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Edition 19 — June 2019

Diva

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Contents

Edition 19, June 2019

On the cover

Diva Dance Photography

Inside 9 14 16 19 22 27 30 32 35 38 39 42

I could have danced all night This is no dream, it's really wonderland Customising & all that Jas The first step turned into a career The Prodigal sharpshooter says she's coming back Suddenly single Tara is no-one's voice — and everyone's Winter is a season, not an excuse Life's hard yards proved the inspiration Our Netflix picks Thirty something Winter fashion

bella editor Tyla Harrington tyla.harrington@riverineherald.com.au 5482 1111

bella advertising Stuart Addicott stuart.addicott@riverineherald.com.au 5482 1111

Want more bella? facebook.com/bellamagazineechuca Instagram — @bellamagazineechuca riverineherald.com.au/@bella Photography: Luke Hemer, Cath Grey Editorial design: Jacqui Maskell, Brendan Cain Advertising design: Bella Considine, Brendan Cain, Tanya Main Words: Sophie Baldwin, Andrew Mole, Charmayne Allison, Kimberley Price, Andrew Johnston, David Chapman, Ivy Jensen

Welcome S

OMETIMES THE EASIEST thing to do in winter is to pretend there is some sort of black hole during which your enthusiasm and get up to go slip into hibernation — and no-one, not even you, notices.

did wake up in the middle of the night for .5 seconds, so you really should choose sleep instead of exercise for the sake of well … sleep and warm blankets — and did I mention sleep?

Come on, you all know what I am talking about.

It all sounds too familiar but this month Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre has some tips to bump the slump for good (page 32).

If you can genuinely say you haven't been a victim, you would certainly have the skills to recognise the slump we would all prefer to bump. It's the voice in your head that says — no, skip that run today, because let's face it you're getting out of bed to spend most of your time chasing your breath. And no, I don't mean catching your breath (though there's that too). I mean chasing your breath because it's that cold your breath blends in with the fog you can't believe you're running through. And who really could look forward to that? Or that other voice that reminds you, you

For me it helps to remember that runner's high does eventually come (when my feet stop pounding the ground) and exercise really is the best way to start the day. But I am no expert. Fortunately for us, Madi Britnell from EWMAC is, and she's got just the tips to kick that motivation up a gear. But what else inspires me are other women and their incredible stories which we get to share with you, including Echuca's Ashlee Shead who (obsessed with Disney movies) finds herself living the dream, working as a lifeguard on a Disney cruise ship.

42 Then there's Jas Green from Wyuna — she has spent five years transforming a 1991 Toyota Hilux ute into a customised mean street machine. And it almost goes without saying our cover girl this month deserves to take out both our front and back covers — which is exactly why she has. Since she was four, Bamawm's Emma Spencely has been looking to build a career on the stage in classic Broadway style; singing and dancing her way to success. And so it seems between EWMAC and all the powerful stories inside Bella this month, there's really no excuse to stay in a winter slump. And with that said (and no excuses to rely on), I really have to get moving. Goodbye for now. 

Tyla Harrington

Editor

ROCK UP NETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL Tuesday Night — Social Volleyball

Wednesday Night — Mixed Netball

Thursday Night — Mixed Netball

Friday Mornings — Mixed Netball

7.45pm start

7pm – 8pm

6pm – 7pm

10:30am – 11:30am

15 May – 26 June

2 May – 27 June

3 May – 28 June

Echuca Stadium 244 High Street Echuca

Kyabram Sports & Entertainment Venue 390 Allan Street Kyabram

Echuca South Netball Courts 244 High Street Echuca

Echuca Stadium 244 High Street Echuca

Individuals or Teams Welcome. REGISTER ONLINE: www.rockupnetball.com.au/play Follow EWMAC and Echuca Stadium on Facebook

Contact EWMAC for details. Cnr Service and High St. Echuca www.campaspeaquatics.com.au Ph: 03 5483 9698

A celebration of women being physically active –

No matter how they look, how good they are, or how sweaty they get. This campaign aims to help women overcome the fear of judgement that too often stop them getting active. At EWMAC we’re supporting and encouraging women who are giving it a go and getting active. This Girl Can — Victoria kicked off in March 2018, and one year in we’re proud to say that it has inspired more than 285,000 Victorian women to get active as a result of seeing the campaign. That’s a staggering 1 in 7 Victorian women who have been inspired to get moving! This Girl Can — Victoria was based on Sport England’s viral hit This Girl Can. It’s proven to be a winning formula, with the Australian version achieving the equivalent level of success as

its English counterpart in its first year. We know that over three-quarters of women who have seen the campaign feel it has helped increase their confidence and overcome their fear of being judged when being active. We also know that the more often someone participated in the campaign, the more effective it was at inspiring them into action. But this is just the beginning of a long-term journey. We still have a long way to go until every woman across Victoria is motivated and confident to be active but we are starting now in Echuca Moama. With your help, we will inspire even more women to join the movement.

Contact EWMAC for details. Cnr Service and High St. Echuca www.campaspeaquatics.com.au Ph: 03 5483 9698

Explore Echuca-Moama Winter is no longer coming, it’s here. But don’t get all hot and bothered because there’s plenty to do in Echuca-Moama and region. Bella shares her top seven things to do during the cooler months. You can thank her later

VISIT THE PORT

TUNE IN

RUN FOR FUN

Discover the Port of Echuca on two wheels thanks to the introduction of vintage style bikes.

Don’t miss the annual Winter Blues Festival from July 25–28 featuring four days of non-stop blues and roots music across Echuca.

Get behind Johnno’s Run and take part in Run Melbourne on July 28 to raise money for Community Living and Respite Service’s Opening Doors Project. Walk or run 5 km, 10 km or 21 km.

Six bikes with baskets are available from the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre between 9 am – 5 pm.

Entry is free, for more, visit winterblues.com.au

If you’re in need of training check out Echuca-Moama’s Parkrun on Saturday from 8 am at Echuca Lions Club Park. It is a free, timed 5 km run or walk open to any member of the community. Participants must register online at parkrun.com.au and bring along your printed bar code for scanning.

Sponsored by the Moama Bowling Club, the hire process is simple and each bike comes with a helmet, lock and town map. Bikes are best suited for adults and can be hired for the day. While you’re there take a picnic and sit on the banks of the Murray River or jump onboard a paddlesteamer and make the most of the Port of Echuca experience.

OPEN YOUR EYES TO ART MARKETS GALORE Get lost in markets across the region including the Rochester Town Market on June 22 from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm at shire hall, skate park, Gillies St. If you can make it, bake it or grow it, it will be on sale. On June 23 there’s the Cohuna Farmers’ and Makers Market at Cohuna Garden Park from 8 am to noon where there will be fresh produce and handcrafted items for sale in a beautiful country atmosphere. On July 6 and 20 the Echuca Farmers’ Market has something for everyone. There will be cooked breakfast, coffee and a wide selection of local produce from 8 am to noon at Alton Reserve, Hare St. On July 7 and 28 there’s the Echuca-Moama Market at Kerrabee Soundshell, Moama, a huge general market feature collectibles and treasures, fresh produce, clothing and accessories, kids’ activities and food and drinks.

