Gippsland the Lifestyle Autumn 2014

the lifestyle. Our pride, Our place™ autumn issue 18 STARS OF THE SKIES The RAAF Roulettes

ISSN 1838-8124

| $4.95 |

LOCAL LIVING THE DREAM Marty Box Musician

WHITE H T Cameron White

+ REGULAR FEATURES

RISING FROM THE ASHES GrowMaster Traralgon

PLU MORS INSIDE E

Town Features | Recipes | Horoscope | Book Reviews | Canine Corner

HYUNDAI SANTA FE

FEATURES 2. 4 PETROL O R 2.2 TURBO DIE SEL 7 AIR BAGS ESP & ABS REVERSE CAME RA CRUISE CO NTRO L ALLO Y W HEE LS SAT/NAV (E LITE & HIGHLANDER) BLUE TO O TH FO G LIG HTS 5 STAR ANCAP RATING

1- 5 Roughhead Street, Leongatha, Vic, 3953 P (03) 5662 2327 F (03) 5662 2642 E edney@dsci.net.au www.edneysleongatha.com.au LMCT 1500

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Front Cover Photo: Photo supplied by: Journalists: Photographers: Cartoon Feature: Editor: Creative:

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RAAF’s elite formation aerobatic display team, the Roulettes Aerial Demonstration over the Ninety Mile Beach Roulette 5 Flight Lieutenant Steve English and his team Chris West, Ann Pulbrook and Alexandra McManus Geoff Watt and James Pell Steve White Maree Bradshaw Alex Smirnakos

index OUR ADVERTISERS Page 75 Aherns Fruit Market & Fine Foods Page 25 Ali’s Art Studio Page 82 Ann Waller Real Estate Page 23 Avonleigh Fine Foods Page 76 Bank of Melbourne Page 25 Basia Mille Vineyard Page 106-107 Blue Hills Rise Page 25 Briagolong Cottage B&B Page 88 Burger Edge Page 5 Coal Creek Community Park & Museum Page 10 Colmac Homes Page 21 Dalkeith Heights Page 20 Darcy’s Café & Wine Bar Page 78-79 dcsi We do Internet.

Page 17 Dial an Occasion Page 2 Edney’s Leongatha Page 17 & 33 Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre Page 44 Evans Petroleum Page 68 Foster Seafoods Page 6 Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee Page 74 Grassy Spur Olives Page 69 GrowMaster Traralgon Page 48 House of Blanche Page 54 Inline 4 Café Page 83 Kasama Décor Page 3 Langford Jones Homes Page 77 Laurie Collins Sculpture Page 84 Leongatha RSL Page 17 Mezza Luna Café Page 7 Montfort Manor Page 35 Moos at Meeniyan Page 77 National Vietnam Veterans Museum Page 29 95 on Seymour Page 51 Oaktree Boutique Page 16 Paint Place Group of Stores Page 66 Party Cupcake Page 33 Peter Ryan MLA Page 67 Plough Creek Homestead Page 56 Quest Phillip Island Page 37 RACV Wonthaggi Shop Page 80 Red Chocolate Tree Page 49 Regional Victoria Living Expo Page 36 Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm Page 22 The Riversleigh Page 43 RYDA Page 11 Sale Greyhound Club Page 77 South Coast Décor Page 85 Space Flooring and Interiors Page 34 Stony Creek Go-Karts Page 88 The Fat Seagull Page 8 The Red Book Shop & Coffee Cog Page 83 The Scarf Wall Page 51 The 3 Cheeky Monkeys Page 61 Toms Cap Vineyard

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editorial

Welcome to the 18th Edition of Gippsland The Lifestyle!

And what a magazine this has turned out to be, we have a fantastic feature on the RAAF Roulettes based at Sale, along with other great features throughout the region of Gippsland. Recently, we were all celebrating the festive season and now we are into the throes of Autumn and with Easter around the corner, time certainly does move quickly. Time does not stand still for Gippsland The Lifestyle and we hope that this magazine is of great interest to our readers and our loyal advertisers.

On a sad note, Gippsland has been racked with terrible bush fires throughout the region and it is fitting that we highlight the new Wonthaggi CFA Headquarters in this edition. Our fire fighters risk their lives to make our region safe for everyone and we also hope that the area of Hazelwood and Morwell soon find relief from their devastating effects of the coal mine fires.

I would like to thank all of our writers, contributors and our photographer Geoff Watt who has returned to our magazine, along with my partner Maree for her outstanding work and our creative designer Alex Smirnakos. Ann Pulbrook has also joined us, and along with Chris West and Ally McManus we are sure that you will enjoy their stimulating reports. We have some great plans for the future.

Maree and Doug Pell Gippsland The Lifestyle – Our Pride Our Place

Page 100-101 Page 26 Page 64 Page 57 & 108 Page 39 Page 65 Page 46 Page 105

CONTENT

Page 1 & 12-15 Page 18-19 Page 28 Page 30-32 Page 40-41 Page 42-43 Page 45 Page 52-53 Page 55 Page 58-60 Page 62-63 Page 70-71 Page 72-74 Page 76 Page 81 Page 83 Page 86-87 Page 92-93 Page 96-97 Page 102-103 Page 104

Traralgon Bowls Club Treehouse Living Trulli Pizza Valley Prestige BMW Warragul Harness Racing Club Wildlife Coast Cruises Wonthaggi Medical Group Wonthaggi Newsagency RAAF Roulettes - Stars of the Sky Krystal Darcy - Young Success in a Business Andrew & Agnes Falzon - A Local Business Inspired from a Butterfly Spirit Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club - Heads above Water Warragul Harness Racing RYDA - Road Safety Education Program Maffra Car Museum A Stay on Bulls Cruisers Photo Feature Inspiration for the Inline 4 Café Cameron White Cricketer - White Hot Francesco Laera & Rhia Nix - Finding Success in the Smallest of Towns GrowMaster - In Bloom with a Little Help from their Friends Food Cluster Producing the Goods Julie Musolino - Bank of Melbourne Red Chocolate Tree - When Passion and Desire give way to Indulgence Paynesville Music Festival Wilsons Prom Cruise with Wildlife Coast Cruises Marty Box - Living the Dream through your Hobby Sale Town Feature Wonthaggi CFA Opening Photo Feature Cartoon by Steve White

REGULAR FEATURES Page 4 Page 9 Page 24 Page 27 Page 38 Page 47 Page 50 Page 89 Page 90-91 Page 94 Page 95 Page 98 Page 99 Page 104 Page 105

Editorial / Index The Red Book Book Review Ali’s Art Page Treehouse Living Decorating Dilemmas Q & A Chrissy’s Autumn Horoscope Wonthaggi Medical Group - Focus on the Future Canine Corner Autumn Markets Kylie of Haze Boutique Fashion Pages Autumn in West Gippsland with Laurie Collins Autumn Events Recipes from Plough Creek Homestead Foster’s Little Book Shop – The Book Nook Review Autumn Puzzle Where Do You Get It? Major Outlets

SALES AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

SALES & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Please contact: Doug Pell Phone: 0404 301 333 Email: thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au Or check out our website at www.thelifestylemagazine.com.au Like Us On Facebook at: Gippsland The Lifestyle Magazine 4

thelifestyle autumn 2014

Gippsland The Lifestyle is printed by Graphic Impressions Pty Ltd 1 Miles Street, Mulgrave, Victoria 3170, Australia Telephone: (03) 9574 9211 Fax: (03) 9574 8029 www.gimpressions.com.au

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thelifestyle summer 2013-14

Montfort MANOR

Winner Hosted Accommodation 2013, 2012 & 2010 RACV VICTORIAN TOURISM AWARDS Finalist Hosted Accommodation 2013, 2012 & 2010 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS Finalist Hosted Accommodation 2011 RACV VICTORIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Montfort Manor’s opulent accommodation provides short and long term accommodation for Corporate Business Travellers, Romantic Weekenders, Honeymoon Couples and the Sophisticated Traveller

Montfort MANOR

Office opening hours: 10am-3pm Hosts:

Owners live on site, available 24 hours

David and Melinda Wilson

35 Hoven Drive, Traralgon, 3844 Tel: +61 35174 8211 Fax: +61 35174 4453 Mob: 0428 748 211 E-mail montfort@vic.australis.com.au Web: www.montfortmanor.com.au

The

REDBOOK

Shop

David Baillie (Coffee Cog’s proprietor) has a passion to produce a coffee that he is proud to share with others. He believes that a necessary component to “the perfect coffee” is ensuring that the drinker’s experience is shaped by more than what is in the cup; this includes the ethics of the coffee’s production, the barista’s personality and the ambience.

What makes for an excellent coffee?

Number one in Coffee Cog’s view is the BEAN; and that means, where they are grown, how they are grown, the ethics of growing and marketing process and crucially, the roasting and blending process to produce unique coffee flavours.

David searched extensively for a bean supplier and roaster that could consistently and reliably satisfy Coffee Cog’s requirement for excellence. After months of coffee “exploration” Five Senses, a specialty coffee roaster in Melbourne was chosen as the sole bean supplier for Coffee Cog. The next challenge was to choose a Five Senses blend that would “stand out” from the other beans available in Gippsland in terms of providing a rich, robust and complex flavour profile. Crompton Road is a blend made up from beans sourced in three unique locations in Brazil, India and Bali. Together they produce a unique buttery mouth-feel with moderate acidity and hints of cocoa and caramel.

The Crompton Road blend will remain the core bean at Coffee Cog, but very soon we will introduce other blends, and single origin beans, to enhance our customer’s coffee experience.

The Red Book Shop and Coffee Cog is extremely pleased with how this new space in Traralgon has been received. The most common reaction has been “wow” and many customers have commented on the great atmosphere that they feel when they enter the shop. We have tried to create a comfortable space where you can come and enjoy an excellent coffee or other beverage while you check out the books. People who love books stay for a coffee and those who love coffee end up picking out up a book. With the constant presence of music and places to sit, both inside and out, the invitation is there to stay a while and visit with us. Many customers have commented on the fact that it is a positive contrast to noisy cafés. Occasionally we have ukulele players who join us on a Friday afternoon to practise and entertain while on their lunch hour. They welcome voice accompaniment, sometimes even me.

As well as books and coffee I offer 10 week conversational Italian courses and a book club. I also on occasion invite authors to launch their books or give a talk. To find out if such a special event is about to happen just check us out on Facebook. My Radio Gig on ABC Gippsland every second Wednesday where I talk about books with Celine Foenander, has given me the opportunity to engage with people about my passion. This has been fun and many people have been kind enough to mention that they listen to the show when they come into the shop.

I little realised how my life would change when I embarked on this new journey at the start of this year.

I am enjoying the fact that I can now be more selective in the books I accept due to space. I am pleased that the collection is becoming more specialised and is reflecting both my taste and the needs of my customers who love reading as much as I do.

For those who have not been in yet please join us, my books are second hand. I get my stock from people who want to down-size their book collection or need to clear houses. I do not buy books I give credit that may be used in the shop. This works on a 50/50 basis 50% credit 50% cash. Sometimes I have new books from the authors; they will be sold at the RRP. Maria Doganieri

Thanks Five Senses!

THE REDBOOK SHOP & 12 Breed Street, Traralgon VIC 3844 Tel: (03) 5174 8100 Facebook: The Red Book Shop Facebook: Coffee Cog Opening hours: Mon to Fri 7 am till 5 pm | Saturday 8 am till 3 pm | Sunday 10 am till 4 pm

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The

REDBOOK

Shop

BOOK REVIEWS

by Maria Doganieri

Ice Station

by Matthew Reilly

Punter’s Luck

by Peter Klein

Have you ever watched Die Hard? I love Die Hard because I think it is one of the funniest films ever made. I cannot resist watching it when it comes on TV. I usually just sit back and enjoy the ride. In many respects Ice Station is like Die Hard. This is not an insult because from all I have read and seen about Matthew Reilly I am certain that he would see this as a compliment as he was inspired by films like Die Hard that captured his imagination and helped to create all his adventures.

As soon as you read that one of the characters is named Wombat you know you are in Australia and in fact the opening pages quickly place you in Melbourne. From then on you are on a journey through Melbourne into Sydney and back via taxi mind you. This was a great read and the setting is the racing industry in case the title and the cover had not already tipped you off.

I went into Ice Station without any expectations other than a fun read but I also found it informative and exciting. I liked how Matthew developed the characters and I was surprised by some of the twists in the end. What underpin Matthew’s work, however, are his research and the fact that his fantastic adventure is sandwiched in between a real place and probable situations with real life conditions.

I particularly like the fact that he includes Australia in his story, a familiar real Australia not a stilled exotic version of the Australia I know.

I also enjoyed the way Matthew ties up all the loose ends without being obvious. I really had fun reading this book and if you are looking for a great adventure that starts from page one and only stops when you get to the end then this is the author for you.

John Punter is the main man and he is not really a detective but the situation he finds himself in forces him to work with a policeman and a reporter. As he digs further and further into the crime that involves drugs, murder and horses, he has to find a way of protecting his family business as well as helping his friend.

I enjoyed this book on many levels firstly because I like murder mysteries, secondly I am interested in the racing industry but also because it is set in Melbourne and I recognised the race courses, street names, places mentioned in the story even the journey back from Sydney evoked images from previous road trips.

Peter Klein is a fine writer and I do not hesitate to recommend this author to you.

I Hear The Sirens In The Street

by Adrian McKinty Have you ever wanted to go to Ireland? Well if you wanted to go in the eighties this is your chance. Read Adrian McKinty and get a real feel of what life was like during the troubles in Ireland.

Sean Duffy is a catholic policeman working in a protestant dominated town and police force. Life is not easy and the situation a little contrived, but he is such a well drawn character that you believe it when he manages to establish himself with both the police and his protestant neighbours. The thing I found most fun about this writer is that I started to think in an Irish accent while reading. I could almost hear it and trust me I did not try to read out loud because I only imagine I can imitate an Irish accent.

This is the second Sean Duffy thriller and I read the first one before this so I was already hooked. While it is nice to read the other one as well the second is not dependent on the first for the reader to enjoy and get all the references. What is of advantage is having a memory of the eighties and all the news stories about the troubles because I found that I remembered many of the references, and what the story does, is explain it in a way that I can better understand what took place then.

If you like a story that combines humour, mystery, tragedy and history without being too heavy then this is the book you should try.

Morning’s Gone

by Jon Cleary

48 Shades of Brown

by Nick Earls

Saving Francesca

by Melina Marchetta

Jon Cleary has been writing books since the 40’s and here he is in 2006 still going strong. Not bad really when you consider he was born in 1917.

Prior to reading Morning’s Gone, the only other book I had read by Jon was The Sundowners, because the movie is one of my favourites and I wanted to read the original story, it was great.

Right now however I want to share with you my experience of Morning’s Gone. While written in this century one of the things I like a lot is that the main story takes part in the late 70’s early 80’s.

Jon cleverly weaves the main political and social events of that era into his narrative. Those of us who lived through that time pick up all the subtle references as the story gently takes us into another time, another Australia.

Have you read 50 shades of grey? Well relax this is nothing like that. If anything the voice that I heard when I opened this book was similar to Holden from Catcher in the Rye. From the first sentence the reader is sharing the life experience of a teenage boy who is full of angst about his final year at secondary school.

I am sure that Melina Marchetta rings a bell with you. Yes she wrote Looking for Alibrandi. This was a great book and I remember thinking at the time that Melina had taken the best memories of her Italian culture and married them with her knowledge of teenage girls and come up with a great story. Moreover, it translated into a wonderful movie.

His mum and dad, very uptight, are away and he is living with his 22 year old aunt for the year. So we go on a roller coaster with Dan, and cringe for him and with him, as he negotiates his way through life with two young ladies one of whom makes his heart beat faster (not his aunt). We discover his growing obsession with sex (surprise surprise), while at the same time, trying not to make a fool of himself.

Throughout the story he is negotiating his way through this strange new life so unlike his previous existence. We laugh and gasp at some of his choices but ultimately we enjoy.

In Alibrandi, Melina dealt with some difficult issues about family and death and did it in such a way that young people could relate to it and open up discussion about scandal, suicide, relationships and cultural divides. In Saving Francesca, she again presents challenges in the form of mental breakdowns.

Beneath it all is a murder mystery which impacts on the main character Matt Durban. He is an interesting character who I found it difficult not to like. The reason why I struggled is because he is a politician and by definition must be up to no good or not? Could he really be innocent? Could he be honest?

The other feature of this book which I found confronting at first is the fact that there are no talking marks as such; the author merely uses different fonts to indicate a change of speaker. Initially I found this confusing but eventually I got into the rhythm of things and after the first few pages I stopped noticing it.

Jon Cleary is a good writer. He tells his stories well and he beautifully showcases Australia in both its beauty and its terror. If you have not read him before I encourage you to give him a try.

So why read this book, well it is an authentic voice and it deals with change, growing up and anxiety. While Dan does not come out and admit that he may be suffering from a form of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) this theme does run throughout the book and so the ending is even more satisfying for its simplicity.

The central theme is about a mother’s breakdown and how it affected the whole family but of course the story is told from Francesca’s point of view. The book follows Francesca’s journey and we meet a wonderful series of friends and family that slowly come together and eventually save Francesca.

This is a great novel for both teenage readers and adults. It gives an insight not only to the kind of angst that teenagers go through but also the important part that friendship plays in today’s world for young people. This story made me laugh and cry while at the same time, as an adult, it helped me to appreciate my own friendship group and to realise how important my friends are to me in both times of joy and sorrow.

Read it, you won’t regret it.

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Sale SALE & DISTRICT GREYHOUND RACING CLUB Twilight Racing every Sunday with Free Entry

Come grab a coffee in our Timeout Café.

Bistro open 7 Days for Lunch and Dinner

Come check out our newly renovated Alfresco Area

We have all your functions covered contact Melanie for more information OPEN 7 DAYS | MONDAY – SATURDAY 9AM – LATE | SUNDAY 10AM – 11PM

Sale

Ph. (03) 51442-148 Showground’s Sale – Maffra Road, Sale, VIC 3850 visit us at www.salegreyhoundclub.com.au

stars of the sky

By Ann Pulbrook

Emerging in the sky, they send a ripple through the crowd, who gather below to witness their feat.

Flying in unison, they taunt as they spill, tumbling through air, with masterful skill. Toying, they speed as they dive and they roll, an invincible play of challenges they meet, the Sale-based Roulettes are the pride of the RAAF, a squadron performing, they are our Defence’s elite.

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thelifestyle autumn 2014

It takes a lot of skill to become a Royal Australian Air Force Roulette, with many years dedication, a proven Defence Force record of duty and a confidence to soar high while remaining steadfastly focused.

The Australian Roulettes are our Defence Force’s high profile aerobatic display team, a squadron who emerged from the RAAF Base East Sale in 1962 (in their first incarnation as The Red Sales).

The Roulettes are comprised of seven expert military pilots recruited from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army who have served a comprehensive range of domestic and combat duties.

Highly qualified, the pilots are selected from the many Flight Instructors from Central Flying School at the RAAF Base East Sale and have the fortunate privilege to broaden their secondment as a luminary of the feted RAAF Roulettes.

A secondment of duty to the Roulettes lasts an average of 18 months (aviation seasons are of six months duration, with three seasons being the

usual term for an aerobatic display pilot) before being deployed to other RAAF pilot duties.

“Being selected as a Roulette is an extremely rewarding position” said one of the squadron’s most recent recruits, Flying Officer Clay Esler, who, as Roulette Seven, is spokesperson for the team.

As the non-display member of the squad, he is responsible for flying a spare Pilatus PC-9 aircraft to Air Shows, where the public can closely view it, and he commentates over a microphone as the squadron perform their spectacular sorties and thrill the crowd with their impressive skills.

The newest display pilot to the Roulettes is Flight Lieutenant Lachie Hazeldine, who is supported

by Flight Lieutenant Daniel Kehoe, Roulette 2 and Flight Lieutenant Ross Laves, Roulette 4.

The eye-catching stunts of the Roulette synchro pair, made up of Flight Lieutenant Steve English, Roulette 5 and Flight Lieutenant Andrew Lynch, Roulette 6, are some of the troupe’s most intricate and spine-tingling manoeuvres for spectators to see.

Their manoeuvres include the Mirror Formation, where Roulette 5 flies directly above Roulette 6, inverted and with only 2 metres separating them, resulting in a mirror-like effect, and other crowd favourites, such as The Roulette Heart (for all the romantics in the crowd) and the Roulette’s famous namesake, the spectacular Roulette Wheel. All roles within the Roulettes are daring and of equal importance to the group’s high-octane success, but it is Roulette One, Squadron Leader Stephen Baker who ensures the cohesion and overall safety of the Roulettes, as his team watch, listen and follow the command of his well honed instructions.

“Being a Roulette is a great feeling,” said Flight Lieutenant Hazeldine, Roulette 3 “You get to go out there and show what you can personally achieve, as well as what the Air Force can do”. The interest and excitement from children is another thing that gives this job a level of satisfaction not easily found in other roles. The Roulettes, understandably, are popular with children, and the pilots visit classrooms and talk to the children about their awe-inspiring job and the potential which they too can achieve in fulfilling their goals and dreams.

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Also on their visit-list is the Royal Children’s Hospital, where the pilots bring in model planes and aerothemed toys for the children. They sign posters and share stories of their aviation adventures which entertain and lift the children’s spirits.

The role the Roulettes fulfil in the Australian Defence Force is an important one. They are a friendly, heroic and dazzling face to inspire a general confidence in the public by display of their skill, while warming the hearts of a younger generation with the hopes of their dreams, the inspiration of adventure and the benefits of commitment.

The RAAF is proud of its East Sale Base, from which the Roulettes were born more than 50 years ago.

Australia can be proud of our Defence Force, who display the peak of their talent in the pilots of the Roulettes, and the Roulettes can be proud of the message they send through the virtuosity of their performance. As civilians, we are safe and secure and can build dreams of our future, knowing the Australian Defence Force has pilots who can perform at such peak rates, and accomplish the most seemingly impossible of dazzling feats.

SEE THE ROULETTES IN ACTION

at their upcoming aerial display at the 2014 Formula 1 Grand Prix, Melbourne, 13th-16th March, 2014.

To find out more about the Roulettes and check dates for aerial displays, visit www.airforce.gov. au/Roulettes or search RAAF Roulettes and the Roulettes Facebook page for upcoming and past events.

Photos: Courtesy and special thanks to the Department of Defence, Sale RAAF Roulettes

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SPECIAL FACTS ABOUT THE ROULETTES .

During a display, the RAAF Roulette pilots fly formation aerobatics at a distance of 2-3 metres apart from wing tip to wing tip. This separation is maintained solely by the pilots hard work and determination in the aircraft. .

Pilots practise up to 3 times per day at the local RAAF East Sale Airfield. .

Each member of the display team is a RAAF Qualified Flying Instructor. .

The Roulettes conduct up to 50 flying displays at public events each year. .

The Pilatus PC9 is flown by the Roulettes at speeds up to 570 kilometres per hour, at heights that go as low as 60 metres above ground during a display. .

The Roulettes practise 4 different aerobatic displays that can be performed in varying weather conditions. .

The Roulette’s name is derived from the Roulette Wheel formation where the Roulettes 5 and 6 fly directly at each other in a wheel pattern, narrowly missing each other at high speed. .

Flight Lieutenant Joanne Mein was the first female Roulette, debuting in the year 2000.

