NORTH EAST BREWERS STEP BEYOND THE FROTH AND BUBBLE
$5.50 (INC. GST)
AND SARAH CROTHERS, WITH BABY SPENCER, CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE KING VALLEY AT LUSSO KV
How do you rate your smile from a scale of 1 to 10?
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At Michelson’s Dental Surgery, maybe we can help!
Here at Michelson’s, we have been recreating smiles from top to bottom.
We use a dental-facial aesthetic approach to complete smile makeovers for our clients. Our professional dental team have a trained eye for detail and can tailor a treatment plan that not only accounts for your teeth and gums, but to compliment your face. Our clients leave our doors grinning from ear to ear now that they have realised it is possible to have the “Instagram smile”.
At Michelson’s, our professional dentists and hygienist work together to offer dental treatments from Orthodontics (Braces); crown and bridgework; whitening, aesthetic fillings; veneers; implant restorations; and even anti-wrinkle treatments!
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Saturday 3rd + Sunday 4th March
day one day two
Hygain Ladies Day is all about the ladies (although thousands
The Reality Fine Clothing Ladies Marquee King Valley Lawn Enclosure.
From her remote hometown of Finley in country NSW, Year 10 student and aspiring athlete, Leia Varley, enrolled at the Wesley College Learning in Residence boarding facility in Melbourne. A passionate soccer player, shotput and discus athlete, Leia is a Learning in Residence scholarship recipient and was drawn to the vast sporting opportunities available at the College.
Prior to her transition to Learning in Residence, Leia’s sports training commitments required a daily six-hour commute. She now has full access to the state-ofthe-art sporting facilities at Wesley’s Glen Waverley campus, with close proximity to public transport and private daily transportation to her soccer training, arranged by the College. She is currently in Football Federation Victoria's National Training Centre Program, playing for the State team, and the Under 17’s NSW Athletics Target Talent Program.
Leia was surprised at how different Wesley’s Learning in Residence is from traditional boarding schools. ‘We live within a diverse and close-knit community, where mentors are always available to offer academic and pastoral support and care.’
The innovative design of the facility, created by Cox Architecture, reflects the importance of social engagement within the learning process. Each house is comprised of eight twin-share student bedrooms
with en suite bathrooms and mentor living quarters. As Leia shares, ‘It has an open and modern feel, where we really feel comfortable and at home.’
Upon completing her schooling, Leia aspires to play soccer for an overseas College and compete at the World U20 Athletics Championships in 2020.
Wesley College’s Learning in Residence is a supportive and inclusive purpose-built residence for Senior School students (Years 10–12), who come from rural and regional Australia, metropolitan Melbourne and international locations.
Boarding Scholarships are available for students in Years 10 and 11. To find out more visit www. wesleycollege.net/scholarships, or to book a tour of the facilities, call 03 8102 6508 or email admissions@wesleycollege.net
Formerly known as The Laurel, the Mitta Pub was built in the mid to late 1800’s. It was originally a weatherboard building owned by Barnett and Douglas. Left abandoned for years, it became a derelict building for cattle to wander around and children to play in.
George Lewis came along and took up The Laurel again with the front brick portion of the pub being erected by Mrs. Elizabeth Craig in 1906.
The Laurel was one of three pubs to be built in Mitta. The Junction, which was later destroyed by fire and the Bridge Hotel, which was de-licensed in 1949 and then became a guesthouse. All three pubs were built in an era of cattlemen, loggers and miners.
The Laurel or Mitta Pub to this day is a place to visit.
The Mitta Pub is one of the North East’s true iconic watering holes. Providing a great destination for a day out all year round. Warm and cosy open fires for the winter months and cool mountain breezes for the summer. An extensive wine list and hearty meals keep the atmosphere inviting and provide a comforting stop all year.
The beautiful dining room overlooking Snowy Creek provides the perfect spot for enjoying a few cold beers or glass of North East Victoria’s local wines. Set in bush surrounds, backing on to Paddy’s Reserve and the beautiful Snowy Creek, the Mitta Pub offers a relaxing meal and a drink to everyone visiting the Mitta Valley. The pub offers good quality facilities while keeping much of its historic charm.
Chef Heather Smith creates an exciting and diverse range of dining experiences, her policy of using fresh and wholesome produce synonymous with the Mitta Valley enhances traditional Pub style meals while highlighting some of the more modern dining suggestions.
The Pub consists of a variety of accommodation rooms offering guests a relaxing stay, enhanced by old fashioned customer service.
The Pub and Mitta Mitta attract a very diverse mixture of patrons being a very popular destination for fisherman and nature lovers, campers and caravaners, families and travellers eager to experience the hospitality of a friendly country pub.
We hope you have a wonderful time in our little piece of paradise
www.mittapub.com 02 6072 3541
Myer Centrepoint – Albury CBD shopping at its best Anchored by Myer and Woolworths which are perfect for your everyday needs, you will also discover over 60 fashion, services and delicious food options on offer.
With something for the whole family, including Colette, Decjuba, Factorie, Forever New, Lorna Jane, Portmans, Smiggle, Strandbags, Tarocash, Witchery, Y.D. plus Seed, Cue, Metalicus, Veronika Maine and many more great brands within Myer – all set amid a bright, light and friendly atmosphere under the one roof, ensures an enjoyable shopping experience you will want to experience!
See you at Myer Centrepoint, open 7 days a week.
18
DHUNGALA AT RUTHERGLEN
A new exhibition space has created the ideal environment to showcase a treasured collection of contemporary Aboriginal art.
24 HOPE BORNE FROM DESPAIR
From a 10 year old counting dead bodies in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal, to a respected North East cultural advocate, Teju Chouhan has experienced an amazing life turnaround.
30 CUSTODIAN OF HISTORY
Val Gleeson’s Wangaratta recollections could fill a history book – but she doesn’t have time to write it.
34 LUXURY IN THE VALLEY
Trent and Sarah Crothers have captured the essence of the King Valley in their contemporary designed accommodation.
40 BREWING REVOLUTION
Strip beer down to its component parts and it’s pure chemistry. But North East brewers are stepping way beyond froth and bubble.
52 THE GOOD EARTH
Delatite Winery’s David Ritchie is applying the principles of biodynamics to produce quality fruit and ensure the sustainability of his Mansfield vineyard.
62
RIPE TIME FOR RUTHERGLEN
Chef Gavin Swalwell and partner Fiona Myers are spreading their wings and building a delicious new food-based business in the town that has supported them all the way.
68 PLANTING THE SEED
Sharan and Jay Rivett are introducing savvy consumers to the health benefits of pumpkin seeds from their home base in Ovens.
72 THE RENAISSANCE OF CHILTERN
A small town steeped in history has reinvented itself, and both new residents, business owners and a growing number of visitors are reaping the benefits.
80 NORTH EAST BRIDE & GROOM
88 ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Members of the Ovens Valley Horse Riders Association share a passion for horses while exploring the local landscape.
94 MURDER IN THE HIGH COUNTRY
Friends of Wonnangatta Valley are among those commemorating 100 years since John Bamford and James Barclay were found dead.
100 BEECHWORTH’S NATURAL TREASURE
The Beechworth Gorge is a great place to explore on foot to experience its majesty and natural beauty.
106 ALWAYS A LOCAL Labor Upper House Member of Parliament, Jaclyn Symes.
to our sixth edition of North East Living magazine.
They say a hard earned thirst deserves a big, cold beer and it seems there is no where better to find a delicious new handcrafted brew than North East Victoria. Summer is the ideal time of year to explore the region’s developing brew road where artisan producers are setting a new benchmark in quality beer making.
But if you’d rather chill out with a cool climate wine, you may want to head to the high country where David Ritchie is pushing the boundaries and embracing the principles of biodynamics to produce his Delatite wine range.
Members of the Ovens Valley Horse Riders Association are as at home in the high country as they are in the valleys, sharing a passion for horses and a sense of adventure.
While the small town of Chiltern is home to some impressive examples of period architecture, it seems it’s the people and the strong sense of community helping the town transition towards the future.
Also in this edition, creative pair Trent and Sarah Crothers show us inside the stunning property they’ve designed and built in the King Valley, which takes inspiration from one of the region’s most recognisable structures.
We also hear the remarkable story of Teju Chouhan who has harnessed life experiences many of us would find hard to imagine, to promote cultural harmony in his adopted home town of Wodonga and beyond.
We hope you’ll find plenty to entertain and inspire in the Summer edition.
Jeff Zeuschner | EDITORJeff Zeuschner (jzeuschner@nemedia.com.au)
Anita McPherson (amcpherson@nemedia.com.au)
Anita McPherson, Shane Douthie, Marc Bongers, Emma Hillier, Jarrah Loh, Jamie Kronborg, Simone Kerwin, Steve Kelly, Kylie Wilson, Samantha Dick, Steve Vivian, Justin Jenvey, Luke Plummer, Ken Rainsbury.
Bridge Road Brewery, Blizzard Brewing Company, Bright Brewery, Jamie Ivan Durrant, Val Gleeson, Business Victoria, Brad Worrall, Georgie James Photography, Gary Boseley/Boss Photography, Keith Leydon, Jaclyn Symes, Teju Chouhan.
Trent and Sarah Crothers at Lusso KV.
Ellen Funston, Warren Rickard, Laura Biglin, Danni Chubb, Ian Pople. sales@nemedia.com.au
Rosalee O’Neil and NEM Creative team – nemcreative.com.au. (Noelene Allan, Neil Ellis, Emma Johnson, Abbey Truelsen, Melissa Beattie, Chris Febvre, Vanida O’Brien, Kylie Hughes, Peter Frezzini).
Belinda Harrison - bharrison@nemedia.com.au
No material, artwork or photos may be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. North East Living magazine takes care in compiling content but cannot accept responsibility for any errors. Every effort is made to confirm events and calendar dates however dates can change and errors may occur.
North East Living magazine is published tri-annually by North East Media Pty Ltd. Copyright © 2017
Hartley Higgins
Terry Harding - tharding@nemedia.com.au
37 Rowan St, Wangaratta Phone: (03) 5723 0100
98 High St, Mansfield Phone: (03) 5775 2115
The Autumn 2018 edition of North East Living magazine will hit shelves on March 30. For all enquiries including being involved in the next edition or where you can pick up a copy of our publication please contact the team at North East Living magazine on (03) 5723 0100 or at sales@nemedia.com.au.
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Give us a call or drop in for a chat today. Built for your lifestyle. Built for your lifestyle.
It’s your new home, so you’ll want it to reflect your lifestyle, your tastes and your budget.
Welcome home.
December 26
For sixty-four years Myrtleford has hosted the Myrtleford Golden Spurs Rodeo on Boxing Day at the picturesque Myrtleford Showgrounds. The rodeo has become a tradition for many local families and visitors to the North East and is the first in the Australian Professional Rodeo Association Summer Series. www.myrtlefordrodeo.com.au
January 6
Dederang
The Dederang Picnic Races are a wonderful way for friends and family to relax and unwind after the festive season and features a sixrace program with the feature event being the Milestone Dederang Cup all broadcast on the CRV big screen to provide full racing coverage. country.racing.com/Dederang
January 20
This popular classical outdoor concert held in the magnificent heritage town of Beechworth has gained its high reputation due to the talent involved. This year the artists include Mark Vincent, winner of Australia’s Got Talent; James Morrison, one of Australia’s most extraordinary musical talents; and Anna Voshege, the dazzling young Australian soprano currently taking Europe by storm. www.australianmusicevents.com.au/ opera-in-the-alps/event-details/
Carols by Candlelight (Wangaratta) 10
Myrtleford Farmers Market Christmas Twilight Market (Myrtleford) 22
Golden Spurs Rodeo (Myrtleford) 26
Bright Art Gallery Summer Exhibition (Bright) Until January 29
New Year’s Eve Dinner Plain (Dinner Plain) 31
JANUARY
Henry Handel Richardson Birthday celebrations (Chiltern) 3
Bright Rotary New Year Twilight Market (Bright) 4
Myrtleford Bush Market (Myrtleford) 5
Dederang Picnic Races (Dederang) 6
A day on the green (Nagambie) 13
Opera in The Alps (Beechworth) 20
Flickerfest Short Film Festival (Dinner Plain) 26
Beechworth Music Festival (Beechworth) 26-27
Audax Alpine Classic and Bonjour Bright (Bright) 27
Falls Creek Dragon Boat Regatta (Falls Creek) 27
FEBRUARY
Ales on the Ovens (Wangaratta) 3
Adventure Travel Film Festival (Bright) 9-11
Tolmie Sports (Tolmie) 10
Oscars 100 Hut2Hut (Mt Buller) 16-18
Lake Hume Cycling Challenge (Albury) 24
MARCH
Wangaratta Cup (Wangaratta) 3-4
Brighter Days Festival (Bright) 9-11
Merrijig Twilight Rodeo (Merrijig) 10
Myrtleford Festival (Myrtleford) 10-12
Tastes of Rutherglen (Rutherglen) 10-11
GT Bike Buller Festival (Mt Buller) 10-12
Chiltern Pro Rodeo (Chiltern) 11
A day on the green (Wahgunyah) 17
Yackandandah Folk Festival (Yackandandah) 23-25
February 24
Albury-Wodonga
Border residents and keen cyclists from around the region are being challenged to get on their bikes and help raise money for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre. The 2018 Johnsons MME Lake Hume Cycle Challenge, will offer rides for all ages and fitness levels. lakehumecyclechallenge.com.au
March 10 12 to
Mt Buller
This event will see three massive days of mountain bike racing on Mt Buller’s internationally-recognised trails. The mighty 10th edition of the event features a packed schedule of racing for all types of riders, including downhill, gravity enduro and cross country races, as well as spectator and kids events. bikebuller.com
March 10 11 to
Tastes of Rutherglen is an annual food and wine festival like no other: a family-friendly progressive feast featuring the region’s best produce. Considered the ultimate gourmet adventure, wine-lovers are encouraged to taste, sip and savour Rutherglen’s many flavours and varietals as they move from cellar-door to cellardoor discovering new wines, fresh tastes and beautiful experiences along the way. www.tastesofrutherglen.com.au
Heel pain is a “Catch all term” for any condition that can occur around the heel. The most common of these conditions is known as Plantar Fasciitis. Pain from Plantar Fasciitis is most severe your feet in the morning or after resting.
