Marque Magazine Autumn 2017

driver's drive Discover ALPINA’s unique qualities

HIGH NOTES Kate Miller-Heidke’s rise and rise

THE AUTO CLASSIC MAGAZINE

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DESIGNING & BUILDING PERTH LIFESTYLES

The GMT-Master II Designed for airline pilots in 1955 to read the time in two time zones simultaneously, perfect for navigating a connected world in style.

It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.

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oyster perpetual GMT-MASTER II IN 18 CT WHITE GOLD

CONTENTS MARQUE | THE AUTO CLASSIC MAGAZINE | AUTUMN 2017 EDITION

16

WELCOME TO MARQUE MAGAZINE

A

utumn - it's the time of year when we start to turn inwards after summer and think about looking after ourselves and our families.

To that end, we've put together a collection of features in this issue of MQ which reflect Auto Classic's commitment to service and excellence. You'll find a review of the 7 Series 750i, a car that's all class whether you're the driver or the passenger. Did you know that we're one of the few dealerships in the world where you can buy an ALPINA? Read on to find out more about these super rare BMW-style production models.

Greg Smith reviews the BMW R nine T, a BMW scrambler motorbike with good looks that turn heads, while the launch of the new MINI Countryman is a much-anticipated addition to a beloved brand.

We've also listed five reasons why the world loves the BMW 5 Series.

If you're planning some down time, we've got that covered too. WA's dining scene has gone up a notch recently and it's now - finally - possible to enjoy dinner with an amazing sea view. Read our suggestions for the best places to book a special meal with the ocean for company. If you're travelling further afield, make sure you pack the right bags - we round up the best looking luggage around, and suggest you take it to Cape Town, one of the world's most stunning cities.

We've got your wellbeing covered too, with features on Cool Sculpting (a non-invasive treatment to get you beach-ready), tips on reducing stress and how to build your business network.

I hope to see you soon at Auto Classic happy reading.

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MQ FASHION

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MQ TIPS

he hottest shows, events, travel T and ideas around

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MQ LIFESTYLE

Splash out on sporting gear

14 WATCHWATCH

The latest timepieces from Geneva 16

MQ DISCOVER

Visit Cape Town, South Africa’s gem

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MY MQ

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MQ BUSINESS

Scott Gillespie of Carisbrook Enterprises

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MQ TIPS Catch Kooza - the latest extraordinary Cirque de Soleil show.

Mark

Auto Classic teams up with Western Force

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MQ ARCHITECTURE

The finalists in WA’s Heritage Awards

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BMW M4 GTS

M4 coupé goes up a notch

28

LET'S GO TO . . .

THE SWAN VALLEY

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Explore Perth’s playground BMW 750i

Review of an instant classic

32 MQ PEOPLE

Meet the creators of Elizabeth Quay’s carousel

34

Mark McDonnell, CEO, Auto Classic

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BOOK MARQUE

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BMW FEATURES

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58 36 MQ TRAVEL 36 Crown Towers, Perth 40 Sonoma, California

58 MQ THIRST Gin makes a splash

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MQ RnR

Neil Price, X-Trial’s king

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MQ SPORT

Time for a new tennis centre

48

MINI COUNTRYMAN

Brand new MINI launches

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MQ PROPERTY

Urbane Project’s latest

renovation - Heatherbell

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MQ APPETITE

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Dine beside the seaside

68 MQ FILM The story of Jasper Jones

70 MQ CAREERS Master your network

72 MQ FASHION Bags of style

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MQ BEAUTY

Cool Sculpting - does it work?

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MQ PERFORMANCE

Kate Miller-Heidke’s rise

76 MQ HEALTH & WELLBEING Dial back stress

54 ALPINA

Will you drive one?

78 BMW R nine T Smart Scrambler reviewed

56 BMW 5 SERIES

Oh, how we love thee

80 MQ KIDS Dinos rule at Crown Pyramid

57 TAKE 5 with Ros Worthington

THE AUTO CLASSIC MAGAZINE

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LAST WORD

Dale Alcock’s Seven Deadly Sins

Published by

Editor

Gabi Mills | gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au

Premium Publishers,

Art Director

Cally Browning | cally@barecreative.com.au

26 John Street Northbridge WA 6003.

Sales

Natalie Du Preez | natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au

Ph (08) 9273 8933 premiumpublishers.com.au

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Contributors Cally Browning, Norman Burns, Josh Curtis, Janine Garner, Nicole Jameson, Beverly Ligman, Matthew Mills, Lisa Shearon, Greg Smith, Michael Travers, Dr Debra Villar.

Images

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Crib Creative, Jan Glovac. Cover image by Matt Jelonek.

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PREMIUM PUBLISHERS

TIPS

The hottest events, the best innovations, travel inspiration and exhibitions WINTER WARMERS

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f you’ve always thought the Margaret River region was just for long summer days by the beach, think again. A brand new winter foodie festival is launching this year in July Cabin Fever.

Here are some highlights for you to look forward to, with dates and details to follow in a few weeks: Join the Gin Craze A 1920s-inspired gin prohibition speakeasy at a secret location close to Margaret River townsite. After finding the secret entrance, take off your coat and relax into an evening of sipping gin cocktails and hot negronis to warm your winter bones. Live music and canapes come included.

Fondue by the Fire, by Howard Park Wines + Cambray Sheep Cheese What better relaxed activity on a chilly winter’s day than huddling by the fire with wine and cheese fondue? Grab a spot on the couch or at a wine barrel and sit by the cellar door’s roaring fireplace for an afternoon of lazing. Local favourites Cambray Sheep Cheese will be offering cheese tastings and fondue for all.

K

atie Noonan and Karin Schaupp have reunited for the release of their second album project, Songs of the Latin Skies, a follow-up to 2012’s ARIA nominated groundbreaking release, Songs Of The Southern Skies.

The two artists enjoy an intuitive musical connection.

Songs of the Latin Skies is the delightful product of this unique relationship – akin to a Latin American holiday, it is a stunning take on the great South American songbook of bossa nova, samba, salsa and tango, as Katie and Karin interpret work by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Luis Bonfa, Antonio Carlos Jobim and more.

Underpinned by Karin’s masterful classical guitar playing, these songs are the perfect vehicles for the exquisite tone of Katie’s vocals, at once delicate, soulful and effortless.

Renowned for breaking down genre boundaries, Katie's technical mastery and pure voice makes her one of Australia’s most versatile and beloved vocalists. Guitarist Karin has been lauded around the world as one of the best classical guitarists of her generation; her playing hailed by the German press as “so perfect, so complete, that it seems like a miracle”.

“I feel like Karin and I have made our best work yet," says Katie. "Playing with Karin is like floating on a gorgeous cloud - it is such a pleasure to make music together and this new selection of beautiful songs has been our most comfortable musical home yet."

Songs Of The Southern Skies by Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp, out now.

Vertical Tasting Dinner at Vasse Felix This special intimate fivecourse dinner will celebrate the evolution of cabernet sauvignon at Vasse Felix over the past 50 years. Winemakers will join guests, providing a special opportunity to learn about the wines and winemaking process as dinner progresses, culminating in a rare opportunity to enjoy a five-year vertical tasting of Vasse Felix cabernet sauvignon during main course followed by the 2013 Tom Cullity, the pinnacle of Vasse Felix, released in May 2017 to coincide with the estate’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Blazing Brews at the Beer Farm Coming up to its second birthday in 2017, this converted dairy farm has quickly established a reputation among locals for epic parties.

Settle into the ridiculously comfortable vintage leather furniture or cosy up around the blazing bonfire and enjoy smoked meats, live blues and seasonal winter brews. Who says winter is cold?

Visit cabinfeverfest.com.au for full details.

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CRUISE IN COMFORT

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hey’re two of music’s best selling performers, and both broke the mould in their own way when it came to defining a new sound for their eras.

In a world first, Blondie and Cyndi Lauper are teaming up to co-headline an absolute cracker of an Australian tour in April.

Cyndi Lauper and Blondie, including legendary lead singer Debbie Harry, will play A Day on the Green outdoor shows nationally as well as arena shows in Melbourne and Sydney. Lucky us here in Perth will see the two stars close their tour in the great outdoors, at Kings Park on April 12.

“Blondie were the true trailblazers of the New York City new wave and punk scenes,”

Lauper said.

“As a young artist, they had such a big impact on me. I just thought that Debbie was so cool. She’s still a hero of mine. I’m so excited to do this tour of Australia with them.

We are going to have a blast!”

Harry is equally thrilled to be heading here.

“You can’t miss this show. The bitches are coming back to make it happen in Australia just like they do it everywhere. All the songs and music you want to hear from us and much much more. We’re looking to have the best tour in Oz ever,” she said.

Lauper and Blondie have both enjoyed great success here for four decades, fuelled by a stream of timeless hits that are still popular today. Both Lauper and Harry have always escaped the usual clichés of women in rock and are unquestionably two of the most important and influential women to have graced the stage. The two New York natives are thrilled to be touring together.

The A Day on the Green shows features The Clouds reforming especially for the tour and exciting new talents Montaigne and Alex Lahey.

Blondie and Cyndi Lauper, April 12, A Day on the Green, Kings Park and Botanic Garden. Visit ticketmaster.com.au or call 136 100.

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The countdown is on ahead of the maiden voyage of MS Amadeus Provence, the latest premium vessel in the elegant Amadeus river cruising fleet – and the first on the European waterways to boast a dedicated pool deck – which will soon set sail on the iconic Rhône and Saône rivers.

Home to eight spacious suites with walk-out exterior balconies and 62 staterooms, most with adjustable panoramic windows, with all rooms featuring luxurious bathrooms, premium amenities and offering a choice in bed configuration. Amadeus Provence’s superb pool deck will feature a tranquil infinity plunge-style pool and Lido Bar, the ideal spot to enjoy a refreshing cocktail while watching the stunning scenery effortlessly pass by.

MS Amadeus Provence’s maiden voyage in April will be the eight-day Treasures of Burgundy & Provence journey departing Lyon, taking in iconic sights from medieval market squares to the lavender fields of Provence and the wine region of Beaujolais.

With a total of 19 departures in 2017, guests of the Amadeus Provence can experience an eight-day journey of discovery, visiting Avignon and Arles, and getting to experience world-famous sights, such as the Pont du Gard, Gorges de l´Ardèche, the Camargue and the Beaujolais region.

Ooh la, la, we say.

To receive a copy of the new 2017 brochure from Amadeus, email res@ amadeus-rivercruises.com.au

MQ TIPS

TIME TO TREAT MUM If you want to get in your mum’s good books, why not treat them to a very special high tea this Mother’s Day? Pullman Bunker Bay Resort’s Other Side of the Moon restaurant is pulling out all the stops with their version of sweet and savoury treats this year.

The ‘Sweets & Senses’ Package will give mum an hour of pampering at award-winning Vie Spa with her choice of treatments plus a glass of sparkling. Then it’s time to relax and soak up the outstanding vistas of Bunker Bay as the resort’s Michelin star-experienced French pastry chef serves up a stunning High Tea. Elegant sweets, freshly baked scones and mouthwatering savouries will be complemented by your choice of tea or barista coffee, all for just $169 per person.

If mum is a sweet tooth you can opt to enjoy just the High Tea experience for $45 per person.

Bookings are essential. Offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers. Payment required at time of reservation and cancellation policy applies. Call 08 9756 9100 or visit pullmanbunkerbayresort.com.au

GRADUATES OF GIN

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f our article on the rise and rise of artisan-made gin has whetted your appetite (see page 58), why not make your own at the Margaret River Distilling Co? Join the Giniversity for the day and during four hours or so you'll discover the subtle differences a range of botanicals, herbs and spices can make to your very own blend of gin. It's handson so come prepared to sniff and sample your way through various combinations before you actually distil and take home your very own bottle of gin. The helpful, informed team at Giniversity (an arm of the awardwinning Limeburners distillery which has branches in Margs, Porongurups

and Albany) guide students along the way but it's completely up to you how your gin turns out. Highly recommended.

Visit distillery.com.au - Giniversity classes occur every Friday from 11am to 2pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. For $300, students enjoy a wonderful lunch as well as a course in gin-making, including all materials with a 500ml of your own blend to take home.

MAD ABOUT HARRY HE’S THE BOY wizard who stole the world’s heart so it’s not surprise WASO has announced a third screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ in Concert – a matinee performance on May 6 at 1.30pm at the Riverside Theatre, Perth Convection and Exhibition Centre as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series.

This along with two other screenings will give Harry Potter fans the chance to experience Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ in stunning high definition, while the West Australian Symphony Orchestra performs the score composed by award-winning film composer and Oscar winner John Williams.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™ in Concert, Friday May 5, 7.30pm, Saturday May 6 at 1.30pm and 7.30pm. Visit ticketek.com.au or call 1300 795 012.

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irque du Soleil is currently wowing Australian audiences with its all-new production Kooza, which arrives in Perth on April 13 under the Big Top at Belmont Park Race course.

Such is the popularity of the high-octane performance, the run has been extended to include new dates in May, from May 10 to 28.

One of the most acrobatically breathtaking shows in the Cirque du Soleil stable, Kooza is a colourful, sparkling homage to the traditions of circus and combines thrilling acrobatics with the art of clowning.

Over seven million people around the world have already enjoyed the magic, wonder and incredible feats of KOOZA.

Kool Kooza LITTLE CRACKER

Fast facts -

Kooza

• All of Kooza’s performers apply their own make-up. This can take up to two hours.

• The name Kooza is inspired by the

Sanskrit word “koza,” which means “box,” “chest” or “treasure,” chosen because one of the underlying concepts of the production is the idea of a “circus in a box.”

• The beautiful costumes were designed

by Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt. She drew inspiration from a wide variety of sources including graphic novels, the painter Klimt, Mad Max movies, time travel movies, India and Eastern Europe, clock movements, tin soldiers, marching bands and more. This all merges to create a colourful look that alludes to Alice in Wonderland, Baron Munchaüsen and The Wizard of Oz.

As a proud stalwart of the Western Australian beach 'n’ beer loving scene, Little Creatures have stepped up to the plate and created a brand new beer, just for WA. Launched at their Freo HQ as well as the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River, Elsie will only be available to Sandgropers.

“We’ve named the beer ‘Elsie’ after our beloved Kombi,” says head brewer Russ Gosling.

“She’s been with us since day one – just like WA. She holds a special place in our hearts and is the perfect symbol of the carefree, laid back WA lifestyle we love being a part of.”

Elsie is inspired by the gold rush era Steam Ales of California and is is a refreshing brew with hints of citrus that give way to a subtle maltiness, finishing clean and dry.

In fact, we’d say it’s the perfect beer for the west coast lifestyle. Visit littlecreatures.com.au

• There are more than 175 costumes and 160 hats in the show, 1,080 items in all, including all the shoes, props and wigs.

• One costume features more than 400

individually sewn metallic flaps to create the effect that it is armoured.

Visit cirquedusoleil.com/kooza or call 1800 036 685.

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LIFESTYLE

SPORTING CHANCE

Make a splash in the changing room with gear from the BMW Motorsport and Athletics range.

Athletics Sport Wind Jacket, ladies and men. $169 Athletics Sport Drinks Bottle. $35

Athletics Performance Functional Jacket, ladies and men. $229

Athletics Sport Cap, unisex. $39

Athletics Sport Towel. $55

For a limited time save 20% on all BMW Motorsport and Athletics products. Just mention MQ Magazine when placing your order.* *While stocks last. Offer ends June 30, 2017.

Additional terms and conditions apply. Consult Auto Classic BMW Lifestyle and Accessories for further details.

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VOL 3 | ISSUE 3 | APRIL 2016

PROPERTY • LIFESTYLE • IDEAS

FREE –

Take me home!

VOL 3 | ISSUE 3 | APRIL 2016

PROPERTY • LIFESTYLE • IDEAS

Ooh la la!

FREE –

Take me home!

VOL 3 | ISSUE 3 | APRIL 2016

MANU'S STAGE SHOW COMES TO PERTH

WA’S LATEST PREMIUM PROPERTY LISTINGS PROPERTY • LIFESTYLE • IDEAS

FREE –

Take me home!

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PREMIUM PUBLISHERS

MANU'S STAGE SHOW COMES TO PERTH

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MANU'S STAGE SHOW COMES TO PERTH

WA’S LATEST PREMIUM PROPERTY LISTINGS

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WATCHWATCH

What’s new from the epicentre of the watch world.

Norman Burns reveals the newest watches to emerge from the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Switzerland.

THE GENEVA INVENTION E

very January, four days in chilly Geneva have watch lovers salivating as some of the world’s glitziest and venerated watchmakers unveil their latest and greatest at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, better known as SIHH. Until this year, SIHH was open only to those in the watch trade, and media, and featured brands exclusively from the luxury goods group Richemont.

However SIHH not only welcomed new brands to the exhibition it opened its doors to the public for the first time.

It was a smart move by SIHH to bring more people and brands into the fold because for the last couple of years the venerable Swiss watch industry has been struggling. Figures released by analysts Deloitte showed Swiss watch exports in the first half of 2016 fell in value by $12.3 billion.

While sales might be sluggish, the quality, innovation and sheer artistry of timepieces revealed at SIHH is always breathtaking. Here’s just a sample of some of the beautiful watches on show…

A. LANGE & SOHNE LANGE 1 MOON PHASE DRESDEN-BASED A. Lange & Sohne has a remarkable background; watchmaker Ferdinand Adolph Lange started his company in 1845, producing fabulous pocket watches still coveted by collectors today. But after World War II, the victorious Soviet forces appropriated the company.

The tale took another twist when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and Germany was eventually reunited - the spark for Ferdinand Lange’s great-grandson Walter to relaunch the brand. Twenty-seven years on, A. Lange & Sohne produces just a few thousand, beautifully constructed pieces in gold or platinum each year and has become one of the most sought-after luxury watch brands. The new Lange 1 Moon Phase is a stellar (pun intended) example of the company’s top quality output. Powered by an in-house manually wound movement, the 38.5mm piece (gold/white gold or platinum case) has a gorgeous moon phase display at 5 o’clock on the dial. The moon (made of solid gold) travels in front of a separate celestial disc (also solid gold) that rotates once every 24 hours, indicating whether it is day or night. So accurate is the display, it needs correcting just once in 122.6 years. $POA. Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

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CARTIER DRIVE DE CARTIER EXTRA FLAT PACKING A MECHANICAL movement into a thin case takes some serious engineering smarts; pair the concept with Cartier’s elegant styling and you have a stunning timepiece. The Drive De Cartier Extra Flat is, well, flat (just 6.6mm thick) and runs a manually wound movement housed in a 39mm case. Just 200 individually numbered pieces are available in white gold ($23,400), plus there is a pink gold variant ($21,800).

Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN DA VINCI RETRO STYLING IS the in thing and Switzerland's IWC Schaffhausen has wound back the clock to 1985 with a return to a round case for its revamped Da Vinci collection.

While the new Da Vinci Automatic is a unisex model, IWC’s main push was to concentrate a range of smaller and slimmer models for women with the Da Vinci Automatic 36 (four variants, including a diamond-set model in 18k red gold, from $15,500) and the exquisite Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 ($20,200). All feature automatic movements.

Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

VACHERON CONSTANTIN

JAEGER-LECOULTRE MASTER GEOGRAPHIC SIHH 2017 SAW master Swiss watchmaker release three striking new models to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Master Control collection (so named because the watches were subjected to 1,000 hours of rigorous in-house control tests, a regime which has since been extended to all JaegerLeCoultre models). The Master Geographic (automatic in-house movement, 39mm, 43-hour power reserve) not only gives the user two separate time zone displays but the cleverly designed aperture at 6 o’clock displays the names of 24 cities representing the world’s time zones. Skeletonised baton hands and a clean, almost subtly marked dial, lend an aura of distinction to the Master Geographic; the sapphire crystal case-back is a great touch too, giving the wearer a glimpse into the amazing mechanical goingson. $POA. Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

BAUME & MERCIER CLIFTON GMT POWER RESERVE BLENDING CLASSICAL ‘feel’ with a thoroughly modern look can be a difficult beast to nail down but Switzerland’s Baume & Mercier does it with aplomb with its new GMT Power Reserve, part of the brand’s Clifton collection.

