SUMMER | 2017
HOME BUSHFIRE PREP SUMMER GARDEN TIPS DIY SEWING PROJECT
NOURISHING SALAD
A E P K C I H C
Page 2 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
AND
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O T A T O P T E E SW rainbow salad
Ingredients 1 sweet potato, diced 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 x 400gm can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 tablespoon paprika, ground 3 cups mixed lettuce leaves 1 avocado, sliced althy he a ke ma 1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved l wil ad sal THIS to your ¼ purple cabbage, chopped and colourful addition er, or is ¾ cup sprouts dinner table this summ rm wa r you for h 4 eggs dis e an ideal sid recipe is Th es. cu Pepper to taste rbe ba er weath ins can be found on the Gra Council Dressing and Legumes Nutrition na An by ed vid pro s ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil wa d website an th, for Tru ing Bit e 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Th at x Ale and website at 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard more recipes visit their com. 1 lemon www.thebitingtruth. s, thi like s ipe rec For more . see www.glnc.org.au
Method
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Place sweet potato on a lined baking tray and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place in oven and roast for 20 minutes or until soft. After the sweet potato has been roasting for 10 minutes, add chickpeas to a lined baking tray, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with paprika. Meanwhile, to prepare salad, spread mixed lettuce leaves on the bottom of a bowl or plate. Layer the salad ingredients on top (avocado, cherry tomatoes, cabbage and sprouts). Five minutes before sweet potato and chickpeas have finished baking, place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Cover and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer gently for three minutes. Remove eggs from pan and run under cool water. Carefully remove shell and add to salad. Add all the dressing ingredients to a small jar and mix to combine. Add eggs, sweet potato and chickpeas to salad and mix in salad dressing. Season with pepper to taste.
SEASONAL PUBLICATION DATES
Covering 3 local shires and 4 regional newspapers reaching an estimated 25,000 readers across NE Victoria.
Autumn edition published 19th March 2018
Winter edition published 15th June 2018
Spring edition published 14th September 2018
Don’t miss out on being part of the next edition! If you wish to promote your business or service please contact our friendly team: Alpine Observer & Myrtleford Times call Jenny 5731 3305 jking@nemedia.com.au Wangaratta Chronicle call Laura 5723 0131 lbiglin@nemedia.com.au Ovens & Murray Advertiser call Ellen 5723 0132 efunston@nemedia.com.au
Which flowers do bees really like?
S N ’ D E A R B R A E G D of memories
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TUCKED away on a quiet Wangaratta street is the small, neat and colourful garden of local gardener Debra Coleman. Established over many years, the cottage style garden shows evidence of many different influences, and Debra describes it as a garden of memories. Most of the plants in the garden come from cuttings procured from friends, relatives, neighbours, or people holding open gardens in the area. The garden features a wide range of plants, including lillies, shrubs such as hebe, roses, marigolds, ferns, a bird of paradise plant, and much more. Debra said she takes much of her inspiration from the people around her, as well as her travels, including visits to Bali and South Africa in years past. A worker in the mental health sector, she even has some roses growing in her garden that were grown from cuttings gifted to her by gardeners at Beechworth’s Mayday Hills.
1.
Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 3
4.
1. Relaxing:
5.
Wangaratta’s Debra Coleman in one of the tranquil corners of her cosy garden.
5. Pretty In Pink:
A hippeastrum variety in Debra’s garden.
3. Bright White: 2.
3.
Debra’s gardening tips: ̽ ,I \RX SODQW WKLFNO\ DQG FORVH WRJHWKHU WKHUH LV OHVV QHHG IRU PXOFK DQG LW̾V KDUGHU IRU ZHHGV WR JDLQ D IRRWKROG ̽ :DWHU FRQVHUYDWLRQ LV NH\ LQFOXGLQJ WKH XVH RI ZDWHU WDQNV WR ZDWHU WKH ODZQ DQG JDUGHQ ̽ 'RQ̾W EH DIUDLG WR DVN IULHQGV IDPLO\ DQG RWKHU NHHQ JDUGHQHUV IRU FXWWLQJV RU DGYLFH ̽ 7DNH LQVSLUDWLRQ IURP WKH ZRUOG DURXQG \RX ̽ 'R D OLWWOH ELW RI JDUGHQLQJ HDFK GD\ WR NHHS WKLQJV XQGHU FRQWURO HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR ZHHGV ̽ 7KHUH̾V QRWKLQJ ZURQJ ZLWK D ELW RI WULDO DQG HUURU DQG H[SHULPHQWDWLRQ
A flowering hebe shrub.
