Never offered before from Newcastle’s tallest building with one acre of recreational amenity. Soaring above the harbourfront, the Penthouse Collection redefines elevated living in Newcastle. Construction commenced.
FORMULA 1 has always been about spectacle—the confluence of cutting-edge technology, superhuman driving talent, and unabashed luxury. But what was once the preserve of motorsport enthusiasts and the global elite has transformed into a cultural phenomenon capturing the imagination of millions.
As Australian Grand Prix CEO Travis Auld told Forbes Australia in a recent interview, “There’s extraordinary demand around F1 globally, but we’re particularly seeing it in Melbourne. We had 151,000 people
1950
The inaugural Formula 1 World Championship begins.
1966–1967
Australian Jack Brabham becomes the only driver to win the championship in a car bearing his own name.
1985
First Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide joins the F1 calendar.
1996 Melbourne becomes Australia’s F1 home.
2004
Formula 1 breaks attendance records during Schumacher’s dominance.
2017
Liberty Media acquires F1, modernising the sport’s approach
The EVOLUTION of EXCLUSIVITY
For decades, Formula 1 operated behind a veil of exclusivity. The paddock—that hallowed ground where drivers, team principals, and engineers prepared for battle—remained largely inaccessible to all but the most privileged. Teams guarded their technology secrets jealously, drivers maintained carefully curated public personas, and the business of F1 happened behind closed doors.
As Joel McKenzie, Division Manager, Digital for the F1 Australian Grand Prix, noted at a recent marketing event, the sport previously had a “very ‘pale male and stale’ audience” and desperately needed to “go younger and more diverse.” Before Liberty Media’s takeover, the organisation was “quite restrictive with what F1 teams and drivers could and couldn’t do on social media,” limiting potential connections with fans.
This atmosphere extended to race weekends themselves. While the grandstands might have been packed with enthusiastic fans, the real action happened in invitation-only motorhomes and exclusive hospitality suites. In Melbourne, the Paddock Club and corporate boxes represented the pinnacle of social positioning—places to see and be seen rather than merely watch cars circulate.
The exclusivity created undeniable allure, but it also produced a disconnection. Casual viewers struggled to invest emotionally in a sport where personalities were hidden and narratives remained underdeveloped. F1 was an exclusive club that many admired from afar but few truly felt part of.
2019
Drive to Survive debuts on Netflix, transforming F1’s cultural footprint.
2021
The controversial Hamilton–Verstappen championship battle captivates global audiences.
2023
Record 23–race calendar and Las Vegas spectacle underline F1’s unprecedented popularity.
2024
F1 announces 24–race calendar as valuations of teams reach historic highs.
2025
The Australian Grand Prix smashes attendance records with 465,498 fans at Albert Park, while drawing a national TV audience of 1.72 million.
The LIBERTY MEDIA REVOLUTION
When American media conglomerate Liberty Media acquired Formula 1 from Bernie Ecclestone in 2017 for $4.4 billion, few predicted just how transformative the change would be. Ecclestone had built F1 into a global sporting powerhouse but had remained sceptical of digital media and focused primarily on traditional broadcast models and race hosting fees.
As Dieter Rencken wrote in an October 2021 article for RacingLines, Liberty’s acquisition of the rights “proved F1’s salvation, although rebuilding the sport after CVC’s cynical ownership proved a tougher nut to crack than even the most optimistic Liberty board member could have foreseen at the time.” In many ways, this change in ownership marked the beginning of the sport’s resurgence.
The shift in approach manifested quickly. Social media restrictions on teams and drivers were lifted, allowing fans unprecedented access to behind-thescenes content. F1’s own digital presence expanded dramatically, with a revamped website, app, and YouTube channel delivering content year-round rather than just on race weekends. It made the drivers the stars.
The PERFECT STORM
If Liberty Media opened the door to F1’s wider appeal, Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” documentary series blew it off its hinges. Premiering in 2019, the series offered unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, transforming relatively unknown team principals into celebrities and contextualising on-track action with off-track drama.
In Australia, the impact was particularly pronounced. As B&T reported in March 2024, Australian Grand Prix corporate chief executive Travis Auld acknowledged the series’ role in the event’s growth: “What it has done has humanised the athletes to fans, but also elevated the team principals as known personalities. They are recognised, and people want their autographs.”
But as Noelle Faulkner noted in a May 2024 article for Esquire Australia, “If you think ‘Drive to Survive’ is solely behind the rise of Formula 1’s skyrocketing fandom, think again. A perfect storm of media hype, the rise of the creator economy and no small amount of ‘girl power’ has created a phenomenon.”
While Netflix introduced millions to Formula 1, social media has kept them engaged year-round.
IF YOU THINK ‘DRIVE TO SURVIVE’ IS SOLELY BEHIND THE RISE OF FORMULA 1’S SKYROCKETING FANDOM, THINK AGAIN. A PERFECT STORM OF MEDIA HYPE, THE RISE OF THE CREATOR ECONOMY AND NO SMALL AMOUNT OF ‘GIRL POWER’ HAS CREATED A PHENOMENON.
“What I mean by that is the accessibility, immediacy, instantaneity of social media has driven a much hungrier and information-rich, or information-demanding, fan culture than we’ve ever had before.”
The statistics tell the story: According to Liberty Media’s latest figures, F1 has become the fastest-growing league on social media for four consecutive years, with 70.5 million social media followers in 2023. Lord says the nature of F1 fandom has shifted along with the evolution of media, pointing out that today’s fans have developed “a strong desire to see behind the scenes, the front and back of house, what happens away from the garage and the racetrack, to what it’s like in the engineering briefings."
Melbourne’s Grand Prix showcases this perfectly —less a standalone race than the centrepiece of a lifestyle festival that this year surged to 465,000 compared to the 200,000s five years ago.
F1’s approach to digital content represents perhaps the most dramatic transformation in the sport’s presentation.
Bradley Lord, chief communications officer of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, explained this shift in an interview with Esquire Australia: “When I started, we were photocopying press releases and hand-distributing them to journalists. In Monaco, they’d print out press releases and get a boat across the harbour to the media centre, where there were still typewriters in the 2000s.
“But the world is completely different, and the nature of fandom has shifted with the nature of media.
In fact, Foxtel Media boss Mark Frain told Mi3 that the streaming surge is directly related to the global nature of motorsport: “It’s become that engaging that people will set alarms at midnight, get up and watch the race for a couple hours, go to bed and then still watch the Mini in the morning.”
The NEW DEMOGRAPHICS
Perhaps most striking is F1’s demographic transformation. Once predominantly male and technically-oriented, the fanbase now boasts near-gender parity in many markets, including Australia.
