Phillip Island | 150 Years

150 year celebration $9.95

1868 - 2018 ISSN 1838-8124 ISSN 1838-8124

9 771838

812011

150 YEARS

RECOGNISING AND SUPPORTING THE PHILLIP ISLAND COMMUNITY

CELEBRATE YOUR ISLAND

WINE BAR

CAFÉ • BAR • CELLAR DOOR

Grenache Wine Bar is located in the heart of Cowes, Phillip Island near the end of Thompson Avenue. A relaxed atmosphere with an ambience of a smart, sophisticated cellar door-retail/ wine bar space.

Grenache Wine Bar proudly showcases a fantastic array of locally produced products. Our unique establishment is a ‘one stop shop’ for wine lovers, with the most comprehensive range of local wines on offer alongside a selection of Australian and European wines.

Grenache Wine Bar offer a variety of small and large share plates, including quality cheese and charcuterie boards.

With our seasonal menu there is always something to share and warm the soul.

Available for purchase are our curated gift hampers. Ensuring a unique experience for those looking to explore and share the quality wines, spirits and food of our region in the comfort of their own space.

Our layout consists of three areas, our front bi-fold windows open to the street being a perfect place to sit and enjoy a drink while watching all those sauntering past. Our central bar area is the hub, where you can perch yourself on the high stools, enjoy a cocktail and appreciate the spirit selection on our mirrored display wall.

Lastly our fireplace finishes the space near our long dining table.

Local owners Jerome & Shelley have strived for an elegant atmosphere without wavering in its welcoming warmth. Grenache Wine Bar has a casual elegance, bringing a touch of Melbourne to Cowes all without losing our Island vibe.

An after work sip at the bar, a long lunch or late night dinner, drop in or stay a while.

GRENACHE WINE BAR 55A THOMPSON AVENUE, COWES 0414 588 023 or 0417 537 506 OPEN 7 Days Mon-Sun 12 noon till Late (11pm) Lunch & Dinner HAPPY HOUR Monday-Thursday 5pm-6pm

facebook.com/grenachebar.com.au

www.grenachebar.com.au

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FRONT COVER - Phillip Island Drone Image by Renee de Bondt GRENACHE WINE BAR ALEX SCOTT & STAFF REAL ESTATE INDEX LANGFORD JONES HOMES MAYOR CR. PAMELA ROTHFIELD GRACE LANDSCAPES NATIONAL VIETNAM VETERANS MUSEUM PHILLIP ISLAND HELICOPTERS THE SHED JUDITH WRIGHT - REAL LADY JUDITH WRIGHT STOCKDALE & LEGGO PHILLIP ISLAND CONSERVATION SOCIETY HARRY SCHMIDT - LAST SUPPER ALEX SCOTT REAL ESTATE & LIVESTOCK SALES COWES IGA BENDIGO BANK PHILLIP ISLAND HELICOPTERS THE FORESHORE HOTEL SOUTH COAST FLOORING THE TERRACE - PHILLIP ISLAND RSL NEWHAVEN COLLEGE GJ GARDNER HOMES BASS COAST PRICELINE PHARMACY COWES PHILLIP ISLAND CHOCOLATE FACTORY KIDS PLAY TOYS WILDLIFE COAST CRUISES DEAD4EVA DESIGNS, STREET SKATE & SURFWEAR A MAZE’N THINGS THE CAPE KITCHEN PHILLIP ISLAND RSL ROD PATCH THE SHEARING SHED KITE HAVEN OLIVES A MAZE’N THINGS WILDLIFE COAST CRUISES RENEE DE BONDT PHOTOGRAPHER THE ISLANTIS SURFING EXPERIENCE BCH PHILLIP ISLAND HUB PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING COMPETITION PHILLIP ISLAND SPORT AND REHAB CLINIC MAD COWES CAFÉ AND FOODSTORE RUSTY WATER BREWERY RESTAURANT & BAR QUIRKY PICTURES - Marguerite Shallott EVANS PETROLEUM - PHILLIP ISLAND MOTOR SPORT MECCA PINOS TRATTORIA PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT MARK KNIGHT CARTOON WORLD SUPERBIKES COWES IGA COWES RETAILERS BCH PHILLIP ISLAND HUB COWES BATTERIES & MORE ANCHORAGE PARK & GENERAL STORE ANCHORAGE PARK VENTNOR PHILLIP ISLAND FEATURE SEAHORSE MOTEL PHILLIP ISLAND TEN PIN BOWLING WATERFRONT COMPUTERS CHATTERS ON COWES CHATTERS FASHION PHILLIP ISLAND INNER WHEEL HISTORY OF PI PATCHWORKERS COTTON ONTO CRAFT COWES 1950s COTTON ONTO CRAFT ISLAND SHOES ISLAND SHOES CLIP & CLIMB NEWHAVEN COLLEGE SEAROAD FERRIES SURFER’S PLAYGROUND - PI SURFING FRONT ROOM DIANNE’S VENTURE TOURS AMANDA DRENNAN PAINT PLACE GROUP OF STORES RHYLL WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL RHYLL PHILLIP ISLAND ANGLING CLUB GLEN ISLA - STYLE & SUBTANCE VIETNAM MEMORIES PHILLIP ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY A TALE OF TWO BRIDGES ST PHILIP’S ANGLICAN CHURCH THE SMALL SCHOOLS WOOLAMAI HOMESTEAD EXPLORERS AND SEALERS MUTTON BIRDS, CHICORY & PASTORIALISTS PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS RAMADA RESORT BY WYNDHAM THE CAPE KITCHEN

Phillip Island | 150 years

RECOGNISING AND SUPPORTING THE PHILLIP ISLAND COMMUNITY

1868 - 2018

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150 Front Cover Image Phillip Island Drone Photography - Renne de Bondt Renee de Brondt Photography

WRITERS Chris West, Lyn Skillern, Wendy Morriss, Ruth Williams & Olivia Skillern CONTRIBUTORS Christine Grayden & Elizabeth Jones PHOTOGRAPHERS Wendy Morriss, Nici Marshall, Renee de Bondt & Douglas Pell ADVERTISING Douglas Pell EDITOR Maree Bradshaw CREATIVE media101© PRINTERS Southern Colour (VIC) Pty Ltd | www.southerncolour.com.au

GIPPSLAND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES A P E W

PO Box 862, Wonthaggi 3995 0404 301 333 thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au thelifestylemagazine.com.au facebook.com/lifestylegippsland instagram | g_the_lifestyle

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine © South Gippsland Publishing Pty Ltd 2018 or its Editor. The Editor has the right to omit or edit contributions for style, space or legality concerns.

The information contained in our published works has been obtained by Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in their publications. © 2018 Phillip Island 150 Years Magazine Gippsland Lifestyle all rights reserved. No part of any Gippsland Lifestyle Magazine’s published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher via email to: thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au

create your own lifestyle

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coastal home experts MELBOURNE OFFICE 3 Scanlan Street East Bentleigh

SURF BEACH DISPLAY 77-79 Phillip Island Road Surf Beach, Phillip Island

COWES DISPLAY 8 Kembla Road Cowes

www.langfordjoneshomes.com.au 03 9579 2277

WONTHAGGI OFFICE 218 White Road Wonthaggi

MAYOR CR. PAMELA ROTHFIELD

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Phillip Island | 150 years

MAYOR

CR PAMELA ROTHFIELD 150 YEARS PHILLIP ISLAND

Surrounded by water and home to the Bunurong people, Phillip Island has a rich and proud history. The traditional owners have lived here for thousands of years and have a unique relationship with the land and water of Phillip Island.

Bass Coast Shire Council acknowledges and offers respect to their elders past and present, and through them, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

2018 is a significant year for Phillip Island and its character of today. It marks the 150 year sesquicentenary of the opening up of Phillip Island for purchase by the public.

It was on 2 November 1868 that the first release of land for selection for European settlement.

There are many descendants of early pioneers on the Island, and this year is special to them all. I too am a descendant of Phillip Island’s early pioneers. Two of my great grandfather’s brothers were drawn out of the first ballot in 1868, Joseph Cleeland was the 8th ballot drawn and his brother Francis was 58th, on that fateful Monday morning on 2 November, at the Courthouse in Schnapper Point, which is now known as Mornington. My great grandfather purchased his land soon after and so commenced the Cleeland dynasty on Phillip Island, which has continued right up to this day.

The Phillip Island 150th Celebrations Planning Committee, made up of Phillip Island community members, first came together in 2014 to begin planning the 150th anniversary. These are known as sesquicentennial celebrations. The focus of the celebrations is to recognise and celebrate our past 150 years, while also acknowledging and respecting our indigenous history and people, who walked this land for many thousands of years.

The celebrations were launched on 19 January 2018, with Bunurong Land Council’s Adam Magennis who began the event with a Welcome to Country and an acknowledgement of the Phillip Island’s rich indigenous history.

THE CELEBRATIONS ARE MADE UP OF FIVE MAIN EVENTS: THE RHYLL WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL IN MARCH 2018

was the first feature event on the Phillip Island 150th Celebration year calendar. This small coastal village of some 500 residents offered visitors an amazing array of activities including an Art Show, a street market, classic ferry rides, knot-tying, boat building for the teens, storytelling, face painting, tug-of-war and boat races. It also included classic car, van and bike displays and of course, the classic wooden boats, all with the backdrop of non-stop music and food. I was so proud to see businesses and Council throw their support behind the event.

The result was magnificent. This festival did an outstanding job of showcasing what can be achieved when the community pulls together.

A LOCAL PORTRAIT PRIZE AT THE ARTIST SOCIETY OF PHILLIP ISLAND’S EASTER 2018 EXHIBITION

was another fabulous event. I was thrilled to be asked to sit for a number of artists, as one of the portrait subjects. When I was told it was for a four hour session, I must confess I was surprised – but ‘sitting’ didn’t seem to sound too taxing. Not so, I found out. To sit still and retain the same expression for four hours (yes, there were breaks), takes so much concentration! It was quite exhausting. A wonderful experience – but one I just can’t imagine ever repeating in a hurry!

THE RE-ENACTMENT OF FIRST LAND SALES

will take place on Friday, 2 November, and will be run by the Phillip Island and District Historical Society.

It will also include a register for families of original descendants, whom the Society is inviting to inscribe their names for posterity.

I imagine we shall see a lot of historic costumes in this re-enactment, which will take place on the Melbourne Cup weekend.

A GALA DINNER

will be held on Saturday, 10 November at the Grand Prix track pavilion and it will be a great way to close the year. This event will be open to the entire community, and more details will follow mid-year.

A COMMUNITY STREET PARADE

Saturday, 3 November at 11.00am. In the tradition of New Year Eve’s parades over the years, the street parade will be a fun and lively community event. All groups are encouraged to participate and be creative. The day will end at the Bendigo Bank with a Community Day to be held in the newly renovated Jetty Triangle. Along the Esplanade there will be rides, activities, a chance to catch up and lots more.

OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: A Knitted mural that will be unveiled on World Knit Day in June An Old Time Picnic at Churchill Island The Island Whale Festival Past to Present exhibition

Winter Arts Trail NAIDOC week Landcare Wildlife Corridor Walk Phillip Island Big Day Out Twitch

In the foyer of the Cowes Cultural Centre the wonderful patchwork created by the Phillip Island patchwork group is on display for all to enjoy.

The Committee are assisting in the promotions of the year and are inviting community organisations far and wide across the Island to be part of the celebrations. A community calendar of events is fast filling up and is available for your wonderful event ideas to be added.

BASS COAST SHIRE COUNCIL T 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or 5671 2211 | E basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au | W www.basscoast@vic.gov.au/phillipisland150

Phillip Island | 150 years

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LIVING ART | LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

Grace Landscapes create beautiful, functional and sustainable residential and commercial landscapes. Natural and formal designs include native flora and fauna, water features and outdoor living spaces. With a focus not only on bringing the inside out, but also bringing the outside in, Grace Landscapes use the latest in design concepts, construction techniques and material. Their Cape Woolamai store includes living art, bonsai, terrariums and cacti.

FROM bonsai, terrariums and tillandsia, to cacti and succulents, Grace Landscapes can help you enjoy the beauty of nature inside. Their stunning creations are artfully arranged in pots, planters or glass, creating a stylish addition to any home. If you fancy making your own living art, Grace Landscapes also offer workshops and classes, along with gift vouchers for that special someone. Drop by for a visit, and you’ll find they also have exotic teas, decadent cakes and fantastic coffees on offer.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS | BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES | LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION O PEN 6 D AY S 1 0 A M-7 P M WE D -S AT

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Heath Grace 0404 596 504 | Nela Grace 0434 423 339 | 8 Vista Place Cape Woolamai

www.heathgracelandscapes.com

THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO VIEW THE ISLAND THAN FROM ABOVE. YOU'LL LOVE IT! SCENIC FLIGHTS EVERYDAY

1 Veterans Drive, Newhaven Phone: (03) 5956 7316 | Email: info@pih.com.au

www.pih.com.au Phillip Island | 150 years

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ISLAND PARTNER’S It’s been almost two years since friends and partners Misha Say and Bec Newman established ‘The Shed’ in Ventnor to provide the community and tourists with high-quality, freshly-ground coffee, artisan and gourmet foods, gifts, plants, fresh flowers and an exciting offer of local island produce.

The innovative and industrious pair, along with their husbands and Misha’s sister Kyra and her husband Dan, are now embarking on an exciting new challenge to re-establish and extend Phillips Island’s oldest vineyard and winery, which is in a beautiful rural location with magnificent views overlooking Bass Strait.

The Shed, which is now an enormously popular destination, is currently for sale, as the pair shift focus onto their new venture. The hope is for the potential new owners to continue to supply the same high-quality service, products and produce.

Misha and Bec initially fitted out the once empty shed and established the business because they saw a gap in the market for the people of Ventnor and the western side of the island.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Misha had previously sold her café business in San Remo and Bec had sold her floristry business on Phillip Island so they decided to get together and create The Shed, believing they would sell coffee and flowers and be open three days a week.

“That’s how we started,” Misha said. “Once we opened, people became really excited about it and it just took off. We found that Ventnor people don’t want to go into Cowes unless they have to and when the island is really busy, Cowes people like coming to this side of the island. It’s also a nice peaceful location on a working farm and there’s plenty of parking.”

Misha and Bec then kept adding layers to the business providing bread, wine and cheeses and it continued to grow from what their customers wanted while fulfilling their own creative needs.

“The plan was always to establish the business and build it up so we could eventually sell and look for a fresh challenge.”

She said taking over the Phillip Island Vineyard and Winery and expanding the business is very exciting. The winery will be closed in the interim for some renovations but will reopen early in October.

It is one of only two wineries on Phillip Island located only minutes from the motorcycle Grand Prix circuit, the Penguin Parade and the fur seal colonies at The Nobbies on an attractive fivehectare rural landscape overlooking Berry’s Beach and Bass Strait.

The first vines in the vineyard were planted 20 years ago, with the first wines being produced in 1997. The business has been owned and operated by Tim and Trish O’Brien and family since 2009, when they purchased it from David and Cathy Lance who first established the business. Since then Tim, Trish and their family have produced high-quality award-winning cool climate wines, provided a unique cellar door experience and live music performances to entertain visitors.

THE SHED Ventnor Phillip Island

EXCITING NEW CHALLENGE

BY WENDY MORRISS

When they decided they wanted to move into retirement, they approached Misha and her husband Nick, who have run the Westernport Hotel in San Remo for the last 12 years, to take over and grow the business further.

Misha said after the vineyard and winery is reopened, they plan, over a period of time, to develop it into a multi-faceted destination. The plans will be executed in three phases with the first being some renovations, which will be headed by Misha, who apart from being exceptionally skilled in hospitality, is also an interior stylist.

“The winery has a really lovely atmosphere that we want to expand on; we really want to provide an environment that is comfortable, classic and approachable.”

A floristry and giftware component will be added.

She said Jane Menesdorffer, who has earned a near celebrity status on the island for her food

over the years is coming on board to head up the kitchen, providing lunch and grazing dishes six days a week. The winery will also be open in the evening over summer and for events.

Next year, building will start on a large wedding barn that will cater for up to 300 people for special occasions, weddings, events and music festivals.

Phase three will see the addition of accommodation facilities and a distillery. There are also plans to bring in a new winemaker and viticulturists to rejuvenate the vineyard, which won’t be providing usable fruit for another 18 months. However, through a few trade contacts, nice Gippsland fruit will be brought in to produce high-quality wines in the interim.

Misha and Nick both grew up in a large wine producing region in north-eastern Victoria and have lived on a small farm in San Remo for the last 13 years, while Bec and her husband Tim are Island born and bred and have a really good working knowledge of the area and the people.

Misha, Bec and their partners are all exceptionally skilled, energetic entrepreneurs with creative plans that will ensure the success of their new venture and provide locals and visitors with an exciting, inspirational and wonderfully relaxing island destination.

511 Ventnor Road, Ventno Phillip Island 3922 VIC (03) 5956 8437 ww.theshedphillipisland.com.au www.facebook.com/TheShedPhillipIsland www.instagram.com/theshed_phillipisland

Phillip Island | 150 years

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Words: Chris West

No name is more synonymous with real estate on Phillip Island than Judith Wright.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

It is approaching ten years since Judith Wright sold her final home as a real estate agent and commenced retirement, yet her name remains an ever-present force in the property market on Phillip Island.

When Judith called time on her remarkable career in June 2008, she was given the fondest of farewells by her business partner Mike Foenander and staff at Judith Wright Real Estate.

“Mike gave me the biggest going away party,” Judith recalls.

It was a mark of the greatest respect that the business continued to trade as Judith Wright Real Estate for a further three years post her departure. Even the subsequent merging of the business with Stockdale & Leggo in September 2011 did not result in Judith’s name disappearing from sight or mind on Phillip Island. Still today, her name is perpetuated through Judith Wright Stockdale & Leggo and maintains as strong a presence as ever in the local area.

Judith found real estate by chance rather than by design. Born and raised in Wonthaggi, she began a career in nursing in her home town in the 1960s when known by her maiden name of Lumsden.

In 1965 she married Mick Wright, a local lad who she had known since attending primary school together in Wonthaggi.

For the first couple of decades of their marriage they set about building their careers – Judith as a nurse at Wonthaggi Hospital and Mick reaching the position of Sales Manager with prominent local builders Coldon Homes. Along the way, they raised two sons Paul and Karl.

Judith’s career took a diversion during the period from the mid 1970s to early 1980s when she firstly ran a corner store and secondly a sports shop in Wonthaggi, with Mick helping out in both part-time.

In 1985, Mick decided that he wanted to do a Marketing degree and enrolled in night school.

After six months, Judith was persuaded to join him in the same course.

“I was doing most of Mick’s homework for him anyway and the Head of School suggested I do the course as well,” she says.

Both Judith and Mick completed the four years of night school and attained their degrees with Honours.

In 1989, Mick then got a job selling real estate on Phillip Island with Daryl Sallman First National.

“We thought that would give us more time together as Mick’s role at Coldon Homes had been pretty full on,” Judith recalls.

“But it worked out that he was busier than ever.

After three months in the job, he was going to leave.”

The solution put forward by Mick’s boss Daryl Sallman was to give Judith a job at his company.

“I was comfortable with the decision to leave nursing behind and switch to real estate. The time was right for a change,” she says.

Judith took to her new career like a duck to water.

She proved to be a natural at selling real estate.

For the next four years, Judith and Mick worked alongside each other at Daryl Sallman First National. During that time, Judith also successfully attained her full real estate agent’s licence.

In those days, Judith and Mick lived at Harmers Haven just west of Cape Paterson and commuted to their workplace on Phillip Island at 56 Thompson Avenue. Often they would be joined for the car ride by lifelong friend Bill Berry, who was a partner in the legal practice Reith & Berry on Phillip Island.

By 1993, Judith and Mick felt ready to establish their own real estate business. The building next door at 54 Thompson Avenue became available, initially for rent, but the opportunity was soon altered to an outright purchase by sale. As Judith and Mick did not have the sizeable sum of cash funds to buy the property, a loan would be their only possible option.

Judith put her best suit on and went to see the bank manager.

“It took six weeks, but we finally got approval on New Year’s Eve,” she remembers.

Judith Wright Real Estate entered the local market in property sales, permanent rentals and holiday rentals and quickly jolted the competition on Phillip Island out of their lethargy. One of the keys to Judith and Mick’s success was their strong work ethic and always being available to their clients.

“When we first started in real estate here, all the agents used to close their doors by 5pm and as early as 3pm on Sunday afternoons, whereas we were always there to service the clients,” Judith notes.

Mick recalls he and Judith sleeping in their office at Grand Prix time and handing out keys for holiday rental properties to people arriving from interstate at two or three o’clock in the morning.

Judith also had a clear way in which she wanted the business to operate and how things should be done.

“What I wanted was for everyone to tell the truth; don’t promise what you can’t deliver; and always do the right thing,” she says.

Mick also pinpointed honesty fundamental to their success.

as

“We got a young guy Scott Mann from Newhaven College to come and work for us after school and on Saturdays. We tapped into his IT knowledge and in turn trained him in real estate. He went on to be very successful in real estate around Albury and north east Victoria. When Scott left, we got Rachel Burke who proved to be quite dynamic and also became very successful in real estate in Melbourne,” Judith says.

“We always wanted to keep our best people of course, but at the same time we felt very proud whenever people we have trained have gone on to bigger and better things,” she adds.

The annual influx of holiday-makers and daytrippers always ensured a rush of activity every summer.

“The visitors would always be looking in the real estate agents’ windows on the island. During the January period one year we sold seventy-four properties,” Judith recalls.

The annual holiday season phenomenon on Phillip Island created what Mick termed the “child syndrome”.

“Mums and dads with young kids would walk in to the office wanting a beach house. They’d buy a place, but once the kids reached eighteen and got their own licence, they didn’t want to holiday with their parents any more. As a result, these beach houses were getting less and less use, so inevitably would come back on the market,” he explains.

Judith and Mick can remember instances where they have sold the same house as many as four times.

Together, the husband and wife team made Judith Wright Real Estate a very successful business.

They shifted premises twice, relocating around the corner to Chapel Street temporarily while a new building was constructed in Thompson Avenue.

Mick harboured plans to live life at an easier pace much earlier than Judith. About 16 years ago, he happily retired and sold his share of the business to Mike Foenander, who had been working at Judith Wright Real Estate for several years as a Sales Consultant.

being

“Ours was an honest real estate business with no bullshit,” he states.

Judith and Mick have seen incredible change and growth during their time on Phillip Island.

“When we first came here, sixty thousand dollars could buy you a house on Phillip Island or you could get a block of land for two thousand dollars,” Judith recalls.

“People didn’t necessarily have a specific house in mind when they came to us. We would drive people around to show them available properties to buy. Nowadays, buyers know what they want.

They’ve viewed the property on the internet and know all about it.”

Judith admits to not even knowing how to turn a computer on when their business first opened.

“Mike had formerly been the local NAB bank manager. He came into our office one day saying he was finishing up at the bank, as he wanted to stay on Phillip Island rather than accept a posting to Melbourne,” Judith recalls.

“I remember saying to Mike, don’t you start mowing lawns before you talk to me,” she laughs.

Mike Foenander became a highly valued employee and then a very able partner for Judith in the business after Mick’s retirement. Mike is now Executive Residential & Commercial Sales Manager and the Officer of Effective Control at Judith Wright Stockdale & Leggo.

“Judith and I were business partners for more than a decade. We worked very well together and had a great working relationship,” he comments.

“The Wrights were top operators and very well respected within the industry, without a doubt.

Judith is renowned as being a starter of the real estate revolution on Phillip Island.”

Phillip Island | 150 years

13

When Judith made the decision to join Mick in retirement in 2008, the team at Judith Wright Real Estate had by then grown in size to fourteen staff members after beginning with three. Having been so hands-on in the business, it was probably not surprising that Judith found it hard to keep away at first upon retiring.

After more than 50 years of marriage, Judith and Mick remain an inseparable team and share an enduring love of Phillip Island.

Peter says the business strategy to keep Judith’s name in the public eye to this day has worked extremely well.

“We can both remember coming here on weekends as far back as when we were schoolkids,” Judith says.

“There were clients who were very loyal to Judith and other clients who were loyal to Stockdale & Leggo and the two names coming together has been a wonderful success.”

“It took a bit of getting used to, but I managed to let go,” she says.

“It was a great place to end up establishing our business and making our home.”

“With great people like Peter Buitenhuis, Mike Foenander and Josh Dunstan taking the business forward, they’ve done beautifully since my departure. Josh was the last of our trainees at Judith Wright Real Estate and is now General Manager at Judith Wright Stockdale & Leggo.”

Judith and Mick bought their first house on Phillip Island in 1996 and have subsequently moved on to other properties in various locations in the area, including Red Rocks and Silverleaves. They have been living in their current home in Cowes for four years.

Judith Wright (2nd from front) & Mike Foenander and Staff

In retirement, Judith and Mick have done plenty of overseas and interstate travel. They enjoy taking their caravan up north to spend time with old friend Harry Bligh at Jerona, between Townsville and Ayr. “Harry is a descendant of the famous Captain William Bligh,” Mick remarks.

“His place is just fifty metres from the water and we go fishing and mud-crabbing while up there.”

Mick’s high level ability at table tennis has also taken the couple to many places around the globe. He is presently ranked number three in the world in the Over 70s age category and competes at national and international level.

“We’re always away at the time of the Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island because it coincides with the Australian Table Tennis Championships each year,” he notes.

Retirement has also given Judith and Mick more time to spend with family. Their two sons still live locally and have provided six grandchildren.

“They’re delightful. We just love them to bits,” Judith says.

Over the years, Judith says she has on occasions been mistaken by strangers for her namesake, the late Australian poet Judith Wright.

“They would say to me: Oh, have you stopped writing poetry?” she laughs.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Judith has not as yet seen any slowdown in the insatiable demand for property and expansion of development that she and Mick have witnessed first-hand on Phillip Island.

Greg Price is a Director with agents Alex Scott and Staff who has known Judith for twenty years.

“Jude was a tough competitor, but always fair,” he states.

“She worked hard and would always go that extra mile. It didn’t matter what time of the day it was, if she had a buyer that wanted to see a property, she was available to show it and see it.”

Greg remembers Judith making an instant impact on the real estate industry on Phillip Island.

“It seems to be busier than ever today,” she observes.

“From the day the green and gold sign appeared, it was different. The service and style that Jude provided immediately raised the bar across the district. She and Mick were successful because they had a vision of how they wanted to do things, and were willing to work very hard and put in the long hours,” he comments.

“The growth will just keep going, depending on what the Council allows in its planning decisions.

I can remember thirty years ago people were saying there’s no more land on Phillip Island, but they certainly found it.”

“Judith was great for our industry. She kept everyone on their toes and her marketing and promotion helped the area grow. I always knew if I was going up against Jude for a listing that I had to be one hundred per cent on my game.”

In her retirement years, Judith can justifiably look back on her career with great satisfaction and pride, knowing she earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and competitors on Phillip Island.

Judith Wright Stockdale & Leggo General Manager, Josh Dunstan appreciates the guidance he received from his early mentor in real estate.

Peter Buitenhuis joined Judith Wright Real Estate in late 1999 and is now CEO of Judith Wright Stockdale & Leggo.

“I got to know Judith very well in my time with her and always found her to be very hard working, tenacious and full of energy. Other qualities which come foremost to mind when describing Judith are honesty and integrity,” he says.

“Judith had tremendous pride in what she developed in the business. She lived and breathed her work, which of course is part of the reason why she did so well.”

As Peter explains, Judith’s standing in the community was so strong that the business continued as Judith Wright Real Estate after her retirement and her name has maintained its profile and presence through Judith Wright Stockdale & Leggo since the two companies merged in 2011.

“Judith had developed a name on Phillip Island through her strong work ethic and the professionalism of her business. She was associated with prestigious properties and had captured a niche in the market,” Peter says.

“Judith’s name was embedded in the community and it was felt that it should carry on beyond her retirement. When the merger with Stockdale & Leggo occurred it was felt that all the benefits and goodwill that came with the name Judith Wright were too good to let go.”

“Judith employed me as a trainee salesperson in 2008, with a previous career in agriculture and no sales experience, but she gave me a chance and I haven’t looked back since,” Josh says.

“I still remember and abide by her advice to ‘always be honest and be yourself’. As a person, she is a very caring soul, but strong when she needed to be. If it wasn’t for Judith I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make such a successful career in real estate and been able to live and raise my family in such a fantastic part of the world. I owe this all to Judith giving me a chance ten years ago.”

Images by Nici Marshall

Judith Wright

Phillip Island | 150 years

15

LONGEST SERVING REAL ESTATE AGENCY ON PHILLIP ISLAND IN 150 YEARS!

With 25+ years of business experience and respect on Phillip Island, our two agencies - Judith Wright Real Estate and Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate merged together in 2011 to create the largest real estate team on Phillip Island and surrounding areas.

Specialising in real estate sales, permanent and holiday rentals, commercial sales and leasing as well as body corporate management.

Our dedicated, experienced and professional team, led by industry stalwart Peter Buitenhuis and newly appointed general manager Joshua Dunstan, are renowned for their consistently outstanding results and commitment to delivering exacting standards of excellence for their clients. This has seen us set the pace within the industry, becoming the best performing agency in the Phillip Island region and the number 1 office for the Stockdale and Leggo group nationwide for the past two years.

We pride ourselves on our core values Quality, Loyalty, Professionalism, Dedication and Integrity.

This helps us attract the very best people in real estate and helps us uphold our motto ‘When Quality Counts’.

54 Thompson Ave, Cowes (03) 5952 5100 www.stockdaleleggo.com.au/cowes

Spurgebusters working bee to remove Sea Spurge from the beach west of Justice Road, Cowes

Swan Lake Path

P H I L L I P I S L A N D C O N S E R VAT I O N S O C I E T Y Red Rocks Coastcare working bee - ready for planting

An Island Worth Conserving A history of the Phillip Island Conservation Society 1968-2008 Christine Grayden

The Phillip Island Conservation Society (PICS) was formed in 1968 in response to a proposal to turn the Rhyll Inlet (then known as “The Nits”) into a marina. Many locals and holiday home owners were appalled at this proposal and banded together to stop it. The result of this campaign is “Conservation Hill”, a block of land which was to be part of the marina development, and which PICS members bought with Victorian government assistance to make a public reserve and stop development completely.

Having begun, PICS continued, firstly by forming a plan to revegetate the water reserve of Swan Lake. This major project included much weed removal and planting of native species. In those days no one thought about indigenous species, so members planted whatever native species they could get. What started as a paddock full of gorse around a lake is now a richly vegetated haven for bush birds, wallabies, reptiles and echidnas, along with many types of water birds.

Over the years PICS has been involved in many trips to VCAT in order to try and stop inappropriate development, or to negotiate with developers for better outcomes for the island’s environment.

PICS auspices several groups, including Red Rocks Coastcare, Saltwater Creek Coastcare, the Preserve Western Port Action group and Friends of Scenic Estate Reserve. PICS has been involved with revegetating the Red Rocks area for many years, and quickly jumped on board when Coast Action began in the mid-1990s. Work there has included weed control, revegetation and the planning of a series of beach access staircases which has involved getting a number of grants to employ contractors to do the work. PICS works closely with Bass Coast Shire Council environment staff with both our Coastcare groups, and also with the Phillip Island Nature Parks and Parks Victoria at the Scenic Estate Reserve.

