True Blue Magazine - April/May 2019 - Kevin Hogan

TrueBlue April/May 2019

OUR HEART IS IN THE COUNTRY

Kevin

Hogan An Aussie pollie making a difference

TWIN CITY TALES

Albury and Wodonga are all grown up

FALLS CREEK

Fresh spaces, new faces

WHY WHYALLA?

Plenty of reasons in all seasons

AusBiz.

A real Australian business magazine

A HOME AT SCHOOL COME AND SEE US ACROSS RURAL NSW THROUGHOUT 2019 • Boarding Schools Expo: Dubbo - 17-18 May • Mudgee Field Days - 12-13 July

• Boarding Schools Expo: Tamworth - 26-27 July • AgQuip Field Days - 20-22 August

For more information, contact Martin Gooding, Head of Enrolments, at goodingm@knox.nsw.edu.au or call 02 9473 9768.

A Uniting Church school for boys, K-12 – Wahroonga, Sydney www.knox.nsw.edu.au

Letter from the COO

EDITORIAL

Welcome aboard, and to the April/May issue of True Blue What a great time of year autumn is to explore the mighty Murray River.

Starting in the mountains of the Upper Murray near Albury and Wodonga, meandering through Victoria’s Mallee region to Mildura and on to the Coorong Lakes system at the river mouth, 83 kilometres south of Adelaide, the Murray River showcases amazing Australian landscapes and a history rich in Aboriginal culture.

As one of the world’s greatest river systems, spanning 2580 kilometres, the Murray River flows through five distinct landscapes: mountains, river gum forests, mallee, outback and limestone cliffs before ending in the plains where the river meets the Southern Ocean.

As it’s such a vast region, Rex offers flexible connections to the Murray River with daily flights from Adelaide and Melbourne to Mildura, and from Sydney and Melbourne to Albury.

Though the diversity of this great land is astounding, it doesn’t come without its challenges. Whilst still reeling from the extensive drought in the south-east, northern Queensland now faces the enormous task of rebuilding communities in the wake of devastating floods that have

enveloped much of its landscape.

Rex originally set up a Rex Drought Relief Fund of $1 million to assist in alleviating the hardship of those suffering from the effects of the drought, which has now been renamed the Rex Relief Fund and its budget raised to $1.5 million. The Rex Relief Fund is available for all relief efforts arising from natural disasters, including drought, flooding and fires, to community groups and small businesses working to assist the devastated regions by offering $4 of Rex travel for every $1 raised.

Rex has again partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to raise money inflight and on the ground to provide cash contributions in support of their essential Strengthening Rural Communities program.

Rex’s thoughts and prayers go out to all those communities that have been affected. For more information on the flood and drought relief efforts please visit rex.com.au Until next time, safe travels.

Neville Howell Chief Operating Officer

Publisher: Michelle Hespe publisher@publishingbychelle.com Art Director: Jon Wolfgang Miller Lifestyle & Travel Sales Manager: Sonja Halstead sonja.halstead@publishingbychelle.com AusBiz. Sales Manager: Effe Sandas advertising@publishingbychelle.com Sub-editors: Claire Hey, Shane Cubis Assistant Editor: Sarah Hinder editorial@publishingbychelle.com Editorial Assistant: Libby Masi

CONTRIBUTORS

Sarah Hinder Sue Wallace Katrina Holden Deborah Dickson-Smith Winsor Dobbin Libby Masi Shane Cubis Darren Baguley Ian Lloyd Neubauer Lisa Smyth Kirsten Craze Ryan Watson

PRINTING

SOS Print + Media 65 Burrows Road, Alexandria, NSW, 2015

True Blue is published by Publishing ByChelle, (ABN: 78 621 375 853 ACN: 621 375 853) Suite 2, Level 8, 100 Walker Street North Sydney, NSW 2060 (02) 9954 0349 publishingbychelle.com The reproduction of any content, in whole or part without prior written permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the content are those of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the publisher. All information in this magazine was believed to be correct at the time of publication, and all reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Publishing ByChelle cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. We apologise if we don’t get back to your email, as we do receive a large volume of communication via various online channels. Some images used in True Blue are from istock and Getty images, and we make every effort to credit all contributors.

APRIL/MAY 2019

1

HOME TO OVER 75 STORES

87 BAYLIS STREET, WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 | T: 026931 7277

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Publisher's Letter

Every issue we aim to bring you stories that will hopefully inspire you to visit a part of Australia which you might not even have considered as a place for a holiday

One of my favourite experiences that gets you out into the bush – barramundi fishing in the Outback.

@TRUEBLUe _ MAG

/TRUEBLUEMAG

I recently had a week’s holiday in two of Colorado’s wonderful ski towns – Beaver Creek and Winter Park. The landscape is stunning, and the locals are so welcoming. I’ve spent a lot of time in the US over the past couple of decades and whenever you open your mouth and an American realises you’re an Aussie, they can’t wait to talk to you about your home. And almost every American I have ever met will say that Australia is their favourite place to visit or is at the top of their list on the places they’d like to go one day.

During these encounters (especially if they know what I do for a living) I’m inevitably asked: “What are some of your favourite places in Australia?”

It’s such a hard question to answer, as there are literally thousands of mindblowing places to visit and things to see. I often start by recommending that they see some of our cities but to make sure they get further afield. I suggest visiting an island or two and insist that they get out into the outback and under the stars at night. Then you can’t stop me: Explore some of our heritage-listed rainforests, do a gallery hop in Melbourne, walk along some of Sydney’s many beautiful beaches. Take the time to learn something new in one of our many aboriginal communities.

Don’t miss Hobart, and get lost in the forests, lakes and mountains of Tasmania. Make sure you fit in gorgeous Perth and some of Western

Australia’s coastline. I also recommend getting into the ancient outback lands of Kakadu or the Kimberley.

Soak up some sun in Tropical North Queensland, have a fun night out in Brisbane and try surfing or paddleboarding on the Sunshine Coast. Indulge in worldclass restaurants in rural Victoria.

Learn about dinosaurs in the many fascinating towns of Outback Queensland, and you have to make sure to visit at least four or five of our amazing wine regions.

And that’s why we are so lucky to produce True Blue magazine for Rex passengers. Every issue we aim to bring you stories that will hopefully inspire you to visit a part of Australia which you might not even have considered as a place for a holiday… and I bet you’ll go back home, like I do, marvelling at just how lucky Australians are to call this great continent home.

Drop us a line anytime, as we love hearing from you.

MICHELLE HESPE & THE TEAM AT TRUE BLUE APRIL/MAY 2019

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luxury goods & gadgets

25

Our wrap-up of the latest and greatest luxe products.

Cover Story

We speak with Nationals MP Kevin Hogan about life, politics and community.

Inside TrueBlue AusBiz. Check out AusBiz. at the back of the magazine.

METALS & MINERALS The high-tech metals and minerals that will power our future.

MINING THE BIGHT An environmental disaster or a safeguard for Australian oil?

AUSTRALIAN WOOL The Merino wool industry is making a big comeback on the global stage.

CAREFLIGHT The aeromedical non-profit has a new CEO at the helm.

4 TrueBlue

upfront

Features

07 Rex News

28 Sip, Eat, Sleep

Rex partners with the FRRR to raise money for drought relief, and with Denmark Arts to support the upcoming Denmark Festival of Voice and Denmark Markets, and donates prizes for the 2019 Red Room Poetry Object competition.

13 Rex Directory

The latest offerings from some top hotels in metro, rural and regional Australia.

54

31 Qld Adventures

We count down some of the most exciting and offbeat experiences around magnificent Queensland.

34 Falls Creek

54 Seaside Sojourn

Bursting with seaside and aquatic adventures, including snorkelling with giant cuttlefish, Whyalla in South Australia boasts more than meets the eye.

Some of the best places to eat, stay and play across the exciting Rex network.

Vail Resorts has set up shop in this iconic Aussie ski town, representing a new era for the destination.

21 Entertainment

38 Albury-Wodonga City-slicker street art meets country cool in these twin towns above the Murray.

Our top picks on where to drink, dine and stay during a trip to Tasmania's northern hot spot.

22 Events calendar

46 Getaway

62 ArtSpace

The latest theatre, art exhibitions, books and tours in Australia.

A line-up of some the best events around the country this April and May.

The Southern Highlands Pie Time Festival is right around the corner.

59 Explore: Launceston

We explore the wild and wonderful photography of artist David Kirkland.

Exclusive discount for Rex customers*

*Claim your discount at jennenshoes.com.au/rex

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For more information and to apply for the Rex Cadet Pilot Program, please visit our website at rex.com.au/cadetpilot *Course duration may vary depending on individual aptitude and ability.

Rex News Rex Airlines initiatives supporting regional causes.

Donations help ease tough times in drought-affected communities Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has earned its reputation as Australia’s ‘philanthropic toothbrush’ – it gets funding into all the hard-to-reach places.

FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together grants program is currently helping communities around rural and regional Australia access the resources they need to support one another through ongoing drought.

The program is supported by Rex through donations and in-kind flights, as well as the generous donations made by contributing Rex passengers.

The latest recipients of the program have recently been announced, with more than $1.2 million in grants to be shared among 43 droughtaffected communities. Rex donations will be put towards the renovation of the former aviation terminal at Charleville Airfield & WWII Museum in Outback Queensland, which is expected to stimulate tourism and

support local economic recovery.

Further grants across the country will go towards refurbishing kitchens in public halls, holding workshops to instruct local leaders on how to better assist their communities, hosting concerts and festivals to lift community morale, and enhancing local streetscapes and public areas to encourage more shoppers.

FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton explains there were more than 200 applications for support, many of which were from small communities. “Nearly twothirds of the applications came from communities of fewer than 5,000 people, with 33 from places of fewer than 500 people. In such small towns the opportunity for local fundraising is limited, so it’s important that we are able to provide this support.

“These grants, which will support projects that reduce social isolation, build resilience and enhance community health and wellbeing,

or enhance volunteer and organisational capacity, will make a real difference. We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of our Rex passengers who made contributions to the inflight collections, and fundraising tins at check-in counters and lounges across Australia,” says Natalie.

FRRR’s Drought Program Manager Emma Thomas recently flew with Rex to Ceduna in South Australia to witness how the drought is affecting its local community. She met with locals and delivered information sessions to spread the word about the availability of the Rex grants and the positive change they can deliver.

FRRR’s Tackling Tough Times Together program accepts applications year-round from notfor-profit groups in drought-affected communities. If you know a not-forprofit who may be interested or would like to learn more, please visit frrr.org.au/grants/TTTT APRIL/MAY 2019

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Rex News

Denmark Arts: host to the stars Denmark in Western Australia, best known for its untouched forests and pristine beaches, is a treasure trove of world-class artists. Supporting its local artists, community and burgeoning tourism industry is the region’s dedicated peak arts body, Denmark Arts.

The organisation’s recent partnership with Rex has allowed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring pop artist, activist and living legend Sir Bob Geldof to Denmark. “When the opportunity came to present him, we felt that it was such a one-off, we had to say yes!” commented Vivienne Robertson, Artistic Director at Denmark Arts.

“Bob is such an incredible example of someone who has used his fame and influence for social benefit. It was such an inspiring evening, hearing Sir Bob’s life story, and an incredible honour to host him in the Great Southern.”

Rex and Denmark Arts will partner once again for the Denmark Festival of Voice this May 31– June 3. The intimate festival, held annually over the Western Australia Day long weekend, sees hundreds of people flock to the beautiful coastal town to participate. Festival-goers can enjoy more than 30 workshops, 80 acts and 200 concerts across the event’s 14 venues.

This year’s festival will feature award-winning Noongar singer-songwriters Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse alongside the West Australian Symphony Orchestra string quartet. Further highlights include the West Australian Symphony Orchestra Chorus, who will present a program of Contemporary Scandinavian Choral music, and special guest Ysaye Maria Barnwell, former member of AfricanAmerican women’s a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. For more information on the festival go to denmarkfestivalofvoice.com.au When visiting the region, an event not to be missed is the Denmark Arts Markets. Established in 1981, the markets showcase local and regional craftspeople, artisans and entertainers, and are perennially brimming with handcrafts, innovative creations, delicious food and a diverse line-up of local performers. The next Denmark Arts Markets are on this Easter Saturday, April 20.

Denmark Arts wishes to say a big ‘thank you’ to Rex for their continued support in bringing travellers safely to the region. For more information and to become a member of Denmark Arts, please visit denmarkarts.com.au APRIL/MAY 2019

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Swim with the giant Cuttlefish in

Whyalla

DAILY FLIGHTS BETWEEN ADELAIDE AND WHYALLA

13 17 13 | rex.com.au Photo credit: Carl Charter

zema.com.au

“We’re a true Coonawarra family winery, forged in Australia but based on the undeniable passions and traditions of our Italian heritage.”

- Nick Zema

Rex News “This bird statue has flown down the generations and has landed at my doorstep.”

From ‘My Inheritance’ by Shyam, Year 4, Grafton REX Prize (Primary), Poetry Object 2018

“The tones that he sings makes the music truly sting I know now, he soars with new wings.” from ‘Mahogany Bones’ by Maddie, Year 9, Orange REX Prize (Secondary), Poetry Object 2018

“A tangle of forest flowers encrust your face.” from ‘The Locket’ by Emma Ingram, Teacher, Grafton REX Prize (Teacher), Poetry Object 2018

Red Room Poetry Object competition opens Red Room Poetry Object opens April 15 to teachers and students in Years 3–10 around Australia and New Zealand. The poetry competition is the largest of its kind in Australasia and is free to enter, attracting around 3,000 high-quality submissions annually.

Prizes are awarded from a pool of more than $10,000, including a special prize category for young people and teachers living in regional and rural Rex destinations.

The Rex category prize pool includes flights, books and special Rex gift packs. To see if your school is eligible, explore the Rex network map on page 19.

Now in its ninth year, Red Room Poetry Object invites young people and teachers to create poems inspired by their curious, special or talismanic objects.

Each year the competition is accompanied by a curriculum-aligned learning resource featuring

creative writing prompts, editing advice, and a new selection of ‘special object’ poems commissioned from professional poets to spark imaginations.

Past entries explore the writers’ unique relationships with special objects, among them a mahogany grand piano, puppy teeth, a handmade bamboo chair from Mauritius and a Sicilian music box. Last year’s winners included emerging poets from Wollongong, Grafton, Orange, Maitland and Sale.

Each year Red Room Poetry showcases the winning poems in new and inventive ways. Outstanding 2018 poems featured in a specially produced animation which was screened in cinemas around Australia, including regional towns Dubbo and Toowoomba, during the December–January school holiday period.

Register for Poetry Object at redroomcompany.org

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Griffith Region Discover Griffith - one of Australia’s most liveable country towns, according to the Weekend Australian Magazine. Located in the heart of the NSW Riverina, Griffith is a progressive, vibrant regional centre servicing a population of 52,000. Griffith is bursting with life and energy. The main street is dominated

by Italian cafĂŠs serving great coffee, pizza, local wine and house-made gelato. The people are friendly and the boutique shopping is impressive. The industries are diverse, and include wine, poultry, nuts, rice, citrus, vegetables and dryland cropping. There are many exciting career opportunities and the housing is affordable. Make time to discover Griffith Region - a great place to visit, a great place to live.

visitGriffith.com.au

Directory

TrueBlue Experiences

Great places to stay, and awesome things to do across Australia

National Anzac Centre

Rock Cottage, Winmark Wines

Abode Murrumbateman

67 FORTS ROAD, ALBANY, WA, 6330 T 08 6820 3500 E info@nationalanzaccentre.com.au nationalanzaccentre.com.au

229 WOLLOMBI ROAD, BROKE, NSW T 0429 265 268 E info@winmarkwines.com.au

57 ROSE ST, MURRUMBATEMAN NSW 2582 T 1300 122 633 abodehotels.com.au/hotels/murrumbateman

National Anzac Centre uses multimedia, interactive technology and historical artefacts to create a personal connection with the past, as well as pay tribute to those who served. The stunning building overlooks the location from where the convoys gathered and left.

Winmark Wines is a stunning property situated on 116 acres. Nestled into the landscape is Rock Cottage — a perfect getaway for exploring the Broke region. The residence has three bedrooms, a cosy living area with a fireplace, and a kitchen and dining room.

Abode Murrumbateman is in the heart of a top wine region, right on the border of the ACT and NSW. The hotel is super stylish and comfortable, and is suitable for a nice weekend escape, or for business or even families. Rent an Abode bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside.

Tasmanian Luxury 4WD Tours Nautilus Arts Centre

Sapphire Waters Motor Inn

275 JOHN LEES DRIVE, DILSTON, TAS 7252 T 0439 827 111 E info@tasmanianluxury4wdtours.com.au tasmanianluxury4wdtours.com.au

66 TASMAN TERRACE, PORT LINCOLN, SA 5606 T 08 8621 2351 E nautilusartcentre@plcc.sa.gov.au nautilusartcentre.com.au

32-34 MERIMBULA DRIVE, MERIMBULA NSW 2548 T 02 6495 1999 E info@sapphirewatersmotorinn.com.au sapphirewatersmotorinn.com.au

Start planning your getaway to stunning Tasmania.

Book a set tour with Tasmanian Luxury 4WD Tours, or create your own. We offer small personalised tours of Tasmania’s beautiful, iconic and out-ofthe-way places, ensuring that you travel in luxury and comfort. Tours depart from Launceston.

Nautilus Arts Centre is a place to gather, innovate, and celebrate. Located in the heart of Port Lincoln's CBD, it is also an outstanding venue for weddings and conferences. In the building you will find art galleries, the Gallery Shop and Nautilus Theatre.

An award-winning motel located just a short walk from the CBD, restaurants and clubs of Merimbula. We have a large range of room types to suit all occasions. Set on Merimbula Lake on the Sapphire Coast, we offer some of the most spectacular scenery on the NSW coast.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Directory

TrueBlue Experiences

Mercure Albury

Absalom's Art Gallery

Sundowner Cabins

579 OLIVE STREET, ALBURY, NSW 2640 T 02 6021 6100 E hb2v4@accor.com mercurealbury.com.au

638 CHAPPLE STREET, BROKEN HILL, NSW T 08 8087 5881 E jackab5@bigpond.com.au jackabsalom.com.au

226 BROADBENT TERRACE, WHYALLA NORRIE, SA T 08 8645 1535 E sales@sundownercabinpark.com.au sundownercabinpark.com.au

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, Mercure Albury is the perfect place to enjoy a delightful weekend, corporate get-together, special event or an indulgent night away. Home to the renowned Restaurant 579 on Olive, our stylish accommodation and superior facilities offer a little luxury with relaxed country charm.

On your next visit to Broken Hill, Absalom's Art Gallery is a must. It has the finest collection of outback paintings by Jack Absalom, and features the largest opal display in the Southern Hemisphere. Hope to see you on your next visit. Come in and say hello.

Offering accommodation for all budgets at daily or weekly rates. Choose from 72 Modern Cabins: three with disability access, 52 two-bedroom, seven one-bedroom with full kitchens and 10 Studio Cabins. We also offer a great range of fully furnished units or houses in Whyalla.

RoofClimb Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour

Port Lincoln Visitor Centre

ADELAIDE OVAL, WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE, NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006. T 08 8331 5222 E enquiries@roofclimb.com.au roofclimb.com.au

ADELAIDE OVAL, WAR MEMORIAL DRIVE, NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006 T 08 8205 4700 E enquiries@adelaideoval.com.au adelaideoval.com.au/tours

3 ADELAIDE PLACE, PORT LINCOLN, SA T 1300 788 378 E info@visitportlincoln.net.au visitportlincoln.net.au

Take a fascinating journey behind the scenes.

Explore the 100-year-old heritage scoreboard, gain an insight into match-day preparations inside the players’ change rooms, feel the roar of the crowd on the hallowed turf through the interactive players’ race, and much, much more.

The Visitor Centre is the perfect place to start planning your Eyre Peninsula adventure.

Visit us to obtain permits, book land-based tours, ferry tickets and charters for shark, tuna and seal dives, and fishing. Drop in for travel brochures, souvenirs and postcards and internet access. Open seven days a week.

An unforgettable experience awaits with this exhilarating adventure across Adelaide Oval’s iconic roofline. Enjoy picturesque views of the city and beyond before testing your nerve with a lean-out point 50 metres off the ground! With a wide range of climb possibilities, RoofClimb is a must-do for locals and visitors alike.