The round case is something of a signature look for Baume & Mercier, and the satin-finished steel case of this automatic, 43mm timepiece contrasts beautifully with the deep blue dial with sun-satin finishes. A slick GMT display at 12 o’clock (for a second time zone) and power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock (42 hours fully wound) give the watch a sophisticated, contemporary aesthetic, the whole package nicely balanced with a classic alligator leather bracelet.

Yours for $5,400.

Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

NAMING ONE LUXURY brand as a “first among equals” isvery subjective but a strong case could be made for Vacheron Constantin to wear the crown. Apart from being in the business since 1755, it’s Vacheron’s near-evangelical approach to preserving some of the most intricate aspects of the watchmaking arts that sets the company apart.

Three new models in Vacheron’s immaculate Métiers d’Art collection wowed SIHH 2017. The Copernicus Celestial Spheres celebrate the work of Renaissance astronomer Nicolas Copernicus, who put forward the theory that the Earth revolved around the Sun. The watches feature stunning Grand Feu enamelling, hand-engraved Zodiac figures and a revolving Earth making its way around the Sun. The movement alone took Vacheron three years to perfect and is so precise it needs just one adjustment every 8,000 years. Available only at Vacheron Constantin’s boutiques, from $131,000.

Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

OFFICINE PANERAI AMERICA’S CUP SAILING AND WATCHES are a match made in heaven. The hightech worlds of elite sailing and watchmaking both use cutting edge materials, carbon fibre and the like, while in yacht racing timing is literally everything. Officine Panerai likes its watches big and bold and its line-up of official timepieces for the 35th America’s Cup (in Bermuda from May 26 - June 27) is no exception. Panerai launched five limited edition pieces at SIHH 2017, including the titanium-cased Luminor 1950 Regatta Oracle Team USA which features a regatta countdown timer. Available exclusively at Watches of Switzerland.

Visit watchswiss.com or contact 1300 808 135

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DISCOVER Africa’s favourite son, Nelson Mandela, for 18 years of his 27-year incarceration.

You can’t visit South Africa without facing up to the former apartheid era, and Robben Island is the best place to see it up front and personal. Boats leave several times a day (weather permitting) and need to be booked in advance. It takes about 3.5 hours to see all the historic sites and includes a tour of the prison led by former inmates, whose first hand testimony of life on the island is as authentic and humbling as it gets.

Once described by Sir Francis Drake as “the most stately thing and the fairest cape on the earth” the city’s namesake, the Cape of Good Hope, is a great day out. African Eagle Day Tours is one company that’s doing a great half- or full-day

CAPE CRUSADERS It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the world and has drawn visitors for centuries.

Michael Travers explores South Africa’s Cape Town and discovers more than meets the eye.

C

linging to the southern tip of Africa, and resting under the watchful eye of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a beautiful city filled with breathtaking landscapes and vineyards, superb cuisine, a rich culture, fascinating wildlife and so much to see and do that it would take a month of Sundays to merely scratch the surface.

We only had a week in town, but we wasted no time cramming in as much good food, wine, relaxation and adrenaline as we could manage.

Cape Town’s tourist hub is the V&A Waterfront, an upmarket area filled with al fresco cafes and restaurants, handicrafts and souvenir shops, boat cruise operators, public art, museums, a mall, and a general air of affability and retail chicness, which can be found in many of the world’s best harbour cities.

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sightseeing trip down to the Cape Point Nature Reserve where you can stand at the Point, get up close and personal with penguins, mountain zebras, antelope and the occasional baboon, and take in some mighty spectacular scenery along the way, ending at the Constantia Winery for

a few quiet glasses of the good stuff.

The City Sightseeing Bus is the best and cheapest way to explore the city. This regular-as-clockwork, hop-on/hop-off double-decker is the transport of choice to take you all the way from the waterfront to the wine country and back again. The buses leave every 15 minutes along three routes and colours, with headphones and commentary provided in a stack of different languages. Simply buy a one or two-day ticket, sit back in the open air and let the city pass by while getting off and back on wherever and whenever you want.

With a two-day pass, we were able to take a very cold swim in the Atlantic Ocean at the famous Camps Bay Beach, visit a museum or two, do some shopping, ascend Table Mountain and have a nice long boozy lunch at the Groot Constantia Winery.

Of course, no trip to Cape Town would be complete without a trip up Table Mountain, and since the weather can be a fickle beast, we saw a sunny day and grabbed it. The cable car ride is mind-blowing enough, but the views from the top are staggeringly awesome. The stout-hearted can even walk up from the bottom on a variety of different routes, but remember to pack something warm for the top because when the clouds roll in or the wind picks up, you will definitely feel the cold.

Without a doubt, the Cape’s most adrenaline-charged activity is cage diving with great white sharks, so it was with no complaint that we awoke early to be picked up at 5.30am by a minibus belonging to Shark Adventures Unlimited heading to the small fishing town of Gansbaai, two hours south of the city.

Forget lions, leopards and rhinos, being in the water with these massive sharks is an adrenaline buzz like no other we’ve ever experienced.

Because we had only six nights, we chose to mix up the accommodation to get a triple-centre taste of the different parts of town; a bit of chic, a bit of fun and a bit of

CAPE TOWN WHEN TO GO Off Peak February / March / April the weather is a dream and there are no crowds.

ON THE GO The City Sightseeing Bus by day, and Uber by night. Download the app before you go.

NEED TO KNOW Shark Diving Unlimited visit sharkdivingunlimited.com The Vineyard visit vineyard.co.za Grand Daddy’s Hotel visit granddaddy.co.za African Eagle Day Tours visit daytours.co.za

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH Cape Town is a gorgeous city to explore on foot with plenty of attractions.

It also has some exotic residents (top) including friendly penguins.

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luxe. Our first two nights were spent in a chic Airbnb apartment down on Sea Point, where we could kick back and relax in our studio overlooking the ocean to the front and Table Mountain to the back.

Then it was time for some fun downtown at Grand Daddy’s Hotel on the colourful Long Street. What makes this place stand out is that it has a trailer park on the roof in the form of six Air Stream Trailers, each custom-designed to reflect a different part of the country.

As urban trailer trash, we were able to take in the shopping and colourful night-and-daytime that is Long Street, with plenty of art, antiques and loads of great retro secondhand clothing stores.

The luxury was left till last at The Vineyard, an old colonial era hotel that sits on seven acres of riverside parkland on the north side of Table Mountain, with great F&B, serene comforts, and a sense of history oozing out of every pore. Here we just lazed on our terrace taking in the views, drinking fine wines in the garden and bars, and sating our appetites on superb food.

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Any place that has a great reputation for wine surely has a reputation for food to match, and Cape Town is no exception.

We’d done a bit of research before we came and, to avoid disappointment, we had made the requisite advance reservations at some of the city’s best eateries. Leading the food scene are places such as The Black Sheep, The Pot Luck Club, and Klouf Street House; each of which beguiled us with their different takes on modern South African cuisine.

On each occasion, we enjoyed gourmet food, long lovely wine lists and a vibe that was pumping with the energy of a crowd out for a damn good time – just what you want when satisfying a craven hunger in a new city. It wasn’t all fine dining, and Jerry’s also deserves a special mention for its bumper burgers and huge selection of craft beers. Bravo.

We’re all aware that there are some places that we will only ever visit once in a lifetime, while there are others that will always keep us coming back for more. The difference we felt with Cape Town was that we never wanted to leave. MQ

MY MQ

Scott Gillespie, managing director of Carisbrook Enterprises, is a life-long lover of the BMW brand. So much so, in fact, that every time he visits Auto Classic to get one of his collection serviced, he usually ends up coming home with a new addition.

HEARTS &MINDS

By LISA SHEARON. Images by CRIB CREATIVE.

By LISA SHEARON. Images by CRIB CREATIVE.

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cott Gillespie’s eyes light up when I ask him about his collection of BMWs. “I have a 740i, X6M, 435i, 640i and an X5 50i,” he says – in no way boastfully, but rather in the way a proud dad talks about his prodigious children. “I’m also waiting for the new M760Li xDrive, which should be coming into the Auto Classic showroom any day – no doubt for me,” he laughs.

The brand new M760Li xDrive so coveted by Scott offers 600bhp and 590b ft from a 6.6-litre twin-turbo ‘TwinPower’ V12.

The torque is transmitted to the ground via an eight-speed auto with paddles and xDrive four-wheel drive with a defined rear-bias, which explains how the M760Li can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.

“It’s a massive car but has the beauty of a nice, sleek sedan, with divine appointments on the inside,” Scott adds.

The managing director of Carisbrook Enterprises’ love affair with BMW began at an early age, when he became smitten with luxury cars.

“From being a kid, I always had this attraction to luxury cars, so as soon

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BMWS ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL TO DRIVE. THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR ENGINES STILL SURPRISES ME . . .

as I was able to buy a BMW, I did.

“The X6 was my first BMW,” he says. “I loved the shape of it, and the fact that it looked so different; it was really out there for an SUV. I bought a diesel version, and loved it from the moment I drove it.”

That was in 2008 – since then, Scott has been a regular visitor to Auto Classic.

“I’m probably in there every couple of weeks,” he admits, with a guilty laugh. “I often go in for a service and come out with a new car.

To be honest, I’m not allowed in the showroom when I go in for a service anymore.”

TOP NOTCH Scott Gillespie is the proud owner of many BMWs and has set his heart on a M760Li xDrive.

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Scott’s relationship with Auto Classic and their BMWs goes far beyond just being a regular customer.

He’s a firm believer in giving back to the local community and is one of three people in charge of organising the annual ball for the children’s charity Variety.

“I love my cars, but it’s important to give back,” he says.

“In 2016, I bought Auto Classic into Variety and they became a premium sponsor of the ball. This year they had 10 vehicles on display.

“It was spectacular, and really nice to have such a premium

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product showcased at a charity event … although in the first year I ended up buying a 7 series that was on display,” Scott laughs.

For Scott, BMWs are an intrinsic part of his life and lifestyle, woven into his heart and soul.

“I’m on the road a lot,” he admits.

“I do around 40,000 to 50,000km a year, so it’s important to me that I feel comfortable and relaxed in a car that looks stylish and elegant.

“BMWs are just beautiful to drive.

The performance of their engines still surprises me, even in their six cylinders. BMWs are absolutely brilliant.” MQ

BUSINESS

THE PERFECT MATCH Auto Classic announces a new sponsorship deal with Super Rugby side the Western Force. By NORMAN BURNS Images MATT JELONAK

Courage. Passion. Respect.

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hese words, which adorn the state-of-the-art Mt Claremont training base of Super Rugby side the Western Force, also sum up the business ethos of Perth’s leading BMW dealership, Auto Classic.

So it’s no surprise that, through a new sponsorship deal, Auto Classic and the Western Force have struck up a partnership that extends the BMW brand’s high-profile support of Australian rugby.

Last year BMW became naming rights partner of Australian Rugby’s

Pathway to Gold Program, a national ‘Talent Pathways’ model that helps identify, and support, top young playing talent.

Auto Classic CEO Mark McDonnell says the one-year sponsorship of the Force for the 2017 season is a “natural fit” with BMW’s commitment to rugby on a national level.

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passionate rugby supporters, so we hope this partnership will provide them with an opportunity to combine their passion for both brands.”

It’s obvious, too, from the good-natured rapport between Mark and his Force counterpart Mark Sinderberry that the deal is far more than a commercial consideration.

“I’m not from a rugby background - I grew up supporting AFL - but I had the privilege of meeting Mark Sinderberry a couple of years ago and since then I’ve enjoyed the game, especially the strategy behind rugby,” says Mark.

Auto Classic’s commitment (the logo will be placed on the back of the players’ shorts) is also another very positive sign for the Force, despite continuing uncertainty at the time of going to print as to the precise

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future direction of Super Rugby, and how many teams it will involve.

“Auto Classic is an iconic WA company that’s demonstrated a great passion for all things WA and we feel very fortunate to be aligning ourselves with such a company. And we both understand the importance of outstanding customer service – our supporters rightly expect a lot of us,” says Mark Sinderberry, who has steered the Force through some pretty choppy waters since Super Rugby’s governing body SANZAAR (made up of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina) announced a review of the competition and its 18-team, fourconference, format.

This led to speculation that at least one, possibly two, of Australia’s five Super Rugby teams would be culled. The Force, which has never made the competition’s finals, finished 16th overall last season.

Last year the Australian Rugby Union effectively assumed the financial reins of the Force and, for Mark Sinderberry, re-establishing financial independence is a vital objective.

The signs, on and off the field, for the franchise are encouraging.

The Force development team, the Spirit, won last season’s Australian

Rugby Championship while a Force representative side also took the trophy at the inaugural World Club 10s tournament held in Mauritius.

Late last year the club launched an “Own The Force” campaign aimed at turning the franchise into Australia’s biggest fan-owned club – of any code.

“We’ve now got around 5,000 people pledging $1,000 a share and many want multiple shares,” says Mark.

The Force then got a massive financial boost in January when it landed a $1.5million, one-year, naming rights deal with the Road Safety Commission. The deal has a three-year renewal option and is the

GOOD MATCH Western Force CEO Mark Sinderberry, left, and his Auto Classic counterpart Mark McDonnell see a lot of synergy between Auto Classic’s business ethos and the Western Force, and rugby’s mantra of teamwork and striving for excellence on and off the field.

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biggest 12-month deal signed by any Australian Super Rugby franchise.

The Rugby Union Players’ Association also came out in strong support of keeping all five Australian-based teams in the competition.

RUPA president Dean Mumm told Australian Associated Press: “The players are engaged in ensuring that any new competition model genuinely remedies the current competition’s strategic failings and delivers more relevant local derbies for Australian Rugby fans to enjoy.

“Other codes in this country are growing their domestic competitions and fixtures at significant pace, and we simply can’t do the opposite in an attempt to shrink our way to success.

“It is vital that we preserve all opportunities for players and coaches to enter the professional rugby pathway all across the country. The game needs to inspire the next generation to play rugby and a successful national shopfront is paramount to that effort,’’ said Mumm.

With what looks to be the best-balanced team in the Force’s 11-year history, and star players such as Wallaby Dane Haylett-Petty re-signing, confidence is high that the Force can not only survive in Super Rugby but make a real impact as well.

A Force side making the finals would also be a “cherry on top of the cake” for the WA rugby community, which is thriving at the grass roots level.

“For what is often considered an outpost of Australian rugby we actually have the third-largest rugby playing base, we have more fans and members than a number of other clubs and we provide a very strong pathway for local juniors to progress all the way through to the Wallabies, e.g. Dane Haylett-Petty,” says Mark Sinderberry. MQ The 2017 Super Rugby season runs until August 5.

For more information visit western force.com.au

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ARCHITECTURE

PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES

This year’s WA Heritage Awards promises to be a fiercely fought battle as some extraordinary renovations fight for the top spot. By LISA SHEARON.

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he former fire-ravaged Guildford Hotel has risen from the ashes to become a finalist in the 2017 Western Australian Heritage Awards.

Heritage Council chair Anne Arnold said this year the awards celebrate 25 years of honouring the leading contributors to heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, promotion, tourism and interpretation in WA. “For the past 25 years, the Heritage Awards have played an important role in promoting the excellent work undertaken by our heritage champions,” she says.

“The high calibre of the 2017 finalists illustrates just how far we have come in developing innovative and exemplary practices in the conservation and promotion of our State’s heritage.

“In recent years, five WA Heritage Award winners have gone on to be honoured in the UNESCO Asia-

Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, clearly demonstrating the world-class standard of conservation and adaptation being undertaken in WA.” Conservation and adaptive reuse finalists include one of Fremantle’s largest renewal projects, the former Dalgety Wool Stores, which have been transformed into Heirloom by Match, as well as the stunning restoration of West End’s Wilhelmsen House and St Georges Terrace’s Palace Hotel.

“Among the innovative interpretation finalists are Sound from the Ground, a musical interpretation of the stories of the East Perth Cemetery, and the Historical Panoramas website, which provides a unique and visually dramatic way to explore the development of Perth and Fremantle,” Anne says.

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NEW BEGINNINGS From the fire-ravaged ruins of the Guildford Hotel, to the former Dalgety Wool Stores, the finalists of the Heritage Awards are a diverse collection of buildings brought back to life by brilliant renovations.

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illustrating how heritage can become a tourism driver, such as the Busselton Jetty Experience, the Leonora Heritage Trail, Gwalia’s Gold Exhibition and Geraldton’s Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre, which uses Hawes own words from his extensive records, drawings and diary entries to tell his story.”

She said the finalists represented a diverse cross-section of volunteers, professionals, organisations and projects, and are split evenly between metropolitan and regional areas.

“I congratulate all the finalists whose work has resulted in significant achievements in the promotion and conservation of our rich cultural heritage.”

The winners will be announced on May 26 at the former Royal WA Institute of the Blind in Maylands, now home to the WA Ballet, which won the 2013 Excellence in Adaptive Reuse: The Gerry Gauntlett Award.

MQ HERITAGE

FINALISTS IN THE CONSERVATION OR ADAPTIVE REUSE OF A STATE REGISTERED PLACE CATEGORY:

achieving the density and diversity needed to ensure the project’s viability.

Gallop House

Two-storey Gallop House, overlooking the Swan River in Nedlands, is one of only a few intact examples of colonial residences in Perth. Gallop House had been maintained as a residence and was in fair condition, but was in urgent need of refurbishment and new facilities.

Guildford Hotel

The 1885 Guildford Hotel has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of a devastating fire in 2008 to become an exciting new pub venue, with a design respectful of the history of the building. The restoration works revealed aspects of the original building that had been hidden by an earlier renovation in the 1990s; goldboom-era stencilling, convict-made bricks and an original terrazzo floor were among the gems uncovered.

The former Artillery Barracks and Fremantle Harbour Signal Station The restoration of the 10 original cottages alongside the development of six new dwellings has transformed a long-vacant and deteriorating site into contemporary accommodation for today’s Defence personnel.

The Former Coogee Hotel and Post Office

The hotel and post office had been extensively built on over the years.

The first move in this restoration project was demolishing all nonoriginal additions and returning the buildings to their original form.

Every effort was made to retain the heritage integrity of the buildings.

Former Dalgety Wool Stores (Heirloom by Match)

‘Heirloom by Match’ is the restoration and adaptation of the former 1923 Dalgety Wool Store

building in Fremantle into 183 residential apartments.

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LIKE NEW The passionate developers and builders tasked with breathing new life into old buildings have taken projects to the next level in terms of excellence.

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Hillcrest

Built as a residence, Hillcrest was adapted to provide maternity care in the 1920s, and, since 1978, aged care. In 2012, Regis Aged Care embarked on a project to conserve, reinvigorate and enhance the heritage values of Hillcrest in North Fremantle, as part of a larger upgrade to their aged care facilities.

THE HERITAGE AWARDS HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING THE EXCELLENT WORK UNDERTAKEN BY OUR HERITAGE CHAMPIONS

Lesmurdie Group (St Brigid’s Cottage)

The conservation of St Brigid’s Cottage was part of the overall restoration and refurbishment of Lesmurdie Estate. The 1913 cottage had been unsympathetically adapted in the 1960s and, in 2015, it was extensively damaged in an arson attack, just prior to planned conservation works – which pressed on regardless.

Old Perth Boys’ School

The 1854 Old Perth Boys School was the first purpose-built public school in the colony. Now transformed into a city hub for Curtin University, the place enabled the university to strengthen its link to its alumni, industry, prospective students and the public. Its presence also recognises its roots in the adjacent (former) Perth Technical College, a predecessor institution of the

WA Institute of Technology which eventually became Curtin University.