The book An Island Worth Conserving: a history of the Phillip Island Conservation Society 19682008 was written by PICS member Christine Grayden and several other members, and won the Collaborative/Community section of the Victorian Community History Awards.

That book commemorated the society’s 40th birthday. This year for the 50th birthday, Christine edited a book called Women in Conservation on Phillip Island, which included chapters by 23 women or their families if they are deceased.

Over the years, PICS has been involved in many environmental campaigns on Phillip Island: Saltwater Creek; the Nobbies; Isle of Wight; Western Port; the Grand Prix circuit to name a few. PICS has also had representatives on various committees such as the Penguin Reserve Committee of Management, the Phillip Island Nature Parks board and community advisory committee, council committees and also councillors.

Women in Conservation on Phillip Island Christine Grayden

The book was produced with assistance from a Bass Coast Shire Council community grant.

PICS feels it is important for community volunteer groups to celebrate their milestones in this way.

With a dedicated committee and strong membership, PICS intends to continue defending Phillip Island’s environment well into the future.

Words & Images supplied

by Christine Grayden Street stall held each summer to give out environmental information

PICS members celebrating the first staircase at Red Rocks

Phillip Island | 150 years

17

Last Supper

Retirement is on the menu for renowned Phillip Island restaurateur Harry Schmidt.

Words: Chris West If you haven’t yet experienced the culinary talents of Phillip Island’s own master chef, Harry Schmidt, time is running out. In a move that will surprise and sadden his many devoted customers, Harry is preparing to hang up his chef’s hat and bring his days and nights in the kitchen at Harry’s on the Esplanade to an end.

Seeking to take life easier after the demands of a long and successful career in the industry in both Australia and native homeland Germany, Harry recently decided to list his business for sale.

“I’m ready to put my feet up,” he says.

“It might take a while for a sale to go through.

Customers who want to have one last meal here at Harry’s should have a bit of time yet.”

Harry’s on the Esplanade at Cowes has become a dining institution on Phillip Island, with a reputation for sublime seafood and local meats on a menu that changes every second day. The restaurant also boasts amazing panoramic ocean views from its expansive open air balcony.

Harry is the heart and soul of the business and it will not seem the same if and when his name disappears from the premises.

With his family all living locally, Harry can see no reason to leave Phillip Island after the sale eventuates.

“My wife Kerstin and I have our two sons and our grandkids here. I’m not sure what I’ll do exactly after I sell the restaurant, but I’ll probably stay involved in this industry in some way,” he suggests.

Harry has a fascinating life story. To put it in culinary terms, he’s enjoyed the entrée, the main course and the dessert. As a child, Harry grew up in western Germany near the French border.

At the age of seventeen, he began three years of training to become a chef in the Black Forest region.

“That training provided a good base and prepared me well for my future career,” Harry recalls.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

After gaining valuable experience working in Germany, at the age of 26 in 1984, Harry decided to make a new home in Australia for Kerstin and himself and their first born child Marco, who was 18-months-old at that time. Kerstin later gave birth to their second son, Seb, after emigrating to Australia.

“We made an Aussie,’ he says.

Harry had a burning ambition when he made the brave decision to create his future in a new country so far from his homeland.

“Before I came here to Australia, my aim was to be a restaurateur. Eighteen months later I had my own restaurant,” he reflects.

After arriving in his new homeland and finding a sponsor, Harry initially settled and worked in Mornington, but was restless and unfulfilled. After three months he went to Melbourne and worked under Herman Schneider at Two Faces in Darling Street, South Yarra.

“Two Faces was one of the best restaurants in Melbourne at that time, but unfortunately Herman and I clashed. He was Swiss, I was German,” Harry recalls.

After leaving Two Faces, Harry then went to The Willows in St Kilda Road, where he was quickly promoted from 2nd Chef to Head Chef after just one month.

One year later, Harry’s ambition of running his own establishment was realised when he was given the opportunity to lease a property in Barkly Street, Mornington which had been converted from an Anglican church into a restaurant. In preparation he returned briefly to Germany to purchase and ship back a container load of equipment supplies for the venture, which operated then under the name of The Old Mornington Restaurant when Harry was involved, but today is known as Gods Kitchen.

Harry found running his own business hard at first.

“I still had to adjust to the language back then.

It was difficult in those early days. The business was also price driven rather than food driven at that time.”

Harry held ambitions for his establishment to gain a reputation for quality and excellence.

“I had finished off at a two Michelin star restaurant in Germany and wanted my own business to be up market,” he states.

Harry continued to operate The Old Mornington Restaurant for 8½ years until the recession hit in 1990. His plans changed dramatically at that time and he travelled back to Germany to buy equipment to open a bakery/pie shop and established premises for his new enterprise in Main Street, Mornington.

Phillip Island | 150 years

19

Chef James Spencer with Harry Schmidt “I operated the bakery for about five years and opened another restaurant in Mornington. Rather than close the bakery, I kept it going and ran the two businesses simultaneously for some time,” he says.

Then in 2003, Harry saw an opportunity and made the decision to shift his business focus from the Mornington Peninsula to Phillip Island.

“Phillip Island offered a great seaside location, and foodwise, nothing was happening here back then. At Mornington, I was stuck in my kitchen all the time. I saw a lot of potential benefits in making the change,” he recalls.

Harry started Bistro 115 on top of the hill in Thompson Avenue. The restaurant is today known as the Fig and Olive.

“I wanted to buy it, but the Italian owner didn’t want to sell. He let me rent it instead, but we had an agreement that when I found something down here that I could own myself I would be moving,” he remembers.

While he was running Bistro 115, Harry built a home on Phillip Island which was completed in 2004. The following year, he identified the ideal site for his own restaurant on The Esplanade at Cowes overlooking the beach just to the western side of the jetty. The premises, which had previously operated as Carmichael’s Restaurant, had been empty for over a year when they came up for sale by auction.

“There were one hundred and twenty people at the auction and I faced strong competition in the bidding, but in the end I managed to purchase it,” Harry reflects.

“The local people here were happy that I acquired it. They knew from experience that they’d get good food from me.”

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Harry had things in place at his new premises within a fortnight of getting the keys to the property.

Harry has had to rely largely on the help of his family, including wife and sons, to staff his restaurant.

“One night we just rolled the fridge down the main street and moved in here,” he says.

“Most of the businesses that are sustainable around here are family businesses,” he suggests.

Harry’s on the Esplanade had arrived and ever since opening its doors has become a favourite place to dine on Phillip Island. The restaurant is open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday, with sufficient space to seat 180 patrons comfortably or extend to 200 if necessary.

But there have been some dependable employees along the journey. When Harry started Bistro 115 on Phillip Island in 2003, he bought half of his staff over from Mornington with him.

Since coming to Phillip Island, Harry also found a very loyal staff member in James Spencer, who started as a kitchen hand at Bistro 115 and now works alongside his boss as first chef at Harry’s on the Esplanade.

Harry favours sourcing mostly local produce for his menu wherever practical. His regular suppliers include the local butcher at Ventnor and local fishermen from San Remo, Port Franklin and Rhyll.

Also, Harry now has a licence to buy direct off the local fishing boats, which ensures he can serve up the freshest of catches.

“I can take a delivery of fish at 7pm and it will be on the plate by 8pm,” he states.

“James came out from England and knocked on my door asking for a job,” Harry recalls.

“He was persistent and kept coming back twice a day until I took him. James did his apprenticeship under me and is still with me today. He has matured into a fine chef and will stay on here after I finish up.”

Behind closed doors, Harry uses his versatile skills to ensure more hands-on preparation is done in his kitchen than many other restaurants.

He bones his own meat, bakes his own bread and makes his own ice-cream.

Whilst Harry’s on the Esplanade may be at its busiest during the summer holiday season, a combination of small tour groups and visitors from Melbourne, along with loyal local customers help keep the business ticking over outside the peak periods.

“My old man was a butcher. He showed me how to make a sausage, so my German sausage has been on my menu since the Mornington days. I still have customers coming here from Mornington asking for it,” he says.

There are many demands on Harry’s time even when the doors to the restaurant are closed. On Mondays he is busy ordering and catching up with paperwork. Sometimes on his day off he takes trips to the country to find new suppliers.

As a boss, Harry admits to having been a hard task master in his restaurants and has found it a struggle to get reliable staff.

Also, in what has become a weekly ritual for Harry, he has driven to the fish market in Melbourne and back to Phillip Island every Thursday the past twenty-five years.

“They tend to see it as a job rather than a profession. A lot of young people start out in hospitality and never finish,” he says.

harry schmidt

“I leave at 2.30am and am back on the island at 11am and work until 10pm,” he says.

The vast majority of diners are oblivious to all the work that has gone into putting the food on their plates.

Harry believes that the recent explosion of popularity of cooking-based shows on television has created some unrealistic expectations amongst customers.

“Everyone now thinks they’re an expert. It makes it difficult at times. Social media is another outlet for criticisms and jealousy, but some people do also use it to make positive comments,” he states.

So what has kept him going?

Harry is not motivated by awards or personal accolades.

But the time has come for Harry to put himself and his family first. His remarkable career in the kitchen may be just about cooked, but it undoubtedly has been done to perfection.

“I’m past all that. In my young days back in Germany, I cooked for the German President and national soccer team as well as doing many big events,” he says.

“My motivation has come from my customers.

They keep telling me to stay here and not sell,” he comments.

Images by Nici Marshall

Phillip Island | 150 years

21

GREG PRICE WITH STAFF MEMBER JULIE ANDERSON

REAL ESTATE AND LIVESTOCK SALES SINCE 1886

By Wendy Morriss

ALEX SCOTT ESTABLISHED HIS COMPANY, NOW KNOWN AS ALEX SCOTT AND STAFF, IN 1886 IN THE PIONEERING DISTRICTS OF GIPPSLAND. From 1931, the Alex Scott company was managed by his son Stewart Scott whose motto was ‘Success through Service’, which has served the company ever since. Stewart was well respected by his staff and clients and saw the expansion of the company and the celebration of its centenary in 1986. After Stewart died in 1988, Bruce Gibson, who was one of Alex Scott’s grandsons, became the company manager.

In 1993, the company became Alex Scott and Staff to form a board of directors with Bruce Gibson as chairman and to provide staff with the opportunity to acquire a shareholding.

Greg Price, the present director of Alex Scott and Staff Real Estate in Cowes has worked for the company for the last 20 years. He said Alex Scott and Staff has a very strong real estate presence right throughout Gippsland, which is what the company is best known for to the general public, but they also run a very big livestock marketing business. The Cowes, Berwick, Grantville, Lang Lang, Venus Bay and Inverloch offices deal primarily in real estate, while the Pakenham, Wonthaggi, Korumburra, Warragul and Leongatha offices are very busy with livestock sales as well.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

“The company sells in Pakenham, Warragul and Koonwarra livestock selling centres and do a lot of over the hooks and paddock livestock sales with a very big dairy section run by Neil Darby, Kevin Young and the team at the Warragul office,” he said.

Greg, who now works with real estate, started his career as a livestock agent. He left school when he was 15 years old to work on his family’s farm, while completing an agricultural apprenticeship and working part-time as a rebate agent for The Victorian Producers’ Co-operative Company Limited (VPC). “It was a part-time contracting job that involved canvassing for livestock, drafting cattle for clients and marking lambs and calves.”

The family farm at Ventnor on Phillip Island, initially produced 1000 first cross (border Leicester/ merino) ewes and lambs and later produced cows and calves. “My father was a racehorse trainer and ran a full-time business with staff, training racehorses around Gippsland, and I looked after the farm until my mid-30s.”

In ‘96, Greg started working full time for VPC based in Korumburra until the company was

taken over by Elders. “I couldn’t see a future with Elders for me personally,” he said. “Alex Scott was a competitor company but one that I had always respected. They were very well thought of in the industry and had an enormous reputation for being straight up and down. Bill Atherton, who was manager at the Wonthaggi office, approached me on the day of the last sale at the Dandenong Market to join Alex Scott and Staff, and I did in 1998.”

He said the real estate office in Wonthaggi had been established for a long time. “When I started with the company, I had my Agents Representative ticket so I was asked to sell properties and I sold a few to people on the Island. The sales grew quickly so the Cowes office was opened in 2000 and I became a director and shareholder.”

Alex Scott as a real estate and livestock company has always been Gippsland based and started around Korumburra. They sold and marked livestock on Phillip Island for farmers from the beginning in 1886. “Sales occurred around every small town in Gippsland from Dalyston to Loch,” Greg said.

ALEX SCOTT STAFF AT THE COWES OFFICE

ALEX SCOTT

ALEX SCOTT’S OFFICE AT DANDENONG MARKET

BRUCE GIBSON

Phillip Island | 150 years

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ALEX SCOTT AUCTIONEERS AT WONTHAGGI SALEYARDS IN 1967

“Every little town had saleyards including Cowes, which were near where the Phillip Island Football Oval is now.

“Alex Scott, the man himself would come to Phillip Island with his team and run the livestock sales.

The animals were put on the ferry to go to Stoney Point or they’d go across on the punt to San Remo, and then they were yarded at Anderson for the railway. The company ran regular sales on Phillip Island until the saleyards closed around the time of the Second World War. Throughout those times the company also ran clearing sales for farmers. I can remember my dad talking about old Alex Scott running the dairy clearing sale at Jones’s old family farm on the Ventnor Road.

“During the 50s and 60s when a lot of subdivisions came through on the Island, the company were marketing and selling farms for farmers. When Churchill Island was sold out of private hands from long-time owner Sister Campbell, Alex Scott ran the auction in the San Remo Hall, which is now gone.”

Greg said the ‘Staff’ in Alex Scott and Staff is incredibly important to them. “We are a staff shareholding company so we are all in it together and we have a history of people that have been with the company for a long time. Our CEO Paul Dunlop has been with the company for 40 years and Neil Darby even longer and Clive Walkinshaw worked out of the Warragul office for 60 years.

THE OLD DANDENONG MARKET, LOCATED IN THE MAIN STREET ON THE EAST SIDE OF LONSDALE STREET

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Phillip Island | 150 years

The company has also served some families for five generations and has a proud association with community groups, sporting clubs and festivals through sponsorship, including the ‘Alex Scott and Staff Woolamai Cup’.

“We are very much about where we live and we like being a part of that,” he said. “The company is a community business and it’s an important philosophy.”

Photograpy by Wendy Morriss Black and White Images supplied courtesy of Greg Price, Alex Scott & Staff, Cowes

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Phillip Island | 150 years

25

PHILLIP ISLAND’S HELICOPTERS

By Wendy Morriss

An item everyone should have on their bucket list is a scenic flight over Phillip Island’s splendid natural beauty in a Phillip Island Helicopter. The multi-award winning tourism enterprise with exceptional pilots and intimate knowledge of the area, provide visitors with an exhilarating and breathtaking experience through a unique aerial perspective of the islands spectacular landscape.

The business is owned and operated by Gary Morrison, who leases the airport, and Chief Pilot Ian Batton. Gary deals with many of the financial aspects while Ian owns the business name and the Air Operating Certificate (OAC) that the helicopters operate under according to Federal aviation laws or CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) regulations.

“It’s a shared business,” Ian said. “Gary flies in at times from his base at Tooradin Airport, while I take care of the business on a day to day basis.”

Lauren Mitchell and Ian Batton

The Bell JetRanger in the air

Phillip Island Helicopters first opened for business at Newhaven in December 2005. Prior to that, the airfield was used for aeroplanes and had been closed for six months. Ian said he and Gary first flew to the site from Tooradin with new pilot Steve Peppard and landed the helicopter in tall grass.

“We wandered around, worried about snakes and potholes, and we had to cut through bushes to get to the front door. Inside the office building, there were rat droppings and spider webs but we thought it was a great location. Within 15 minutes of landing, someone pulled into the driveway and wanted to go for a helicopter flight. I didn’t really know the area but I took them up for about 10 minutes and they absolutely loved it. It was our first flight and we knew we had a business.”

Gary and Ian became partners and Steve was given the job of operations manager. The three ran the business with one small helicopter and Ian said every dollar they made went back into buying paint, sand paper, wood, lawn mower and whipper snipper. “We just worked on beautifying the place and we started with the front office.”

Lauren Mitchell, who has worked for Phillip Island Helicopters for the last ten years said she started part time and Steve taught her how to take care of the advertising, marketing and how to look after the books. She is now sales and marketing manager

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Phillip Island | 150 years

and Dave Dodson is now the operations manager, a position he took over after Steve moved on to other employment in 2015.

“The business has grown from a staff of two, to a staff of ten,” Lauren said, “which includes five fulltime pilots, a part-time female pilot who is also our safety officer and another part-time female Chinese/ English speaking pilot.

“Last year we flew out 12,000 passengers mostly on scenic flights, which is our core business.

We now partner with Phillip Island Nature Parks and fly many international tour groups that come onto the island in buses. Most are Chinese, which is why we have a Chinese/English speaking pilot.

She has enabled us to put together a Chinese commentary that we play through the headsets in the helicopter. We always think the views speak for themselves but it is an added bonus and they really appreciate it.”

The company conducts seven different scenic flights ranging from eight minutes to 42 minutes with prices ranging from $85 a flight to $420. They also offer several ‘Heli Adventures’ combined with other tourist attractions. The helicopters can be chartered to fly to various locations throughout Gippsland or to Melbourne.

The helicopter fleet comprises a Bell 206 JetRanger that seats four passengers and two Robinson 44, three-passenger helicopters that are very good for scenic work because everyone has a window seat.

Ian said the Robinson helicopters are very reliable and they have a service regime that is dictated by the manufacturer and the regulators. After every 2200 hours, the helicopter is rebuilt at a cost

Bell 206 JetRanger that seats four passengers

Dave Dodson in the Bell JetRanger

of around 400,000 dollars. The Bell JetRanger operates under a different regime and has ongoing maintenance that still costs about the same over 2000 hours.

Both types of helicopters are very safe to fly in and flying in wind is not a problem. In a 10 to 15 knot headwind the rotor becomes more efficient and they need less power to lift off, and because the blades are able to flap, the fuselage doesn’t rock

An early start with (L) Chief Pilot Ian Batton, pilots Pete Siktar, Jonno Grimes and Operations Manager, Dave Dodson

about as it would in a plane. The only thing that really stops them flying is fog, low cloud or heavy rain, which isn’t often.

Ian said their staff are trained to a very high standard and the company continually takes on newly qualified commercial pilots to give more of them a chance in the industry. “When they first arrive, they spend about two to three months learning about the area and our procedures before

they fly. Then after a few years with us, they move on with more skills to other areas of flying. We are very proud of the many pilots who are now flying all over Australia and other parts of the world that started at Phillip Island.”

Ian has been flying helicopters for 25 years accumulating thousands of hours through fighting Victoria’s bushfires and rescuing stranded sailors in far north Queensland to surveying power lines in

Inside a Robinson helicopter

Phillip Island | 150 years

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PHILLIP ISLAND’S HELICOPTERS Western Australia. He is a dedicated professional who believes in maintaining a high level of pilot proficiency and safety.

Lauren said he has an excellent reputation in the aviation industry for training pilots and many actually seek to come here for that reason. Phillip Island also has diverse conditions for flight training.

Before each flight, the pilots give passengers a safety briefing, which is dictated by CASA. They are instructed to always walk to the front of the helicopter and walk away from the front because the dangerous part of it is the tail rotor, which when spinning is nearly impossible to see and fairly unforgiving.

Contrary to popular belief, helicopters do glide.

If the engine stops, the rotor will keep spinning.

All pilots are trained to deal with a variety of circumstances and the advantage a helicopter has if there is an engine failure, is it doesn’t need the area a plane does to land. They can be put down in a car park or someone’s back yard if necessary.

Future plans for the business is managing growth and building new premises and facilities on a threehectare site that has been purchased opposite the current location.

Photography by Wendy Morriss

Pilots Jonno Grimes and Pete Siktar in front of a Robinson three-passenger helicopter Cape Woolamai and San Remo

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Phillip Island | 150 years

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Phillip Island | 150 years

29

P HILLIP I SLAN D RSL

by Brendan Black

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Businesses constantly need to adapt to keep up with consumer demand, and the Phillip Island RSL, which has undergone many changes since it opened in the 1930s, is certainly no exception. Having moved several times due to fire or lack of space, it has existed in its present location since 1996, and has been further developed several more times since.

The RSL has become a haven for locals and tourists wanting a great meal or relaxed drink in a family-oriented bistro.

Due to customer feedback, it was decided to turn an outside area normally used as overflow for the bistro into a section for adults only, where they could meet and mingle after work, for a pre-dinner drink, or for casual dining, away from other distractions. And thus The Terrace was born.

The Terrace was opened on December 8th 2017 and features bar and long tables and luxurious couches, with each section identified not by a number but a different part of Phillip Island, such as Red Rocks or Sunderland Bay. As one might expect, the dĂŠcor leans heavily towards a beach theme and the entire area has a different look and feel to the rest of the bistro.

The Terrace has already become very popular with patrons, who've loved its overall ambience, the modern furnishing and table service, and particularly with females, who’ve appreciated a safe and welcoming environment to partake in a cocktail or cool drink over summer.

Phillip island RSL is a great place in which to relax, have a nice drink, and enjoy the bistro’s signature, mouthwatering eye-fillet steak. Open every day until late.

The Terrace is open Monday to Friday from 4pm and weekends from noon.

Phillip Island | 150 years

31

OUTSTANDING ISLAND SCHOOL MAKES HISTORY

BY WENDY MORRISS

NEWHAVEN COLLEGE, A MAGNIFICENT CONTEMPORARY LEARNING CENTRE SITUATED IN PHILLIP ISLAND ROAD, IS CELEBRATING AN HISTORIC YEAR AS THEIR TWO CAMPUSES CAME TOGETHER AS ONE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO ACCOMMODATE YEAR PREP TO YEAR 12 STUDENTS.

Senior students were welcomed at the first assembly of the year that concluded with a student guard of honour leading them to their new, state of the art senior learning centre.

The new Senior School designed by Hayball architects and built by local company DAS Constructions is stylish, high-tech and functional with a fully equipped lecture theatre, specialist rooms, meeting rooms, classrooms, a student support area, student common areas and staff facilities.

The school overall is a beautiful place with a calm, relaxing, natural environment, dedicated, caring staff, attractive modern buildings, exceptional facilities, complete with resident pets, native flora and fauna and close to the sea.

School Principal Gea Lovell, is endearing, welcoming and proud of the school. “It’s just a lovely place to be,” she said. “It’s the morale, the staff, the supportive relationships between students and teachers, how the students support each other and the respect that they show to everyone."

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Phillip Island | 150 years

School Captain, Aaron Fraser in an outdoor learning area with junior students

Gea has served the school as principal for the last seven years after previously working in a leadership role at Wesley College in Melbourne.

She said Newhaven College is part of the Victorian Ecumenical System of Schools; it’s based on Christian values but embraces all faiths. It encompasses three sub schools to take students seamlessly from Year Prep to Year 12.

“Junior School is Prep to Year 4, Middle School is Year 5 to 9 and Senior School is Year 10 to 12 and they all have their own areas. Year 9 is in the Environmental Centre at the back of the school with beautiful views overlooking Westernport Bay. We run special programs there with a lot of hands on experiential learning.”

The new Senior School gives Year 10 to 12 students a space of their own to pursue the more academic levels.

Areas have been set aside in the building where they can go for private study or free time.

“They tend to gravitate to where they feel comfortable, which is what we hoped. Sometimes we’ll see a few students working on their own or a few together around tables."

“Outside the building we have spaces with outdoor furniture where a class can work. A lot of our students like working outside and if they are working on something like an essay, they can ask to go outside and still be in sight of their teachers."

“The students all have assemblies together, they do activities together and there’s a lot of integration as well, so we have senior students working with junior students at times when they are free.”

Roaming freely around outside and inside the buildings are the school’s two Labrador dogs – Rosie and Goldie. “They are really helper dogs.

Initially one came with a teacher who had a disabled child in the school. Rosie is well trained and Goldie is still learning.

They wander through assemblies and through the school and go home with teachers. At the school we also keep poultry and the Year 4 students take care of them.”

Large outdoor spaces around the campus with many native plantings seem to also be a home for wildlife. “Yes, we have various native animals including wallabies, echidnas, hares and birds including spoonbills. To protect the wildlife we are building a wetland on part of the campus to provide more habitat and water.”

She said they keep planting in different areas and involve the students. “We have three groups working at the moment, that have come up with a plan of what they want to do and I’ll have a meeting with them about the areas they want to develop.” The school also boasts sustainable practices, has a vegetable garden and collects its own water that is stored in water tanks, and recycles waste water.

Newhaven College has come a long way since its inception 38 years ago in Boy’s Home Road with 51 Year 7 and 8 students.

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NEWHAVEN COLLEGE

School Principal Gea Lovell with 2018 School Captains [image supplied by Newhaven College]

The school now has over 900 students that are able to access a high-quality education in an attractive, caring environment with outstanding buildings and facilities, and dedicated professionals that value the uniqueness of each and every student.

The construction of a two court indoor stadium and gymnasium is already underway with completion of that component scheduled for mid-2018, followed closely by outdoor soccer pitches, an all-weather hockey pitch and multisport courts.

Plans for the school’s future development include a significant building project.

Photography by Wendy Morriss

Senior students Scout Greenhalgh and Isley Eberbach outside the new Senior Learning Centre

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Phillip Island | 150 years

35

Panny and his wife Prema in their retail section

PANNY'S Sweet Island Treat

LIKE MANY PEOPLE, PANNY LETCHUMANAN LOVES CHOCOLATE AND THERE’S LITTLE HE DOESN’T KNOW ABOUT THE DELECTABLE SUBJECT. HE LIVES AND WORKS WITH HIS FAMILY AT NEWHAVEN WHERE HE PRODUCES A FINE, HIGH QUALITY CHOCOLATE WITH A LOW SUGAR CONTENT THAT IS SATISFYING IN SMALL AMOUNTS.

By Wendy Morriss

“You should not want a large amount of chocolate that needs to be chewed but a small amount that melts in your mouth,” he said.

Panny has lived in Newhaven since 2005 when he set up his family business Panny’s Chocolate Factory that now includes a chocolate café and a unique chocolate exhibition.

He is originally from Klang, Malaysia where he worked as an engineer and then later as an engineer and manager in a cocoa and coconut plantation. From the age of 28 years, he travelled and worked overseas before finally settling in New Guinea where he worked in another cocoa and coconut plantation as a plantation manager and then as chief engineer.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

He explained that the reason the two crops are grown together is because the cocoa plants need shade. “Initially we plant gliricidia trees as temporary shade and then we plant coconut trees. In three or four years, when the coconut trees grow to the height that’s needed to give the cocoa enough shade, we remove the gliricidia trees and it becomes a cocoa and coconut plantation producing a double crop on the same land.”

Panny’s interest in chocolate developed quite incidentally while he was working in New Guinea.

He said New Guinea is not a very stable country and it was dangerous to go anywhere away from the plantation after 5 o’clock. It was also about 60 kilometres from the nearest town, which was Lae, so they had to stay at home. “There

were times when my wife and children would go back to Malaysia to study so I was alone during the evenings,” he said. “I had the cocoa beans to myself and a book from England about how to make chocolate so I used to read it and experiment with chocolate making.

“I never had any intention of making chocolate but because it was available to me and I am a little bit of a curious guy, I experimented. I will admit I was a chocoholic then. I loved chocolate and I used to buy a lot whenever I went back to Malaysia at Singapore Airport. I made some crude chocolate but at the time, it was just for knowledge.”

After spending 15 years in New Guinea, he said they wanted to move elsewhere. Their children were in an international school so they couldn’t

Cocoa beans Keith Tucker, Panny and Geoff Moed outside the chocolate factory after the chocolate tour was established in 2008

go back to Malaysia because of the language barrier so they came to Australia. The family moved earlier in 98 and then Panny moved in 2000. “I came on a business visa so I had to start a business or buy an existing business within six to 10 months. That was the visa condition.

Sanctuary and established a chocolate factory.

“We did very well there but the lease ran out and the building was wanted because it belonged to the National Trust of Queensland, so we had to look elsewhere and Phillip Island is the place we found. "

Later they decided to add a tour of the chocolate factory. “Many people don’t know that chocolate comes from a plant product so we wanted to add an educational tour that showed the making of chocolate beginning with the cocoa tree and the cocoa bean,” Panny said.

We never thought about chocolate, but a chocolate shop came on the market in Kirra on the Gold Coast in Queensland. When we took it over, it had one chocolate machine so we bought two more and put windows around them to show people how chocolate was made.”

"WE MOVED TO NEWHAVEN IN 2005 AND WE LOVE IT HERE, WE LOVE THE WEATHER AND IT’S SO GOOD FOR CHOCOLATE MAKING.”

They engaged a consultant from a company called Megafun who showed them an educational tour and then an interactive gallery that was more like a theme park inside, so in their tour they incorporated a chocolate waterfall, a chocolate village, a robot that gives you a chocolate and a chocolate art gallery.

He said after six months, business started to decline because the road became a sub road and they couldn’t be seen, so in 2002, they moved to a building in the car park at Currumbin Wild Life

They purchased the café and then applied for a licence for the chocolate factory but it took 12 months to get council approval so they opened in 2006.

“We had free entry but then we had to put a price on it because it cost a million and a half dollars to set it up. I didn’t have the money so the

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PANNY'S SWEET ISLAND TREAT Megafun director, Keith tucker became a partner.

The landlord, Geoff Moed became one as well. We had one-third share each and since opening the tour in 2008, we have had a very good response.”

Panny and his family have the café, the chocolate manufacturing and retail business and a third share in the tour business.

After many years of hard work, researching and experimenting with different ways of making chocolate, Panny said he has ended up with a nice good brand of chocolate bringing the best material from Belgium where they do the best with their own recipe.

The Chocolate Factory today

He said numbers added in the ingredients of commercial chocolate constitute the composition of emulsifiers, which are added to stabilise it because chocolate has cocoa butter. “You have to have emulsifier to bind it all together and it also acts as a preservative. The numbers in ingredients represent an animal fat or vegetable fat but don’t stipulate which is which, so we removed all the uncertain things because if we put a number nobody knows what it is. We wanted to be more specific so consumers know what they are eating and buy it with confidence. Then they recommend it to others and come back for more. The emulsifier we use is soy lecithin, which is a natural soy product.”

The Chocolate factory

He said normally when anyone talks about chocolate, it’s milk chocolate. “It’s because white chocolate is cocoa butter, milk and sugar, there is no cocoa in it, and dark chocolate is 54, 72 or 80 per cent cocoa so there are three or four different varieties but it’s milk chocolate we talk about. The maximum cocoa content of any milk chocolate on the market is always between 28 and 33 per cent, but we have 40 per cent. More cocoa solids have more antioxidants, which is good for your heart.

Then we add the cocoa butter, which gives it the creaminess and smoothness. Normally it is 11 per cent but we have 18 per cent, any more than that and the chocolate would be wobbly. When you add this and the cocoa powder, the sugar content becomes less so we have 10 per cent less sugar, so our milk chocolate has a very slight bitter taste to it. But it means one or two pieces will sustain you without the sugar craving that encourages you to eat a whole block.”

