for those fishermen wanting to get onto the water early, the farmer needing some fuel late at night to let them finish their harvesting and the truck driver working the night shift to get his products carted.

Our commitment to our customers to provide high quality products at all times, coupled with expected service levels, is what we pride ourselves on and set as our benchmark to achieve at all our service stations, including the Toora site.

BP TOORA

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

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

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

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

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Whisky Bay to Picnic Bay

Wilsons Promontory has some wonderful walks, and this one is a stunner.

It takes approximately 30 minutes from one end to the other and the track is in excellent condition and you get nothing but views of the ocean, the small islands and the natural flora and fauna alongside the path.

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Photos by Doug Pell

Both bays are great for surfing but swimming is not recommended as they are not patrolled, but paddling in the shallows and exploring the rock pools or just stretching out on sandy beaches would be fine.

Check out: parks.vic.gov.au for further information and updates on Wilsons Promontory

Jenny and Marshall Johnston have owned the Toora Tourist Park for two years now after having moved from the North East region of Victoria where they owned a successful park.

So, with that experience they have now added their style to the Toora Tourist Park which is a popular venue situated on the South Gippsland Highway, in close proximity to Wilsons Promontory.

The park has cabins that range from luxury villas to deluxe and budget cabins, catering for all needs and 2 dog friendly cabins.

We also have powered sites and ensuite sites for caravanning and camping.

 A large function room  2 Camp Kitchens and outside BBQ areas  Games Room and TV Room  Jumping Pillow  Tennis Court  Soccer Pitch  Mini Golf  Giant Chess  Indoor Heated Pool and Spa (operates all year round)

Jenny & Marshall Johnston 9 Welshpool Road, (South Gippsland Highway) Toora Vic 3962 | Tel: 5686 2257 www.tooratouristpark.com.au

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

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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

 Courtesty Bus available  Function room  Live music  Book online: riverviewhotel.net.au  Keep an eye out on our socials and website for events & more news

Open from 11.00am Lunch 12.00pm – 2.30pm | Dinner 5.30pm – 8.30pm Live music Friday – Saturday – Sunday | Digital TAB

11-15 River Drive, Tarwin Lower Vic 3956 Phone: 5663 5211 www.riverviewhotel.net.au

OCTOPUSES UNDE R WATER

WONDERS

Jet powered, shapeshifting illusionists with liquid-like bodies that taste.

WO R D S A N D P H O T O S BY S H E R E E M A R R I S

Pale Octopus • Photography Sheree Marris

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Sheree Marris • Photography by Zoe Strapp

IT’S EASY TO SEE HOW OCTOPUSES HAVE INSPIRED FOLKLORE AND FICTION. Their diversity is breathtaking, boasting over 300 species that range from the size of a thumbnail to oceanic giants the size of a car. What they all have in common is their extraordinary body design; a boneless body, eight arms with minds of their own and the ability to seem to disappear into thin air.

They’re some of the world’s most extraordinary animals who’ve developed a number of ingenious strategies to thrive in a fish-eat-octopus kind of world.

Developed over millions of years, it’s allowed them to survive ice ages, asteroids, outlive dinosaurs and extend their reach into all corners of the world’s oceans. From temperate and tropical reefs, remote dark depths and even icy waters of the Antarctic, there is nowhere you can’t find an octopus.

Whether or not you’ll see them is another thing.

Blanket Octopus • Image by Blue Planet Archive / Alamy Stock Photo Common Octopus • Photography by Ernie Black

Octopus are famous for their ability to change the colour and texture of their skin, quicker than you can blink. Masters of disguise, they often pretend to be anything other than what they really are. Coral, seaweed, even other sea creatures. They’ll do anything to keep off the menu. It’s a remarkable feat considering these marine magicians are colour-blind!

If their colour-changing antics don’t fool predators they employ their jetpropulsion escape systems, eject ink smokescreens through their rear and even detach body parts as a decoy.

Whilst they try their best to avoid being eaten, they also need to find food useSall B U S I N E S S and FOR A Lsorts E of fascinating hunting techniques from: mesmerising prey, stealing food from other animals and even using their body as a fishing net.

SEE CONTACT DETAILS BELOW They’re also ridiculously intelligent and one of the few animals that: use tools, hunt with other animals and can solve problems and navigate mazes. Pretty impressive considering their relatives are clams.

For all their sea smarts, they still haven’t mastered the art of longevity.

They live an average of 1-2 years and wait to have sex when they’re just about to kick the bucket. Sounds depressing, but they more than make up for it with colourful sex lives that would make most blush.

From glow-in-the dark lipsticks to lovers that put their partners in a headlock and literally take their breath away then make a meal of them. It might explain why males will often mate from a distance or detach their private parts to send to the female.

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Sheree Marris • Photography by Zoe Strapp

Sheree Marris • Photography by Zoe Strapp

All of this and more is showcased in a captivating new book "Octopuses Underwater Wonders” written by local marine biologist and award-winning author Sheree Marris. Over 120 pages, readers will discover the breathtaking diversity of the planet’s most extraordinary animals and reveal how we have more in common with these otherworldly animals than we could have ever imagined, while answering fascinating questions about their downright bizarre biology.

Do they really need nine brains, what was mother nature thinking when she put their mouths in their armpits and why do their colour-changing abilities make the chameleon look like an amateur?

It's a perfect gift for nature lovers, photographers, ocean enthusiasts and those who love sprinkling fascinating facts at dinner parties like its glitter. But you better get in quick, just like the love lives of octopuses, don't expect this book to stay on the shelf for long.

Get your copy here www.octopusesbook.com Follow Sheree’s underwater adventures on her socials @shereemarris

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Mimic Octopus • Photography by David Da Costa Alamy Stock Photo

FROM BREKKY TO BOOZE, YOUR LOCAL IS MOO'S

SERVING THE FINEST THAT SOUTH GIPPSLAND HAS TO OFFER

BREKKY

|

LUNCH

|

DINNER

|

TAPAS

|

BUSINESS FOR SALE SEE CONTACT DETAILS BELOW 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

E-Bike Sales & Bike hire store located in Meeniyan The heart of the Great Southern Rail Trail.

Hire One of the best ways to experience the Great Southern Rail Trail is by hiring an E Bike. This allows you to explore the trail in the best way possible.

Flexible Rental Options for Your Convenience Whether you are looking for a half or full day rental, or even an overnight stay, we have you covered.

Inclusions with Your Hire

Booking E-Bike Rentals Online:

When you hire, you will receive an NCM E-Bike, helmet, lock, and GSRT map to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Greatsouthernride.com.au

Your Go-To Bike Retail Destination Looking for a reliable retail store for all your biking needs? Look no further than GSR. Our extensive E Bike range includes road, stepthrough, folding, trikes, and mountain bikes.

Our store carries a variety of high-quality products such as Zefal, Buzz Rack, Topeak, Giro helmets, and other accessories. Diverse options of tubes and tyres are available to tackle those pesky punctures.

Discover the Great Southern Rail Trail with the Excitement and Convenience of E-Bikes.

Address: 91 Whitelaw Street Meeniyan Vic 3956 Tel: 0468 477 043 Email: Ride@greatsouthernride.com.au

Greatsouthernride.com.au Greatsouthernride_meeniyan www.facebook.com/greatsouthernride

We’re known for Local Lamb & Aged Beef on the bone • Award winning Italian Sausages • Fresh Fish on Friday • Private Livestock Butchery • Spit Roast Catering for all occasions • Bulk Meat Packs.

r offe We service dly lity frien e & Qua u l Va

Open: Monday to Friday 7.00am – 5.00pm Saturday 7.00am – 12.30pm Craig Young’s Butchery 90a Ridgway, Mirboo North Vic 3871 | Tel: 5668 1632 76

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VIRTUE HOMES 'BUILDING EXCELLENCE'

OLIVIA 42

the

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS 11AM -4PM

NEW DISPLAY VILLAGE NOW OPEN

2 - 8 Broadway Boulevard Traralgon Now Open 7 days 11am - 4 pm

2021

WINNER 2022

WINNER 2021

In the heart of the picturesque Gippsland area, Virtue Homes has been redefining the residential custom home building landscape since its inception in 2003.

With an impressive portfolio comprising over 500 distinctive homes, Virtue Homes has achieved remarkable success and garnered widespread acclaim within the housing industry. As a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence, Virtue Homes was crowned the Victorian MBA Residential Builder of the Year in 2022, and they continue to set new standards for quality and innovation.

Virtue Homes’ legacy of excellence is underlined by the numerous accolades they have earned over the years. Their dedication to quality craftsmanship and innovative design has consistently earned them recognition in both the Housing Industry Victoria and Master Builders Victoria awards. The pinnacle of their success in 2022 was being honoured with the prestigious title of Victorian MBA Residential Builder of the Year, reaffirming their position as industry leaders.

November 2023 is an especially exciting time for Virtue Homes as they represent Victoria on a national stage. Their exceptional display home, “The Olivia,” has been nominated for the Master Builders National Display Home of the Year award, where it competes against the best from all other states. This recognition follows their earlier triumph as the Victorian Display Home of the Year, setting them on a path towards an unprecedented year of success.

VICTORIAN DISPLAY HOME OF THE YEAR 2023 $750K - $1M CATEGORY

What sets Virtue Homes apart from the rest is their unparalleled ability to transform clients’ dreams into reality. Beginning with a blank canvas, clients collaborate with the Virtue Homes team to create a home that perfectly reflects their unique vision. The company prides itself on its cutting-edge innovation, forward-thinking design concepts, and a commitment to crafting lifestyle homes that captivate and inspire.

At Virtue Homes, the client is at the centre of every project. Clients work one-onone with their dedicated supervisor and their team throughout the construction process, ensuring their vision is executed to perfection. With each supervisor overseeing only a select number of homes at any given time, clients build strong relationships with their builder while benefiting from the support of experienced drafting, interior design, project administration, and scheduling teams.

After a remarkable year of delivering stunning custom homes, Virtue Homes is poised for an even more promising 2024. With a roster of exciting new projects on the horizon and a growing clientele who place their trust in Virtue Homes, this award-winning custom home builder is set to continue its legacy of excellence.

Virtue Homes is not just a builder; they are dream weavers, turning the aspirations of their clients into splendid, tangible realities. Their relentless pursuit of perfection and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction make them a trusted, successful, and premium custom home builder in the Gippsland area.

Kind Regards,

Nerida Hamilton | General Manager

NEW DISPLAY HOME LOCATIONS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS 11AM -4PM 03 5176 5997 | info@virtuehomes.com.au | www.virtuehomes.com.au Photography by Open2ViewGippsland

Mirboo North Lyrebird Walk

Venture into this forest oasis Words by Megan Woolfe | Photos by Doug Pell

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M I R B O O N O R T H LY R E B I R D WA L K Looking for a tranquil, cool place to escape to this summer?

Look no further than this forest oasis found just off the Strzelecki Highway, in Mirboo North. The dense vegetation and thick upper canopy create a shaded, naturally air-conditioned haven. It’s the perfect place to explore on a warm summer’s day.

The drive there takes you through picturesque rolling hills of farmland. When you arrive, you can enjoy a picnic at the tables next to the Lyrebird Walk car park or visit one of the delightful cafes in the main street of Mirboo North, just 4 km away.

It is indeed snake season, but the wide paths make it easy to spot any of these sunbaking reptiles up ahead. You have three track options to choose from. The ‘River Walk’ meanders through lush, ferny forest and follows the river the whole way so you can enjoy the soft meditative sound of gentle flowing water as you walk. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can continue over the bridge and up the hill to the ‘Coral Tree Gully Walk’ or the ‘Warriors Walk’. These are both loop walks and are relatively steep, taking you uphill, where the forest transitions to less dense, drier vegetation. There are plenty of wooden chairs along the way to rest or simply sit and soak up the sights and sounds that surround you.

BUSHFIRES Visible reminders of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires remain, with hundreds of charred black tree trunks. Amongst them, green hues of small trees and shrubs as well as grasses and new shoots show the rapid rate of regeneration since then. They show the incredible resilience of the Australian bush. At the top of the ‘Warriors Walk’, a confronting burnt charcoal sign remains - the original sign that withstood the fires. Amazingly, most of the carved letters are still readable. This serves as a solemn memorial for all who suffered from the bushfires.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST The land around Mirboo North was settled in the 1880s.

The ‘Lyrebird Walk’ forest area was never cleared because the soil wasn’t fertile enough for agriculture. It was instead utilised for harvesting timber. In fact, the car park was once a small sawmill. Past evidence of logging activity can be seen in deep notches in many of the taller tree stumps. Back in the day, the loggers would slide boards into these notches to create steps that enabled them to get up higher, above the buttresses (the swelling roots). Then they’d cut through the tree trunks with cross saws or axes.

WHAT’S IN THE NAME? The walk is named after the Superb Lyrebird. In case you’re wondering, that’s the bird pictured on our 10 cent coin. In many areas of the state, lyrebird numbers have reduced due to land clearing or predators such as foxes and feral cats. Around Mirboo North, however, the Lyrebird still thrives in patches of native forest. Lyrebirds scratch around in scrub along the track but are quite shy around humans. If you spot one, consider yourself lucky. It’s far more likely you will hear its call. Lyrebirds are unique in that they can imitate the calls of many birds, but also the sound of chainsaws or car horns. If you notice many different bird calls coming from one direction, it’s likely you’re listening to a lyrebird.

F RIENDS OF LYREBI RD FOREST WALK When the walk was closed in 2002 by Parks Victoria due to safety concerns, the local community sprung into action. Public meetings resulted in the formation of a group called the ‘Friends of Lyrebird Forest Walk.’ Rehabilitation of the area commenced in 2003 with support from industry, local government, walking groups and local businesses. The group of passionate volunteers have worked hard to replace the river crossings, repair parts of the track and keep it maintained. Thanks to their efforts, this beautiful forest haven is open for everyone to enjoy. *Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash. *Horses are not permitted.

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Tiny home construction company in Korumburra WO R D S BY SA R A H M O T T | P H O T O S K I N D LY S U P P LI E D BY B A S E CA B I N

I met with Dave Clark onsite at his construction space to learn more about his tiny home company. It is an exciting business that is Australian owned, sourcing local materials for their incredibly beautiful sustainable dwellings.

Dave says his favourite part of the job is delivery time when he drops off one of their special builds and sees it nestled in the landscape. They have been designed with living on the land in perfect harmony. The large double glazed windows allow one to be immersed in the landscape. The cabins are solid and with their 15sqm footprint, feel airy and spacious, such is the thought that has gone into the design and construction.

They are all constructed from a waxed wood that is painted a lovely matte black. The interiors are lined with raw timber and as such sit sympathetically in nature. The kitchen spaces have large bench to ceiling windows, the bathrooms have a large walk-in shower and are very functional and spacious. Storage is cleverly thought out, subtle and more than ample. They do not feel like a weekender that has shortcomings; more they are designed with long term sustainable lifestyles in mind. All come solar ready for example.

