Ruby Autumn 2016

Autumn 2016 the thinking women’s magazine

Terindah Estate Since the plantation of its very first vines in 2001, Terindah Estate on the Bellarine Peninsula has grown from strength to strength and has become one of the region’s must-see destinations.

Respected wine critic, James Halliday, last year crowned the local winery with one of his six annual winery awards, naming Terindah as Australia’s ‘Dark Horse of the Year 2016’. Subsequently, Terindah was promoted to a 5-star winery with some of their single vineyard wines scoring 95 points.

Visitors can see the winemaking process, sample the range of hand crafted wines at the cellar door and eat in ‘The Shed’; all whilst soaking up the magnificent views of the vineyard and across the bay to Melbourne’s city skyline.

With it’s architecturally designed event spaces, Terindah is also host to many weddings, private parties and corporate events.

But the fun doesn’t stop there…

Terindah will soon be hosting their Winter Series of events, which will include Saturday night dinners in The Shed, as well as hands-on cooking classes in their kitchen with Executive Chef Lyndon Betts and Sous Chef William Moyle. Stay tuned for class topics on their website or subscribe to their mailing list for priority notification.

Now available from Terindah’s Cellar Door is their new release 2015 Late Harvest Pinot Gris; sweet, opulent and delicious!

You can expect honey, apricot and fig flavours with bright acidity. Limited stock available for $35 per 375ml bottle.

TERINDAH ESTATE The Bellarine’s Most Beautiful Boutique Venue Open 7 Days

Food & Wine

Cellar Door

Event Venue

Terindah Estate Bellarine Peninsula

WINNER

WINNER

Australia’s Dark Horse H A L L I D AY D A R K H O R S E W I N E R Y O F T H E Y E A R 2 0 1 6

◆ O P E N 7 D AYS ◆ H A L L I D AY 5 S TA R W I N E R Y ◆ S P E C TA C U L A R B AY V I E W S ◆ AWA R D W I N N I N G F O O D & W I N E

TERINDAH ESTATE The Bellarine’s Most Beautiful Boutique Venue 90 McAdams Lane, Bellarine VIC 3223

◆

hello@terindahestate.com

◆

(03) 5251 5536

◆

www.terindahestate.com 3 Ruby Autumn

“Age is not important unless you’re a cheese.”

- Helen Hayes

contents

38

08

Ruby Style

Ruby Psychology

10

40

Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Food

12

46

Ruby Loves

Ruby Spotlight

22

‘Like’ us at MagazineRuby

48

Ruby Business

Ruby Comp

28

56

Ruby Inspire

Ruby Kids

30

67

Ruby Health

Ruby Book Club

RUBY is an Adcell Group publication.

We try to get out as many free copies as we can, but we know that they disappear faster than fairy bread at a 4th birthday party.

So if you can’t get your hands on a copy, why not subscribe for a guaranteed copy of your very own.

Visit rubymagazine.com.au Today!

PUBLISHER Maureen Tayler ISSN: 1838-1456 MANAGER Caroline Tayler EDITOR Davina Montgomery davina@adcellgroup.com.au DESIGN Gillian Brew ADVERTISE IN RUBY MAGAZINE Abbey Sherwell M 0418 991 203 abbey@adcellgroup.com.au --Tanya Carroll M 0418 302 869 tanya@adcellgroup.com.au Adcell Group Geelong - Head Office T (03) 5221 4408 / F (03) 5221 3322 203 Malop Street, PO Box 491, Geelong, VIC 3220

rubymagazine.com.au 4 Ruby Autumn

ruby editor

AGEING: TIME TO CHANGE THE STORY We do this thing, as humans, where we tell ourselves stories to make sense of the complexity around us. It’s one of the things that has helped us grow and change so extraordinarily as a species; but it’s also one of the things that holds us back, particularly when it comes to social change.

The great benefit of telling ourselves stories is that we can retain vast amounts of information in small, manageable pieces. The great detriment of our story-telling habit is that it requires us to categorize and contain what are otherwise an enormous diversity or vast continuum of ideas and concepts, many of which aren’t suited to being contained and are potentially dangerous when they are.

Ageing is one of those ideas – we are babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, young, middle aged, senior, old and maybe even really, really old… all these ages in convenient little boxes, with the corresponding joys, expected skills and relative values to society.