Palace Hotel

The 1895 Palace Hotel, on the corner of St Georges Terrace and William Street, was the site of the first licenced premises in the Swan River Colony. Transforming itself from a humble tavern to a sophisticated centrepiece for Perth, the Palace was where cutting-edge technology like electric lighting and the city’s first passenger lift met with high design, craftsmanship and international finishes. The project has reactivated this grand building and adapted it for contemporary use.

Wilhelmsen House

ELEGANCE DEFINED Above, Wilhelmsen House has been a proud presence in Freo since 1902. St Brigid's Cottage has found new beauty after being the victim of an arson attack, and Palace Hotel, top, has been transformed.

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1902, when Dalgety & Co built the imposing offices to support its shipping and pastoral trading business in WA. The grand Federation Free Classical style building has entered its second century of active use, following one of the most extensive restoration and adaptation projects in the city’s historic West End. MQ

M4 GTS

RIGHT ON TRACK The BMW M4 GTS is a winning, stripped back version of a star performer, says Josh Curtis.

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he all new BMW M4 GTS takes the M4 Coupe and turns it up to 11.

While you may think this track-ready coupe adds a multitude of new features to an already impressive line-up from the M4, you’d be wrong.

In fact many features have been stripped away in an effort to reduce weight and improve handling.

The production M4 is perfectly capable of the occasional track day, while still maintaining creature comforts such as adaptive suspension, climate control and rear seats – the M4 GTS strips away these features and creates a pure track beast – besting anything else in the BMW line-up on the track.

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and rear spoiler has been fitted to allow the driver to modify the downforce for road use or track use, the suspension has been replaced by a three-way adjustable M coil over suspension system ensuring the driver can fine tune their car for any track situation. The rear spoiler rests on CNC machined aluminium mounts – showing that no matter

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FAST FACTS Engine BMW 3.0L 6 Cylinder Twin Turbo Transmission 7-Speed M-DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) Power

368 kW (500HP)

Torque 600 Nm (442 lb-ft.)

Sprint

0-100 3.8 sec

Fuel Consumption 8.5L/100km Top Speed 305km/h

Just 25 out of 700 of these examples made it to the Australian market, making it a rare find

how small of a detail the BMW M engineers have reduced weight wherever they can.

BMW have sought out aftermarket suspension, racing harnesses and a titanium exhaust system to ensure the M4 GTS not only handles better but is safer and more emotive against the M4.

Additional carbon fibre reinforced

plastic is utilised to further reduce weight throughout the vehicle. On the exterior CFRP is used to build the bonnet, roof and boot lid, the interior uses CFRP to replace the door pockets, centre console and the structure which supports the dashboard. Even the seats get the carbon fibre treatment – providing a 50% weight reduction over the standard production seats.

M specific carbon ceramic brakes are standard on the M4 GTS – ensuring repeated punishment on the track won’t result in brake fade.

The front axle uses 19” M light alloy wheels finished in Acid Orange and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tyres, the rear axle steps it up to 20” wheels to ensure 368kW and 600Nm finds its way to the ground – without too much of a smoky display.

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RACE READY Strap yourself in for an extraordinary ride, thanks to the M4 GTS's special abilities.

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3.0L 6 Cylinder Twin Turbo BMW Engine mated to BMW’s 7 Speed Dual Clutch transmission (M-DCT).

The M4 GTS turns this up again, offering 368kW and 600Nm. This additional power is delivered safely thanks to water injection in the intake; reducing intake air temperatures have allowed for cleaner and safer power delivery. The water is stored in a 5 litre tank installed in the boot floor. This technology is a first for BMW – while turning the power up to 11 isn’t an issue for this engine, ensuring it is delivered safely during repeated punishment on a track isn’t as easy, thus the use of water injection. The dual clutch transmission and active M differential have been re-tuned to best support the increase in engine output.

Weight reduction and safety is taken even further with the removal of the rear seats and the installation of a roll cage and fire extinguisher – showing from the outset that this car means business. The M4 GTS is able to lap the legendary NurburgringNordschleife in just 7.28 minutes and 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds – a clear statement of this car’s special abilities. Just 25 out of 700 of these examples made it to the Australian market making it a rare find – to enquire about this truly special vehicle please Paul Silverton, Special Vehicles Manager Auto Classic BMW. MQ

LET'S GO TO . . .

AROUND Perth’s stunning Swan Valley is just 25 minutes drive from the city, but it may as well be a whole world away.

By BEVERLY LIGMAN

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t’s fair to say that magic awaits you during autumn in the Swan Valley. With wide open spaces, vineyards as far as the eye can see, there's a welcoming country feel and some very fine food and wine.

To make things easy we’ve hand picked the finest attractions for you to see, taste and enjoy.

One thing’s for sure, after a day in the Swan Valley, you’ll want to go back again and again.

WHAT TO DO AYE, AYE SKIPPER Public transport is scarce in The Swan Valley so you’ll need a car and unless you have a charter for the day, you’ll also need a skipper.

As the rest of you will probably be wine tasting all day long, it might be nice to kick start your day with a coffee at Yahava. Yahava’s distinct coffee blends are the bomb and just the tonic to begin your Swan Valley adventure.

Yahava Koffeeworks, 4752 West Swan Rd, West Swan WA yahava.com.au SUGAR HIT No tour of The Swan Valley is complete without a stop at The Margaret River Chocolate Company.

Not only can you hang around the free tasting bowls to your heart’s content, you can also stock up on presents and have a sweet hit before you imbibe at one of The Valley’s superb wineries. There’s so many chocolate choices here you really are spoilt.

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WINE TIME It’s an actual crime to come to the Swan Valley and not taste wine. Which brings me to our next stop, Mandoon Estate. One of the newest kids on the winery block, Mandoon has a stunning vista, a stylish cellar door and a host of dining options. If you feel like keeping it casual, there’s the Homestead Brewery, or if you prefer fine dining try the restaurant which

has degustation and al a carte options.

As far as wines go you must try the delicate Rosé and elegant Verdelho - the vineyard is home to the oldest verdelho vines in The Swan Valley.

This is one popular place, so be sure to book!

Mandoon Estate, 10 Harris Road, Caversham, Perth mandoonestate.com.au HOUGHTON Full of history and classic wines we all grew up with, you can’t drive past the Swan Valley’s oldest and best known vineyard, Houghton Wines. A West Australian icon, the winery became known Australia wide after pioneering winemaker Jack Mann launched Houghton’s White Burgundy and the rest, as they say, is history. It’s worth calling in here to taste the Limited Edition range. One thing’s for sure, you won’t walk out empty handed.

Houghton Estate, 148 Dale Road Middle Swan, Perth houghton-wines.com.au

GET CHEESY After you’ve had your fill of food and wine, why not finish it off with some decadent cheese?

The Cheese Barrel has all manner of imported and locally made cheeses and staff who know everything about them. So whether you’re in the mood for a smooth blue or a bitey cheddar, you can round off your day enjoying some cheese and sunshine with a

DAY TRIP There's so much to do and see in the Swan Valley, from wineries with a rich history like Houghton's to places to stay, like the Rose & Crown in Guildford (right).

glass of wine in hand overlooking Olive Grove Wines.

The Cheese Barrel, 920 Great Northern Highway, Millendon - thecheesebarrel. com.au

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and stay the night instead, you can find stylish heritage accommodation at WA’s oldest pub The Rose & Crown Hotel. Guildford’s town centre is rich with history and beautiful in the autumn months as the leaves begin to fall. Plus, you’ve got a host of dining options, a great beer garden and cosy open fires if the weather has already started to turn. MQ The Rose & Crown, 105 Swan Street Guildford rosecrown.com.au Contact The Swan Valley Visitor Centre on (08) 9207 8899 for more information on these attractions.

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REVIEW - 7 SERIES

SEVEN HEAVEN I The BMW 750i is as much a car for the driver as those lucky enough to be passengers.

Matthew Mills reports.

Images MATT JELONEK

was faced with a very unusual dilemma as I walked towards the BMW 750i waiting for me on Auto Classic’s forecourt – did I want to get in the front or the back?

I can feel raised eyebrows from all fellow lovers of immaculate motors out there.

Surely there would be no question that slipping behind the wheel was my first choice? Before me, after all, was an ultimate driving machine, a car I was pretty sure was set to be a delight to control.

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the famous, to get the A-listers from A to B – so in my head, I pictured this 750i sitting calmly by the purple ropes of an exclusive club, waiting for me to emerge, tuxedo-ed up after a night of glam glad-handing, my driver holding the door before whisking me away to the next exclusive engagement.

It is, after all, a beautiful car; sleek but powerful, full of calm nonchalance, an innate belief in its raw power. My loan was kitted out with the M Sport Pack, adding a touch of aggression to the machine – model-specific front and rear aprons and side skirts and 19-inch M light-alloy wheels offering a glimpse of stylish matte black brake calipers.

I decided, then, to check out the back seats first and found a luxury that is rare in a sedan, even one of this size. Merino leather surrounds you and at your side is a detachable Samsung tablet that allows you control your world, adjust everything from cabin lighting, music and temperature with a fleeting touch.

It is the perfect environment in which to be transported

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in style, comfortable beyond compare and ready to adapt to all your demands, but I realised quickly that what I really want to do is to drive the thing.

Hitting the start button, I enjoyed the quiet throb of the 750i stirring into life. Under the bonnet is a 4.4litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 330kw of power and 650nM which is paired with a smooth eight-speed transmission.

Those are impressive figures, and yet a surprising truth of the 750i is its sterling green credentials.

The engineering prowess of BMW means a fuel consumption of just 8.1 litres/100km, a laudable figure for a car of such size and power which is helped by using technology similar to BMW’s award-winning i8 electric car. The 7 Series utilises BMW Carbon Core, a hybrid of carbon-fibre, steel and aluminium which reduces weight – this seventh generation 7 Series is around 130kg lighter than its predecessor.

I’m offered four driving modes as I head off, Sport, Comfort, Eco Pro and Adaptive. Sport is, unsurprisingly, the most fun, firming up the ride (and lowering the car a centimetre at high speeds) and allows a real appreciation of the wonderfully responsive brakes and razor-sharp throttle. The ride is sure, the big tyres feeling safe and sound on the tarmac even when pushing the car, giving a confidence in my driving that put a big smile on my face.

While Sport is the fun factory, long journeys would be the time to employ Comfort, a setting that certainly lives up to its name. This is

TOP GEAR The BMW 750i could well be the perfect car, thanks to its combination of luxurious styling and top-of-therange features.

the model to glide down to Margs for a weekend in, that long drive down south would be a pleasure, the going almost as good as the getting there.

On the way, you’d get the most from the impressive array of safety features.

The 750i, for instance, has your back, gently nudging you if you stray over a white line or too close to the car in front.

At night, you’re blessed with 20/20 vision thanks to BMW’s new Laserlight technology, a series of high-intensity LED lights that work together to produce a viewing range of almost double the most powerful of their counterparts. Other attributes keeping you safe include the radar cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

The heads-up display means you never need to take your eyes off the road – despite how pretty the computer dials on the dash are to behold.

And then there’s the in-car tech that would keep you and your passengers

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entertained for hours. The 12.3-inch screen of the iDrive system that crowns the immaculate dashboard house a host of attraction, its touch screen introducing you to digital TV and radio, GPS and all the bells and whistles you could dream off.

You can, of course, play your own music via Bluetooth, but beware the sound system’s quality will likely put your own home system to shame – especially once you master the gesture control which allows you to adjust just about everything with a casual wave of your hand (or foot, if you’re opening the boot with armfuls of luggage).

In short, then, the BMW 750i could well be the perfect car. From the moment the seatbelt hugs you securely to your seat to when you force yourself to walk away from it from the day, it’s a joy to experience.

Luxury as a passenger, thrills as a driver. MQ

TRAVEL

Elizabeth Quay has been greatly enhanced with the arrival of a gorgeously traditional carousel, imported from Italy.

Lisa Shearon reports.

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f you’ve visited Elizabeth Quay recently, you won’t have failed to notice the exquisite Venetian carousel at its heart.

Enchanting and entertaining the many visitors to this buzzing riverside destination, this beautiful carousel was brought to Perth by Rohan Milne, the owner of Rohan Jewellery.

After holidaying with his family on Spain’s La Concha Beach in 2012, Rohan was inspired to bring a similar multi-generational attraction to their home city.

“Like many European cities, San Sebastian has a traditional, Venetian carousel on the boardwalk next to the main beach, La Concha,” Rohan says.

“We experienced the wonder and simple enjoyment this carousel gave to our family and countless others on that trip. It was such a hit with our young children and got us thinking that a similar carousel would be a wonderful attraction in Perth.”

Rohan’s overarching vision was to bring what lights up areas of the world such as San Sebastian in Spain, Paris under the Eiffel Tower, Central Park and Brooklyn in New York, to Elizabeth Quay.

“I found that in America and Europe, carousels often form part of the town or city centre, and I thought, ‘why can’t we have this in Perth?’ I

also wanted to bring a little piece of European magic to Elizabeth Quay.”

After this single lightbulb moment, Rohan spent countless hours visiting carousels all over the world, from vintage, refurbished models to brand new merry-gorounds. Eventually, he settled on an Italian-built, traditional Venetian carousel crafted by the same company who built the carousel in front of the Eiffel Tower.

It was important to the jeweller that his carousel be the real deal, with the magic and intricacy of a traditional model. Built in the Veneto region of Northern Italy, the Elizabeth Quay carousel features a combination of horses and carriages with hand-painted Venetian artworks.

It has been created by some of Europe’s best artisans and is set to traditional carousel music, which is

sure to delight both the young and young at heart.

“It had to be authentic, without short-cuts or cheap imitations,” Rohan says. “It’s an incredible testament to Italian craftsmanship.”

Of course, a project of such a grand scale is never going to be without its hiccups, as Rohan can testify to.

“I think any time you have something created overseas, there are always some challenges and learnings along the way.

“There were a few midnight phonecalls to Italy throughout out the project, and we then had to get it through customs and work-safe approvals, which was also a bit of a challenge given it was the week before Christmas!”

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ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR The beautiful, hand-built Venetian carousel at Elizabeth Quay has been a labour of love for Rohan Milne and his family.

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Carousel is a piece of art that will be loved and enjoyed by generations of Perth families.

“It is exactly how I imagined it to be when we stood in front of the carousel in San Sebastian with my own children enjoying themselves,” Rohan says. “It is simple enjoyment that anybody at any age can participate in.

“Everyone seems to have a carousel story, from somewhere in the world, and people are so keen to share these memories with us.

“I am excited that this generation of Perth children will have their own carousel memories from their own city.” MQ Elizabeth Quay Carousel, open from 9.30am to 8pm, seven days a week. $5 per ride, $12 for three rides.

For group bookings, email hello@ elizabethquaycarousel.com

BOOK MARQUE

NORMAN BURNS REVEALS THE LATEST GREAT READS.

GOING ONCE: 250 YEARS OF CULTURE, TASTE AND COLLECTING AT CHRISTIE’S Phaidon, $85

At a compact 245 x 172mm, Going Once may not share the dimensions of regular coffee table books but this glorious visual journey about the legendary Christie’s auction house thoroughly deserves being centre stage in your living room.

A snappily written, 496page treasure trove that covers 250 years of Christie’s auctions (founder James Christie’s first sale was “six breakfast pint basons and plates” in 1776), going Once looks at 250 examples of artwork, furniture, jewellery and all manner of objects that have gone under the hammer.

Some of the numbers involved are mind-boggling (Picasso’s 1955 work Les femmes d’Alger (Version O) sold for $US179,365,000 in 2015) but it’s not all about the money; Lord Nelson, for example, bought a portrait of his mistress Emma Hamilton to ensure no other man could own her likeness. Then there was the old sculpture that sat gathering dust in a Dorset public school tuckshop; it turned out to be a 3,000-year Assyrian frieze that

you can dip time and time again, every instance gleaning some fascinating morsel of trivia (that famous dress Marilyn Monroe wore while she sang Happy Birthday to JFK on May 19 1962? She was slipped into it naked, and extra stitching had to be added on the night before she stepped out to wow the Madison Square Garden crowd).

LICENSED TO THRILL: Ian Fleming treated himself to a gold-plated Royal Quiet De Luxe typewriter (bought for $174) after he finished the draft for the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1953. The typewriter fetched $US86,750 at Christie’s in 1995.

HE SHOOTS, THEY SCORE The Brazil No. 10 shirt worn by soccer’s greatest-ever player, Pele, in the 1970 World Cup Final was expected to sell for $US71,400 at auction in 2002 - it fetched $US225,100.

THE FIGHT Norman Mailer, Taschen, distributed by New Holland Books, $1,299 German publisher Taschen is one of the masters of booksas-an-art form and with this incredible collectible repackaging of Norman Mailer’s classic treatise on the 1974 world heavyweight title bout between Muhammad Ali and George Forman (aka The Rumble in the Jungle) in Zaire, it once again delivers.

Apart from being hailed as one of the greatest sports, let alone boxing, books ever written, this special edition ofThe Fight is jammed with amazing fly-on-the-wall

subsequently sold at auction for $US11 million.

The provenance of many items, of course, greatly adds to their value - see Pele’s famous No. 10 shirt from the 1970 World Cup Final ($US225,000) or actress Liz Taylor’s Cartier diamond and ruby necklace ($US11,842,500).

There could well be other gold-plated 1952 Royal typewriters around - but there was only one owned by James Bond author Ian Fleming, which fetched $74,000 above its estimate at a 1995 auction.

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photography from snappers Neil Leifer and Howard L. Bingham, both of whom had unlimited access to Ali. Bingham first met the-then Cassius Clay at a 1962 press conference and went on to become a life-long friend of the boxer, taking a staggering million photographs in the process.

Limited to just 1,974 numbered copies worldwide (numbers 1-250 come with a signed Leifer print, all others are signed by both photographers), the book is presented in a special clamshell box and available via order on demand at $1,299 per copy.

Visit au.newhollandpublishers. com for more information.

GARLIC FEAST

written and published by Janice Sutton, $69.95 When former BBC journo and life-long garlic lover Janice Sutton moved to the beautiful hamlet of Koonya, Tasmania, little did she realise what the fates had in store…

Koonya is a garlic-growing hub in the Apple Isle and soon Janice got involved in publicity and marketing for a local garlic festival, which in turn sparked

READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL, MARGARET RIVER an idea to write a book about the event.

But, like great garlic itself, the idea grew and grew and the result is this beautiful, 300-plus page tome, chock full of amazing garlic recipes (including many contributions by stellar Australian foodies and chefs such as Maggie Beer) and more about the wonderful world of the allium sativum.

Janice’s gamble to self-publish has paid off too, with her baby winning the 2017 Gourmand World Cookbook gongs as Australia’s Best Cookbook and Best Self-Published Cookbook; and now Garlic Feast will compete for the best in the world in those categories at the award ceremony in China in May.

ONE YEAR ON A BIKE, Martijn Doolaard, Gestalten, $95 Who hasn’t thought of just leaving the hum-drum of routine life behind and setting off on a world adventure? Well, Dutchman Martijn Doolaard did too - but unlike most, he actually went through with his dream, cycling from Amsterdam to Singapore and recording his travels in a diary that he’s turned into this charming book.

It wasn’t all beer and skittles along the way of his 16,032km journey across central and Eastern Europe, Turkey and Asia, to his destination of Singapore. Martijn had to contend with the threat of bears, wild dogs, bouts of Bali belly, battling extremes in temperature, and crazy traffic in India to name but a few challenges - but there’s no doubting the triumphant, cathartic nature of realising his goal.

I’m also struck (and probably a little jealous to be truthful) by the bravery of those who choose their own path in travelling, far removed from the comforts of lush hotels and the like.