Visit the Eyes Wide Open exhibition in June or July at Alton Gallery by Deniliquin artists, ArtLife, including all mediums and styles. Inquiries to Veronica on 0439 460 690.

DINE IN Escape Junction, a restaurant and bar in Moama offering an ideal spot to enjoy sensational food, wine, cocktails and craft beer which showcases everything the region has to offer in a single, sophisticated setting. And on the way out create your own dessert at Moama Bowling Club’s famous ice cream bar. Simply choose your ice-cream, yoghurt or other frozen treats, then select your topping and your sprinkles and enjoy.

CATCH A MATCH See a glimpse of the sporting talent in Echuca-Moama and settle in on the sidelines whether it be on the oval, soccer field or netball court.

I could have danced all night (Psst: And she sings a bit too)

It's not just rock and roll when there is a long way to the top. If you ever so much as thought about that being a tough act, you ought to try something such as Broadway jazz dance. For one wannabe from little Bamawm it has been a goal for the past 17 years — and she's still just 21

MMA SPENCELY KNOWS what she wants to be when she grows up.

And even though she is only 21 she has already devoted 17 years of her life just to reach the career highlight of being rejected. Over and over.

But those 17 years of hard slog have not been wasted on this devotee of Broadway jazz dance. The special talent with which she has been endowed by all the time and effort is confidence. “It's not that I didn't have any, even as a four-year-old when I started dance, but the training, your improvement, all the competitions and performances you work towards and then deliver, every bit of it adds to your armour,” Emma said.

(Anton Lee Theatrical Dance Company) in nearby Rochester it would become all consuming, and 'normal' country kid behavior of footy or netball went out the window. When not dancing (and/or learning tap) or travelling to and from the latest performance, competition or practice session she found time to attend Lockington Primary School and then Rochester Secondary College.

Starting out as a little babe from the bush, well Bamawm anyway, Emma very quickly became a very well-travelled tot, child and teenager.

In the end she almost certainly covered more back country roads, made more trips up and down to Melbourne and major regional centres and spent more hours in the studio and at home going through her routines than she ever would have with the local netball team.

She was never very interested in playing sport and once she started classes at ALTDC

On top of which were the physical demands of turning her body into her business. >>>

Photos: Diva Dance Photography

>>> Today she happily describes it as her tool. And like any good worker she cares for it as if her life depends on it. “Once you tackle the elite end of dance there are no short cuts; you either do everything you can to maintain your body or you pay the price,” Emma said. “That means proper warmups, proper stretching and the complete warm down — you must do it all. Every time,” she said. So far the good girl routine has paid dividends. Since graduating with her Diploma in Musical Theatre she has had nothing more than a little niggle here and a little niggle there (touch wood). During her three years of studies, Emma would be guided by the country's top choreographers and industry professionals, perform in Park Life Productions' Pippin and Chicago, multiple corporate events including a Honda reveal flash mob, Crown Palladium events, both Victorian and Australian Dance Festivals, several Masters of Choreography performances and, excitingly, as a dancer in the film The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, due to hit cinemas later this year. If you think getting your job was pretty tough, you haven't tried musical theatre.

For a start, being a great dancer is de rigueur. But did we mention the singing? Oops. Surely her study was a dead giveaway — a qualification in musical theatre. Talk about multitasking; as well as those hundreds, thousands of hours training and performing there are also the singing classes. On her tax return Emma is classified a freelance artist. That's a polite way of saying you would have had to search far and wide to find a much harder career.

(adding cruise ships have 'cattle call' auditions where anyone can have a crack, which is why there were more than 900). “Yes, it's a very tough business but I love it,” she added. “Now I am based in Melbourne I keep food on the table working as a teacher and that gives me the flexibility to make auditions, keep up my own training and keep trying.” But although she is only 21 in the background, muffled right now but always there, the clock is ticking. While Emma knows of one or two dancers in their 60s still appearing on some stages she reckons at the elite level that's way beyond the average use-by date.

Take one audition she attended — for a gig on a cruise liner where the dancing sing- “But my goal has never wavered, I really want a lead role in a Melbourne musical and ers would be expected to put on at least after that see where it goes.” six shows a week. The cruise might only last a few weeks but the contract will be Emma provided a sneak peek inside the for months so the ensemble can get all the audition scene. routines down pat before they sail. Think of those movie scenes, crowded It also means months away from home at corridors with everyone looking daggers a time. at each other, 20 or 30 dancers on a stage, drenched in sweat while the choreographer But only if you get the job. or director shout “again”. “The last time I auditioned for that they Emma laughed and said they were the more wanted 10 dancers and there were 932 glamourous settings. trying out for the roles,” Emma explained

Getting seen is an amazing Catch-22. Producers and directors don't really want you until you have some shows on your resume.

of dancers have to also learn what sort of dance is required.

You can't get shows until the producers and directors are prepared to look at you. She said if you have a really good agent that will get you to the top of the audition queue.

Emma said they might start you off in groups of five and then they start cutting from there — but there's no stage like you see in the movies.

But agents are no less fussy than producers and directors — they don't want you unless they know you can be a winner.

She said mostly it's just a floor with the people making the call — and the cuts — prowling around.

“Then you have to get past the look,” Emma said.

“While you are waiting it can be a pretty cold atmosphere in the room with all the other dancers, but I just put on my headphones and focus on what I am going to do; kind of in my own space and don't notice the others so much.

“Whether it's a show, a cruise liner, even a TV ad, they all have a look in mind,” she said. “It might be brunettes over six feet, skinny blondes, short red heads — if you don't fit the look you don't even apply — they state what you have to be on the registration form. “Then you might wait some time and you are shown into the room being used for singing auditions, you hand your sheet music to the pianist and get to sing 32 bars and out. “It's all over in less than a minute.” Dance auditions obviously need to take up much more time (don't forget all that warm up and warm down) as the hopeful mob

Some calls still run a bare 30 minutes, others can run over days.

“And if you get cut you cannot be disheartened; that's where the confidence has to kick in, that and your determination to achieve, you know you can be good you just need that first break.” Which might be closer than you think. Emma has been included in the launch of Kelly Aykers Company A, a professional Broadway dance company the industry veteran has promised will take the stage by storm. It goes on tour later this month and will be

staged in Echuca on June 22. Produced, directed and choreographed by Aykers, the show will combine the style and class of Broadway dance with a cuttingedge twist that will take company performance to a whole new level. Company A includes 11 professional, technical Broadway dancers and singers (that's Emma plus 10) and showcases all elements of a Broadway production number as well as going beyond to incorporate lyrical/ contemporary dance components. That's a show on the resume. For Emma that's a start. Even better, for the dancers who made the grade for this tour, well the cold shoulder has gone out the door and they all get along, not the least because they all have to be good to make them all look, well, good. When it's over Emma will be back in the classroom — learning and teaching — and back on the audition hustings. And going into the next audition with a show under her belt. Putting her one step ahead of the girls who didn't make the tour and a great launching pad to the next stage of the rise and rise of Emma Spencely. 

