Spring 2014

SPRING 2014

FREE

PENINSULA Living & visiting on the Mornington Peninsula

The face of the Mornington Racing Club • The art of making good coffee Messenger of the Music, Ron Vincent • Josh Brnjac, 12 year old photographer Dance and Ballet... the essence of life • Mornington Railway - 125th Anniversary The Rush is on to Tubbarubba • Hinterland Scarecrow Festival 2014

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Proudly published by

Cover Photo: Rye Pier.

Photography by Yanni

Feature Writer Melissa Hodge Design Evan Stampe Maria Mirabella Photography Yanni Gary Sissons Publisher Cameron McCullough

Advertising Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 ricky@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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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.

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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.

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Peninsula Essence is produced quarterly.

30,000 copies (mix of home delivery and bulk dropped across an extensive network of outlets across the peninsula).

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contents

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26

42

50

56

78

7

Some angels do have tatts

56 Dance is Life

10 13 16

Events on the Mornington Peninsula

me, boy, is that the 60 Pardon Moorooducky Choo-Choo

18 20

James Brown talks about his work with Sea Shepherd

If I could talk to the animals

Confessions of an animal communicator

The luck of the Irish

Face of the Mornington Racing Club, Caitrin O’Rourke

Making it happen

Caitrin O’Rourke getting ready for the big day

The fine art of millinery Melissa Hodge talks with Annette Sanfilippo, milliner

64 Friendship to last a lifetime

Paul Thompson tells about the bond between the schools of Penbank in Moorooduc and Wugularr Primary School in the Northern Territory

68 A walk through time

Highlights from Mornington Heritage Walk, a booklet produced by Mornington & District Historical Society.

32

The fifth element

34 36 40 42 46

Tempura batter recipe

from the Hinterland 76 Highlights Scarecrow Festival 2014

50

Eyes like a shutter, mind like a lens

86 Seaton Farm 90 Macro in the backyard

54

Aladdin’s cave of treasures awaits

94 Dunns Creek Estate

The art of making coffee

Pete and Trish Roberts of Little Rebel Coffee talk about coffee

7

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Mike Hast writes about the Mornington Railway Preservation Society

Essence 70 Peninsula Photography Competition 72 Master of wine

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16 year old dancer Alexandra Dellaportas talks ballet and dance

Mark and Cherie Poulter of Veraison Restaurant talk about food and wine A Veraison Restaurant speciality

If you build it, they will come

Alan Woollard of Bike Safe talks about safety

The market of markets

Louise Gamon of Craft Markets Australia

Messenger of the music Ron Vincent talks Cat Stevens

The magic of Manyung

Manyung Gallery owner and director David Wemyss-Smith 12-year-old photographer Josh Brnjac talks about his passion for photography

Marlene of Marlene Miller Antiques, Sorrento

Kate McIntyre of Moorooduc Estate and her passion for wine

A pictorial spread by Essence photographer Yanni

78 Spring storms 82 The rush is on to Tubbarubba Nature’s spectacular light show

Peter McCullough looks at a historic peninsula gold rush A sneak peek of the garden

Photographer Yanni doesn’t have to venture far to capture amazing wildlife photos Open Garden November 22 and 23

SEA SHEPHERD FEATURE

Some

Angels

Do Have Tatts W

hen James Brown sets his mind to something, you better look out because this Rye tattoo artist is a man on a mission.

James is coordinator of the Mornington Peninsula chapter of Sea Shepherd, and with just 12 months since it started, he and its devoted members have already had a massive impact on our precious Port Phillip Bay and its sea life.

“I told my parents I wanted to be a tattoo artist at the age of 11, and Bon Scott sealed it for me. I knew I couldn’t sing so tattooing was the next best thing,” says James.

By Melissa Hodge Photography: Yanni

When you think of a stereotypical tattooist, you might think tough, bearded, bikie kind. Well James might be tough and well over 6 foot (183cm), but he is a gentle giant when it comes to his passion for Sea Shepherd and helping our bay. continued next page...

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Known as the guardians of the ocean, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is an organisation of like-minded people getting together to find ways to protect the ocean and beaches.

Sea Shepherd is a direct action marine conversation group that works in conjunction with the United Nations charter for nature and, as such, has the right to intervene in illegal operations.

“My vision for Sea Shepherd on the peninsula is coming to fruition,” says James from his Rye home. “We are just over 12 months old and are already raising money to get our own vessel down here on the peninsula.”

“We are most famous for our Antarctic and Southern Ocean campaigns but there is so much here to do on the peninsula,” says James, who believes education is the number one priority.

James started the peninsula chapter after spending time as a crew member aboard the society’s ship Steve Irwin four years ago.

“I was involved in Operation Kimberley Miinimbi, a successful campaign that stopped the building of a gas hub north of Broome, which has the world’s largest humpback whale population,” says James, who had spent a lot of time on Port Phillip as a child. “The bay has a sentimental value to me. My mum always had us down here on the water and I have loved everything to do with the sea since I was a kid. The water, inground trampolines and Rosebud carnival are all part of my earliest memories.”

These days the waters around the peninsula and Gippsland now have an even stronger tie for James.

“My mum’s ashes are scattered in Port Phillip and dad’s in Lake King.

Both these bodies of water have the only known groups of the Burrunan dolphin, which is one of the species we must strive to protect from extinction. There are only 100 left in Port Phillip and 50 in the lake,” says James. “The bay will also be my final resting place when the time comes and I will want to rest in peace, so we have to do the work now.”

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“It is not our environment. It is the whales, dolphins and seals. We are just visitors.”

Never one afraid of a challenge, James was determined to get a vessel for the peninsula from the time he started the local chapter.

“Working as a tattoo artist for the past 27 years, I knew I had to earn a living but wanted badly to make a difference to our bay, so I devote every spare moment to the Sea Shepherd organisation, much to my wife’s dismay sometimes. Our current goal is getting a boat in the bay and we are about a third of the way through the fundraising process.

The $60,000 boat is a Stabicraft, which we have organised through My Marine in Dromana, and we expect to have it in the water by Summer,” says James.

The craft will help volunteers educate tourists and residents on boating and jet ski rules, which is a major problem on the peninsula.

“We will be educating people on jet skis in regards to the legal distance they have to stay away from dolphins, seals and whales in the bay. There are legal requirements for boat owners and jet skiers and there is a 300-metre exclusion zone around these creatures,” says James.

“So it is an education process. The craft operators know the legal re-

SEA SHEPHERD FEATURE

quirements but some of them ignore it, which is sad. Jet skiers are seasonal operators who often become over-excited on seeing marine creatures and want to get closer.”

James says that what jet skiers and boat operators need to realise is that their vessels are distressing to creatures like dolphins.

“The sound of jet skis is terrifying to a mother and calf and makes them lose their communication. The calf (baby dolphin) cannot dive for extended periods of time and has to resurface on every breath, which means they are susceptible to blunt strike injuries and propeller strikes. The noise of a jet ski in particular is incredibly distressing as it means they can’t communicate with each other,” says James, who will also have ground crew manning boat ramps.

“We will be filming those doing the wrong thing and taking it to the relevant authorities for prosecution.”

For James and his members, everything is falling into place. The local response to Sea Shepherd and its mission has been overwhelming, and continues to grow. Government and fishing authorities are encouraging about launching a vessel in the bay. They even have philanthropist and Australian of the Year 2007 Phillip Wollen supporting their plight.

Check out Sea Shepherd and its latest campaigns at www.seashepherd.org.au

“Phillip is an animal liberator and vegan advocate who is based in Melbourne. He has put $5000 towards the craft and is a major supporter of the project.”

James, who turns 50 this year, says there is still so much to do and he will not rest until Port Phillip is clean and safe.

“The amount of work needed to protect and clean our bay is insurmountable even though we do have an impact by filming everything we do and educating the world about taking care of our ocean. Once the oceans die, we perish. The ocean can live without us, but we cannot live without the ocean.”

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Events

mornington peninsula

Heronswood Spring Festival

Christmas Carols

November 8 and 9

Throughout December

There’ll be free gardening workshops, garden tours, fresh herb tea and wine tastings, gourmet barbecue, music, kids’ activities and more.

All major towns on the peninsula hold Christmas Carols so come along, bring a blanket and your voice to celebrate Christmas.

The Diggers Club 105 Latrobe Parade, Dromana www.diggers.com.au

www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Whats_On/Events

Christmas Festival of Lights

Peninsula Cup Day

Saturday November 29 Enjoy a night of entertainment, fun and fantasy with Santa and Mrs Claus. Tree lighting ceremony, fireworks display, free live entertainment and children’s activities. Free entry.

Corner of Davey and Young Streets, Frankston www.visitfrankston.com

Sunday November 2 Feel the thrill of the Spring Racing Carnival locally.

Enter or watch fashions on the field and witness quality racing and enjoy a great day out.

Mornington Racing Club Racecourse Road, Mornington

Halloween Festival

Moonah Links Pro-Am

Friday October 31, 6.30-10pm

Friday November 14

Open community event. Activities include apple bobbing, face painting, hair colouring, fancy dress competition, barbecue and more.

Jarrod Lyle, fresh from his return to the US PGA Tour, will host the event and is certain to encourage a few of his famous friends to join in the fun on the Open course.

Hillview Community Reserve Boundary Road, Dromana

www.moonahlinks.com.au

2014 Archibald Prize exhibition

Arthurs Seat Challenge

Until November 16 Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery is proud to be the only venue in Victoria presenting the Archibald Prize in 2014. Don’t miss out on seeing this vibrant exhibition.

Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au

Sunday November 9, 8.30-10.30am The Arthurs Seat Challenge is a 6.7km run/walk held annually since 2002 to promote the profile of the Fit to Drive (f2d) program.

Point Nepean Rd to Seawinds, Arthurs Seat www.arthursseatchallenge.com.au

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If I could

Talk to the Animals Confessions of an animal communicator

K

errie Searle talks to animals. That’s not unusual you say but the difference is they talk back to her. Right now you might be thinking she must be crazy, or at the very least be skeptical. So did the peninsula resident when she first heard her dog “talk” more than 10 years ago.

“It started when we were driving one day. I stopped at traffic lights and was looking at a German shepherd. Then I heard a voice from the back seat say ‘Yes I see him, too’. I looked in the back where my dogs were and thought I was going mad,” says Kerrie, who soon realised she could communicate with both her dogs, Darcy and Sam.

“I thought I could just have conversations with my own dogs but then a wasp clinched it. A couple of weeks later I was sitting outside a cafe with Darcy, and received this message: ‘Look at the funny person coming down the street’. It didn’t sound the way Darcy and I talk to each other so I didn’t look up but looked at Darcy who was sitting at my feet. He looked right at me and told me it wasn’t him. I was almost scared to look around but then saw a wasp sitting on an empty soft drink can and again got the message ‘Look down the street at that funny person’. I looked at Darcy and then the wasp and thought I was going mad. Could I be hearing a continued next page...

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TALK TO THE ANIMALS

wasp now? After hearing it the third time, I reluctantly asked the wasp was it talking to me. It flew right into my face and eyeballed me and said, ‘Yes, look up’. As I looked up I saw this person dressed as a clown coming down the street. The wasp said, ‘See, I told you they were dressed funny!’

Whether Kerrie liked it or not, she could no longer deny the fact she could hear animals talk and soon began her career as an animal communicator.

“Animals are so much more intelligent than we could hope to be.

Like children, they see and hear things that adults don’t. They have a great deal to say about how we should live our lives, and they carry emotional burdens for us. I witnessed this when I was still working as a police detective after 9/11. The police dogs in New York were being used to locate body parts in the rubble and their handlers said they almost seemed depressed. I had started talking to animals again and realised that the energy humans couldn’t cope with was being absorbed by the dogs. After that, the department implemented a program to deal with the emotional state of the dogs and they saw a marked improvement.”

Kerrie says at the moment animals are pushing for human beings to have more connection with themselves.

She uses bush flower essences to help animals and humans heal anxiety, depression and other ailments.

“Working as a detective I had witnessed some stressful situations and embarked on a healing path of self-discovery. It was during that time of reconnecting with my heart I discovered my ability to communicate with all species of animals,” says Kerrie. “I find they communicate through words, pictures, tastes and smells.”

“I completed my Bach Flower training in the UK and have completed Australian Bush Flower Courses in Australia, and am currently work closely with Ian White to bring the healing power of Australian Bush Flower Essences to animals through workshops around Australia and internationally. I prescribe certain essences to each animal for healing. A friend who was a homeopath put me onto bush essences and they saved my life. That’s why I can understand and empathise with each animal as it is coming from the heart.”

Kerrie explains that, just like humans, not all animals have monumental things to say.

So if Kerrie can ask animals how they are feeling, it begs the question: how do they feel about being in a zoo or aquarium?

The former primary school teacher turned police detective had finally found her destiny after retiring from 17 years in the police force.

