Regional Extra 020823

Passion for sewing and textiles

By CHLOE JAENICKE

KERRYN Taylor has had a keen interest in textiles since she was at university and is now being recognised for her talents at the Melbourne Royal Show.

After winning first prize for her machine-made vest in the recent regional finals, Ms Taylor decided to enter her creation into the Melbourne Royal Art, Craft and Cookery competition that takes place in September.

The regional finals included pieces from Benalla, Yarrawonga, Myrtleford and Wangaratta and this year’s theme in the textiles category was to create a vest.

Ms Taylor used a variety of fabrics and a mix of techniques - from embroidery to using a sewing machine - to make the stunning vest.

“I put together some of my left-over dress making fabrics, then I cut out the pieces so it was like a jigsaw, using the pieces of material that fitted the shape of the pattern,” she said.

Both Ms Taylor’s mum and sister were skilled seamstresses however, Ms Taylor didn’t develop a passion for textiles until university, when she made her own clothes as she couldn’t afford to buy them.

“I completely hand-stitched a shirt maker (a knee length dress with sleeves and button cuffs),” she said.

“I didn’t even go for a simple shift (a dress without sleeves or buttons), I went for a shirt maker and my fingers were shredded from that and my mother realised then that I was really serious about wanting to sew so she gave me her old singer sewing machine.”

Ms Taylor continued to make her own clothes when she moved to Katherine in the Northern Territory.

■ Continued page 6

◆ SHOW-STOPPING DESIGNS: Kerryn Taylor has had a passion for textiles ever since she started making her own clothes at university.

PHOTO: Kurt Hickling

with SOPHIE

with HIROSHIMA

Key considerations for reptile enclosure

PLACING your reptile’s enclosure requires carefully considering several factors.

Firstly, temperature is crucial.

Direct sunlight through the window can lead to overheating and even fatal consequences for your reptile.

Sunlight contains both white light and ultraviolet radiation and enough of both of these components are crucial for your reptile’s health.

However, relying on sunlight coming through windows is not enough since glass and plastic filter out almost all essential UVB light, so artificial lights capable of replicating the effect of sunlight are needed for reptiles housed indoors.

Remember to avoid areas with drafts, as they can make the enclosure too cold for your reptile.

Disturbances can significantly impact your reptile’s wellbeing.

Many reptiles get upset by heavy vibrations.

Everyday activities like walking, vacuuming, or traffic can cause distress to your reptile.

By raising the enclosure on a shelf, table, or stand, you can reduce the intensity of vibrations.

Many captive reptiles can tolerate some level of human activity, but they still need peace and quiet to maintain

with RSPCA Knowledgebase

their physical and mental health.

Too much activity around their enclosure can lead to stress, poor welfare, and behavioural issues such as aggression or anorexia, depending on the species.

Another critical aspect to consider is the space your reptile needs.

As they grow, they’ll require a larger enclosure.

Planning ahead and providing enough room both in the enclosure and the room is critical.

An enclosure that might have seemed ideal last year could become too small next year.

When choosing the room for the enclosure, opt for the quietest and least frequently used area.

Lastly, it’s important to know that captive-bred wild animals should not be kept as pets unless the species has been clearly identified as being suitable for this purpose and their welfare needs can be met in a home environment.

For more information visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase or check out our policy.

◆ SNOW FUN: There are plenty of ski and snow play opportunities at Mt Hotham this week.

Athletes time to shine at resorts

THE Buller Biathlon is on Monday, August 7 with registrations open for athletes aged 14 to 22.

Mt Buller has an average natural snow depth of 39cm with snow showers expected throughout the week.

Both of the Snowplay parks are currently closed.

There are currently 16 snow lifts open.

Falls Creek has an average snow depth of 70cm with sunny days and snow showers on Thursday and Friday expected throughout the week.

Ten out the 15 ski lifts are open and all the snow activities from the Alpine helicopter tours to snow sports are available.

To celebrate the FIFA women’s world cup there will be soccer on snow on August 8 from 3:30pm to 5pm in the village bowl.

Snow chains must be carried.

Mt Hotham is reporting an average of 61cm across the mountain with small snow showers expected on Friday.

All of the cross country trails and ski lifts are currently open.

The fireworks show will also be on once again tonight for all to enjoy.

Night skiing and snowboarding will also be taking place every Wednesday and Saturday.

Please note that guests are not allowed in the ski field after 5pm under any circumstances.

At Dinner Plain, the average natural snow depth is 1cm.

The Peashooter Toboggan slope is also now open but the Cobungra Platter ski slope is currently closed.

The Howling Huskies tours sled dog tours are also available, bookings are required.

Mostly cloudy conditions, with

some snow showers can be expected throughout the week.