He said the best way to eat chocolate is not to chew it and eat it like food. “Chocolate is not a staple food, it’s a luxury item that you want to enjoy when you are not happy or when you are really happy, after dinner or when you want to have something a little bit sweet. It still has fat and sugar so it’s generally not healthy, except the cocoa content, which is good for you, so it should be eaten moderately. If you leave a piece of our chocolate in your mouth in 40 seconds, it should melt. Once it melts, your whole mouth is full of chocolate and you can enjoy it.”

Panny’s Chocolate Factory is a family business run

by Panny and his wife Prema Krishnasamy with help from their eldest daughter.

“Mark Manteit who was the CEO of the Phillip Island Wildlife Park gave me the lease here. He is the first angel that helped me get on my feet.

Another is the landlord Geoff Moed who helped me do the car park, the sewer system and helped with some of the building costs. The other one is Keith Tucker who came in without any doubts to become the third shareholder of the tour business.

They all had a simple trust in me and now it is giving us a good dividend.”

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Inside the chocolate gallery

Inside the chocolate café

Located in the main shopping centre in Cowes, Kids Play Toys is filled with gorgeous wooden toys, heirloom dolls and soft toys, a wide variety of quality art & craft activities and a great range of STEM based toys and activities. With a store layout that is inviting and free flowing, you will enjoy browsing, reminiscing, and selecting well thought out gifts for your loved ones and cherished friends. Staff are very knowledgeable on their products and offer you their expertise in selecting the perfect items. Be sure to put them on your list to visit, you will be glad you did.

SHOP 5, COWES SHOPPING CENTRE | 119 THOMPSON AVE, COWES, VICTORIA, 3922 | P: 03 5909 0030 | E: shop@kidsplaytoys.com.au find us on Facebook

www.kidsplaytoys.com.au

find us on Instagram

Phillip Island | 150 years

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Big-hearted old-school crew Words + Images by Ruth Williams

Owners, Jason and Sam Hampstead, in front of an array of their custom designed clothing and original prints.

Jason and Sam Hampstead have graduated from the school of hard knocks with big hearts and a determined outlook.

Jason, an ex-Australian Army Serviceman, was medically discharged from the army with a back injury that resulted in severe spinal nerve damage.

In immense pain, unable to stand for long periods he returned to civilian life a changed man. The now ex-soldier became the manager of a multistorey car park in Melbourne.

Jason, who has had folios full of drawings since he was 16 years old and made a living as a tattoo artist before joining the army, would diligently sketch during any down time at the car park. When Jason met Sam, she eagerly encouraged him to put his folio designs on t-shirts and provided the initial outlay to start printing stock. Jason took the plunge and began selling merchandise featuring his designs, from the boot of his car in the car park. When interest peaked, and he couldn’t keep up with demand, the idea was hatched to open a store. Jason then relocated to Phillip Island, where Sam was living at the time and they established the Dead4Eva Designs shop, opening during the Superbike weekend in 2016.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

The label name of Dead4Eva Designs came about through a philosophy taught to Jason – once you’re dead, you’re dead forever. He takes this as a call to live life to the fullest while you can, to completely be yourself and do things now rather than later because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

The couple are extremely passionate about sourcing as much of their merchandise and services as possible through companies that are Australian owned and operated.

Some of their more popular designs include the Pied Piper, the Fish, the Owl, and the Spaceman.

They have now branched out from t-shirts, to also offering singlets, long-sleeved tops and hoodies.

They also sell Jason’s art work in the shop and he is often asked to do commissioned pieces.

Trade is very seasonal on Phillip Island, swelling from around 7,000 permanent residents to around 100,000 thousand people in the warmer months. Sam explains that although the clothing line sells very well, they knew they had to diversify

The General.

A design of Jason Hampstead’s.

to keep the business afloat. They acknowledged the established surf and skate businesses already on the Island but saw a gap in what was offered in the way of scooters, parts and repairs. They are also currently renovating the shop to fit out a specialised area to offer tattooing and piercing services. Anthony Chatfield (Chatty), with over 25 years’ experience as a tattoo artist, and Jason will jointly be running tattooing operations from the shop. Chatty, a mechanic by trade, has previously done custom air brush art on cars, hot rods, motorcycles and murals.

Ten years ago, Chatty also suffered a work related back injury while at an abattoir. His inability to work post-injury, led to depression, anxiety and panic attacks. He says getting out, working and talking to people helps greatly. Sam explains that everyone involved in the business either has illnesses or injuries, but that they all support each other. When Sam had a recent stay in the Austin Hospital after suffering severe epileptic seizures, Jason had to close the shop. But they gratefully recall how the community rallied around them by dropping off meals, mowing lawns and picking up kids from school. Sam particularly identified the local RSL club members who were a great source of support during this difficult time.

The lovely red-headed ‘Chloe’, is featured on the company’s logo.

Anthony Chatfield (Chatty) and his partner, Sandy Bennett.

Chatty offers tattooing services at the shop.

Local kids donated their old & broken skateboards to decorate the shop’s outer veranda.

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Sam and Jason also believe strongly in giving back to the community and have done so through the sponsorship of many local kids. Bonnie Mullins, who was the first to be sponsored, competed in surfing competitions and went on to make the State women’s team. They have also sponsored local boys Tyler Bird (skateboarding); Lochlan Hill and Ryan Pearsall (scooter riders) as well as several scooter riders from interstate and overseas. Most recently they have begun sponsoring motor cross riders, BMX riders and Twitch Game developers. Sam explains that some of the kids they sponsor come from single parent families, others have learning difficulties and one is deaf. She believes that being sponsored gives these kids a focus and some pride in their abilities. Sam states that these kids are daring to be different and not conforming to what others ‘expect’ of them; they are breaking down the barriers.

Sam and Jason have also been dedicated members of the Bass Coast Skate Strategy Committee, a community-based steering group which has recently released a Strategy that aims to offer safe skate spaces to people of all ages, abilities and interests such as skateboarding, scooters, in-line skating, and BMX riding.

Between them, Sam and Jason have seven children, with five children currently living at home with them. The importance of community is not lost on them, particularly nurturing today’s youth. They believe what they have built through their business is an ability to foster the wellbeing and sense of community for young people in the region. Despite experiencing some painful setbacks, they certainly demonstrate an impressive level of resilience and big-heartedness that many would envy.

Dead rose girl. Another of Jason’s original designs.

DEAD4EVA DESIGNS M ast er s in Alt er nat iv e

90 Thompson Avenue, Cowes 3922 ph: 0438 378 061

• Tattoo Studio • Scooter Store • Alternative Streetware Find us on Facebook & Instagram The Phoenix. One of Jason’s designs.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Happy customer. Molly Powney-Williams models her hoodie purchase with the spaceman design.

Phillip Island | 150 years

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GLORIOUS COASTAL DINING

PHILLIP ISLAND’S CAPE KITCHEN, SITUATED IN A LARGE, NATURAL COASTAL LANDSCAPE OFFERS A SENSATIONAL DINING EXPERIENCE THAT PERFECTLY EMBODIES THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL TREND IN ECO-TOURISM.

BY WENDY MORRISS The restaurant’s light, airy internal space with surrounding views of the serene native environment and spectacular rugged coastline is a wonderful distraction from the stresses of life.

A soon to be added natural wellness facility that will include warm, saltwater bathing will provide a complete year round feel good, health experience.

Warm, welcoming, friendly staff serve deliciously fresh house-made food prepared from ethicallyproduced seasonal produce with low food miles.

The menu is complimented with an all Victorian wine list featuring a selection of local boutique wines, beer and spirits.

The brainstorm behind the venture is endearing Jodie Vogt and her husband Mark who have spent the last 30 years of their life respectfully serving the public through both the restaurant and accommodation industries.

Jodie said the restaurant environment they have created is so people can really engage in the dining experience, and be present with one another and their surroundings as opposed to just eating. “We are fortunate to have a setting that seems to take people’s attention and distracts them from their

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Phillip Island | 150 years

devices. They can sit and view the magnificent coastline, watch the clouds go by, the weather roll in, a wallaby hop past, an echidna ambling along the ocean front and the birds, the whales or a snake lying in the sun.

“Nothing here is contrived, these are very natural experiences. If a whale pops up out of the ocean it’s not doing it to a timetable, it’s just what happens and then that draws people into a conversation away from where they were beforehand. The power of nature can’t be underestimated.”

abundantly present it makes sense on every level to support the local community, the economy and to make sure you aren’t racking up food miles by using things sent half way around the planet.”

“It’s also bringing into the public realm some of the more innovative things that people are doing and some of the better sustainability practices that local producers have. I think food and wine is an important part of why people come to Australia."

At the front of the restaurant they have created a small wetland area working with landscape designer Phillip Johnson who was responsible for the Australian Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The indigenous plantings are site specific, which have the greatest chance of success and also encourage birdlife and frogs, which have come back, and wallabies come down to drink as well.

"We are known as a destination for quality and ethical produce and that’s a very important consideration when we choose suppliers. If they can’t meet our local criteria, and that’s realistic, we cast the net further to see what we can get from within Victoria and then the rest of Australia that meets our ethical and sustainability values.”

Jodie and Mark have always sourced local produce for the restaurant and the fact that people now see it as a trend is something Jodie finds somewhat amusing. “When local produce is

Jodie and Mark have also had a long career in hospitality training and feel strongly about the opportunities it can bring people and the life skills they learn.

WETLAND IN FRONT OF THE RESTAURANT

Phillip Island | 150 years

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GLORIOUS COASTAL DINING CAPE KITCHEN Jodie said people that have trained and worked in hospitality are able to understand clients’ needs, have conversations and work with people so it’s not just about their skill set.

Regardless of what people do whether it’s studying, business or work, hospitality provides them with the soft skills and emotional intelligence they gain from dealing with people.

The couple purchased the 53-hectare site several years ago. When they took over, it was degraded farmland, a barren landscape overrun with weeds.

JODIE VOGT INSIDE THE RESTAURANT

“One of our aspirations for the property is conservation work and rehabilitation as well as providing native habitat vegetation that is consistent with what the original appearance of the land might have been,” Jodie said.

One of the first things they did was take out most of the internal fencing, which has enabled the wildlife to move around the property as they might have previously. Slowly but surely they have battled invasive weed species and planted 30,000 trees.

“The bird life is prolific,” she said, “and we have a shearwater rookery, so this part of the coastline is a significant part of their migration. Re-establishing suitable habitat for them and reducing weeds and other impediments to them nesting is really important in the work that we are doing.

There are also aboriginal shell middens around the property which is evidence it has been a gathering place for a long period of time.”

For some time now, Jodie and Mark have researched and planned the next phase of their venture, which is creating a natural wellness facility with works beginning later this year.

“We wanted to establish a place where people can come to escape their corporate life and to provide a context to it that also helps the area,” she said. “Phillip Island is visited largely in summer and building a wellness facility is providing an opportunity for people to come year round. People in winter need to recharge and it’s a great place to hunker down and warm up. The bathing facility is a key aspect of what the wellness centre will be so there will be internal and external salt water pools. It’s an historical means of exploring health and we all understand salt water is good for you.”

There will be a programmed element to it for people who want to come and reset or explore different modalities for health, but for most people it will be about spending time with their families or quiet time with people that are important to them and relaxing in nature because, Jodie said, nature has an incredible power to heal.

The first component will be the landscape. Plantings will be established over a period of time while the building is constructed; so when it’s completed, it won’t be just a building sitting on the land, but a welcoming landscape that the building will be nestled into.

“It’s an extension of us wanting to bring people into our home or our place and sharing it with them, and also making sure when they leave, that the shared experience is meaningful to them,” she said. “We have always shared what we do and where we are with anyone willing to come and be part of it.”

Images Wendy Morriss

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Phillip Island | 150 years

JODIE WITH STAFF MEMBERS ANTHONY, SARAH AND JACINTA.

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

Lone Pine Bistro located at the gateway to Cowes + New eating venue The Terrace Family friendly and Fully accessible Vegetarian, gluten free, children’s and senior’s options Kids playroom, monthly Funday Sunday and free Playful Puggles playgroup Wednesday mornings Function rooms ideal for weddings, reunions, seminars, wakes, parties

OPENING HOURS MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9AM TO 1AM SUNDAY 10AM TO MIDNIGHT NEW EATING VENUE • THE TERRACE

Phone: 03 5952 1004 BH

Enquiries: functions@pirsl.com.au

LONE PINE BISTRO PHILLIP ISLAND RSL LUNCH: NOON TO 2PM DINNER: 5.30PM TO 8.30PM

Visit www.phillipislandrsl.com.au

Rod and Heather at their Phillip Island home

LOVING LIFE, BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE

By Wendy Morriss

RETIRED PHILLIP ISLAND RESIDENT AND ENTREPRENEUR RODERICK PATCH, IS STILL OWNER AND PART OWNER OF SEVERAL COMPANIES AND THE MAN BEHIND THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL JUDITH WRIGHT STOCKDALE AND LEGGO REAL ESTATE ENTERPRISE IN COWES.

Rod (centre) Heather and son Matthew (right) in earlier times.

(Image supplied)

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Rod with their son Matthew who now owns his own business on Phillip Island (Image supplied)

Rod began his working life in Melbourne selling insurance. He then moved to Bendigo and worked in television advertising. At the age of 28 years, he established his own business in the canvas industry with a factory in Bendigo and one in Melbourne making tarpaulins. “We made all the tarpaulins for the Victorian Railways,” he said.

Their tired little dog who walks with them

In 1983, he and his wife Heather moved back to Melbourne where he took over a chain of video stores. From there he continued building his business portfolio.

He said in 1986, after hurting his leg, they moved to their holiday house on Phillip Island to live, so they could slow down and enjoy life. “I can’t sit still, so I went around looking for a business to buy. I happened to walk into a real estate office where the owners were considering selling, so I went off to get my real estate licence. In those days you had to work in real estate for two years before you could get your licence and it normally took four years to achieve, but through day school, night school and correspondence, I fortunately, managed to get it in 18 months while working in the industry.”

Rod took over the business, which was South Coast Real Estate, on the first of January in 1995 and it became Stockdale and Leggo. Then in 2006, he purchased Judith Wright Real Estate in Cowes. He said Judith, who had previously been his friendly opposition, worked in the business for him for a number of years and they have remained friends since.

For a while he kept the two offices operating as separate entities but in 2011 – 2012, he merged the two to become ‘Judith Wright Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate’. “It was easier to have one general manager looking after both,” he said.

“We kept the Judith Wright name because she was a respected lady and it was a good business.

Both businesses were similar in size but had slightly different markets. Judith Wright would get the prestige properties and Stockdale and Leggo would get the base end and up a little, although it sold as many or more, but blending the two together and keeping the two names worked.”

In 2009, Rod purchased Foxsocks Real Estate in Cowes and incorporated it straight into Judith Wright Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate. “We now have two offices next to each other, one is our sales office and the other is property management and we employ more than 30 people.

“We are very proud of the business,” he said. “We have tremendous staff and a great workplace.

Our CEO is retiring at the end of the next financial year and our new CEO is a staff member that has been with us for 10 years. We have quite a few members of staff that have been with us for 10 years or more, which is wonderful.

“For the last 18 months, we have also been the top office of Stockdale and Leggo in Australia.

Then of all real estate offices in Australia, we rank somewhere around 24 or 26, which is amazing for a place like Cowes.”

Stockdale and Leggo is a franchise owned by Peter Thomas who is a partner with Rod in the Pakenham office. Rod also has interests in the Drouin office and the Judith Wright Manningham Stockdale and Leggo office in Doncaster. Other companies he has purchased or part owns include Victorian Hydraulics in Melbourne and PT Hydraulics Australia.

Although he claims to be retired, Rod is still a consultant to the company interests he has however, he and Heather are enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle.

The couple have been married for almost 50 years and have two adult children who both attended Newhaven College. While Phillip Island is their home, the couple also have business interests and properties in Melbourne and Queensland that they commute to at times throughout the year.

When asked what he loved about Phillip Island, he said, “What is there not to love about the Island?

We love the countryside, living next to the water, walking along the beach and the people. We walk along the beach every morning and walking in the morning is something we have done seven days a week for the last 30 years. Our poor little dog walks about 10k a day, but I say, the more you exercise, the more you can eat and drink.”

Rod continually has an interest in the Phillip Island business and a desire for it to do well for everybody that works there. “It’s a pride thing – keeping people employed, keeping them happy and doing a good job, and I love people. I believe when you do the right thing by people, it continually comes home to roost. It’s not a matter of grovelling, it’s just being genuinely nice and it makes life work.”

Photography by Wendy Morriss

Phillip Island | 150 years

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EVERYTHING ANYONE COULD POSSIBLY WANT FOR

THE PERFECT WEDDING, SPECIAL OCCASION

Abbie Patton outside The Barn

The attractive, historic, rustic venue with a nearby barn for ceremonies and a beautiful billabong and garden for outdoor celebrations, are all situated on a five-hectare site in a peaceful, rural setting on the outskirts of Cowes.

The large shearing shed, where once 2,500 sheep were shorn, was built in the early 1950s

by Edwin Patton. Since then it has undergone a few restorations, and then a major renovation six years ago that transformed it into the exceedingly popular function centre it is today.

The use of reclaimed timbers, galvanised iron and unique recycled materials has created a warm welcoming country ambience with a few contemporary features. The building is split level with stairs, making it ideal for either cocktail or sit down receptions and features a large bluestone fireplace.

The Barn nearby has served many purposes over the years, the main one being a hay shed, which has been beautifully renovated with exposed timber beams and rustic timber wall features, transforming it into the perfect rustic backdrop for ceremonies.

Abbie inside The Shearing Shed

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Between the two buildings, surrounded by landscaped garden, is an attractive outdoor courtyard with seating for quiet drinks or contemplation.

For the perfect outdoor celebration or wedding there’s The Billabong, a lovely native wetland complete with wildlife, surrounded by eighthectares of beautiful gardens featuring some of the farms weather worn, heritage machinery.

It’s a family business on a property that has been worked on by three generations. The centre is managed

by Abbie Patton, a young, energetic and endearing mother of two, with the support of her husband Scott and his parents Greg and Lynette.

She said Scott’s grandparents Edwin (Ed) and Sylvia purchased the property in the early 1950s and another 324 hectares on French Island bringing with them a flock of merino sheep from Eden.

Greg said they had a boarding ramp and the sheep were moved across to French Island on the passenger barge.

Unfortunately the merinos didn’t do well with many suffering from foot rot so the farm went from producing wool to producing fat lambs from Romney marsh. “The last sheep would have been shorn here in the late 70s,” Abbie said, “and then Ed rented the shed to a friend who had angora goats, so the last animal was shorn here in 1982.”

Greg said they had two of the original shearers there recently. “I was only a little tacker when they were shearing but they tolerated me. As they left, they said Ed and Sylvia would have loved seeing the place today.”

Greg and Lynette live on the farm, which has been reduced over the years to a total of 16 hectares while Abbie and Scott live on a twohectare property across the road and they all work together.

“When we started renovating, Scott’s parents were really good at letting us take creative control, although the changes we made haven’t changed the essence of what it was.” Abbie said.

By Wendy Morriss

CELEBRATION OR EVENT CAN BE FOUND AT THE SHEARING SHED ON PHILLIP ISLAND.

“We made the spaces we had more functioning and added more. It was a team effort and we had a really good builder, Neville Thurgood from Cowes, who took our hair-brain ideas and made them a reality. The fireplace was built by a local tradesman from recycled bluestone that came from Wonthaggi. The timber holding up the bar originally came from the old Phillip Island suspension bridge. The tables are all recycled timber and the provincial chairs that fit the farm vibe are made by an Australian company.”

With the renovations complete, they initially opened as a restaurant. She said three years later, they found their bookings for functions, particularly weddings, were impacting on the restaurant, as they often had to close on Saturdays during peak periods. “We sat down and weighed it all up and we thought the weddings were great fun and everybody turns up happy so we made the difficult decision to close the restaurant but it’s proven to be successful.

The number of bookings grew, which meant we could concentrate on providing a really good extensive service and it’s a nice feeling to be able

to make a bridal couple’s day special and their dreams come true.”

Other functions including engagement and birthday parties are also catered for, in fact Abbie said they are happy to host any celebration or event and can do everything from venue hire to full catering. The Shearing shed is fully equipped with a large commercial kitchen and they have a team of exceptional chefs available that can provide cocktails and canapés, platters, a sitdown dinner, buffet or barbeque. They also have front of house and bar staff to take care of people as little or as much as they want.

Hosting events is an area they would like to expand. Earlier in the year, they hosted a four-day food truck carnival, which was more successful than they had anticipated. “It was very exciting,” Abbie said. “We had food vans circling the building so people could walk around them."

with local musicians playing and the bar was open so there were drinks inside and outside.

Hosting the event for the community also gave us an opportunity to showcase what we offer to the public so we are looking at hosting that once a year now.”

Scott, who grew up on the farm, spends much of his time running the family’s excavation company as well as helping Abbie with any heavy work that she can’t manage on her own.

Abbie grew up on Phillip Island as well. She attended Newhaven Primary School and then Newhaven College as did Scott although their paths didn’t cross. She said she loves the area and it has given her something that she now feels she can give back.

Photography by Wendy Morriss

"The large variety of food offered meant there was something for everyone and we had dining inside The Shearing Shed. We had a kid’s carnival so they were entertained, we had a main stage

Abbie and Greg

116 Gap Road, Cowes Phillip Island, VIC P 03 5952 3928

E info@theshearingshed.com.au W the shearingshed.com.au www.facebook.com/TheShearingShedPhillipIsland

www.instagram.com/theshearingshed The Billabong

vimeo.com/theshearingshed

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KITE HAVEN OLIVES Many couples retire to the coast, in search of a “sea change� and a calmer lifestyle.

They may envision their days filled with long walks on the beach, sipping cocktails at dusk, and never having to rush with anything.

Words + Photos by Brendan Black

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David and Susan Lambert, of Kite Haven Olive Oil in Rhyll, bought a property for its house and views - not its olive farm - but instead found themselves with a new, challenging and rewarding career.

David, originally from Box Hill, and Susan, from Moorabbin, met at ages 17 and 14 at Bushy Park Tourist Park in Cowes, soon afterwards becoming boyfriend and girlfriend, then engaged five years later. Despite wanting to be a farmer, David was dissuaded from doing so, yet the urge never completely left him.

Four sons later, David and Susan found themselves with “empty-nest syndrome” and contemplated a permanent move to Phillip Island, where they’d had a holiday home for over 30 years. When David retired from his long term employer, a German Chemical Company, they sold up and moved to acreage on the island, which just happened to have 500, five-year-old olive trees on the property. They hadn’t given much thought to becoming olive farmers, yet after some research they decided it could be worth giving it a go.

The farm grows four types of olives: the ubiquitous Greek Kalamata, both table and a larger kind used for making oil; Taggiasca, from the Italian region of Liguria; Lucques, a variety mainly grown in the Languedoc region of France; and Pendolino, an Italian olive tree primarily used as a pollinator.

All four varieties are quite different in their size and taste, producing unique flavours in the oils, some of which can be fairly robust, peppery and fruity.

With 500 trees, the farm is quite manageable with manual practices, which include placing a large net around the base of the trees and then using rake-like “clappers” to pull the olives off the branches. The olives are then sent to Moorooduc on the Mornington Peninsula to be processed and can be back at their place a few hours later.

The oil is kept in stainless steel vats to maintain its freshness and quality, and is bottled when it’s needed, while the olives for eating are simply picked, washed and put into brine for six months, unlike many commercial brands which use harsh caustic soda to save time and money.

The site itself has many similarities to Mediterranean olive groves and is only several hundred metres from the water. Like the grape vines next door at Purple Hen Winery, the olive trees can be susceptible to several diseases, in their case, black scale, an insect which can cause a lack of vigour or fruit quality, and peacock spot, a fungal infection. While some birds such as starlings do like to eat the olives, crows (which don’t like them) tend to scare away the smaller birds. Biodiversity at work.

At the moment, a lot of their labour on the farm involves pruning and shaping the olive trees, making them easier to harvest, allowing sunlight to better penetrate through the branches, and also encouraging more fruit, where you want it. Olive trees are quite hardy and can live for a very long time; a tree on the Greek island of Crete is reputedly around 3,000 years old and is still producing fruit. While David and Susan may not be looking that far ahead, their efforts now

will likely ensure their relatively young trees have a long and bountiful future ahead of them.

David and Susan's hard work has paid off in many other ways, not only with loyal customers but with recognition from the industry. Several of their extra-virgin olive oils and infusions recently received silver and bronze at the Australian Olive Oil Association 2017 Awards. In fact, the Association, the industry in general, and even behemoths like Cobram Estate (which owns over two million olive trees), are very supportive of smaller growers, in an effort to always offer a high standard of Extra Virgin Olive Oil across Australia.

While their sons have little interest at present in continuing the business, one of them uses wood from the trees to make objects such as coasters, letter openers and placemats, as the wood is extremely hard. 2018 is shaping up to be the first year where they sell all of their oil in one season; olive oil (unlike good wine) starts degrading as soon as it's made, and the excess is often used to make soap or for spraying the trees, where taste obviously isn't an issue.

Despite the toil and almost-constant attention needed to run an olive farm, David and Susan still manage to get away every year for around five weeks, where they turn into “grey nomads” with their caravan. They always said that retirement could never be a time of "just sitting down and doing nothing", and it looks like the next 10 or so years will be quite busy for them indeed.

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A MAZE’N THINGS WHAT IT'S BEEN AND WHERE IT'S GOING

A Maze’N Things is still a relative newcomer to Phillip Island, even though it began operations on site in 1990. As a winner of the Victorian Tourism Awards in 2005, and 2017 it is now regarded as a leading tourist attraction in the Bass Coast Shire, and in regional Victoria, but the history of the site is somewhat checkered.

seems funny now that it is now seen as a very central location. In the following decades various owners would try mini golf, pinball machines, a huge Scalextric Model car racing track, an above ground swimming pool, trampolines and even a train that could carry 25 people in a circular track.

But they all failed.

When Geoff Moed and Sandy Bell bought the property in 1990 is was a sad and dilapidated site that had a rundown concrete brick building, a decrepit mini golf, a caravan park that had gone into liquidation and a termite infested relocated house. It certainly did not bode well for the young entrepreneurs.

In 1980, permits were issued for a caravan park and an old house was shifted on site to become the office. The location offered some appeal as it was set amongst the gum trees and was always much quieter than the busy parks in Cowes, but a combination of poor management and the hard economic times of the late 1980’and early 1990’s saw it go into liquidation.

In fact the history of the site as a tourist attraction had not been a successful one. In 1967 the original concrete block building was constructed in what was regarded as a “way out of town” location. It

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Phillip Island | 150 years

The owner at that time was caught in the boom of the 1980s where he bought up to 70 properties on Phillip Island, and used them to continue to

finance new purchases. The higher interest rates of the late 80’s (and over 22% in 1991) caught up with him and he went into liquidation and property prices on Phillip Island plummeted.

The property around the site was denuded of trees prior to the 1950’s as the land was cleared for farming and the trees chopped down for firewood to keep the fires burning in more than 25 chicory kilns on the Island. Chicory was a coffee substitute that was popular in the 1930’s and 1940’s, and the remnants of many Chicory Kilns are still dotted around the island. The fact that the A Maze’N Things site still has a large number of large mature Eucalypts is partly due to the bottom falling out of the Chicory market in the late 1940’s as instant coffee became popular, and the current owners' desire to keep as many native trees as possible.

Around A Maze’N Things the area has become a tourism hub with the Koala Conservation Centre being established in 1990. The immediate area was often used by international coaches for the predominantly Japanese customers to look at the Koalas in the wild.

The effects of Koala over-population and Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease amongst Koalas, meant that for many visitors the search for Koalas was doomed to failure. At times there could be up to 20 buses in the area and absolutely no Koalas. The long term viability of the Koala population on Phillip Island and customer satisfaction are both a product of the Koala Conservation Centre.

Other businesses in the tourism area around A Maze’N Things include the Holiday Park which now operates separately from the theme park and has taken over the old Koala Park Motel and Rusty Water Brewery that took over the old “Cave” restaurant. The newest neighbour is Newhaven College that has now completely relocated from Newhaven with over 1000 students, making the area a hive of activity all year round.

the public, including the “Conjurors Express”.

Described as Australia’s best permanent magic exhibition, Magic Manor is an example of the owner’s commitment to Tourism, Quality and Growth. They are an important ingredient to the future of Phillip Island.

In recent years A Maze’N Things has added the popular SkyTrail tree top climbing frame and Magic Manor, which was a major factor in A Maze’N Things winning the 2017 Victorian Tourism Awards. 2018 will see the final parts of the Magic manor development open to

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WILDLIFECOAST CRUISES

For 25 years Wildlife Coast Cruises has been running a variety of cruises around Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory National Park, taking in the beautiful scenery and incredible wildlife, offering thousands of passengers each year close experiences with Australian fur seals, whales, dolphins and seabirds.

A proud leader in eco-tourism, Wildlife Coast Cruises boasts many environmental and tourism accreditations, your friendly captain and crew are fully qualified in sea safety and first aid, and have a thorough knowledge of local wildlife, habitat and history, which they are only too happy to share with you.

John and his team are constantly developing and expanding tours. With a strong theme of “conservation by appreciation”, WCC is certainly getting the message out there. Not only by operating three boats in the area, but also running a whale watch hotline, giving thousands of people live updates on whale movements along the coast so they can witness these majestic creatures from different vantage points.

With our 2 sister ships, the “Kasey Lee” and “Brianna Lee” you can choose your seat indoors or take in the views from the top deck - both decks have undercover areas. Enjoy tea, coffee and cake as you explore the coast, the captain's commentary offers facts on the area’s rich maritime and indigenous history, highlighting many points of interest.

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SEAL WATCHING CRUISE DEPARTS COWES DAILY For an incredible wildlife experience, visit Seal Rocks. This is the largest Seal colony in Australia and lies just off the coast of Phillip Island.

This spectacular 2 hour wildlife cruise gives passengers an up-close encounter as the boat drifts within meters of the seals, enabling you to witness them in their natural environment first hand. It is impossible not to be captivated by these naturally playful and inquisitive animals, as they regularly approach the boat for a closer look at you! Along the way you’ll be enthralled by the beautiful coastline and learn all about the history of Phillip Island’s western shoreline.

CAPE WOOLAMAI CRUISE DEPARTS SAN REMO A 1 hour cruise to visit the spectacular eastern coastline of Cape Woolamai, which features island’s oldest and most impressive landscapes, best viewed from the sea! Be in awe of the 110 metre high ancient pink granite cliffs as they tower above you. Marvel at the breathtaking caves, and be amazed by the beautiful aquamarine water, which has to be seen to be believed.

TWILIGHT BAY CRUISE DEPARTS COWES Enjoy a 1.5 hour scenic sunset cruise inside Westernport Bay, past Mornington Peninsula and French Island. and visit the naval submarine "Otama". Listen to local historical commentary and enjoy a drink from the bar while you watch the sun set over the bay - the perfect way to end your day on Phillip Island.

WILSONS PROMONTORY CRUISE DEPARTS PORT WELSHPOL Come on an incredible adventure around Wilsons Promontory National Park - one of the most beautiful and remote areas in the world. An experience of a lifetime, visiting untouched islands and rugged coastlines that are not accessible by land, viewing amazing rock formations, spectacular marine and wildlife areas that most people wouldn’t dream exist. A full day of catered, luxury cruising with breathtaking scenery of Wilsons Prom as you have never seen it before. This cruise runs on selected dates from February - November.