157 Hare Street, Echuca Phone: 03 5482 3434 Email: info@hakkas.com.au Website: www.hakkas.com.au

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❇This is no dream,❉ it’s really wonderland

❊

❉

❋

Everyone talks about living the dream but ANDREW JOHNSTON caught up with a Disney devotee from downtown Echuca who has discovered Wonderland really exists — and she is part of it

ALT DISNEY WAS obsessed with dreams.

With good reason, as he would tell people — his incredible empire started with a mouse. Walt didn’t dream of domination, he dreamt of entertaining people and he wanted to inspire the world. As Walt would say, “all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them”. Echuca’s Ashlee Shead knows the power of Disney as well as anyone.

But who cares, no big deal — Ashlee wanted more. She wanted to be where the magic happens. And almost by accident, Ashlee now finds herself working for Disney as a lifeguard on a cruise ship. “I had my bronze medallion and had worked as a lifeguard for Wet and Wild while I was living on the Gold Coast,” she said. “I was applying for jobs recently as Wet and Wild was only a summer job and I saw the opportunity with Disney and thought there was no harm in applying for it.

She knows everything there is to know about the world of the mouse.

“I didn’t think too much of it, but then I got an email asking if I could do an online interview. I went through the process and we Like many, her fascination began with a discovered early on I had applied for the videotape of a Disney/Pixar classic. wrong role. I’d applied for a job at Castaway “The first movie I ever had was Toy Story,” Cay, which is an island. I didn’t have my she said. open water qualification, only my pool one. “I could never stop watching it. I ended up melting the tape and the one we got to replace it. I think we had three copies of the film in the end because I just couldn’t stop watching it. “The next film I was obsessed with was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was the first full length colour animation film ever made, so it holds a very special place in history. “With Toy Story being the first fully computer animated future length film, you have two really important pieces of art. Disney played a really important role in taking animation from a niche to being one of the most prominent parts of cinema.” The 24-year-old could tell you any piece of Disney trivia, quote pretty much any film and knows the parks like the back of her hand — despite having not been to one until the middle of April this year.

“But the company was great; they changed the details and said they would call if they had an opportunity for any of the pool based roles.” It took a few weeks, but eventually the call came — Ashlee was offered a three month trial contract on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. It involved being flown to Disney World in Florida to undertake a week of training, before being moved to the cruise ship to begin work. After three months, Disney would send her back home, before making a call as to whether they would offer her extended employment. “I was in shock,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I was actually going to do this and get to work for Disney.

“Getting to be a part of the Disney magic, it showed me that I could actually achieve things that I wanted to do.” Ashlee hadn’t had the easiest road — she was diagnosed with dyslexia and having elements of Asperger’s. “It’s slowed me down at times, particularly in school, but it has never stopped me. “I’d had my struggles — my careers teacher told me I wasn’t going to make it through Year 12 and family who didn’t think I’d make it through uni, so being able to continue to achieve goals is something I’m really proud of.”

It hasn’t been an easy journey, but Ashlee won’t be dwelling on that.

“Disney always has an eye out for new imagineers and designers,” she said.

“The motto of one of the main characters in one of my favourite films, Meet the Robinsons is ‘keep moving forward,’” she said.

“I read a story about a guy who worked in retail at one of the parks, until someone found his sketch book. He’s now the head Halloween designer for the parks.

It was Walt’s motto in life. “We shouldn’t look back at what has happened; we should always be looking for what we can do next and what step we can take next.”

“Disney is the kind of company where once you have your foot in the door, you could go anywhere.

And Ashlee continues to look forward at her ultimate goal — becoming a Disney imagineer.

“I want to work with props and sets and designing what you see in the films. I’ve done prop work with the Echuca Moama Theatre Company since I was six and have

learnt a lot about how to design. I would love the opportunity to put those skills into action for Disney.” The desire to dream will never change for Ashlee. As Walt himself would say, “laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever”. And she will continue to chase her dreams as long as she has the chance. Certain as the sun rising in the east. 

Customising & all that Jas Motoring guru DAVID CHAPMAN reports on a pet project that is turning into the makeover of all makeovers. It could be on the set of Transformers the changes have been so complete and so radical. It has been years in the making but it appears 2019 might be the year the world gets to meet this vehicular vision

INI TRUCKIN’ MAY not be instantly recognisable to the average person on the street, but for one Wyuna woman it has become an obsession. Jas Green, 25, has spent the past five years transforming a 1991 Toyota Hilux ute into a customised street machine. This has involved her going global searching for the perfect parts for her project, bringing them home in suitcases, even her sleeping bag, from as far afield as the UK and the US. Her commitment has caught the eye of the cognoscenti — even a Japanese truck magazine tracked her down for a feature spread. The six-page feature in the Custom Truck magazine proved a hit. “I answered questions online for it and I got a lot of likes from Japanese people on Instagram,” Jas said. She bought the ute when she was 17 as a stock standard dual cab but even its mother would have trouble recognising it now there is so little left of the vehicle that rolled off the production line almost 20 years ago. Trying to keep track of all the modifications

is a tough task but among the changes are: • bodydrop, where the body is dropped over the chassis in order to be lower; • having dropped the body, she has transferred the fuel tank from under the back passenger seat to the rear of the vehicle; • stretched chassis (longer wheelbase); • installing a 5.7-litre ls1 V8 engine out of Holden Commodore. "I did all the wiring for a Commodore engine loom," Jas said. "It thinks it’s a Commodore but it’s still a Hilux.";

• airbag suspension with four-link, creating a much smoother ride quality than standard leaf springs and allows the car to lift up high; • grafting a Toyota surf (wagon) sun roof on to the Hilux; >>>

>>> • installing a third brake light from 05–15 Hilux tailgate which is welded into the back of the roof; • a Gen 3 Toyota Surf front end from the United States, bodyline welded into doors, and front guards made up of seven pieces; • a Gen 3 Toyota surf bonnet welded and blended into the original bonnet; • American Toyota Tacoma tub sides, brought back from America by cutting in half to fit in suitcase and welded back together and into the tub (20 pieces); and • American bumper bar, brought back inside sleeping bag and checked onto the plane as oversized luggage. It all started when her motorbike engine blew up while she was still a teenager. “I had no experience with engines until I was 18 when the bike blew up and I fixed it,” Jas said. When the four-cylinder engine blew up in her Hilux, she fixed that too. “I thought this was really not that hard and I gained more confidence to try new things, cut things up and do the welding. “Doing it yourself you get to see how everything works.” Her boyfriend Michael Warren was into cars and she caught the bug of customising from him. “He had a track at his place to ride bikes and I used to truck my bike over in the Hilux,” she said “I fractured my foot and he took care of me and that’s how we met.” She works on the Hilux every chance she gets — after she gets from work in a cafe, on weekends and public holidays, sometimes until 9 pm or 10 pm. “It’s a lot of trial and error, reading, learning from other people,” Jas said. In the Mini Truckin’ community, the aim is to make the vehicle as low as possible. However, it needs to be able to be lifted for it to drive legally on the road, hence the airbag suspension. “When the handbrake is disconnected it lifts it up so it can be driven on the road,” Jas said. As well as working on the Hilux, she also takes photos and videos of car shows which she uploads to her Khaos Design Facebook page. Incredibly, given all the work involved, she believes the final paintwork (a green colour) will be the most meticulous. Jas hopes to finish her creation before the end of this year for a car show in November. “One year I wanted the airbag finished, another year the front end swapped, then to stretch the chassis, put in driveable new engine and this year the goal is to have it all finished,” Jas said. “And I’ve achieved every goal I set myself each year.” If you’re still incredulous about Jas’ obsession, don’t worry — her family are the same. “My parents don’t understand it but they will — when it’s finished and it’s all shiny and pretty,” Jas said. 