According to Forbes Australia, Auld noted that “forty-four per cent of our attendees last year were female. Attendees are a lot younger, there are a lot more families. We’ve seen incredible growth off the back of Covid.” The changing demographics also match global trends. Nielsen Sports reports that “at the end of the 2024 season, women accounted for 41 per cent of fans globally, with 16-24-year-old females the fastest-growing audience segment. Overall, 42 per cent of fans were under 35.”
This shift has attracted luxury brands beyond traditional motorsport sponsors. Mi3 journalist Kalila Welch notes that Australia follows F1’s global fan boom and that “the diversified audience has been a boon for sponsors, with the motorsport last year securing 6.6 per cent of total global sponsorship revenue, while the average F1 sponsorship deal has risen 56 per cent since 2019 to US$5.08 million.”
The AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION
Australia’s relationship with Formula 1 provides a perfect case study of the sport’s transformation. From the Adelaide street circuit that hosted the Australian Grand Prix from 1985 to 1995, to Melbourne’s Albert Park that has been the Australian home of F1 since 1996, the event has evolved from a motorsport competition to a cultural institution.
Indeed, the country has a rich heritage in the sport, with Australian drivers currently in Formula 1 seats, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Alpine’s Jack Doohan, following in the footsteps of drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Piastri’s current manager Mark Webber, and three-time Formula One world champion Jack Brabham.
Today, Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri represent the two faces of modern F1. In an interview with Forbes Australia, Auld emphasised their importance to the event: “We’ve got two drivers on the grid, after Jack Doohan and the famous Doohan name stepped in last year. And we had Daniel Ricciardo before that.”
The Australian connection extends beyond just the drivers. According to Auld, Melbourne’s reputation as a city that embraces major events is essential to the Grand Prix’s success: “Melbourne really leans into big events and we’re an example of that. We’re trying to evolve the offering. We’re a big street race in a park, right on the doorstep of the city, and that’s fantastic. It gives us opportunity to do a lot of things.”
MELBOURNE REALLY LEANS INTO BIG EVENTS AND WE’RE AN EXAMPLE OF THAT.
BEYOND the CHECKERED FLAG
Formula 1’s phenomenal rise shows no signs of slowing. What began as a racing series has transformed into a global lifestyle platform where speed, technology, luxury, and personality converge. The sport’s newfound accessibility hasn’t diminished its aspirational appeal—instead, it’s created the perfect fusion of exclusivity and engagement.
For Australians and the global audience alike, Formula 1 isn’t just about who finishes first. As Nathan Jolly wrote for Mumbrella in March 2024, “It’s four days of Formula 1 action at Albert Park in Melbourne, and by Sunday evening, there will have been close to half a million people through the gates, and another 400 million watching the action through various glowing boxes, dotted around the globe. Billions of dollars have been spent on this weekend alone, and the results speak for themselves.”
The drive that propels the sport forward seems unstoppable, with new markets, new fans, and new experiences continuing to expand F1’s cultural footprint. The checkered flag is yet to wave. ●
MAKING EVERY MOUTHFUL COUNT
AS FAR AS AUSTRALIAN celebrity cooks go, few are as beloved as Maggie Beer. Jovial, gentle, generous of spirit and laughter, Maggie’s kindness shines through her various television roles as a judge on MasterChef, The Great Australian Bake Off, and as the cook of The Cook and the Chef.
Meanwhile, her food concepts—to stew the oft-maligned quince into quince paste, and squeeze acidic surplus grapes to make verjuice—are now ubiquitous on Australian tablescapes, top-sellers of her eponymous food line, and as iconic as, well, chucking another shrimp on the barbie.
Her contributions to Australian food culture, South Australian business, and her beloved Barossa Valley, have also won Maggie a slew of awards including being named South Australian of the Year, appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to tourism and hospitality, and even being immortalised on a postage stamp in 2014 as part of Australia Post’s Australian Legends Awards.
But it was her 2010 appointment as Senior Australian of the Year where Maggie revealed a steely resolve to make change—revolutionary change, even—when she challenged aged care providers to improve their food.
Of the more than 900 requests to speak that year, Maggie was strategic.
“I chose to give a keynote speech to 1000 CEOs of Aged Care at their annual conference in Hobart that year…and I did a lot of research to form the speech,” she recalls.
But, in her own words, “It did not go down well!!” Maggie’s request to CEOs sounded simple enough. When you are caring for frail and aged people who require three square meals and two snacks a day, make it healthier, tastier, and more nutritious.
But her criticism of cost-saving, low-input, bland and processed aged care food packed a punch. She wouldn’t want to eat the food served in nursing homes and simply asked why others were required to.
And if anyone had the culinary credibility to call the industry out back in 2010, it was Maggie, whose stellar career in food follows an interesting trajectory.
She had left school at 14 when her parents’ manufacturing business making kitchen equipment went bankrupt, and she and her older brother pitched in to help keep the family afloat. Her parents later reinvented themselves and catered at RSL and Leagues clubs.
Maggie caught the travel bug and was exposed to some formative experiences given it was the ‘60s and jobs were available on aptitude as much as tertiary education. She held various positions, from a lift operator in a New Zealand department store, to an assistant to the senior geophysicist for BP in Libya.
Then she met her husband Colin working in the ski fields of Mount Buller.
Married in Sydney, where Maggie worked for the U.S. Consulate General as a citizenship law clerk and Colin was forging a career in the early days of computers, the pair were unhappy with city life. Colin had a desire to return to South Australia with the vision of farming pheasants. He was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study in Europe and the USA, and upon their return, the couple established a farm shop to sell direct to the public all the birds they bred. Maggie wanted to value-add her knowledge on how to cook these birds and that morphed into the opening of the Barossa Pheasant Farm Restaurant in 1980.
In 1991, it was awarded the Remy Martin Cognac–Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year.
Meanwhile, Maggie’s propensity for value-adding led to her developing a food line, featuring everything from quince paste to pâté, verjuice, ice cream, crackers, and wine—all stocked in gourmet supermarkets nationally.
But her 2010 speech would begin a chain of events which would slowly reveal another path for Maggie, leading her into the heavily regulated world of aged care, politics and policy. Her desire to improve the food experience for older Australians in care would evolve into the establishment of the Maggie Beer Foundation in April 2014, where she turned her focus, energy and expertise on advocacy, training and research to understand the difficulties of the industry and to raise the bar of food quality and dining protocols (as well as the status of cooks and chefs and the skills they required for this complex field).
It has been a long and often slow journey, but one to which she is absolutely committed.