Martijn proves a dab hand with a camera, too (his shots from Iran and the former Soviet republics of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are particularly stunning) and, on the strength of this effort, I’m sure he’s already plotting his next great escapade. MQ

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Michael Palin to headline Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival

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tories will come alive in Margaret River this winter as the 9th annual Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival gears up to be the biggest and best yet. Held from June 2 to 4, the festival will feature renowned British comedian, actor, writer and television presenter Michael Palin.

Well known as a member of Monty Python, Michael Palin has appeared in numerous films and has presented eight very successful travel series. He has written books to accompany his travel series Around the World in 80 Days; Pole to Pole; Full Circle; Hemingway Adventure; Sahara; Himalaya; New Europe and Brazil. He is also the author of a number of children’s stories, the play The Weekend and the novels Hemingway’s Chair and The Truth and has published three volumes of diaries; 1969–1979: The Python Years and 1980-1988: Halfway to Hollywood, and 1988-1998: Travelling to Work.

The festival’s line-up of literary talent also includes one of Australia’s most distinguished and respected journalists Kerry O’Brien. O’Brien has been a journalist for 49 years covering print, television and wire service, as a reporter, feature writer, columnist and foreign correspondent.

Writer, speaker and feminist thinker Clementine Ford will also take the stage to talk about her first book, Fight Like A Girl, which was an instant bestseller and will later join author, novelist, journalist and social commentator Jane Caro.

Renowned Australian author Robert Drewe, known for his novels, short stories and memoirs will also feature, as will Bruce Pascoe; a Bunurong, Tasmanian and Yuin man whose book Dark Emu won the Book of the Year

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and Indigenous Writer’s Prize in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.

West Australian talents include award-winning novelist Joan London, writer and broadcaster Ian Parmenter and Nicole Sinclair, whose short stories have won the Down South Writers Competition and whose first novel Bloodlines was shortlisted for the 2014 TAG Hungerford Award.

Festival director Tanya Perdue said she was ecstatic that Palin would feature as part of the three-day event and encouraged festival-goers to get their tickets right away. “We truly have an incredibly strong and diverse line-up of writers coming to Margaret River for this year’s festival”, she said. ”The addition of Michael Palin to an already impressive line-up of authors, journalists, literary icons and rising stars means the festival will be bigger and better than even before.”

The Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival is held at the Margaret River cultural centre where the celebrations will include author talks, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, book signings, free lunch time talks and free activities for children during the weekend in the festival’s storytelling tent.

“The festival is shaping up to be a great celebration of literature and yet another reason for people to visit Australia’s South West. Margaret River in winter, with books, wine, local produce, top accommodation and Michael Palin – it doesn’t get much better than that," said Tanya.

Tickets to the 2017 Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival are available at mrrwfestival.com, by phone 08 9758 7316, or from the Arts Margaret River Box Office, at 51 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River. MQ

TRAVEL

CROWNING GLORY

The newest addition to the Crown family of hotels in Perth - Crown Towers - doesn’t disappoint. By GABI MILLS.

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rown Towers seems to suddenly have arisen, gleaming, silver and glass, with the emerging new stadium as its new next door neighbour. It’s got a distinctly different vibe to its fellow Crown hotels - the Metropol and Promenade, appealing perhaps

to a more grown-up traveller, who appreciates the finer things in life.

CHECKING IN

For such a lofty hotel, you’d think it would be easier to find. But no unless you spot the signs, you’ll be like my husband who drove around

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ROOMS WITH A VIEW Crown Towers is perfectly positioned to enjoy sensational sundowners with the Swan River as your backdrop.

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for a few frustrating moments trying to find the right road to the lobby. I’d also advise you to spend the $55 on valet parking so that you can glide into reception without looking like you’ve struggled across the Nullaboor. Otherwise, like me, you’ll have to hike through the warren-like corridors of the entire Crown complex once you’ve parked your car in one of the car parks, suitcase trailing behind you. On a 36-degree day this isn’t a lot of fun and you’re luxury break vibes will be considerably more flustered than you’d hoped on arrival at the swanky marble reception area.

As we had opted for the Crystal Lounge package (Premier King Room plus access to the VIP lounge), we didn’t have to check in like mere mortals. The friendly concierge ushered us straight into the lift and up to the 15th floor for an altogether more refined checking in process.

SILVER SERVICE Our 15th floor room was a vision of elegance, and we had access to the VIP Crystal Lounge, which offered free high tea, cocktails and breakfast.

This would have been a perfectly smooth experience a la Kardashians had I not forgotten two out of three of my credit cards’ pin numbers but hey ho. Third time lucky, and I was handed over our electronic key for our room on the 20th floor.

ROOM VIBES

The view from our room was astonishing - dang Perth, you’re a pretty town. We had a floor to ceiling vista of the CBD, the causeway and to the right, the burgeoning copperplated rim of our new stadium.

Looking straight down (whoa,

vertigo), we could see the incredible pool complex, seething with antsized people. Apart from the eyepopping views, what else? Everything is controlled by your fingertips, from the sheer curtains to the heavier drapes, lights can be dimmed to your preferred level of brightness and, for once, I could work the air con without ending up either in polar ice cap mode or full Saharan garb.

The decor is chic, the linen the kind that makes you disappointed to sleep in your own bed at home. There’s a comfy chaise longue to loll on while you sip your Nespresso and watch MARQUE AUTUMN

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the sunset, a super-comfy kingsized bed complete with alternate pillow offerings, a fully stocked mini bar with local spirits (Hippocampus is a standout) and a bathroom with a rainforest-style shower, elegant bath complete with TV above and lots of thoughtful freebies, like a hair tie, full shaving kit and eeny weeny toothpaste and toothbrush. The robes are so ridiculously heavy and luxe that once you’ve slipped one on, resistance is useless; just collapse on the bed. It’s not the biggest room we’ve ever stayed in but thanks to that wall of glass overlooking our city, it was the equivalent of going to sleep in an infinity pool; no boundaries and endless possibilities.

CRYSTAL CLASS

Everybody loves the VIP thing - that feeling of warm pleasure you get when you skip past queues, score a really decent freebie, or, in the case

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of all those with Crystal Lounge access, all of the above. On the same floor as where I checked in, you’ll find the Crystal Lounge - a generously proportioned collection of seating areas, inside and out.

The balcony has that to-die-for city view like our room, but don’t bother wearing a hat. It’s windy, but the perfect location to watch the sunset with a cold one in your hand. Before that however, I was determined to experience all that was on offer from this particular addition to our itinerary so kicked off in style at 2pm (on the dot, rather embarassingly) with the high tea offering. It runs from 2 to 4pm, and was a delightfully sweet and savoury combination of dainty little cakes and pastries, a truly delicious selection of breads with dips, scones with whipped cream and jam (cream first, then jam, don’t go down the Cornish route) and of course tea. By 5.30pm it was time for the free drinks and cocktails (you've got to try the daiquiri - sour, tingly, delicious) as well as full access to the wine and drinks list. In the

morning we were back in the Crystal Lounge loading our plates up with breakfast - crispy bacon, creamy scrambled eggs, Tuscan potatoes, roasted baby vine tomatoes, as well as home baked muffins, croissants, smoked salmon and other cold meats and delicious yoghurts, artisan cheeses and fresh and dried fruits. In fact it’s pretty much my

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT Crown Towers is, like its other Crown siblings, blessed with excellent places to eat and drink, including Epicurean (below).

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ideal breakfast bar ever. And it was included in our room rate #winning.

TAKE A DIP

It’s probably the feature of the hotel you’ve seen all over your Instagram feed - the incredible pool complex at the foot of Crown Towers. With the Swan River as its watery backdrop, the azure pools,

some tipping their contents into their neighbouring pool, are myriad, ensuring there's one for all. There’s a heated jacuzzi, several smaller circular pools and larger areas with submerged islands just waiting for you to park yourself on should the exertion of paddling around prove too much. When we visited (during school holidays) the kids were loving the variety as mums, dads and grandparents lolled on the inviting loungers. For a more exclusive poolside experience, opt for The Enclave - a private VIP area with its own dedicated pool and comfortable covered recliners.There’s poolside service, and you can choose from a menu designed to fill those inconvenient gaps between breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cocktails and frosty beers were popular choices too, while the kids sipped on mocktails (in between playing pool and hanging out IN the pool). From above, the pool complex looks incredible; up close it’s a huge plus-point to checking into this particular Crown property. Our tip? You’ll have to

be up early to bag a spot if you’re in a large group and all want to sit together.

ALL YOU CAN EAT

Undoubtedly one of the big attractions of the new Crown digs is its epic buffet-style restaurant, Epicurean. And it’s well-named. For those who need reminding, Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who pretty much lived his life in an ideal fashion - and urged his followers to do so as well. A happy life, he opined, was one which was free of fear and pain, and surrounded by friends in a peaceful world. So hats off to the Crown peeps for interpreting this ancient philosophy via a chocolate fountain that’s taller than Aaron Sandilands. The ground floor dining room is a hive of activity during service as gob-smacked diners move around each serving station achieving ever-increasing levels of nirvana. It’s like the ramped-up cousin of Crown Metropol’s Atrium - on steroids. There’s an incredible range of sushi and sashimi, a MARQUE AUTUMN

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OPT FOR THE ENCLAVE - A PRIVATE VIP AREA WITH ITS OWN DEDICATED POOL.

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showcase for Australia’s incredible kaleidoscope of seafood. The tuna sashimi alone is worth the price tag for lunch or dinner. I also loved the roast duck - not seen too often at these kind of set ups - with a dollop of plum sauce on the side. The roast sirloin was tender as a toddler’s kiss and when spice was required, the line-up of Asian-inspired curries was sensational. For many though it’s the desserts which really seal the deal.

So why not skip convention and start with a chocolate fountain frenzy, followed by some sushi and topped off with the full English roast? Just thank Epicurus for the experience and go back up for seconds.

And for a nightcap, head over to TWR - that's The Waiting Room.

The perfect end to your stay. MQ

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KEEPING IT REAL You’ve probably heard of Napa Valley in California - but how about Sonoma? It’s that famous wine-growing region’s less flashy neighbour, and well worth a visit says Gill Pringle.

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bout an hour’s drive north of San Francisco begins one of the most spectacular coastal routes in the US, its rock-strewn golden beaches stretching back into a hinterland of towering Redwood groves, cow-dotted pastures, rolling hills and pictureperfect villages, bisected by the glittering Russian River.

Welcome to Sonoma - Napa’s earthy and unpretentious neighbour.

With few of the celebrity vineyards or manicured perfection of Napa, Sonoma is all about keeping it real. Real food - lead by a thriving farm-to-table movement. Real wine - Sonoma’s micro-climates give rise to 17 viticulture regions and more varietals than any other California wine-growing region; heavy ocean

STUNNING VISTAS Sonoma has more than 450 wineries including Loxton Wines, produced by Aussie Chris Loxton.

fogs enabling coastal pinots with cabernet and chardonnays thriving in the sheltered, sunny inland.

Boasting more than 450 wineries, its notable brands include KendallJackson, Cline, Kenwood and Korbel, although we couldn’t resist visiting Aussie Chris Loxton who produces some fine Syrah at his Loxton Wines in Glen Ellen (loxtonwines. com), mailing “Boomerang Club” newsletter to devoted oenophiles.

Visiting Sonoma, its rivalry with Napa becomes immediately evident, and the affable Loxton is no different, telling us how many of Napa’s poshest labels - Etude, Stag’s Leap, Beringer and lots more - are actually owned by Australia’s Treasury Wines which, in turn, is the wine division of Foster’s.

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But we digress.

At approx 4,400 sqkm, Sonoma County is twice the size of Napa and while much of Napa is confined to a 30-mile central valley, Sonoma sprawls from coast to inland offering greater variety.

Our first stop is Bodega Bay Lodge, (bodegabaylodge.com) at 103

Coast Highway. A large, full-service hotel surrounded by windswept cypress trees, it sits on Bodega Bay at the edge of a long strip of coastal marshland beloved by bird-watchers.

Exquisite local artisan cheeses and wine are served most nights in the hotel’s lobby, an enjoyable gettogether with fellow guests many of

whom were taking part in cycling tours and other outdoorsy pursuits.

Dining at the hotel’s Drake’s Restaurant, its Sonoma Coast Cuisine menu celebrates the diversity of the area, we feasted on local Tomales Bay oysters served on a bed of beet-dyed rock salt followed by locally-raised braised lamb shank and Jeff’s Mom’s Chocolate Cake - so named for Chef Jeff Reilly’s mother.

Paired with local wines, the views from this bay-front restaurant are almost as exquisite as the food.

Back in our oversize room, wrapped in fluffy robes with a fireplace twinkling (the Sonoma coast is always chilly at night, regardless of summer season), we were lulled to sleep by the intermittent sound of a nearby foghorn.

“Some guests complain about the foghorn,” ventured a receptionist when we checked out. Not us.

For breakfast, we visited Estero café in Valley Ford, a local favourite 16km south of Bodega Bay where the landscape gives way to bucolic countryside; golden hills swathed in rippling wild grass. Our hostess Smantha (yes, spelt like that) actually lives on a local dairy where Estero’s cheese and milk is produced. In fact, everything at Estero is locally made - the artworks, the salt and pepper mills, the napkins - even the local sheriff strolls by and orders

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COSY CORNER Sonoma is incredibly picturesque and Alfred Hitchcock thought so too, filming The Birds in one of its towns Bodega.

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eggs at the counter. (facebook.com/ EsteroCafe).

Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds in Bodega so no visit is complete without checking out the film’s picturesque harbour, a safe haven from the Sonoma coastline’s iconic jagged black rocks jutting out from beneath the ocean. In the sleepy

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town of Bodega, Hitchcock shot one of the movie’s most memorable scenes at the still-preserved Potter Schoolhouse. Bodega’s St Teresa of Avila Church, immortalised in 1953 by famed American photographer Ansel Adams, likewise remains unchanged. Stop by The Country Store for awesomely hokey Hitchcock memorabilia.

Venturing deeper into Sonoma, we drove along roads lined with wildflower hedgerows heading for the sleepy granola town of Sebastapol where four blocks of its formerly industrial city centre have been repurposed into a culinary and arts collective known as The Barlow.

Featuring 18 cannery-style steelframed buildings, home to food producers, winemakers, brewers, distillers and artists, it makes for a pleasant day’s rambling. We stopped for a few beers at Woodfour Brewing Company. Who can’t resist an ale called Biker’s Tan Saison or Nurple the Gnomes’s Sack of Secret Herbs? Paired with local cheese from Cowgirl and Rogue creameries, salamis from Richmond and Hog Island oysters, the local brews were a delicious change from the vine.

Refreshed, we took a long, leisurely drive back to the coast, following the Russian River along the Bohemian Highway through narrow Redwood forest roads traversing the heart of Sonoma County, every

turn opening up to another vista of woodland grove, vineyard or sleepy hamlet of shingle-roofed cottages.

The Armstrong redwoods are among the oldest in the world.

Stopping by Occidental, the most picture-perfect one-street town you could imagine, we wound our way to a wind-swept horticultural

CELLAR DOORS Make sure you leave time to visit the region's many artisan producers including creameries, charcuterie-makers and brewers too.

centre known as Ocean’s Song, a quintessential secret garden.

One of the most charming aspects of Sonoma is its refusal to be gentrified. Yes, there is an element of that in over-priced towns like Healdsburg, but much remains in a glorious hippy time-warp of home-made beach teepees and weathered bearded locals in ancient convertibles. Even the seals which plop up on the beach, camouflaged MARQUE AUTUMN ●

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among the driftwood, look slightly stoned.

Spending our last two nights further inland at the Casa Bella Inn (casabellainnsonoma.com) was a real treat. An elegantly preserved arts and craft cottage with dreamy rose gardens, cabanas and a bocce court, the Casa Bella books out fast owing to its limited space of three suites and as word spreads about the amazing home-cooked breakfasts. Run by three friends, we were greeted by Marga who is a great source of information, not to mention passbooks for all the local Kenwood wine-tasting rooms.

Less than half an hour’s drive to Sonoma town - an ancient Mission and centre of the county’s thriving gourmet movement - there’s few better pleasures than good food and wine set amid beautiful ocean and countryside.

For all things Sonoma, check out: SonomaCounty.com

chocolate trifle, they insisted we try both. “This isn't your granny’s trifle - you won’t regret it”. thegirlandthefig. com Healdsburg Consistently voted as one of the top 10 small towns in America, this picture postcard town offers easy access to 100-plus tasting rooms, the award-winning Selby (selbywinery.com) being among our favourite. It's bustle of ice cream parlours, antiques and craft stores surrounded by award-winning restaurants. We visited Willi’s Seafood & Raw bar and sampled Starbird and Hog Island oysters from Tomales Bay with to-die-for King Salmon crudo.

FAST FACTS - SONOMA

VINO veritas: Established in 1857, Buena Vista Wineries is the oldest winery in Sonoma - long before there was a California wine business. With so many choices, we visited MacPhail Family Wines at The Barlow in Sebastapol. Ask Brad to pour some Pratt and tell you wine stories. [macphailwine.com].

Take a wine tasting walking tour of The Barlow at thebarlow.net.

Don’t miss Joseph Phelps Vineyards at Freestone for tastings in lush pastoral setting. (josephphelps.com). Set in gorgeous countryside, it's little wonder that Sonoma’s wineries have also become popular for destination weddings, Paradise Ridge in Santa Rosa taking the No. 1 spot with its breathtaking hilltop views.

Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.

Situated on the delightfully named Bohemian Highway in Freestone, this tranquil spot is an oasis between vigorous bike rides and an over-abundance of wine-tasting.

Opting for their signature Cedar Bath treatment - immersed in a tub of fermenting cedar said to stimulate metabolic activity inside and out as well as myriad other health benefits - we felt at peace with the world, later cooling off in a zen garden, sipping green tea. osmosis.com

The Girl and The Fig These people take their cheese very seriously, offering an entire delisized cheese counter resplendent with local dairy produce. They had us at fromage. They also love their figs too, as the title suggest, squeezing figs into everything - cocktails, compote, salads and desserts.

Stopping by the antique bar replete with French aperitifs and unique cocktails, we dined in their beautiful herb and flower-filled garden.

Opened 20 years ago, The Girl and The Fig’s Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze have gone on to open several other restaurants, but Sonoma remains its flagship drawing diners from around the world to sample their award-winning cuisine. Everyone who works here is a foodie, lovingly acquainted with the menu, extolling the delights of a wild flounder meuniere over the local chicken thighs, paring it with wine from Dane cellars. Struggling between the roasted peaches or MARQUE AUTUMN

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PADDLE UP After all that food and drink, it's possible to work up an appetite for the next meal thanks to kayaks from Dave at King's Sport and Tackle in The Russian River (above).

River’s End Perched above the mouth of the Russian River as it tumbles into the Pacific, lies River’s End - offering some of the most spectacular sunsets views you will ever see.

From this amazing vantage point, chose from an eclectic menu - we sampled strawberry flavoured with mint and onion, Petaluma Duck confit rolls and seafood fished directly from the ocean below - paired with a selection of 150 local wines. ilovesunsets.com The Russian River There’s no better way to check out the Russian River than from the sleepy town of Guerneville. We stopped off for picnic lunches (bacon-brekkie panino and the “hangover” on ciabatta) at Big Bottom Market (bigbottommarket.com) before picking up kayaks from Dave at King’s Sport and Tackle next door. Opting to share a kayak, Dave nodded sagely and ordered up a “divorce boat”. Kayaking through gentle rapids among green ducks, we admired hidden tree-houses and otters playing among river bank willows.

Fishers cast for Steelhead trout while we caught fleeting glimpses of deer. The local mink population remained elusive. MQ

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TRAVEL

THE X (TRIAL) FILES X Trial brings a whole new dimension to motorcycling skills; a methodical, nailbiting, gravity-defying battle of man (or woman) and machine against what looks like impossible odds. And it’s a sport that Perth’s Neil Price, one of Australia’s top X Trial riders, is looking to bring into the spotlight.

