September 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

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PENINSULA Living & visiting on the Mornington Peninsula

A Heart for Helping • Dance with Depth • A Long Way from Cairo • Moving In the Right Direction Mason’s Mission • Style File • Home and Garden • Moving In the Right Direction • Focus on Red Hill Glassblowing in the Family • The True Meaning of Hospitality • When Footy Came to the Peninsula

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contents 7. Events 8. Peninsula Styles 10. A Heart for Helping

When your heart is in the right place great things can be achieved and this could not be truer of the collaboration between a local building company owner and a motorbike tour operator in Cambodia.

14. Dance with Depth Writers: Melissa Walsh, Keith Platt, Peter McCullough, Cameron McCullough Creative Director: Maria Mirabella Photography: Yanni, Gary Sissons Publisher: Cameron McCullough Advertising: Brooke Hughes, 0409 219 282 or brooke@mpnews.com.au Marg Harrison, 0414 773 153 or marg@mpnews.com.au General enquiries: essence@mpnews.com.au Registered address: 2/1 Tyabb Road, Mornington 3931 Phone: 5973 6424 www.peninsulaessence.com.au

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Spark Youth Dance Company presents a new work this year with their production Shatter, a feminist piece about the British suffragettes.

16. A Long Way from Cairo

When you grow up in a family of jewellers, surrounded by precious gems, blocks of gold and creativity, it’s a fairly safe bet that the craft might be in the blood.

This is absolutely the case for Egyptian born Samir Soleman, a jeweller in the true sense of the word and owner of the aptly named Jewel of the Nile in Tyabb.

22. Transition of a Lifetime

After a lifetime experiencing periods of anxiety and depression, Ashtyn realised through self discovery that he has Gender Dysphoria and talks to Peninsula Essence about the epiphany that changed his life.

26. The Glory of Gardening

Nick Smith has created possibly the largest private garden in the state with Panorama Wildlife Sanctuary and Secret Garden; a sprawling property with over 25 acres of gardens and panoramic views.

34. Mason’s Mission

When Tatiana visited the local family GP a year ago with her son Mason suffering fever-like symptoms, she could never have imagined what lay ahead.

The young six year old faces the battle of his life with a rare and irreversible lung disease.

41. Style File

Spring fashion is a great way to welcome the changing season. Check out the bright colours, mixed with natural tones, textures of lace and leather, and fresh flowing fabrics waiting at the Mornington Peninsula’s hottest boutiques.

48. Home and Garden 60. Moving In the Right Direction

All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor.

Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Peninsula Essence is produced monthly. 30,000 copies (mix of home delivery and bulk dropped at an extensive network of outlets across the peninsula).

A fresh face in the photographic community, Emma Davidson uses an experimental approach, seeking to make a statement by pushing the limits of light and movement beyond the boundaries of traditional photography, as well as using different material to create unique and experimental outcomes in her designs.

66. Glassblowing in the Family

It’s a hot, tricky business that takes a toll on the mind and body, but once you’re hooked, it’s addictive. That’s the word from Eileen, Grant and Hamish, the family behind Gordon Studio Glass Blowing in Red Hill.

70. The True Meaning of Hospitality

It was a sea change seven years ago that brought Graham Kinsey and his young family down to the peninsula where he put his love of food and hospitality experience to good use, joining the team at Ten Minutes by Tractor.

74. Tractor Continues to Produce the Goods

The Ten Minutes by Tractor chef continues to work miracles since starting at the Red Hill winery and restaurant ten years ago, after working with some of the industry’s best, including Philippe Mouchel, Jacques Reymond and Alain Fabregues.

78. Sail Away for Father’s Day

Cover Photo The late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's garden at Cruden Farm.

Searoad Ferries is giving you the chance to treat your special dad to all of these things at its inaugural Blokes High Tea.

80. When Footy Came to the Peninsula

Photo: Yanni

Proudly published by

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It was a long and tortuous journey before Australian Rules football arrived on the peninsula; one filled with tragedy, jealousy, bickering and dissension.

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September 2017

Peninsula events

September

RED HILL COMMUNITY MARKET

BLUE MINI FLORISTRY WORKSHOP

NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE

THE MAYOR'S FAMILY PICNIC 2017 @ CRUDEN FARM

MORNINGTON RUNNING FESTIVAL

KINGDOM KIDS CHURCH

Saturday 2 Red Hill is where it all started for Craft Markets Australia over 40 years ago. This market is now one of the most popular in Victoria with over 300 stalls.

Red Hill Community Market, Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill Sth Ph 5976 3266 craftmarkets.com.au

Sunday 10 It’s sure to be a great day with free family lawn games and activities, including face painting, and live entertainment to keep the kids happy.

Cruden Farm, Cranhaven Rd, Langwarrin Ph 1300 322 322 frankstonevents.com.au

Tuesday 12 Workshop 4: Native - Modern learn how to create stunning arrangements using the unique native flowers and plants of Australia. Blue Mini 2 Colchester Road, West Rosebud Ph 5981 2520

September 29 - November 26 See forty-nine of the year’s best photographic portraits at the 2017 National Photographic Portrait Prize. An annual prize open to both aspiring and professional photographers.

Peninsula Regional Gallery, Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington Ph 5950 1580 mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au

Every Sunday 10.30 am "The Anglican Centre" Corner Albert Street & Octavia Street, Mornington Bring your children to learn about the bible in a fun way with arts & crafts.

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 Event People welcome you to the Mornington Running Festival, incorporating the Mornington Health & Lifestyle Expo! Sunday at the Mornington Running Festival.

The Esplanade, Mornington Park, Mornington Ph 5988 4040 morningtonrunningfestival.com

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PENINSULA

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September 2017

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Scholarships – Apply Now 2019 SCHOLARSHIPS Academic and General Excellence Scholarships – Year 4 to Year 9 Music Scholarships – Year 5 to Year 9 Testing date: Saturday 28 October, 2017 Go to: www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au/join-toorak/scholarships Scholarship Webinar — Wednesday 20 September, 8:00pm

Principal, Kristy Kendall will host a webinar on how to help your daughter prepare for a scholarship, and you will hear a scholarship recipient talk about her experiences.

Register your place here: https://www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au/join-toorak/scholarships

www.toorakcollege.vic.edu.au I 9788 7234

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.�

-Vincent Van Gogh

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September 2017

A Heart

By Melissa Walsh

FOR HELPING

WHEN YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE GREAT THINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED AND THIS COULD NOT BE TRUER OF THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN A LOCAL BUILDING COMPANY OWNER AND A MOTORBIKE TOUR OPERATOR IN CAMBODIA.

W

hen 34 year old Ben Comelli founded the Tempo Group ten years ago, the young entrepreneur was committed to giving back and, last year, 11 members from Tempo constructed and gifted houses to families in remote Cambodia. And so the friendship between Ben and Jason Thatcher, founder of Global Village Housing began, culminating in a project that is launching this month to raise enough funds to build and deliver more than 50 homes, including a school, in flood affected areas of Cambodia.

With Ben’s mantra “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” and Jason’s philosophy that everyone deserves a place to call home, the pair aim to break the cycle of poverty.

‘The tour of Cambodia we did last year changed a lot of people’s lives. We always try to do something that will make a difference with our work team building trips and on this trip we did the dirt bike tours with Jason but found that he was also running Global Village Housing. The night before we started building the houses, I surprised the team with it and the next day their lives were changed. We built and gifted houses to families and that has had a ripple effect with many suppliers and clients showing interest in the same thing when we returned,” said Ben who has remained in contact with Jason ever since. “Now we are launching our project to raise $250,000 to build and gift homes to 50 families across disadvantaged Cambodia.”

There’s a certain synchronicity to the association with Ben’s company, Tempo Group, building high-end homes and now building homes for those in extreme poverty. Yet it wasn’t until the pair got together they realised the connection. Jason, a former business owner in Mornington, had owned the factory next door to Ben for 23 years, yet it wasn’t until a work tour that the two men met.

September 2017

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“Global Village Housing is a grass-roots, passionate and dedicated organisation working hard to make the right changes in Cambodia,” said Jason, who founded the organisation in 2009, after travelling around South East Asia and working closely with not-for-profit organisations. “With the motorbikes, I had seen the extreme poverty in the remote villages that most people don’t get to. I knew that having a safe place to call home was the first step to help break the poverty cycle. Living conditions in the remote villages of Cambodia are some of the worst in the world; unsafe, unsanitary and unsure. Many families live on rubbish dumps, which is where the house gifting started. I built homes that were three metres by three metres as that was the area each family was living in and I didn’t want to encroach on other families. Now the houses we build are 3.6metres by 3.6 metres. They are on stilts and have a lockable door, windows, insulation, and solar lights which seem to be the favorite things of the families who have never had lights before,” said Jason, who works closely with local community leaders to find suitable land for the homes and choose families to gift them to. “We give the homes free to the families who sign a contract saying they will not be sold or rented. This is important as some of the families are in debt, even if it is just $50 and they are lucky if they earn a dollar a day. So we make sure they cannot be taken by loan sharks for instance.”

Since beginning Global Village Housing eight years ago, they have built 140 homes for families with plans to build many more.

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Living in Cambodia and Vietnam much of the year, Jason is also aware of the need for schools so this year started building a school for over 100 children.

“When we saw the conditions of the children in schools which were nothing more than a dirt hut with no floor, no toilets and no playground, we knew something had to be done. Now we are in the process of renovating a school and 160 children will go there.

We have built five toilets, a washroom, classroom, and a great playground. And all the kids have just received new uniforms, books, backpacks, and school supplies. For a lot of them it’s the first time they have had shoes,” said Jason.

For Ben, seeing the living conditions of the families was a real eye opener, particularly the fact that 20 per cent of children are still dying in Cambodia.

“They are the most beautiful people but conditions need to change which is why we have aligned with Global Village Housing.

To find out about the 50 Homes project email natalie@thetempogroup.com.au www.globalvillagehousing.com www.tempogroup.com.au

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DANCE WITH DEPTH

By Melissa Walsh Photos Connie Smith

S

park Youth Dance Company presents a new work this year with their production Shatter, a feminist piece about the British suffragettes.

Spark Youth Dance founder Alexandra Dellaportas is delighted to be presenting the company’s second annual production after forming Spark Youth just over a year ago.

“Spark Youth Dance Company performed a contemporary version of The Nutcracker last year and this year I decided to write something that raised the issue of women’s rights,” said 19 year old Alexandra. “I figure there is no better time than 2017 to talk about feminism and introduce the young class of dancers to the issues of gender and injustice.”

For Alexandra, who has been dancing since she was two and a half, it was important to do another full length work and explore contemporary dance a little differently.

“This year we are making it a bit more abstract. The suffragettes were something I had thought about exploring and this story centres on a young woman named Rosie who is introduced to the suffrage movement throughout her life,” said Alexandra, who this year has added a live orchestra to the production. “We have about 40 musicians working with us and an original piece will be performed by a young composer.”

Set in London 1908, Rosie is living through the era of the suffrage movement; a movement that wanted to grant women the right to vote. After growing up with a passionate suffragette mother, Rosie turns away from women’s rights, fearing that she will be completely outcast by society like her mother had been. As the suffragettes gain momentum in their protests through rallies, speeches and violent deeds, Rosie is pulled into the movement and sacrifices all to shatter not only her own glass ceilings, but the world’s as well. Performed by young contemporary dancers to a live orchestra and choreographed and designed by young creatives, Shatter will take you on an epic journey through one of the most incredible eras in history.

Shatter will be performed at the Frankston Arts Centre on October 5 and 6.

Purchase tickets through www.sparkyouthdance.com.au or phone Frankston Arts Centre on 9784 1060.

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September 2017

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New Location•Celebrating 25 Years • Innovative Design •Bush Kinder Program •Animals and Activities An innovative inspired design and layout will have children interacting and engaging like never before.

We strive to educate and involve our children as much as possible in all aspects of early learning.

Our BUSH KINDER program will give our children the opportunity to explore the surrounding forests and learn more about their natural environment. We hope to really raise the bar and encourage our children to participate in more activities” Kaye Ellis - Licensee & Owner

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A LONG WAY FROM CAIRO

By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni

W

hen you grow up in a family of jewellers, surrounded by precious gems, blocks of gold and creativity, it’s a fairly safe bet that the craft might be in the blood. This is absolutely the case for Egyptian born Samir Soleman, a jeweller in the true sense of the word and owner of the aptly named Jewel of the Nile in Tyabb. As an artisan and one of the few real handcrafting jewellers, Samir (or Sam as he prefers to be called), still creates all of his jewellery by hand just the way he learnt as an 11 year old working in his father’s jewellery business in Cairo 50 years ago.

“I wanted to make jewellery with my dad rather than go to school and I spent many hours just sitting there and working, learning the trade and doing everything by hand,” said Sam as he reminisces from his showroom in Tyabb, surrounded by the

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wonderful pieces of handcrafted jewellery he has on display.

“We were living in Cairo and it was my dad’s business called Jewel of the Nile. My grandfather was also a jeweller, along with my uncle, cousins, nieces and sisters.”

How this talented artisan ended up 14,000 kilometres away from his homeland and on the Mornington Peninsula is a wonderful journey and the people of the peninsula have embraced the talents of Sam over the past 30 years with thousands of regular clients entrusting their precious jewels and gold to him.

“I came to Australia as I thought it was a good opportunity for a better life. I was 21 when I came here and was looking for something new,” said Sam, who found a home in Melbourne in 1977. “I could continued next page...

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“YOU DON’T SEE TOO MANY REAL JEWELLERS LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS, STARTING EVERYTHING FROM A BLOCK OF GOLD LIKE WE DID"

not work as a jeweller immediately as I did not speak English. So I went to work in a factory for GMH and studied English part time for two years.”

However, even during those years, the idea of not making jewellery was not an option for Sam who bought some equipment and made his creations at home.