Mt Buffalo is reporting patchy snow coverage.

Both Cresta Valley and Dingo Dell are only open for snow play Dingo Dell Café is open for food and beverage everyday on the school holidays from 10am to 4pm.

There will be no toboggan rental at Mt Hotham this year with rental instead available in Porepunkah, Myrtleford and Ovens.

Chains are required to be carried for all resorts and fitted where instructed.

For the latest information on the mountains visit:

Dinner Plain: visitdinnerplain. com.au

Falls Creek: fallscreek.com.au

Mt Hotham: hotham.com.au

Mt Buffalo: visitmountbuffalo. com.au

Mt Buller: mtbuller.com.au.

This Day in History, 1883

WHAT was considered at the time to be one of the finest buildings in the North East was opened. With classic Grecian architecture features almost mandatory for public buildings in those days, the newly-built Benalla Shire Council Chambers provided the perfect setting for the inaugural banquet, held on this day in 1883. The banquet came complete with 28 speeches. When Benalla became a city in 1965, the building became the Town Hall.

◆ CHOOSING AN ENCLOSURE: When choosing an enclosure for your reptile, it’s important to consider an area that gives them room to grow and that isn’t too hot or cold.

Sri Lankan beef curry pie

HIROSHIMA (Beechworth Bakery pastry chef) wanted to promote the spicy curry taste of Sri Lanka.

The pie has the following characteristics; chunky tender meat, with the tendering of Sri Lankan spices, which we marinated overnight and we thickened with coconut milk to give a creamy taste and to dull down the hotness of the spices.

We even sourced a real Sri Lankan roasted curry powder from Sri Lanka; we also used other spices to give it a real spice hit. The inspiration came to her when she made delicious curries for a few of the bakehouse team and staff at Beechworth, and we said these would be great in a pie.

Makes: six individual pies or one family pie

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Baking Time: 20 – 30 minutes

Oven Temperature: 220 C

Tom’s Tip – Puff Pastry: Puff Pastry requires a lot of mucking around about at home, and you would not like me if I gave you the recipe. I suggest you get it conveniently from your local supermarket.

Basic Pie Base

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

Group one:

• 1 ¾ cup Plain flour

• 2/3 cup Butter

Group two:

• 1 cup Milk

Group three:

• 2 cups Plain Flour

• 2 tsp Salt

Method:

1. Rub together group one very well in large bowl.

2. Add milk, then blend to form a smooth paste.

3. Dry mix group three in a separate bowl.

4. Mix all groups together, bring together to form a dough – do not overwork. Roll into a ball.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1015 minutes on bench.

6. Roll out to ¼ cm thick. Size – to suit your pie dish.

7. Place in greased pie dish.

LOCAL FLAVOURS

YOUR HEALTH

◆ IMPROVING GUT HEALTH: Eating a range of plant-based food and mixing them into meals such as Dahl can help improve your gut health.

A serve of Dahl a day keeps the naturopath away

EVERYONE is now well versed in the idea that a healthy gut requires a good bacterial balance, with various strains of probiotics.

and Hiroshima with Hiroshima

Rajapaksha Qualitfied Pastry Chef r local

Sri Lankan Beef Curry Filling

Ingredients:

Group one:

• 600g Beef chunks

• 2 tsp Crushed Chili

• 1 tsp Ground Turmeric

• 1 tsp Salt

• 1 tsp Ground pepper

• 1 tbsp Crushed garlic

• 1 tsp Crushed ginger

• ½ large onion diced

• 1 cup Diced canned tomatoes

• 1 tbsp Roasted curry powder

• 850mL Water

Group two:

• 1 cup Coconut cream

• ½ cup Corn flour

• 1 tbsp Plain flour

• Group three:

• Puff Pastry

• 2 Eggs

• 100mL milk

Method:

1. Place group one into a pot on the stove and cook over low heat.

2. Mix group two into a paste and add into group one when meat is tender.

3. Remove from heat when thickened.

4. Allow meat mixture to cool. Then place into prepared pie tin.

5. Top with puff pastry sheets, prick the top with a fork, whisk together group three and glaze the tops of the pie using a pastry brush.

6. Bake at 220 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

With the current health trends promoting all kinds of groovy ferments like kombucha, krauts, kimchi etc, it is easy to forget the cheapest, easiest ways to cultivate these good guys.

I am reminded of this as I work with parents to introduce solids into their baby’s diet.

The research suggests that baby’s digestion has a limited number of bacteria (improved with vaginal birth, mother’s diet and health whilst pregnant and breastfeeding) and that we build on these as they are exposed to food.

Eating a wide variety of plant-based foods is the best way to increase the exposure of probiotics in humans/children.

Adding ferments into a diet of rich, fatty, processed style eating, will do little more than add to your wind issues.