SHOCK
ON a day when the temperature has hit 30 degrees before lunchtime, two wine lovers enter Rutherglen Estates’ recently renovated cellar door looking for a place to take a break and cool off.
The gentlemen are pleasantly surprised by what they see within the historic 1880s building, heads swivelling around as they try to take it all in.
Then they stop and take a step back to absorb the triptych artwork “Special River Different Sacred Sites” by Craig Charles, which can’t help but catch the eye with its bold, vegetal green colour and swathes of bright white paint.
It hangs opposite the venue’s new and thoroughly contemporary tasting counter, where they soon head to sample the range, starting with some of the refreshing, aromatic whites.
They’re on holiday and dressed appropriately for the season in shorts and t-shirts, but still don’t appear out of place in what is now a part cellar door, part dedicated exhibitions gallery.
And that’s exactly what Rutherglen Estates general manager and chief winemaker, Marc Scalzo, was hoping for.
The Aboriginal Exhibitions Gallery at Rutherglen Estates celebrated its official opening at the end of October, much to the delight of founders Marc Scalzo, curator Jamie Ivan Durrant and the gallery’s director, art collector Hans Sip.
Those attending were the first to experience what the team describes as a natural harmony of wine, art and cultural heritage, and a new landmark for Rutherglen.
“The opening was amazing and it has far exceeded everyone’s expectations,” said Marc.
“We were happy when it was finished but when you finally start to get people through, especially some of the media - when they come in and go ‘wow, I wasn’t expecting this’ - it’s really nice.”
“It’s quite a soothing space – the whole plan was to get people to come in, relax and to slow down and I think it’s doing that.”
The Aboriginal Exhibitions Gallery has been about 18 months in development, initiated by a casual conversation between Marc and his friend, publisher Jamie Durrant.
Marc’s initial plan was to renovate the cellar door they already had, but he decided on taking a literally different direction.
“I’d always loved the room next door (behind the original cellar door) with its old ceiling, rustic beams and the concrete floors,” he said.
“One of the first people I showed was Jamie - I knew I was going to put in a long counter on the side and I was just looking for some artwork for the other wall.
“I wanted his opinion because he’s so involved in the local industry.”
Jamie agreed it was a beautiful space and went away – only to come back two weeks later with a proposal to source art from a collector in Melbourne who had over 600 pieces hiding in his garage he wanted to share with the world.
Marc headed to Melbourne to have a look and was blown away by the extent and quality of the collection.
It is owned by Hans Sip and includes contemporary Aboriginal artwork in all forms, from paintings and prints to a broad range of artefacts. >>
Each piece was created by artists from all over Australia including the regions of Cape York and Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Palm Island in Queensland, the Kimberley and Fitzroy River in Western Australia, the central and western deserts, Tiwi Islands, South Australia and Victoria.
Marc came back, showed his team the art he had seen and they were immediately on board, and once Hans had seen the new venue which would showcase his collection, he was sold.
“Jamie was pleased it was going to be in our region, rather than hidden in a gallery in Melbourne, which would hopefully attract more people to the area,” said Marc.
“It’s something a little bit different but it’s also a substantial and important collection that people seem to be prepared to travel to see, from as far away as Sydney and Melbourne.”
The first of an exhibition series changing quarterly at the gallery, all drawn from the collection of Hans Sip, is “Dhungala” featuring Latje Latje and Yorta Yorta artists, Trevor “Turbo” Brown and Craig Charles.
It celebrates the artists’ close, personal connection to the Murray River as well as the friendship they shared.
Jamie Durrant has described the artists’ spiritual connection to Country and its animals as being evident in the paintings, showcasing some of the finest examples of story-telling works produced by both painters.
And as both have passed on, the exhibition also marked a fitting tribute in memory of Turbo and Craig.
Dhungala features over 40 paintings selected from 50 of the
pair’s works in the Hans Sip collection and is notable as one of the largest Aboriginal group exhibitions ever to be exhibited in regional Victoria.
Marc said visitors to the new gallery have expressed genuine surprise when they walk through the doors.
“We are showcasing contemporary Aboriginal artwork, rather than the more traditional styles, such as dot paintings, many are used to seeing,” he said.
“And it was important to us to make sure it wasn’t a pretentious space or in any way overwhelming – we wanted even those people who are camping on the Murray, or just passing through town, to feel free to come in.
“I was very keen to emphasise (to the builders) that people have to feel comfortable standing there and I think that has worked.”
Transforming an historic building took time, with a number of challenges encountered along the way, but Marc said he always believed that working with what was already there, rather than rebuilding, would achieve a better result.
“It’s been a long process but it has been an exciting one and we’re really happy with the way it has come together,” he said.
The cellar door has been reconfigured to stretch back from grand double doors toward the rear of the building where the former storage space has been converted into a sizeable, purpose-built gallery space which will have bench seating.
It was a conscious decision to preserve the character of the old building, tidying it up, patching and painting the walls white but keeping the chunky and rustic feature timber. >>
High end local tradespeople were engaged by the project team who they knew would “have patience” and treat the old building with respect, the cabinet maker realising Marc’s dream for a long, soaring counter along one side.
Then a purpose-designed lighting system was added, leaving the room bathed in ambient, subdued warmth but strongly illuminating the striking artworks that now grace the walls.
“I think many people were surprised by the contemporary nature of it all,” said Marc.
“The building is historic, but the contemporary lighting and modern fitout work beautifully and the art itself is also contemporary and not the traditional paintings people expect –with such vibrant colours but still telling lovely stories.
“It’s something I’ve always been pretty excited about – I couldn’t wait to get it up on the walls because I knew it would fit perfectly.”
Marc hopes the new art and tasting environment, accompanied
by a recent revitalisation of business branding, will complement a continuing growth in respect and appreciation for Rutherglen Estates fine wine.
“It’s all come together – more and more we’re being considered serious players in Rutherglen,” he said.
“It was one of those things that just sort of worked – it was the opportunity of a lifetime to do something as beautiful as this.”
Marc said there are plans to host wine and art appreciation nights in the evenings during the holiday season, offering the opportunity for visitors to enjoy wine, canapes and learn a little about the artwork in a totally relaxed environment.
And as far as future exhibitions go there is talk the next one may showcase the artwork of Aboriginal women – but with a more than apt twist on the old saying, there has never been a better reason to “watch this space”.
Dhungala – Trevor ‘Turbo’ Brown and Craig Charles will run until mid February, before the next exhibition begins.
From a 10 year old counting dead bodies in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal, to a respected North East cultural advocate, Teju Chouhan has experienced an amazing life turnaround.
TEJU Chouhan’s life is a lesson in gratitude for a world that often struggles to take a step back and consider the positives. You could forgive the Wodonga man for displaying a certain level of bitterness or cynicism after spending his formative years in a refugee camp in Nepal as a result of ethnic cleansing in his native Bhutan, but there is none.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Teju has harnessed life experiences, including his relocation to Australia, to promote cultural harmony in his adopted North East community, and works to help young people take advantage of educational opportunities.
His contribution to the region, where he lives with wife Rekha and the couple’s two year old daughter Grace, was recognised in January when he was named Wodonga’s Citizen of the Year. Despite his natural inclination to look to the future, even Teju can appreciate the enormous turnaround signposted by that award.
Consider that he spent 17 years from the age of 10 in the refugee camp, where one of his pastimes was counting the dead bodies on the river bank, amassed due to the poor sanitary conditions.
Consider also that he was there because his country’s government believed his Nepalese speaking community from the south of Bhutan, the Lhotshampa, “did not integrate well into the community”.
“Though I was a child and didn’t really know what was going
on, I could sense there was some trouble happening, and I think I had that sense of being marginalised,” he said.
Teju said the Bhutanese government tried a series of ways to achieve its “one value, one people policy” in the late 1980s, including offering “generous bonuses” to those who married women from the Drukpa lineage, the dominant state and school religion in Bhutan.
“What it meant for us, for my family, was that we had to adopt traditional Bhutanese culture, and if we didn’t, we were outcasts,” he said.
“Our language was banned, and we were asked to wear typical national dress in public places. I would describe it as cultural intrusion – almost like ‘go back to where you came from’. It was a systemic approach to make you feel you didn’t belong.”
Teju was still in primary school when his family tried to leave the country.
“We went into India, which is Bhutan’s big brother, but Tibetan refugees in India have issues already, so they didn’t want another refugee crisis,” he said.
“The memories of that time are still fresh, though being a 10 year old boy, I liked adventures. We were moving from one place to another, and it seemed like an adventure, not knowing the gravity of the situation.
“We took refuge in India with some of our friends and set up camps, then we were moved on forcibly.” >>
“When you are in a challenging situation, when you see chaos everywhere, you accept this is part of your new reality, a bit of fishing, sitting by the river, and spending time counting the dead bodies.”
- TEJU CHOUHAN
When the family settled in the Nepalese camp that would become their home, after relocating from a temporary camp, conditions were difficult for Teju, his parents, four brothers and three sisters.
“In terms of housing, sanitation, and health issues, it was very cramped and unorganised in the camp, with makeshift huts offering a small space for a family of eight children. But as a kid in a camp by the river, you would go fishing, and there were lots of kids to play with, so you would just go about exploring the place because it was new to you,” he said.
“When you are in a challenging situation, when you see chaos everywhere, you accept this is part of your new reality, a bit of fishing, sitting by the river, and spending time counting the dead bodies. One particular day, I counted 35 bodies, there because of the poor health and lack of food in the camp. People were dying of dysentery and influenza, things that would have been avoidable if there was timely medical intervention, and obviously of malnutrition.
“Given where I was, you didn’t have that hope of getting out of the camp. You felt like you were stuck forever, and you began to accept that reality, that you belonged there, and you couldn’t dream big, you didn’t have a future; a real feeling of
hopelessness, you just surrendered.”
However, part of Teju fought for a better way - sparked mainly by his education in the camp school.
“There were times when I would put my hand on any classic novels, anything I could get my hands on, and I would devour them. You find a lot of time on your hands in the camp, and that was the only thing that provided you with a safe space and the inspiration to keep going. Then came the hope to think there might be something more,” he said.
Though opportunities were limited, Teju found work as a volunteer teacher after finishing year 10, and then earned a scholarship from the Australian government to complete his college education (VCE equivalent) outside the camp.
“That was when my horizons expanded, and I had a more conscious judgement as to what I could possibly do to support my community,” he said.
As he grew and learnt more about the world around him, Teju began to realise the need to raise awareness of conditions in the camp, even starting a newspaper called The Bhutan Reporter in his late teens.
“There were times when there was a bit of help and support
from aid agencies, but their patience was running out. People were being told, you have an illness, but we can’t treat you. That was when I stepped up and did news stories about the bad things people were going through in the camp,” he said.
“We had a group of young people who felt we didn’t belong there, and should act if we could to make a little difference in people’s lives. The newspaper was a huge project for us. There were times when we felt we had some impact, and others when we felt we were not making any difference at all. You would see people dying and suffering, so many people in that situation.
“There were times when the camp was gutted by fire, or flooded, and people would need supplies; we didn’t have a decent library in the camp, and we would look for support to get more books and facilities.
“I approached an FM radio station in Kathmandu, saying that people were desperate about their future, and felt there was no hope in sight. That was when I started advocating about the need for a solution to the crisis, and practising radio journalism.
I thought that was another way I could make people aware of what was happening. My focus was to inform people, and bring real life stories to embassies and agencies.”
At the end of 2007, Human Rights Watch determined the best path forward was to resettle most of the 108,000 Bhutanese refugees.
“The US government pledged to take 60,000 refugees, and other countries including Australia followed. People asked for expressions of interest to resettle. It took about a year for my brother and myself to get to Australia,” Teju said.
“I was happy to come here, that was the happiest time in my life; though you had very little knowledge about the country, you knew you were going to a better place, where you would have certainty, and if you strive you can achieve something.
“I was overwhelmed when I got here – there was a whole community of people at the airport, people with flowers, and it was hard to believe this was happening to me. We were picked up in a car, driven to our accommodation and told, ‘This is your house’. It was very hard to comprehend, that you have a house, your own bed; I kept pinching myself thinking, ‘Is this all real?’”
Teju began his life in Australia as an interpreter, moving on to other roles assisting new Australians. Later, he became president of the Border’s Bhutanese Association, and was inaugural chairman of the Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council, established in 2014. >>
He became an Australian citizen in 2015, and now works as a transition officer at Wodonga Senior Secondary College, helping migrant students and refugees.
“It is really satisfying; you can empathise with them about how hard it is to start in a new country, but also let them know what worked for you,” he said.
Teju’s most obvious example of the change in his life is his daughter.
“She has a lot to look forward to, a great future ahead. She is bi-lingual, we are putting a lot of work into that, and is very keen on music and dancing. She’s a risk-taker, and is already into physical sport. Compared with where I’ve come from, there is a different mindset people have about girls and what they can do, and that is wonderful. Here, it is equal for boys and girls,” he said.
“Australia really is the land of opportunity, though having lived here for a little while, even I can sometimes take things for
granted. But when people have the opportunity to have one-onone conversations with others about their life experiences, they start to appreciate even more what they have here.
“In the space of eight or nine years, what I’ve achieved wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Australia and this community. There is a real optimism about where I am now and what the future holds for Grace, and the opportunities I have been provided across Albury and Wodonga.
“The best thing is when you bring people together and have conversations - great things can happen, and we need to create more of those opportunities. We are hoping to create a welcome centre here, a space where new settlers and all Australians can come together and learn from each other. That is my dream project, and I hope to have something started early next year.
“Because I think when people stop and think, they realise how alike we all are, and how much we have in common.”
Val Gleeson’s Wangaratta recollections could fill a history book – but she doesn’t have time to write it.
VAL Gleeson’s personal recollections about Wangaratta could easily fill a history book. However, between catch-ups with children and grandchildren, attendance at council meetings, involvement with the Wangaratta Museum, and even the odd tai chi session, the 88 year old has little time for documenting her memories – she prefers to gather more.
“People keep saying I should write a book, but I’ve lived it –why would I want to write about it? You haven’t got time to be writing books,” she said.