“A lot of them just say hello,” she says with a laugh. “But one of the biggest messages animals keep passing on is that we are quite backward. By that they mean we are not all that smart when it comes to priorities. We make things harder than they need to be.”

Kerrie believes we can learn a great deal from our four-legged friends and other species. In fact, they have wisdom beyond our human selves.

“I do a great deal of consulting for people who are worried about their pets. I had one client whose dog was scared to go outside. It told me that it was dumped and left on a street corner as a puppy and was waiting for its owners to show up. It turns out the puppy had been a rescue dog and was abandoned,” says Kerrie who has myriad stories like this from London horses acting like divas to rottweiler-pitbull crosses with depression. “Our animals choose us. They come into our lives at a time when we need them. They are not only a companion but also we can learn so much from them if we open our hearts.”

Animal communication is something we are all capable of according to experts like Kerrie.

“As a child we all have the ability to hear animals but once we get to school we shut down. We start to learn that communication is only verbal but it’s not,” says Kerrie, who hears words telepathically.

Apart from doing sessions counselling animals, Kerrie’s focus is spreading a message on behalf of the animals.

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I do a great deal of consulting for people who are worried about their pets “Animals all have a soul code and some were born to be in places like zoos so don’t mind it. Others do not cope with captivity at all and will suffer tremendous emotional and physical trauma,” she says.

Everyone knows of Dr Doolittle, the famous fictional character who could talk to the animals, but the truth is animal communication dates back as far as the early 1200s with St Francis, one of the first humans in recorded history to speak of animals as equals, preaching to birds and animals and conversing with the wolf who then came to live in his village.

So next time your canine companion rests their head in your lap when you’re feeling low or your precious kitty seems anxious or depressed, look into their eyes and realise they might have something important to say.

Kerrie Searle is available for animal communication consultations on 0450 784 350 or www.animal-communicator.com.au

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The Luck of the Irish

By Melissa Hodge. Photography: Gary Sissons

Irish beauty Caitrin O’Rourke is this year’s Face of the Mornington Racing Club and no stranger to a racecourse.

A

nurse from the Emerald Isle, 29-year-old Caitrin moved to Australia two years ago and has always had a keen interest in horse racing.

“My dad and brothers had shares in horses in Ireland and I have been doing show jumping and racing since I was a lass. While I was putting myself through uni I rode track work for trainers to earn extra money,” says Caitrin who lives next to Mornington Racecourse with her partner, racecourse vet Eoin Kelly.

Caitrin arrived in Melbourne exactly two years ago on Peninsula Cup Day and spent her first seven days at seven different race meetings.

“In my first week here I spent all my time at Moonee Valley and then Mornington Racecourse. While I was waiting for my nursing registration I worked for Pat Carey in Mornington and Gai Waterhouse at Randwick doing track work. I have ridden races in Ireland and some charity races and still do work around the racecourse,” says Caitrin, who loves everything about racing and Mornington.

“I was attracted to Mornington because that’s where Eoin is based and have loved making it my new home. I can understand why so many people from Ireland and England have moved here.”

As a paediatric nurse at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Caitrin says racing and fashion provides a great outlet.

“I love getting dressed up for the races and am looking forward to representing the community. I like to shop locally and support peninsula boutiques and milliners like Annette Sanfilippo and Fiona’s of Mornington,” she says.

“Although I have competed in a few of Fashions on the Field, this is the first

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TUZZI DAVID POND SABATINI GERRY SHAW LS COLLECTION JOSEPH RIBKOFF DRAMA SANDRA STEINER JADORE ANNARITA N ANNETTE GORTZ BLUE BLANC RANGE CAP FERRAT DENNY ROSE ISABEL DE PEDRO BRAX GAUDI CREA CONCEPT TALBOT RUNHOF

time I have applied for anything like this and can’t wait to start attending functions and putting outfits together.”

Caitrin says when it comes to fashion it is best to stick with what works for you.

“Style is a very individual thing and it’s important to stay with what suits you. This Spring carnival we will see bold floral prints, bold colours like bright yellows and acid orange as well as prints like houndstooth. My personal style is classical with nice dresses and I like to wear pearls. The most important thing is to wear what you feel comfortable and confident in. If you have a long day at the races, make sure your shoes fit well and are comfortable, perhapes wedges instead of stilettos,” she says.

As the new Face of Mornington Racing Club, Caitrin receives a cache of prizes including a 12-month modelling and management contract with AMG, pampering and style packages, $500 cash and more. She will have the opportunity to attend key fashion and race day events, and be involved in on-stage interviews and hosting events, trophy presentations, media interviews and Fashions on the Field competitions.

Having fought off tough competition from 10 other finalists, judges felt Caitrin’s experience of horse racing worldwide, dedication to learning the ropes, savvy fashion sense, outgoing personality and natural beauty meant she was the perfect candidate to front the promotion of the Mornington club.

“Caitrin wowed us with her extensive experience and extreme passion for horse racing, not only in Victoria but also throughout the world, and has a keen eye for racing fashion, which will be a huge asset in her new role at Mornington,” says Mornington Racecourse manager Angela Cleland.

Caitrin’s first key appearance in her new role is at the Sportingbet Peninsula Cup Day on Sunday November 3.

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Making it Happen Getting ready for the big day Photography: Gary Sissons

Sudari Cosmetic’s Lea puts the final touches to Caitrin’s makeup for camera-ready perfection.

Lorna of Zumay Salon creates an exquisite hairstyle for Caitrin’s photo shoot.

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Millinery by Annette Sanfilippo frames Caitrin’s face as Lea blends a seamless lip colour.

Looking every bit the part in La Bella Haute Couture, Caitrin shines for the camera.

Caitrin is at home in the studio or on the racecourse.

Caitrin loves horses and raceday fashion.

Even stylish in silks, the Face of the Mornington Racing Club is a winner.

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By Melissa Hodge. Photography: Yanni

The Fine Art of Millinery A

nnette Sanfilippo is truly an artistic soul, creating incre­ dible millinery pieces that are more like works of art than hats from her quirky village shop in Tyabb. And this racing season is no different, with headpieces of all shapes and sizes, all colours and textures displayed around the shop to give fashionistas a taste of what’s in store this Spring.

“Everything is always in fashion; it’s what you do with it,” says the stylist and milliner, whose background in art and design shines through in each individual headpiece. “I could take the same dress each year and style it with different elements to create a completely unique result.”

The best news is that ladies don’t have to spend a fortune to look amazing. As Annette explains, it’s all about sustainability and refreshing the look.

“I do many renovations on hats and headpieces, keeping the same base and adding different elements. Soft and feminine aspects blended with organic elements brings the piece to another level by adding

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a feather spine, beaded elements, florals and materials from nature,” says Annette. “Pretty much anything goes.”

A constantly evolving process, millinery art continues to use innovative new products, including industrial materials like wire.

“Basically we are using anything you can contort,” says Annette, who knows of milliners who have used woven placemats as the base for their headpiece. “Shape and texture is big at the moment, taking a product and contorting it to reflect the silhouettes we see in fashion. I liken it to Ikebana flower design, a Japanese floral arrangement based on asymmetrical applications.”

With one of the current fashion trends being asymmetrical dressing in panelled sleeves, shoulder shapes and skirt shapes, the Ikebana style of headpiece design is the perfect complement to the look.

“This asymmetrical look is both androgynous and sexy,” she says, pointing out that it’s about attaining an overall look. “It is about balance with every piece of clothing and accessory whether that is jewellery, the millinery, shoes or bags.” continued next page...

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THE FINE ART OF MILLINERY

It’s clear this is where a good milliner and stylist comes into the picture, offering helpful advice about creating the total package.

“I do top to toe for clients. They come to see me completely lost and leave feeling exhilarated about their new look. Lots of girls know what they want but think it is unattainable on the peninsula. This is totally untrue. We have everything here at our fingertips, with the best designers, milliners, stylists and international labels. You don’t need to go to the city to source that perfect look any more,” she says. “And if you are willing to purchase from last season’s range, you will save a fortune and still look amazing.”

Annette says another key trend for the Spring racing carnival is to take a block of colour and build on it to showcase a theme.

Encapsulating the enigmatic artist, Annette explains that millinery is a fluid process. Like sculpting, you shape a piece until it takes on a life of its own.

“Often I will sit there surrounded by ribbons, jewels, flowers, wire and feathers and then I’ll just start building my piece from there. There are two distinct styles happening at the moment, with a strong signature of minimalism – a sharp clean look with few elements that make a statement. And on the other side, the overdone, with graphic prints, beaded and embellished pieces full of colour and texture,” she says. “Floral is making a resurgence with key elements being cherry blossom and berries.”

“You can use all white for example and build on it from there, finding the perfect shoe with a hint of colour that flows through the rest of your accessories. It’s not just about finding the matching bag and shoes. Achieving the perfect look is a more subtle blend of colours,” she says.

“It’s all about impact, walking into a room and making a statement,” says Annette, who believes milliners have been reinspired by Phillip Treacy who created the showstopping headpiece for Princess Eugenie at the Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William in 2011.

As for hints on how to put the perfect outfit together, Annette says it is about getting every element right.

How you achieve that impact depends on your ability to balance your outfit and accessories, and Annette explains that one of the most important elements is shoes.

“It’s how you balance the outfit. Everything has to come together like a good meal. Your hairstyle has to suit your headpiece. Long hair will suit certain headpieces that coiffured hair styles won’t. The wonderful thing is that the average woman can easily do her own hair now with a hair donut for a sleek look or a more messy bun and web-like hairstyle.”

“I believe the right shoe is even more important than the headwear,” says Annette who is not a fan of the wedge heel. “An elegant outfit needs an elegant shoe like a stiletto and this year heels with decorations and shape variations are popular. If you have spent so much time and energy creating the perfect look, don’t let yourself down with the choice of shoes.”

Holistic Counselling for People and Parrots Hello and Welcome! I am a qualified and experienced Holistic Counsellor & Bird Behaviourist and am here to really listen to you!! And your Bird!!

We all need someone to talk to, someone we can trust and who can genuinely listen to us and not judge our emotions or our thoughts. Everyone needs someone who can empathise and respectfully understand what we are privately desiring to get ‘off our chest.’

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I have many professional, personal/life and health experiences and totally understand how these can mildly or severely affect our emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing, e.g. chronic fatigue, allergies, food intolerances and depression. I can guide and help resolve problems for teenagers/ adults of all ages, so you may follow your dreams, discover your skills and innate talents.

‘Your freewill is to choose your life as you know and feel it is right for you’

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Companion Birds, similarly share with humans, the need for holistic wellbeing, love, respect and empathy from all people. General education of bird behaviour is rare in Australia. In addition to my overseas and general bird studies, I am capable of communicating with your bird and ‘reading the signs’ of their emotional and physical conditions.

Birds have been part of my family for at least 20 years. Highlighting and supporting their welfare is my life purpose and focus.

Appointments are available day and evening, 7 days a week. Sessions start from $85 per hour.

Animal Behaviour Counselling/Healing is $10 per session. I am located in Mt Eliza on a very private and secure property, amongst tranquil and natural landscaped surroundings.

Contact: Paris Yves 0413 530 419 or email myfreewilljourney@hotmail.com My Freewill Journey www.myfreewilljourney.com Parrot Productions www.parrotproductions.org

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As for gloves, for many race-goers it can be hit and miss. Annette says gloves are still very much in, but a way to ensure maximum impact is to create an eclectic look by mixing an asymmetrical print with a soft glove for instance.

And as for jewellery, her philosophy is simple – “Go hard or go down”.

“There’s no in between with jewellery with chunky pieces sure to make a statement. But remember the golden rule – large necklace, small earrings and vice versa. Never do both.”

And one last hint, in line with Coco Chanel’s advice: Annette says before you leave home, look in the mirror. If something you are wearing jumps out too much, take it off. A girl’s instinct is always right.

Annette Sanfilippo is at Tyabb Art & Craft Village, 14 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Tyabb, (behind Tyabb Packing House Antiques).

Phone 0414 465 344 or check out Annette Sanfilippo Millinery Art on Facebook.

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Conditions apply: Please contact helloworld Mornington Cruise & Travel for details. TC2939

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COFFEE MAKING the art of

By Melissa Hodge Photography: Yanni

C

offee is big business nowadays and it’s a lot more complicated than just pouring an Aussie favourite white with two from your instant coffee jar.

Amusingly, their most popular blend is called ‘Black Sheep’, a Brazilian and El Salvadorean mix, which Pete says is inspired by his somewhat rebellious youth.

Australians have well and truly embraced the coffee culture with their double shot lattes, long blacks, flat whites and espressos, becoming coffee connoisseurs along the way.

“It stood out as the black sheep of the family when we blended it and is now our main blend,” says Pete.

And we are lucky to have two of the best coffee-makers right here on the peninsula.

Pete and Trish Roberts own Little Rebel Coffee, a boutique coffee-making business operating from Epicurean in Red Hill where they roast two days a week.