We also know that antibiotics, chemicals and environmental pollutants will destroy or reduce various strains and impact

our microbiome variety.

The best gut foods are really not exotic and they are very economical: lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, veggies, fruits, herbs and spices with small amounts of traditional ferments like tamari, yoghurt, tempeh and those mentioned above.

By 12 months old babies could certainly be eating most of these and as adults we definitely should be exposed to these a few times a week if we want good ‘biosis’.

Dahl is my favourite nourishing ‘biome cultivating’ comfort food.

When combined with rice, a tiny serve of natural yoghurt and a small side salad (like grated beetroot and carrot, almonds, grapefruit pieces) dressed in olive oil, tamari and squeeze of lemon, it ticks all the gut health requirements.

This is a balanced vegan (minus the yoghurt) or vegetarian wholefood staple for winter.

Add the left overs in a toasted wrap the next day and don’t forget to give babies nine months and older a small serve every now and then.

with Naturopath Sophie Lorback (BHSCI. NATUROPATHY)

◆

Peter, Alana, Sharee a

Kerryn’s passion for sewing and textiles

■ From page 1

While there, she joined a range of creative classes such as pottery and leather work but realised her real passion was sewing when she joined a textile art class in 1981.

“I loved it because you can pick up a piece of sewing, handsewing, sew for five minutes put it down - but with pottery the clay completely controls your life,” she said.

From there she learnt a range of techniques from quilting to machine embroidery.

What Ms Taylor said she enjoys most about textiles is the pride she gets from creating anything from a cushion to a dress.

“You get a real sense of satisfaction that you’ve made something and it’s unique to you and you know that nobody else will have anything like it,” she said.

“I also find sewing calms me and that it’s meditative.”

While Ms Taylor has found plenty of pride and success in entering her creations into shows, she said she fears for the future of them as it is becoming increasingly difficult to convince younger people to take part in them.

“When I saw the junior entries when I first arrived here, I was stunned at the quality,” she said.

“But last year there didn’t seem to be as many so it’s sort of dropped off.”

Ms Taylor said she believes this is the case due to the prizes being small in comparison to the efforts people put into making their art.

“I know the Wangaratta show have increased their prize money, but if you’re going to put in a photograph or something by the time you put it in, it costs you more to make the photograph than what you win for taking out first prize,” she said.

“I think they need to look at reducing the categories but upping the prize money as encouragement.”

GREAT

The

Myrtleford Lodge Aged Care

Positions exist for motivated, flexible staff to work in our aged care facility as a Diversional Therapist.

The role involves working closely with elderly people in a team environment, and would enable enthusiastic staff to expand on their skills, and take on new and challenging roles.

Applications close at 5pm on August 11, 2023

For further information and a copy of the position description, please contact Administration.

Myrtleford Lodge (03) 5752 2222

FOR GREAT PEOPLE

◆ AWARD WINNER: Kerryn Taylor is taking her award-winning vest to the Melbourne Royal Show this September.

PRIVATE NURSING HOME

Rangeview Private Nursing Home currently has vacancies for REGISTERED NURSES

Aged Care experience required. A variety of shifts available. Email resumes to janis@meracare.com.au

THE ROLE OF PUBLISHERS

Advertisers please note!

Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Employment column is reserved for advertisements which carry a specific and genuine offer of employment.

Ads for 'Business Opportunities', 'Commission Only' training courses and employment services should be submitted under those headings.

Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trade Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval.

For further advice, contact:

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.

Positions vacant Manager Operator for motel and mini

golf. Live in position.

2 full time cleaners. Located in Bright. Contact Allan on 0400 501 434.

Finding the right job for you matters to us

Board Director (x 2 paid positions)

Are you:

ASSOCIATE NURSING UNIT MANAGER –(Residential Aged Care)

Permanent

ENDORSED ENROLLED

Permanent Part Time Contracts available.

For further information please contact Angela Clement, Director Clinical Services(03) 5728 0316

ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT –(Primary Health)

Permanent Part Time – 0.20 EFT

For further information please contact Louine Robinson, Primary Health Team Leader(03) 5728 0312

Application instructions can be found on our website.

Closing Date: 11/8/2023

As we are an Aged Care Facility, the COVID 19 vaccinations and booster vaccination is mandatory for all staff. A copy of your covid19 vaccination status is required upon application.

All staff who work in our residential aged care units also require a current NDIS check

To apply and for full details on the positions, please log on to: www.beechworthhealthservice.com.au

Galen Catholic College

Our vision is to provide pathways for all students and

MANSFIELD SECONDARY COLLEGE IS CALLING ALL PASSIONATE AND EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS TO JOIN OUR GROWING SCHOOL IN 2024!