Visit your locally owned Collins Booksellers store today!

Leading Senior Constable Bernadette Brooks

Many Australian authors available

Echuca policeâ€™s administration property officer Belinda Vicary

Many more in store now!

170 Hare Street, Echuca Phone 5482 2902

Senior Constable Bernie Cowley

First Constable Jules Tenace

The first step

turned into a career Senior writer IVY JENSEN caught up with some of Echuca’s frontline policewomen and discovered their roles really have moved to the forefront — but it has been a long and pioneering role

HEN BERNADETTE BROOKS joined the Victoria Police 32 years ago, she was automatically a minority player.

She was among a number of women in Victoria joining the ranks, thanks largely to the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s and ’70s which fought hard for equal pay, education and employment opportunities for women in Australia. And while this was a huge leap forward for equality, Victoria Police were still marching out of step with progress and had a long way to go. “I was definitely one of very few when I first started,” she said.

“That offered a lot of freedom and we could go anywhere in Victoria. It was very busy.” She then worked in St Kilda before moving to Swan Hill, Cobram and Mooroopna where she stayed for 22 years. She had her five children there, who are now aged from 14 to 22. Family is everything to her, so when Victoria Police offered part-time work in about 1998, Snr Constable Brooks jumped at the chance.

Snr Constable Brooks has achieved a lot during her long career but she prefers not to share those war stories. Rather, she said helping individuals was the most rewarding aspect to her job. “Making a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “Breaking that cycle and making sure everyone has opportunities.” Just like the opportunity that presented itself to her all those years ago.

“Having that work-life balance was extremely important to me,” she said.

Now she is encouraging more women to join the ranks.

“The reason I went to Mooroopna was because they had no on-call and no night shift, so I could care for the kids.”

“Females bring a different perspective to policing,” she said.

“Once upon a time you couldn’t go to the dog squad, you couldn’t go to the homi- More than two decades later and she scored the new position at Echuca. cide squad. And you always had your token female. “In Mooroopna I was dealing with a lot of young kids and when this position came up, “I would say it’s equal now — and I am treated I was recommended for it,” she said. as an equal.”

“It’s a fantastic career, allows flexibility and can offer a great work-life balance.”

For the past six months, Snr Constable Brooks has been working with at-risk youth as well as local schools; the Navigator program, which aims to help young people aged 12 to 17 at risk of disengagement from school; and local services such as Campaspe Cohuna Local Learning and Employment Network.

Senior Constable Bernie Cowley, who has been with Echuca police for 13 years, said women were vital to the police force.

Leading Senior Constable Brooks started in the new role of youth specialist officer for the Campaspe area in November. As part of role, Snr Constable Brooks identifies young people at risk of being caught up in the justice system and tries to divert them away from a life of crime. “There is a great need for it here,” she said. “That includes bullying and the fact there are 540-ish young people not attending school in the Campaspe area.” Snr Constable Brooks grew up in country Victoria and worked for the public service in St Kilda Rd, just up the road from the Victoria Police complex, before joining the force. “They had a big drive and I just went along with someone else to join up,” she said. “I had no inkling as a child that this is what I wanted to do as a career.” Training in Oakleigh for 12 months, Snr Constable Brooks started her career as a plain clothes officer in the transit division.

What she hopes to achieve is to disrupt that ‘intergenerational feeling of hopelessness’. “Giving kids the opportunity to break that cycle of poverty, violence and not going to school, the expectation’s there to give them a little bit of hope,” she said. “The expectation for each individual kid is up to them, not just what their families expect of them.’ And so far, she seems to be making progress. “The majority of kids are definitely happy to engage. I think sometimes parents’ expectations are what needs to change,” she said.

“Sometimes young people are just dealing with their life and they’re doing it quite well but the parents are sometimes expecting “I dealt with graffiti and worked under- something else. Just be happy with your cover on the trains and that’s what I liked,” kids, just be grateful they’re healthy and she said. doing okay.”

Snr Constable Brooks is one of about a dozen women police officers across Campaspe and her views are shared by many of her colleagues.

“Women are important because we add an element of de-escalation to a job and that helps our ability to communicate,” she said. “I think our nurturing nature allows people to trust us and feel safe.” First Constable Jules Tenace has only been in Echuca for six months, but loves being an essential part of the community. “Policing is not a male-dominated career anymore,” she said. “We all bring something different to the job. We all have our own areas that we’re good at. I find myself to be fairly relatable, calm and relaxed and people respond well to that. “If I am respectful to people, I find I get that back.” Belinda Vicary has been Echuca police’s administration property officer for the past eight years and while she is not on the front line, her job is just as important and she is treated as such. “We are all seen as equals here which is great,” she said. 

The prodigal sharpshooter says

she’s coming back

DAVID CHAPMAN solves the mystery of that very tall space Echuca netball club had to fill in the goal circle after its stunning last-gasp 2018 A-grade grand final victory

HE TOWERING PRESENCE of Sheridan Townrow may be absent from under the netball ring this season but Echuca fans take heart — she will be back.

Sheridan sees herself as part of the bigger picture — in everything she does. The 25-year-old nurse has tasted individual and team success on the netball court but it’s not the individual accolades that make her proud, rather her role in instilling a positive vibe in others. Her selfless nature was never more evident than last year when she was a part of Echuca’s first Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball premiership in 22 years. Sheridan was the goal shooter and named best-on-court in the grand final after the heart-stopping one-goal win over the

previously undefeated Shepparton Bears. But her humble nature has her deflecting any praise to her teammates. "It is an honour but being goal shooter you’re going to look good. Everybody (on the team) contributes to that," she said. "The (premiership) win is definitely better (than the best-on-court award)." Immediately after last year’s grand final Sheridan told local media there were a lot of people on and around the court who "deserve this premiership". "I look around here and there is someone over there who played 20 years and never won one in A-grade and someone over there who played 30 years and has never won one and has been there the whole time, it’s unreal," she said at the time.