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The client has the option to buy a shell and kit out to their own specifications or one can choose to have a fully finished model.

All you have to do is walk in, fill the pantry and hang up your clothes.

Transport is seamless as each build has a custom-built trailer to the highest quality specifications. I was in awe as I stepped in and out of the different styles currently being prepared.

A five-year-old company that has already collaborated with five innovative architectural firms means the client has plenty of choice. They even have tiny wood fires, split systems and can be set up with water tanks. You really could not ask for more.

Dave did his apprenticeship in carpentry in Korumburra, on the same Industrial estate where he now works with his own team, including two apprentices. After finishing he moved to Hobart and secured work with a company that was building award winning architectural homes, including Bob Brown’s home. Returning to the mainland he settled for a time in Melbourne, and worked on the famous bar in Brunswick, ‘Naked for Satan’, which took about a year.

At around 27 years of age, he went backpacking around the world which was to last 3 years. After travelling through Europe and Asia he settled in Canada with a two year Visa renovating a resort near Banff. He found and did up a Chevy Sport van and spent many happy months on the road.

Living the van life, he noticed many tiny homes throughout the United States and Canada and came home with a thought in mind.

“I sat down with my friend Ryan McCormack, whom I had renovated 3 houses for, and mentioned I wanted to build a tiny home. He had been thinking the same thing. We both like to have a point of difference and to be original. I always like a challenge in building and with my experience in architectural homes we came up with the concept to build an architectural tiny home.”

Architect Ben Edwards came up with a design for their brief and it was called Studio Edwards. They call all their homes after the architects.

Initially, Dave says he went over the top and it was a huge process building outdoors in a storage facility in Footscray. Really hard work and he couldn’t see himself building another one. However, they got amazing interest from all over the world. Their first customer was a woman in her 80’s, living in a cabin park in Noosa Queensland.

She commissioned the second Studio Edwards, and they went on to make 6 more on commission.

Dave says he and Ryan never envisaged that Base Cabin would grow so fast and are proud of the fact that they never took a business loan.

Dave lives and breathes his work having constructed one to live in.

He says they work well as a team as Ryan focuses on the business and interior design aspects and Dave can focus on the factory and the staff.

The company is growing and with 6 staff, they are getting Ryan’s sister to come on board.

Another highlight for the team is the feedback from customers.

Many clients don’t actually see their tiny home until delivery and from all accounts they can’t believe how good they are. Sight unseen is not uncommon and a testament to their solid reputation. They pride themselves on delivering and exceeding expectations. In the factory, the attention to detail and the thoughtful care that goes into every construction is very obvious.

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They have just returned from the Adelaide Tiny Home expo where they exhibited three tiny homes. They could see a real point of difference with their product and so could the visitors.

“The comments and feedback were fantastic.”

Their constructions have tall ceilings which is unusual in a tiny home. The storage is well thought out so there is not a lot of little cupboards to clutter up the space.

“Our attention to detail with the caulking, joinery and finishes is very important.”

Each build is different and everything is discussed down to the minutest detail.

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On the way home, they delivered two base cabins to Kangaroo Island and another to the Otways.

In 2022, they moved to their present location and in no time had to expand to double their space. They aim to produce about 18 per year which ensures they deliver on time.

It is exciting to see what they are achieving; how clever they are and what a big future they have right on our doorstep in South Gippsland. I would wish them luck, but they don’t need it!

You can see what they are doing on Instagram or their comprehensive website, both under the Base Cabin moniker. www.basecabin.com

Vot

Hot ed N e Peo l in Vi o.1 c ple ’s C toria h Aw ard oice

Bar & Bistro | Functions | Beer garden | Takeaway & Delivery Online Ordering | Live Sports | Specialising in Dietary Requirements

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AWA 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

 Cellar door wine tastings  Group bookings and functions  Indoor & Outdoor dining Follow us on

 Shop online www.waratahhills.com.au  Serving Award-winning local cheese from Berrys Creek

instagram @waratahhillsvineyard for upcoming events

Waratah Hills Trading Hours Cellar Door – Friday – Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm | Lunch 12.00pm – 3.00pm Bookings via vineyard@waratahhills.com.au or (03) 5683 2441 www.waratahhills.com.au 86

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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

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.

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. gippsland life Summer ���3/��

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GREAT WEDDING VENUE

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 outdoor function area, caters for all your special occasions.

Come and experience what The Gurdies Winery has to offer.

OPEN FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 11AM TO 5PM WE ARE OPEN FOR VICTORIAN SCHOOL & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS EXCEPT CHRISTMAS DAY 88

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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 Phone (03) 5997 6208 | Email info@thegurdieswinery.com.au | www.thegurdieswinery.com.au gippsland life Summer ���3/��

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Find out more at themiddleofeverywhere.com.au

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ROSEDALE BUTCHERS – FAMILY OWNED COUNTRY BUTCHER

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AFTERNOONS IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE

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AMARTI – A PLACE TO LOVE

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ACCESS ALL AREAS A ROCK AND ROLL LIFE – ROBYN JELLEFF

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BOAT HARBOUR JETTY B&B – THE AWARD WINNING PLACE TO STAY!

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2023 ANZAC WEEKEND AIRSHOW HIGHLIGHTS

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2024 ANZAC WEEKEND AIRSHOW APRIL 27-28

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PAULINE BAILEY – BLUES AND HUES, ARTIST – WRITER – HISTORIAN

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FAMILY FUN IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE

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VISIT SEASPRAY

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LOCH SPORT – THE MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE

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GOLDEN BEACH AND THE TRINCULO

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GET OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE

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 90

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32 Prince Street, Rosedale 3847 Ph 5199 2210 Follow us www.rosedalebutchers.com.au

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A PLACE TO LOVE WORDS BY KEN ROBERTS | PHOTOS KINDLY SUPPLIED BY AMARTI Amarti is Italian for ‘To love you’ and there is so much to love about the marvellous ‘Amarti’ wedding venue in the now restored heritage listed former Butter Factory at Cowwarr.

She learned that it was all about organisation and preparation. If all this was completed and ticked off in advance then usually, despite unexpected hiccups, the whole dream day of the couple would go smoothly.

This project was one of ‘Grand Designs’ proportions that was the mastermind originally of Amy Hope and then became a shared family project. Amy was born in Gippsland but then moved with her family several times. As an adult, with her husband Hayden and two children Lachlan and Allethea, Amy ended up living and working on the Gold Coast. She trained and worked first as a makeup artist then as a Florist/ Stylist and in these professions she was often employed in the Wedding industry. A dream evolved slowly, to run her own Wedding venue. It was a big idea and only somebody with drive, pragmatism and a strong work ethic could achieve this; Amy was that person.

With her growing knowledge Amy began a search for the ‘right’ property that could become her ideal venue. She wanted it to be back in Gippsland where she still had family living. She had shared her vision with her parents, now retired, and they decided to join the enterprise with them buying the property and Amy starting the business. They looked at various places, but nothing was quite right until 1.30am one morning as Amy trawled through Real Estate.com she came across the former Butter factory in Cowwarr then being run as an Art space.

What could appear to be a daunting and unreachable goal for most was just a process that began several years before it could be achieved.

Amy began to research and soon began working with a wedding stylist business on the Gold Coast. A fast and steep learning curve introduced her to the industry and gave her the beginnings of a solid grounding in how all the pieces of the business came together. She received training and then worked with a different company as well to gain different insights.

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She was excited but had to wait until a reasonable time in the morning to call her parents in Victoria. They were interested right away and immediately arranged an inspection. They liked it and saw the possibilities it offered. One final inspection and a week from first viewing it they had made the offer and bought it. This was December 2019.

The original timber building for the Cowwarr Cheese and Butter Factory was built in 1896. This building was knocked down to make way for the new, only leaving behind the large brick chimney and boiler house.

In 1917 a new Arts and Craft style building was constructed using cement, sand and local river pebbles in a rammed earth style of construction with thick walls designed to keep the butter and milk cool in the summer months. The factory continued for several decades until 1959 when a drop in the price of milk powder made continuation unviable and the operation closed. It lay empty for two decades save for farmers storing hay there and sheltering cows inside during the cold Gippsland winters.

As an experienced hunter gatherer Amy scoured the internet as well as vintage outlets, Op shops and many places to find the perfect pieces to decorate. Genuine antique French chandeliers are in abundance and add to the effortless warm and stylish atmosphere that is evident as soon as you walk in the door. Chaise lounges and elegant chairs provide comfortable seating in the space that once housed the factory’s cool room, the pebble cement walls as a stunning backdrop.

It was finally saved in 1980 with a family transforming it into an art gallery and family home. After 12 years a new owner purchased the property and continued its use as a home and Art space for the following nearly 30 years until March 2020 when the Amy’s family settled on the property.

That’s when the hard work began.

While the restaurant is a popular daily venue for visitors, it is Amarti’s main function as a wedding venue where this glorious place really shines.

Amy’s experience provides her couples with the reassurance needed to guide them through their big day. Her dream of running a bespoke and unique venue shows itself in everything she is able to offer on site. The ‘Bridal suite’ is such a unique and welcoming space where the bridal party can relax from 8am and prepare for the big day. An outside private balcony overlooking the beautiful, picturesque gardens is a perfect space to calm wedding day nerves!

The following two years were a rollercoaster to say the least, dealing with the pandemic, heritage restrictions, bureaucracy and the massive task of updating the building to a style suitable to be used as a wedding reception centre. It’s fortunate that Amy, as project manager and designer, had a clear vision. The whole family pitched in to do the hard yards and renovate the space. The task was enormous! Plaster was chipped away to reveal original century old tiles and huge rustic timber beams were recycled and used.

So many unseen vital elements were dealt with and brought up to code, not the least a gigantic septic system that had to be installed. At times Amy says it was almost overwhelming the amount of work that had to be completed and if it had not been for her team, especially her family, she doesn’t think she would have made it. But she did and the results of their combined graft is such a credit to them all.

Walking into Amarti you could not imagine how much effort it took over two long years to get to the opening day. But together they did it and fusion of vintage, industrial, Tuscan, and French provincial styles combine to create a unique and stunning elegance.

Amy’s Italian heritage gave her a love of a European aesthetic that she could see would be perfect for the romantic stylish ambiance she wanted to create.

Amy’s dad John has transformed an overgrown corner of the property into a stunning garden that surrounds a now established pond. The area is ideal for an outdoor ceremony providing yet another option for couples.

Amy’s mum, Michelina (Nonna) has also been a very important part of the team, especially using her Italian heritage and skills to provide authentic Italian cuisine in the kitchen and with the outdoor pizza oven.

The main hall of the venue with its soaring ceilings and rustic charm is perfect for larger weddings, and small intimate ceremonies are ideal in spaces such as the courtyard just off the main hall or by the pond.

Amy has fulfilled her initial dream but there is a feeling that she has only just started as she has many future plans to provide couples with so many different options. Testimonials show that Amy, her family and team go above and beyond to make dreams come true and provide magical events that will be remembered for a lifetime.

She is an inspiring woman with a zest and imagination that has made a tired building come to life.

She has created a place of dreams.

For more information visit amarti.com.au

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Access Robyn All Areas Jelleff a rock & roll Life

WORDS BY KEN ROBERTS PHOTOS KINDLY SUPPLIED BY ROBYN JELLEFF & DOUG PELL

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Nobody can predict at a young age what the trajectory of their life will be. I’m sure that Robyn Jelleff, growing up in Maffra, finishing her HSC at Maffra High School in 1978 and heading to Latrobe University to study economics, had no idea how amazing her future life would be!

Now living in Ventnor on beautiful Phillip Island, Robyn has become an elder of the production, touring, and event management world of the live entertainment industry while she and her company Jelleff & Co. still actively perform these roles. All of this began by chance.

After a year and a half of her studies Robyn decided that economics was not her passion and she switched to study a Bachelor of Arts (Recreation). While a student she was very interested in seeing live bands around Melbourne. This was the heyday of the pub music scene and she became friendly with several of the bands that she saw regularly. One night as she went to watch one of these bands, they were missing a lighting operator and they casually asked Robyn to jump onto the lighting desk and just flash the lights up and down in time with the music. What a serendipitous night that was!

She must have done a reasonable job because she did it again at another gig and then, slowly, she learned more about lighting design, set up and operating them. Unknowingly Robyn was doing an unofficial apprenticeship in this unstructured world of music gigs, lugging heavy lights up ladders, cabling, setting up the desk and then programming and operating it all. It became a part time job of sorts that helped fund her uni studies. As more lighting work came along, it became evident that she would not be able to go on tour until her course was finished, so she bought a van and some second-hand lights of her own that she would use or rent out to others in and around the local music scene in Melbourne.

Once she graduated, Robyn began working as a youth worker at a drop in centre in Hawthorn. After a year an opportunity came up to join a non-government organisation, the National Youth Coalition for Housing (NYCH), as a Coordinator. NYCH lobbied government about the issues relating to youth homelessness in Australia. She worked in a high level role at one point in Canberra as part of a round table discussion with then Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Throughout this time Robyn was still running her lighting business which dovetailed easily with her day job. Even taking leave to work on her first tour with Split Enz which travelled across the country for many weeks. It was another step in learning the ropes of how this whole ‘hidden’ world operated. After three years with NYCH, unfortunately the funding ended and with her final payout Robyn took the leap and booked a one-way ticket to London in 1987.

Through contacts she had made in the industry in Australia she was able to get a job with a lighting designer in the UK who was setting up a new lighting company in London. While he was away on tour Robyn had the job of unpacking his newly purchased equipment and organising his warehouse, all the while learning more valuable skills. Soon she had a spot on the lighting crew on a tour across UK and Europe with Chris Rea (Fool if you think it’s over).

This was an introduction to big scale touring unheard of back home, as the crew all lived on tour buses and were driven from one country to another with everything including catering, taken on the road with them.

They would shower at the venue, the caterers would feed them, the crew would unload the trucks, set up the show, then after the concert, pack up and load the trucks, hop on the bus and head off overnight to the next place.

Her place in the industry grew and she designed light shows for many artists such as The Beautiful South, The Cramps, Marc Almond, Sparks and Jimmy Somerville. By the early to mid 90’s she’d made the move from lighting to show production and then on to tour and event management.

She toured the UK, Europe and the USA extensively throughout the 80’s and 90’s, with shows in venues from intimate clubs to theatre’s, arena’s and big outdoor stadiums.

The amount of work in UK and Europe was vast compared to the smaller market in Australia and Robyn also found that women were readily accepted over there whereas at home they were the exception and had to always ‘prove themselves’. She continued working and increasing her skills, often taking on extra work on the organisational side of smaller tours, which slowly helped her make the transition over to production and tour managing.