As we chat, the duo pours loads of beans into a sparkling metallic machine, explaining that they need to be roasted at just the right temperature.

The McCrae couple is passionate about coffee and they started a coffee-making business when they purchased their roaster from Turkey four years ago.

“We started roasting coffee originally from our cafe in Mt Martha, and now it has evolved into this peninsula-wide service, supplying coffee to about 17 cafes and restaurants locally,” says the couple who have managed to maintain their strong focus on personal attention and unique blends.

“We are determined to run the business our way and will only supply our coffee to restaurants and cafes that have the same vision as us,. We’ve recently added Merricks General Store to our client list. We want to supply places that make good coffee, run by people who listen to their customers, and we are lucky enough to be a bit picky with who we supply to,” says Trish.

After being in hospitality for many years, Pete and Trish developed a passion for food and wine, which then evolved into the coffee field.

“We love our wines, and found that the creative processes of wine and coffee have lots in common. Wines and coffee can both be blended or single and are sensitive to climate and conditions.

You even do coffee tasting the same as wine tasting, working out whether to use it as a single bean or a mixed blend.”

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After just four years Little Rebel Coffee is already an award-winning business, picking up the International Coffee Award at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo in May. “We also won Roaster of the Month at Three Thousand Thieves,” he says.

With no chance of slowing down, the couple is in the process of building their own facility to house yet another coffee-roasting machine, setting up a warehouse in Dromana.

“We are getting an even bigger roaster for the Dromana site where we can also do training, sales and coffee tasting,” says Trish, who personally has a very strong opinion of the perfect coffee.

“I know they are popular but I’m not a fan of coffee pods that so many people use these days. It is unnecessary when it is so easy to make a good coffee at home with a plunger or a pour over,” says Trish, who insists the best way to keep coffee fresh is to buy it in bean form. “Once you grind a coffee it oxydises within three minutes, which means all the goodness goes out of it. If you grind it fresh you will get a much tastier brew.”

How coffee is processed makes all the difference, too. Washed coffee is usually more acidic while naturally processed coffee is a lot sweeter.

The former latte drinkers, Pete and Trish agree that black coffee is the only way to go. “If a coffee is good and made properly, you shouldn’t need sugar or milk,” say the couple of their gradually acquired taste. “We remain committed to making the best possible coffee in the most ethical way, and will always endeavor to make as small a footprint on our environment as we can.”

If hard work and dedication account for anything, then people like Pete and Trish can’t go wrong and maybe, if we’re lucky, there’s a little rebel in all of us.

Check out Little Rebel Coffee at www.littlerebel.com.au

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Ritchies M o u n t

E l i z a

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WHAT’S ON AT...

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Heart Warming Dishes

with Cookware from Denor Homewares

Personalised service + Generous loyalty program + Senior discounts + Free gift wrapping Shop / McLaren Place, Mornington (Across the car park from Mornington Central) Ph: www.DenorHomewares.com.au

Heritage Tavern & Restaurant

* Set on 2 acres of garden space in a 1930’s house, the Heritage Tavern embodies the ambience of a gentler era. * Family friendly with space for the kids to play. * Reasonably priced meals with plenty of slow cooked options. * Featuring local produce, beers and wine. * Live music Friday evenings and Sundays 3-6. * Phone through for Take Away.

3059 Frankston Flinders Rd, Phone: 5983 2597

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Email: theheritage1@bigpond.com.au * Website: www.heritage3059.com.au

like us on facebook and twitter

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The Fifth Element

. . . at Veraison

By Melissa Hodge. Photography: Yanni

M

ark Poulter sure knows how to create delicious cuisine, and his wife, Cherie, understands the importance of providing a friendly, welcoming environment for guests.

That’s probably why the couple’s Veraison Restaurant at Bluestone Lane Vineyard in Merricks North has been number one on TripAdvisor for two years in a row.

Having recently returned from a sojourn to Japan to discover more about Asian-influenced cuisine, head chef Mark will be introducing an “East meets West” theme to their restaurant this Spring.

to create the perfect dish,” says Mark, who has been a chef for 28 years.

Like any food connoisseur, Mark explains umami poetically.

“Umami is like fulfillment. It fills out everything and naturally enhances other flavours. We make stocks out of it, and add it to sauces and broths. It is not a specific flavour you will recognise but it is distinct because of its enhancement of a dish.”

As with all of Mark’s ingredients, he only chooses the best from each region, whether local, interstate or international.

“Our menu is based on French influence as in all cooking French is the basic foundation. Over the past few years we have been introducing different themes. Last year we created dishes with an Italian slant and this season it will be Asian-inspired,” says Mark, who is particularly keen to incorporate umami into his dishes.

“Certain places produce the best ingredients and we will not accept second best, which is why we import our umami from Japan, our icecream ingredients from Italy, our fresh fish and vegetables from the peninsula, and some items from interstate like Tasmanian salmon,” he says.

“Umami is a relatively new ingredient in Australia but has been in Japan for 500 years. It comes from dried seaweed and is the fifth flavour,” explains Mark, “the other four flavours being sweet, sour, salty and bitter.”

Veraison’s new menu will include produce now in season, and the best pickings from each area.

Mark says that creating the perfect dish is all about balance.

“It’s about balancing the perfect flavours and this is the whole basis of cooking. Tastebuds work in such a way that if you balance your food you can please all tastes. It’s about flavour pairing and balance

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“This season, asparagus is flourishing and of excellent quality so I will definitely be using this in my dishes.”

Mark also uses authentic soy sauce from Japan, stored in 100-yearold barrels, and kombu from the north island of Hokkaido. continued next page...

Find out why the locals are coming to...

• Open 7 days for lunch and Fri and Sat nights for dinner • Catering for all types of functions • Weekday 2 course $39 and 3 course $49 menu for those people looking for value lunch • Christmas is just around the corner... See the website for details of the very special menu we have planned - Don’t miss out, book now for an unforgetable Christmas!

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03 5989 7081

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www.veraisonrestaurant.com.au

269 Myers Rd, Balnarring VIC 3926

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Melway: 163 |A7 PENINSULA 33

With the light, delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine blended with a French infusion, Veraison will be creating dishes like Matcha Green Tea Tiramisu, homemade sushi, and Mark’s own tempura vegetables and seafood.

loyal customers happy as well as offer new and innovative dishes for first-time visitors,” he says.

“A way to create the perfect tempura is by using a gastronome gun, incorporating a new technique to create the lightest, fluffiest batter and paper-thin tempura,” says Mark, who will be using it for sashimi and sea bream sliced finely with tempura asparagus, served with a umami dipping sauce.

“We always want our guests to feel at home here, and leave having had a great experience,” she says. “I make sure I only employ the best staff, who are knowledgeable and friendly. We want all our customers to feel like royalty, but we also don’t have that stuffy feel. Veraison is fine dining in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.”

Evolving and keeping up with current trends is an important aspect of modern restaurants but Mark says it is also important to keep traditional dishes as well.

“It is very much about customer feedback. We want to keep our

Cherie couldn’t agree more and this is where front-of-house service is so important.

Veraison Restaurant at Bluestone Lane Vineyard is at 269 Myers Road, Merricks North. Phone 5989 7081. www.veraisonrestaurant.com.au

TEMPURA BATTER INGREDIENTS 300gm flour 100gm corn flour 3 whipped egg whites Ice water for desired consistency of batter METHOD Sift flours together.

Add ice water to desired consistency of end batter.

Fold in whipped egg whites.

Pour into gastro gun, charge with canister.

Chef Mark Poulter used asparagus in the dish in the photo.

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www.hellohastings.com.au

/pages/Hello-Hastings/590431511040005

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IF YOU BUILD IT...

THEY WILL COME W

hen Alan Woollard saw the great work Bike Safe had done on the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong areas – he decided it had to be brought to the Mornington Peninsula. This was three years ago and since then Alan and his volunteers have been working to create a safer environment for cyclists on the peninsula.

As president of Bike Safe Mornington Peninsula and an avid cyclist for 35 years, Alan says it is imperative that motorists and cyclists learn to share the road safely.

“Anyone who drives a car or rides a bike knows there are a lot of hazardous areas that cause conflict between both groups. We have been advertising our ‘Share the Road’ message on billboards, trailers, buses and in local newspapers. Victoria Police have been very supportive of our efforts. There has been some improvement in Rosebud with green surface treatment highlighting bicycle lanes, and this year collaboration between VicRoads and Mornington Peninsula Shire to finally resurface a three-kilometre section at Rye and Blairgowrie. However there is still so much more to do,” says Alan, who at age 65 cycles around 250km a week.

The warmer weather and the Christmas holidays bring more cyclists and motorists to the peninsula, and one of the big issues, explains Alan, is the opening of car doors onto cyclists.

“It is a matter of drivers becoming more aware of cyclists around them and vice versa. Cyclists and motorists need to ride and drive with respect and courtesy. One of the main complaints from motorists is that cyclists don’t stay in bike lanes. Cyclists have to contend with many hazards such as potholes, glass, sand and stones in cycle lanes but unfortunately it would appear motorists are often unaware of conditions in bike lanes,” he says. “One of the key factors in reducing cycling accidents is to sweep bike lanes and road shoulders where cyclists ride. VicRoads managed to do this on the other side of Port Phillip.

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If debris was removed from bike lanes by road sweeping, it would be much safer for all – attracting even more cyclists to our beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Build it and they will use it.”

Bike Safe’s goal is to improve awareness by drivers and cyclists with the Share the Road message. It is printed on the jerseys they ride in.

Alan is one of the many cyclists on the peninsula who ride thousands of kilometres each year, enjoying the stunning scenery the area has to offer. “There are so many beautiful places to cycle. Two of my favourites are Point Nepean and the hinterland in the Red Hill area,” says Alan. “We live in a stunning part of the world.”

For Alan and thousands of other cyclists, bike riding is a great way to meet new and interesting people and, of course, keep healthy.

“You see all sorts of people out cycling – from parents with young children to teenagers and couples as well as older riders like me,” he says with a laugh.

Bike Safe Mornington Peninsula is a non-profit association started by peninsula cyclists to improve bicycle safety on roads in response to the increasing number of accidents involving cyclists and motorists in the region. Its aim is to actively pursue programs that will improve on-road cycling safety, helping existing cyclists and encouraging increased participation in cycling as well as improving road conditions for cyclists and motorists.

A 2010 survey, “Mornington Peninsula Bicycle Strategy RideSafe”, revealed that the 159 casualty crashes involving cyclists represented 7.7 per cent of all crashes recorded on the peninsula, a significantly higher number than other regions and only 1 per cent less than metropolitan Melbourne.

Check out the website to see what is happening in other areas at www.bikesafe.com.au

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Peninsula Bulk Meats The Mornington Peninsula’s Largest Wholesaler and Retail Butcher Shop.

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All full pieces purchased by you can be cut to your specifications by our butchers FREE. We also stock a full range of cheese and dairy products.

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Two cafes better than one

R

osebud icon Blue Mini Cafe has evolved and expanded after eight years in business and the owners couldn’t be happier.

“We are still in Point Nepean Road but have also opened a bigger cafe and emporium in Colchester Road,” says owner Tracey. “Our original cafe is now called The Corner Cafe and Catering, has a new look, a new name but the same friendly staff and chefs.”

YUM CHA daily Take Away Licensed & BYO wine only

The Blue Mini Cafe Eatery and Emporium in Colchester Road brings its clever and quirky take on informal dining to the old Rosebud Bowling Alley, which closed in 2013.

Rings, Earrings, Pendants & More Wholesale prices direct to the public For an appointment call

1300 230 430

Fully renovated throughout, the cafe is a bright and spacious provedore and function venue that offers visitors to the Mornington Peninsula a unique experience.

Suite 6, Upper Level 38a Main Street, Mornington

www.diamondcoco.com.au

Using recycled timbers and innovative design, the new Blue Mini has retained the retro look and feel of the bowling alley, breathing new life into the old building, while offering a relaxed, modern dining experience that captures the spirit and flavours of the peninsula.

Tracey has been in the hospitality industry for many years, running hotels and clubs, and managing Portsea Golf Club for many years, so she has always had a finger on the pulse.

Buy Direct from the Trade and Save!

Open 7 days Lunch 12-3pm Dinner from 5.30pm

But she is so much more than this, and proof that you can’t keep a good woman down occurred just two years ago when she and the family was devastated when her husband Arthur suffered a massive aneurysm at just 55 years of age.

Eyewear As Individual As You Are

“That was the worst phone call I have ever received. We were just about to leave for a holiday in Thailand, in the process of setting up our second business, the kids were off at uni and it was finally our time. Then Arthur had an aneurysm, died once and suffered two strokes,” says Tracey. “We spent the next four months in hospital, got home and now two years later have opened our new cafe.”

Tracey and Arthur are the real deal, proof that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

So determined was the couple to not let the episode them, they decided to marry on the one-year anniversary of Arthur’s aneurysm.