There is so much noise around ageing, in its many forms, that it can be hard to find some quiet time to really think about it.

During the time that it’s taken to put this edition of Ruby, dedicated to ageing,

together, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I think about ageing.

For me, it all comes back to stories. The wicked old witch, the scary old crone, the ugly old hag and, good grief, the little old lady who lives in a shoe (where, where is the man who produced all these children and then left the poor woman to care for all of them alone, until, left with no money and no food, she is so worn down with worry and poverty that a clearly very fertile woman who could by no measure of biology be any older than early middle age appears so very old not? Not to mention unstable enough to consider a shoe to be a practical living space?)

Stories do tell us about the world, but even more than that, they tell us about how we think about the world. Take the story of Snow White, for example. In the wicked step-mother we have a woman dealing with all the complications of marrying a widower with a young child, only to be faced soon after with the death of the man she loves, having to run a kingdom on her own, caring for a young teenage girl and constantly being scrutinized to see if she’s losing her looks only to be told she’s past it. There’s a newer, better looking and much younger replacement on hand; she is obsolete.

But what if Snow White’s step-mother wasn’t afraid of getting older? What if what age she was or how she looked was irrelevant? What if she could continue to be a strong leader, irrespective of whether someone younger could take her place?

Would the issue of the huntsman and the heart ever have come about? Would the seven dwarves have remained secluded from society and the idiosyncracies, sinus complaints and personality quirks of seven middle-aged men living together in isolation been left to fester in peace?

If we can change the stories we tell ourselves about ageing, all those stories that tell us what we can’t do and what we should be afraid of as we age, then perhaps we can truly change the way we age.

Perhaps we could enjoy the process – the amassing of wisdom, experience and perspective – as the years pass. Sure, it leaves a few marks. For anyone who lives long enough the scars are there, both physical and emotional, that serve as reminders of the big stuff. But there is plenty of joy to be found as well, for those of us who love a happy ending.

Enjoy, dear Ruby ladies – may your stories be happy ones.

5 Ruby Autumn

Servicing Geelong since

G EN E R A L PUBLIC WELCOM E! Whethe r you are af ter just one item or wish to buy in b u lk .

The vari et y of p ro ducts Byars ha s to of fe r is amazing .

1985

store • wrap carry • bake • serve & much more Byars Flexible Packaging have a huge range of food containers.

From takeaway food containers in various sizes to eco-friendly paper plates and platters, cake boxes, lollies bags and wrapping.

They have an amazing variety of bits and pieces making Byars your one stop shop for all your disposable packaging needs.

www.byars.com.au

AGEING

er o

s Living well as we get older means having choices about where and how we live. We want to be happy, to be safe, to be in a place we love and to love the place we’re in.

Celebrating the season

T

he general public is invited to join residents of Barwarre Gardens Retirement Village on Saturday 16 April from 11am-2pm in celebrating the autumn season. Autumn is a popular time to go walking, camping and enjoying being outside.

Open day guests can enjoy free information sessions on retirement village living, a free lunch, giveaways and live entertainment while strolling through the new community centre and display homes, which will be open for inspection on the day.

“Autumn is a beautiful season and has such stable weather, it’s perfect for getting outside and enjoying ourselves before the cold of winter arrives,” says Sue Duncan, Village Manager at Barwarre Gardens.

Renowned local artist, Amanda Blake-Sutterby, will be showcasing her deep appreciation of nature in an exhibition titled ‘Gifts of Nature’ at Barwarre Gardens Retirement Village from 13-19 April.

“We are excited to have Amanda exhibit here at the village. Her work with the Australian landscape and nature is really lovely,” says Sue. The exhibition ‘Gifts of Nature’ will be launched on Wednesday 13 April at 2pm in the Barwarre Gardens Retirement Village Community Centre and will form part of the open day celebrations. The general public is welcome to attend.

The retirement village, developed and built by local community services organisation Karingal, is conveniently located close to Geelong and many local services. Eleven homes have been sold in stage four, which was recently released with stage three nearly sold out.

There are five floor plans to choose from. In addition to spacious living areas, the homes feature double vanity basins in the ensuite, a second bathroom or powder room, double or single garage, large utility room and ample storage cupboards. There are also many optional extras available to purchasers to enable the home to be personalised to individual taste and needs.