She flew with the squadron for 2 seasons. .

RAAF’s Central Flying School (originally based in Point Cook and now based in East Sale) celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013. .

The Australian Defence Force is celebrating a Centenary of Military Aviation in March this year.

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paint place

group of stores

the paint specialists

Cowes

Wonthaggi

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 1.00pm Manager: David Fusinato

5-7 Korumburra Road, Wonthaggi Vic 3995 Tel: 5672 5522 Email: wonthaggi@paintplace.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 8.30am to 1.00pm Sunday 10.00am to 12.00pm Manager: Rob Geyer

Traralgon

Leongatha

81 Argyle Street, Traralgon Vic 3844 Tel: 5176 1221 Email: traralgon@paintplace.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm Sunday Closed Manager: Kevin Vivian

52 Bair Street, Leongatha Vic 3953 Tel: 5662 2941 Email: leongatha@paintplace.com.au Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm Sunday Closed Manager: Luke Watson

dial an

occasion.com.au with Noelene Marchwicki No Stress Dinner Parties Medieval Banquets | Arabian Feasts | Indian Cuisine | Spanish Tapas 1980's Cuisine | Specialty Picnic Baskets | Custom Menus "our specialty picnic baskets are packed with local produce" Mobile 0407 561 192 Email tree_hugger8620@hotmail.com Web www.dialanoccasion.com.au

bookings essential

THE NEW

60 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi Vic 3995 Tel: 5672 1611 Monday to Friday 8.15am to 4.00pm Saturday 8.15am to 2.30pm Sunday 10.00am to 2.00pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra Viva Vivaldi

The Rustic Sons Country Rock Super Hits Show

Flying Fruit Fly Circus presents Control Alt Delete

Wednesday March 26 at 8.00pm

Saturday April 12 at 8.00pm

Wednesday May 7 at 8.00pm

This program showcases the scintillating virtuosity of Vivaldi's string concerti. The ever popular "Four Seasons" takes centre stage alongside a hand-picked selection of the Venetian master's most exciting works and other audience favourites.

A multi award winning act who delivers a very respectful tribute to the super stars of country in a unique and very original way, blending their own style of musical talents to create this top class show.

Featuring world-class circus skills amalgamated with contemporary performance styles such as break dancing, parkour, physical theatre & dance.

A thoughtful and highly entertaining display of acrobatics and varied circus skills performed by the world famous young artists of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus.

Proudly sponsored by Flying Colours Travel

Proudly sponsored by WIN Television

John Leslie Theatre 100 Foster Street, Sale For Bookings: Phone: 5143 3200 www.ebbwec.com.au

Proudly sponsored by Commonwealth Bank, Sale John Leslie Theatre 100 Foster Street, Sale For Bookings: Phone: 5143 3200 www.ebbwec.com.au

John Leslie Theatre 100 Foster Street, Sale For Bookings: Phone: 5143 3200 www.ebbwec.com.au

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YOUNG SUCCESS IN A BUSINESS BRINGING LEONGATHA TOGETHER

By Ally McManus

Some 26-year-olds are married with kids. Others are studying at university. Some are even still living with their parents, trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Krystal Darcy falls into none of these categories.

Instead, she runs Darcy's, her own café and wine bar in Leongatha.

I meet the young business owner at the famous place itself, which hasn’t had a quiet week since opening in June last year. And I’m impressed. I keep reminding myself that this woman in front of me runs the establishment. She’s happy, chatty, incredibly independent and so young to have this sort of success. Krystal has always wanted to run her own business at a young age, but her career before this was actually in real estate. She has a bit of hospitality and kitchen experience though, which helped inspire her to take this risky career change.

Krystal has lived in Leongatha for most of her life, besides some real estate work in Melbourne. “I loved real estate, but my passion is to be in the kitchen and to run my own business. It’s a lot more rewarding working for yourself.” She adds.

“I thought there was nothing like this in Leongatha anyway, so that’s what made me decide to buy it.”

Before she created Darcy's, there was a restaurant in the same space, but it was completely turned around into something that’s truly Krystal to the bone. “I’ve always loved working long hours,” she then adds. Which I learn range from an incredible 14 - 18 hour-long days.

She tells me this won’t be forever though, only for the next few years to get the business up and running. In total, there are twelve employees and Krystal is in fact the oldest. “We all get along that well, so it makes it so much easier…and that reflects on the customers as well,” Krystal adds.

Two of her siblings work in the business too.

“I’ve always loved cooking,” Krystal tells me, adding she spends most of her time in the kitchen too. “The menu is based on things that I have

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cooked and what I like to cook,” she says. Krystal always experiments with new foods to make new menu additions, using as many local suppliers as possible.

Her right hand woman, Rosey, manages the front of house and Krystal couldn’t live without her. She tells me her worst experience at Darcy's was actually when Rosey was sick and Krystal had to manage both the front and kitchen for over 160 customers.

The restaurant opens at 10 every morning and closes late every night except for Sundays.

Mondays are also closed. The hours are very accommodating to customers from all-day breakfast to late night snacks so people can even grab a bite after seeing a movie next door at the cinema. They’ve also just extended the menu to accommodate gluten-free and vegan diets, so it’s even bigger than it was before. “We’ve had fantastic feedback on the new menu,” she says.

“If you don’t meet the market needs, then you’re not going to get the people in.” Krystal is certainly aware of the requirements to meet for success.

Live music runs every Saturday night, with local artists such as Colin Matthews and Marty Box regularly performing, who are popular around the region. Krystal really enjoys listening to the music. “I love having the live music and the atmosphere…it just gives the place a really good feel.”

Opening Darcy's has taught Krystal so much because she had no prior entrepreneurial experience under her belt. “But in saying that, the feedback’s been fantastic; we’re booked out most Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.” I ask her how they got the place up and running, which only

spanned over a few months. “It was good fun, but I’ve never had stress like that in my whole life,” she admits.

Krystal’s work hours are very demanding, so her social life and family time has changed a bit. The majority of her friends and family from Melbourne come down to the restaurant most weekends, which I can tell she appreciates. “They always make the effort to come down here and have a meal and catch up that way.” Her family and friends who live locally also do the same.

Krystal’s favourite moment so far was at Darcy’s opening night, where over 230 people, friends and family included, came to celebrate her success. “It was a really good night, really good atmosphere…I honestly didn’t think I had that much support here.”

Krystal tells me with a smile on her face. “It certainly is rewarding,” she adds.

Expanding and franchising her local business is a popular question for Krystal. “It’s very hard work, but at the same time I couldn’t see myself selling it any time soon,” she tells me. “I would just like to see what happens a few years down the track, there’s still so much to learn,” she admits. “There’s still a lot of things that can be perfected, but it’s been a good experience so far.”

Krystal tells me the most rewarding part of her job is having that relationship with her regular customers and the positive feedback they give.

“They just say they’re really happy Leongatha finally has a place like this.

They come in, say the service is always great and the food’s fantastic and that they’ll stick by us.”

Krystal admits those around her had doubts someone as young as her could run a business. She was aware that her social life and time for herself would be difficult to balance, but she doesn’t have any regrets about the business and will never let anyone get in the way of her dreams. “I probably didn’t think it was going to be as hard as it has been, but at the same time I love it.” Krystal tells me she found something she wrote years and years ago about where she saw herself in ten years. All that time ago, she wrote that she could see herself running her own restaurant. She tells me this place is everything she ever dreamed it would be.

“I just wanted to do something for myself.”

Darcy's is the perfect homey place to dine at any time of the day. Whether it’s for a relaxed brunch with friends, some late night tapas after a movie or even to eat the famous Parma everyone raves about. Young business owner Krystal has reached incredible success that’s a testament to all her hard work combined with immense support from the local community.

Photos: James Pell

thelifestyle autumn 2014

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Krystal Darcy Owner

GREAT FOOD, FRIENDLY SERVICE, LOCAL ATMOSPHERE

Sam Holland • Rosey Hobbs • Luke Minnis • Krystal Darcy - Owner

4 Smith Street, Leongatha 3953 Phone: (03) 5662 0066

Follow us on facebook

Closed Monday | Tuesday to Sunday 10.00am to late | Live Music Saturday Nights Happy Hour - 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Friday nights

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thelifestyle autumn 2014

Backformer to it'sglory

Personalised, attentive service and a sense of tranquil relaxation are among the hallmarks of a stay at The Riversleigh where you’ll enjoy the warmth of a country hotel combined with the luxury you expect from contemporary boutique accommodation.

Located in the heart of Bairnsdale’s central business district on a quiet street over-looking the Mitchell River, The

Riversleigh features elegant period fittings with tastefully-appointed modern rooms, providing a unique accommodation experience to our guests.

With 20 rooms designed to meet every one of our guests’ individual needs, you will enjoy beautifullydesigned rooms, each with ensuite some including spa baths. Relax in

the picturesque courtyard set against the magnificent backdrop of one of the oldest and most unique residences in beautiful East Gippsland.

Built in 1886, this East Gippsland icon is now under new ownership and management and this grand example of Victorian architecture has recently undergone a complete renovation.

Set in the heart of Destination Gippsland, Bairnsdale is the gateway to glorious East Gippsland, within easy drive of the high country, mountain resorts, rainforest drives, the Gippsland Lakes, Ninety Mile Beach and river, lake and ocean fishing activities.

1 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale, 3875 PH: 03 5152 6966 E: info@riversleigh.com.au W: www.riversleigh.com.au

Elegant, Intimate, Unique

A Delightful Afternoon Tea in Classic Victorian Surroundings Afternoon tea served Wednesday - Sunday (bookings essential) or by arrangement. Now offering breakfast and dinner

Avonleigh Farm Fine Food For Enquiries and Bookings please telephone 03-56647264 42 Thorsons Road, Tarwin, South Gippsland.

Just off the South Gippsland Highway, 5 minutes from Meeniyan

Visiting galleries and viewing art works of all descriptions, is a chance to see the world through other people’s eyes. Our response could be emotional, evoke memories, find a connection with the artist, challenge us, disgust us or just open us up to another way of looking at a subject or theme. Sometimes we come away quite baffled with no idea at all! It is really a privilege to be sharing another individual’s private observations and exposing their inner thoughts and feelings.

In some ways, it is like having a “peek” into a private diary.

I am often approached by people viewing my art and other artist’s work, and asked such questions such as, “Where do your get your ideas for your work?” or “How do you know what to do?” The environment and society we live in often inspires the subject matter or responses to issues, which artists express in a variety of media. Below are some thoughts for one of my works, and as I belong to various art groups where ideas are generously shared, I thought I might let some artists share some of their thoughts with you.

For me, the Gippsland landscape and what I see in my everyday life is the catalyst for most of my works. My work titled “4 am Out The Window” is my response to living in this area with its constant threat of fire. Like many Gippslanders last year, I received a text message during a period of high fire alert. I opened the curtains and stood in awe at the almost 180 degree view of our Alps aglow against the black of a night sky. Terrifying and beautiful at the same time.

When asked to participate in the Briagolong Climate Change - “Fire, Fear and Feelings” exhibition and project mentioned in the last issue, this image instantly leaped to my mind. I have used the red undulating fire lines of the hills and glowing sky reflecting the fire storm beneath, to form an image of menacing and glowing coals. The frame suggests a window perhaps blackened and charcoaled as a result of fire. Our view of fire is often “framed” by images on the TV or through the window. Images of fire in the paper are also an isolated “rectangular” image.”- Ali Fullard Maxine Salvatore, an artist from Valencia Creek, is a talented printmaker and painter. The following is her description of what inspired this work for the same exhibition.

“Living in an environment which is threatened most summers by bushfire, heightens one’s awareness of the danger wrought by such fire. “Bad Reality” - the print I have in the Briagolong Climate Change print exchange and exhibition shows a deep red fiery sky, above which hovers an acid green cloud representing the toxicity pumped into the earth’s atmosphere during the manufacture of oil-based products, including those we wear, store our food in, stuff our mattresses with, and use in place of rubber on the wheels of our vehicles - 20 million each year in Australia. Is there a correlation between the pollution and the changed climate? The burnt wreath is a symbol of mourning for the lost clean atmosphere.”

Glenda Johnson from Briagolong describes her stunning etching and what inspired her.

“This print portrays how a bushfire can totally transform and alienate the landscape leaving an ash covered twisted pile of corrugated iron rubble which sadly is the non recognisable remains of a home and its family history. In contrast the sky takes on a threatening mystical atmospheric heaviness as it becomes a moving mass of ominous smoke clouds, ash and fire. This fiery sky appears to take on a life force of its own as the landscape is left baron and becomes a still-life of destruction.”

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ALI'S ART

what inpsires an artist?

16 members of the Freestone Printmakers have taken part in this project.

Exhibition is at Stephen McLaughlan Gallery, Nicholas Building, Swanston Street, Melbourne, 7th – 24th May, with an opening on Saturday afternoon 10th May. Louisa Waters an artist from Briagolong, whose works use a wide range of mediums. Here is her description of her inspiration for her work, which is part of her exhibition at Briagolong Art Gallery.

“Summer Grasses | All That Remains..” is a body of work that explores the implications of a historical site on the fringe of Briagolong township.

The site was a rifle range used to train soldiers who served during World War One. Deactivated in the 1930’s gradual decomposition has transformed the site to its present state where there is little evidence of human trace. The work considers and retraces the experiences of the men who engaged with the space and served during WWI.”

Louisa’s exhibition “Summer grasses / All that Remains” is on from 12th April till 11th May. Briagolong Art Gallery. Cnr Forbes and Avon Streets, Briagolong 3860. Open Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 4 pm.

Contact 03 51 455 439 - 0427327494 Email: briagolongartgallery@gmail.com To continue the theme, The Yarram Courthouse Gallery’s next two exhibitions display artist’s passion with flora and animals. “Our Native Plants Illustrated’ showcases works by artists who are inspired by the beauty of our Gippsland Flora. This is a project in conjunction with the Yarram Landcare Network, which is encouraging artists to depict our unique local plants, reminding us of their complexity, fragility and worth.

It highlights the constant environmental challenge for all communities to live sustainably. Celia Rosser, OAM will be co-judging with Andrea MacCallum, Artist and Kaye Proudley, Field Naturalist. The exhibition runs from 27th February till 25th March 2014. “All Creatures Great and Small” is part of the Tarra Festival and runs from April 17th till May 20th 2014 at the Courthouse Gallery, 9 Rogers Street, Yarram.

Email: courthousegalleryyarram@gmail.com I could keep writing and give many more examples of artist’s inspiration but will run out of room on this page! Next time you are viewing a piece of art perhaps keep in mind that the artist is sharing part of their world view and their response to it.

Cheers, Ali Fullard Words: Ali Fullard

Prints | Drawings | Watercolours | Mixed Media | Digital images | Original cards “I work across a range of media inspired by the natural world and dramatic landscape of the Gippsland region.”

Open: By Appointment All Welcome 75 Landy Lane Briagolong 3860 Ph. 0427327494 | Email alifullard@bigpond.com

BRIAGOLONG CORNER COTTAGE

Modern spacious B&B has all the comforts, ideally located in the township and close to the many nearby attractions.

Bookings essential.

63 Forbes Street, Briagolong Vic 3860 Tel: 5145 5426 Mobile: 0417 737 709 Contact: Sally & Steve White

Like us on Facebook www.wix.com/briagolong3860/briagolong

"BASIA MILLE"

Boutique Accommodation. Cellar Door.

9 Hole Golf Course. Vineyard & Olive Grove

SNIPPETS OF SHAKESPEARE in The Poet’s Walk at Basia Mille on Sunday 18th May, 2014 as part of the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival

FOUR GREAT SPEECHES

PERFORMED....PERUSED.....PERSONIFIED In the Poet’s Walk at Basia Mille, four jewels from Shakespeare’s writings will be performed, then briefly considered, then opened for your personal reactions and comments.

Come for a moment to see why so many of our greatest writers and commentators have drawn and continue to draw their inspiration from his genius.

1 Taylor Court (off Savages Road) Fish Creek All this with a glass of wine and delicious antipasti for just $35.

Call us on 0414 295 048 or 5687 1453 to reserve your seat.

"Basia Mille" is on Waratah Ridge,

South Gippsland, overlooking Wilson’s Promontory and Bass Strait

Telephone: 0414 295 048 | 5687 1453

THREE LUXURIOUS APARTMENTS Waratah, Oliv and Luscious

Visit our luxury apartments, vineyard and olive grove to experience great wine, local food, oils and South Gippsland's warmest hospitality

Email: info@basiamille.com.au

Web: www.basiamille.com.au thelifestyle autumn 2014

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treehouse living Homewares & Design

Have you discovered us yet?

Treehouse Living is a homewares, furniture and gift store that also offers a full interior design service.

We love to help our customers find the perfect products to help them create their dream home.

We stock many brands exclusively in Gippsland and there’s always something new to discover.

Our Online Store & Gift Registry

www.treehouseliving.com.au

is now open.

Now you have all the convenience of online shopping, while still shopping locally.

“Shop online, but keep your click local”

14 Breed St Traralgon VIC 3844 P: (03) 5176 2809 www.treehouseliving.com.au www.facebook.com/TreehouseAU

decorating dilemmas Do you have an uninspiring room with boring walls and floors, dodgy lighting, or just too much stuff going on all at once? I gathered together 5 decorating headaches and their solutions.

How do I…..

3. Make my hallway inviting?

The hallway is often the very first and last place visitors see when they enter your home so try and spend some time to make it special. Tidy shoes and place in a basket. Hang hats and coats, preferably in a cupboard. If space allows a gorgeous hall table along a side wall with a mirror above to create a wider space or a colourful artwork adds to a warm welcome.

1. Create mood?

Using colour can give you different atmospheres; for example, blue hues portray tranquillity, serenity and gives the illusion of spaciousness. Red creates warmth and excitement and yellow creates a happy, sunny feel which will make the room feel lighter and brighter.

2. Mix & match pattern?

Experiment with a variety of combinations until you find the one that suits your home the best. I like mixing spots, stripes and florals. The general rule of thumb is to stick to one colour palette. For example try red, and pinks with a touch of green or shades of blue and white with grey.

Tamara Addison Blog: ww.houseprowd.com

5. Dress an unused fireplace?

Fireplaces that are no longer being used can be used effectively to create a great visual impact. Try bundles of books piled high, or even a stack of rustic uniform logs. At night you can light up a fireplace by just adding a cluster of different height white church candles or fairy lights.

Want more ideas check out my blog www.houseprowd.com

4. Make the vintage look work?

Heavy or dark vintage pieces don’t always look right in a modern home. Choose light, bright furnishings and fabrics in contemporary colours and patterns. The look will instantly go from “granny” to “glam”. Seek out architectural features in a new home such as recycled timber floors or wide profile skirting this will help bring your vintage pieces to life.

Happy Decorating!

Tam x

0439 341 520 Email: houseprowd.@gmail.com

Find Me On:

thelifestyle autumn 2014

27

Sometimes inspiration strikes us at the most difficult of times, or at least it did for married couple Andrew and Agnes Falzon when they opened up their dream business Vaughan's Café Deli in Inverloch.

A local business a butterfly spirit

inspired from

By Ally McManus

When I enter the café, Andrew is behind the counter and Agnes is in the kitchen. It’s clear they’re hands-on-deck owners. They’re both aged 33 and have been married for eight years. Born and bred in Morwell, the couple spent a bit of time in Melbourne before deciding to relocate to Inverloch four years ago. The coastal lifestyle seems to suit them perfectly. “We’ve got the beach, parks, it’s beautiful,” Andrew says.

Throughout their working lives, Andrew and Agnes have had experience in hospitality, cafes and delis. Agnes was also in human resources for eight years, while Andrew was a carpenter. “All the skills we’ve learnt throughout our careers we can really use here,” Agnes says. They opened up Vaughan's in September last year, “it was five months yesterday,” Andrew then adds thoughtfully.

They also have two young children. Their daughter, Ania, is four-years-old and their son, Jordan, is nearly two.

Andrew then calls the business their third baby. The success of this figurative third child has been incredibly overwhelming, but equally rewarding for them. “We’ve just been flat out – Christmas, New Years, the summer period has been bigger than we ever imagined,” Agnes tells me.

I ask them how they decided on this type of business to run. “We love our antipastos and our smoked meats… we always said to each other we’d love to one day open up our own deli somewhere, and then we said a coffee machine as well…then that led to a small kitchen,” Andrew tells me through a smile. This is how their small dream expanded so greatly.

They love their local suppliers; the second I ask them about this they name ten different companies. The café’s back wall is full of pre-prepared local produce, such as Karingal Berries, Fish Creek Olives, Promontory Preserves and Grassy Spur Olive Oils. Their most popular item in the café is even the Humper Crunch muesli packs from the back shelf. You can buy their packs there (Cranberry Crunch or Original Toasted) and they serve it in the café for breakfast too. “People just keep coming back time and time again for the muesli, it’s a big seller here,” Andrew says. He also mentions the wines and cider are local.

Andrew and Agnes are currently re-doing their menu, pushing gluten-free and vegetarian meals to accommodate every type of customer. They also want to incorporate more of the deli ingredients into their meals, so people can buy what they’re eating at the café easily as individual components or the meals themselves. They wanted this to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for customers.

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thelifestyle autumn 2014

They also tell me excitedly they have a new supply coming – spices, which are amazing, Agnes tells me.

She then says they want to make their juice menu even healthier too by adding more greens as opposed to just fruit. “We’re catering for their needs,” Andrew tells me.

“We don’t want to be the same, we want to change things all the time,” Agnes adds.

The café is open 8-4 every day, but they also hold night functions every now and then and hope to continue this.

They even have a hen’s night next Saturday, Agnes tells me excitedly. Their initial plan with the business was to just have night functions, but café hours are more kid friendly while their children are still young. “We want to spend as much time with them as we possibly can,” Agnes says, but they also understand they need to meet the requirements of their careers at the same time.

I then ask how they manage raising their kids while growing their business. Their philosophy seems to work well. “We believe it’s not about the quantity, but it’s about the quality,” Agnes says. They admit one of the hardest things about opening the business was not being around their children 24/7. Day AND night too, Andrew likes to remind me as we all share a laugh. But they’re also very grateful for their family support network that helps immensely, particularly on the weekends.

“When we close the shop here, we go down to the beach or we go to the park,” Agnes says. They even have oneon-one dates with their kids. Andrew took Ania to the circus the other week, while Agnes went out to lunch with Jordan. “We try to give them one-on-one time as well as together time.” Agnes says. “We’re always outdoors, playing together, building blocks, reading books, that’s the quality time.” Andrew adds.

Agnes has a favourite part of the café, which is when the cake cabinet is fully stocked. “When that’s full and fresh it looks amazing…I love doing that, it’s my favourite part,” she says. What stands out for Andrew is the everyday interaction with customers. “The feedback has been very overwhelming from all the locals and all the people that come down,” he says. They are very grateful to the local community for their success. “We’ve got some really good regulars that we just love and adore,” Agnes adds.

Agnes then tells me about her happiest memories from the business which are both incredibly special stories. Her heritage is Polish and her parents were overseas during the café’s opening night. When they returned, the couple brought them into the café late one night and seeing the looks on their faces is something she will never forget.

I then find out why their café is called Vaughan's. “You’ll have to say it,” Agnes says to Andrew, but he shakes his head. I know from their exchange that we’re about to tread on emotional ground. Agnes takes a deep breath and I already see the tears in her eyes. Their close family friends lost their three-year-old boy, called Vaughan, to Leukaemia in 2011. “He gave us the inspiration to really do this,” Agnes tells me through a few tears.