Val says she prefers to “live in the moment”, and struggles to understand those who dwell for too long on the past, but it could be said she subscribes to American astronomer Carl Sagan’s assertion that “you have to know the past to understand the present”.
And know it she does, regularly delighting visitors to the Wangaratta Museum who are seeking information about their family, by relating first person accounts of their links to Wangaratta. By osmosis, Val has become custodian of a large chunk of the city’s history, and importantly, she knows how to imbue those stories with the colour and humour needed to bring them to vivid life.
“I can tell people things that are not in the history books, things that have come down through time by word of mouth. People enjoy hearing about the character of the people involved, and we’ve had some very good people in Wangaratta,” she said.
Among those who have helped shape the district was Val’s
own father, Thomas Nolan, part of a large Laceby family who initially worked in the police force before becoming a businessman in Wangaratta. Thomas ran the Parisian café in Reid Street, and later Nolan Brothers Sports Store, was involved in the development of Wangaratta’s radio station, and served three terms as mayor of Wangaratta in the 1930s.
“He was civic-minded,” she said.
Val, the youngest of three children to Thomas and Maryborough-raised Mary (Curtain), has fond memories of growing up around the café, where the family also lived, and of watching her father in his civic duties.
“I used to go up to the council meetings, because Mum used to take supper to them; she was a good cook,” she said.
“I’d go up there, and knew all the town clerks and the people involved, and I remember the chairs they sat in, which are similar to the ones the councillors use now, because I could curl up in them as a little girl; I don’t think I’d even fit in them now.”
So municipal happenings, business people and town identities were always part of the landscape of Val’s upbringing, and she understood the machinations of local government and the developments it brought about.
“A lot of people don’t like change, they’re fearful of it because they don’t know what it’s going to bring, so sometimes their conspiracy theories are up on the moon. But I love progress; I’m not frightened of change, as long as it’s for the better,” she said. >>
Considering her background, then, it was no surprise that after raising five children with husband Kevin, Val answered her own call to municipal service by running for council.
She served as a City of Wangaratta councillor during the 1980s and early ’90s, and was later joined by her husband, who served three terms as mayor.
“People were asking me to run because I suppose I got things done, I was a good organiser. The first time I ran I didn’t get on; I was away in the weeks before the election.
“When I did get elected, I enjoyed it, because you could see what needed to be done, and try to make it happen. It’s all about seeing a need and doing things, but I like being in the background – I never wanted to be mayor. I got more done behind the scenes.
“A few years later, Kevin decided he’d stand as well. Everyone said he’d never get on with his wife on there, but we were different people. He used his casting vote against me more than a few times, and I wouldn’t have expected anything else. We just wanted things to be fair.”
The couple had met when Kevin, who regularly visited family in Wangaratta from West Brunswick, was 18 and Val was 16.
“I worked at the post office and on the telephone exchange, and he was learning to be a telephone technician,” Val said.
“He was a nice fellow, just a good person.”
The couple married in April, 1950, and lived in Benalla for a time while Kevin worked as head technician. He left the role to go into business with Val’s father and brother in Nolan’s Sports Store, and the family soon settled in Wangaratta.
MEMORIES / (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) > Thomas Nolan, Val’s father, served three terms as mayor of Wangaratta. > Kevin and Val with children Patrick, Helen, Chris, Kathy and Shane. > Val Gleeson followed in her father, Thomas Nolan’s footsteps when she presented the 2/24th Battalion with a pennant, as her father had done when they marched to war in 1942. > Kevin and Val Gleeson (centre), when Kevin received his citizen of the year award from then mayor and mayoress Kevin and Margaret Howard. > The Gleesons in front of the family home in Baker Street.
Children Christopher, Helen, Kathleen, Shane and Patrick grew up alongside two cousins, the children of a family member who had passed away, and in time brought Val and Kevin 12 grandchildren (there is also one great grandchild in the fold).
Val said she thoroughly enjoyed raising her family, and learning along with the children, “even when every muscle and sinew in you is tired”.
“It’s hard work, but it’s worth it,” she said.
As always, family and the community were Val’s support when Kevin, a passionate and experienced pilot, was killed in a plane crash in 1999.
“It was very sad, but everyone was so wonderful. We had a wonderful life, and you can’t expect everything to go on forever,” she said.
Still an integral cog in the wheel of her community at 88, Val said she enjoyed being part of groups like the Wangaratta Historical Society. Her time at the Wangaratta Museum each Friday morning and Sunday afternoon is among a raft of activities that keep her diary full.
Val attends as many Rural City of Wangaratta council meetings as possible (“It’s good to know what’s going on – I can’t imagine why people don’t want to know”), and remains a proud advocate of the city of her birth.
“This is home,” she said. “Wangaratta has been good to us, it’s a wonderful place. There are good people here, and most people will do anything to help you. And really, life is what you make it, you just do what you can and try to do the right thing.”
“I can tell people things that are not in the history books, things that have come down through time by word of mouth. People enjoy hearing about the character of the people involved, and we’ve had some very good people in Wangaratta.”
IT seems a lot of great ideas begin between friends over a bottle of wine and that’s exactly how Trent and Sarah Crothers came up with the concept for their King Valley property, Lusso KV.
Designed as a part holiday escape, part boutique accommodation option, Lusso KV (Italian for luxury, KV for King Valley) couldn’t be better suited for its picturesque environment.
It’s nestled in the heart of one of the state’s burgeoning wine regions, but it’s also where European migrants settled and grew tobacco and where the structurally distinctive, long-abandoned kilns of the time still dot the landscape.
Trent and Sarah were relaxing on the back deck of their home in Wodonga enjoying a meal and a glass of red when they dared to dream of building a property in the verdant valley down the road from Wangaratta, the town where Sarah grew up. The King Valley was a place she was familiar with and fond of, but a place Trent had never been, so she took him there for their first wedding anniversary.
“He loved it - so we started spending quite a bit of time there,” she said.
“But we could never find accommodation, so we ummed and ahhed about it, before finally deciding to buy a block and put something together.”
It was the beginning of a four year project, which started with considering a few different blocks in the area before settling on
the ideal site in the centre of Whitfield. Sarah said a priority was to be close to the major attractions of the increasingly popular tourist destination, and the building’s design was carefully thought out and negotiated between the couple.
“Once everyone has been to the wineries, they want to be able to come back to a central point which is convenient, where they can walk to the shop and the hotel,” she said.
“The main thing was to keep the industrial, tobacco kiln style.”
With a picture in their heads, a few drawings and a plan on Sarah’s iPad, the couple met with Rob Rowlands from Freedom of Design in Wangaratta who turned their ideas into a set of plans they were delighted with. It took around a year to get those plans and the necessary permits organised, with help from Rob and development consultants Oxley + Co in Wangaratta, before embarking on an eight month build with Jono Rea, director of J.W Rea Constructions in Wangaratta.
The design began to take shape around two of the building’s main features - the stunning entry leading guests’ eyes inside and to the heart of the home - a double sided fireplace with a statement chimney of red, recycled bricks. Open living and expansive, pebble-infused polished concrete flooring were also important elements to the design, as was a sculptural, bare-boned feature staircase leading up a naturally-lit stairwell to three, kingsized bedrooms. >>
“The feedback we’ve had from people is how much they love the entry - it has that wow factor,” said Trent.
“We’ve got the kiln look at the front but inside we have used recycled, corrugated iron and a combination of timbers from an old shed that was on the block.”
Sarah explained they wanted to use a lot of raw materials and then to let the surrounds speak for themselves.
“We’ve kept the polished concrete, the brick, the steel, the metals and then used the windows as our paintings I suppose, because you’re looking out at the beautiful scenery,” she said.
“We’ve kept that core, natural look inside and added selected pieces of furniture to complement it.”
While the use of muted greys and brilliant whites enhance the clean lines and airy industrial feel of the interiors, complemented by some striking, geometrically designed floor furnishings, they are softened by the warmth of amber lighting, russet bricks and timbers and the judicious inclusion of canary yellow in soft furnishings. In a practical sense, natural light floods the living areas which are spacious and comfortably accommodate eight guests, whether they gather around the island bench in the kitchen, at the dining table or relax on the lounge - the open plan allowing for conversation to flow between zones. Outside a generous deck offers another place to sit and soak up the vineyard views, whether at the table, perched at the wine barrel bar tables or near the fire pit in the rear yard.
Trent said the interior fit out was truly a joint effort with both he and Sarah contributing to the mix, although eventually they
decided each should concentrate on their own zones to avoid any differences of opinion.
“We’ve both got a pretty good eye and enjoy interior decorating,” he said.
“It worked out well because we both got what we wanted and we didn’t argue,” added Sarah.
The massive dining room table, which has proved especially popular with guests, was largely created by Sarah from timber and steel repurposed from that old shed originally on the block. The use of recycled materials continues with a bathroom door made from the door of an old horse stable, while the timber pillars at the front entrance came from nearby Cheshunt and are thought to be over a century old.
The sizeable plot also has established trees including an oak and an elm, with lighting added outside to highlight their simple, natural beauty. The elm is featured on their business logo, the tree’s canopy emerging from a wine bottle trunk - a symbol the couple designed, quite fittingly, over a bottle of wine. It’s hard to believe neither had experience with building, renovating or designing, instead stepping out of their comfort zones to let their imaginations and instinct run wild. Sarah said one of her favourite parts of the property is the upstairs bedroom which looks out over the Dal Zotto winery vineyard behind them.
“It’s absolutely magnificent to wake up there in the morningit’s so calm,” she said.
“And I can’t wait to have a big cook up in the kitchen because it’s pretty cool as well.” >>
Trent said the building process went smoothly thanks to the work of Jono Rea and his team of subcontractors, who proved both reliable and proficient. He said the project came in on time and while a little over budget, it was largely due to the couple’s wish to get it just right.
“We thought if we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly - and it’s an investment,” he said.
“We had a business plan going in and the bookings have already exceeded expectations so we’re well and truly on track.”
The couple credits the generosity and support of King Valley wineries and the local community for helping them get up and running, finally opening their doors for the first time in June this year. They also have grand plans for the longer term future of Lusso KV and its generous block, with ideas to create two or three mini-huts, each with en-suited bedrooms, to complement the main home and cater for couples or larger groups.
Landscaping works including establishing a hedge across the side fences will help to add the finishing touches to the property, although some of the works had to be put on hold due to winter
weather and the imminent arrival of the couple’s first child Spencer who was welcomed in October. It has certainly been a busy and life-changing year for them, and seeing all their ideas realised as Lusso KV neared completion was a moment they will never forget.
“It was great because the vision we had in our head was pretty much spot on - I don’t think there was anything that we’d really change,” said Sarah.
“Once we had our first opening, we really had to sit down and congratulate ourselves a little bit because of how happy we were with it.”
The young family is now looking forward to getting away from it all and enjoying the jewel in the King Valley crown they’ve created.
“It’s great for us – only an hour away from home so we can get away for a weekend or couple of days if we want to,” said Sarah.
“We made the decision to book it out for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, which we’ve done, so we can actually relax and enjoy it ourselves for an extended period of time.”
“The feedback we’ve had from people is how much they love the entryit has that wow factor.”
– Trent Crothers
Strip beer down to its component parts and it’s pure chemistry. But North East brewers like Ben Kraus are stepping way beyond froth and bubble. Brewing here is changing what’s in your glass.
BEN Kraus is tenacious. It’s a quiet morning in Beechworth’s Bridge Road Brewers ahead of the lunchtime rush for the North East’s benchmark beer and pizza.
The 38-year-old sits in the brewery’s bar-pizzeria on one side of a broad table where 12 can eat comfortably but 20 or more might chock in around it. Its size is unexpected – but the kernel of what’s become Bridge Road in the past decade or so is just that. Spontaneity’s clear and present all about the colonial-era coach house in which the brewery hums. An old wall poster declares: ‘Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy’. T-shirts with a heart-shaped hop sandwiched between the words ‘I’ and ‘beer’ hang for sale. Another clothes Ben’s cycle-fit torso. Branding and motifs translating an armour-clad Ned Kelly and the bushranger’s ploughshare helmet are everywhere – on beer labels, bar taps, signs and six-packs: heralds of the success of Australia’s small beer brew revolution and a nod to Beechworth’s nineteenth century brush with infamy. Yet equally clear is the sense that all about you is the yield of a deft craft.
Ben – who admits that he didn’t work as hard as he might during his secondary education at Wangaratta’s Galen College – tells of how he returned to Beechworth from a run of winemaking, skiing and brewing in Europe in 2003. He’d organised to make wine at Howard Park near Margaret River in the polished ‘toe’ of Western Australia’s geographic boot. His Austrian-born girlfriend, Maria Frischmann, accompanied him.
“We got a kombi van and off we went,” he says. “It’s a really awesome place.” Vignerons and winemakers have found there since the early 1960s an environment made for viticulture – a formative pursuit for Ben. The landmass also butts into the seemingly endless Southern Ocean from which legendary wave sets rise and swell before they roll onto Yallingup’s beaches.
“I made sure I spent every day for months surfing when I was not working,” Ben recalls. He had skied and cycled, but surfing was something he’d never attempted. “I found the easy part is once you’re on the board and standing up. It’s all the bits beforehand that are the tough things. With skiing, so long as there’s snow you can push off and ski and fall over and stand up and start again and keep going, over and over and over. But you can’t do that on a surfboard. You’ve got to have the fitness to get out there and account for the conditions. Then you’ve got to find your energy in the water to catch the wave, know the timing,
understand how the wave works and how to get your feet on the board. Once you’re standing up the riding is the easy part. You might go surfing for three or four hours, but you’re riding in all that time for perhaps just a few minutes – maximum. Maybe it’s longer, maybe not, but you don’t actually have much time to practise with your feet on the board. And that’s the easiest part.”
The story in its way is a metaphor for all that Ben and Maria – who have since married – have achieved. He was a ‘welderbuilder’ kid. He grew up in Beechworth – the son of Elizabeth and Josef, who as a small boy in the flux of post-World War II Europe had emigrated from Austria to Australia with his parents.