While busy working Robyn met her partner, also in the business, and had her two sons, James and Nick. In 2000 after being co-founder and director of event production company True North, Robyn and family returned to Australia and began working for a number of Australia’s top music and event promoters and bands. Then, as director of Australian company McCarthy Jelleff, Robyn was busy in Australia and New Zealand in the role of Event Production Manager, Promoter Rep or Tour Manager. Her latest evolution is as Managing Director of Jelleff & Co which now includes her grown son James.

Robyn Jelleff, second from right with Aurora and her band & crew at the Opera de Arame in Curitiba, Brazil in June 2019

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Robyn Jelleff a rock & roll Life Although every day and week is different, they consist of a myriad of planning, budgeting, liaising with all stakeholders, producing tour itineraries, checking and confirming plans and logistics. When leaving for a tour her preparations include packing a portable office in a case, including printer, paper, ink, cartridges, passes, lanyards, stationery, etc.

Melbourne, two hours away, is her home port and she will often have a few meetings before flying to her destination. The gig could be anywhere and if she’s lucky, she may even get to pack her passport. On arrival she checks into the hotel and gathers all the room keys before heading to the airport to meet the band and crew. They are usually tired from an international flight and so she makes that transition to hotel as seamless as possible.

A busy day of crew loading in and setting up at the venue, then dealing with any issues before the performance, follows her weeks of preparation, meetings and endless discussions. Her decades of experience means the show normally goes off without a hitch.

Next is usually interstate travel to another city which she has coordinated an infinite number of small details that have to be linked together to have a smooth outcome. When the tour is over Robyn finalises any last minute details and takes her charges to the airport to ensure they are safely off to their next destination, then she can wrap up the tour.

To an outsider the amount of logistical work required to get a tour going, even a small one, is astronomical. Planning well in advance, budgets, booking and sourcing everything from crew to equipment and meeting the needs of the promoter, venues and artists is just mind blowing.

Robyn Jelleff, Zoe Hauptmann, Danny Farrugia, Cam Bruce, Missy Higgins, Matt Green, Nicholas Buc – on tour with Missy’s Orchestral Concert Series – at Bird in Hand Winery – SA

She is unassuming about the work that is involved because gradually over 40 plus years her skillset has increased to such a high level that she takes it in her stride. It has its stressful times she says but she always appears calm, and like the proverbial swan, is paddling like hell under the surface.

She has worked on hundreds of tours, big and small, with international stars like Sir Tom Jones, Barry Gibb, Joe Cocker, Marianne Faithfull, Pixies, Fleetwood Mac, One Direction to name a few, as well as so many Australian acts such as RockWiz, Missy Higgins, The Living End and Jess Mauboy.

She is very tight lipped, ever the professional, about any backstage goings on – what happens on the tour stays on the tour. She did say that almost every performer, just before they step into the spotlight on stage, has moments of nervousness. Once they get into the limelight that disappears and their stage persona takes over and the show is great. She has a nonplussed attitude about working with well known performers, because at the end of the day they are people and everyone around them are just doing their job to help make the magic happen.

When Robyn began in the industry the crew, roadies etc were viewed as an itinerant lot and were at the bottom of the pyramid with the performer at the top. Gradually things have changed and the crew are seen more these days as professionals in their particular fields. Robyn is a member of Crew Care, a national member based organisation whose main purpose is the focus on the health and well being of past and current crew from the live music industry.

She is passionate about giving back to the industry and improving things where she can and is currently project managing a Victorian based training program to provide industry training and work experience for young people wanting to get jobs in live music.

Richard Ashby, Robyn Jelleff, Simon Dickie, Linda Gibb, Barry Gibb – Essendon Airport.

Arriving for Barry to perform as part of the benefit concert for his friend Olivia’s Cancer Wellness & Research Centre at the Austin Hospital, Sept 2015

Robyn’s experience over decades has been recognised and she has become a board member of Support Act, which is the music industry’s charity delivering crisis relief services to musicians, managers, crew and music workers across all genres who are unable to work due to ill health, injury, mental health or other crisis.

The regard with which Robyn is held in this industry was evident in 2018 when she was acknowledged by the inaugural ‘Women in Music Awards’.

She won the Live Production award which recognised a female working in a live production or touring environment that has made a significant impact in her field. An honour that she truly deserved.

It has been a long and eventful career, one still ongoing. Robyn has retained a calm and gracious spirit, perhaps that good Gippsland common sense background has helped! She is unaware of the difference of her unusual working life compared to most regular workers and is totally unaffected by the people and places she has experienced. No wonder she is held in such high esteem by her colleagues and those at each end of the entertainment pyramid.

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P O RT A L B E RT ~ T H E T I M E L E S S M A R I T I M E T O W N

Port Albert remains one of Victoria’s oldest settlements and was originally the gateway to Gippsland being Victoria’s first established port.

From the mid – 1800s, Port Albert was the supply port for Gippsland’s pioneers until the completion of the MelbourneSale railway in 1878. It has berthed ships from Europe and America and welcomed thousands of Chinese migrants on their way to the goldfields. More than 40 Georgian and Victorian-style buildings still exist in the town.

Port Albert remains a commercial port, and its reputation for recreational fishing sees its population swell considerably during summer. Visit the Port Albert Maritime Museum, take a walk through history on the Alberton Cemetery guided tours, follow the Old Port Walking Trail, or enjoy scenic boat tours, fishing trips and bird watching.

For more information please visit www.visitgippsland.com.au

BOAT HARBOUR JETTY B&B REST & RELAXATION IN LUXURY

Waterfront luxury accommodation in picturesque Port Albert.

Fully Private King studios , harbour views, complimentary continental breakfast daily. Free onsite EV charging.

Boat Harbour Jetty B&B 25 Wharf Street Port Albert, Vic 3971 For enquiries phone Sharon on 0429 832 535 | Email: BoatHarbourJettyBnB@bigpond.com

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ANZAC WEEKEND AIR SHOW '23

Photos taken at the 2023 ANZAC Weekend Air Show at West Sale Base.

This great event is returning on April 27-28, 2024 see details in magazine about this not to be missed event.

Photos by Doug Pell

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Blues & Hues Pauline Bailey A r ti s t , Wr iter , H i s tor ian WORDS & PHOTOS BY KEN ROBERTS

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It’s rare that the interests of childhood translate to what in adulthood become our passions.

Pauline Bailey, now living near Heyfield but from her early life in Melbourne, has been able to maintain these interests and turn them into her life’s work and constant joy.

From an early age growing up in a home with both parents sharing a love of music, Pauline too loved music. Combined with an interest in drawing, art and books she would never realise that later in life these would fill her days.

Growing up in Melbourne Pauline always loved the city lifestyle and the urban landscape that would have a lasting imprint upon her. She was in the perfect place to indulge her passion for music. She was fortunate to have seen her first musical gig at school with a visit by James Freud and band playing a concert. While most of her peers were watching Countdown at six on Sunday evening Pauline, through a school classmate, was able to get tickets to tapings and watch the magic happen live.

She remembers seeing many popular acts of the day and being a part of the crush of the audience and the heady thrill of being in the midst of what would later be seen as an iconic time in the country’s musical history, something the majority of teenagers could not even dream of happening! At 16 she went to her first real music gig to see Rose Tattoo, never suspecting that many years later she would become friends with members of the band.

Her interest in live music gigs continues until present day. She has travelled across the country and even the US, visiting Chicago in 2019 with her husband Dave to indulge in her lifelong passion for the Rolling Stones and going to their concert at Soldier Field Stadium. She was and still is a regular at Melbourne music venues and while once attending a taping of the SBS show ‘Rockwiz’ even became a contestant. Brian Nankervis the host became a friend and later opened two of Pauline’s art exhibitions in his own rock wiz style!

From her home in the bush on the outskirts of Heyfield with idyllic vistas, Pauline paints and writes, and lives with her supportive husband Dave who has a mutual love of music. Her now adult children Melissa and Shane also have a common interest in music albeit not as passionately as their mother! They have attended numerous gigs with their mum over the years and Shane has been playing guitar since he was very young. Now a grandmother to Melissa’s little boy, adorable Henry, Pauline surely hopes that this family fervour continues, it won’t be without trying!

Pauline has become an historian of sorts as she has a passion for recording images and stories before they disappear. Growing up in the city she loved the gritty reality of buildings and scenes, places and sights that most others wouldn’t look twice at. A much-loved series of her works were detailed paintings of tiles in Melbourne train stations such as Flinders Street and Richmond. These images were passed by on a daily basis by thousands and yet she could see the beauty that others had missed. Everywhere she goes now she photographs buildings, often decrepit, that may soon disappear. She will later paint these, and they include many locations in Gippsland as well as the city.

Pauline returned to study art formally in her forties and then never looked back. She has an impressive and constant list of individual and group exhibitions, with her works selling frequently. It was through a sale of one of her paintings to him that she met Kim Volkman, a Melbourne musician, who would become a good friend and have an amazing impact on her life. As a friend he would tell her many stories about his life and musical journey and at some point she suggested that they should be recorded somewhere. This became the impetus for Pauline to begin the process and the result was her first book, a writing collaboration with Kim, ‘The Devil Won’t Take Charity’ about Kim’s life story. It was to be a pivotal experience.

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Pauline Bailey | Artist, Writer, Historian During her early love of rock music she also slowly began a love for blues music. She discovered that many of her favourite artists also were inspired by the genre. After writing the biography of Kim Volkman she decided to learn more, but found that there was very little written about the blues music scene and the many artists in it. As with her paintings where she loved to preserve images of buildings before they were lost, she could see that it would be very valuable to record the stories of blues artists before it was too late. She began with one story after approaching an artist she liked and proposed an interview with the idea of creating a book telling blues artists’ stories.

Pauline wrote down a wish list of musicians she would like to interview. This list became longer and longer as her subjects would often suggest others. She began a constant round of sourcing and interviewing musicians around Australia over an 18-month period, which through her hard work and dedication resulted in ‘Blues Portrait: A Profile of the Australian Blues Scene’ released in 2019.

Through this self-published book Pauline unexpectedly created her own niche. She related the stories of these people and gave them voices that would otherwise have never been heard, something that hadn’t been done before.

Pauline’s literary venture was very well received and the book became successful, especially within the blues and music world. Her ‘problem’ was that she had barely scratched the surface of her long list of names and so she continued. During this time there was a worldwide pandemic, which while shutting down the live music scene, still gave Pauline the opportunity to research and talk to musicians on the phone and write their stories. The result was that she had enough interviews to create Volumes 2 and 3 together and launch them at the same time. Again, they were very well received and the story continued with more artists to interview. ‘Blues Portrait’ Volume 4 was the result of this further endeavour.

Nobody should underestimate the level of commitment and constant effort required to complete these works and the results show Pauline’s dedication and skill in achieving these goals. An acknowledgement of her success is the constant demand for her series of books which have gone around the country and overseas. Still, her list of subjects has not been exhausted and Pauline continues to work on future volumes. All this while painting and planning future exhibitions. She is an amazing woman!

She can be reached on social media at PaulineBaileyArt or bluesportrait19 on Facebook and Instagram.

Or visit her website - paulinebaileyart.com

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Seaspay

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Words & Photos by Doug Pell

Seaspray is a small coastal town alongside the 90 Mile Beach. This popular town offers all swimming, surfing and fishing, walks, and other recreational pastimes.

The Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club hosts annual Surf Life Saving Carnivals.

The iconic Seaspray General Store is also very popular with locals and tourists.

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Loch Sport

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Photos by Doug Pell

Loch Sport is an exciting Gippsland Lakes destination that is uniquely positioned on the foreshores of Lake Victoria between the Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park and the Lakes National Park with the famous 90 Mile Beach just a few minutes from the township.

With both lake and ocean on hand, Loch Sport is a natural mecca for aquatic activities including boating, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. The lake is serviced with a marina, jetties and boat ramps.

The town has become a popular destination in summer for camping, fishing and swimming with plenty of accommodation on hand. Loch Sport is the only town on the southern side of the Gippsland Lakes where the ocean meets the lakes.

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Golden Beach Words & Photos by Doug Pell

Golden Beach is a quiet seaside community located 36 kilometres from Sale and midway along Gippsland’s beautiful Ninety Mile Beach between the coastal towns of Loch Sport and Seaspray.

Midway along Surf Edge Drive is the Veronica Maybury Memorial Reserve which consists of a football oval, BMX Track, bowling green and a nine hole golf course.

Trinculo wreck

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On the beach, around 6.5 kilometres south-west of Golden Beach town centre, is the Trinculo wreck.

In 1879, a gale caused this cargo sailing ship to strike a sandbar just off the coast, forcing it ashore. The remains of this vessel can still be seen on the beach today.

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CAPE OF GOOD CHEER A BUSY SUMMER IS EXPECTED AT CAPE PATERSON’S POPULAR SOCIAL HUB, THE CAPE TAVERN. WORDS BY CHRIS WEST | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL Hosts Michael and Susan Turton are celebrating ten memorable years as licensees of The Cape Tavern.

The couple both had considerable experience working in hospitality before taking the leasehold on The Cape Tavern. For them, it has become not just a business venture but a family affair, with son Daniel, 26, and daughter Emily, 22, also working at the venue.

It’s not all been smooth sailing along the journey, however, as Michael explains.

“There’s been ups and downs. We faced two significant challenges from flooding in 2019 and the COVID pandemic hitting the following year.

To have those two events occur in such a short space of time was a major setback, but thankfully we’ve ridden out those waves and come out the other side,” he observes.

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The vibe is all positive again at the popular pub, with locals and visitors revelling in the atmosphere at “The Tav” and its winning combination of great food and drinks, exceptionally flavoursome coffee, friendly service and the added attraction of regular live entertainment in the front beer garden marquee.

“People are enjoying having fun again and we’re anticipating a bumper summer here,” Michael says.

The Cape Tavern’s Bistro and Bar can seat up to 70 people at a time and is always in keen demand at meal times, but becomes extra busy as the town’s population swells temporarily during the holiday periods, particularly during summer.

The dining menu includes all the popular pub crowd-pleasers that you might expect but is complemented with a lengthy list of tempting specials which rotate on a regular basis to provide customers with a greater variety of choices.

MICHAEL TURTON

“We have a lot of seafood and traditional pub classics, but the addition of our specials adds an extra flavour to the menu that guarantees there is always something for everyone,” Michael comments.

Plate servings are generous in size, making it unlikely for diners to ever leave “The Tav” still feeling hungry.

The bar offers a great selection of boutique beers on tap, along with a well-stocked wine list and plenty of exotic cocktail choices. Adjacent to the bar is the pub’s bottle shop, which specialises in wines from several local Gippsland-based wineries.

The Cape Tavern also holds set menu wine lunches or dinners which often involve a local winemaker. These popular events are invariably fully booked out.

One of the pub’s major attractions is live musical entertainment which regularly adds to the ambience on Sunday afternoons, or Friday or Saturday evenings.