“It’s always been a dream of ours to open this up,” about 20 years in the making Andrew tells me, and Vaughan had a lot to do with their final decision to do so. “After going through everything with Vaughan and his parents and family, it just inspired us to do it now,” Andrew says as Agnes adds, “life’s too short.”

Vaughan’s parents even surprised Agnes and Andrew at the café opening night, as they weren’t expecting them to come. “It was so emotional and special,” she tells me.

Looking at Agnes and Andrew as they tell this special story, I can see the true sentiment behind their business and how Vaughan, one beautiful young boy, truly inspired them. “It’s very hard to talk about,” Agnes then admits.

The couple then tell me about their business logo, which has an incredibly symbolic butterfly around Vaughan’s name. When Vaughan passed away, there was a butterfly fluttering around the windowsill. “Every time we talk about him or go away somewhere there’s always a butterfly somewhere, so we really think that’s his spirit.” After Agnes tells me this, I look down at my arms and notice I have goose bumps. When Vaughan’s dad did a fun run, there was also a butterfly fluttering around his face while training, which they all know was Vaughan. “He was a pretty special little man,” Agnes tells me as Andrews agrees. “He really gave us the inspiration to go for it,” she adds.

It was a specific day while stuck in Melbourne traffic after the devastating news, that Vaughan helped the couple decide to do this. “We said let’s do what we really wanted to do, what we really love, what we’re passionate about,” Andrew says.

Whether it’s on their business card, the café’s front door or in every heart that knows this story – Vaughan’s legacy will continue throughout Andrew and Agnes’ café deli.

There will always be a fluttering butterfly to remind us of this.

Julie is the proprietor at 95 on Seymour; she purchased the boutique 2 years ago. Prior to this venture, Julie had The Feminine Touch Boutique for 13 years.

She, along with her staff, enjoy outfitting customers. They enjoy making buying or browsing a pleasant experience.

The store is constantly changing, with a wide variety of labels Mela Purdie, Andiamo, Jump, Vigorella to name a few.

Unique jewellery and accessories are available.

95

Seymour St, Traralgon VIC 3844 (03) 5174 0550

Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 5.30pm Friday 9.00am - 6.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm

By Chris West

HEADS ABOVE WATER For nearly 60 years the Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club has provided a vital service to people enjoying its ocean waters, overcoming a period of considerable financial uncertainty in its infancy which threatened its survival.

Thankfully, the Club managed to keep its own head above water through the efforts of many loyal and dedicated volunteers at that time. Today, the Club is in a healthier and more buoyant state, but still faces its share of immediate challenges which are headed by the long-awaited construction of a new clubhouse.

The Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club was formed at a public meeting on 2nd April, 1955 which was held in a tin shed on the beach foreshore. Those present endorsed the need for the establishment of a lifesaving club in the local area.

Office bearers were elected and within a short time the Club’s constitution had been drawn up and it had begun recruiting active members from Sale Swimming Club and the RAAF. Associate members were attracted locally from Seaspray and more generally from the wider Sale district.

By the time of his departure, Bowman had succeeded in his aim of having sufficient members trained and experienced in managing the Club to ensure that it continued to thrive.

By the next summer, the Club was ready to begin its first year of operation. Patrols and demonstrations created considerable interest amongst holiday makers and local residents.

However, the positive momentum which marked the Club’s establishment proved to be shortlived. By 1964 it was at a very low ebb and in desperate need of rescue.

Hard working people of the ilk of Bruce Bowman are essential to any Club which relies on volunteers in order to exist.

In a stroke of good fortune, Bruce Bowman was transferred to teach at Sale Technical School in 1965, bringing with him a vast wealth of lifesaving and competition knowledge. Having previously been associated with Surf Clubs at Portsea, Ocean Grove and Point Leo, Bowman became involved at Seaspray and was instrumental in helping to revive the Club’s fortunes.

One of those is Life Member Michael Kent, a small business operator from Sale whose main role is that of Club Registrar.

He spent more than a decade in leading roles at the Club, including his final two years as President before retiring from the position in 1976 and leaving Sale the following year.

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thelifestyle autumn 2014

The present Committee of the Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club comprises a group of men and women from the Sale area who are equally dedicated to the task at hand.

“I’ve been a member for twenty years and all of our present Committee are long-time members,” Kent states.

The Club currently has 308 members across all categories, making it comparable in size to the Surf Club at Lakes Entrance and larger than others in Gippsland such as Mallacoota and Woodside.

With Seaspray having only a small number of permanent local residents, the vast majority of people involved with its Surf Club are invariably based from and around Sale. The journey to the enticing waters of Seaspray from the township of Sale is just 32 kilometres.

“When the weather is hot, the Sale community has always headed to the beach at Seaspray,” Kent explains.

The Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club provides volunteer beach patrols on weekends and public holidays from November through to Easter Tuesday each year. Patrol times vary slightly depending on the time of season.

Paid lifeguards are provided by the Shire on weekdays, but only during a four week period from Christmas when the influx of visitors swells the local population to its annual peak. Outside these time periods, the beach is otherwise not patrolled.

Kent is pleased to report that this summer has been largely incident free on the water at Seaspray. At the time of writing in February there

SEASPRAY SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB had been no rescue situations occur this season and only three people requiring significant first aid treatment.

Helping to ensure this summer’s excellent safety results, patrolling members had recorded over 215 preventative actions, a classification that includes assisting swimmers before they get themselves into difficulty in the water.

Although the Club was founded primarily to help protect the safety of the swimmers at this beautiful stretch of Gippsland’s iconic Ninety Mile Beach, it also serves other important purposes within the community.

Safety aspects remain the number one priority, but the Club also provides active competition at both adult and junior levels and offers people of all ages an outlet for social interaction.

Seaspray competes on the regular carnival circuit throughout summer which progresses to State and National Championships.

“For a small club we perform very well when you consider that we would have about fifty competitors in comparison to a club like Portsea which would have around three hundred. We’re often punching above our weight,” Kent says.

At last year’s State Championships, Seaspray was particularly strong in the Boats section, winning two Gold and three Silver medals and reaching the finals in every category. Over the years, Seaspray has also won a handful of National medals and been in many National finals.

The Club’s youth section comprises programs for Nippers aged 6 to 14 years and Cadets from 15 years of age and up.

Nippers became an established section of the Club during the mid 1980s.

“We currently run the Nippers program every Sunday and this year have 100 kids registered at Seaspray,” Kent says.

“Each year the Nippers start by honing their skills in the Sale Indoor Swimming Pool from mid October before moving to the beach around the end of November.”

The children are taught many facets of surf awareness as well as gaining the opportunity to compete in State and National competitions.

Strict policies and procedures are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children taking part.

“Whether you are an adult or junior, you don’t have to participate in patrols or competitions on the water to be involved at the Club,” Kent advises.

“Our social side is popular with families. We run a bar and offer meals and special events throughout the main summer period. Close to one hundred of our members would be associates who just utilise the social facilities,” he adds.

The Club has introduced initiatives to widen its social base and introduce new people to the excitement of water-based activities. For example, Seaspray’s boats, boards and jet skis are made available for its popular Club Nights on Wednesdays in January.

“Anyone can come and have a go,” Kent reveals.

“The jet skis, in particular, are a big hit on our Club Nights.”

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SEASPRAY SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB “As one of the last Victorian surf life saving clubs located on coastal dunes, Seaspray SLSC is very much at the mercy of the elements,” Mr Ryan said at the time.

“The Coalition’s $500,000 investment will ensure the club can be relocated back up the beach, out of harm’s way, therefore ensuring the club’s future for many years to come,” he added.

Along with an earlier grant received in 2008 under the Bracks Government of $750,000 for flood relief, the Club was able to start the long trek towards a new club house.

The Club has identified a site just behind the existing club house to accommodate a bigger, double storey building to become its new base.

Kent says that a builder has been selected, but the Club has not yet had the means to commence the project.

“We aim to get construction under way by next summer. To construct the building as we have designed it will cost about $3 million,” he reveals.

“We have the $500,000 and $750,000 Government grants, but that still leaves a significant shortfall for us to make up. We believe that further grants may be forthcoming once we start construction, but I expect we will probably have to downscale our plans to some degree to reduce the eventual cost.”

Kent says that fundraising is a never ending battle for the Club.

“Money just isn’t around like it used to be,” he comments.

“We have a lot of small businesses who help out, but don’t have a main financial benefactor.”

As a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers, every donation of money, goods, time or labour is important to the Club.

Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club also has a strong reputation as a training provider. The Club offers a wide range of courses and opportunities to update qualifications in conjunction with its own many qualified trainers and assessors within the district. All courses are recognised under the national training system and include the adult Bronze Medallion and Surf Rescue Certificate.

The Club has also demonstrated its neighbourly spirit by providing training to representatives of the Golden Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.

“Golden Beach is trying to get enough qualified volunteers so that they can get a patrol up and running. We’re happy to help out with training and I’m sure they’ll keep at it until they get the numbers they need,” Kent states.

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For the Committee of the Seaspray Surf Lifesaving Club, a key focus for the remainder of 2014 is to commence work on a new club house.

The existing building has stood since 1973, but was threatened by destructive flooding, king tides and strong winds in June 2007 which impacted on the surrounding environment.

On Australia Day in 2011, Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, a staunch supporter of Gippsland, visited Seaspray to announce that a new club house would be built in a location less susceptible to storms, with the State Government contributing half a million dollars to assist the project.

A major sponsor would help the Club realise its ambitions with its club house construction project, but whether or such a saviour emerges will not distract it from continuing with the crucial role its plays in the community keeping Seaspray’s swimmers safe each summer.

Photos: Courtesy of Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club

SEASPRAY SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB Becoming involved with the Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club is not expensive and new members are welcomed at any time. A family membership costs just $150 per year, covering both parents and all children for fees and insuraance. Visit the Club’s website at www.seasprayslsc.com for further information and contact details.

25th Anniversary Midsummer Night’s Dream Under The Stars Friday March 21 at 8.00 pm SALE BOTANIC GARDENS Join us in the beautiful surrounds of the Sale Botanic Gardens and be transported to the world of the woods beyond Athens, a place of tangled loves, mistaken identity, mischievous fairies, magic-potions and madcap fun!

Bring a rug, a picnic, your family and your friends, but most of all be prepared for a wonderful night under the stars enjoying the marvellous world of “The Dream”.

Proudly sponsored by Window Gallery and WIN Television

John Leslie Theatre, 100 Foster Street, Sale For Bookings: Phone: 5143 3200 www.ebbwec.com.au

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

OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 10am ■ Hire Karts ■ BYO Kart Membership (Day/Yearly Rate) ■ Corporate Days ■ Group Bookings ■ Birthday Parties & Functions ■ Driver Education ■ Phoenix Kart Agents ■ Kart Sales & Spares ■ Café

Please check website for dates and times.

PH : 5664 7272

EM: info@stonycreekgokarts.com.au For more information visit stonycreekgokarts.com.au Please Note: When Stony Creek Racing Club is holding a race meeting the venue will be closed. During the winter period the venue is closed mid week unless prior booking is made. thelifestyle winter 2012

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Moo’s At Meeniyan Restaurant and Café

89 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan Vic 3956 Phone: (03) 5664 0010 | Email: eat@moosatmeeniyan.com.au visit www.moosatmeeniyan.com.au HOURS OF TRADING THURSDAY TO MONDAY 8.30AM-4.30PM DINNER: FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS FROM 6PM

Visit Phillip Island’s Rhyll Trout and Bush Tucker Farm for a natural experience and plenty of good old-fashioned hospitality. A family-friendly and eco-friendly attraction, the farm was awarded BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION in the 2011 Victorian Tourism Awards.

Friendly fishing instructors will teach you to catch rainbow trout in a picturesque tree-lined lake and the all-weather indoor “Rainforest Pool.” Take your catch with you or ask the chef to transform your trout into a magnificent meal.

The Bush Tucker Trail winds through three hectares of native food crops, producing numerous edible fruits, berries, seeds, leaves and flowers. Learn about how the Koori people harvested and used these plants from the wild.

The licensed Farmhouse Café offers Devonshire tea, home style meals and a huge variety of home made bush tucker products, as well as fresh trout, wood smoked trout and their famous smoked trout dip.

30 Rhyll-Newhaven Road, Rhyll 3923 Phillip Island, Australia Phone 03 5956 9255 Email info@rhylltroutandbushtucker.com.au Web www.rhylltroutandbushtucker.com.au

SHOP

Wonthaggi

Tired of waiting on the phone? Then don’t ring Jason, call at the RACV Shop Wonthaggi for immediate, face to face attention. Or phone the Wonthaggi Shop on 5672 3602 for an immediate response.

Keith and Wayne recently sold their Tatts business and, together with Helen and Marg, will attend to all your Insurance needs, including Travel Insurance, Roadside Breakdown Membership, Attraction Ticketing, Airport Parking and Hire Car. Keith is also enlarging the merchandise range.

Did you know RACV offers FREE roadside Breakdown Membership to 18 year olds/Year 12’s? You can set it up at the RACV Wonthaggi Shop, and pay your RACV accounts at the Wonthaggi Shop where, unlike other payment channels, they are IMMEDIATELY logged onto the RACV system.

Shop 107B Graham St. Wonthaggi Phone 5672 3602 Hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday Closed for Public Holidays

Chrissy’s Positive Horoscope Virgo Aug 23 – Sept 22

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

Well aloha Virgos you are wanting to get your new year kick started! There will be new friends entering into your life so allow yourself to become fully aware of how you feel around these people whilst getting to know them. You are the perfectionist in your field and when expectations become too high, you find yourself getting disappointed, so be truthful to yourself, let your intuition guide you as you may find that these new friends will become very special and supportive for you in ways that you have not experienced prior. Allow yourself some pleasures in life; remember that your thoughts are creating your future. Focus on the things that you Love talk about them and be honest!

There is something special about this time of the year for you having spent holiday time with family, it is now time to get back on track with life as you want to. You may find your sensitivity kicking in more than usual, being a Piscean you can be easily affected by what is happening in other people’s lives instead of looking at what you can do to take daily steps into moving toward your dreams. If you allow yourself some quiet time every day, just 10 to 15 minutes, preferably in the evening so you can write about how you have felt in your day and what you have felt grateful for, even if it has been stressful, what have you learned. Important note is to kindly advise your loved ones of what your intentions are so they can understand you a little better and be more accommodating. When you have clarity and realism about what you are working towards you will find you will get the support that is required to make it reality! Trust that you are being taken care of!

Secret Desire: To love and be loved in return

Libra Sept 23 - Oct 22

Secret Desire: To live an easy, uncomplicated life

Librans, when finding something that seriously takes your interest, you find that you soak it up like a sponge. This is a time where you maybe wanting to prove your worth within the work place and also in your relationships. You are very clever but not always realising it. You will be noticing opportunities that are coming to you and may feel at times slightly unsettling, as you want things to move quicker than what they are right now. Have patience and remind yourself of how far you have come. Take one day at a time, keep yourself present, notice your reactions to what is going on around you and how it is making you feel, and then things will fall into place! Always remember to give more of what you want to receive (love, gratitude, fun, kindness, respect). This will come back to you 10 fold. Respect yourself!

Scorpio Oct 23 - Nov 22 Secret Desire: To triumph

Secret Desire: To live their dreams and turn fantasies into realities

Aries Mar 21 - Apr 20

Secret Desire: To lead the way for others

You know deep down what makes your heart sing and given the spontaneity and confidence that the Aries sign have, it will not be a difficult road for you. There are some steps you would like to take regarding a move which will involve travel; however there are others to think about. You understand that by taking up this opportunity it will lead you closer to your heart’s desire and you will be able to lead the way for others to follow. There are shifts happening in the universe and it is a time of rapid change and if you can roll with it and embrace it, any negativity that is around you will soon dissipate. Aries have the courage and strength to do what it is that they really want and not allow negative influences to sway them. So get out there and go for it when you set the intention it will all work out just as you want.

I have to say Scorpios are renowned for their loyalty to their families and friends, however when in a negative space, can be quite the victim with blame and tongue lashings. Having said that, this is a time where you can seriously benefit from digging deep inside your soul and truly experience the amazingness of accepting yourself for your own uniqueness; Scorpions when aligned with the universe are extremely intuitive. For those of you that are moving forward in life you can only experience results as you have learnt the art of rising above other’s drama, which puts you on a different level allowing you to Triumph, you see the good in others, which brings you joy when you see them grow. You are also understanding of how life has its ups and downs which assists you when unexpected occurrences arise. You have an extraordinary huge HEART but watch if anyone shows you distrust as you will definitely move away from them. This is a good thing as it brings with it people you surround yourself with as being totally supportive for you. Enjoy the present and know that there is a truck load of amazing things occurring for you in this quarter, things will start to move faster than you would ever imagine! Have Faith!!!

Taurus Apr 21 - May 21

Sagittarius Nov 23 - Dec 21

Let your natural charm flow through you. Geminis have a natural ability to make others lighten up in their life and bring with them fun, joy and happiness. This will be a good time to travel to new places with a friend or loved one, keep the excitement happening in your life even if at times it’s not always how you’re feeling, go out dancing, keep your body moving; you are at your best when experiencing action! However having said that, there will be a time mid-March where you may like to just take some time out for you to reflect and be peaceful!

Secret Desire: To make a difference in the world

This quarter is a good time for the high spirited Sagittarian to absolutely let go of anything or anyone that is not in alignment with where you’re heading. This is quite a time for big changes in your life even if scary, you know what you want so go out there and connect with the people that can support it; now is not the time to feel guilty. Tap into your amazing intuition and allow yourself to be guided, make sure you’re gentle with people close to you as there is one that may take certain things quite personally which could change the dynamics of your relationship. Work on the relationship you have with yourself rather than focusing your energy on someone else. There will be some surprising outings for you in the month of April, which will find you connecting with people from the past that you have not seen for some time; see this as a positive and make sure you are honest in regards to your own personal feelings. Go spoil yourself!

Capricorn Dec 22 – Jan 20

Secret Desire: to be admired by their family, friends & the world at large

You may find yourself feeling a little scattered at times, so the trick is to get focused on what you really want, start recognising what ignites your flame, try not to get too distracted by other things that take you away from your focus. This also means not to get caught up in other people’s problems, as you have a tendency to want to take care of others, start allowing them to experience things for themselves. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to experience some things in life that you have not done before; you may find it quite exuberating!

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 18

Secret Desire: To be unique and original

Since the New Year started you may have been experiencing some unsettling times, especially after some occurrences that took place over the Christmas period. This is not a time to hold grudges and to move forward. You will have to go out in nature and build something using your hands. Some Aquarians are looking at taking out a loan for an investment property; if it is feeling good, go for it you will not be disappointed with your outcome! Give yourself a pat on the back as you have come a long way from where you were. Be proud of you!!

Secret Desire: To have a secure, happy and wealthy life/marriage

Look up and out to see what is right in front of you, be yourself not how you think others perceive you. There are times in the month of March where you will really be questioning some of your decision-making. You are liking excitement in your life and want to create more of it, however if you allow yourself time to be still and connect with your higher self you will notice the excitement coming to you in more gentler and fulfilling ways, there will be a few unexpected twists going on around you, however you are strong enough to deal with it. There are lots of new learnings for Taureans that are willing to express their true feelings. If you are wanting to make amends with someone, 10th April is a good time to do so. Stay true!

Gemini May 22 – June 21

Secret Desire: To be ahead of the crowd

Cancer Jun 22 - July 22

Secret Desire: To feel safe (emotionally, spiritually, romantically & financially)

WOW factor is what you are going to experience in your life in late March early April.

There will be a holiday coming up for you in the near future which will create some fun and laughter as things can get a little too serious at times for you. Start looking at what is really important in your life and what you can do to feel fit and healthy to get the best from yourself and your loved ones around you. Instead of taking things to heart allow yourself to see the good in others and this will help put things into a different perspective, especially in the work front, believe in your own abilities to create, listen to your favourite music to let yourself get ignited. Really feel it!!

Leo July 23 - Aug 22

Secret Desire: To be a star

I believe there are a lot of Leos out there that will be experiencing planning as in organising a wedding and you want only the best for the bride and groom.

However, remember to check with them as to how they want things to be, it can be easy for you to take over even though your creative side is absolutely amazing it is good to confirm where everything is at so you have your finger on the pulse. Bring your confident side into motion knowing that everything is going to work out spot on! When faced with challenges just turn to what you know best and follow your heart, you can’t go wrong. You are a great teacher for others so allow yourself to Shine!

Chrissy’s Positive Horoscope Phone: 0414 735 165 Email:chrissy@positiveretreats.com.au Website: www.positiveretreats.com.au

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WARRAGUL HARNESS RACING Trotting races have been staged in one form or another on the current site since the early 1890's.

Soon after WW1 a Gippsland Trotting Association was formed - they staged the first all-trotting meeting at Warragul in 1920.

In 1939 the Warragul and District Trotting Club was formed and staged its first meeting. This club was licensed under the Victorian Trotting and Racing Association, which was established by John Wren (who was supposedly the inspiration for the novel Power Without Glory).

The club ran a handful of meetings before folding up due to the war.

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In 1946 the Warragul and District Trotting Club was reformed and exists to this day. A track was built on site and racing began in 1947. By 1952 racing was being held under lights. Thousands of people attended the opening night and horses and trainers from across Victoria and interstate raced at Warragul.

The present track was built in 1988 and is due for an upgrade in the next couple of years, which will see it retain its existing shape but bring the track up to modern requirements.

The Warragul Cup was first staged in 1955 and has been run just about every year since. 2014 is the first staging of the race from the mobile barrier - normally the event is staged as a handicap, standing start event.

No horse has ever won two Warragul Cups, although more than a dozen have won and placed in another year.

Currently, there are nine race meetings held annually at Warragul from December to August. In addition, barrier trials are held year round for the education of horses, and the future participants of the industry are educated at the Gippsland Harness Racing Training Centre, which has been based on course from a modern complex since it began in 1997.

Nearest club to Warragul is Cranbourne - racing was conducted at Traralgon for some years and just about every Gippsland town has held a trotting race at some stage during the years, when small racing clubs and annual "sports" events flourished early last century.

The traditional Easter meeting draws a large crowd from across Gippsland and beyond. They take advantage of Warragul's friendly hospitality and family day with something for everyone.

Kids are kept entertained by Koko the Clown, free jumping castle and face painter, and of course, free Easter eggs.

Special guests this year will be legendary footballers Peter Daicos and Tom Hafey. For the grown-ups there will be a lucky racegoer raffle, giveaways and Punters Club, plus a special draw for $1000 cash.

Tables and chairs on the lawn are available for groups to relax and enjoy the live racing up close.

Racing is highlighted by the $25,000 The Linc Group Warragul Pacing Cup, and $10,000 Eddie Evison Memorial Trotters Cup.

On Sunday, 20th April, eight races will be run in total and gates open at 11am with the first race sometime after 12 Noon. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 pensioners and children under 18 free.

For further info visit www.letsgotrotting.com or look for Warragul Harness Racing on Facebook.

By Kyle Galley Warragul Harness Racing Club Manager

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On the 16th November 2013, over 500 cyclists (including Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay) converged on the beautiful Victorian seaside town of Inverloch for the 3rd annual Bass Coast Cycle Challenge. All of the funds raised from this event each year go towards subsidising a youth road safety awareness program, called RYDA, for students at eight secondary colleges in the Victorian Bass Coast and South Gippsland regions.