“I wasn’t really a great student,” Ben says. “I finished school and then ended up getting work with Barry and Jan Morey at Sorrenberg Winery (near Beechworth). I wasn’t sure what I was going to do – I was going to try to get into industrial design at Swinburne University, but there were 650 applicants and they had about 50 openings, so your portfolio had to be off the charts to be selected. I did a lot in graphics and design concept stuff at Galen but not a lot of formal schoolwork.”
He admits to an abiding passion for “doing stuff”. “I built my first car when I was 17 with an older bloke who was a local,” he says. “We built an EH Holden pretty much from scratch, from the motor up. He taught me how to do it. It was a good project. After school I went to work for Barry, who is a top guy. He was really good in giving me the opportunity to work there. He didn’t encourage me too much, but just through the experience of working with him I learned so much.”
The job led Ben to Dookie Agricultural College and horticulture with a viticulture stream that spilled into winemaking. “I did my final project on gamay with Barry,” he says – referring to Beaujolais’ prized red wine grape variety. “(We were) looking at different vineyard methods to make better wine quality. (Barry’s) is easily Australia’s best gamay: it’s world class, a cult classic.” They worked together on trials in which one portion of the gamay vines was left as pruned at the end of the previous season, another was thinned and yet another was thinned more heavily.
“We looked at the resulting berry weight and made a sensory evaluation of the wine,” Ben says. “We found that by thinning we significantly increased our perceived quality of the gamay, which we already knew anyway, but we did it.” >>
The working relationship and evolving friendship led Ben, then aged 21, to vintage in Germany’s Mosel Valley – where Barry had both heritage and cousins. Ben stayed 18 months, skied in Austria – where he later met Maria – and travelled to France where he worked at vintage in Beaujolais, squirrelling his hardearned money away at every point. “A heap of people from the North East had all been to these same châteaux. These vineyards produce great wine. The best wine we made was a chardonnay that wasn’t allowed to be called that. It was called vin de blanc – it was as good as any chardonnay from Burgundy, which you could almost see just over the hill, but because you’re not in Burgundy you have to sell it as ‘white wine’ in Beaujolais.”
Ben returned to Austria for another ski season and went on to Scotland, where he took a job running the box office at Valvona & Crolla – a Scots-Italian family-owned delicatessen and wine cellar of which the principal was renowned singer Philip Contini – in which acts were staged for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. “I had to introduce the Edinburgh String Quartet,” recalls Ben. “I was just 21. And then I had to introduce Philip Contini. It was a really cool job. It was a really vibrant business. They were probably the best employers that I’ve ever had – they really looked after their employees.”
It was during this period in Europe, in Austria, that Ben discovered “that I really liked beer”. Back in Australia he spoke with his parents about his brewing ambition before he returned to Austria and worked for a brewer in Innsbruck – a job arranged by Maria. It was his third winter season in Europe, his fourth wine vintage – this time in Kaltern-Caldaro in Italy’s cross-border southern Tryol.
“I worked a day a week at this craft brewery in Innsbruck – just to learn,” Ben says, “and while I was there I enrolled in a postgraduate diploma in brewing at Federation University (Ballarat), a course you could only do remotely, so it was convenient that I could do it from Austria.”
He returned to Beechworth and was 24 when he resolved to start a brewery on his parents’ property, off Bridge Road, at the top of Beechworth gorge. “I spent a year until I was 25 basically getting permits, finances and setting up the brewery to open the doors in that location,” he says. “I did most of the work myself but Dad helped. He was fantastic. I didn’t have really any money. I had jobs and just in my spare time worked at doing the plumbing and electrical and everything else.” He worked as a ‘dishie’ at the Green Shed, a Beechworth restaurant where Maria also worked, pulling together savings for the brewery development.
“We had a long-running battle because what we wanted to do was in a residential zone. We got there, and then we found with some last-minute measuring that the brewery was 100 square
metres when the planning footprint stipulated that it had to be under 99. I had to do some quick lining to shrink it so we were within the regulation. It was a pretty cool site. We had room for maybe 50 people inside and 20 in the beer garden. It was really a community bar, and we picked up people going past. We set it up like a cellar door, so it had tastings and sales. Maria used to bake (her famed) pretzels in Mum and Dad’s kitchen.”
Fourteen months later the brewery’s growth demanded a site change and Ben and Maria moved the business to the old coach house beside Tanswells historic hotel. “I think we always were trying to make sure we were offering something different,” Ben says. “We wanted to be an attraction that was bringing people to town and not just feeding off the people who were coming to Beechworth anyway. We’re always working towards that.”
The first beer he produced was an Australian ale. “We were trying to make a beer that was different from mainstream but at the same time approachable enough for Beechworth drinkers who had only really experienced one style of beer from different breweries for so long.” Bridge Road also produced a ‘Robust Porter’ – “a dark and different beer when many people’s expectations had been only for something like Guinness”, Ben says. “Ours was black but that was the only similarity.” The brewery then released its Beechworth pale ale – “much more aromatic, really different to what Australians had experienced before and more aligned with American craft beer –hoppy pale ales”.
Bridge Road Brewers has kept on growing. Ben and Maria two years ago recruited financial specialist Donald Mace as chief executive officer. The brewery has distributors in Thailand and Singapore. You can walk into Hong Kong bars and see Bridge Road’s signature branding. It has two trade sales representatives on staff in southern Australia and an agent in Queensland. Ben’s promoted Bridge Road’s beers in Manhattan and performed ‘tap takes’ – where the Beechworth beers are sold in draught the length of a bar – in San Francisco and other places.
“I think sometimes people here just took the pizzeria and bar business in Beechworth and see that,” Ben says. “And then other people think that we’re a massive conglomerate, but across the scope of the Australian market we’re tiny. We’re kind of big for Beechworth but small for Australia – and globally we’re nothing. But we do a lot towards trying to expand our brand nationally.”
Ben says the Bridge Road team puts “a big focus on our values about being family-owned, about brewing here in Beechworth – so all our production’s in Beechworth, and we hope to continue that way as well”.
AT the junction of the stunning Jamieson and mighty Goulburn rivers, Wrong Side Brewing opened with minimal fanfare in late winter of this year.
It was a pensive introduction for a brewery which, going back decades under the name of the Jamieson Brewery and Lakeside Hotel, is legendary among holiday revellers and in craft brewing circles.
It's something about the brewery's unique location – with pristine alpine Jamieson river water flowing straight to its front door.
This water – which makes the beer unique, too – means Wrong Side Brewing's head brewer Paul Hann is a happy man.
"I just stand on the deck and look out on the river and imagine that this is where I come to work," he says.
"Where else would you want to brew beer?"
Since Hann took charge, the brewery's huge 1.4-hectare beer garden and deck have been restored to glory.
The brewery is all set for the summer rush and Hann can't wait to spend it at his new workplace.
"There are not many breweries that have this much area where kids and families can have fun," he says.
Wrong Side has become the brewery that the beautiful hamlet of Jamieson has been waiting for.
Hann, who has a strong inclination toward more traditional European beers, says the old brew-house at Jamieson is the perfect place to hone beer styles that have been good for centuries.
"I'd like to think that we focus a little bit more on brewing
traditional European beers," he says.
"There's such a rich history in traditional beers – it's nice to brew a beer that can tell a story, that has a history.
Wrong Side Brewing's saisons are very much a testament to this thinking.
The brewery has a wide range of beers on tap including a pilsener, black lager, pale ale, stout, raspberry ale and summer and winter saisons.
BREWER'S BREWER / Social Bandit Brewing Company's Jeff Whyte opened his Mansfield brew pub in 2015, where he continues to innovate and produce high quality craft beer.
SOCIAL Bandit Brewing Company, on Buller Road’s eastern outskirts of Mansfield, has an undeniable reputation for exceptional craft beer.
Owner and head brewer Jeff Whyte imported his Austrian-built brew house equipment from Japan in 2015, and what came next is a testament to his attention to detail.
Assembling thousands of the brewery's components in both German and Japanese, Jeff put together this 10,000-piece jigsaw puzzle to create one of Victoria's unique breweries right in the heart of the High Country.
The brewery bar, which features 12 beers on tap, flows onto a super-relaxed atrium where drinkers and diners can enjoy beers of all styles (we recommend Whyte's arguably unmatched IPAs) and delicious pizza.
Another thing you'll find at Social Bandit is recycled old furniture: old hotel tables and chairs, packing crates and a bar slate constructed from the old roof of the Jamieson post office. Whyte has constructed much of it, and his daughter has contributed the design for a striking mural in the brewery. It really is a family affair at Social Bandit – and you'll more than likely be watching Whyte brewing with his son in the brewhouse as you step up to the bar to order.
And with a brewer like Whyte, Mansfield can count its lucky stars. As you watch Whyte making the same beer you’re drinking you soon realise that this is a brew concept of world standard.
words Steve Vivian
BEER IS KING / King River Brewing is the newest member of the North East’s High Country Brew Trail, with brewer-inchief Nathan Munt operating from a rustic barn set-up just out of Whitfield.
WHEN we first discovered King River Brewing, driving through the heart of the King Valley, we couldn't believe our eyes.
The site of the brewery is the famous old Cucina restaurant which, centred around an old tobacco kiln converted into a pizza oven, is a properly rustic barn.
Opening in February 2017, King River Brewing dropped the restaurant vibe for a more laid-back feel in the barn.
On tap at King Valley Brewing you'll find both easy-drinking styles including a crisp and easy-to-imbibe kolsch, altbier and American IPA, as well as a strong nod towards Belgian farmhouse beers, such as a Belgian tripel, saison and pale ale. For tucker, you can't go wrong, with pizzas, pretzels and gourmet sausages all on offer to back up the European style of the valley farmhouse.
In the garden, tree canopies provide shade for kids, while the taproom backs onto a luxuriant garden in which you’d do little but drink…beer.
King River Brewing owner and brewer-in-chief Nathan Munt says he wants the setting of his brewery to encapsulate what the King Valley is all about.
"I guess it's just being relaxed and having a good time," he said.
"A lot of our beers are really approachable, while this place is really relaxing – and King Valley is really relaxing.
"If we're going to embody what the location is, which is what I'd really like to do, we just want people to relax and enjoy themselves here at King River."
words Steve Vivian
GENERATION BREWER / Fourth generation winemaker James Booth started the Black Dog Brewery in 2011.
IF there was a poster child for the growing relationship between beer and wine in Victoria's High Country, then Black Dog Brewery is your boy.
And Macca, the Booth family winery dog, and now the face of Black Dog Brewery, is a symbol of that co-existence.
Launched in 2011, Black Dog Brewery was constructed at the winery of Taminick Cellars’ winery near Glenrowan, south of Wangaratta.
Black Dog's head brewer, James Booth, is the great grandson of Esca Booth, who bought the vineyard more than a century ago.
Booth is also the fourth generation family winemaker at Taminick Cellars, where his passion for fermentation has led to diversity in the family business.
"I love winemaking, and I started home-brewing when I was about 18,” he says.
“I thought it was something we needed to diversify the business we already had.”
When Booth talks about his beer stable, he does more so with a winemaker's poise than a brewer's enthusiasm.
"In every beer you craft you always try to have something that little bit unique," Booth says.
"When people try your beer you want them to remember it for what it is – and for this you want them to come back."
While proud of all his Black Dog releases, close to Booth's heart are the every-day beers at the brewery such as Drifter Lager and Howling Pale Ale, as well as his ‘Leader of the Pack’ IPA – a cult beer which has always been held in high regard.
An estate-hopped golden ale, lush with cascade and chinook hops, was our personal favourite.
words Steve Vivian
/ Rutherglen Brewery head brewer Sam Attwater jumped at the chance to be part of something different within Rutherglen – a region renowned for its wine.
BALANCE is an important word at Rutherglen Brewery.
It’s a word that head brewer Sam Attwater says is essential to the brewery's success.
Opening in 2014, Rutherglen Brewery has found a balance in a town renowned for its wine and food.
The result is providing a welcome distraction for the hordes of visitors who travel to Rutherglen with grape expectations only to find that Rutherglen is now a part of the North East’s evergrowing brewtopia.
"A key ambition for us is to draw tourists in who come to Rutherglen for wine," explains Attwater, who joined the brewery in 2015 after working as a winemaker in the region.
"I wanted to be a part of a change where something a bit different is coming through Rutherglen.
"People who are coming here for a wine tour get really excited when they realise there's a brewery in town."
It's then no surprise that the brewery's ambition has informed its distinctiveness.
"Other breweries in the region expand their styles widely, whereas we focus on simply making some really core, solid beers that attract a wide range of people," says Attwater.
"We try to create styles that, if you're a craft beer lover, you're going to love, but if you're not a craft beer drinker you can really still enjoy."
Rutherglen Brewery's six-tap set up features four core beers: pilsner, pale ale, IPA and amber ale.
The brewery also has two seasonal taps, with one usually pouring cider and the other ever-changing.
words Steve Vivian >>
IF you brew and there’s a pub in Yackandandah in which you’d want your beer on tap it's the Star – all history and happiness. And November 21 marked the first-year anniversary of Two Pot Brewing Co’s cellar line in the old hotel in High Street.
Brothers Brendan and Joe Kellaway had been making beer together for more than 20 years when two years ago they started brewing commercially in Yackandandah.
Those in draught include a classic Australian lager for summer drinking labelled Two Pot lager, and a German-style koelsch, American pale ale (APA) and an easy-drinking German-style dunkel – all prefixed with the double-glass epithet. Available from a hand pump is a Two Pot Black – imperial stout aged in 40-year-old tawny port barrels – and Two Pot Screamer, an IPA infused with Belgian chocolate, North East strawberries and a locally-made rye whiskey.
“For our mainstream tap beers we ensure they are true to style by virtue of malt and hop selection,” says Brendan.
“But we ensure that they are all very 'sessionable' (lower in alcohol). Our APA, for example, is all-American hops but very subtle. We aim for people to enjoy the style and be keen for a second.
“For our barrel-aged beers it's a different story. Our current stout is hand-pumped into a tulip glass. It exits the pump as a creamy foam and settles into a black liquid with a thick, creamy head. We're about to invest in a cellar and go barrel crazy.”
All Two Pot Brewing Co beers are on tap at the Star and Harrietville’s Snowline Hotel has a couple, too.