“I never stopped making jewellery but after two years, I got my first job in a jewellery business in the late 70s,” said Sam, who always maintained his eye on the dream of one day having his own shop like his dad in Cairo. “I worked for different organisations and did contracting work and then one day I started up working in the Main Street Wednesday market in Mornington. I set myself up there and got a great response. I sat in the street and started to sell and trade the gold and people began to entrust me with their jewellery to have redesigned or made into something from scratch. One person even handed over $50,000 of gold to have made into a custom-designed piece. Since then, it really took off. And one day a friend told me about this shop in Tyabb that would be perfect for me to set up. That was 20 years ago and I have been at the Craft Village ever since.”

“I do custom made jewellery all the time and design the pieces.

We do manufacturing of the pieces, design and remodelling, all repairs, antique repairs and have a wonderful selection of jewellery in my showroom, including pieces from my sisters and brothers who are still jewellers back in Cairo.”

For Sam, the process of making jewellery may have changed around him with more technology and less craftsmanship, but he has remained determined to continue the way his father taught him so many years ago.

And so the final stage of Sam’s dream had come to fruition. He was still able to create his stunning jewellery designs and be part of momentous occasions in his customers' lives.

“You don’t see too many real jewellers like in the old days, starting everything from a block of gold like we did. Nowadays the numbers are declining as the people are not trained the way we were. We used to actually have to blow air to make the flame for the melting; now they use torches or gases and even lasers. Even with the welding we did everything by hand. There was no custom machine to make the jewellery which is why, when you have a handmade piece, it is truly valuable. There is a real art to it,” said Sam. “You start with a block of gold and work with it. When I was young, I had the reputation that I could sit down and make anything. I just created it out of these beautiful materials, whether it is a ring, earrings or a necklace.

It was something that I just knew how to do.”

He has his own shop, Jewel of the Nile, continuing on the family tradition from the other side of the world. And he has been able to uphold a craft that is no longer taught.

Jewel of the Nile is at 14 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Tyabb (in Craft Village). Phone 5977 3711.

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September 2017

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life like any boy would. I was lucky to have the ability to live authentically as a kid. I could wear and do what made me happy. I did experience some “generational friction” at times but on the most part I could just be. I would have the biggest tantrum if I was required to wear a dress or wear make up, it would always end in tears. As I grew older and throughout my teenage years I did experiment with different gender expressions but never felt comfortable.

TRANSITION OF A LIFETIME

By Melissa Walsh

A

shtyn Watkins-Shaw grew up on the Mornington Peninsula, loves cooking and has worked as a chef all over Australia. After a lifetime experiencing periods of anxiety and depression, Ashtyn realised through self discovery that he has gender dysphoria. Born a female, now transitioned to living as a male, he talks to Peninsula Essence about the epiphany that changed his life.

Where did you grow up and what was life like for you as a kid?

I am peninsula born and bred. I grew up on the peninsula in St Andrews, Rye and then moved to Mt Martha. My Mum passed away when I was young, so there were some trialing times when I was growing up. I was surrounded by love and nurture and I still am to this day. I decided I needed to separate from my family's grief and moved to Noosa, Queensland when I was 17 and started my career as a chef.

Tell us about your journey to realizing you had gender dysphoria? Was it something you felt as a kid as well?

I look back now at my life as a kid and I was always one of the boys. I rode my bike, played sports, lego and enjoyed

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When did you first put a name to what you were experiencing?

It was April last year that I recognised I needed some professional help to end the cycle of anxiety and depression. This wasn’t my first attempt at this, but I wanted to try once more. The process started with seeking help from a GP and completing a mental health care plan. It was through my own list of pros and cons that I put down gender Identity as a possible discussion point. I would watch videos about mindset, movement and holistic living. It was a random video that made me explore the idea, which lead to more questions to my then psychologist. Through my own research, I learnt the various forms of gender identity and gender expression along the spectrum, which is very separate to sexuality. I learnt that sexual orientation and gender identity are two very different things. As soon the words gender dysphoria were mentioned, it was like a “light bulb moment.”

Did you accept having gender dysphoria immediately after having that epiphany?

It was good to have a name for what I was experiencing.

To accept it completely is a hard question. Having gender dysphoria, your acceptance changes from day to day. As I get further along in my medical transition it becomes easier.

Like anything as you learn more about yourself, you learn ways to cope. You gather tools and support; just like you would with anxiety or depression. My gender dysphoria has become just another part of me; I don’t fight against it. Better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t. I am at peace with knowing.

What have you learnt about Gender Dysphoria now?

I have learnt that there are no boxes. There are no labels or expectations on how one should be or live. My learning is on-going and it isn’t something you can put into words.

I have learnt not to judge and to be more open minded, love and nurture others for who they are. It has moved from something I knew nothing about, to something I live with daily. The human mind is a wonderful and amazing place.

What is the process for you now?

The process now is to live as authentically as I can. To feel comfortable being me. The peninsula has no resources for gender dysphoria for my age bracket, so it was through my own determination and drive that I found the Northside Clinic in Fitzroy. My first psychologist only knew so much before I had to explore more options. There isn’t much

TWO GREAT LOCATIONS

information out there to help those with gender dysphoria that is easily accessed. There is the public system through Monash, which requires a 9-18 month wait to see a psychologist. This still doesn’t give you a diagnosis. I decided to go privately through Northside, because I didn’t want to wait. Then I was referred to a psychiatrist in Albert Park which was the start of my medical transition. You have to do a series of questionnaires, blood tests and counseling to find out what is right for you as every journey is different. They are the building blocks to my team that help me make life changing decisions, like hormone therapy for example.

Where are you in your journey now?

I have been living as my preferred gender which is a transgender male, since October 2016, and started HRT (hormone replacement therapy) on the 11th of April 2017. I have noticed many changes, but I am the most grateful for the change in my mental health. My capacity to handle life’s ups and downs has changed for the better. I am the happiest I have ever been. I have a beautiful fiance, Tina, and two wonderful step children. I start my university degree this August in Behavioural Science to help others on the peninsula in the LBGTIQ community that are possibly being held back by their own dysphorias. I am only growing stronger with the support I get from my family, medical team and community I involve myself in.

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NEPEAN H ARING “Hear to help” PENINSULAE ssence | 23

September 2017

Photos

Peninsula

This month Mornington Peninsula News Group farewelled long time employee and friend, Val Bravo at a luncheon at Tanti Hotel in Mornington. During the evening, the Peninsula Business Network celebrated the small business festival at Brooklands Mornington. At the networking event, local business people connected with like-minded professionals in a relaxing environment.

Peninsula Business Network celebrates @ Brooklands Of Mornington

MPNG farewells long time sales representative Valerie Bravo

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September 2017

OPENING AUG 28 JUST HYDROPONICS

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By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni

W

hen Nick Smith was driving home from his parents' holiday house in Sorrento 20 years ago, a simple decision to take the scenic route through Red Hill would eventually change the course of his life. A successful entrepreneur and the son of TV and radio announcer Pete Smith, Nick spotted a small ‘For Sale’ sign at the bottom of the street and took a detour up to the top of the hill where he saw the 55 acre property that he would buy three days later.

Two decades on, Nick has created possibly the largest private garden in the state with Panorama Wildlife Sanctuary and Secret Garden; a sprawling property with over 25 acres of gardens and panoramic views for over 100 kilometres looking out across both Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay. “ I always enjoyed landscaping and I started building gardens down here for the fun of it. Now I am up to 19 gardens so have created about a garden a year,” said Nick, who was first introduced to gardening by his grandfather, and had a brief stint as a lawn mower man after getting kicked out of uni as a young guy. “I got into sales not long after that and have spent many years building and selling companies which is a high pressure career.

Gardening is the complete opposite and has been a great way to keep grounded.”

As you wander around the estate, it’s hard to believe it began as a cattle farm with nothing but a tin shed. Nick’s idea to build a couple of gardens has culminated into 19 distinct gardens that are still growing, and a wildlife sanctuary that protects the local fauna.

“When I first got here, the place had nothing. There were wire fences and a shed and that’s it. Straight away, I started coming down here four days a week and lost interest in the business side of things. The first thing we did was clear the dead wood form the property, put in four kilometers of post and rail fencing, and after five years I decided to live down here full time,” said Nick. “The first garden I built was the creek I had always wanted a farm on a creek so built 300 metres of it with 800 tree ferns. Funny thing is that was the main attraction and now it is the last thing people continued next page...

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September 2017

Gardening

THE GLORY OF September 2017

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PENINSULA

“THE FIRST GARDEN I BUILT WAS THE CREEK I HAD ALWAYS WANTED A FARM ON A CREEK SO BUILT 300 METRES OF IT WITH 800 TREE FERNS"

look at as there are so many other gardens.”

Now there are over 20,000 plants and 8000 tonnes of rock have been delivered to the property from the quarry on the hill.

“The gardening has been a balancer for me. It really is two ends of the stick; you come down here and its peaceful but back up in town business is like war without guns,” said Nick. “I see gardens during my travels and have a burning desire to build them.”

The biggest project to date is the 1.6 hectare crater garden, inspired by a visit to Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

“I do a lot of travel overseas and going to that national park inspired me to dig out the crater so now we have a five acre hole with 300 tonnes of rock and a lake at the bottom,” said Nick, who never does things by half. Other gardens include the fern garden with a stream to create a rainforest environment, English walled gardens, tiered gardens with hundreds of fruit trees, formal European style gardens, lakes, streams, waterfalls, a Universal garden, and seven hidden gardens.

With the assistance of Nick’s partner, Annemaree, the property has also become a sanctuary for local fauna. With the couple both being hands-on with the daily chores, there is the distinct sense that they are welcoming you into their home. continued next page...

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September 2017

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‘I look after the animals and Nick takes care of the gardens,” said Annemaree, who knows each and every animal by name with rare albino kangaroos, alpacas, cows and sheep, native birds, emus and geese, and even hives for bees.

“As we are a wildlife sanctuary, our aim with the animals is to keep them as much in the natural habitat as possible. For this reason they are not restricted to cages and can roam where ever they like throughout the property,” said Annemaree and Nick, who both love taking tours around the property and sharing the magical oasis they have created.

Panorama Wildlife Sanctuary and Secret Gardens offers you an unforgettable garden and wildlife experience that you will never have seen before. www.panoramagardensestate.com.au

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September 2017

“ I ALWAYS ENJOYED LANDSCAPING AND I WAS BUILDING GARDENS DOWN HERE FOR THE FUN OF IT. NOW I AM UP TO 19 GARDENS SO HAVE CREATED ABOUT A GARDEN A YEAR,”

September 2017

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PENINSULA

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Olympian Cameron McEvoy knows that greatness doesn’t wait. You have to chase it. Go further, faster and be better than the rest. If greatness is what drives you, then now is the time to enjoy a limited edition C 200 with a host of extra features and a striking sporty exterior that sets it apart from the pack. But like all great things, it won’t be around for long. Visit Mercedes-Benz Mornington before 30 September, or while stocks last. www.mbmornington.com.au

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MASON'S

MISSION

By Brendan Rees Photos Cameron McCullough

I

f Mason Johnson could have just one wish it would be simply to play outside like most six-year-olds.

Instead Mason is stuck inside his Frankston home. He shuffles on the living room couch making himself comfortable. Beside him sits his grandmother Ariane, teaching him how to play a board game called Who Is It? Mason is oblivious to the nose prongs wrapped around his head that continuously feed him oxygen as he ponders his next move.

In the background is a loud hum that never stops, like an airconditioner running, whenever Mason is present. The sound is reassuring, says Mason’s mum, Tatiana. She knows the in-home oxygen concentrators in the hallway are doing their job - puffing lifegiving oxygen into his tiny airways at a rate of three litres per minute.

128 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento t: 03 5984 1762 m: 0438 537 757 e: marlenemiller3@bigpond.com Specialising in antique jewellery, as well as newly-made jewellery by Melbourne’s top Jewellers

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September 2017

Connected to the concentrators is a 15-metre rubber hose coiled across the living room floor from where it winds its way to Mason’s nose.

Wearing a dark blue Captain America t-shirt that he received recently for his sixth birthday, a black hoodie with a picture of Lightning McQueen – the name of a red car from the movie Cars – black track pants and white socks with rainbow stripes, Mason giggles with Ariane like any excitable child.

At the end of the couch near the TV sit a Nerf gun and a pile of board games that would not be out of place in the home of any six-year-old boy: Paper Planes, Line Up 4, Avengers and Stikbot.

In another pile beside these are Playstation 4 games including Little Big Planet, The Folk of the Faraway, Batman and NBA. When Tatiana visited the family’s local GP a year ago with Mason suffering fever-like symptoms, she could never have imagined what lay ahead.

Last winter Mason tested positive for two types of viral pneumonia. “We started at a GP who said it was probably just a virus and to keep an eye on it. And then obviously nothing was improving,” she says.

Mason had battled chronic tonsillitis as an infant and at age three his tonsils were removed. Tatiana recalls with a sigh: “It wasn’t too uncommon for him to have a fever out of nowhere.”

After a year-long of back-and-forth admissions to hospital, CT scans, X-rays, tests and examinations from lung specialists and immunology teams, Tatiana received dreadful news: Mason had bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, a rare and irreversible disease that inflames the lung’s smallest airways.

Mason’s smile is that of a brave boy. His lungs are now at working at just 25 per cent capacity and he is in desperate need of a transplant.

“There’s no improving from it. You can hope that it’s not going to get worse but there’s no chance of getting any better. So it’s a matter of learning to live with it,” says Tatiana.

“You can’t plan your days. You don’t commit to anything. You do your best.”

Tatiana says the biggest challenge facing her little boy is to learn not to be too energetic.

“If we let him exert himself too much he effectively starves the little airways to his lungs of more oxygen which causes them to die off faster. So it really is quite risky letting him overdo things.

“You feel cruel limiting simple things like he and his brother sitting there giggling. You go: ‘Right, guys, come on, time to calm it down a bit.’ It’s awful.”