“The key is over summer when the weather is nice, we have the advantage of having the beer garden out the front,” Michael notes.

“We have the music in the marquee which we’ve had in place for the past couple of years. It’s been great and has helped add to the atmosphere.

With our music, we try to support mainly local acts.”

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THE CAPE TAVERN

The Turtons also look locally when hiring The Cape Tavern’s friendly, service-oriented staff members.

“Timmy is a bit of a local legend, and we are only too happy to help out in supporting his cause,” Michael explains.

“We have a team of about twenty staff, who tend to come from either Cape Paterson or Wonthaggi,” Michael explains.

Looking back on the past decade, Michael acknowledges how critical the local community has been to the pub’s success.

“It is our preference to give local kids a go. In summer, we get students coming back from university who can work here and go to the beach.

It’s a mix that adds up to a pretty attractive lifestyle for the young ones.”

“From day one, we’ve been able to grow the business but couldn’t have possibly done it without the support of the locals,” he suggests.

Michael says that giving back to the community is an integral part of The Cape Tavern’s culture.

“It’s something that we always try to do,” he states.

“We make a big fundraising effort for the Good Friday Appeal at Easter every year and often get involved with supporting other initiatives more locally. One of the pub’s long-standing traditions is having the Cape Paterson Surf Lifesaving Club hold their raffle here every Friday evening.”

Amongst numerous charitable endeavours, the pub has recently been selling raffle tickets for Bass Coast Health in conjunction with Revive and Headlines in Wonthaggi and has also been helping to raise funds to assist Timmy Hanley in his recovery from a serious fall.

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“We appreciate that we’re very lucky to have such a great community.”

Michael recalls how the flood resulting from a freak storm over Cape Paterson on 10th May in 2019 was a reminder of the unpredictability of running a business.

“Susan and I were driving to the pub in the morning just as the storm clouds were gathering directly over the town,” he remembers.

“It was around 9am and only the cleaner was on site when we arrived at the pub. We watched out the windows as the storm hit, and everything turned white outside. Storms happen of course but this turned into a once in a hundred-year event. It must have hailed for around forty minutes, and we copped 130 millimetres of rain. The first we knew we had a problem with the pub was when we noticed water dripping in through the ceiling lights. Before long, that minor leaking turned into a cascading torrent and there was nothing we could do to stop it. The ice and sleet up on the roof had frozen over the gutters, causing the rainwater to have nowhere to go other than to back up and come in through the ceiling.”

Powerless to plug all the water entry points, the Turtons watched helplessly as the pub was completely flooded.

“The town has been fighting back and things have been particularly strong in the last twelve months,” he comments.

“We were inundated and just had to wait and let the water settle. I think we were all in a state of shock,” Michael says.

“This area has really gone bang. There’s been new businesses opening here, including a café two doors up from the pub. That is something we welcome because the arrival of more businesses results in more people coming into town.”

“Typical of the community spirit here, we soon had local people queuing up to help us with the clean up. It is pretty humbling when you consider that many houses and businesses suffered damage during the storm, some considerably worse than us, yet everyone still wanted to lend a hand in any way they could.”

Replacing the pub’s carpet, repairs to the ceiling, repainting and fixing other residual damage from the storm forced the venue to temporarily close its doors.

“We were shut for a few months while all that took place and didn’t reopen until late July,” Michael recalls.

“That was enough of a setback, but we had only just got back on our feet when the COVID pandemic then arrived the following year. COVID was a really tough time for everyone and hit the hospitality industry particularly hard. The saving grace for us during that period was doing a lot of takeaway meals. Without that capacity, we would have been in even greater difficulty,” he adds.

Michael says the mood has brightened considerably around Cape Paterson in the period since the pandemic was declared over and all restrictions were removed.

With the combination of Cape Paterson’s permanent locals, part-time residents and tourists frequenting the pub, Michael is gearing up for another big influx of trade throughout summer.

“We’re not a big pub and it doesn’t take long to book up here. It is always recommended to make a reservation a couple of days ahead during the peak period,” he advises.

“But everyone is welcome at any time and if you happen to be in the area we’d love to see you.”

The Cape Tavern Surf Beach Road & Market Place, Cape Paterson Ph: 03 5674 8122

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INVERLOCH

SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB Glenn says “The kids are given a level of responsibility, unlike in any other club. There are so many important roles. For instance, some members learn to manage first aid equipment like oxygen machines and defibrillator machines, others maintain the boats and motors. All these things need regular checks because ultimately, they may need to save lives. The kids become very capable from a young age.”

“It’s not just what they learn, but also the amazing camaraderie and sense of support amongst them. The friendships they make and the sense of community really gives them a very enriching experience growing up.

Embedded in our club is the ethos of being inclusive of all groups whether that be sexual orientation, indigenous background or refugee status - we welcome everybody.”

When the sunny weather arrives, the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club (ISLSC) springs into action. If you’ve been to the popular surf beach in Summer, you’ve probably seen the lifesavers patrolling between the flags in their red and yellow gear. It may be a surprise to you that there are a whopping 800 members who make up this club and amazingly, they’re all volunteers. They’re a mix of locals, people from greater Gippsland areas such as the Latrobe Valley and even some who come from as far as Melbourne.

The club secretary, Angela Malan has been heavily involved in the club for over two decades and says “We’re made up of people of all ages and abilities. What’s really unique is that unlike other emergency services or community clubs, the whole family can get involved. There are a diverse range of roles - from cooking BBQs, to working on the radios, doing first aid or even admin tasks. There really is something for everyone.”

The Surf Club season goes from November until Easter each year.

Club President, Glenn Arnold says “We’re flat out over that time, there is something happening every single day. We operate the club house bar and kiosk, run children’s programs, as well as camps that involve intensive training for those who want to become lifesavers. Amongst all that, we have lifesaving patrols looking out for the safety of the thousands of people who visit the beach each day over the peak time.”

The club runs various programs, with a progression in levels of training.

Glenn explains “Nippers is where the kids kick off. It’s an extraordinary program that ingrains beach and aquatic safety into children from a very young age. It really becomes part of them as they grow. They gain a greater awareness of how water behaves and it’s all centred around having lots of fun.” The Nippers also learn things like signalling to communicate on the beach and how to spot warning signs of rips.

When children reach their early teens, they go on to complete the SRC (Surf Rescue Certificate) where things start to get a bit more serious, and they’re introduced to rescue and first aid skills like basic CPR. They also help out in the Nippers sessions. Glenn says “They become leaders and mentors for the younger kids. Seeing the confidence that develops in these teenagers is incredible. The next stage is the Bronze Medallion which is the key to the door in all things lifesaving.” It’s a deeper level with a lot more theory on first aid and rescue techniques. From there, members graduate to be volunteer lifesavers. Then there’s the opportunity for them to progress even further to become professional, paid lifeguards.

Glenn speaks of many examples of how individuals’ lives and even careers have been influenced and shaped from involvement in the club. In fact, his own daughter, Ella was initially reluctant to join Nippers but with a bit of encouragement, she realised she loved it. Now, at the age of 22 she is a Chief Lifeguard and recently completed her degree in Paramedicine.

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The Starfish Program is a new initiative the ISLSC is introducing this year.

It’s for children with disabilities (both physical and intellectual), who need additional one-to-one support. The club also hosts disabled surfing days for adults with Bass Coast Disabled Surfing Association. Glenn says “We have apparatus such as big chairs that can go into the water.

Whatever abilities people have, they have lots of support to have fun in the water. The days are very well attended, and the club is proud to provide opportunities for everyone to have these beach experiences.”

The ISLSC will celebrate the milestone of its 25th anniversary in January, 2024. The club came into being when two local men, Glen Hibberd and Alan Bolton saw a need for it back in 1998.

Angela says “Glen had hauled a number of people out of the inlet and surf beach. Inverloch was growing in popularity so more and more people were swimming at that end of the beach.”

The two men went through the process to get affiliation with Life Saving Victoria and it grew from there. For the first 10 years, they didn’t have club rooms, so operated out of shipping containers in the car park.

They stored boats, boards and equipment in two containers. They later obtained another bigger one, which they used as an office and first aid room.

Angela says “When we finally got our proper clubrooms, we were able to put in bunk rooms for camps where kids could stay, which allowed us to offer more training programs. It also enabled us to support local community groups like Probus and the Local Disabled Surfing Association - they use the clubrooms for meetings and functions.”

Over the years the club has had ongoing challenges with erosion, which has resulted in them losing three patrol towers. Angela says “We had to remove them in a great hurry because they were in danger of being washed away. It’s a rapidly changing beach! We solved that by getting a portable tower which we now tow down and remove at the end of the patrol season.”

For a club that’s powered by volunteers, and relies solely on fundraising and grants, what they achieve each season is phenomenal. With a dedication to inclusivity, safety and shaping young people’s lives, the impact of the club extends far beyond the shores they patrol.

Website: islsc.org.au For enquiries or to get involved: info@islsc.org.au

25 Years of Lifesaving Community Engagement & Inclusivity Words by Megan Woolfe | Photos by Doug Pell

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CPK MCLAREN MOTORBODY

LEADING THE WAY IN AUTOMOTIVE WORDS BY ANITA BUTTERWORTH | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL

In the dynamic landscape of automotive repair, Leongatha’s CPK McLaren MotorBody is a beacon of innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence.

With an almost two-decade-long presence in South Gippsland CPK McLaren MotorBody has continually invested in its future with a strategic infusion of state-of-the-art technology and a dedicated focus on a highly skilled workforce.

A family business with customer service at its core, it’s become a leader in the vehicle repair industry through its dedication to the highest standards of workmanship, manufacturer specification repairs, and unparalleled customer satisfaction. CPK McLaren MotorBody isn’t just an industry leader – it’s setting the benchmark.

CPK McLaren MotorBody recently took out the 2023 Gippsland Business Awards Mechanical Trades and Construction category, cementing its position as the Best Automotive Repairer Business in the Gippsland region. While the McLaren family doesn’t hang its hat on the many awards the family business has attracted, Kris McLaren says it’s always humbling to be recognised for their dedication to customer satisfaction, which includes end-to-end service.

“We provide the consumer with the knowledge of various options to have their vehicle repaired, including specialised options if they’re not at fault.

And being able to provide through another business of ours that’s grown quite rapidly, Suave Rentals, a rental car service to our clients as well,” Kris explained.

CPK McLaren MotorBody was also a recent finalist in the AIA Automotive Industry Awards – Best Small Automotive Business Regional Victoria.

At the helm of CPK McLaren MotorBody is Craig and Pam McLaren, and their son Kris. The family purchased the business, known as Leongatha Body Repairs at the time, in 2005. Once Kris finished his professional motorcycle racing career in 2012, the family purchased the freehold and was able to build their existing, state-of-the-art facility.

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Over the past 18 years, there’ve been huge leaps in technology within the industry, and CPK McLaren MotorBody has always been at the forefront.

It was the first to introduce waterborne paint technology to the region more than seven years ago. The world-class refinish systems create a safer workplace for staff and the environment through the use of nonhazardous, non-flammable technology by reducing the use of thinners and solvent materials.

“Even in the last five years, technology has just advanced, it’s unbelievable.

We’ve had to stay at the forefront of the technology and the technology space otherwise you just simply cannot repair the cars properly. So, there’s a lot of investment in equipment and a lot of investment in training and continual training and the right training.”

The use of current technology, specialist equipment and the latest diagnostic tools, combined with the use of only new, genuine Australiancompliant vehicle parts means all vehicles are returned back to preaccident condition to correct specifications, without compromise. It’s a five-star service that’s given CPK McLaren MotorBody an unrivalled reputation.

The customer word-of-mouth has spread far beyond the Gippsland region, with clients from across the state trusting their vehicles to CPK McLaren MotorBody.

“We get a lot of work outside of the local area. For example, at the moment I’ve got a vehicle from Torquay in the shop, I’ve got a vehicle from Pakenham, about to get a vehicle from Wallan. And of course, servicing local customers as well.

“For the last 12 months we’ve also provided prestige vehicle logbook servicing and mechanical repairs in accordance with the supplier agreements we have with the manufacturers we’re able to purchase any genuine BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Maserati service kits ensuring our clients' vehicles remain under factory warranty when serviced. So that’s been a big part of the systemic growth of the business.

REPAIR EXCELLENCE “And we control everything in-house. That has been a massive part of what we’ve tried to achieve. I find that because of the level of customer service and satisfaction that we expect, it’s very difficult to find businesses that provide that same level of care. We’ve found that exhaustingly hard. On that basis, it’s very much easier to control the environment in-house.”

Such is the dedication to top-class workmanship, that the business has only recently taken on an apprentice.

“For the last 10 years, we’ve only had qualified staff. Very recently we’ve put on a first-year apprentice. That was on the basis of the necessity of growth in the trade.

“My father in particular likes the apprentice consideration. But with the level of quality and the vehicles we’re working on all the time, we can’t have mistakes. Our staff are brilliant, we have a great relationship with staff. We have numerous staff that have been with us over 10 years, which is rare these days.”

With a steadfast dedication to best practices, customer service and premium quality workmanship, CPK McLaren MotorBody is setting the standard for automotive repair not just in Gippsland, but across the state.

CPK McLaren MotorBody 17-19 Roughead Street, Leongatha 5662 4173 info@mclarenmotorbody.com.au cpkmclarenmotorbody.com.au

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Stylish café in Foster providing great coffee, home-made cakes, breakfast and lunch. Takeaway and dine in.

30 Main Street Foster Vic 3960 | Tel: 5682 2587 | thekitchentablefoster.com

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

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

This great country pub has all the attributes that you look for in a pub that offers a friendly face, great meals from Emma and with Live Music, Pool Tables and a colourful beer garden this pub offers you a great time.

Make sure you book early for dinner and gigs, and keep an eye out on social media for our great Karaoke and Trivia Nights that are held monthly.

38-40 Monash Road, Newborough Vic 3825 Te l : 5 1 2 6 2 1 1 7 We b : N e w b o r o u g h p u b. c o m . a u

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Gippsland Art Index 135 124-127 153 132-134 138-141 141 152 144-146 148-149 152 123 130-131 147 136-137 142-143 128-129 150-151 122

Clay & Co. Studio – The Creative Hub at Phillip Island Fiona Kennedy – Art from the Heart Gippsland Art Gallery – Art, Unlimited Helen Timbury – A passion for printmaking, an eye for design Janis Morgan’s The Prom – A View from above Janis Morgan’s The Prom – A View from above Exhibition Details Laurie Collins Sculpture Garden & Red Tree Gallery – What’s on in Summer Leongatha Art & Craft Gallery & Gift Shop – Many talented artists Mark Knight – The creative genius behind those cartoons Meeniyan Art Gallery – Upcoming Summer Exhibitions Mosaics by the Bay & Secret Penguin Garden B&B Pinot & Picasso – The Traralgon studio that mixes paints with socialising Simon White Artist – Check out his great murals in Loch Sport South Gippsland Shire – Art Cubes – Creativity that lies within the box South Gippsland Shire – Find more than history at Coal Creek South Gippsland Shire – Halls with Heart The Iconic Meeniyan Art Gallery – Community Connections The Leongatha Art & Craft Gallery – Win A Gift Hamper!