4. Green:
Debra said she prefers her garden to have a lush, cottage garden feel.
2. Historic Connections:
This rose was grown from a cutting of a rose in the garden at Mayday Hills.
PHOTOS: Kylie Wilson
$1,500 Home Loan 5HƏQDQFH 2ƍHU1 Switching is easy, it’s easier than you think. Apply online humebank.com.au
1 Hume will waive or pay up to $1,500 of set up costs including application, registration and discharge fees, valuation and settlement costs, but excludes exit or penalty costs incurred from your current provider. ReďŹ nance offer only available on Principal and Interest loan amounts over $100,000. Hume will not cover exit or penalty costs incurred from your current loan provider. This offer may be withdrawn without notice at any time, at which point only approved loans funded within 3 months of the offer end date will continue to be eligible. Interest rates for investment loan purposes and interest only loans will differ. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and normal lending criteria apply. Hume Bank Limited ABN 85 051 868 556 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence No. 244248.
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Page 4 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
G N I N E D R A G R E SUMM
Preparation key to By Maria Wadley, Park Lane Nursery
CHRISTMAS is getting closer, so now is a great time to get your garden ready for any entertaining that you may be doing – or even just so that you can sit back and relax with a cool drink when the hot weather hits. A little bit of work now will mean a happier garden and less work in the months to come. Watering seems to be a never ending requirement at the moment – make sure that you water in the cool of the evening or early in the morning. Watering during the heat of the day is a waste of your time and water. Also remember to give your garden (and potted plants) deep watering less often rather than small amounts more often. Light surface watering encourages feeder roots near the surface, this means that they can dry out and die very easily when the soil dries out. Deep soakings less often will encourage roots to grow deeper and makes plants more resilient in dry weather. There are now products on the market which help to improve water penetration in soil and retain moisture at the root zone.
Blue Heaven | Hydrangeas are among the colourful summer flowering plants currently available at Wangaratta’s Park Lane Nursery.
Seasol Super Soil Wetter and Conditioner is one product which does the job. If you haven’t fed your garden in the last month do so now with a good organic fertiliser, citrus plants are particularly hungry and will be looking for something now. Also feed vegie gardens and fruit trees, a feed now will see them through until autumn
and is important for next season’s fruit production. Feeding with an organic, liquid feed is also a good idea – it acts as a tonic and can help to reduce stress on your plants during the hot weather. Just remember that liquid fertiliser leaches out of your soil very quickly and is
a supplement, not a replacement for a good organic, slow release fertiliser. Mulch is also key in getting your garden through the hot weather, if you haven’t already done so now is the time. Make sure that you give the garden a good drink before you spread the mulch and remove or spray any weeds with a glyphosate spray or vinegar (yes, vinegar) first. The type of mulch you use will depend on your situation and garden needs. There are a number of products ranging from hardwood or pine mulch, stone and gravel, or pea straw and sugarcane mulch etc. Add some colour to your garden with plants that love the hot weather. Salvias flower for months and vary from reds and pinks to blues and purples. Polygalas are one of the hardiest garden plants and flower throughout the year. Portulacas and petunias are great for adding colour to sunny pockets of the garden, or grown in pots. Impatiens are a wonderful way to brighten up shady parts of the garden, also lovely in pots on the veranda or patio. Now with all the hard work done, it’s time to sit back and enjoy.