In one way Tatiana is prepared for the worst. Near the kitchen stands a large oxygen cylinder, of more than 4 cubic metres capacity, ready for use in case of a power outage. Another cylinder rests on a trolley in the living room should extra oxygen be needed.

In another sense, she isn’t fully prepared. “When people ask how I am coping I reply ‘I’m not.’ You only cope because you have to.

No choice about it. You can’t walk away from it. There’s no one else that can step in and take over. We’re trying to do as much as we can as a family.”

Tatiana says Mason and his brother, Connor, who are both autistic, were invited to a kick-to-kick session with the Collingwood Football Club players at the Holden Centre the previous day.

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continued next page...

September 2017

E ssence | 35

PENINSULA

Ariane holds up a signed Magpies Guernsey, announcing to Mason: “You are so lucky!”

“Yep,” he says with a beaming smile. “Mine got signed by every single football player.”

Asked who is his favorite player, Mason replies without hesitation: “Chris Mayne.”

Tatiana says her son is a very fussy eater. “His favorite meal is silverside but he also likes sushi and potato cakes when he’s in hospital. The bigger and healthier he is, the more resilient he’ll be for surgery.”

Mason can read and spell well, and enjoys schoolwork. Also, says his proud mother, he “loves his maths and he really enjoys learning.

But obviously at the same time he gets tired very quickly.”

As if on cue, Mason walks confidently into the kitchen, smiling and holding a paper plane he’s made.

When Ariane says Mason “gives the best hugs”, he pounces on the couch and wraps his arms and legs around her, pressing his soft cheeks against her face.

“Do you want to show your beautiful button peg now?” says Ariane.

Mason lifts up his Captain America shirt and shows his feeding tub. “But see how hard his breathing is? See the way it’s compressed? This is from a year of sucking in breath. Someone described it recently as blocking your nose and trying to breathe through a straw.”

Mason is off the couch again, on the hunt for something in the living room. Now he’s back on the couch holding a laminated book with blue-ribbon binding he made himself. The cover bears the title My Family Book and a photo of him hugging the family’s pet dog, Bobby.

He tucks himself against Ariane and reads the first page: “My mum is Tatiana. My dad is Tim. My brother is Connor and I am Mason.” He flicks to the next page: “This is me with my brother Connor riding our electric motorbikes.”

O H TH F F EA U P FA E W N S M HO FO IL L R Y E !

“And what did you say this one was called?” asks Ariane. “A flying fox,” he announces. Mason launches the paper plane across the living room before it nosedives into a shelf. “It’s had enough,” he says, causing Ariane and Tatiana to spill into laughter. “Too cute,” says Tatiana.

Like any six-year-old boy Mason loves Marvel comic-book super heroes. His favorite is Martin Manhunter. He also loves interactive games and Lego.

EST 2017

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September 2017

When Mason turns to Bobby’s page he buries his head in his chest. The room falls silent. “I’m sad,” he says. As if things weren’t tough enough, 10-year-old Bobby had died just days earlier from a tumour. “He wrote him a beautiful card,” adds Tatiana.

For a moment, emotion gets the better of her. Although Mason’s name is on a waiting list, Tatiana confesses to being “terrified” the transplant won’t come in time. Briefly, she covers her eyes with her hands and weeps.

wheelchair was damaged in floods, he’s been house-bound.

Tatiana knows a replacement would restore a measure of independence, but the $17,000 price tag is out of her family’s reach. * A fundraiser for Mason’s electric wheelchair will be held at Peninsula Obstacle Course on Sunday, September 10. Donations can be made online at www.gofundme.com/3yxcj08. and tickets for the course are available online from www.porc.com.au

His is such a rare condition that only one other child in this part of the world – a New Zealander – is in Mason’s position. Even if a lung transplant is successful, the strong immuno-suppressive drug he’s placed on will make him more susceptible to germs.

“It will be his biggest procedure ever. It comes with so many unknown risks,” Tatiana says.

When Tatiana sat down recently with the chief specialist at Monash, the prognosis was heartbreaking. “She said: ‘I’m worried you could lose him in the next six months.’ … As confronting as that was, that is what I needed. She said, ‘If you’ve got any ability to go out and make some memories please just do it.’ That was really hard to hear.”

Mason says he doesn’t like school now: since his electric

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PENINSULA

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September 2017

mornington legal

T

he directors of a Mornington accounting business have been interviewed as part of a pay TV series on successful businesses. Shannon Smit and Nadia Hughes, of Smart Business Solutions will appear on the Foxtel series Industry Leaders in November.

Their company provides accounting services and tax advice to businesses and the Australian Board of Taxation. Smit, who now sits on the Board of Taxation Advisory Panel, said Smart Business Solutions once operated from her home in Mornington. Hughes, a former Russian business journalist who came to Australia 20 years ago, joined forces with Smit in 2014.

With a weekly grocery budget of $11.50 and a mother of four children, Hughes decided to take a degree in accounting which she translated from Russian into English. Meanwhile, Smit had decided to work for free during her university days to gain experience – a move that landed her a paid accounting position.

Smit and Hughes say they recognised that most businesses struggled to maintain a cash flow and use technology and “developed strategies” to combat the problem.

“Other accountants come to us for advice and we show them strategies which they can implement to help their clients,” Smit says. Industry Leaders director Mac Emiantor said a research team chose Smit and Hughes “because they both have a very interesting story”. “They are so engaging we were all transfixed to our camera monitor screens during their interview,” director of Foxtel’s Industry Leaders program Mac Emiantor said.

“These great women in business are true leaders in their industry,” he said. “Smart Business Solutions is technologically driven and shows businesses how to succeed.”

The episode of Industry Leaders featuring Smit and Hughes is set to screen on Foxtel's Aurora channel - channel 173 - in November.

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September 2017

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PENINSULA

PENINSULA PHOTOGRAPHER AND HIS TWO GREAT PORTRAITS

By Melissa Walsh

P

eninsula photographer Peter McConchie has been shortlisted as a finalist in the National Photographic Portraiture Prize 2017.

“It was a delightful surprise for Peter to receive the phone call that he had not one but two photos shortlisted as he was unaware he had entered the competition,” said Nikki Fisher, whose idea it was to enter his photos into the portrait prize.

“I did so without him knowing as I wanted to surprise him.

I had wanted to enter some of his work for over ten years and last year was the first year he had portraits that fitted the entry criteria of having never been exhibited and taken within the previous 12 months.”

The two images that have been shortlisted are the black and white photo of Gayli Marika Yunupingu at Galupa Safety House where she lives with her 15 dogs. Galupa is a safe haven for women and children at risk of domestic violence. Gayli is a remarkable woman and Elder.

The color photograph is a beautiful young Yolngu family. Tiny is the mum, baby Jerry and dad Devon.

Peter’s work is among 49 of the year’s best photographic portraits at the 2017 National Photographic Portrait Prize. An annual prize open to both aspiring and professional photographers, the NPPP celebrates contemporary photographic portraiture from across the country. Almost 3000 entries were put forward for this year’s competition but just 49 made it to the final shortlist.

The National Photographic Portraiture Prize is showing from September 29 to November 26 at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au

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September 2017

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Fashion

Style File SPRING FASHION ON THE PENINSULA

When the sunshine starts peeping through the clouds and there’s an anticipation of warmer weather to come, Spring fashion is a great way to welcome the changing season. Bright colours, mixed with natural tones, textures of lace and leather, and fresh flowing fabrics await at the Mornington Peninsula’s hottest boutiques.

Previous page: Chris Yates Shop Eden Rock Beige Dress Necklace and hat Brown Boots available at Peter Young Shoes Sista Sista bag Model Julie THIS PAGE Left Image Main Exposure blue jeans Smash Edan Jacket Chris Yates Hat Below Left Black J Generation Cowneck Top Black Pants Below Right Main Exposure Nu Black pants Nu long sleeve white top Nu pink and black loose jacket Black belt Model Denise

Peter Young Shoes QUALITY EUROPEAN DESIGNER SHOES LOCAL BUSINESS FOR OVER 40 YEARS LADIES & MENS SHOES & ACCESSORIES 75 Main Street Mornington Ph 5975 4407

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September 2017

Making women look fabulous, regardless of age for over 30 years Let us update your wardrobe with the perfect piece or accessory.

Main Exposure Nu white pants Nu Grey and white top Nu grey velour style jacket Belt Rieker shoes available at Peter Young Shoes

Chris Yates Shop Shop 13, 89 Mt Eliza Way, Mt Eliza (03) 9787 8122 chrisyatesshop@gmail.com

September 2017

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Main Exposure has been a popular destination for women’s fashion in Mornington for over 20 years. Its success is based on a great mix of unusual overseas brands as well as some great classic Australian labels. With experienced customer service, they can offer you great advice for your upcoming Spring/Summer wardrobe.

35 Main St, Mornington | 5977 1935 6 Lochiel Ave, Mt Martha | 5974 2235

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September 2017

Chris Yates Alembika cardigan Lisett-L Montreal baby blue slim pants Sista Sista bag

Chris Yates Little Lies navy blue t-shirt White and blue pants White hat Rieker shoes a vailable at Peter Young Shoes

Expect to pay around half the price FOR AN APPOINTMENT CALL

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E ssence | 45

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THIS PAGE

Main Exposure Nu black pants Nu black long vest Nu long sleeve top Italian shoes available at Peter Young Shoes

Fashion Suppliers Sista Sista

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Stylist

Melissa Walsh Marg Harrison

RELAX & UNWIND 60 mins - $85 Package includes: 30 min Back Massage & 30 min Express Facial Moonah Links Day Spa 03 5988 2055 | dayspa@moonahlinks.com.au www.moonahdayspa.com.au

T&Cs: Applies to the month of September 2017.

Cannot be used in conjunction with other specials.

Eyewear As Individual As You Are Eyewear As Individual As You Are Eyewear As Individual • Professional Care • Top Quality Eyewear

• Prompt, Effiicient Service •Latest Fashion Frame Brands

• Professional Care • Top Quality Eyewear

• Prompt, Effiicient Service •Latest Fashion Frame Brands

Now stocking Paul Taylor Eyewear

MainStreet EyeCare MainStreet Eyecare 57 Main Street, Mornington 5975 3235 57 Main Street, Mornington MainStreet EyeCare MainStreet Eyecare 5975 3235 Now stocking Paul Taylor Eyewear

57 Main Street, Mornington 3235 57 Main Street, Mornington5975 5975 3235

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As You Are Eyewear As Individual As You Are

September 2017

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STYLE ALL THE WAY

With a huge sale in the first week of September and then all new stock arriving in store, it’s going to be a huge month at Style Temple!

“We have a lot of new stock, several containers in fact, about to arrive for Spring so are doing an ‘end of Winter’ sale with sensational discounts off our exclusive, stylish homewares, accessories and more in store,” said Liz whose philosophy is to have product that like no other store has and stay unique.

There will be incredible bargains in store during the ‘end of winter’ sale, with further reductions and new sale stock introduced daily.

Brands like Armadillo, Tom Dixon, Bemboka, Bedouin Society, Palm Beach, Rug Collection, Nicole Fendel to name a few, and Style Temple’s full range will be reduced by 10-70% off during the sale.

As exclusive Mornington stockists of numerous brands like Armadillo, you will enjoy 30 per cent off their luxurious Armadillo floor stock and 10% off all orders placed during the sale.

Other items on sale include their ever popular cushions, lighting, sofas, dining chairs, bedheads, bedlinens, throws, candles, plant pots, swings, jewellery, clothing and postcode doormats.

“It’s an irresistible end of winter celebration sale with many, many more discounts in store, and makes way for new stock with our own designs, as well as European designs from overseas. With Style Temple’s expansion into wholesaling now, customers can be assured that they are getting a curated look, unique to them at competitive prices. It also means more comprehensive control over the quality of what we are selling. We are actually bringing products into Australia that haven’t been seen in the country yet.”

Style Temple has suppliers from all over the world, From Europe and the UK, to America and Asia.

“Some are one off pieces and some are pieces we are doing repeat lines of. We have a wonderful new range of furniture, sofas, arm chairs, tables, desks and cabinetry bars which are on trend at the moment. We are also working exclusively with a supplier of bone inlay products going forward, which means we will be able to custom design our pieces. These handmade pieces are beautiful, and painstakingly made with precision using age-old traditions”.

As an interior decorator, Liz says there are three types of decorating fashions on trend at the moment.

“They are New York glam, a modern Hampton’s look, and a sophisticated boho/beach look , so we have furniture coming in from September to support all of those looks,” said Liz.

Style Temple also has stunning lighting arriving from Italy and the UK, with exclusive brand Ochre, known for their handmade and high end furniture and lighting, and also

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September 2017

Asian antique pieces arriving for Spring. “Some of the modern chandeliers that we have coming in are jawdroppingly beautiful! And incredibly well-priced” said Liz about their new range of lighting.

“We have also always had a huge demand in store for rugs, so have started to stock hand knotted and hand tufted rugs as well as a range of natural rugs. All of the rugs can be custom designed and are of incredible quality. The hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs are made from wool and silk and designed to last a lifetime. The natural rugs are made from Abaca which is a member of the banana leaf family.” Abaca is traditionally used to make ropes and is the strongest natural fibre, making it a better choice than sisal for heavy traffic areas like hallways, foyers, family rooms and entries, as it will last substantially longer.

With a reputation for beautiful homewares, furniture, lighting, rugs, gifts, art, curios, and antiques, Style Temple also offers a range of residential and commercial decorating/ design, cabinetry, bespoke furniture, property styling and fit out services. With an ever-evolving range of products online and in store, owner and interior design expert, Liz Todd, travels the world to source exciting pieces to stay on trend and help you create a beautiful and unique home.

Style Temple is your one-stop shop for all things beautiful.

Style Temple is at 5-7 Diane St, Mornington Phone 5975 7432 www.styletemple.com

Home and Garden

perfect

coastal lifestyle.