After the dust settled somewhat on her Hobart speech, Maggie praised the decision of the then CEO of Hammond Homes, Dr Stephen Judd, to reach out and broach ways in which aged care providers could make change rather than ignore what had been said. Her advice was that they needed to find someone extraordinary to be the catalyst for change. Someone passionate about food and people.
“I was able to suggest Peter Morgan Jones as his referee was a hero of mine—Janni Kyritsis, formerly of Berowra Waters, Bennelong and MG Garage. Peter had worked with him at the highest level, and I believed that he had the skill, the empathy and an ability to step back and think laterally about the needs in aged care—although, interestingly, Peter wasn’t aware until the second-last interview that the position was in aged care.
“I first met Peter over coffee four months after he started with Hammond Homes, and I was in awe of
how he had already begun to change the way food was seen. He immediately brought molecular gastronomy into the equation for those with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)…”.
Whilst Peter was changing the game in Sydney, Maggie had contacted Mark Butler, the then Minister for Ageing. While the minister loved the idea, he did not have spare funds. But Maggie was not without determination to bring attention to the cause.
One particularly memorable occasion was a cocktail party for the aged care industry, supported by Hammond Homes, and attended by journalists and politicians. Maggie presented food that was called “Forbidden Fruit”—on one side of the platter the food was commercially available in aged care homes, and on the other side, Maggie presented her equivalent of the food cooked with care; honouring the produce and keeping the issues of food safety in mind so it was possible to recreate in institutional kitchens. Guess which side of the platter was returned to the kitchen untouched!
For nine years, the Foundation training consisted of Maggie giving Masterclasses Australia-wide with up to 30 cooks or chefs from aged care, which led to the creation of the first-ever online training modules targeting the very specific skills needed to raise the bar in food in aged care.
Happily, in 2023, the foundation received a $5 million grant from the Albanese Government to spread best practice, mentoring, training and online learning across the country, free for aged care homes to access at maggiebeerfoundation.org.au
This led to Maggie Beer’s Big Mission ABC television show that aired last year and is as sobering as it is delightful, showing the vulnerability of our aged communities and the relatively small ways to spark joy and empowerment.
Maggie is passionate that the job can and must be done. She says the keys are “flavour first”, then goodness and nutrition and finally pleasure.
Sadly, the 2019 Aged Care Royal Commission found multiple examples of “a race to the bottom” within institutional kitchens in which strict budgets (some as low as $7 for each resident each day) and in some cases horrifying food practices resulted in substandard meals being presented to the nation’s ageing parents and grandparents.
Maggie testified at the commission, saying, “Everyone wants to smell proper food. You cannot make good food with bad ingredients,” and $7 a day would necessitate frozen vegetables and highly processed pre-packaged foods.
...A STAGGERING 68 PER CENT OF AGED CARE RESIDENTS WERE MALNOURISHED, OR AT RISK OF MALNUTRITION.
The Royal Commission was presented with evidence from a University of Melbourne study showing a staggering 68 per cent of aged care residents were malnourished, or at risk of malnutrition.
To see the situation for herself, Maggie took part in a four-month immersion experiment in 2023 in a Western Australian nursing home, recorded as part of the ABC program.
At the start of the experiment, 78 per cent of residents evaluated were at risk of malnutrition or malnourished and 46 per cent experienced depression.
In went the team with the explicit aim of making meals more nourishing, flavoursome and visually appealing, with increased protein and fresh ingredients; giving residents greater variety, choice and independence with a buffet-style offering; and involving residents in mealtime roles such as setting tables and restocking supplies, which, in turn created a more dignified and social mealtime experience.
One small but meaningful point on dignity was the move to puree each day’s fresh meal for those with eating challenges, rather than reusing the previous day’s portions and throwing them in the blender.
Maggie praised the attitude of staff in embracing a new way of doing things as well as showing their passion for good food. But residents were the biggest winners with a follow-up assessment showing improved appetite, mealtime satisfaction and mood.
For Maggie, whose 50-year food career has always revered the joy of a shared meal and a table of home-cooked food, it’s a step in the right direction, to be replicated among more and more facilities.
“I really believe the Foundation has made real change opening up the conversation that needed to be had and showing that even though it is a particularly complex field, real change can and is happening.
“That change comes about with specialised training and sharing knowledge that is the essence of what we have been undertaking. It’s peeling the first few layers of the onion when I think of how many homes there are in Australia (there are more than 2,600 approved residential aged care services across Australia offering more than 220,000 places) but the independent assessment of the homes we have worked with is not only testament to what is possible—that feedback spurs us on to continue this journey.”
At the age of 80, Maggie is clear that from a lifetime of culinary achievements, her Big Mission is her proudest work. She is making every mouthful count for older Australians.
With SEVEN REGIONS BURSTING with VINEYARDS and CELLAR DOORS, NEW SOUTH WALES offers the PERFECT ESCAPE for OENOPHILES From the HISTORIC HUNTER VALLEY to the EMERGING COOL-CLIMATE REGIONS of ORANGE and the CANBERRA DISTRICT, the state’s DIVERSE TERROIR produces WORLD - CLASS WINES and MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES.
WORDS Amanda Whitley
EAT + DRINK PLAY STAY
BISTRO MOLINES
Located in Mount View, Bistro Molines is adept at assembling sophisticated yet rustic French Provincial dishes in a stunning, white-clothed setting overlooking vine-woven hills.
749 Mount View Rd. Mount View NSW 2325 bistromolines.com.au
HUNTER VALLEY EXPERIENCE
Elevate your Hunter Valley experience—literally— with a sunrise hot air balloon journey. Companies like Balloon Aloft, Beyond Ballooning, and Hunter Valley Ballooning offer unforgettable aerial perspectives as morning fog dissipates across the vineyards. Follow your flight with a champagne breakfast before continuing your cellar door explorations. balloonaloft.com beyondballooning.com.au huntervalleyballooning.com.au
EXP. RESTAURANT
Pokolbin’s EXP Restaurant delivers innovative tasting menus that celebrate local producers and native ingredients with technical precision and artistic presentation.
The Hunter Valley’s warm, humid conditions produce exceptional semillon and shiraz. Begin with Brokenwood Wines’ exclusive “Soil-to-Cellar Experience,” where a personal host guides you through an exclusive winery tour and private tastings, complemented by a four-course degustation lunch and a bottle of their renowned Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz to take home.
Spicers Vineyards Estate offers luxury accommodations with 12 luxury suites and a four-bedroom house boasting spa baths overlooking the vines. Romance underscores this retreat with each boutique abode warmed by its own fireplace.