Jannis Morgan | Refuge Cove | Size 92cms x 122cms

Ceramic Cat by Leigh-Ann Roden

Dragonfly by Jo Howell

THE LEONGATHA ART & CRAFT GALLERY NEW MEMBERS WELCOME! “THINK GIF T – THINK GALLERY!”

a To celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we are giving away Win a bumper gift hamper valued at over $500, filled with beautiful t hand-crafted items, all made by talented local Artists.

Gif The hamper will be drawn in early March 2024. erTo go in the p draw, you must call into the Leongatha Art and Craft m Ha WIN A GIFT HAMPER VALUED AT OVER $500!

Gallery and mention this ad. One entry per person.

Located in the Leongatha Memorial Hall, up the stairs opposite the Post Office.

Phone: 5662 5370 Hours: Tue – Fri 10.00am to 4.00pm Sat 10.00am to 1.00pm

(subject to availability of volunteers) Lighthouse painting by Nina Kane

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Website: www.leongathagallery.com.au

@LEONGATHAARTANDCRAFTGALLERY

M O S A I C S B Y T H E B AY & SECRET PENGUIN GARDEN B&B PHOTOS BY MAXINE SANDO Experience the joy of creating your own mosaic piece with award winning visual artist - Heather Fahnle - at her studio in Ventnor, on beautiful Phillip Island.

Come for the day, or a weekend, staying at her Secret Penguin Garden Bed and Breakfast overlooking a garden filled with vivid colours, birdlife, nature and art works.

Allow yourself to escape the digital world and everyday stresses and let your creative juices flow. Even if you have never tried mosaics, Heather will guide you and help create a unique piece made by you!

Heather’s studio is welcoming, cosy and filled with thousands of tiles of all shapes and colours, displays of works in progress, a kitchen corner offering tea, coffee, and cookies.

The Secret Penguin Garden B&B is like a home away from home, ideal for one person or a couple. Your room has its own private entry and bathroom, off street parking and close to the Penguin Parade, Grand Prix Race Track and safe beach. The Secret Penguin Garden B&B includes a continental style breakfast.

Do yourself a favour and book an inspiring and relaxing day or weekend now.

Contact Heather on 0417 562 625 for more details, or drop her a line via heather@fahnle.com.au visit www.heatherfahnle.com

“Mosaics is telling a story in little pieces. Along with the art form, it’s got a very therapeutic nature in that you can immerse yourself in what you’re doing and in those around you.”

“It’s a story, and it invites people to tell their story through their art.”

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Fiona Kennedy Art from the heart

A SHIFT TO LARGER STUDIO PREMISES IN INVERLOCH FOUR YEARS AGO HAS PROVEN TO BE AN INSPIRED MOVE FOR THE POPULAR SOUTH GIPPSLAND ARTIST. WORDS: CHRIS WEST | PHOTOS: DOUG PELL In some ways, Fiona Kennedy has come a full circle in her journey as a professional artist. She could not be happier having found her way back to the Bass Coast township of Inverloch, where her career was launched from a blank canvas just over two decades ago.

“It’s like an old storage unit, built out of concrete and tin, but it had attributes that really appealed to me when I first saw it. A stream of light was coming in through the skylight and I loved how there is a historically significant tree outside. It just felt right,” she remembers.

Fiona has been creative since her childhood and studied clay sculpturing and drawing at university, but her passion and talent for painting only emerged after swapping city life in Melbourne for the coastal charm of Inverloch at the end of 2001.

Choosing an industrial feel for the new-look Fiona Kennedy Art Gallery & Studio has ultimately exceeded the artist’s expectations and continues to wow the many customers who casually drop in during opening hours or visit by appointment.

Prior to making her sea change, Fiona had worked as a chocolatier alongside her sister and brother-in-law in the family business Kennedy and Wilson Chocolate in the Yarra Valley before stepping away when she became pregnant with her third child.

“It’s an unusual space in an unusual spot, so there was undoubtedly an element of risk about it,” Fiona concedes.

“I felt a very strong instinct to move to the ocean and unlock the full potential of my artistic creativity,” she recalls.

Fiona was drawn to the idea of rediscovering Inverloch, having first developed an appreciation for the area while spending many weekends with friends at a property at Point Smythe near Venus Bay during her university days.

“I wasn’t sure if it would work or not at the start, but it has turned out to be a really good decision to move here. Everyone who has come to the studio over the past four and a half years absolutely loves it.”

Fiona was initially unsure whether the concrete walls in the premises would co-exist harmoniously with her artwork.

“My work is really organic and nature based, as well as being very colourful, but the moment I started putting paintings up on the walls I was amazed how well it worked,” she states.

“It was a beautiful time in my life,” she says.

One visit back was enough to rekindle the love affair and Fiona knew she had found the location in which to create her future. She established a small studio in Inverloch and found her true artistic calling after turning her hand to painting.

Adding an extra eye-catching touch of individuality to the studio, Fiona also hung a chandelier from the ceiling to further soften the space.

“In comparison to my previous studio at Kongwak, there’s a lot more wall space here to showcase my paintings,” she notes.

“It all started in Inverloch and now I find myself back here, but an incredible amount has happened in between,” she reflects.

“People can wander around this space and feel that there’s a lot of room around the work.”

In the two decades since relocating to South Gippsland, Fiona was busy establishing her career as a professional artist while also raising her three children into adulthood – daughters Tamara and Jacqueline and son Michael.

With son Michael having recently joined the navy, eldest daughter Tamara in Melbourne and other daughter Jacqueline now living in Sydney, Fiona finds herself with more available time to spend in the studio.

After nine years at Inverloch, Fiona relocated to a larger studio in a bushland setting on a property in Kongwak where she spent almost a decade before once again outgrowing her workspace.

“I had come to feel quite isolated in Kongwak and for a long time had really wanted to showcase my work in a warehouse space with a bigger area,” she explains.

The search for new premises in early 2019 led Fiona back to Inverloch, where she discovered a hidden gem right in the town centre at 12 Beaton Place, which is tucked away behind A’Beckett Street in a laneway type setting without any through traffic.

“Being in this space in Inverloch really opened it up to so many more people and really has brought in a huge influx, particularly in the first year, but the progression has continued every year since,” she says.

“I’m really happy that I’ve been able to manage everything and just keep doing my thing.”

Although she didn’t have any particular mentor, Fiona says her dad was an incredible inspiration with art from an early age. She was also a great admirer of prominent French-born visual artist Mirka Mora, who emigrated to Melbourne in the early 1950s. Although Mirka Mora was an influence on Fiona’s artistic progression, she has developed her own unique style which she describes as contemporary, vibrant and quite ethereal.

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Fiona Kennedy “I like to classify my work as symbolic and very emotional. All my paintings tell a story,” she says.

Whilst the style of Fiona’s work hasn’t altered since her return to Inverloch, there have been some subtle changes made to her range of offerings to clients.

“The book was a labour of love which was three years in the making. The kids all encouraged me to do it and my daughter Jac helped by editing my stories, so it really became a family project. My local book designer, Amelie Pritchard then did an amazing job in putting all the work the kids and I did together and producing such an incredible end result,” Fiona says.

“One thing in particular that I’ve done is introduced a lot more Limited Edition prints,” she reveals.

“My main reason for doing it was to share my story for future grandchildren and further generations of my family for when I’m not around anymore.”

“The main reason behind this is that each of my original works takes over two months to create, so I can only get six or seven originals done per year. People now are actually buying those straight off my easel or off a sketch. Any originals that happen to go up on the gallery wall invariably sell pretty quickly. The Limited Edition prints are an extension of the original paintings and I keep them to a really small number. Only ten of them are created in each size option, and once they go, they’re gone.”

Fiona finds it impossible to single out a favourite amongst the 90 paintings featured in the book.

All Limited Edition prints are individually numbered and signed by Fiona, and are supplied with a front mount and backing board.

Fiona often adorns her original pieces with special finishing touches including hand-gilded 24 carat gold, Swarovski crystals or sequins which are worked into the paint.

“If I’ve treated the original piece in this way, then I’ll replicate it in the same way on the prints. I call these the Gold Collection,” she explains.

Given the small number made available, Fiona’s Limited Edition prints and special collections should become an astute investment for their purchasers over time.

“Swarovski has stopped selling crystals to individuals like me and I am no longer able to source them,” she notes.

“Fortunately, I bought up a lot from around the world, but when my stock runs out I won’t be able to get any more which will make any of my works with the Swarovski crystals become even more exclusive. Going forward, I am looking at sourcing a beautiful Italian crystal as a replacement.”

Clients have the option of either commissioning works or purchasing Fiona’s work directly through the studio or online via her website. Her talent has gained local and international recognition, with her paintings being sought after all around the world.

Also still available for purchase is her wonderful first book, LIFE Through the Heart of Fiona Kennedy, which was published in 2020.The beautifully compiled publication highlights a selection of 90 of her paintings up to 2019 and documents the personal stories behind each one.

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“There are some that are really special to my heart, but they all do have an emotional impact on me,” she comments.

“I feel like my work has a lot of purpose in it, but there is a point when I paint that I have to start disconnecting from the painting towards the end because I know that there’s someone coming along and ultimately the painting is going to be theirs. As much as I want to keep them all, I know that they belong to someone, and that’s one of the reasons why I paint.”

With the book having been very well received upon its release and is now in its second print run, Fiona is already thinking about compiling a sequel within the next five years.

“I’ve done a lot of paintings since 2019, so there’s already so much more potential material to add for the next book,” she suggests.

One recent painting that is likely to feature in the next edition is Luna’s Garden, which is dedicated to Fiona’s much-loved first grandchild. Twoyear-old Luna, who lives in Melbourne, is her eldest daughter Tamara’s first born.

“Luna’s Garden is a significant piece and is only available in a printed version,” Fiona says.

“The story behind it is about four generations of family – great grandparents, grandparents, parents and child – and it really does represent what kind of influence you have on that child as she grows up. Whether it’s good or bad, I want to share that story because I want people to understand and be a bit more mindful when it comes to young children and the influences that adults do have on them,” she explains.

A willingness to share is what Fiona is all about as an artist.

“I’ve always wanted to share stories through nature and that’s where my work has grown even more into,” she comments.

“My work has always been symbolic and very emotional because I’m a very sensitive person. Those feelings, emotions and sensitivities that I feel when I see other people or what happens with their lives or mine, I share that symbolically with nature through the stories of my paintings.

That’s how this has all come about. As I get older, I just share more of those stories.”

“The consultancy service allows the client to consider different options and see how they look in their homes. I am happy to load my van with a selection of artwork which I take to people’s places to share with them what it’s like in their own space. I’m not an interior designer, but it’s about connecting the art piece to their space and themselves.”

There is no obligation to buy, but a small fee is charged if clients don’t proceed to help cover Fiona’s travelling costs. The in-home consultancy service has so far taken her as far as Brisbane, although she did combine that particular appointment with another delivery and a visit to family.

Having accumulated almost 9,000 followers on Facebook to date, Fiona looks upon social media as a great communication tool for artists.

Whilst adding the consultancy arm has proven to be a successful enterprise, Fiona is adamant that it will always remain a secondary part of her business.

“I share the paintings on social media from start to finish, while also sharing the story along the way,” she says.

“I won’t ever allow it to keep me from the studio too much,” she vows.

“I’m constantly creating, and that will always be my main purpose.”

“People will progressively see sketches from the very beginning all the way to the finished painting. They’ll share the story with me and connect with the painting as it comes to life. People really engage with my social media for that reason, and it also allows me to take my work to a bigger audience than just being here on my own in the studio.”

Fiona Kennedy Art Gallery & Studio

Another notable new facet to Fiona’s business is her local and interstate art consultancy service which began this year.

Ph: 0413 241 805 Email: fionakennedy@dcsi.net.au Web: www.fionakennedy.com Facebook: fionakennedygalleryandartstudio Instagram: fionakennedyart

“Some people are interested in my paintings but are not sure which one is going to work best in their home or have a particular work in mind but can’t visualise what it is going to look like on their wall,” she explains.

12 Beaton Place, Inverloch Entrance in the car park behind A'Beckett Street Open daily (except Tuesdays) 10am - 3pm | Or by appointment

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HALLS WITH HEART Amid the rolling hills and charming towns of South Gippsland, discover a vibrant and enthusiastic music scene. The many small halls dotted throughout our townships are contrasted with grand sounds that emanate from within.

Home to an abundance of musical and theatrical talent, it is no wonder why people come flocking from far and wide to experience this enigmatic blend of nature and music.

The small halls may appear unassuming from the outside; however, they are brimming with heritage and character from within. These halls are more than just ‘venues’, they foster a strong sense of community often celebrate the arts by playing host to local, national and international acts, adding to the cultural tapestry that is South Gippsland.

The small halls have witnessed some remarkable musical acts. From folk to blues, jazz to classical, the genres are endless. Many artists, seeking a more intimate and unique-setting, are choosing to perform in South Gippsland’s small halls, providing attendees with an up-close and personal performance.

As you embark on a musical journey through South Gippsland, you'll find that these small halls are more than just standalone buildings; they represent our region's strong sense of community and a celebration of the arts.

In South Gippsland, the juxtaposition of small halls and their larger than life sounds, create an extraordinary and authentic country experience that will resonate in your memory long after you visit. It's a testament to the region's commitment to preserving and promoting the arts and fostering a sense of community and connection through the power of music.

The many halls of the region are also a crucial element in supporting the local grassroots music ecology. These ‘grassroots venues’ are where many performers develop their skills, perfect their craft and flourish.

These stages provide opportunities for fresh and innovative sound to beckon over a warm and welcoming audience. They also shine light on the hard-working performers who talents without a stage would pass by without celebration.

Halls are the heart of the regions performing arts scene and they foster a vast treasure chest of memories and community connection. Our very own Meeniyan Town Hall recently won the Music Victoria 2023 Award for Best Regional Venue or Presenter (under 50 Gigs), further demonstrating just how celebrated these establishments are.

So, if you're a music lover or simply seeking a unique and immersive cultural experience, set your sights on South Gippsland. The small halls may be unassuming, but the sounds that fill them are anything but.

Discover the beauty, music, and community that South Gippsland has to offer, and let your journey be the soundtrack to your next unforgettable adventure.

Looking for an experience at one of our region’s halls? Head to visitsouthgippsland.com.au/events to check out the many upcoming performances and events. visitsouthgippsland.com.au Photo by Luke McNee – Seagrass Film

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The lowdown on the Traralgon studio that mixes paints with socialising.