Artist impression

Custom built homes beyond the ordinary.

Located in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula, Tempo Group specialise in building exceptional homes tailored to your individual taste and lifestyle.

For growing families or a coastal retreat, each residence boasts premium quality in a sophisticated design so you’ll feel right at home the moment you step inside.

Get in touch today.

Natalie Sevior 0439 368 181 build@thetempogroup.com.au thetempogroup.com.au TDGMPE01

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HAVE YOU OR HAVE YOU HAD PROBLEMS WITH TERMITES?

Rocket Building Group are proud to specialise in repairing property damage caused by termites to buildings, both residential and commercial.

“Whilst termites can cause considerable damage, utilising our experience and specialised equipment, we are able to assess, repair and rehabilitate damaged areas in a timely and cost effective manner,” said Jeromme Grech, owner Rocket Building Group.

Rocket Building Group has over 10 years’ experience servicing homes and businesses in Melbourne, including South Eastern Suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.

“We are also specialists in existing home renovations including period style homes. Our fully licensed and registered builders pride themselves on the quality workmanship. We treat every job with professionalism, taking the time to understand your vision, managing the project from start to finish.”

Rocket Building Group offer clients honest, old fashioned and timely service – you won’t be waiting for a scheduled appointment or a return phone call.

“We are fully licensed and registered builders and pride ourselves on the quality of our workmanship. We treat every job like our own, taking the time to understand your vision and handling the full management of your project from plan to completion. Working with industry experts we guarantee quality, custom solutions that are delivered on time and to budget,” said Jeromme. “During home renovation, it is not uncommon uncover asbestos in walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, cladding or pipes. At Rocket Building Group, we ensure the safe removal and disposal of all asbestos waste by fully licensed and certified professionals.”

Rocket Building Group can also add space, functionality and modern comfort to your bathroom with custom designed renovations or basic updates.

“We work with you from planning to implementation to ensure your specifications are met,” said Jeromme. “Rocket Building Group offers tailor-made carpentry solutions for your home – both inside and out. We specialise in bathroom and kitchen renovations, window repairs and replacements, fencing, decking, pergolas and custom cabinetry. We can even tailor make furniture using component cutting. Call us with your project needs for an obligation free quote.”

If you would like further information or to view examples of our high quality workmanship,

Please visit our website www.rocketbuildinggroup.com.au.

If you have any questions, or would prefer to get some quick answers, please call Jeromme on 0407 517 432.

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Home and Garden WE ARE URBAN

Owned & operated by Shaun Laxton, Urban Construction is a family owned business based on the Mornington Peninsula.

Shaun commenced his career in construction at age 15, working alongside his father, who was also a builder for over 40 years. Shaun had the opportunity early on to develop his skills in construction by living & working overseas in the UK & Sweden. In his personal time, Shaun is an avid Golfer and a proud member of The National Golf Club, Cape Schanck & The Mornington Golf Club.

Shaun has been fortunate enough to share his knowledge in the construction industry by contributing to the Victorian Curriculum and assessment Authority, by writing the VCE (22216VIC) Cert 2 in Building and construction, for all VCAL Students in Victoria.

Urban Construction is a registered building practitioner for both the domestic and commercial sector & as members of the Master Builders Association, they have received nominations in both categories.

Urban Construction has been building quality new homes, townhouses, multiunit developments, commercial builds and other construction for over 25 years.

Some of Urban’s recent projects include resort style house builds and the ecofriendly ‘Thermacell Australia’ home, in Cape Schanck, the Somerville YMCA & Aquatic Centre, Vesbar Wine Bar, Soy Restaurant as well as a range of projects and developments. With High standards and an exceptional customer service experience, Urban has all aspects of any project covered, keeping clients updated & involved along the way.

also completed various projects in such locations as Kew, to Camberwell & various Medical Centres and dental Clinics, so travel need not be an issue!

Urban Construction offer’s fixed priced contracts & cost-plus pricing as well as working with owner builders. For more information please contact Urban Construction on the information below. www.urbanconstruction.com.au Shaun Laxton (Director/Builder): 0425 795 241 Rhiannon Kairys (Operations manager): 0405 237 570

Although Urban Construction is based on the Mornington Peninsula, they have

WE ARE URBAN.

Custom Homes Unit Developments Residential Projects Renovations Extensions Commercial Developments

Cape Court, Cape Schanck

Urban Construction PO Box 691, Mornington VIC 3931 Shaun Laxton Director / Builder 0425 795 241 Rhiannon Kairys Operations Manager 0405 237 570 CB-L 45079

DBU-U 31952

ABN 60 158 036 705

urbanconstruction.com.au

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INRODUCING VISAGE BLINDS

by JALEIGH BLINDS & CURTAINS

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN • STUNNING FABRIC OPTIONS MOTORIZATION AVAILABLE • ENHANCING PRIVACY • REDUCING GLARE • WORKS IN THE SAME WAY AS A CLASIC ROLLER BLIND

JALEIGH ALSO MANUFACTURERS VISION BLINDS, ROLLERS AND MUCH MORE!

50 HARTNETT DRIVE, SEAFORD (OPPOSITE VIC ROADS) 9782 4142 www.jaleighblinds.com.au

Home and Garden JALEIGH BLINDS

Wholesale blind manufacturer Jaleigh Blind Supplies is backing its new range of Visage Blinds to offer a point of difference from standard market offerings. David Farren of Jaleigh says the company is the first in Australia to produce the product fabricated using the Louvolite system and fabrics. “The new Visage blind gives you the look of a venetian blind with the operation of a roller blind.

Unlike the zebra blind, you get a clearer view through the blind to the outside world. The visage blind starts to close like a venetian blind, then rolls up like a roller blind.” Visage is made up of two layers of soft fabric connected by horizontal sheer vanes that filter sunlight whilst maintaining different levels of privacy and UV protection as the blind is raised or lowered. Farren says Visage will be launched in four fabric ranges, with 18 colors available across the ranges, and more colors to be released in coming months.

“This line offers retailers a product that until now has been at the high-end of the price range at an affordable price, opening it up to a broader range of client.” “We also make it in Melbourne, reducing the turnaround time, and we service all states.” Delivery time for the product will be around 10 to 15 working days, but this will drop as its popularity increases.

“At Jaleigh Blinds and Curtains, our philosophy is to offer expertise and friendly advice to help our customers make confident, informed decisions. We do not believe in hard sell but rather let our service, quality products and low prices speak for themselves,” said Farren.

Jaleigh Blinds and Curtains is a family owned business which is celebrating 18 years of successful growth. Initially run from home by a husband and wife team, the company now also provides employment for 20 local people.

“By manufacturing most styles of blinds in our Carrum Downs factory, we eliminate the middle man and pass the savings on to our customers. Our locally made range is complemented by the latest styles sourced from selected suppliers, all experts in their field. A commitment to maintaining low prices whilst offering great service continues to be our best advertisement. Many of our customers come to us through recommendation and we also supply to a large number of local builders, developers, health facilities and schools on a regular basis,” he said.

JALEIGH BLINDS AND CURTAINS is at 50 Hartnett Drive, Seaford.

Phone 9782 4142 www.jaleighblinds.com.au

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We Love it!

Hate Housework?

Your We Number Oneit!

Choice For Residential Cleaning Love we specialise only in residential cleaning which means you Your Number One Choice For Residential CleaningAtTIME FOR A CLEANING SERVICE will have your home cleaned by a highly trained professional team who Our lives are becoming increasingly busy these days will use our unique process to ensure excellent results with the pressures at work, family obligations, ongoing each and every time. responsibilities and then trying to fit in a social life… it’s

At we specialise only in residential cleaning which means you will have your home cleaned by a highly trained professional team who will use our unique process to ensure excellent results each and every time.

Spring Cleaning

Regular Cleaning

We offer a one-day blitz of your home. Ideal for ‘spring cleaning’ as well as after party emergencies, before guests, during house moves or after builders. The myhome spring clean takes just one day to get your home looking immaculate.

Our regular cleaning service is perfect for your needs, whatever size home you have. This flexible service allows you to choose the frequency of your cleaning visits, whether that’s weekly, fortnightly, monthly or even more often if you require.

ousework?

Love it!

Why choose

?

● Over 10 years experience

● Great customer service

● Fully trained full time staff

● Unique tri-colour system

● Our 48 point cleaning system

● Fully insured

● Consistant results

● Guaranteed results

For a FREE estimate call

13 22 31

www.myhomeclean.com.au

Mount Eliza

|

Mornington

|

Mount Martha

|

Frankston

|

Somerville

ce For Residential Cleaning At we specialise only in residential cleaning which means you will have your home cleaned by a highly trained professional team who will use our unique process to ensure excellent results each and every time.

Spring Cleaning

Regular Cleaning

We offer a one-day blitz of your home. Ideal for ‘spring cleaning’ as well as after party emergencies, before guests, during house moves or after builders. The myhome spring clean takes just one day to get your home looking immaculate.

Our regular cleaning service is perfect for your needs, whatever size home you have. This flexible service allows you to choose the frequency of your cleaning visits, whether that’s weekly, fortnightly, monthly or even more often if you require.

Mount Eliza

Why choose

|

Mornington

|

● Great customer service

● Fully trained full time staff

● Unique tri-colour system

● Our 48 point cleaning system

● Fully insured

● Consistant results

● Guaranteed results

For a FREE estimate call

13 22 31

www.myhomeclean.com.au

• Mount Eliza Mount Martha |

• Mornington| Frankston

• Frankston

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• Mount Martha Somerville • Somerville

September 2017

one day to so get many your home lookingon the monthly even more often if There are cleaners market,orindependents, immaculate. you require. agencies and professional companies.

There are many questions and concerns when hiring people Why choose ? to come into your home. Are they qualified? How much ●experienced Over 10 yearsdoexperience ● Great customer service they have? Are they covered by insurance and most importantly can we trust them? ● Fully trained full time staff ● Unique tri-colour system these are concerns for you but● Fully don’tinsured have the time or ●IfOur 48 point cleaning system

interviewing then results you should ●energy Consistant results and trialling cleaners, ● Guaranteed

choose a professional company that have their systems in place to ensure the quality, safety and security in your home is met.

For a FREE estimate call MyHome Cleaning has all of this covered.

13 22 31

They are a professional cleaning company that has been servicing the Mornington Peninsula for over seven years www.myhomeclean.com.au and MyHome itself has been established in Melbourne for over 15 years.

provide our Mount They Martha |

?

● Over 10 years experience

nearly impossible to find the time to clean.

Spring Cleaning Regular Cleaning The simple answer to gaining control of your life is outsourcing help blitz to keep and service have is We offer a one-day of youreverything Ourbalanced regular cleaning time theformore Paying a needs, cleaning home.for Ideal ‘springimportant cleaning’ as things.perfect forfor your whatever service may no emergencies, longer be considered as ayou luxury well as after party size home have. these This flexible days a necessity lifeyou style and the beforebut guests, during houseto keep a balanced service allows to choose bring some harmony to an already chaotic world.

But how moves or after builders. The frequency of your cleaning visits, do you choose? myhome spring clean takes just whether that’s weekly, fortnightly,

customer qualified staff, regulated Frankston | with Somerville tools and equipment arriving in company cars and in company uniform. Their standards, policies/procedures and experience means that we offer great security and safety of your home. Not to mention great results with our Unique Tri-Colour Cleaning Service.

Phone MyHome Cleaning Service on 13 22 31 www.myhomeclean.com.au

Home and Garden COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL SPECIALISTS

Ecofit Electrical, established in 2012, provides a professional service by designing, installing and commissioning innovative electrical, communication and maintenance solutions to its clients.

A trusted Mornington Peninsula based company that undertakes works all over Victoria, the team have extensive experience in all aspects of electrical.

They have delivered successful projects across commercial, industrial and domestic sectors, varying from multi unit developments, commercial offices, shop fit-outs, special care

facilities, factories, architectural designed homes, refurbishment works and school developments.

We build relationships with the client that are characterised by our flexibility, adaptability and desire to meet and exceed expectations. A combination of a proficient service and delivered promises of providing high quality, cost effective installations, with a friendly and reliable experience, has seen Ecofit Electrical retain its clients and establish a strong foundation within the electrical industry all over Victoria. The team have extensive experience in all aspects of electrical varying We cater to all needs whether it be in design and construct, or using economical and innovative ways to meet our client’s budgets, needs and demands. We are reliable and

trusted when it comes to commercial electricians in Melbourne.

Ecofit Electrical offers a team of highly experienced, skilled and trained professionals whose primary focus is to deliver a full and complete range of electrical services to domestic builders and property owners. We also appreciate the personal touch when working one on one with a client building their dream home. Ecofit Electrical completes and commissions the basic unit through to multi-million dollar homes.

For further information about our services, please contact us on 0408 012 731 or visit our website www.ecofitelectrical.com.au

Commercial, Industrial & Domestic Electrical Specialists

Ecofit is a trusted Mornington Peninsula based company.

The team have expertise in all aspects of electrical, varying from architectural design homes, refurbishment works, factories, commercial offices, shop fit-outs.

For further information about our services please contact us on 0408 012 731 or visit www.ecofitelectrical.com.au

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Home and Garden BAYSIDE BLINDS AND SECURITY DOORS

After 25 years in the industry Chris and Kylie certainly understand blinds and security doors, offering full range of quality indoor and outdoor window furnishings, awnings and security doors to suit all tastes and budgets. A family owned and operated business; you can be assured of personal service with professionalism and experience that is second to none.

Bayside Blinds and Security Doors offer honest advice on all products and aim to make sure their customers are 100% happy with their choices and our service.

“We have a wide range of roller blinds, shutters (Timber, PVC & Aluminium) romans; verticals venetians

(Aluminium & Timber) curtains (Drapes and sheers) honeycomb blinds. We also manufacture our own made to measure fly screens and security doors, barrier doors and awnings,” said Kylie. “We opened a shop front and showroom 18 months ago.”