For a truly immersive vineyard experience, Krinklewood Estate provides exclusive accommodation in their beautifully appointed Provençal-style residence and cabins. Nestled among the biodynamic vineyards and gardens, the accommodation offers sophisticated country luxury with private
EAT + DRINK
ROBERT STEIN WINERY
Mudgee’s warm days and cool nights yield robust reds and exceptional Riesling across more than 40 cellar doors. Robert Stein Winery hosts the acclaimed Pipeclay Pumphouse restaurant, where estate-raised ingredients feature in fine-dining creations with vineyard views.
For Italian varietals, visit di Lusso Estate, where trattoria-style dishes complement their Sangiovese and Nebbiolo wines. The family-owned Logan Wines offers architecturally stunning tasting facilities with panoramic vineyard vistas and exquisite wine flights. 162 Eurunderee Ln. Mudgee NSW 2850 dilusso.com.au
SIERRA ESCAPE
Sierra Escape offers luxury glamping tents with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing rolling vineyard views—perfect for executive unwinding. 1345 Lower Piambong Rd. Piambong NSW 2850 sierraescape.com.au
EVANSLEA BOUTIQUE
Nestled alongside the Cudgegong River, Evanslea Boutique Accommodation offers four intimate and beautifully appointed cottages and the stunning and historical Evanslea House. 146 Market St, Mudgee NSW 2850 evanslea.com.au
EAT + DRINK FERMENT, THE ORANGE WINE
CENTRE
Orange’s elevation creates perfect conditions for premium cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and shiraz. Arrange a private helicopter tour between vineyards for maximum impact and efficiency, or visit Ferment, The Orange Wine Centre, where you can sample offerings from 19 different cellar doors in one location.
87 Hill St. Orange NSW 2800 orangewinecentre.com.au
PHILIP SHAW WINES
Philip Shaw Wines elevates tasting experiences with paired local cheeses and stunning architectural surroundings.
Orange has no shortage of beautifully curated homewares and fashion boutiques. From possibly the most Instagram-worthy store in New South Wales (The Sonic) to The White Place, Hawkes General Store, Chaos & Karma and the Eclectic Store, you’ll be sure to fall in love with something and take it home with you. All close by each other, get moving to walk off that filling breakfast and use your credit card wisely—it’s a little too easy to justify buying goodies from these stunning stores when you have an empty backseat.
PRINTHIE WINES
Don’t miss Printhie Wines for their multi-award-winning sparkling vintages, rivalling many French champagnes at a fraction of the price. 208 Nancarrow Ln. Nashdale NSW 2800 printhiewines.com.au
ROSEDALE FARM
Just 15-minutes from Orange’s vibrant centre, Rosedale Farm offers a refined country retreat set among 53 acres of established gardens and pastoral landscapes. This meticulously restored 1877 homestead combines heritage charm with contemporary luxury across three boutique accommodation options. Guests can wander through the property's historic gardens, enjoy farm-fresh provisions for breakfast, and experience the authentic rhythm of country life with nearby vineyards and farm gates just minutes away.
671 Ophir Rd. Orange NSW 2800 rosedalefarm.net.au
De Russie Boutique Hotel provides centrally located luxury accommodations with a sophisticated European aesthetic. 72 Hill St. Orange NSW 2800 derussiehotels.com.au
EAT + DRINK PLAY STAY
SHAW ESTATE
Begin your Canberra District exploration at Shaw Estate, where you can sip the award-winning Shaw wine collection at the winery’s luxe new restaurant while enjoying an elegant and flavourful Mediterranean menu.
34 Isabel Dr. Murrumbateman NSW 2582 shawestate.com.au
CLONAKILLA
Be sure to visit Clonakilla, where Dr. John Kirk planted the region's first vines in 1971. Their outstanding Shiraz Viognier has achieved cult status among collectors— for good reason. enter via 3 Crisps Ln. Murrumbateman NSW 2582 clonakilla.com.au
FOUR WINDS VINEYARD
For a relaxed corporate lunch, Four Winds Vineyard pairs wood-fired pizzas with flights of their smallbatch wines.
For those seeking active pursuits between cellar doors, Canberra Wine Region e-Bike Tours offers premium e-Bike hire with curated routes connecting multiple wineries through picturesque countryside lanes.
5 Armstrong St. Murrumbateman NSW 2582 winerides.com.au
VAN DU VIN
Enjoy a relaxing day out discovering beautiful cool climate wines from Canberra’s best boutique wineries. Ride in style with Van Du Vin’s air-conditioned modern vehicles, stay for a half day or full day and indulge in a casual lunch or multiple courses. facebook.com/vanduvin.cbr vanduvin.com.au
CUBBY AND CO
Nestled among the vines at Mount Majura Vineyard and Yarrh Wines, Cubby and Co offers a collection of architecturally designed, eco-luxe tiny houses that provide an immersive Canberra District wine experience. These thoughtfully crafted accommodations blend seamlessly into the vineyard landscape, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that frame spectacular views across the rolling hills and distant Brindabella Mountains. Guests enjoy privileged access to the surrounding vineyards with private tastings and vineyard tours.
mountmajura.com.au yarrhwines.com.au cubbyand.co
Closer to Canberra, Poachers Pantry combines a working farm, smokehouse, cellar door, and restaurant—ideal for showcasing regional produce. 431 Nanima Rd. Springrange NSW 2618 poacherspantry.com.au
BURNELEE EXCURSIONS
Burnelee Excursions on Horseback provides guided equestrian adventures through the rolling hills and vineyards, offering a unique perspective of the landscape that shaped the region's distinctive terroir. 320 Dicks Creek Rd. Murrumbateman NSW 2582 burnelee.com.au
ABODE MURRUMBATEMAN
The pet-friendly Abode Murrumbateman provides contemporary accommodations surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills—perfect for those travelling with four-legged companions.
57 Rose St. Murrumbateman NSW 2582 abodehotels.com.au
EAT + DRINK PLAY
WILD FOOD ADVENTURES
featuring produce from their kitchen garden and local suppliers. Head chef Matthew Roberts delivers consistently beautiful cuisine and showcases local drops with a constantly evolving wine list that complements the menu and season.
24 Old Hume Hwy. Berrima NSW 2577 eschalot.com.au
Wild Food Adventures offers multisensory experiences combining natural wonders with epicurean delights. Their “Waterfalls, Wander, Wine” tour takes you to majestic Carrington Falls in Budderoo National Park where you can explore the rainforest, before returning to Bowral to visit boutiques and wineries. 224 Teudts Rd. Bundanoon NSW 2578 experiencenature.com.au
New South Wales’ LARGEST WINEPRODUCING REGION is renowned for SHIRAZ, CHARDONNAY, and BOTRYTIS SEMILLON, with a RICH ITALIAN HERITAGE reflected in both its WINES and CUISINE.