Commercial Club Albury

King Island Escapes

618 DEAN STREET, ALBURY, NSW E info@commercialclubalbury.com.au T 02 6057 2000 commercialclubalbury.com.au

135 BARNES RD, LOORANA, KING ISLAND, TAS T 0417 580 550 E stay@kingislandescapes.com.au kingislandescapes.com.au

Our next big event (June 15 & 16) is LIVE and FREE! Held over two fun-filled days, this notto-be-missed event features Where's Ringo, Beatles Magic, The Herberts and many more.

Schedules and further info is available at reception and on our website.

This ultimate beach retreat will take your King Island experience to another level.

Our four-bedroom architecturally designed accommodation, with bespoke cedar hot tub and sauna, is tucked into a hidden coastal setting with direct access to your private beach.

14 TrueBlue

Charleville Cosmos Centre & Observatory 1 MILKY WAY, CHARLEVILLE, QLD T 07 4654 7771 E enquiries@cosmoscentre.com experiencecharleville.com

At our amazing observatory, see the wonders of our outback night skies and view the beauty of the Milky Way galaxy through a powerful Meade telescopes. Enjoy ‘Astronomy by Day’ and book in for our incredible ‘Sun-viewing’.

Rex FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions As you sit back in comfort en route to your destination, the Rex crew hope you enjoy this entertaining and informative light reading.

Q. Why do the flight attendants insist that all window blinds be up for take-off?

A. The most critical phases of a flight are the take-off and the landing. In the most unlikely event of a situation that requires an emergency evacuation, it is important that crew and passengers are able to have a clear view of the outside conditions in case of obstructions. For example, before exits are opened, staff must check for fire or other obstacles that may present potential hazards during the evacuation.

Q. Why do you have to stow your hand luggage in the overhead lockers, under the seats or in the seat pockets for take-off and landing?

A. Flight crews are required by Civil Aviation Regulations to secure the cabin as well as possible for take-off and landing. As mentioned, these are the most critical phases of the flight and securing as much hand luggage as possible ensures that in the unlikely event of an emergency, the exits and aisles stay as clear as possible, in case evacuation is necessary. It is also important to keep hand luggage secure whenever possible to ensure that heavier items do not become airborne within the cabin. This is especially important when the aircraft is experiencing turbulence.

Q. Why do you feel so tired from flying?

A. As the aircraft altitude increases, air pressure decreases. As the pressure of the air decreases, the body absorbs less oxygen than it would at sea level — therefore, it must work harder to supply oxygen to the body’s cells. As the body is working harder, it becomes more tired.

Q. Why do you sometimes feel pain in your ears or sinuses during ascent or descent?

A. The sinuses and middle ear are aircontaining cavities that connect with the nose via narrow channels. As aircrafts ascend and cabin pressure drops, air passes out of these cavities (without any effort from the passenger) to balance the cabin pressure. It is a different matter during descent, as the cabin pressure increases. The channels close down and must be actively opened by holding the nose and

16 TrueBlue

blowing to inflate the cavities. Facial and ear pain can occur during descent if re-inflation does not occur, and this is much more likely if the passenger has nasal congestion. If you must fly with a cold or hay fever, use a decongestant nasal spray before descent and buy some ‘ear planes’ to plug your ears. (Information contributed by Dr Daniel Hains, ENT Surgeon.)

Q. When can electronic equipment such as laptops, iPods and mobile phones be used?

A. All Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) must be placed in flight mode inside the departure terminal and must remain in flight mode until inside the arrival terminal. Small hand held PEDs weighing less than 1kg, such as mobile phones, can be used in flight mode during all stages of flight on Rex’s Saab 340 aircraft. PEDs over 1kg, such as laptop computers, must be stowed appropriately for taxi, take-off and landing, and are permitted to be used only during cruise when the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign is switched off.

PEDs cannot be used while crossing the tarmac.

Q. What is the average speed of the aircraft when cruising in-flight?

A. Approximately 500 kilometres per hour.

Q. Why do you have to get permission from the Captain to move to a vacant seat?

A. The aircraft’s take-off speed is calculated by the weight and balance of the aircraft, and many factors need to be considered for a successful take-off. Factors include the weight of passengers and where they are seated, the weight of cargo, freight and fuel, the distance available on the runway, etc. For example, if there are 100 or more kilograms of freight in the cargo, the balance of the aircraft will be better maintained if passengers are seated in the forward rows.

AIR TURBULENCE

Q. Aircraft often experience air turbulence, but what causes it?

A. Imagine the air around the aircraft is water in a stream. We can see how water is disturbed around rocks or when two streams converge.

Turbulence in the air is similar: as the aircraft passes through cold air or in the vicinity of

terrain that has disturbed the airflow — often incorrectly referred to as ‘air pockets’ — the aircraft climbs and descends in the same way that a boat moves on water. Though turbulence can be uncomfortable, it poses no threat to the aircraft and is akin to driving on a rough or unsealed road. More severe turbulence can be associated with developing thunderstorms.

The Saab 340 has a sophisticated weather radar that pilots use to avoid these areas.

Occasionally, a flight attendant will discontinue serving passengers in turbulent conditions; this is a precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.

Q. Why should you keep your seatbelt fastened even when the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign is switched off?

A. On occasions, the flight crew cannot foresee turbulence or it is not picked up on the flight-deck radar. Because of this, we could unexpectedly experience turbulence at any time. The company recommends that you always keep your seatbelt fastened while you are seated — for your safety, just in case unexpected turbulence is encountered.

ENGINE NOISES

Q. Why do the aircraft’s engine noises change during flight?

A. Aircraft need more power to climb than to descend, in the same way that a car needs more power to go up a hill than down one. The Saab 340 turboprop has more than enough power to climb, so shortly after take-off you will notice a change in noises as the power is reduced.

The pilots also control the pitch angle of the propellers for various stages of the flight and as they ‘change gears’, this can also be heard in the cabin.

Q. What should you do if you see or hear something that does not look or sound right?

A. Please advise your flight attendant. The flight attendant may be able to answer your query and allay any fears. If not, the flight attendant will contact the flight deck and advise the pilots of anything unusual. Rex encourages open communication and will always treat a passenger’s concerns with the utmost seriousness.

Rex Exercises and Stretches

Exercise and stretch regularly while seated Exercise and stretch regularly while seated

IN-FLIGHT COMFORT

SEATED EXERCISES

Exercise and ExerciseSTRETCHES andstretch stretchregularly regularlywhile whileseated seated SEATED

Inflight comfort

Flying can be demanding and altitude may make your body more sensitive to the Flying can be demanding and altitude effects of alcohol and caffeine. Sitting in one may make your body more sensitive place for a long time can be uncomfortable to the effects of alcohol and caffeine. and slow down your blood circulation.

Flying be and Sitting in one place for a long time can Flyingcan can bedemanding demanding andaltitude altitude To helpmay your body adjust to flying make your body more be uncomfortable and slow downand your may make your body moresensitive sensitive to maintain your personal comfort and to and caffeine. blood circulation.

To help your body tothe theeffects effectsofofalcohol alcohol and caffeine. wellbeing, wein recommend you take the Sitting one place for a long time adjust to flying and to maintain your Sitting in one place for a long timecan can following steps: be your personal comfort and and wellbeing, beuncomfortable uncomfortable andslow slowdown downwe your blood ToTohelp recommend you take theyour following bloodcirculation. circulation. help yourbody bodysteps: ANKLE CIRCLES —floor, Lift feet FOOT PUMPS —with Start withonboth ANKLE CIRCLES Lift feet off draw a circle with FOOT PUMPS Start both heels the floorheels and pointon feet the upwardfloor as high Keep hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids — adjust to flying and to maintain off draw a circle with and point feet high as Then youliftcan.

Then put adjust to flying and to maintainyour your thefloor, toes, simultaneously moving one foot the clockwise as you can.

Thenupward put both feetas flat on the floor. heels high, keeping the water, juice, non-caffeinated soft drinks — to personal comfort and wellbeing, we toes, moving both balls feet flatfeet ononthe floor.

Then lift heelsintervals. high, keeping and thesimultaneously other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles. of your the floor.

Continue cycle in 30-second Keep hydrated.

Drink of fluids personal comfort andplenty wellbeing, we – Do each direction for 15 seconds.

Repeat one foot clockwise and theif desired.the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in preventrecommend dehydration, fatigue and headaches. you take the following steps: water, juice, non-caffeinated soft drinks recommend you take the following steps: ANKLE CIRCLES Lift feet off floor, draw a circle with30-second FOOT PUMPS Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high other counterclockwise. intervals.

Minimise– intake of dehydration, alcohol andfatigue coffee.

ANKLEfoot CIRCLES Lift feet off floor, draw a circle with FOOT PUMPS Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high to prevent and the toes, simultaneously one foot clockwise as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the Reverse circles. moving Do each Exercise Exercise and and stretch stretch regularly regularly while while seated seated the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the Moisten the face to help reduce drying and the other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles. balls of your feet on the floor.

Continue cycle in 30-second intervals.

Keep hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids –– direction seconds.Reverse circles. balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in 30-second intervals. headaches.

Minimise intake ofthe alcohol and the otherfor foot 15 counterclockwise.

Keep hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids Do each direction for 15 seconds.

Repeat if desired. effects of cabin air.

Repeat if desired. water, juice, drinks Do each direction for 15 seconds. Repeat if desired.

SEATED SEATED EXERCISES EXERCISES and coffee.

Moisten the facesoft to help water, juice,non-caffeinated non-caffeinated soft drinks –reduce dehydration, fatigue and the drying effects of cabin air. to Eat lightly.

Eat lightly on longer flights –totoprevent prevent dehydration, fatigue and headaches. intake alcohol avoid indigestion — our in-flight is headaches.Minimise Minimise intakeofofmenu alcohol and Moisten the totooptions. help Eat lightly.

Eat lightly onface longer flights designed tocoffee. provide lighter meal and coffee.

Moisten the face help to reduce the ofofcabin air. avoid indigestion –effects our inflight menu reduce thedrying dryingeffects cabin air.is Exercise. We encourage you to do the designed to provide lighter meal options. gentle on-board exercises on this flights page to Eat Eatlightly. lightly.Eat Eatlightly lightlyon onlonger longer flightstoto enhanceavoid yourindigestion wellbeing during the flight.

– our inflight menu isis Exercise.

We encourage you to the avoid indigestion – our inflight do menu We recommend you do these exercises for KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee SHOULDER ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLS Arms held at 90° angles, designed totoprovide lighter meal gentle onboard exercises on thisoptions. page to designed provide lighter meal options. bent while contracting your thigh shoulders forward, then upward, elbows down, hands in front. Raise hands about five minutes every one to two hours. enhance your wellbeing during theStartheels flight. muscle. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 then backward, then downward, up to chest and back down. Alternate ANKLE CIRCLES ANKLE LiftCIRCLES feet off floor, Lift feet drawoffa floor, circledraw with a circleFOOT with PUMPS FOOT StartPUMPS with both withonboth the heels floor and on the point floor feetand upward point feet as high upward as h should also occasionally walk down We encourage you to do the theYou toes, simultaneously the toes,Exercise. simultaneously moving one foot moving clockwise one footyou clockwise as do you can.

Then as you putcan. both Then feet put flatboth on the the feetfloor. flat on Then theliftfloor. heels Then high,liftkeeping heels high, the keeping to 30 times for each leg. using a gentle, circular motion. hands. Repeat in 30-second intervals.

We recommend these exercises Exercise.

We encourage you to do the and the other and foot the counterclockwise. other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles.

Reverse balls circles. of your balls feet on of your the floor. feet on Continue the floor. cycle Continue in 30-second cycle in intervals.

30-second intervals.

KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee SHOULDER ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLS Arms held at 90° angles, aisles, as space permits.

In addition, weto exercises on this page Do each direction Do each forgentle direction 15 seconds. foronboard Repeat 15onboard seconds. if desired.

Repeat if desired. every KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee SHOULDER ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLS Arms held at 90° angles, for about five minutes one to two gentle exercises on this page to bent whileLIFTS contracting thighleg shoulders forward, then upward, elbows down, hands in front. Raise hands KNEE —your Lift SHOULDER ROLLS ARM CURLS Arms recommend that you avoid crossing your bent while contracting your thigh shoulders forward, then upward, elbows down,— hands in front. Raise hands enhance your wellbeing during hours.

You should also occasionally walklegs. muscle.knee Alternatebent legs. Repeat 20 then backward, then downward, to chest and back down. Alternate enhance your wellbeing duringthe theflight. flight. with — Hunch shoulders heldupup at muscle. Alternate legs.while Repeat 20 then backward, then downward, to90° chestangles, and back down. Alternate to 30 times for each leg. using a gentle, circular motion. hands.

Repeat in 30-second intervals. you do exercises SEATED down the aisles, as permits.

In MovingWe about the aircraft.

You may move contracting your forward, upward, elbows down, to 30 times forSTRETCHES each leg. thigh using athen gentle, circular motion. hands.

Repeat inhands 30-secondinintervals.

Werecommend recommend youspace dothese these exercises muscle. Alternate legs. then backward, then front. Raise hands up to for minutes one toand two addition, we recommend that you avoid about the aircraft as spaceevery permits when forabout aboutfive five minutes every one to two Repeat 20 to 30 times for downward, using a chest and back down. hours.

You should walk crossing your legs.also the seatbelt sign is off.

However, when the hours.

You should alsooccasionally occasionally walk each leg. gentle, circular motion.

Alternate hands.

Repeat SEATED aisles, asas space permits.

InInremain SEATEDSTRETCHES STRETCHES seatbeltdown signthe is you are required in 30-second intervals. down theon aisles, space permits.to addition, we recommend that you avoid Please note: you should not do any of seated with the seatbelt fastened. addition, we recommend that you avoid crossing your legs. these exercises if they cause you pain or If you feel unwell, tell the cabin crew.

They crossing your legs. cannot done withcommon ease. can assist withbe the more in-flight KNEE LIFTS KNEE Lift legLIFTS with knee Lift leg with knee you should SHOULDERnot SHOULDER ROLLSdo Hunch ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLSARM ArmsCURLS held atArms 90° angles, held at 9 Please note: any offurther complaints and, if necessary, can seek note: you shoulders should not do any bent while contracting bent whilePlease your contracting thigh your thigh forward, shoulders then forward, upward, thenof upward, elbows down,elbows handsdown, in front. hands Raiseinhand fron muscle. Alternate muscle. legs.

Alternate Repeat legs.

20 Repeat 20 then backward, then then backward, downward, then downward, up to chest and up to back chest down. and Alternate back down. these exercises if they cause you pain or Moving about the aircraft.

You may and assistance these exercises iffor they cause you pain to advice 30 times for to 30 each times leg. for each leg. using ayou. gentle, using circular a gentle, motion. circular motion.or hands. Repeat hands. in 30-second Repeat inintervals.

30-second cannot be move about thewith aircraft ascan space permits On descent.

Ears and sinuses cause cannot bedone done withease. ease.

SEATED SEATEDEXERCISES EXERCISES

Inflight Inflightcomfort comfort

and when thethe seatbelt sign is discomfort, due to change inoff. air pressure on descent.

To minimise discomfort: Moving about the aircraft.

You may about the asasspace you are required to remain seated with • Yawn move or swallow frequently. move about theaircraft aircraft spacepermits permits the seatbelt sign isisoff. the seatbelt fastened.

• Pinch and your nostrils together blow firmly andwhen when the seatbelt signand off.

However, when the seatbelt sign into your cheeks with mouth However, when theyour seatbelt signisclosed. ison on you are required to remain seated with Ifyou you feel unwell, tell the cabin crew. are required to remain seated with the fastened.

They can assist with the more common theseatbelt seatbelt fastened. inflight complaints and, if necessary, If you have ongoing discomfort, seekcan the Ifseek feel tell cabin further advice and assistance for you. advice of the cabin crew Ifyou you feelunwell, unwell, tellthe the cabincrew. crew.

They Theycan canassist assistwith withthe themore morecommon common inflight complaints and, if necessary, can descent.

Ears and sinuses can KNEE TO CHEST KNEEBend TOOn CHEST forward Bend slightly. forward slightly.

FORWARD FLEX With both FLEX feet With oncan both the floor feet on theOVERHEAD floor OVERHEAD STRETCH Raise STRETCH both hand Rais inflight complaints and, ifFORWARD necessary, Clasp hands Clasp aroundhands left knee around andleft hugknee it toand hug it toand stomach and heldstomach in, slowly held bend in, slowly forward bend forward straight up over straight yourup head. overWith yourone head. han seek further advice and assistance for you. cause discomfort, due toassistance the change seek further and for you. your chest. Hold yourthe chest. stretch Holdforthe15 stretch seconds. for 15advice seconds.and walk your and hands walkdown your hands the front down ofin your the front ofgrasp your the wrist grasp of the theopposite wrist of the hand oppos and

SEATED SEATED STRETCHES STRETCHES Moving about the aircraft.

You may However, when the seatbelt sign is on KNEE TO CHEST Bend forward slightly.

Clasp hands around left knee and hug it to your chest. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds.

Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it KNEE TO —10slightly.

Bend down.TOAlternate legs. times.

KNEE CHESTCHEST BendRepeat forward KNEE TO CHEST Bend Clasp forward slightly. forward Clasp hands slightly. around left knee and hug it to Clasp hands around left knee and hug it to your chest.around Hold the stretch knee for 15 seconds. hands and your chest. Hold theleft stretch for 15 seconds.

Keeping aroundchest. knee, slowly let it hug it hands tohands your Hold Keeping around knee, slowly let it down.stretch Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times. the seconds. down. Alternatefor legs.15 Repeat 10 times.

Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it down.

Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times each leg.

FORWARD FLEX With both feet on the floor OVERHEAD STRETCH Raise both hands and stomach held in, slowly bend forward straight up over your head. With one hand, and walk your hands down the front of your grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and legs toward your ankles. Hold the stretch for gently pull to one side. Hold the stretch FORWARD FLEX —back With STRETCH — for 15 seconds.

RepeatRaise on theboth other side.

15 secondsFLEX and slowly sit up.

FORWARD With both feet on the floor OVERHEAD OVERHEAD STRETCH hands FORWARD FLEX With both feet on the floor OVERHEAD STRETCHstraight Raise both hands both on floor both hands andfeet stomach heldthe in, slowly bend forward Raise straight up over your head. With one hand, and stomach held in, slowly bend forward straight up over your head. With one hand, walk your hands down front of your grasp theyour wrist of the opposite hand and andand stomach in,the slowly With and walk yourheld hands down the front of yourup over grasp the wristhead. of the opposite hand and legsforward toward your and ankles.walk Hold the stretch for onegently pull to one side.the Hold the stretch bend hand, legs toward your ankles. Hold the stretch for gently pullgrasp to one side. Holdwrist the stretch for 15opposite seconds. Repeathand on the other side. seconds and slowly the sit back up. your1515 hands front of the for 15 seconds. Repeat on theand other side. secondsdown and slowly sit back up.

of your legs toward your ankles. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit back up.

gently pull to one side.

Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the Please note: you other side.

should not do any of these exercises Please note: you note: you SHOULDER STRETCH — Reach your right handcause over you ifPlease they should not do your left shoulder. Place your left hand behind your right should not doany any PLEASE NOTE: You pain or cannot be elbow and gently press your elbow toward yourexercises shoulder. ofofthese shouldSTRETCH not do any SHOULDER Reach your right hand HoldNECK With your these exercises the ROLLS stretch forshoulders 15 seconds. Repeat on thewith other side. done ease. over left shoulder.

Place yourifleft hand relaxed, drop your ear to shoulder and ofyour these exercises ififthey theycause causeyou you behind right elbow andpain gently press your gently roll your neck forward and to the theyyour cause you NECK ROLLS —each With your drop your elbow toward your be shoulder.

Hold the stretch other side, holding position for shoulders relaxed, pain or cannot be or cannot done pain or cannot be ear to shoulder and gently roll your neck forward and to forwith 15 seconds.

RepeatReach on theyour otherright side.hand five seconds.

Repeat times.

SHOULDER STRETCH NECK ROLLS With yourfive shoulders ease.