Wangaratta’s largest range of ornamental, exotic, and native plants from tubestock to advanced plants. ĖĺGarden Care ĖĺPotting Mixes ĖĺGiftware ĖĺWater Features ĖĺPots ĖĺGift Vouchers ĖĺExpert Advice
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ROOF MAINTENANCE essential in protecting your home
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Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 5
KEEPING the roof over your head safe and secure is one of the most important steps in maintaining your home. Problems with your roof that are left unattended can quickly escalate, leading to other problems with your home and costing you thousands of dollars. This is where the expertise of Darren Peters and Rooffix comes in. Darren is a trade qualified roof tiler, and he returned to the trade 14 months ago after spending some time in the concreting industry. Among his most common tasks are demossing roofs and rebedding and repointing roofs to restore them to their former glory, and he advised homeowners to always keep a close eye on the condition of their roofs to avoid smaller problems becoming larger over time. He can also repaint your roof using quality paints. He said his services are in high demand locally and across the region, and he covers the whole North East, including centres from Wangaratta to Euroa and Mansfield, Corryong and Cobram. A born and bred Wangaratta local, Darren
Look Up | If your roof looks like this and is in need of some TLC, Darren Peters and his business Rooffix can help restore it to its
former glory.
said he stands by his work, adding that he is always willing to follow up on his repairs and maintenance to ensure the best outcomes for his customers.
also able to offer a free roof inspection to prospective customers. For more information, contact him on 0428 218 271.
He also has a large selection of secondhand tiles for sale – and whatever he doesn’t have, he can get. Darren Peters is fully insured and is
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Page 6 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
Seasonal Growing Guide SPECIES Amaranth Basil Beans Beetroot Bok Choy Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Capsicum Carrot Chicory Chilli Chives Coriander Cucumber Eggplant Endive
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
5
Top
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tips
for a chemical free house clean WITH the weather warming up, it’s time to open those windows and get cleaning. Using all-natural sanitising products will ensure your home gets the deep clean it needs, while keeping the family and your pets safe. Young Living Australia’s managing director Kristen Tod, gives her top five tips to safely and effectively freshen up your home.
1. Declutter your home from the closet you can make cleaning into a game, then it will be fun for everyone. Create a chore to the pantry. The first step towards
deep cleaning is going through your home and getting rid of everything that you don’t need any more, from old clothes to food. Instead of throwing your unwanted goods away, give them to charity or sell them instead. You will feel better having a simpler household and knowing your used items found a happier home.
2. Deep clean all areas and surfaces in and around your home. Use a powerful yet gentle all-purpose cleaner to wipe down everything from the cabinets to the furniture.
3. Get the kids to help. Having extra hands always makes the job easier and if
chart (or better yet have them make one) and decide upon a reward system. While you are busy tidying up the house, they can toss their old toys or clothes in a bin to be sold or donated, lending you a helping hand.
4. Don’t forget to wash your cleaning supplies. Brooms, vacuums, and cleaning
cloths need love too. Make sure to regularly wash or change your supplies so you don’t accidentally spread more germs while tidying up.
5. Make cleaning quick and convenient with a portable essential oil
spray, ideal for washing up small surfaces. Source: www.youngliving.com.au
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Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 7
Boost your home’s E protection R I F H S BU
THE Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has joined Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA), to urge individuals and communities to have their bushfire plans and their properties ready. While most people living in bushfire-prone areas will have taken steps during the year to ensure they are prepared should their property be threatened, there are some quick and affordable actions people can still take. Research shows that ember attack was the key factor in more than 85 per cent of houses destroyed by bushfire. Many of the measures to prevent ember attack are low-to-moderate cost and easy to act upon, including: ̽ 6HDO JDSV ZLWK MRLQLQJ VWULSV VLOLFRQ Red Hot | Embers are one of the biggest risks to properties during a bushfire. weather strips, draught excluders etc on ̽ $SSO\ D ILUH UHWDUGDQW FRDWLQJ SURGXFW ̽ ,I \RX KDYH DQ HYDSRUDWLYH FRROHU side-hung doors to external timber protect it with a mesh screen ̽ 6HDO YHQWV DQG ZHHS KROHV LQ H[WHUQDO ̽ (QFORVH WKH VXEIORRU RI \RXU KRPH ZLWK ̽ &OHDU OHDYHV IURP JXWWHUV DQG FRQVLGHU walls with corrosion resistant steel, a non-combustible material installing a leaf-guard type product bronze or aluminium mesh ̽ ,QVWDOO VKXWWHUV RU PHWDO IO\VFUHHQV WR made from a non-combustible material ̽ 6HDO DURXQG URRILQJ DQG URRI SHQHWUDWLRQV doors and windows. ̽ &KHFN WKDW \RXU JXWWHUV DUH LQ JRRG - check that it is securely fixed and won’t VBA acting director of technical and condition and will hold water if you block blow off or allow embers into the roof regulation Jeffrey Gilmore said a registered the downpipes space