WHALE WATCHING CRUISE DEPARTS RHYLL & PORT WELSHPOOL From June - November the majestic Humpback Whales migrate along the Victorian coastline to breed and give birth to their calves. Wildlife Coast Cruises has been operating whale watching tours for over 15 years, with whale sightings getting more frequent every season as the whale population recovers. Choose a 4 hour cruise around Phillip Island, taking in the very best sights including Seal Rocks, The Nobbies, Pyramid Rock, Cape Woolamai, as well as the bayside towns of San Remo, Rhyll and Cowes. Or come on a 6 hour whale watching cruise around Wilsons Promontory.

Whilst searching for whales, keep a good lookout for other fascinating marine life, such as Common Dolphins, Killer Whales, Southern Right Whales, and birdlife including the Shy Albatross. Rug up and enjoy the refreshing breeze, keep your binoculars handy for these special sightings. Or stay warm indoors with complimentary morning tea and lunch.

Wildlife Coast Cruises offers a range of bay cruises and charters around Phillip Island and Wilsons Prom.

For enquiries and bookings visit www.wildlifecoastcruises.com.au or call 1300 763 739

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RENEE DE BONDT

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER

Always doing something creative, Renee is a photographer and designer based in Phillip Island.

A real nature lover, she spends her free time outdoors exploring - her camera is always with her! Renee is also the photographer at local tour company, Wildlife Coast Cruises.

“Capturing the natural world is my passion, especially wildlife. My love of nature inspires me and everywhere I go its beauty captivates me. I believe that people only protect what they love and feel connected to, so I am on a mission to capture inspiring and dramatic imagery that connects the community to our planet."

"Through this connection, I hope others will ultimately share my passion for the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it and be inspired to act to protect what we have.

Phillip Island provides so many opportunities for beautiful photographs. Our island home is unique, with its rugged coastline and diverse wildlife. It is a sanctuary that should be protected.”

You can follow me Renee on

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Facebook - Renee de Bondt Photography

Instagram - @reneedebondt

All Renee's images as prints are available for purchase. Renee also does aerial drone photography.

Phillip Island 150 Years Celebration Front Cover Image is captured by Renee de Bondt.

RENEE DE BONDT | LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER Phillip Island | 150 years

59

AN OUT OF THE WATER ALONGSIDE THE BIG BLUE, CONCRETE, WAVE ON THE PHILLIP

The centre has an extensive retail surf outlet providing everything a surf enthusiast requires and the extraordinarily unique, Islantis Surf Experience. The audio-visual surf museum has been created for visitors wishing to immerse themselves in Australia’s surfing history, its culture and experience the thrill of surfing without getting wet.

The outstanding attraction is a credit to Keith Tucker, the Megafun team and business owner and operator Scott Jackson who has been an avid surfer since childhood with a keen interest in surfing history.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

“The reason we’ve created The Islantis Surf Experience is to get people involved that haven’t experienced surfing before and to showcase the Australian culture of surfing and its history,” Scott said.

The experience encompasses four sections, each one showcasing a different aspect of Australian surfing. The first is a created chapel dedicated to the surf gods of the Australian culture with an audio-visual display that traces their achievements and the development of surfing in Australia. In the second section, visitors are treated to a sensational 360° wrap

around surf movie filmed at Woolamai Beach to give them a sense and feeling of what it’s like to be in the water on a surf board.

The next section, overlooking the beach at Woolamai is a re-created front interior of a Sandman panel van, which was a popular surf wagon during the early 1970s. “We used to carpet the inside, throw a mattress in the back, boards on the roof, head to the coast and camp in them,” Scott said.

In the same section is an impressive display of Australian memorabilia and artefacts showcasing

SURFING EXPERIENCE

BY WENDY MORRISS

ISLAND ROAD IN NEWHAVEN IS A WONDERLAND OF SURFING.

the history of surfing. It includes a Bells trophy, donated by Rip Curl and wooden body boards dating back to the 40s that were hired out at the Penguin Parade, which was once the main summer beach. There’s also a bit about Jack O’Neill, the man who invented the first wetsuit.

The fourth section is all about the evolution of surf boards with more than 50 on display from the first Hawaiian boards that were wooden and without fins or leg ropes, through to present day designs. “We usually give young visitors a talk about how the different boards are made and what they’re made of,” Scott said.

Visitors then come out into the surf shop where there are several historic surf boards on display.

Both are renowned designs that have taken off worldwide.

He said visitors are often amazed at how much Australia has influenced the surfing industry – the designs and apparel by Quicksilver and Rip Curl and board designs by Mark Richards in the late 70s who designed the twin fin, and Simon Anderson who developed the three-finned thruster in the early 80s.

“Tourists from overseas find it particularly interesting and enjoyable. Most people in Australia know about surfing because we all live around the coast but many other countries are landlocked and don’t have the luxury of the beaches we have, so they know little about surf culture.”

Islantis has been an iconic retail surf outlet since the 1970s. Scott took over the business 14 years ago and has continued to build and expand it to become the wonderful destination it is today.

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MANAGER SAM GUZZARDI WITH BUSINESS OWNER SCOTT JACKSON

The retail part of the business is now a joint venture with Rip Curl. “It’s Rip Curl apparel and we work together,” Scott said. “We then stock other brands in hardware and giftware that includes leg ropes, wetsuits, surf boards, fins, resins, key locks and tie downs. We also have paddle boards and accessories for those.”

Scott who is originally from Melbourne, said while growing up he had spent weekends and school holidays at Phillip Island with his family and he got the surfing bug when he was about 12 years old. “I went to surfing spots at the far end of Phillip Island in the Cat Bay area where it was easier to learn to surf.

During my teenage years, I used to hitch a ride out to Flynns Reef.”

When he was 22, Scott went to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland where he lived and worked for about six years before returning to Phillip Island to take over the business.

He said that like many surfers in Victoria, he has tried to go away somewhere surfing in winter so he has travelled to many tropical places including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, which is a popular place for surfers, Fiji, Hawaii, California and Kiribati in the Pacific.

While Scott has always enjoyed surfing, he has not entered competitions. “Personally, I’m not into competitions, although having a surf shop means being involved to some extent but I just enjoy surfing. I like the relaxation, the de-stress and revitalisation it gives you.

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If I have a shitty day, I can go surfing and then feel good about myself and feel refreshed.

That’s what I like about surfing.”

Scott is exceptionally proud of what they have achieved. He said it wouldn’t have happened without their great team, the project manager Michael Schuller, the Megafun team and the Rip Curl staff. He hopes after going through the Islantis Surf Experience that visitors will see how special the ocean is, how little it takes to get out there and be part of it, and he said on Phillip Island you can always find somewhere to go surfing.

Photography by Wendy Morriss

THE ISLANTIS SURF EXPERIENCE THE ISLANTIS AT THE BIG WAVE COMPLEX 10 - 12 Phillip Island Tourist Road, Phillip Island, 3925 | Phone: 03 5956 7553 Open: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 5pm W: theislantissurfexperience.com.au F: The Islantis Surf Experience

Phillip Island Health Hub Improving access to health services for people who live, work and play on Phillip Island

• SPECIALIST MEDICAL SERVICES • SPECIALIST NURSING SERVICES

• ALLIED HEALTH • COUNSELLING SERVICES

A: 50-54 Church Street, Cowes VIC 3922 Opening Hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday P: 03 5951 2100 E: info@basscoasthealth.org.au W: basscoasthealth.org.au

WE CARE

PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING COMPETITION 5TH ANNUAL SURFING TEAMS CHALLENGE 2018 SUMMERLAND BEACH | PHILLIP ISLAND ALL PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY NICI MARSHALL

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Phillip Island | 150 years

MAIN IMAGE | SURFER BRAVING THE WILD SEAS

SURFER GETS A HAND IN CARRYING HIS LONGBOARD, WHICH IS NOW IN TWO PIECES

GATHERING SPECTATORS BRAVING THE VERY COLD AND WET CONDITIONS OF THE COMPETITION

LOCAL SURFER AND COMMENTATOR: DANIELLE BAYLIS

THE GROMS (AGED 12 YEARS AND UNDER) ABOUT TO HIT THE SURF

PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING COMPETITION

5TH ANNUAL SURFING TEAMS CHALLENGE 2018 SUMMERLAND BEACH | PHILLIP ISLAND

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Phillip Island | 150 years

MAIN IMAGE | THE WILD OCEAN

ONE OF THE ENTRANTS

STEVE PARKER CONDUCTING SMOKE CEREMONY ON THE BEACH

YOUNG AND OLD ENJOYING A DAY OF SURFING

LOCAL SURFER, JESS ASBURY

PHILLIP ISLAND SPORT AND REHAB CLINIC for all your holistic health needs Located at 207 Settlement Road in Cowes, the Phillip Island Sport and Rehab Clinic has offered a range of services since opening in June 2013.

Owner and physiotherapist, Michael O’Connor, grew up in Rowville as a keen football, basketball, and cricket enthusiast. He ultimately wanted to assist athletes and be involved in sporting environments and so entered the field of physiotherapy.

However, Michael now admits he appreciates and prefers helping a wide range of people and proudly claims that his clients range from age 7-93 years old! He thoroughly enjoys his work variety, ranging from assisting in sports related issues and helping individuals to recover from hip and knee surgery to generally helping to maximise all his client’s health and wellbeing to ensure optimal health.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Michael explains that he was still studying at the University of Melbourne when his wife’s parents bought a business in Phillip Island, the MadCowes café and foodstore. Michael recalls that he often worked in the café on weekends, but after graduating with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2010, he learned of an opportunity to fill a maternity leave position on Phillip Island as a physiotherapist.

In 2013, Michael decided to open up a holistic clinic rather than an individual practice after he observed how well holistic centres operated in Melbourne. He liked the way in which practitioners liaised with other allied health professionals within a clinic setting.

He is of the opinion that often one practitioner cannot help everyone and there is frequently a need to consult other specialists in order to treat individuals in a holistic fashion.

Michael is keen for local residents to be aware of the available health services on Phillip Island and is proud of the range of options his clinic offers, including physiotherapy, myotherapy, nutrition, exercise physiology, massage, podiatry, Pilates and spa and beauty treatments. As a physiotherapist he prefers to complete a full musculoskeletal function analysis in order to tailor programs to individual needs.

MICHAEL O'CONNOR Physiotherapist (B Physiotherapy)

Yumiko Murakami, Michael O’Connor and Mel Evans

PHILLIP ISLAND SPORT AND REHAB CLINIC While massage therapist, Sharon Bridge, specialises in deep tissue and relaxation massage as well as Reiki therapy.

Michael recognised early on that good relationships with other local allied health professionals and General Practitioners is vital.

When he first established his clinic on the Island, he concentrated on creating good rapport with a vast network of specialists. However, he laments that this is sometimes difficult to do, particularly with the high turnover rate of General Practitioners in the area.

Michael believes that stability, consistency and reliability is of paramount importance for a business within a small community as this instils trust. He has gone to great lengths to ensure locals know he is on the Island for the long haul and is all too aware that being part of the community and providing good advice and service makes good business sense for return clientele. “I bump into clients in the supermarket, so it’s important in a country town to develop and maintain good relationships in order to ensure that people come back”, he states.

In addition, the Clinic offers a range of different Pilates options including clinical, reformer, and matwork Pilates, conducted in a fully equipped Pilates studio to help achieve best results. They have also previously offered body composition analysis as well as accredited St John first aid courses.

Some other services offered through the Clinic include podiatry by Simon Zammit, who uses orthotic techniques for complete foot health including nail care and specialising in children’s feet and diabetic symptoms. Myotherapists, Yumiko Murakami and Jia Walton, have over twenty-four years’ experience between them and offer traditional techniques such as cupping, dry needling and Shiatsu as well as myofascial and muscle energy techniques to treat clients.

In time, Michael’s long-term goal is to expand his clinic into other locations but he acknowledges finding staff can be challenging. However, he is currently enjoying the big working space the Phillip Island clinic currently occupies and the wonderfully experienced staff he works with.

For more information, website: www.sportandrehab.com.au email: info@sportandrehab.com.au phone: (03) 5952 1550 address: 207 Settlement Road, Cowes 3922

Physiotherapist Myotherapist Naturopath Podiatrist Dietitian

specialising in Muscle Strains + Joint Pain Sports Injuries Spinal Conditions Post Operative Rehabilitation Exercise Prescription

qualifications DMA Clinincal Pilates GEMT Dry Needling McKenzie Technique Accredited Olympic Weight Lifting Trainer Clinical Pilates

Words by Ruth Williams

Phillip Island | 150 years

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madcowes

caf e & f ood st ore

EGGS BENEDICT. A classic breakfast served with thick slices of sourdough bread.

Great food, local wine and a stunning view of the open ocean - what’s not to love?

Kristal O’Connor’s parents had been visiting their holiday house in Phillip Island since the early 1990s and were looking to eventually retire there.

However, when they made the sea change, they still wanted to work for another 5-10 years, and so purchased the MadCowes café in town. Kristal, who was working in hospitality in Melbourne at the time, ventured into a business partnership with her parents and became part-owner of the café in November 2008.

Kristal and her husband, Michael, explain that they can’t claim to have come up with the name of the business, with its clever play on words.

“The name came with the business when we bought it. But no one’s looking to change it. It’s become an icon now” they say.

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MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE Made with yoghurt and drizzles of honey.

Located right on The Esplanade, the café offers gluten free and vegetarian options, outdoor seating, good sized meals, prompt service at a reasonable price, all with a brilliant ocean view of Western Port Bay. “We are a coffee loving family, it’s something we take a lot of pride and care in” explains Michael, who also emphasises coffee consistency and being made by a skilled barista, as being vitally important to quality. The coffee consists of their own blend, made by a company in Coburg with 100% Arabica beans. The café also offers T2 varieties of tea, smoothies and local wines from the Purple Hen vineyard in Rhyll.

One of the chefs at the café, Victor Petropoulos, who is also now part owner of the business, leaves home at 4am every Tuesday to travel to the Queen Victoria market in Melbourne to source the freshest ingredients. On his way home, he also bulk buys fresh herbs, lettuce and other produce direct from farmers in the Koo Wee Rup region.

Victor runs the café kitchen, while Kristal and her Mum, Sharon Bridge, oversee the front-of-house operations.

Kristal also does the bookwork and staff rostering for the business. Staffing can be tricky in a beach town area and they encourage the full-time staff to take their holidays during the off season.

Michael states they are lucky to have loyal staff who consist of eight full-timers and also transient staff who generally fill in the gaps. Unlike many businesses in the area who really feel the effect of the seasonal flux of visitors, over the last 10 years they have noticed how much busier the cafe has become during the off season.

They also describe the patronage from locals during the off season as vital, as are word-of-mouth recommendations. Michael explains that they always try to greet customers with a smile and quickly learn what locals usually order, “It’s something we emphasise as it makes them feel at home,” he says.

You’d be udderly mad to miss it!

SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH SPINACH A great vegetarian option that is topped with shavings of parmesan cheese.

CAPPUCCINO MadCowes coffee consists of their own blend, made with 100% Arabica beans by a Coburg company.

Some of the challenges of running a café in Phillip Island include the amount of competition that has arisen over the years. “The number of cafes opening seems to increase every year” says Michael.

They consider themselves lucky to have been running an established business for over a decade and state that MadCowes is very well known, to locals and to many tourists who visit the Island.

Michael marvels at how social media can be both a help and a hinderance, particularly in relation to public online reviews of businesses. He says despite all the glowing praise the café frequently receives, one bad review can be damaging.

He says that after making around 500 brilliant coffees in a day, one bad review can be disheartening, and it can be challenging to put that one poor review into perspective when everything else has been of a high standard for the majority of the time.

Michael and Kristal reflect that when the popularity of the café soared, it became a bigger project than everyone anticipated.

Michael, who is the owner and physiotherapist at the Phillip Island Sport and Rehab Clinic, says managing their respective businesses and caring for their two young children, Addison aged 6 and Mason aged 2 years, means life is often very hectic.

But getting to know people, especially the locals, has been a great source of joy for the couple, as is serving and being part of a vibrant community.

Words and images by Ruth Williams

BERRY CHEESECAKE Comes as a good portion size with just the right amount of sweetness.

The MadCowes café is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch from 6am - 4pm.

madcowes

cafe & foodstore Shop 3/4, 17 The Esplanade, Cowes For more information and to browse their menu, visit their website at www.madcowescafe.com or call on (03) 5952 2560.

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NEIL GILLIN OF RUSTY WATER

rustywater

STARTING A HOSPITALITY BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK FOR EVEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED PEOPLE; TAKING OVER AN EXISTING ONE AND IMPROVING IT CAN OFTEN BE JUST AS DIFFICULT. In a world where people can now easily air their views on social media and rating sites, appearance, service and food quality are paramount. Neil and Louise Gillin of Rusty Water Brewery on Phillip Island have worked tirelessly to make the business their own and build on it - with great results.

Having lived in Melbourne for most of their lives, Neil, with several decades' experience in the liquor industry, and Louise, endeavoured to find an existing business that would help them achieve their "sea change". Their search brought them to Phillip Island and the business known as Rusty Water, which they officially took over in March 2010. At the time, the people at Rusty Water were already offering their own label of beer, though with a small range, and Neil and Louise's passion for the brew spurred them to make it a central and thriving part of the business.

As some locals had not had such a positive experience with the old business, much time and effort was spent by Neil and Louise in bringing the community around, which was "bloody hard work" in the first years, Neil recalls.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

They dedicated themselves to the "four pillars" of great customer service, food, drinks and ambience, and feedback over the years has shown their work has paid off.

Most weekends between 5pm and 8pm, it’s difficult to get a table in the restaurant, averaging out to a pretty even split between locals and tourists. On busy weekends, such as public holidays or during the Grand Prix, many locals stay at home; once the crowds have cleared, the regulars will return, keen to see Neil behind the bar.

Neil and Louise are very interested in being a part of the community, and one change they were keen to make was to refocus the beer branding to give it a greater sense of place.

A decision a long time in the making has seen the label change to the ‘Phillip Island Brewing Company’, with a logo featuring the first thing visitors see when they approach the island - the bridge - and each of their brews features an iconic image of Phillip Island, such as Pyramid

Rock, The Pinnacles, The shipwreck “SS Speke” or the many chicory kilns dotting the area.

The craft beer market is "saturated", so getting one's products onto shelves or taps and being noticed by the consumer can be difficult. This prompted Neil and Louise to market their beers as ones that anyone can enjoy drinking, particularly with food, rather than trying to compete with more "exotic", stronger beers from microbrewers in such places as Fitzroy or Brunswick. They currently produce seven brews: Pilsner, Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Brown Ale, IPA, Golden Ale, and Stout.

To complement all the work to change the branding, Neil is currently working towards expanding the business, and planning and building permits have recently been approved which will allow them to construct new facilities in which to brew their beers on-site, giving them the freedom to experiment and be more hands-on in their creation.

The change from Rusty Water to Phillip Island Brewing Company, both in terms of the restaurant and the beer, is something they’re hoping to “manage carefully”, so as not to confuse the patrons, particularly as many affectionately refer to the place as “Rusty”.

Specialty brews developed by Neil include The Black Cockie – a blend of dark beer and local Shiraz, Churchill English Special Bitter and a celebratory beer for the whale festival – A Whale of an Ale.

THE PHILLIP ISLAND BREWING COMPANY RANGE

The beers have been well received by the locals and regulars, with many surprising themselves by their enjoyment; Neil has seen “hardcore” drinkers of Carlton Draught or VB develop a liking for their pilsner or pale ale. Their desire is to still focus mainly on the regional market, without becoming so big that they then need to restructure the business dramatically.

At the moment, their beers are available all over the island, in San Remo, as well as in Melbourne and Wodonga. Neil has little desire to sell their range through some of the larger chains; Neil’s experience in the liquor industry showed him how many products - particularly from smaller producers - can get lost on the shelf, and the output needed is often much more than a microbrewery can handle.

Having visited Rusty Water on several different occasions, it’s been great to see the changes taking place there, and it looks as if the year ahead will be their most exciting one yet.

Words & Images by Brendan Black

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Quirky Pictures

by Marguerite Sharlott

‘Phillip Island is made up of many slices of delight. Get set for adventure and come and take a bite!’

Ma rguerite Sh a rlot t

Marguerite Sharlott has a humorous outlook on life which is reflected in her quirky pictures and humorous writing.

She has had some diverse jobs, the favourite being an on-air presenter with sister Michelle on channel 10’s ‘Good Morning Australia' with Bert Newton, producing fabulous fashion on a budget.

Currently a hotel receptionist, channelling Basil Fawlty and working on a humorous book about a trip to London to see Barry Gibb in concert.

Available for commissions.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

BP Service Stations

PHILLIP ISLAND

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 2-8 Commercial Street, Korumburra, Vic 3950 Tel/Fax: 5655 1668 Email: korumburra@evanspetroleum.com.au Leongatha 95 Bair Street, Leongartha, Vic 3953 Tel/Fax: 5662 2440 Email: leongatha@evanspetroleum.com.au Muddy Creek 26 Foster Road, Toora, Vic 3962 Tel/Fax: 5686 2324 Email: toora@evanspetroleum.com.au

PHILLIP ISLAND MARINE 14 BEACH ROAD RHYLL | TEL: 5956 9238

Evans Petroleum have been servicing the Phillip Island region for over 30 years. Evans have partnered with many local businesses during this time to deliver quality fuels and lubricants to the area. Some of their major customers are Evans Quarries (Donohue family), Phillip Island Buslines (Evans family and now Wright family), Cleeland Family, McRae family and many more, and Evans have previously operated a service station at Cowes prior to the Woolworths change.

Evans Petroleum have also been extremely proud of their long association with two smaller service stations in Rhyll and Ventnor. They have been fantastic trading partners in purchasing our fuels for the delivery to the local people in their areas as well as the transient public who swarm to the Island each holiday period.

The Anchorage Park and General Store (Hamilton family) operate a fantastic business in Ventnor that provides a host of services to the public through its convenience store and fuel outlet that caters for food, newspapers, take away liquor, groceries and much more as well as providing a tourist park for the holiday makers to enjoy.

These types of businesses are essential to the total offer of the Island as a holiday destination and place to reside, and we at Evans Petroleum have enjoyed having them as customers.

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

Phillip Island Marine (Huther family) offer pleasure boat sales and repairs from their Rhyll service centre, coupled with all the fuel and accessories that any fisherman could want. With the boat ramp just across the road accessing Westernport Bay, it is the perfect destination for all things boating and you can be assured that having been in business for many years the staff can provide all the information you will need to enjoy water activities on Phillip Island.

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

Evans Petroleum are proud of their long term association with Phillip Island and look forward to continuing to partner with such fantastic clients that we have had the pleasure of assisting in the past, as well as the new customers who choose to favour us with their business. We look to the future providing the very best of service and reliability that has set them apart from their opposition through the extended association with Phillip Island.

Sale 344 Raglan Street, Sale, Vic 3850 Tel: 5143 1030 Fax: 5143 2686 Email: sale@evanspetroleum.com.au Traralgon 23-29 Shakespeare Street, Traralgon, VIC 3844 Tel: 5174 1138 Email: Tim@evanspetroleum.com.au Westside 7 Anderson Street, Leongatha, VIC 3953 Tel/Fax: 5662 2834 Email: westside@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

THE ANCHORAGE PARK AND GENERAL STORE VENTNOR ROAD VENTNOR | TEL: 5956 8218

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

MOTOR SPORT MECCA

FROM MODEST BEGINNINGS, PHILLIP ISLAND IS NOW HOME TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST SPECTACULAR AND WIDELY ACCLAIMED MOTOR RACING CIRCUITS. WORDS: CHRIS WEST

Each year, hundreds of thousands of motorsport enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to Phillip Island for racing action and high octane thrills on two and four wheels.

Fans flock to the 13 major race fixtures on Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit’s annual events calendar, highlighted by the Australian MotoGP in October, the Superbike World Championship in February, the WD-40 Phillip Island 500 Supercar Championship in April, the International Island Classic in January and Australian Superbike Championship also held in October. The only months free of public racing events are July and December.

As Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit managing director, Fergus Cameron notes, the venue is kept extremely busy outside the motor racing events.

“We run about 280 days of the year with activity on the circuit through other initiatives including manufacturer customer days and rider training,” he says.

Other attractions available at the venue include Go Karts and hot laps on the circuit, whilst indoor activities at the Visitor Centre include the

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Phillip Island | 150 years

simulator race centre, slot car racing and the History of Motorsport display which showcases the heritage of motor racing on Phillip Island and the newly acquired Grand Prix Motorcycle collection of fourteen GP Aprilia bikes and nine Cagivas.

“Our walking tours of the circuit are also really popular with families all year round,” Fergus adds.

Motor racing first came to Phillip Island ninety years ago in 1928, beginning on a gravel road circuit.

“Racing on public roads was illegal in Victoria in the 1920s, so the people who organised the race thought it would be a good idea to hold the race at Phillip Island to keep it well out of sight of the police,” Fergus explains.

“That didn’t prove to be so, because we have photos that show police bobbies with their helmets on in the background, so they were obviously well aware of what was going on!

Needless to say, it quickly became sanctioned.”

From 1928 to 1935, Phillip Island became home to the Australian Grand Prix.

“In 1935 it was decided that it would only be fair that the race be circulated amongst the states.

That didn’t last long because with the outbreak of war in 1939 racing ceased all together,” Fergus adds.

The hiatus continued post war until the early 1950s when a group of about half a dozen businessmen (mainly people who owned guest houses on the island) thought it would be a good idea to get motor racing going again.

“Remembering what it had been like having motor racing there in the 1930s, they thought it would be great for the local economy to see it return,” Fergus says.

Following an initial meeting in 1951, the group formed a club called the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC), which people could join by paying a ten pound subscription. They raised money to purchase the land at Ventnor where the present circuit is situated in 1952 and proceeded with the construction of the track which commenced operating four years later.

Phillip Island | 150 years

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MOTOR SPORT MECCA FAN FAVOURITE CASEY STONER AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Although racing resumed on Phillip Island in 1956, it continued its stop/start history. By 1962, the circuit had closed again due to damage caused primarily by hosting the Armstrong 500 endurance race from 1960.

“The Armstrong 500 was a precursor to the Bathurst 1000 and was a pretty big deal. It was the first televised motorsport event in Australia,” Fergus notes.

“But unfortunately in the space of just a few years it caused a lot of wear and tear on the track and it ended up totally wrecked.”

With the circuit out of action yet again, the property was subsequently bought by Len Lukey, of Lukey Mufflers fame, in 1964 with a view to redevelopment.

“Len saw it as an opportunity to develop an oasis and he was responsible for adding many of the landscaped features to the site that still remain today,” Fergus states.

The circuit re-opened in 1967 and racing continued until 1978 when it was again closed due to becoming unsuitable for modern racing.

Reportedly, one of the main problems was that the road bridge to Phillip Island at that time was not capable of carrying the heavy vehicles needed to resurface the track.

The decommissioned circuit remained in hibernation until purchased in 1984 by a syndicate of local people operating under the banner of Placetac Pty Ltd. The new owners were attracted by the coastal frontage location and recognised that it was a magnificent property.

Installed as the managing director of Placetac, Fergus Cameron took his association with the Phillip Island circuit up a gear. It is an attachment that has now spanned nearly 40 years since his family first leased the property in 1980.

“Everyone kept asking if we were going to get racing restarted,” he recalls.

“We made some attempts but the real catalyst for getting it going again was when promoter Bob Barnard was awarded the opportunity to host a round of the World Motorcycle Championship in 1989.”

This was a first for Australia and proved enough incentive to get the Phillip Island Circuit back in operation. Refurbishment of the track was completed by late 1988 ahead of the first Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island in April 1989. Interest in the race was high, as at that time Australian motorcycle ace Wayne Gardner was at the height of his career, having won the World Championship in 1987.

Aussie hero Gardner won the race at Phillip Island in 1989 and as a spectacle it was an enormous success, but financially it missed the mark for the circuit’s owners Placetac by a long way.

“It was an extraordinary endeavour,” Fergus comments.

“Today’s circuits are computer designed; there was nothing like that back then in the 1950s.

Getting the layout right and achieving what they did with the equipment they had in those days was nothing short of miraculous,” he adds.

The topography of the circuit makes it a spectator’s dream.

“It’s like a natural basin. They couldn’t have picked a more spectacular location,” Fergus says.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

“A lot of the viewing areas look down into the venue and the coastal views out across Bass Strait towards Cape Woolamai are amazing.”

According to Fergus, speed is a key attribute of the Phillip Island track.

“It’s a very, very quick circuit. The motorcycle riders reach a highest average speed of any circuit in the world,” he says.

“The corners are transitional. They are fairly tight when you enter, but widen out so riders can accelerate out very quickly.”

The NSW Government announced plans to build a new circuit at Eastern Creek which would take the event away, but the track wasn’t ready in time for 1990 event, so the round of the World Motorcycle Championship had a second year on Phillip Island. Gardner won again and his backto-back victories helped put Phillip Island on the map to television audiences worldwide.

His performances, particularly the 1990 triumph, have provided Fergus Cameron with his favourite memories from all the racing he has witnessed at Phillip Island.

“It was amazing when Wayne Gardner won in front of a home crowd in 1989, but what I think was an even more remarkable effort was his win in 1990,” he suggests.

“At the time he had a broken wrist, an injury he carried into the event, and then half way through the race the fairing on his bike came loose and was dragging on the track. He was in a constant battle with Mick Doohan throughout the whole race and the lead changed several times. I thought seeing those two Australians in a dogfight up the front was just extraordinary racing.”

Gardner and Doohan have both had landmarks on the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit named in their honour, as has another Australian MotoGP hero Casey Stoner, who won the race in six successive years from 2007 to 2012. The main straight at Phillip Island is now known as Gardner Straight, the first turn has been named Doohan Corner and the third turn Stoner Corner.

“They are all very high speed places, reaching as much as 340 kilometres per hour at the bottom of Gardner Straight,” Fergus observes.

Since the Millennium, the track has continued to require further advancements to remain in the top echelon on the global stage. A significant milestone was reached in 2004 when the circuit was acquired by Linfox, which paved the way for a multi-million dollar redevelopment to be undertaken in 2006.

As the managing director of Placetac, Fergus saw it as being absolutely essential that they hand the driver seat over to Linfox.

“All the money we were making was being put straight back into the venue to try to keep up with rapidly advancing world standards,” he concedes.

“Races were starting up in oil-rich countries and other places where tobacco advertising was allowed which gave them a commercial advantage. We needed investment behind Phillip Island to keep it up to scratch with the competition.”

Fergus describes the Linfox era as having been incredible, with impetus coming from a continuous desire to improve the facilities.

“Major enhancements in that time include significant extension of the pit garages, corporate facilities, an Expo pavilion, the resurfacing of the track in 2012 which was done to perfection and lots, lots more,” he says.

“Without that investment, the circuit at Phillip Island would have been struggling to keep pace with other motorsport destinations around the world.”

One major wish-list item mooted following Linfox’s arrival that didn’t eventuate was a proposed golf course and hotel development at the property.

“That idea didn’t progress beyond the planning stages, but could possibly be looked at again in the future, albeit on a smaller scale,” Fergus says.

Fergus retained his role as managing director of the circuit following the acquisition by Linfox.