SHOULDER STRETCH Reach your right hand the other NECK ROLLS With your shoulders done with ease. side, holding each position for five seconds. over your left shoulder. Place your left hand relaxed, drop your ear to shoulder and done with ease. over your left shoulder. Place your left hand relaxed, drop your ear to shoulder and

Keeping hands Keeping around hands knee, around slowlyknee, let it slowly it legs toward your legs toward ankles. your Holdankles. the stretch Holdforthe stretch gently for pull togently one side. pull Hold to onetheside. stretch Hold air pressure onletdescent.

Toslowly minimise for Repeat 15 seconds. on theRepeat other on sideth down. Alternate down. legs.

Alternate Repeatlegs.

10 times.

Repeat 10 times. 15 seconds and 15 seconds sitand back slowly up. sit back up. for 15 seconds.

On discomfort: Ondescent. descent.Ears Earsand andsinuses sinusescan can cause discomfort, due to •cause Yawn or swallow frequently. discomfort, due tothe thechange changeinin air pressure descent.

ToTominimise •air Pinch youron nostrils together and blow pressure on descent. minimise discomfort: firmly into your cheeks with your discomfort: • •Yawn swallow mouth closed.

Yawnoror swallowfrequently. frequently.

• •Pinch Pinchyour yournostrils nostrilstogether togetherand andblow blow into your cheeks with your Iffirmly you have ongoing discomfort, firmly into your cheeks with your mouth seek theclosed. advice mouth closed.of the cabin crew.

times. behind your right elbow and gently press your Repeat gentlyfive roll your neck forward and to the gently roll your neck forward and to the other side, holding each position for other side, holding each position for five seconds. Repeat five times. for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side. five seconds. Repeat five times.

behind your right elbow and gently press your toward your shoulder. Hold the stretch 12 elbow elbow toward your shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

SHOULDER SHOULDER STRETCH Reach STRETCH your right Reach hand your right hand NECK ROLLSNECK With ROLLS your shoulders With your shoulders over your leftover shoulder. your left Place shoulder. your left Place hand your left handrelaxed, droprelaxed, your eardrop to shoulder your earand to shoulder and Ifyour have ongoing discomfort, Ifyou you have ongoing behind your behind right elbow and right gently elbow press and gently your press your gentlydiscomfort, roll your gently neckrollforward your neck and forward to the and to the elbow towardelbow your toward shoulder. your Hold shoulder. theadvice stretch Hold the stretch other side, holding other side, each holding positioneach for position for seek the of the cabin crew. seek the advice cabin crew. for 15 seconds. for Repeat 15 seconds. on theRepeat other on side. the other side.of fivethe seconds. five Repeat seconds. five times.

Repeat five times.

18 TrueBlue 12 12

12

12

Please note: Please you note should not should do any not d of theseofexercises these exer if they cause if theyyou cause pain or cannot pain orbe cann done with done ease. with e

Up, up and away!

Regional Express: Our heart is in the country Bamaga NPA

Mornington Island (Gununa) Karumba Normanton

Cairns

Burketown Doomadgee

Townsville Mount Isa

Julia Creek

Hughenden

Richmond

Winton

Boulia

Longreach Bedourie

Windorah Charleville

Birdsville Carnarvon

Brisbane West Wellcamp (Toowoomba)

Quilpie Cunnamulla

Monkey Mia Coober Pedy

Brisbane

St George

Thargomindah

Lismore Ceduna

Grafton (Yamba) Armidale

Broken Hill

Perth

Port Augusta Whyalla

Ballina (Byron Bay)

Dubbo

Parkes

Orange Esperance Albany

Mildura

Port Lincoln

Adelaide

Kangaroo Island (Kingscote)

Griffith

Newcastle Bathurst

Narrandera-Leeton Wagga Wagga Albury

Mount Gambier

Melbourne

Sydney

Moruya Snowy Mountains (Cooma) Merimbula

King Island

Burnie

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Check-in Info

CHECK- IN

BAGGAGE

Online check-in You can check-in online through the Rex website, rex.com.au, on your desktop or mobile devices between 48 hours and 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.

Checked baggage Passengers on all fares (except Rex Flex) are permitted a 15 kilogram free baggage allowance.

Passengers in possession of a Rex Flex Fare are permitted a 23 kilogram free baggage allowance.

Airport check-in If you have checked baggage, we recommend that you arrive at the airport for check-in at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure of your flight at all airports except Burketown, Queensland (90 minutes before).

Passengers with international connections (within 24 hours) are permitted a 23 kilogram free baggage allowance upon presenting a valid itinerary or ticket.

Cabin baggage A maximum of two pieces per passenger up to a total of 7 kilograms of cabin baggage is permitted on board.

Rex check-in closes: •6 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at Burketown airport.

•3 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Queensland airports (with the exception of Burketown above).

•2 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at regional airports in NSW, SA, Tas, Vic and WA.

Excess baggage Excess baggage is permitted subject to restrictions of the day and a surcharge of $7.70 per kilogram.

Virgin Australia Baggage Agreement Rex accepts the checking of baggage to/from Virgin Australia flights. Ask at check-in for more information.

Passengers with special requirements Passengers with special requirements must check-in at the airport (online check-in is not available) no later than: •6 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure in major cities and all Queensland regional airports except Burketown (please see below).

• 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure in NSW, SA, Tas, Vic and WA regional airports.

• 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure in Burketown.

REX AIRCR AFT FACTS

AIRCRAFT

MAX. TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (KG)

SPEED (KM/H)

AVAILABLE SEATS

GALLEY

REST ROOM

AVAILABLE AIRCRAFT

CRUISE ALTITUDE (METRES)

CREW

SAAB 340

13,155

520

34

Y

Y

58

8,000

3

20 TrueBlue

Entertainment

Entertainment

Compiled by: Sarah hinder

books TOUR

Festival UnWrapped Heart of the Grass Tree, Molly Murn

February 2019, Vintage Australia, historical fiction Revolving around family, history and country, this capitivating historical story is set on Kangaroo Island. A local family learn about their past and the island’s history, including its Ngarrindjeri people and their first contact with European settlers.

Your Backyard Birds, Dr Gráinne Cleary

March 2019, Allen & Unwin, natural history This heart-warming book observes the remarkable relationships between Australians and the birds in our backyards. Ideal for bird lovers, wildlife ecologist Dr Cleary explores the behavioural changes in birds who visit backyards and what we can learn from them.

film

Kitty Flanagan’s 488 Rules for Life

April 2019, Allen & Unwin, comedy With a combination of wisdom and comic relief, this laugh-out-loud book is a guide to living a more enjoyable and meaningful life. Providing a vaccine against the idiots in your life, it won’t only benefit you, but people around you, too.

Unless they’re idiots.

May 3–19 at Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW Featuring artist talks, participatory artworks and a pop-up bar, this creative biannual celebration is about displaying diverse and risk-taking works from some of Australia’s best contemporary performance-makers. sydneyoperahouse. com/festivalunwrapped

THEATRE Northern Territory Travelling Film Festival March 30–June 1 in the NT The 2019 NTTFF’s pop-up cinema will visit eight iconic NT locations, including Ooramina, Darwin and Daly Waters, screening the latest short films, television and film productions shot in locations around the Territory. The festival supports the NT film industry by hosting film production workshops and small community screenings in 14 remote communities. nttravellingfilmfestival.com

End of the Rainbow

May 31–June 22 at Royalty Theatre, Adelaide SA Presented by State Theatre Company South Australia, musical theatre icon Helen Dallimore (Wicked, Legally Blonde The Musical) plays Judy Garland in this not-tobe-missed performance as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, which will bring lively cabaret, theatre and comedy to venues around the city this June 7–22. statetheatrecompany.com.au adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au APRIL/MAY 2019

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Events Calendar

What's on & What's hot Our pick of the very best gigs, festivals, and cultural and sporting events from around the country.

Compiled by: Sarah hinder

April 18–22 Byron Bay Bluesfest

Byron Bay NSW This top-tier festival presents the biggest names in blues and roots music from around the world. Performed within Bluesfest is Indigenous Boomerang Festival, April 19–21, featuring an array of music, dance, comedy, film and visual arts. bluesfest.com.au | boomerangfestival.com.au

March 27– April 21 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Melbourne Vic One of the top three comedic events on the world stage, MICF is filled with an outstanding program of stand-up comedy, theatre, cabaret, film, radio and visual arts. comedyfestival.com. au/2019

22 TrueBlue

April 4–7

April 12–14

Corryong Vic This bushman’s festival is a jubilant event celebrating everything country, from iconic poetry and bush music to Aussie art and bush skills. bushfestival.com.au

Julia Creek Qld Famous for hosting Australia’s toughest triathlon and quirky events such as bog snorkelling, this rough-hewn festival brings the best of the outback to travellers from far and wide. dirtndust.com

The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival

April 5–14

Orange F.O.O.D Week

Orange NSW This diverse and sustainable produce fair celebrating rural Orange boasts the title of Australia’s longest-running regional food festival. orangefoodweek.com.au

Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival

April 12–23

Sydney Royal Easter Show

Sydney NSW The best of the country is presented to the city in Sydney’s exciting annual show. eastershow.com.au

Events Calendar Events

April 19–20 Whyalla uneARTh Festival

Whyalla SA With its roving performers, fantastic art and food stalls and thrilling colour run, Whyalla puts on a lively show each Easter weekend. whyalla.com/unearth2019

Quilpie Shire Events

Plan your adventure around one or all of Quilpie Shire’s signature events, from stock horse racing and race club meet ups to regional shows and rodeos. visitquilpieshire.com/events

April 18–22

April 29–May 5

Canberra ACT A celebration of traditional and contemporary folk, this vibrant festival is designed to inspire, enliven and entertain with its colourful array of community and folk-life activities. folkfestival.org.au

Sydney NSW Australia’s biggest celebration for lovers of writing and ideas hosts leading novelists, journalists and screenwriters in talks, forums and workshops. swf.org.au

National Folk Festival

April 22–May 19

Sydney Comedy Festival

Sydney NSW Some of the best international comedic talent will present at the city’s most iconic venues and at smaller gigs around Greater Sydney. sydneycomedyfest.com.au

Bright Autumn Festival

Bright Vic This 10-day outdoor festival celebrates the Victorian Alpine High Country, which comes alive with astounding autumnal hues each year.

Join in the carnivals of Gala Day, Bright Brewery Bush Dance and Wandiligong Nut Festival, and be sure to visit the terrific open garden displays throughout the region. brightautumnfestival.org.au

May 4–5

Grampians Grape Escape

Halls Gap Vic The Grape Escape rejoices in everything fantastic about the region: its scenery, regional beverages, paddock-to-plate produce and local artisans. grampiansgrapeescape.com.au

May 17–19

Perth Comedy Festival

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend

April 27–May 31

May 24–June 15

Statewide SA South Australia shares its rich history and historical collections with exhibitions, workshops and events in locations around the state. historyfestival.sa.gov.au

Sydney NSW Sydney is transformed each winter in this festival of free events, art and light displays as visitors wander the sparkling city streets through night markets and forests of light. vividsydney.com

April 22–May 19

April 26–May 5

Sydney Writers’ Festival

Perth WA This comedy festival delivers a line-up of outstanding Australian and international talent to venues across the city. perthcomedyfestival.com

South Australia’s History Festival

Clare Valley SA Shining a spotlight on the region’s award-winning wines and food, 25 local wineries take part in this special event. clarevalley.com.au

Vivid Sydney

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Cover Story

COM M U N I T Y We catch up with Kevin Hogan to talk about life, politics and community. WORDS: michelle hespe | PHOTOGRAPHY: ANT ONG

A pollie’s life is always packed with projects, events and an endless stream of meetings, but with the federal election coming up in May, Nationals MP Kevin Hogan is immersed in a particularly busy period. “There sure is a lot going on at the moment,” he reveals, “but I enjoy that, and the fact that in this job you can make a real difference in people’s lives, both on a personal and community level.”

The Member for Page is heavily involved with a host of infrastructure projects happening now and launching soon in his region. “Where do I start?” he says with a laugh. “There’s the new Woolgoolga Surf Club, the Maclean Riverside Precinct, the Woodburn Foreshore Redevelopment, the Wollongbar Multi-Sports Facility, an expanded Oakes Oval, the replacement of wooden bridges

24 TrueBlue

in Kyogle, the upgrade of the Casino Saleyards and the new Casino Drill Hall Precinct.

“We’ll also soon have a new medicinal cannabis facility in our region, and when that’s operational, it could employ more than 250 people. Bringing more employment to this region is something I am particularly passionate about.”

Regional concerns Some of the biggest issues in regional Australia at present are drought, flooding and bushfires, and while Kevin’s region has been affected by the drought, he says his community isn’t in as bad a shape as those out west.

“We had bushfires at Tabulam recently, which caused much devastation,” he explains. “During this tough period, I spent time with our wonderful RFS volunteers and other groups who have helped to financially and emotionally support those affected by the fires. My heartfelt thanks go to them.

“The Australian spirit shines through when people are in need, and the selfless acts that I often see truly inspire me. I love being out and about and involved in people’s lives, helping wherever I can – it is definitely one of the privileges of the job.”

Being relatable and approachable is crucial in politics, and country folk can relate to Kevin. He’s a family man who lives on a small farm near Lismore with his wife Karen – a nurse at the local hospital – and their three children.

“Our kids and Karen give me purpose in life, and I’m very proud of them all,” he says. “Karen and I hang out a lot together when we can, and she tries to come with me in my role as MP, which makes it a lot easier and more enjoyable being on the road.”

In many ways, Kevin followed in the footsteps of his parents, who raised him and his three older sisters in regional South Australia. “I had a very modest upbringing, playing a lot of sport – and while we didn’t have a lot of money, I never felt I wanted for anything,” he says. “Our mother in particular was a very loving and supportive parent, and she gave us great faith in ourselves. Mum and Dad were also big community people, like Karen and I. They were involved in their church and numerous community and sporting organisations. I love this aspect about being in a regional community. I love being part of it all.” 

Cover Story

M A N

“I love being involved in people’s lives, helping wherever I can – it is definitely one of the privileges of the job.”

APRIL/MAY 2019

25

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Cover Story

Faith in Australia As you’d expect of someone who has dedicated himself to serving the community, Kevin is incredibly patriotic.

“I have much admiration for the founders of our nation and the democracy we have in Australia. We are a successful country due to a lot of hard work, and people’s faith in our institutions. I don’t take any of that for granted – which is why I got involved in politics in the first place.”

On that note, Page is a marginal seat, so it’s hard to guess what will happen when the election rolls around.

“I lost my first election and have won the last two, so I don’t take this position for granted,” Kevin confesses.

“I’d like to win in May, and from there, anything else is a bonus. I love my job, and I love being a part of the Nationals team, and I have a lot of gratitude for being chosen as my community’s representative in Canberra.”

As anyone who’s had a brush with politics knows, you need a thick skin to be successful. “The vast majority of people are great, even the ones who don’t vote for you!”

Kevin laughs. “On the rare occasion people are rude or obnoxious, I just try to laugh it off. I also have plenty of other great things to focus on, such as being a good husband and a great father. These things are really important to me.

“I’m far from perfect but I strive to be better all the time.

Having patience, being true to yourself, taking risks, giving people your time: these things are also really important to me. Hopefully, in this role I will continue to be able to live by these principles and make a difference to other people’s lives.” TB

Top to Bottom: Kevin announces a grant for new equipment for Little Athletics in Woolgoolga; Yamba Welding wins a Government contract worth more than $5 million to build eight vessels to carry out border control operations around the country.

APRIL/MAY 2019

27

Out & About

Sip, Eat, Sleep Jamala: wildlife at your window Located within the grounds of Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium, Jamala Wildlife Lodge boasts three 5-star, Africaninspired accommodation hubs, specifically designed to provide guests with a unique and interactive experience with some of the zoo’s most amazing residents.

Guests can spend a night only metres away from lions, bears, cheetahs and tigers in the Jungle Bungalows, or relax on the balcony of the Giraffe Treehouse, marvelling at the size and beauty of their giant neighbours.

Meanwhile, a stay in the uShaka Lodge offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in luxurious surrounds while enjoying the company of its curious

and captivating colobus monkeys and the graceful inhabitants of its 200,000-litre shark tank.

This immersive experience also treats guests to two exclusive zoo tours which encounter some of its rarest, largest and most dangerous inhabitants. All-inclusive fine dining, which features sunset canapés and drinks, a gourmet African-style meal with fellow guests and a freshly prepared breakfast, is the perfect complement to this once-in-a-lifetime stay.

Set in one of the world’s most liveable cities, Jamala Wildlife Lodge offers travellers and animal lovers the most captivating and luxurious accommodation Canberra has to offer.

Visit jamalawildlifelodge.com.au

The Ville Resort-Casino: discover wonderful At Tropical North Queensland’s latest luxury destination, your wake-up call is a sunrise over the Coral Sea, your first sip of coffee is taken under the shade of a palm tree and your desk chair is replaced by a sunlounge with cool ocean breezes and island views.

After completing a $43 million redevelopment, The Ville ResortCasino in Townsville is ready to show off its sleek new look, which has caught the attention of the Australian media and has attracted international celebrities and social media influencers.

The resort’s newly refurbished hotel rooms are inspired by the traditional Queenslander, its stateof-the-art facilities are ideal for swish events and its Insta-worthy

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infinity-edge resort pool with a swim-up bar offers postcardperfect views. Guests can discover the many tastes of modern North Queensland at The Ville’s exciting collection of restaurants and bars. Serving up classic Chinese cuisine with a modern twist, its premier restaurant Miss Songs will transform your tastebuds with an unforgettable trip across the Orient.

Located on the Townsville breakwater, just a five-minute walk from the SeaLink Ferry Terminal, The Ville is the perfect base to explore the magic that awaits on Magnetic Island, just a 20-minute ferry ride away. Rex operates more than seven direct flights to Townsville Airport each week.

Visit the-ville.com.au

Out & About

Indulge at Abode Murrumbateman One of the latest additions to the Abode family of hotels is Abode Murrumbateman.

Situated in cool climate wine country on the border of ACT and NSW, this fresh, modern and spacious hotel has 50 stylish studio rooms, large flexible foyer spaces, a lovely communal area with kitchen facilities and a cosy guest lounge. If you’re travelling with kids, the kitchen’s instant pop-tart maker is always a big hit with little ones and those with a sweet tooth.

Grab an Abode bicycle and go for a cycle to some nearby world-class wineries (such as Murrumbateman Winery, Shaw Wines and Dionysus), and the hotel is only a short stroll to the bustling local farmers markets, where you’ll find live music, a jumping castle, and loads of local producers selling some of the best beef, lamb, jerky and bacon you’ll find in the state. Possibly in the country!

Visit abodehotels.com.au

THE GULF

COUNTRY

Frontier Days

Festival 15-18 AUGUST 2019

BURKETOWN QLD RODEO // MUSIC // CULTURE // COMMUNITY

With a vision to create a landmark Indigenous festival in the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria, the inaugural Gulf Country Frontier Days Festival is now in its third year.

Presented by Goodidja Productions, the event includes: A combination of National and International First Nation’s Dance Performances The first APRA affiliated Australian Indigenous Rodeo Championships Three nights of live concerts by Australia’s top Entertainers and International Acts Jibardi Pride Young Women’s Empowerment Program Presentation

TICKETS ON SALE 1 APRIL 2019

www.thegulfcountryfrontierdaysfestival.com.au /thegulfcountryfrontierdaysfestival

@tgcfdf

Queensland Adventures

SNORKEL AND DIVE ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

top QUEENSLAND Experiences From sensational stargazing to cascading waterfalls at the centre of the outback, Queensland is home to unforgettable and sometimes unexpected experiences.

WORDS: Sarah hinder

Just a ferry ride from Cairns, Green Island and Fitzroy Island are two of the most exceptional islands on the Great Barrier Reef for exploring nature – both are declared protected national parks.

Green Island makes a great for a day trip for people interested in snorkelling, diving and perhaps a glass-bottomed boat tour. For those looking to explore on land, a stay at Green Island Resort allows time for guided eco-walks through the rainforest.

The 12-hectare island alone is home to 120 species of plant life and more than 55 species of bird life, of which 15 regularly nest on the island.

Fitzroy Island is another of Tropical North Queensland’s greatest gems, complete with 339 hectares of towering ancient rainforest and mangroves, granite outcrops and whitesand beaches. Ideal for yachting, boating and water sports, Fitzroy Island provides a plethora of options for self-guided ecoadventures – a full walking loop of the island will take you around two-and-a-half hours with a few stops along the way.