“We had been together for years but never married and decided we didn’t want our boys to think of this date as the day that dad had his aneurysm but rather the day we got married,” she says.

While Tracey runs the businesses, Arthur works behind the scenes and is on the road to recovery.

Check out the new Blue Mini Cafe Eatery and Emporium at 2 Colchester Road, Rosebud West or The Corner Cafe and Catering at 1455 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud.

Phone 5982 1455. www.bluemini.com.au

Upstairs 25a Main St, Mornington

5975 5311

www.restaurantsoy.com.au

MainStreet Eyecare 57 Main St, Mornington

5975 3235

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The Market of Markets

I

t’s Sunday morning, the sun is shining, coffee is brewing and what better way to spend your day off than wandering around a craft and produce market? There’s nothing more relaxing than strolling around a weekend market, checking out luscious fresh produce, homemade jams and other goodies, and taking in the life and colour of a community.

Like all events that seem effortless, there’s a whole lot that goes on behind the scenes to make markets a hit, as I discovered when talking to Craft Markets Australia manager Louise Gamon.

A business that has grown enormously since its inception in 1974 when four couples at a dinner party shared a romantic idea of opening a market for local people to barter or sell their seasonal produce, Craft Markets Australia now has more than 1500 stallholders on its database and manages eight markets across Victoria.

“My parents, Carole and Kevin, along with Cathy and David Thompson were the original directors and it has remained a family business for all these years,” says Louise, who remembers going to the first Red Hill market as a child. “They are all in their 70s now but still have a say in the big decisions of the business.”

For Louise, weekends are rarely relaxing, with market organisation starting in the wee hours of the morning.

“If we are doing a market at Flemington, we leave around 5.30am, and it’s pretty full-on during the week with lots of administration to be done,” she says. It’s rare to have a weekend off with no market but it all comes together because of our amazing staff who are all know­ ledgeable and professional local women.”

Operating from the head office in Mornington, all company vehicles and equipment are transported to each market first thing in the morning, leaving the Satu Way factory before sunrise.

“A lot of our equipment is needed to make the event safe for patrons and stallholders. We carry a lot of signage, market day office lists, radios and high visibility vests – everything needed to ensure an event runs smoothly. Because of the large number of people attending, we have a duty of care to all, and make sure we have the equipment and background to back them up,” says Louise. “Gone are the days when you just popped up a tent and sold your macramé.

Now you have to be aware that there are a lot more regulations in the past five years with OH&S.” For Louise and her loyal staff, it takes about three hours of preevent preparation on the day, getting stallholders on the correct site, sorting out territory issues, and ensuring compatibility between stallholders.

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“We have a strict rule of no car movement half an hour before trading. Once the CMA girls have sorted out where everyone, is we do a roll call, do tent safety checks, and nominate fire wardens to all the different zones. We collect market fees, do audits and make sure stallholders are selling what they say they are,” says Louise, who explains there can be a bit of negotiation and facilitating between stallholders. “Luckily the girls are all very diplomatic so we usually don’t have any dramas.”

The success of Craft Markets Australia, according to Louise, is based on the fact they have so many talented stallholders.

“It still amazes me how we have such talented people who can produce these incredible pieces. We have stallholders who make the most creative things – there’s a real wow factor that keeps people coming back to our markets,” she says. “It can be a real juggling act deciding who to have at the markets. We have a certain percentage of permanent stallholders and a percentage of casuals who eject new life into markets. It’s a relentless task but the variety keeps you interested and we are constantly surprised by the variety of applications.”

She says that a key factor in their success is to support local communities.

“We have markets on the peninsula – at Red Hill, Mornington and Portsea – and across Victoria at Flemington, Yarra Glen, Lardner Park (between Drouin and Warragul), Queen Vic Melbourne, and Hanging Rock. Whatever area we are in, we do our best to give the locals a chance to display their wares. Nobody has exclusive rights to a product,” says Louise. “We also offer a community site for free, which is ideally for charities, schools, sporting groups and other groups.”

Craft Markets Australia has always remained faithful to its original philosophy of selling only homemade and handmade products.

“We’ve stuck to the same criteria from day one, which is handmade and homemade produce and crafts, so we are a combination of farmers’ market and craft market, with plants but also sewing and craft making us a little bit left of centre,” says Louise, who employs five full-time people as well as casual employees for market days.

It would be an understatement to say the market business is more complicated than when Louise’s family started out in September 1975 with 28 enthusiastic stallholders in the Red Hill Mechanics Hall. Advertising consisted of posters nailed to trees, and everything from chooks in pens to horse manure was on sale.

“These days it is more involved as markets have taken off across the peninsula and Victoria. We even have to decide on strategies of

WHATS ON AT

NEPTOURS

where to place stallholders and which stallholders to have at each location. We now run about 52 events each year, and started at the Queen Victoria Market this year,” she says.

“You also have to keep an eye on trends to see what’s new in craft and homemade goods. Shows like Better Homes and Gardens have reinvigorated people’s interest in home cooking and we sell lots of homemade pies, cupcakes, slices, peanut butter, jams, chutneys and reserves,” says Louise, whose markets are so authentic they don’t sell commercial drinks. “We sell a range of delicious homemade lemonade, cordial, iced tea and ginger beer, which are very popular.”

And so another market day ends and it’s time for Louise and her team to head home. The stallholders have packed up, the crowd has dispersed, signs and power boxes are safely back in the van, and the radios are switched off.

It’s just another day for the people in the market of markets but, truth be known, they have kept the dream of a generation alive and given joy to many visitors along the way.

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Messenger of the music

By Melissa Hodge Photography: Yanni

T

here’s an old saying that some musicians look more like the artist whose songs they perform than the artist themselves. This could not be truer of Ron Vincent who happens to be the spitting image of Cat Stevens, with his wild dark mane, haunting voice and gentle demeanour. It’s hard to work out if this is intentional or just part of the cosmic relationship between Ron and the man himself.

Rosebud’s own Ron has had an affiliation with Cat Stevens for three decades, since being introduced to the 1970’s singer as a lad, and has made it his mission to create an authentic tribute show to the iconic singer–songwriter.

“I first picked up the guitar when I was 14 after hearing John Lennon’s Imagine on the radio and I was hooked. This was the start of a lifelong love affair with music that is just as strong today,” says Ron. “My dad and uncle introduced me to Cat Stevens’ music around the same age. I taped myself singing Cat Stevens and one day dad heard it and couldn’t believe how much I sounded like him and encouraged me to pursue my dream of bringing his performance and music to people who never had a chance to hear him live.”

And so the first step was taken on the path to his show “Ron Vincent in Concert sings Cat Stevens”.

“The years in between have all led up to this point,” says Ron philosophically. “I went on to have professional singing lessons and in the mid-90s did voiceover work as the plant in The Little Shop of Horrors.

I’ve played at heaps of venues across Melbourne and the peninsula in cover bands like Rendezvous. Flat Chat and Third Stone. But it was

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always Cat Stevens’ music that was my first love,” says Ron, who has an innate emotional connection to the man and his music.

“I don’t even like to think of it as a tribute. I’m a messenger of his music.”

Anyone who sees Ron in concert is blown away by his unique, mellow renditions of all the Cat Stevens favourites. He even throws in a few that are not as well known. By the end of the concert, the audience is mesmerised. If they didn’t know much about Cat Stevens before, they are certainly fans now.

“I want to give audiences the experience of seeing a Cat Stevens show,” says Ron, whose own relationship to the music radiates at each performance. “I become immersed in the songs and let myself get swept up in the spirituality of the music.”

Spirituality and karma play a large role in his life, and he says it’s important to have faith no matter what is happening.

“Just like anyone, I have had some down times but always manage to stay positive and focused because I know this is what I am supposed to be doing. I wouldn’t exactly call it destiny but I know that everything has led me to this point.”

Ron says that every day is another adventure and audiences still manage to surprise him.

“Recently I did a concert where the audience started coming up really close to me. This was the first time that’s happened and it was great. They were feeling what I was through the music.” continued next page...

“I first picked up the guitar when I was 14 after hearing John Lennon’s “Imagine” on the radio and I was hooked.

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RON VINCENT FEATURE

Unlike other shows, Ron prefers not to talk too much during the performance, apart from the occasional jovial banter.

“I think it is important that the music speaks for itself. It is so powerful that you can sense how well people are responding to it and this is all that’s needed,” says the performer, who is completely devoted to creating a Cat Stevens experience through the many songs he plays.

“Whether playing solo or with my band, we usually have a song list but will stray away from it according to how the mood strikes and the reaction we get from the audience.

That’s the beauty of being so familiar with the music. It’s not about playing each note perfectly; it’s about the soul connection with the music.”

As for the uncanny resemblance, Ron says it might be because they are both of Mediterranean descent.

“Being of Maltese descendants, although I was born in Melbourne, I have the same look.”

Anyone who has seen Ron perform can sense it is so much more than that, as if he’s channelling Cat Stevens himself, transporting the audience to another time and place.

“I only have one dream and it’s quite simple – to be shown by someone with a torch to the stage, to sit there and play a full theatre, and be a messenger of the music.”

For more information on Ron Vincent go to www.ronvincentsingscatstevens.com

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By Melissa Hodge. Photography: Yanni

THE MAGIC OF MANYUNG I

f you drive past Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza on any given day, don’t be surprised at what you might see as this iconic gallery continues to challenge the mind and soul.

Perhaps this is why Manyung has stood the test of time as one of Melbourne’s oldest and largest contemporary art spaces, intent on offering breathing room for the spirit.

Gallery owner and director David Wemyss-Smith says it can be a challenge for a gallery approaching its half century to remain innovative after such a period of time but Manyung continues to thrive and grow.

“Our philosophy is to support not only our relationships with our established artists, but also emerging artists. We are approached by three or four artists a week because of our reputation as one of the largest privately owned galleries. We have 10 sub-galleries, courtyards and sculpture decks, and in each of these spaces we can promote an artist or a theme. During September we celebrated ‘The Colours of Spring’ with works by Rebecca Cool, Ember Fairbairn, Nellie Zimmerman and Fran Furlong to name a few. We have also showcased work by Gillie and Marc Schattner,” says David.

Anyone who has noticed a big red dog sitting at the front of the gallery on Nepean Highway would know of Gillie and Marc’s work. The husband and wife team are Australian contemporary artists who collaborate to create art as one, applying the iconic imagery of the dog and human hybrid to celebrate the powerful spiritual relationship that exists between human and animal.

The sculptures are powerful, inspiring and challenging, just as any good work of art should be.

As you wander around Manyung Gallery, you realise the plethora of stories behind each piece of art, just as Gillie and Marc’s remarkable love story is played out in their works.

Attracting both local and interstate artists, you will always be inspired with a visit to Manyung, with David and his wife Sharyn remaining focused on offering a diverse and exciting mix of art in all forms.

“Manyung is an icon, and Sharyn and I are merely the custodians for the time we are here. There is something magical about this place and it will live on long after we are gone,” says David. continued next page...

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THE MAGIC OF MANYUNG

“We have had 100th birthdays here, Tibetan monks chanting, opera singing, orchestras and myriad artists throughout the gallery.”

In the central courtyard stands the 160-year-old oak tree that captures attention and enhances the calm, peaceful ambiance at Manyung.

“Here in the courtyard we hold our art classes and have a lovely variety of sculptures dotted throughout the gardens,” says David, who describes the gallery as an organic space. “Manyung is not a dormant, static space; it is forever evolving and organic in its nature.”

For David and Sharyn, discovering some of their artists has been an adventure in itself, often a process of serendipity.

“John Giese is one such artist who we discovered by chance on a holiday in Byron Bay. We saw his work in the Cape Gallery and tracked him down to a tin shed, took a bottle of wine and started a relationship with him. This was eight years ago and he continues to create the most ingenious paintings of brumbies, Spanish bulls and dogs.”

October sees the launch of a horse-themed exhibition, in keeping with the 2014 Chinese zodiac being the Year of the Horse.

“With more than 15 artists in the Year of the Horse exhibition, we will be displaying everything from paintings, sculptures, photography and drawings to beautiful bronzes and ceramic statues,” says David. “Artists include Tracey Keller, Helen Di Tomasso, Frank Miles, Pippa Chapman and John Giese with sculptures by Cristina Metelli, Stephen Glassborow and Dona Molloy Drum.”

Pablo Picasso famously said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls”.

This is why places like Manyung Gallery will stand the test of time as part of the human experience, ingrained in the psyche, and why it is imperative that people like David and Sharyn Wemyss-Smith continue to bring us works of art, carefully selected Australia-wide and from our very own peninsula.

Manyung Gallery is at Sorrento, Malvern and Mt Eliza. www.manyunggallery.com.au Phone 9787 2953

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Every month see over 350 new contemporary paintings and sculptures across the Mt Eliza and Sorrento galleries throughout Summer.

Located at both the Northern and Southern gateways of the Mornington Peninsula, the Manyung Gallery Group offers visitors the opportunity to experience a broad range of high quality, Australian artworks arriving every three weeks during the Summer Season.