By NORMAN BURNS. Images NORMAN BURNS/MOTO DYNAMICS PTY LTD

F

unny how your perspective on something can be changed in an instant.

Take X Trial, for example.

This is an extreme motorcycle sport like no other; for one, it doesn’t involve tearing around the place making a lot of noise.

Secondly, it is massive in Europe,

especially Spain, where X Trial is fully professional and thousands flock to stadiums to watch events.

X Trial is an incredible blend of centre-stage theatrics and courage, in which riders on a specially designed lightweight motorbike need the focus of a Zen master to tackle an obstacle course even mountain goats would baulk at.

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Not really being into motorsports of any description, X Trial (and note that is T-r-i-a-l, not T-r-a-i-l) was well and truly off my radar until it came to talking to X Trial evangelist and Australian champion rider Neil Price.

When he explained to me X Trial’s origins, it struck me that I could have a direct link to the sport’s very

foundations.

“Trials began way back in World War I with motorcycle despatch riders.

In their downtime they couldn’t just go riding off - there was a war going on, so they began to set up courses with obstacles for their own amusement. An observer looked on and the idea was to get around the course without putting a foot on the ground. Eventually it became known as Observed Trials, or just ‘trials’,” says Neil.

And that’s where my grandfather, Thomas Burns, comes in; he was a British Army despatch rider in WWI and could have very well been one of those daring young men who sought some respite from the turmoil of war by honing their motorcycle skills.

When these riders “de-mobbed” they brought the fledgling sport back into civilian life and Observed Trials morphed into the indoor version of X Trial - a hybrid in much the same way that the T20 format is an offshoot of Test and One-Day cricket.

In Europe, professional X Trial riders compete for big bucks and those at the pinnacle of the sport earn a very healthy living indeed.

In Australia, X Trial has a lower profile but that’s something 35-yearold father-of-two Neil, who got the X Trial bug from a very early age when his father Simon got into the sport, is on a mission to change. And it is something the Price family will carry on - daughter Audrey (five) is already an accomplished rider, zipping around scaled-down courses on a special electric children’s bike.

At the recent Australian championships at Claremont’s HBF Stadium, around 2,000 fans flocked to see X Trial - a very healthy number for a fringe sport.

“The great thing is it is a familyoriented sport; it’s not about hooning around on motorcycles, in fact, the top speed around a course would be about 15kmh. The bikes themselves are specially built and have a 300cc two-stroke engine, but all up weigh just 65-70kg - they’ve very torquey. This is test of skills and focus and control

the course in the first place that is the first challenge; this is not just a test of negotiating your way around cones and the like; obstacles (anything from cable drums, to skip bins and massive tyres) might have two to three-metre vertical walls, or four-metre jumps where the rider has to bring his or her bike to an instant stop.

“There’s a massive psychological element to it all,” says Neil, who spent a year working in Italy for a professional X Trial team and now spends most of his spare time coaching

and it’s something even young kids can participate in and enjoy safely,” he says.

While X Trial caters for all ages, and abilities (Neil estimates several thousand belong to clubs throughout Australia), it’s at the elite level, where the top six riders plus two wildcards (picked from up-and-coming riders) compete - that things become daunting indeed.

Competitors have to negotiate multiple stages, incurring point penalties for “dabbing” (a term that dates all the way back to those pioneering WWI riders) - or putting a foot on the ground.

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NERVES OF STEEL Riders (top, bottom) need great balance, motorbike skills and a ton of courage to negotiate the giant obstacle course that is X Trial; champion Neil Price cut his chops on a bike from a young age (centre) but the sport's origins go back to World War I and motorcycle dispatch riders such as Thomas Burns (right).

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riders and promoting X Trial through his company, Moto Dynamics Pty Ltd. “We (competitors) only get to walk the course once before competition. There are no limits to how a course is set up but, obviously, we want it to be challenging but not too hard and not too easy.”

Neil still competes at the elite level but his long-term ambition is more entrepreneurial and to grow X Trial through suburban, city and state competitions, building to a truly inclusive national event.

Neil has also demonstrated X Trial at events such as 4WD conventions, youth camps and as part of the Crusty Demons motorcycle shows.

“Moto Dynamics is my way of giving back to the sport but it would be great to get more sponsors on board; this is a great, clean, family oriented, inclusive activity - we have a lot of junior girl riders, they love it. And you don’t have to be a motorcycle fan to appreciate the skills of what is a spectacular show.” MQ For more information, visit austral.com.au

SPORT

SERVING UP THE FUTURE Even as Western Australia’s new stateof-the-art sports arena Perth Stadium rises majestically on the banks of the Swan River, nearby another elite sporting facility is slowly, but surely, crumbling away.

By NORMAN BURNS. Image COURTESY COX HOWLETT & BAILEY WOODLAND

T

he State Tennis Centre first opened in 1995, and was intended to be the jewel in the crown for the sport in Western Australia.

But time - and the very ground it sits on at Burswood - haven’t been kind to the facility.

Tennis West chief executive and Hopman Cup general manager Michael Roberts warmly greets visitors to the centre, but first they have to negotiate a crooked entry door and crumbling steps, the result of subsidence on the site, which was a former rubbish dump.

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ACE VISION Transforming the decaying State Tennis Centre into facilities more suitable for training future champions could result in this striking design (above).

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the centre’s dilapidated gym.

Michael told The West Australian at the time: “If we want to keep these players coming back . . . we need to make sure that every aspect of our tournament, that includes the facilities at the State Tennis Centre, are world-class.”

And transforming the decaying centre into a world-class facility is exactly what Michael, and the Tennis West board, have in mind with a $46-million proposed redevelopment over 10 years.

Part of the cost would be covered by compensation for courts and land acquired to build the new Perth Stadium train station but Tennis West had to wait until after the

NOMINATE A LOCAL LEGEND

March election for a final go-ahead, although Michael said both main parties had indicated they would not oppose the plan.

The first stage would involve re-piling the centre’s courts (which eventually would also include four clay and four indoor courts).

Next up would be refurbishing the centre building (including making it wheelchair accessible), stage three the indoor courts and stage four adding accommodation facilities so budding stars of the future from outside the metro area could attend elite training camps and the like.

While the glory days for tennis may be over, it still has a healthy participation base in WA and the Federer factor had fans flocking to the Perth Arena for this year’s Hopman Cup. “We’ve got around 20,000 in WA tennis clubs and the Hopman Cup (secured in Perth for the next five years) drew a record 103,167 fans;

If we want to keep these players coming back, we need to make sure that every aspect of our tournament ... is world-class. our business case for the centre redevelopment was fully endorsed by the Department of Sport and Recreation,” he says.

The striking redesign of the centre resonates beautifully with the new 60,000 seat Perth Stadium; no surprise really, because both are the work of distinguished architects Cox Howlett & Bailey Woodland.

“We see a fantastic, welcoming facility - there will be no external fences - that will be a great asset to tennis in the state,” says Mr Roberts. MQ MARQUE AUTUMN

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA IS looking for local legends to carry the Queen’s Baton in Western Australia as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

The Baton arrived in WA in February and spent six days travelling through 19 communities, highlighting the State’s great diversity.

Local legends carried the Queen’s Baton from Albany, the departure point for WWI soldiers, north through areas including Manjimup, Bridgetown and Bunbury. After spending time in the metro area, showcasing our iconic coastline and meeting the odd quokka, the baton headed north to Karratha for its last day on February 27.

Thousands of people turned out to cheer the batonbearers on, and now it could be your (or somebody you nominate's) turn to continue the baton's journey to the Gold Coast.

“A relay isn’t a relay without people, so the Queen’s Baton Relay is looking for people of all ages and abilities to run the baton around our state,” said Ron Alexander, director general of the Department of Sport and Recreation.

“This is your chance to be part of one of the country’s biggest community events – and you don’t need to be an athlete to be nominated.

“We want people who represent all that’s great about our communities: someone who has made a significant contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, community or a charity.

Mr Alexander said the relay was a chance to show off the best of Western Australia to the rest of the Commonwealth – from our oceans to the amazing outdoors, places of Aboriginal significance and proud communities which are part of who we are.

“The baton’s journey will also inspire community pride and build excitement for the largest event to be staged in Australia in a decade.

“On a bigger playing field, this is a chance for Australia to inspire and welcome the world: exploring and celebrating the links, traditions and people that connect Australian communities with the Commonwealth.”

Until May 15, anyone can nominate a person who inspires them to be great to carry the baton.

Nominations can be made online at gc2018.com/qbr

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Royal relay: (l to r) Jamie Harnwell, Natalie Medhurst and Trent Mitton welcoming Borobi, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot and the Queen’s Baton Relay to WA at City Beach earlier this month.

MINI

TRADITION

VERSATILITY

The all new MINI Countryman is a much-anticipated addition to a beloved brand.

A

s the new generation of the MINI Countryman sees its premiere, the tradition-steeped British brand continues its advance into the premium compact segment.

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considerable advancements in the areas of space, functionality, athletic flair and premium characteristics.

The new MINI Countryman achieves its unique standing among direct competitors due to its powerfully expressive design, efficiently shaped bodywork and, in particular, its unmatched driving agility. The latest version of the all-wheel drive system ALL4 ensures driving fun beyond paved roads, too.

THE NEW MINI COUNTRYMAN – AN OVERVIEW OF THE INNOVATIONS. • Powerful proportions, 20 centimetres longer than its predecessor.

• Five fully-fledged seats, clear increase in space and

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versatility.

• Electrical tailgate control as well as touchless opening and closing of the tailgate.

• MINI Picnic Bench: fold-out load loading sill cushion as a comfortable seat on the luggage compartment lid and for general outdoor use.

• New generation of engines and gearboxes, efficiency-optimised allwheel drive system ALL4.

• Central instrument with touchscreen function for the first time.

agility and premium character.

Thanks to its powerful proportions, the new MINI Countryman has a particularly distinctive presence. Its unmistakable aura is defined by an extended ground clearance and raised seating position, further emphasised by the MINI ALL4 exterior look and high roof rails.

The new MINI Countryman features design elements that are typical of the brand, including the clear three-way structure of the side view – broken down into roof, glass section and main corpus – as well as the short overhangs, large wheel arches and downward increase in width.

Precise contours on the generous surfaces create an attractive play of

POWERFUL PROPORTIONS, MATURED CHARACTER. The latest generation of the MINI Countryman goes even further in terms of the model’s versatility,

light and shade that underscores the car’s athletic shaping and the vertical orientation of the body.

The selection of body finishes includes the variants Island Blue metallic and Chestnut, which are now available for a MINI for the first time.

Numerous model-specific design elements, such as the striking helmet roof, the upright rear lights, the hexagonal radiator grille and the large headlamps, have undergone evolutionary development. The side turn indicator surrounds, known as side scuttles, exhibit a new arrow-like shape. The roof rails in satin-finished aluminium are combined with silver-coloured side sill tops, thereby lending greater visual emphasis to the car’s height. Horizontal lines dominate at the rear, with the vertically arranged light units providing an appealing contrast.

FOUR MODEL VARIANTS. The new edition of the MINI Countryman lines up for the start featuring entirely newly developed engine technology. For the market launch there are two petrol and two diesel engines of the latest generation available to choose from, each with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology: MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN 3-cylinder petrol engine, capacity: 1,499 cc, output: 100 kW, max. torque: 220 Nm.

FAST FACTS ZIP AND VERVE The new MINI Countryman includes lots of cool extras, like the MINI Picnic Bench, the MINI navigation system and a new generation of engines.

AUTO CLASSIC MINI GARAGE Introducing the Premiere: central centre console but also an 8.8instrument with touchscreen display. inch colour screen in the central

The standard fittings of the new MINI Countryman include MINI navigation system with 6.5-inch colour display.

The Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system, and the MINI navigation system Professional are available as options. The features of the Wired package, including MINI navigation system Professional, comprise not just the Touch Controller on the

instrument with a new graphic design.

It is also a touchscreen, allowing functions to be selected and adjusted at the tip of the finger.

For more information or to arrange a test drive of the new MINI Countryman contact Auto Classic MINI Garage: (08) 9311 7533

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MINI COOPER S COUNTRYMAN 4-cylinder petrol engine, capacity: 1,998 cc, output: 141 kW, max. torque: 280 Nm. MINI COOPER D COUNTRYMAN 4-cylinder diesel engine, capacity: 1,995 cc, output: 110 kW, max. torque: 330 Nm. MINI COOPER SD COUNTRYMAN 4-cylinder diesel engine, capacity: 1,995 cc, output: 140 kW, max. torque: 400 Nm MQ

PROPERTY

AN INSTANT CLASSIC Urbane Projects reinvented a much-loved 1920s cottage home, creating new contemporary living spaces that seamlessly connect the old with the new.

I

t's an extraordinary skill to turn one thing into another, as is the case with Heatherbell, a Federation cottage demonstrating the potential to be reborn into something quite beautiful.

The skilled team at Urbane Projects, employed a fresh design approach and the extension of Heatherbell became more than the sum of its parts.

The 1920s cottage originally included a sleep out which was removed with the vision for Heatherbell's regeneration to include four-bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gym, new kitchen, living area and three-car undercroft garage.

One of the many challenges faced by the team was meeting the strict council design guidelines.

“Council required us to maintain the Federation architecture and refrain from having an enclosed garage,” says Steve Gliosca, Managing Director of Urbane Projects. As both the designer and builder, Steve has a unique advantage when it comes to overseeing projects such as this, providing coherence and success from conception to implementation.

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COMPLEX BUILD The transformation of Heatherbell from a 1920s cottage into an elegant four bedroom, four-bathroom home was a challenge the Urbane Project team more than met.

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contiguous piling."

Sinking the garage not only met the council’s requirements by hiding it from the street, it allowed for a master suite to be extended across in the original Federation style, essentially doubling the frontage.

“This in turn allowed us to hide the addition of contemporary architecture, comprised of the kitchen, living area, gym and alfresco, from the street.”

The end result is simply stunning, with elements of the extension that both mirror and contrast the original.

This attention to detail did not end with bricks and mortar.

Throughout the interior of the home,

"Large commercial-size sliding doors were installed to the north facing side of the home allowing natural light to fill the space while connecting the living areas to the outdoors," says Steve.

Natural ironbark cladding to the alfresco brings an organic vibe to this aspect of the extension, complementing its setting and creating a connection to the original timber floorboards.

"The monochromatic colour palette has been paired with natural materials to provide a backdrop of pattern and texture," says Steve.

Urbane Projects offers a complete turnkey package. From design conception to completion, they assist every client with individual detailing of all key selections for both the exterior and interior of the home.

Their homes have distinct curb appeal while ensuring a floor plan that is unique to each client and their individual lifestyle.

If you are considering building or renovation, contact Urbane Projects on (08) 9329 9560 or visit urbane.net.au.

custom cabinetry is evident, with the design team given free reign to create beautiful elements in each and every room.

Above all, this is a build that has rebirthed a historic home catering for today’s lifestyle without losing any of its original character and charm.

"The construction complexity blends perfectly between traditional build methods and contemporary design," says Steve, "melding together to create an amazing family home.”

The solutions surpassed the challenges, and the home is now an epitome of history shaking hands with modern day design values.

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PERFORMANCE

Kate Miller-Heidke’s ethereal voice is set to soar once more with WASO, as the girl from Brisbane’s unique career path moves up a gear. By CALLY BROWNING.

Angel's SHARE

K

ate Miller-Heidke is hard to define. Operatically trained, she has a voice that defies limits; it trills, it growls, and reaches angelic heights that appear impossible to us mere mortals.

With an idiosyncratic brand of music that pushes the boundaries between indi pop and folk, her lyrical, quirky and intensely individual career path has defined her as one of the Australia’s most unique artists to have emerged this decade.

I’m a fan, I’ll admit it.

I remember when I first heard Kate’s voice. It was during Words from her Little Eve album. The vocal gymnastics, the virtuosity and quirkiness of it was like nothing I had heard before.

Then came Caught in the Crowd, a moving tale of schoolyard bullying that most of us can identify with. This kind of social commentary runs like a vein through Kate’s music but, she said, it’s never the prime objective.

She is still obviously very much in touch with that girl with feelings, writing songs in her bedroom.

Her songs come from an emotional, personal standpoint and she’s always surprised when people react to them on a political level. She says it’s an unintended consequence

of writing about things other than love, things that perhaps haven’t been written about much before.

And she never seems to run out of things to write about; most recently a bitingly funny song about what happens when your ex sends a friend request on Facebook, a scorching feminist ballad and “I’m Growing a Beard Downstairs For Christmas” a hilarious colaboration with The Beards, speaks for itself.

Growing up in Brisbane, Kate’s first love was musical theatre so it’s perhaps no surprise that she always wanted to sing. Although she secretly wanted to be Maria Carey, she began her musical education the conventional way - playing piano and violin, and studying voice.

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classical voice at the Queensland Conservatorium, where she picked up a slew of awards and progressed to roles with Opera Queensland, making her solo professional debut as Flora in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw.

But Kate’s career was never going to be predictable. While studying and performing opera, she was gigging about Brisbane in several bands and writing songs in her bedroom. After independently producing Telegram, an EP featuring a collection of her own songs and those of partner and creative collaborator Keir Nutall, one of her tracks was picked up by Triple J and became a hit.

The offer of a record deal with Sony followed, and at the same time she was asked to play Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance wtih the Queensland Opera. Perhaps not

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surprising for the girl who wanted to be Mariah, she chose Sony and her debut album, Curiouser, was released in 2006.

I asked Kate if the decision to move away from opera was a difficult one.

“I realised quickly that songwriting floated my boat,” she said. “It gave me a level of expression that singing other people’s music didn’t. It just gave me the biggest thrill.”

In the beginning that sort of life writing and perfoming her own songs professionally, didn’t seem possible.

Opera singing, she said, had its own momentum.

“Opera is more of a meritocracy and less of a mystery, a clearer path than songwriting,” she said.

Preferring the road less travelled, when the opportunity opened up to her, she took it and embraced songwriting wholeheartedly.

As a teenager, she admits to having a lot of feelings that expressed themselves through her songs.

“I was totally addicted to it, addicted to the guitar, it was a real outlet,” she said.

Kate’s most recent forays have

seen her edging closer back to her operatic roots. As well as appearing in The Divorce, an Opera for TV, she was co commissioned with Ian Grandage by Opera Australia to write an opera based on John Marsden’s book The Rabbits that debuted at the Festival of Perth in February 2015 and went on to win two Helpman awards. Grandage, she said, was a guiding light for her, a sounding board and unofficial mentor who understands her on a musical level.

The two are working together again as she tours the country performing with the major symphony orchestras, with Grandage responsible for many of the orchestral arrangements. It’s not hard to imagine her songs backed up by the soaring strings and heady brass of a symphony orchestra. Add to that partner Keir Nutall’s rock style guitar playing and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

“His heavy metal alongside the orchestra makes a really interesting and exciting juxtoposition of styles,” says Kate.

The pair will perform in Perth with the WA Symphony Orchestra,

DIVALICIOUS Kate MillerHeidke’s glorious, idiosyncratic vocal style and quirky music will be right at home fronting The WA Symphony Orchestra in March.

Her latest album, right, is out now through Sony.

She is still obviously very much in touch with that girl with feelings, writing songs in her bedroom.

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after similar stints with the Melbourne and Tasmanian symphony orchestras that were met with rave reviews.

Things don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon for Kate. She and Nutall have recently become parents, with baby Ernie coming along on tour supported by a tag team of willing family helpers. She’s performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and, along with Nutall, is currently writing a stage production of Muriel’s Wedding.

Her latest album, The Best of Kate Miller-Heidke Act One, was released in December and is a luscious 37-track collection of songs spanning her early EPs and hit albums, selections from The Rabbits, some reinterpretations and previously unreleased material.