Sponsored by Fitzroy Island Resort, the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, located on the island, is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured marine turtles. greenisland.com.au greenislandresort.com.au fitzroyisland.com

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Queensland Adventures

GET WET IN BOODJAMULLA NATIONAL PARK A nature lover’s dream, Lawn Hill Creek winds its way through the red sandstone ranges and cliff gorges of Boodjamulla National Park – 282,000 hectares of protected national park on the Northern Territory border.

While refreshing spots to swim aren’t the first thing that come to mind when picturing the outback, Boodjamulla is a true oasis scattered throughout with refreshing waterholes and waterfalls.

A paradise for kayakers and those wanting to share a dip with turtles, barramundi and archerfish, the beautiful Indarri Falls, entirely blanketed in vegetation, are an absolute highlight. Duwadarri Waterhole, shrouded by purple waterlilies, is a favourite spot for campers to set off for the day’s hike or canoe around the gorge. Wildlife enthusiasts should be sure to keep an eye out for the area’s 140 bird species.

STAGECOACH AND SLAB HUTS IN LONGREACH From an open-top wildlife tour of historic Nogo Station, enjoying bush tucker and poetry under the stars, to a majestic sunset cruise aboard the charming Thomson Princess riverboat, Kinnon & Co Outback Pioneers allows you to discover the thrills and traditions of pioneer life with an eclectic diversity of true-blue experiences in and around historic Longreach.

Truly unmissable is the Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience – the only stagecoach gallop in Australia to authentically recreate our Aussie pioneering past. Gallop full-tilt across the old LongreachWindorah mail route, take a ‘smoko’ (aka tea break), catch a classic bush movie in a retro cinema and experience a traditional tribute to the old travelling shows.

At the end of the day’s explorations, retire in authentic Aussie tradition at your choice of heritage 4- and 4½-star accommodation. Reside in a rustic Pioneer Slab Hut complete with canopy bed and quirky bathtub terrace to be transported 100 years into the past. Or stay in the Homestead Stables, where stable boys slept alongside horses. outbackpioneers.com.au

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STARGAZE IN CHARLEVILLE

The uninterrupted illuminations of our night sky are something entirely awe-inspiring to behold. And with its minimal air and light pollution, flat surroundings for hundreds of kilometres and very few cloudy days, Charleville is a sensational location for viewing the Milky Way. As the roof is rolled back at Charleville Cosmos Centre and Observatory, and its powerful Meade telescopes are focused in, the night sky and cosmos are

spectacularly revealed, while specially trained guides share their knowledge on star clusters, planets, binary stars, nebulae and our place in the solar system.

During the day, the learning continues. On a visit to the Cosmos Theatre discover the explanation behind falling stars, the formation of our solar system, and its five new dwarf planets. You can even hold an other-worldly meteorite in your hands. cosmoscentre.com

Queensland Adventures

AUSTRALIAN DINOSAUR TRAIL IN THE OUTBACK Outback Queensland is proud home to the Australian Dinosaur Trail – an adventure across the triangular trail of towns Winton, Richmond and Hughenden.

At Winton’s Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, discover the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils and assist in the fossil preparation process.

In Richmond, marvel at Australia’s best-preserved dinosaur skeleton, named Penny, alongside a diverse range of marine reptile fossils at Kronosaurus Korner, and view fossils being processed at a world-class standard. In Hughenden, quirky dinosaur sculptures adorn historic streets and public buildings, while Hughie – a terrific seven-metre-long Muttaburrasaurus – is the star attraction of the extensive Flinders Discovery Centre.

While in town, be sure to attend the light and sound exhibition presenting Porcupine Gorge National Park’s formation more than 500 million years ago.

True Mesozoic-era geeks will be thrilled to check out one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur swim traces in the world located 110 kilometres south-west of Winton. australiasdinosaurtrail.com

SEE NESTING MARINE TURTLES AND THEIR HATCHLINGS IN BUNDABERG

Home to one of the highest concentrations of nesting marine turtles in Australia, Mon Repos Conservation Park in Bundaberg runs nightly tours where visitors can witness turtles come ashore to lay eggs, and (later on) watch the hatchlings make their way to the sea. The season runs between November and March, with the highest concentration of hatchlings arriving in February and continuing to emerge through to late March.

Championing education alongside conservation, Mon Repos Turtle Centre is an interactive learning centre where children and adults alike learn about the astounding journeys marine turtles have made – for more than 200 million years – and to better understand the current threats and conservation efforts underway to protect the ocean’s great reptiles. bundabergregion.org/turtles TB

Fast Facts

Six

The Great Barrier Reef is home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species.

200 million years For more than 200 million years, sea turtles have found their way back to where they were born as hatchlings to nest and lay their own eggs. At birth hatchlings orientate themselves to the earth’s magnetic field, and use this to lock the location into their internal GPS.

1,000 Only one in 1,000 turtles reaches age 30, when they begin to reproduce.

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Astra Falls Creek

Falls Creek: a new era

Yes, Vail Resorts have moved in, but don’t worry, that’s good news for Falls Creek. We check out some of the latest and greatest places to dine, enjoy a bevvy and lay your head after a magical day on the slopes.

WORDS: Michelle Hespe

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Falls Creek – one the prettiest ski resorts in Australia and the largest in Victoria – is famed for its Europeanstyle ski-in, ski-out village which sits 1,780 metres up on the top of a picture-perfect mountain dotted with eucalypts and snow gums.

The resort is also renowned for mountain biking in the warmer months, its stunning alpine wildflower season in summer, abseiling, hiking, fly-fishing (trout and salmon) and for the world-class food, wine and beer offerings sourced from the nearby villages and farms of the High Country and Dinner Plains.

US operator Vail Resorts is now managing the ski lifts and resort infrastructure (in Hotham as well), however that has not affected the many savvy businesses in town offering visitors to Falls Creek exceptional experiences on and off the mountain.

In fact, most of the locals agree that the new partnership with Vail Resorts will only add to the sophistication and smooth running of the resort. Traverse Alpine Group (owners of Astra Lodge, Huski, Cloud 9 and Frying Pan Inn) are confident that guests, employees and the surrounding communities of Falls Creek will benefit from Vail Resorts’ expertise, investment and know-how.

Here are some of the greatest and the latest places to check out in Falls this winter.

Destination Highlight

Astra Lodge & Huski

Après ski drinks at Huski is the perfect end to a day on the slopes

Elk Dining

To those familiar with Falls Creek, Astra Lodge and Huski, sitting side by side in the hub of the village, need no introduction. Both places ooze style and alpine cosiness, and Astra was voted Australia’s best ski boutique hotel at the World Ski Awards in Kizbühel in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Astra is luxurious and modern, yet with its high wood-panelled ceilings and walls (complete with a mounted elk’s head), enormous stone fireplace and chesterfield couches, it unites European alpine chalet-style with a Rocky Mountains log cabin approach, both bringing warmth and a sense of country charm to the table. The range of eclectic art, leather, timber, stone and stylish soft furnishings complement Astra’s spectacular mountain views. It’s no wonder that weddings are held here all year round – what an Insta-worthy backdrop. The restaurant’s offerings are all based upon the use of fresh local produce and are as artfully crafted as the surrounds.

Huski is the cool, streamlined, modern sister to Astra, where lots of dark wood and chunky communal tables give it oodles of wow factor while also allowing it to maintain a welcoming warmth. It’s a popular place for breakfast, coffee and après ski drinks, and it’s more intimate than Astra, with a smaller café and bar. astrafallscreek.com.au, huski.com.au

Ambient scenes at Elk Dining

Make your way through the hillocks of snow piling up at Elk Dining’s windows and you’ll sigh with relief after shedding your many layers and stepping into the warmth. Its ambience, which beautifully bridges modern café and fine dining, makes it a haven, especially when you’re in need of a hearty, generously proportioned meal. And a highlight for little ones (and the grown-ups!) is the modern glass fireplace where you can toast marshmallows. The breakfast burgers are awesome, so it’s a popular place for regulars to pop in and grab their morning coffee and brekkie as they cruise to the ski lifts. elkatfalls.com.au  APRIL/MAY 2019

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Destination Highlight From top: The stunning view from Cloud 9, tacos at the Frying Pan Inn, delectable offerings from Snonuts

Cloud 9 & Frying Pan Inn Frying Pan Inn in the resort’s Village Bowl (a smaller hub than the main village of Slalom Plaza, yet equally buzzing) has been a well-loved stalwart on the pub and dining scene since 1965. In the past year it has gone through an overhaul to not only polish its cool rustic-pub look, but also to up the ante on the food, drink and entertainment options.

From recovery sessions on Sundays (with Bloody Marys and Caprioskas) to live music, DJs, ping-pong tournaments, darts and trivia, it’s the place to be to have some fun and get social. The hot chips and deliciously wicked churros are both fantastic.

With a wood-fired grill, the focus is on grilled barbecued meat, so the tacos, chargrilled burgers and slow-cooked meats for sharing are all sensational.

Cloud 9 is at the top of Halley’s Comet Chairlift – the main meeting point in Falls while on the mountain. This was once a place where you went for fried take-away food and maybe a mainstream beer. Not anymore, my friend. Now this trendy eatery and bar with some of the best views in Falls has a cool mezzanine bar and lounging area (with great mulled wine), a zip-in, zip-out meat pie servery, a wood-fired pizza and pasta joint, and even a gourmet waffle and ice cream bar. cloud9fc.com.au | fryingpaninn.com.au

Snonuts Street Kitchen You’ll find Snonuts tucked to one side of Slaloms Plaza, on the balcony-like alcove above the main lifts. It’s impossible to miss, because from this little caravan ‘street kitchen’ you’ll see a continual stream of adults, and a bouncing line of grinning kids, coming and going like ants marching to and from a dripping honey pot.

If you haven’t seen a Snonut before, think of a donut and then times how much you want

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it by 10. These donuts are off the Richter scale, with more cream, chocolate and toppings than your mum ever let you have. And the milkshakes are just as deliciously naughty. After a Snonuts fix, you’ll be the fastest, happiest person on the mountain. Perhaps even the loudest. But hey, hitting the slopes eats up the calories, right?

So why not keep seeking out extra reasons to indulge in the foodie havens of Falls?

0417 572 228 TB

Canberra

10%

DISCOUNT

If you mention this ad at time of booking *Conditions apply

WINNER - Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia* *2017 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence

You don’t have to travel overseas to immerse yourself in the thrill of a wild safari. Jamala Wildlife Lodge in

Canberra is an all-inclusive, luxurious accommodation experience where guests can get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing animals.

Acclaimed by media and celebrities from around the world; Jamala Wildlife Lodge is a truly unique opportunity to experience the unforgettable! Check feedback on TripAdvisor.

02 6287 8444 | www.jamala.com.au | info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au

Getaway WORDS: Sue Wallace

The cosy cafés, ritzy restaurants and heritage charm to be found in the twin cities of Albury Wodonga make for double the fun.

COUNTRY C O O L

Cruising Albury’s streetscapes, it becomes clear why the regional city is well known as a buoyant artistic hub

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xxxxxx

Bike riding along Wagirra Trail at Noreuil Park

SOMETHING FOR ALL seasonS in Albury Wodonga AlburyWodonga is more than a meeting point of two cities and two states along the mighty Murray River.

It’s where our sophisticated urban centre meets the great outdoors.

Where contemporary art meets ancient storytelling traditions.

Where fine dining meets a picnic on the river bank.

And where our warm, country hospitality will meet your expectations.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed café scene or the many adventures to be found on boats, bikes and golf buggies, AlburyWodonga glistens with possibility year-round.

Come join us down by the river… and see both sides.

VisitAW

VisitAW

visitalburywodonga

Getaway

T Fare from The River Deck

Explore Wonga Wetlands alburycity.nsw.gov.au

Maya Fish Trap along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, Albury

Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk MAMA mamalbury.com.au Bonegilla Migrant Experience bonegilla.org.au Hothouse Theatre hothousetheatre.com.au

Eat Miss Amelie missamelie.com.au The River Deck riverdeckcafe.com.au Canvas canvas-eatery.com.au Bethanga Bridge over Lake Hume

Wonga Wetlands gum trees, Albury

From stopover to star Albury Wodonga has come of age. Gone are the days as just a stopover on the well-worn Sydney-Melbourne route – there’s now so much more to entice visitors to stay longer.

Straddling the meandering Murray River on the New South Wales-Victorian border, Albury Wodonga is a great place to visit no matter the season, with crisp nights in autumn and winter and open blue skies in spring and summer.

As the temperatures rise, join the locals for a ’float’ down the Murray where you will find the water refreshing even on the hottest of days.

Kayaking and canoeing are popular, and if you’re a keen angler – just toss in a line.

For all water sports, head to Lake Hume.

A 15-minute drive from the CBD, it’s an aquatic wonderland for boating, yachting, paddleboarding, fishing and water-skiing.

You can even walk over the dam wall and take great Insta-worthy snaps.

A short 10-minute drive west of Albury is the Wonga Wetlands, an ecosystem of artificial lagoons and billabongs. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise with six bird hides and more than 155 identified species calling it home.

There are extensive walking and cycling trails in and around both cities. The Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk is a great trail, covering five kilometres and showcasing 11 significant sculptural works by local Aboriginal artists. 

Bistro Selle bistroselle.com Posh Plonk poshplonk.com.au

Stay Mantra Albury mantra.com/albury Atura Albury aturahotels.com.au/ albury Mercure Albury mercurealbury.com.au Best Western plus Hovell Tree hovelltreeinn.com.au Quest Wodonga questalbury.com.au For more information see visitalburywodonga.com

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Expand your thinking.

Think Albury Wodonga.

Think strategic location: > Direct access to Hume Freeway > Direct access to Melbourne–Brisbane Inland Rail Corridor > Airport with 3 airlines and 180+ flights per week > 75% of Australia’s population within 24 hours investAlburyWodonga.com.au

Getaway

Catering to all tastes

Miss Amelie in Wodonga serves up modern European classics

Bistro Selle in Albury delivers quality fine dining

Dale Pope owns Early Bird Café in Albury and is one half of Adele & Dale Handmade Produce

David Kapay moved from the big smoke to establish Miss Amelie and wine bar Little Miss in Wodonga three years ago. Housed in the former Wodonga Railway precinct, he does a modern take on European classics and his lemon soufflé is legendary. “Albury Wodonga has so much going for it, it’s a great place to live and work and its people love great food,” David says.

Nearby, Bean Station boasts an industrial vibe and is a go-to local spot for coffee and casual meals. For the best street food, head to Andiamo Street Kitchen, which calls a shipping container home – expect fabulous treats from this quirky bolthole.

Across the river in Albury, surrounded by huge shade trees, The River Deck is located in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Murray in Noreuil Park. Owner Alex Smit and chef Ludo Baulacky offer a cosmopolitan menu made with fresh local produce where possible.

A recent newcomer lighting up the dining scene is Albury’s NANNINI Ristorante & Pizzeria, serving up classic Italian favourites.

Love hamburgers? Frankies is a small neighbourhood shop serving quality burgers made from scratch.

For a sweet treat, Geoffrey Michael Patissier tempts all with its variety of fabulous cakes and desserts. You can even learn the secrets to great baking in his popular cooking classes.

Bistro Selle, with Matthew Fuller and Tara Davis at the helm, offers contemporary European-style fare. Pop into Canvas Eatery at the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) for coffee and casual dining. The Proprietor is housed in one of Albury’s oldest buildings, serving modern cuisine, while Ebden & Olive provides perfect picnic creations and nearby Nord Bakery bakes up a storm of delicious Scandi bread and pastries.

After a coffee hit? Try Early Bird Café in Albury, which stocks Adele and Dale Homemade Produce including chutneys, jams and muesli. Piccolo Pod and The Brothers Cup will wow coffee lovers, and for a late night tipple head over to eclectic Two Fingers Bar and Barbershop. Meanwhile, Matt and Karen Daly have established Posh Plonk at Bethanga, offering an immersive cellar door experience complete with panoramic views over Lake Hume, the weir wall and beyond.  APRIL/MAY 2019

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Creative views There’s a flourishing art scene in Albury Wodonga, with HotHouse Theatre offering an exciting program of contemporary Australian shows performed in the rustic Butter Factory Theatre – once part of a dairy built in 1928.

“In a parallel tour-de-force, Ghenoa Gela invites all to deep-dive into Torres Strait Islander culture, as she explores heritage, family and big life choices in her awesome Sydney Festival debut, My Urrwai,” says Hothouse CEO Lyn Wallis. “And it will be a thrill to see The Last Boy on Earth written and directed by Yackandandah playwright Brendan Hogan,” she adds. Other season’s highlights include George Orwell’s Animal Farm, with Dale March.

Art lovers will enjoy a visit to MAMA for an all-encompassing contemporary art experience featuring international touring exhibitions and deep connections to the regional surrounds and cultural identity.

Interactive workshops are offered to channel your creative flair. Director Bree Pickering says there are some exciting exhibitions coming this year, including ’I Am the Old and the New’

by Indigenous artist John Mawurndjul.

“This exhibition of bark paintings and sculptures tells the stories of Kuninjku culture and the significant locations surrounding the artist’s home in western Arnhem Land,” Bree says.

For a step back in time, visit the Bonegilla Migrant Centre, where more than 320,000 migrants lived from 1947 to 1971. Today it is a poignant and evocative reflection of what camp life was like. Once comprising 24 blocks, churches, banks, sporting fields, a cinema, hospital, police station and railway platform, today only Block 19 remains. Audio recollections by former residents reflect the dreams of Australia’s post-war migrants.

The energy-charged Flying Fruit Fly Circus, where they say ordinary kids can do extraordinary things, is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year and you may catch a special show in Albury Wodonga.

Big events on the social calendar include the Albury Gold Cup held every March. It is the largest country race meeting in New South Wales and attracts big crowds, top fields and hotly contested Fashions on the Field.

Write Around the Murray is another fantastic event. The five-day festival to be held this September 11–15 celebrates everything literary with a festival dinner, literary lunch, workshops, author talks, panel sessions, short story competitions It is never too late to join the and a riverside wood-fired oven event. circus; the Flying Fruit Fly These days Albury Wodonga is a Circus offers a Fruit Bats program for the over-50s as well powerful mix of culture and creativity, with as training young superstars a big helping of country cool. TB

Fast Fact

Anticlockwise from left: Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), street art in Albury by artist Tracie MacVean, John Mawurndjul's Nialyod (Female rainbow serpent)

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Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council WITH RESPECT AND PRIDE WE STRIVE TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN BASED ON UNITY, EQUITABLE SELF–GOVERNANCE, EDUCATION AND CULTURE

The Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) governs the Northern Peninsula Area situated on the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Far North Queensland.

The NPA region consists of five communities: Umagico, New Mapoon, Injinoo, Bamaga and Seisia.

All communities have unique cultural systems and have both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

The NPA is known for: • Peaceful serenity at sunset • Palm cockatoos, the NPA region's most iconic bird • Seasonal dusk and dawn skies add to the beautiful scenery • The Jardine River Ferry is the only means of transport to reach this northern-most point of Australia • NPA is home to the most northerly point of this great country, affectionately known as ‘The Tip’ • The Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula region of Queensland covers a wide geographic area of approximately 48,000 square kilometres, and includes three local government council areas

Visit or contact us: 180 Adidi street, Bamaga | (07) 4090 4119 | info@nparc.qld.gov.au

Getaway

BREATH OF

I M A G E : D E S T I N AT I O N N S W

FRESH AIR

The Southern Highlands is famous for its charming historic villages, and it's also home to some of Australia's tastiest organic produce.

WORDS: Michelle Hespe

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Getaway

ushwalking is so good for the soul.

Our guide, Roland Breckwoldt from Farm Club Australia, is leading the way across the thousands of acres that my partner and our kids are free to explore.

The summer sky is a brilliant blazing blue, and it’s filled with layer upon layer of clouds that look as though they’re topped with cream.

There’s a gentle breeze ruffling the golden and green grasslands, inciting thousands of frenzied grasshoppers to leap in and out of the paddocks. A pair of goats, a lone goofy alpaca, horses and glossy black wagyu cows with weeks-old calves amble about the paddocks, completing the picture of thriving life on an Australian farm.

We give the goats a scratch behind the ears, laugh at the alpaca’s antics and pluck some fresh Tiny Toms from the tomato patch.

They’re as sweet as lollies.