EAT + DRINK
DE BORTOLI WINES
De Bortoli Wines, pioneered by Italian immigrants, produces the internationally acclaimed Noble One Botrytis Semillon. De Bortoli Rd. Bilbul NSW 2680 debortoli.com.au
ZECCA GRIFFITH
Zecca Griffith brings old recipes back to life in a bustling cucina housed in an historic Rural Bank building where everything is prepared fresh daily with an ever-changing lunch and dinner menu. 239 Banna Ave. Griffith NSW 2680 zeccagriffith.com.au
LIMONE DINING
Limone Dining showcases Riverina produce pre pared with the rich knowledge of the region’s European migrants. 482 Banna Ave, Griffith NSW 2680 limone.com.au
GRIFFITH PIONEER PARK MUSEUM
BERTOLDO’S BAKERY
Bertoldo's, a fourth-generation family bakery since 1952, is the heart of Griffith's Italian heritage. Don’t leave without trying a delicious cannoli. 324 Banna Ave. Griffith NSW 2680 instagram.com/bertoldospasticceria
Unwind lakeside at Whitton Malt House, just 30 minutes from Griffith. Their luxury one or two-bedroom villas offer stunning Lake Hulong views. Enjoy guided whiskey tastings featuring Australian whiskies, aqua golf, or catch-and-release fishing. 783 Whitton Darlington Point Rd. Whitton NSW 270 whittonmalthouse.com.au
Take a tour of Catania Fruit Salad Farm—a family-owned farm where you can view and gain an understanding of how a wide variety of horticulture and viticulture crops are grown. Sample a variety of homegrown fruits and nuts, jams, mustards, prunes, pickles and traditional Sicilian preservative-free wine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. 187 Cox Rd. Hanwood NSW 2680 cataniafruitsaladfarm.com.au
The Griffith Pioneer Park Museum features the Bagtown ‘Old Griffith’ main street; The Italian Museum, the Wine and Irrigation Building, and displays of machinery and vehicles, along with a broad and varied collection of artifacts and memorabilia. A fascinating glimpse of the town’s history. 40 Remembrance Dr. Griffith NSW 2680 artsculture.griffith.nsw.gov.au
TUMBARUMBA’S COURABYRA WINES
Tumbarumba's Courabyra Wines specialises in exceptional cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir, along with award-winning sparkling wines. Their restaurant offers seasonal menus featuring local produce with mountain views. 805 Courabyra Rd. Tumbarumba NSW 2653 courabyrawines.com
EAT + DRINK PLAY STAY LAKE CRACKENBACK
TRUENORTH HELICOPTERS
Indulge in the ultimate corporate experience with Truenorth Helicopters' private Vine to Wine heli-tour. This half-day luxury escape flies you between leading cellar doors while providing breathtaking views of alpine landscapes, Tumut State Forest, and Batlow apple orchards.
Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa offers luxury apartments and chalets with mountain views, complemented by on-site dining and wellness facilities 1650 Alpine Way Crackenback NSW 2627 lakecrackenback.com.au
Located between Gundagai and Tumut, Nimbo Fork Lodge is perfect for a foodie escape. A collection of luxury cottages, brimming birdlife, river frontage, a lodge, and a nose-to-tail restaurant—Three Blue Ducks—it serves up some of the best views and food you’ll find in New South Wales. 330 Nimbo Rd. Killimicat NSW 2720 threeblueducks.com
NOT SINCE JACKSON POLLOCK’S Blue Poles was purchased for the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) by the Whitlam Government in 1973, has an artistic work evoked such nationwide scrutiny as Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros
Blue Poles ignited furious debate for its price tag of US $1.3 million, which was so expensive at the time that it required then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam to personally sign off on its purchase. In 2022, Lee’s Ouroboros was commissioned to celebrate the National Gallery’s 40th anniversary. Completed in October 2024 at a cost of $14 million, it holds the distinction of being the highest price the gallery has ever paid for a single work.
And yet, since its installation, the 13 tonne, 4.2 metre high mirror-finish stainless steel snake eating itself while sitting within a water feature (accessible via a 12 metre stainless steel walkway) has taken Australia’s collective breath away.
“The Ouroboros will become a beacon. Daytime or nighttime, it’s going to pulse with light and energy,” said Lee ahead of its unveiling. And she was right.
Dr Deborah Hart, the National Gallery’s Head Curator of Australian Art, said audiences had both followed, and been fascinated by, the evolution of the artwork “from its conception as an idea, its cutting-edge construction and journey to Kamberri/ Canberra, to its final installation in the forecourt of the National Gallery”.
“People have travelled far and wide to experience the work, and have been moved by its presence in the landscape; how it synchronises with its environment and other works in the Sculpture Garden. Visitors have praised its accessibility as a work of
public sculpture, and how special it is to experience Ouroboros as it transforms from a reflective chamber during the day to an illuminated beacon at night.”
She noted the pool of water that surrounds the sculpture added a meditative dimension to people’s experience of the site, further connecting audiences to the themes of cosmos, nature and renewal, which were the basis of Lee’s inspiration for the work.
Born in 1954, Lee’s grandparents and parents emigrated to Australia from China’s Guangdong province, and this cultural heritage has profoundly impacted her art. Initially studying to be a high school teacher, Lee’s encounters with art and museums while travelling to Europe inspired her to pursue a career as an artist.
With a practice spanning more than four decades, Lee is one of the country’s most accomplished contemporary artists, renowned for using her work to explore her Chinese ancestry through Taoism and Ch’an (Zen) Buddhism—philosophies that see humanity and nature as inextricably linked.
A practising Buddhist since the early 1990s, Lee says ‘Zen practice directs me to something fundamental about being, which is that we are constantly in flux and change’. This sense of transition, malleability and impermanence is reflected in her contemporary work, in which delicate perforations are singed into metal and paper. Her spirituality also informs her recent work in sculpture in which free-formed bronze fragments are arranged into harmonious compositions.
Ouroboros is based on the ancient image of a snake eating its own tail, seen across cultures and millennia. It is the symbol of eternal return, of cycles of birth, death, and renewal. Located at the Gallery’s entrance, people enter the ‘mouth’ of the sculpture and walk into the curved space to experience darkness illuminated by light beams emanating from the hundreds of perforations on its surface.
During the day, its highly-polished mirror surface reflects the imagery of the floating world, the transience of passers-by, cars, birds in flight, and passing clouds. At night, Ouroboros is lit internally, returning its light to the world.