Words by Megan Woolfe | Photos supplied by Pinot & Picasso Traralgon

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Paint ‘n’ Sip Why do people go along to Paint ‘n’ Sip events? Some may be enticed by the idea of a different and novel social night out. Others may feel drawn to dabble in some painting with a friend or two but want some guidance along the way. One thing’s for sure, having your favourite beverage in one hand, and a paint brush in the other, is certainly a wonderful way to unwind and unleash your creativity.

Tom and Katy chose Traralgon because they’d been working in the area and were drawn to the people and the tight-knit community atmosphere.

They wanted to bring a different experience to the area that all ages could enjoy.

The Scope

It’s thought that the first Paint ‘n’ Sip events came about in 2002, in Alabama. An art teacher named Wendy Lovo noticed that her students were often self-conscious and overly concerned about making their artworks look perfect. After handing out glasses of wine, she realised they started to loosen up, their stress slowly disappeared and amazingly, their paintings became more beautiful. Since then, the Paint ‘n’ Sip trend has steadily risen in popularity throughout the world.

As well as running big public sessions for up to 45 people, ‘Pinot and Picasso’ also get a lot of requests for private, tailored Paint ‘n’ Sip events.

These add more colour and fun to special occasions such as hen’s nights, baby showers, Christmas parties, gender reveals, kids’ parties and more.

They also do corporate events for team building. There are a variety of artwork options to choose from including glow in the dark or textured art, still life natives or even a release your inner drag queen session (with a drag queen host, of course!)

The ‘Pinot and Picasso’ Experience

The Whole Picture

Here in Gippsland, the ‘Pinot and Picasso’ art studio brings people of all ages together to drink, laugh and paint. A far cry from a serious art class, these are for all abilities and the host (or teacher) not only explains each step, but also demonstrates on the canvas up the front for everyone to follow along. It’s surprisingly soothing to focus on mirroring each line, shape and brush stroke style. Conversations, laughter and encouraging words flow through the room as everyone starts to add paint to their blank canvases.

Katy says “We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and stress-free vibe. Our number one goal is for our customers to have a unique and exciting experience. We encourage people to relax and have fun, while hopefully learning along the way. Some people can be quite reserved when they arrive - sometimes they’ve been dragged along by a friend or they’re a bit nervous. However, by the end of the session, everyone is laughing, mingling and smiling from ear to ear. Plus they get to take home their own masterpieces.”

As time goes on, a few murmurs or whispers of dissatisfaction can be heard, but the host hovers around offering reassurance and tips to keep everyone on track. The saying ‘trust the process’ is particularly evident when certain parts just don’t seem to look how they should. However, there is a shared commitment within the studio. Everyone is there to see it through until the end. Layers of paint continue to be added to canvases and each artwork morphs bit by bit. The time sure does fly and after finishing touches are made, everyone huddles together, holding up their paintings for a group photo. Despite everyone following the exact same steps, it’s quite amazing how different each painting is.

They currently employ six talented local artists to run the sessions. Tom explains “Although our amazing hosts will walk the group through each step of the artwork, we don’t focus on the technical aspects of painting.

Instead, we encourage artistic freedom and individual creativity.”

The Owners The franchise owners, Tom and Katy opened up their ‘Pinot and Picasso’ studio in Traralgon at the beginning of 2023. The idea first sparked after they’d gone along to a ‘Paint Your Partner’ class in the city. Tom says “We loved the experience right from the beginning - it was something different and fun.” They’d been searching for more fulfillment and excitement in their professional lives and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Tom and Katy have hosted Paint ‘n’ Sip events in partnership with a number of local businesses. These have been very popular with some having in excess of 60 guests! Katy says “It’s given us a fantastic opportunity to connect with the other businesses and the community.” They have plans to expand further into the Gippsland area in the future so that more people can enjoy the ‘Pinot and Picasso’ experience.

When reflecting, Tom and Katy think their biggest achievements since starting the business have been working closely with customers to provide really special experiences for their once in a lifetime events, such as hens’ nights, proposals and milestone birthdays.

Instagram: Website:

pinotandpiccassotraralgon www.pinotandpicasso.com.au/traralgon

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Helen Timbury Inside a small, narrow studio next to Helen’s house in Drouin, the printmaking magic happens. The space is buzzing with creativity and the walls are covered with vibrant, joyful prints featuring a diverse variety of birds, plants, animals and people. Each print has a unique sense of movement and energy.

She’d spent a lot of time as a youngster camping and bushwalking. “Mum taught me the names of flowers and trees and grew my awareness of all the different species.” Helen’s first job was a perfect fit for her, illustrating for the National Parks. “I was lucky because I was living in East Gippsland and kind of fell into it. It was an organic path.”

A huge window looks out to a lush green garden – a source of inspiration and sometimes, an escape to overcome creative block. Taking centre stage in the studio, is a large and rather grand roller with a circular turn handle. Helen smiles “It’s the Mercedes of etching presses. I recently updated so now I can make larger prints.”

Now, 30 years later, she reflects “My career has been a lovely, wellrounded visual arts journey. My graphic design, art and illustration skills all flow together to inform my printmaking.”

People from far and wide buy Helen’s gorgeous greetings cards, calendars, bags and of course, her original prints, to decorate their homes. Helen has made a career out of creating, starting her own business when she was just 21 years old.

The themes and subjects in her prints have evolved and changed over time. “At first they were quite scientific looking, influenced by my National Parks interpretive signs. Then after having my three children, my prints started to feature people, families and home situations. Now I’m back to birds and animals but I reflect the bigger picture, using metaphors like the tree of life. I’ve gone from single subjects to prints that tell a story.”

The moment she first fell in love with linocut prints was at the age of 16, when her mother took her to a Margaret Preston exhibition. She looked at those square floral wood cuts and the bold and bright colours with wonder and awe.

After finishing school, Helen studied Graphic Design at RMIT - something that was seen as more financially stable than being an artist.

She says “Once we started using computers, I found that the digital design wasn’t much fun for me. I really wanted to do something tactile.

It became more and more important to me to be using my hands whether that was rolling ink, playing with paper, carving things or experimenting with layers.”

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With her printmaking, by the way, Helen is completely self-taught.

When working on a design, Helen first puts her ideas into a drawing, before making a photocopy. “Then I chop it up and play around with it, moving elements around until they look just right. The placement tells a narrative and it’s important for the flow and where the eye goes around the picture.”

Her sharp eye for design elements allows her to instil that sense of harmony and unity into all of her pieces.

Helen uses her electric frypan to warm the silk lino slightly, in order to soften it, and then she carefully carves out each line and shape.

stargazing

A passion for printmaking, an eye for design

Words by Megan Woolfe | Photos Doug Pell

She says “There’s something very special about that moment when you peel back the paper to reveal the first linocut print. You can never tell exactly how it will come out until that wonderful moment of surprise.”

With each linocut, Helen makes around 20 prints. She says “I love being able to make multiple variations with colours and different layers really quickly. It’s exciting having the flexibility to be able to be as explorative as I like, but I’ve always got that base to return to.”

With all the highs of printmaking, there are also some lows. Helen explains “Sometimes I feel it’s hard to get the design and colours right.

I can become plagued with indecision and doubt and there’s always this horrible time where I think it’s awful and it’s not going to work. I’ve learnt to keep going and usually, the next day, I look at it again and realise it’s actually fine.”

With her cheerful, happy and sometimes humorous prints, Helen hopes to raise a deeper awareness. “I want my prints to remind people that our biodiversity is so unique and precious. Instead of using a didactic tone, I want to build people’s appreciation and gratitude for our natural world. I want to make them curious and thoughtful about it.”

A print that has deep personal meaning for Helen is ‘Stargazing’. She created it in memory of her dear friend, Ian who passed away. The print is a recreation of the last moments she spent with him stargazing with a group of friends on a camping trip. Tragically, a couple of days later, Ian went scuba diving and didn’t return.

She explains “Being able to channel my emotions when creating that print and then sharing it and telling people about its significance was very cathartic. It resonated with a lot of people for many different reasons. I think when you make an artwork about something you have strong feelings for, it’s always a better piece. There’s something intangible and unable to be explained, but people can see it.”

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Helen Timbury

Helen is very active in the Gippsland Arts scene and loves collaborating with other artists (who she describes as her colleagues). She’s been part of a group running ‘Open Studios’ in the Baw Baw Shire for 15 years.

She loves networking at exhibitions and Arts Markets and joins group Art Camps.

“You have to make your own professional development days. Unlike other careers, you don’t get the opportunity unless you are proactive and organise them yourself.”

As for what keeps her motivated to keep creating, she says “I’m not just making for myself, it’s a form of communication. It’s such a lovely feeling when someone likes one of my prints and has that same appreciation for our biodiversity. Connecting with people through my art is very special to me.”

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WORKSHOPS Helen offers a personalised printmaking workshop experience from her beautiful studio and garden. Available for individuals or small groups.

She shares her knowledge and expertise to help you to design and carve your own lino block and then create a small edition of prints to take home at the end of the day.

Purchase Helen’s prints, calendars and cards and more via her webpage.

For more information visit Helen's website, helentimburydesign.com.au

Clay & Co is a creative hub being enjoyed by many, near and far.

Located on Phillip Island, it is an artist co-working space that houses painters, sculptors and ceramic artists. With studio spaces visible from the main gallery, visitors are welcome to observe artists at work, and if the door is open, pop in and have a chat.

These are then fired in the kiln to create lasting pieces to be cherished for years to come.

The main gallery space holds art exhibitions, and is the perfect space to bring family and friends to paint your own ceramics.

Follow their journey on Instagram @clay_and_co_phillip_island and visit the website for upcoming workshops.

Workshops are also available in all disciplines of art; life drawing, term classes, wheel throwing, painting, school holiday programs and there is also a firing service for those working with ceramics.

4 Shorland Way, Cowes Contact – Kaz Morton www.clayandco.au 135

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CREATIVITY THAT LIES WITHIN THE BOX The inventive concept making waves throughout South Gippsland is the emergence of ArtCubes. The portable gallery spaces prove that art, innovation and creativity know no boundaries. ArtCubes have transformed the way our region interacts with art and redefines the traditional notion of museum and gallery structures.

As the name suggest, ArtCubes are self-contained units designed to host art in all its boundless shapes and forms. The adapted shipping containers are lined with ply and feature two opening container doors, two windows, solar panels, as well as internal gallery lighting and a wash of external lights.

South Gippsland is home to a vibrant arts community who at times are unable to showcase their work as gallery space is limited or unavailable.

To support our region’s artists and creatives, South Gippsland Shire Council conceptualised and constructed the ArtCubes project.

Relocatable and able to pop-up in remote locations, the cubes provide exciting opportunities for artists to reach diverse audiences who may not typically visit a conventional art gallery.

Since the cubes have been made accessible to the public, they have toured the region and brought connectivity to communities through an abundance of creative activity. Hosting artistic techniques like wood carving, material manipulation, performance, photography and even the young talents of local primary school students, there are no limitations to what these cubes are capable of presenting.

In addition to being gallery spaces, the ArtCubes have supported a variety of artistic workshops and community events. Learning to weave, work with polymer clay, and even take part in wire bird cage sculpture, are just some of the skills and techniques one can learn from within the cube. The colourful containers have also payed a big part in the region’s Festival Series such as the Mirboo North Winter Fest, Fishy Stories Festival and Great Victorian Bike Ride. Proving that the possibilities from within the cube are endless.

WHERE ARE THEY HEADING TO NEXT?   

November 2023 to January 2024 Program  

ArtCubes are transforming the way our region experiences art and also challenges the conventional idea of where art belongs. They inspire a sense of adventure and spontaneity, beckoning viewers to explore and engage with art in unexpected places. These mobile gallery spaces are a testament to the contemporary nature of the art world, making it more inclusive and innovative than ever before.

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Great Victorian Bike Ride

ARTCUBES

The ArtCubes are a community-based arts initiative from South Gippsland Shire Council. Expressions of Interest are open to community groups and events for 2024 to 2025. If these structures are something you would like to see in your town or at your community event, visit www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/artcubes for the terms and conditions and to apply.

visitsouthgippsland.com.au

Fish Creek from 27 October to 28 January Fishy Stories 13 to 19 November

Film and Sound Installation by Kate Russell 20 November to 3 December Artist Studio & Exhibition by Catherine Blamey 20 November to 3 December Artist Studio & Exhibition by Honey Tripper 20 November to 3 December Portraiture Painting Studio & Exhibition by Gonzalo Varela 4 to 31 December Installation & Exhibition by Helen Sammonds 4 to 31 December Installation & Exhibition by Sarah Parkes 4 to 31 December Artist Studio & workshop by Janie Frith 18 December to 28 January Installation & Exhibition by (it’s no) Drama 18 December to 28 January Interactive Site Specific Installation by Kerry Spokes 1 to 28 January Painting Exhibition by Helen Tiernan 8 to 28 January

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Fairy Cove | Size 76cm x 101cms

JANIS MORGAN’S THE PROM

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Refuge Cove | Size 92cms x 122cms

Waterloo Bay | Size 76cms x 101cms Anyone who has hiked to the summit of Mount Oberon, walked along the spectacular white sand of Squeaky Beach or dipped their toes in Tidal River knows the vast beauty of Wilsons Promontory or Yiruk. For artist Janis Morgan, it is a five-decade love affair that has culminated in the ultimate love letter to The Prom – an art exhibition dedicated to its magic.

Wilsons Promontory has been the muse for many artists - there is just something about the southernmost tip of mainland Australia that ignites creativity. The wild weather, the peaceful corners and the sheer expanse has also captivated Janis, who is thrilled to be exhibiting her unique artworks of The Prom at Foster’s Stockyard Gallery from 2nd – 30th January, 2024.

But the accomplished artist, community art teacher and art therapist admits she has some nerves heading into the solo exhibition.

“I find it very rewarding working with other people and encouraging them on their creative journeys,” Janis explained. “But to put one's own self out there for critique, even though I’ve done joint exhibitions before, it takes a lot. Am I ready to accept people’s feedback?”

Janis, who lives in Melbourne but has had a holiday home at Sandy Point for 14 years, says her strong connection to The Prom reflects that of many other visitors to the region.

“It has been part of my life for over 50 years, a magical place full of adventures, chance meetings, overnight hikes, new experiences and friendships. It’s a place of glorious sunsets, spectacular views around every corner, bountiful native animals, flora and fauna and wild weather.

A View From Above WORDS BY ANITA BUTTERWORTH PHOTOS KINDLY SUPPLIED BY JANIS MORGAN

“The Prom is also a place of connection, where people interact independently and in groups, weaving in and out of communal spaces, hiking, going to the beach, camping, just enjoying walking and passing through the natural environment. There is a collective sense of place, shared identity and belonging to a community which values the environment and the benefits of outdoor life.”