“I’m there to run the business. I’m very much focussed on the operational side,” he emphasises.

Fergus leads a team of 40 permanent staff and a casual/part-time workforce of up to 100 who come in for events as required. He also manages an enormous number of contractors and external organisations that provide a wide range of services and assistance.

Through its range of activities and events, the circuit generates substantial economic benefit for the community.

“There hasn’t been a recent calculation, but in 2012 the Bass Coast Shire estimated $107 million direct benefit to the economy from the circuit that year,” Fergus reveals.

“Many people rent their holiday homes out to motor sport fans coming here and our marquee events attract very big crowds. Attendance numbers at the MotoGP peaked in 2012, the year Casey Stoner retired, with in excess of one hundred thousand people over the three days. It normally runs at eighty thousand plus and we also get fifty thousand plus here for the Superbikes and more than forty thousand for the V8 Supercars.”

With that comes a responsibility to manage the resultant traffic and noise considerations.

“We closely monitor and manage our activity to minimise impacts on traffic and noise,” Fergus says.

Having seen the rebirth of the track and its subsequent progression over the past four decades, Fergus is above all else extremely proud of the recognition the circuit receives worldwide and the employment it delivers to the local community on Phillip Island.

“Thanks to the people who designed the venue back in the 1950s, along with the enhancements that have been made since, we are fortunate to have a circuit that nowadays is regarded as one of the best in the world from a racing point of view. The motorcycle racers say it’s the best circuit in the world.

“The circuit would not be operating today without the hard work and dedication of our Circuit Team and a large number of volunteer officials who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that each event runs smoothly,” he concludes.

Photos courtesy of Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX WINNERS AT PHILLIP ISLAND 2002 – PRESENT | MOTOGP

1989 – 1990 & 1997 – 2001 | 500CC

YEAR

CATEGORY

WINNER

COUNTRY

MANUFACTURER

YEAR

CATEGORY

WINNER

COUNTRY

MANUFACTURER

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP MOTOGP

MARC MARQUEZ CAL CRUTCHLOW MARC MARQUEZ VALENTINO ROSSI JORGE LORENZO CASEY STONER CASEY STONER CASEY STONER CASEY STONER CASEY STONER CASEY STONER MARCO MELANDRI VALENTINO ROSSI VALENTINO ROSSI VALENTINO ROSSI VALENTINO ROSSI

SPAIN ENGLAND SPAIN ITALY SPAIN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA ITALY ITALY ITALYA ITALY ITALY

HONDA HONDA HONDA YAMAHA YAMAHA HONDA HONDA DUCATI DUCATI DUCATI DUCATI HONDA YAMAHA YAMAHA HONDA HONDA

2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1990 1989

500CC 500CC 500CC 500CC 500CC 500CC 500CC

VALENTINO ROSSI MAX BIAGGI TADAYUKI OKADA MICHAEL DOOHAN ALEX CRIVILLE WAYNE GARDNER WAYNE GARDNER

ITALY ITALY JAPAN AUSTRALIA SPAIN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA

HONDA YAMAHA HONDA HONDA HONDA HONDA HONDA

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THAT'S AMORE PINO'S TRATTORIA

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Phillip Island | 150 years

FOR MANY IMMIGRANTS, HOLDING ON TO A LITTLE PIECE OF HOME CAN HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE "CULTURE SHOCK" OF LIVING IN A NEW LAND. AUSTRALIA HAS WELCOMED PEOPLE FROM OVER 100 COUNTRIES, WITH THE ITALIAN-BORN OR THOSE WITH ITALIAN ANCESTRY MAKING UP 5% OF THE POPULATION. Pino's Trattoria in Cowes is one place where those welcomed by Australia have been the ones dishing out the hospitality for decades now.

In 1967, Pino Scarlato, a 24-year-old man from Calabria, faced a tough decision, a “sliding doors” moment: wait several months for a green card to emigrate with his parents and four younger siblings to the United States, or instead travel to Australia. Eager to start a new life, Pino headed off down under - solo.

Settled in Oakleigh, Pino worked in a steel factory, while studying at night to be a chef, though soon enough it became obvious that the study was unnecessary due to his existing skills and talent.

In the 1970s, Pino moved down to Cowes, where he established a takeaway shop with a friend Michael, where they served fish and chips and burger and fries, which proved to be a hit with the

locals and holiday makers. For a period of time, Pino also was in partnership with Eddie Fumagalli where the pair ran Isola Di Capri restaurant in Cowes.

In the early 80s, Pino took a holiday to the US, where he met Rosa, a young lady also from Calabria, who at that stage was living in Chicago.

Rosa moved to Australia and the two were married in March 1981. Like Pino, Rosa shared a love of good Italian food and warm hospitality, and in 1991 they decided to step out on their own and jumped at the opportunity and took over an old games arcade and opened Pino’s Trattoria.

This was a difficult time, with many challenges as there was much red tape and Cowes was still very small, and anything new was "scary" to the islanders. However, with much fire in their bellies and persistence, their Trattoria came to life.

In Italy, a ‘trattoria’ is a relaxed dining establishment, less formal than a ‘ristorante’, and from the start, Pino’s convivial attitude and Rosa’s motherly touch ensured customers were always well looked after and had a great time in a casual setting. In fact, if it was a bit quiet, inside or out on the street, Pino was known to turn the music up loud and dance with the diners.

After opening in 1991 with a 40-seat space, Pino's extended several more times, including an outdoor eating area. Though this wasn't without issues, as it rained during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and some of the customers were affected; though they all chalked it up to experience. Now, however, this space is undercover, adorned with an interesting array of motorcycling paraphernalia.

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Left to Right Romina Scarlato - Annalisa Scarlato - Rosa Scarlato - Luciano Scarlato

When the Grand Prix became a permanent fixture on Phillip Island in 1997, it was not uncommon to see Pino and Rosa at the track, or the riders and officials dining in the restaurant. Due to the amount of riding memorabilia that began appearing in Pino's, many customers started to wonder if he was actually one of the riders.

Given the familial focus of the restaurant, it's no surprise that family was important to Pino.

The Scarlato family includes daughters Annalisa and Romina, who share the duty of overseeing the front of house, and son Luciano, who is the head chef. Annalisa has recently become a mother, meaning Rosa now has a new focus as a "first-time nonna". All three kids "rebelled" as young adults and left the island to pursue other interests, yet the strong bond of the Italian family meant they all ultimately returned to take leading positions in running the business.

PINO'S TRATTORIA 82

Phillip Island | 150 years

If you're wondering why the past tense has been used in reference to Pino, it's because he tragically passed away in 1999, though his legacy has well and truly lived on through his family. If it weren't for his wife and children, then it's possible that Pino's Trattoria may not still exist; they decided not to let their grief "swallow them up" but instead celebrate Pino's hard work. They concede that there were some difficult times, when they struggled to find their feet and get things right, although they have a great and supportive team with them now.

Phillip Island has seen many challenges over the last few decades, including attracting people in the cooler months, when Cowes could turn into a "ghost town". While many people came to the island, established businesses, and thought they’d make some easy money in summer and ride through the quieter months, the reality was often far different. Over her lifetime, Romina has seen the baseline shift in terms of visitor numbers, to the point where they're able to employ staff fulltime, all year round, which contributes to the

consistency of the product and service that Pinos provides.

Watching them at work, it's easy to see that Annalisa and Romina are in their element when dealing with customers, and it's not uncommon to find Rosa hobnobbing with the Italian MotoGP riders. For them, being in the restaurant doesn’t always feel like work, and when they were young, growing up on the island, the kids would naturally go straight there after school, rather than home.

The Italian restaurant in Australia - particularly in a small town like Cowes - can be a “monster” compared to what you would find in Italy, small town or otherwise. For almost 30 years, the Scarlato family has been heavily involved in a successful business in an incredibly challenging industry. They’re unsure what the future will hold, though they are happy to take each day as it comes and keep dishing out lashings of amore.

Words & Images by Brendan Black

Phillip Island | 150 years

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JONATHAN REA NO. 1 BEING INTERVIEWED

1ST PLACE RIDER: LUCAS MAHIAS (FRENCH) NO. 144 (YAMAHA)

WORLD SUPERBIKES Photographs by Nici Marshall

HUGS IN PADDOCK AFTER WSBK RIDE

1ST PLACE RIDER: MARCO MELANDRI (ITALIAN) NO. 33 (DUCATI PANIGALE)

GROUP PIC OF “BLACK DOG RIDERS” ORGANISATION

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Phillip Island | 150 years

EIGHT RIDERS BEING INTERVIEWED IN THE PADDOCK

XAVI FORES, NO. 12 LEADING THE TIGHT PACK OF RIDERS

BELOW: 2ND PLACE RIDER: JONATHAN REA (BRITISH) NO. 1 (KAWASAKI)

LEFT: 3RD PLACE RIDER: XAVI FORES (SPANISH) NO. 12 (DUCATI PANIGALE)

LIVE AT THE ISLAND

2018 MOTUL FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP YAMAHA FINANCE ROUND, PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT, AUSTRALIA ROUND ONE – FEBRUARY 22-25, 2018

TROY BAYLISS NO. 21 AUSTRALIAN SUPER SPORTS COMEBACK RIDER, AGE 48 YEARS. KNEELING NEXT TO BIKE ON GARDNER STRAIGHT. TROY BAYLISS IS AN AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE RACER. DURING HIS CAREER BAYLISS WON THE SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THREE TIMES AND A MOTOGP RACE, ALL WITH DUCATI. HE FINISHED HIS CAREER AFTER WINNING THE 2008 WORLD SUPERBIKE TITLE. HIS 52 WORLD SUPERBIKE VICTORIES ARE ONLY BEHIND CARL FOGARTY AND JONATHAN REA.

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The small IGA store with more

By Wendy Morriss

Cowes IGA Plus Liquor is a small independently owned supermarket that matches the same low prices as its larger counterparts, while offering more Australian products, local produce, community support and a wonderful, personal shopping experience.

(Photograph by Brendan Black)

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Staff members, Katelyn Jones and Adele Pridham with customer (Photograph by Brendan Black)

L-R - Al Behre, Konney Behre, Adam Wagner, Mandy Welch, Phil Behre, Tash O’Neill

Phil, who previously worked as a tradesman, is now also president of the Cowes Retail Traders Association. He said running the IGA store in a town with three other large supermarkets, particularly in the current retail climate is challenging but it’s a challenge he and his family have been happy to take on.

Since taking over the business, they have expanded the supermarket’s liquor section to provide an amazing range of unique wines, beers and spirits including many that are locally produced and more from the Gippsland region.

Their son Alexander, who manages the liquor section, has a keen interest in boutique vintners, brewers and distillers, which is something he enjoys sharing with his customers.

(Photograph by Brendan Black)

The island’s first and original supermarket has expanded and adapted with the town’s growth and the arrival of three large supermarkets, to provide more and cater for their customer’s individual needs.

It’s a great family enterprise owned and operated

by Phil Behre and his wife Konney who purchased the business six years ago when they made the sea change with their family to Phillip Island.

“My family owned a holiday house here from 1960 to 2004,” Konney said. ” We came down every year during school holidays and shopped in the original supermarket. Later, we brought our own four children down to the family holiday home and we always had a vision that one day we would live on Phillip Island.”

The IGA supermarket is an integrated part of the community and strong supporter of the local economy. It raises funds for local community groups and sporting clubs and provides locals and holiday makers with a variety of quality produce from local suppliers including boutique liquors, meat, seafood, seasonal fruit and fresh vegetables, eggs, honey, breads and dairy products. The store’s delicious roast meats are a particular favourite with the locals from Friday to Sunday afternoons.

The family and staff are immensely proud of the exceptional, old-fashioned customer service they provide; it’s knowing their customers by name, being able to source their specific requirements, helping them carry shopping to their car and offering quick easy access to parking and shopping without waiting in traffic or lines, and a home delivery service.

It’s a lovely, relaxed shopping environment that is particularly conducive for older people who sometimes feel overwhelmed in larger supermarkets.

“It’s nice to know our customers and have a chat with them about what’s going on and they become part of the IGA family,” Phil said. “Being able to have a connection with our shoppers and to smile and greet them personally is something we all enjoy.”

The family employ 15 local people in the store and Konney said their staff are an important asset and also part of the family. “We are so grateful to have staff that are dedicated to the business and committed to making customers happy. The majority of them have been with us for several years. Many who started their first job here as juniors are still with us. It’s a small business so we all work closely as part of a team with each of us sharing the different roles.

“Tash who grew up on Phillip Island, started working here as a junior in 2004 and over the years, she has gained extensive knowledge of how the store operates and is now one of our store managers.

“Adam, our warehouse manager also grew up on Phillip Island and has been a valued member of the team since 2011. He looks after all the important things that customers don’t see which is keeping everything in order behind the scenes in addition to being a familiar face in the store.

“When we initially took over the business, we turned to both Tash and Adam for valuable local knowledge,” Konney said.

Interestingly, the location of the supermarket has been a site for retail trade for more than 30 years.

Initially a fish and chip shop occupied the site until it burnt down, followed by an op shop that also burnt down. Since then, the same building has housed several supermarket businesses with different names over the succeeding years.

It is now Cowes IGA Plus Liquor, a business that is all about serving the local community and one that Phil and his family have enjoyed working hard to grow and improve, with plans for more improvements in the future.

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CRTA President Phillip Behre in his IGA store

COWES RETAIL TRADERS A small band of retailers in Cowes came together in May last year to form the Cowes Retail Traders Association. The initiative, instigated by local fashion boutique proprietor Jane Wiesner, was established to provide island retailers with support, a connection to each other, a voice and an opportunity to participate in local council decision making.

By Wendy Morriss

Phillip Behre, president of the CRTA owns and operates the town’s IGA supermarket. He has lived and worked in the area for the last six years, with an unwavering enthusiasm for the retail industry and its role in the local economy.

He said the group is still in its infancy with 55 members but is continuing to grow. “We are presently taking small steps with small numbers and building on that.”

Jane, the founder and initial group secretary owns and operates ‘Chatters On Cowes’ with her husband Alf. She said the initial idea of forming a group arose due to the lack of consultation between council and the island’s traders and other retail services including coffee shops and hairdressing salons. It was also born of a need to find ways to strengthen the community and local economy.

“Some decisions were being made that affected retailers and many weren’t being informed,” Jane said. “Events that brought retailers in from

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Melbourne who traded in tents erected in front of our shops were affecting us. Our business alone was once down 90 per cent on the best trading day of the year, so the affect was dramatic.

shops so other retailers can grow and Cowes becomes the place people go to shop. The trees are great, the shops are great but we need a bit more diversity and better looking streets.

“We didn’t want to be negative though, we wanted to be positive, to support the retailers and have some influence in decision making because local retailers employ people, they put back into the local economy and many support community projects and local charities.

“We want people to leave saying, ‘I bought a lovely dress in Cowes, I bought a great pair of shoes or I can get my sewing fabric, cotton and needles in Cowes and they have great bread and wonderful coffee there’. We want to build the town up so it’s a retail centre that is vibrant because it’s a fantastic place.”

“We also wanted to get together to think of some innovative ways to bring more people to the island so that it benefits all local businesses.”

Due to work commitments, Jane has handed her role as secretary onto Wendy Sedgwick, from Cotton onto Craft, but has remained an active member. Treasurer is John McFarland and Paul Tibbetts from Island Shoes is the vice president.

Phillip said many things were being discussed including rates, electricity, leases, tenancy and street beautification. “We’ve also talked about ways to get more diverse businesses into the

Photography by Wendy Morriss

COWES RETAIL TRADERS ASSOCIATION CRTA members Wayne Carter, Heather Troupe, Jane Wiesner & Phillip Behre

CRTA committee members Wendy Sedgwick and Paul Tibbetts

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NEW ERA HEALTH SERVICE

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FOR PHILLIP ISLAND

Gerontologist – Dr Renee Kelsall

Bass Coast Health (BCH) is committed to the development of health services that better meet the needs of our Phillip Island community. We do this in partnership with State, Federal and Local Governments, as well as our community members tirelessly working towards enhanced healthcare in the region.

The most recent development to health services on Phillip Island is the opening of the Phillip Island Health Hub. This Hub heralds a new era for health services for our Islanders, designed to meet their specific needs by providing access to a range of new and expanded services.

Available for the first time on the Island is access to a broad variety of Medical Specialist Consultants offering Cardiology, General Surgery, Aged Care, Haematology, Oncology, Opthalmology, and Urology.

Families are now able to utilise The Hub to access Paediatric Allied Health Services, specifically designed to assist children who have mild to moderate developmental delays. Children are now able to be assessed and treated by a multidisciplinary team that includes Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech Pathologists.

Island residents no longer have to venture outside of the region for this specialist medical care, reducing the burden of travel and discomfort, thus greatly enhancing the overall wellbeing of our local patients.

To further maintain good health, as well as provide support during sub-optimal health, our expansive services aid in General Rehabilitation, Lymphoedema, Dietetics and Podiatry.

Allied Health is available through Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology, and programs are now available at the Hub for Falls Prevention, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Counselling professionals offer Generalist Counselling services, as well as support for Family Violence, Mental Health, Addiction and Sexual Assault.

Nursing services have been bolstered for District and Palliative Care, ‘Hospital in the Home’, and specialised Diabetes, Continence, Stomal and Respiratory care, as well as Chronic Disease Management. We also greatly welcome the support of a McGrath Breast Care Nurse.

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To determine how we can further grow health services on Phillip Island in the years ahead, we proudly collaborated with our local colleagues from Cowes Medical Centre, Ambulance Victoria and the Gippsland Primary Health Network.

An initial outcome was to improve the awareness of health services currently available 24/7. An information booklet has recently been made available directly to all Phillip Island residents, with additional copies downloadable via our website basscoasthealth.org.au/Patient & Visitor Information/Health Services on Phillip Island.

We appreciate that accessible health care is significantly important to the Phillip Island community, and are dedicated to the continuous provision of superior health services.

For more information about the Phillip Island Health Hub, please call 03 5951 1200, or visit our website basscoasthealth.org.au

Phillip Island Health Hub Auxiliary (inaugural meeting)

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COWES BATTERIES & MORE

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Ventnor Road, Ventnor, Cowes 3922, PH (03) 5956 8218 Phillip Island | 150 years

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Stewart in the store with his daughter Stephanie

Anchorage General Store

ACCOMMODATION & For 23 years, Stewart and Kay Hamilton have run the small Anchorage Caravan Park and delightful General Store at Ventnor that first opened in 1957. It’s a lively hub in a quiet part of the island on an attractive two-hectare site.

“We have an old-fashioned general store that sells pretty much everything,” Stewart said, “and our customers seemingly appreciate that.”

It’s a vibrant little business supported well by locals and tourists and he said during the summer time when the island is busy, many people avoid the crowds in Cowes and make the store their first port of call. They stock fuel, ice, wood, changeover gas bottles, DVD’s, a range of groceries, fruit and veg and deli goods. Locally produced Bass milk, cream and cheese, Kite Haven Olive Oil, Phillip Island Bakery bread and Bimbadeen freerange eggs are also stocked.

The store has an extensive range of liquor that includes local and Gippsland wines and beers and other boutique wines with surprising taste and value. “We are part of a Gippsland banner group called ‘Your Local’ and through them, we run fortnightly liquor specials that allow us to be comparable to the supermarket’s specials and generally cheaper on everyday pricing,” he said.

The store is also well known for its selection of lollies. “Little kids bring their parents in because we have the best lollies on the island, so they reckon. We have a lot of the old classics and some people come in and say, ‘I haven’t seen these for years.”

The caravan park was developed with Kay’s parents and opened in 1997. It is a natural addition to the business in a handy location on route to the penguin parade and for guests who

The park’s amenities building

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may want a bottle of wine or other supplies, so the two work well together.

The park consists of eight units that vary in size and layout, powered and unpowered sites, an attractive camping area and some basic backpacker rooms.

The main amenities block is used by campers and offers them an indoor kitchen with phone charging points and barbeque facilities outside.

“We mainly have families, backpackers and international couples travelling through and although we have many guests during the motor cycle events, there is very little noise or any trouble at all, which is nice.”

Caravan park camping area

SUPPLIES AT VENTNOR The camping area features an attractive wetland that is visited by several water hens and wild ducks. A few Cape Barren geese have taken up residence in the park and recently a black swan has visited. “We get a few pobblebonk frogs and in the summer time it’s great to hear them and the birds. There are plenty of plovers that go off in the morning and Willy wag tails never seem to sleep; they make a lot of noise for a small bird. It’s very much eco camping.”

In addition to the wildlife, a few resident chooks wander between the store and caravan park keeping an eye on things. “They are definitely what you’d call free-range chooks,” he said.

Stewart was a plumber by trade and both he and Kay grew up on Phillip Island. “Kay was an east ender and I was a west ender. I grew up on a sheep and beef farm just down the road so I haven’t moved very far – about four kilometres.”

The couple have two sons 25 and 27, who both completed trade apprenticeships on the island and currently live in Melbourne, and they have a daughter in year 12 at Newhaven College. “Our three kids have all done their ‘Shop Apprenticeship’ growing up as have many local kids over the years,” Stewart said.

When their daughter was born, they didn’t know how they were going to manage with a baby in a seven-day a week business but he said it actually worked out well. “She used to bounce in a little bouncer on the ice-cream fridge and all the customers that came in would give her a little push, so she was happy. She now serves some of them in the shop 18 years later!”

take timeout to play golf. “I still manage to work plenty of hours either side of whatever I do but it’s more flexible. Although it’s busy, it’s quite a good lifestyle.

“We’ve enjoyed our time here and we have met some wonderful people. We are proud of our business and the service it provides for our surrounding community. Being open such long hours every day is hard work, especially during summer when we close at 11pm but it’s been good for us. It was my local shop when I was a kid so I know what it means to our local area.”

Images by Wendy Morriss

He said they originally only employed staff on the weekends but these days they have someone working every day, which allows him to go out and do what he needs to in the caravan park and

Proprietor Stewart Hamilton

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The Nobbies

PHILLIP ISLAND PHILLIP ISLAND IS A BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE TOURIST DESTINATION VISITED BY ALMOST THREE MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR WITH ENDLESS NATURAL ATTRACTIONS, FAMILY FUN PURSUITS, IMMACULATE BEACHES, SOME OF THE BEST SURFING CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTRY AND HOSTS INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS.

BY WENDY MORRISS Red Rocks

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Erehwon Point

Seal Rocks (Photo supplied by Phillip Island Nature Parks)

Thompson Avenue | Cowes

Cowes Jetty

150 YEARS The Island was named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and navigator George Bass, who arrived from Sydney in an open whale boat in 1798.

Around the same time, Europeans entered the area by boat to hunt seals.

The first inhabitants of the area were the Yalloc Bulluk clan of the Bunurong/Boonwurrung people, members of the Kulin nation of aboriginal people. In the Bunwurrung language the Island was known as 'Millowl'.

In 1841, brothers John David and William McHaffie were granted Phillip Island as a squatting run.

They cleared the vegetation using fire, introduced stock to graze the land and remained until 1868, when the land was released to settlers.

The first bridge linking Phillip Island with the mainland was built in 1938 at a cost of £50,000.

A new 640m long concrete bridge to replace the old suspension bridge was built in 1969, costing $3.25m.

One of the first attractions seen after crossing the bridge and approaching Newhaven is the big blue concrete wave and The Islantis Surf Experience, an immersive multi-media attraction showcasing Australia’s surfing history and its role in surf culture.

Phillip Island is known to have some of the most consistently reliable surf conditions in Australia.

The National Surfing Reserve on the island encompasses four breaks - Summerland Beach, Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach and Cat Bay. During the year, Phillip Island hosts various surf clinics and competitions for men, women and juniors.

Phillip Island Nature Parks, created by the State Government of Victoria in 1996, comprises over 1,805 hectares that includes Pyramid Rock, Rhyll Inlet, Seal Rocks, and Cape Woolamai. It also

includes the Nobbies Centre, the Penguin Parade at Summerland Bay, the Koala Conservation Centre and the Churchill Island Heritage Farm.

The parks are part of the Phillip Island bird area identified by Birdlife International to support important populations of little penguins, shorttailed shearwaters and Pacific gulls.

Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade is one of Australia’s most popular attractions. From viewing stands, visitors are able to watch the world’s smallest penguins waddle up the beach at dusk after a day’s fishing, to the safety of their burrows in the sand dunes.

The Koala Conservation Centre is dedicated to koala research and conservation while allowing visitors the opportunity to closely view these beautiful animals in their natural habitat, from unique treetop boardwalks.

Churchill Island, just off the coast of Phillip Island is an historic working farm open to the public with attractive gardens, lawns and coastline walks that offer outstanding views of Westernport.

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PHILLIP

150 YEARS

ISLAND Newhaven Marina

The small 57-hectare island is the site of the first European agricultural endeavours in Victoria and has been farmed since the 1850s. The historic farmhouse and cottages provide visitors with a glimpse into the lives of early settlers and their farming practices.

From the Nobbies Centre on the western tip of the island, visitors are treated to spectacular coastal views from a network of boardwalks overlooking the Nobbies, the blowhole and Seal Rocks, which is home to Australia’s largest Australian fur seal colony. Inside the centre is a café, gift shop and the ‘Antarctic Journey’, a multi-media wildlife

experience with fun, hands-on activities that take you on a virtual journey to the world’s most extreme continent.

The best way to see Phillip Island’s wonderful, natural attractions is from the air with Phillip Island Helicopters.

The company conducts seven different scenic flights ranging from eight minutes to 42 minutes and offer several ‘Heli Adventures’ combined with other tourist attractions.

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Phillip Island | 150 years

Close by, is The National Vietnam Veterans Museum, an outstanding attraction dedicated to the preservation of displayed artefacts, memorabilia, vehicles and aircraft that depict Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1972.

Panny’s Chocolate Factory on the Phillip Island Road is a popular and delightfully sweet attraction with an interactive chocolate tour, a chocolate café and chocolate shop selling a vast range of Panny’s premium, handmade chocolates.

Cape Woolamai

Cassie – 18 years - oldest Koala at the Koala Conservation Park

EcoBoat (Photo supplied by Phillip Island Nature Parks)

V8 Action at the Grand Prix Circuit

Surfers (Photo supplied by Phillip Island Nature Parks)

Wallabies at Pyramid Rock

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Thompson Avenue

Pyramid Rock Lookout

Rhyll Jetty

The Nobbies coastline

Newhaven

A Maze’N Things is a special magical family experience. The unique, award-winning theme park is a world of illusions, puzzles, magic, mazes and mini golf that provides visitors with hours of amazing, astonishing and surprisingly wonderful fun.

Phillip Island’s Grand Prix Circuit is famous throughout the world for its international motorcycle and car racing events. A temporary circuit on the Island’s public roads was used to host the first Australian Grand Prix in 1928. In 1952, the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club was formed and construction began on the permanent Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, which opened in 1956. It was redeveloped and re-opened in 1988 and the following year, it hosted the first international Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

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Today Phillip Island’s Grand Prix Circuit hosts the same race and holds the Superbike World Championship, the Moto GP Championship and the V8 Supercars Championship.

The main commercial centre of Phillip Island is Cowes, an attractive precinct with an abundance of specialty shops, seaside cafes and restaurants. Cowes also has calm northern beaches that are ideal for family swimming, picnics and water sports.

Wildlife Coast Cruises leaves from the jetty and offers several spectacular tours around Phillip Island to discover seals, dolphins, whales and a range of birdlife in their natural environment, while taking in Phillip Island’s fascinating scenic coastline.

Visitors to the Island will find an endless variety of accommodation choices, unique wineries, boutique brewers and eateries.

The Island also has a variety of markets, numerous galleries and various events including the Annual Shearwater Festival and the Churchill Island Working Horse and Pioneer Festival. The Island Summer Carnival at Cowes has been a family holiday tradition for more than 50 years and offers fun and excitement from Boxing Day to Australia Day each year.

This year, Phillip Island will mark 150 years since the first European settlement in 1868 and the community will celebrate the Island and its rich Aboriginal and European history with many sensational events and activities.

Photographs by Nici Marshall & Doug Pell

Pyramid Rock

Phillip Island Golf Club Phillip Island Netball

Phillip Island Football

Seal (Photo supplied by Wildlife Coast Cruises)

Phillip Island Bowling Club

PHILLIP

150 YEARS

Shearwater Festival held 2015

Kitty Miller Bay

ISLAND

Ventnor Beach

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Jane and Alf in their fashion boutique

Chatters Fashion women chat about

By Wendy Morriss

Jane Wiesner is a remarkable woman. She is a business owner, she’s employed by the government, raises money for various charities that support the needs of disadvantaged children and she is the founder and a member of an organisation that supports local retailers.

Jane said she and her husband Alf have lived on Phillip Island for more than 10 years and they purchased their fashion retail business in Cowes in 2011. They have recently moved ‘Chatters on Cowes’ to new premises in Thompson Avenue.

While Jane works in the front of the business, Alf works behind the scenes on the accounts, technology and logistics. “He’s set up our data-based system specifically for our retail business, which is great and he regularly sends out a newsletter to our customers and interested parties as well.”

“Their retail business is one that caters for women who like nice quality clothing and don’t want to pay exorbitant prices,” she said, “and we do a range of sizing from 10 to 22 depending on the brand. It’s a place where women can find a comfortable garment that looks good and fits them.”

Alf also operates ‘Professional Resources’, his computer sales and service business catering for clients in Melbourne, Gippsland and Phillip Island and offers a special discount to Chatters customers.

They keep popular brands that include Yarra Trail, Marco Polo and Motto as well as some European and Australian brands. “We try to get as many Australian made brands as we can,” she said. They also stock a range of accessories and have a line of environmental jewellery made from natural and recycled materials.

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Additionally, the industrious couple involve themselves in a considerable amount of charity work. “It’s public relations and we are community minded,” Jane said. “We just try to help people, network and get to know the local community.”

They donate many items to local fundraisers and hold two functions a year for either Inner Wheel or World Vision charities to raise money for disadvantaged children. “A fashion parade we held recently for Inner Wheel at the Senior Citizens Club raised nearly $2000,” Jane said. “People came from all over the place and locally. Another fashion parade we held for World Vision at the Newhaven Yacht Club, raised several thousand dollars and it was nice too, with beautiful views.”

She said they also have wine and cheese nights in the shop for Phillip Island Inner Wheel and usually raise $500 to $1000. “It’s a shopping night; we provide a bit of a discount and donate money from the sales.”

Jane and Alf employ staff to work in the shop so Jane can work in Melbourne during the week. She takes on government projects and teaches. “At the moment I’m teaching an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management and facilitating a Cadetship for disadvantaged youth going into the public sector. I also work in disability services helping a service provider that has brain-acquired injured individuals to become accredited and then meet the required standards.

“I can go to Melbourne and leave two staff members in the shop, so they have jobs because I’m doing these things, which kind of works for everyone.”

Jane has a PhD in Philosophy and Psychology, something she has managed to attain through hard work while working and raising a family. “I left school at 15 for financial reasons, and I was mostly in a remedial class when I was young, but I worked hard,” she said.

“We’ve always both worked and we had two children, so I studied part time starting with VCE, then a Batchelor at university and eventually the PhD. It took 25 years out of my life.”

Since then, she has written a book based on her thesis titled ‘Freedom Beyond Conditioning: East-West’ published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing and she has written two children’s books that have been published.