Secure your brand new home while the temperatures are mild, as the heat of summer has past and the chill of winter has yet to come.

For further information on the Art Exhibition by Amanda Sutterby-Blake or Barwarre Gardens Retirement Village contact Sales Manager, Leeanne Morrison on 1300 472 424 or visit the website at www.barwarregardens.com.au.

Ageing with Options

G

iving people a real choice to be able to stay in their own home as they age is what drives MACS Complete Care.

Ageing doesn’t have to mean a future in an aged care facility; but for those who want to age well and safely at home, some additional care is often needed.

The MACS Complete Care service, operated under MACS – one of Geelong’s most respected and valued aged care providers – is an in-home support service that is available for people of any age and any cultural background.

The idea of MACS Complete Care is to fit in with whatever the needs of their clients are – some need ongoing regular visits; for some it is a support service for families caring for elderly relatives or those with specific care needs to allow them some freedom to plan for holidays and events; for others it is having someone they trust that they can call on if and when they need it.

‘Care’ under MACS Complete Care, explains Lyn McCarter, MACS Complete Care Manager, isn’t about someone who is incapacitated and unable to get out of the house. It might be some medical care, it might be some help around the home with meals etc., and often it means having someone to go to the things people still want to be able to do, but need some help with.

“It could mean having someone stay overnight, or we might take people to hydrotherapy or swimming, out shopping or even to special events like weddings,” Lyn said. “It might be going to and from the doctors, or someone to be at home post-surgery. It might be ongoing or it might be a once off – whatever people need.

A new service established last year is also providing in-home palliative care; with specialised and fully qualified palliative care staff, providing peace of mind for families.

“It’s important for people to know that they are going to receive good quality care, and that is always our focus.”

7 Ruby Autumn

ruby psychology

8 Ruby Autumn

ruby psychology What Fresh Damnation Is This? I Don’t Give A …

I was horrified when I came across a site recently called ‘In20Years.com’ that offers, and I quote,

…our magical engine turns your face old automatically…

I

t what? Magical? I heard myself exclaim.

Why? Do I really want to subject myself to such a confronting image and shock my poor system into shutting down? I’m hopeful I’ll see this proposed end result one day of my own accord.

The very thought of seeing that computer generated sight in real time would age me twenty years in two seconds flat.

As Groucho Marx said, getting older is no problem – you just have to live long enough. Yesiree, and looking twenty years into the future could certainly jeopardise my longevity, not to mention my poor old self-image – old being the operative word.

especially about flatulence - and get away with it? You can laugh at your own jokes too! Damn it, do whatever you want. Who really cares?

I think that’s enough damnation for the time being. I think you’ve got the idea – it’s all about me, me and me when we get older, and perhaps we don’t have to live the ‘false-self’ any longer.

Further research tells me that ageism is alive and well. No wonder we all want to avoid the negative stereotypes and behaviours directed at the older folk.

Evidently, you become invisible. I’m still not sure of the demarcation line when we are to be considered middle-aged, young-old, old-old, or really and truly old.

I hope it’s not based on being a slow mover, forgetful and vague because I’m already there!

As I’ve declared in past Ruby ramblings, I’m yet to see the advantages of getting older. Aging gracefully is an oxymoron in my humble estimation. Maybe there are two advantages, but just maybe. Firstly, no longer having to give a damn about stuff that once really, really mattered; and, oh yes, getting into the movies at a discounted rate!

Do you remember when you sang along in 1967 with The Beatles - When I’m Sixty-Four …when I get older, losing my hair many years from now...? Ha-ha, very funny back then, but not so funny now, methinks. Well, hello, if you are nodding your head and smiling then you’ve probably faced that confronting number already. In fact, you may have even surpassed the sixty-four-year milestone.

Who ever said age is only a number has a lot to answer for. Well of course it’s only a number, but this is such a big, big number.

So, what is it that you don’t need to give a damn about at this ripe old age?

Everything, really - you can do whatever you want, and not give a damn about what others say or think. Breaking the social norms is the way to go. It’s okay to eat a whole packet of Tim Tams per episode whilst working your way through both series of True Detective. And eat that hamburger with the lot; damn it, eat three if you want. Sure, there will be consequences, but you don’t give a damn, remember? So don’t give a damn about the guilt either. And did you know that you can tell really rude jokes -

little umbrellas when others are sipping wine; don’t spend time with people you loathe; proudly say ‘Yes, I am well on the way to being that cat lady people talk about in hushed tones’; and yes, I hope to have sex again before I die. Please feel free to add your personal goals at this point, however, it maybe advisable not to share them with the family and risk being denounced and censured.