However, it was not Sheridan’s first grand final. "We played in the 2015 grand final and got smashed by Seymour," she said. However, the experience proved beneficial going into last year’s decider. "Five of us played in that grand final in 2015 and it was the first time Echuca A-grade had been in one for about 10 years," Sheridan recalled. "So against Seymour we were so excited. "Last year everyone was pretty cool, calm and collected leading into the grand final. "There was no pressure on us because no one expected us to win." It’s only been seven months but memories of the day seem to whirl around. >>>

>>> "It was a very fast and physical game and we went goal for goal," Sheridan said. "We were up a little bit and they pegged us back. "At the start of the fourth quarter, (Echuca co-captain) Holly (Butler) and her player hit the deck hard. "Holly got up but the other girl was a little frazzled and it proved a real turning point. "Halfway through the fourth quarter we thought ‘we could win this’." Sheridan got the chance to reflect on the 2018 premiership success when she returned to Echuca in April to watch Holly Butler play her 173rd game for the Murray Bombers, giving her the record for most A-grade games at the club. "We were laughing about how we started last season," Sheridan said. "Our first game against Tatura we were pretty shabby. "We were down by 10 goals at one stage and we ended up winning by one. "It goes to show that if you’re not that good at the start of the season it’s no drama at all because you can build throughout the year." Sheridan started her netball career in the Echuca and District Netball Association, shortly after her family moved to Echuca from Melbourne while she was still in primary school.

joined Echuca." Family connections saw her join where her uncle Ash Byrne had cemented his place in Murray folklore as the coach of the 2001 premiership side.

Echuca already Bomber football

Sheridan’s older sister also played there and with her parents on the committee it was the obvious path. Sheridan proved an instant hit in bottle green. She played just five games in the under 17s before her talents saw her fast-tracked into A-grade. She was a regular in the side until 2016 when she moved to Darwin for two years where she worked in emergency departments. It proved a real eye-opener. "There was a lot of trauma, a lot domestic violence," she said. "It was pretty different to Echuca." While there, she and a group of friends headed overseas for four months, travelling through the US and Central America in 2017. In 2018 Sheridan moved back to Melbourne but was keen to recommit to Echuca netball. But balancing her work in emergency/surgical nursing while making a six-hour round trip on weekends to play netball was not an issue for Sheridan.

"It was a strong competition when I started and I played there until I was 17," she said.

"I was very lucky. Gina (Pearson, A-grade netball coach) was amazing and Sharon Henson the assistant coach was unreal.

"I was a top age under 17 player when I

"The girls I played with were coming back.

Holly Butler and Tamara Nicholls were coming back from having babies and Zara (Pearson) I played all my junior netball and basketball with. "The only ones I hadn’t played with before were the young ones like Bridget Byrne, Meg Rohde and Claudia Mawson, who was 16. "So I was already good friends with a lot of the players and the younger ones were really supportive." But Sheridan is not playing netball this year. "I’m off to Europe after June and as a result would miss a fair chunk of the season," she said. Returning home to watch Echuca play is something she loves but finds it tough being on the sidelines. However, Sheridan again sees the bigger picture. She would rather see players come through and be given the chance rather than play the odd game herself and force someone out of the side. "It wouldn’t really be fair. It would mean Echuca wouldn’t be able to bring girls through. "Claudia Mawson is outstanding and is improving all the time and so is Bridget, and they all need court time. "I’ll be back at Echuca at some point. "All my family are there, and friends I’ve grown up with around the club, so it’s very easy to go home." 

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Suddenly Single

When the finish line is a struggle, thank God for family Suddenly Single has suddenly found herself facing another loss, one she knew was coming but that never softens the blow. But it does make you treasure even more all that you still have around you

O IT HAS been a bit of a challenging time for me during the past few months. My dad passed away at the start of April after a long battle with emphysema and honestly, it has been pretty bloody tough. Even though he had been sick for the past three years, I don’t think there is ever really an easy way to say a final goodbye to your dad. My dad was a hardworking man, a man of few words, but he was always there for a quick cuddle and reassurance when things turned to shit (and believe me there have been a few times in my life when I have been neck deep in the brown stuff) and those cuddles have meant the world. And now he’s gone and it’s a strange feeling. Death is a very personal thing, and everyone looks at it differently. When my dad passed away my mum and I were holding his hands and my two brothers were at the foot of the bed. I think it’s an honour to be there at the very end and for my family it was reassuring to know dad did pass away peacefully because he really did suffer at the hands of this terrible disease — battling for every single breath was frightening for him and distressing for us because we simply couldn't help him — at all. Dad spent his last few weeks in hospital in Cohuna and in the Village nursing home and the care the doctors and nursing staff showed him was simply amazing and is one of the many reasons why I love small country towns.

My two girls helped carry the coffin and I was so proud of them to be able to find the inner strength to do that last thing for their Poppie. I know dad’s body was just worn out and I know he is now at peace, but gee I still wish he was here and it will be hard to negotiate those tough times without him. It has also been a bit hard trying to train this time around and with six weeks until my Ironman in Cairns, I am not expecting to break any land speed records in 2019. Throw in a bout of gastro and a couple of interesting bike rides resulting in me having to go on the side of the road (lucky I had toilet paper) you could say this training cycle has had a little bit of shit thrown in. My bike and I are still not great friends and I continue to struggle greatly with this leg of the event. Today I rode 90 km (with no emergency toilet stops thank god) and could not wait to get off the bloody thing — and that's only half the distance of a full Ironman, leaving me thinking ‘Jesus Christ, this is going to be hard this year’. I am really rocking the less-is-more philosophy this time round, but I am not really sure how well that will pan out for me once I hit the water — never mind when I get on that bloody bike or off it with just 42.2 km to run — right now I am praying for a miracle (or a motorised bike).

(insert prayer emoji they stay that way). My shoulder was also a source of great pain last year but so far so good on that count too. Training can get boring and monotonous so for something different this time round, I travelled to Port Macquarie to do a half ironman (2 km swim, 90 km ride and 21 km) for what I would describe as a very expensive training session. There were also quite a few triathletes from Echuca-Moama participating in the full, so I had planned to cheer them over the line to, in turn, hopefully inspire me and give me that final little push I need. Unfortunately my whole race wasn’t in any way what I could describe as good (really, I could describe it as a shocker) and by the time I reached the finish line I think most of the local contingent had fallen asleep. This year my girls are coming to Cairns for our first family holiday in quite a long time so not only is it about Ironman, I am hoping for some quality time with my girls. My biggest bubba is turning 21 while we are there so there will be celebrating and hopefully we will have a few relaxing nights post Ironman in Port Douglas. It’s not very often I get to spend time with both my girls together anymore and after losing my dad, it makes me cherish these family times more than ever.

On a positive note my running has been going pretty well.

Family is what pulls you through tough times and I know I have a pretty damn good one myself.

It’s very slow but it has been consistent, and my old knees have been holding up nicely

It’s far from perfect but it’s mine and I wouldn’t swap it for anything. 

Bowel Cancer Bowel cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Australia and this is far too high considering that it can be prevented through lifestyle measures, predominately nutrition and screening!

In 2018, there were 9294 males and 7709 females diagnosed with colorectal (bowel) cancer. This resulted in an estimate death rate of over 4000 loved ones. Screening is essential in identifying signs of bowel cancer as 98 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if identified early. Bowel cancer CAN be prevented! If you are over 50, the Bowel Cancer Screening program will send you a kit, follow the instructions and send away. If you haven’t received your kit or you have concerns about bowel cancer then ask your Doctor or Pharmacist. Please don’t throw your kit away, it could very well save your life!