Farm Club Australia not only have the perfect paddock vistas and cute animal encounters down pat, they’ve also worked hard to ensure that the Farm Shop & Café is a picture of authentic country hospitality, with farm-fresh produce always taking centre stage. For anyone accustomed to city life, or even living in a town, just being on the property is the first step towards winding down, ditching the gadgets and getting back to glorious basics.

We’re staying in Tarella Farmhouse – a large four-bedroom, 70s style homestead that has been lovingly renovated yet still retains its cool period charm. "It's just like nannas!" the kids cry. Sitting next to the café and abundant produce gardens, and being surrounded by acres of quintessentially Australian bushland bursting with birdlife, it is enough to have anyone planning an escape from the city.

As the sun sets, we drive down the road to indulge in woodfired pizzas at the Imperial Hotel in Bowral. The generous antipasto platters showcase local produce and there’s an extensive list of beer and wine offerings.

After one of the best night’s sleep that any of us can remember, due to the absolute silence and comfy country beds, we head to the historic village of Berrima and explore the charming stores and galleries along the main street, before heading up the hill to Harper’s Mansion.

Set upon two acres of breathtakingly pretty English-style gardens brimming with gorgeous heritage roses, the historic house was built by James and Mary Harper shortly after Berrima was gazetted in 1831. In 1853, the Catholic Church purchased the property and used it first as a presbytery and later as a home for nuns.

When the National Trust acquired the house in 1978 it was in a dilapidated state, so between 1979 and 1983 the building was re-roofed  APRIL/MAY 2019

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and all external brickwork, stone and joinery were restored. A hedge maze was also planted around 20 years ago, and it’s a great outdoor activity for the kids to get into while parents explore the mansion.

For lunch we head to one of the gems of the Southern Highlands – The Book Barn at Bendooley Estate, where the collection of new and antiquarian volumes is as exciting as the architecture, food and wine. Created by the Berkelouw family around a century ago, the headquarters for Berkelouw Books sits in the heart of an 81-hectare estate. It’s a popular place for weddings due to the many stunning backdrops, and not only are the meals incredibly hearty and loaded with local goodness, the estate's wines are superb. The Southern Highlands’ rich red volcanic soil, its high altitude, and the warm days and long cool evenings create perfect conditions for growing grapes; the vineyards complete the Tuscan-like vistas. We depart with full bellies and arms loaded with books.

Cricket fans, or indeed fans of Australian sporting history in general, shouldn’t miss the impressive Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, an enormous structure housing six themed exhibitions next door to the Bradman Oval, where Sir Donald did some of his best work. The highly interactive exhibits guide you through the history of cricket and The Don’s many accomplishments, and you can use touchscreens to try out different batting stances and bowling techniques. I was aware that Bradman, who passed away at 

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From top left: Roland Breckwoldt from Farm Club Australia; family a enjoying a walk around Bendooley Estate in Berrima

The rich red volcanic soil, its high altitude, the warm days and long cool evenings create perfect conditions for growing grapes.

I M A G E S : D E S T I N AT I O N N S W

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KARIJINI

eco RETREAT

World class Karijini National Park is a must-see for any visitor to the Pilbara and located in the depths of the park is the magnificent Karijini Eco Retreat.

Designed with the environment in mind • Deluxe and dorm style eco tents and cabins • Outback restaurant & bar • 15 min. walk trail to Joffre Gorge • Campground with BBQ facilities, showers/WC • Easy access - only 3km unsealed

Bookings T: (08) 9425 5591 E: reservations@karijiniecoretreat.com.au W: www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au Off Weano Road, Karijini National Park, Western Australia Owned by the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation

ecoretreat karijini

I M A G E : D E S T I N AT I O N N S W

Getaway

Clockwise from left: Fitzroy Falls, statue of Sir Donald Bradman, a ride to Echo Point on mountain bikes from Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe.

the age of 92 in 2001, was the best cricketer of all time, but what I found mind-blowing was that with a test average of 99.94 and 29 centuries in 52 matches, he ranks as nearly twice as good as the next elite player, a feat unparalleled in men’s sport worldwide.

As certified wine lovers, we can’t visit a region built upon volcanic soil without doing some wine tasting, so we swing by Centennial Vineyards in Bowral to taste some of the town’s finest drops. The ridiculously pretty estate is famed for its sparkling wines. The sparkling rosé and the Brut Traditionelle are deliciously dry, and the Reserve Chardonnay – made from grapes grown in Orange and fermented in French oak – is bursting with citrussy nectarine flavours.

We enjoy another peaceful night at Tarella, this time staying in to enjoy a barbecue hamper provided by the estate, with greens picked straight from the garden and meat raised right there on the property.

Morning announces itself with a fiery pink, and tarnished gold sunrise that bursts from

the fine blanket of mist winding its way down the mountains. We leave early and head to Bundanoon, which is another of the region’s beautiful historic villages, and after a tasty breakfast at Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe, we rent mountain bikes.

There are many trails to conquer in the surrounding national park, and we fly down roads and dirt paths, tendrils of sunshine snaking through the seemingly endless eucalypt forests. We stop at Echo Point Lookout, where the clifftops drop down into sandstone gorges and densely forested valleys.

Our weekend is wrapped up with a bushwalk to one of Australia’s most stunning waterfalls – Fitzroy Falls – and lunch at the Exeter General Store. The walls of this thriving café are lined with $4 second-hand books, a little post office is tucked into one corner beside the general store, and just like the many other lovely eateries we’ve explored in the highlands, the food offerings are all about delicious, organic produce that not only fuels the body but nourishes the soul. TB

Fact File Farm Club Australia farmclubaustralia.com.au Imperial Hotel Bowral theimperial.com.au Bendooley Estate bendooleyestate.com.au Harper’s Mansion harpersmansion.com.au Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame internationalcrickethall. com Centennial Vineyards centennial.net.au Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe (02) 4883 6043 Fitzroy Falls nationalparks.nsw.gov.au Exeter General Store (02) 4883 4289

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Getaway

Now in its third year, Southern Highlands Pie Time is a month-long celebration dedicated to the great Aussie meal in all its incarnations.

We head to Bowral to reach for the pies. WORDS: katrina holden

I M A G E : D E S T I N AT I O N N S W

At first the uninitiated might wonder how the humble pie can sustain a month-long calendar of events in its honour each June, drawing in an impressive crowd. But the creative folk at Destination Southern Highlands have managed to successfully build upon their event each year, offering a diverse range of activities.

At Southern Highlands Pie Time, participants can take part in pie-cycle tours, pie and pinot tours, cooking classes, the NSW/ACT pie competition and dine-with-a-pie meals at various locations. The month of June culminates in the two-day Pie Festival at Bong Bong Racecourse in Bowral, where the famous pie-eating competition draws in punters, and local bakers burn the midnight oil to offer hundreds of their prized pies to hungry locals and visitors.

A number of Pie Stay packages are available with local

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accommodation operators. We stay at the beautiful Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa, just a five-minute drive to the Pie Festival. The historic property has exceptional gardens, considered by many to be the finest in Australia.

With more than 10,000 trees, the gardens are the result of the creative work of Anthony, Viola and Mary Hordern, the owners of Milton Park from 1910 to 1960. A number of self-guided garden tours reveal magnificent trees, including the first weeping beeches planted in the country; and Australia’s largest and oldest tulip tree. An afternoon at Milton Park may include time in the French pool house or the day spa and fitness studio, or indulging in a ‘pie tea’ in the heritage drawing rooms seated by grand marble fireplaces, sampling (you guessed it) more pies.

All the beef for these treats has to come from somewhere,

Getaway

and indeed one of the region’s best meat suppliers is third-generation butchery Maugers Meats in Robertson.

Once a month, the family-run business conducts paddockto-plate tours on beautiful property Laurel View, hosted by owners John and Vicki Mauger. The tour starts in the old shed amongst vintage butcher’s equipment, where we are invited to make ourselves a cuppa and enjoy one of Vicki’s divine cakes (she ran a catering business for 30 years so don’t decline the offer). During the three-hour tour, we wander around the property to ‘meet the mob’ – their prized, grass-fed, free-range cows and sheep.

“Temperament is very important – if you’ve got a tense cow, you’re going to have tough meat,” says John, who was working in his father’s butcher shop at the age of 12 and became manager at 18 when his dad suffered a heart attack.

We sample some slow-roasted lamb and try more pies from Moss Vale. After lunch, we all head to the family’s original butcher shop in the adorable nearby township of Burrawang. A born entertainer, John shows us a thing or two with his butchers’ knives, dual-wielding in both left and right hand.

“It makes the butchery game so much quicker,” he quips,

before deftly carving a lamb shoulder, telling us, “I hadn’t sold one in 20 years and then that show started on TV – what’s it called, Cooking with Some Fool?”

The culmination of Pie Time’s month-long fiesta, Pie Fest will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June this year. Pies are, of course, the star attraction, with pastry offerings available to purchase from bakers such as Robertson Pie Shop, Gumnut Patisserie, Heatherbrae’s, Southern Rise Bakery, Stones Patisserie and Polly’s Pies.

Grab a photo with wandering mascot Penny Pie and snap up some pie socks. When you’ve reached your fill of pastry, there’s also a fabulous array of other local foods to sample including wines, fudge, charcuterie, honey, nuts, sauces and condiments.

Beyond the culinary satisfaction that a 48-hour pie binge offers, the Southern Highlands Pie Time is a wonderful example of a united community coming together to collectively showcase the best ingredients, artisan producers and people in the region. If you get the chance this June, live the ‘pie’ life for a day or two. TB Visit southern-highlands.com.au/events/pietime APRIL/MAY 2019

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Seaside Sojourn

WHYALLA'S

COASTAL

AND AQUATIC

P H O T O G R A P H B Y J AY N E J E N K I N S

WONDERS

Fast Fact Each winter, thousands of giant cuttlefish aggregate in the shallows off Whyalla's coast, attracting divers and underwater photographers from around the world

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The region’s semi-arid conditions and Whyalla’s position on the coast of the Spencer Gulf combine to provide 300 sunny days per year

Seaside Sojourn Whyalla Lighthouse and cottages

There’s more to South Australia than Adelaide and the Barossa, as this industrial city turned tourist destination reveals.

WORDS: Deborah dickson-smith Whyalla is located on one of Australia’s most picturesque stretches of coastline, where the rich red colours of the Australian outback meet the turquoise sea of the Spencer Gulf on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Growing up around BHP’s iron ore jetty, Whyalla was declared a city in 1961, as the company’s industrial activities grew alongside the building of shipyards and steelworks.

Whyalla still has a substantial industrial base, providing mining, engineering and steel manufacturing services.

But while it remains an important industrial hub on this remote patch of South Australian coastline, the region’s natural wonders are also driving a burgeoning tourism industry. It’s the colours of the outback and that turquoise sea which are attracting the growing number of visitors.

Snorkelling with the local giant cuttlefish

Coastal Walking Trails Throughout Whyalla and along the coast is a range of self-guided hiking trails. Lengths vary, but there are plenty of vantage points from which to watch the sun set.

The self-guided 1.9-kilometre City Walk, which starts at the north-eastern end of the city, covers many of the local historical sites and also takes in Hummock Hill, a 10-minute climb for panoramic views of Spencer Gulf, the Flinders Ranges and the city itself. Signs along the trail explain the history of the settlement, industrial history, and natural and maritime heritage.

In the centre of Whyalla, the 2.1-kilometre Education and Cultural Trail takes in the campus of the University 

Wild Dog Hill, Whyalla Conservation Park

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DID YOU KNOW...

Every year between the months of May and August, thousands of Giant Australian Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) descend on the rocky coastline between Fitzgerald Bay and False Bay near Whyalla.

These amazing 'chameleons of the sea' are one of the largest species of cuttlefish found in the world.

Cuttlefish are considered to be highly intelligent animals that possess excellent touch, smell and visual abilities.

Cuttlefish have blue blood.

Cuttlefish have three hearts.

Find out more about Whyalla and visit the website - www.whyalla.com

Seaside Sojourn

Fast Fact The Freycinet Trail is named after 19thcentury French navigator Louis Claude de Freycinet, who led an exploration into the upper Spencer Gulf in January 1803, 10 months after Matthew Flinders sailed along the Point Lowly coastline

of South Australia, TAFE South Australia, the Leisure Centre, Regional Development Australia and Middleback Art Centre. Signs along the route deliver facts regarding the buildings and other points of cultural interest.

Interpretive signage along the 2.5-kilometre Wetlands Trail provides information about the city’s first airport, a wealth of historical data and interesting discussion of the conservation area’s flora and fauna.

For more serious hikers, the Freycinet Trail hugs the Spencer Gulf coastline from Fitzgerald Bay to Point Lowly.

The trail is 12 kilometres long and divided into two sections: the 4-kilometre Fitzgerald Bay Hiking Trail and the 8-kilometre Fitzgerald Bay-Point Lowly hiking, cycling and driving trail.

The first section runs through dunes, pebble beaches and bushland before joining the joint-use trail which follows the coastal emergency track, with great photo opportunities.

Interpretive signs explain the Aboriginal history, European exploration, flora and fauna, and marine life.

Aquatic Encounters In the winter months, scuba-divers and underwater photographers come to Whyalla in droves to see Spencer Gulf’s famous aggregation of giant cuttlefish. In the summer months, it’s just a great destination for a seaside holiday.

Giant cuttlefish aggregate to mate in the Upper Spencer Marine Park in the hundreds of thousands, an incredible spectacle to watch while scuba-diving or even snorkelling in the shallows, with much of the action taking place at three to seven metres depth.

Safe swimming on the shallow foreshore at Whyalla Beach make it a good choice for young families, while the calm waters in the bay are ideal for kayaks and stand-up

Driving around Fitzgerald Bay

paddleboards, while close encounters with marine life are part of the attraction. When kayaking you’re likely to encounter a large pod of dolphins which visits frequently, following the fishermen in hopes of a snack, and a short distance along the coast a colony of seals have taken up residence on the Santos jetty.

If you don’t want to get your feet wet, the Whyalla Maritime Museum is well worth a visit. It’s home to HMAS Whyalla, the first ship built in the Whyalla Shipyards in 1941, and houses a great collection of maritime memorabilia, taking in Whyalla’s shipbuilding era – plus there’s an excellent natural history gallery showcasing Spencer Gulf’s diverse marine environment.

Landscape Lovers Twenty kilometres from Whyalla, a patch of coastline in Fitzgerald Bay with striking red shingle beach ridges is being considered for heritage listing. It’s one of only three places on the planet with similar shingle ridges, the other two in Scotland and Egypt. A geological phenomenon, the Whyalla stranded shingle beach deposits cover a distance of some 50 kilometres from the head of Spencer Gulf south along its western shore to Stony Point, and are believed to date back to the Pleistocene period.

A two-minute drive inland from the city foreshore, Whyalla Wetlands is another popular spot for nature lovers.

The wetlands area, created in the city’s old aerodrome, covers an area of 24 hectares, with almost seven hectares of artificial lakes to attract around 80 species of bird.

Meanwhile, at nearby Hummock Hill in the Whyalla Conservation Park, you’ll likely spot red and grey kangaroos as well as more than 20 species of reptile. TB APRIL/MAY 2019

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Remarkable never rests

The opportunities are yours to discover...

So much to explore in WHYALLA! Watch the adventurous kiteboarders, windsurfers and kayak with the sea-life at the Whyalla foreshore Relax with a movie or live-show at the Middleback Arts Centre Unearth the Maritime Museum open 10am -4pm daily. Walk under the ship before boarding with your tour guide.

Experience a guided tour of the Whyalla Steelworks (Mon, Wed, Fri 9.30am) Uncover the natural wonders of Point Lowly and Fitzgerald Bay. View the lighthouse, go for a swim in the beautiful waters, fish off the rocks, explore the shingle beach ridges and enjoy the scenic coastal drive. Take some supplies and make a day of it!

Enjoy ten pin bowling with family & friends

Find out more about Whyalla and visit the website - www.whyalla.com

EXPLORE

LAUNCESTON Launceston, the second-largest city in Tasmania, is often overshadowed by the state's cool capital Hobart. But with the MONA FOMA summer festival switching from the south to the north of the state, and the arrival of a benchmark new hotel, things are looking up. words: winsor dobbin

Launceston is the gateway to the Tamar Valley Wine Route, the longest established wine trail on the island state, and home to several natural attractions, including Cataract Gorge, which boasts the longest single-span chairlift in the world.

The city hosts many historic buildings in Federation, Victorian and Georgian styles, and sits at the junction of the North Esk and

South Esk rivers, which combine to become the Tamar.

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, which was established in 1891, is the largest museum located outside a capital city in Australia Held every Saturday morning, the bustling Harvest Market is regarded as the best farmers’ market in the state, and attracts vendors from all over the north of Tasmania. ď ˝

Explore

STAY 1. PEPPERS SILO The opening of Peppers Silo Hotel in 2018 provided a boost to Launceston’s tourism industry.

Originally erected in 1960, the Kings Wharf grain silos were left unused for decades. The redeveloped site is now a nine-storey hotel featuring 108 guest rooms, including 52 inside the barrels of the former silos.

Amenities on-site include a gym, day spa, child-minding facilities, hairdressing salon, function centre and private dining rooms.

2. PEPPERS SEAPORT The upscale Peppers Seaport Hotel on the opposite bank of the Tamar is under the same ownership, and has long been regarded as the best address in town.

3. BALMORAL ON YORK Among the best of Launceston’s

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mid-range hotels is Balmoral on York, just a little out of town and up a hill, but with excellent hospitality and free, fast WiFi. 4. UPMARKET & GRAND Other choices include centrally situated Hotel Grand Chancellor, the upmarket Mantra Charles Hotel and the Mercure.

5. HOMELY & SELF-CATERING For those who like to self-cater, TwoFourTwo’s apartments are a short walk to the Charles Street cafe precinct, the CBD and local galleries.

6. BED & BREAKFAST There are myriad B&Bs and cottages on offer. Hillview House is a standout, with budget ’capsule’ accommodation at Pod Inn in the heart of Launceston CBD.

Explore

From left: Peppers Silo Hotel Exterior, Josef Chromy at Relbia, fine dining at Stillwater

DRINK 1. BEST OF THE TAMAR The major appeal of the Tamar Valley Wine Route is the fact that many of the wineries are family-owned, so you will usually be served at the cellar door by someone intimately involved with the wines. Visitors can sample Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, while Tasmanian sparkling wines are widely considered to be second only to those from Champagne.

2. WINERY TRAILS Vélo Wines at Legana, the closest cellar door to downtown Launceston, is about a 15-minute drive from the city. While you’re there, pop into the winery’s café, Timbre Kitchen. Josef Chromy Wines – just down the road from Launceston

Airport – Pipers Brook/Kreglinger, Bay of Fires/House of Arras, Dalrymple and Tamar Ridge are key cellar doors, while smaller operations include Holyman/Stoney Rise, Delamere, Holm Oak, Moores Hill, Winter Brook, Grey Sands, Sinapius and Goaty Hill.

3. EXPRESS OF EXETER A wide range of local drops can also be sampled at the recently opened Tamar Valley Wine Centre in the hamlet of Exeter.

4. BOAG’S BREWERY BASH In town, the James Boag Brewery offers both tastings and brewery tours, and has a beer garden in which visitors can sample Wild Rivers Lager – the first new Boag’s brew in a decade.

5. QUALITY CRAFT BEER Geronimo Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant also shines a light on local beverages, along with boutique beer destination Saint John Craft Beer Bar. 6. TASMANIAN WINES ONLY Launceston’s latest standout bar is Bar Two – a hole-in-the-wall that serves a range of Tasmanian wines, gins and fresh produce. The ’Two’ stands for Tasmanian Wines Only. It offers platters and finger food and wines from boutique producers.

7. COFFEE HIT Top coffee hangouts include hip breakfast hot spot Bryher Cafe, Sweetbrew and Coffee Republic, all of which have firm local followings.

DINE 1. STANDOUTS There are several top-notch restaurants, with two standouts both under the same management. Fine diner Stillwater, overlooking the Tamar River, is a long-time favourite, while red meat fans will enjoy the range of Tasmanian beef cuts at the Black Cow Bistro downtown.

2. GRAIN OF THE SILOS A newcomer challenging that hierarchy is Grain of the Silos Restaurant at Peppers Silo Hotel, which boasts celebrity chef Massimo Mele as consultant and delivers paddock-to-plate eating.

Head chef Peter Twitchett showcases Robbins Island beef as well as local wasabi,

black truffles, hazelnuts and the humble Tasmanian potato.