RYDA is a series of practical and powerful workshops that aim to change the way young people think about road safety. As part of an interactive one-day experience, students experience high-speed braking, devise travel strategies that will work for them in the real world and get tips from road safety experts on how to protect themselves, their friends and family.

Perhaps the most impactful moments for students attending RYDA come from the personal stories of loss and survival. In one session, students watch a powerful and emotional video on the life and tragic death of an 18 year old provisional driver and her best friend. And in another, they sit with a crash survivor and hear first-hand how one poor choice can change a life forever.

The RYDA Program is delivered as a school excursion in over 80 sites around Australia and New Zealand by trained facilitators with experience in road safety education.

Commencing in 2001, the RYDA Program has shown outstanding growth in student numbers

taking the total number of RYDA graduates to over 300,000.

Over three days in November 2013; 250 year 11 students from Leongatha Secondary College, South Gippsland Secondary College, South Coast Christian College, Korumburra Secondary College, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Mirboo North Secondary College and Wonthaggi Secondary College attend the RYDA Program delivered at GippsTAFE Leongatha.

Members from the Rotary Club of Leongatha volunteered their time over these three days to provide assistance to the RYDA team.

The president of the Leongatha Rotary Club said volunteering their time was a worthwhile commitment to their community. “I decided to become involved with the RYDA Program because not only am I a keen bike rider but I saw an opportunity to seriously help our youth to be better prepared to take on the challenging role of new car driver in our community.

“My fellow Rotarians who volunteered to help out on the RYDA days were all suitably impressed with the value of what was being offered. The more students who attend the one day course the better.” President Kerry Pritchard said.

To date, over 450 RYDA graduates have attended the program in Leongatha and Phillip Island, thanks to the generosity of the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge. Bookings have already been received to deliver the program again in November 2014, thanks to the continued support from the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge.

RYDA is designed for 16-18 year old students who are approaching that crucial time in their lives where they start to drive independently or are travelling as passengers of novice drivers.

For further information on this life-saving program, visit www.rse.org.au

By Catherine Smith Program Venue Coordinator - Victoria Photos: James Pell

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

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

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

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 Manager: Roger Nicholson

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

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

Sale 344 Raglan Street, Sale Vic 3850 Tel: 5143 1030 Email: robert@evanspetroleum.com.au

Traralgon

FOSTER 94 Main Street Foster Vic 3960 Tel: Fax: Email: Manager:

5682 2008 5682 2008 foster@evanspetroleum.com.au Roger Nicholson

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

Evans Petroleum Head Office 22 Hughes Street, Leongatha Vic 3953 Tel: 5662 2217 Web: www.evanspetroleum.com.au

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GIPPSLAND VEHICLE COLLECTION M e m b e r

o f

A u s t r a l a s i a n

M o t o r

M u s e u m s

A s s o c i a t i o n

MAFFRA MOTOR MUSEUM

The Gippsland Vehicle Collection provides Gippsland with an outstanding rotating display of interesting vehicles: cars, motorbikes, machinery, historic vehicles, carriages, trucks and auto memorabilia. The massive shed is an old vegetable de-hydrating factory built during WW2 and is owned by Murray Goulburn CoOp. The open trussed building or around 2200 Square Metres is well worthy of a visit.

GVC’S 10TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY 4 - 5 - 6TH APRIL, 2014 WEEKEND OF FUN & EXCITEMENT Opening Times: Friday to Monday | 10.00am to 4.00pm Open School Holidays and anytime by appointment (for groups) 1a Sale Road, Maffra Vic 3660 Ph: 03 5147 3223 | Mob: 0412 387 102 | Email: admin@gippslandvehiclecollection.org.au Web: www.gippslandvehiclecollection.org.au thelifestyle summer 2013-14

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WONTHAGGI MEDICAL GROUP

Accredited Providers of High Quality Medical Services to the Bass Coast Community

YOUR LOCAL GENERAL PRACTICE FOR • Medical Services for the whole family • Obstetrics - Pregnancy Management/Birth • Palliative Care • Aged Care • Vascular Health Assessments • General Health Assessments • Healthy Kids Check • Immunisation

• Diabetes Management, Education and Risk Assessment • Asthma Management & Education • GP Management Plans • Chronic Disease Management - Team Care Arrangements • Skin Checks and Lesion Removal • Travel Health Advice

OPENING HOURS 42 Murray Street, Wonthaggi

8.30am - 6.00pm Mon - Fri 9.00am - 1.00pm Sat

25 A'Beckett Street, Inverloch Consulting Suites, Wonthaggi Hospital

9.00am - 5.00pm Mon - Fri 9.00am - 8.00pm Mon - Fri

2/1524 Bass Highway, Grantville

9.00am - 4.30pm Mon - Fri early closing 1.00pm Wednesday

Tel: 5672 1333 For Appointments and After Hours www.wonthaggimedical.com.au 46

thelifestyle autumn 2014

WONTHAGGI MEDICAL GROUP The enhanced training experience arises from the fact that the practice is actively engaged with the local hospital and aged care facilities. The practice also boasts four GP-Obstetricians and six GPAnaesthetists. In fact Wonthaggi Medical Group doctors are responsible for all hospital admissions and all the post-operative or general medical care on the hospital wards. Without the services provided by Wonthaggi Medical Group many of the visiting specialists would not be able to offer their services in Wonthaggi.

The practice has four locations, the main location Murray Street, Wonthaggi, the A’Beckett Street Medical Centre in Inverloch, the Central Consulting Suites at Wonthaggi Hospital and lastly, the newly opened Grantville Medical Centre on the Bass Highway at Grantville. Supporting the doctors at these locations are experienced registered Div 1 nurses, a diabetes educator, asthma educator and many co-located or visiting health services.

Wonthaggi Medical Group: A Medical Practice with a Focus on the Future The Wonthaggi Medical Group has a long and successful history of training our future generations of doctors. The practice provides training at all levels: • Graduate medical students from first year medical students on short one or two day placement from their university through to final year students on six weeks placement.

sporting and arts activities. It could also highlight that all of this is available within a relatively short distance from Melbourne.

While all of this is true, the more important reason for the success of the practice as a teaching practice is the breadth and depth of the training opportunities and hands on experience the practice provides and the people who provide it. The practice has a number of accredited supervisors and highly experienced doctors who are dedicated to providing an excellent training experience. These doctors are supported by equally experienced and dedicated nursing and support staff.

• Post graduate Year C students from the Monash University Churchill medical school undergoing a year-long community based medical training.

The training for students and interns is based on “wave” consulting. This means that a patient will first see the student or intern and then at the end of the consultation their supervisor, a more experienced doctor, will discuss with them their assessment of the patient’s condition, diagnosis and recommended management plan. Registrars have several hours a week face to face supervision and immediate access to advice from their peers.

One benefit of being a training practice is that it ensures that the practice doctors keep abreast of the latest developments. A regular clinical meeting and presentations by the trainees to their peers also helps this process within the practice. Training the next generation of doctors is immensely satisfying and it helps the practice retain these experienced doctors.

Unfortunately, some patients perceive this coming and going of students, interns and registrars with some concern, particularly around the issue of continuity of care. For those patients who are concerned about this there are several things to remember. Firstly, the computerized medical records system used by the practice means that the previous medical history is there in the medical record for the present doctor to see. It does not matter if the patient was seen at the aged care facility, Inverloch, Grantville, the hospital consulting rooms or at the Wonthaggi clinic, all the information will be stored on their patient record. Secondly, it is often useful to have another doctor look at an ongoing chronic problem as they can often bring a new perspective to it that benefits the patient. Third and lastly, by participating in the training process of students and others, patients are ensuring we all have adequately trained rural doctors to meet our future medical needs.

• Hospital interns on a 20 week general practice rotation from the Peninsular Health Service.

• Doctors on twelve month or six month placement who are completing their General Practice training and with Southern GP Training based in Churchill, Gippsland and who are seeking to obtain Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

• Overseas trained doctors which it employs and supervises under special government schemes that facilitate their employment as general practitioners in communities designated as areas of need or areas of workforce shortage.

What makes Wonthaggi Medical Group such an attractive training location? The practice could point to the magnificent medical facility that it has built in the last few years, with its dedicated training rooms and well equipped consultations rooms. It could also point to its wonderful locations in South Gippsland with its beautiful beaches and countryside and access to numerous social,

What all this means is that the students, interns and registrars have the opportunity to deal with a far greater variety of health conditions and at different stages. They also have a much closer involvement with senior doctors and specialists than they would normally experience in a large hospital or metropolitan practice.

Dr Adam Wilson

John Turner MAAPM, B.Social Welfare, Master International & Community Development Business Manager Wonthaggi Medical Group

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Naomi has a love for food and the past.

Simple living, food made with heart.

From years travelling the globe and experiencing culture, opening a little cafĂŠ with a European flair was perfect.

All food is homemade on the premises.

Cakes, slices and biscuits made by hand.

Naomi specialises in afternoon teas, with loose leaf teas brewed to your taste. Great coffee.

Warm, friendly, inviting with comfy couches to while away the day. We now stock the complete range of T2 Teas.

104 Graham Street, Wonthaggi 3995 0403 289 338 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm | Saturday 10am to 2pm | Sundays by appointment www.houseofblanche.com.au houseofblanche@live.com.au

Tess Carji

CORNER

Zac

Coco

Grace

Charleya

Rupert & Gretel

Benson

Samson

Zac

Lucky

Please email Gippsland The Lifestyle thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au if you would like to place a photo of your dog in Canine Corner

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Shop 1, Time Square, Murray Street, Wonthaggi oaktreeboutique24@gmail.com

Open Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 1pm Sunday - Closed

www.facebook.com/oaktreeboutique

Great Range of European toys with a difference

Open 7 Days a Week

Our toys need only imagination no batteries 3/97 Princes Highway, Yarragon

5634 2861

Visit our new website: www.the3cheekymonkeys.com.au

www.facebook.com/The3CheekyMonkeys

Like us on facebook

thelifestyle thelifestyle summer autumn 2013-14 2014

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AMUSTDO! Words and photos by Alex Smirnakos

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..."push the button to start, push the button to stop... follow the pointers, you'll be fine". And with that, Peter from Bulls Cruisers finished his briefing on how to commandeer our 6 berth clipper named 'After You'. A patient and wise man, Peter wished us well and pushed us off the jetty at Paynesville and onto an adventure of cruising the Lakes.

I'd forgotten just how beautiful the Lakes were, with nothing but time on our hands we easily steered the clipper towards 90 Mile Beach and followed the pointers to guide us along the way. With plenty of boating traffic on the waters, it was welcoming to always get the nod or a friendly wave, even if it was painfully obvious we weren't full time seafarers.

No queues, no boarding pass, traffic or parking but the freedom to coast along the water and take in all of the Lakes' delights from scenery and wildlife to the peace you get at sunset, sitting on your top deck taking it all in. Our clipper had all the comforts of home. Cooking was too easy, galley kitchen plus a barbie on deck - spoilt. Showers after a long day - fantastic; comfy beds with plenty of space - always great for a nap. But it was always the scenery and your surroundings that drew you out onto the deck, without fail.

The clipper allowed you to take full advantage of getting the most out of your days on the water. Kayaking, fishing, sightseeing and even mooring onto a local jetty to meet locals and share stories, was all part of the charm. Having travelled extensively, I can without doubt state that our time out there was magic and really has something for everyone. It's up there with the best of them... and before your first day has ended, you'll feel like a captain cutting your own adventure.

Back at Paynesville, Peter has the cruisers coming in and out daily and Paynesville is a great spot to shoot off from. Fantastic points of interest are Ocean Grange, 90 Mile Beach, Mitchell River, Duck and Picnic Arm, Tambo River and Metung, just to name a few. Bulls Cruisers can get you there on your own boat with you at the helm, in comfort and style. Put this on your list, the family will love it!

For more information and plenty of great advice you can call Peter or Ella from Bulls Cruisers on 03 5156 1200 email them at info@bullscruisers.com.au or just visit their website www.bullscruisers.com.au

CASUAL AND ALFRESCO DINING VENUE IN THE HEART OF GIPPSLAND MIRBOO NORTH OPEN FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH SERVING MODERN AUSTRALIAN AND EUROPEAN CUISINE BREAKFAST MENU AVAILABLE FROM 9.00AM TO 11.30AM ENJOY OUR LUNCH MENU SHOWCASING SWISS BANGERS, DAILY PASTA, RISOTTO AND FITNESS PLATE AND MORE COFFEE, MILK SHAKES AND A DELIGHTFUL SELECTION OF CAKES AVAILABLE ALL DAY FULLY LICENSED PROVIDING LOCAL WINES WIDE RANGE OF LIQUORS, SPIRITS, CIDERS, BEERS AND TRADITIONAL GERMAN SCHNAPPS HOURS MON – WED: 8.00AM – 4.30PM FRI: 8.00AM - 4.30PM SAT – SUN: 9.00AM – 4.30PM

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FULLY LICENSED CAFÉ 96 RIDGWAY, MIRBOO NORTH 3871 PH: (03) 5668 2861 | EM: INLINE4@INLINE4CAFE.COM.AU | WB: WWW.INLINE4CAFE.COM.AU

Marcel and Sabine Widmer are no strangers to Gippsland, they have now set up shop in Mirboo North with their new exciting venture Inline 4 Café, after successfully running a business in South Gippsland.

Marcel has forged a fantastic reputation in producing outstanding and enjoyable coffee, so I asked Marcel a few questions about his ambitions and plans for Inline 4 Café.

What inspired you to start Inline4Cafe after the success of Lulu?

It was for many years in my head to open this style restaurant where motorbike riders and everyone else can meet. I think Mirboo North has a lot going for it to open this type of place. There is one area in Switzerland that is so similar with the Mirboo North landscape. The name of the area is the Emmenthal. It’s where the famous Emmenthal cheese comes from. In Switzerland, it is very common to have this place.

Bringing motor bikers and non motor bikers together in one place to enjoy a bit of Europe.

What makes Inline 4 Café stand out from the other cafés?

Great service, passionate what we do, clean, fast, friendly, different food (European), great coffee and cakes. Serving with a smile.

Customers are the most important part of our business - too often this is ignored!

Our philosophy is to give customers a happy experience and walking out with a smile and satisfaction, that’s what hospitality is all about.

What plans do you have for the future of Inline 4 Café?

Building Inline 4 Café up to a business known as far as Melbourne and maybe interstate would be a dream come true.

Name your favourite thing about Inline 4 Café?

Having my motorbike standing right next to me beside the coffee machine, and to the left my wife Sabine of course!

Photos by Geoff Watt Photography

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QUEST PHILLIP ISLAND QUEST OCEANIC

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WHITE H T

By Chris West

CAMERON WHITE 58

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After enduring the setback of a careerdamaging form slump, Bairnsdale’s most famous cricketing son, Cameron White, is back in Australian colours with the Twenty20 side and has his sights on a return to the Test and One Day International arenas.

Another consistent season of heavy run scoring with the Victorian Bushrangers in the Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup One Day competitions, along with his efforts for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, saw the dynamic 30-year-old all-rounder win the Australian Domestic Cricketer of the Year Award for 2014.

be able to seek out Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey to ask their opinions on how I could turn things around,” White explains.

“They were fantastic with their time and in talking to them it was comforting to learn that even some of the greatest players in the world have gone through the same sort of things that I had been experiencing.”

Now that White has uncluttered his mind and rediscovered his best form, he remains optimistic of gaining further honours at international level.

long time. It’s now just about continuing to put performances on the board.”

Although White agrees that sheer weight of runs will provide the best pathway to further national selection, he does believe that his leg spin bowling can still play its part.

“I think it will definitely help if I’m bowling, but primarily I’m going to have to make enough runs to get back into the Test or One Day teams,” he says.

White is also encouraged by the new regime presently at the helm of Australian cricket,

White regained his place in the Australian Twenty20 team in January this year for the first time since October 2012 and celebrated his return with a Man of the Match performance against England in Hobart, blasting 75 runs off 43 balls.

But whilst his irresistible run of batting form has won back his place in Australia’s Twenty20 side, White is yet to convince the national selectors to hand him another opportunity in either the Test or 50-Over One Day International teams.

It is now over five years since White’s last Test against India at Nagpur in November 2008 and two years he played his previous ODI versus Bangladesh in Dhaka. Ironically, he is stuck on 87 ODIs, a number dreaded in Australian cricket as an unlucky omen due to being 13 short of 100.

On reflection, White has no qualms about losing his place in those national sides.

“My form at the time probably wasn’t good enough,” he suggests.

Aged 25 when gaining his first Australian Test cap, White was not aided by an unorthodox approach to his selection, where the focus was placed on his promising but underdeveloped leg spin bowling.

He took just five wickets in his only four Tests in India and batting in the lower order scored 146 runs at an average of 29.20. His first wicket in his Test debut at Bangalore was the great Sachin Tendulkar, caught by Michael Clarke for 49 in India’s second innings.

“It was an interesting time for me. At the time I was playing mainly as a batsman for Victoria, but was picked as a bowler for those Test matches,” he recalls.

“It was a great opportunity at the time and something no-one can ever take back. I tried really hard but probably just wasn’t ready to play the role they were asking of me. In terms of form I wasn’t at my best, but fortunately I’ve been able to turn it around since.”

After losing his place in the Australian setup, White put himself through a deep review and assessment of his performances. As part of this process, with counsel from some champion team mates, he realised the key to his problems was that he had not been batting with a clear mind.

“I wanted to share my thoughts with some of the best players and was lucky enough to

“I’m really happy to be back in the Australian set-up with the Twenty20 team and hopefully the other two formats are not far away as well,” he comments.

“I am hopeful that I am in contention for selection, especially for One Day Internationals and feel I am also edging closer in the longer format. My form has been consistently good and my game is as good as it’s been for a

which has shown a willingness to give second opportunities to previously tried players.

He has played under national coach Darren Lehmann with the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

“I have a very good relationship with Darren and really enjoyed his coaching style when I worked with him in the IPL. Now that he is in charge of Australia, you get the feeling the

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“Mum and Dad were driving me to and from Bairnsdale every week for training and games. It was weekdays and weekends as well. They put in so much time and effort, with all the driving and waiting around for me to finish matches and training. I owe them so much for the chance they gave me to fulfill something I really enjoyed doing.”

After completing his schooling at Bairnsdale Secondary College, White moved to Melbourne where he stayed initially with an aunty and uncle in the eastern suburb of Burwood.

“When I was earning enough money from cricket I rented a house in Richmond with friends from Bairnsdale.”

White has stayed in the Richmond and East Melbourne area ever since and now plays for the Monash Tigers (current playing name of Richmond Cricket Club) in the Premier Cricket competition.

While playing for Dandenong at the beginning of his career, White’s talent and leadership abilities were quickly identified. He made his first class debut for Victoria in the 2000/2001 season and three years later became the State’s youngest ever captain when picked to lead the Bushrangers’ One Day side at the age of 20. The following season he graduated to also become Victoria’s skipper in the first class arena. whole team are enjoying their cricket more and embracing what Darren believes in,” he suggests.

“Dad was good at cricket and football and mum played netball, basketball and hockey,” he says.

At the time of writing, White was preparing to travel to South Africa for Australia’s three Twenty20 games against the Proteas, before continuing on with the squad to contest the Twenty20 World Cup tournament in Bangladesh from 16 March to 6 April. He is then likely to have a rare opportunity for an extended break.

At about nine years of age, White began playing junior cricket for Wy Yung in the Under 14 competition.

“Beyond the Twenty20 World Cup, at this stage I have not made plans to play County cricket in England this year and do not have a contract for the Indian Premier League,” he notes.

It did not take long for White to be competing against men.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a winter off and I am looking forward to enjoying some fishing and golf.”

The break will also give White more chance to spend time with family and friends in Gippsland.

“I don’t get back to Bairnsdale as much as I would like,” he admits.

“In recent years, it’s normally only been Christmas and maybe once or twice a year that I get to return. I’m usually so busy with cricket in the Australian summer and then going overseas to play in the off-season.”

Whenever he does return to his home town, White loves to fish in East Gippsland’s lakes, rivers and ocean waters.

“I like to get up the coast to little inlets like Bemm River and Tamboon,” he says.

“Fishing and spending time with old mates from Bairnsdale provides a chance to get away from cricket and refresh.”

White was born in Bairnsdale in August 1983 and lived in a house in the centre of town with parents Russell and Joy and younger sister Justine. Sport was ingrained in their family.

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“Like any kid, I wanted to try to bat and bowl and even had a go at wicket-keeping as well,” he remembers.

“I think by the age of ten or eleven I was playing juniors on a Saturday morning and then seniors in the afternoon with the D Grade team. My first ever century was in Wy Yung’s D Grade seniors.”

White quickly graduated up the ranks to Wy Yung’s A Grade senior team, where he relished a brief opportunity to play alongside his father Russell.

“I played a couple of A Grade games with dad, which still remains one of the highlights of my entire cricketing career. I remember those couple of matches very fondly,” he states.

By his early to late teens, White had established himself as a top order batsman who also bowled.

His first introduction to cricket in Melbourne was in the RM Hatch Under 14 representative competition, where a family contact led to him playing for Elsternwick.

At Under 16 level, he then played in the Dowling Shield competition for Dandenong, which subsequently became his first club in Premier Cricket in Melbourne.

Dandenong was the closest Premier club to Bairnsdale, albeit some 250 kilometres away.

White remains appreciative of the sacrifices his parents made in enabling him to pursue a cricketing career.

White had earlier impressed when captaining the Australian Under 19 World Cup side and more recently went on to be handed the leadership of the national Twenty20 side on various occasions before the honour was handed to present incumbent George Bailey.

At 30 years of age, White still has much to offer Australian cricket. He possesses a compelling combination of leadership, experience and allround ability. Few batsmen in world cricket strike the ball more powerfully and his bowling remains a useful second string to his bow. He also has a very safe pair of hands in the field.

White’s achievements during his cricket career to date have been closely followed in his home town of Bairnsdale. His old club Wy Yung renamed their No. 2 ground the Cameron White Oval a few years ago.

“It was a very nice gesture from the club,” he remarks.

Given his compelling form, it seems certain that there will still be more highlights to come for White on the domestic scene and international stage. If he enjoys a successful Twenty20 World Cup and keeps knocking on the national selection panel’s door with such consistency, opportunities for a recall at Test or 50-Over level must surely arise in the not-too-distant future.

But in the meantime, when White returns home to Bairnsdale this winter to recharge his batteries, the only catches and runs he need concentrate on will involve the fish he manages to hook in Gippsland’s waters.

Photos supplied by Getty Images

t o m s •c a p V I N E YA R D

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R E S TA U R A N T

•

A C C O M M O D AT I O N

Toms Cap is a small boutique vineyard situated in Central Gippsland and surrounded by the forests of the Strezlecki Ranges, the ninety-mile beach at Woodside and the natural flora and fauna of Tarra Bulga national park.

The property consists of 100 acres of rolling green paddocks with six acres of vines and forty acres of planted gums and pines.

Recently awarded 2013 Winner of Best B&B / Self Contained / Farm Stay Shire of Wellington Peoples Choice Awards

Toms Cap provides a beautiful setting for your garden wedding and wonderful vineyard style reception in the function centre.