A solution for every space
building practitioner can advise on whether property owners can retrofit safety elements, and to what extent it is possible before bushfire season is fully upon us. ̸,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKHVH VWHSV URXWLQH building maintenance, vegetation management and the removal of flammable materials close to buildings are important but easy bushfire protection measures you can take,â€? Mr Gilmore said. “For example, where window or door metal shutters are fitted, check that they work before there is an immediate bushfire threat.â€? The VBA and the CFA have produced the Guide to Retrofit Your Home for Better Protection from a Bushfire as practical information for people wishing to upgrade their existing homes to be better protected from bushfires. The guide is for properties up to Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) 29. For more bushfire information, visit the VBA website, or visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au to view or download the &)$ĚľV <RXU *XLGH WR 6XUYLYDO
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Page 8 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
E L B I fabric bowl cover S R E V E R WITH Christmas and the summer barbecue season coming up, this project, which can be easily whipped up in under an hour, is ideal for keeping pests and other nasties from ruining your holiday baking, salads, side dishes or desserts. Because it is fabric, it is easily reuseable and washable , so it can help cut down on your use of plastic wrap, and you can easily make it to match your décor or even the occasion.
They also make useful last minute Christmas presents for the cooks and bakers in your life, and can also help you use up your fabric stash. You can make it with a different design on each side, or use two pieces of the same fabric if you prefer. This design has been made to fit a fairly standard salad/mixing bowl that is nine inches in diameter.
Method:
Materials
:
1.Flip your bowl upside down on the wrong side of the fabric and trace around it, then using a ruler or measuring tape, rough out a second circle about three inches wider all the way around the bowl outline. Cut out your two pieces of fabric around the second circle.
2. With right sides together, sew a seam close to the edge, leaving a few inches unsewn, so that you can turn the fabric circle right side out.
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> Roughly a fat quart er per pie need two ce p – quilting ieces) of your chos (you en fabric fabric wo rk wash the fabric befo s well; it is best to rehand > Tailor’s chalk or p encil > Bowl/s to base yo u r measure > Fabric ment/s on scissors, o r rotary cutt and mat er > Elastic , approxim ate (approx 2 1cm elasti ly 1/2inch wide c fit this b the actua l amount owl, but varies) > Small s afety pin > Thread , to m chosen fa atch or contrast w bric (it wil l be visible ith your > Sewing ) machine 3. Once you have pressed the fabric and turned it right side out, mark about half an inch inwards from the edge and sew around the circumference this is where the elastic will go.
4. Attach your safety pin to the elastic and feed it through the opening you have made, and sew the ends of the elastic together securely when you feed it through to the other end. Pin the opening closed and top stitch around the very edge of your fabric to secure, making sure that you don’t sew over the elastic at any point.
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5. Place over your bowl and admire your hard work.
Finished project
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Y G T outdoor R N E E I C I N F E EF
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Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 9
area an investment
By Letitia Awdjew, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF OUTDOOR SPACES, ULTIMATE ALFRESCO
Why should you invest in an energy efficient alfresco area?
When designing a new outdoor space, whether renovating or adding to an existing home, or incorporating an alfresco into a new home design, you should consider having an energy efficiency approach where possible. Having an energy efficiency approach is an investment. Not only will you save on your energy bills - your home will be far more comfortable throughout the year making it possible to entertain outdoors for most seasons. Plus you will have the peace of mind that you are contributing to a minimal carbon footprint.
What is an energy efficient approach?