National Gallery Director Dr Nick Mitzevich says, “Lee was asked to be ambitious in her vision for this project and she has exceeded our expectations with Ouroboros
“The work is an exemplar of the ingenuity
“It is a dance between something that is solid...
...and something that is just drifting off into stardust.”
and creativity that the national collection strives to encapsulate.”
Its place among the Gallery grounds is auspicious, situated at the precinct’s public entry across from James Turrell’s Within without skyspace. Close by are both Fujiko Nakaya’s fog sculpture Foggy wake in a desert: an ecosphere and Fiona Hall’s Fern garden oasis
Lee consulted with Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Jude Barlow to ensure local First Nations knowledge was respected and incorporated into Ouroboros’ installation on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. They identified connections between Chinese and First
Nations cultures, including strong links between the symbol of the ouroboros and the Rainbow Serpent, which in many First Nations cultures is considered the creator of the waterways across this country. Lee and Barlow feel the placement of Ouroboros in water celebrates the connection between two cultures.
“This work is about the cosmos—the open sky that we all belong to,” says Lee. “…when you enter Ouroboros, I want you to feel something—a deep connection to something which is much larger than any of us as individuals. I am eternally grateful to every single person who helped me bring what was just an idea in my head, to life”.
This year’s federal election saw the rise of the influencer in the political realm. And with millennials and Gen Z voters now outnumbering Baby Boomers on the electoral roll, the chance to cut through to young voters is increasingly important to political parties. To an unprecedented extent, young content creators, who share their lives and opinions with strangers online, took an active role in political analysis, campaign coverage and election news in 2025—often to the dismay of mainstream media. Here, one of the most vocal political influencers, Cheek Media CEO Hannah Ferguson, talks about her campaign coverage, in contrast with established political analyst Tom McIlroy, Chief Political Correspondent for Guardian Australia, based in Parliament House.
Why are you interested in politics?
As a young person, I cared deeply about politics. But no media took my views seriously. I wanted to change that. I wanted to carve a progressive space for conversations in the public square about social issues that matter to young people and women. Ultimately, what I discovered was that it wasn’t just young women who were seeking this. Australians collectively are fed up with the media and political landscape. My interest grew from commentating on politics to now wanting deeply to change it.
Hannah Ferguson
CEO of Cheek Media + Podcaster at Bigsmalltalk + Author
I’m excited to respond to this discussion and engage in robust debate about the future of media in Australia.
How does political content rate for you online across all your content topics?
I started Cheek providing progressive political commentary, so it is the #1 topic for my followers who are constantly seeking out my opinion or explanation for a range of topics across levels of government around the country. In fact, the demand is too high and I will never be able to answer every question they have. It is absolutely my most engaged subject; the most popular posts always intersect with social conversations and issues.
Why does your coverage cut through to young people?
Because my audience feels like my friends, plain and simple. Women (not just young) want to feel like they’re having a fun and serious conversation while having a wine on a Friday night. I talk to my followers about topics we collectively care about. We are willing to disagree, we have shared trust and a constant feedback loop. Legacy media cannot compete with this connection.
Why are you interested in politics?
I have been a bit of a political diehard since university days. My parents encouraged us to follow the news and learn about history and it created a real passion for politics for me. It’s like being a football fan: there’s always something interesting to read about.
How much pressure is there to provide coverage and how does political coverage rate with the audience? Are elections still a time of strong news consumption or do people tend to switch off?
Elections are huge news in Australia, because of their importance to the way the country is run. News consumers and voters need smart and considered information. The usual intensity and competition of political reporting steps up a notch during election campaigns, and the race is on to break news and tell voters what they need to know before going to the ballot box. Readership at newspapers goes up around election time, so we know our audience want the best scoops.
I
think social media can be part of a healthy news diet, but it also has some significant pitfalls in the political space.
How does your political content differ to mainstream media?
I am transparent in my bias. I tell people how I’ve formed my opinions and remain open to changing my mind and getting it wrong. New media is successful because we are not pretending to be journalists. We are carving a space similar to the previously strong presence of talkback radio hosts. People attach to our charisma, authenticity and ability to meld fun and serious issues. We are more accountable to our audience, we listen.
Absolutely. I feel incredibly comfortable railing against a right-wing party that has failed to listen to the Australian people for decades and continues to run on campaigns of fear, shame and paranoia. The Coalition deserves to be criticised, the mainstream media is obsessed with offering ‘both-sides’ which often just means legitimising extremist views that are held (and grown) by the loudest one per cent. I call a spade a spade, that’s what people want from me.
Chief Political Correspondent Guardian Australia + Author
Were you surprised by the blowback against influencers this campaign?
Absolutely not. Legacy media is territorial, which just proves they know we are ultimately more powerful than them. I’m excited to respond to this discussion and engage in robust debate about the future of media in Australia. It needs a shake-up; the election has well and truly done that.
How do you think legacy media feels about the high levels of influencer engagement in politics?
Threatened, as they should. I hope the Murdoch press are scared, as they should be.
...mainstream media is obsessed with offering ‘both‑sides’...
Was any criticism justified?
Absolutely. We should be having conversations about alignment, endorsements, transparency and accountability. Social media commentary must be regulated, clear and partnerships should be disclosed. However, I wish that kind of scrutiny was applied to the Murdoch spin which licks the boots of the right-wing parties and the politicians who should be forced to wear their donors on their shirts when making policy announcements. The direct criticism of influencers misses the mark: my reels made on my iPhone that are occasionally sponsored by a disclosed brand are very different to the millions funnelled by the fossil fuel industry into the pockets of the major parties.
What did you contribute in terms of political engagement during the campaign? Are you proud?
I am incredibly proud. My aim was to educate the next generation of voters on the power of their vote, their voice, this election. I want them to understand that it is cool to care, to give a shit about people in a less privileged position than you. I wanted young people to feel empowered going into a voting booth. I hope I’ve made a dent in that dream.
What guides your own coverage in terms of giving analysis or personal opinion?
I try and read as much as I can and talk to as many people as possible. Australia has great depth in our political reporters and I find reading their analysis and commentary is usually a good place to start. The challenge is to escape our own news eco-systems and think about the important issues facing voters. What did you make of the level of political content on social media this campaign?
There was a stack of content on social media this time—maybe more than previous campaigns. A lot of it is rubbish, but the parties have been competing to be edgy and entertaining, as well as to sell their policies. Overall, I think it is a good way to engage with voters and to catch the attention of the press gallery. How does influencer content differ from mainstream media content?