The artworks at the centre of the exhibition were sparked by a flight over the Kimberley region.

“We were over visiting my daughter in Broome last year and we were on a flight over the Kimberley and Buccaneer archipelago, on this small plane I was looking down on the coastline and seeing it from that perspective. It made me realise it could be a really interesting way of painting The Prom.”

“This exhibition tries to capture the essence of The Prom’s expansive space and magical beauty from above, not always a realistic depiction but one of wonder and colour. Each painting is a particular place in The Prom, a place many of us can identify with and feel connected too.

It may be a place we were heading to after a long day’s hike, meeting new friends, stories over delicious camp meals and drinks around a camp.

Places where memories are made.”

Janis also acknowledges the ongoing connection the Gunaikurnai, Bunurong and Boon Wurrung people have with this land, known traditionally as Yiruk. “There has been creativity and community on these lands for thousands of years that I want to acknowledge.”

The artworks were created by using satellite images that reveal the topography of the rugged coastline of The Prom.

“I drew an outline of the land on canvas then layered each section of the background with a palette of relevant colours, finishing with decorative details depicting the surrounding environment; artwork which crosses between the real and the imagined.

“The technique of applying the marks on canvas would be identified as semi-abstract, decorative with touches of pointillism. Pointillism being the application of small dots of colour that amplifies contrasts in texture and pattern, the colours never truly mix but maintain their distinct hues.”

The artwork does not use dots as symbolism for stories as seen in some traditional Aboriginal artwork.

The artworks took Janis a year to complete, and she says it was more of a ‘meditative’ process, much like hiking at The Prom. It was more about the journey than the destination.

gippsland life Summer ���3/�� Squeaky Beach | Size 92cms x 122cms

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JANIS MORGAN’S | THE PROM

Waratah Bay: Shallow Inlet | Size 76cms x 92cms

“There is also a textural element to this exhibition that reflects our connection to the natural environment at The Prom. These textural artworks are bound together by natural elements, framed in bamboo shapes, supported by cotton fabric, woven with organic threads and embellished with hand and machine embroidery. There is a variety of techniques and materials, including weaving, embroidery and applique.”

Janis is now looking forward to locals and visitors connecting with her artwork through her January 2024 exhibition.

Janis has drawn on her many years as an artist and art therapist, to complete the exhibition. A community educator with a previous twodecade-long career in design and patternmaking, she’s always tapped into her creative side through art in various forms.

“Our whole family has got a history there; our girls did Scouts and have their own stories to tell about their adventures down at The Prom. My husband does lots of hikes with his mates down there, and myself as well. And I just feel that there are many people that have some sort of connection with The Prom and really love the place.”

“I’m really excited about it. I think that people will relate to aspects of the artwork because I feel The Prom is a magical place for people who go down there. Everyone who I know has been there for holidays or walks.

After relocating to the Middle East for some time, she navigated a journey of grief and loss. While developing educational art projects at a school in Dubai, Janis discovered how art could be used as a powerful tool, prompting her work in art therapy, through her business, Creative Wellness.

“While we were overseas, I witnessed this change in children’s demeanour when they were doing art in small groups. And I felt that there was more to it, which led me to investigate and do further studies into it when we got back to Melbourne.

“I was never going to do it one-to-one as a therapy. I felt that in the teaching I do and the art facilitation I do in community arts when people do art or are being creative, they get into this zone. A meditative zone.

“I wanted to make sure that when I was leading these art programs, I had the capacity to know how to help them if they were triggered by something, which I do believe can happen. So, the art therapy comes in as a resource and tool for me to support people, so I can pull them aside, make sure they’re OK and I recognise if I think they need to be referred to other support.”

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Cara, Ian, Janis and Eleri Morgan

JANIS MORGAN’S

THE PROM | A VIEW FROM ABOVE E X H I B I T I O N D E TA I L S Name of exhibition Artist When Where Opening times Contact

The Prom: A View from Above.

Janis Morgan December 28 - January 30 Stockyard Gallery 12 Mc Donald Street. Foster. Vic. Thursday - Monday 11am - 3 pm Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.

5682 1125

Stockyard gallery is a dynamic not-for-profit community gallery in Foster, Victoria which aims to provide a quality art space, showcasing the amazing variety of artistic talent in South Gippsland.

Creative Wellness Australia Phone: 0425 886 693 | Email: creativewellnessaustralia@hotmail.com creativewellnessaustralia.com.au creativewellnessaustralia janismorganart.square.site Looking across The Prom – My happy place

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COAL CREEK COMMUNITY PARK AND MUSEUM In the heart of South Gippsland, a remarkable transformation has taken place. Coal Creek Community Park, once a historical relic of the region's coal mining past, has evolved into a vibrant arts and event destination. The park, with its rich history and newfound artistic charm, is now a place where culture thrives and community gathers.

Coal Creek was once a living reminder of the region's industrial past. The park provided a window into the daily lives of those who worked in and around the mines. However, the park's transformation in recent years has added an exciting layer to its historical narrative.

Today, Coal Creek is not a static historical snapshot but a hub for art and culture. Hosting a diverse range of artistic events, exhibitions, and performances, the park revels in creative talent and storytelling from both local and visiting artists. Visitors can experience the exhibition spaces, enjoy the many events, while meandering through the beautiful grounds.

A key element of Coal Creek's transformation is its inclusivity. The park offers a wide range of experiences suitable for all ages. Whether you're celebrating children’s week in the sun, practising yoga by the lake, absorbing the latest exhibitions, or enjoying live music with the best food and produce of South Gippsland, the park is fostering diverse offerings that appeal to all walks of life.

Coal Creek is hosting an increasingly diverse program of events and exhibitions, building on the recent successes of the Southern Lights Festival, All Hallows Eve, Threads exhibition, and the upcoming Rona Green exhibition Millions of People but no-one like you. Come see the Texan superstar Charley Crockett, and keep an eye out for the line-up of events and exhibitions over the next year.

The juxtaposition of Coal Creek's historical heritage with its arts and event culture is a natural, if heady fit. Visitors can explore the old general store, meet the spinners or the blacksmith, while attending a live music concert in the same day. This unique blend of history and contemporary worlds is a testament to the park's ability to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and interests of the community.

As Coal Creek continues to evolve, it stands as a shining example of how a space steeped in history can transform into a dynamic artistic destination and be a catalyst for community engagement. Here, the past and the present harmoniously coexist, making it a place where art, history, and community come together where history meets the present, and the future.

So, whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking an enriching cultural experience, make sure to include Coal Creek on your South Gippsland itinerary. visitsouthgippsland.com.au

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LEONGATHA ART & CRAFT GALLERY & GIFT SHOP For half a century, the Leongatha Art and Craft Society has been showcasing the work of the many talented local artists within its membership base.

WORDS BY CHRIS WEST | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL OTHER PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY GALLERY

The Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery is not merely a gift shop selling a treasure trove of original art and craft works, it also brings together a community of like-minded members and volunteers who share a passion for everything artistic.

Managed by the Leongatha Art and Craft Society Inc, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Gallery’s primary focus continues to be the promotion of the work of its many talented members.

Visitors can browse through a large selection of high-quality art and craft items, produced in a variety of techniques. Everything on display in the gallery is available for sale – from paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery, photographs, woodwork, glass, clothing and textiles, cards, books, and many other original works, all of which will enhance any home or make the perfect gift. Hand-made cards and Christmas gifts are sought after by local customers. Personalised gifts and special orders can also be made by some members.

“Brilliant Sunset” Alcohol ink print by Maree Blore

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The Gallery has recently undergone a refurbishment. New carpet was generously provided by the South Gippsland Shire Council and there is also a freshly painted feature wall. The Gallery now has a lovely ambiance and is a truly enjoyable place to visit.

Inside Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery

“Garden Girls” Ceramic Garden Stakes by Jenny Gray

“Wrens” photographed by Gary Beresford

Leadlight Flowers by Caz Gray

The displays in the Gallery are never static and are regularly updated by the Display Committee. Every two months there is a new theme, and the work of a different feature artist is promoted. New stock and display changes are regularly promoted on the Gallery’s Instagram page.

The Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery is a not-for-profit venue and is staffed solely by volunteers, most of whom are also contributing members. Most of the sales proceeds are returned directly to members, with the gallery retaining a commission fee to help cover operating expenses. Members who volunteer in the Gallery for just 3 hours once a month are rewarded with a greatly reduced sales commission.

The Leongatha Art and Craft Society has two sub-groups who also welcome new members – the Painters group and the Woodworkers group. The Painters group meet weekly and have regular workshops and excursions. They promote a friendly and supportive atmosphere and new members of all skill levels are always welcome. Their members paint in a wide variety of mediums and they have many years of experience to draw on.

“Garden Collection” by Jenene Evans

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Inside Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery

The Woodworkers group welcomes both men and women, young and old. Every year in September, during the Daffodil Festival, they have a very popular demonstration and display tent in the courtyard of the Leongatha Memorial Hall. The “Woodies” would love to have some new members, including those who are just starting out on their woodworking journey and who would like to learn from the current experienced members.

For those who would like to be involved with the Leongatha Gallery, but aren’t able to join as a creative member, then joining as a Friend of the Gallery would be the perfect solution. You would be greatly appreciated as a volunteer, and you would have the opportunity to meet a wide variety of local customers and tourists, as well as the artistic members of the Gallery. There is no cost involved and full training is provided. If you can volunteer for just 3 hours once a month, then the Leongatha Art and Craft Society would love to hear from you.

Further information is available on the Gallery’s website www.leongathagallery.com.au, where you will also find contact details and a downloadable membership application form. Or you can call the Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery on 03 5662 5370.

The Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery is presently open five days a week – Tuesday to Friday from 10.00am to 4.00pm, and Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm. Opening hours are subject to the availability of volunteers and can vary at times, so visitors may like to call to check.

Further information LEONGATHA ART AND CRAFT GALLERY Located in the Leongatha Memorial Hall Cnr McCartin Street and Michael Place.

Phone 03 5662 5370 Web www.leongathagallery.com.au Email leongathaartandcraft@gmail.com Instagram leongathaartandcraftgallery

a n i W t Gif er p m Ha

Special promotion Win a Gift Hamper valued at over $500!

In an exclusive collaboration with the Leongatha Art and Craft Gallery, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Gallery and the new section of Gippsland Art in Gippsland Life magazine.

You can win a bumper gift hamper valued at over $500 Filled with beautiful hand-made art and craft items, all made by members of the Gallery, the hamper will be drawn in early March.

To go in the draw, you must call into the Gallery and mention that you’ve seen this story or advertisement in the magazine. One entry per person.

Refashioned reversable dress by Rebekah Clarke

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Simon White Artist Born in Melbourne, residing in Loch Sport, Simon is a contemporary artist known for his large scale murals, classic portraits, landscapes, and urban street scenes.

Simon White Art @simon_white_art www.simonwhiteart.net

Simon completes public and private murals, commissioned paintings and portraits, and has exhibited in solo shows all around Australia.

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Mark Knight WORDS BY MEGAN WOOLFE / PHOTOS SUPPLIED

THE CREATIVE GENIUS BEHIND THOSE CARTOONS

BY MARK KNIGHT & DOUG PELL

Mark Knight is one of the best-known cartoonists in Australia. Not only is he a highly skilled illustrator, but he also has the amazing ability to present topical political and news issues wrapped up in sarcasm, metaphor and wry wit.

Each morning, Mark listens to the news, often whilst walking around his farm. Coming up with fresh ideas every day with very tight deadlines is something he’s got used to. To get his creativity flowing, he runs, swims and rides his mountain bike.

Creatively and cleverly, Mark conveys the frustrations and opinions of the general public. His cartoons often reveal the contradictions and irony in situations, with a playful cheekiness that brings smiles to many faces.

“I get these moments of clarity when I’m exercising.” He chooses a news item that everyone’s talking about and then comes up with an idea. He explains “When I start drawing, I relax, which helps me to think better.

Sometimes a secondary idea will come to me as I’m drawing and then it changes and morphs into something new and more profound.”

Mark’s love for drawing started when he was a boy. He says “I used to draw my relatives at family gatherings. When I showed them, I was amazed by their reactions. They thought I was bold but I was just depicting things that I saw, like Uncle Bert’s big tummy - exactly how it was.”

At school, Mark’s talent was discovered and he was given the job of doing caricatures for the school magazine. He admits he got caned a few times when he’d been drawing cartoons in class instead of doing his work! He reflects “At a young age, I discovered the pleasure in actually depicting people by picking out their distinctive traits and exaggerating their less glamorous parts. I’ve always loved observing people’s unique features and how everyone is so different.”

The ability to get such an incredible likeness, Mark explains, is down to “training your eye to actually draw what you see and not a notion of what you think you see. The more you train your eye to do that, the fitter your eye becomes and you see what’s important in a face. You see what makes that face the face that it is.”

In his late teens, Mark got his first big break when his mother presented his drawings to the art director of the Sydney Morning Herald, ultimately leading to him securing a cadetship. Then at the age of 22, he started his career as a political cartoonist at The Australian Financial Review - a career that has so far spanned 38 years.

Nowadays, he draws a new cartoon every day for the Herald Sun from his house in rural Tonimbuk. He and his wife, Sophy, moved there 27 years ago after living only in cities. At first, the tree change was quite a shock. They had to learn how to fix fences to keep their horses in and fight bushfires, but they embraced country life and raised their three children there.

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Mark begins by sketching in pencil, then when he’s happy with it, he goes over it with a German Brause nib, dipped in Indian ink. He then scans it and uses Photoshop to fill in the colours. “A lot of cartoonists draw fully on a drawing tablet but I love the feel of pen on paper, plus it’s nice having the original.”

The role of political cartoons in our society, in Mark’s opinion, is to “give a voice to the punters out there - the people who are sometimes enraged or passionate about a particular issue. It’s like showing what they’re whispering and thinking.”

“One of the great tools of cartooning is exaggeration. I use it to give emphasis to a particular idea. I think cartoonists have a great role in taking serious things and making us laugh about them. After all, laughter is the best medicine. Humour also helps ideas to be absorbed.”

Mark’s cartoons have come under scrutiny a few times in the past when people have interpreted them differently from how he intended. He says “Over the years I’ve had to become more careful to consider the ramifications of each cartoon. I have to be conscious of how each may be perceived.”

With particularly contentious issues, he accepts “It doesn’t matter which side I show, I’ll get a lot of blowback. That’s the lot of being a political cartoonist though, I’m not drawing pretty pictures of rainbows.”

NED KELLY PORTRAIT

The AFL Premiership posters have become a greatly loved icon. They represent our nation’s love for footy and capture the Grand Final excitement, with vibrant characters that ooze attitude and fighting spirit. Mark took over designing and illustrating these after WEG (William Ellis Green) passed away in 2008.