Open Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm and Saturday 9am till 2pm. After hours appointments are available on request.

Phone 5987 0853

Chris has always been in the blinds industry and Kylie joined him several years ago and loves the improvements they have made to the business.

“We have recently opened a factory to do our own manufacturing and the shop front now displays homewares, soft furnishings, rugs, diffusers, and cushions to help with the décor aspect of interior design,” said Kylie.

BAYSIDE BLINDS AND SECURITY DOORS is at Shop 9, Dromana Hub Shopping Centre, 217 Point Nepean Road, Dromana.

Call us to set up a blind date After 25 years in the industry Chris and Kylie understand not everyone wants the same thing, and therefore offer a full range of quality indoor and outdoor window furnishings, awnings and security doors to suit all tastes and budgets. Our range includes brands such as Verosol, Charles Parsons & Wilsons fabrics.

Bayside Blinds and Security Doors offer honest advice on all products and aim to make sure our customers are 100% happy with their choices and our service. Drop in to our showroom to see our range of fabrics, homewares and cowhide rugs.

We have a wide range of fabrics for made to measure: • Roller blinds • Shutters (Timber, PVC & Aluminium) • Romans • Verticals • Venetians (Aluminium & Timber) • Curtains (Drapes and sheers) • Honeycomb blinds We also manufacture our own made to measure: • Flyscreens • Security doors (manufactured with 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel mesh) • Barrier doors • Awnings

Call us now for a free measure and quote on 5987 0853 Shop 9 Dromana Hub SC 251 Point Nepean rd, Dromana 3936 info@bbsd.com.au | www.bbsd.com.au | (03) 5987 0853

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SALOTTO 3.5 SEATER SOFA CREMORNE COFFEE TABLE

PH: 8560 1137, Showroom D4, Peninsula Home 1128-1132 Nepean Hwy VISIT US TODAY!

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON

www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au

Home and Garden TRANSFORM YOUR INTERIOR SPACE

Transform your interior space this season with OZ Design Furniture Mornington.

OZ Design is filled with sleek designs and on-trend homewares, which means there is no better time than now to create an enviable living space. The divine Coco sofa upholstered in velvet along with the Hermon coffee and side table are just some of the stunning pieces that will bring sophistication and style into your modern home.

You'll also find a stunning furniture and accessory collection offering a wide range of looks to suit all homes and all lifestyles - from fabric and leather sofas, dining tables, entertainment units and ottomans to storage solutions, accessories and much more. OZ Design has an extensive solid timber range, offering choices of colors and sizes, and the fabric and leather sofa collection offers depths of choice in colors, materials and sizes to suit small or large living spaces.

OZ Design is open seven days a week with free parking and offers a local delivery service, so shop now for stunning collections and be inspired this winter at OZ Design Furniture Mornington.

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE is at 1132 Nepean Highway, Mornington.

Phone 8560 1137 www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au

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September 2017

Arts

By Melissa Walsh

A fresh face in the photographic community, Emma Davidson uses an experimental approach, seeking to make a statement by pushing the limits of light and movement beyond the boundaries of traditional photography, as well as using different material to create unique and experimental outcomes in her designs. Peninsula Essence talks to Emma about her love of photography and reaching new limits on this creative platform.

W

hen you look at the diversity and creativity in Emma Davidson’s photography, you would never guess this Mornington Peninsula girl discovered her passion and skill for the art just a few years ago. Already after such a short period of time, the 20 year old is creating a unique blend of photography and graphic design in her images that is rarely seen in today’s mainstream photography. For young Emma, it’s a fairly safe bet that this is just the beginning.

“I’ve always loved creative things and did a lot of scrapbooking as a kid but my interest in photography happened when I was studying graphic design at university and part of the course was photography.

As soon as I started learning about cameras and photography I was hooked. I loved that it was more free and creative than the graphic design element I was doing and decided to combine the two to create inspirational images,” said Emma. “My main focus with my earlier photos has been to add movement into the still image by combining different elements.”

The first photo shoot Emma did created photos that were stunning visually with Emma’s trademark use of warm vibrant colors.

“Conceptual design and experimentation are my passion, as is the use of color to create movement in the image and add another layer,” said Emma who experimented with powder for her first photo shoot.

“A lot of my images I design in my head and then create the image. I love movement and using different materials and get my inspiration from looking on line at different photos and realising the ones I am drawn to are abstract. That’s when I have the idea to add different materials to my photos.”

With Emma’s first studio photo shoot, the use of powder was an evolving process until she found the correct material.

“I spent a long time sourcing what would work best for the effect I wanted. First I experimented with chalk and colors but it didn’t work properly. Then I discovered flour was the best, so I got colored powder to add to it for effect. It took about six hours to do the shoot, which needed a lot of cleaning up. It was all about timing so I took about 500 images. The whole focus was to capture the time when the flour was in the air so it was a lot of trial and error but I was thrilled with the end result,” said Emma, who has found inspiration looking at other abstract photographers like Brandon Woelfel. “I saw Brandon’s images on Instagram and loved his use of fairy lights and other materials.

While mine are very different, they still follow that abstract feel.” continued next page...

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For Emma, it’s about capturing a moment in time and freezing it to create a powerful image.

“Once you have captured that moment, you have it forever and I love that. I also love being able to utilize two such different skills, photography and graphic design. Graphic design is very rules-based while photography is more creative. The two combined create a wonderful image.”

As a young girl Emma understands social media presence is paramount, and has been active in creating an Instagram and Facebook page with her images, along with a website.

“When you are first getting your name out there, I think it is important to have a strong social media presence, so my images are online for people to see,” said Emma, who also does freelance photography for family portraits, pregnancy, events and weddings.

“I am interested in all kinds of photography from the most abstract creative images to capturing special moments in people’s lives.”

Check out Emma Davidson’s stunning images on Instagram and Facebook– Emma Davidson Photography or the website emmadavidson.squarespace.com Email Emma at emmadavidsonphotography@gmail.com or phone 0437 430 436

Ellis Productions

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

by Jules Verne| adapted for the stage by Toby Hulse | directed by Terence O’Connell

Friday 22 September, 8pm Tickets: $27 - $55

From Nature Spring Salon Exhibition September 23 – November 12

An exhibition of new Aboriginal art + select Australian contemporary art from around Australia celebrating nature and the season of spring.

COMEDY/DRAMA Tickets:

03 9784 1060

thefac.com.au

@the_fac | #thefac Principal Theatre Partner

Frankston Arts Centre is a business unit of Frankston City Council.

642 Tucks Road, Shoreham,VIC 3916 | T: 59 898 282 E: info@mccullochandmcculloch.com.au mccullochandmcculloch.com.au Open Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays | 11am–4pm

September 2017

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NATURE MY MUSE

ART AT WHISTLEWOOD THIS SPRING

D

iscover the connection between art and nature at Whistlewood Gallery, Shoreham this spring. The exhibition From Nature features new Aboriginal and select Australian contemporary art crafted from natural materials or brilliant colour. The works show the deep connection the artists have to their country and its ongoing regeneration - a truly joyous celebration of the spring season of rebirth and renewal.

The exhibition includes barks and carvings from East Arnhem Land, new works by Far North Queensland painters Rosella Namok, Samantha Hobson and Fiona Omeenyo, rising stars, award winning and established artists from the APY Lands, the Pilbara, Queensland, the Western, Central & Eastern Deserts and new works by David Beaumont and Claudine Marzik.

Experience spring inside and out as the surrounding gardens set the ideal stage for the exhibition. The ancient pear trees of Whistlewood stretch in full blossom, the sweet perfume of the freesias paints the air and the playful daffodils sprawl scattered in the lush grass. Immerse yourself in spring at every turn- tangible and imagined.

OPENING: Saturday September 23 Curator’s Floor Talk: 3pm. (RSVP Sep 19) Exhibition open: September 23 - November 12, 11am - 4pm Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

WHISTLEWOOD GALLERY A: 642 Tucks Road, Shoreham T: 5989 8282 E: info@mccullochandmcculloch.com.au mccullochandmcculloch.com.au

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September 2017

Painting: Pauline Minmila Wangin, My Home

Come and visit the new home for REX McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery is the perfect place for families to enjoy art, culture, great coffee and the outdoors. Our grounds are home to over 100 sculptures, located within 16 hectares of native and manicured gardens. Our café is the perfect place to enjoy delicious food and coffee before exploring the Sculpture park or taking advantage of our guided tours on Wednesdays or Thursdays – bookings essential.

Our current exhibitions showcase the works of Tina Wentcher & Stephen Haley. Tina Wentcher is of considerable significance as one of the first Australian sculptors to be influenced by contact with Asian cultures.

This exhibition includes approximately 26 works by Tina Wentcher, supporting photographs and a small group of works by Julius Wentcher.

Our Stephen Haley: Out of Place exhibition, uses 3D modelling software to explore the virtual and actual environments of contemporary experience, as well as paint and digital media. These exhibitions are on display in the gallery until 12th November 2017.

Stephen Haley, Simmer City 2016

Dean Colls - REX Australis

Our school holiday program will be running in September and October with activities including wilderness nature craft walks and free family sculpture making workshops, inspiring outdoor creative expression.

Our holiday program costs $15 per child Bookings recommended

We look forward to welcoming you.

Tina Wentcher, Two Balinese girl dancers

McClelland Café

Gallery Open: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm Café Open: Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4.30pm Address: 390 McClelland Drive Langwarrin Victoria Phone: 03 97891671 mcclellandgallery.com.au

McClelland Gallery+Sculpture Park

mcclellandgallery

IN THE FAMILY E ssence

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September 2017

By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni

I

t’s a hot, tricky business that takes a toll on the mind and body, but once you’re hooked, its addictive. That’s the word from Eileen, Grant and Hamish, the family behind Gordon Studio Glass Blowing in Red Hill.

“It’s a matter of skill and creativity to master the art of glass blowing,” said the family from their studio. “Scientifically, glass is made by melting together several minerals at very high temperatures. Silica in the form of sand is the main ingredient and this is combined with soda ash and limestone and melted in a furnace at temperatures of 1300°C. It’s very hot working with a furnace and its very hard to master, being one of the oldest and most difficult art forms.”

For husband and wife, Eileen and Grant, working as glassblowers is now second nature, with the couple so devoted to the craft that they created their very own studio, Gordon Studio Glassblowers.

These days, son Hamish has joined the team, working as a glassblower and creating his own designs as he learns the trade from mum and dad.

“I used to work in here when I was doing my trade over the last few years, making paper weights to earn some extra money. But it wasn’t until I travelled overseas and saw all the artwork that inspired me to come back and learn the art of glassblowing,” said Hamish who has taken to it like a duck to water according to his parents. “I wanted to do it, I grew up with mum and dad doing this, would come in as a kid and make paperweights for pocket money. “I went to Turkey and did a course and have also learnt lots about it on YouTube. I am doing a master class in Canberra soon.”

Like his parents, Hamish says he loves the intensity of glass blowing.

“It’s go go go. I like the heat, the challenge, the constant improvement. It also allows you to do the things you want to do and constant improvement as you have to build the skills to achieve your ideas.”

When Hamish first started two years ago, he was making lots of tumblers, drinking glasses, paperweights and basic vases. These days, he designs his own creations, one of which is the sculptural heads where he uses a new technique.

“I come up with the design myself and experiment, getting my inspiration from anywhere and everywhere,” he said. “You have a lot of ideas that come to you while you are working; you might see something from a different angle and it sparks an idea.”

Already, Hamish has a whole range of his own work and is selling to galleries.

“Even working with mum and dad is not too bad,” he says with a laugh. continued next page...

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“YOU KEEP MAKING BETTER PIECES AND I GET INSPIRATION FROM NATURE AROUND ME. EVEN WHEN YOU GO TRAVELLING YOU SPEND YOUR TIME GAZING AND THINKING HOW YOU COULD REPLICATE THINGS IN GLASS"

For Grant and Eileen, they are enjoying having Hamish there and admit it is a very frustrating skill to learn.

While the process of glass blowing doesn’t change much, Eileen says, after all these years, you never stop learning.

“Picking up a pipe with a piece of glass on it is so hard,” said Grant. “When I was a farmer in my earlier days, I thought I could do anything but glassblowing is another realm. Every part of your body, your strength, balance and mind is strained. It is like learning to balance something on a needle, where gravity works for and against you.”

“You keep making better pieces and I get inspiration from nature around me. Even when you go travelling you spend your time gazing and thinking how you could replicate things in glass. One thing we do a lot more of is adding sculptures and piece to home décor. We do a lot more indoor and outdoor sculptures for private homes as well.”

Starting the business in Rosebud, it was eight years later they decided to build the studio in Red Hill and opened it in 2004.

The gallery and studio is one of the few in Victoria that caters for those wishing to view and buy an existing work of art glass, as well as those interested in having customized hand blown glass art works created to their own specific needs.

Since then, they have started doing beginners classes, where people can get a sense of what is involved in the age old craft.

“We started the classes about two years ago and they are very popular. In a day people make a tumbler and paperweights and we help them get a feel for the whole process,” said Eileen who still loves the skill and creativity involved in glass blowing.

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Visitors to the studio have the rare opportunity to witness glassblowing from the security and comfort of the light-filled viewing mezzanine. You can experience the searing heat of the furnaces, observe master glass artisans at work and learn about the ancient art of glassblowing.

“Even working with mum and dad is not too bad ” in fact, glass is the most expensive form of art to create, but it is not really a job if you have artistic dreams.”

Gordon Studio Glass is at 290 Red Hill Road, Red Hill Phone 5989 7073 www.gordonstudio.com.au

GORDON STUDIO G L A S S B L O W E R S ll Red Hi

Add Ph & Website: 03 5989 7073 www.gordonstudio.com.au Over the years Eileen and Grant have created a wide vocabulary of blown forms, revisiting refiningasearlier shapes Can we also put and jewellery the last dotwhilst point. extending experimentation and their mastery of color, scale and understanding of the capricious nature of glassblowing. Now Hamish is carrying on the tradition alongside his proud parents.