Because Jane is also a quality auditor, she worked in Vanuatu for 14 months over a three-year period to teach trainers how to have quality management systems.

She is also the founder and a member of the Cowes Retail Traders Association.

“We’ve been very diverse with what we’ve done over the years,” she said.

“We ended up in retail, I don’t know how. We just happened upon the business and we wanted to put down roots here. Retail is not easy, so you do need a bit of a buffer but it’s rewarding and you meet a lot of really nice people. We’ve made many connections; some of our customers come up from Melbourne to see us and shop and then join us after hours for wine and nibbles, which is lovely.”

Chatters on Cowes is now: Shop 1, 82 Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922.

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PHILLIP ISLAND

INNER WHEEL

IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHATTERS ON COWES PRESENT FASHIONS ON PARADE PHILLIP ISLAND SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB, WATCHORN ROAD, COWES SATURDAY MARCH 24, 2018

All models in front of stage

All photos supplied by Nici Marshall

Simone Liberman, current Inner Wheel Member with friend Julie Fuentes

Backstage

PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS OF INNER WHEEL, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, PAULINE BROWSTER - Secretary 2006/07, MARGARET MACDONALD - Treasurer for 3 years, LORRAINE EDLINGTON - Past District Chairman, DIANNE NUTTER - Council Member 1998/99 JAN HUDSON - Council Member 2005/06/07, PAT TAYLOR - Phillip Island District Chairman & Councillor 2008/09, KAY RANKIN - Past District Chairman and Council Chairman, PAT EDWARDS - Post District Councillor Member 2008/09, JANEEN RANDEL - Present District Chairman.

Ladies enjoying fashion parade

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History of Phillip Island Patchworkers The Phillip Island Patchworkers have been going strong on Phillip Island for 33 years. Back in August 1984, a few ladies started taking lessons with Glenda Frost. Glenda was a very talented dressmaker with wonderful colour sense. The lessons were held in the Community House, which was then in Wyndham Avenue, Cowes.

With Glenda becoming too busy with her dressmaking, these ladies decided to form a group to meet monthly. This was early in 1985 and membership grew slowly. The Community House was relocated to its present site in Church Street, and about this time, the Group held their first display in the Cowes library.

Displays were often held in the Community House over Easter weekend and on Australia Day. As membership grew it was decided to hold an Annual Display at Newhaven Hall on Melbourne Cup weekend. These displays seem to get bigger and better each year. The money that is raised is then donated to our local emergency services.

In 1989 we held our first weekend workshop retreat at the Christian Youth Camp in Church Street, Cowes. It was run by the Community Centre and, as it proved so popular, we followed it with our first Patches Weekend, organised entirely by Phillip Island Patchworkers, over the Mothers’ Day weekend.

About sixty ladies attended the first weekend, from all over Victoria, with four Melbourne tutors teaching various techniques.

Subsequent weekends have all been held over Mothers’ Day weekends with attendance now about 120, with five tutors, some from interstate.

With a current membership of over 160 members, we have groups that meet on Phillip Island, in Wonthaggi and Corinella. If you would like more information about how to join our friendly club – please give our President Lyn Duguid a call on 0427 593 936. New members are always welcome.

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RIDING COTTON THE ONTO CRAFT CRAFT WAVE

by Brendan Black

The term “sea change” gets thrown around a lot, but sometimes it’s the best way to describe how one’s life has been reshaped by a move to the coast.

From caring for an elderly parent to running a business on an island may not seem such a logical step, but for sisters Wendy Sedgwick and Heather Coupe of Cotton onto Craft in Cowes, it was an opportunity they couldn’t pass up.

Born in Doncaster, UK, Wendy and Heather moved to Australia in 1965, when their father, who worked for International Harvester, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, was given the opportunity to spend two years here. After his contract had finished, they decided to stay, and their father joined the post office, a job he remained in until retirement.

Settled in Geelong, Wendy joined the Navy at 17, becoming a medic, while Heather got married, had children and moved around Victoria. Two years ago, Wendy’s house was on the market, and she was preparing to move to Geelong to look after her sick father. Yet when he passed away suddenly, it was the first in a series of events that pushed her in a direction she had never considered.

Two months after her dad died, Wendy’s contract with Defence ended, and a friend mentioned that a craft business in Cowes was up for sale as the owner felt it was time to move on. Wendy travelled down there with Heather (without telling her exactly

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why and where they were going), and as the two chatted with the owner and inspected the shop, they quickly realised that turning their hobbies and passions into their livelihood was something they could see themselves doing. After several days of contemplation and multiple phone calls to reconfirm their positions, the two knew it would be the right decision.

Using the money from the sale of her house, Wendy purchased Cotton onto Craft, and Heather - who had been living in Somerville for 20 years with her husband Wayne and wanted a change of scenery - came along for the ride. Both ladies admit that if their father hadn’t passed away when he did, their lives may have turned out quite differently: Wendy was unsure what lay ahead after Defence; Heather was working at a service station; and Wayne had been a truck driver who also assembled marquees.

The transition to running the shop involved a steep learning curve, requiring understanding the intricacies of business ownership and getting it to a state they were happy with. The past 15 months have seen them expand certain areas of the business, as well as embrace social media, thanks in no small part to their children, as neither Wendy nor Heather were terribly familiar with the likes of Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Now, however, they are at a point where posting a shot online of fabric with old-fashioned caravans on it sees the entire roll gone in a matter of days; when this was later repeated with a larger roll and the post was shared on a caravan-enthusiasts’ Facebook page, they received orders via text and Facebook messages from overseas. They're also now a popular destination for day-trippers and tourists engaging in "craft weekends"; for increasing numbers of people, both young and old, it seems there is nothing better than knitting, crocheting or stitching by the sea.

Wendy and Heather have seen what can only be described as a "craft revival", as an antidote to, and thanks to, the internet. With parents wanting their children to spend less time online, and others watching how-to videos on YouTube or Pinterest - coupled with more people becoming interested in recycling, repairing and altering clothes - a little craft shop on Phillip Island has become their haven.

Wendy and Heather try to set Cotton onto Craft apart from bigger stores in several ways: minimum amounts of fabric or buttons are lower (10cm rather than 50cm); they will source and regularly stock a product "if asked twice"; and most importantly, their range is priced lower than many

competitors, even though they're all dealing with the same suppliers.

It's possibly also one of the only craft stores where you'll see a male staff member. Wayne seems in his element, and many customers, who were quite reluctant to deal with a bloke in the beginning, now return with their creations because "Wayne wanted to see this". As Heather states, Wayne can talk to anyone, and he can now be safely left alone in the shop as he's had plenty of practise cutting fabric and checking dye lots for wool. It also means many male customers have gotten over any possible “unease� regarding walking into a craft shop.

Wendy and Heather are passionate, outgoing, selfdeprecating and also two of the happiest ladies you'll meet, all because they took a well-reasoned gamble and followed their passion (and because their accountant, surprisingly, told them it was a good decision). Even though owning a craft store "wasn't on her radar", Wendy has no regrets at all, and she, Heather and Wayne are now enjoying a delightful sea change, in many senses of the word.

Photography by Brendan Black

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COWES Cowes in the 1950s was a small coastal community in the true sense of the word, though I don’t remember that particular word being used too much back then. The population was small and settled; everyone knew each other and everybody knew each other’s business. My father told the story of being woken before dawn one morning to the sounds of someone rummaging in the kitchen. It was the milkman. We had forgotten to put out the billy, and he had, quite rightly, figured we would need the milk.

The hall itself was the venue for just about everything: concerts, meetings, a picture theatre in summer and, most important of all for every primary school aged child on the island, the annual fancy dress ball.

All of this changed dramatically with the onset of the holiday season. Then the many camping grounds in and around the town filled to overflowing with tents and vans and families with kids. The beaches became a mass of beach towels and brightly coloured umbrellas, bodies slathered in oil and baking in the sun, beach balls and cricket and paddleboats for hire. Nights were made festive by a carnival on the foreshore, with sideshows and a traditional merry-go-round spinning to the sounds of bright accordion music.

Holidaymakers who chose not to camp stayed in guesthouses and Cowes had many. They were often beautiful old homes set in gardens to match. In summer, they became hives of activity, crowding stretchers into already crowded rooms, preparing three meals a day and arranging nightly entertainment including dances and parlour games.

A highlight of the summer season was the New Year’s Eve procession, a celebration for both locals and tourists alike. The town band led the parade, followed by local organisations such as the lifesavers and the volunteer fire brigade.

Children dressed up themselves, or their bicycles, and marched in groups. But for the spectators who lined the streets and cheered, it was the floats that provided the thrill. Each guesthouse contributed, and the guests themselves created their spectacular displays on the back of a truck.

There might be pirates swashbuckling, followed by a scene from the Arabian Nights or a bevy of bathing beauties. Prizes were awarded from the rotunda near the jetty, and the band played till midnight. The grand finale was of course, the fireworks. Afterwards we would drive home past several guesthouses hoping to catch a glimpse of the parties and the dancing on the lawns.

The main street stretched for one block from the foreshore, and was a mix of shops, private homes, a guesthouse or two and the Shire Hall.

The Cyprus trees that lined the street had wooden benches underneath where we kids would sit with a threepenny icecream cone, while mums chatted at length with shopkeepers and neighbours. At the top of the hill was the Archie’s Creek Cooperative, the grocery store. I can remember the long wooden counter that ran along three sides of the dark, rectangular room, and the shelves behind it that were packed with jars and bottles and bags of whatever it was we needed to buy. On the top shelf were the tins of biscuits that you took home in a paper bag. The broken ones, at a penny or two a bag, were an especially good buy.

The Shire Hall, halfway up in the hill, was central to community life. Downstairs was the library, and variously shaped and sized dungeon like rooms used for meetings and clubs.

The top level housed the council offices, all quiet and carpeted and definitely off limits to us kids.

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Cowes was a wonderful place to grow up. We had unspoiled beaches and bush to explore, and were safe in the knowledge that the whole town was looking out for us. It is a very different place now, and I am thankful to have experienced that other world, where freedom was truly possible.

Back then, shops closed about 5.00pm on a weekday, and at noon on Saturdays.

The hotel shut at six in the evenings and for the rest of the weekend, the town was deserted. You could have literally fired a cannon and no one would be hurt.

Story by Elizabeth Jones Photos kindly supplied by Phillip Island & District Historical Society, Cowes and Elizabeth Jones

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HEAD OVER HEELS Like many Industries, footwear retail has in recent times felt the impact of online department stores.

With a growing trend of being able to sit in the comfort of your lounge room and shop for virtually anything on your laptop, it's heartening to see that there are ‘bricks and mortar’ stores such as Island Shoes bucking the digital trend.

Established in 1983 by Ted and Bella Egan, Island Shoes underwent a change of ownership three years ago and is now owned by Paul and Julia Tibbetts.

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As Paul says, he has “always been in the footwear industry,” following his father into a business that over the years has seen a great many changes and challenges but has also offered some wonderful opportunities.

While they haven't regretted their decision for a second, the shoe business remains a challenging industry. Yet, Paul and Julia believe the store's DNA has set it up to weather both good times and the quieter periods.

With Julia's background in fashion design and Paul's years of footwear development going back to 1979, the time was right to start looking at a change of pace. After hearing that Island Shoes was for sale from a contact in Sydney, Paul says, “going into footwear retail wasn't on the radar” however, after some investigation it became apparent that this was the change of pace they had been pursuing.

Paul says, “what we have seen over the past three years is a move away from the China-based product and more emphasis on the European product – the leathers are softer and more supple, you can see the passion that Europe brings to footwear manufacturing.”

island shoes Interestingly, they have a huge following in Melbourne and other parts of Australia and overseas – “over the years we have been able to build a substantial customer database, which is used to keep everyone up to date with what's going on at Island Shoes.” Paul and Julia say, “it would be foolish to ignore the online phenomenon. However, in saying that, footwear still remains a tactile purchase and we remain committed to customer service with our trained staff Sharon and Heather who have been with the shop for more than 30 and 17 years respectively.

We are committed to ensuring that our customers have a great shopping experience and customer service is key to our future success.”

When they're not working, they usually return to the UK to see Julia's family and the shop is left in the very capable hands of Sharon and Heather.

“It's also a great opportunity to have a good look at new season's style's and see what's trending and if possible take in one of the European shoe fairs.”

Not surprisingly, the four days from Good Friday to Easter Monday are their busiest trading days of the year, thanks to the number of visitors heading over the bridge. The crowds bring vibrancy and energy to Cowes as well as many visitors from around Australia who often say they can't find a similar shoe store in their area, much to the delight of Julia and Paul.

by Brendan Black

While many people take their feet for granted, Julia and Paul commit themselves to helping their customers make the right decision and their selection is immense. It's always great to see an established business live on through the care and dedication of new owners, particularly when it's helped them start a new, relaxing phase of their own lives.

Photography by Brendan Black

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03 592 6780

PROPRIETORS STEVE AND CATH MURPHY

WATCHING SMALL CHILDREN CONFIDENTLY CLIMBING 10-METRE WALLS AND THEN ABSEILING BACK DOWN IS A HEART STOPPING EXPERIENCE BUT THESE CHILDREN ALONG WITH MANY TEENAGERS AND ADULTS AT ‘CLIP ‘N CLIMB’ ARE HAVING A BALL. THE SUPERVISED, COLOURFUL CLIMBING SPACE WITH 30 CHALLENGES IS THE ISL AND’S L ATEST, UNIQUE ATTRACTION.

It’s a family business owned and operated by Cath and Steve Murphy and members of the extended Murphy family. Cath said they have only been open a short time but the response so far from tourists and the community has been great. “The people that come in are all ages from toddlers up and recently we had an 81-year-old come in and climb the walls, so it’s a great familyfriendly activity.”

In addition to the climbing walls, there are other wonderful convenient facilities. Outside the climbing arena is a great snack and coffee bar and upstairs is a full café, a viewing platform and four function rooms for birthday parties and other special occasions or group events.

She said the climbing is very safe and loads of fun while being a great physical workout. “It’s also great for the mind because you really have to think about the steps you take to get up the walls and it’s extremely challenging, so it’s a great confidence builder.”

There are various levels of difficulty with some walls being easier to climb than others. Then each wall has three different challenges as well with different ways to climb them so there’s no way to get bored. The walls are high but climbers don’t have to go to the top.

Not all the challenges are straight walls. There are other perplexing things to climb in the arena including ‘Astroball’, which is a series of large balls on top of one another and ‘Stairway to Heaven’, a group of large cylinders that you don’t use your hands to climb with a bit of a jump at the end.

“The young children are amazing, they climb with so much confidence and the ones that aren’t confident at the beginning of the hour, have a lot more confidence at the end,” Cath said. “When they finish the session they want to do it again and again. I think it’s a natural instinct for young children to climb. I mean they climb everything including trees and the furniture.”

The Augmented Climbing Wall, outside the main climbing arena is an interactive climbing game.

Video graphics with challenges are projected onto the climbing surface and track the climber’s movements.

Cath said before people go out to climb, they get a 15-minute safety briefing with their staff who then harness them correctly and check them again before they go out into the arena.

The harnesses are locked onto an auto belay line from the roof that retracts as they climb and gently extends when they abseil back down.

Each wall is equipped with a BelayMate, which is a new type of connector that gives people more climbing time and is 100 percent fool proof, so it’s super safe and easy and absolutely no climbing experience is necessary.

Clip ‘n Climb is a New Zealand brand and there are now more than 155 Clip ‘n Climb centres around the world. “It’s not a franchise,” Cath said.

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“We purchased the licence and then worked with a company to install the equipment, which is now regularly serviced and there’s some strict maintenance.”

When asked if any adults or children ever climb to the top and don’t want to come down, Steve said yes, especially the Stairway to Heaven. “We’ve had three, mostly teenagers who get to the top and freeze. We then have to do a rescue, which involves lowering a rescue rope and we have what is called an ascender. We clip up and then it’s like rock climbing and we tether them to us and bring them back down.”

The extraordinary business is a big family affair with Cath and Steve running the day to day operations, and Steve’s sisters Jackie and Kelly and his parents Anne and Terry are directors. Steve and Cath have lived on the island for the last seven years. She said, “We all got together as a family to establish the business because we thought it would be good for the island and another great tourist attraction.

We have two young daughters and one is a teenager and there aren’t many indoor activities on the island particularly for that age group but the Clip ‘n Climb is an active, healthy, fun place for them. Recently we held a teen night, which was a glow party. We set it up like a blue light disco with UV lights and they climbed, ate pizza and danced; it was great.”

The children in the family love it, she said it’s like their parents bought a candy shop and they are on the walls a lot. The family employs 28 casual staff, some as young as 15, that includes climbing crew staff, café staff and party staff and they all think it’s a fun job. “There are crowds and there’s still customer service and everything else involved in managing a large project but it’s so much fun and it’s really nice to see people coming in happy and leaving happy and often with children that are exhausted.”

Prior to opening the centre, Steve and Cath ran a computer shop in Cowes for five years. Cath also taught gymnastics at the YMCA and Steve is a mechanical engineer. Their skills and experience have been woven together into the latest venture, which they believe will be very long term with plans for future expansion.

Steve said, “there is still a lot of space in the centre where we hope to later add another attraction but we’ll see how we go. Currently we’re building a jump tower in the corner for freefall jumping, so that’s coming.”

Words + Images by Wendy Morriss

TO BOOK A CLIMB OR FOR MORE INFORMATION 6-8 Industrial Way, Cowes 3922 Victoria P E W

03 5952 6780 hello@islandclipnclimb.com.au www.islandclipnclimb.com.au

THE ARENA SHOWING ASTROBALL AND STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

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NATURALISTE TOURS FRENCH ISLAND In todays world where we are inundated with technology and the hustle and bustle of life in general, getting back to nature is a sure remedy. The residents of French Island may be on to something. With just over 100 permanent residents, the island runs completely off the grid with no mains water or electricity, there is one shop, virtually no traffic, and famously, Kylie Minogue once owned a holiday home there.

It is Victoria’s largest island covering over 170-square kilometres, two-thirds of which is National Park and offers a sense of complete remoteness. Located only 80 kilometres out of Melbourne, a stone’s throw from Cowes and Stony Point in the heart of Westernport Bay, it is like the outback in our very own backyard!

Now, travellers can get a glimpse of this unique place, its extraordinary landscape, wildlife and unique flora. Naturaliste Tours is a relatively new nature-based experience that travels around this rugged, unspoilt island in a unique 4WD vehicle, an OKI, that holds only 11 passengers.

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Experienced and knowledgeable guides will share insights into the natural and cultural history, stop regularly for wildlife encounters and pass by amazing flora ranging from saltmarshes and mangroves to forests and open woodlands.

Over the three hour tour you will get an insider’s view of what it takes to live on French Island. Naturaliste Tours has special access to the National Park and will take the OKI into hidden spots and areas only accessible by 4WD. With spring just around the corner, wildflowers and orchids (over 200 species) will be a feature on the island. Photographers will have a field day with not only the diversity of flora but the incredible wildlife such as White Bellied Sea Eagle, Swamp Harriers, Wedge Tailed Eagles, Echidnas and our beloved Koala. French Island has one of the largest Koala populations in the State, so there is no shortage of spotting our favourite marsupial.

Naturaliste Tours offers a three hour history and wildlife tour, including the return ferry crossing from either Stony Point on the mainland or Cowes on Phillip Island.

For special interest groups a personalised itinerary can be organised.

Naturaliste Tours and Western Port Ferries CEO Matt McDonald said the tours provide a glimpse into the beauty and rugged natural terrain of the island.

“The wildlife viewing is second to none and the history and heritage of the island is truly fascinating. After many years without a tourism operator, we were very excited to launch Naturaliste Tours earlier this year.”

Many locals and Melburnians are learning about this hidden gem just down the road.

More information visit: www.naturalistetours.com.au

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PHOTO SUPPLIED BY NICI MARSHALL

WHATEVER YOUR LEVEL OF SURFING ABILITY MAY BE, YOU’LL ALWAYS FIND SOMEWHERE TO CATCH A WAVE ON PHILLIP ISLAND. WORDS: CHRIS WEST

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GLYNDYN RINGROSE AT EXPRESS POINT - PHOTO SOURCE: ANDY BIDDINGTON

If you’re a surfer in Victoria, chances are you are familiar with Phillip Island’s four world-class surfing destinations – Cape Woolamai, Smiths Beach, Summerland and Cat Bay. Each boast their own unique qualities and offer something different for surfers to experience.

Cape Woolamai provides a choice of several excellent beach breaks along the stretch of coast from Magic Lands to Forrest Caves and is an ideal surfing location, although more suited to experienced surfers due to the rips and currents.

The area at Smiths is home to Phillip Island’s best barrelling reef break Express Point, but smaller swells can also be found at Smiths Beach and YCW Beach which are also well suited to learners.

Summerland has special significance as the birthplace of surfing on Phillip Island in the 1920s and is also home to the world-famous Penguin Parade. The point is ideally suited to longer boards and mals. The reef break at the western end of Summerland beach, known as CentreBreak, was originally associated with body surfing but became popular with modern short board surfers. During wintery conditions and high tide, Summerland Beach is renowned for big swells with a northwest to southwest wind.

The Cat Bay area offers numerous reef breaks, highlighted by Flynn’s Reef and Right Point, and is particularly popular during the summer months when the swell is greater than two metres.

These four locations comprise the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve, which was formally declared on 16th March 2013. Seven-time world champion Layne Beachley was present for the official launch ceremony, which included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque embedded in granite at Cape Woolamai. Plaque stones for the remaining three site locations at Smiths, Summerland and Cat Bay were not unveiled until June that year.

National Surfing Reserves recognise iconic sites of cultural and historic significance in Australian surfing. The philosophy of National Surfing Reserves is to care, share and preserve.

Dedicated for the surfers of yesterday, today and tomorrow, the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve became the first of its kind in Victoria and still remains the only one in this State to this day.

“With the direction of the wind and the swell, you can most times get a wave somewhere on the island, which of course is pretty crucial for a surfer. You can go there and know you’ve got a few options regardless of which way the wind is blowing.”

Its establishment was due to the efforts of a working group that included a number of dedicated members of the local surfing community and also comprised representatives from Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bass Coast Shire Council, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Phillip Island Boardriders Club and Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

A voluntary committee continues to oversee the ongoing management of the Reserve to promote the qualities and safeguard the wellbeing of this unique asset.

Phillip Island is fortunate to be blessed with an abundance of natural attractions, not least of which is its spectacular surfing locations.

All surfers have an ongoing responsibility to respect the pristine environment and Indigenous significance of the Reserve areas.

On any day at Phillip Island you will find local surfers sharing the waves with visitors from Melbourne and other towns on the mainland.

Many visitors have been making the journey for years.

One of these is Wayne Moffatt, an experienced surfer who appreciates the majestic beauty and magnetism of Phillip Island’s beaches.

“It’s a stunning place. Everything’s so compact and from a surfing perspective there are quite a lot of options with the beach breaks and the reef breaks,” he says.

PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVES PRESIDENT BRAD FARMER & LAYNE BEACHLEY, SEVEN TIME WORLD CHAMPION, AT THE LAUNCH OF PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE AT CAPE WOOLAMAI IN MARCH 2013 PHOTO SOURCE: PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE

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MITCHELL PETTET CATCHING A WAVE AT PHILLIP ISLAND - PHOTO SOURCE: ANN PETTET

SURFING EVENTS Phillip Island hosts a number of surfing tournaments for men, women and juniors throughout the year.

Highlights include the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve’s annual Surfing Teams Challenge and the prestigious Phillip Island World Surf League Qualifying Series.

PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE SURFING TEAMS CHALLENGE 2018 saw the 5th annual Surfing Teams Challenge held in inclement weather conditions at Summerland Beach on Sunday, 15th April.

Phillip Island holds special significance for Wayne, as it is where he introduced his partner Ann Pettet’s eldest son Mitchell to the joys of surfing.

“I started taking Mitch to Phillip Island from 2007 when he was twelve,” he remembers.

“We started at Smiths Beach, which is a natural beginner’s beach and perfectly suited for learning. The waves are a lot smaller and break further out. He was not going to get smashed around near reefs or rocks. It was just a safe area for him to get his skills up.

“Mitch was wrapt when he started mastering the bigger waves and it was rewarding to see other surfers at Phillip Island acknowledging his development. The locals were very welcoming towards him and he gained their respect for having a go. Mitch liked the fact that he was accepted by them. He got a great thrill whenever they said ‘good on you, mate’ or gave him a nod.”

Tragically, Mitch passed away in July last year following a courageous 12-month battle with an aggressive form of leukaemia. He was just 22 years of age.

“If the winds were blowing hard easterly, we’d go across the other side of the island to Flynn’s Reef and Cat Bay. For a beginner like Mitch, Cat Bay was also a good place to learn. Once his skills reached a sufficient level, we then progressed to the open beaches of Woolamai, where Magic Lands became one of his favourite spots.”

Wayne has not yet been able to bring himself to return to Phillip Island since Mitch’s passing and currently concentrates his surfing around the Flinders area.

Wayne put his own surfing on hold for two years to focus his attention on teaching Mitch.

As part of the process of trying to deal with her unthinkable loss, Mitch’s grieving mother Ann is trying to conquer her own fear of the ocean.

“We’d go down to Phillip Island for the weekend around twice a month, or just whenever we got the chance to put the boards in the car and hit the road. We stayed in San Remo and made sure we got to spend plenty of time in the water on each trip,” he recalls.

Wayne cherishes many great memories of those times with Mitch at his side.

“Phillip Island will always be a special place to me because it’s where Mitch and I did our surfing together,” he remarks.

“To her credit, Ann is starting to get on the water with a stand-up paddle board and when she’s confident enough on the board or a kayak I’d like to take her to Phillip Island to show her the spots where Mitch and I used to surf,” Wayne states.

“I reckon it would be a good thing for both of us if we were to do that and I think I’ll wait for then before I return,” he adds.

Local surfing enthusiasts formulate teams of nine members to participate in the event. Each team must meet the qualification criteria which requires them to include men and women, juniors and veterans over 50 years of age riding various types of craft.

Offering prizes of $2,000 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third place, this year’s event attracted nine team entries. After initial heats, the competition culminated in the top six teams facing off in the final.

“The final was keenly contested and close scoring, but it was the Island Surfboards team that came out victorious to take home the Dave Fincher Memorial Trophy and first prize money,” reports event organiser, Geoff Owens, who is a Committee Member of the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve.

“Despite the miserable weather for surfers and spectators, it was another successful event and everyone enjoyed themselves,” he adds.

The Island Surfboards team, led by Sandy Ryan, scored 68.2 points in the final to defeat the EP team, captained by Nick Fostin, on 65.3, with the Smiths United team back in third place on 61.4. Defending team champions Archysurf finished in fourth position this year.

The Surfing Teams Challenge is an initiative of the Phillip Island National Surfing Reserve, with assistance from Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bass Coast Shire, Westernport Water, Island Surfboards, Phillip Island RSL, Newhaven College, Karoon Gas, Cape Kitchen, Ramada Resort, Rip Curl/Islantis, Reece Plumbing, Pro Surf Coaching and San Remo IGA.

PHILLIP ISLAND WORLD SURF LEAGUE QUALIFYING SERIES Following a successful introduction in 2017, this year’s Phillip Island Pro QS 1000 for Men and Women does not have an official confirmed date as yet, but is tentatively scheduled to be held from 3rd to 6th November at Cape Woolamai.

Last year, Jacob Willcox from Margaret River was the inaugural Phillip Island Pro winner in the Men’s competition which was relocated to Summerland, whilst sixteen-year-old Piper Harrison of Coolangatta surfed with maturity beyond her years to take the Women’s competition.

The Phillip Island Pro allows surfers to gain points and experience on their way to achieving qualification for the World Surf League Championship Tour and offers US$20,000 in total prize money.

PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE WORKING GROUP WITH LAYNE BEACHLEY (BEHIND STONE) AND THE HON. RYAN SMITH (MID ROW, RIGHT) AT THE 2013 RESERVE LAUNCH AT CAPE WOOLAMAI PHOTO SOURCE: PHILLIP ISLAND NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE

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The event is presented by the Bass Coast Shire and Victorian Government and supported by Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Surfing Victoria, Surf Meal Co., Ramada Resort and Coastalwatch.

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SWIM FOR LIFE

PHILLIP ISLAND’S PARALYMPIC HERO

AMANDA DRENNAN

By Olivia Skillern

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MANDY WITH PARENTS ANNE AND WAYNE DRENNAN

MANDY WITH BOYFRIEND BEN STRONG

A small swimming pool out the back of the Isle of Wight hotel in Cowes, Phillip Island was the first memory of swimming lessons for many local children. This was no different for Amanda Drennan, except that she had one distinct disadvantage: she had just one leg. Despite this Amanda, or Mandy as she is better known, went on to master swimming and represent Australia at the highest level. Throughout her career Phillip Island was never far from Mandy’s mind and she went on to use her talents and give back to the community that supported her so strongly.

Eventually the Drennans had to put an end to the Freddo Frog incentive for swimming but the seed was planted. Mandy was now swimming regularly and challenging all she came up against.

Born and raised on Phillip Island, Mandy Drennan’s parents knew how important it was that their children be able to swim. This was always going to be a challenge for Mandy who was born with no right leg. Mandy toiled away in swimming lessons but found it difficult. When being told to kick her legs, she just went around in circles.

At the age of 12 years, Mandy did have the opportunity to swim at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. She had represented Australia at the Pacific School Games and went home with a bag full of medals. Full of confidence, and with the Paralympic trials being held soon after, Mandy thought it sounded like fun and gave it a go to see what happened.

Mandy’s competitive swimming career started at the age of ten when she competed for Phillip Island in the South Gippsland Swimming Association competition. Initially, Mandy watched as her older sister trained and competed and was encouraged to join herself. At this stage, swimming required a huge effort for Mandy but it was the lure of a humble Freddo Frog that really heightened Mandy’s determination to swim. Her parents said that if she could master one lap of the Phillip Island pool, she could have a Freddo Frog, two laps, two Freddo Frogs, then three.

Through the process Mandy was offered a wildcard to swim at the home games but it was decided with her coach and parents that 12 was just too young to deal with the pressure of such a big event. Although disappointing at the time, looking back Mandy believes that not swimming in Sydney was beneficial as it taught her that things did not just happen, you had to work for them.

By age 11, Mandy competed in her first Victorian State Championships. She was showing great progress and it was decided that she should swim with the South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club under the coaching of Ivan Moore. This was a higher level than the local club and allowed Mandy to develop her skills further.

And work she did. By the age of 14, Mandy had outgrown her local Bass Coast club and moved on to the bigger Warragul Water Warriors club

as they offered more training opportunities as well as being a part of the Gippsland Academy of Sport. It was at this still young age that Mandy was selected to compete at the highest level, representing Australia at the 2002 World Championships in Argentina. It was a huge success with Mandy bringing home two medals, gold in the women’s 4×100 metre medley relay and silver in the women's 4×100 metre freestyle relay. This was a real highlight in Mandy’s career and something she looks back on with pride.

Although living in Phillip Island and travelling to Warragul to train two or three times a week was standard for Mandy at this stage, in order to really progress she needed to train more, and harder.

This could really only be done in the city so in term four of year nine, Mandy moved to St Catherine’s School in Toorak as a boarder and started to train with Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club under Ian Pope.