• Accommodation • Special Dinner and Accommodation Packages • Wine Tastings • Health spa & gym • Great Outdoor Activities • Small Group Luncheons • Exquisite Dinner Menu • Garden Weddings and Reception in Function Centre

toms•cap Vineyard & Accommodation: 7 Days Restaurant: Lunches Friday to Sundays and all Public Holidays - open at 11am Functions; Seminars & Group Dinners: 7 Days, times to suit

Ann & Graham Morris 322 Lays Road, Willung South Gippsland 3847 Tel: 03 5194 2215 Email: info@tomscap.com.au www.tomscap.com.au

FINDING SUCCESS

in the smallest of towns

Falling in love and running a successful business are two very different things that can happen when you least expect it. Francesco and Rhiannon know all about this.

By Ally McManus

Francesco, born and bred from the Italian Countryside met New Mexican Rhia in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne. When Francesco left the city to work as a farmer in Meeniyan, Rhia understandably followed. Then what did they decide to do in this small Gippsland town? Open up a pizza joint of course.

I meet Francesco at his love and pride, Trulli Woodfired Pizzeria. The restaurant is closed but Francesco is working anyway. “When you’ve got your own business there are no days off,” he laughs.

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36-year-old Rhiannon Nix and 30-year-old Francesco Laera got married last year and have been running the business together ever since.

“It’s going amazing, we could not ask for more,” Francesco tells me. It only took four months to get this place up and running, which is hard to believe as I look around. It’s modern, rustic and traditional, yet very clean and cosy. “We’ve never worked this hard in our lives,” Rhia says, “but it’s beautiful because it’s all us…we got to create a being.”

Alberobello is Francesco’s hometown in Italy, which is famous for the Trulli houses. “It’s where we got the Trulli name from.” As he says this I take

in my surroundings. There’s a beautiful feature wall printed with faint Trulli houses beside me. “It’s my background, where I’m from, I’m proud of my history…you like to keep a connection,” he says passionately.

In terms of the restaurant logistics, Francesco takes care of the kitchen. I then learn about his love for food and his essential ingredient for all cooking - olive oil. “I want to see the people have a bite of something and smile, feel the emotion of the food” he says. The couple also appreciates the simplicity of particular ingredients and flavours, “we let the food speak for itself,” Rhia adds.

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Well, if you are looking for a quality home with access to some of the most amazing onsite facilities, then Blue Hills Rise is the best choice for you. This family owned and operated 55 plus resort, has a variety of home designs, all offering something just a little different to the last. You will quickly realise that the Resort Owners, Judy and Ivan Clarkson and family, are serious about the homes they build in their very popular resort in Cranbourne East. No expense has been spared; all fittings and furnishings are of an extremely high standard.

fantastic Onsite facilities Swimming Pool / Spa Indoor Bowls Dance Floor Tennis Courts Alfresco CafĂŠ - Orange Leaf Gymnasium Library Restaurant Sports Bar Cinema Arts and Crafts Centre Administration Centre ATM Computer Room BOWLING GREEN

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“We love to give local support,” Francesco tells me as I ask about his produce and local supplies. “If we help each other, between all the businesses, we can make the area grow. Every business wants to have a fully packed busy restaurant every day.

Our goal is to get people down here in the winter as well. To keep growing, to build the business.”

Rhia works the floor of the restaurant and her strengths lie in the business and marketing areas of the joint. Even though they have nine employees, Francesco always opens the restaurant and Rhia always closes it. They work incredibly long hours.

They also have future plans to create a traditional package for customers with food, wine and accommodation. “We can do it here. We’ve got wineries, we’ve got food, we’ve got Wilson’s

Prom, the most amazing beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life. We think there is so much potential for this,” Francesco says through a smile as he speaks for himself and his wife. It is obvious he adores Meeniyan. “They are just a big-hearted community,” he adds.

Rhia tells me what inspires her every day on the job.

“Seeing people come through that door time and time again and seeing them leave with a smile. We hoped that it would be busy straight away, but wow,”

she says through a laugh. “It’s a relationship between us and the customers, and us with the staff. We wouldn’t be here without the customers.

And we wouldn’t be here without the staff,” she says humbly. The couple credits their success not only their hard work but also to Meeniyan as a community.

“We are very grateful for our customers. We succeed because of them,” Francesco says.

Trulli Woodfired Pizzeria is a little bit of Italy in a Gippsland country town. It’s local, it’s friendly and it’s cosy. It’s an environment where you can have a chat to the owners, hang out in the garden with a drink or enjoy a delicious pizza while feeling just at home.

Trulli Woodfired Pizzeria taken

by Morgan Fisher Photography

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Trulli Pizza specialises in homemade, rustic Italian fare made from family recipes and locally produced ingredients.

Trulli Woodfire Pizzeria specialises in homemade Italian fare made from family recipes that have been passed down through generations. We focus on freshness, with everything from our sauces and marinades to our braised meats made lovingly by hand, and cooked before your eyes!

In the Deli section, you will find fresh pastas for a quick meal at home.

Biscuits and bread from the woodfire oven, cheeses and other antipasto items are also available. Our gluten free range including pasta and pizza is ever-expanding.

Our al fresco and backyard areas are the perfect place to enjoy a glass of tap beer or wine and antipasto plate. Perfect for functions, or just you and some mates having a leisurely sunny afternoon! Come see what South Gippsland is talking about!!

“If you’re anywhere near Meeniyan you MUST stop and get a pizza! We were passing through the town and grabbed a take away pizza, which I have to say is one of the best we have ever eaten - and we’ve eaten a few around Australia and truckloads in Melbourne. The base was delicious, the topping was beautiful with lots of quality (and maybe home grown) ingredients and none of that horrible shredded ham. It was cooked in their woodfired oven to perfection.” Reviewed Nov 21, 2012, TripAdvisor “Great wood fired pizza. Staff very friendly. Must stop on your way to Wilsons Promontory.” Australian Good Food Guide

Wednesday to Friday 4pm - Late Saturday to Sunday 12pm - Late 93 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan VIC 3956 phone (03) 5664 7397 | email rhia@trullipizza.com.au

WILSON’S PROMONTORY CRUISE

TWILIGHT CRUISE

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CAPTAIN'S FAVOURITE CRUISE

WINTER WHALE WATCHING CRUISE

Seal Watching Cruises Schedule

27 Dec - 10 Jan 2015 11 am, 2 pm and 4:30pm 11 Jan - 31 Jan 2015 2 pm and 4:30 pm Year round (excl. Aug) 2 pm

Please call us or visit our website to confirm Cruise times

Phone: Email Web Facebook Twitter

1300 763 739 info@wildlifecoastcruises.com.au www.wildlifecoastcruises.com.au www.facebook.com/WildlifeCoastCruises www.twitter.com/WildlifeCruises

Party Cupcake Located in Traralgon, Party Cupcake is Gippsland’s home of specialty cakes and cake supplies. Situated on the corner of the Arcade at Shop 1, 68 Hotham Street, Party Cupcake caters for all things cake and event related. Offering a wide range of supplies and services, Party Cupcake has everything you need. With over 50 styles of cake tins for hire, cake decorating tools, a huge variety of cake boards and boxes, Party Cupcake will definitely fulfil your every need and requirement when it comes to creating your own masterpiece. If you’re not the creative type, Party Cupcake also offers a selection of speciality cakes to order, limited only by your imagination.

Party Cupcake stocks a diverse selection of invitations, decorations, and gifts. To make your event that little bit special, a range of Candy Bar Jars and Milk Bottles are available for hire.

Creating that masterpiece is no longer as difficult as you imagined. Party Cupcake has partnered with Plough Creek Cooking School in Hazelwood North to run a series of workshops. The skills and techniques you will learn during the workshops will give you the confidence to create your masterpiece.

All you need is enthusiasm

Party Cupcake Shop 1, 68 Hotham Street, Traralgon Victoria, 3844 P: 03 5176 4560 | W: www.partycupcake.com.au |

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F: Facebook.com/Party_Cupcake

Plough Creek Homestead Cooking School

Plough Creek Homestead slogan is: Une goccia di Toscana, une touché de Provence, a taste of Gippsland – simply translated, says it all – A dash of Tuscany, a touch of Provence, a taste of Gippsland.

PCCS Owner Deb Cerasa with Guest Pastry Chef Kate Spina

At Plough Creek Homestead, we have always enjoyed the art of conviviality, together with a genuine interest in food and wine. We believe that being able to share a good meal and partake in a good vino with family and friends at the kitchen table has to be one of the most rewarding and pleasurable pastimes. With a wonderful kitchen to cook in, a garden to reflect in and an environment to enjoy the company of others while partaking in a learning cooking experience, we offer unique experience for those who join us.

Food is a large part of our lives whether we consider ourselves cooks or not, so our vision is to have all people appreciate that it does not matter whether the food shared is simple or complex – it is about the shared experience at the table that matters – the art of conviviality!

The class sizes are kept to a number which allows all participants to be actively involved in the whole class event with the chef/cook. This allows plenty of opportunity to converse with the chef and learn about their areas of specialty and share dialogue with others in the class.

Chef Alfie Spina Perfect Pasta

Through our network of friends, our own travels and life experiences we are sourcing experts in their fields to come and share their knowledge with you at Plough Creek Cooking School.

All the chefs/cooks we engage with are people who are passionate about life and food like we are. But even greater than that is their willingness to share their knowledge, experience and expertise with the participants of the classes.

Debra Y Cerasa PLOUGH CREEK HOMESTEAD & PLOUGH CREEK COOKING SCHOOL 34 Malcolm Way HAZELWOOD NORTH 3840

We will be committed to ensure that every participant has hands on experience, fun and will go away with a greater understanding of food and techniques than before they arrived.

The classes are designed to suit the novice, the experienced and the ambitious home cook at all levels.

W | www.ploughcreek.com.au E | debra@ploughcreek.com.au M | +61 (0) 4190 14590 P | PO Box 87 MORWELL 3840 VIC AUST Information regarding classes can be found on - www.ploughcreek.com.au Facebook _ Plough Creek Homestead + Twitter@PCHcook

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Foster Seafoods For all the best in fresh seafood, there is none better than Foster Seafoods This shop has everything for the seafood lover. Apart from the fantastic produce on offer, you will get the very best in service from the owners Alice and Lachie Duncan and their shop staff. The freshest and best fish caught locally within Corner Inlet and Bass Strait. With catches of Inlet fish arriving daily at the shop, you can be assured that the quality is second to none and as always first class service.

Order your Good Friday & Easter Seafood Now!

Specialising in Local Fish

35 Main Street, Foster, Vic 3960 Tel/Fax: (03) 5682 2815 Contact: Alice and Lachie Duncan

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At Grow Master Traralgon inspiration awaits you.

Wander through the layers of our beautiful Garden Centre, each step leading you into another chapter of ideas for your home, garden and lifestyle.

For advice, range and quality we are your destination. For an experience and a garden encounter that will enchant you, we are your destination. For solutions, inspiration and motivation, we are your destination.

Hours | Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday to Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm 62 Argyle St, Traralgon Vic 3844 Ph: (03) 5174 2861 Em: growmastertraralgon@yahoo.com.au www.growmaster.com.au/traralgon

In Bloom, With A Little Help From Their Friends

By Ann Pulbrook

“It’s gone” were the ominous words Craig Goodman recalls hearing on the morning of Friday 7 December, 2012. He was in Bairnsdale and had just been told his business GrowMaster in Traralgon had gone up in flames. nursery to create a full-scale indoor-outdoor lifestyle emporium, selling fruit trees, native shrubs, exotics, herbs and flowers of all descriptions, as well as outdoor ornaments, furnishings, soil varieties and horticultural products in its well stocked yards (while also sporting a peaceful sanctuary with bird shelters and fish ponds).

Indoors, the range of interior goods included giftware, décor, fashion accessories, clothes and perfumes. On December 7, 2012, the shop was also jammed packed with stock for the upcoming Christmas season. Within 15 minutes, the store was reduced to rubble, along with everything in it.

In a matter of minutes, his staff had run for their lives, with not time to consider even collecting their keys.

“These cars need to be moved” the fire brigade commanded as they attempted to battle the blaze.

Unable to move, the cars remained stationary, as the GrowMaster staff watched in a daze.

Flames had engulfed the building, filling it with choking black smoke. Sparked by an electrical fault, it only took a minute to burst through the roof. With their keys still inside, the staff were lucky to be out, safe and exhausted, but thankfully alive.

A crowd gathered and comforted the Argyle Street staff. The nursery was a mainstay of the community, with Craig having traded at the Traralgon address since the early 1980s. A highly qualified Horticulturist, he had built the business up over the years from an outdoor

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Concerned local residents and business people offered comfort and assistance where they could. It was a scene of Traralgon’s spirit shining through, with remarkable acts of kindness bestowed upon the survivors, who were yet to emerge from the shock of their traumatic experience. Neighbours provided homemade sandwiches and soft drinks, while local cafes offered coffee to the staff and volunteers who were pitching in to help in the fire’s aftermath.

WIN TV dispatched a crew and organised an advertising campaign that would keep the public informed over the next vital months as to GrowMaster's trading situation, as did TR FM. That afternoon, fences were erected and the Fire Brigade clarified which areas were safe to occupy on the still smouldering grounds.

Saturday December 8 at 9am, GrowMaster opened its side gate and resumed sale of its outdoor nursery items “GrowMaster has become such an icon in Traralgon,” Debbie Goodman, Craig’s wife said “People told us they were so glad we continued to trade, as it would’ve been a depressing Christmas without us.

“We have had so much support from the local community. Offices and workplaces have told us they had around-the-table discussions

during tea-breaks to organise support for us, vowing to only buy goods and Christmas gift cards from us during our recovery”.

And so on that following Saturday morning, customers came, as Craig and his team continued to trade, and more-than-loyal consumers continued to consume, and volunteers arrived to help out with the astonishing feat of cleaning up. “Strangers off the street, family and friends, people from all over Traralgon and our surroundings, pitched in and volunteered. Someone even brought their front end loader and lifted our 7 foot bespoke figurines from the front yard to the side car park where we were still safe to trade”.

Craig had returned to Traralgon within hours of the initial telephone alert and found his insurance

broker Alan Wilson already calculating and submitting assessments to recover losses from the damage “After this experience, I will only ever advise people to use an Insurance Broker,” he said “as Alan recovered losses on claims I wouldn’t have even thought of.

“We had so many people help us out. Local builder Brett Nielsen offered us office space so we could continue operating throughout the difficult 10 months without a store. Our next door neighbours, Strzelecki Motel, let us use their restaurant with access to amenities and their coffee-making facilities. Our local Cable Guy even co-ordinated our telecommunications for us, without being prompted. We have been shown so many acts of kindnesses and support from the people of Gippsland, especially here in Traralgon.”

The community in which Craig’s GrowMaster store is based, regard it as an icon, a friendly, helpful and beautiful place where advice can be sought, gifts can be found and inspiration for horticultural projects can be stunningly reaped.

Today, Craig glows with reports of how business is thriving, having reopened the doors to their store in October “We are bigger and better than ever.”

Soon, Craig and Debbie plan to relaunch GrowMaster’s popular in-store calendar of events, with an upcoming special function, which all public and online VIP Club members are welcome to attend. Last November also saw the return of The Twilight Trading Night, an annual night of nibbles, drinks and music to thank the people who have supported GrowMaster throughout the years.

“Our upcoming events will be even more special” Debbie promised as the GrowMaster team extend even deeper gratitude to their community. The community is happy to return the favour, and continue their loyal support of GrowMaster Traralgon, whose years of expert advice and impeccable service have helped characterise and beautify their town.

For more information, phone GrowMaster on 5174 2861 and visit www.growmaster.com.au to receive VIP discounts and invitations, View GrowMaster’s extensive range by visiting the store online or at or 62 Argyle Street, Traralgon.

GARDENING with

Photos courtesy of Grow Master Traralgon and John Calabro

Craig Tips for Autumn “Autumn is the best time for planting anything in terms of trees, shrubs, seedlings and lawns, as the ground is still warm, and it is not too windy” said Craig.

The lawns and plants have time to establish during this more moderate period, then sit throughout Winter and really take off during Spring. In Summer, the cycle begins again”.

A FANTASTIC PET TRICK If you have a problem puppy or conniving kitty in the garden chewing or digging in areas of the garden you don’t want them to, there are products on the market to easily deter your fur babies from their destructive behaviour (without harm to them, you or your garden).

The animals alone can detect the smell of the product (which comes in spray or sprinkled granule form). Apply every few days until your pet has broken their bad habit and your garden can grow again, without their interference.

Hope this information is helpful.

Craig thelifestyle autumn 2014

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FOODCLUSTER producing the goods

by Chris West

These are fresh times for East Gippsland’s vibrant food production sector.

Over recent months, the region has been placed in the spotlight through a number of important developments including representation in the Victorian Government’s Super Trade Mission to China last October, a high profile visit to the region by a group of leading chefs from the Melbourne culinary scene in January and the staging an Energy Efficiency Forum for farmers at Bulmer Farms in Lindenow in February.

The driving force at the heart of these initiatives has been the East Gippsland Food Cluster, a not-for-profit organisation formed as a result of discussions three years ago by representatives of a group of like-minded locally based businesses.

“The founding businesses were collaborating around workforce development at that time and decided there was an opportunity to do more.

From there the East Gippsland Food Cluster was born and became operational in April 2011,” says Dr Nicola Watts, who was recruited from one of the foundation member companies, One Harvest/ Vegco, to become the Food Cluster’s inaugural Executive Officer.

A passionate East Gippslander, Dr Watts possesses extensive international and national experience in senior roles within the agrifood, telecommunications, natural resource management and education sectors. As the Food Cluster’s Executive Officer, she is based in Bairnsdale but the nature of the work requires her to be travelling regularly throughout the region.

The activities of the Food Cluster are overseen by an honorary Board which includes representation from several of the member businesses and is chaired by Bulmer Farms Managing Director, Andrew Bulmer.

According to Dr Watts, the Food Cluster is fortunate to also have sitting on its Board three ex-officio representatives from Government - Tim McAuliffe from Regional Development Victoria, Tim Ellis from East Gippsland Shire Council and Mark Coleman from Wellington Shire Council.

“We work closely with the East Gippsland Shire and the State Government. Both levels of Government have been very supportive of a number of our projects,” Dr Watts comments.

“Having Tim McAuliffe, Tim Ellis and Mark Coleman on our Board has been very helpful in enabling the flow of communication and engagement with Government,” she adds.

From the ground up, the East Gippsland Food Cluster has been a growing success story.

Dr Nicola Watts

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“We commenced with eight foundation member businesses and have already doubled in size,” Dr Watts notes.

“There is great diversity in our members, which range from an icon like Patties Foods to large horticulturalists, down to boutique businesses and small wineries. There’s an unique story behind each and every one of our businesses.”

The Food Cluster operates on the principles of collaboration, innovation and excellence, whilst at the same time recognising that there are competitive tensions amongst the businesses involved.

“Some of our members are direct suppliers into each other and others are in direct competition.

We therefore don’t get involved in individual business activities. Our focus instead centres on challenges and opportunities which are too big for one organisation to do on their own,” Dr Watts explains.

“Essentially, we facilitate projects which support the sustainable development of the agrifoods sector here in East Gippsland, which underpins the regional economy and is likely to do so long into the future.”

In her full-time role, Dr Watts is entrusted with project managing the Food Cluster’s activities.

“We do occasionally contract other consultants or draw upon personnel from our member businesses to support our projects as well,” she says.

“Our collaborative reach has become quite broad. Every one of our projects won’t just involve Cluster businesses, but may involve input from universities, researchers and other third party organisations.”

Adopting a proactive approach, the Food Cluster is not afraid to take on multiple projects simultaneously.

“We currently have five projects in various stages of progress,” Dr Watts reveals.

“One of the most exciting initiatives we are working on at the moment is what we call the Regional Produce A ggregator, which is about connecting regional suppliers of all sizes to

access opportunities in new markets through an innovative e-commerce platform and distribution system.”

they saw and we expect their visit will deliver significant benefits to East Gippsland producers,” Dr Watts states.

Dr Watts says the project involves consumers, food services and retailers not of the size of major supermarkets such as greengrocers, creating a link to local, domestic and global markets.

“As an example, already we are now doing weekly deliveries from suppliers direct to MoVida as part of a pilot associated with the Regional Produce Aggregator project and they love the quality and freshness.”

“We are exploring opportunities in the export market as well, but the whole concept is built around the principles of building regional brand.

Together with East Gippsland Marketing, we’re workling collaboratively to bring the story of East Gippsland produce to life, leveraging off our beautiful, clean, green envirornment down here.”

Amongst the Food Cluster’s other current works in progress are projects centred on initiatives surrounding organic waste and a traineeship program designed to expose young people to career possibilities from paddock to plate.

Considerable interest and publicity was generated by the visit of the prominent Melbourne chefs in January, which was another collaboration between the East Gippsland Food Cluster and East Gippsland Marketing. The group, which included Matt Germanchis from renowned Melbourne restaurant Pei Modern, Frank Camorra and Steve Rogers from MoVida and Matt Wilkinson from Pope Joan, toured the region to sample produce and learn more about East Gippsland’s food supply.

Another of the Food Cluster’s key focuses is supporting innovation in its industry sector.

“Innovation amongst the small to medium sized enterprises is going to be critical in order to sustain a robust food industry in the future,” Dr Watts asserts.

Recent well-publicised financial pressure on Victoria’s manufacturing industries, both in metropolitan Melbourne and regional centres, only serves to highlight the need for companies to embrace an innovative approach to maintain competitiveness.

During their travels, the group visited Grassvale Farms at Wuk Wuk, Frais Farms at Lindenow, Snowy River Station at Corringle Beach and Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-Operative. Diver Chris Daniels, from the Abalone Fishermen’s Coop in Mallacoota, demonstrated how to shuck abalone before the chefs enjoyed a sumptuous 20-course tasting menu prepared by Gab and Chris Moore of 100 Mile Harvest. The meal was served with wines from Lightfoot & Sons and Nicholson River Winery and micro-brewed beers from Bullant Brewery in Bruthen.

“This initiative was a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of our premium local produce.

The chefs were all extremely impressed by what

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Amidst the gloom of downturns and closures in other regions, Dr Watts says the mood remains optimistic amongst the food sector in East Gippsland.

“We think this corner of the country can really excel at the premium end,” she insists.

Dr Watts believes the Food Cluster has much to offer its members and can continue to build considerably further yet on the significant achievements and impact it has already made in its first three years of operation.

“When you bring diverse groups of people together and put them in touch with other people in your network or through your supply chains, really interesting things will invariably happen.

We also do a lot of joint procurement, bundle up collective demand for different products and services and negotiate better deals,” she says.

“We’ve got a great story here in East Gippsland, but to date it has been largely untold. In pursuing our aims we are dedicated to bringing the stories of great regional produce to life.”

Photos: Kindly supplied by Dr Nicola Watts, East Gippsland Food Cluster's Executive Officer

CLUSTER MEMBERS The East Gippsland Food Cluster’s membership base currently comprises the following businesses: Bonaccord Bulmer Farms Dennison Food Manufacturing One Harvest/Vegco Frais Farms Patties Foods Lightfoot & Sons HSR Seeds Maffra Cheese Co.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Picnic Point Farm MD & DR Forsyth East Gippsland Eats Paynesville Pantry (f)route Happy Camper Gourmet Nicholson River Winery Membership is open to any food production and/or processing business operating in Eastern Gippsland. New members are welcomed at any time.