Simply put, energy efficient construction requires less energy during the build.
glazing, thermal mass, strategic seasonal planting and solar storage options. The summer westerly sun can be quite KDUVK LQ RXU FOLPDWH DQGbWKH QRUWKHUQ ZLQWHU sun is something to maximise and invite into your space at any opportunity. This means the design of your alfresco VSDFH LV FULWLFDObQRW RQO\ IRU SURGXFW selection but also the orientation of any windows and openings in relation to where the sun is at any given time. At Ultimate Alfresco, we work with the orientation of your chosen alfresco area and provide solutions to ensure we are creating a space that you will enjoy all year ‘round. Aesthetics, practicality and liveability, we take into consideration all elements that make up your alfresco area and design the space to suit your individual needs. Letita has extensive building and industry knowledge in the local area and internationally in property development. She Outdoor Living | Creating an energy efficient outdoor space will keep you comfortable, also holds a Certificate IV in building and while also saving on your power bills and reducing your impact on the environment. construction. For more information about designing It also means your end product (your Even an outdoor alfresco area’s operating ultimate alfresco area) will use less energy energy and comfort levels can be conserved a beautiful and energy efficient alfresco, or questions about alfresco design, email IRUbPDLQWHQDQFH KHDWLQJ DQG FRROLQJ DQG PD[LPLVHG WKURXJKbVRODU SDVVLYH Letitia on letitia@ultimatealfresco.com.au. lighting and ventilation. features like upgraded insulation, double-
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Page 10 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
Good NEIGHBOURS and PROTECTION OF property when building
WITH a strong residential building market, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) reminds those proposing building work that they have obligations under the Building Act 1993 to protect adjoining property from potential damage from their building work. If building work is close, or adjacent, to adjoining property boundaries, protection work may be required in respect of the adjoining property. This is to ensure it is not affected or damaged by the building work. According to the Building Act 1993, ‘adjoining property’ means anything from a street or lane to a highway ‘situated in relation to the site of the proposed building work as to be a risk of significant damage from the building work’. As the name suggests, “protection work” provides protection to adjoining property from damage due to building work, and includes underpinning of adjoining property footings, shoring up of the adjoining property, and overhead protection for adjoining property. When applying for a building permit, the building owner or their agent must provide detailed information about the building work to the relevant building surveyor (RBS), who
“They must give the owner and adjoining owner written notice of the determination,” Mr Gilmore said. (LWKHU RZQHU KDV GD\V LQ ZKLFK WR appeal to the Building Appeals Board (BAB) against the determination. “The owner proposing the building work must ensure a contract of insurance is in force against potential damage from the proposed protection work to the adjoining property, occupiers and the public during the work and for 12 months after completion. “The amount must be agreed between the two owners. “A standard construction and public liability policy will not normally provide the Close Quarters | When renovating or building, you must keep your neighbours in mind. minimum cover required.” A full survey of the adjoining property must be prepared and agreed upon by the ̽ 7KH DGMRLQLQJ RZQHU KDV GD\V IURP will determine if protection work is required. owner with the adjoining owner, recording being served the notice to respond. If they There is a series of steps that must be don’t respond in that time, they are deemed to all existing cracks and defects. Disputes followed: have agreed to the proposed protection work. about insurance cover or the adequacy of the ̽ 2ZQHUV UHTXLUHG WR FDUU\ RXW SURWHFWLRQ survey can be referred to the BAB. VBA Acting Director of Technical and work must serve a notice on the adjoining For more information on protection work Regulation Jeffrey Gilmore said that if owner and provide details of the proposed and other requirements relating to building the adjoining owner disagrees with the protection work. proposed protection work or requests further in Victoria, visit the VBA website at www. ̽ %XLOGLQJ ZRUN PXVW QRW VWDUW XQWLO WKH vba.vic.gov.au or the BAB website at www. information, the RBS must decide whether adjoining owner agrees to the protection buildingappeals.vic.gov.au. work or the RBS makes a determination on it. the building work is appropriate.