3. POPULAR HAUNTS Other popular dining spots include the Italian-accented Novaro’s, Mudbar Restaurant and Brisbane Street Bistro.

4. GET FOOD FAST For lovers of quality fast food, Launceston has the original – and still the best – Burger Got Soul, while Pickled Evenings is a standout Indian eatery. Me Wah is a longstanding Chinese favourite with a good wine list, while the best winery dining can be found at Josef Chromy Wines at Relbia, where local flavours can be enjoyed along with spectacular views.

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ArtSpace

ArtSpace

WILD WORLD

Left: Young female from Pohnpei, The Federated States of Micronesia wearing a traditional tribal dress Above: Japanese women in Okinawa

We chat to one of the world’s most published travel photographers – artist and businessman David Kirkland.

It’s a common assumption that a photographer’s main passion is photography and that a writer’s main passion is writing. However, highly acclaimed travel photographer David Kirkland says that first and foremost, his passion is travelling to meet people. Photography and writing simply provided him with the vehicle he needs to travel the world, capturing people and places in all of their inspiring and vibrant beauty.

This passion for humanity is what shines through in his stunningly vivid portraits. They capture the pure joy

of living on faces that embody the subject’s country and/or their tribe’s rich culture. The pleasure to be found in day-to-day life is something many of us take for granted, and that’s another great thing about David’s work – when you look at the way he sees the big, bright world, it’s hard to not be as excited as a child on their first adventure.

“I’ve been a tourism photographer for 20 years, and I always go above and beyond for my clients. But as is the case with most creatives, inside there has always been a fine artist

words: michelle hespe

wanting to get out,” he says. “So recently I have also created my private collection of photographs – my fine art collection, shall we say – which are interpretations of the photos I love the most. These pieces keep my creative soul alive.”

As any artist who has created and grown their own company knows, you have to understand every aspect of your business in order to succeed.

These days, that also means getting a firm grasp on social media and nonstop digital advancements. “In another life I ran tourism authorities, and so  APRIL/MAY 2019

63

ArtSpace Left: A Huli Wigman in traditional Bilas, Papua New Guinea

I already had my head around budgets and strategy and everything that goes along with running a successful business,” he says. “That gave me a great advantage.”

In fact, it was his business mind that led David to photography. Originally he travelled the world as a writer, paying a photographer to accompany him. “I quickly realised that it wasn’t rocket science, and taught myself to take images for my travel stories,” he explains. That not only saved him money, but freed him up to travel the

64 TrueBlue

world solo, on his own terms.

Social media, and in particular Instagram, opened new doors for David, keeping his imagination afire.

“Instagram attracts people like me – creatives who love beautiful photos, and I am so happy to engage with a community like that,” he says. “I’ve spent the past six months dedicating myself to building up my presence on social media, and it is unbelievably time-consuming, but it has been absolutely transforming. It’s been a creative renaissance for me. I am

nourished by this amazing community, and now follow other photographers who inspire new work and new ways of looking at things.”

But just like anything enjoyable, David emphasises that social media is a “pleasure and a discipline” that needs to be managed. “I have to limit my time on Instagram, and like anything else in business, set particular times to be engrossed in it. But the passive benefits from it have been extraordinary.”

David is widely renowned for his work capturing the people and places of the South Pacific, but after recent trips to the Middle East and Africa, he intends to spread his wings and move further afield. “I am going to explore more regions, however I am going to limit my time spent travelling to about six months of the year, so that I can also spend time and energy on my work at home, refining my art,” he says.

Having realised the goal he set 10 years ago – being paid to travel the world as a photographer – David’s new mission is to become more widely recognised for what he does. “I want to pass on what I’ve learned, and to sit at the top of my genre as a tourism photographer,” he says. “There is always so much more to learn, and I am really enjoying this new phase.”

There’s certainly plenty of scope to inspire and teach others, as David is regularly asked for advice and guidance on how to get to where he now is.

After all, it’s a beautiful place to be. His advice is offered in this question which could be applied to achieving a dream in any profession really: “If you don’t know where you want to be in ten years’ time, and you don’t have a solid plan to get there, how can you possibly expect to arrive?” TB kirklandphotos.com

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EXPERIENCE DARWIN’S

CARNIVAL OF COLOUR

EVENTS THURSDAY 1 AUGUST

SATURDAY 3 AUGUST

LET’S TALK RACI NG L UNCHEON

Q A NTA S DA R W I N TURF CLUB G A L A BA L L

Hosted by Sky Racing’s, Greg Radley, lunch goers will enjoy a frank, topical and entertaining look into the Australian Racing industry with discussions and interviews with racing royalties.

The biggest outdoor gala ball in the Southern Hemisphere is non-other than the Gala Ball.

SATURDAY 3 AUGUST BE T 36 5 PALM E RS TO N S P RIN T The carnival is in full pace with the bet365 Palmerston Sprint 1200m dash for cash on the track.

Purchase tickets at darwinturfclub.org.au

Enjoy the live entertainment under the stars.

MONDAY 5 AUGUST G R E AT NO RT H ER N DA R W I N CUP Experience the biggest race day in the Northern Territory, with 20,000 people trackside to watch the $200,000 race take place on one of the richest dirt tracks in Australia.

AusBiz.

NEWS+VIEWS | MINING | AGRIBUSINESS | INFRASTRUCTURE

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20 p.8 metals and minerals P.14 current affairs: mining the bight P.20 agribusiness: australian wool P.25 australian pork industry P.30 property: defence housing australia P.34 charity spotlight: careflight P.39 financE: saving tips

Business News+Views Bringing you the latest insights and analysis.

WORDS: libby masi & sarah hinder

A roadmap for the future of hydrogen The CSIRO has released new report, the ’National Hydrogen Roadmap’, which lays out future plans to develop the action and investment necessary to realise the full benefits of a hydrogen economy in Australia.

Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel with uses ranging from powering vehicles to storing energy, and has the ability to help reduce the carbonisation of the planet when produced using low-emission sources.

According to the blueprints laid out by the CSIRO, a new, innovative and competitive hydrogen market is on the horizon.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall explains, “Australia has a unique and urgent opportunity

to turn significant natural resources, including coal, gas, and renewables like solar and wind energy, into a low-emissions energy product and ship it around the world – in some cases literally exporting Aussie sunshine.”

The organisation recently developed the world’s first membrane to separate hydrogen from ammonia for fuel cell vehicles.

This process solves the main difficulty with the resource – its transport. This latest development is just the catalyst needed to kickstart the renewable hydrogen export industry, which will give Australia a competitive edge in becoming a world leader in this carbon-free energy source.

Visit csiro.au

Big things are brewing on the Sunshine Coast Over the past seven years, Australia’s boutique beer and brewery industry has experienced 200 per cent growth.

A thriving recent addition to the industry is Sunshine Coast craft beer brewery Your Mates Brewery, owned and operated

by Shark Tank alumni Matt Hepburn and Christen McGarry.

Sunshine Coast Councillor Peter Cox comments, “The food and agribusiness industry on the Sunshine Coast is valued at $700 million, and features... some of Australia’s leading food and beverage innovators.” He sees Your Mates Brewery as an excellent addition to the region, believing its success is a strong sign of local economic confidence.

“The Sunshine Coast is rapidly being recognised as one of the most dynamic locations for new food, beverage and agribusiness investment in Australia,” Cox adds.

Proud locals, Hepburn and McGarry have so far provided 20 jobs, with more to come. “Your Mates Brewery gives us the scope to increase production of all our beers, develop new blends and bring more product to market, which means even more jobs in the future,” says Hepburn.

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Your Mates Brewing Company takes full advantage of all its resources, including grain by-products which are used by local farmers for their crops. Hepburn refers to this as a “circle of life type arrangement,” supporting the community and local businesses.

Visit yourmatesbrewing.com

Business News+Views

Atlas People provides top-quality chefs around regional Australia Atlas People recruits qualified chefs to travel and work in regional and rural towns around Australia. Benefitting remote pub, club and restaurant operators when they require an extra hand, one call to Atlas People provides access to a pool of high-quality accredited chefs.

Owners and managers can breathe easier knowing they can have a chef on hand with the necessary qualifications and skills, and the option of a ‘try before you hire’ service for long-term appointments.

Meanwhile, by meeting new people and working in venues around the country, many of Atlas People’s chefs find the job provides an ideal balance of interesting experiences and a stable livelihood.

Atlas People originated in regional Australia and now has more than 14 years’ experience in the labour hire business.

Managing Director Doug Fletcher explains that when working with Atlas People you are dealing with a team of experienced staff who understand the hospitality industry and its needs in regional and remote Australia.

“Anyone can easily find a chef in the city.

But, away from the city it’s a bit harder to find qualified people. We've been active in building a large pool of talent that, as well as being qualified chefs, are after a lifestyle that enables them to travel Australia and play a vital role in regional communities,” he says. “Our available talent pool means we can have a chef in place within 24 to 72 hours, no matter your location.”

Visit atlaspeople.com.au and contact Atlas People at admin@atlaspeople.com.au or (07) 3088 3700 for east coast locations and (08) 9468 7500 for west coast locations.

Weir Minerals: increasing Pattison Sand’s productivity A US family-owned sand and aggregates company based in Iowa, Pattison Sand produces a diverse range of products that service the infrastructure and construction industries. After successfully using Weir Minerals mining products at their site, Pattison Sand contracted Weir to custom-design a plant capable of producing more than seven materials – a challenging demand.

The unique facility, located on the Mississippi River, processes highly abrasive materials. This, combined with the physical diversity of the site and an aggressive threemonth timeline, initially presented technical and engineering challenges.

However, the Weir Minerals team was determined to meet Pattison Sand’s exacting demands. Global Service Director Eric Jones explains,

“We are very close to Pattison Sand, and spend a lot of time with them on-site brainstorming ideas and working together. When Pattison Sand presented the ambitious plan for their plant, our integrated solutions team worked with them to make it a reality.”

Now in operation, the custombuilt plant’s flexibility has allowed Pattison Sand to operate more efficiently, exceed production targets and increase its product range. Owner of Pattison Sand Kyle Pattison comments, “Pattison Sand and Weir Minerals have a good working relationship because of the successes we’ve had solving problems and delivering good quality products on time.”

Visit problemsolved.weir to watch a video showcasing the project and its successful operation.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Business News+Views

Gold Fields is going green Gold Fields’ Granny Smith Mine, near Laverton in Western Australia, is set to install one of the world’s largest renewable energy microgrids, fulfilling its vision of leadership in sustainable gold mining and the reduction of its carbon footprint.

The company has contracted Aggreko to design, build and operate the eight-megawatt solar power generation and battery systems. The energy system will be powered by more than 20,000 solar panels, generating almost enough power to run the mine’s entire processing operations.

Aggreko AusPac Managing Director George Whyte said, “The solar-plus-battery system is projected to reduce fuel consumption by 10-13 per cent – the equivalent of removing 2,000 cars from the road – and produces about 18 gigawatt hours of clean energy per year.”

Construction of the state-of-the-art microgrid is planned to begin in May 2019.

For more information visit aggreko.com.au

Researchers from Flinders University recently completed one of the first large-scale aerial surveys of the eastern Great Australian Bight.

Key researcher Dr Kerstin Bilgmann reports, “In the two weeks of flying, we sighted five cetacean species in coastal and offshore waters, including 71 schools of common dolphins and 14 schools of coastal bottlenose dolphins, as well as seven southern right whales, three humpback whales and one minke whale.” With such a high abundance of common dolphins, these sightings reveal how crucial the regional habitat is to the species.

An exciting spotting of a female right whale and her calf allowed researchers to conclude these waters are used by the endangered species for transiting from southern feeding grounds to coastal aggregation sites at the Head of Bight and Fowlers Bay, to give birth during winter.

In a region where tourism, fishing and commercial industries are prevalent, such research is essential in providing a better understanding of its role as a habitat

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IMAGE: KERSTIN BILGMANN

Great Australian Bight aerial surveys reveal its ecological significance

for endangered marine species, and ensuring the long-term prosperity of its inhabitants.

While marine predators such as dolphins have already been negatively impacted by interactions with fisheries, debris entanglement, human pollution and coastal development, more recently the region has become a frontier for potential offshore petroleum resources, and is actively being explored for oil and gas.

Read more on the issue on page 14 of AusBiz. or for more information visit news.flinders.edu.au

27 - 29 AUGUST

2019

SYDNEY SHOWGROUND SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

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Business Story

Best foot forward

IMAGES: MICK DODDS PHOTOGRAPHY 2019

HOW FOOTWEAR ENTREPENEUR JENNEN NGIAU-KENG LIFTED THE LOCAL SHOE GAME, AND STAYS A STEP AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION.

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Some people’s career paths are straightforward. That’s not the case for Jennen Ngiau-Keng of Jennen Shoes. He wasn’t an apprentice cobbler or shoemaker. In fact, he was more focused on using his hands than his feet when he made the decision to open his eponymous business.

“I was working as a professional violinist with the Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras.

Despite being a dedicated musician, I had an urge to create my own venture and stimulate my mind in a new way,” he explains. “I was on tour in the US when I stumbled across elevator shoes.”

If you aren’t familiar with the term, elevator shoes are footwear with thickened insoles under the heels to make the wearer appear taller. In AusBiz.

the case of Jennen Shoes, they can increase your height by three to 10 centimetres, without looking obvious.

“I did my market research and found elevator shoes to be scarce and unfashionable,” Ngiau-Keng reveals.

“However, this didn’t stop Hollywood celebrities including Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone from wearing them both on and off set.

“A year later, I launched my first collection of Jennen Shoes online, with a focus on providing elevator shoes that were stylish, comfortable and durable.”

Twelve years on, the company has a broad range of footwear which includes options for both men and women, as well as vegan elevator shoes and lifts to balance out leg-length discrepancy.

First steps

Ngiau-Keng quickly learnt that in order to establish a business, you need to be your own conductor. “In the beginning I worked day and night, because I didn’t set boundaries or build systems for efficient expansion,” he says. “Planning the growth of the business in order to sustain a balanced lifestyle is very important.”

When starting a new venture, it’s important to have a strong philosophical base to undergird your decisions. Even if your core reason for operating is ’make profit’, you will benefit from thinking about the why of every step you take from day one.

In addition to following the tenet of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s famous quote, “In my walks, every man I meet is my

IMAGES: MICK DODDS PHOTOGRAPHY 2019

Business Story

Fast Facts

1500s

Elevator shoes date back to the 1500s, when cowboy boots were all the rage in Spain

AFL

Jennen Shoes count Aussie politicians, AFL players and other celebs among their anonymous clientele

superior in some way, and in that I learn from him,” Ngiau-Keng has three grounding philosophies: • Treat others with kindness; • Build meaningful relationships with those who share similar values; and • Educate our children to be responsible members of society and compassionate human beings.

“I feel proud when I’m living by my values,” he says. “I also feel proud when know I have positively influenced someone.”

Staying ahead of the game

You don’t have to be an industry pundit to know retail is a tough, cut-throat game, especially when you’re looking at the disruption to the sector that has taken place in recent years. Gone are the days of hanging up a shingle and laying out your wares for passers-by.

“Technology has transformed the way we shop, let alone the way we live,” says Ngiau-Keng. “Since the boom of online retail, businesses that

previously dominated the market are now burdened with large infrastructure, archaic systems and too many employees. Reacting to consumer trends is vital to stay in business, but massive transformations like these are costly and time consuming.”

In response to these changes to the market, he has made a hard pivot, completely transforming his business model to match consumer behaviour.

“We’ve focused our efforts on website advancement, online marketing and online customer care,” he explains. “In 2013, 70 per cent of our customers purchased at our retail outlets, while only 30 per cent purchased online. In 2017, the results were the opposite. Over 70 per cent of our customers preferred purchasing online. By early 2019, we closed all our retail outlets – we now operate 100 per cent online and have increased sales and reduced overheads.”

If you consider the usual process of purchasing shoes – which generally

includes trying them on – this is a remarkable achievement.

Jennen’s advice for new entrepeneurs

If you’re an accomplished violinist looking for a new hustle (or even if you’re a brickie’s labourer with a genius idea to bring to market), here are seven pearls of wisdom from Ngiau-Keng: • Start small if you don’t have large amounts of time and money to invest.

• Market research your business ideas to ensure there’ll be demand.

• Crunch the numbers to ensure it’ll be worth your efforts.

• Provide a unique, quality product or service focusing on customer care.

• Plan and control the growth of your business to sustain a balanced lifestyle.

• Create a business culture that’s uplifting and beneficial to everyone involved.

• Listen to your customers and evolve from their feedback.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Metals & Minerals

Darren Baguley Darren specialises in the fields of technology, mining, agriculture, energy and business.

The high-tech metals and minerals powering the future OUR MODERN WORLD IS BUILT ON COAL, STEEL, GLASS AND CONCRETE – BUT AS SOCIETY CHANGES SO DOES COMMODITY DEMAND. 8

AusBiz.

Metals & Minerals

Fast Fact

40kg

The lithium ion battery of the new Nissan Leaf EV contains 40kg of graphite

A S W E L L A S T R A D I T I O N A L M E TA L S SUCH AS COPPER, ALUMINIUM AND S T E E L , W I N D T U R B I N E S A L S O C O N TA I N T H E H I G H -T E C H M E TA L C O B A LT

Given that it can sometimes take decades between initial exploration, discovery of a deposit and approval and construction of a mine, mining companies need to be able to peer into the future. In the absence of a serviceable crystal ball, miners have to maintain a watching brief on global economic and demographic trends, shifts in consumer demand, environmental change and, more recently, technological change.

The pace of technological change is relentless. Smartphones are nearly ubiquitous in the developed world and are rapidly achieving the same in the developing world. Notebook PCs, tablets, smartwatches and fitness bands have followed or are following the same adoption curve.

These portable technologies are at the core of demand for lighter, more powerful and more reliable batteries – but it’s not just the global technology giants that have benefitted. Rapidly developing battery technology is driving development of electric cars as well as energy storage – both utility and household scale. 

Metals & Minerals U T I L I T Y S C A L E B AT T E R I E S C O N TA I N L A R G E A M O U N T S O F LITHIUM AND GRAPHITE

Fast Fact

42 trillion

We may end up mining in space – if we do, near-earth asteroids are estimated to contain more than 42 trillion tonnes of metals and minerals

Deloitte’s ’Tracking the Trends 2018’ report explains: “As economies mature and technological advancement progresses, mining companies are seeking greater exposure to laterstage commodities such as tech metals and boutique minerals. One of the most frequently cited examples these days is lithium, an integral component of battery technology. In anticipation of the exponential growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems, the global battery supply chain is mobilising.”

While EV adoption in Australia is low, just 0.18 per cent of new car sales in 2017 according to WhichCar, the local market matches the global trend with new models being introduced every year, and a slow but steady rollout of charging infrastructure across the country.

More importantly, the member countries of the Electric Vehicle Initiative (EVI), including Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the US, have announced plans to increase the market share for EVs to 30 per cent by 2030.

In response to anticipated demand

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for batteries Tesla has built its Gigafactory in Nevada, which produces 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of capacity annually, and China has foreshadowed plans to build battery factories with more than 120GWh annual capacity by 2021.

Responding to these trends, most mining and energy industry analysts predict that world demand for lithium will increase by 200 or even 300 per cent by 2030. With seven lithium mines already operating in Western Australia – including the Greenbushes operation, the world’s largest hard rock lithium mine – Australia is well placed to take advantage of this increase in demand.

But lithium is not the only commodity that has seen demand spike as worldwide battery production increases exponentially. Like lithium, graphite and cobalt are integral components of cutting-edge battery technology, and the development of these resources is at a similar stage of development that lithium was a few years ago. China has long been the world’s biggest supplier of graphite, but its share has been steadily declining as higher-grade deposits

are worked out and stricter environmental regulations cause the closure of some mines.

Australia is unlikely to take China’s place as a major graphite producer, however, there are deposits in both Western Australia and South Australia.

Quantum Graphite (ASX: QGL), formerly Valence Industries, owns the Mikkira Graphite Deposit located on the Eyre Peninsula, near Port Lincoln.

The deposit includes the Uley Graphite Project, also known as the Ouray mine, which was Australia’s only operating graphite mine between the 1920s and 1993 when it closed, only to reopen in 2014 and close again in 2016. Despite Uley’s chequered history, Mikkira is acknowledged as a world-class deposit and analysts are cautiously optimistic about Quantum’s future as graphite supplies tighten and prices rise.