Cluster members pay a membership fee, plus a levy which is dependent on the size of the organisation. For further information on how to make application, visit the website www.eastgippslandfoodcluster.com.au.

OUTLETS: Paddlewheel Store Koonwarra Paddlewheel Prahran Market Moo's at Meeniyan Koonwarra Store Bread and Pickles Deli Meeniyan Vaughan's Cafe and Deli Inverloch Walkerville Kiosk Walkerville Ahern's Fruit Market & Fine Foods Foster

Grassy Spur Olives "MULTI-AWARD WINNING" Tel 0413 158 442 Email grassyspur@gmail.com Web www.grassyspurolives.com.au 74

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Mordialloc Fine Foods Mordialloc Houghton's Fine Foods Mornington Olio and Pane Hawthorn Or email Helen for postal delivery

WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS THROUGHOUT SOUTH GIPPSLAND

Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am – 12.30pm 29 Toora Road, Foster Vic 3960 Phone 03 5682 2095 | Fax 03 5682 1329 | Email contact@aherns.com.au Web www.aherns.com.au like us on

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follow us

Julie Musolino Bank of Melbourne Traralgon

Julie Musolino moved to Gippsland five years ago from the Gold Coast where she lived for sixteen years as the owner of Costless Car Rental operating a fleet of over 100 new vehicles.

During this time, Julie was successful in winning the Gold Coast Small Business Awards for Excellence in Customer Service in Tourism and Hospitality. Together with this, Julie worked as a Business Development Manager for the Gold Coast International Hotel and International Sales Manager for the Breakfree Resort Group.

Leaving the tourism industry and family in such a beautiful part of the world was tough, but there was no stopping Julie when she met her partner who lives in Gippsland and works in the aviation industry. Starting a new life in Gippsland enabled Julie to enter a new career path, something that in the past she considered way outside her comfort zone - the finance industry.

Julie applied for a teller position at Westpac. To her surprise, she was offered a job as a Business Banker because of her experience in small business.

Five years later, Julie says she is living the dream, pinching herself every time she walks into the Bank of Melbourne in Traralgon as Regional Development Manager. She is proud to lead a team of six highly motivated local Bankers. “My team shares the same values and beliefs, recognising that simply caring for our customers is the reason we’re here”, she said.

“In 2013, Bank of Melbourne won the Regional Bank of the Year award, proudly investing in the local community through its Neighbourhood Fund and The Local Project. These initiatives give groups in Gippsland the opportunity to receive funding to help their organisations thrive. Delivering the news to someone who has been successful is the best feeling in the world and a reminder that we’re more than just a bank.”

Julie is living proof that believing you can do anything you put your mind to really works. She credits her courage and passion for making a difference in the local community as the keys to her successful new career later in life.

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OUR HISTORY 1991 inception

Drouin Computer Services (DCS) opens its doors in Drouin, offering computer systems for sale and associated IT support services to local homes and businesses.

1995 dial-up Your local ISP, since 1995

DCSI is a local Internet Service Provider based in Warragul, Victoria, offering broadband Internet, phone, and webhosting solutions Australia-wide.

We offer a broad range of services and plans to suit homes and businesses, with competitive pricing and a friendly local support team.

We move to Victoria Street, Warragul, and begin offering the first local dial-up internet service – no more long distance call charges. Two Apple Mac servers run the whole show, and our backhaul to the wider internet is provided by a 64Kbps ISDN line, which eventually moved to 128 and finally 256Kbps.

1997 webhosting

We begin providing webhosting services for business and residential customers, powered by Linux-based Cobalt RaQ servers.

1998 broadband

We upgrade our backhaul to a one-way satellite connection, with the satellite link providing the downstream bandwidth, and an ISDN line handling the upstream.

2000 division

As demand for internet services grows, DCS splits its business, with the computer sales and support becoming Leading Edge Computers, and the internet services becoming Drouin Computer Services and Internet – DCSI.

2002 wireless

DCSI starts building its fixed wireless network, beginning with two 802.11b access points in Warragul, and expanding to cover Drouin and Tynong shortly afterward.

2003 adsl

DCSI begins providing ADSL services in Victoria, through wholesale partner Wholesale Communications Group (today known as M2 Wholesale). This year also saw us acquire the internet business of SYM-PAC Solutions Pty Ltd, merging their dial-up customer base with our own.

2004 relocation

DCSI moves to its current location at 64 Queen St, Warragul. The Trango M2400S wireless system is rolled out at towers across Gippsland, offering ADSL-grade performance wirelessly at distances of up to 40KM.

2008 dslams

We complete the arduous process of installing our own DSLAMs at the Warragul phone exchange, allowing us to provide extremely competitive ADSL2+ in Warragul.

2009 3g

DCSI adds 3G mobile broadband to its product lineup, leveraging the Optus network for coverage.

2010 phone & wimax

DCSI begins providing landline phone services to homes and businesses throughout Australia, and begins installing WiMAX and AirMax wireless access points throughout its Gippsland network, offering speeds of up to 12Mbps download.

2011 drouin adsl

We complete our DSLAM build in Drouin, expanding our on-net ADSL service to cover the town and surrounds.

2013 voip

We start to offer voice over IP (VoIP) to residential and business users, bringing super-cheap phone calls to the masses. We now have a 1Gbps fibre link to Melbourne, this is 16,000 times greater than the 64Kbps we started with in 1995.

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DCSI now offers NBN and fibre connections as well as continuing to offer high-performance, competitively priced broadband, webhosting and phone solutions with outstanding local support

WE DO INTERNET HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPETITIVE PRICES BROADBAND INTERNET PHONE WEB HOSTING WIRELESS PHONE SOLUTIONS DIRECT LOCAL SUPPORT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS NO CONTRACTS

Hours: Address: Phone: Fax: Email: Web:

Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm 64 Queen Street, Warragul VIC 3820 1300 66 55 75 1300 55 65 95 support@dcsi.net.au www.dcsi.net.au

Follow us on facebook

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Red Chocolate Tree is the fusion of a dream and a desire to create individual handmade chocolates and select patisserie items.

All products are made on the premises using premium quality products.

A selection of handmade Chocolates, Macarons, Eclairs and French Patisserie items are available every day. Serving 'Sacred Grounds' Fairtrade Organic Coffee and Tea Blossoms Teas.

Special orders can be catered for - birthdays, engagements, weddings, a thank you or simply - just for you!

HOURS: Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Ph: (03) 5144 1445 80

thelifestyle autumn 2014

Shop 3, 64 Cunninghame Street, Sale, 3850 Em: info@redchocolatetree.com.au Web: www.redchocolatetree.com.au

I have always loved the passion and enthusiasm that goes into making hand crafted chocolates and patisserie items. The pleasure and inspiration that can be gained from the creation of a delicious dessert inspired me to pursue my dreams of one day opening my own chocolate Patisserie. Enrolling into Chocolate and Patisserie School gave me all the confidence and tools I needed to pursue my dream. Â

My vision was to create a Chocolate Patisserie of elegance and beauty and to provide customers with an experience both in taste and visual appeal using only the finest of ingredients.

Red Chocolate Tree is the realisation of a dream and a hope to one day open additional Red Chocolate Tree stores.

Jane Erikson Red Chocolate Tree, Sale thelifestyle autumn 2014

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KINGFISHER COTTAGE CIRCA 1891 YOU WILL LOVE LIFE HERE LIVE HERE AT 30 LANGFORD PARADE, PAYNESVILLE 3880

Asking $450,000.00

“KINGFISHER COTTAGE” is one out of the box. An original Fisherman’s Cottage, delightfully and sympathetically restored to the Era, yet ‘in the now”.

Entry off verandah to hallway, 3 double bedrooms, cosy lounge with open fire place and reverse cycle air conditioner, dining/living with doors to deck, delightful kitchen, beautiful bathroom with sep. w.c. and a very roomy, bright laundry with access to the outside.

Separate one bedroom cottage and a double garage with loft.

Special Features • Gleaming Polished Floor Boards • 13 Ft Ceilings • Pressed Metal, Dado’s Featured Wood • Wood Fire & Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner • 0.1012 Ha. with Front and Rear Access • Minutes to Beach and Shops

POSITION & LOCATION UNSURPASSED - WITH THE DEFINITE ‘WOW’ FACTOR

17 Victoria St, Paynesville VIC 3880 For Further information contact AWRE (Ann 0427 411 660) realestate.com.au/116070295 (plus all other Prominent Real Estate portals) 82

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Kasama Décor

Unique Gifts & Home Décor

Monday to Friday: 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday: 11.00am to 3.00pm or by appointment (The store is closed every Tuesday.) See you soon, Sue Clementson

Kasama Décor Unique Gifts & Home Décor 3/31 The Esplanade Paynesville Vic 3880 Phone: 03 5156 1209

The Scarf Wall

The Scarf Wall 15 The Esplanade, Paynesville Vic 3880 Tel: 0428 177 736 Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm

Royal Australian Navy Band from HMAS Cerberus

Louis King & The Sun Kings at Paynesville Wine Bar by David Hamilton

Bernie Ryan’s Watery Guitar

The Paynesville Music Festival Held 21 - 23 February 2014

Paynesville Foreshore & Local Venues Photos courtesy of Stella Sakkeus

Sale RSL Pipe Band

Great Crowd at the Foreshore

The Fret Drifters from Oregon USA

The Mango Skins with Gerry Ciavarella at Paynesville Wine Bar

by David Hamilton

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BOOK LEONGATHA RSL FOR YOUR EASTER COMPETITIVE PRICES CALL FOR A QUOTE NOW 2009 Licensed Sub-Branch of the Year

Corner of Smith Street & Michael Place Leongatha

ANZAC Day is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.

TRADING HOURS EASTER / ANZAC DAY GOOD FRIDAY 18TH APRIL – CLOSED EASTER SATURDAY 12 pm – MIDNIGHT EASTER SUNDAY 12pm – 8PM EASTER MONDAY 12pm– 8PM ANZAC DAY FRIDAY 25TH APRIL 12pm – 8PM

New Members Welcome Reciprocal rights with RSLs in Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania Members discounts on meals and drinks 2 Function Rooms available Fantastic Members nights every Thursday and Friday Members Draw $800-$1000 to be won!

Members Happy Hour Relaxed and welcoming atmosphere ½ Serve Meals, Gluten Free, Kids Menu all available Reservations required for most nights of the week

CONTACTS

Office: 5662 2012 Reception: 5662 2747 Bistro: 5662 4487 TRADING HOURS BOOK YOUR FUNCTION TODAY WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES, ANY SPECIAL OCCASION CATERED FOR BUSINESS BREAKFASTS SEMINARS

CALL RICKY TO ORGANISE A QUOTE!

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

12 noon - 10pm 10am - 10pm 10am - 11pm 10am - 11pm 10am - Midnight 10am - Midnight 10am - Midnight

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... Yes, there’s a new business name in Gippsland!

Carpet Country Warragul has recently changed its trading name to SPACE FLOORING & INTERIORS. The owners of the store, Mark & Jill McClen, have worked in the floor coverings industry for decades and are proud to introduce their new business concept to Gippsland.

The new branding will enable the store to offer the most up-to-date ranges of floor covering products including designer carpets, Australian and European timber flooring, beautiful ranges of porcelain tiles, bamboo, laminate flooring, vinyl planks and rugs.

There are also plenty of discounted ranges of carpets and DIY products available in their warehouse.

Offering great displays and service, expert advice and competitive prices, SPACE Flooring & Interiors is an inspiring store for home builders or renovators. Jill is a fully qualified, experienced Interior Designer who will happily assist clients with all their product, finishes and colour selections for the entire home.

Complimentary home visits and quotations are also available.

Make choosing your floor coverings and interiors a simple and enjoyable experience.

Visit SPACE Flooring & Interiors where great value and service are what every customer will receive.

...products for your space, your needs and your style!

Trading Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5.00pm | Saturday 9am - 12pm 41A Smith St Warragul (Formerly Carpet Country Warragul) Ph: 5622 3933 | Fax 5622 3944 | Email: info@warragulspaceflooring.com.au

CRUISING THE WILDLIFE We all set sail at 9am from Port Welshpool, on a cloudy morning but as the trip progressed, the clouds dispersed and clear skies were the order of the day.

The Kasey Lee was ploughing through the waters of the magnificent Wilsons Promontory and there were many sights to see; a pod of dolphins joined us and got up very close to the boat and it was part of the magic of this trip whilst enjoying our morning tea.

Wildlife Coast Cruises well known for their Seal Watching Cruise, are venturing into new areas, and Gippslanders and visitors to our part of Victoria, are the beneficiaries. To have a boat the size and capability of the Kasey Lee is an asset and more people should be queuing up to go on the trips that are on offer.

With a fully decked bar, and great food on offer, the Kasey Lee offers the perfect one day getaway, and what a great way to see the Prom! No hiking up hills, or driving to the various destinations, in fact we had a chance to go for a stroll when the boat docked at Refuge Cove, one of the beautiful coves that are in and around the Prom. Some of the passengers opted for a swim in the crystal clear waters, others lazed on the clean sandy beach and a few others took to the hills for a leisurely walk along the tracks that are easily identified.

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After an hour at Refuge Cove we boarded the Kasey Lee and enjoyed a hot roast meal with all the trimmings and a choice of cold beers, wine, spirits or soft drinks. This capped off a perfect visit to Refuge Cove.

The crew ably led by owner and Captain for the day, John Dickie, offered everyone a very informed narration of the trip, the staff including Marketing Manager Paul Mannix and his crew made sure that everyone was entertained.

I totally recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see Wilsons Promontory in its splendour. I had no idea the size and enormity of the Prom, its hidden gems, the mountainous rocks, the colours of the sea, from crystal clear blue to the inky black look on the shadow side of the haunting but beautiful Skull Rock; the playfulness of the seals, and the young pups were a sight to behold at the southern tip Kanowna Island fur seal colony.

We are fortunate to have Wildlife Coast Cruises available to us in Gippsland and to be able to enjoy the many trips on offer, and this one is two thumbs up!

Photos and Words by Doug Pell

Wilsons Prom Full Day Cruise Wildlife Coast Cruises are offering the public an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful, natural areas in the world. An experience of a lifetime, visiting islands and coastlines that are not accessible by land and viewing the spectacular marine life areas that most people wouldn’t dream exist. It is now possible!

Imagine … a fully catered, luxury cruise on board the modern catamaran cruiser, Kasey Lee, viewing rugged coastlines, untouched islands, amazing rock formations, abundant wildlife areas and so much more!!…

Eight hours of Cruising with breathtaking scenery of Wilsons Prom as you have never seen it before!

Includes MORNING AND AFTERNOON TEA BUFFET LUNCH AT A REMOTE COVE CRUISE AROUND THE PROM LIGHTHOUSE CRUISE UP AND UNDER SKULL ROCK VISIT KANOWNA ISLAND SEAL COLONY STOPOVER ASHORE AT REFUGE COVE CRUISE OVER 100KMS OF PRISTINE COASTLINE CRUISE AROUND REMOTE GRANITE ISLANDS

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your market guide BAIRNSDALE MAKERS MARKET QUARTERLY INDOOR CRAFT MARKET

Saturday 7th June 2014 and 6th September 2014 9am to 1pm Venue: Boucher Hall, Bairnsdale Secondary College Cnr Wallace and McKean St, Bairnsdale Contact: Telephone: 0490 341 053 Gill

BAIRNSDALE FARMERS’ MARKET

1st Saturday of every month – 8am-12noon Venue: Bairnsdale Secondary College Oval, McKean Street Rain or Hail - Farmers' Market is under cover Contact: John 5156 9342 or Ian 5152 3698

BERWICK AKOONAH PARK MARKET

JOHNSONVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET 1st Saturday of month - Starts 9am Venue: Johnsonville Hall, Princes Highway Contact: Perry 5156 4162

JUMBUNNA BUSH MARKET

1st Sunday of the month – 9am-1pm Venue: The Main Hall, Jumbunna Contact: Mrs. Smith 5657 3241 or Mrs. Wylie 5657 3253

KONGWAK MARKET

Every Sunday – 10am-3pm Venue: Korumburra Road, Kongwak Contact: J ane 0417 142 478

KOONWARRA FARMERS' MARKET

Every Sunday – 8.30am-1.30pm Venue: Akoonah Park, cnr High & Cardinia Sts, Berwick Contact: Andrew Dedlefs (03) 9796 1455

1st Saturday of the month – 8am-12.30pm Venue: Memorial Park off Koala Drive Contact: Rod 0408 619 182

BRUTHEN VILLAGE MARKET

KOOWEE COMMUNITY MARKET

4th Saturday of month – 9am-1pm Venue: Bruthen Mechanics’ Hall and Grounds, Main St, Bruthen Contact: 5157 5665

CHURCHILL ISLAND FARMERS’ MARKET 4th Saturday of month - 8am-1pm Venue: Visitors’ Centre on Churchill Island off Phillip Island Contact: Peter Arnold 5664 0096

COAL CREEK COMMUNITY PARK & MUSEUM FARMERS’ MARKET 2nd Saturday of month - 8am-12.30pm Venue: Coal Creek Community Park and Museum Car Park, Silkstone Rd, Korumburra Contact: 5655 1811 FREE Entry/Ample Parking

COWES ISLAND CRAFT MARKET

2nd Saturday of month - 9am-2pm Venue: St Phillips Parish Hall and grounds, Thompson Ave, Cowes Contact: Monica 0412 710 276 40-45 stalls of homemade craft, clothing and produce Raising money for the local community

COWES MARKET ON CHAPEL

4th Saturday of month - 9am-1pm Venue: Uniting Church, Chapel St, Cowes Contact: Faye 5952 5905 or Graham 5952 5213 Local produce, clothing, knitwear, books, bric-a-brac, plants Showcasing a wide range of quality handmade products

DROUIN CRAFT & PRODUCE MARKET 3rd Saturday of month - 8am-12.30pm Venue: Civic Park, Civic Place, Drouin Contact: Damien 0418 156 802

FOSTER FARMERS’ MARKET

3rd Saturday of month - 8am-12pm Venue: Foster War Memorial Arts Centre, Main Street, Foster Contact: Janine Shultz 5663 2305

FOSTER/PROMONOTORY MARKET Sunday 9th March, 20th April– 8am-2pm Venue: Foster Showgrounds Contact: Max Parnell 5682 2654

GRANTVILLE MARKET

4th Sunday of month - 8am-2pm Venue: Grantville Recreation Reserve Contact: John Hulley 5678 8438

HEYFIELD COMMUNITY MARKET 1st Saturday of month – 8am-1pm Venue: John Graves Memorial Park Contact: Ray Hamilton 5148 6115

INVERLOCH COMMUNITY FARMERS' MARKET Last Sunday of the month – 8am-1pm Venue: The Glade, Opposite Inlet Hotel, Inverloch Contact: Tennille 0448 327 637

INVERLOCH FARMERS’ MARKET

3rd Sunday of the month – 8am-1pm Venue: The Glade, Opposite Inlet Hotel, Inverloch Contact: Peter Arnold 5664 0096

INVERLOCH ROTARY MARKET

AUTUMN

1st Sunday of the month - 9am-1.30pm Venue: Koo Wee Rup Community Centre Cochrane Park Cnr Rossiter Rd & Sybella Ave Koo Wee Rup Contact: 0428 971 071

LAKES ENTRANCE SURF CLUB FORESHORE MARKET

markets

SALE VARIETY MARKET

3rd Sunday of month - 7am-2pm Venue: Canal Reserve Contact: 5144 1258

SALE CRAFT MARKET

2nd Sunday of month - 9am-1pm Venue: Cobb & Co Stables, Raymond St Contact: 5143 0370

SAN REMO CUPPA & CHAT MARKET

2nd Friday of month - Bric-a-brac, cakes & jams 9am-1pm 2nd Saturday of month - Sausage Sizzle 9am-12pm Venue: St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Marine Parade Contact: Roma Caulfield 5678 5386

STRATFORD VARIETY & FARMERS MARKET 4th Sunday of month - 9am-1pm Venue: Apex Park, Princes Highway, Stratford Contact: 0408 057 772

TARWIN LOWER MARKET

Monday, 10th March, 21st April and 9th June Time: 7.30am-2pm Venue: Tarwin Lower Memorial Hall, Riverside Drive Contact: John 5663 7505

TOORA COMMUNITY MARKET

1st Sunday of the month – 9am-3pm Venue: Near the Rotunda - Foreshore, Lakes Entrance Contact: Tom Morris 0407 098 805 or 5153 1916

2nd Saturday of the month – 7.30am-1pm Venue: Former Bonlac Store, Jetty Road, Toora Contact: Jeanette 5686 2690

LATROBE COUNTRY MARKET

TRARALGON FARMERS’ MARKET

Every Sunday - 8.30am-1.30pm Venue: Latrobe Road, Morwell (near Holmes Road) Contact: 0449 294 453

4th Saturday of month - 8am-1pm Venue: Kay Street Gardens Contact: Allan Vickery 5174 2279

LOCH VILLAGE MARKET

WARRAGUL ARTS MARKET

2nd Sunday of the month March & April – 9am-1pm Venue: Loch Railway Siding Contact: Rod Payne 5659 0212 or Market 0418 500 520

LOCH PUBLIC HALL WINTER MARKET

2nd Sunday of the month May & June – 9am-1pm Venue: Loch Public Hall Smith Street Contact: Bernie Dilger 5659 4244

LONGWARRY MARKET

1st Sunday of the month - 8am-1pm Venue: Longwarry Fire Station, Bennett St Contact: 5629 9636 or 0419 158 946

LUCKNOW MARKET

4th Sunday of the month - 8am-1pm Venue: Howitt Park, Princes Highway, East Bairnsdale Contact: 0432 602 007

MAFFRA VARIETY & FARMERS’ MARKET 1st Sunday of month - 9am-1pm Venue: Main St/Johnson St, Maffra Contact: 5144 1108

METUNG FARMERS’ MARKET

2nd Saturday of month - 8am-12.30pm Venue: Village Green in Metung Contact: Damien Waters 0458 431 844

3rd Saturday of month - 10am-2pm (Closed April – Sept) Venue: Civic Park Warragul Contact: Jessie McLennan 5626 7045

WONTHAGGI ROTARY MARKET

2nd Sunday of month - 8am-1pm Venue: Apex Park, Murray St, Wonthaggi Contact: Max Williams 5672 5204

YARRAGON COMMUNITY CRAFT & PRODUCE MARKET

4th Saturday of month – 8.30am-1pm Venue: Yarragon Public Hall, Campbell St Contact: Gaye Kent 0427 342 430

YARRAM VARIETY MARKET EASTER SATURDAY 19th April – Starts 8am Venue: Guide & Scout Hall Contact: Gloria 5182 6303

YARRAM MARKET & BOOT SALE 1st Sunday of month - 8am-1pm Venue: Guide & Scout Hall, Yarram Contact: Rinda 5182 5679

MIRBOO NORTH COUNTRY MARKET Last Saturday of month – 8.30am-1pm Venue: Baromi Park Contact: Liz Morris 5668 1956

PAYNESVILLE LIONS CLUB MARKET 2nd Sunday of month - 8.30am-1.30pm Venue: Gilsenan Reserve Contact: Lions Club 0400 327 526

PAYNESVILLE FARMERS MARKET

3rd Saturday of month - 8am-12pm Venue: Paynesville Football/Cricket Oval 59 Main Road Contact: Scott 0409 524 399

ROSEDALE COMMUNITY MARKET 2nd Sunday of month - 7.30am-1.30pm Venue: Prince Street Reserve Contact: George Sharp 5199 2709

SALE PRODUCERS’ MARKET

3rd Saturday of month - 8am-1pm Venue: Sale Showgrounds enter from Maffra Rd Contact: Malcolm Forsythe 0427 456 477

Saturday, 19th April 9am-3pm Sunday, 20th April 9am-2pm Venue: Community Centre, A'Beckett St, Inverloch Contact: Ken Fisher after 7.30pm 5663 5256

If you require your event to be promoted please email Gippsland the Lifestyle thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au

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After a hot summer of wearing beachy casual clothes and thongs its nice to think about dressing up again in Autumn. Smart layering is key in Autumn, especially in our ‘hot one minute-freezing the next’ climate. Autumn/Winter fashion starts arriving in stores in February and March so even though it may seem too warm to even think about buying a new coat or cardigan it really is a case of first in-best dressed! If you want to have first pick of the range and be sure your size is in stock you need to shop in advance to avoid disappointment. A good way to prepare for winter is to layby items like coats during Autumn and pay them off by the time the cold sets in. It’s easier on the credit card that way too!