The intensity of the training and the high-level sporting environment which resulted from this move, led Mandy to her Paralympic debut in Athens in 2004.

“It was such an eye opener,” she said. Having so many people with so many different disabilities showed Mandy how although she had her own challenges, there were others with more disabilities that took it all in their stride. The athletes were really talented both in their sports and how they lived.

SWIMMING THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF PHILLIP ISLAND

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It was while in Germany that Mandy received a call from her Mum saying that the Worley Hospital was closing and she no longer had a job. This astounded Mandy as it was the only hospital on Phillip Island and losing it would leave the island without a 24-hour health care facility. It was a growing population and an aging population and yet the only hospital was closing.

Mandy felt so far away from home and a little bit helpless thinking ‘what is it that I can do?’ She felt that she did not have anything to offer based on what she does, the only thing she can really do is swim.

This got her thinking. Has anyone swum all the way around Phillip Island? It turns out this was something new. So, Mandy decided to put her swimming to use to give back to the community that had supported her so much throughout the years.

She started Swim for Life to raise awareness and funds for a 24-hour health service for Phillip Island. This is something that Mandy is passionate about as getting health care in a timely manner is a matter of life and death.

So, with great preparation, in 2012, she swam the circumference of Phillip Island, a total of 66 kilometres.

Sadly, Mandy feels she has let down the community as to date nothing has been done.

The charity trust has almost $50,000 but the catch with this is that it needs to be used for a 24-hour medical facility. Although in her youthful exuberance this seemed a great idea, Mandy says that actually getting it happening is tougher than she thought. It needs greater assistance and the bureaucracy involved in making it happen is significant. As a result, despite regular meetings relating to the project, there is still no 24-hour medical facility on Phillip Island, and the funds raised are sitting and waiting to be used.

These days Mandy is making the most of life while she can. Although a trained massage therapist she spends most of her time renovating houses, or travelling. Her latest adventure was a trip around Australia with her partner. Although this is something many people undertake in retirement, Mandy wants to see and do all she can while she knows her body can. Having just the one leg, it is unknown how long it will hold out and Mandy does not want to miss a thing. She would like to see some movement in the dream of the health centre for Phillip Island but it is renovations and adventures for the time being.

“I’d look at someone else and think how do they do it.” She recalls how she followed a man from China who had no arms and was fascinated about how he did things. But he just did it. Being around people with disabilities more significant than her own, Mandy learned that her disability was relatively small in comparison.

“I was just in awe of other athletes that I was surrounded by,” she said.

These Paralympics were also very successful. Mandy won a bronze medal in the women's 4×100 metre Freestyle relay 34 pts event.

The next major event Mandy started aiming for was the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. But it seemed that swimming in a home games was not going to be. At the Victorian State Championships while on the blocks the starting gun was malfunctioning and at one point

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Mandy was sitting down on the block after having been asked to step down. Then suddenly the gun went and while trying to get up and start, Mandy felt her knee go from under her. She pushed through and finished the race but she had badly injured her knee.

Images supplied by Drennan family

Mandy still went to the trials but was unsuccessful as her knee was quite damaged and she was not able to swim to her potential. It was a huge disappointment. This all happened while she was completing Year 12.

A M A N DA DRENNAN

After this, Mandy was unsure whether she wanted to continue to swim while having some issues with coaches and inspiration. So, in 2007, she moved to Germany to live and train at a sports school with a fellow competitor she had met in Athens in 2004. It is a different system in Germany in which Mandy really thrived, going on to compete in her second Paralympics in Beijing in 2008.

PARALYMPIC HERO

paint place

group of stores

Cowes the paint specialists

215 Settlement Road, Cowes Vic 3922 Tel: 5952 2522 Email: cowes@paintplace.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 8.00am to 1.00pm Sunday 9.00am to 12.00pm Manager: David Fusinato

paint place

group of stores

WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL 2018 PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY NICI MARSHALL

YACHT IN WESTERNPORT BAY JEFF RINDLES FROM THE LILYDALE RADIO YACHT CLUB, WITH THEIR MODEL BOATS

DISPLAY OF RIBBONS

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ANDREW LACCO, PHILLIP ISLAND LOCAL, WITH HALF COUTA BOAT, HALF SKIFF BUILT BY ANDREW, AND DESIGNED BY KEN LACCO

STREET STALL PEOPLE

YACHTS AT SUNRISE MOORED AT JETTY

Rhyll showcased its inaugural Wooden Boat Festival on 2-4 March 2018 in a weekend that was loaded with events, entertainment and attractions from sunrise to dusk in a carnivalesque environment. Rhyll community encouraged all weekend adventurers, families and friends to come together to enjoy a unique picturesque weekend out.

MARINA IS WEARING AN OUTFIT OF MATERIALS COLLECTED FROM THE SEA

“THE DRUNKEN SAILORS” ON A TRICYCLE CALLED THE CREAM SWIRL FROM MELBOURNE

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Hooked on Angling Members at Friday Night Bar

Noel & Judy Macklin Life members

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Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club

The pleasures of fishing and socialising come together for the enjoyment of members at the Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club.

Words : Chris West

From very makeshift beginnings, the Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club has grown to become an important part of the local community.

The not-for-profit club was established in 1988 with a small group of fishermen as its founding members. Their aim was to provide an outlet for angling enthusiasts to engage in competition and create a social environment in which to share fishing yarns in the company of like-minded people.

“It started out of a caravan, and then was based at the yacht club for a while, before relocating to Wayne Bain’s garage shed,” says Life Member Noel Macklin, who remembers those formative years well.

“I got involved when the club’s home was in Wayne’s garage,” he recalls.

As time progressed, it became obvious to everyone that if the club was to continue to grow and prosper, it would need to find or create a suitable permanent base.

In 1996, application was made to Council for a site for premises for the club. After a desirable location was secured beside the boat ramp adjacent to the jetty at Rhyll, the clubrooms were constructed through self-funding by the club and assistance of members and volunteers who contributed materials and labour to the project.

The new home of the Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club was completed and officially opened in 1998. Not surprisingly, the building of the clubrooms was the catalyst for the club to gather momentum.

“The majority of our members are people from Phillip Island, but we also have some Melbournebased members who come down to stay at their holiday houses. They also enjoy the chance to catch up with the locals.”

“It’s really grown from there as we started getting more and more members,” Noel says.

The wave of visitors to Phillip Island each holiday season is helping to supply the next generation of fishing enthusiasts.

“Obtaining a liquor licence also brought in the social members who have become a very important part of the club.”

Current President Daniel McCausland reports that the club presently has approximately 320 members including families and that socialising is now the focus of a slight majority of the membership base.

“The break-up would be about sixty per cent social and forty per cent fishing. I’d say there would be about 50 serious fishermen amongst our members, while many others just enjoy fishing for recreation,” he states.

The widespread appeal of fishing and the additional attraction of a welcoming social atmosphere ensure that the club’s membership ranks cover people of all ages.

“We have young kids to people over eighty,” Daniel says.

‘’In summer we have a lot of people from Melbourne introducing their kids and grandkids to fishing,” Daniel says.

“It’s important that we maintain the interest amongst young boys and girls.”

Although the social side is also now an integral part of the Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club’s existence, fishing remains the essential backbone on which it was founded.

The club conducts fishing competitions from the week after AFL Grand Final Day in early October through to the end of May. “We schedule twelve competitions into that period, sometimes holding two competitions in the same month,” Daniel explains.

For its competitions, the club divides members into three age categories – beginning with Squidgy (0-9 years), progressing to Junior (10-18 years) and finally Senior for anyone over 18.

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Juniors & Squidgys with their catch

Sam Orr Record Trevally Catch

The competitions start at midnight on Friday and remain open until 4.30pm on Sunday.

Approximately 20 species of fish are eligible to be weighed in at each competition, including flathead, bream, snapper, salmon, mullet and perch. Each species is subject to minimum size, point and unit requirements.

As well as holding its own competitions, the Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club also competes against other clubs.

“Sam’s record trevally weighing 2075 grams caught in March 2017 still stands and I don’t think it will be beaten for a while,” he suggests.

“We’ve had interclub competitions against mainly Wonthaggi Angling Club and last year had a comp against Warragul,” Daniel comments.

Mary Smith has been the defending Club Champion female for the past two years, taking over the mantle from Debbie Girling, who was the winner in 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Under the rules at present, fish can be caught anywhere in Victorian salt water as long as they are presented for weighing in within the time period.

“In the past we have opposed Pakenham and Longwarry and even city clubs,” he adds.

“It operates on a bit of an honour system,” says Noel Mackin, who is also one of the club’s weighin masters alongside Norm Trickey and Club Captain, Sam Orr. Daniel McCausland notes that the club aims to amend its rules at this year’s Annual General Meeting in August to restrict the distance range in which fish may be caught for its competitions.

“The new boundary will cover mainly Western Port Bay and parts of Bass Strait – roughly from Kilcunda through to Flinders,” he advises.

Each competition concludes with barbecue and presentation function following the weighing in of fish on the Sunday.

As a weigh-in master, Noel Macklin sees all the hopeful competitors coming in with their catches.

“They’re bringing in mainly snapper from October to December, we get plenty of trevally and gummy shark, we see whiting all year round and salmon in the winter months,” he says.

An annual presentation function is scheduled in early June soon after the completion of the final club competition in May. At this event, the male, female and junior Club Champions are crowned, along with other special awards.

Sam Orr, who became Club Captain in the 2016/2017 season, has been the Club Champion male fisherman for four of the past five years.

Although this season’s competition calendar had not yet concluded when this article was written, Sam was well in contention for a fifth Club Championship success but was facing a strong challenge for the title and the end result was expected to be very close.

“As recent history has shown, Sam is probably our best fisherman on a consistent basis and wins many of our competitions. He also oversees the weigh-in at competitions and is always on hand to answer any queries people may have when they bring in their fish,” Daniel says.

“Mary and her husband Bruce love their fishing and are always active in our competitions,” Daniel says.

The reigning Junior Club Champion from 2016/17 is teenager Max Carpi.

“Max is a very sporting young local lad from Rhyll, who fishes with his dad Reno,” Daniel comments.

Another important award announced at the presentation night each year is the Bill Wallis Trophy, which Daniel won in 2016.

“This award recognises the contribution of the late Bill Wallis, a Life Member who did a lot for the club in his early days, and I was very pleased to win it,” he comments.

The winner of the Bill Wallis Trophy is determined by the results from the second competition in November, with a combination of points and weights from the fish caught by an individual competitor adding up to an accumulative total units. The person with the highest combined number of units on that weekend takes home the trophy at season’s end.

Debra Orr, Jill Trickey & Gerry Gibb

Norm Trickey, Malcolm Reid, Ian McCarty, Jacob Memery(front) John Reid, Noel Macklin (back) & Helen Izzard

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April Angling Competition Winners

Socially, the club continues to go from strength to strength.

“Friday night is social night at the club, where everyone catches up all year round,” Daniel states.

“We also schedule a number of special events on our social calendar, including AFL Grand Final Day and Melbourne Cup Day, and hold functions for Easter and Christmas. There are also fishing charter trips that the club provides for members.

Plenty of members are also keen to get involved in our AFL Tipping Competition, which creates plenty of interest each season.”

Since Daniel became President five years ago, a series of ongoing improvements have been made to the clubrooms.

“In particular, the most recent upgrade carried out last year has given the premises a fresh new look and the feedback we have received from members has been very positive,” he reports.

“The works were completed by the contractors in quite a short time frame, with thanks once again to the efforts of people within the club who volunteered their time, in particular, our Vice President, Len Bates and Treasurer, Dave Fusinato. Len has probably been the hardest worker around the club over the last five years.”

Daniel says that the Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club offers families a welcoming environment regardless of whether fishing is their lure or not.

“We have a great location here at Rhyll, with a magnificent playground right in front of the clubrooms where kids can enjoy themselves. Of course, for keen anglers, there is the chance to participate in competitions on a regular basis.

We’re really a country fishing club.”

As Daniel acknowledges, historically, fishing has always been very much part of the culture on Phillip Island.

“It started with the earliest settlers here and we’re just carrying that tradition on,” he says.

Images courtesy of Rhyll-Phillip Island Angling Club

Rhyll Phillip Island Angling Club Record Catches SPECIES

GRAMS

NAME

YEAR

BREAM COUTA FLATHEAD GARFISH KING GEORGE WHITING LEATHER JACKET LUDERICK MACKEREL MULLET MULLOWAY PERCH PIKE SALMON SNAPPER SWEEP TREVALLY TAILOR

1540g 3402g 3475g 295g 950g 1746g 1398g 1054g 1935g 21140g 1015g 3880g 3230g 12120g 1000g 2075g 1000g

DEBBIE GIRLING MICHAEL MILONAS JIM O’CONNOR RICK DI FUCCIO DAVID JACKSON KEITH PAYNE CHRIS LEONARDOS CHRIS LEONARDOS DEBBIE GIRLING MIKE GORMLEY DAVID WOMERSLEY CHRIS LEONARDOS ROB ORCHARD JOHN PATTERSON DARRYL GRUMMISCH SAM ORR KEITH WORLAND

2014/15 2010/1 1998/99 2014/15 2002/03 2005/06 2015/16 2015/16 2016/17 1997/98 2011/12 2006/07 2008/09 1999/00 1992/93 2016/17 2005/06

19500g 105000g 25225g 37000g

JOHN McDOUGALL CHRIS LEONARDOS KEITH WORLAND KEITH WORLAND

1999/00 1992/93 2004/05 2005/06

SHARKS GUMMY/SCHOOL 7 GILL MAKO BLUE

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Style & Substance In the age of Airbnb and Booking.com, operating premium accommodation can be fraught with difficulty. Many travellers want more but for less money, and rating sites can become home to savage, and sometimes biased, reviews. Though if you find your niche, like Ian and Madeleine Baker of Glen Isla House in Cowes, the main difficulty might be having to turn people away.

Born in Shepparton, Ian grew up on a dairy farm, before moving to Melbourne for his studies, where he met Madeleine, from Hawthorn. After marrying, they moved to Kangaroo Ground and had three kids, after which they spent three years on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, where Ian worked for BHP in IT and Madeleine worked in the medical centre. Their time there was quite lucrative, helping to set them up for later years.

Between 1993 and 2003, they lived in Singapore, after originally wanting to only remain for three years. During this time, an opportunity arose to buy Glen Isla, a majestic property on Phillip Island, which was owned by Madeleine's brother, John, an interior and landscape designer. In "a moment of weakness", they bought the property and returned to Australia, but with big plans ahead.

Wanting a change of pace, Ian and Madeleine crunched the numbers, with an eye to operating Glen Isla as a bed and breakfast, finding that it wouldn't be worth it with such a relatively small property. Over the ensuing years, they purchased several of the adjoining estates, over six separate titles, ending up with around 6,000 sqm of land with direct beach access. A major restoration occurred in 2000, where they spent six figures improving historic house and creating purpose designed guest accommodation buildings.

The Glen Isla homestead is one of the oldest buildings on Phillip Island, dated to around 1870.

The house is believed to have been purchased from a catalogue and sent via sailing ship from the US, as it was actually cheaper than having one constructed from scratch in Victoria. The original owner, Robert Anderson, operated a farm, brickworks and chicory kiln, and made several alterations to the house over the years, including a second storey. Many other changes have been made over the years, including the construction of several other buildings in a comparable style, and the main residence has been furnished in a thoughtful way, as a nod to its history.

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While you can’t stay in the main building (it’s Ian and Madeleine’s home), if you ask nicely, they may let you explore it.

Glen Isla offers several different forms of accommodation, the most lavish of which is the Heritage Suite, constructed using gables from the original residence, and offering a four-poster bed and spa; as expected, it is very popular for romantic getaways. There is also a two-storey Gate Cottage designed for self-catering, and six "Classic Rooms" in the main guesthouse. Having stayed in the latter, I can attest that they are comfortable, quiet and elegant, and the perfect surroundings in which to relax.

Ian and Madeleine market Glen Isla as premium accommodation, for good reason. Unlike many big chains where you deal with employees rather than owners, they like to get to know their guests and offer them something special, rather than just a bed. As Ian stated, "if you haven't experienced really good hospitality, you sure as hell can't deliver it", and I found them both to be utterly charming and personable, having thought about the smallest details in order to make one's stay memorable.

Most of their guests originate from Europe, as they have aligned themselves with several top travel agencies aimed at guests looking for something unique during their travels, particularly those who are retired or semi-retired. For the last 15 years, Glen Isla has played host to riders and officials from the Ducati team during the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. As the racing track is often used for vehicle testing and driver training, the likes of Porsche, Audi, Maserati and Mercedes Benz also stay at Glen Isla, usually booking out the entire place. Ian possesses a Harley Davidson, though unfortunately he barely has time to ride it, so it’s currently up for sale.

Ian admits that the popularity of online booking sites has made it an increasingly difficult market. Many of these sites are owned by large, international conglomerates who pay little or no tax in Australia, while eating into margins in a big way with their commissions. As an antidote to this, Ian and Madeleine make it cheaper for guests to book through their own website at www.glenisla. com, with the added bonus that they can have breakfast included in the price.

Glen Isla

Speaking of breakfast, it is prepared personally in their commercial kitchen by Ian, who went back to school and studied to be a chef, finishing his apprenticeship under the watchful eye of his youngest son (they're still on great terms, thankfully). They used to offer dinner as well, but since Cowes now has a vast array of restaurants, the amount of preparation required seemed no longer worth it.

One of the greatest pleasures of being a Lifestyle writer is meeting two people who are so incredibly passionate about their work, are intensely knowledgeable about their industry, and will do whatever it takes to make their guests feel welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Glen Isla House, whether it was speaking with Ian and Madeleine or having a large bed to myself in such a peaceful setting. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone wanting their time on Phillip Island to be unforgettable.

Photography & Words by Brendan Black

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Ken and Sonia in front of the museum’s Caribou 231 aircraft

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WOUNDS OUR VIETNAM WAR VETERANS CARRIED, DUE TO THE REJECTION THEY RECEIVED WHEN THEY RETURNED FROM SERVICE IN VIETNAM, CREATED A NEED 17 YEARS LATER FOR SOME TO BAND TOGETHER AND BUILD A MUSEUM TO ACKNOWLEDGE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA.

BY WENDY MORRISS

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What began as a trailer with 200 items is now a large museum in Newhaven that houses more than 20,000 archived items including helicopters, aircraft and vehicles and receives around 16,000 visitors a year.

Ken Anderson, a veteran that served in the Vietnam War and one of several Vietnam veterans that initially established the museum, was also a volunteer tour guide for 12 years. He is very proud of what they achieved and said it’s not a place with war gore or war bore but a place for learning and understanding their service in Vietnam.

“We started with a trailer behind a four-wheel drive and we visited schools. Then we moved into a garage in San Remo and later into a group of shops. We bought the land that is now the current site in 2000 and built the present museum ourselves. We started building in 2002 and it was opened in 2007 by the then state premier, Steve Bracks.”

The National Vietnam Veteran’s Museum is the only museum in Australia solely dedicated to telling the stories of the Vietnam War. It has active displays and incorporates a gift shop and the privately owned Nui Dat café, named after a central base in Vietnam.

Sonia Hogg, who is the sales and events executive, said they currently have 82 volunteers that work in various areas of the museum including restoration, the workshop, the collections area, the library, customer service, as tour guides and they help in administration and in the cafe. We really treasure our volunteers,” she said. “We only have three paid staff so the volunteers, some of whom are Vietnam veterans, really run the museum.”

During the year, the museum holds several amazing, related events and activities and caters for school groups. A recent event was held to celebrate the arrival of the large Caribou 231 aircraft positioned in front of the museum that was used during the Vietnam War to move stores and troops into the country.

The barrel and some of the subscription marbles displayed in the museum

Ken said they were also used in an air service that ran from Saigon to a logistics base in Bung tau.

as a berry with a crew cut, they knew he was a serviceman.

Ken is now in his 85th year, he has written and published a book about the war and museum, which is available in the gift shop, and said whenever he passes the door, he pops in and if asked for any assistance, would willingly give it.

“When troops came home from Afghanistan, they were officially welcomed by government dignitaries, handed any awards and told well done, and that’s how it should be. Casualties came home with full military honour but in our day, they came home without ceremony. At the time we felt rejected by everybody; our people, our government and even our service community, so we decided to look after ourselves, and I believe the museum we have built in remembrance will outlive the Vietnam veterans.”

He said the museum is very important. “The very reason we exist is due to the reception we got when we returned home from Vietnam. It was dismal and it took a long time to sort out. There was much to be addressed at both government level and public level. We don’t believe anything like that will occur again but while there is a chance, the museum serves as a gentle reminder.

“I believe there were two reasons for the reception we did get. One was that the Vietnam War was the first to be televised and it was fought in lounge rooms all over the world. Families at home were more up to date with what was happening than the soldier on the ground who could only see a few metres either side of him. I also think national service played a big part and people saw us as an instrument of government, which the armed forces are of course, but not the individuals that form part of it, so to take it out on us was not right.”

He said each week during the war when troops came home, it was always in the early hours of the morning to avoid public rebuff. “It was usually freezing cold and the only people that would be there would be our own family. We weren’t allowed to wear our uniforms and any medals that soldiers were awarded came to them afterwards in plain envelopes.

“It was also difficult at that time for servicemen to become part of society again because in the 60s men wore longer hair and bell bottom pants, so when anyone saw a fit young fella as brown

He said the war in Vietnam went for 10 years and conscription was in for the last seven. “It was based on young Australian men having their 20th birthday who were then registered, and the conscription marbles would then draw the day they would go. During the seven years we had national service, 600,000 turned 20 and using the marble system 60,000 were drawn. Out of that 60,000, 15,000 went away while the other 45,000 served in Australia, and for every national servicemen serving in Vietnam there were four or five regular personnel.

“The recruited men were then trained for a year before they went so they were 21 and 22 when they came home. Men that were conscripted served alongside regular soldiers and there was no distinction amongst them. They all fought for one another and the situation created bonds between them that you won’t find anywhere else, and those relationships still exist more than 40 years later. Today The National Servicemen’s Association is very strong and they look after one another well.”

Ken wasn’t conscripted. He joined the army in 1952 at the age of 18. He served as a regular soldier in Malaya, Borneo and Singapore. He left for Vietnam as a captain in 1968 with two days’ notice and served there for 401 days. He said he returned in 1969 the day man landed on the moon and soldiered on until he retired in 1987 as a colonel.

Ken in front of a Bell 47 helicopter used by Australia in Vietnam

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“Vietnam was the first of the new style of war.

I guess Korea was the last one with a front line and if you were behind the lines, you were pretty safe. With Vietnam as with Afghanistan there are no lines so if you are a cook you are in just as much danger as an infantryman. In Vietnam you couldn’t tell who the enemy was so war is different now.”

He said the Vietnamese people however, including the enemy held the Australian forces that served in Vietnam in very high regard. “We were known to them as Uc dai loi. Uc is the name of Australia on a Vietnamese map and dai loi means from the south. Many people including our own soldiers thought it meant kangaroo because many of our vehicles and aircraft had a big red kangaroo on them. The Vietnamese referred to them as big red rats because they don’t have a word for kangaroo but wherever we turned up, kids would point and say ‘Uc dai loi’ meaning it must be Australian.”

He said, “If as Australian servicemen we had been able to come home, be welcomed, our service acknowledged and then be allowed to go home to our families, this museum would never have existed. The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia would not have existed also, but time heals all wounds and there has been closure now, and I believe it’s sufficient for it not to happen again.”

Photographs by Wendy Morriss

Since the war, Ken has visited Vietnam many times. “It’s a wonderful country,” he said. “We couldn’t go back there for 20 years and in that time everything has changed. What used to be tracks are roads, what used to be roads are highways and highways are now freeways. Villages have become towns, towns have become cities, and many people have been born since. It’s nothing like the war zone it was where gunfire could be heard every minute of every day.”

Sales and events executive, Sonia Hogg

Subscription marbles used in the Vietnam War

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Ken and Sonia in the museum

Cowes Primary School students on a visit to the museum.

Presenting a copy of the History of Phillip Island DVD to the Phillip Island library.

PHILLIP ISLAND & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC The Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society Inc was first established in 1941 by a group of interested Phillip Islanders. There were very few local historical societies at that time. That society closed down during the 1950s but the Phillip Island & District Historical Society was formed in 1967, and commenced collecting items of local historical significance and holding regular meetings at which talks on various aspects of Phillip Island’s history were discussed and recorded. A register was acquired and details of all donations were entered into the register.

The society is active in research, with various members involved in researching and archiving a number of subjects such as World War I and II personnel from Phillip Island, maritime history, family history, environmental history and the history of surfing and the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club. Several of the society’s members also assisted with the production of Angela Borelli’s book: “The Forgotten Island; an oral and social history of French Island”. Members also contribute articles to the local newspaper on topical subjects throughout the year.

The society’s museum was opened in December 1982 by the Shire of Phillip Island and has operated continuously since that time, being open to the public on regular days and also by appointment.

Cataloguing of the society’s collection is a continual process with a team of volunteers meeting most Fridays to catalogue individual items such as objects and photographs. The catalogued items are gradually being uploaded onto the Victorian Collections database, and are available to be viewed by the public there.

The website address is: www.victoriancollections.net

The museum is thematic, with the main themes on display being aboriginal history; the first European settlers, the McHaffies; early settlers after closer settlement in 1868; history of San Remo township; maritime history; the two Phillip Island bridges; and the Phillip Island cemetery.

Temporary displays are also featured at various times during the year, and free Open Days are held to coincide with these special displays.

At left Cherry McFee and Christine Grayden recording in 3MFM's studios.

History of Phillip Island DVD which runs for 15 minutes and was a finalist in last year’s Museums Australia Victoria volunteer run museum awards.

Recording the memoirs of older residents has been a goal of the society. In co-operation with radio station 3MFM, the society produced a series of oral histories for broadcast on the station’s Local Focus program. The series ran over several months, with each talk lasting 10-20 minutes. Subjects included early childhood memories, sport, fishing, car and bike racing, the Cleeland family, horse racing, the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club and various others. All of the talks are available to read under the Essays and Talks section of the society’s website: pidhs.org.au The society welcomes new members and volunteers for cataloguing and doing duty at the museum are also welcome. Please contact the society via the website.

Local history books are for sale at the museum, and often are difficult to acquire elsewhere. A list of the books available is on the society’s website under the “Museum” section, and includes books on general Phillip Island history, fishermen, a Phillip Island family and the society’s own

Words & Images supplied courtesy of Christine Grayden, Secretary, Phillip Island & District Historical Society Inc

The figurehead in the Phillip Island museum from the Speke, wrecked near Kitty Miller Bay.

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a Tale of Two Bridges

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

BY BRENDAN BLACK

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Phillip Island | 150 years

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

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

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

Vehicle access became possible in 1929 when a two-car punt commenced running between Newhaven and San Remo, which was replaced in 1938 by a six-car punt. A one-service-a-day ferry from Stony Point to Cowes also operated, although after several years it became obvious that neither a larger punt nor the ferry could satisfy the transport needs of the islanders or visitors, and particularly the farmers whose crops needed to be transported to the mainland.

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

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

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

The bridge allowed simultaneous passage of vehicles and pedestrians on and off the island, though not long afterwards, its popularity clashed

with its load limit of six tonnes; milk tankers could not cross it, and tourist buses had to unload their passengers and travel across empty.

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

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

Cooler heads (and possibly accountants) prevailed, and it was decided to situate bridge no.

2 further east from the old one and construct it from steel and pre-stressed concrete, with firmer footings on the sea bed and a greatly improved

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a Tale of Two Bridges load capacity, with enough space for two-way vehicular traffic and a pedestrian crossing.

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

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

The number of permanent residents on Phillip Island has grown from just over 500 in 1871 to more than 10,000 in 2016. This figure balloons significantly during summer and particularly in October when the MotoGP is held. The overwhelming majority of the 3.5 million annual visitors enter the island, unsurprisingly, via the bridge. Access onto and off the island can still be slow and frustrating at times; if an accident occurs on or near the bridge, then access to the island can be completely blocked.

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

Photography by Brendan Black Black & White Images courtesy of The State Library Victoria

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St Philip’s Anglican Church

The oldest church and public building on Phillip Island

By Lyn Skillern

On Sunday January 30, 1870, St Philip’s Church of England at Cowes, in the Parish of Mornington and Diocese of Melbourne, was opened. The Very Reverend Hussey Burgh McCartney, Dean of Melbourne preached the first sermon and also conducted the dedication service for the occasion.

Mrs. McHaffie presented the church with a large Bible inscribed by her.

This Bible is still used for very special events. (Ref: Diary of Mrs. McHaffie in Gliddon) In the pioneering days when churches were not available for regular worship, families opened their homes on a Sunday to enable small groups to come together. For some years prior to 1869, the McHaffie family held services in their home on Phillip Island. Provision for a church was made in 1869, when Crown allotment 18 and part of 17 facing the main street of Cowes were set aside. As the Christian religion was important in pioneering times, it was customary when a township was surveyed to set aside allotments for churches. In Cowes, land was made available for a Church of England, a Presbyterian and a Methodist church however, only the Church of England and Presbyterian Church were ever built.

When the community in Cowes wanted a school in the years before the Education Department was set up in 1872, they applied for and received funds from the Board of Education to set up Cowes Rural School No. 75. This was established on January 1, 1871 and classes were held in St Philip’s Church until February 29, 1872. The new Cowes State School commenced in 1874 on another site.

St Philip’s was built as a simple rectangular church with a gothic door.

Pioneers John McHaffie, Joseph Richardson and John and Solomon West all helped build the church. The interior was a brown varnish colour and there was a fresco of black doves. It has arched windows, which came ready to be installed from Melbourne. Small weatherboard churches such as St Philip’s were common in the late nineteenth century but over time many of these have been demolished so this church is a unique survivor.

In 1894, the Eastern Peninsula, French Island and Phillip Island were separated from the Parish of Mornington. By 1914, the Parish of French Island and Phillip Island was formed. Later in 1921, Phillip Island became its own Parish.

A vestry and the stained glass window next to the pulpit were added in 1902. A stained glass window, donated by Miss Lucy Rose in 1911, was installed in the newly built sanctuary in 1912. These windows are very special and came from England. Lucy Rose, who owned a large area of land in East Cowes, later left her property to the Diocese of Melbourne.

The land eventually became the Rose Estate.

The church of St Philip is now in the Parish of Bass, Phillip Island in the Diocese of Gippsland. Few buildings in the South Gippsland region have been continuously open for as long as this church. It has provided for the spiritual needs of the islanders and important family events - christenings, weddings and funerals, in the same building for nearly 150 years.

(Pictures: courtesy of Phillip Island & District Historical Society)

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The small schools that

Education was a priority for the early settlers of Phillip Island who struggled to establish and keep their schools going. The best parents could hope for was a small school, which would cater for children up to Grade 8. As most children left school at fourteen, this was considered satisfactory. The children of the pastoralists and those who could afford it had governesses and sent their children to boarding school for a secondary education.

Each of Phillip Island’s five early schools has its own special history…

COWES PRIMARY SCHOOL has provided education for the children of the island for nearly 150 years.

This rather special school came into existence before the 1872 Education Act and the era of free and compulsory education. Originally known as Cowes Rural School No. 75, it was established on January 1, 1871 under the Board of Education. This meant that it was run by a local board and received some funds from the Colonial Government of Victoria. The school had an initial enrolment of 18 and closed on February 29, 1872 when government support ceased due to lack of numbers.