That’s a lot to squeeze into Act One - I for one can’t wait for Act Two. MQ Kate Miller-Heidke performs with WASO, Friday March 31, Perth Concert Hall. tickets.waso.com.au

TRAVEL

HIGH FLYER For connoisseurs of the BMW brand, it’s now possible to own an ALPINA, the very special automobiles based on BMW production vehicles.

By JOSH CURTIS IMAGES BY JAN GLOVAC .

F

irst, a little background for those of you who aren’t familiar with ALPINA. ALPINA is an automotive manufacturing company based in Buchloe, Germany, selling cars based on BMW production vehicles.

ALPINA works closely with BMW’s manufacturing team to create bespoke, limited production vehicles which enhance the underlying quality and performance of the BMW base vehicle.

Until late 2016, ALPINA wasn’t available in Australia – however an

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import agreement between the In Motion group and ALPINA was created which allowed the ALPINA brand to be sold in Australia through authorised dealers. Because ALPINA vehicles are based on production BMWs, servicing can be completed at any authorised BMW dealership.

ALPINA roots can be traced back to 1962 when the Weber dual carburettor was developed for the BMW 1500, but it wasn’t until 1983 that ALPINA was officially recognised by the German Federal Ministry of Transport as an automobile manufacturer. ALPINAbuilt vehicles are branded as an ALPINA instead of a BMW. Internationally, 17 ALPINA models are produced, currently four of these are available in Australia: the

ALPINA-BUILT VEHICLES ARE BRANDED AS ALPINA INSTEAD OF BMW

FAST FACTS | ALPINA B3/B4 Engine ALPINA 3.0L 6 Cylinder Twin Turbo Engine Power

Power: 301 kW

Torque 600 Nm

B3 in Sedan and Touring and the B4 in Coupe and Convertible.

These models are based on Luxury Line variant of the 340i and 440i, with additional attention to performance, handling and luxury. Both the B3 and B4 utilise an ALPINA modified BMW 3.0L 6 Cylinder Twin Turbo engine with modified tuning to the ZF 8-Speed transmission. Power is increased from 225kW/400Nm to 301kW/600Nm through the use of additional cooling and an additional turbo charger.

The transmission is tuned to support the additional engine power – Comfort mode is further developed from the BMW base vehicle providing silky smooth gear shifts.

Sport mode is modified to provide

very fast gear shifts.

An ALPINA specific body kit is fitted to the exterior of the vehicle – this includes front and rear spoiler and ALPINA pinstripes on the side of the car. The exhaust system is provided by Akrapovic – under normal use the exhaust note is subdued, however it has quite a bark in sport mode – there’s no mistaking that this isn’t a production BMW. The interior of the vehicle is trimmed with either BMW Individual Merino Leather, or optioned with ALPINA Lavalina leather. The dashboard and door panels are trimmed in Walknappa leather. The instrument cluster is changed from BMW’s trademark orange on black theme, to ALPINA’s white on blue theme.

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Sprint

0-100: 4.2 sec

Fuel Consumption

7.6L/100km Combined

SUPER CHARGED ALPINA creates cars based on BMW production vehicles, creating bespoke, limited edition cars which take the BMW performance principles to the max.

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BMW catalogue is standard on the ALPINA built vehicle, excluding steering wheel heating, rear blinds and a TV Tuner. Gone are the standard BMW wheels, replaced by 20” ALPINA Classic wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres in non-run-flat guise.

Spring rates, anti-roll bars, bushes and damper settings have all been changed – resulting in a silky smooth ride, something unexpected from 20” wheels. The brakes (370mm front and 345mm rear) supplied by Brembo ensure the ALPINA can come to a stop with ease – very confidence-inspiring. MQ For further information regarding the ALPINA range please contact Paul Silverton – ALPINA Automobiles Perth (08) 9311 7533.

5 SERIES

is wireless charging ready for use at your destination. Oh, and that smartphone can become one with your car thanks to BMW Connected.

Add in the mesmeric heads up display, keeping you across speed limits and road conditions, and you’ve got the kind of tech that puts most sci fi to shame.

3

THE LUXURY

HIGH

Here's five things to love about the allnew BMW 5 Series.

By MATTHEW MILLS.

1

THE DESIGN

The new BMW 5 Series is lighter, bigger, sleeker and more refined than ever. An alchemic combination of aluminium, magnesium and highstrength steel drops the kilos while increasing body rigidity, lowering the centre of gravity and ensuring balanced front and rear weight distribution – all factors combining to deliver highly dynamic driving

characteristics. Then there’s the remarkable BMW kidney grill with active air flaps – open when extra engine cooling is needed, closed when it’s not, reducing drag to a world benchmark figure of .24Cd. Next up, drink in the combination of two BMW signature designs meeting for the first time – the Hofmeister Kink and the Sicke Line. Beginning from the front wheel, the Sicke Line rises gently to elegantly and gracefully embrace the Hofmeister Kink, creating an impression of forward thrust, even at a standstill.

And it’s bigger, which, trust us, is better. Wider, taller and more spacious inside, it’s the roomiest 5 Series ever.

2

THE TECHNOLOGY

The lure of cutting edge tech is more than catered for in the new 5 Series. Front and centre, you get the iDrive 6 the fantastic central control unit where everything from your music to your navigation is available at the wave of your hand – literally. Gesture control is simply an innovation that you’ll find yourself wondering how you ever picked your tracks without. The GPS meanwhile will be feeding you real time traffic information while your smartphone MARQUE AUTUMN ●

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Inside the new 5 Series is a cabin which will remind you that you’ve made it each and every time you slip into it. It’s quite possible that you’ll never quite get used to how sleek the instrument panel, finished in Sesatec, actually is. And the seats are to die for, whichever model you chose – the 520d boasts Dakota leather upholstery while the 540i in finished in Nappa upholstery with comfort seats for driver and front passenger (a feature that’s optional on all other models).

ALL IN THE DETAIL The allnew BMW 5 Series is lighter, bigger, sleeker and more refined than ever and that's just for starters.

4

THE VALUE

Let’s be blunt about this – the 530d and 540i are less expensive than their Mercedes equivalents but give you more. The 530d is around $15,000 cheaper but the list of attributes it boasts over its rival is long and impressive. Think blind junction view camera, wireless charging, speed limit info, M Sport package, BMW ConnectedDrive Freedom, intelligent emergency call and Sensatec-finished instrument panel and you’ve got some idea of what you’re getting for your money. The 540i meanwhile will save you the best part of $3,000 while coming complete with a host of equipment its closest Mercedes counterpart can’t claim. The list includes adaptive drive, ambient air, BMW ConnectedDrive Freedom, comfort seats, intelligent emergency call, M Sport Package, Nappa leather upholstery, rear and side window sunblinds, speed limit info, wireless charging and blind junction view camera.

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IF IT'S GOOD TO LOOK AT, THE NEW 5 SERIES IS EVEN BETTER TO DRIVE

TAKE 5 with

5

BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE DOES TOO

Don’t just take our word for it, the cream of the global motoring press has lauded the new 5 Series. George Kacher at CAR Magazine in the UK compared the 530d with the MercedesBenz E350d and concluded “the Mercedes comes second in vehicle dynamics and high technology”. Motoring.com.au’s Mike Sinclair backed him up, stating: “Mercedes has held the upper hand Down Under for the past few years, but we think the new 5 is the car to reverse that trend. The big Beemer is back, and we couldn’t be happier.” Andrew Maclean over at drive.com. au, meanwhile, loved his time reviewing the 5 Series. “Steering is beautiful and crisp and has got great weight to it,” he said, adding that he

Dr Ros Worthington The author, Hall of Fame Inductee, Order of Australian Medal holder and founder of Breast Cancer Care WA shares five minutes with MQ. MQ Tell us about a typical day in your life at work

RW For me there’s no such thing

found “an underlying sportiness in the 5 Series character that makes it unique in its class”. The Herald Sun’s John Carey was equally impressed saying: “If it’s good to look at, the new 5 Series is even better to drive”. Around the same time, Alborz Fallah summed up what most of the world’s press are thinking: “If you’ve been waiting for a new luxury sedan, and if sporty driving dynamics hold a certain appeal, the 5 Series will live up to your every expectation.” MQ MARQUE AUTUMN

as a ‘typical day’ and I really don’t consider what I do as ‘work’. A typical day can vary from sitting at home, to networking, visiting friends in need of support, attending a corporate meeting to strategise for or seek funding for the charities I support, talking to women’s groups and/or to preparing for a professional speaking engagement. Sharing my story and inspiring others to live their best life, to give back to the community and make a difference in their circles, whether it be at home, in the community or in business, is extremely rewarding. Other days may see me paying a visit to a local primary school to promote the School Kindness Lunches program I’m launching.

MQ What are you particularly proud of to date?

RW First and foremost, my family. My two sons, Mark and Tony, and my gorgeous grandchildren, are the light of my life. I’m proud of the difference that Breast Cancer Care WA, the first

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... charity I established back in 2000 with just $50, has made for so many women and their families. Also, it’s heartwarming to see the success and traction of ‘Out of the Shadows into the Light’ movement , for Lifeline WA. Starting as a small group, which initially met informally at dawn one morning in Kings Park 15 years ago, “Out of the Shadows into the Light”, aims to de-stigmatise suicide and is now held annually in 50 locations around Australia. And, after 15 years of prodding and poking by friends and family I finally managed to get my book on The Power of Giving published. The positive feedback about this book is humbling. It is proving a wonderful platform to encourage a culture of philanthropy in business and the wider community. I will now be speaking to the conference, exhibition and corporate sector about the positive effect that resilience and giving has for our community’s spirit, wellbeing and productivity.

MQ What would you like to be remembered for?

RW I guess I’d like to be remembered as a kind person who always paid it forward and wanted to make a difference, hopefully as a catalyst for change and a voice for the voiceless in our community.

MQ Tell us something we don’t know about you.

RW Shhhh, I don’t tell a lot of people, however I’m a bit of a Foxtel addict – particularly reality shows. Secretly, I love Keeping up with The Kardashians and I enjoy reno shows like Grand Designs and Escape to The Country.

MQ What do you do to relax?

RW Apart from watching Foxtel? I’m easily pleased and love nothing more than spending lots of time with my grandchildren, my family and just being with the beautiful friends I’m fortunate enough to have accumulated in my life. MQ Book a spot at this year’s Breast Cancer WA’s Madhatter’s Long Table Lunch, April 2 at Claremont Showground, $195 per person.

This popular annual event raises invaluable funds towards the cure for breast cancer.

THIRST

Once upon a time there was a lot of "baggage" associated with drinking gin. It was a tipple for loners, the elderly, a spirit with a decidedly dowdy, indeed seedy, reputation. Not any more. Now the world can't get enough of the beverage once dubbed "Mother's Ruin" and Australian boutique distilleries, including a slew in Western Australia, are at the vanguard of a gin boom which shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Gin

Words NORMAN BURNS Images CRIB CREATIVE, ANSON SMART, ELEPHANT GIN, KYOTO DISTILLERY, PAPER LANTERN DISTILLERY, HIPPOCAMPUS, FOUR PILLARS, SIPSMITH, EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY

Genies In the beginning there was . . . gin.

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ell, not the gin we know and love today. The Dutch “genever”, introduced as a medicinal drink in 1650 when a doctor mixed juniper berries with grain alcohol, is regarded as the “Mother of All Gins” but it’s England where gin really found its, err, spiritual home.

Soldiers who had been fighting (and drinking) on the Continent had developed a taste for genever (from which the English word gin is derived); they returned home and demand for the spirit spread into the civilian population.

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relaxed distilling regulations, Britain’s gin consumption began to exceed that of beer and it soon became the favoured tipple of the poor; too much so for the powersthat-be. The authorities realised they had opened a Pandora’s box and attempts to put the cork back in the gin bottle via tighter laws led to riots - but they couldn’t halt the public thirst for the drink. But in 1750 Britain introduced the Gin Act to restrict distribution by licensed

retailers and curb the nation’s gin addiction.

A hundred years on, gin’s image in Britain went decidedly up-market as distillers opened gin palaces to cater for the gentry; another boost came courtesy of England’s colonial rule in India where the British Raj mixed gin with sugar and lime to make the taking of quinine for malaria more palatable - thus inventing the gin and tonic in the process.

Gin developed into three main styles; Old Tom (light and floral, it was most popular in the late 19th century); London dry (any ‘London dry’ gin must conform to some exacting European Union regulations - including having predominantly a juniper flavour; no artificial ingredients and no flavouring or colour added after distillation; but it doesn’t have to be made within the boundaries of London); and Plymouth gin (until recently this style could be produced only within the English city of Plymouth).

By the late 1800s and early 20th century cocktails came into vogue, resulting in the invention of classic gin-centric tipples such as The Negroni (one part gin/one part vermouth rosso/one part Campari/ garnished with orange peel) and the James Bond favourite, the Martini (one part dry vermouth/six parts gin/ poured over ice/garnished with olive or lemon twist).

The 1950s and early 1960s shone as the Cocktail Era but by the mid1960s a gin market dominated by traditional juniper-heavy brands such as Seagrams, Beefeater, Gordon's and Tanqueray to name but a few, had stagnated; gin had fallen from favour as the spirit of choice for the hip, groovy and young.

Gin languished in the doldrums for decades afterwards - until 1987 when the Bombay Sapphire brand was launched, a bold, citrus and coriander-dominated spirit that proved a game-changer.

With its distinctive, dazzling square blue bottle and a clever

marketing theme that harked back to colonial India (remember those G&Ts?), Bombay Sapphire’s success lit the fuse for gin’s spectacular renaissance.

Another bold player, Hendrick’s, burst onto the scene in the early 2000s, this time with a gin pushing cucumber and rose into the limelight (Hendrick’s has even gone so far as releasing its own, specially bred, variety of cucumber as the perfect accompaniment to its gin).

With those two brands leading the way in smashing perceptions of what a gin should be, gin production has become a very broad church indeed, with craft distilleries springing up like mushrooms the world over, Australia being no exception.

In Britain, for example, official HM Revenue and Customs figures show the number of gin distilleries rocketed from 116 in 2010 to 233 by the end of 2015 (there’s even a boutique distillery at one of the Gatwick Airport terminals).

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GIN AND BEAR IT Sipsmith’s founders (above, from left) Jared Brown, Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall reaped the rewards of the artisanal gin boom when their London distillery was snapped up by drinks giant Beam Suntory for an estimated $80 million. Below: Hendrick’s Gin, along with Bombay Sapphire, led the modern gin revival.

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sales would reap a staggering £1 billion in 2016.

One of the biggest success stories has been in London itself, the city regaining its status as the world’s gin epicentre. The boutique Sipsmith Distillery led the way in 2009 (the first copper pot distillery in the city for 200 years, Sipsmith was bought last year by international spirits giant Beam Suntory for an estimated $80 million); now the city boasts around

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a dozen distilleries, plus a score of gin-specialist bars such as Soho’s London Gin Club.

But it’s not just the UK where the gin flame is burning bright.

Australian Distillers Association chairman Stuart Gregor (a cofounder of one of the country’s most successful start-ups, the Yarra Valley’s, Four Pillars) says there are around 90 distilleries in this country.

Brands such as Hippocampus, West Winds, The Grove and Limeburners are leading the West Australian charge, many of their gins winning medals at leading international spirits competitions.

“Total gin sales in Australia are approximately 370,000 12-bottle cases,” says Stuart, “and the ‘super premium’ locally made segment accounts for around 2.5 to 3% of that; so we are still tiny, plenty of room for growth. Gin is still only about 25 per cent the size of the vodka category, to put it in context, but it is growing at a much faster rate.”

But it’s not all beer and skittles making gin; the Federal Government’s excise and tax on the product is much higher than that imposed on international competitors.

“The excise issue where we have to pay the equivalent of $25 per bottle each time a bottle leaves the distillery headed for a retailer, bar or consumer is very tough on cashflow and an ability to fund growth. The fact that excise is payable weekly and most trade customers pay us after 60, or even 120, days doesn’t help either.

The rest, honestly is upside; it’s great fun and we keep finding new and exciting botanicals and Australian flora that inspires us each day,” says Stuart.

While each producer has its own twist on gin, the basics of distilling are essentially the same.

Step one is to distill a grain alcohol in a column still to a highproof, flavourless spirit. But stage two is what differentiates the quality of a gin; in lower quality versions botanicals and juniper berries are

soaked in the base spirit, and the mix distilled a second time.

In higher quality gins the alcohol vapour goes through a chamber that contains the juniper berries and botanicals; it is thus “infused” with the aromatics and flavours before going through to the condenser and back to a liquid. The last stage before bottling involves adding water to reduce the alcohol content to a legal strength.

The “ace in the pack” for gin

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TASTE OF ASIA From Singapore but distilled in Thailand, Paper Lantern (below left) is a rice-based gin that uses botanicals such as Sichuan pepper. Eye for detail: Distiller Lex Poulsen (below right) checks the results of a new gin batch at funky Perth distillery Hippocampus.

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producers around the world is the incredibly diverse range of botanicals they can use in this creative process, giving each gin a unique identity.

Plus, distillers don’t have to wait for the drink to mature, like whisky, which means they can have product available while their whisky is developing over time in barrels.

Thus Australian native botanicals, such as bush tomato, cinnamon and myrtle, are star ingredients in

the West Winds gins distilled in Margaret River; in New South Wales, the Husk Distillery’s spectacular purple-hued Ink dry gin is produced from a host of native botanicals, including Tasmanian pepperberry, but gets its eye-catching colouration from a final infusion of petals of the butterfly pea.

Tasmania, too, is turning out some spectacular gins, such as Sud Polaire, Forty Spotted, Poltergeist gin from the Scene Distillery and a superb range from the McHenry Distillery - the latter the southern-most distillery in the Commonwealth.

Paper Lantern Sichuan Pepper gin, launched in Singapore last year, is distilled in Chiang Mai, Thailand, off a rice-based spirit and includes Asian botanicals such as galangal, Sichuan pepper, the Thai makhwaen pepper and ginger.

From the boutique Eau Claire Distillery just outside of Calgary, Canada, comes Parlour Gin, sourcing locally grown “horse-farmed” grain as the spirit base which is then infused with reship, Saskatoon berry, coriander, mint and spice.

The gin boom has also reached Japan, with the opening of the country’s first artisanal gin distillery late last year.

The Kyoto Distillery’s beautifully packaged Ki No Bi (“the Beauty of the Seasons”) is another rice-based gin and includes native Japanese botanicals such as yellow yuan, gyokuro tea and Japanese peppercorn berries.

Says Kyoto Distillery founding partner David Creole: “We wanted to create a gin that was true to its place of creation - Kyoto - and so went to great lengths to source as many local ingredients as possible and to create a flavour profile that emphasised the local botanicals and worked well with local cuisine.”

The creativity associated with craft gin doesn’t just involve the recipes; the German-produced Elephant Gin (Germany is one of the world’s fastest growing gin

markets) not only uses botanicals from the African savannah (Buchu plant anyone?) but founders Robin and Tessa Gerlach are avid conservationists.

They donate 15 per cent of profits to helping two African elephant foundations, the anti-poaching Big Life Foundation (biglife.org) and Space for Elephants (space4elephants. org), whose aim is to restore old elephant migratory routes lost when game reserves were fenced.

Gin bottles and labels, too, have an artistic and collectible element of all their own; Elephant’s Gin’s custommade bottles come with hand-written labels and each batch is named after past great “tuskers” or elephants currently being protected in Africa.

Says Aren Springvloed, national sales and marketing manager of Perth’s funky Hippocampus Metropolitan Distillery: “People are becoming more engaged with what they’re drinking. Whereas once they might have had one ‘to go’ gin they’re now exploring different flavours and smaller producers; drinking for taste and not just drinking a brand. Finding gins that taste great and that are sincere about what they are; that’s what people are looking for.“ With such an amazing variety of gins now available, it’s probably best to seek expert advice before embarking on a gin odyssey.