While it was in production, Uley produced up to 14,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate annually. By contrast, the McIntosh flake graphite development, located approximately 100 kilometres from Halls Creek, in northern Western Australia, currently undergoing a feasibility study, is predicted to produce around

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Metals & Minerals

AN INCREASE IN SMART CAR CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS S L O W LY R O L L I N G O U T AROUND AUSTRALIA

CHINA HAS LONG BEEN THE WORLD'S LARGEST SUPPLIER OF GRAPHITE

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100,000 tonnes per annum of high-grade (96-98 per cent TGC) graphite concentrate. Jointly bankrolled by Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) and Hexagon Resources (ASX: HXG), the project kicked off mid-2018 and has a three-year timeline to commercial production.

Cobalt is another high-tech metal that represents a significant opportunity for Australian mining companies. According to Deloitte’s ’Tracking the Trends 2018’ cobalt consumers are “facing a global supply deficit that may grow from 885 tonnes in 2018 to 5340 tonnes in 2020. To complicate matters, almost 70 per cent of the world’s cobalt supply comes from the [notoriously unstable] Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Australia has the second largest reserves and is the world’s fourth largest producer of cobalt. Broken Hill-based Cobalt Blue (ASX: COB) and Clean TeQ (ASX: CLQ) are just two of several junior miners rushing to explore for the blue-grey metal.

Both companies will need to raise funds to build the new mines and processing plants needed to exploit the deposits but they’re optimistic that

rising prices and Australia’s political stability will make the difference.

Deloitte adds that while new metals and minerals such as lithium, graphite and cobalt are the next big thing, “both nickel and copper are reinventing themselves as commodities of the future as well. EVs are expected to contain four times as much copper as combustion-powered engines.”

Given the trend towards portable electronics, EVs and renewables, it seems unlikely that demand for the high-tech metals needed to produce batteries will abate any time soon.

EVs will make a rapid transition to the mainstream once the price gap with internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles narrows, and Deloitte notes that “over 160 countries and counting have publicly announced commitments to increase the share of renewables in their electricity mix, with 59 countries planning to shift to 100 per cent renewable energy in the coming decades.”

Whether they’re destined for smartphones, PCs, EVs, household or utility scale energy storage, Australia is well placed to supply the world with the commodities of the future.

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Current Affairs

WHAT LIES BENEATH

A CATACLYSMIC ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN, OR A ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO SAFEGUARD AUSTRALIA’S OIL SUPPLY AS WELL AS BOOST THE NATIONAL ECONOMY TO THE TUNE OF BILLIONS? THERE ARE COMPLEX ISSUES SURROUNDING DRILLING IN THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT, AND THE STAKES ARE HIGH. 14

AusBiz.

Ian Lloyd Neubauer With nearly 20 years’ journalism experience, Ian is abreast of global news as it happens.

Current Affairs

CLIFFS ALONG THE G R E AT A U S T R A L I A N B I G H T

THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES OF COASTLINE COULD BE AFFECTED

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t’s one of the most important whale, shark and tuna nurseries on the planet – an utterly pristine marine environment with biodiversity thought to be on par with or possibly even excel that of the Great Barrier Reef. During a recent study researchers gazetted 1,267 species, a third of which were altogether new to science.

Yet few people have heard of the Great Southern Reef, probably because it’s really, really hard to get to. It’s concealed one to three kilometres below the surface of the Great Australian Bight, in treacherous waters braced by sea cliffs up to 120 metres high.

The Bight is also rich in oil. BP forecasts the region could yield as much oil as the Mississippi Delta and committed $1.4 billion to prospecting in the Bight this decade, but pulled out in 2016, when global oil prices hit rock bottom.

But oil has already begun to bounce back and Australia is keen to get a piece of the action.

The Federal Government has even promised foreign oil companies that in the event of a catastrophic oil spill, they’ll be able to claim a tax deduction for the clean-up, essentially passing the bill on to taxpayers.

That hasn’t played well with greenies or the 10,000-odd people who work in fisheries and tourism in the Bight – industries that generate $10 billion annually in economic activity. Late

last year, Greenpeace published an oil spill simulation leaked from Equinor, a Norwegian energy giant that plans to start drilling the Bight as early as next year. The simulation showed a spill could dump 4.3 million barrels of oil – 30 per cent more than the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 – into the ocean. Thousands of kilometres of coastline could be affected, including Kangaroo Island, Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed areas, and as far north as the beaches of Sydney.

“Our biggest concern is the Bight is so remote and has some of the deepest water in the world as far as drilling attempts go, so if we get a spill on the lines of the Deepwater Horizon, we’re all stuffed,” says Andrew Neighbour of Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures.

He is one of many residents up in arms after Australia’s national offshore oil and gas regulator NOPSEMA approved an application

by PGS Australia to conduct seismic surveys – the precursor to offshore drilling – only 90 kilometres west of Kangaroo Island, in a patch of ocean that intersects one of Australia’s most fertile rock lobster fishing grounds and migration routes for endangered blue whales. “After nearly wiping them out, Australia’s whale population is experiencing a resurgence. The last time they did seismic 

FAST FACT The Bight was formed 65 million years ago when a chunk of land split off from Australia and drifted south, eventually becoming Antarctica APRIL/MAY 2019

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Current Affairs

testing in South Australia a dozen sperm whales beached themselves – so we don’t believe it’s as harmless as they say,” he says.

FUEL SECURITY

T H E G R E AT A U S T R A L I A B I G H T I S H O M E T O I M P O R TA N T HUMPBACK WHALE AND BLUE W H A L E M I G R AT I O N R O U T E S

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Federal resources minister Matt Canavan has predicted an oil industry in the Great Australian Bight could transform the South Australian economy, create thousands of jobs and generate billions in income.

And the minister’s message has not been lost – not even among the people of Kangaroo Island. “There are just as many people on the island who are for drilling as there are against it,” concedes Neighbour.

But it’s not just voters who lost their jobs following the hollowing out of South Australia’s car and steel industries who should favour drilling in the Bight: Canavan argues the issue is important to anyone who cares about the country’s rapidly diminishing fuel security.

Since the start of this decade, Australia’s

net petroleum stockholdings have fallen from our International Energy Agency obligations of 90 days’ worth to just 50 days. According to the Federal Department of Mining and Energy, this amounts to about 21 days of petrol for cars, 18 days of diesel for trucks and 20 days of aviation fuel.

Reserves would be burned much faster in the event of war. Take, for example, the growing threat of a US-China conflict in the South China Sea – a region home to shipping routes Australia depends on for 55 per cent of its fuel. Any kind of conflict there would see food, medicine and all basic consumables become scarce in a matter of weeks.

“The Great Australian Bight is one of the world’s most prospective oil and gas basins,” Canavan says. “We should do all we can to see it developed because that will bring jobs and help improve fuel security.”

But that’s nonsense, according to retired air vice-marshal John Blackburn, who’s been

Current Affairs

“THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST PROSPECTIVE OIL AND GAS BASINS” lobbying the Government to improve fuel security for five years. “Guaranteed flow of oil is what’s important,” Blackburn says, pointing out that just 20 per cent of Australia’s crude oil is refined onshore. “You can drill as much bloody oil as you like, but if we don’t ensure we’ve got a refinery industry and distribution capability on road, rail and sea to move the stuff around, it doesn’t matter.”

Nevertheless, both the Liberal National Government and the Opposition, if they win the next election, are likely to green-light drilling the Bight. There’s just too much money at stake.

Oil and gas are the single largest contributors to Australia’s $50 billion marine economy, far exceeding fisheries and tourism. There’s also the vote-pulling argument that a robust Australian oil industry could keep domestic energy bills lower – unlike renewables such as wind and solar with their colossal start-up costs.

“Our energy mix is changing; the role of renewable energy is increasing and our industry is very much a supporter of that,” says Matthew Doman of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association. “But we will use a lot of oil and a lot of gas for decades to come.”

0.014 PER CENT

Norwegian oil giant Equinor has downplayed the importance of the oil spill simulation published by Greenpeace, saying it was part of an unfinished environment plan based on a combination of 100 different worst-case scenarios. The company also claims it has drilled “65 deepwater wells safely” and draws on 45 years of experience “successfully working in similar offshore environments.”

But investigation shows Equinor has caused oil spills in Arctic waters near Norway while trading under its old company name StatoilHydro. In 2010 workers on a North Sea oil rig had to be evacuated as rescue engineers worked around the clock to control a huge build-

ENDANGERED SPECIES INCLUDING AUSTRALIAN SEA LIONS AND BLUE WHALES L I V E I N T H E W AT E R S O F T H E G R E AT A U S T R A L I A B I G H T

up of pressure that had the potential to blow up the entire rig. But Statoil’s safety protocols held fast and disaster was averted. In 2015 seven cubic metres leaked into the sea from a hose, and in 2016 there was a fire on a Statoil oil rig.

The anti-drilling camp argues these incidents show Equinor’s experience comes from taking risks in places where other companies won’t go.

It also puts into question Equinor’s statistical modelling for an uncontrolled oil spill from an underground well – 0.014 per cent or one for every 7,100 wells.

“It’s extraordinary that we’re about to put this ecosystem at risk when we know so little about it,” says Greenpeace’s Nathaniel Pelle.

“Wherever there is drilling, then accidents are inevitable. It’s only a matter of how bad they are and where and when they occur.”

But Equinor country manager for Australia Jacques-Etienne Michel said the company will only drill in the Bight if it is assured it can do it safely. “By the time we drill, we will have spent more than two years planning this project to satisfy ourselves that we can operate safely and in accordance with Australia’s strict environmental and regulatory requirements,” he says.

FAST FACT The Bight is a haven for 36 species of whale and dolphin, and Australia’s most important sea lion nursery.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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AusBiz. Promotion

Cost and Return Measurement of Technology’s Success

Cameron Waters, Business Manager – Geospatial Systems at Position Partners

What impact would it have on your business to upgrade all your surveying equipment and software in one transformative move? Is the high-risk nature of large capital expenditure holding you back from keeping up-to-date? It’s possible to increase your return on investment (RoI) and kit out your business with the latest equipment and software while reducing the risk involved in a large capital layout.

Attracting the best and brightest

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Known cost structures protect margins

Training and support

Weighing up a technology refresh

Connecting and adding real value

Today, you can expect technology and service providers to proactively help you fix long-term software licences and maintenance contracts matching your financial constraints.

It’s important to then convert those fees to costs per hour and secure improved, reliable margins. Knowing this can support your ability to adjust your rates to market without unwelcome repair and maintenance surprises.

Upgrading surveying equipment and software can be daunting, and the potential risk and effort needs to be weighed against the RoI. The latest equipment provides: • Proven productivity and uptime gains.

• Quality and speed of output well in front of competition.

• Collaboration streamlines relationships with key partners.

• Attractive workplaces for scarce young, tech-savvy talent.

Integrated collaborative workflows

With well-integrated, collaborative workflows operating via a single cloud service, data is managed more efficiently.

With instant field updates, data and survey managers can review and make adjustments in real time. Information requests can be done without having to return to the site, and the integration extends to being able to securely trade data between the players in the survey ecosystem.

The quality and range of support components are what ensure rapid, enthusiastic adoption of new equipment and systems. We deliver customisable training opportunities anywhere in Australia, that ensure staff are confident with the technology and can gain the most effective results.

Our live Tokara support solutions provide users with instant on-screen, real-time support to help with workflows.

To ensure your business continues to grow and stay ahead of the competition, continue to improve your systems and technology. On a larger scale, only with constantly improving productivity can our world support population growth and standard of living. It’s our sector that is building schools, hospitals and roads that secure quality of life needs for the next generations. But the broad construction profession has the lowest productivity gains due to limited technical skill rates, out-of-date industrial relations and complex red tape. Whether you’re locking in the profitability of a small surveying operation or are on the cusp of setting up on your own, it’s your technology platform that will determine a profitable venture.

Talk to Position Partners about leveraging technology for cut-through. What drives us, helps you.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Australian Wool

Lisa Smyth Business and travel writer Lisa Smyth is a non-stop nomad, living everywhere from Myanmar and Germany to PNG.

The resurgence of the Australian wool industry WOOL IS TRENDY AGAIN AMONG FASHIONISTAS AND CELEBRITY ATHLETES, AND THE MERINO WOOL INDUSTRY IS MAKING THE MOST OF ITS RETURN TO GLOBAL DOMINANCE. 20

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Australian Wool

L E F T: F I N E A U S T R A L I A N M E R I N O W O O L R I G H T: W E T H E R S O N T H E R O A D NEAR GLENWOOD MERINOS IN W E L L I N G T O N , N E W S O U T H WA L E S

Thinking of wool conjures images of chunky, cosy jumpers and thick scarves worn while sitting in front of a fireplace in a log cabin half buried in snow. You probably don’t think Lululemon yoga pants or Adidas running shoes – but in 2019 that’s exactly where more and more Australian Merino wool is ending up.

“It’s not so much that the industry has changed, it’s that the consumer demographic has changed,” explains Stuart McCullough, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), a not-for-profit company owned by Australia’s 24,000 woolgrowers that invests in research, development, innovation and marketing.

“Generation Y and Millennials are pretty curious about understanding natural fibres, and the 300 million middle-class Chinese on our doorstep are eager to consume our products – the market is very different from 20 years ago,” says McCullough.

Let’s get physical

Today, the Australian wool industry is worth $3 billion a year on average, and 90 per cent of the world’s apparel wool is produced by Australian Merino sheep. In the past eight years the global price of wool more than doubled from $7.50 to $18.20 per kilogram as demand has grown but supply remains finite – Australia’s current wool-producing flock is less than half what it was in 1990.

As brands such as Chanel and Burberry rediscover the warmth and durability of fine Merino wool, athleisure brands such as Nike and Under Armour are creating whole woollen collections that make use of the sweat-wicking, breathability and odour-absorbing qualities naturally inherent in wool.

“Traditionally wool was seen in a negative way – people remembered scratchy jumpers and skirts from the World War II era. But there is a new demand for Merino wool from the ‘next to skin’ leisurewear sector,” notes Norm Smith, owner of Glenwood Merinos in Wellington, New South Wales. “We produce a magnificent product that is completely biodegradable and recyclable, and is being used in new ways for a new generation.”

Smith is a fourth-generation wool farmer, and together with his wife Pip runs a 12,000 Merino stud and an online retail outlet selling fine Merino scarves, LoveMerino.

The couple have also made sure to tap into another growing consumer trend: provenance.

“All our wool is fully traceable, with every fibre of our scarves originating from Glenwood,” says Smith. “And those who buy our wool can also prove provenance to their customers – every farm has a story.” 

Fast Facts

Merino

The Australian Merino was originally bred from the Spanish Merino, brought to Australia in 1797 from South Africa

70%

In the mid-1990s about 20 per cent of Australia’s greasy wool went to China, but this has grown to well over 70 per cent today APRIL/MAY 2019

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Australian Wool

A strong comeback

While Smith and his family are enjoying the good times now, he still keenly remembers the pain that spread throughout the country when the wool industry collapsed 28 years ago, in February 1991. Described by Charles Massy in his book Breaking the Sheep’s Back as “the biggest corporate-business disaster in Australian history,” the crash of the Australian Wool Corporation’s (predecessor of AWI) reserve price scheme devasted the industry.

“We were being paid by the government to euthanise our sheep, and the poor quality of the wool meant we burnt a lot of bridges in key markets such as the EU,” says Smith. “It’s taken us over 20 years to rebuild our reputation and develop demand again.”

Smith, like many farmers, turned to alternative sources of income, such as creating his own products and producing lamb. In fact, where once wool was 90 per cent of his business, it is now evenly split with lamb production.

“Lamb prices have dramatically increased in recent years and there continues to be a growing demand for it,” says Will McLachlan, a fifthgeneration farmer who began working with his father on their family property, Rosebank, in South Australia two and a half years ago.

“Lambs are a significant piece of our business now, but we also work to get more wool from each of our sheep.”

Genetics play a strong part in today’s wool industry, with DNA testing able to predict things such as how much a lamb will grow, its resistance to infection and potential fleece weight. Though not a perfect science, breeding traits in and out of sheep can also bring in extra revenue. “Our ewe lambs are worth more for breeding than selling for meat,” says McLachlan.

A woolly debate

However, challenging Australia’s hard-fought return to the top of the global wool bale are a passionate group of people who are hard to ignore: animal activists.

“The mulesing debate is starting to drive consumers towards ethically produced wool,” explains Rick Maybury, COO of Australian Wool Network, Australia’s largest independent wool marketer. “We need to help farmers find alternatives – animal welfare bodies represent a big challenge to the industry in the coming years.”

Already banned in New Zealand, mulesing has been a standard husbandry practice in Australia since 1927.

Mulesing involves cutting a patch of skin away from the tail and breech of a very young lamb, so a scar of stretched skin

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C L O C K W I S E F R O M L E F T: F I N E LOVEMERINO WOOLEN SCARF PRODUCED BY GLENWOOD MERINOS IN WELLINGTON, N E W S O U T H WA L E S ; S H E E P SHEARING; EWE LAMB AND YOUNG WOMAN WEARING LAMBSWOOL PRODUCTS; SPINNING WOOL IN THE FA C T O RY; A U S T R A L I A N W O O L I N N O VAT I O N T E C H N I C A L WEAR SPORTS SHIRT

grows back. The pink skin, with no wool, stays clean and dry and is unattractive to blowflies, whose eggs can cause flystrike – a condition that can be fatal.

“We stopped mulesing in 2005 due to the changing sentiment of consumers and attacks from animal rights groups, but most farmers continue the practice,” says Smith.

AWI’s longer term ambition is to work with woolgrowers to eliminate the need for mulesing, yet despite spending up to $40 million on research it has not found a solution.

But in 2018 it became evident that the market is demanding an end to the practice, with a $1 premium difference being paid on non-mulesed lots at auction.

Robots in the shed

Despite its past and present challenges, today the wool industry is strong and looking to the future. AWI is investing in research in multiple areas, including applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning across the supply chain, electronic sheep tags that will act as virtual fences, and the use of robotics in the beloved shearing shed.

“Shearing remains a very manual part of the supply chain, and finding shearers is getting tougher every year,” says Maybury. Australia has 73 million sheep, but only 2,800 shearers – five times fewer than 30 years ago. Many were pulled towards the resources boom to work in mines, and New Zealanders, who traditionally made up half the shearing workforce, are finding better wages at home.

The robotics lab at the University of Technology Sydney is currently conducting a nine-month scoping study for the AWI aided by a 3D printed sheep, Shauna. Mechanical robot arms use data to reconstruct what the sheep looks like without wool to figure out where to shear. The team believes robots could be used in conjunction with manual shearing methods, not replace shearers altogether.

“When robotics was looked at in the past the cost was prohibitive, but it’s a more realistic option today,” explains Maybury. “The cost curve has come down enough that the wider industry could adopt a commercialised program.”

Wool comprises only 3 per cent of the global textile market, but Australian Merino wool remains a world leader in an increasingly important sector.

Biodegradable, breathable and fashionable, wool may just be the textile of the future.

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Pork Industry

Pork talk WE DELVE INTO THE PORK REVOLUTION AND SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE FOREFRONT OF THIS BURGEONING INDUSTRY.

“Get some pork on your fork” and “Pork, the other white meat” are two memorable taglines from industry marketing campaigns over the decades, but today there’s a quiet revolution going on in the field of Australian pork.

On average, Australians eat 27.9 kilograms of pork per year – it became our second favourite meat after chicken, superseding beef, just a few years ago. Some of this increase in consumption has been driven by new trends such as the demand for gourmet bacon and prosciutto, but there are also crazes like the ketogenic diet which has made crackling popular as a snack food.

According to Australian Pork Limited CEO Andrew Spencer, “Fresh pork has been increasing in popularity over the last few years. Trimmed pork is low in fat and has more iron than chicken but not as much as beef and lamb.

Then there is the versatility of pork – a lot of chefs have picked up on it and realised that a lot of new things can be presented from pork cuts.”

While only comprising around 10 per cent of total production, a growing trend is the rise of (often small scale) ethical pork production – raising pigs outdoors where they can exhibit the full range of animal behaviours that come naturally to them. Breeds such as the Large White and Landrace have over the years become adapted to being raised intensively indoors and tend to do poorly in a free-range situation. This has led to a small but growing 

Darren Baguley Darren specialises in the fields of technology, mining, agriculture, energy and business.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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Pork Industry

resurgence in traditional breeds such as the English Large Black, Berkshire, Wessex Saddleback and Tamworth that are well adapted to being raised outdoors.