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DON ’T make yourself
Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 11
vulnerable to thieves
WITH the festive and summer holiday season fast approaching, it is important to remember not to post information on social media that may make you a target for opportunistic thieves. A 2016 study by GIO showed more than a third of people update their social media accounts with holiday plans, a similar number check in or update while on holidays and many upload photos of their Christmas presents. The study also showed: ̽ 2QH LQ ILYH SHRSOH FKHFNV WKHLU SULYDF\ settings less than once a year or not at all. ̽ 2QH LQ SHRSOH FKHFNV WKHLU SULYDF\ settings less than every six months but at least once a year. ̽ 2QH LQ SHRSOH GRQ̵W NQRZ WKH SULYDF\ status of their accounts. The danger lies in neglecting to check online privacy settings, as well as making it REYLRXV ZKHQ \RX̵UH QRW DW KRPH OHDYLQJ information about your contents and whereabouts accessible to strangers. The New Year is traditionally one of the worst times of the year for break-ins, as post Christmas and New Year sales means gifts
and newly purchased gadgets can be found. It is important for people to regularly check their privacy settings and ensure any new and big tickets items were accounted for in their insurance cover. *,2̵V WRS WLSV WR VHFXUH \RXU SULYDF\ home and contents: ̽ &KHFN DQG XSGDWH \RXU SULYDF\ VHWWLQJV on all of your social media accounts (ie Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc). ̽ *HW D IULHQG RU FROOHDJXH WR WU\ DQG ̴KDFN̵ \RXU SULYDF\ DQG FKHFN ZKDW information is accessible from your social media accounts. ̽ ,QVWDOO DQ DODUP V\VWHP DQG PDNH VXUH you activate it before leaving the house. ̽ 0DNH VXUH \RX XVH \RXU GRRU DQG window locks. ̽ 6WRUH NH\V DQG YDOXDEOHV VXFK DV FDVK jewellery and portable electronics, in a secure location and out of sight. ̽ ,I \RX DUH KHDGLQJ DZD\ DUUDQJH OLJKWV DQG other appliances to run on a timer and ask a trusted neighbour or friend to collect your mail. - Ensure your home and contents insurance details are up to date.
Too Much Information | Relentlessly broadcasting your whereabouts on social media ZKLOH \RX̵UH RQ KROLGD\ FDQ LQFUHDVH WKH OLNHOLKRRG RI \RXU KRPH EHLQJ UREEHG
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Page 12 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
Prevent festive season DEBT hangover
TO help address potential spending issues over the silly season, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission have published tips to assist in managing finances.
you still have credit on, and consider putting this money towards your costs. Gift cards also make good presents for people who are hard to buy for.
Have a clean up
Get social with shopping
Spend a few hours clearing out anything you no longer need around the house, like clothes, books, jewellery, furniture, music, or sporting equipment. You could sell these items online, hold a garage sale, or find a local buy-swap-sell.
If you follow your favourite brands and retailers on social media, you may be able to get exclusive discounts through these social channels.
Master the art of gift hacking
Make a list and check it twice
Make lists of the things you need to buy and the food you need to prepare for the festive season. Having lists will help you plan your spending and keep you on track. Ě˝ 3UHVHQWV 0DNH D OLVW RI ZKR \RXĚľUH buying for, what you want to get them, DQG KRZ PXFK PRQH\ \RXĚľUH SUHSDUHG to spend on each person. Ě˝ (QWHUWDLQPHQW VXSSOLHV /LVW WKH IRRG DQG GULQNV \RXĚľOO QHHG DQG KRZ PXFK you can spend. Ě˝ 7UDYHO SODQV :KHWKHU \RXĚľUH IO\LQJ or driving, there are ways to save on holiday travel costs by comparison VKRSSLQJ DQG UHVHDUFK ,I \RXĚľUH JRLQJ on a driving holiday, work out which day is cheapest to fill up on petrol, and do it the week before Christmas.
‘Tis The Season | Be practical this festive season to avoid overstretching yourself. Personalise your cards and wrapping
This year, instead of spending your hardearned cash on shop-bought cards that will only end up in the recycling bin, why not send your family and friends greetings they will want to keep? You could: Ě˝ 8VH D IDYRXULWH SKRWR WR FUHDWH D personalised photo card Ě˝ ,I \RX KDYH NLGV JLYH WKHP VRPH SDSHU and get them to draw or paint pictures that you can use to create special cards Ě˝ 5HFRUG D YLGHR PHVVDJH RQ \RXU VPDUWSKRQH RU L3DG DQG HPDLO LW WR \RXU family and friends
KITCHENS
Ě˝ :ULWH D OHWWHU WR \RXU ORYHG RQHV LQVWHDG of sending a card. 5HWKLQN \RXU ZUDSSLQJ E\ EX\LQJ EURZQ paper and string, or just use plain coloured paper to wrap your presents, and you can avoid pricey Christmas wrapping and can use the excess during the year to wrap other gifts.