STATE SCHOOL NO. 1282 COWES opened on February 10, 1874 in a leased building. A site was purchased and work began on a new building soon after. This building consisted of a classroom and a three-roomed teacher’s quarters and

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was completed by October 1874. In 1918, the school was remodeled and a new room added.

A teacher’s residence was built on a separate site.

In 1952, a 14½-acre site was acquired on Settlement Road with the idea of amalgamating all the island’s schools into one. Opposition to the plan from the other schools meant it was shelved.

Only two rooms and an office were built on the new site and this school opened on August 16, 1954. The school still functions from this site with many changes and new facilities added.

BACK BEACH SCHOOL also started in 1871 on July 1. It was located four miles south west of Cowes and two and a half miles south of Rhyll.

A committee was formed and they sought and received assistance from the Board of Education and became Rural School No. 83. School was first held in a rented wattle and daub building 20 by 12ft.

In January 1874, the school became STATE SCHOOL NO. 1296 BACK BEACH. Attendances were low with an average of 12 in 1875. In 1878, inspector Gamble recommended the school be closed stating: ‘I do not believe there is the slightest prospect of any increase in population, but on the contrary, the island will become wholly and solely the property of Harbison and Cleeland’ (Vision and Realisation Vol 3 page 1190). This comment was clearly based on the fact that many

selectors had failed and their land purchased by the two mentioned pastoralists. John Cleeland had offered two acres on which to build a school but this was refused. A cottage on Cleeland’s land was rented and served as a school and teacher residence until the end of 1878.

RHYLL STATE SCHOOL NO. 3132. Rhyll is four and a half miles east of Cowes and the first application for a school was made in April 1887. This was refused by the Education Department despite there being a five-acre piece of crown land set aside in Rhyll for a school just east of the settlement. William McFee asked the Education Department in early 1891 for an acre of this school site. He wanted to build a Mechanics’ Institute, which would also serve as a school.

The Department agreed and a 30 by 20ft hall was built.

This was leased to the Department for £6 a year and opened as a school on July 9, 1891.

Enrolments were low and the school closed in March 1892 with the children transferring to Cowes. A petition by residents saw the school reopened in 1895. From 1903, it functioned on a part-time basis sharing the teacher with San Remo. By 1910, it was full time again and officially closed in 1952.

educated an island

NEWHAVEN STATE SCHOOL NO. 3053 was established as a result of a petition sent to the Education Department in early 1890. A fouracre site had been set aside for a school but the school opened on September 19, 1890 in a building leased from John Cleeland. This was a four-roomed weatherboard cottage located near the waterfront. School was held in the 11 by 10ft front room and by April 1891, the second front room was needed. The teacher and his family occupied the other two rooms.

In 1891, the health officer sought to have the floor repaired to prevent snakes coming inside the school. From late 1892 until 1893, the school worked on a part-time basis with San Remo, which then closed. On October 5, 1900, Newhaven School closed due to low enrolments. San Remo reopened and some Newhaven children travelled there receiving a travel allowance.

In 1914, the Newhaven Boys’ Home opened, and Superintendent Parker conducted school for the home’s 11 boys and local children in a private home belonging to a Mrs. Armstrong.

The school ran full time and on October 6, 1914, Newhaven State School reopened with Parker as temporary Head Teacher. At that time, there were 21 boys from the home and seven local children.

Two rooms were leased from John Cleeland with these soon becoming overcrowded.

A new school was built and opened on March 13, 1922. Seaside Garden Home for Boys was also opened in the area and boys from both homes attended the local school. Enrolments increased, and two more rooms were constructed. The Newhaven Boys’ Home closed in 1926 but Sea Garden Home for Boys continued.

In 1955, St Paul’s Church of England Home for Boys was established at Newhaven and boys from the home continued to attend Newhaven Primary School until the home closed in 1979.

The premises became St Paul’s Discovery Centre, a holiday camp for disadvantaged children. The facility was later used for school camps.

VENTNOR STATE SCHOOL NO. 3895 opened in May 1915 in a hall built by parents with an enrolment of 27. A three-acre site was purchased, and a new school was built on the corner of Ventnor Beach Road in 1922 opening on September 6.

Around 1930, the enrolments were around 30 students. During the year numbers varied as some attendees were the children of itinerant chicory workers. In the 50s and 60s enrolments declined and the school closed in 1964.

By Lyn Skillern

It was located in a departmental building with early enrolments of between 25 and 41 students.

However, these numbers declined and the school closed for two years between 1890 and 92.

Until 1910, it functioned on a half-time basis with several Phillip Island schools. It is believed that the original building was moved away when the school closed but by 1924, a large school existed. In 1948, an attempt was made to move the school to the present site but the building collapsed in transit. Buildings were gradually constructed on or moved to the current site which still runs successfully.

Over time, with improvements in transport, the need for small schools declined and now two government primary schools function on Phillip Island. The role of the now-closed small rural schools was instrumental in fulfilling the educational needs of the children of Phillip Island for almost one hundred years.

Reference: Vision and Realisation 1972 Pictures: courtesy of Phillip Island & District Historical Society

SAN REMO STATE SCHOOL NO 1369, while not on Phillip Island, has played a part in the education of the Island’s children. It began as Griffiths Point State School in March 1874. In 1889, the name changed to San Remo.

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Woolamai Homestead

Woolamai

A CAPE, A HOMESTEAD AND A RACEHORSE

By Lyn Skillern

Wollomai, the horse that won the 1875 Melbourne Cup with John Batty

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John Cleeland (front) at a Woolamai Wedding , Woolamai house

CAPE WOOLAMAI WAS NAMED BY GEORGE BASS DURING HIS JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY IN 1798.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED WOLLOMI, THE NAME USED BY THE EORA PEOPLE OF PORT JACKSON FOR THE FISH SCHNAPPER. BASS THOUGHT THE CAPE RESEMBLED A SCHNAPPER’S HEAD. THE CAPE BECAME PART OF THE 7000-ACRE PASTORAL RUN OF JOHN CLEELAND. Woolamai House is located near Newhaven on Phillip Island. This pastoral homestead was built in several stages beginning in 1876 with additions being made over time. The weatherboard house has a slate and iron roof and a central verandah flanked by gabled side wings with bay windows featuring stained glass. The style in Italianate and is highlighted by a superb two-storey tower with a pointed arch entry.

Captain Cleeland had a telescope in the tower and enjoyed looking out to sea. Features of the Victorian garden remain in the front with mature trees including a row of Norfolk Island pines at the rear are workers’ sleeping quarters and a kitchen. (From the statement of significance for Woolamai House, Victorian Heritage database.)

John Cleeland, who built the house, came to Victoria aged 14 with his family. They came from County Down in Northern Ireland and settled in Darebin, north of Melbourne.

John became a seaman, sailing the South Pacific and eventually he became the captain of his own schooner. In 1859, he bought the Albion Hotel in Bourke Street, Melbourne and remained the owner for nearly 20 years.

The three-storey, sixty-room Albion hotel, once stood on the site of the David Jones store on the north side of Bourke Street. The neighbour to the west was the Cobb & Co.'s stagecoach office, for which the hotel acted as a terminus and depot. John Cleeland, licensee during the 1860s and 70s installed an American ice-cream soda

fountain. After 1870, John Cleeland also had the Western Port Hotel at San Remo and 100 acres at Bass Landing.

Cleeland became friends with Lt James Waddell of the confederate ship Shenandoah when it visited Melbourne in 1865. As a thank you to Cleeland for his hospitality, Waddell gave him a cannon and some cannon balls. This cannon is now on Churchill Island, just off Phillip Island.

John Cleeland developed an interest in horse racing while in Melbourne, which continued until his death. He won many big races including the Australia Cup with Shenandoah (named after Waddell’s confederate ship). It is also interesting that Cleeland used the confederate colours as his racing colours.

In the early 1870s, he purchased several blocks on Phillip Island as well as Cape Woolamai. He bought and trained the race horse Wollamai, which had been bred and trained by John David McHaffie, Phillip Island pastoralist.

Wollamai won the 1875 Melbourne Cup, the first time the race was run on the first Tuesday in November. The prize money was £1,335 and the odds 16/1. Cleeland is believed to have won £22,000 from Wollamai’s win.

Wollamai walked the 140 kilometres to Melbourne to race and legend has it that the horse swam from Phillip Island to the mainland before heading off to Melbourne on the very poor quality roads of the day. It was common in those early days of horse racing to walk horses to race meetings.

John Cleeland ended up with a property that covered around a quarter of Phillip Island. In 1889, the Vagabond Papers in Melbourne described a journey to John Cleeland’s home: The visitors were collected by Cleeland in his skiff at Griffith Point (San Remo) and taken to Newhaven.

There was a horse and buggy waiting and the guests were taken around the shore and across the paddocks where they saw some of the 200 Shetland ponies that live on the property. They then came to a row of pines and the homestead with its beautiful gardens, orchards and fernery.

The property was also home to 7000 sheep and a large woolshed. The Cleelands had dairy cows and sold milk in Newhaven. They grew vegetables and fruits for the family and workers on their estate. (Gliddon) The properties passed to family members and the Cleeland family sold the cape to the government for a cheap price in order to preserve it. Farming ceased at Woolamai in 1959 when the estate was subdivided. John died in 1914 and his wife Isobel in 1894, they are both buried on Phillip Island.

Woolamai House was acquired by the Grollo family in 1982, who carefully restored this rare pastoral homestead.

References Pictures: courtesy of Phillip Island & District Historical Society ‘The Cleeland family with Ted Jeffery’ Joshua Gliddon Phillip Island in Picture and Story Victorian Heritage Database Woolamai House Woolamai House Phillip Island website: woolamaihouse.com.au

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Explorers, Sealers & Abandoned Settlements

BY LYN SKILLERN

IN 1923, A MONUMENT WAS UNVEILED AT RHYLL ON PHILLIP ISLAND DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF GEORGE BASS, JAMES GRANT, JOHN MURRAY, NICHOLAS BAUDIN AND JULES DUMONT D’URVILLE, THE FIRST EXPLORERS OF WESTERN PORT. On January 5, 1798, George Bass in his 28-foot long whaleboat discovered and named Western Port. In search of fresh water, he found the Bass River (later named in his honour) and took his whaleboat up stream to a point where the water was fresh. Bass explored the western side of Phillip Island but was not aware of another island; he thought French Island was the mainland.

In 1801, James Grant continued exploring the area. He commanded the Lady Nelson a ship designed to sail in shallow water. Grant named Seal Island and noted that the fur seals could become a commercial resource.

This party mapped the island’s features and collected specimens. On Churchill Island they cultivated land and planted wheat, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins and melons as well as apples, plums, peaches, rice and coffee, the first crops planted on Victorian soil.

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A log cabin was also built on Churchill Island. Grant named the island in honour of John Churchill who provided the seed for the expedition.

Grant held high hopes for the bay thinking it was capable of sheltering several hundred ships.

From the time of Grant’s visit, Phillip Island was referred to as Schnapper Island, Grant’s Island and the Island of the English. It was first called Phillip Island on a chart drawn by Governor King in 1802.

The Lady Nelson returned twelve months after Grant under the command of John Murray.

He found the gardens flourishing and harvested the wheat.

In 1802, the Frenchman Nicholas Baudin’s expedition of two ships, Le Naturaliste and Le Geographe was exploring the south coast of Australia. When anchored in Bass Strait,

Hamelin, the captain of Le Naturalist sent a party of men into Western Port where they spent eight days studying the islands. This party circumnavigated the island at the northern end of the bay and named it Ile Francaise (French Island).

The southern island was named Ile Anglaise (English Island).

In 1803, a convict settlement was established at Sullivan’s Bay, Sorrento under the command of Lt Collins. This settlement was abandoned mainly due to a lack of fresh water and the settlers moved to establish Launceston and Hobart in Van Dieman’s Land. This left the south coast devoid of a settlement and in 1804, Governor King sent Robbins in the Integrity to further study Western Port. His report was not at all favourable. There was little water and the country bordering the bay was low and swampy with few big trees and poor soil. Western Port was forgotten, except for sealers, for over twenty years.

In 1826, another Frenchman Jules Dumont D’ Urville commanded a scientific expedition to the area collecting much biological information. They anchored in King George Sound in WA in October 1826. Travelling along the south coast they gave French names to features along the way.

On November 5, 1826, they decided to head for Western Port. They passed Cape Otway and observed Cape Schanck and Arthur’s Seat and Le Astrolabe eventually anchored off Phillip Island near the present site of Rhyll.

The sealers on Phillip Island came aboard and introduced themselves. The Frenchmen quickly started their scientific work. They found the island covered with trees and thick undergrowth and observed numerous brightly coloured birds including parrots and honeyeaters.

They explored the east coast of the bay and came across a recently occupied native village.

D’Urville was surprised by the skill used by the indigenous people in the construction of their huts. He had heard the sealers treated these indigenous inhabitants badly and thought they may have moved away from the village on purpose to escape these sealers.

The Frenchmen explored the coastal areas of the island on foot and then two parties took soundings and made charts of the passage between French Island and Phillip Island and the eastern side of the bay. The sealers brought the French turnips from their garden and gave them the news that an English ship was coming to set up a settlement nearby.

On board the expedition was artist Sainson whose paintings of the sealers camp on Phillip Island are well known. The Zoologist Cuvier commented that extra partitions had to be built at the museum of natural history in Paris to house the specimens collected by this expedition. The written material from the expedition was published by order of the French Government from 1830 to 1834. (Horton) Shortly after the D’Urville party left Western Port, the HMS Fly and the brig Dragon entered Western Port and took possession of the bay for Britain. (Reference: A Frenchman on the coast by Murial Horton in The RHSV Journal, June 1983.)

The authorities in London were very suspicious of the French and their plans for Australia.

They instructed Governor Darling in Sydney to

establish a military settlement in Western Port, which was not occupied by any Europeans at the time. Two settlements were planned, one in King George Sound at Albany in WA, and the other in Western Port.

In 1824, Hume and Hovell had explored what they called ‘Western Port’ and reported back to the Governor in Sydney that the land This report plus a serious concern regarding the motives of the French in the area led to a decision to establish a settlement at Western In Sydney, Governor Darling organised an expedition of two ships with 20 soldiers, 20 convicts and a few women. The party was commanded by Captain Wright and included William Hovell. They arrived at Western Port in December 1826.

A small military settlement called Fort Dumaresq was established near the present-day site of Rhyll on the north coast of Phillip Island. Lack of fresh water proved a problem and the outpost was moved to Corinella, which was then called Settlement Point.

Shortly after making camp on shore, William Hovell realised that this was not the same bay he had observed on his journey with Hamilton Hume. They had confused Western Port and Port Phillip Bay. The area they were now attempting to settle lacked adequate water and was not fit for agriculture at all. The settlers abandoned the Corinella site in January 1828 at Governor Darling’s request. From 1834 onwards, settlers from Tasmania took up land around Western Port.

In 1851, the township of Corinella, Settlement Point Western Port was officially proclaimed.

The first non-indigenous people to live on Phillip Island were sealers. Those explorers had made reports about the vast numbers of fur seals living along the southern coast of what is now Victoria.

Ships from England, America and France started to come into Bass Strait in search of seal furs, seal oil and whales.

SEALERS’ SETTLEMENT IN WESTERN PORT, ARTIST SAINSON FROM

A CHART OF WESTERN PORT DRAWN BY ENSIGN BARRALLIER AFTER THE GRANT OF VICTORIA)

Men were left in gangs on islands where there were seals for months at a time. Sealers established themselves on Phillip Island in the years when Western Port was forgotten. They built huts and facilities for dealing with seals as well as kitchen gardens.

In 1826, Captain Wright of the Corinella settlement went onto Phillip Island and found a group of sealers from Launceston who had around two acres of wheat and maize. Dumont D’Urville met a group of sealers who had been left on Phillip Island for ten months. The Frenchman took the party, which also included five Tasmanian aboriginal women to Sydney.

Today Phillip Island and areas around Western Port are thriving. Those early assessments of the areas potential have been proved incorrect. It is a well- developed tourist, agricultural and industrial region with great potential given its port and easy access to the large metropolitan market of Melbourne.

References Muriel Horton ‘A Frenchman on the coast ‘ by Muriel Horton (in The RHSV Journal June 1983.)

Tom Horton ‘The Andersons of Western Port’ 1983 Joseph Gliddon Phillip Island in Picture and Story Linda Cuttriss and Eric Bird ‘500 Million Years on Phillip Island’ Pictures: courtesy of Phillip Island & District Historical Society

EXPLORER’S MEMORIAL AT RHYLL ON PHILLIP ISLAND

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Mutton Birds, Chicory

Mutton bird eggers

Explorers had mostly considered the island interesting from a biological perspective but without much promise. Victorian pioneer John Gellibrand visited the island in 1836 and after one hour considered it unfit for farming.

(Gliddon p 248) In 1842, Charles Manton of Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula is believed to have introduced pigs on the island. They were probably unloaded opposite Churchill Island on a piece of land later called the pig paddock. William J and John D McHaffie received a pastoral licence for all of Phillip Island in 1842 and moved there shortly afterwards. Manton had to remove his pigs but some escaped and the McHaffies and their staff enjoyed hunting these wild pigs. Edward Wilson, the original owner of The Argus used to visit the McHaffie brothers on Phillip Island in about 1850 for wild boar hunting. (Gliddon p 249) The McHaffies cleared the dense scrub, mostly using fire, to provide pasture for sheep and cattle and land for cultivation. Many larger trees survived this fire but were lost later on when firewood was needed for the island’s chicory kilns. The McHaffies also introduced deer, hares, pheasants, partridges, quail, grouse and Belgian rabbits to the island.

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These rabbits, the first to be introduced to the region, died out but were replaced by grey rabbits.

These thrived and together with the sheep and cattle destroyed the vegetation holding the sand dunes together. This resulted in a need to re-vegetate the dunes with marram grass – a very early example of this type of rehabilitation.

the Bering Sea in the North Pacific Ocean.

The indigenous inhabitants and the early settlers saw the birds and their eggs as a food source.

Following the selection acts of the 1860s, land on Phillip Island was surveyed into small farms.

McHaffies were able to buy 640 acres, double the selectors 320 acres. The first selectors arrived in the late 1860s many years before the adjoining land around Western Port was selected.

It was reported in the Illustrated Australian News on July 7, 1872 that a number of Chinese camped at Cape Woolamai and were engaged in obtaining beak oil from the mutton birds. A report on Phillip Island written in 1855 stated that the eggs of the mutton bird were of excellent quality and in December could be collected by the cartload. Collecting mutton bird eggs on Phillip Island was declared illegal in 1918 but before then it was a big business.

Conditions were hard for small farmers. Transport for produce to the mainland was inadequate, water difficult to find and caterpillars ate the crops. Many selectors failed, with farms being abandoned. Over half the island was then purchased by John Cleeland and William Harbison who used their properties to graze sheep and cattle.

Cake makers in Melbourne sent men to camp at Cape Woolamai in the nesting season. The egg gatherers camped in tents and in one season could collect 20,000 eggs. These were sold to the cake trade and as duck eggs. A bent wire was used to get the eggs out of the burrows because of the fear of snakes and adult birds.

(Gliddon p361)

Another industry that developed on Phillip Island involved the mutton bird. Each year thousands of mutton birds, also known as the short tailed shearwater, nest on Cape Woolamai. These incredible migratory birds return to Phillip Island in September from their feeding grounds around

Whole birds were dressed and smoked ready for sale. Smoked mutton birds were sold in barrels and the market for them was strong. The hunting of these birds became illegal and they were free to nest on Cape Woolamai in safety.

& Pastoralists

By Lyn Skillern

wheat being grown on Churchill Island, Phillip Island was not considered to have much potential as a place for agriculture.

The government even referred to Phillip Island as waste crown land.

McFee Chicory Kiln, Rhyll

Wood Kiln, Rhyll

Chicory Paddock

Peter Forrest's Kiln

One crop introduced shortly after the selectors arrived was chicory. This was first cultivated in 1870 and was to become the signature crop for Phillip Island. Those of us who grew up in the 50s and 60s will well remember liquid coffee essence.

It was the forerunner of instant coffee and it was made from chicory. At that time it was not widely known what chicory was or where it came from.

Up to 1885, chicory was dug out of the ground with a pick – a very difficult task. An implement was invented with a blade one and a half inches wide and shaped like a spade. This was the chicory devil and it was used to dig out each root separately until the 1930s when a single furrow plough was used and later the crop was lifted using a ripper attached to a tractor.

Chicory is a member of the endive family with dark green leaves and a root that is similar to a parsnip.

After harvesting it is topped, bagged and taken to a kiln to be washed. Next it is cut into slices by a cutting machine and then placed on a drying floor above a wood fired furnace. A 50-pound bag of sliced chicory took about 24 hours to dry using 2 ½ to three tons of wood.

Dried chicory was taken to the Chicory Marketing Board in Melbourne and sold to the tea and coffee merchants who roasted it, processed it further and mixed it with coffee beans to make coffee essence. The peak period for the chicory was the 1940s with 75% of Australia’s needs grown in the Western Port area on Phillip Island, French Island and the Corinella and Grantville districts. A combination of climate and a local soil peculiarity made the area most suitable for this crop.

At first the crop was taken to Melbourne as a green crop by sea but in 1873, the first kiln was built in Thompson Ave, Cowes near the Esplanade. The opening of the kiln was such a big event that it was held in the Isle of Wight Hotel. The increase in production led to another kiln being built in 1880 and by 1920 there were 25 kilns on the island. In 1883, Phillip Island produced approximately 500 tons of chicory with Avon Shire and Bacchus Marsh producing 200 each and small quantities being grown in places such as Bairnsdale, Rosedale, and Warragul.

Locally made Brookes Coffee Essence was advertised by 1916, Bickfords in South Australia began producing their coffee and chicory essence in 1920 and by 1930 the Faulding Company promoted their coffee essence by advertising that Douglas Mawson used it during his polar explorations. A popular Australian brand up until the 60s was Turban coffee essence, made in Melbourne. Advertisements in 1945 described it as having ‘real mocha flavour’.

The market for chicory gradually declined and by the 1970s, only one kiln was operating on Phillip Island. The last crop was grown by James McFee at Rhyll in 1987. There are a number of kilns still on the island and some have been preserved as a reminder of Phillip Island's unique agricultural past.

As tourism developed on the island, several farming properties were subdivided to form housing estates but some of the old families still raise beef cattle and sheep. In recent years vineyards have been established and wines are available on the island. Agriculture has changed so much in the years since 1842 but the farming legacy of those pioneers lives on.

References: Joshua Gliddon, Phillip Island in Pictures and Story Phillip Island and District Historical Society, Chicory Farming on Phillip Island Stan McFee, 100 Years of Chicory Growing at Phillip Island Pictures: courtesy of Phillip Island & District Historical Society

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PHILLIP ISLAND Summerland Beach 1949 - Courtesy of State Library of Victoria – Victorian Railways Collection

Over 100 years ago, the actions of a handful of individuals were among the first of many pivotal moments throughout the 20th century that ultimately led to the creation of the present-day Phillip Island Nature Parks, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

In the early 1900s, a small number of naturalists would make the occasional journey along the unmade track that led to the Nobbies, to camp on privately owned farmland and witness the penguins coming ashore at places like Cat Bay and Shelley Beach.

By the 1920s there was improved access to Phillip Island via the new train and ferry services, which meant more visitors.

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Penguin Parade 1920's

A new access road through farmland belonging to the Sambell family gave local residents Bern Denham, Bert Watchorn and Bert West the opportunity to drive people out to Summerland Beach and sit in the sand dunes with torches in hand to see the little penguins emerge from the sea. This is widely considered to be the birth of the Penguin Parade.

In the 1930s, the Spencer Jackson family donated approximately four hectares of land adjoining Summerland Beach to the Phillip Island Shire Council to assist in the protection of penguins.

Around twenty years later, additional land was reserved by the Shire, and 1956 saw the first formal regulations gazetted for the operation of the Penguin Parade.

Around the same time, the peninsula between Summerland Beach and the Nobbies was divided into 774 housing allotments in the development of a township to be known as Summerland, and it even included a nine-hole golf course. Within just a few short years, the penguins found themselves sharing the peninsula with not just shearwaters, but humans as well, and everything else that came along with that.

In 1968, a concerned group of individuals formed the Penguin Study Group and commenced not only researching little penguins, but also documenting their studies. Thus began the longest running continuous seabird research program anywhere in the world. Throughout this time, and on into the 1970s, the Phillip Island Shire maintained management of the Penguin Parade.

Summerlands aerial

NATURE PARKS Penguin Parade

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Dusk at the Penguin Parade

A Committee of Management was appointed in 1984 by the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands to manage the Phillip Island Penguin Reserve, and Crown Land on the Summerland Peninsula was added to the Penguin Reserve.

By this time, the Summerland housing estate had grown to include 183 houses, a motel, a shop and of course the much loved Shell house museum.

By the mid-1980s, the levels of human and human-induced impacts on the island’s penguins had grown to such a point that of the ten penguin colonies that originally existed on the island prior to European settlement, only one remained – the colony on the Summerland Peninsula. The population had declined to around 12,000 birds, and it was predicted that if nothing was done, the little penguins of the Summerland Peninsula would become locally extinct.

In 1985, the Victorian State Government announced the buy-back of the Summerland Housing Estate as part of its ‘Penguin Protection Plan’, which also incorporated a range of research

and management programs. This controversial solution proved to be a watershed moment for the protection of the island’s little penguins, and laid the foundation for one of the most successful conservation stories in Australia’s history.

The current Penguin Parade Visitor Centre opened in 1988, along with new boardwalks and some additional viewing stands. These new developments articulated the importance of protecting the penguins while encouraging and allowing visitors to view them in a non-intrusive way.

As the decline of one species was being arrested, there was a need to investigate the decline of another species, the koala. A Koala Working Group was established to study the island’s population of koalas which had been introduced in the 1870s, and had initially thrived. Since the arrival of more and more visitors and their cars, along with loss of habitat cleared for farming, the koala population had been decreasing.

Penguins at Penguin Parade

EcoBoat Tour Nobbies

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In 1989 the State Government approved the concept of the Koala Conservation Centre, which opened in 1992, and the Penguin Reserve Committee of Management was charged with the responsibility of overseeing both koala research and conservation, a definite broadening of the Committee’s scope.

The present-day Phillip Island Nature Parks was formed by the Victorian State Government in 1996, and included the management of the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island within its total of 1,805 hectares of Crown Land right across the island.

The Nature Parks was charged with operating under a challenging new business model, and was formed as a self-funded, not for profit organisation. This meant that it would be required to fund all of its conservation, research and land management activities through the operation of its tourist attractions without receiving any ongoing government funding.

Koala Conservation Centre Mother + Joey

EcoBoat Island Discovery Tour Churchill Island Highland Cattle

Seals

Some of its early achievements included the improvement of beach access and facilities on Phillip Island’s north and south coasts, along with improved paths and opportunities to view the migratory and local shorebirds at Rhyll Inlet.

Churchill Island was also a major focus with the construction of a new bridge, and upgrades to the homestead and historic farm buildings, walking paths and wetlands. The new Churchill Island visitor centre opened just a few years later in 2002.

The Penguin Foundation charity was launched in 2005 to raise funds to protect and enhance Phillip Island's natural environment through research, conservation and education programs. One of the Foundation’s most successful activities has been its very popular Adopt-a-penguin program.

2010 marked the arrival of a very important milestone. The Summerland Peninsula buy-back was completed and the last of the 183 homes was removed.

Churchill Island Wagon Tour

Penguin Distribution

It had taken almost a quarter of a century to complete this world-first ‘Penguin Protection Plan’ to protect a single species, but the results spoke for themselves. The little penguin colony had increased from around 12,000 birds in 1985 to around 30,000 birds in 2010 as a result of the removal of the houses alongside a comprehensive program of habitat rehabilitation.

As an organisation, the Nature Parks continued to develop and mature, and this was evident in the significant amount of planning that was undertaken to provide guidance and direction for the Nature Parks’ future business, conservation and social activities. 2012 saw the release of the 5 year Strategic Plan, the Summerland Peninsula Master Plan, the 5 year Environment Plan and the Nature Parks’ first Reconciliation Action Plan.

The Nature Parks is privileged to be entrusted with land management responsibilities across Phillip Island, and recognises that many areas hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Aboriginal people.

The Reconciliation Action Plan was developed in response to a strong desire across the organisation to connect, learn and partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

2014 saw the introduction of a brand new experience as the Nature Parks partnered with a local operator to commence its Wild Oceans EcoBoat Adventures to visit the Australian fur seal colony at Seal Rocks. This 47 seat high speed boat offered visitors an opportunity like never before to get up close and personal to the thousands of seals just 2km offshore.

In the following year, the new Penguins Plus and Underground viewing experiences were launched at the Penguin Parade, and the Antarctic Journey multimedia experience opened in the Nobbies Centre, bringing the remote and frozen continent of Antarctica to Phillip Island’s visitors.

Koala Conservation Centre Boardwalk

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EcoBoart Shearwater Sunset Tour

As an integral component of the Nature Parks’ operations, its award-winning, research-led conservation programs continued to involve working with the community and partners to sustain and improve the environmental, social, landscape and cultural values across Phillip Island for future generations.

Some of the more notable achievements have been the introduction of the critically endangered Eastern barred bandicoot onto Churchill Island as

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a trial release. The successful 2 year trial allowed for a subsequent release of the Eastern barred bandicoots onto the Summerland Peninsula, made possible by the momentous declaration in 2017 that Phillip Island is now fox-free. The eradication of such a significant pest animal as the fox paves the way for further opportunities to develop a Threatened Species Program.

From simple beginnings almost 100 years ago of a few people watching the penguins come

ashore at a remote beach, the Nature Parks has evolved into a leading conservation and research organisation, with a vision to become a place where conservation and ecotourism excellence inspire people to actively protect the environment.

Words + Images supplied by Phillip Island Nature Parks

Say hello to our Nature Retreat.

SAY HELLO TO RED ®

Set across 65 acres of countryside, Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island is an idyllic family friendly spot to spend a tranquil few days. Located at the centre of Phillip Island, the resort is nestled among gardens and bushland. There’s ample opportunity to get active at the resort, with two outdoor swimming pools, a children’s pool, two health centres, a spa and sauna, indoor lap pool and tennis courts. Get cozy for dinner in your peaceful self-contained villa or experience local cuisine in our onsite licensed café and bar which is also open to the public. The bonus: it’s nearby the popular Penguin Parade, which hosts nightly penguin-watching sessions. Thanks to our local partnerships including Surfing Victoria and Surfing Life magazine, we also know those best spots to catch some waves. For more information and bookings please contact the Resort. We look forward to seeing you on holidays!

Book now at RAMADAPHILLIPISLAND.COM.AU Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island 2128 Phillip Island Road, Cowes Phillip Island VIC 3922 Ph: 03 5952 8000 reservations@ramadaphillipisland.com.au

U NI N T E R R UP T E D, OCEANFRONT L OCATION AND V IEW S Breakfast + Lunch | Special Occasions | Weddings | Corporate Events

THE CAPE KITCHEN 1215 Phillip Island Road, Newhaven Phillip Island VIC (03) 5956 7200 | hello@the cape kitchen.com.au t h e c a p e k i t c h e n .c o m .a u