In Haze we already have some beautiful new season arrivals by Wish, Cooper St, Seduce and Bluejuice. Plus, we’re very excited about a new Scandinavian label we have just got our hands on, called “Noa Noa”. The first collection is divine and there will be more to come for winter including some absolutely amazing coats. The quality, detailing and originality of the label have really impressed us and we’re sure you will love it too!

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NOA NOA AUTUMN COLLECTION Noa Noa delves into the world of traditional craftsmanship with a collection of colourful and rustic textiles to form an eclectic mix of pieces. Gorgeous ikat prints weaved with rustic reds and indigo are contrasted with French florals in dusty hues. The depths of colours are a warm welcome against our usual black and grey winter uniform. Noa Noa’s Autumn range has been inspired by antique Indian embroidery, which is shown on their feminine blouses and tops. The printed dresses team perfectly with the tailored jackets or cardigans for a cohesive outfit. The knitwear is wool-blend so they are soft and cosy - designed to keep you warm and (most importantly) look glamorous at the same time!

Kylie from Haze 17B A’Beckett St, INVERLOCH, VIC 3996 Phone: (03) 5674 1133 Hours : 10am to 5pm, Open 7 days Like us on Facebook - Haze Boutique And follow us on Instagram - hazeinverloch

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LIVING THE DREAM

THROUGH YOUR HOBBY

By Ally McManus

To some, having your passion as your career would be the idealistic ‘having it all’. But schoolteacher Marty Box finds his musical interest is better left as a hobby.

45-year-old Marty Box grew up in Mitcham, east of Melbourne. He spent some of his teaching career in that area, but now lives with his wife Gabrielle and their three children in Leongatha teaching Humanities and English at Leongatha Secondary.

“I made the decision at uni that I enjoyed music and the hobby of it so much that I didn’t want to be doing it all day,” he tells me. “It was a really good choice, I was glad I made it,” he adds.

Marty has performed in duets and trios, but mainly performs covers on his own, finding this more convenient. “I can be more spontaneous when I play and I don’t have to have everything planned….you tend to learn more when you play with other people, and you get better and you learn good skills from them, but it can be a lot more difficult to coordinate.”

Marty began his musical passion with the violin at just eight-years-old. Since then, he has self-taught the guitar, harmonica, harp and much more. I look over at his instruments beside us and notice the saxophone. He tells me this is another addition to the collection, but he is learning to play this correctly at Leongatha Secondary. “That’s proving to be a real challenge for me, which is good. I’m finding parts of it very difficult,” he says. He also plays this instrument in the school band with his students. “I think I learn more from them and I’m just trying to challenge myself a little bit each year,” he adds.

Marty knew from a young age that music would play a special role in his life. He recalls going to a school orchestra concert wherein his brother was playing the cello. “We were coming home and I said to my dad, I’d like to learn something, and he absolutely jumped at it. There was a violin in my hand nearly the next day,” he says through a chuckle.

I ask whether he thinks he has more of a natural ability for music or just incredible perseverance and practice. “I don’t think I was a particularly great student…I had trouble with practice, as a lot of kids do.” He thinks about his answer to this. “It’s all about applying yourself.” Marty’s late grandfather was a great musician who conducted at King’s College in London and his mother was also a wonderful singer in musical theatre. So maybe Marty has a combination of musical blood and determination.

Marty has a lot of experience performing at weddings, where he’s usually employed for the whole day. He tends to play acoustic, intimate music for the early stages of the wedding and “I particularly like it when people get me for

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weddings that have seen me play, so they know exactly what they’re getting.”

It is obvious Marty is an incredibly hard worker and enjoys giving himself a challenge. “I can often perform for reasonably long periods of time without a break because I just enjoy it so much,” he says with a smile.

An average wedding might begin at 12 where Marty will play at the ceremony, then at the reception and then as a DJ afterwards “It means

it’s a very long day, but I love music and you sort of think the novelty is going to wear off one day, but it doesn’t. I’m pretty lucky. It’s very rare that I get to venues and I think, oh I don’t want to be here; I would say that never happens. I’m doing something that I really love.” Marty tells me weddings are one of his favourite performances at the moment, “it’s just the experience, the more you do it the more you enjoy it.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself with weddings a bit, it’s time away from family and all of that, but

a lot of people on a Saturday would go and play golf, and that’s their outlet and I think that’s great, but this is my outlet and I’m really lucky that I enjoy it.”

reasons why he’s engaging is because he doesn’t always have fancy musical techniques but he can connect with people through the lyrics he writes and he’s just a wonderful songwriter.”

Many musicians have a specific objective with their music. I ask Marty if his would be connecting with people, or just having that personal outlet.

He says it’s a combination of both. “I don’t have to have the lights on and have everyone looking at me, it can often be quite the opposite. I quite enjoy playing music as a means of expression and interpretation because a lot of what I do is covering other people’s songs.” The audience also plays a pivotal role in his music. “It’s just nice to be able to watch people enjoy and appreciate it.”

Marty enjoys listening to most types of music (classic, folk, blues, rock) and his main influences are Neil Young, Luka Bloom, Paul Kelly, The Pogues and Tom Petty. I then ask him if there has been anyone else over the last few years or so that has had a profound influence on his music.

He has a think about this question and then tells me he was asked to cover a Damien Rice song for a wedding a few years back. That song, Cannonball, gave him an appreciation for music he didn’t know too well at the time. “I like how music surprises you,” he says.

Marty has his own philosophy about music, which resonates with him while playing. “You should be trying to show how good a song it is, not trying to show how good a singer you are.” He tells me very candidly how strongly he believes in this notion of appreciating the music over the artist,

fear of failure and I know from this that the man is full of perseverance. “I know I’m no scientist or psychologist, but there’s a lot of evidence that learning an instrument, middle-aged or any age, is really good for your mental development.

“I just do my best in the time frame that I’ve got… enjoy being in the moment and doing what you’re doing and often I’ll fail spectacularly at it,” he says through a laugh. He sure is humble about what he does and what he’s achieved, but also incredibly content with the way things are.

Photos Supplied by Marty Box and James Pell

I ask Marty whether he’d like to learn another instrument, in light of his thirst for a challenge. He then looks at his wife, Gab, and chuckles. “There’s always more, and I’d love to be able to do the banjo…I’m always fascinated by it.” We have a discussion about learning new things without the

“I think that’s what the focus should always be…it should be about the song and I think if you play music well, that will connect with the audience.”

Marty has a think about it when I ask him what his favourite aspect of the musical process is. “The one I enjoy most is performing and it doesn’t have to be to 300 people, it can easily be at a restaurant with a handful of people.” He also reflects on his favourite musical experience, which happened about 15 years ago. When teaching in Melbourne, Marty was asked to perform in a 100-person choir singing the famous Carmina Burana, “It’s a really powerful piece of music,” he tells me. “To sing with them, standing behind them when they’re belting out these incredible harmonies, it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.”

I ask Marty what is his favourite instrument to perform. “People tend to be drawn towards the harp because you just don’t hear it very often and it can sound really wonderful at a wedding on the beach. He also enjoys the classic guitar and vocals, “the communal aspect of singing and often not necessarily complicated guitar stuff, simple stuff that people can connect with.” This reminds Marty of Paul Kelly, “I think one of the

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west gippsland autumn in with

LAURIE COLLINS Autumn in West Gippsland is just fantastic. Certainly a break from the heat is welcome and this is the season before it gets cold and wet so everyone tries to get as much done as possible.

Now is the time to come and visit as there are few if any fire threats and it still is a lovely gentle temperature among the green rolling hills of the area.

Certainly there is a diverse range of offerings starting in March with the Warragul Show (the first Friday and Saturday in March) at Logan Park in Warragul.

The next weekend is a weekend for revheads with Motorfest at Lardner Park. This is not just pretty cars but lots of smoking burnouts, wrecked tyres and loud engines presented

by Drouin Rotary Club and Gippsland Tuff Streeters. What’s not to love! visit www.motorfest.com.au A quieter form of movement occurs at the Warragul Velodrome with the West Gippsland Relay for Life which is an overnight community event for the community who relay non-stop as part of the fight against cancer.

This also includes a T-shirt and a Breakfast!

(22nd to 23rd March) visit www.relayforlife.org. au More running occurs at Mt Baw Baw with Brooks Trail Run festival, 8-10 March, then the Vic Bush State Orienteering Series 9th March, The long lunch in mid March 14th and in April A Kids Adventure Festival 5th -6th April. There are lots and lots of events at Mt Baw Baw during the non snow season and really the views alone repay a visit. visit www.mtbawbaw.com.au I did mention Lardner Park earlier but at the end of March 27th-30th is of course FARMWORLD. This is its 52nd year! If you have never been, this is a cross between the Melbourne Show, a home ideas expo and the biggest range of tractors and farm related stuff anywhere! (Well maybe I haven’t been everywhere.. but it is bloody big.) It also has a really lovely atmosphere with women in agriculture, a farm nursery and lots of demos.

Not only that but you can pick up great bargains and many farmers wait all year to go “shopping” at Farmworld. Even non farming people will have a great time! visit www.lardnerpark.com.au

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MARKETS!

MUSIC!

March also is the last Warragul Arts Market for the season (3rd Sat of the month) although I suspect the farmers market continues.

Rokeby Market continues till May (2nd Sat of month) and this has a well deserved reputation for having lots of plant stalls. (It has its last market just before Mother’s Day so make the most of it!)

And as for music, March starts off with the Boolara Folk Festival (1st March) followed on the 15th by the Fiddlehead Folk Festival at Yinnar (not a lot of info on this yet) and then the Moe Music Festival on 29th and 30th March.

The Longwarry Fire Brigade Market gets going again in March after a couple of months off and this has grown to a real wonderful chaos of stalls (1st Sunday of the month..

March to Dec). Jindivick is also going again (March to May) then stopping until it starts again in August and Drouin is the 3rd Sat of the month and Yarragon is the 4th Sat. A couple of special events that need mentioning are the Rare Plant Fair on 12th April (at Jindivick public hall) and last year this was a jam packed event (if you pack plants in jam?) with a wide range of stallholders and lots of interest from all over the state.

On the 13th April is The Drouin Lions Club Antiques and Collectables Fair at the Drouin Secondary College stadium.

Also in April is the Walhalla Easter Art Show (18th to 21st) in…. Walhalla! Actually just to be in Walhalla is an art experience but this time you get to see some diverse and delightful artworks as well. It certainly would be a fine way to enjoy a getaway at Easter.

In May, Jindivick is also the place to go with the Jindivick Sculpture Show (10th to 25th May) featuring as one of the big attractions of the Creative Gippsland Arts calendar.

This show gets better every year and this year some of the works go travelling as well and sit for a while on the top of Mt Baw Baw. May also has lots of other activities associated with Creative Gippsland including Linocut workshops (11th May) by Helen Timbury as part of Neerim South’s Bower Project. visit www.helentimburydesign.com Also a reprise of the open studio tour of artists studios of the district. visit openstudioswestgippsland.com

The West Gippsland Arts Centre has a marvellous range of music concerts all through autumn with Buddy Holly, Cat Stevens, Kasey Chambers, Abba, Lisa Marie Presley, Hair and lots more. visit www.wgac.com.au The Darnum Hotel has a monthly Blues Jam on the second Sunday of the month, 2 to 6pm and Wesley at Warragul has the Australian Chamber Choir in March and Joan of Arc in May. visit www.wesleyofwarragul.org.au Well, I told you there was lots on, so if you get to half of them, that should give you something to do.. or look forward to.

As I commented last issue there is tons of natural beauty around all the time so really what with wineries, coffee shops, restaurants, art shows, bushwalks and spectacular views you won’t have any boring moments here with us.

Good on ya, and I look forward to seeing you wandering around.

Laurie Collins

west gippsland autumn in

your events guide

mu muss t s e e mus t g o t do

AUTUMNevents DUMBALK CAMPDRAFT

MOE MUSIC FESTIVAL

STONY CREEK CUP

WILSONS PROM ECO CRUISE

Date: Location: Contact:

Date: Location: Contact:

9 – 10 March Dumbalk Rec Reserve Heather Walker Mobile: 0418 564 157 9 March South Gippsland Hwy, Stony Creek 5664 0099

SALE MUSIC FESTIVAL Date: Time: Location: Contact:

9 March 6.00pm to late Sale Botanic Gardens David Harrington 0408 038 155

LYREBIRD ARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE STRAY SISTERS

Date: Location: Contact: Email: Date: Location: Contact: Email:

29 – 30 March Old Gippstown 5174 3516 simon.may@rocketmail.com 30 – 31 March Lewis St, Port Welshpool Rachael Martin 1300 763 739 info@wildlifecoastcruises.com.au

GIPPSLAND HARNESS HORSE & CARRIAGE SHOW Date: Location: Contact: Email:

30 March Sale Showground David Tulloch 5145 6576 dajudy@bigpond.net.au

FAMILY BAREFOOT BOWLS Date: Location: Web:

TROSP WALKS @ THE PROM Date: Time: Location: Web: Date: Location: Contact:

INVERLOCH PRIMARY SCHOOL EASTER FAIR

CHRISTENING GOWNS THROUGH THE DECADES Email:

Date: Location: Contact: Email:

14 March Date: 3 – 6 April Inverloch Primary School, Bayview Ave, Inverloch Time: Thursday 10.00am – 4.00pm 5674 1253 Friday 10.00am – 8.00pm sandnorton@bigpond.com Saturday & Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm Location: Heyfield Memorial Hall Contact: Louise Hill-Coleman 5148 2093 JACICAN – THE FESTIVAL OF MIRBOO NORTH Email: louiseandkevin@live.com Date: 15 March Location: Old Mirboo North Dairy Giles St, Mirboo North WELSHPOOL AUTUMN FLOWER SHOW Contact: Jaci 0407 577 205 Date: 4 – 5 April Email: jaci@jacican.com.au Location: Welshpool Memorial Hall Contact: Fran Grylls 5184 1376

NYORA RACEWAY MEETS Date: Location: Contact: Email:

15 March Nyora Rec Reserve, Grundy Ave Debbie Hickson 0414 884 486 nyoraspeedway@yahoo.com.au

GLEN HANSARD & THE FRAMES Date: Location: Contact: Email:

15 March Meeniyan Town Hall Ian Bevington 5664 9239 lyrebirdarts@hotmail.com

Date: Location: Contact: Email:

15 March Yinnar Rec Reserve 5163 1261 fiddleheadfestival@yinnar.vic.au

60TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF HANDICRAFTS, ART & HOME INDUSTRIES Date: Time:

Location: Contact: Email:

4 -5 April Friday 10.00am – 4.30pm Saturday 10.00am – 3.30pm Leongatha Memorial Hall Evelyn Stephens or Heather Scott 5664 2209 or 5662 2175 heatherscott@dcsi.net.au

DROUIN LIONS ANTIQUE & COLLECTORS FAIR FIDDLEHEAD MUSIC FESTIVAL & COUNTRY FAIR Date: 13 April

PEAR PARTY – TOORA Date: Time: Location: Contact:

16 March 10.00am – 4.00pm Mill St Toora 5681 6335 or 0428 864 520

TROSP WALK AT THE PROM Date: Time: Location: Web:

16 March 9.30am Windy Saddle on the Sealers Cove Walk Meet at Telegraph Saddle car park www.trosp.tumblr.com

RIDE FOR THE ANIMALS Date: Time: Location: Contact: Email:

16 March 8.30am Animal Aid Gippsland to Bairnsdale Racecourse Megan Pritchard 8756 1335 mpritchard@animalaid.org.au

TRARLGON BOWLS CLUB HOSTING AUSTRALIA VERSUS NEW ZEALAND BOWLS TEST SERIES Date: Location: Contact: Web:

16 – 20 March Traralgon Bowls Club Cnr. Gwalia St and Liddiard Rd Traralgon 5174 2156 www.traralgonbowls.com.au

MALABAR ADVENTURES Date: Time:

Location: Contact: Email:

21 and 28 March 9.30am – 2.00pm morning tour and lunch 4.00pm – 8.30pm evening tour and dinner Malabar Farm – Waratah Road, Tarwin Lower Jenny & Paul 5663 2386 or 0419 153 377 enquiries@gippslandfoodadventures.com.au

MAFFRA ROTARY CLUB MARDI GRAS Date: Time: Location: Contact: Email:

22 March 2.00pm – 11.00pm Johnson St, Maffra Julie Anderson 0447 976 404 mardisgrasathur@gmail.com

Location: Contact: Email:

Drouin Secondary College Main South Road, Drouin 0425 829 351 antiquefair@drouinlions.org.au

TINAMBA WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Date: Time: Location: Contact:

15 April 11.00am – 4.00pm 4-6 Tinamba Seaton Rd, Tinamba Alistair Hicks 0411 079 073

THE TOUR DE TARWIN Date: Location: Web:

18 – 19 April Venus Bay Shops Jupiter Boulevard, Venus Bay tourdetarwin.com.au

TOUR DE TARWIN FISHING CLASSIC Date: Location: Contact: Web:

18 – 20 April Fishing Jetty, Fishermens Rd, Venus Bay Tony 0418 333 292 tourdetarwin.com.au

TARRA FESTIVAL Date: Location: Contact: Email:

18 – 21 April Various locations around Yarram 0434 242 567 tarrafestival@gmail.com

TOUR DE TARWIN TRIVIA NIGHT Date: Time: Location: Web:

19 April 7.30pm onwards Venus Bay Community Centre Centre Rd, Venus Bay http://tourdetarwin.com.au/

OMEO RODEO Date: Location: Contact: Email:

20 April Cobungra Station RMB 2699 Great Alpine Rd, Cobrunga 9585 8330

SOUTH GIPPSLAND SECONDARY COLLEGE/ FOSTER HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATING 95 YEARS

MARIST BASKETBALL CARNIVAL

30 March – 4 April Catholic College Sale Julie Moulton 5143 9602 jmoulton@ccsale.catholic.edu.au

20 April 9.30am Norman Point Meet at the Cenataph, Tidal River www.trosp.tumblr.com

DINNER PLAIN GEEBUNG POLO MATCH

(THE WAIFS) SUPPORT: RUBY BOOTS Date: 12 March Location: Meeniyan Town Hall Contact: Ian Bevington 5664 9239 Email: lyrebirdarts@hotmail.com

Date: Location: Contact: Email:

20 April Tarwin Lower Bowling Club Walkerville Rd, Tarwin Lower www.tourdetarwin.com.au

Date: Location: Contact:

26 April South Gippsland Secondary College Pioneer St, Foster Colleen Smith smith.colleen.c@edumail.vic.gov.au

WILSONS PROM ECO CRUISE Date: Location: Contact: Email:

27 – 28 April Lewis St, Port Welshpool Rachael Martin 1300 763 739 info@wildlifecoastcruises.com.au

CREATIVE GIPPSLAND GIPPSLAND ARTS FESTIVAL Date: Location: Contact: Web:

1 – 31 May Venues across Gippsland 5624 2407 creativegippsland.com.au

CAFÉ CULTURE SERIES 2014 DANDYMAN & SMALLPOX THEATRE LOVE & BAGGAGE Date: Location: Contact:

4 May Toora Hall 5662 9805 or 5686 2443

MIRBOO NORTH ARTY GRAS Date: Location: Contact: Web:

9 – 11 May Mirboo North township Paul Evans 0407 532 014 http://www.mirboonorth.vic.au/artygras

LEONGATHA LYRIC THEATRE INC LIFE AFTER GEORGE Date: Location: Contact: Email:

9 – 11 & 16 – 17 May Leongatha Mesley Hall, 29 – 39 Ogilvy St, Leongatha Tanya Chalmers 0413 299 192 enquiries@lyrictheatre.net.au

THE FISH CREEK TEA COSY FESTIVAL

Date: 16 – 25 May 18 May - Poet’s Walk, Basia Mille 56871453 Location: Fish Creek various locations Contact: Fish Creek Post Office 0416 280 658

TROSP WALK @ THE PROM Date: Time: Location: Web:

18 May 9.30am Darby River Meet at Darby River car park trosp.tumblr.com/

TRAVELLING JINDIVICK SCULPTURE SHOW Date: Location: Contact: Email:

31 May – 15 June Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort 5165 1136 artsandculture@mountbawbaw.com.au

VOLLEYBALL VICTORIA COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Date: Location: Contact: Email:

7 – 9 June Splash, Leongatha Tom Saario or Adele Prescott 5658 1043 or 5655 2691 greasymech@sctelco.net.au

19 April Rodeo Show grounds – Rec Reserve Park Street, Omeo 0409 846 771 omeorodeo@gmail.com

EASTER AT THE CREEK Date: Time:

Location: Contact:

20 April 10.30am to 1pm - Photo with Easter Bunny 12 noon to 4pm – Music Live Puppet Show Saturday and Sunday Coal Creek Community Park & Museum Sth Gippsland H’way, Korumburra 5655 1811

If you require your event to be promoted please email Gippsland the Lifestyle thelifestyle@dcsi.net.au

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Sale During the 1880s the swing bridge which is still visible 5 kms south of the city was activated to allow larger vessels to dock in the heart of Sale. Its design allowed the bridge to swing open to allow steam boats travelling between the Port of Sale and Melbourne to pass through. The bridge is now open to pedestrians only.

Relax at the Port of Sale precinct with its selection of cafes and restaurants, or check out local artistic talents at the renowned Gippsland Art Gallery.

Spend an afternoon exploring photos, stories and displays detailing Gippsland's military involvement at the Gippsland Armed Forces Museum. And if you're lucky you might well see the famous RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team in action as they train in the skies over the city.

Stroll along the boardwalks and explore the Sale Wetlands supporting a huge variety of birdlife and a stop-over place for migratory birds. Roam through woodlands and grasslands, along the Flooding Creek Track, passing through Red Gum woodlands along the way.

Latter day success has stemmed from its contiguity to the vast offshore oil and gas fields of Bass Strait and as the home of the RAAF Roulettes.

Sale is 211 kilometres south-east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway, situated at the head of the Thomson River, above the junction with the Latrobe River, and at the head of the Gippsland Lakes system. The city is a gateway to a number of attractions along the southern part of the Ninety Mile Beach.

The historic Port of Sale has been preserved and redeveloped with extensive berthing facilities, a boardwalk, fishing platform, boat ramp and BBQ facilities. Adjacent to the port precinct is the Gippsland Art Gallery, council offices and the town's performing arts centre.