“We started at the Temperance Society, in Sydney’s Summer Hill, and still tap in whenever we can get the kegs up there,” Brendan says.
words Jamie Kronborg
/ Joe and Brendan Kellaway are building the Two Pot Brewing Co label stable in Yackandandah.
WHEN Peter Hull established Sweetwater Brewing Company in 2008 he didn't expect the craft beer market to grow as quickly as it has.
"When we started there weren't a lot of breweries in Victoria and obviously now the biggest change has been the numbers of breweries that are popping up" Hull says.
"People's awareness of craft beer has increased and for us we have focused on being a local brewery as opposed to brewing and distributing wider.
"We like to think of ourselves as Mount Beauty and Falls Creek’s local brewery and more for people either living in the Kiewa Valley or people visiting to enjoy."
With five beers always on tap the mainstays are an American-style Pale Ale, an English-inspired Golden Bitter, a spicy and fruityflavoured Summer Ale, a German wheat beer, IPA and Porter.
The seasonal 'Big Fella' – named after Victoria' highest peak, Mount Bogong, a short distance away – is a high-alcohol barley wine which is extremely popular.
"My philosophy is to brew beers that are acceptable to a broader palate, not just for beer geeks," Hull says.
"Our beers are not at the extreme ends of profiles, not crazy in flavours, but we tend to be reasonably true to styles."
Sweetwater Brewing Company brews at the foot of Falls Creek in Tawonga South.
The nearby Kiewa River inspired the brewery's name, with Kiewa being the indigenous word for ‘sweet water’.
The brewery incorporates a beer hall-inspired bar area and offers regional and house-made bar food and snacks.
It’s an ideal location to relax and take in magnificent views of Bogong and its shorter neighbours.
words Justin Jenvey
QUIZZED / Blizzard Brewing Company’s Mark Hubbard is always explaining why his beers are canned, not bottled.
BRIGHT Brewery has undergone multiple expansions in its 11year history.
When opened in 2006 by Scott Brandon, his late wife Fiona Reddaway and their friends David and Julia Cocks, the brewery and adjoining bar was housed in two small tin sheds in the heart of Bright – where it remains.
In 2012 Bright Brewery underwent substantial redevelopment to transform the facility into an environmentally considered, multipurpose venue with seating for more than 250 people.
And in 2014 it added a stunning hop terrace, which has proved a winner as the most popular place in Bright to enjoy a drink and meal outdoors.
The latest addition – a multi-million-dollar 1050-square metre brewhouse – will now see Bright Brewery produce more beer than before as the company looks to introduce its product to markets across Australia.
Bright Brewery marketing manager James Davidson says it’s an exciting time for the business.
"It will be three times the size of our current facility in the heart of Bright and have the potential to produce two million litres of beer per year," he says.
"After more than a decade growing Bright Brewery as a destination and hospitality offering, we now want to see its beers at bars and bottle shops around the country."
The new facility in Bright's industrial estate will be for wholesale production of its core range which includes American and Australian-style pale ales, amber ale, dubbel, lager, porter, session ale and witbier.
The business’s heart and soul will remain at its existing Gavan Street location, where new and experimental beers will continue to be brewed.
words Justin Jenvey
Blizzard Brewing Company DINNER PLAIN
WHY cans?
It's a question Blizzard Brewing Company founder Mark Hubbard hears all the time.
"People automatically think that premium craft beer is meant to come in a bottle, not a can," Hubbard says.
"But we want you to enjoy our beer as fresh as it can possibly be away from the brewery and the best way to do that is to have it from a can."
Hubbard says the right packaging is especially important for craft beer like Blizzard that is made from all-natural ingredients without pasteurisation and without added chemicals and preservatives.
It is Australia’s highest brewery – at an altitude of 1550 metres in Dinner Plain in the Victorian Alps.
Hubbard hails from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where there is a strong craft beer tradition and a long history of breweries working at elevation in snow-ski resorts.
As a passionate skier, hiker and cyclist, Hubbard was drawn to Victoria's High Country where he thought the only other thing needed to complete the Alpine experience was a brewery above the snowline.
But there's also another reason for creating a craft brewery in Victoria's High Country: the water.
"At Blizzard, today's powder is tomorrow's beer,” he says.
“Basically we brew with snow-melt – fresh, pure Victorian Alps’ spring water, sourced from the high-altitude aquifers of Dinner Plain. "Water is the main ingredient in beer and ours is the purest available."
With a core range that features an amber ale, pale ale, kolsch, classic and lavender-style lager, IPA and stout, we're sure you'll agree that wherever the water comes from Blizzard's doing things right.
words Justin Jenvey
.
The Brewery is open all year round Fri – Sun from 1pm to 6pm, staying open a little later depending on demand. We are open additional days during peak holiday periods including 7 days per week from Boxing Day to Australia Day.
FINDING US
Our address is 211 Kiewa Valley Hwy Tawonga South… directly opposite the Mount Beauty Holiday Centre Email: info@sweetwaterbrewing.com.au | Phone/Fax: (03) 5754 1881 Come and enjoy from our wide
A R T H
THE high country has been home to the Ritchie family’s farming enterprise for over a century but it wasn’t until the late sixties that Robert and Vivienne Ritchie decided to establish what would become one of the first, cool climate vineyards in Australia.
The idea came from a friendship forged by a group of mates on holiday at nearby Mount Buller, between farmer Robert Ritchie, South Australian wine industry guru Jim Irvine and forestry ranger, Doug Escott. Up until then Robert and Vivienne had concentrated their efforts on cattle, sheep and rye grass when Jim suggested the property would be a good spot for growing grapes, adding that he could make the wine, Robert would provide the land and machinery and Doug would contribute the labour. Their son David, who now runs the family business, said it started when a bunch of strange looking sticks were left at the property by Jim on his way to Mount Buller, which his parents didn’t recognise at the time as vine cuttings.
“They decided to plant them, but unfortunately Jim went back to South Australia, Doug went up north and mum and dad were left with a vineyard - not knowing what to do or how to do it,” he said.
“In the early seventies when grapes grew they got in touch with Doug and asked him what to do with them.
“He said you have three options - pull them out, sell them at
the Victoria Market, or find a local winemaker who might be interested in them.”
A regular customer of Brown Brothers, Robert got in touch with John Graham Brown and asked if they’d be interested in taking the fruit, which was the beginning of a relationship that would last from 1974 to 1981, when the wine was produced under a vineyard-specific label. Meanwhile David’s sister Rosalind had left school to study at Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia, and she returned home to help set up Delatite Winery in 1982, becoming its first winemaker and staying for the next 23 years. The family had also engaged Oenotec wine consultantsindustry trailblazers Tony Jordan and Brian Croser - who helped design and oversee the operation with Rosalind for the next few years as the enterprise got off the ground.
While the first plantings were Cabernet, Shiraz, Carignan and Riesling, David said his father began to add a number of new varieties that he liked to drink and Brown Brothers thought might do well, so the vineyard become one of the first in the region to grow Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, along with Malbec and Merlot.
“We grew to have quite a variety of grape vines, not because of anything scientific, but because of Peter and John Brown’s encouragement, and dad liked the wine they made from it,” he said. >>
At the time David was studying arts commerce at university and not really enjoying it so he “bailed”, taking a gap year to work at the vineyard during its establishment, before returning to the business full time a couple of years later. He ran the vineyard, looked after exports and became assistant winemaker to Rosalind, but he also learnt a great deal from Delatite’s viticultural consultant, Max Loader, who became his mentor. After their parents stepped away from the business in the early 2000s, David and Rosalind ran it together and after she moved on in 2005, David took the helm.
The vineyard grew from an initial planting of around a hectare and a half, to closer to 27 hectares, which David said is about as much as the property can handle because of its limited water supply, relying only on dams for irrigation. Grapes grown at the Delatite vineyard go into the family’s estate and reserve wines, while fruit is sourced for the “High Ground” range from vineyards within a 60 kilometre radius, at places such as Strathbogie, Yea and the King Valley. David said it’s a way he’s been able to expand production and grow the business while also accommodating his decision to run the Delatite vineyard biodynamically - something he started doing around a decade ago - inspired by ideas of scientist and philosopher, Rudolph Steiner.
While the vineyard is not certified biodynamic, David chooses to follow its fundamental principles, making an exception every few years to spray with herbicide to keep the pesky couch grass
“Vineyards can be very mono-cultural, and like any mono-culture, it’s not sustainable in the long run for either soils or plants.”
– DAVID RITCHIE
under control. He discovered biodynamics after he and wife Catherine decided to send their two children to a Steiner school, and David admits initially the family’s science-focused vineyard consultant was dead against it.
“I just saw that our soils were dying,” he said.
“We were spraying too much, the soils were looking bad and getting moss all over them - so I went to a workshop at Julian Castagna’s (in Beechworth) where an expert showed us examples of different cell structures in milk, from cows raised on ‘conventional farmed’ grass, organic grass, and biodynamic grass.
“It just started to make sense.”
In 2003 the team experimented with using biodynamic preparation 500, an organic fertiliser which is basically made from fermented cow manure, before adopting it completely in 2005. David said his father was quite supportive about the move, having always been suspicious about chemicals and experienced their effects after spraying and using strong treatments, when he would suffer nose bleeds and headaches. David believes what we put on the soil must have an effect on the organisms within it and in Australia in particular, soils have become seriously degraded.
“What they went through with supposedly safe, recommended chemicals was terrible - and I think it’s still affecting farmers today - no matter how careful you are, so it’s much easier not to use them,” he said.
“By not using a whole lot of fungicides and by using mulch
and 500, I’ve got no doubt the soil is better and we’ve got more worm activity. Even soil scientists find it hard to understand all the bacterial and fungal interactions in soils - we’re still very much in the dark as to what happens down there. Whatever you grow, it’s the soils that matter - and we don’t really take care of them enough.”
But David is not about to preach to others about what they should be doing, understanding and empathising with farmers across the board, who are simply not paid enough for what they produce.
“No matter what they’re growing it’s a struggle and I understand that the only way for some is to keep on the treadmill, keep throwing on the fertiliser and herbicide and hoping for the best,” he said.
By choosing to go down the biodynamic road David recognises that he’s left with a vineyard that isn’t always neat.
“There are weeds everywhere - but I regard that as a good sign,” he said.
“Vineyards can be very mono-cultural, and like any monoculture, it’s not sustainable in the long run for either soils or plants. To me it makes a lot more sense to have a few weeds so you can get more ladybirds and predatory mites and a better balance.”
Delatite currently produces around 12,000 to 14,000 cases of wine a year, with plans to expand to up to 18,000 over the next few years to meet a growing market here and overseas. Up to 15
per cent of the winery’s production is exported, largely to China, with importers favoring Shiraz, Cabernet and Cabernet Merlot but also recently purchasing his more niche variety, Gewurztraminer.
Delatite has also developed a relationship with Coombe Farm in the Yarra Valley over the last 12 months, planning to source its fruit to meet a growing demand for Yarra Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Mansfield-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir meets the needs of Delatite’s direct consumer and cellar door sales. David said if there was one lesson he’s learnt about the wine business, it’s that while you can grow very good grapes and make very good wine, especially with the help of a “great winemaker” like Delatite’s Andy Browning, the hardest part is selling it.
“There are very few other products in the world where you go into a shop and all it has are a whole lot of different brands of exactly the same thing,” he said.
“So it’s about the brand, about the story, about your philosophy. I think what makes us different is that we don’t go on about our biodynamics, or in a big way about most of our wines being vegan friendly, but what that really means is that we don’t add things. We allow things to happen very naturally and I think that’s very important, both philosophically and in the way the wines are.”
One of those natural processes is to only use natural yeast fermentation for their own wines, a decision David says has proved positive both in the winemaking process itself and in the way the wine has been received by the market. >>
“There’s no doubt that since we moved to biodynamics and natural yeast, other people (like wine writer and critic James Halliday) say our wines have improved a lot, so I think that was a really good move,” he said.
Delatite is always exploring and experimenting too, producing over 25 wines which David admits “is crazy” for a winery of its size. Last year he and Andy began experimenting with making totally natural wine, or “orange” wine - white varieties which were co-fermented on skins with no yeast added. The end product was slightly fizzy wine which was bone dry - and which everyone seemed to love.
“When natural wines are made with care and attention, with the right equipment and knowledge, they are really interesting wines that really appeal to people - especially young people (in their twenties and thirties),” he said.
“They think of it as just a drink - something to be enjoyed with food - and a well made orange wine with food is full of flavor.”
This year Delatite has produced twice as much orange wine and the Chinese market is showing real interest - attracted by the idea of a wine with provenance, made without preservatives.
“It will never be huge but for us, but making a natural wine is a natural progression from what we are already doing,” he said.
Another new addition is a “field blend” made from Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a project the couple’s son and daughter, Donald (20) and Polly (22), are putting their own stamp on - tasked with the responsibility of developing a name and label. David said both children have an artistic sensibility nurtured through their Steiner schooling, and both have a close and personal understanding of the market to which it is targeted.
“It’s quite exciting,” he said.
“The wine has got to look good and be good - and it is - but how we’ll market it is still to be decided.”
The new direction is reflective of the way the planting has changed over time, with David having moved away from Sauvignon Blanc, Carignan and Malbec and recently adding Tempranillo and Graciano. He said a freshly bottled Spanish style Tempranillo Rosé is looking particularly promising - wowing staff and the makers with its stunning color and flavor and promising to be an exciting alternative to Shiraz Rosés.
“It’s a different thing - and I think it’s really good,” he said.
While the King Valley has become synonymous with Italian varieties, David thinks there is a real place in Australia for Spanish, and other lesser known Mediterranean varieties. But while there are more he’d like to experiment with, he’s realistic about the limitations of space and the workload his team is already dealing with, so adding yet another “weird idea” to the mix might just be pushing the friendship.
“Andy embraced our whole philosophy of biodynamics really well, and he brought in natural yeast fermentations, so it’s really good that he had an open mind from the start - even as a scientist,” he said.
And he admits that biodynamic philosophy does have facets which might be considered “hocus pocus” and requiring more than a little faith - which is why they don’t adhere to it strictly.
Concepts such as following moon cycles when choosing when to pick are simply too difficult to incorporate into a busy business, although he says he would try it if he could.