He says “I didn’t fully understand the weight of it at the time. I thought, once a year, I’ll draw a lion, a kangaroo or a magpie. When I received pressure from passionate supporters and clubs, I realised the huge expectations of what I would do. It’s lots of fun though.” He always waits until the preliminary final weekend before he starts.

“It helps me to get that energy into the drawings, in that moment.”

Mark has also been involved with the ‘Challenge Cancer Foundation’, which is a network for families of kids who have cancer. “They do a lot to support families, which makes a big difference because the stresses for these families are phenomenal.”

Many years ago, he came up with a mascot for the foundation ‘Leuk the Duck’ (derived from Leukemia). Since then, he has donated many of his paintings for charity auctions. Mark and the foundation are currently working on a series of books to educate children and families about blood cells, as well as the causes of cancers and treatments. He says “I created these science fiction characters to represent blood cells. When parents read the book to their kids, it will help demystify what’s happening to them.”

When he’s not working, Mark’s ultimate indulgence is sketching, just for fun. “That’s where I started - I just loved drawing and I don’t want to lose that.” When he goes on holidays, he takes along a travel sketch diary and a black fine-liner pen. He gets them out wherever he goes and draws what’s around him.

“Sometimes I’ll just sit sketching in a café with Sophy.”

The pages are filled with a variety of scenes, from resorts with people on deck chairs, tropical beaches, duomos in Italy and fig trees in Queensland, just to name a few. His eyes light up as he says “To me, that is the real pleasure of drawing and what I love the most.”

Instagram | knightcartoons

Website | knightcartoons.com.au

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the Iconic Meeniyan Art Gallery WORDS BY MEGAN WOOLFE | PHOTOS BY DOUG PELL

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“Ultimately, I think what the gallery achieves is fostering community connections around beautiful things.”

For over two decades, the community has poured its passion into this unique not-for-profit venture. It all started with a group of locals who invested in an idea that they hoped would boost the town’s profile. Today, Meeniyan Art Gallery is a creative hub, run by a group of dedicated volunteers.

When you step inside the charmingly rustic building, you find yourself in a gift shop filled with over 60 artists’ creations. Then further in, there are three separate gallery rooms with exhibitions that change every single month.

Gallery curator, Jasmin McNeill says “We showcase a diverse range of art that’s contemporary, experimental and thought-provoking. As well as paintings, prints and photography, we have also exhibited multimedia, video and found object installations. We have a number of themes and our exhibitions are really a reflection of what artists are interested in at this time. It’s very much artist-driven, rather than curator-driven.”

By the end of this year, the gallery will have had 31 group and solo exhibitions, featuring 87 artists’ work in 2023 alone. “We always have something new to show our regular customers, as well as the tourists who come through.”

So how exactly did Meeniyan Art Gallery become the successful, much-loved town asset that it is today? Lindsay Moore was one of the main instigators and explains “Back in 2000, a group of local business people and tradies got together. The idea of an art gallery popped up in conversation. There weren’t any in the town at the time and we thought it would be a great way to attract people to Meeniyan. It was a very quiet town back then - you couldn’t even get a coffee on a Sunday!”

Following that, a public meeting was held to raise funds. Lindsay says “We had about 20 - 30 investors who were all connected to the town. In fact, a lot of them weren’t even artists. No one expected to make much money, it was more about investment into the town, to lift it up.”

They established a committee, with Linsday as secretary. The original plan had been to build, although they hadn’t raised enough money to make that possible. When the oldest building in town came up for lease, the committee jumped on the opportunity. “It was in very poor condition but the position was fantastic - on the main street, right in the middle of town.”

It had originally been built before 1890, in another location in Meeniyan.

Then it became the town’s butcher and bakery, with changeovers in owners up until 1954. Amazingly, you can see the butcher’s marble slabs still in place in the front window today.

“When we first took it over, the floor was so uneven, you couldn’t even walk on it! We restumped the entire building in exchange for free rent for the first little while. It was initially run as a commercial business but after a short time, we realised it made more sense to operate it as a not-forprofit organisation.”

Lindsay then took on the role of chair of the committee for 10 years.

“From the start, the concept was to have a professional gallery, run by volunteers. We wanted it to be a contemporary art gallery with a curator or art director. That has stood us in good stead because it creates a high standard.”

“The whole vibe of the town has changed over the past 20 years, not entirely because of the gallery, but certainly it was a major contributor. It has been a stimulus for the whole district, so it’s had lots of benefits that have flowed through to the community.” Lindsay is no longer part of the committee.

He says “I’m too old for that now. Looking back though, I’m surprised and proud of what we achieved.”

These days, Jasmin says “Most of our artists live in Gippsland, but we get a fair few Melbourne artists as well, usually because they have grown up in Gippsland, have holiday houses here, or just love spending time in the area.”

She explains “We can support artists in many different ways. They have the opportunity to present a solo show or alternatively be part of a group exhibition so they can build up their experience. Artists who are interested in exhibiting have to complete an application process and if accepted, pay a fee. Then our staff and volunteers look after everything from the administration, installation, curation, marketing and invigilation of the gallery. Really all the artists have to do is bring us their beautiful works.”

The backbone of the gallery is the volunteer committee. “They guide the strategic direction of the gallery and have a say in operations. They also fill a lot of roles that are needed and have specific skills that help to elevate the professionalism of the gallery.”

Currently, there are 35 active volunteers with a range of roles.

The installation crew hang artworks, whilst other volunteers are the front face and sit at the desk providing information to customers about the artists and exhibitions.

Since Jasmin moved from the city, she says “I have been absolutely floored by how well this gallery runs and how successful it is… and that is very much down to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers.”

There are many benefits on both sides. “We often organise events where our volunteers can network and connect with others. They love being part of the arts community.”

“Ultimately, I think what the gallery achieves is fostering community connections around beautiful things.” www.meeniyanartgallery.com.au

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upcoming summer exhibitions

Ellen Taylor

Valmai Todd

december

january

february

Ellen Taylor using natural materials as a homage to her mother Christmas Creatives give the gift of art with 10 exhibiting artists

Linda Shaw blurring figuration and abstraction in painting Valmai Todd featuring lino prints and wood engravings Wendy Fletcher exploring the natural world through printmaking

Adam Cochrane embracing the wonders of Artificial Intelligence Bob Hickman paintings capturing the manmade world around us Florence Crighton watercolour paintings representing the natural world

meen i ya n a r t ga lle r y Open: 10.00am – 4.00pm | Closed Tuesdays | 84 Whitelaw St Meeniyan VIC 3956 | Ph: 03 5664 0101

w w w.meeni ya na r tga ller y.com.a u 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 SUMMER EXHIBITIONS 2023/24 DECEMBER YVETTE STUBBS

Primary colours are secondary

Yvette Stubbs

JANUARY LISA GRANT

Symbolic art, meanings and abstract ideas

FEBRUARY ZOE CLARKE

Prints and Ceramics

Lisa Grant

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

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with

Stephanie Johnson

YOUR STARS 21 March – 19 April

You may feel like escaping as Summer begins. The Sun is in sunny Sagittarius and you are ready for a journey, short or long. You are well advised to take a break if you can, because as the season progresses, your professional life takes off and you are busy at work. So, January is tied up with parental or professional duties. Fortunately, life lightens up in February and you can socialise with friends and associates. As the Moon’s Nodes continue to travel through Aries and Libra throughout the season, and the year, your lesson is to make the most of new opportunities.

20 April – 20 May

Some seasons remind us that we are all part of the cycle of life. The start of Summer sees people coming and going in your life making you aware of the inevitability of change. You are also likely to review your own resources – how you invest your energy, time and money. Reliable Taurus loves comfort, but now is not the time to cling to comfort or to take anyone or anything for granted. Have confidence that some change can be for the better. The Summer season may also see you plan an overseas journey for 2024.

21 May – 20 June

As one astrologer says: “it’s duet or duel” time. Geminis love a duo – someone who can bounce ideas back and forth, or a game where the ball bounces to and fro. So, who is your partner in crime, so to speak? And how is that relationship travelling? Whether you are single or wedded, it’s time for you to have twice the fun. Make sure that all loose ends are tied up before your ruling planet, Mercury, goes Retrograde in the middle of December. That way you can enjoy the fruits of your labour when it changes direction at the start of January.

21 June – 22 July

SUMMER 2023 23 Sep – 22 Oct

A positive mindset helps you connect with neighbours and siblings. Talking, listening, writing and posting on social media are all highlighted this summer season. You may even enjoy a short journey, a change of scenery. The idea is to tap into your intuition and attract positive connections. If something or someone troubles you don’t fret, just talk or write it out. Let go of worries and focus on your breath. Libra is an Air Sign and so breathwork can be very calming. As the Moon’s Nodes continue to travel through Aries and Libra your lesson is to let go of stressful connections.

23 Oct – 21 Nov

Scorpios usually consider money matters to be private, but December sees you more vocal than usual as you are eager to boost your personal worth and seek ways to do so. Perhaps you have spotted a bargain, or are negotiating a lucrative contract or pay rise. The lucky money planet Venus moves into your Zodiac Sign on December 5 giving you a welcome boost in both finances and love. As the season progresses your mind turns to neighbourhood issues and family matters.

It’s also possible that you share your good fortune with siblings.

22 Nov – 21 Dec

Three planets in your Zodiac Sign at the start of Summer put the wind beneath your wings. A personal make-over and healthy habits give you a real boost. The first three weeks of December are your time to shine as long as you don’t go overboard. All things in moderation are not the usual Sagittarius modus operandi, but you would be wise to slow down at the end of 2023 and consider your priorities. By the end of Summer, you have a fresh outlook and are ready to communicate your summertime discoveries and goals.

22 Dec – 19 Jan

Sharing your daily routine with partners, family members and even co-workers can sometimes be tricky. December sees you work towards finding your rhythm, and possibly making changes to your daily habits. Decisions made in the first half of December could backfire in the summer season, if not carefully considered.

So, take your time. Improving your lifestyle is a step-by-step process. As usual working in sync with the cycles of the Moon is your super power. Mid-season sees you focus on your relationship status before making adjustments to joint resources in February.

As the rest of the Zodiac Signs ramp up for end of year celebrations, sensible Capricorns slow down and prepare. This is your time to continue life as usual, but at a slower pace. Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn on December 13 further encourages you to enjoy a period of preparations for your personal goals. This year’s birthday celebrations may be a little quieter than usual if you were born in December. Transformative planet Pluto finally leaves Capricorn in January, bringing one chapter of life to a close. By February you are ready for a new lease on life.

23 July – 22 Aug

December is your social season. Your calendar fills fast with engagements for work and pleasure. As an Aquarian you are naturally friendly and sociable with others seeking your company. The first month of Summer sees you become even more in demand. As Summer progresses you are likely to feel a need to retreat.

The transformative planet Pluto enters your Zodiac Sign on January 21, followed

by Mars and Venus in February. This heralds a new chapter in your life. You will look back on this Summer as one that sparked a personal revolution.

23 Aug – 22 Sep

The last month of the calendar year can be stressful for some, and so sensitive Pisces is on call to come to the rescue. If your profession is a helping one, and it is likely to be, then you find yourself focussed on work. While others are celebrating the Solstice and Christmas season, your heart goes out to the lonely and disenfranchised. Your chance to relax and socialise comes during the middle of Summer, when you can enjoy activities that support your own hopes, dreams and wishes. And you can finally rest during February.

The Sun, Mercury and Mars are in sunny Sagittarius at the start of Summer, and this is a very merry marriage with your Leo Sun. And so, December is your month to make merry. Whether you prefer a celebration on your own or a full-blown affair doesn’t matter. The idea is to embrace joie-de-vivre. As the month progresses and the Solstice and Christmas approach you need to slow down a little, perhaps retreating to a quiet place of connection with yourself or others. This way you can enjoy good health and vitality as the season progresses.

Family celebrations are front and centre in December. It’s time to celebrate love and life at home. If you’re single then you can indulge in your favourite hometime activities, redecorate your living quarters, and perhaps travel to a place like home. If you are living with others then home entertainment is the theme. As the season progresses your creative juices are flowing. You are ready to follow your passion, to be romantic or to enjoy outings with happy-go-lucky young people.

Your usual practical and hard-working nature is likely to be more relaxed as you enjoy the sun.

20 Jan – 18 Feb

19 Feb – 20 March

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 Esoteric Technologies, 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

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Phillip Island Library

Two communities, Phillip Island and Korumburra, have recently welcomed new libraries.

The Phillip Island Library is within the Bass Coast Council Shire, and the Korumburra Library is located in the picturesque South Gippsland Shire. Both signify a commitment to fostering learning, connection and community spirit.

Phillip Island Library - Berninneit ‘Where Learning and Community Come Together’ In Cowes, Phillip Island, Berninneit is a hub of art, performance, culture, and community engagement. The name "Berninneit," meaning "Gather Together" in Boon Wurrung, and reflects the community's commitment to reconciliation and unity. Berninneit houses the library, performing arts space, cinema, gallery, historical museum, and community meeting rooms.

Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCB), the Phillip Island Library integrates modern design with the surroundings, providing a welcoming space for literary exploration.

Phillip Island Library

Korumburra Library

Patrons will find dedicated areas catering to different age groups and interests. The children's area, teen space, Zoom/study booths, and public computers ensure that there's a spot for everyone. The library's commitment to inclusivity extends to its design, making it an accessible and comfortable space for all. Phillip Island Library is introducing 24/7 membership in 2024, allowing access even outside staffed hours, providing flexibility for the community.

Phillip Island Library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays 9.30am - 5pm, Wednesdays 9.30am -6.30pm and Saturdays 10am – 1.30pm.

Korumburra Library

The new libraries in Phillip Island and Korumburra provide welcoming spaces for learning, connection, and community engagement. With their innovative designs, commitment to accessibility, and initiatives like 24/7 membership, these libraries are integral parts of the vibrant tapestry of Phillip Island and Korumburra, fostering a love for literature and community connection.

For more information, please visit myli.org.au or call 1800 HI MYLI (1800 44 6954).

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Unveiling Myli's Phillip Island & Korumburra Libraries Korumburra Library

Korumburra Library Korumburra Community Hub: ‘The Library in the Trees’ In the Korumburra Community Hub, the Korumburra Library is a component of a multipurpose building hosting various services including Milpara Community House, Korumburra & District Historical Society, and some services from South Gippsland Shire Council.

The addition of tea and coffee facilities enhances the library experience, transforming it into a comfortable and inviting space for patrons to linger.

Similar to Phillip Island Library, Korumburra Library is set to introduce 24/7 membership, providing accessibility for everyone.

Designed by Francis-Jones Carpenter Studio, the Korumburra Library seamlessly combines functionality with aesthetic appeal. For those seeking a quiet space for study or work, the library offers study areas equipped with public computers and self-loan kiosks.

Korumburra Library is open Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5pm and Saturdays 10am – 12pm.

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