Like any passion, for Grant, Eileen and Hamish, running a business is all consuming.

“It’s a lifestyle thing you do. We blow glass about three to four days, but it’s a cycle. You have to make the glass in the furnace, and then use that to blow the next day, and then fill up the furnace again. There’s also grinding, cutting and polishing, as well as running the gallery.”

They say the reason for their success is a mixture of hard work and putting in the hard yards.

“It’s still very time consuming. You are up and running a furnace 24/7 and the working time gas bill alone is up in the thousands per week. Everything we make goes into kilns to cool down and,

Hand Blown Glass • Engraved Glass Glass Sculptures • Jewellery A WORKING HOT GLASS STUDIO & GALLERY 290 Red Hill Rd, cnr Dunns Creek Road, Red Hill | 03 5989 7073 gordonstudio.com.au | facebook.com/gordonstudioglassblowers

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BRINGS MASTIC TO RED HILL

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The

Eat & Drink

TRUE MEANING OF HOSPITALITY REFLECTED AT THE TRACTOR

By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni

I

t was a sea change seven years ago that brought Graham Kinsey and his young family down to the peninsula where he put his love of food and hospitality experience to good use, joining the team at Ten Minutes by Tractor.

These days Graham is like part of the furniture at the chef ’s hat venue, working as venue manager for the past three years.

His gregariousness and love of people with a passion for food and wine turned out to be the perfect combination for the restaurant.

“My family and I live in Rye these days and love everything about being on the peninsula, “says the father of two young boys.

“My wife is a chef and works in Rye so we are well and truly established down here. I love working at Ten Minutes by Tractor as it’s like a small family. Chef has been here for years, and many of the staff have been here for a long time. We have a small space that works well and have an opportunity that is rare in the hospitality industry, where we get to taste chef ’s food and do a bit of theatre at the table.”

Ten Minutes by Tractor aims to effortlessly bring together all the elements necessary for a memorable lunch or dinner with contemporary cuisine from their talented chef, attentive and knowledgeable service, a wine list that’s been judged Australia’s best, and a relaxed ambience with magnificent views over vineyards and countryside. Chef Stuart Bell’s innovative menu is driven by fresh regional produce and his classic French training, with harmonious influences from Asian and European cuisines. Graham Kinsey and head sommelier Jacques Savary de Beauregard have set high standards of service, defined by The Age Good Food Guide as polished, but in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

“We offer the highest quality in food, wine and service but take pride in the fact that we are not pretentious, which is how we want to keep it. People come down to the peninsula to relax and we want that to be emphasis with our service. We make sure our guests are comfortable and at the same time enjoying some of the continued next page...

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best food and service on the peninsula,” says Graham of the venue where the family dynamic with the staff ensures that welcoming feel.

The wine list focuses on a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from around the world and includes a select number of key producers, including some of Burgundy’s best, allowing you to compare the wine styles from different winemakers, regions and vintages. The comprehensive and well-researched notes make absorbing reading, and provide another dimension to the journey.

After being closed for a month before Easter, the restaurant underwent a refurbishment to reflect a more sophisticated ambience in the dining room and the ever evolving menu.

“We did new floors, bulkhead seating, and different paint, but the actual space itself is the same it’s just been reconfigured,” said Graham. “It is a modern take on rural dining and needed to match chef ’s food and the service style on the floor. The wine list has changed and won a couple of awards, and we now have 1400 wines on the wine list. It is still very much a focus on Mornington Peninsula wines but includes wines from around the world as well.”

Ten Minutes by Tractor reflects the true meaning of hospitality with the friendly and generous reception of guests or strangers.

“We, quite simply, put quality and attention to detail at the heart of everything we do, “said Graham. www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au

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Dishes

Must try

Bunny Chow spiced chicken, sweet potato and cashew nut curry in a mini toasted sourdough loaf w Thai cucumber relish

18 hour Korean beef short rib ginger pickled daikon, spinach, poached eggs, hot sauce hollandaise on English muffins

Smoked salmon roulade, char-grilled capsicum, layered with goats cheese, wild rocket, spanish onion and smoked salmon

Commonfolk Coffee

Merchant & Maker

Main Sail Cafe Bar

16 Progress St, Mornington Phone 5902 2786 www.commonfolkcoffee.com.au

675 Point Nepean Road, McCrae Phone 5986 3385 www.merchantmaker.com.au

90 Main St, Mornington Phone 5975 7883 www.mainsailcafebar.com.au

Pig and Whistle calamari

Herb roasted chicken, roasted root vegetables, mash potato

House baked vanilla cheesecake with macerated strawberries

The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel

124 Main St, Mornington Phone 5975 2001 www.grand.net.au

124 Main St, Mornington Phone 5975 2001 www.grand.net.au

Pig and Whistle Tavern 356 Purves Road, Main Ridge Phone 5989 6130Â www.thepigandwhistle.com.au

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TRACTOR CONTINUES TO PRODUCE THE GOODS

By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni

M

oving to the Mornington Peninsula 11 years ago with his wife and small children was a coup for the region with accomplished chef, Stuart Bell, bringing his great skills in French and modern Australian cuisine right to our doorstep.

The Ten Minutes By Tractor chef continues to work miracles since starting at the Red Hill winery and restaurant ten years ago, after working with some of the industry’s best, including Philippe Mouchel, Jacques Reymond and Alain Fabregues.

“We were living in WA at the time and decided to move to the peninsula because we love the lifestyle and being close to the water,” says Stuart, whose career has taken him all over the world. “My wife’s parents live in Dromana so we had spent a bit of time visiting here anyhow.”

Within the first year of joining Ten Minutes By Tractor, Stuart had already gained accolades from Gourmet Traveller, calling it “the best gastronomic outpost to have opened on the Mornington Peninsula for a long time”. Since then, the restaurant has been awarded two hats by the Good Food Guide and two stars by Gourmet Traveller.

“I always wanted to be a chef and started my apprenticeship when

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I was 15, working in Dandenong for the first year,” says the 43 year old. “I wanted to work in bigger hotels so my dad drove me around to put my CV into the city, and it was The Windsor that took me on as an apprentice. That was a great training ground as I had been interested in being a pastry chef and it gave me the experience of working in the grill, the function room, and fine dining. My father was very supportive. We lived in Keysborough and he would drive in at 1am to pick me up when I had finished for the day.”

After 28 years, Stuart’s passion for cooking is still as strong and every experience is treasured.

Using seasonal produce, the menu at Ten Minutes By Tractor is continually transforming.

“Winter is more braisy, wet dishes with hearty style food. In spring we add lamb but keep the same proteins like duck, quail and beef.

Fish changes with the season as well.”

The dishes at Ten Minutes By Tractor continue to reflect the philosophy of the true meaning of hospitality, where attention and detail is put into everything the team does, from the sophisticated and yet down to earth front of house service, to the elegant yet unpretentious menu.

From working at The Windsor to Michelin star restaurants and even in Dublin, Stuart says basically kitchens are the same.

“Wherever you work, you find the same sorts of characters and the same atmosphere. The hours are pretty unsociable but I love the adrenalin of it still. It’s not just a job. Getting the two hats was the most amazing experience. Having worked in five chefs hat restaurants in the past, to have your own hats is incredible. It’s all part of working with the right owners and the right staff.”

The perfect collaboration takes place over wine and food tastings each season, with Stuart creating the dishes and then tasting the food with the wine to create the perfect match.

This spring, Stuart will be sourcing more delicious local produce to add to the menu with Flinders Island lamb, Red Hill goat’s cheese, and Barramundi amongst his favorites.

Ten Minutes By Tractor is at 1333 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge Phone 5989 6080 www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au

French inspired food experience, matched by a selection of world class wines including our highly acclaimed Ten Minutes By Tractor wines.

Whatever the occasion, with a number of relaxed versatile seating arrangements we look forward to welcoming you at Petit Tracteur.

Now open for breakfast and dinner on Sundays.

Breakfast: Sat, Sun & Mon from 9am - 11am Lunch: Thur - Mon from 12 noon (our bar menu is available from 11am) Dinner: Fri - Sun from 6pm 1208 Mornington Flinders Rd, Main Ridge T: 5989 2510 | petittracteur.com.au

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Recipe MANDARIN CREMEUX, CITRUS, CHEESECAKE SNOW, CONFIT MANDARIN, LAVENDER ICE-CREAM INGREDIENTS Mandarin marmalade Sugar (for the caramel) Butter Salt Marzipan 70 per cent Eggs Grapeseeds oil Flour Baking powder

METHOD 1. Cook the sugar until golden brown colour.

2. Add the butter into the caramel.

3. Pour this mix over the marzipan and blend it with robocoup.

4. Add little by little the eggs.

5. Beat all together with the whisk.

6. Add the sifted flour, baking powder and salt.

7. Finish with the grapeseeds oil.

8. Scale 22 gr per molds and place the mandarin marmalade insert in the middle.

9. Bake at 165 degrees Celsius for 18-20 min.

Ten Minutes By Tractor is at 1333 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge Phone 5989 6080 www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au

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THE GRAND HOTEL MORNINGTON

BISTRO DINING

GRAND LIVE

MAIN BAR

A MODERN LOCAL MEETING PLACE

WITH A GRAND & COLOURFUL PAST Housed in a heritage listed building and regarded as an icon on the Mornington Peninsula, The Grand Hotel is a Mornington focal point for dining, socialising and entertainment.

Located right in the heart of Mornington’s popular seaside Main Street precinct.

DINING | SPORTS BAR | LIVE ENTERTAINMENT | CRUZE NIGHTCLUB | PRIVATE FUNCTIONS

www.grand.net.au

124 MAIN STREET, MORNINGTON 5975 2001

OPEN DAILY 8AM TILL LATE

SAIL AWAY FOR FATHER’S DAY Finding something different for father’s day is often an issue. The usual pub meal or family outing can get a bit tired. So why not offer dad a combination of boats, beers, meats and sweets on the high seas.

Searoad Ferries is giving you the chance to treat your special Dad to all of these things at its inaugural Blokes High Tea. Taking place on Father’s Day, Sunday 3 September, Head Chef, Brent Love, will be serving up tasty delights with Dad’s in mind – everything from pork sliders and lamb pies, to maple bacon pannacotta and mini donuts. Throw in a paddle of locally produced craft beers and it truly will be a feast fit for a king.

Departing Sorrento at 12pm and 3pm, the Blokes High Tea includes food, beer sampler paddle, tea, coffee and a two hour sailing across Port Phillip Bay. High Tea will be served in the nautical surrounds of the brand new, private Lonsdale Lounge on board the MV Queenscliff. Cost per person is $49 and bookings are essential.

To book, or for further information, please visit www.searoad.com.au/dadsday/

GPO HOTEL MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Rebranded, Refurbished, Refined

Kitchen open all day - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Upcoming entertainment and current menus at www.thegpo.com.au 1003 POINT NEPEAN RD, ROSEBUD 5982 3200

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THE FIRST SUNDAY OF SEPTEMBER WE CELEBRATE OUR FATHERS, GRANDFATHERS AND STEPFATHERS.

Here’s a few fun facts to impress your dad this Father’s day.

• Dad’s make up a total of 20% of Australia’s population, that’s almost 5 million dads in total.

• About 156,000 of Aussie dads are single parents with approximately 228,000 children between them.

• In Australia there are 4.4 million children who have families where one parent works full time and the other does not. In 97% of these, their father is the one who works full time.

• The average age of first time dads in Australia is 33.1.

Victorian and ACT are the states for older dads with a median father’s age of 33.7. Northern Territory and Tasmania on the other hand are more likely to be younger dads with the median age of first time fathers being 31.5 and 31.7 years respectively.

• The traditional flower of Father’s Day is a rose. Red roses are for living fathers and white roses are for fathers who have died.

• Father’s Day became an increasingly popular celebration during World War II, when many fathers were away at war.

• During the 1920s and 1930s it was suggested that Mother’s Day and Father’s Day should be combined to form a Parent’s Day. • Every year, Australians spend about $1.36 billion on Mother’s Day and $660 million on Father’s Day! • If you do not have a father, you can still use Father’s Day to honor a special male in your life. This could be a relative, family friend, teacher or coach.

• Did you know that it is the father seahorse that carries the eggs and gives birth to the babies?

FOR ALL YOUR HOSPITALITY NEEDS, BOTH FRONT AND BACK OF HOUSE REQUIREMENTS

TRADE SALES DIRECT TO PUBLIC Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm

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When Footy Came To The Peninsula

By Lance Hodgins

T

he game played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College in August 1858 was umpired by State cricketer Tom Wills, who went on to draft the “Melbourne Rules” the following year. Several clubs were immediately formed and games were played with increasing frequency in the major parks of Melbourne.

Wills took the game to Geelong and it spread to several large provincial centres. By the boom years of the 1880s, Melbourne’s inner suburban football teams were promoting their local communities in front of crowds which exceeded the rugby and FA Cup finals in England.

.

That famous 1858 match in Yarra Park between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College is already entrenched in the history of Australian football.

Amongst the enthusiastic boys cheering for Scotch on those three days would have been the Barker brothers – John and Richard. At 12 and 13 years of age, they both wished that they were a couple of years older and so could have been chosen in the

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forty who were playing so valiantly for their school.

They admired their new headmaster, a tall athletic Scot called Alexander Morrison, who had sanctioned and encouraged that first match.

Another boyhood hero was their young Scottish chemistry and natural history teacher, John McAdam, who umpired the game alongside Tom Wills. His distinctive long red hair and beard became legendary as he followed the play amongst the gum trees.

The Barker boys were the two oldest sons of John Barker who owned the Barrabong Station at Cape Schanck as well as extensive properties at Boneo.