Sale has an attractive commercial centre. It extends along Raymond Street and into intersecting Cunninghame Street, part of which is a pedestrian mall that is dominated by a large clock tower.

Although settlement had begun soon after explorers Paul Strzelecki and Angus McMillan passed through in 1840, the town greatly benefited from the 1851 gold rush at Omeo as it was situated on the Port Albert to Omeo route and was an important base for the goldfields, until the arrival of the railways.

It became a borough in 1863, was declared a town in 1924 and finally a city in 1950. The cutting of the Sale Canal in the late 19th century linked the town to the Thomson River and established it as a busy port for steamers using the 400 square kilometre GippsIand Lakes system.

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Begin your boating journey in Sale and go on to explore the vast Gippsland Lakes and beyond. The Port of Sale provides access to the entire lakes region, eventually connecting to the ocean at Lakes Entrance.

Several historic buildings of interest can be found in Sale's town centre including the former municipal offices in Foster Street (built in 1863) which are now home to the Sale Historical Museum which showcases local history and artefacts. Other landmarks in the town include Our Lady of Sion Convent and The Criterion Hotel, located in York Street, is one of the oldest hotels in Gippsland, having been built in 1865. The Criterion received a complete rebuild in 2010/11 with the external heritage facade and verandah fully restored.

It re-opened as a hotel, function venue and restaurant early in 2013. In addition, there are several historic church and school buildings.

PLACES OF INTEREST Sale Common Wetlands Longford Swing Bridge Bataluk Cultural Trail Kilmany Homestead Warbird combat flights Gippsland Art Gallery Performing Arts Centre RAAF base with RAAF Roulettes aerobatic team Oil and gas production plant Historic Port in middle of town Many heritage buildings and public facilities including historic powder magazine

A two-storey post office, with clock tower, was built in 1884 (it was demolished in 1963). HM Prison Sale was completed in 1887 and it operated for 110 years until it was replaced by a private Fulham Correctional Centre. The building has since been demolished, with only part of the large brick fencing still remaining.

Near the corner of Foster Street and York Street are the Lake Guthridge Parklands which cover over 35 hectares. There are two lakes within the park - Lake Guthridge and the smaller Lake Guyatt. Adjacent to the lakes are sporting facilities, playgrounds, parkland, pathways and the Sale Botanic Gardens.

Sale is linked by rail to Melbourne and Bairnsdale by the Bairnsdale V/Line rail service that stops at the local railway station. Until 1983 the station was situated in the centre of town, on what is now the Gippsland Centre shopping centre.

Sale has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and is central to the high country areas of Dargo and Licola and the spectacular ocean wilderness of Ninety Mile Beach.

SPORTS

The city has two Australian Rules Football teams - Sale, competing in the Gippsland Football League and Sale City, who compete in the North Gippsland Football League.

It is home to the Sale Sonics, a representative basketball team that competes in the Country Basketball League and is renowned for developing many elite Australian Rules Football and National Basketball League sporting stars including Jason Gram, Scott Pendlebury, Dylan McLaren and Rhys Carter.

Sale United Football Club (formerly Sale City Soccer Club) represents the City in the Gippsland Soccer League (GSL). The city is the home to two field hockey clubs in the East Gippsland Hockey Association. Sale is also home to a baseball club.

Sale has a horse racing club, the Sale Turf Club, which schedules around 21 race meetings a year including the Sale Cup meeting in October.

The Sale Greyhound Racing Club, operating since 1936, holds regular meetings.

Golfers play at the course of the Sale Golf Club on Longford-Rosedale Road in neighbouring Longford.

The Sale Regatta is run yearly on a long straight section of the canal headed towards Longford.

The March Labour Day weekend witnesses the Marley Point Overnight Yacht Race which is the longest overnight inland yacht race in the world. It begins near Sale and concludes at Paynesville, some 60 km away.

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Recipes

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Plough Creek Cooking School invites guest chefs to present classes in our homestead kitchen. Recipes shared with the participants are tried and true. Where possible we use local produce to support the recipes of our international and local guest presenters. www.ploughcreek.com.au/classes.html Two of our regular Chefs in 2013 have included Kate Spina and Alfie Spina. Both have extensive resumes working in some of Sydney’s finest restaurants. Kate has specialized in pastry chef work in recent years. Alfie is highly respected for his knowledge and expertise in Italian cuisine.

With my Italian background, I have to confess, savouring the flavours created by Kate and Alfie in the kitchen have been a cultural pleasure for me. I love the way they create Italian tastes with a modern twist.

Kate makes dessert making so easy and achievable. She believes in making all her recipes usable for any cook. Her passion for food, good ingredients and making cooking a pleasure for all, is palpable when you work with her. We love it when she visits the Plough Creek Cooking School kitchen.

Torta della Nonna

Torta della nonna or Grandmother’s Cake originated in Tuscany. Like all Italian dishes, this delicious tart has many variations. It can be enclosed with pastry or open, filled with ricotta or pastry cream. The torta della nonna that I enjoyed the most was an enclosed tart made with ricotta enriched custard so I have detailed that version below.

Ricotta Custard 300g milk 120g sugar 3 egg yolks 180g ricotta 1 vanilla bean, seeds of 40g raisins sultanas 10ml marsala boiling water to cover Place the raisins in a small cup or ramequin and add the marsala. Pour over enough boiling water to cover. Set aside for 1 hour.

For the custard, place the milk in a saucepan with the scraped vanilla seeds and bring to the boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and whisk into the sugar, yolks and flour. Place back onto the heat and continue cooking, while stirring, until the custard starts to bubble. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, to warm. Place the ricotta into a food processor and process until smooth. Add the cooled custard and process until smooth. Spoon the custard into a bowl, press glad wrap onto the surface and place into the fridge until cold.

Plough Creek Homestead

Pasta Frolla

200g flour 8g baking powder 80g sugar 80g unsalted, cold, diced 1 egg 1 lemon, zest of 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash 50g pinenuts In the bowl of an electric mixer or food processor, combine the sifted flour and baking powder with the sugar, lemon zest and butter. Paddle or process until the mix resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Add the egg and mix until the dough starts to come together. Remove the dough from the bowl and press together with your hands. Between GoBetween or baking paper, roll the dough out to 5mm thickness. Rest the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

When ready, remove the baking paper from the pastry and gently line the base and sides of a pastry ring, trimming any excess. Keep the remaining pastry aside for the lid of the tart and roll into a circle.

Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

When the pastry is chilled, remove it from the fridge and cover the bottom of the tart shell with a thin layer of the Ricotta Custard. Scatter the drained marsala raisins over this custard before spooning the remaining custard into the tart shell. Lower the reserved pastry circle onto the custard and press it into the edge of the tart. Trim any excess.

Brush the top of the tart with the beaten egg and scatter over the pinenuts.

Bake @ 180’C for 30-35 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Allow to cool before slicing. Keeps well in or out of the fridge for 2-3 days.

Tiramisu – from La Torre, Siena.

The origins of tiramisu are controversial. Legend has it that a version of it was invented by Sienese pastry chefs in the late 1600s to honor the visiting Grand Duke Cosimo III De'Medici and that the Treviso region added mascarpone to the recipe much later.

This recipe is my interpretation of the best tiramisu I have ever had - served at the tiny restaurant La Torre, just off the Campo in Siena.

Serves 8 240g 70% chocolate, chopped 180g water 500g mascarpone 5 yolks 5 whites 100g sugar 20 savoiardi biscuits 200ml espresso, cold (6 shots) 50ml marsala 50ml kahlua dark cocoa, for dusting

Combine the chocolate and the water in a stainless steel bowl and place it snugly over a saucepan of simmering water (a “bain-marie”). Melt the chocolate and the water together while whisking sporadically.

When the chocolate has completely melted, remove the bowl from the bain marie and place it over some ice water. Whisk gently until the chocolate just starts to thicken. Drop one heaped spoonful into a glass or individual serving dish.

Whisk the egg whites and the sugar together until soft peaks. Whisk the egg yolks and the mascarpone together until completely combined.

Take 1/3 of the meringue and whisk completely into the mascarpone mix. Add the remaining meringue and fold it through the mascarpone to produce a smooth, mousse-like texture. Place half a dessert spoon thinly over the chocolate cream.

Combine the espresso, marsala and the kahlua.

Take the savoiardi, one by one, and soak each flat side for 3-4 seconds. Gently press the savoiardi between the palms of your hands before breaking to fit into your serving dish. Place over the mascarpone and chocolate, continuing until they are covered.

Cover the soaked savoiardi with 2-3 spoonfuls of the mascarpone mousse, about 70-75g. Dust with cocoa and refrigerate for 2-6 hours before serving.

Coffee Granita Serves 6 500ml espresso 100g sugar Place coffee and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Pour into a shallow container and allow to cool completely.

Place in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Remove from the freezer and use a fork to scrape the frozen coffee into small crystals.

Chocolate Mousse Serves 6

270g chocolate, 70% cocoa 230ml water Combine chocolate and water in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted and well combined. Place bowl over a bowl of iced water and whisk steadily until chocolate thickens. Pour into serving glasses or leave in the bowl.

Refrigerate, covered, until required.

N.B. the water in this recipe can be replaced with other liquids. Mint tea or Earl Grey tea make a lovely mousse.

Serve… a scoop of the chocolate mousse with a dollop of sweetened cream and a heaping of granita.

You can read a blog and see more pics at www.ploughcreek.com.au/1/post/2013/07/brussels-sprouts-and-baba-ganush-sharing-the-loveof-food-and-friendship-across-the-globe.html To check out photos of Eitan’s classes follow this link www.ploughcreek.com.au/gallery.html Search for other blogs and share in our passion for food and life www.ploughcreek.com.au/pch-blog.html At Plough Creek Homestead, we have always enjoyed the art of conviviality, together with a genuine interest in food and wine. We believe that being able to share a good meal and partake in a good vino with family and friends at the kitchen table has to be one of the most rewarding and pleasurable pastimes. This is how we share our stories of life. This is what Plough Creek Cooking School is all about. With a wonderful kitchen to cook in, a garden to reflect in and an environment to enjoy the company of others while partaking in learning cooking experiences, we offer unique experience for those who join us. Our vision is to have all people appreciate that it does not matter whether the food shared is simple or complex – it is about the shared experience at the table that matters. Happy tastings until next time. Deb Cerasa

For more information about cooking classes, please contact us on 0419014590, debra@ploughcreek.com.au or www.ploughcreek.com.au

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BOOK NOOK ontheshelfnow The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey Melanie is a very special girl. Dr Caldwell calls her ‘our little genius’.

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class.

When they come for her, Sergeant keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don’t like her. She jokes that she won’t bite, but they don’t laugh. Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children’s cells.

She tells her favourite teacher all the things she’ll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn’t know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad. A most interesting read but with the lights on!!

Elianne by Judy Nunn “Elianne” is a sweeping story of wealth, power, privilege and betrayal, set on a grand sugar cane plantation in Queensland, in the tough world of Queensland sugar mills. In 1881 ‘Big Jim’ Durham, an English soldier of fortune and profiteer, ruthlessly creates for Elianne Desmarais, his young French wife, the finest of the great sugar mills of the Southern Queensland cane fields, and names it in her honour. The massive estate becomes a self-sufficient fortress, a cane-consuming monster and home to hundreds of workers, but ‘Elianne’ and its masters, the Durham Family, have dark and distant secrets; secrets that surface in the wildest and most inflammatory of times, the 1960s. Judy Nunn masters the art of ‘saga’ writing.

Innocence by Dean Koontz Addison Goodheart lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from a society which will destroy him if he is ever seen. Books are Addison Goodheart’s refuge and his escape: he embraces the riches they have to offer. By night he leaves his hidden chambers beneath the city streets and makes his way through a network of underground tunnels and sewers into the central library. And that is where he meets Gwyneth, who, like Addison, hides her true appearance and struggles to trust anyone. But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives.

Something more than chance - and nothing less than destiny - has brought them together in a world whose hour of reckoning is fast approaching. If you’re still a Koontz fan you won’t want to miss this new title.

There are always titles being released and sometimes there are well known authors who will choose to publish in the early part of the year, not just towards the end of the year, when most popular authors release new work. So as a bookseller we need to keep on the look out all year round or we miss out on these little gems. And this is so for the ‘coming soon’ titles in this issue.

featuredchildren’s bookauthor

Andy Griffiths This author is best known for his boy-friendly books. Andy Griffiths is one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors. He has written more than 20 books, including nonsense verse, short stories, comic novels and plays. Over the last 15 years Andy’s books have been New York Times bestsellers, won more than 50 children’s choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. If you want a book that will have interest for the young boy, this is the author you look for. His latest series of books have been “The 13-Storey Treehouse, now up to 39-stories and still growing, with the 52-Storey Treehouse coming out in August. For sheer audacity in titles and content you can’t go past Andy Griffiths.

watch for these coming soon…

This is the Life Alex Shearer

Foster’s Little Bookshop

Thursday’s Children Nicci French

The Invisible Boy Trudy Ludwig

4 Station Road, Foster 3960 ph (03) 5682 2089 visit www.fosterslittlebookshop.com.au

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TRARALGON BOWLS CLUB

Our bistro is open 7 days a week lunch and dinner. Ensure to book to avoid disappointment.

TRARALGON BOWLS CLUB... MORE THAN JUST A BOWLS CLUB! Join as a member from as little as $2 per year.

Phone: 5174 2156 Email: reception@traralgonbowls.com.au Cnr of Gwalia St & Liddiard Rd Traralgon Vic 3844 For more information about the Traralgon Bowls Club visit www.traralgonbowls.com.au 100

thelifestyle autumn summer2014 2013-14

MORE THAN JUST A BOWLS CLUB The Traralgon Bowls Club’s fresh new mouth-watering menu is the perfect solution for any occasion. Whether it is just a night out without cooking, or a Birthday or anniversary celebration you can be assured our talented chefs will create meals to remember. The Traralgon Bowls Club has worked extremely hard on establishing a facility that can accommodate a whole range of members, guest and visitors.

Our catering department operates 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner service, with a selection of great value meals there is sure to be something for everybody.

Having just completed one of the most comprehensive kitchen refurbishments in the Valley, Traralgon Bowls Club can now provide an extensive range of meals.

To avoid disappointment at not getting a seat, we strongly encourage all customers to ring in advance and book their table.

From the 16th - 20th March 2014 the Traralgon Bowls Club will be hosting the Australia versus New Zealand Test series.

Players from both sides of the ditch, including world champions and Commonwealth Games gold medallists, will wage war on the greens at the Traralgon Bowls Club.

We give a warm welcome to all members, guests and visitors alike to come and experience this prestigious sporting event. Free entry every day.

thelifestyle thelifestyle summer autumn 2013-14 2014

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CFA

HEADQUARTERS WONTHAGGI On February 15, a splendid Saturday afternoon in Wonthaggi, the new Headquarters of the Wonthaggi CFA was officially opened by Kim Wells MP the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Bushfire Response, and ably assisted by the local Bass MLA, Ken Smith.

This state of the art fire station which has been built with an eye to the future blends in with the rural feel of the town and is a credit to the hard work that was achieved by the members of the Wonthaggi CFA and the support from the state government and the local council.

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A very proud Kim O’Connor, Captain of the Wonthaggi CFA, was praiseworthy of the council for their support and he emphasised that the brigade has a solid future and will be able to recruit more members. Currently, the brigade has 45 active members, and six vehicles, three of which were purchased by the brigade.

The new Scania type 4 Heavy Pumper will be a valuable acquisition to the brigade which will only increase the capacity of Wonthaggi volunteer fire fighters to protect their community. Another new acquisition to the brigade is the Forward Command 4WD wagon which will provide a huge benefit in responding to emergencies.

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NO DOGS ALLOWED Steve White

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across

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1. Apprehension (5) 4. Motto (5) 7. Ficus (3) 8. Performed (7) 9. Capacity (4) 10. Journalist (6) 13. Acumen (6) 14. Discharge (4) 17. Enhancement (7) 19. _ _ _ Maria (3) 20. Basted (5) 21. Removal (5)

1. Cracker (5) 2. Districts (7) 3. Thread (4) 4. Calculator (6) 5. Aptitude (3) 6. Colourful Duck (5) 11. Exotic rodent (7) 12. Imitated (6) 13. Salary (5) 15. Clue (5) 16. Nick (4) 18. Tier (3)

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newsXpress Bairnsdale, 21 Bailey St, Bairnsdale Stow's Authorised Newsagency, 212 Main St, Bairnsdale Berwick Newsagency, 29-31 High St, Berwick Boolarra Store & Newsagency, 9 Tarwin St, Boolarra Briagolong Newsagency, 6 Avon St, Briagolong Churchill Newsagency, Hazelwood Village SC, Churchill Cowes Newsagency, 44-46 Thompson Ave, Cowes Dalyston General Store, 4213 Bass Hwy, Dalyston Burrows Newsagent & Tattslotto, 93 Princes Way, Drouin Dumbalk Village Store, 25 Farmers Rd, Dumbalk Fish Creek General Store & Newsagency, 25 Falls Rd, Fish Creek Grantville BP, 1514 Bass Hwy, Grantville Inverloch Newsagency, 10 A'Beckett St, Inverloch Jindivick General Store, 1055 Jacksons Track, Jindivick Johnsonville Black Stump General Store, Princes Hwy, Johnsonville Michael's Supa IGA Korumburra, 1 South Railway Cres, Korumburra Lamanna's Newsagency, 24 Myer St, Lakes Entrance IGA Lang Lang, 32 Main St, Lang Lang Michael's Supa IGA Leongatha, Cnr Church & Bruce Sts, Leongatha newsXpress Maffra, 144 Johnson St, Maffra Meeniyan Licensed Post Office, 99 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan Metung Village Store, 62 Metung Rd, Metung Nanna’s Cupboard, 42 Ridgway, Mirboo North Old Gippstown, 211 Lloyd St, Moe Card Alley, Shop 33, Mid Valley Shopping Centre, Morwell Neerim South Foodworks, 147 Main Rd, Neerim South Nowa Nowa General Store, 55-57 Princes Hwy, Nowa Nowa Omeo Post Office, 155 Day Ave, Omeo Pakenham Newsagency, 99-101 Main St, Pakenham Paynesville Newsagency, 65a The Esplanade, Paynesville Kasama Decor, 3/31 The Esplanade, Paynesville Rhyll General Store, 41 Lock Road, Rhyll Rosedale Newsagency, 1 Prince St, Rosedale Lord's Authorised Newsagency, 248 Raymond St, Sale Sale Newsagency, 308-310 Raymond St, Sale Wa-De-Lock Cellar Door, 76 Tyers St, Stratford Swifts Creek General Store, Great Alpine Rd, Swifts Creek Thorpdale General Store, 23 Station St, Thorpdale Tinamba General Store, Maffra-Rosedale Rd, Tinamba Trafalgar Newsagency, 97 Princes Hwy, Trafalgar Traralgon Newsagency & Lotto, 51-55 Franklin St, Traralgon Traralgon Newsagency, 70 Seymour St, Traralgon Venus Bay General Store, 139 Jupiter Blvd, Venus Bay Warragul Newsagency & Officesmart, 43 Victoria St, Warragul Welshpool Supermarket, 18 Main St, Welshpool Wonthaggi Newsagency, 31 Murray St, Wonthaggi Yarragon Newsagency, 107a Princes Hwy, Yarragon Claudio’s, Commercial Rd, Yarram newsXpress Yarram, 195-197 Commercial Rd, Yarram Yinnar General Store, 44 Main St, Yinnar

where you can get your copy FOODWORKS AND IGA STORES Bunyip IGA, 2-6 Main St, Bunyip Foster Foodworks, 94 Main St, Foster Heyfield IGA, 18-22 George St, Heyfield San Remo IGA, 135 Main Pde, San Remo Tarwin Lower Foodworks, 45 River Dve, Tarwin Lower Tooradin Foodworks, 104 Sth Gippsland Hwy, Tooradin Trafalgar IGA, 5 McCrorey St, Trafalgar

EVANS PETROLEUM OUTLETS Fish Creek, 2 Falls Road, Fish Creek Foster, 94 Main St, Foster Inverloch, 25 Williams St, Inverloch Korumburra, 2-8 Commercial St, Korumburra Leongatha, 7 Anderson St, Leongatha Leongatha, 95 Bair St, Leongatha Mirboo North, 106 Ridgway, Mirboo North Sale, 344-350 Raglan St, Sale Toora, 26 Foster Rd, Toora Wonthaggi, 103-105 McKenzie St, Wonthaggi Yarram, 325 Commercial St, Yarram Gippsland the Lifestyle Magazine is published quarterly.

This magazine is distributed throughout Victoria. All photographs in this publication are copyright to Gippsland the Lifestyle, and if any are used in other publications or used in a commercial sense, you are liable to prosecution.

Permission to use any photos in the publication must be obtained by contacting Headlites Pty Ltd via email to: thelifetyle@dcsi.net.au Disclaimer: Headlites Pty Ltd has the discretion to add or remove words or photos that are deemed unsuitable for the magazine. Gippsland the Lifestyle Magazine©Headlites Pty Ltd 2013. Headlites Pty Ltd is not responsible or liable for any errors or omissions in Gippsland the Lifestyle Magazine. Material in this magazine cannot be published or reproduced without Headlites Pty Ltd's written consent. Failure to heed to this could result in prosecution. The opinions and views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

WONTHAGGI NEWSAGENCY

Monday to Friday: 6am to 5.30pm | Saturday: 6.30am to 4.00pm | Sunday: Closed

WONTHAGGI NEWSAGENCY

31 Murray Street Wonthaggi Vic 3995 Tel: 5672 1256 thelifestyle autumn 2014

105

Blue

Family owned and operated - Blue Hills Rise joins the multi award winner Blue Hills Residences as the best 55 plus resort lifestyle options in Cranbourne East.

Looking for the best way to spend your retirement, Blue Hills Rise offers six unit designs with modern furnishings and fittings. If you want to downsize our two bedroom Stephanie Apartments, may just be the answer. Live independently, within a secure, caring environment.

START THE RETIRMENT YOU HAVE WORKED TOWARD.... CALL THE TEAM AT B L U E H I L L S R I S E TODAY ( 0 3 ) 5 9 9 1 5 0 0 0

Hills Rise There are so many 55 plus lifestyle resorts around, all offering something different, the biggest question you need to ask is 'What am I looking for?'

Well, if you are looking for a quality home with access to some of the most amazing onsite facilities, then Blue Hills Rise is the best choice for you. This family owned and operated 55 plus resort, has a variety of home designs, all offering something just a little different to the last. You will quickly realise that the Resort Owners, Judy and Ivan Clarkson and family, are serious about the homes they build in their very popular resort in Cranbourne East. No expense has been spared; all fittings and furnishings are of an extremely high standard.

fantastic Onsite facilities Swimming Pool / Spa Indoor Bowls Dance Floor Tennis Courts Alfresco CafĂŠ - Orange Leaf Gymnasium Library Restaurant Sports Bar Cinema Arts and Crafts Centre Administration Centre ATM Computer Room BOWLING GREEN

Call David, Rikki or Janice today to kick off the retirement you have worked towards

Open 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or via appointments on the weekend.

Blue Hills Rise 240 Berwick-Cranbourne Road Cranbourne East 3977

phone: 03 5991 5000