Be a scrooge online ,I \RXĚľUH VKRSSLQJ RQOLQH ORRN IRU ZD\V to save every cent you can by doing a web search for discount or coupon codes that you can use at the checkout, comparison shopping and nabbing offers on social media.
Grab your gift cards
Check the expiry date on any gift cards
You can show you care, while keeping a lid on your spending by: Ě˝ $JUHHLQJ RQ D VSHQGLQJ OLPLW Ě˝ 7DONLQJ WR RWKHUV LQ WKH IDPLO\ DERXW RQO\ buying presents for the kids Ě˝ &RQVLGHU UHGHHPDEOH YRXFKHUV IRU WDVNV like babysitting, massages, picnics, homemade dinners or even housework. Ě˝ 7DNH DGYDQWDJH RI VDOHV WKURXJKRXW WKH year to buy gifts early. Ě˝ &RPSDUH RIIHUV Ě˝ )LQG VHFRQG KDQG RU YLQWDJH EDUJDLQV
Track your spending
Keeping track of your festive spending is the best way to avoid going over your budget this season. ASIC have made available to the public an app that tracks your spending. You FDQ GRZQORDG WKH $6,& 7UDFN0\63(1' app from the Apple App Store and Android Google play.
GET NOTICED!
LAUNDRIES VANITIES
If your business supplies retail or commercial goods and services to this market place, then this is the publication for you!
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Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 13
Don’t play RENOVATION roulette
WITH November being National Asbestos Awareness Month, National Asbestos Awareness campaign ambassador John Jarratt is urging Australians not to play “renovation roulette” where asbestos is concerned. After losing his great mate and fellow actor Harold Hopkins to mesothelioma caused from inhaling asbestos fibres when he was young, Jarratt has been a dedicated campaigner and Asbestos Awareness Ambassador raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos among homeowners, renovators and tradies since 2012. “Most Australians believe that asbestosrelated diseases are a thing of the past, but they couldn’t be more wrong. “Today, asbestos poses just as much a risk to the health of Australians as ever before,” said Jarratt. “Each week 13 Australians die of asbestos-related diseases - 12 from malignant mesothelioma - another 13 are diagnosed with this incurable cancer that can develop 20-50 years after exposure to asbestos fibres. “There is no cure and the average survival time is just 10-12 months after diagnosis. “Asbestos was used in the manufacture of a broad range of products, including under floor coverings including carpets,
Look Out | Be on the lookout for asbestos when planning and undertaking renovations. linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, extensions to homes, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels. “Many products remain lurking in homes including brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes so it’s vital that anyone
contemplating renovations or maintenance visit asbestosawareness.com.au to learn what they need to know to manage asbestos safely,” he said. Kathryn Heiler, chair of the Asbestos Education Committee said, “Although there’s no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres, what we do know is that the greater the exposure, the greater the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. “If sealed, in good condition and left
undisturbed, asbestos is not believed to pose a health risk. “However, if asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during renovations or maintenance and fibres are released that can be inhaled, this can cause asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma,” she said. “Currently, while identifying, removing and disposing of all ACMs from every Australian home isn’t feasible, if homeowners wish to remove these products we encourage them to play it safe and use a licensed asbestos removalist who has the knowledge and qualifications to remove asbestos safely,” Ms Heiler said. To help protect themselves and families from exposure to asbestos fibres, people can also download the ‘Asbestos Awareness Healthy House Checklist’ – a simple step-by-step guide on how to conduct a visual inspection of a home to ensure any suspected asbestos is identified and can be managed safely. Australia’s national Asbestos Awareness Month campaign is the initiative of the Asbestos Education Committee working in partnership with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute and the Heads of Asbestos Coordination Authorities. For more information, visit asbestosawareness.com.au.