Influencers are often confused for journalists but our jobs are quite different. They might have ties to one party or another, but journalists have to be impartial. Influencers in the political space are so creative, and it keeps the traditional media on our toes a bit, because they’re good at assessing how to reach audiences.
What do voters need to be aware of in terms of taking their information from social media versus a newspaper?
I think social media can be part of a healthy news diet, but it also has some significant pitfalls in the political space. People making content are often working for one side or other, and sometimes don’t have the best of intentions. I think social media users do well to contrast what they see in their feeds with traditional news reporting. Apart from anything else, they will see a different side to the story on different platforms. ●
Do you feel comfortable aligning yourself to one party over another?
This SEASON BELONGS to HER
EVENING at the THEATRE
Après Ski CHIC
Mountain style that works both on and off the slopes. Technical fabrics meet luxury design in pieces that perform beautifully whether you're carving powder or sipping mulled wine by the fire. Function never looked so good.
Off-duty ENERGY
Effortless style for everyday moments. Comfortable pieces that don't compromise on design, versatile basics that work for coffee dates and weekend wandering, and details that make casual feel considered.
DATE Night
Strike the perfect balance between effort and ease. Pieces that flatter without fuss, textures that invite touch, and silhouettes that make you feel confident in your own skin. Romance, refined.
This SEASON BELONGS to HIM
EVENING at the THEATRE
Après Ski CHIC
Off-duty ENERGY
DATE Night
It used to be that doctors took broad indications of health—everything from blood tests to blood pressure to X-Rays and scans—in an effort to cure sickness. But increasingly, they are delving further into the body, to a molecular level.
EPIGENETICS IS RAPIDLY EMERGING as a pivotal field in healthcare, fundamentally transforming our understanding of how genes and the environment interact to influence health and disease. Unlike traditional genetics, which focuses on fixed DNA sequences, epigenetics examines how lifestyle and environmental factors—such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxins—can modify gene expression without altering the DNA itself. These modifications can have profound effects on our health, potentially leading to or preventing various chronic diseases.
The significance of epigenetics is underscored by substantial investments in research and development. For instance, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly focusing on epigenetic-based drug development, particularly for conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders.
Understanding our genetic and epigenetic profiles empowers us to make informed decisions about our health. By identifying individual risks and susceptibilities, we can tailor lifestyle choices—such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management—to mitigate those risks. This proactive approach aligns with the shift towards personalised medicine, where prevention and individualised care are prioritised over one-size-fits-all treatments.
It is a field that has fascinated Dr Denise Furness, a globally recognised functional geneticist and integrative healthcare practitioner with over 20 years of expertise in nutrigenomics, methylation/epigenetics, and personalised health.
Originally working in molecular genetics in relation to animal health, Dr Furness wanted to focus more on humans. She discovered the field of nutrigenomics in 2002 and is now an international keynote speaker while running her Australian-based clinical practice, Your Genes and Nutrition, a consultancy that bridges the gap between genetic science and personalised healthcare.
“The idea that our genes interact with the foods we eat to influence health outcomes was absolutely fascinating to me. It opened a whole new world of possibility: personalised nutrition based on our unique genetic blueprint.”
Awarded a Cooperative Research Centre government scholarship in the early 2000s, Dr Furness began her PhD at CSIRO Human Nutrition, where she focused on how gene–nutrient interactions, methylation and DNA damage influenced fertility and pregnancy health.
But it was her own health journey which taught her the role of nutrigenetics and epigenetics.
“Like many driven professionals, I was pushing too hard, burning the candle at both ends and ignoring
the signs that something was off. Eventually, I became seriously unwell. I was finally diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune thyroid condition. That diagnosis came as a relief—because I knew something was wrong. But the treatment options presented were extreme: destroy or remove my thyroid and take thyroid replacement hormones for life. No one could explain why I had developed it.
“Later, through genetic testing, I discovered I carried the genetic risk factors for Graves’ disease. But thanks to my background in genetics, epigenetics and cellular health I knew that ‘a diagnosis doesn’t have to be your prognosis’. Our genes may influence our susceptibility, but it’s the environment—our food, stress, sleep, exposures—that determines what is expressed.”
In reality, many chronic conditions share the same root causes: chronic inflammation, oxidative stress (free radical damage), and problems with methylation— which helps regulate everything from hormone balance to detoxification to turning genes on and off. So instead of just treating the label, Dr Furness focused on correcting those underlying imbalances, using nutrition, lifestyle changes, and targeted support to help her body heal—and she got well.
to our DNA. It recognises that each person’s genetic makeup is unique, meaning that our bodies may respond differently to the same foods. For instance, while one person might process caffeine quickly without issues, another might metabolise it slowly, leading to sleep disturbances or increased heart rate. Nutrigenomics aims to understand these individual differences to promote personalised nutrition strategies that align with one’s genetic profile.”
”By identifying individual risks and susceptibilities, we can tailor lifestyle choices—such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management—to mitigate those risks…In essence, paying attention to our genes and their expression isn’t just about understanding our predispositions; it’s about leveraging that knowledge to live healthier, more informed lives.”
Dr Furness notes that there are different types of genetic testing, and it’s important to understand the distinction.
“In countries like Australia, we have one of the largest health gaps—meaning we’re spending more years in poor health, living with chronic disease, disability, and relying on care.
She does not claim to cure disease and is incredibly grateful for the initial medication, as she was severely thyrotoxic at the time.
“But medications often just manage symptoms. To truly restore health, we must identify underlying causes, support the key biological pathways, and give the body what it needs to rebalance. I was able to get into remission and am not on any medication and still have my thyroid.”
That experience changed the course of her career, and she moved into integrative medicine. Since 2012, she’s been helping others do the same: understand their genetics, address key pathways and systems in the body, so people can reclaim their health.
The field of Nutrigenomics describes how diet interacts with genes to influence health.
“Think of it as exploring how nutrition can ‘talk’
Clinical or medical genetic testing is used to diagnose rare genetic conditions and mutations such as the BRCA-2 gene, which increases the risk of certain cancers. This type of testing must be done with a specialist, typically a clinical geneticist, and involves working with a genetic counsellor. It requires a doctor’s referral and is regulated under strict medical guidelines.
Testing in nutrigenomics is different.
“We’re not diagnosing disease—we’re looking at genes that influence how your body interacts with nutrients, toxins, hormones, and your environment. For example, some people may need more folate or B12 based on their genes, while others may be more sensitive to caffeine, gluten, or lactose. These kinds of insights can guide personalised nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support better health.”