Why is our lifestyle contributing to incidence of bowel cancer? • Poor nutritional intake. • Processed food (most food in a packet). • Food grown that has been sprayed with chemicals. • Excess sugar and carbohydrate intake. • Sugary drinks • Fast food • Lack of exercise. • Smoking. • Alcohol.

There are so many things that can be done to prevent the majority of cancers: Eat a diet consisting of natural foods, those that Mother Nature provided. Wash fruit and vegetables before cooking and consuming. Good quality grass fed whole meat (where possible, we are in a drought so sourcing this may be difficult), avoid the marinades — you can make your own.

Consume at least two servings a week of Omega 3. • Oily fish — consume twice a week if possible, from sustainable sources, Atlantic or Australian salmon, tinned salmon, tuna or sardines, trout, gemfish, barramundi and snapper. • Avoid fish that have high mercury levels such as shark, swordfish, marlin, ray, gemfish, sea perch, southern blue fin tuna. • Other sources of Omega 3 include: Flaxseed, Chia Seed (any colour and activate by crushing or soaking in water or milk), and walnuts. Good quality dairy (alternatives for those not able to tolerate) Vegetables and good fats like avocado, raw nuts and Extra Virgin Olive Oil provide a variety of nutrients. Use organic sources where possible to reduce exposure to chemicals and toxins. Fibre from natural sources, predominately vegetables and having good fat can protect us from bowel cancer.

Exercise: movement is so important for physical and mental health. It doesn’t have to be strenuous! Do something you enjoy, go for a walk, join a gym and attend regularly, go for a swim, dance, yoga or run. Talk to your GP or pharmacist today about BowelScreen Australia® Order a screening test online or by calling 1800555494.

Resources Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2018). Cancer data in Australia. Retrieved from www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/ cancer-data-in-australia/contents/summary Better Health Channel. (2019). Fish. Retrieved from www.betterhealth.vic. gov.au/health/healthyliving/fish Bowel Cancer Australia. (2017). Bowel Cancer Screening. Retrieved from www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/screening

For easy nutrition advice and lifestyle planning Visit a practitioner who genuinely cares for you holistically. Online bookings via the website, book an appointment to suit you or contact via webpage, Facebook or mobile 0438 700 296

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Tara is no-one’s voice — and everyone’s KIMBERLEY PRICE talks with Tara Kerr about how a life that seemed so happy and content could create such an internal darkness that eventually something has to give MOAMA’S TARA KERR has no plan to be the pin up girl of mental health but she knows only too well the importance of speaking up for those who can’t find the words. Born and bred in Oaklands in the Southern Riverina, a farming region of around 150 people, Tara spent most of her childhood alongside her father on their farm. “No-one really knows where Oaklands is, because it’s not really known for anything,” she said. “But it’s a really good farming area, there were a lot of progressive people. “When the drought hit, depression was said every second word, but the thing was everyone was going through it. “It’s weird coming from a town like that. “Every time I go there I feel I can’t explain it. And every time I talk to someone here I feel I reflect back to Oaklands — it has good values.” Leaving home at a young age for boarding school, Tara struggled being thrust into a radically different environment. With difficulties in literacy studies, school wasn’t her forte and she decided to take her gap year back on the farm, working and saving money before continuing her studies in agronomy. By the time she was qualified and starting in the agronomy game in Bendigo she was just in time for the height of the millennium drought and her job was a rollercoaster from day one. “One day you’d go to someone with good succession planning who were prominent farmers and doing well,” she said. “Then you’d go to someone who literally couldn’t borrow another cent — they couldn’t pay for school fees or groceries. “I was literally seeing people with no hope. “They had young kids running around and

we’d be leaning on the back of the ute and they’d start tearing up asking ‘what am I doing? I’m ruining their lives’. “To hear that someone has taken their life because they couldn’t provide necessities for their family is pretty hard. “It was probably a good thing I left.” In mid-2014, as her personal life fell apart, Tara moved to Echuca to be closer to her father, who sold up and retired to a riverside retreat.

“This wasn’t attention seeking. You don’t think about it and plan it so people will care about you. You want to do it because you literally feel like there’s nothing else. “My saving grace was that my dad knew.” After convincing his daughter to come to the doctor with him, Tara found herself reluctantly sitting in the waiting room. But instead of hearing her father’s name called out, it was her own.

But without a job, a partner, a house and a hope, Tara inevitably began to spiral into the darkness of depression.

“I sat down and the doctor just said: ‘Dad tells me you’re sad, so what do you want to do about it?’ He was straight to the point,” she said.

In hindsight, she is the first to admit she bottled up her emotions, she had been internalising her insecurities and fear — and kept telling everyone she was fine.

“I knew I didn’t want to see someone where they would give me a piece of paper and tell me to circle answers so they could assess me and tell me what’s wrong with me.

Instead of seeking help for the different “I just needed something to do and someone to make me feel half worthwhile. events that took place, she kept them to herself which ultimately led to her contem- “In that time I knew it was bad but I didn’t plating her life. realise I was ready to make it final until he asked me if I had a plan and how advanced “I used to say ‘suicide is a weakness, anyone it was. who does it is selfish and they don’t care about anyone else’ and when I got out of the agronomy industry I literally fell into that place,” she said. “Being from a small town I didn’t want to tell anyone and I didn’t want to let my family down. “I learnt to shut it down. “I would be saying ‘what is the point of everything? Why are we here?’ And it just got to the point where I had no hope in anyone or anything. “When I stopped work, I just felt I was useless, like there was no purpose for me.” From not being able to get out of bed, not taking pride in her appearance and not wanting to socialise with anyone, Tara wasn’t just feeling depressed, she had a plan to end her life.

“For me, everything was planned out.” Today, Tara Kerr seems to be a completely different person (almost). With help from her doctor and her father, she began to work again and eventually found the strength to pursue a career in real estate. Though she is the first to acknowledge that mental illness never really leaves a person. “I used to go to the library and it was just calming,” she said. “I don’t know what it was but I felt when I walked in there and I wasn’t in Echuca. “I used to look up jobs and think I wasn’t good enough but then I started to try out some as I felt like I didn’t have anything to lose.

“I literally had nothing. “For me, the turning point was someone acknowledging something was wrong. “Then it just got easier. “But I still have problems these days. “I think if you’ve had it, you never really lose it.” But Tara doesn’t want her battle with her demons to define her — that’s not why she’s telling her story. She’s simply closing one chapter of her life and recognising while she may still be affected by depression, she’ll continue to live her life in spite of it. “No-one wants to believe they have mental health issues,” she said. “Even for me today, I know I do, but I don’t want to say. I don’t want to be another person with an issue. “If someone picks up this story and reads it, do I think I’m changing a life? No. “But it’s good knowing there are these words and there’s some of me here and I can look back and know, I’ve said it, now it’s black and white. “I don’t want to be known as having issues but I want to be able to say I’ve had issues and I probably still do. “If anything, today I feel incredible knowing I can control my emotions and I put my energy into doing things like having a good career and having good people around me. “I’m here now, I’m raw but I’m me.” If you need support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Winter is a season, not an excuse

10 ways to stay sensibly sane

TAYING ACTIVE IN winter can be challenging, with motivation often dropping as the temperature does. But as Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre health club instructor and personal trainer Madi Britnell explains, hibernating is not good for your health or waistline. Here are her 10 tips to keep you moving

1 2 3 4 5

Find an indoor team sport If there are team sports you want to try, or get back into, winter is the season to do it. It’s always easier to stay motivated in a team environment.