A Mobile Gallery and hanging service operates out of the Sorrento, Malvern and Mt Eliza galleries and there is a licensed restaurant and art lessons on-site at Mount Eliza.

View 150 artists and 2000 original artworks online at www.manyunggallery.com.au For preview or purchase enquiries please contact us on 9787 2953 or by email staff@manyunggallery.com.au Visit us at 1408 Nepean Hwy, Mt Eliza and 113A Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento

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EYES LIKE A SHUTTER, MIND LIKE A LENS

By Melissa Hodge

J

osh Brnjac is an artist in the truest sense of the word. His photographs evoke images of peace and tranquility. He has won awards, exhibited in a pop-up gallery and recently sold one of his photographs of Dromana Pier.

What’s the big deal you might ask? Well, Josh is just 12, completely self-taught, and first picked up a camera just 18 months ago.

The grade six pupil at Tyabb Primary School simply loves taking photographs, from the first time he picked up an automatic digital camera till today as he works towards his dream – a Canon 1DX. “I got a point and shoot digital for my 11th birthday because I just wanted a camera to take on holidays. But I soon got bored with it and borrowed my parents’ Canon EOS 1000D,” says Josh from his home in Somerville. “I started taking photos of flowers in the backyard and birds in our aviary. It’s been pretty much trial and error since then, and spending hours researching on the internet.”

Josh’s mum, Kim, says life has never been the same since then.

“Every car trip, every cup of coffee, every landscape is a photo opportunity,” says Kim. “We will be driving along and he will say ‘Stop the car, Mum’, squat down on the road and take a photograph.

One day we were on a trip to Mansfield and Josh spotted a row of random letterboxes at the side of the road. He said he had to come back at sunset to photograph them.”

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It’s hard to believe Josh is only 12, or “nearly 13” as he reminds me, and with the perfect combination of intelligence and creativity, this young man cannot put a foot wrong.

“When I take a photograph, I am trying to give life to the photo,” explains Josh of his creative thought process. “I usually have something in mind when I take a photograph and sometimes it turns out exactly as I expected, and sometimes it turns out differently, even better.”

Josh is definitely doing something right, as in a few short months he has won first prize in the Heritage Bank Awards for his age category, 9–12-year-olds.

“I won it with my photograph of Dromana Pier, which also happens to be my first sale,” says Josh, who was originally inspired by the work of peninsula artist Alex Wise.

“I saw his work on Flickr and it inspired my love of photographing landscapes, sunsets and sunrises, but I always try to do a photograph differently than anything I have seen before.”

His photograph of graffiti in Melbourne’s Hosier Lane scored him the runner-up prize in Australia’s Digital Photography magazine.

“My images have changed a bit over the past 12 months after some advice I was given by a judge at the Red Hill Agricultural Show,” continued next page...

Photos: Josh Brnja

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says Josh who had entered a few photographs. “He told me to edit the photographs less to achieve a more natural look. So straight away I went back through my 60 images, reset them all, and tried to keep them authentic. After about five days of redoing the photos I finally got it right.”

Others have taken note of Josh’s talent including Angie Baker, marketing and promotions manager at Western Port Chamber of Commerce.

That’s why I love taking landscapes, and when the image is right I am so happy.

“When Josh first approached me to display a couple of his photographs in a Hastings pop-up shop, I was so impressed with his initiative and couldn’t believe the level of his work,” says Angie. “I thought he was incredibly talented, and suggested that he look at different ways of presenting his images.”

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Within two months Josh had built his own website and set up an Instagram account. Now Angie is displaying four of his photographs at “The Local Creative” pop-up shop in Hastings.

“He is a shy, humble kid who has an enormous talent for photography, and since then he has taken a heap of photos for the chamber of commerce to promote Hastings. We are also starting digital classes, which Josh is going to be involved in.”

Josh says that for those interested in photography, it is important not to worry too much about the gear at first.

“You have to work with what you’ve got, look on the internet for different ways to take photos, and always be prepared to take advice from other people. I would also say it’s important not to replicate someone else’s image but to make it your own,” he says. “And learning about filters and long exposure is a great tool, especially when photographing water.”

For Josh, taking photographs is a peaceful experience, and he is always on the lookout for the next good photo.

“That’s why I love taking landscapes, and when the image is right I am so happy. I do get a bit frustrated when it’s not right though,” he admits with a laugh. “Sometimes you take it but find when you get back to edit it’s not as good as you thought.”

He says one of the best things is being able to look at a photo and remember what he was feeling when it was taken. As for Josh’s parents, they couldn’t be more proud.

“Josh tends to be a perfectionist and we definitely encourage him with his passion but also want him to take it all in and enjoy these moments,” says his wise mum Kim, a school teacher.

It seems this young man is destined to follow his heart with his feet on the ground and head in the clouds, and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.

When Albert Einstein said, “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious – the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science”, I have a feeling he was talking about people like Josh Brnjac.

You can see Josh’s photography on his website at www.joshbrnjac.com, at the pop-up gallery in High Street, Hastings, and at Mt Eliza North Primary School Art Show on October 24 to 26.

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Aladdin’s Cave of Treasures Awaits A

s you wander along the glamorous Sorrento shopping strip, you simply have to visit Marlene Miller Antiques, an Aladdin’s cave of unique and unexpected treasures.

black enamel rings surrounded by pearls. The black signifies death and the pearls represent tears.”

Marlene has owned antique shops since 1985, after earning her living as a law clerk in Melbourne, and longing for a sea change.

“We have some items dating back 200 years, and it’s lovely having a link from the past to the future,” says Marlene, who has noticed more young people interested in antiques. “A lot of the young ones are interested in the old English china. The English aren’t making it anymore so it’s a lovely keepsake.”

“We used to come here for holidays all the time and one year decided to restore an old building in the main street. We pretty much didn’t leave after that, ran art stores and soon antique shops,” says Marlene.

Marlene Miller Antiques has a wonderful eclectic mix of English china, circa 1920s oil lamps, furniture by Jacob and Josef Kohn – established in 1849 – hat boxes, candles and Japanese room dividers.

With a large variety of treasures in her store, sometimes it is hard to let go of some items.

As soon as you walk into the shop, there is so much to see, with two storeys of antiques and bric-a-brac, from crystal, coach lamps and fine china to fur coats, hats, dining furniture, photographs and frames.

“You do become attached at times, especially when it’s something you know you will never see again, but there are always new pieces coming in.”

“Upstairs is a great range of antique books dating back to the 1700s. We even had a book from circa 1600. And our jewellery is stunning, with a selection from top Melbourne jewellers including Simon Kushnir, who is well known for his handmade rings and jewels of the finest quality, and very popular for engagement rings.”

One special piece Marlene points out is a beautiful Mary Gregory vase. Mary Gregory glassware is a name used for glass that is easily identified with white figures, usually of children playing, painted on clear or coloured glass as the decoration. The first glass known as Mary Gregory was made about 1870.

When you wander inside, you will be amazed at what you can learn, as Marlene takes you through the enchanting world of old wares.

Marlene Miller Antiques has been in Sorrento for 28 years but in a purpose-built building for the past four.

“We sell a lot of gold rush jewellery, which was actually made during the gold rush, with such intricate detail modern jewellers cannot imitate,” says Marlene.

She has a large selection of mourning jewellery, beautiful and macabre pieces that were created to mourn the death of a loved one, which became popular in the 1800s.

“We have lockets with the person’s hair on one side and their photo on the other, rings with the hair intertwined in the design, and jet-

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Marlene Miller Antiques, 128 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento.

Phone 5984 1762 or 0438 537 757.

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PENINSULA ESSENCE OCT ‘14

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Dance is Life

By Alexandra Dellaportas

D

ance is the essence of life. It always has been. For centuries humans have recognised the need to express themselves through the use of the only thing that every person is constantly in possession of – the body. Dance allows a person to tell a story in the simplest form. It is a unique language of its own and highlights our innate human need to move, pass on stories and communicate with others. Before spoken language, there was movement. Dance has recently become an important part of the essence of the Mornington Peninsula as more and more children and adults become involved in the art form.

Dance is usually considered to be either a sport or an art. However we must clarify that dance is not a sport; rather an art in which the artist is an athlete.

This is one of the many reasons dance has become an important

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part of many people’s families all over the peninsula. The physical demands of a dancer often exceed those of other athletes meaning that dancers are some of the strongest people in the world, both physically and emotionally. Our little corner of the planet is home to more than 10 dance schools, which suggests there are many reasons why people love to dance. There is also a multitude of styles to choose from including ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, ballroom and even Zumba. The main goal of dance is to tell a story using only the body; this could be anything from an elaborate fairytale to your own personal story.

An increasing number of parents all over the peninsula are choosing to enrol their young children in dance classes simply for the learning and health benefits it brings. Children who are still in kindergarten or who are just entering primary school will gain many skills in the dance studio. For some little ones, the first day on the dance floor

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can be the moment that brings out their confidence. Children will learn to think for themselves while exploring different ideas through props and movements. Dance in the early years can ignite a child’s imagination as they become different animals and creatures or travel to different worlds in the dance studio. It is often where children first discover creativity as it is an environment where they are allowed to freely express themselves and run around without worried parents watching over them. A child’s first dance class can introduce them to the joys of music. Developing a sense of musicality helps stimulate every part of the brain, helping prepare them for further learning. In ballet classes especially, dance can assist young children with the development of their fine motor skills through coordination and intricate use of the feet and hands. Above all, dance classes for young children continued next page...

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are a source of fun. No child could be unhappy when they are galloping around a dance studio full of magic.

Children on the peninsula also dance because of the social element it brings. Many kids will form lifelong friendships on the dance floor and will learn how to relate to other people their own age through dance. Dance also builds teamwork as dancers must watch out for each other during a dance piece and communicate by using only their bodies. Dance in schools can help children discover the stage and what it is like to perform in a musical, dance concert or largescale productions such as the annual State Schools Spectacular or Wakakirri competition.

For many teenagers on the peninsula, dance has become an outlet from the pressures of school and life. It is important for teens to get away from their schoolwork or school friends’ dramas and express their feelings through dance. It is a healthy alternative to drugs and alcohol as people can release their emotions through movement.

Dance allows a person to be creative and focus all of their energy on body movement, helping one to forget about the rest of the world.

Dance is the perfect way for a young person to tell their story without the use of words as actions often speak louder than words.

Dance can also be a way to promote strength and fitness. For those who wish to lose weight or get fit, dance is a fun way to exercise as well as challenge the body. This is why many adults are also choosing to take up dancing. It is a fun way to get away from work, build some strength and meet new people.

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Peninsula dance teacher Brea Low believes dance is the “expression of creative spirit to music that inspires”. She says that “improvisation and freedom of creative content starts at a young age, and to have dance options in our community allows young people to continue with this positive outlet”. Brea continued with her own dancing because she says “it was in my soul and my blood, and life wouldn’t be life without it”.

If you are looking for a healthy, fun, exciting, daring and expressive way to live your life or to help give your child the best start in life, enrol them in a dance school. It doesn’t matter if you are two or 92, anyone can dance, regardless of shape, size or skill. Dance has the ability to change a person’s life for the better and there is no place to begin than right here on the peninsula.

By Alexandra Dellaportas Photography by Yanni Makeup up by Georgina Steele.

Costumes by Dwan-A-Dance. * Alexandra Dellaportas is 16 and has been dancing since the age of two.

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PARDON ME, BOY, IS THAT THE MOOROODUCKY CHOO-CHOO

By Mike Hast. Photography: Yanni

A

big crowd at Moorooduc railway station was steamed up in early October when Mornington Railway Preservation Society celebrated its 30th anniversary and the 125th anniversary of the first train to Mornington.

The society, known as Mornington Railway for short, ran several trips hauled by pride of the fleet K163, an 18-metre long, 63-tonne fully restored steam locomotive built in Newport in 1941 and one of few K class locos still operating in Victoria.

The steam train from Baxter to Mornington made its first journey on 10 September 1889, engineers scaring the heck out of livestock and delighting locals as they sounded the high-pitched whistle while “hurtling” down the line at a heady 45 miles per hour (72km/h).

Morningtonians were over the moon to have an alternative to ships subject to the vagaries of Port Phillip or the rutted dirt road from Frankston impassable in bad weather.

lee Park in Frankston in November 1973 where it spent 11 years as a static tourist attraction before being sold to the railway society in 1984, the year of its formation.

Hundreds of people packed into four restored carriages to make the trip between Moorooduc and Mornington’s station in Watt Road and celebrate the anniversaries.

The society runs trips on three Sundays every month. It is a magnet for railway buffs with the equipment in the “men’s shed” at Moorooduc measured in hundreds of tonnes, not kilograms.

One of several “sheds” is 100 metres long and eight metres high.

A pile of old sleepers in a corner of the yard contains 2500 pieces stacked higher than two men – destined to replace a section of line between Moorooduc and Baxter.