Be on the look out for the following seemingly harmless phrases to which I’ve supplied an appropriate, but not so delicate response for your perusal and use: “You certainly don’t look your age” – oh really, what were you expecting a carcass?

“You need to slow down a bit” – why is that, to make you look good?

This false-self idea probably sounds a bit narcissistic for your liking. The dreaded false self is often generated for a number of reasons and it may be more common than you imagine. If the individual doesn’t feel as special as they’d like, then the creation of a false self is going to gain acceptance and a sense of belonging – just look at the workings of social media in creating false personas. Aging could be the catalyst for abolishing the false self - what a relief that could be! You can let it all hang out, as they used to say way back when. But I’m digressing with this false-self stuff - back to the things you’ll be too old to give a damn about.

Let’s see: give up the self-loathing; stop apologising; forget accountability; get over being socially anxious; stop regretting the past; stop looking at the bulges; wear comfortable shoes; go grey (well, maybe not); drink those cocktails with

“Wow, you do email!” – so you assume I’m cognitively impaired as well as technologically challenged?

“So, you still cook then?” – sadly, the Meals on Wheels menu isn’t to my liking.

“Really, you stayed up to watch the tennis, good for you” – yes, I can usually generate the energy to keep my eyes open after 6 pm on special occasions.

Most assuredly, Rhett Butler in 1939 wasn’t really on about age when he said, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”, but he certainly had an attitude and knew about letting it go with the wind (not a reference to paragraph four) and maybe you can do the same. However, if that quote is a bit too antiquated, how about if I translate it into the dialogue of today’s youth? It goes like this – like, who cares; like, I don’t give a stuff; like, you know, like… yeah, like…

words charmaine morse, psychologist, charmainemorse.com.au 9 Ruby Autumn

TELLING US ALL ABOUT THE MANY EVENTS SHE WON’T SEE BECAUSE SHE WILL BE DEAD IS ONE OF HER FAVOURITE TOPICS OF CONVERSATION, ALONG WITH THE TROUBLE WITH HER NERVES…

10 Ruby Autumn

ruby tuesday

NOW is the autumn of our discontent…

Ageing comes with its pleasures and its pains; its pleasures are many, its pains, well, they tend to include men.

Sounding bitter? I have recently experienced an attack of middle-agedman-ness, or MAMishness: in this case, a middle-aged male relative having a crisis about getting older.

No one wants to be bombarded with a full-blown rant on the degradations of vanished virility and the sudden appearance of man boobs in someone you used to happily stand at a bar and enjoy a beer with. It put me right off the chocolaty/coconutty/marshmallowy joy of a Snow Ball I was about to down with my cup of tea. Too much jiggling, white strips reminiscent of old-man chest hair and don’t even get me started on anything relating to nuts!

Usually, I spend quite a lot of my time laughing at my ageing relatives. It started with those first jolts of ageing behavior – the irrational attachment to a certain chair, the loud huffing and flicking off of lights, even when you’ve only left the room to get a snack – but lately it has progressed into a sad and sinking state of parental dysmorphia. And yes, like MAMishness, that is a completely madeup term. But while the word might be made up, the condition is not.

Parental dysmorphia is characterized – by me, in my mind – by that all too common jerking sensation of the world having shifted while you’re not paying attention that occurs when your parents display ageing behavior that just doesn’t fit with the picture of them you have in your head.

My parents aren’t old, are they? They’re only in their sixties. That’s like the new late-forties, right? Shouldn’t they be out spending the kids’ (i.e. our) inheritance, grey nomading their way across flooded outback vistas they have neither the skill, experience or equipment to safely navigate or flirting outrageously with foreign waiters or waitresses in outrageously expensive restaurants with soaring cliff top views?

I feel like a whole generation of movies of parents becoming free and ever so

slightly cool as they move into their senior years have let us all down. Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Judy Davis, WHAT IS GOING ON? I had a curious conversation with my Mum, not so long ago. She was reflecting on not living to see my kids have kids of their own. My Mum is still very much alive; it’s just that telling us all about the many events she won’t see because she will be dead is one of her favourite topics of conversation, along with the trouble with her nerves… She has more than a little of Jane Austen’s Mrs. Bennett about her.