“If I was working on a two hectare vineyard with only a couple of varieties, we’d probably explore it more, but you can’t really do it here with what we’re doing,” he said.
“There’s definitely a lot more that happens out there that we don’t understand.”
“andy browning (pictured) embraced our whole philosophy of biodynamics really well...”
– DAVID RITCHIE
Waterfront Holiday Houses is Yarrawonga’s largest provider of waterfront houses, townhouses and apartments. There are over 40 stunning properties available for short term holiday rental in Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Woodlands and Bundalong, and now also in beautiful Mansfield .
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HOLI DAY HOUSES
LIFE has never been busier for Rutherglen chef, Gavin Swalwell. After three decades in the business, his latest business venture, Ripe at Buller Wines has proved so popular so quickly, that he and partner Fiona Myers have had to fast track their business plans for the new restaurant and food destination. He’s come a long way since entering his first commercial kitchen just shy of 15-years-old with the aim of earning some pocket money, only to find himself enjoying the intensity of flipping burgers during rush hour.
“The thrill of doing a fast service there ignited my passion for cooking, funnily enough,” he said.
Gavin began his career in Melbourne and his resume reflects his considerable experience in the fine dining realm, with stints at Burnham Beeches, Le Restaurant at the Regent and Delgany at Portsea under Hermann Schneider. His first head chef job was at Sails on the Bay in Elwood, which he ran for three years, before making the tree change and relocating north to wine country to take over the kitchen at Tuileries.
By this time Gavin also had a young family and he made the decision to step away from the unrelenting demands of running a restaurant to spend more time with his twin daughters. Five years ago the opportunity came up to establish their own place, and Taste at Rutherglen was born, which quickly evolved to incorporate the development of Rutherglen Brewery. It was a leap of faith for Gavin and his partner in life and business Fiona, who pooled their culinary expertise and business savvy, to turn what appeared to be a jinxed site into a roaring success.
The couple soon bought the freehold and annexed the neighbouring property to realise Fiona’s vision and install the brewery. Gavin said his success was largely due to the following he’d developed in town, supported by a community including the many local wineries, who appreciated his passion for food and special flair with seafood.
“Taste has been phenomenal,” he said.
“It was really refreshing because people in town knew my style of food.
“We got a following straight away and subsequently the restaurant has gone from strength to strength.”
The couple said when it came to Taste, and their latest venture Ripe at Bullers, it was the restaurants, or the premises themselves, which took them in the direction they needed to go. Gavin explains that when Taste first opened, their nervous enthusiasm led them to throw every style into the mix, running a breakfast, lunch and dinner service which left them exhausted. He said they decided to “work smarter, not harder” concentrating on creating a brewery that served “brew food” for lunch and a fine dining restaurant space for dinner, where he could serve “really amazing food without the pretention” and where everything including the bread and butter was made from scratch.
What has been an exciting journey seemed to head down exactly the right road, with Taste having just celebrated its fifth birthday. When the opportunity to add Ripe at Bullers to the business portfolio came along, the door opened to an exciting new venture offering seemingly endless possibilities. >>
“Now we could offer really good quality, contemporary food that wasn’t a fine dining dinner but also wasn’t pizza for lunch,” he said.
“It is a well-priced, premium produce-driven lunch in a great environment.
“We’re definitely very passionate about what we do and we’re extremely lucky in the respect that all our staff have that mindset too – the people who come and work for us generally stay.”
Fiona oversees the operation at all three venues, applying her own three decades of experience in running a business, while Gavin heads the kitchen at Ripe during the day and at Taste in the evening. He appreciates the assistance of his sous chef at Taste who does all the prep, but it’s Gavin who applies his classical training to making the butters and sauces.
“I’m a bit precious about my sauces,” he said.
“We go out and forage for morels, get our own pine mushrooms from up in the hills, collect chestnuts from Stanley – it is our life and I absolutely love it.”
Gavin says doing the hard yards in the kitchen from a young age, learning every aspect of the trade from the ground up while working gruelling hours in sometimes tough conditions, set him up well for the future. And the experience of working with acclaimed chefs in fine dining environments, working with priceless ingredients and the finest cutlery and tableware, gave him an appreciation for the front-of-house side of hospitality.
“All the training methods which were instilled in us were just matter of fact – you don’t see that anymore – and it’s something we hope we can give back by instilling in our own staff, ” he said.
Now with Ripe at Bullers, Gavin and Fiona have worked with winery owners Gerald and Mary Judd to create beautiful, crisp and contemporary space that still retains the rustic charm of the
vineyard it looks upon. They have hired a full time gardener to create a market garden the size of five tennis courts which they hope will service both venues, and there are exciting plans on the horizon to create a multi-faceted food destination.
While some of Gavin’s favourite ingredients these days include game meats, like squab and venison, he’s still passionate about seafood - striving for quality above all.
“The menu is totally season driven – because things taste better when they’re in season,” he said.
“We get the best we can from local or regional providers but if we can’t get it and we need it, we make sure to get only the best.”
Gavin said he’s hit upon a winning formula when it comes to his mainstays and this summer there might be fresh Moreton Bay bugs, premium lamb, quail, Milawa duck and Murray Valley pork, accompanied by that season’s vegetables and herbs. There’s unlikely to be foams or gels on the plate, the chef preferring to let the premium produce do the talking. It’s an approach his local customers have given their stamp of approval to, and after 17 years calling Rutherglen home, it’s something Gavin’s not about to change.
“Rutherglen has been really good to us,” he said.
“You can tell when people are happy where they’re working – it shows in every way - in the food, the wine the way a place looks – and that’s what we have here.
“All our staff, from our kitchen hands to our front of house are like family to us and we can’t thank them enough for helping us provide such brilliant service to our customers.
“Running a successful business really needs everyone to be part of a team and share the same vision.
“We are blessed to have that here - it’s the perfect lifestyle and I wouldn’t trade it in for quids.”
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Sharan and Jay Rivett are introducing savvy consumers to the health benefits of pumpkin seeds from their home base in Ovens.
FOR Australian Pumpkin Seed Company owners Sharan and Jay Rivett, education is something they’ve always thought of as a key component to any business. As the first and only business in Australia to produce pumpkin seeds for eating and a wide range of artisan oils, their unique products are not widely known, although that is fast changing.
“One of my pet hates is when people treat farm gates like supermarkets,” Jay said.
“Sharan being a third generation farmer and myself coming from a chef/artisan baking and cheese and wine-making background, food and where it comes from has always been something we’ve had an appreciation for. That’s not the case with everyone, so that’s why we want to help educate people and give them the opportunity to learn and ask questions about what we do.”
Jay said Sharan’s vision to appeal to tourism, open up to other farmers and to create a learning centre was one of the reasons for relocating the business to North East Victoria.
Sharan’s family first started growing Styrian pumpkins - a genetic mutation that produces large seeds with no husks, in 1988 and in 2002 they established Australia’s first pumpkin seed industry. Pepo Farms, as the business was originally known, was first based in Chinchilla in the Western Downs region of Queensland. Five years ago a decision to move south saw the business find a new home in an old nursey in Ovens, just outside of Myrtleford. The change allowed for an educational space within their shop, and with Jay joining the team through his relationship with Sharan, the business and interest in pumpkin seeds has taken off.
Their range of products includes raw or gently roasted and flavoured pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seed flour/meals. Some of Australia’s top restaurants like
Melbourne’s Attica are using and endorsing their pumpkin seed oil and now health food stores around the country are quickly jumping on-board.
The Rivetts also operate a social enterprise business and have worked collaboratively with 25 family-run farms to press and bottle hazelnut, apricot and walnut oils as well as other products. One of the reasons Jay and Sharan want to educate and inform customers is because of the many benefits of pumpkin seeds. The dark green pumpkin seeds are well known for their high oil content but are also known as a superfood packed full of nutrients.
“We’re becoming very trendy in the health food scene in Sydney and Melbourne and we’re now just sending bulk bins of raw seeds to shops,” Jay said.
“They’re a healthy alternative and we’re even seeing people that are giving up chocolate and confectionary and are turning to pumpkin seeds to snack on. We’re selling more and more pumpkin seed oil, which is proven to benefit men with prostate issues while demand for pumpkin seed meal is also increasing at a rapid rate. Sports bar and sport drink manufacturers are starting to discover the high levels of protein in pumpkin seeds, so that’s driving the interest in the pumpkin seed meal.”
Jay and Sharan have plans to one day export overseas but for now they’re busy trying to keep up with supply to customers and clients.
“At the moment products are going off the shelf faster than we can pack them,” Jay said.
“When we go down that next path in terms of exporting we want to make sure everything we do is ethical, sustainable and we’re investing in Australian farms rather than just for profit driven purposes.”
Set on 8 acres of beautifully manicured gardens and vineyards, with picturesque views out to Mount Buffalo, Lindenwarrah is the premier wedding venue of North East Victoria. Offering an array of picture perfect ceremony options and one of the region’s most renowned restaurants; whether it be an intimate or grand affair, Lindenwarrah is the ideal canvas for creating your dream wedding.
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CHILTERN is one of those fascinating historic villages you stumble across in the North East, built upon its mining heritage and distinguished by its carefully preserved streetscapes with historic brick buildings and wooden verandahs.
The first settlers in the area were graziers with a township reserve created along the Black Dog Creek in 1854. Development of the township ceased abruptly when John Conness discovered gold at nearby Indigo in 1858. With the influx of miners the focus of settlement shifted from Black Dog Creek to the Chiltern Lead. The population grew along the lead (now Conness Street) and the Beechworth and Indigo goldfields’ route.
In February 1862 Chiltern was proclaimed a municipality and the first elected council comprised all representatives from the miners group, believed to be a precedent in Victoria. Mining continued until the early 1900s and quartz reef mining finally ceased in 1911. At its height, Chiltern had a population around 20,000, including 2000 Chinese. Its present population is around 1000.
It was one of the first popular tourist towns in the region, also made famous by its popularity with filmmakers such as Walt Disney looking for a period setting and it is readily accessible to visitors from the Hume Freeway. There’s an enviable array of attractions in town while it’s encircled by the Chiltern-Mount Pilot National Park which contains a wide range of bushwalks and excellent flora displays during spring and early summer.
Chiltern is also an ideal base from which to explore the Rutherglen and Barnawartha wineries as well as the historic
towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah, and just a little further afield is Lake Hume and the shops and places of interest in Albury/Wodonga and Wangaratta.
But despite all these strengths Chiltern was overlooked by many visitors and locals as a poor cousin to other historic tourist towns, particularly after the Hume Freeway bypass was complete – until now. If you visit the town these days and speak to the locals you will discover not only a rejuvenated central business district with a wide array of retail options but an optimistic, friendly and energised community. Kevin Mayhew, chair of Chiltern Tourism and Development Inc for the past 10 years and a third generation “Chiltonian”, is unabashedly passionate that the town’s future is as exciting and promising as the town’s past.
“Chiltern is not ‘built’ – it is authentic,” Kevin said.
“It’s the most photographed streetscape in the North East. We have three iconic National Trust properties – Lake View, Dow’s Pharmacy and the Federal Standard printing works and you can get a glimpse of the authentic Chiltern with a visit to the Athenaeum Museum. The Old Hume Highway 31 is also emerging as Australia’s equivalent to Route 66 in America. Our location adds another dimension, cradled by Chiltern Mount Pilot National Park which has Australia’s largest remaining remnant of box ironbark and is home to the endangered Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot. It offers an easy escape for visitors and provides great cycling for families and beginners.” >>
PEOPLE POWER / Laurie Bould says it’s the community that makes Chiltern great.
Kevin believes over the past decade others have discovered the town’s existing attractions and potential and an influx of “tree-changers” has energised the community further leading to an emerging food culture and a new retail precinct.
“Exciting new projects such as the Chiltern Goods Shed development and the Placemaking and Structure Plan conducted by Indigo Shire, are attracting new investment, with a new Early Childhood Development Centre opening in February 2018. The town centre will be further improved with development of Martins Lane as a focus point and meeting place,” Kevin said.
Former Chiltern policeman Laurie Bould was transferred to Chiltern in 1975 and he and wife Anne have no intentions of living anywhere else.
“I was born in Tallangatta and when I joined the force I was stationed at Inglewood but I always wanted to get back to the North East - it’s just such a great community,” he said.
“The people get behind anything that’s going on – if it’s an event, if someone needs support, the people get involved. Plus there are great eateries and of course the historic aspects of the town.”
Laurie became so enamoured by Chiltern’s history he wrote a book about the local constabulary called Police At Chiltern.
“It’s one of the oldest stations in Victoria,” he said.
“It started out at Black Dog Creek in 1853 prior to the gold rush. In 1913 it became a single police officer station and it remains that today.”
After retiring from the police force Laurie and Anne owned and operated the Chiltern Caravan Park, eventually building a new home in town. Laurie is involved in several community groups as chairman of the Cemetery Trust, chairman of CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team of volunteers) and chairman of the Chiltern Fishing Club. He is also a regular keyboard player at the popular jam sessions at The Vine Hotel on the second Sunday of every month from 3pm “until late” and part of a musical duo with Marianne O’Connor on flute, aptly named “The Bould and the Beautiful”.
Colin Peters and his daughter Amy from popular café and gallery Hub 62 in Main Street are recognised as one of the catalysts of Chiltern’s recent transformation. Colin first came to Chiltern from Albury in 2008 after retiring as a teacher to restore ‘Bellfield’, the former home of Chiltern pioneer Andrew Kilgour.
“My eldest daughter Beth bought it; it was the former private hospital and it was derelict,” he said.
It took two years to complete and Colin’s work was so accomplished it later won the Indigo Heritage Award for best restoration.
“After that the opportunity came up to buy the old Masonic Hall (Standish Lodge); it was the most beautiful old building that had been vacant for over 20 years. But I had the bug and I thought this is going to be a lot of fun to do.”
The project took another two and half years to complete with Colin returning to work as a teacher part-time to help fund the rebuild.
“We had no definite plans of what to do with it but after it was finished in 2014 Beth took it on as an art gallery (The Elvery) with a small café for 12 months,” he said.
“It went really well, then Beth and her partner, along with Amy (Colin’s other daughter), developed it further into Hub 62 which now attracts more than 1000 customers a week.”