The train brought a new level of prosperity with traders having a reliable transport link and more tourists flocking to the town for holidays and day trips.

The society’s headquarters is the granddaddy of men’s sheds and was operating long before the phrase was applied to a movement that’s sweeping Australia to describe places where men hang out with new and old mates, and make stuff.

Centrepiece of the celebration on Sunday 5 November was the train hauled by locomotive K163, withdrawn from service in 1966 at Ararat, rescued by Frankston Apex Club and transported to Jubi-

The 80 or so volunteers of Mornington Railway keep alive the tradition of steam trains at an 11-hectare (27-acre) site opposite the old cool stores.

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Every Tuesday, after a morning’s work, society members restock their boilers with hamburgers cooked by the head of the engineering group, Gerald Spoor, a retired BlueScope engineer who started at the then-new Hastings mill in 1974 when it was owned by Lysaghts.

Everyone here is a former something. Some continue their trade, like Peter Reyment, a retired fitter and turner with Victorian Railways, who can be found restoring big bolts using a lathe rescued from the old Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation factory at Fishermans Bend.

Ian Wilson, another retired BlueScope man, and Reyment were seen driving the Trak Chief shunting locomotive (donated by BlueScope) to move four carriages to be washed by former banker Roger Townshend and Michael Smith.

The site is full of rescued and donated equipment – milling machines, band saws, a power hacksaw, metal presses – and rail carriages looking as good as the day they were built or waiting to be restored.

In another shed, one end blocked off to keep out cold winds, were former undertaker Lee Hayes and former hydraulics expert Steve Perkins refurbishing other equipment.

Ex-Victorian Railway fireman Maurice Clarke drives a desk at Moorooduc, taking care of admin tasks and preparing work sheets, and was happy to show off the heritage signal box, rescued from Somerton when the wider standard gauge went through many years ago. continued next page...

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MORNINGTON RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Society president Malcolm Swaine, a retired educator and administrator, said the enthusiasm of the men was inspiring. “They’re learning new skills in the later years of life; they turn up early, work hard all day and the only reward is seeing the railway operate efficiently,” he said.

Swaine is stepping down from the presidency soon and is likely to be replaced by his son Andrew, 48, but is quick to point out he will have no say in this. “Andrew has been with the society since day one when members started restoring K163 at Jubilee Park. I joined a few years later,” he said.

Three years ago, the society’s train was carrying about 200 people a day but now takes 500 a day. It is one of the most successful vintage train groups in Victoria – and all without government subsidy.

As the pace of life speeds up and many pursue the latest gadgets, travelling on a steam train still fascinates. What better way to spend a Sunday than rolling down to Mornington aboard an historic train hauled by K163, its whistle sounding as it passes through crossings, smoke pouring from the loco to remind us of days when steam was king of railroads around the world?

Tickets to ride THE society runs tourists trains three Sundays a month and on special occasions.

Return tickets cost $16 for adults, $8 for children, $13 concession and $43 for a family ticket (two adults and two children). Children under four travel free of charge. Birthday parties are catered for. To contact the society, call 1300 767 274 or email mrpssecretary@live.com. The website has a host of information including train times at: www.morningtonrailway.org.au

Save our train The last train to Mornington ran on 20 May 1981 – 92 years after the first – but it was an inauspicious end, with the AEC railmotor withdrawn from service due to faults and the state government replacing it with buses on 15 June.

It was the final spike in the sleeper for the town’s train, which the state government through its agency VicRail had first tried to close in September 1978 and replace with buses.

The decision outraged residents who formed an action committee to lobby the government.

The train was reinstated in late November but this lasted less than two weeks and the bus was brought back. Protests grew louder but the government refused to budge.

In January and February 1979, VicRail ran special trains – three for the Mornington races, two picnic trains and one goods train but the end was nigh.

On Wednesday 28 February, a race train, which VicRail said was to be the last train on the line, was “held hostage” by more than 300 angry protesters at Mornington station.

They allowed the train to depart next day at 1pm after Transport Minister Rob Maclellan gave assurances the service would be restored in April. On Sunday 8 April the train arrived to be greeted by a large crowd and a brass band, and was blessed by the Rev Dr Hilton Deakin before making a special run to Baxter and return.

Following the Lonie Report in 1981, which the government used to justify closing many rail services around the state, the Mornington line’s days were numbered.

Railmotor RM55 was the last train in May 1981. It had faulty engine mountings and was ordered to travel to Melbourne. A temporary bus service was provided.

Maclellan announced buses would replace trains from 15 June 1981. Ninety-two years of rail travel was over.

– Mike Hast Information from “Death of a Railway Station” by Roderick Smith in the book Mornington Peninsula Railways and their Communities (editor Joan Patrick) published by Mornington Historical Society.

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Long time to steam and roll Much of the anger over the end of the train was channelled into the formation of Mornington Railway Preservation Society in May 1984.

It was founded by Howard Girdler and Greg Dunkley the year after the state government officially closed the line in March 1983, although trains ceased in 1981.

After years of lobbying for permission to run a tourist train, in 1991 the government granted the society control of a 10-kilometre stretch between Moorooduc and Mornington, east of the Nepean Highway.

Society members had been busy in the interim – restoring steam loco K163, 100-year-old carriages, and other rolling stock and equipment as well as setting up three “homes”, first on a BHP siding at Hastings in 1985, then at HMAS Cerberus in Crib Point in 1989, and the final move to Moorooduc in 1997. The society started running tourist trains between Moorooduc and Mornington in 1999.

In 2011, Girdler recalled: “We put together a delegation and met the Minister for Transport to ask him if we could use the line for a tourist railway. Everyone around the table was nodding in agreement until one bloke jumped up and said ‘no, it can’t be done until this and that happens’.

“This set us back years and by the time we won government approval, they’d sold off parts of the railway line reserve, which used to end at Ross Street, about 200 metres from the beach.”

Nowadays the line ends at Watt Road in the town’s light industrial area about 1.5 kilometres from Ross Street. The Centro shopping centre is where the historic station used to stand (that’s another story). There’s still a bump on the Nepean Highway where the line used to cross the road (adjacent to Mornington Toyota on the western side and Top Tint on the eastern).

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Friendship to last a lifetime

By Melissa Hodge

W

ugularr Primary School is in the outback community of Beswick, 120 kilometres southeast of Katherine on the Central Arnhem Highway in the Northern Territory. In one sense it couldn’t be further away from Penbank in Moorooduc, but in another they couldn’t be closer.

Thanks to a wonderful partnership program called Wugubank, Wugularr and Penbank are forever linked by friendship and education, and have been for the past seven years.

“Our relationship with Wugularr started when one of our teachers took the opportunity to work in the Aboriginal community of Beswick and Wugularr Primary School for two years. In that time we built a rapport with the school and the students, and ever since have been visiting annually,” says Paul Thompson, enrolment and development manager at Penbank. “The whole idea of the partnership is a friendship between the two schools. It is all about breaking down prejudice and being able to relate first-hand to different ways of living. Some of our kids who first went to Wugularr continue to maintain their friendships with the children long into their secondary school years.

“Each year the friendships evolve, and we know that this is now non-negotiable. We are very committed to the continuation of the program because it is so important to be the best role models in the way we teach our children about Aboriginal Australia.”

One of the most heart-warming sights, Paul explains, is seeing the children play together.

learning with the children. It’s a professional relationship and also a friendship.”

In July a group of Wugularr students, teachers and Aboriginal women visited Penbank to see their friends and how they live.

“On this visit, the children attended normal school days, and stayed with host families. They went to different students’ homes for a week, which was an incredible success,” says Paul. “We heard there were a lot of text messages and phone calls back home saying how wonderful it was and that it was a friendly environment.

Up there the children live somewhat differently and they are very much connected to the land. Family lives extremely close, often generations in the one area or house.”

Paul says some of the children said how interesting it was that we had our fires inside the house when they are used to fires only outside.

“It was incredible how well all the children settled in, though, and, once again, just played together,” he says. “We took the child­ ren to Seawinds Gardens [on Arthurs Seat] and they looked at different environments on the Mornington Peninsula. And, of course, we went to the footy and met some football players at the MCG. They also went to basketball training, fished off piers, went to movies, roller skated, and cooked meals together.”

Two future steps in the Wugubank project include facilitating the older children to reconnect with their friends up north, and organising programs for older children to attend secondary school on the peninsula.

“In the end kids are just kids. It doesn’t matter what race or colour, they all just want to play. The most beautiful thing is seeing the kids interact,” he says.

“Certain children from Wugularr have expressed an interest in boarding and going to school down here and that’s the next thing we would like to get going, particularly in light of our relationship with Woodleigh Senior School,” says Paul.

This year a group of students, parents and teachers went to Beswick for the community festival “Walking with Spirits”.

Penbank principal Vivienne Wearne has been the driving force behind the Wugubank project.

“Walking with Spirits is the community’s annual celebration of their culture and heritage,” says Paul. “Simply being in the community supporting them is wonderful. We also send teachers up to help out in the classroom, and share ideas and different ways of

“It is a tremendous credit to our principal, Vivienne Wearne, to have this passion and keep this going. That’s why we raise as much money and awareness as we can for it to continue,” says Paul. continued next page...

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Much of the money raised comes from the Between The Bays Music Festival, which started 10 years ago.

Next year’s event is on Saturday February 28 at Penbank School with organisers promising “a welcome back to festival favourites James Reyne, Mark Seymour, and Custard”.

“We do other fundraising throughout the year. Recently we did a sausage sizzle that raised $2000 for Wugubank,” says Paul.

“The proceeds are going towards a fund for Wugularr to start a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden. One prep child paid $50 from her own pocket money for a sausage because of the cause.”

The amount of passion and enthusiasm that has come out of the Wugubank partnership is overwhelming, says Paul.

“When people visit Wugularr School or the students come here, it is a way of breaking down the barriers. It is a small drop in the ocean but is already making a difference and it will continue as the years go on. It’s something that is developing in our kids at Penbank and Woodleigh. They can now go off and be real advocates for this program, have a voice and stand up to any racism they see.”

In a newsletter for Wugubank, Vivienne Wearne summed up the experience of visiting Wugularr: “No words can properly describe what we all felt and learnt during this time. Within an environment so diverse in every way from our own, it was simply the most powerful time of learning, sharing, giving and receiving through friendship and respect.

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“If there is anything that we all learnt so well it is the ability to genuinely listen and absorb what you hear and feel without judgement and comment.”

Penbank School is at Tyabb Road, Moorooduc.

Phone 5978 8425. www.penbank.vic.edu.au Between The Bays tickets at www.betweenthebays.com

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A walk through time Selected historical points of interest from the booklet Mornington Heritage Walk produced by the Mornington & District Historical Society.

This area was originally frequented by the Boon Wurrung people with European settlers arriving in the 1840s to take up pastoral leases, and establish timber and fishing industries. In 1854 a township was surveyed and called Snapper Point (later spelled Schnapper) with the name changing to Mornington in 1861.

The town quickly became the major commercial and legal centre for the Mornington Peninsula.

N MORRITNAIGNEGWTAO LK HE

or e Pa rk an d Fo re sh Th e Es pl an ad e,

The Mornington & District Historical Society has prepared a booklet (RRP $10) for people to take a guided walk of the historical sites of Mornington.

Collated by Vicky Sapkin, the booklet was awarded a commendation in the Victorian Community History Awards 2013.

It is a self-guided walk from the Old Post Office Museum along the Esplanade, taking in Mornington Park and the foreshore. The society also offers guided walks, which gives even more insight into the town’s early days.

With such a rich history, visitors are encouraged to spend an hour or so exploring the then and now of the township. Here are a few highlights of the walk.

Mornington & District Historical Society, Old Post Office Museum, corner Main Street and Esplanade, Mornington Open: Sundays and public holidays 1.30–4.30pm and Wednesdays (during school holidays) 11am–3pm Telephone: 5976 3203. Website: morningtondistricthistory.org.au

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2

THE OLD POST OFFICE corner Main Street and Esplanade Built in 1863, the post office also contained the telegraph office and from 1905 housed Mornington’s first telephone exchange. A gabled entry porch and veranda were later removed and the polychrome brickwork is now covered in a cement slurry coating, but still inside are the original wooden counter and tiled fireplace. The post office remained here until 1964. In 1968 the building was reopened as a museum and home of Mornington & District Historical Society.

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MORNINGTON PARK formerly Victoria Park In 1863, 10 acres (four hectares) were reserved as the site for a public park for “promenade and recreation”. Near the entrance are an interpretive panel and a flagpole surrounded by bollards with small plaques at the base, both of which note aspects of the park’s history. There was once a large rotunda, a small grandstand, dressing rooms for sporting events and, until the late 1920s, cyclists trained on a circular track. Next to the popular children’s playground, spreading cypresses and Moreton Bay fig trees have been climbed by generations of children.