John Barker snr was a wealthy lawyer who had been admitted to the bar in 1851. He chose, however, to serve as the Clerk for the first Victorian Parliaments, a position he held with distinction until his death 40 years later.

It was only natural that the sons of such an influential person would be sent to Scotch College, the oldest boarding school, to mingle with the sons of other professionals, businessmen and

History

Above: Scotch College in East Melbourne Right: John Barker Senior

administrators of the young colony.

At that time, Scotch was settling into its new property on Grey and Lansdowne Streets, Eastern Hill – where the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre is today – between St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Treasury Buildings. The Treasury Gardens became the playground for the boys of the school.

Of greater importance, however, was the College’s proximity to Yarra Park. A five minute walk and the teenage John and Richard were in the middle of the frantic activity that was unfolding there every weekend during the winters of their schooldays.

In the years after 1858, school matches continued to flourish and the older Barker boys were in their element. Furthermore, they could now watch the exciting club matches which were being held in the Park with increasing frequency, some in front of several thousand spectators.

In 1865, John jr completed his education and returned home to continued next page...

Right: James Connell (on left) with his brother John Below: Barrabong

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Barrabong to manage the peninsula properties for his father, who was thoroughly occupied with parliamentary matters.

Richard came home two years later, leaving the much younger brother William to finish his studies at Scotch.

When John jr returned to Melbourne to pursue his own legal career, Richard took over as property manager and dwelt on the day when young William could come home from school and join him. That day finally arrived in the early 1870s and the two boys decided to embark on an amazing adventure.

They would stage a football match on the Mornington Peninsula!

The main task was to assemble two teams of likely lads. The newly-created Shire of Flinders contained about 200 males between the age of 15 and 30. Although the towns were still reasonably small, there were plenty of pioneer farmers taking up properties under the government-sponsored settlement schemes of the day.

Using their contacts and influence, the Barker boys had no trouble finding enough fit young men from Boneo to Balnarring who were willing to give the new rules a go.

Above: The match was probably on the site of the present Balnarring football and cricket ground which had been recognised and declared a reserve for sporting purposes by 1874.

One such participant was James Connell, of Moorooduc who, in his later years, remembered taking part in the match - but not the exact year. Born in 1853, he was a young man at the time, and about to embark upon his extensive grazing activities in the Tuerong district.

The match was played at Balnarring and the teams represented Flinders and Balnarring. Each team had a Barker serving as its

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Above: Arriving at the Mornington jetty

captain and, no doubt, also acting as advisor and arbiter of the rules. Their influence was short-lived, however, as the game was beset with confusion and frustration from the start.

Whereas the Melbourne football clubs had spent 15 years writing and refining the rules of the new game, it was still a learning experience for those who lived beyond the reach of the railway and other easy means of communication.

The match was only ten minutes old before it broke down.

Arguments led to fisticuffs, and the game rapidly descended into little more than an extended brawl which, in Connell’s memory, was “enjoyed” for the remainder of that afternoon.

The dreams of the Barker brothers would have been shattered.

The local football scene fell silent.

It would be a few more years, and from a different source, before a football match would again be played on the Mornington Peninsula.

In the same year as the 1858 match between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch, Mornington got its cherished pier – a 46 metre long structure at an estimated cost of almost £9,000.

The pier quickly fed into the social and economic heart of the Mornington Peninsula, with fishing boats, supply boats, paddle steamers and twice-weekly ferries full of visitors driving the growth of Snapper Point.

Mornington rapidly became the major commercial and legal centre for the entire Peninsula and, by the 1880s, it was an exciting place to live in. Over 500 residents thought so - three times the number who lived in its nearest neighbour, Frankston, which had yet to be joined to Melbourne by rail.

The wealthy of Melbourne built mansions along the coast – Beleura, Sunnyside and Manyung – and in the town – Morven Manor and Sutton Grange. Main Street was filling up with the substantial brick buildings of merchants, traders and administrators.

There were several hotels. On the approach to town sat the Tanti, the original hotel with its nearby saleyards. The Mornington had moved to Main Street and become the Cricketers’ Arms, later the Grand next door. The Royal and Kirk’s graced the Esplanade.

There were several schools to choose from. In 1878, the original primary school moved into new premises in Vale Street, where it remains to this day.

A second school served the children of the “Green Island” (Osborne) settlement around Benton and Craigie Roads. By the mid-80s, this School had proved so popular that it moved from near Benton’s Square to its present location in Craigie Road.

In the same year as Vale Street, B T Backhouse started a boys’ Grammar School in Brewery (Nunn’s) Road, and then moved into the grander surroundings of Beleura.

Finally, in 1881, The Mornington Academy was born. Like the Grammar School, the Academy proudly offered “first class teaching to higher levels, boarding, and a healthy seaside environment”.

And so the stage was set. It was only a matter of time before these schools would meet in friendly rivalry on the sporting field.

In March 1882, Mr Gibson-Wylie’s Academy and the State continued next page...

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Above: On the Esplanade, Mornington

School met in a cricket match. This was so successful that the two schools considered joining forces to present a challenge to the older boys at Mr Backhouse’s Grammar School.

In May 1882, The Academy played a one innings match against the Green Island (Osborne) State School and a most exciting and interesting game resulted in a win for The Academy. The match took place “on the grounds adjoining the Church of England”.

This may have referred to the newly-created reserve on the Esplanade at the end of Main Street. To be “adjoining”, however, probably meant the area directly opposite the Church set aside years earlier for a primary school. Today the site is covered by the

Shire Offices and Library.

A return match on Green Island’s turf took place on the Queen’s Birthday holiday. This time over two innings, The Academy once again ran out easy victors - by an innings and 4 runs after J Jones scored 32 of the Academy’s 59 runs.

The Academy’s headmaster, Hugh Gibson-Wylie, was well aware of the good publicity gained for his school by these games – especially when he was victorious. He was in direct competition with Backhouse’s Mornington Grammar for senior students and both charged at least £40 a year for full board and tuition.

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Above: Reserve where the shire offices stand today

Emboldened by his cricket success, Gibson-Wylie began to consider the prospect of carrying over these sporting activities onto the football field. That winter, however, would be too soon.

If the school was to field a football team then it had to be done properly, with careful preparation, so his Academy boys could perform with distinction.

It was not until the following winter of 1883 that negotiations for an opponent were finalised. Vale Street State School had recently appointed a student teacher Joseph Worrell who was a very capable local cricketer and all-round sportsman. Worrell took up the challenge from the Academy and arrangements were made.

On Wednesday 15th August 1883, the peninsula’s first complete recorded game of Australian football took place.

The match was held on the grounds near the Church of England. A most exciting game saw Gibson-Wylie’s Academy prove too good for their opponents, scoring three goals to the State School’s one.

Above: Andrew McLellan Below: James Caldwell, aged 21

Spirits ran high amongst the jubilant Academy boys as they celebrated their victory, showering adulation on their best players - Caldwell, McLellan, Jones, and Walker. The State School team was led by student teacher Joseph Worrell, and capably served by Cavell, Everard and Martin.

Joseph E Worrell jr was somewhat of a legend already in Mornington. His father had been the State School head master for almost twenty years, acting as the Shire Secretary in his “spare” time. At the age of 12, young Joseph would help his father post up the Shire books. Two years later, on the sudden death of his father, the 14 year-old orphan became the sole carer for two brothers and a sister.

Joseph was immediately appointed as the Shire Secretary – reputably the youngest in the Commonwealth – and a year or two later became Clerk of Works under the Shire Engineer.

Barely out of his teens, and perhaps looking for a career change, Worrell accepted the position at Vale Street as a pupil teacher in 1883. In later years he captained the Mornington Cricket Club, was Secretary of numerous companies, ran a successful real estate agency in Mornington, and was President of the Shire – all before his untimely death at 40 years of age.

Only six months before his death in 1902, Worrell was inspecting the drainage at the “new” football oval at Alexandra Park with two of his fellow councillors, and thoughts would have turned to that schoolboy game twenty years earlier. Councillors continued next page...

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Dr Morrison would have found the two Mornington headmasters to be quite interesting characters.

James Eccleston Walker had just taken over at Vale Street in 1883. He was a “forceful and determined” man, a strong manager, and a disciplinarian who achieved excellent results for his school.

Walker left an indelible mark on his school inspector and, as it turns out, an even more marked one on local sporting history. On his retirement several years later, he returned to live in Vale Street where his house was eventually demolished and the land became part of the School property.

On the other hand, the Academy’s Hugh Gibson-Wylie had arrived in Mornington two years earlier after several attempts to run his own school. After his Clyde House Academy in Brunswick was declared insolvent, H G Wylie moved to Sale where he ran “a private Academy” for a couple of years before turning up in Hamilton as the Secretary of the Alexandra College for Ladies.

Above: The Vale Street school.

Below: The site of the Acadamy, on the Esplanade

McLellan and Walker would have reminded him that they were on the other team, the victorious Academy.

James Caldwell, aged 12, was the Academy’s star player in that match. He was the eldest son of the minister of St Andrews Presbyterian church. Nine years later, James was to lose his life along with two of his brothers and 9 other members of the Mornington Football Club, in the famous boating tragedy as the team returned from a practice match at Mordialloc.

The Academy/Vale Street match of 1883 throws up some parallels to that schoolboy game between Scotch and Melbourne Grammar a generation earlier. History was doubtlessly repeating itself, but it was now a better developed and more clearly organised game that was being introduced into this new environment.

Ironically, a potential spectator at that Wednesday afternoon match was Dr Alexander Morrison, the long-reigning headmaster of Scotch College. Soon after that famous game in 1858, Morrison had built a magnificent home on the Esplanade, Craigie-Lea, from where he began a lifetime of involvement in the community affairs of Mornington.

The opportunistic Wylie must have had his eye on Mornington and, in 1881, a suitable building became available for rent. A B Balcombe, of “The Briars”, had built a 17-roomed mansion on the Esplanade, close to Kirk’s and The Royal, and between the Mornington Park and the Church of England.

It had been used for some time as a boarding house – not too successfully it seems, as its tenant became insolvent in 1875 and the elaborate contents were sold at auction. When Balcombe died in 1877, the property was bought by William Armstrong, the Clerk of Petty Sessions, who already owned several nearby houses. In 1881, the new owner of the boarding house was Wm Irvine, who found a willing tenant with a new purpose in the schoolmaster Wylie.

It was an excellent place for a school. Apart from the outstanding location, the main building was about forty feet in length and thirty wide, subdivided into a dozen rooms. At the back, only a few strides away, was a long wooden building – thirty feet by fourteen – highly suitable as a schoolroom.

In 1883, the Academy was in its third year and, largely through its sporting endeavours, beginning to make a name for itself.

On the night of Thursday October 11th, H G Wylie had retired to his bed at the usual hour and was reading a book, dozing a little – perhaps thinking of the “glory” of that magnificent football match eight weeks earlier. It was quiet in the House as term four had not yet started and only one boarder had taken up early residence.

Half-asleep, he awoke with a start to find one of his wife’s dresses, which had been hung near a candle on the bedside table, in flames. The wallpaper and part of the ceiling were also alight, and Wylie had just enough time to alert his wife and the sole boarder and hustle them outside in their night clothes.

A crowd had quickly gathered in response to the rapid ringing of the Church bell. In no time the old building was well alight and, in the absence of a town fire brigade, was never going to be saved. The roof caved in, the walls crashed down, and by morning only a brick chimney and the smouldering interior remained of the two buildings.

The buildings were insured by its owner, Mr Irvine, as were the contents by Mr Wylie. Nonetheless, the Academy was finished.

Wylie moved on to New South Wales, where he started a school in Junee. After losing his first wife, he remarried and started the Wagga Wagga Grammar School in 1890. When his young son died quite suddenly at the age of two, Wylie was so distraught

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that he developed severe internal disorders from which he never recovered. He passed away on Easter Monday 1893 at the age of 53 years.

WHEN FO

OTY CAM

For the Mornington boys who played in the historic Vale St / Academy game in 1883, however, life went on. They would soon become young men and play their part in shaping the life of their town and beyond. Within four short years the Mornington Football Club would ring with their names and the memories of those schoolboy days.

E TO THE

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Whereas the Melbourne schoolboys were followed in a few weeks by adult matches, it took four years for the same thing to happen on the Peninsula. The first match - between Frankston and Mornington – took place on June 18th 1887, and when Hastings joined the fray two years later there were still only three regular local teams.

It was to be a long and tortuous 20 years before organised football came to the Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula Football Association was finally formed in 1908 and the story of those years leading up to it is an interesting one full of jealousy, bickering and dissension.

This story is an extract from the book When Footy Came To The Peninsula by Lance Hodgins. Copies of the book can be obtained for $15 by calling Lance on (03) 5979 2576.

by Lance

September 2017

Hodgins

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Corner

Puzzle

ACROSS 1. Stipulate 6. Moot 11. Goes to bed 15. Ethiopia's capital, Addis ...

16. Rainforest vine 17. Haughtier 18. Animal expert 21. Romantic US falls 22. Hung in folds 23. Linking 24. Warm (leftovers) 28. Deceased 30. Ireland's ... Fein 32. Immensely 35. Vigil 37. Ethereal being 38. Frogman's gear 40. Mention in passing (5,2) 43. Entrails 45. Emit 47. Garden figurine 48. Moisturiser (4,5) 52. Misery 53. Sermonisers 56. Geronimo's tribe 58. Simpler 60. Treading heavily 61. Incidental comment 62. Away from the centre 64. Informer 65. Slime 67. Squid 69. Bus path 72. Caribou 75. Skeleton photograph (1-3) 77. Beaten by tennis serve 78. Saintly glow 79. Solemn vow 81. Increase 83. Couch 84. Carrion 86. Hindu garment 87. Capri & Wight 90. Grey-faced 92. Entity 93. Eight-piece ensembles 95. Wigs 96. Roller coaster, big ...