The most famous of the new breed of artisanal freerangers is former Sydney Morning Herald food critic turned farmer Matthew Evans, star of long-running SBS series Gourmet Farmer. At the smaller end of the scale, Evans has three rare Wessex Saddleback sows – Evita, Jackie and Audrey – and one boar, Barry, which turn off around 50 free-range pigs per year. Not all of Evans’ 70-acre property, Fat Pig Farm, is suitable for raising pigs, but only one tenth of it at any one time will have the animals on it.

“We put the pigs into the paddock and move them when they need fresh grass,” Evans says, “so they can exhibit natural species-specific behaviour. Ducks get to swim in their duck pond, pigs get to root up the soil, dig, forage and nest, etc.”

While Evans now only sells his pork through the on-farm restaurant, he was an early adopter of value-adding practices. “[As a] small scale producer, [we] had to do a highvalue-add product. Can’t sell pigs at market or to butcher for the same price as pork rillette or our all-meat sausage – a sausage with just meat, no fillers, no starch, no sachets of flavour,” he explains. “The best compliment I ever got was from a guy selling potatoes: your sausages are too meaty.”

Tammi Jonas, of Jonai Farms, is an artisanal producer also helping to preserve a rare heritage breed, the English Large Black. “We have two boars and 12 sows on 69 acres

Fast Facts

5.4million

5.4 million pigs are processed in Australia every year

45,000

There are more than 3,000 pig producers in Australia, ranging from large commercial producers with 45,000 pigs in sheds to artisanal producers with just a handful of pigs

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FA R M E R A N D S TA R O F S B S S E R I E S G O U R M E T FA R M E R M AT T H E W E VA N S

of volcanic soil country, just outside Daylesford in Victoria, which we use to produce a whole range of fresh pork and smallgoods products as well as bone broth,” says Jonas.

When Jonai Farms had difficulties with getting the farm’s produce butchered to specification, Jonas apprenticed to a local butcher and crowdfunded the money needed to build a boning room on farm. The result has been extremely successful. About 10 per cent of Jonai Farms’ production is sold through the farmgate shop but “the rest is sold 

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Pork Industry

PIGS GRAZING AROUND F R E E - R A N G E P I G FA R M EXTRAORDINARY PORK

through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. We have 85 people signed up for a year to get between three and 10 kilograms of our product. Customers are spread throughout regional Victoria and Melbourne, where there’s 75 people on a 20-year waiting list.”

If there is one common theme among free-range pig producers, besides their ethical approach to animal raising, it would be their devotion to the land. If kept on the same patch of ground for too long, pigs can be incredibly destructive. That’s why Evans and Jonas practice planned grazing – as do Dubbo-based free-range pig farmers Michael and Alex Hicks of Extraordinary Pork.

Michael studied Holistic Management™ at university and his wife, Alex, grew up on a holistically managed family farm near Orange. So it’s no surprise that when they decided to purchase 350 acres near Dubbo they were focused on regenerating the landscape, which included areas of sodic soils. Holistic Management™ is a decisionmaking framework developed by Zimbabwean biologist, politician and soldier Allan Savory. It enables landholders to make balanced decisions that are socially, financially and environmentally sound in both the short and the long term.

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The Hickses run 16 rare Berkshire sows and an even rarer Duroc boar on 120 of their 350 acres, and sell their meat through several outlets in Sydney and Central West New South Wales as well as their own CSA. According to Michael, “We focus on regenerating the landscape while providing the best life possible for the animals and a good life for ourselves. For us, those morals are exceptionally important. It is all about the animals, which means if we need to move the pigs today to not damage our land, then they get moved today.

“We focus on doing this very, very well, and in return the animal rewards you. Animals act out, and we just have to listen and observe because they do what they do for a reason. For example, piglets react to how the sow is behaving. If the sow is upset and agitated, then the piglets are, too. If you make the sow as happy as she can be, it translates into the paddock.”

While still a small part of the overall market, “it’s a really exciting thing to see all these producers bobbing up at farmers’ markets, focused on ethically raising free-range pigs who are free to dig and forage and nest,” says Evans. “Who would have thought nature would get it so right?”

Property Biz.

A secret weapon THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS ARE CHOOSING DEFENCE HOUSING AUSTRALIA TO PROTECT THEIR FINANCIAL FREEDOM. Investing in residential real estate can be a roller-coaster ride. There are the highs of rising rents and skyrocketing property values, but also the lows of a cooling market.

Ask the average Australian investor how their portfolio was doing a couple of years ago and the answer would have been an enthusiastic: “The only way is up!”

Today, the scene is more subdued.

By December, annual dwelling values in Melbourne had fallen by 7 per cent and in Sydney by 8.9 per cent according to CoreLogic data. In turn, rents have also softened.

It is this rocky ride, coupled with the usual stresses of being a landlord, that has turned some investors to buying property through Defence Housing Australia (DHA), where rents are guaranteed and tenancies are long.

But while the strategy is touted as “one of the most secure property investments available in Australia” on dha.gov.au, it is far

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from a get-rich-quick plan, with some industry insiders labelling it “lazy“ investing. The reason the Federal Government offers these humble homes for civilians to buy is simple: the department just can’t afford to own them all.

“DHA manages in excess of 19,000 properties around Australia, and that portfolio is worth about $11 billion. It’s a sizeable sum under management, and for us to hold all that is really not economical,” says Chris Perry, director of investor sales for DHA.

Why take this non-traditional investment route?

“It’s a great opportunity for investors to purchase a residential property – knowing it’s then going to be leased back to a government business for a long term; anywhere from six, nine or 12 years. And to know that throughout the lease it will be occupied by defence members and maintained by DHA,” Perry says.

Kirsten Craze Kirsten Craze is a freelance journalist who has been writing about property in Australia and overseas for more than 15 years.

Property Biz.

Depending on the region, and how many homes DHA needs in an area, a property might be released back to the owner to move into or sell. Owners can sell mid-lease, but the tenancy period remains.

“You needn’t worry about re-tenanting and we guarantee the rent throughout the lease – with a built-in rental floor,” adds Perry. “So the rent that the investor buys the property with – that’s the worst the rent’s ever going to be.”

Where’s the catch?

When real estate spruikers offer guaranteed rental returns and free renovations, investors are taught to be cautious. But Perry says there really are no hidden nasties with DHA: “People think it’s too good to be true. They think, ‘How can you guarantee the rent? How can you do all the maintenance on the property?’

“We’ve got a long-term contract with the department to provide housing for their members, and because of the certainty around that contract, and the fact we need to have a large portfolio in these locations for the long term, we can offer investors certainty.”

While not a catch, there is a surprise. DHA’s management fees are 16.5 per cent for a freestanding property and 13 per cent for a

strata property. Although significantly higher than traditional property manager fees, Perry says investors should compare apples with apples – not oranges.

“You might get a property manager at 8 to 10 per cent, but they are literally just doing the bare minimum. Then there are additional charges like advertising costs, re-letting fees and maintenance,” he explains, adding that at the end of a lease term, DHA undertakes renovations and repairs to bring the home up to selling standards.

In 2017 DHA engaged BIS Oxford Economics to compare its fees with typical real estate agent charges and additional costs. The outcome showed DHA’s fees were “notably lower”.

Why it’s not for everyone

Several buyer’s agents unwilling to go on record say adding a DHA home to your property portfolio is a “lazy” investment.

“If they mean lazy in that you don’t have to do a lot, then I’d agree with that,” Perry argues. “Where buyer’s agents may be coming from is, it is not something that you can add value to yourself.”

Property consultant Alan Yeung of Sydneybased firm Location Property Group explains  APRIL/MAY 2019

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fact box • Not all DHA properties are large homes based in regional or outer ring metropolitan areas. Although they are generally 30 kilometres from an ADF base, some are inner-city onebedroom apartments • The majority of DHA investors have no connection to the defence forces at all • While shorter lease terms of three or six years are possible, the standard terms are nine or 12 years

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that just like the stock market, there are ‘safe’ investments and ‘high risk’ investments: “It’s like buying into tech shares, they fluctuate and you can win or lose. If you buy more conventional shares like BHP then they’re a safer bet, but you won’t make millions.”

Perry says people need to ask themselves what type of investor they want to be: “Do you want to have to do renovations, or be involved in intimately managing the day-to-day aspects of the investment?”

An investor’s story

Alison Crouch bought her first DHA investment just outside of Canberra 15 years ago, and since then has bought two more.

“We were attracted by the security: having the guaranteed rental income. Plus we were worried about rental vacancies and people trashing the place,” she says. A professional in the mortgage-broking industry, Crouch says she and her tradie husband Mark always saw property investing as a long game. “I deal with investors every day, and I find that people invest for different reasons. Some invest for

cash flow, others invest for capital growth and for some it’s a retirement strategy. Others want to get rich – it’s all different.”

After years of dealing with buyer’s agents, Crouch says she knew why many industry insiders looked down on DHA investments.

“They’re after the quick capital growth,” she says. “They’re charging $10,000, sometimes $15,000, to purchase a property for someone, so they know their buyers want value for that.

“What I hear, falsely, about DHA is that the properties are ‘set at a premium price’ and they’re non-negotiable. Sure, it’s a drawback for some, so is the high management fee. But if you want a long-term, secure investment, then DHA is a good strategy.

“If you’re after a short-term flip, with quick returns, then it’s not for you. For us, it’s paid off in spades.”

The mum-of-one says she wants to be an investor, not a landlord, so the DHA deal suits her: “I don’t have time to manage my properties or chase real estate agents. Even if I did have the time, I don’t want to! I want to be travelling and enjoying my life.”

AusBiz. Promotion

CAREFLIGHT FLYING INTO NEW TERRITORIES WITH A NEW CEO AT THE HELM AND ENORMOUS LEVELS OF GROWTH, AEROMEDICAL ORGANISATION CAREFLIGHT IS FINDING NEW WAYS TO PARTNER WITH BUSINESSES.

Mick Frewen

CareFlight CEO Mick Frewen believes revenue diversification is key for charities to survive.

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AusBiz. Promotion

Introducing Mick Frewen

Joining CareFlight in May 2018, CEO Mick Frewen came on-board at a pivotal period in the charity’s history. Coming off a 10-year management career with the world’s largest medical and travel security assistance company, International SOS, and with 20 years in the special forces before that, the former Lieutenant Colonel believes his previous experience made the transition to CareFlight a natural one.

“You need to be able to relate to your staff, like the pilot and the air crew officer, to understand their roles,” he reflects. “It’s even easier when you can show them that you have been where they are, too – that you’ve sat in the back of the helicopter and you’ve jumped out of the aeroplane. My experience has helped a lot on that side.”

During his time at CareFlight, one of the more surprising things Frewen has discovered is the common misconception people sometimes have about the organisation.

“Most people, if you meet them in the street or at a dinner party and they hear that you work for CareFlight, say ‘Oh yeah, the helicopter that flies around Sydney helping people.’ And they’re right, that is where we started, it’s our DNA,” he says. “But today we do so much more than that – it’s the complexity of what we do, across a variety of different aircraft and geographies, that makes CareFlight one of the more interesting aviation organisations in Australia.”

Mission of mercy

Starting in 1986 with a single helicopter, CareFlight operations now span the country with a

fleet of medical jets, turbo-prop aeroplanes, helicopters, road vehicles and pioneering mobile education simulators. From urban beginnings, today’s organisation is just as focused on helping regional and remote Australian communities get access to the quality care they need.

“We have the rapid response helicopter in Sydney that has an average response time from tasking of only four minutes,” Frewen explains. “We need to get to the patient as quickly as possible and commence treatment on scene to improve patient recovery prospects.

“Then there are the rescue helicopters, that can winch you out of the ocean or out of a canyon, which is what we do up in the Northern Territory and for the oil, gas and mining industry. Our jets, turbo-prop and rotary wing aircraft 

Fast Facts

8,500

In 2018, 8,500 patients were cared for nationally on helicopters, jets, propeller aircraft and road vehicles. This was a 40 per cent increase from the year before.

50

More than 50 MediSim Trauma Care Workshops were brought to first responders working in remote locations all over Australia in 2018 thanks to sponsors, donations and contributions from the proceeds of oil, gas and mining service agreements.

APRIL/MAY 2019

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AusBiz. Promotion ONE OF THE CAREFLIGHT’S FLEET OF TURBO-PROP AIRCRAFT

CAREFLIGHT WINCH MISSION OFF GROOTE EYLANDT

enable us to move critically sick patients within Australia and overseas while providing emergency care, as well as help low acuity patients who need to be transferred to hospital for specialised care.”

Over the past 12 months CareFlight has also invested in its people, growing by almost a quarter to now employ more than 550 full- and parttime staff, the largest number of whom are devoted clinical specialists and aeromedical professionals.

Throughout this period of change, what has remained upfront and foremost is the organisation’s mission to save lives, speed recovery and dedicatedly serve the community.

The future of aeromedical

Like most charities, CareFlight has traditionally relied on the public for their support in order to deliver its operations. But as the fundraising space has become increasingly competitive, Frewen is only too aware of the need to seek funding opportunities in new markets, so CareFlight can continue to deliver its community services into the future.

“I think it’s a challenge that presents for all charitable organisations,” he says, “that traditional fundraising,

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although still effective, won’t in the longer term meet all of our funding needs. CareFlight has to continue to look at being more creative and innovative to ensure we have the revenue to continue delivering our mission and social purpose, so for us that means diversification.”

No better example, he adds, is CareFlight’s contract for the Asia-Pacific region’s only fully integrated aeromedical support to oil and gas services, located more than 290 kilometres off the Western Australia coastline.

“Our paramedics work out on the oil and gas facilities, and in instances of a medical emergency, they work with our 24/7 HelpPoint coordination centre and our team of emergency specialists to get workers on the rig to the shore,” says Frewen. “We operate in our own and partner helicopters, jets and turbo-prop aircraft, so we’re able to put our clinical team in the back of the most appropriate aeromedical aircraft and move injured workers from remote areas in north WA and the NT, to a hospital in Perth or Darwin.

“It’s about leveraging the skill set we already have in the oil, gas and mining sectors for organisations who value a fully integrated aeromedical model

delivered by one trusted partner.

“We’ve already been able to modify all of our jets to carry neonatal cots from the proceeds of some of these new operations, and we are now looking to introduce some additional aeromedical helicopters to support remote Australian communities.”

Since 2010, CareFlight has been servicing the Top End on behalf of the Northern Territory Government.

Proceeds from this contract have allowed CareFlight to invest in a range of community initiatives such as 50 free MediSim Trauma Workshops across Australia each year, building resilience in remote communities.

“Having these contracts really allows us to do far more to meet our social purpose in Australian communities, and I think that is a great thing,” Frewen says. “My vision is that we continue to grow, but that we grow for the right reasons and in the right way.

“We are investing a lot to enable this growth, we’re not trying to grow on a shoestring, we’re positively investing in building depth. We would love to continue to grow so we can continue to reinvest proceeds back into the community, and we are always looking to work with likeminded organisations.”

Save lives, speed recovery and serve the community

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Call Andrea for your business solution on 0437 237 947 or email andrea.horne@careflight.org

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Finance

Ryan Watson Tribeca Financial’s CEO knows all about money management.

Don’t stress

Do you feel you have control over your finances? Do you have enough savings in reserve to absorb a financial shock? Do you have the freedom to be able to make choices to enjoy life? If you answered “no“ to any of these questions, you’re financially stressed. And you’re not alone. One in three Australians report that they feel the same. For full-time workers, it increases to one in two.

We’re walking a tightrope in Australia and no one wants to admit there’s a problem. So, what exactly does financial stress look like?

A few of the most common symptoms of financial stress include: • Arguing with a partner over money – financial issues are consistently reported as the leading cause of marital breakdown; • Worrying about how you will pay off a mortgage; • Frequent illness – stress lowers your immune system, increasing your chance of sickness; • Sleeping issues – if financially stressed, you’re eight times more likely to have trouble sleeping; • Lack of concentration; • Low productivity.

If left untreated, financial stress has also been known to cause several mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

It’s clear that financial stress is no laughing matter. But how can you become “financially destressed”?

I’ve included my top three tips for ensuring that you are “financially well” below.

1. Set your goals

We rarely ever take time to evaluate what we really want from life.

An effective way to start thinking about your own short- to long-term goals is to consider your “four Ls”: Life, Love, Learn and Legacy.

• Life: what lifestyle do you want to have now and in 10 years’ time?

• Love: what are your important relationships? How will you nurture them and add value to them?

• Learn: what are your passions that you’d like to get better at, or things you’d like to try in life?

• Legacy: what do you want to contribute or give back to society or those around you?

Using your answers, think about how you want your life to look in 10 or five years’ time. This will form your goal and give you something to work towards when sorting out your financial life.

2. Understand your cashflow It might seem obvious, but very few people know their net financial position at the end of each month.

And you won’t know what to change if you don’t know what’s wrong.

There are three things every person needs to know to ensure they’re financially “on track” – what you earn, what you owe and what you save.

An easy way to calculate this is to subtract your monthly spend from your after-tax income. The result will be your net financial position. If you’re breaking even, you aren’t saving anything. And if your number is in the negatives, you’re spending more than you can afford.

3. Grow your savings bucket

Now that you understand your financial position, it’s time to grow your savings each month to at least 20 per cent of your after-tax income.

It might seem impossible at first, but becoming a saver is simply about changing your habits.

The easiest way to start saving is by structuring your bank accounts appropriately. Set up automatic transfers that move 20 per cent of your salary into your savings each pay day, then establish a discretionary account with a certain amount transferred into it each week. This account will be what you have to spend on discretionary items each week, limiting the amount you spend while still giving you the freedom to spend it on what you want.

APRIL/MAY 2019

39

Puzzles

CROSSWORD

C I F N W O T Y K N U F W

N N Y Q E N D C B E M A S

A G K N E L O O L H F M W

S L D L I M L B R F D I E

I I A I E A U I L E L L E

U T M D V O R E V S I Y T

N K Y O R A S B W E W M U

E J E T N S D G N I S M Y

SOLUTIONS:

S L D L I M L B R F D I E

I I A I E A U I L E L L E

U T M D V O R E V S I Y T

N K Y O R A S B W E W M U

E J E T N S D G N I S M Y

AusBiz.

A G K N E L O O L H F M W

TRIO TROUBLE WAFFLES WILD

N N Y Q E N D C B E M A S

NUISANCE SEVILLE SIMON SING SONGS STAR

C I F N W O T Y K N U F W

CHIPMUNK COMEDY DAVID FAMILY FUN FUNKY TOWN

E M U Q E O A L V I N N M

R R N H I S G N O S H W U

A A T R C H I P M U N K S

T H T R G N I V O L T H I

E M U Q E O A L V I N N M

SWEET TALENT THEODORE

S C G R G U I T A R W J C

R R N H I S G N O S H W U

GUITAR LOVING MUSIC

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally. Theme: ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS

A A T R C H I P M U N K S

ALVIN BRAINY CHARMING

WORD SEARCH

T H T R G N I V O L T H I

40

DOWN 1. Chattering 2. Slicer 3. Miniature (plant) 4. Risked 5. Shades of gold 6. Striking with foot 12. Haul with effort 15. Ashamed 16. Forsake 17. Broke out suddenly 19. Outcome 20. Lay cosily 22. Modify 23. Gangway

S C G R G U I T A R W J C

ACROSS 1. Pulled 5. Ox harness 7. Make on loom 8. NZ bird 9. Delicate fabric 10. Nonconformist 11. Alone, by ...

13. Central US state 14. Car shed 18. Blueprint 21. Molten rock 22. Sayings 24. Himalayan republic 25. Wearing footwear 26. Travel by yacht 27. Overly fat 28. Garden of Creation 29. Ponged

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*Offer available for rentals up to 31 December 2019. This offer is applicable for rentals in participating locations in Australia only. Offer excludes taxes, fees, optional products and services, fuel, additional charges such as airport taxes and sundry fees and the GST that applies to these charges. This offer may not be combined with any other offer, discount promotion, special offer or coupon. Offer applies to economy to full size vehicles. Visit hertz.com.au/rex for a full list of participating locations and terms and conditions. Blackout periods apply.

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