Picnic parties came from Melbourne by paddlesteamers, trains, horse-drawn drags, charabancs and cars. Annual trade picnics were held by groups such as butchers, bakers, Gas and Fuel Corporation employees and many others. Mornington Fire Brigade practised hose and reel on an asphalted area of the park where there is an interpretive panel noting the history. The park’s entrance arches of local brown stone and the recently renovated band pavilion on the western boundary were built in 1932 to give the unemployed work during the Great Depression. In 1965 senior citizens’ clubrooms were built near the pavilion. An Avenue of Honour has recently been planted beside paths to honour servicemen and women who served in both world wars and all wars since.

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2 1

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3 ROYAL HOTEL 770 Esplanade A town landmark, Rennison’s Schnapper Point Hotel was built in the late 1850s and renamed the Royal Hotel in 1876. By 1863 the hotel offered 22 rooms increasing to 65 rooms by the 1870s with a garden and stables on 3½ acres.

The stables, demolished in about 1970, and yard were once the depot for Cobb and Co. coaches. In 1891 a billiard room and public hall were added. Extensive restoration to the façade and verandas was completed in 1984. An underground tunnel, since filled in, between Royal Beach and the hotel was used to transfer goods from ships. The beach was also the site of a windmill used to pump seawater for the hotel’s hot and cold baths.

4 FORMER COURTHOUSE AND LOCK-UP corner Main Street and Esplanade Built in 1860, this was the first permanent courthouse on the Mornington Peninsula. It and the lock-up behind the courthouse are the oldest public buildings in Mornington. They were used continuously from 1860 until 1988 after which the buildings fell into disrepair.

In 2000 a campaign by the Friends of the Courthouse saved them from demolition, and Northern Mornington Peninsula Tourism is now the tenant.

5 MORNINGTON PIER Construction of Mornington Pier started in 1857 and is significant as one of a small group of piers built in the 1850s by the new Colonial Government to open up the movement of produce to and from the more remote settlements. It remained the major point of entry into the district for many years and aided in the development of fishing and other local industries. The pier has been much altered and improved over the years, including in 2014. An extension to the pier known as the North Arm was added in about 1900 to improve access for paddlesteamers that brought large numbers of day-trippers and tourists.

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Kate McIntyre

Master of Wine

T

he view over Kate McIntyre’s laptop computer takes in Mt Eliza and Mornington East. In the foreground is row on row of grapevines, their new leaves bright with spring energy. Closer inspection reveals clusters of tiny green balls, the vine’s flowers, or inflorescences. It’s spring and the vines are progressing from the bud break that signalled an end to the dormancy of winter.

Kate’s “office” is a large room, a couple of tables and a grand piano. It is the main dining room at Moorooduc Estate, where her father Richard McIntyre first planted vines in the early 1980s.

The room, once the dining room of Jill’s Restaurant, is now used 10 times a year for “dining experiences” where courses – using peninsula produce where possible – are matched with wines. About 35 diners attend each lunch and they are entertained by musicians playing classical music.

“Mum always said she would run the restaurant for 10 years,” Kate says. “She did this and now those who loved Jill’s food can come on Sundays.”

The luxury accommodation provided as part of an extended visit

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by Keith Platt

to Moorooduc Estate now serves as “very comfortable” lodgings for family members.

The changes of what is on offer at the estate have led to an increase in wine sales from the cellar door.

“We were concerned that people would stop coming when the restaurant closed, but different people have started coming to the cellar door for wine. It’s been an interesting but good transition,” she says.

Moorooduc Estate produces 4000 to 5000 dozen bottles of wine a year, a far cry from the 1000 dozen bottles from its original fiveacre (two-hectare) vineyard. This year’s output will be twice as much pinot noir as chardonnay as well as 400 dozen bottles of pinot gris and 150 to 200 dozen shiraz.

The oldest vines have been producing fruit for 30 years and Kate remembers spending much of her early years working at the estate alongside her parents.

In those early days the family would travel from home at Middle Park – “we lived there before it was cool and exclusive” – before settling at Moorooduc in 1999.

“Probably as a result, I was not involved in the business until 2008,” she says.

Kate initially aimed to be a playwright, after studying languages and theatre. She started a journey that would eventually lead her back to the family business by taking a job as fine wine manager at Phillip Murphy’s in Toorak.

“I knew a bit about wines and with support from co-workers and my bosses, who put me through wine courses, I developed a passion for the industry and revised my plans very quickly.”

After five years Murphy’s was sold to Vintage Cellars and Kate moved into wholesaling Italian and Spanish wines, but she didn’t enjoy selling to “those who really don’t want to buy”.

“That’s the difference between wholesale and retail. The lovely part of the job [retailing] is dealing with people who come into the shop and want to buy wine.”

After three years wholesaling Kate came back to the family estate part time and then, in 2010, committed herself full time to Moorooduc Estate as marketing manager. It was also the year that cemented her reputation in the wine industry: Kate’s passion saw her attain the title Master of Wine. While the title is “not well known” outside the wine industry, it has made her one of just 312 Masters of Wine in the world.

“It’s a rare and special title to have,” she says.

After finishing her arts degree (honours in French) at Monash University, she had looked for courses in Australia on marketing wine or winemaking.

“I wanted to find out about its place in the world. What makes it so interesting, why do wines taste different, what makes it special?

“A friend was studying to be a Master of Wine so I went along to an information session at the George Hotel in 1999 and thought ‘these people get so much out of a glass of wine’. So I signed up for a six-day summer school in Sydney, which included a practical exam.”

In those days the course had no time limit and Kate offers that there were “a few tourists aboard who enjoyed tasting pretty incredible wines”.

The United Kingdom-based Institute of Masters of Wine was established in 1955 and promotes “excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community”.

ies and experience allow for the formation of a “common language”.

“There are characteristics of wine – it’s about breaking down its accepted elements, which then becomes a common language.” She speaks about fruity characters, minerality and knowledge of what can be expected of a wine from a certain area.

“I did judging before I became a master, but it has since made me more analytical,” she says.

Kate says Moorooduc Estate does not often enter wine shows.

She sees flaws in the judging process – “judges taste too many wines in a day; the judging system misses a lot of good, subtle wines” – but concedes things have improved over the past 10 years.

“For me, making wine to try to win a medal is a waste of energy. I believe you should make a wine that is delicious to drink and reflects where it is grown.

“Medals lead to more sales, that’s the commercial reality of today, but I think it’s a flaw. It’s all about medals and wanting to sell wine.”

Another flaw is that wine reviewers can also be judges: “Shows are a great way of getting your wine noticed; there are a lot of people involved in buying wine and in the media.

A Master of Wine is described as being “someone who has demonstrated, by way of rigorous examination, a thorough knowledge of all aspects of wine and an ability to communicate that knowledge clearly. They actively encourage others in the pursuit of knowledge as well as seeking to bring wine communities together”.

“We don’t show our wines, although we did put our toe in the water a few times. We didn’t do brilliantly, but we don’t need medals to tell me that we make good wine. We don’t make wine to follow trends.

Being a Master of Wine gives her a status recognised throughout the world, with invitations to join judging panels and, this year, chances to join celebrations for the diamond anniversary of the first Masters of Wine graduates. In 1953 there were six graduates, now there are 312 Masters of Wine in 24 countries.

“Judges sniff through 60 wines and our wines don’t play that way.

I like people to go on a journey through the bottle.”

Kate agrees an appreciation of wine is subjective, but says stud-

continued next page...

“Ours is a subtle wine, shy on first tasting but moreish. The first glass gets better and better in the glass. I like to leave them wanting more.

Despite these reservations, Kate believes “most winning wines deserve their trophies”.

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MASTER OF WINE

However, she praises the different judging style of Argentina where tastings are limited to the morning. “It was a very expensive way to run a wine show, but a good way. They stopped before the judges’ palates got fatigued.”

These days, Moorooduc Estate wines are usually entered in overseas shows “if our distributors think it’s a good idea”. But even then Kate has her doubts, citing an example where a Moorooduc pinot won a trophy one year but the following year “only got silver when I thought it was a better wine; results are very random”.

She believes sending wine to reviewers “we know are interested” results in more sales than entering wine shows. As marketing manager Kate is also spreading the word about Moorooduc Estate across the spectrum of social media. A website carries information about the winery’s history and products; Facebook carries week-to-week news and events including links to YouTube; and Twitter is “little bursts of information and maybe a picture that will also be on Facebook”.

“I’m working out how to use all these different vehicles.”

One of the strongest “vehicles” remains keeping contact with Moorooduc Estate’s overseas and Australian distributors. Just back from a trip that included the United Kingdom and the United States, Kate clearly relished a major part of the marketing – spending days with sales staff and selling wine to their customers.

Article courtesy Buisness Times, www.businesstimes.net.au

5

Master tips for identifying good wine

Kate McIntyre of Moorooduc Estate is one of 312 Masters of Wine worldwide. We asked her for some tips on identifying a good wine:

1

uy it from someone you trust – cellar door B or a retailer you have had a conversation with. Quality wine retailers love good wine and love to recommend to others. Talk to an enthusiastic wine retailer.

2

Look at the colour – wine should be any shade of yellow or red, but never brown (unless you are drinking an old muscat or other fortified). It also should not have bits floating in it.

3 4 5 Kate McIntyre with her parents Jill and Richard McIntyre of Moorooduc Estate.

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Smell it before tasting it. Sometimes wine that tastes good smells weird, but often, if you like the smell, you will like the taste. hen you taste the wine, assuming it tastes W good, the longer the flavour remains in your mouth after swallowing it the better quality the wine is. This is what wine people mean when they talk about length. Length is good. good wine is a wine you want to share with A another person. It is a wine you will taste and your eyes will meet and you will share a moment. It will make your food taste more delicious and your food will make the wine taste even better, too. And when you go to pour another glass only to find the bottle is empty … that’s a great wine.

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Essence photographer Yanni was out and about with his camera and captured some of the fantastic creations (and recycled too) from the recent Scarecrow Festival, an annual event celebrating the Mornington Peninsula’s unique creative character with a Touring Trail of Scarecrow Creations and Fabulous Farmyard Art. Don’t miss it in 2015.

For more details scarecrowfestival.org.au or www.facebook.com/HinterlandScarecrowFestival Photography: Yanni

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Spring Storms Words and photography by Yanni

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L

ightning has fascinated and frightened humans for millennia.

Romans believed that Jove, the king of gods, used lightning to punish enemies. The Greek god Zeus is depicted holding a lightning bolt, given to him by the Cyclopes in appreciation for releasing them from the dark pit of Tartarus. In Hindu mythology the god Indra is known as the god of lightning. The Australian Aborigines of northern Arnhem Land believed that during monsoon rains, the mythical Lightning-man, Wala-undayua, would travel through the clouds, savagely striking the ground with his long arms and legs as bolts of lightning. This would leave burnt out forests and shattered trees in a devastated landscape.

Melbourne’s climate can be unpredictable at the best of times but springtime on the Mornington Peninsula usually brings even more unstable weather patterns. It is a time of transition where the cold months of winter slowly merge into the long hot days of summer.

Lightning is very beautiful but also very dangerous. It travels at 100 kilometres per second. The air around a lightning bolt is hotter than the surface of the sun, and people are killed and injured every year by strikes. Precautions can be taken to reduce the risks. You should not stand in the middle of an open field as lightning will hit the tallest object. Standing under a tree offers little protection as a lightning bolt will travel down the trunk and also strike a person. If you’re caught in a thunderstorm and have no cover, lay on the ground, or crouch with your arms around your knees to minimise contact with the ground.

Reaching for a camera during a violent electrical storm isn’t everyone’s idea of a fun time, but I enjoy the risk in search of a good image.

With safety precautions and good preparation, storm-chasing can be one of the most exhilarating experiences.

Lightning photo spread next page...

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Spring Storms Words and photography by Yanni

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…or so the cry went out on three occasions during the second half of the 19th century when gold seekers tried their luck in the part of the Mornington Peninsula centred around the Tubbarubba* and Bulldog Creek areas.

This inland plain area was called “Tubbarubbabel” by the original inhabitants, meaning “good camping place” as there was always a permanent water supply.

in consequence of the large amounts of water – were exhibited.” The subsequent representations resulted in the reservation of Crown allotments 3, 7 and 8, and appear to have launched Tubbarubba as an accepted goldfield causing the first, albeit minor, rush to occur. In 1862, Mr E Permenzel applied to the government for a reward for locating gold at Tubbarubba; his application was refused as people were already well aware of the existence of the goldfield.

Some interest in the area took place as early as 1851 after a small gold-bearing reef was found in Bulldog Creek. Subsequently a Mr Threader, who worked for a local roads board, spent several years prospecting in the Tubbarubba area. He was assisted by William Grover and other local men who found the ground to be auriferous (containing gold). Threader’s representation to the government led to the Geological Surveyor, Reginald Murray, being sent down to examine the area. His report was favourable.