The magnificently restored building and eye-catching artwork and oddities may be an attraction enough, but Colin said the real secret of the Hub’s success lay with their chef Alex Douglas, a name renowned and respected in the North East.
“It’s the food - it’s amazing what Alex can do with all the different spices,” Colin said.
“When I started the restoration it used to be so quiet in this part of town; cars might drive past and then turn around but never stop. Now’s there a new vibrancy. We get people from Wangaratta, Shepparton, Albury, as far away as Canberra. The atmosphere gives so much pleasure to people; the future’s looking very good for Chiltern.”
Mary Jackson is a well-known face around Chiltern. She has been with the Visitor Information Centre for the last 20 years, is proud of what her town can offer tourists and is delighted that more people are not only visiting but choosing to stay there as well.
“Chiltern is a vibrant and happy place,” Mary said.
“We have a lot of attractions and we get a lot of tourists but now they are also looking around town as well. The last couple of years we have had some young families settle here and hopefully that will increase when the Early Childhood Development Centre opens next year.”
Lake View House, where Mary also volunteers, is her favourite historic attraction but she added that Mt Pilot Tourist Park was also one of the town’s secret weapons.
“We get a lot of people who come birding here and they often say that they hope the locals realise just what we have with so many colourful birds being so close,” she said.
Mary recommends visitors pick up the walking tour guide at
the centre, taking them through the town and parks.
“I think the visitors can feel there’s a different vibe in Chiltern,” she said.
“There is a friendliness here but there is also more energy. I think the future looks good.”
Emma and Matt Williams relocated from Melbourne nine years ago with their three and half year old daughter Molly to take over the running of the historic post office. Their second child Harry was later born in Chiltern.
“It was a bit by accident,” Emma said.
“We had no connections here at all. We were looking for a post office in a country town and this one came up. We thought ‘this doesn’t look too bad’ and thought we would give it a go.”
The property also included a derelict cottage built in the 1940s, formerly an office for the linesmen, which the couple renovated and turned into a popular B&B.
“Small communities are wonderful,” Emma said.
“Particularly at the post office, you make a connection with people - especially for the kids. Chiltern is very much a vibrant community; no matter what you’re interested in there will be someone else here who has the same interest.”
The couple, like most locals, are heavily involved in the community.
“There’s a very positive attitude about Chiltern these days,” Emma said.
“The town’s thriving, businesses are doing well and it’s very hard to find a house for sale. There’s the tourism aspect, things to do, places to eat and events happening. There’s always something going on.”
Nestled behind the National Trust listed Post Office in Chiltern’s Historic Precinct, The Linesman’s Cottage has retained its rustic exterior, while the interior has been transformed into stylish and modern guest accommodation.
The cottage makes a great base to explore Historical Chiltern and the surrounding regions of Rutherglen, Beechworth, Yackandandah and Mt Pilot National Park www.linesmanscottage.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHER | Georgie James Photography
Date
October 28, 2017
Ceremony and reception
La Maison, Wodonga
Celebrant
Simon Goss
Makeup
Steph Carrol
Hair
Concept Hair, Wodonga
Florist Thistle & Fern, Wodonga
Wedding dress, bridal party suits and bridesmaids’ dresses
Ferrari Bridal, Albury
Cake
Miss Naked Cakes, Wodonga
‘Love’ letters
Signs by Knight, Wodonga
“It started raining just as the ceremony started, but it made for really good photos, and it’s meant to be good luck.”
“WE JUST PARTIED ALL NIGHT, IT WAS A REALLY FUN RECEPTION.”
“All our vendors were fantastic, and went above and beyond.”
PHOTOGRAPHER | Gary Boseley, Boss Photography
Date September 29, 2017
Ceremony
St Patrick’s Church, Wangaratta
Reception
The Butter Factory, Springhurst, catering by The Vine in Chiltern
Officiant Fr Mike Pullar
Makeup
Emma Wooltorton Makeup Artistry, Melbourne
Hair
Amanda Bell Hairstylist, Wangaratta
Florist Blooms on Bridge, Benalla
Wedding dress
A vintage inspired silk beaded Amaline Vitale dress. At the reception Amy was honoured to wear her nanna, Margaret Hill’s silk wedding dress from 1941.
Groom’s suit
Navy three piece Peter Jackson suit
Bridesmaids’ dresses
Navy Sheike tiered dresses
Groomsmen’s outfits
Light grey blazers, tan chino pants and their own shirts.
Cake
Laura Wilhelms, Fake It ‘Til You Bake It
“We were aiming for a relaxed, rustic party vibe.”
“I SURPRISED ANDREW BY HAVING MY KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS WALK DOWN THE AISLE HOLDING COLOURFUL BALLOONS.”
“My brother, Bryan, travelled from the UK just for the wedding - it meant a lot to us as it was a huge effort for one weekend.”
17TH & 18TH FEBRUARY 2018
SEE YOUR BEST DAY COME TO LIFE
Rutherglen’s Love + Light Wedding Festival showcases stunning venues, the region’s best wedding suppliers, an exclusive runway show collection launch and exciting collaborations.
BRING YOUR TRIBE!
Group and Early Bird tickets available now www.loveandlightweddingfairs.com.au
See
Fresh and contemporary, Love + Light Wedding Festival February 17-18, 2018 showcases North East Victoria’s best venues and most creative wedding suppliers, making the choice to marry in Rutherglen irresistible.
Rutherglen’s premier Australian wine and food region lies at the heart of an innovative new wedding showcase. With all participating venues set up as ‘wedding ready’, Love + Light Wedding Festival offers the ideal opportunity for couples to see their best day as it unfolds - months ahead of schedule.
Showcasing Rutherglen’s best venues and most creative w edding suppliers including Mt Ophir, John Gehrig Wines, Tuileries, Ripe at Buller, Lake Moodemere Estate, Olive Hills, Pickled Sisters, Peppermint Studios, Jillian Franklin Designs, Bourke Hire, D&D Letterpress, TipiKata tipis, Dough Re Mi, Blissful Love, Little Red Robyn and more.
Love + Light will launch with a runway special on the Saturday evening, followed by Sunday’s exclusive admission to stunning wedding venues, wineries and gardens.
Book tickets via www.loveandlightweddingfairs.com.au
WIN one of four double passes to Love + Light Festival
NAME:
CONTACT NUMBER:
EMAIL:
Competition closes Friday February 9th 2018 DELIVER OR POST TO: Love + Light Wedding Festival North East Media, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, VIC 3677.
Wangaratta’s Premier Audiologists & Hearing Clinic Support for hearing
‘didn’t expect to find this
17 years ago Mark & Jude Rosenow and Reg & Chris Whinray took over ownership of Edgars Newsagency which is now known as Edgars Books & News. We sat down with Mark to find out how the business has evolved over time and what you can expect when visiting Edgars today.
Even as a young boy I had a passion for reading and books. The highlight of the week, growing up in Moama (population of 500 at that time) was a visit to the Echuca library and the opportunity to select new books. From Treasure Island, Robbery Under Arms or Reach for the Sky, these were adventures leading to new people and places.
Having spent over 20 years working for a bank and moving regularly, transitioning to a newsagency and bookstore seemed a natural progression.
’
What makes Edgars Books & News different to other book shops in North East Victoria?
Our team of staff at Edgars provide great customer service and knowledge with a sense of humour.
We have regulars who come into the shop weekly and visitors from Melbourne and Sydney remarking on how they found books at Edgars that they can’t find in the city! ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ is how one excited customer described Edgars. Since the closure of ABC shops in most areas we feel that an ABC centre gives locals and visitors 7 days a week access to books, DVD’s, music and audio books.
As an independent bookshop we can indulge our own ‘areas of interest’ such as Barrington Stoke (books that are dyslexic friendly and reluctant reader oriented).
We like customers to browse therefore we limit categorising and like nothing better than to hear the expression ‘didn’t expect to find this in Wangaratta’.
What is your favourite book of all time and what are you reading now?
Power Without Glory is an all time favourite novel written by Australian writer Frank Hardy in 1950. I am never reading just one book at a time. Currently I have 3 on the go including Runyon on Broadway by Damon Runyon, Saga Land by Richard Fidler & Kari Gislason and the illustrated version of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer written by Mark Twain. Books to me are about stories, history and accessibility.
Every town needs a great library (and we have one) and a unique bookshop.
CELLAR DOOR OPEN:
Monday, Thursday, Friday: 10am – 4pm Saturday, Sunday: 10am – 5pm
RESTAURANT OPEN FOR LUNCH: Thursday to Sunday.
61 Jones Rd, Rutherglen VIC 3685 jones@joneswinery.com Tel: 02 6032 8496 www.joneswinery.com
“One of the most beautiful little cellar
and restaurants in
– Richard Cornish, Essentials Magazine.
Members of the Ovens Valley Horse Riders Association, including Jennie Gilliver and Sabine
share a passion for horses, while also exploring the hills and valleys to be found in the local landscape.
Helsper,
NESTLED at the foot of the Murmungee hills, a friendly group of horse riders meet to share their passion for everything equine, but most of all the mateship that goes with it.
The Ovens Valley Horse Riders Association (OVHRA) only began in March 2016 but it already has 70 members ranging in skill level from beginner to what many would describe as expert riders. On Melbourne Cup weekend a good cluster of horsemen and women headed to the Bennies at Rose River to experience the magic of the high country like the cattlemen used to do 150 years ago. They spark the campfire, tell a few yarns and strum a few chords on the guitar. Events such as a ride to Snake Island near Port Welshpool next year and a “pink ride” that sets out from a property in Rosewhite are some of the other events on the 2018 calendar.
Club members enjoy navigation rides and family fun days as well. Navigation rides are about orienteering over 10km to 15km trails and riders, with their partners, have to find clues along the way with the aim of answering questions correctly. Participants take part in pairs and they have to complete the course within a
certain timeframe as to do it too quickly or too slowly would mean the loss of points. The team with the most points wins the event.
OVHRA president Errin Whittingham said the purpose of the club goes beyond riding horses.
“My hope for this club is to get lots of young kids off the Xbox, TV and computer, and outside being active,” she said.
Errin has had a love for the animals since she was a child and while her own active riding backed off during early motherhood years, she has now got right back into the saddle. Of her 10 horses, most are a Clydesdale cross with some Gypsy Cob in their breeding. She said the Clydesdale breed offers a dimension of ruggedness under the saddle and “they’ll go all day”.
“The perfect parts about the Ovens Valley, are the bush tracks and the many different landscapes that make it not only entertaining for the riders but for the horses too,” Errin said.
“There is different bush and landscape no matter which way you go, whether it is the Eldorado direction, or towards Rosewhite or Beechworth. >>
Errin says her involvement with the club provides some much needed respite from what was a hectic home life.
“I just love horses - they are my sanity because I have five kids and just to get out with them is my time out. However, most of the time my kids seem to come with me - I don’t know how it always works out that way,” she said jokingly.
Errin’s son, 12 year old Ryley, also loves riding horses and certainly has a good sense of humour.
“They’re a bit better than motorbikes because you don’t run out of fuel,” he said.
“They can take you anywhere and the horse I ride, Jack, is one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden. I’ve led a lot of other horses through hard places and because Jack lags behind a bit I get to ride really fast to catch up to the pack.”
Jack is a Clydesdale-Gypsy cross, a confident horse that helped Ryley win the junior division of a navigation ride, finishing second overall.
“I love doing the fun days because last time it ended up in a really big water fight and everybody enjoyed themselves,” he said.
“Fun days involve big barrels you weave in and out of and they put cans on the top of big star pickets and you have to ride up, take them off and put them on the big drum.”
One of the club members highly skilled in horsemanship is Rodney Seymour who lives in Myrtleford, but originally hails from the Kiewa Valley.
“I like the companionship horses give you and they don’t answer back,” he said.
“I am fairly new to the club and it seems to be a friendly place - and there are quite a few activities.”
When Rodney spoke to North East Living Magazine he was about to set off on the five-day ride up to Rose River. With nine horses on his property to choose from, it would be fair to say that they are a bit more than a hobby for him.
“They’re a passion,” he said.
But the club certainly caters for all levels of riders, and Erin said while the pace is usually a walk or a trot they do get into a canter from time to time depending on who is on the ride.
“We have to adjust our rides, but at the end of it my main aim is for everybody to have fun and to be safe,” she said.
At the Murmungee Recreation Reserve the group is focused on different facets of the horse riding craft and they are about to embark on training for “extreme cowboys”.
Errin explains that Extreme Cowboy events involve riders navigating obstacles at a really fast rate.
“At a gallop you go around everything really fast and it’s a timed event which is getting really popular,” she said.
“It takes a lot of practise and time to get up to scratch - and horses have to be really highly trained.”
Anyone can join the club, with membership enabling them to ride with any other Australian Trail Horse Riders Association (ATHRA) club across the nation. The club runs under the ATHRA code of conduct and has accredited “trail bosses” while there is also always someone there who knows first aid.
“It is quite comprehensive - as trained members also have to learn about the 16 environmental rules that preserve the flora and fauna in the bush,” Errin said.
For more information about the Ovens Valley Horse Riders Association, visit them on Facebook or call Errin on 0411 739 117.
“I like the companionship horses give you and they don’t answer back.”
Rodney Seymour
the views.
In the mountains, far from city life,
It’s a great time of year to visit this beautiful part of The High Country. We look forward to welcoming you to our place...
Whether you dine in our bistro, streetside under the umbrellas, or in our large sunny courtyard, you’ll be sure to enjoy good hospitality & good food. As the weather warms up we also have regular live music in the courtyard. Come Laugh with us… ‘The Wedding Reception’ is heading this way from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You’re guaranteed a night of great theatre, food and laughter. Tickets $89 incl. Dinner & Show November 23, 2017. Check our website for more details.