Join a gym Another indoor option is group fitness classes or the gym. Choosing an indoor activity eliminates one of the most common winter exercise - excuses — the weather.

Warm up before exercising Whether you’re heading out or staying in, warming up before exercise is even more important in winter. Cold weather can make you a bit more susceptible to muscle strains.

Have a goal Motivation can dry up fast at this time of year, so give yourself a powerful incentive to carry on. “I want to get skinnier” might sound convincing but often appearance-based motivators don’t help.

Beat the winter blues Winter can get gloomy very quickly. A daily work out releases feel-good, de-stress brain chemicals, gives you a break from the daily grind and helps ease depression.

6 7 8 9

Go straight to the gym after work If you train in the afternoon or evening, plan your day so that you don't have to go home before visiting the health club or gym.

Book an active midwinter escape A short trip somewhere sunny can help beat the winter blues and offers an excellent chance to get active as well.

Stay warm Winter is the perfect excuse to exercise or hang out in warm places. If your gym has a sauna or a steam room, why not use it?

Don’t be afraid to swim in winter While swimming may not be the most appealing winter activity, it can be one on the best. Indoor pools maintain steady warm temperatures all year so you certainly won’t get cold swimming some laps or joining an aqua aerobics class.

Try something different If you can’t stay motivated to maintain your regular routine over winter, try something new. There’s a huge variety of fitness classes and if you’ve never tried a personal trainer, this is another great way to kick start your motivation and learn about new ways to exercise from an expert.

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Lifeâ€™s hard yards proved the inspiration As a girl running away from home, dodging school and doing drugs was routine for troubled teen Sheridan Clark but CHARMAYNE ALLISON discovered Sheridanâ€™s 2019 incarnation is a social powerhouse bringing significant change to a lot of people in Echuca-Moama >>>

>>>

F SHERIDAN CLARK says she knows what you’re going through, it’s probably true.

At first glance, you might not guess it — everyday Sheridan is all bright smiles and sunny optimism. But the co-ordinator of Echuca’s thriving Crossenvale Community House has well and truly done the hard yards to get to where she is today.

But make no mistake, 24 years down the track she’s still in there fighting — not for herself but for the many, the too many, people in the community struggling to find a job, a bed or even the next meal.

Years later, Sheridan would discover she was dyslexic, a debilitating detail not spotted by her teachers.

Above all, for those struggling to see a glimmer of hope after years — even lifetimes — battling for a brighter future.

After years struggling through school with her unknown learning disability, Sheridan left at 16 and moved to Deniliquin.

both primary and high school, my grades were always low.”

“I think there can be a stigma that goes with And embarked on a whirlwind year of single mums, with people in public hous- “colourful activities”. Feel free to ask her — she’s not the type to ing, with people who are on Centrelink,” duck the question, or gloss over the answers. “It was just that experimental stuff that often Sheridan said. happens in teenage years,” she said. Born into a low-income family, Sheridan “But the majority out there do want better watched her parents struggle to make ends “I was hanging around the wrong people, lives and are doing what they can with the meet from day one. getting up to mischief at 3 am, running away resources they’ve got. from home, taking drugs, drinking and smokBy the time she was 16, she’d quit school, “I was one of those mums, I was living in one ing — basically worrying my mum no end.” dabbled in drugs, repeatedly run away from of those houses. And I think you’ve just got home and then confronted the chilling prosBut at the tender age of 17, her world did a to provide that one little stepping stone, pect of homelessness. 180 when a pregnancy test revealed a tiny then they can be anything they dream of.” pink plus sign. Then, at 17, came the surprise pregnancy that Born in Echuca, Sheridan grew up in turned her world upside-down. And nine months later, her miracle was born. Mathoura, living in public housing with her And around. “Amy came along, and I just stopped it all,” parents and three sisters. she said. Suddenly a single teen mum, Sheridan The family was poorly educated — Sheridan’s began fighting for a future for her daughter Once Amy grew up and started going dad, to this day, can’t read or write. Amy, finishing her final three years of high to school, Centrelink required Sheridan “Education wasn’t a huge thing in our house,” school and completing tertiary courses in to pursue further study — so mother and she said. community services, a dedication that would daughter were in the classroom, with ultimately bring her the leadership role at “Of course, mum made us go to school and Sheridan completing years 10, 11 and 12 Crossenvale. told us how important it was. But through at TAFE.

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“And things just snowballed from there, once I did one thing I found I really enjoyed learning,” she said.

role, Sheridan made a daunting personal decision during her early years at the house to undergo a gastric bypass.

“But look, I still love it. Without it, I wouldn't be able to do what I do now, and I’ll definitely live longer.”

“I got my driver’s licence and then I completed a certificate 4 in community services and a diploma in community services as well.”

She weighed 163 kg the day she knew something had to change — her weight had peaked at a whopping 180 kg.

Ironically, Sheridan is more tired now than she was before the operation — largely due to her stomach now struggling to absorb nutrients due to the procedure.

With the dream of becoming a youth worker.

“I was at CLRS and someone put a photo of me with a client up on the wall,” she said.

Throughout her chaotic teen years Sheridan had visited youth workers regularly and continued to use their services in her 20s as she struggled financially.

“I just walked in and went ‘oh, my God, that’s shocking’. I went to see my doctor, started boot camp and put myself on the list for a gastric bypass.”

“But I always felt I never connected with them — I thought they hadn’t had the experiences I’d had or could empathise with me,” she said.

Two years later, she got the call and travelled to Box Hill for the operation.

“So I thought ‘that’s it, I'm going to be a youth worker because I’ve been there’.” After completing her diploma, Sheridan began volunteering at St Luke’s in Deniliquin. From there she nailed her dream job as a youth worker at Anglicare in Echuca, principally helping her clients find housing. Once her daughter finished year 12, Sheridan moved to Echuca.

While she counted herself as blessed, Sheridan admitted the two years since have been filled with ups and downs as her body adjusted to vast changes. “It was fun at the start as I was losing weight. But then reality hit and all my little demons started coming back,” she said. “You have the operation and think ‘I wish they’d done a little zap in the brain as well, to stop me from wanting to eat’.

But being a foster mum to two school-aged kids for the past nine months may also have something to do with it. Oh, and she’s also completing an advanced diploma in management — while still co-ordinating Crossenvale. And completing shift work for CLRS on the side. But it’s going to take a lot more than this to slow Sheridan down. “I think what keeps me going is I’m so optimistic that there will be a good outcome for the people I work with,” she said. “That’s my adrenaline. You know how some people like jumping out of planes? I get that same energy through seeing people thrive.” 