But she acknowledges genetic testing can have a big impact on an individual, and there can be grey areas in ethics, such as the APOE4 gene, which is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
“I believe context and consent are critical. I have this gene and I am at high risk for Alzheimer’s/ Dementia. My mum was diagnosed with early onset,
and I lost her in 2019. If genetic risk is presented without explanation or support, it can feel like a burden. That’s why it’s essential that testing is done with a trained practitioner who can guide the individual, ensure informed consent, and assess whether the person is emotionally and practically ready to use the information.”
And when asked whether this new frontier of medical inquiry can have the effect of turning back time, Dr Furness is sure that, when it comes to biological ageing, it can be done.
“Epigenetic testing allows us to measure something called biological age. While your chronological age is your actual birthday, your biological age reflects the wear and tear on your cells—how fast (or slow) you’re really ageing on the inside.”
Some people at 40 may feel exhausted, already struggling with chronic conditions, and have a biological age of 50. Others might be the same chronological age, but feel energetic and well, and test as biologically 30. That difference is driven by things like inflammation, nutrition, stress, and environmental exposures, which can be influenced.
“In 2023, I ran a real-world study with 45 participants to test whether targeted lifestyle interventions could reduce biological age. The protocol included a whole food diet, key supplements, and supportive lifestyle practices like physical activity and sleep hygiene,” says Dr Furness.
“Remarkably, within just three months, participants showed significant improvements in their biological age, with changes to their DNA methylation patterns associated with reduced DNA damage and slower ageing.”
One of the most important things Dr Furness wants people to understand is that while we’re living longer, we’re not necessarily living better.
“In countries like Australia, we have one of the largest health gaps—meaning we’re spending more years in poor health, living with chronic disease, disability, and relying on care. Most people don’t want to live to 90 if it means being unwell for the last 20 years. What we truly want is more healthy years—to feel good, to stay active, to enjoy life.
“I believe that by reconnecting with our DNA—by understanding what our bodies need and supporting those needs through nutrition, lifestyle, and meaningful connection—we can change this trajectory. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to be perfect. Eat real food. Move your body. Live with purpose. And, yes, have fun. I genuinely believe that most people can gain at least 10 extra years of healthy living by living in alignment with their biology.” ●
Looking for a cosy book to curl up with? Pick up one of these new and notable books.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
From the international bestselling author of Daisy Jones and the Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo comes an epic new novel. Set against the backdrop of the 1980 space shuttle program where women were accepted for astronaut training for the very first time, it’s about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and the transformative power of love among the stars.
A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister at 37, the world took notice. Now, from the former prime minister of New Zealand (who was then the world’s youngest female head of government and just the second to give birth in office), comes a deeply personal memoir. Chronicling her extraordinary rise and offering an insight into how it feels to lead, along with the full details of her decision to step down during her sixth year as prime minister, it’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know.
This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead
A poignant commentary on the consumerisation of true crime and an exploration of society’s fascination with murder. Described as a “fiendishly brilliant whodunnit”, true crime fans won’t be able to put this book down as it follows five amateur sleuths in their hunt for an elusive killer.
Unveiled by Vincent Fantauzzo
This is the incredible true story of how a street-fighting petty criminal became one of Australia’s most celebrated and successful portrait artists. Known for his award-winning portraits of Heath Ledger, Matt Moran, Emma Hack and more, Vincent Fantauzzo was just a boy when he accepted that he would either die very young, become a gangster or end up behind bars. Unveiled is a paint-spattered, star-studded, white-knuckle journey of his life.
All of It: Notes on public life, private joy and everything in between by Brooke Boney
Journalist and proud Gamilaroi woman Brooke Boney knows how to write a good story. But her new book
All of It: Notes on public life, private joy and everything in between is her most personal yet. A collection of witty and heartfelt essays about love, loss and ambition, she dives into everything from the downsides of having a public profile to fertility and what’s actually worth fighting for.
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Taking the world by storm, if you haven’t read this book by motivational speaker Mel Robbins, there’s never been a better time. Described as a “step-bystep guide on how to stop letting other people’s opinions, drama, and judgment impact your life”, The Let Them Theory is all about helping you prioritise what truly matters. Changing the way you think about relationships, control, and personal power, pick it up to see what the fuss is about.
CITY2SURF
10
WORDS Amanda Whitley
Credit: Cassandra Hannagan
FLORIADE
13 Sept until 12 Oct 2025
Commonwealth Park
Australia’s biggest celebration of spring transforms Commonwealth Park into a spectacular floral display featuring over one million blooms. Beyond the stunning garden beds, visitors can enjoy live music, art installations, cultural performances, food stalls and workshops. Nightfest sessions illuminate the displays after dark, offering a magical evening experience with light shows and entertainment. floriadeaustralia.com
NEWCASTLE
NEWCASTLE MUSIC FESTIVAL
3 to 17 Aug 2025
Various venues
This celebrated festival brings world-class performances to stunning Newcastle venues, from historic churches to waterfront settings. Featuring classical masterpieces, contemporary compositions, jazz ensembles and choral performances, the diverse programme showcases international virtuosos alongside emerging local talent. Intimate concert experiences and educational outreach events create a vibrant musical atmosphere throughout the city. newcastlemusicfestival.org
22–26 Oct 2025 Various locations
Australia’s top and international authors gather to explore power, politics, and passion. The festival features intimate conversations, panels, workshops, and literary lunches at iconic Canberra venues. Meet celebrated writers at book signings and masterclasses, and explore literature’s role in contemporary issues. canberrawritersfestival.com.au
CANBERRA NARA CANDLE FESTIVAL
1–30 Sept 2025
Various locations
Celebrate the Canberra-Nara sister city relationship at this enchanting evening. Thousands of glowing candles will transform the Canberra Nara Peace Park at dusk. Enjoy traditional Japanese music, dance, martial arts, and authentic cuisine. Participate in cultural workshops (calligraphy, origami, tea ceremonies) and capture stunning photos of the illuminations. nara.events.canberra.com.au
NEW ANNUAL
24 Sept until 3 Oct 2025 Various venues
Newcastle’s contemporary arts festival returns with an immersive programme that transforms the city into a creative playground. Featuring large-scale installations, performance art, music, dance and interactive experiences across unexpected spaces. This boundary-pushing celebration brings together artists from across Australia and beyond, highlighting Newcastle’s evolution as a creative hub whilst embracing its industrial heritage. newannual.com
D’VINE FESTIVAL
20 & 21 Sept 2025
Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
A celebration of all that’s good in the Hunter Valley. Book in for wine, gin and craft beer tasting masterclasses, cheese and pasta making workshops, cooking demonstrations, tasting experiences pairing local wines with cuisine from around the world, barrel tastings, a pet’s paradise with dog show and plenty of kids activities. dvinefestival.com.au