Stay the night with us… Jump in your car or on your bike, there’s always a reason to visit Mansfield. When you do, we have 14 guest rooms for you to choose from, with off street parking, a warm welcome and a good price. Check our website for bookings. Come dine with us…
Whether you’re mountain biking, walking or just taking a break, our apartments offer exceptional value during the warmer months. Take a virtual tour via our website! The awesome networks of mountain bike trails built by World Trail are exhilarating and designed to suit all abilities. P. 03 5758 3393 A. 11 Schuss Street, Falls Creek VIC 3699 E. info@cedarwoodfallscreek.com W. www.cedarwoodfallscreek.com
words Jarrah Loh photos courtesy Keith Leydon
ON Labour Day in 2018 it will be the 100th anniversary of the notorious Wonnangatta Murders, which are still unsolved to this day. The incident is one of the most high-profile criminal cases in High Country history and still proves to fascinate those who dare to pull the thread that unravels a century worth of clues.
To commemorate the memory of both James Barclay and John Bamford, who were found dead on the station in 1918, the Friends of Wonnangatta Valley in partnership with Parks Victoria, and supported by the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria and Four Wheel Drive Victoria, will be hosting a full weekend of events over the Labour Day long weekend at the site of the old Wonnangatta Station. There will be historic walks and talks, happy hour at the homestead, demonstration events from the Cattlemen’s Association, a giant tug of war competition to end the festivities – and of course, a forum for all armchair experts and the like to discuss the murders. And although many have tried to solve the puzzle, a century after the famed murders, many questions still remain.
Today, historical Wonnangatta Valley is a popular camping spot for four wheel drive enthusiasts exploring the Victorian High Country – but for decades it was a thriving cattle station known as the most isolated homestead in Victoria.
Wangaratta’s 89-year-old Wallace Malcom Mortimer, or “Wally” as he is known, first arrived in North East Victoria at the tender age of 15, when his parents shipped him out of Sydney during World War II and sent him to his uncle’s farm in Wodonga. But he eventually ended up behind the wheel of a truck.
“I got hold of a truck and started carting hay,” he said.
“Though I’d worked for long stretches interstate, I also got breaks between jobs.”
Away from the farm with newfound time up his sleeve, he pursued what would turn out to be a lifelong passion.
“I started heading up the mountains and fishing,” he remembers.
“And that’s how I found out about Wonnangatta Station.”
Mortimer has published three books on the subject, besides being the founding president of the Friends of Wonnangatta Valley group.
“Back in the 1960s, most people hadn’t heard of Wonnangatta,” Mr Mortimer remembers.
“The tracks were rough, four wheel drives were rare and your Regular Joe didn’t explore the mountains like today. My first trip was a week in a 1948 Land Rover – no small feat at the time.”
During its peak, the station was the headquarters to 1100 acres of flat land in the valley and a further whopping 80,000 acres of lease land that adjoined the once great farm. The land where the station once stood is now all National Park, but the first farm was established by American Oliver Smith in the 1860s. Though it would eventually graduate into a large cattle station, Wonnangatta started life as a small farm with horses, cows, goats, and even turkeys. Scotsman William Bryce ran a packhorse train through the area and it was to him that Oliver Smith eventually sold his land, and Bryce turned the modest farm into a prosperous cattle station. >>
He married Hannah Quye from Beechworth in 1857 and they set up in Myrtleford (which was then a remote cattle run known as Myrtle Creek), before moving into Wonnangatta, where they built the famed homestead that adorned the property until the late 1950s, when it was destroyed in a fire. The family remained until Mrs Bryce died in 1914, after which the property was sold to Arthur Phillips and Geoffrey Ritchie of Mansfield. The valley was far from Mansfield at that time, so they employed cattleman James Barclay to manage the station – and it proved to be the cattleman’s last job.
Which leads to the most asked question in the history of the High Country – who killed Jim Barclay?
The mystery of the Wonnangatta murders has plagued local history buffs ever since. Barclay was found dead, buried near the creek of the homestead, shot in the back with a shotgun. At first, his recently-hired farmhand John Bamford was presumed to be the culprit. But then Bamford’s own remains turned up, leading to a mystery that has never been officially solved. Though, there are many theories out there.
“Some believe it was one of the Klingsporne family from Mansfield,” said Mr Mortimer.
“And that Jim Barclay, who was a bit of a ladies man, had a clandestine love affair with one of their wives. But that farm was a couple of days’ journey in those times. And the Klingsporne family denies it.”
There are also theories that the farmhand did indeed murder Barclay, but was then killed in retaliation by friend and fellow High Country cattleman, Harry Smith.
“It had always been rumoured to be cattle thieves,” said Mr Mortimer.
“The truth is, there are people up in that country that know things, but will never talk. But I have heard from some. I even got to interview Jim Barclay Jnr.”
But it was one Frank Harrington, who grew up next door to some prominent cattle brothers in Porpanke – and eventually owned some of their land – that apparently confided in Mr Mortimer many years ago.
“He told me that his neighbour confessed several times to him when he was a young man, unrepentant that the brothers had done the deed on both Barclay and Bamford.”
At the outset of World War I, there was much pressure to enact conscription in Australia. Allegedly, the younger brother
was so paranoid about forcibly going to war, that he hid himself in the bush before conscription had even been enacted. During his time hiding out, he became a master of the high country, and would observe Jim Barclay on Wonnangatta Station. According to Mortimer, upon observing the quality of Jim Barclay’s Herefords, he informed his older brother Jack and they began to loot cattle. Soon after, Barclay bought a revolver as he’d become suspicious that something was awry.
“They had spied him practice with it,” said Mr Mortimer.
“He and his brother must have surmised that the gig was up. Cattle-rustling was very profitable, but punished harshly. They decided to rub Jim out before he notified authorities or took actions into his own hands. And Barclay is the innocent bystander. In the end, they both became very rich and bought up land all over the North East. So, yes, I think I know who killed Jim Barclay.”
But, of course, there are plenty of other experts out there that figure differently.
Keith Leydon came to Mansfield for two weeks’ work in 1977, and is still there to this day. It was in 1987 that he made his first trip to the famed Wonnangatta Valley with a handful of local boys. A long-time lover of history, he was instantly fascinated by the stories of the valley. None were more prominent than those of the notorious double homicide.
“I visited the mountains often and would call on people in the area to talk about the valley,” said the 67-year-old.
“And everyone wanted to talk about the murders.”
Mr Leydon gathered such a collection of photos and stories from those he visited across the mountain-scape that it seemed logical to write a book, which he started in 1995. It took more than four years to complete the first edition of The Wonnangatta Mystery. He says people still contact him all the time wanting to know about the murders.
“It definitely wasn’t cattle duffing,” he ascertains, contrary to rumours that have surfaced over the years.
“I believe there was a woman involved and her family came to confront Barclay and things got out of hand.”
A Mansfield family has been accused in the past, but Mr Leydon believes the family were from Gippsland.
“A lot of mountain cattlemen told me who did it and I’m sure one of them is right - because they all gave me different answers,” he said.
Racegoers were dressed to impress at popular meetings held on Melbourne Cup Day in Wangaratta and Mansfield. Thousands of people enjoyed fun in the sun at the Ovens Ford Wangaratta Melbourne Cup Day event held at the Wangaratta Turf Club, while the Catanach Plate Melbourne Cup Day picnic race meeting at the Mansfield Racecourse also attracted an enthusiastic crowd.
photos
Samantha Dick (Wangaratta)
Steve Vivian (Mansfield)
THE cascading waterfalls at Beechworth Gorge have attracted visitors since ancient times. Natural rock pools shaped by years of erosion paired with spectacular views of the Woolshed Valley have rendered the area a peaceful retreat since its first Aboriginal inhabitants.
The overhanging rock shelters were once used by the Dhudhoroa, Bpangerang, Jaitmathang and Minjambuta people, who lived by Spring Creek thousands of years ago. Indigenous wildlife found in the gorge includes kangaroos, wallabies, possums, parrots, cockatoos, wombats and the occasional sleepy koala spotted in the fork of a tree. Flora includes lilies, orchids and other wildflowers, as well as bush peas, Grevilleas, Wattles, Beechworth Cypress Pines, Stringybark and Blakely’s Red Gums.
The Beechworth Gorge served as a dreamy refuge for centuries, but the peace and quiet was not destined to last. Just 11 months after gold was discovered at Spring Creek in February 1852, an influx of over 8000 hopeful miners had quickly populated the region with dreams of striking it lucky. It wasn’t long before the wealth of the gold rush transformed the sleepy town of Beechworth into a heaving regional centre, home to more than 20,000 people from all over the world by 1857.
While the prospect of finding gold nowadays is unlikely, the Beechworth Gorge has retained a natural beauty that continues to attract visitors to this day. A network of trails in and around the gorge allows visitors to explore the natural features of the park, discovering historical points of interest along the way. Lookouts around the Gorge have views into New South Wales and some even show Mount Buffalo.
Beechworth walking tour guide, Daniel Goonan, said Ned
Kelly sympathisers used some of these lookouts to signal to the Kelly Gang, who used to hide in this area when they were on the run. One entry point to the trails is on Camp Street at the historical site of the Powder Magazine, built in 1859 to hold gunpowder for mining operations.
Other walks begin at One Tree Hill and Ingrams Rock, or for a longer route of around five kilometres, leave from Gorge Road, near the Golden Heritage Motel. Alternatively, drive, cycle or walk along the sealed Gorge Scenic Drive, a popular route that follows a loop with views of the Woolshed Valley and the township of Beechworth.
The Gorge Bridge sits over the cascades, which flow down into Reid’s Creek, an historic area above the Woolshed.
“The Gorge Cascades are known as the Spring Creek Cascades or the Reid’s Creek Cascades,” Mr Goonan said.
“Although the historical name for the creek that flows through the Gorge was Muddy Creek, due to the large amount of mining activity upstream.”
While driving from the Gorge Bridge to the Newtown Bridge, Mr Goonan said visitors will see the Rocky Mountain Tunnel entrance just below the Old Priory.
“This tunnel was constructed under Beechworth so that the upper Spring Creek Goldfield swamp could be drained for mining,” he said.
“The Rocky Mountain tunnel took three men three and a half years to construct.
“When completed in 1880, the tunnel was regarded as the biggest industrial feat for the Southern Hemisphere.”
Find out more about walking the Beechworth Gorge at www. victoriashighcountry.com.au or visit www.beechworth.com.
The overhanging rock shelters at Beechworth Gorge were once used by the Dhudhoroa, Bpangerang, Jaitmathang and Minjambuta people, who lived by Spring Creek thousands of years ago.
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From our humble beginnings, we now lead the local industry and are known for providing our customers with highly competitive prices on quality flooring. As a Choices store, we stock a wide range of carpets, timber, vinyl, laminate, cork, underlay and rugs. In fact, we have so many options available that you are sure to find the floor that you are looking for!
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Can you tell us about life as a kid in the North East?
Lots of outside adventures with kids in the neighbourhood, tree climbing, street cricket, swimming at the Benalla pool, riding my BMX bike and having to be home before the street lights came on.
Can you tell us briefly what you do now and where you are?
I’m a Labor Upper House Member of Parliament representing Northern Victoria, which includes all of the North East.
I am raising my family in Sunday Creek (near Broadford).
I spend many hours driving up and down the Hume Freeway and visiting country communities.
What did you love about growing up in the North East?
All my family lived in Benalla so I spent a lot of time between grandparents, aunties and cousins’ houses.
I learnt to water ski at Lake Nillahcootie and there was always a netball, tennis or basketball game I was involved in or an event to go to.
I had a pet dog, cat and chicken - and a few greyhounds in the backyard, my grandfather regularly raced them at Wang or Shepp and I was allowed to have a Chiko roll for dinner at the track.
Let us know some of your career high points.
In politics, just getting elected is a high point.
Being a strong advocate and delivering results for North East communities, especially with hospital, school and infrastructure funding is very rewarding.
What’s the first thing you do when you return to the North East?
Mum and dad still live in the house I grew up in in Benalla next to the river – I like to sit on their back deck and look at the familiar calming view.
I also buy local wines, particularly those from the King Valley.
After living away from the region, what is it about the North East that has always stayed with you?
I’m very proud to say I grew up in Benalla and as part of the North East community, we have a connectedness and many shared values and experiences.
I love meeting people from the region – you always have something in common and know at least some of the same people or families from surrounding towns.
2017
November 5 Family Fun Carnival Market
November 10 – 12 Lake Mulwala Rod Run
November 17 – 19 Country Festival of Tennis Juniors
November 18 Murray Quad Australia’s Quadrathlon Championships
November 24 – 22 Country Festival of Tennis Seniors
December 1-3 Cod Classic fishing tournament
December 2 Christmas Monster Market
December 8 Carols by the Lagoon
December 29 Yarrawonga Rodeo. https:// www.facebook.com/YarrawongaRodeo
December 28, 29, 30 Ski Shows
December 31 Ski Club New Year Eve
Fireworks at midnight
December 31 New Year’s Eve Party Bundalong
December 31New Year’s Eve
2018
January 3, 4 Ski Shows
January 6 Red Hot Summer Tour.
January 12, 13, 19, 20 Ski Shows
January 21 Murray River Classic Canoe Race
January 25, 27 Ski Shows
January 27 Family Fun Day at Mulwala Waterski Club.
January Sailing Races every Sunday
January Summer Series Canoe and Water
Festival- Yarrawonga Mulwala Amateur Canoe Club
February 24 Great Lake Mulwala Boat Muster. www.lakemulwalaboatmuster.com.au
February Sailing Races every Sunday
February 15 Queens Baton Relay
February 24 The Great Lake Mulwala Boat Muster
3rd Sunday each month Rotary Market at the Yarrawonga Showgrounds
Special Easter Sunday Market Rotary Market at the Yarrawonga Showgrounds
Other special market dates 29th April & 30th September 2018
4th Sunday each month Yarrawonga Farmers Market at the Yarrawonga Foreshore
Saturday 20th January from 1pm at the Yarawonga Yacht Club
Paddle Hub 1-4pm paddlehub.canoe.org.au/yarrawonga-paddlehub
Come n Try Activities > Sail on a yacht > Ride a SUP > Have a go at rowing > Give paddling a go
For more information ring Tim Roadley 0417 373 376
At the Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre, we can assist you with your accommodation bookings, lake cruises and provide local and regional information. Having problems planning your family or group holiday itinerary? With a little conversation we can help you gain the best out of your journey. We are open daily from 9am – 5pm. So pop in and say hello, we’d love to help you out.
All accommodation bookings go to www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au