Over the next few years many searched for the elusive gold reef at Tubbarubba without success. However alluvial gold was found, enough to keep interest alive, along the beds of the Tubbarubba, Bulldog and Mosquito creeks. In some quarters the Tubbarubba “goldfields” were referred to slightingly as the “Rubble Bubble alluvial diggings”.

In September 1862 The Argus newspaper reported that a large meeting had been held at Schnapper Point (Mornington) where it was decided to petition the Commissioner of Lands and Survey to withhold from alienation by the Crown the land “within a distance of six or eight miles of Schnapper Point”, which was believed to be a payable goldfield, until it was further prospected. “During the meeting, samples of gold found in sluicing the surface – the prospectors having been unable to sink

On December 30, 1862 a letter appeared in The Argus from “Digger”, who, somewhat disillusioned, wrote to inform readers that the men at Tubbarubba diggings were “just making tucker”. A week later “Experienced Digger” responded that some parties were making more than tucker. He stated that “for any willing digger with a five pound note which will enable a fair start, there is every chance of success”.

Interest in the Tubbarubba goldfields dwindled later in the 1860s to desultory fossicking, although every now and then interest would be rekindled by a “find”. In March 1866, 40 miners were searching for alluvial gold along the three creeks (Tubbarubba, Bulldog and Mosquito) and a 50-foot (15-metre) shaft had been sunk on the first discovered reef known as Browns. In July 1871 the news was spread, mainly through the Mornington Standard, that three gold-bearing reefs had been struck in the valley of Tubbarubba Creek. And so the second rush to the locality took place, with a considerable number of claims being staked out and reports of a company being formed to work a claim. A shaft 20- to 30-feet deep was sunk (6-9 metres), and gold was said to be present in the quartz removed. It was estimated that 200 diggers participated in this rush.

After a visit to the diggings J W Wood wrote in the Standard later in 1871: “I may safely say that gold in payable quantities will not be found either in the alluvial or in the misnamed quartz reef.”

Soon most of the diggers came to agree with Mr Wood’s opinion and gradually left Tubbarubba. However a number of Chinese miners were attracted to the scene, apparently disembarking at Flinders and thereby avoiding the 10 pound poll tax levied at of-

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Cornell, Frederick 1833-1890 photographer. Mornington Co’s [gold] Battery: Grant. Date(s) of creation: [ca. 1866-ca. 1885] Photograph : albumen silver ; 11.3 x 17.8 cm. Reproduction rights owned by the State Library of Victoria Accession No: H87.16/36 Image No: a53270

ficial ports. They quickly left the Tubbarubba area when one of their number was murdered. The dead man was supposedly buried at the scene of the crime, and for many years that remnant of the plains now known as Tubbarubba Park Reserve was known by locals as “The Cemetery Reserve”.

Although the soil in the area was generally poor, an application to purchase the Crown allotments in 1880 led to a petition to protect the area for prospecting and mining. The Government Geologist, Reginald Murray, wrote: “I have no hesitation in recommending the application that the land be reserved, as it is likely to prove eventually of value for mining purposes and, owing to its poor quality for either cultivation or grazing, its exemption from selection is not likely to be a hardship to anyone.”

On June 22, 1893 the Mornington Standard reported that some Hastings fishermen were prospecting: “Nets are laid by and their owners have taken the pick and shovel and dish, and wended their way to the local goldfield Tubba Rubba... Some samples of the hardearned lucre were shown us last week by a recently returned fisherman who had been prospecting the gullies, and ... we shall not be surprised to hear that the field has turned out very auriferous, and as the locality is only eight miles from Hastings, our residents should participate in the good results.”

This flurry of activity sparked the third and most significant rush to Tubbarubba. In June 1893 the Standard reported that about 100 miners were at the diggings and more expected. Some were experienced miners from Ballarat and Bendigo. Later that month readers were informed that the Government Geologist – the same Reginald Murray – had again inspected the mining site and reported on the activities and prospects of gold in the area. He said the gold was “scattered and patchy” but was told that no man need starve there. The paper also noted complaints from residents in Dromana that their constable was away on duty at the Quarantine Station (at Point Nepean) and, as visits from the miners could be expected, especially on Saturday nights, “the town should not then be left unprotected”.

The most successful miner at Tubbarubba was William Barnes who, with his son, started mining on Alfred Downard’s land near the junction of Bulldog and Tubbarubba creeks, and west of the old Tubbarubba diggings. The Barnes men, working in a little valley between two hills, after 18 months had found a piece of gold weighing two grams. They were digging only about six feet (two metres) from the surface and working along the bed of the creek, having constructed a dam to divert the stream. They were using a continued next page...

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THE RUSH IS ON TO TUBBARUBBA

horse puddling machine. Some 16 feet (4.8 metres) from the workings a quartz vein crossed the creek bed, and here they found their nuggets of quartz and gold weighing 170 ounces in all (4.8kg). They were reported to have made 1000 pounds ($2000) from their find, a small fortune in those days. No other miner at Tubbarubba came close to this.

The diggings at Tubbarubba continued to provide material of interest for the newspapers. In September 1895 the Standard reported on the formation of the Tubba Rubba Gold Mining Company with 13 shareholders, which included a number of well-known locals, including Alfred Downward (then a Victorian MP and previously a shire councillor), Dr J L Edgeworth Somers and Tom Caldwell (the son of the long-time Presbyterian minister James A Caldwell who lost three sons in the Mornington football team drowning disaster in 1892). In July 1896 the same paper reported that the Bulldog Creek Mining Company was working shifts day and night, with the shaft down to 50 feet. They expected to start driving (digging horizontally) in a week. One of the workers narrowly escaped death when a basket of rubble he had sent up to the surface fell on him. He received nasty cuts to the head but the contents of the basket were not sufficiently heavy to kill him.

In 1900 another group applied for a mining lease and reportedly put men to work there at once. Three years later the Mornington Gold Mining Company announced its intention to build a large dam on Tubbarubba Creek to supply a battery for crushing gold-bearing quartz on their claim. This activity made items of news for the Standard in the first five years of the 20th century, but no news of large finds of gold followed.

The next venture at Tubbarubba was reported in 1913 in the Peninsula Post when it was believed the old Tubbarubba goldfields were

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the site of an immense deposit of clay suitable for pottery “second to none in the world”.

In 1937 geologist R A Keble published The Geological Survey of Victoria. As part of his research he examined the sites around Bulldog and Tubbarubba creeks and found evidence of the old workings.

He found one gold-bearing reef had been worked under the head of Bulldog Creek. Keble also found evidence of mine shafts and tunnels, alluvial workings along the creek, an old battery site, and prospecting holes around Tubbarubba Creek. On his map of the area Keble marked several prospecting holes and a water race downstream from Barnes’s workings on Bulldog Creek. Keble found similarities between the geological strata around the creeks and the richly paying reefs of the Victorian Central Highlands, and suggested the reef on Bulldog Creek, which had suffered from a landslide, was probably quite rich. Almost 80 years after his investigations no one has been inclined to follow up Keble’s suggestion.

The Tubbarubba Park Reserve in Tubbarubba Road was reserved in 1963 and consists of 13.3 acres (5.4 hectares) of natural bushland. It is understood it was in this area that the miners set up their camps. It is also believed this is the resting place of the murdered Chinaman, hence its original name of Cemetery Reserve. * Although the creek is generally spelled “Tubbarubba”, as is the road, the old diggings were usually spelled “Tubba Rubba” in newspapers and official documents. For simplicity the former version is used throughout unless a paper or document is being quoted.

Reference: The Golden Plains of Tubbarubbabel

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Seaton Farm

By Melissa Hodge. Photography: Yanni

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H

aving owning Seaton Farm in Balnarring since 1996, Elwyn and Andrew Duncan have developed the garden in two distinct stages.

Occupying 20 hectares (50 acres), the property has two hectares (five acres) of natural bush and almost a hectare (two acres) of buildings, the garden and recently a planting of 200 pinot vines.

“When we bought the farm, the 100-year-old cottage was derelict but after renovation provides cosy accommodation,” says Elwyn.

“We commissioned architect Ross Henry to build us a single-storey farmhouse to complement the old cottage and existing sheds, and were delighted with the result. While the house was under construction we approached Philip Johnson of Greenmark Landscapes – recently acclaimed for his ‘Best in Show’ award at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show – to build us a frog pond. Once the house was finished, the team from Preston Williams Landscape Construction landscaped to the north of the house as well as the vegetable garden.

The raised planter boxes on the paved patio have proven to be the ideal place for the visually stunning xanthorrhoeas.”

When Elwyn and Andrew purchased Seaton Farm there was no garden, apart from some venerable old trees that have provided a majestic backdrop to the garden as it has developed.

“The one old tree that we absolutely treasure is the enormous elm, which is now the centrepiece of our top garden and a topic of conversation for all who visit,” says Elwyn.

When the couple started establishing the garden, they had two main guiding principles – to minimise the effects of the wind without losing the more distant vistas, and to create a habitat to attract wildlife.

plants, both native and other, in relaxed garden beds around the cottage, and then around the perimeter of the lawn.”

The second major stage of garden development began around the new house. “We decided to use only native plants, and to try and restrict ourselves to those varieties that had already proven hardy in our conditions. I love grevilleas, as do the birds, but the only ones that seem to thrive here are the expensive grafted ones. I am now trying to placate the honeyeaters with eremophilas. A number of the eucalypts have done well, correas seem to be very reliable, also calothamnus, and the real find for this garden has been the different varieties of adenanthos.”

“The elaeagnus hedge has proved an excellent foil for the wind around the cottage, and elsewhere we have tried to plant in groups, or copses, with open areas between.

Proceeds from the garden opening in November will go to Peninsula Riding Develops Abilities.

“As many plants have limited flowering seasons, we have also tried to use plants with variations of foliage hoping this will ensure yearround interest in the garden.

Seaton Farm is at 22 Turners Road, Balnarring.

It will be open to the public on Saturday November 1 and Sunday November 2 from 10am–4.30pm.

“In stage one of the garden development we used a variety of

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Macro in the backyard S

ometimes it’s hard to see what’s really going on in our own backyards. Now and then we have to step off the back porch and take a closer look. Things are out there that we’re just not aware of. Living things, tiny things, quiet and seemingly insignificant creatures. Unlike humans who struggle constantly against their environment, these unseen creatures have learned early to seek its protective embrace.

Creating an endless wardrobe of camouflage, they and their environment have become one.

“It is a mistake of arrogance to equate size with significance, for the less visible one’s enemy the more powerful his threat”.

– Scientist Nils Hellstrom Words and photography by Yanni

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Macro in the backyard Photography by Yanni

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Dunns Creek Estate Photography: Yanni

R

oger and Hannah Stuart-Andrews welcome visitors to Dunns Creek Estate open day to explore the regeneration of the degraded banks of the creek and wetland area.

The couple have owned the property since 2001 and little of the regenerated bush is more than 10 years old.

“Our main aim is to show how we have transformed an area of degraded land – boggy, subsumed by blackberry plants that choked any local plant that dared pop its head up, and shaded by huge pine trees whose needles raised the acidity of the soil to levels that stifled any regrowth attempt by the indigenous vegetation,” says Roger.

“We think our wetland development and creek restoration complements our involvement with local community groups dedicated to the preservation of our natural habitat.”

Roger is president of Dunns Creek Landcare and the Friends of Coolart, and both he and Hannah try to find time to help out at The Briars Homestead and are on the committee of Mornington Peninsula Hinterland Tourism.

“While we chose the property for its grape-growing attributes, we loved the existence of the creek and a fully matured citrus orchard and a fruit orchard. The former has lemons, oranges, grapefruit, cumquats, limes, mandarin, pink grapefruit and a kaffir lime tree while the latter is devoted to plums, apples, peaches, apricots, avo­ cados and cherries. We hope to demonstrate that our transformation has been achieved simply and relatively cheaply by removing

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blackberries and pines during the long drought in 2006-07, landscaping with a backhoe to create a series of inter-linking ponds, building some boardwalks and laying a Dromana topping path.

Very little planting was done by us as the Australian landscape was simply waiting for the chance to rid itself of the acidity from the pine needles and to see a bit of sun without competing with the all-conquering blackberries. Within months new life was springing up and trees now tower overhead, shading the ponds and providing homes to birds attracted by the water while swamp wallabies bound through the bush on excursions from the undergrowth lining the creek. As you enter the walk, a soothing stillness descends and, on a hot summer’s day, you notice the cooling effect of the trees, which makes it essential to linger on one of the strategically placed garden seats – use the time to look and listen. Compare what you see with the photographs we have placed strategically along the walk – they were taken only eight years ago.

Where there is flora we soon find fauna. The earth shakes as the black swamp wallabies bound through the bush en route to or from the creek banks. Hannah is a member of Birdlife Australia and has recorded 80 species of birds on our property over the past 12 years.”

Dunns Creek Estate is at 137 Mcllroys Road, Red Hill.

It is open Saturday November 22 and Sunday November 23 from 10am–4.30pm.

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