Her mother, my Nan, was of the keepbusy-and-don’t-complain school. She abhorred letting beans go bad on the vine, an untidy garden, unruly children and dropped crumbs. I’m not sure she was that fond of my Granddad either …

She would always serve up coffee or tea with cake or biscuits and loved a chat about whatever had caught her interest.

Normal then.

My Mum (and my Dad, for that matter) like to ring me when I’m in the queue at the supermarket/carwash/cafe to tell me the same story about the illness of a family friend (that I don’t remember) that they had both called me about twice the previous day. They tend to forget the little things, like time, dates and entire conversations.

In a fit of peak (tantrum) recently, I told my Mum that the only reason my dearly beloved had stayed in Geelong rather than pursuing our careers interstate or overseas before we settled down to have kids was that our parents were so bloody hopeless that someone had to stay around and keep an eye on them.

She calmly replied that she was glad something good had come out of her (chronic) illness. You have to laugh… we both did.

We did stay, and are both glad that we did. Well, not so much when we are stuck between work commitments and send out the call for grand-parental help. My Dad has a mortifying habit of picking my kids up from school (which is a rarity, unsurprisingly) in a faded and torn tank top that dates back to

the mid-1990s with shorts that act as arrows for his varicose veins and Crocs.

The tank top used to be my 6-foot 4-inch quite muscled brother’s. My father is 5-foot 5-inches and is built like Homer Simpson and has a moustache like a Victorian-era blacksmith.

My Grandma, Dad’s mum, had an unswerving dedication to Wednesday shopping day, shoes with matching handbags, checking plants had enough water and starching my canvas runners.

But the worst part of all of this is finding that we, the dynamic duo of my dearly beloved and I, are starting to display the same rage-inducing behaviours (although I can only fervently hope that man boobs and the loud bemoaning of impotence play no part in our future!) I have my spot on the couch that even the cat knows not to sit in. I frequently forget who I have told what stories/event invitations/ imminent plans to and have caught that barely contained eye roll that heralds ‘I’ve heard this before’. I even went to the hardware store in paint-spattered old Uggs and none-too-opaque leggings.

Aaaaugh!

From thinking that 30 was unfathomably old to gaining an increasingly clear picture of the kind of grandparent I might be (in 20 years’ time) doesn’t feel to have been much of a jump. Yet it’s happened.

Surely it was only a couple of years ago that it seemed oh so unnatural, wrong even, for anyone over the age of 28 to venture into a club or bar on a Saturday night, and truly horrifying when it came with a shirt unbuttoned to their chest and/or wearing a mini skirt?

When did our parents get old and we started to act like them? Meryl, Pierce, Judy, HELP! There are no guidelines for this gig we call life, but anyone who’s really looking and really listening knows when it’s being done well or not so well. My only consolation is the startlingly detailed picture we are getting on how not to do it well must stand us in good stead for our own retirement years. Right?

words tuesday jones 11 Ruby Autumn

RUBY LOVES...

VAST INTERIORS Address: 130 Torquay Rd, Grovedale VIC 3216 Phone:(03) 5244 2244 www.vastinterior.com.au

FORTY WINKS Address: McKillop St & Gheringhap St, Geelong VIC 3220 Phone:(03) 5221 4399 www.fortywinks.com.au (Proudly stocking Aura by Tracie Ellis) 12 Ruby Autumn

@gypsyan

DEAR RUBY LADIES,

dco @mi

clark

insp

h oto

Check out our Summer Regrams from #RubyMagazine and be sure to keeping following and # tagging for your chance to feature in the next edition of Ruby!

grap

hy

Our winning Summer’16 image is from @yvonneryan1 who spent her Summer travelling to help in an Indonesian orphanage. @yvonneryan1 has travelled to both Indonesia and Thailand and is planning ahead for future trips this year.

She takes as many supplies as she can with her and has kindly received donations from family and friends to purchase food supplies when she arrives.

@yvonner yan1

Go Yvonne!

@t

! s u w o l l o F

@ruby_magazine

Apollo The Scandinavian influence shines through with the chic Apollo suite. Combining Plantation Oak timber and quality Australian made Warwick fabric, the angled legs and sleek lines complement the striking upholstered bed head, which is smartly

Maud St

Moorabool St

Gheringhap St

FI1100

White laminate accents coupled with the timber finish on the stylish and practical bedside tables and dresser works to create a sense of calm.