Located at the picturesque foothills of Mt Buller, our small rural Victorian school is on a remarkable path of growth. Easy access to watersports, snowsports, and bushwalks, our school offers the perfect backdrop for an enviable lifestyle for both work and play.

Enrolments are increasing, and we need your expertise to continue providing an exceptional education in a stimulating environment. Whether you’re a teacher or support staff, we have a variety of positions available.

We invite you to visit our school, meet with our Principal, and take a tour of our impressive facilities.

Contact Timothy Hall, Principal, to schedule your visit or inquire about available positions. Ph 0400 079 302.

Interested applicants should apply via DET website: https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/careers-and-recruitment-hr#find-a-job

Find

◆ HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS: Improve your toolbox with cost-effective tools such as Torquemaster Screwdrivers, Industrial Scissors and Folding Utility Knife by Kincrome.

Enhancing your toolbox

AT North East Fasteners we have a range of screwdrivers, industrial scissors and folding utility knives that are essential for everyone’s toolbox.

From a simple DIY project to working on site, these tools will help you get the job done.

The Kincrome Industrial Scissors and Folding Utility knife come in a two-pack combo for your convenience.

The industrial scissors are suitable for cutting all kinds of materials including PVC, cardboard, paper, cable tires, leather, sheet metal, wiring and cables, fabric and more.

They also offer a triple injection moulded soft grip handle and concealed spring-loaded action for fast repeat cuts.

The folding utility knife can cut into plasterboard, wire, rope, twine and wood and is even suitable for carpet installation.

Magnificent wattle

AS the days lengthen, the exuberant flowering of early spring gathers pace.

The lyrics of a childhood song come to mind (with an Aussie bent). I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the Acacia tree. Spring had brought me such a nice surprise. Popcorn popping right before my eyes.

Seemingly in every street, in every park, along every highway, acacias are bursting out all over.

Industrial Scissors

The knife also has a lanyard hole and integrated belt clip so you can take it anywhere and comes equipped with a push button safety blade lock.

The Kincrome Torquemaster VDE Five Piece Screwdriver Set is a cost-effective screwdriver set with decades of fastening innovation.

They feature professional grade features such as VDE certification and drive indicators and are designed with other features that ensure durability and safety.

The screwdrivers, industrial scissors and folding utility knife from Kincrome are cost effective and will improve your next project.

Although there are acacias in flower in every month of the year, it has been traditional to celebrate Wattle Day in Australia on September 1.

Many acacias beat the gun, and are in full bloom right now.

Recently I was asked to identify some seeds (pictured above) which were gathered from a small tree in a Wangaratta garden.

The prolific black pea-shaped seeds and the seed pods indicated that they were Acacia podalyriifolia (Queensland silver wattle).

This long-time garden favourite is a quickgrowing shapely tree which will flower in its second year.

Like most acacias, it does not have true leaves, but flattened stems called phyllodes, which function as leaves.

They are silver-grey, about the size of a 10 cent piece.

The combination of the silver-grey leaves and the prolific flowering bracts are a delight.

This acacia grows easily in a wide range of conditions.

Its dense foliage makes it suitable for hedging.

It tolerates dryness and neglect, and produces seeds readily and prolifically.

The seed may lie dormant on the ground for years, until gradual natural scarification allows water to penetrate the hard seed-coat and germination begins.

Because of these attributes, and similar to the Cootamundra Wattle (A. baileyana), it may become invasive in natural areas, and should never be planted in gardens near bushland. It is a declared weed in NSW, Victoria, SA and WA.

There are almost 1000 species of acacia in Australia.

Many are wonderful garden subjects, not only for their blossom, but also for their foliage contrasts, structural shape and interesting bark.

They range from ground covers to small shrubs which are ideally suited to pots or a courtyard garden, through to larger shrubs and long-lived trees.

There is bound to be an acacia ideally suited to your garden.

If you would like to learn more about growing a non-invasive acacia from seed, the Wangaratta Australian Plants Society will be at the Wangaratta Farmers Market on Saturday, August 12.

There will be free acacia seed of interesting and rare species suitable for the home garden, and demonstrations on propagating wattles and other plants from seed and cuttings.

Folding Utility Knife

TORQUEMASTER

for cutting: PVC, cardboard, paper, rubber, cable ties, leather, thin sheet metal, wiring & cables, fabric, wire mesh, hose, wall paper, vinyl and more –Cuts Vinyl Tile. Trims Carpet for Installation. Cuts Plasterboard, Auto Hose, Wires, Rope, Twine, Plastic, Wood and much more TorqueMaster® represents decades of fastening innovation. –VDE certified

◆ Acacia podalyriifolia seed with Helen Van Riet

◆ Golden wattle

with Mick Seymour, NORTH EAST FASTENERS