A good step is to read up first; there are a score of books on the subject and one of the best is Gin (Aaron Knoll, published by Jacqui Small, available from Amazon or quartoknows. com) which not only delves into gin’s fascinating history but has an excellent reference section on what’s hot in world gin (including Australia).

Getting out and trying top shelf local, and exotic, gins is also a must; in Perth a great starting point is Frisk Bar in Newcastle Street, Northbridge which stocks a staggering gin collection (more than 130 at last count).

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ART IN A BOTTLE Since the artisanal gin ‘explosion’ of the early 2000s, gin production has become a very broad church indeed and specialist gin bars - such as Frisk in Northbridge - have sprung up the world over.

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and John Aldridge, know more about gin - and how to drink it - than seems humanly possible.

Frisk bar manager Juanita says customers are becoming increasingly curious - and savvy - about gin.

“Ten years ago it was all gin and tonic with a slice of lemon and it was your grandma’s drink," she says. “But now a lot of people are really, really getting into it…regulars are even starting to challenge me on what’s hot.

“Gins can now be savoury, sweet, citrusy and then there’s a whole range of boutique tonic water (such as Fevertree) as well. But some gins are better off drunk straight; a gin like Sud Polar, for example, is really soft and if you add tonic you really kill it.”

Another option is to have excellent artisanal gin delivered straight to your door which is precisely what Sydney-based Gin Lane does.

Gin Lane (the name is a nod

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SHOW YOUR IN-GIN-UITY

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f you’re one of those hands-on types - and a gin lover to boot - WA’s Margaret River Distilling Co, an offshoot of Albany’s Limeburners distillery, has just the ticket. Every Friday, from 11am Margaret River Distilling Co.’s experts run a special “Giniversity“ on the history and nuances of what makes gin so special. You also get to create your own, unique and bespoke gin from a range of botanicals provided and best of all, you can take the 500ml bottle home to show off to friends and family. Classes cost $300 and run for around four hours, with a light lunch included. PS: Watch this space for a major revamp of Limeburners gin, due in the first quarter of 2017. For class information and more on Limeburners gin, visit distillery.com.au

to the infamous William Hogarth painting of gin madness in London in the 1700s) was born after two mates, Paul Smith and Lindsay Silcox, were having a post-BBQ G&T, chatting about the burgeoning Australian gin scene. They figured there was enough artisanal product available to start a dedicated online, ship-it-to-yourfront-door business.

Customers sign up for either

monthly, or bi-monthly, gin deliveries, with specific gins highlighted each month. Each bottle supplied comes with tasting notes and cocktail recipes. For more information, visit downginlane.com.au MQ

FRISK PICKS A tough job, but someone had to do it… Frisk Bar experts Juanita Anselmo and John Aldridge pick their top three gins out of the 130-plus in the bar.

John: 1 Uncle Val’s Botanical, Oregon Finishes off with a citrusy kick. A dry Martini with a lemon twist with this is amazing.

2 A La Madame, Italy This comes from Rome bar The Jerry Thomas Project; a soft, unfiltered gin with cinnamon, wild rose and vanilla. Drink straight, no ice.

3 Captain’s Cut, West Winds, Margaret River This is a Margaret River gin and very ballsy - around 63% - and is great in The Last Word cocktail (equal parts gin/green Chartreuse/Maraschino liquor/ lime juice; shake with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a maraschino cherry).

Juanita: 1 Old Raj, Scotland This is a juniper-heavy classic, with saffron and a citrus finish.

2 Gin Mare, Spain A very savoury drop, it’s very different with hints of rosemary and olives.

COUNTER CULTURE John Aldridge and Juanita Anselmo have a wealth of knowledge (and gin - the bar has close to 150 brands) to offer customers at Northbridge’s specialist gin joint, Frisk.

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3 Martin Miller’s England/Iceland This is here for nostalgic reasons; I was 18 when I had a Martin Miller’s (it includes Icelandic glacial water) and I had a kind of epiphany about gin.

Frisk, 103 Francis St, Northbridge, www.frisksmallbar.com.au

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GENIUS FRIENDLY ADVICE Phil French, left, is the resident BMW genius at Auto Classic.

Meet the

GENIUS H

i, I’m Phil French, I’m 22 years old, and I’m excited to be your new BMW Genius at Auto Classic BMW. I live and breathe cars and, from even before I got my licence, I’ve always loved BMWs. I currently own a 1995 325i sedan which I love to drive and tinker with in my spare time. I have been in the automotive industry in spare parts for a couple of years now, and I’m thrilled to now be working with these amazing vehicles, and experiencing the latest in driving dynamics and technology that BMW have to offer.

Q I’ve heard there’s a new Connected

app - what’s it all about?

A The new Connected app available

for iPhone further enhances the ConnectedDrive functionality that was previously offered for these devices.

Once signed into the app with your ConnectedDrive account, you are able to view range information, vehicle status, location and also remotely control certain features of your BMW. Depending on the features of your vehicle, locking, unlocking, headlight flashing and remote ventilation are made possible from the application, anywhere you have an internet connection.

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last parked, and retrieve walking directions from your current position, to the vehicle. These features allow greater connectivity with your BMW, and the comfort in knowledge that your vehicle is left exactly how you’d like it to be when you’re not behind the wheel.

Linking your ConnectedDrive account with Google Maps, or using the in-app map function, allows you to send destinations and pre-planned routes to your BMW. Once this has been received by your vehicle, navigation of the route is as easy as opening the message on your iDrive system, and selecting ‘Start Navigation’.

Navigation routes can also be scheduled for specific times and taking the traffic into account through the Real Time Traffic Information package, reminding you to leave when you need to. It syncs automatically with your calendar app, leaving you with less worry and more time.

The Connected app now gives greater levels of control and information for your BMW than ever before. Locking the vehicle, unlocking the vehicle, as well as a headlight flashing function, are just a tap away.

Additionally, you can view the status of all doors, windows, and tailgate, ensuring you have peace of mind as to the condition of your BMW when you need to leave the vehicle do go about your day. Service information is also available, allowing you to ensure that your BMW is always at peak condition.

All vehicles with ConnectedDrive capability also include Teleservices as standard. Teleservices allows your vehicle to communicate directly with the service department of your selected Service Partner, and will automatically relay any service requirements or issues onto a service advisor, allowing them to make contact and schedule a time to have your vehicle through their workshop.

This removes the stress and hassle from servicing and maintenance of your BMW, allowing you more time to simply enjoy your Ultimate Driving Machine.

Q Is this application available for Android?

A Currently, the Connected app is only available for iOS devices, however BMW have advised that the Connected app will be available on the Play Store in the second half of 2017.

Q How do I know if my vehicle can be used with the Connected app?

A Most BMW vehicles with a production date from March 2014 have the ability for this feature. If you are still unsure if this applicable, please contact me, and I can advise you.

Q Can you show me how to use the all and all of its features?

A Certainly! Contact me at Auto Classic BMW, and we can organise a time to show you. MQ

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APPETITE

VIEW TO A CHILL Seaside dining has gone up a notch in WA - Lisa Shearon pulls up a chair and tucks in.

COAST PORT BEACH

Calling itself “everybody’s beach house”, Coast Port Beach provides a secluded sanctuary where all can feel relaxed and welcome. Inside Coast lies Cargo, a small bar offering something unique to guests and a comfortable alfresco area from which to view the sunset.

Coast Port Beach owner Ian Hutchinson has all the right tools to make the venue great. Before Coast was born, Ian owned and worked at Salt on the Beach for six years. When Salt’s life came to a natural end, Ian and his team spearheaded the complete reconstruction of the space to make way for Coast. On the menu, Coast Port Beach offers up fresh WA seafood and share-style pub favourites, plus a bit of spice thanks to the kitchen’s Tandoor oven.

Coast Port Beach, 42 Port Beach Rd, North Fremantle. Open Monday -

Friday: 11am - Late. Saturday- Sunday: 9.30am- late. Phone 08 9430 6866, visit coastportbeach.com

ODYSSEA

With spectacular views of the ocean and beach, Odyssea brings a new dining experience to City Beach.

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sophisticated beachside fare with a focus on local producers and seasonality. Whenever possible everything is made in-house, including specialty cakes and desserts.

The sun deck is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in the gentle breeze or to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over the ocean. If you want to pick up a coffee and a newspaper after a swim, the SSEA Kiosk has a range of on-the-go offerings.

Odyssea, 187 Challenger Parade, City Beach. Open 7 days, 7am till late. Phone 08 9385 7979, visit odysseabeachcafe.com.au

BIB & TUCKER

Bib & Tucker prides itself on the quality of its food, the quality of its location and the quality of the experience. The North Fremantle location, with breathtaking views overlooking the Indian Ocean,

provides a naturally stunning setting in which to enjoy your meal.

The modern-Australian menu, designed by head chef Scott Bridger, is created with food sourced from some of the best local suppliers available. “My food philosophy is to keep it simple, with no compromise

on quality or presentation,” he says.

“That said, I like to make food fun and exciting. At Bib & Tucker, we use the freshest of ingredients, modern techniques plus styles and flavours from around the world to present a menu that caters to everyone who walks through our door.”

THE SUN DECK IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO SPEND AN AFTERNOON IN THE GENTLE BREEZE

SUNKISSED SPOT The azure coastline makes a sundowner at Bib n' Tucker, Hamptons City Beach or Odyssea (above) hard to beat.

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MQ APPETITE

LOCAL FAVOURITE Margaret River's White Elephant Cafe is a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike (below).

Bib & Tucker, 18 Leighton Beach Blvd Fremantle. Open 7 days, 7am till late.

Phone 08 9433 2147, visit bibandtucker. net.au

HAMPTONS CITY BEACH

Overlooking City Beach, Hamptons is broken up into three key zones: a lounge area complete with comfortable lounge chairs and tables

for a casual morning coffee, business meeting or breakfast; a stunning beachside bar area for people wanting to sit and enjoy a drink while taking in one of the best views in Perth; and a relaxed casual dining restaurant with more formal service, again overlooking the Indian Ocean.

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was to create a space where people could enjoy fresh produce, a relaxed atmosphere and amazing views.

The interior of the Hamptons has been influenced by the style of the beachside holiday destination of the same name in New York State in the USA, but with what Marcel’s describes as their own “added twist”.

Marcel said what he loved most

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about the space he and Fiona have created was that on any given day they had people coming off the beach to enjoy a drink and the views as well as groups of people coming in for a beautiful meal with friends and family.

Hamptons City Beach, Challenger

lunch or just a morning pick-me-up, the White Elephant Café is a laidback venue serving excellent coffee and delicious casual café food.

Open all year round for breakfast and lunch, it's a magnet for locals and visitors (and four legged friends), all keen to graze while overlooking magnificent Gnarabup Beach.

White Elephant, Gnarabup Rd, Gnarabup. Open 7 days, 7.30am – 3pm. Phone 08 9757 1990, visit whiteelephantcafe.com.au

Parade, City Beach. Open 7 days, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Phone 08 9385 9588, visit hamptonscitybeach. com.au

THE WHITE ELEPHANT CAFE

Whether you’re here for breakfast,

THE BAY CLUB SWEET SPOT The Shorehouse in Swanbourne's head chef Ollie Gould has created a mouthwatering modern Aussie menu.

The Bay Club is a stylish outdoor restaurant and bar overlooking Roebuck Bay where you can listen to live music, indulge in cocktails, have a cold beer and sample the Kimberley’s best produce. Lounge in day beds, curl up in cabanas or gather a big group together around a table and wile away the hours in the tropical surrounds. The Bay Club Lounge is an impeccably styled indoor bar and perfect for more intimate gatherings.

The Bay Club at Mangrove Resort Hotel, 47 Carnarvon Street, Broome.

Open 7 days. Phone 08 9192 1303 or visit mangrovehotel.com.au

SHOREHOUSE

Perched overlooking Swanbourne beach, Shorehouse is the perfect beachside location. Sit and watch the world go by on the sun deck or dine in one of the popular booths – all with unrivalled ocean views. Head chef Ollie Gould has a commitment to sourcing the very best produce WA can offer. His modern Australian menu is a mouth-watering combination of Mediterranean influenced food and seasonal produce, perfect for a fresh and healthy breakfast, a long lunch on the deck or dinner with friends. An extensive selection of wines, beers and cocktails complements the menu. MQ The Shorehouse, 278 Marine Parade, Swanbourne. Open 7 days, 7am till late. Phone 08 9286 4050, visit shorehouse.com.au MARQUE AUTUMN

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FILM

SMALL TOWN BOY New movie Jasper Jones has garnered rave reviews and the locally-filmed story is very much a homegrown affair.

By LISA SHEARON.

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dapted from Craig Silvey’s best-selling novel and featuring a stellar Aussie cast including Toni Collette, Hugo Weaving, Levi Miller, Angourie Rice, Dan Wyllie and Aaron McGrath,

Jasper Jones is the story of Charlie Bucktin, a studious boy of 14 living in a small town in Western Australia.

Set during the scorching WA summer of 1969, the story begins when Charlie is woken by local mixed-race outcast Jasper Jones.

Jasper leads him deep into the forest and shows him something that will change his life, setting them both on a journey to solve a mystery that will consume the entire community.

In an isolated town where secrecy, gossip and tragedy overwhelm the landscape, Charlie faces family breakdown, finds his first love, and discovers what it means to be truly courageous.

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Fremantle author Craig Silvey, who not only wrote the novel and the shooting script, but also turned up to set every day to support the creative process to its conclusion.

“Being an Aussie movie tight on money, he had to bunk down in my accommodation to do so,” director Rachel Perkins recalls. “Having the writer literally in the next room and equally enthusiastic to endlessly dissect the film was the greatest asset.

He also baked great banana muffins.”

Jasper Jones was shot over a sixweek period in the south-west town of Pemberton. Choosing Pemberton to portray the fictional town of Corrigan was an easy choice for the filmmakers. The town was built at

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the peak of the timber industry in the south-west region of WA. The area is lush and green, and although different to the hot desert town described in Silvey’s novel, it offered the perfect package – an authentic period setting with a warm and generous spirit from the locals.

Since its construction, Pemberton has remained almost untouched. Its original, distinct and unique timber houses, built between the 1920s and the 1950s, still stand today, providing

warm homes for the townsfolk.

“It’s a town,” says producer Vincent Sheehan, “that, for a number of streets, looks exactly as it was in the 1960s. It’s quite magical.

“It’s a very particular, almost Twain-esque setting, completely different to the rest of Australia in that time period. It was perfect for the setting of Jasper Jones.”

Once the 60-odd cast and crew arrived, excited whispers spread through the town that Hugo Weaving

INSTANT CLASSIC Jasper Jones has already won its place in the pantheon of unforgettable Australian movies thanks to moving performances all round.

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was now a frequent customer at the local Café Brasil. The Pemberton township embraced its involvement in the film, offering up homes, cars and even the people themselves. Many of the townsfolk were used as extras or background actors in the film.

The remote location, 323km from Perth, helped to foster a new sense of community between the film set and the townsfolk. Cinematographer Mark Wareham says, “When I look at scenes now, I can see my mate who worked at the local bottle shop, and the guy that ran the local store.

I’ve got really fond memories of the warmth of the people there.”

The warmth of the community extended across the production of Jasper Jones, and shines through the finished film.

“The enthusiasm for the story of Jasper Jones, not only from movie stars like Toni Colette, but also from funders, politicians, and ordinary Australians, built great momentum for our work, particularly in the south west of Australia, where we made the film,” Rachel says.

“It showed me how people stories mean things to people and how they will rally around a story they love.” MQ Jasper Jones is out now.

CAREERS

MASTERING YOUR NETWORK It’s the old adage writ large - quality over quantity, when it comes to who you need in your network and why. Janine Garner says you need just 12 people - and here’s how to identify them.

H

ere’s the bottom line - we don’t need more contacts, we don’t need more friends and we don’t necessarily need to spend more time connecting on line. If all we needed was this, then every single one of us would be basking in unparalleled success just from the sheer number of opportunities we have to connect.

There is no doubt that networking and building a sales lead generation list is critical for business growth.

However, to really succeed you must become the master of your personal network. It’s the quality of who is in

your network that really matters. I believe there are 12 key people needed in every successful network who, when working together will fast-track your success. So let’s meet them: 1. CHEERLEADER Your Cheerleader is your number one fan. They are the CEO of your personal cheer club, promoting you whenever they can, sponsoring your growth, creating opportunities for you to shine and pushing you to do more because they believe in you and your dreams.

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2. EXPLORER Your Explorer will question why, who, what, where, when and how. They will disrupt your present situation to introduce you to a new future.

Your Explorer challenges norms and uncovers new paths. They want to know what you think and get excited about the road less travelled, courageously and fearlessly carving out previously unknown options for you to consider.

3. INSPIRER No matter what you do and achieve, having an Inspirer in your network will change everything. They are ambitious; big-picture out of the box thinkers who never give in to ‘I can’t’ thinking but instead believe you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

4. LOVER Although its tempting to nominate a significant other for this role, the danger is that those who love us the most will generally tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. Your Lover in your network puts you and your needs first to help you become the best you can be in times of hardship as well as success.

5. CONNECTOR Your Connector is a powerful broker of information and contacts. They have an innate ability to open doors and make connections between people and information, joining dots you can’t see and creating opportunities that might have been unheard of previously.

6. BALANCER The key word for a Balancer is self-care. They make sure you have everything aligned and in check, forcing you to attach your own oxygen mask before you see to anyone else’s. They understand that any kind of success relies on a healthy balance between personal and professional goals.

7. INFLUENCER ‘Been there, done that’: say hello to your Influencer. Your Influencer will have reached a lever of success you aspire to. They will enrich your learning experience with their own knowledge sharing incredible insights and helping you avoid having to

reinvent the wheel or learning everything the hard way.

8. PROFESSOR Richard Branson once said, “The day you stop learning is the day you stop living. We should all pick up new skills, ideas, viewpoints and ways of working every day.” Your Professor will constantly push you to think better think deeper and think differently, mastering your skill and capability.

9. ARCHITECT Your Architect is an expert at visualising the consummation of your plans and how to reach that future. They are methodical, astute and financially savvy, good at identifying potential gains, challenges and risks and at laying the stepping-stones to guide you along your path.

10. TRUTH SAYER Your Truth Sayer is honest and loyal, forcing you to commit to your goals with integrity. They know the only judgement that matters is the one you have of yourself. If you don’t start leading from within and fully owning who you are you will never be capable of being a better person.

11. ACCELERATOR

IN THE KNOW Author and keynote speaker Janine Garner (above) is a partner at Thought Leaders Global and the founder of LBD Group.

Your Accelerator is the master buttkicker, grabbing procrastination by its ankles and hurling it out of the window. Whether you have a plan, a dream or a project to deliver on, they will kick your butt in to action so your ideas doesn’t remain just that – an idea.

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as a result. Whether in a formal or an informal arrangement, you are never too old for a Mentor. Mentors are crucial to your growth and success.

They guide and inspire your choices, providing wisdom to keep you on track.

It was leadership expert John C Maxwell who said: “Those closest to you determine your level of success, so choosing the right companions as partnership pursuit of your vision is an important decision.”

There is no doubt that networking matters but it is YOUR network that matters more. MQ Janine Garner is an internationallyacclaimed entrepreneur and Fortune 500 mentor, keynote speaker and author. She is a partner at Thought Leaders Global, and the founder and CEO of the LBDGroup, a networking community that connects like-minded women together to help them achieve extraordinary growth. Her new book, It’s Who You Know: How a network of 12 key people can fast-track your success (Wiley), is out now. Visit janinegarner.com.au

FASHION

Bahru Rome tote in Black, $270. Modelled and styled by blogger @beigerenegade bahru.com.au

Country Road Printed Large Cosmetic Bag, $69.95 @ Country Road

TRAVELLING

in style

H&M Silver shopper, $14.99 @ H&M Perth City and Joondalup.