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Page 14 - Home & Garden Summer 2017
Use a plumber with credentials to install air conditioning :,7+ DQRWKHU KRW VXPPHU LQ WKH RIͤ QJ PDQ\ 9LFWRULDQ KRPHRZQHUV DUH FRQVLGHULQJ LQVWDOOLQJ DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ WR NHHS FRRO DQG comfortable. $XVWUDOLDQ %XUHDX RI 6WDWLVWLFV ͤ JXUHV show that nearly half of Australian households cool their homes use reverse F\FOH DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ $SSUR[LPDWHO\ SHU FHQW XVH UHIULJHUDWHG DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ DQG SHU FHQW XVH HYDSRUDWLYH V\VWHPV 7KH 9LFWRULDQ %XLOGLQJ $XWKRULW\ 9%$ ZKLFK UHJXODWHV WKH EXLOGLQJ DQG SOXPELQJ LQGXVWULHV UHPLQGV KRPHRZQHUV WKDW DLU conditioners must be installed by an DSSURSULDWHO\ OLFHQVHG RU UHJLVWHUHG SOXPELQJ SUDFWLWLRQHU 9%$ GLUHFWRU RI OLFHQVLQJ DQG UHJLVWUDWLRQ -HII *LOPRUH VDLG LW ZDV LPSRUWDQW KRPHRZQHUV XQGHUVWDQG WKHLU ULJKWV DV FRQVXPHUV DQG WKH REOLJDWLRQV RI WKRVH LQVWDOOLQJ DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ ̸0DQ\ V\VWHPV SXUFKDVHG IURP ODUJH UHWDLOHUV ZLOO LQFOXGH WKH RSWLRQ RI LQVWDOODWLRQ LQ WKH SULFH EXW VRPH SHRSOH ZLVK WR DUUDQJH LQVWDOODWLRQ WKHPVHOYHV ̹ VD\V 0U *LOPRUH ̸,QVWDOOLQJ DQ DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ V\VWHP LV not a do it yourself job – you must use a SOXPEHU ZKR LV OLFHQVHG RU UHJLVWHUHG LQ WKH DSSURSULDWH FODVV RI SOXPELQJ WR FDUU\ RXW WKH ZRUN
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T your new C E P S N I home before you buy
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Home & Garden Summer 2017 - Page 15
THE Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is encouraging prospective homebuyers to do their homework before making a bid. This means that, in addition to arranging finance and closely reviewing the contract and related purchase documents, people should organise a pre-purchase inspection by a registered building practitioner who offers the service. Doing so will help in making an informed decision on what is invariably one of life’s largest financial commitments. Homebuyers can find an appropriately registered building practitioner via the ‘Find a Practitioner’ link on the VBA website. Further information about pre-purchase inspections can be found on the Victorian Government building tool www.building.vic. gov.au. VBA director of enquiries, inspections and complaints Murray Smith said that by arranging a professional inspection, prospective buyers can help make sure the home is safe and meets building regulations. “Building surveyors, building inspectors and
Get Informed | Some information on pre-purchase inspections is available online. architects are appropriately trained to carry out home pre-inspections,” Mr Smith said. “While a pre-purchase inspection will cost you money, it can save you from nasty and often costly surprise repairs down the track. “Cracks in brickwork and plaster, mould, rising damp and structural wear and tear can
be hidden by a fresh plaster and paint job that may only be discernible to the trained eye; sloping and springy floors may mean restumping is required; and a sagging roof can indicate structural problems.” Mr Smith said that an inspection can help home purchasers know what they
are buying and help them understand maintenance they may need to carry out. This can be factored into the price they are prepared to pay for the property. A pre-purchase inspection should review the dwelling from top to bottom, including the roof space and sub-floor, if accessible. Consumer Affairs Victoria, through the building tool, advises consumers of the merits of having a pest inspection as part of a pre-purchase check. It also recommends checking whether the property is in a bushfire-prone area. “While the pre-inspection report provides you with a great deal of information, owners should take other precautionary measures,” said Mr Smith. “Checking the history of the building, including whether building permits were issued for all building work on the property, such as renovations, is recommended.” To find an appropriately registered building practitioner for your inspection, visit the VBA website www.vba.vic.gov.au, or for general information on pre-purchase inspections, visit www.building.vic.gov.au.
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