98. Skillets 99. Considered 100. Bonnie's crime partner

101. Thoroughfare 102. Weight unit 103. Chaff 104. Transport by truck 106. Zigzag (through traffic) 110. Rock veins 113. Extinct bird 115. Narrows 116. Not any place 117. High regard 118. Cream (off) 119. Exams 122. Scat!

125. Healing gel, aloe ...

126. Positive 127. Hygienic 129. Large lizard 130. Loch ... Monster 131. Sphere 132. Travel permit 133. Spent 134. Depot 137. Distribute 138. Filthiest 142. Et cetera 143. Young lion 145. Miniature hourglass (3,5) 146. Hurry, make ...

149. Tolerable 151. Banished from own country 152. Of the stars 154. Mountainous region 156. Toothed fastener 157. Villains 159. Field barrier 161. Finnish steam bath 163. Toronto is there 168. Moderate (4,3) 171. Film award 172. Tinier 176. Potatoes 177. Noddy creator, Enid ...

180. Spoils 181. Achieve 183. Mouth roof 187. Spicy winter drink 188. Income 190. Beer factory 191. Kin 192. Unconscious 193. Margins 194. Invalidate 195. Portable steps 196. Fleeting 197. Breathed out

E ssence

1. Fantastic 2. Beginning of era 3. Sri Lanka's neighbour 4. Three feet 5. Fiery pepper sauce 6. Stunned 7. Refer 8. Sardonyx month 9. Singer, ... John 10. Starchy pudding 11. Phoned 12. Jewelled crown 13. Respond 14. Peeling (of skin) 19. Dedicatory poems 20. Auld Lang ...

25. The self 26. Floor show host 27. Couple 29. Mimicked 31. Formerly Persia 32. Delivery vehicle 33. Destroy 34. Liquid-crystal display (1,1,1) 36. Actress, ... Jolie 39. Cut in half 40. Clump 41. Citizen living overseas 42. Meat- & plant-eating 44. Passable (2-2) 46. Sheep 47. Urged on, ... up 49. Elizabeth actress, ... Blanchett 50. Pause punctuation mark 51. Tycoons 53. Jurisdiction 54. Fad 55. Whirlpool 57. Loathing 59. Sea north of Crete 63. Muddles (5,2) 66. Embarrassed 67. Disbelievers 68. Layabout 70. Repulsive 71. Melted 73. Break free 74. Brighter (future) 76. Rocket science 80. Planet watchers 82. Essence 85. Pop artist, ... Warhol

88. Boarders 89. Filters 90. Convinces 91. Vocal critic 94. Electroshock weapon 97. Runs in neutral 104. Cry of praise 105. Most unconvincing 106. Soggier 107. ... spumante 108. Guzzles 109. Seen-before sensation (4,2) 111. Protest march 112. Walk with regular pace 113. Pious 114. Incessantly (2,3,2) 120. Entraps 121. Cloths & serviettes (5,5) 123. Climbing with difficulty 124. Cordial 127. Trite phrase 128. Nephews & ...

135. Laud 136. Keepsakes 139. Mentally pictured 140. Conservative 141. Excited 144. Floating ice sheet 147. Wood-dressing tool 148. Soft knocks 150. Lake Erie state 153. American air force (1,1,1,1) 155. Nucleus 158. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4) 160. Burlesque actress 162. Zone 164. Nought 165. Charged particle 166. Painter, Vincent ... (3,4) 167. Pulls (muscle) 169. Egyptian cobra 170. Lard 172. Weekly pay 173. Property 174. Catch fire 175. Price hike 177. Biblical tower 178. Succumb 179. Corpulent 180. Signalling (code) 182. Of the nose 184. Flooded (of decks) 185. In vain, to no ...

186. Correct (text) 187. Peepers 189. Festive season cake, ... log

MT ELIZA OPTICAL

WILD & WACKY Is This You, Crossword Players?

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DOWN

Shop 5 / 89 Mount Eliza Way (Ritchies Centre) Mount Eliza Ph 9775 2922

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Red Hill

on

Red Hill is 73 kilometres south of Melbourne, located in the hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula, between the coastal towns of Dromana and Balnarring. It has a population of approximately 1900 including Red Hill South and is very much a rural area, with the landscape consisting of scenic hills and native forests.

RED HILL FACTS The name Red Hill derives from the rich, red clay that has made the area predominantly agricultural from its first European settlement in the midnineteenth century.

Many Red Hill streets are named after pioneers: Sheehan, McIlroy, Stanley, Bayne, Arkwell, Eaton, Nash, Perry (sic) and Callanan.

Red Hill Post Office opened on 1 August 1871.

A railway operated in Red Hill between 1921 and 1959 and was known as the Red Hill railway line.

Since the 1970s, wineries have been established around Red Hill to take advantage of the microclimates that suits cool climate grapes, and especially pinot noir.

Strawberries, cherries and apples are grown and available seasonally at the farm door.

Herbert Robinson (1876–1919), later mayor of Albany, Western Australia, and member of the Parliament of Western Australia was a notable resident of Red Hill.

Wine lovers unite at the annual Winter Wine Weekend in June, and join in

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the fun and sample more than 200 premium wines from some 50 wineries before exploring local cellar doors.

COFFEE SAFARI Fresh brewed coffee is a must have for weekends away and Red Hill coffee is second to none with great coffee haunts around the town. Here are a few to check out when head down to this beautiful end of the world.

Red Hill is very much a rural area, with the landscape consisting of scenic hills and native forests. Scattered throughout the area is a proliferation of vineyards, orchards and berry farms. Many of the vineyards are boutique wineries, offering visitors the opportunity to experience fine dining, wine tasting and the purchase of local produce of the region. Most of the wineries also feature attractive gardens, free for visitors to wander through or have a picnic within.

EPICUREAN RED HILL 165 Shoreham Road

The commercial centre of Red Hill is spread along four distinct spots on Arthurs Seat Road, Flinders Road and Shoreham Road, featuring a variety of eateries and services. Tucked away along roads and shady laneways around Red Hill, visitors will also find several galleries and cafes.

FOOD ON THE HILL 10/159 Shoreham Road

Red Hill is a major centre on the Mornington Peninsula for entertainment events, including the popular Red Hill Show and the peninsula's premier art show - Art Red Hill.

The median house price for Red Hill is $810,000.

Great coffee made on the premises, great service and awesome bakery treats in the front part of the building.

THE LONG TABLE 159 Shoreham Road Nestled in amongst some shops, this is cafe/restaurant is a cosy and warm place in the winter to stop and enjoy a quiet coffee with friends. The restaurant also has an extensive menu for fine dining.

Great spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a great cup of coffee with friendly and helpful staff. Relaxed casual vibe and excellent choice of food for all tastes and budgets.

THE GORGELICIOUS STORE 1008 Mornington-Flinders Road Funky relaxed cafĂŠ with amazing coffee blends and all day breakfast menu. A friendly and welcoming space that is unique to the Mornington Peninsula for any family to enjoy for a simple tea or coffee to snacks, meals and even specialised gifts.

WHAT TO DO?

Whether it’s driving through the scenic hills and native forests, enjoying a relaxing stay at a beachfront b&b, or partaking in the fine wines and art, Red Hill is the epitome of a relaxed getaway.

Scattered throughout the area is a proliferation of vineyards, orchards and berry farms. Many of the vineyards are boutique wineries, offering visitors the opportunity to experience fine dining, wine tasting and the purchase of local produce of the region.

Coming to the commercial centre of Red Hill and further delights await with a variety of cafes, bakeries, galleries and shady laneways with hidden delightful day spas and art exhibitions.

Photography: Jarryd Bravo

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ng roads and shady laneways around Red Hill, visitors will also find several galleries and cafes.

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Rear of 87 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill PH: 03 5989 3156 Open Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 9pm. Available for special bookings outside of hours.

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Book your work family in for your Christmas celebrations now.

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Bring the whole family to enjoy our beautiful space or stop in to grab take away treats from our new lunch menu.

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We exclusively use free range meat, source locally and cook authentically.

Visit to try the largest selection of rotating, seasonal Victorian craft beers on the Peninsula and the best of MP wines.

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Aussie-Smoked, American-Style BBQ

www.redgumbbq.com.au

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Red Hill is a major centre on the Mornington Peninsula for entertainment events, including the popular Red Hill Show and the peninsula's premier art show - Art Red Hill.

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HONOR BAXTER IS BACK At last a local agent with vast experience is now backed by a 20 strong network throughout Melbourne.

Honor Baxter, the most experienced agent in the area, is now part of the Hocking Stuart network. Hocking Stuart is the most trusted Real Estate Group with 31 years of successful operation.

“It’s great being a local agent, and being an authority in the area, but you miss direct contact to the thousands of city buyers that are looking to buy in the area every week. Now when you list with us your property is showcased immediately to the buyer register of 20 Hocking Stuart offices. All the buyers that want to come to the Mornington Peninsula to live, and there are lots of them,” said Ms Baxter.

At a time when there is unprecedented demand for quality Mount Martha property from Melbourne buyers; this is the opportunity Mount Martha sellers need. It will present the property with finesse to real buyers and it will maximise the selling price.

Ring Honor to talk about giving the sale of your home the x maximum result.

Phone 0418 148 468

Introducing Honor Baxter A local agent with 20 years sales experience in Mount Martha, is now part of a 48 strong office network.

0418 148 468 | 5973 5444 hbaxter@hockingstuart.com.au

September 2017

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Real Estate

For Sale

By Melissa Walsh

ISLAND

I

f the idea of owning an island has been on the bucket list and it seemed like a pipe dream then think again with the opportunity to purchase an island right here on our doorstep in western port.

he said. “The house was actually brought over as one of those kit home style homes by the previous owner about 25 years ago.”

Sandstone Island is one kilometre southeast of Hastings, a 55-minute drive from Melbourne, and spans an area of 22 hectares.

“Traditionally we have a lot of islands that are lease hold whereas this one is a freehold title which means you are purchasing it like any other normal real estate transaction. A freehold island is very unusual in Victoria,” he said.

Being offered for tender by Vic Properties Doncaster, sales agent, Massimo Cellante says the island offers a rare opportunity that is only limited by imagination.

“We represent a syndicate of investors that own the property which is divided into 142 lots and spans approximately 55 acres,” said Mr Cellante. “There is a double storey red cedar home on the property and it is a beautiful elevated position and sits up high in the bay.

The property is predominantly gently undulating with scattered trees and has access via boat with a deep channel on the eastern side of the island. It is also accessible via hovercraft and helicopters with no trouble at all.”

Mr Cellante says the island is ideal for those wanting to build their dream home, create a bed and breakfast or other commercial endeavours.

“It is currently comprised in 142 separate titles but you are buying the whole island. In terms of features, you have a natural beach, mangroves and the base of the island is sandstone shale,”

Mr Cellante says that an island freehold for sale is unusual in Victoria.

Interest in the island has been varied with some international and local parties looking at prospects at the moment.

“There have been several discussions around uses for the island with some talk of rehabilitation centres, private school camps or simply building a private home and enjoying the serenity,” said Mr Cellante. “The property is in a good position, less than an hour from Melbourne by car or 15 minutes via helicopter.”

The closet point to the mainland from Sandstone Island is Jacks Beach which is approximately 600 metres. The property is nicely elevated, gently undulating and is predominantly cleared with some scattered trees. It has views to French Island and Phillip Island.

For details phone Massimo Cellante on 0418 353656. www.vicproperties.com.au

September 2017

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168 Main Street Mornington VIC 3931 T. 03 5975 6888 Hastings

Auction

221 Coolart Road, Hastings Harrow House, 10 Beautiful Established Acres A place of peace, beauty and tranquillity, Harrow House offers a magnificent opportunity to embrace a unique country lifestyle. Park like front gardens lead to the striking stone four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence wrapped in a verandah. The warm and inviting interiors with zoned living, bar with cellar and granite and timber kitchen offer vast spaces to come together and cosy places to gather by an open fireplace. Out in the grounds that dog-leg through to Graydens Road resides a beautiful self-contained studio. Three large fenced paddocks are supported by extensive shedding, mains water, water tanks and garaging for three cars. Harrow House enjoys lovely secluded rural views while being only minutes away from Western Port, schools, the villages of Hastings, Moorooduc and Balnarring and within an hour’s drive of Melbourne.

Auction Saturday 2nd September at 11.00am Inspect As advertised or by appointment Contact Damian Smith 0481 875 243 Sam Galvin 0447 343 513 bowmanandcompany.com.au

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bowmanandcompany.com.au

168 Main Street Mornington VIC 3931 T. 03 5975 6888 Somers

Auction

15 Clifton Court, Somers A Sensational Somers Lifestyle with Stunning Water Views Within a five-minute walk of secluded South Beach, this quality-built two-storey three-bedroom, three-bathroom plus a study north-facing residence heads a quiet court with spectacular water views through to Phillip Island and The Nobbies. Custom built to capitalise on water views across both levels, this welcoming home is peacefully set in bird attracting native gardens. With amazing views from the top-floor living room, balcony and main bedroom suite, this well-appointed home features a four-car garage and parking for a boat and caravan close to Somers General Store, safe swimming beaches, Somers Primary School, Balnarring and Hastings villages, wineries and Bittern train station.

Auction Saturday 2nd September at 2.00pm Inspect As advertised or by appointment Contact Robert Bowman 0417 173 103 Clare Black 0409 763 261 bowmanandcompany.com.au

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Open the door to the Mornington Peninsula lifestyle this Spring

The first 5 people to book a property appraisal before the 1st of October will receive a double pass to enjoy the Bath House at Peninsula Hot Springs (VALUE $94 PER DOUBLE PASS)

To start your campaign contact 0487 000 666 or admin@janineharrisonrealestate.com.au | Janineharrisonrealestate.com.au

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Real Estate

Elders Real Estate Mornington Peninsula, Shop 3, 277 Point Nepean Road, DROMANA, 5981 4402

Book your free property appraisal today with Elders Real Estate for your chance to...

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