If half the fun of travelling is the journey, why not do it in style with some of the most glamorous bags and luggage around?

Bahru Leather Paris tote in Gold, $270 bahru.com.au

By BEVERLY LIGMAN

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H&M backpack $29.99 @ H&M Perth City or Joondalup

Fossil Travel Rfid Passport Case, $89 @ David Jones

Rodd & Gunn Normanby Bag, $1099 @ Rodd & Gunn, Claremont Quarter

Marcs Anika Medium Tote in Navy, $129.95 @ Marcs at enex100

Samsonite Spinner suitcase in blue, $479 @ David Jones.

H&M Panda Sleep Mask, $6.99 @ H&M Perth City or Joondalup

Rodd & Gunn Wingshoot Weekender, $799 @ Rodd & Gunn, Claremont Quarter

H&M Weekend Bag, $69.99 @ H&M Perth City or Joondalup.

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BEAUTY

Play it

COOL

CoolSculpting is the new beauty craze that’s sweeping the nation. Want to lose fat off your problem areas without lifting a finger? I'm in says NICOLE JAMESON.

T

here’s been a lot of chatter recently about a treatment called CoolSculpting and, as it always pays to plan ahead for bikini weather, I put my hand up to try it out.

CoolSculpting is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, sculpting your body’s ‘flabby bits’ using extreme cold and suction. It was invented after a couple of clever doctors discovered that children who ate lots of icy poles had fat loss in their cheeks. In simple terms, fat dies at very cold temperatures before your skin is affected. It effectively kills off the fat in your problem areas without invasive surgery.

I visited local Perth expert, Claire from Academy Face and Body in Subiaco, to discover that I’m the perfect candidate. I’m not overweight, I have a pretty balanced diet and I exercise moderately. But like all women, I have some stubborn fatty areas, the legacy of having two big baby boys and probably from eating too many choc ices and hot chips during pregnancy.

The Low Down I needed three treatments for my stomach area and one each for my love handles. One large paddle was used for the top of my abdomen and two smaller ‘butter dish’ sized paddles for the lower part and for the love handle areas. The two smaller paddles are done first, followed by the large top paddle; a time commitment of almost six hours in the clinic. Make sure you bring snacks and your laptop or a good book.

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BEFORE

AFTER

THERE WAS DEFINITELY A REDUCTION IN 'GUT OVERHANG' I MAY HAVE DONE A LITTLE DANCE.

BEFORE

AFTER

The attachment of the CoolSculpting cups was a strange sensation. The suction is quite strong and it takes approximately five minutes for the skin to completely drop in temperature. As it cools it feels a little like freezer burn, but without the pain, just a little discomfort.

Then all you have to do is sit back and relax as the machine chills your fat cells to crystilisation, then they die and are eradicated from your body (cryolipolysis).

Ice, ice baby When the cups came off my skin felt a little uncomfortable as the warm blood rushed back in, kind of like pins and needles. The fat was basically frozen so my skin was very pink and felt hard, like a frozen steak fillet.

In the weeks after treatment I highly recommend wearing loose fitting stretchy pants as the areas

BEFORE AND AFTER Nicole could see visible results after her CoolSculpting sessions, above with the photo on the right showing clear improvement afterwards.

treated will feel numb, with a side order of light pins and needles.

Similar to when you wake up and your arm has gone to sleep and it doesn’t quite feel attached. This sensation lasted about five weeks for me.

I started to notice my wobbly bits decrease at about the six-week mark. I caught my reflection in the mirror as I bent over to dry my legs after a shower, there was definitely a reduction in ‘gut overhang’. I may have done a little dance. My pants were also much looser and the buttons strained a little less. You’ll get the full results after about 12 to 14 weeks.

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this time I did NOTHING AT ALL. Not a smidge. This wasn’t a deliberate experiment, just a consequence of moving house, sick kids, travel and a busy work life.

So any resulting loss must have been a direct result of CoolSculpting.

It’s important to note that I didn’t actually lose any kgs on the scales. CoolSculpting treatments aim to reduce the fat in your target areas by 20-30 per cent. So although fat doesn’t weigh much, how my clothes felt and the appearance of my stomach definitely indicated a level of success I was happy with.

My verdict? CoolSculpting was safe, non-invasive, fairly pain-free and I noticed a flatness in my stomach and less handle in my love handles. This is a great treatment for when you’re already eating well and exercising, but just can’t shift those stubborn flabby areas. MQ Call Absolute Face and Body on 08 9382 4833 or visit academyfaceandbody.com.au for more information.

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MQ HEALTH & WELLBEING

STOP THE CLOCK Are you a stressed, overworked and sleepless working woman?

Then it’s possible you may be suffering from Urban Woman Syndrome. Dr Debra Villar suggests ways to redress your work/life balance.

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he state of our health worldwide is at crisis point.

Our modern, rushed lifestyle has resulted in an increase of chronic lifestyle disorders such as autoimmune diseases, infertility, stress and hormonal imbalances. The inability to physically adapt to our cultural and behavioural environment has given rise to what are called ‘mismatched diseases'.

Our physiology, brain and chemical make up is the same from 10,000 years ago however our environment has changed drastically.

What we eat has become food products loaded with preservatives, sugars, additives and colours.

Our work life has become sedentary with the increased use of

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computers and other digital devices while our life demands have caused an increase in chronic stress and mental health concerns, where one in five Australians suffer from some form of mental illness.

Awareness and education is key to stop the rapid increase of lifestyle-related disorders, allowing individuals and families to make informed healthier choices. When wanting to improve wellness holistically, my simple EAT, MOVE, THINK health philosophy is a simple yet effective way to assess and improve your health habits.

EAT for better health.

Choosing good food can sometimes be hard, especially when labelling

and food marketing can confuse the consumer with titles such as “sugar free” “fat free” and “natural flavours”. These labels are usually on products that are not only high in sugar but are full of preservatives and additives. An easy way to monitor your sugar intake is to remember when reading food labels is that 4g of sugar equals 1 teaspoon of sugar.

The recommended intake of sugar is five teaspoons a day, with the average Australian consuming 29 teaspoons a day! The way to avoid sugar, preservatives, colours and other nasties is to shop in the fresh produce aisle. Consuming only fresh produce can take time to plan, however by eliminating food products and eating real food will allow your body to repair, heal and thrive.

MOVE for better health.

According to statistics, Australians are not very active, with 57% not getting enough exercise and doing less than 30 minutes of activity per day. An alarming statistic shows that we can spend up to 18 hours sitting, with travelling in a car or public transport, then sitting at a desk all day before coming back home to sit on the couch.

Unfortunately, regular exercise at a gym may not make up for the fact that you have a sedentary job. We are meant to be continually active.

Movement throughout your day and increasing what is called incidental exercising is essential for health and wellbeing.

THINK for better health Chronic stress is fast becoming an epidemic; the Australian statistics on stress and mental illness are alarming.

Around 90% of Australians feel chronic stress in their life. And 70% of doctor’s visits are related to stress.

And even though it would be nice to move to a tropical island with no cares in the world, that is not possible.

Stresses are always present, especially in our fast-paced world, but there are a few steps you can take to avoid its effects and increase your wellbeing:

Identify the stress - Write it down, ask yourself how this stress is serving you and how you can eliminate or reduce it. Meditate. Download apps that will help you meditate. Studies have shown that even 10 minutes of meditation increases relaxation and reduced stress.

Exercise - Exercise increases endorphins, the ‘feel good’ hormones.

Try diaphragmatic breathing - This is essential to get plenty of oxygen throughout your body. It involves breathing through your diaphragm, not your chest and neck muscles. Put your hand on your stomach, then take a big breath in through your nose – your stomach should expand.

LIVE BETTER Identify stress, exercise and try diaphragmatic breathing - all tips from Dr Debra Villar to conquer chronic stress.

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When you exhale, release through your mouth and the stomach should relax. Your chest shouldn’t move and all the movement should come from your diaphragm expanding.

A wellness lifestyle should not be hard to implement since small changes in your life can increase exponentially your health body, mind and soul. MQ Dr Debra Villar is the author of Urban Woman Syndrom: Eat, Move, Think Your Way To Ultimate Health. She is a speaker, wellness consultant and practitioner. Her experience is to motivate and inspire teams to better health and vitality. Visit drdebravillar.com or email dvillar@ completecityhealth.com.au

BMW R NINE T REVIEW The design aspect is highlighted by the traditional “flat” or parallel, air-cooled engine, which has horizontally-opposed cylinders.

They’re called boxers because because each pair of pistons moves in and out together, rather like the gloves of a boxer.

BMW started making boxers with the R68 in 1954 and has never stopped.

Fast forward to 2017 and the latest iteration is a suite of five variations of the company’s “R nine T”, or R90 for the traditionalists among us, of which I am one. I thought this was a 900cc engine, but it’s 1170. No wonder it goes like a bat out of hell (more of that later).

Having ridden cruisers for the past 15 years, I was somewhat apprehensive when I was asked to do a review of a scrambler. To an old chap like me, scramblers conjure pictures of dirt and knobbly tyres. Apparently, however, the R nine T is a scrambler. I insisted on road tyres and no off-road review.

HEY, GOOD LOOKING The BMW R nine T is Style.

Just like everything else, motorcycles a scrambler with head- have always been about style. When turning good looks. it comes to style, no company does it

By GREG SMITH.

better than BMW. The German manufacturer has been doing it since it started making engines for other companies in 1921 and producing its first bike, the R32, in 1923.

Since then BMW has been producing a distinctive range of machines, characterised by their design, precision and reliability.

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On first glance I was struck how much this bike resembled my old R45 and R65 of the 1980s. The rims were solid, there were disc brakes and it looked like a cafe racer. The difference was the clearance between the rear tyre and seat. This, indeed, could be a scrambler.

Jonas from Auto Classic Motorrad assured me I had the road version, one of five models that will soon be available.

With its meaty Metzler road tyres, slick brushed metallic champagne tank and brown leather seat, this was no scrambler, or was it?

The company describes it as “casually cool look” and it was hard to argue. Everything was understated – chic almost.

Known for its technology, BMW has decided to pare

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back on the bells and whistles.

Whereas most of its bikes come with a dashboard which looks like controls from a space shuttle, the scrambler has a speedometer (no rev counter) in the centre of the handlebars.

You can flick through two trip

meters, a clock and the engine temperature. The bike will, of course measure your fuel.

It’s a visually-appealing, light touch that actually enhances the rider experience because you’re not distracted by clutter. That’s a good thing in this day and age when we are inundated with all manner of gadgetry.

To me, it also means that if you have less electronics, there’s less that can become out of whack.

The rightside-up fork is a deft touch and is offset by the “BMW Motorrad Paralever” suspension arm at the rear. Cool how they have the hole through the axle. That’s so they can lift the bike during a service.

While the forks captured my attention, I was amazed by the small but very bright LED indicators. They blend into the bike without taking away from the great overall look of the scrambler. The headlight is the old school look, simply round and does the job.

Mirrors are stock-standard circular and offer a good range of vision. I would change them to bar end mirrors to finish off the minimalist look of the

bike. This is a bike that's designed to be modified to suit each owner.

As with all BMWs, and any quality bike these days, ABS is standard.

BMW uses the tried and tested Brembo system. I believe brakes and tyres are the two most important

This bike eats the tarmac and gravel. things on a bike. On this bike they work without compromise.

Heated grips on the bike are standard and come in handy on those cold mornings, allowing you to still wear thinner gloves and not have to resort to oven mitts. The grips also give you good grip and feel of the bike when riding.

On the downside, there’s no autocancelling indicators.

It’s a shaft drive, which means reliability. No messy chains and regular adjustment to contend with. Just a once-yearly oil change. I still tend to prefer shaft, even though most cruisers these days are belt. I just believe less can go wrong with a shaft drive.

The riding position is more comfortable than a standard cafe racer, with body position not leaning as far forward as some. Legs are also tucked rearward but not to the extreme. There’s plenty of room in the cutout tank panels for people with long legs.

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RIDE ME FAST The BMW scrambler is an understated design classic, with an unbelievably responsive and smooth engine.

AUTOCLASSIC.COM.AU

brown leather and several options are available - single seat, standard seat and high seat - to suit a range of heights and comfort levels. If you are around 1.75m like me, the standard one is fine and my feet were flat on the ground.

I had no problem adapting to the bike, given I’ve been on cruisers for 15 years. This bike was saying “ride me, ride me fast”.

The engine is unbelievably responsive and smooth, as is the constant mesh six-speed gearbox. In fact it was so smooth I think I never got in to sixth gear on the first day.

Doh! That was despite the addition (as standard) of Akrapovic exhausts, which give the bike a medium-pitch sound like a bumblebee, as compared to some similar bikes which sound like mosquitoes.

The pipes can be made louder by removing a few screws and taking out the baffles.

You’ll get good mileage from this bike, which sports an 17-litre tank with three litres in reserve. The company claims 4.5 litres per 100km at 90kph and 5.9 litres at 120kph.

With mileage good, you can do those mid-range trips without fuel problems, but we return to the bike’s true purpose.

This is not a long, or even middistance, traveller. It’s meant for city commuting, blats with your mates on the weekend, or coffee-laden jaunts (well, it is a cafe racer).

This bike eats the tarmac and gravel. It is ultra slick off the mark, exceptionally manoeuvrable, has great balance and the Metzlers have it sticking to the road around the tightest of bends. Full marks for handling.

If you’re after an ultra-cool retro look accompanied by the world’s leading technology, look no further.

BMW are renowned for quality and longevity, this bike will provide you with years’ of riding pleasure even if it is just to your local hangout. It’s definitely a head-turner after all. MQ

MQ Kids

WILD THINGS Dinosaurs will walk among us again when Jurassic Creatures rumbles into town. By LISA SHEARON.

P

erth’s Crown Pyramid is set to be transformed into a prehistoric Ice Age in April.

Jurassic Creatures, featuring Prehistoric Creatures of the Ice, is an interactive, walkthrough event featuring animatronic dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.

The best part is, WA is the first state in Australia to experience this huge

event in its entirety.

“This will be the biggest show that we’ve developed for Australia,” event producer Keith Brown from Showtime Attractions says.

“We’ve never developed a show on such a scale, and Perth is the first to see it.”

Jurassic Creatures tells the story of the prehistoric creatures’ 165-million-year domination of life on earth, via animatronic figures who move and roar. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with the most infamous prehistoric animals including colossal mammoths, sabretooth tigers and everyone’s favourite, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. “The show caters for everyone, from children to grandparents,” Keith says.

“We’re really excited to be bringing between 150 and 200 animatronic creatures – the biggest of which is 20m x 8m. They move, they roar, their eyes roll and you can see them breathe. It really gives you an amazing insight into how the dinosaurs would have lived.”

Small visitors to the event will get the chance to be a palaeontologist for the day. Children will be provided with an expert digger outfit before

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chipping away to unearth their very own fossil in the digging area.

Plus, there will be many more activities to take part in, including dinosaur art and craft, fossil displays and amusement activities.

Amusement rides and an exclusive Flintstones stage show will complete the interactive, prehistoric experience.

“In reality, people are getting three shows for the price of one: Jurassic creatures, Ice Age creatures and the Flintstones show – plus interactive activities and amusement rides. It’s great value.”

According to Keith, it’s thanks to the Crown Pyramid that a show of this scale can be brought to Perth.

“The Pyramid offers us 6,500sqm of space,” he says. “It means we can host events that otherwise wouldn’t have come to Perth, because where would we have gone?

“Now that we have this new venue it’s going to attract huge shows and adventures to Perth. In June and July, we’re bringing another major new event to the Pyramid, which we’re really excited about.” MQ Jurassic Creatures will be at the new Crown Pyramid from March 31 to April 30 April. Visit ticketmaster.com.au

24 St Quentin Avenue Claremont WA 6010 T: (08) 9383 3600 E : info@brinkhaus.com.au

www.brinkhaus.com.au Fine Jewellery Design & Manufacture Remodelling & Repairs 18ct Gold & Platinum Free Jewellery Cleaning

LAST WORD

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

work being done by the not-for-profits we support.”

Sloth Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

“I’ve always said that we are so privileged here in WA living among the world’s most natural and unspoilt beaches, reserves and wildlife. When it’s time to recharge, this is where I am, spending time outdoors in the bush or south west. It’s rare for me to ever spend a long time “doing nothing”, but a change of pace away from the office is important.”

Wrath What news story would make you furious?

“I’m usually the first to find the light-heartedness in a situation, especially if it’s out of my control. But the type of stories I find challenging is when it involves someone, or a group of people, being taken advantage of. There are always solutions to the issues we face both here in WA and around the world, the difficulty is when those in power make wrong decisions on behalf of other people, or simply don’t act.”

Built to last DALE ALCOCK

D

ale Alcock has created a building company synonymous with his own vision and reputation and, 30 years on, it’s the biggest in Australia.

He's recognisable as a business leader who is also a homegrown success story.

From bricklayer to Australia’s largest home builder, Dale has spent the last 30 years putting his name and reputation to every home built under the ABN Group banner, which includes well-known brands Webb & Brown-Neaves, apg Homes, Dale Alcock Homes, Celebration Homes and Homebuyers Centre.

A big believer in giving back, he supports the future generation through training programs and advocates on behalf of the building industry and Australian home owners. Through his foundation, over the last 10 years Dale has donated more than $8.1 million to worthy causes including medical research, humanitarian relief work and the environment.

A keen AFL fan, he recently became President of the Fremantle Dockers.

Gluttony Given the chance, what is

something that you would excessively indulge in?

“Time spent with my family. After work commitments during the week, and on the weekends, this is what Jan (my wife) and I are doing – spending time as a family with our kids and grandkids. It’s also the reason why the ABN Group has grown from two building companies – to the group of property, finance and construction

companies that we are today. It wouldn’t have been possible without the love, support and stability of Jan and our family.”

Greed You’re given $1m that you have

to spend selfishly – what would you spend it on?

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Envy Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

“I’ve never been envious of what someone else has because I’ve always had a very strong sense of “True North”, to know what my own passion is and to back myself with the confidence to achieve what I’ve set out to do. That’s not to say that I don’t look to what others are doing and learn from their success, achievements and even failures – but I’ve never wanted to live anyone else’s life because it’s the journey and sense of fulfilling my own passion that drives me.”

Pride What’s the one thing you’re secretly proud of?

“After finishing school I decided to follow my dad into the building business and become his bricklaying apprentice, rather than go on to study architecture at university. It’s a time in my life which taught me so much – not only the “tools of the trade” but also the importance of putting 100% into what you do and doing business with integrity. These are all important lessons that I will always be proud to say that I learnt from my dad.”

Lust What makes your heart beat faster?

“I’ve always chased the thrill of seeing something I’ve put time into, given my all and have created come to life. That thrill is the reason I became a builder – to understand exactly what the homeowner wants, build their home from bottom up, ensure the workmanship and quality that has gone into it and being confident that it will become a happy home for my client. It’s the same reason why I am still so involved today in every aspect of our building process – clients know that I am personally involved in their build journey and the buck stops with me.” MQ

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Lifetime Guarantee At Peter Wilkinson & Co, we are so confident in the quality of our workmanship that we provide a lifetime guarantee on all of our repair work.

If, in the unlikely event, you are not completely satisfied with the work we have undertaken, simply contact us and we will gladly address your concerns.

Why Choose Peter Wilkinson & Co? • All work is factory-backed • Lifetime guarantee on all repair • Lifetime product guarantee on all paintwork workmanship • No risk of voiding warranty • 12-month/20,000 km guarantee on all new parts • We use only genuine parts

Accredited BMW Bodyshop | 1 Adrian St, Welshpool WA 6106 ✆ 08 9362 5622

info@peterwilkinson.com.au