During this time, she also became a disability support person at Community Living and Respite Services — a role she maintains to this day and one that still brings a twinkle to her eye. And four years ago, Sheridan stumbled upon Crossenvale Community House. “When I first came here I thought this was a little gold nugget, it’s such a great little house,” she said. “At the time I was working in housing, putting people in the houses around here. So I knew this could be a great resource for people in this area.” Sheridan served as a board member for a year. And when she was chosen for the co-ordinator position a year later, she jumped into it with all guns blazing. “I think that’s probably the one thing that’s both a good thing and a bad thing about me. I find a community need or a gap and I just want to fill it immediately, I don’t think of all the other stuff I need to do,” she laughed. While she’s the first to joke about, her fullspeed-ahead enthusiasm, Sheridan’s the last to list the numerous ways the house has grown under her leadership. For example, when she started, the house had two volunteers running two programs. Now there are 15 volunteers and 12 programs. Plus her biggest dream is coming true — the house is becoming a well-known community hub that transforms the lives it touches. In addition to taking on a massive leadership

OUR NETFLIX AND CHILL PICKS spending time with yourself because you’re an independent woman

Bella’s tips to the best movies, series and documentaries streaming on Netflix

Films

Mamma Mia!

WELLNESS BALI 9 days | Ubud to Sanur

Because, seriously, who doesn’t want to go again and watch this movie 100 times? If you haven’t seen it picture a bride-to-be trying to find her father using hit songs by ABBA. Need we say more?

FILMS

Arrival

From $1999

AUD*

Enter the tropical wonderland of Bali, long a beacon to travellers in search of uncovering their spiritual side. Start your journey inward with Canang in Ubud, a traditional offering given at Hindu temples, before immersing yourself in nine days of rejuvenating activities, healthy food, and captivating sights. From daily yoga practices to traditional Balinese healing ceremonies to stops at serene beaches (Pemuteran, Sanur), you will be entranced by Bali’s natural calming spirit that continues to lure people from all over the world seeking a deeper connection.

Every moment is your moment: ›

Your G for Good Moment: Bali Community Training Lunch Program, Ubud

›

Your Wellness Moment: Morning Yoga, Ubud

›

Your Wellness Moment: Healing Ceremony, Tabanan

›

Your Wellness Moment: Balinese Healing Yoga Session, Pemuteran

›

Your Wellness Moment: Morning Yoga, Sanur

›

Your Wellness Moment: Anti-Gravity Yoga, Sanur

Linguist (Amy Adams) works with the military to communicate with alien lifeforms after mysterious spacecraft appear around the world.

Roma

Touted as the best original movie Netflix has released, this semi-autobiographical movie is based on Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuaron’s (Gravity, Children of Men). Set in the early 1970s in Mexico City, Roma is the story of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a maid working for an upper-middle-class family — mum Sofia (Marina de Tavira), dad Antonio (Fernando Grediaga), grandma, four children and another maid, Adela (Nancy Garcia).

Series The Fall

A psychological thriller which follows a serial killer who preys on victims in and around Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a female detective drafted from the London Metropolitan Police to catch him. A British-Irish crime drama television series starring Gillian Anderson as detective superintendent Stella Gibson featuring Jamie Dornan as serial killer Paul Spector, also known for his portrayal of Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey.

SERIES

Outlander

Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945, is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is thrown into an unknown world and her life is threatened.

*Tour only price per traveller. Flight quote available on request. My Own Room charges will apply. For full terms and conditions visit gadventures.com/terms

Echuca Travel Centre 03 5482 2177 | admin@echucatravel.com.au 228 Pakenham Street (opposite Aust. Post)

T R AV E L

Just watch it and watch it now!

Nanette

A stand-up comedy act that will make you laugh and cry as the audience discovers the pain Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby has felt delivering punch lines at her own expense, eventually leaving the audience desperate for a better future.

COMEDY

Thirty Something

Walking down the aisle?

Take it one very careful step at a time The day nobody thought would ever arrive is now appearing somewhere over the horizon. Not surprisingly your adviser is the one setting the pace — and for a very good reason (or five)

ES, YES, WE have set a date. Alright, alright, I have set a date.

He was, understandably, happy to agree to any date. It’s almost as if he thought the day would never arrive. Seriously? That men are emotionally shallow is known to every woman (my mother prefers to see them as emotionally stunted); that they are also such impatient creatures, as I am coming to understand more intimately in, occasionally, too many ways. What cannot be argued is their incredibly narrow view of the wider world. Mostly because so very few of them can survive in the wider world. Instead men specialise in their world. Then when they think they have set their sights on you, the biggest challenge in their little lives is how best to squeeze you into their singularly limited orbit. While I am left with all the heavy lifting, organising a wedding suitable for the fashion magazines, have arranged secret leaks of some planning details and ‘last minute hitches’ to keep the great unwashed titillated and increase the value of the ‘exclusive’ coverage of the event, my betrothed thinks he is keeping me breathlessly spellbound about planning the wedding jewellery. When all he really wants (but you try and get him, or any of his species to admit it) is a brass ring metaphorically inserted through

my nose so he can lead me around like Daisy Buttercup the Third — an award-winning cow. The poor thing doesn’t have the slightest inkling about what is going to hit him very shortly. Although he has finally managed to notice his ‘marry me’ ring is currently on my right hand, not the left where he first placed it. Now credit where credit is due. I subliminally worked on him, for some time, planting the seeds he would need to nurture to better grasp exactly what I was demanding. And bless his little cotton bed socks he got it right. First time. The grin of triumph at my oohs and aahs could not have been removed from his face by a skilled mortician. Even I was taken aback by what he produced with such a dramatic flourish — a flawless, intensely pink Argyll diamond clocking in at five carats. This, ladies, is why when you have considered the plus and minus columns of the man you are going to allow into your life, you make sure the foundation stone of the plus ledger is a significant disposable income. That my man had that much income to so happily dispose even caught me wrongfooted (rest assured, for the first and last time). It would be crass for me to discuss the value of such a stone (although I could

refer you to de Beers or Argyll to see why I was so excited to discover it was an Argyll) but clearly it is too good to be worn on the traditional finger because my man has shown a little more cunning than his peers. It might not exactly be the brass ring but the message it sends is crystal clear — if you are interested in my woman you had better be able to top that mate. Men, they are such quaint playthings. Everything in their lives has a label, and it usually starts with “my….” I thanked him profusely for the ring, over several days and nights, then broke the news I would not need a wedding band to go with it (as I think they are a little tacky and cheap). After all, you can only pour so much gold around one finger. Anyhow, why would I bother with that when I already have this? Exactly, you know where I am coming from, and how often. While he still tries to process all that is happening (a little fast for him) I need the wheels to keep turning; so I must really fly friends, there is so much to be done and I am just the girl to do it. Also friends, it might sound a little pragmatic, but never lose sight of the escape clause if all else goes wrong. It is neatly enshrined in all the pertinent documentation: Until death do us part. I love that part, what else gives you such a precise fall-back plan? 

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Model: Molly Bruns Make-up: Ella Anderson beauty Hair: Hakkas Hair Design

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