McKillop St

dfa

rme

r

@waurnpondssc

It’s Free!

If you would like to stock Ruby Magazine in your business please contact us abbey@adcellgroup.com.au

Apollo

Lust over the

punctuated by white buttoning detail.

Little Myers St

oo i ny f

VIEW OUR INSPIRED COLLECTION IN STORE

Geelong 118 Gheringhap Street Ph: 03 5221 4399

fortywinks.com.au

13 Ruby Autumn

floating …

ruby musings

NOT DROWNING,

I was there once; one of those bright, young things, splashing and frolicking in the fountain of youth. But as the years changed it into more like a muddy puddle, that’s when I variously pulled my tankini up and down, tightened my goggles and dived head first into the Sea of Fabulous Fiftydom!

Y

es, yes. Growing old is a crock of … what’s the word? Damn, I can’t remember. It’s the droopy elastic in the sexy knickers of your life.

It’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a brain that can remember where you put the bloody knife (thank you for the interesting definition of irony, Alanis Morrisette). Growing old is a serious business. So serious, in fact, that the very thought of all those politicians fiddling around with my super and my pension and my retirement age and my healthcare – ergo my right to be healthy, wealthy and wise – brings out the grumpy old woman in me.

I look back and I’m surprised (and very blessed, I guess) that while there are only a couple of things I would definitely NOT do again in my past, so much is filled with things I want to do again, only this time, I’d remember to appreciate doing them.

But, is there any point in worrying about old age? Not according to my late, great Mum who’d respond to any howls of anguish from her darling daughters about greying hair or wrinkles or significant birthdays with, ‘Well, dear, it’s definitely better than the alternative’. When she put it that way, of course, we would feel really guilty and admit begrudgingly that, yes, being dead would be worse than having crows feet or salt ’n’ pepper hair in our thirties. Thanks, Mum.

I often contemplate who I actually was when I was younger. I think of the little girl I was and wonder what it would have taken for her to know that despite some crappy school experiences she was clever and talented (and not fat at all) and that she could have gone and done anything she wanted.

So, I am here, floundering around in my fifties. I’m at the Heinz end of my sixth decade – I’m 57 (get it?) – and I’m surprised to admit that being a middleaged matron ain’t such a bad thing. In fact, I stand before you to state, willingly and publicly, that it’s actually got its good parts, and I’ll bet my last pair of support stockings that there are plenty of older Australians who will agree.

Movies like ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’ and ‘Back to the Future’ tempt us into contemplating how we’d manipulate our own pasts, presents and futures if we only had the chance. But it’s spoilt for me because I worry about upsetting the spacetime continuum (thanks Professor/Doc Brown for something extra to worry about).

And while I’m sure I could go back in time and find my beloved and we’d fall in love all over again, what if I went back, sorted out a few past problems, reset my future prospects to ‘fabulous’ only to come back to 2016 and discover that the miracles of perfect timing that resulted in my children instead had gone awry and I had different kids? Damn you, space-time continuum.

You’ve ruined time travel forever.

And if only I could talk to the thirty-year-old me, who thought she was old and fat and really believed she knew everything. She’d learnt a lot in that crazy 10 years leading up to that big birthday – crammed with travel, adventure, study, love, marriage, babies, tragedies, crises, parenthood, home building, great friendships, bad friendships, community work, caring, living! How could there be any more to know than that? Thirty-year-old me thought 40 was really old! I look back at the thirty-year-old me and I want to tell her that she should relax and slow down a bit; that two of her three babies do grow up and are healthy and fabulous; that everything she’s worrying about will be just fine, and most of all, I want to tell her to go and buy up all the Torquay Esplanade real estate she can get her hands on!

As a 57-year-old middle-class, healthy, happy woman in Australia, I have freedom words anna-marie hughes

14 Ruby Autumn

to do pretty much whatever I want. That’s luxury beyond all measure – we only have to turn on the news or read any of our ‘sign this petition’ emails to know that.

I’m not rich, but I am, if you know what I mean. We have so much living to do in our world, so much to do for the sheer joy of it, and we can indulge ourselves and others without being punished. Think about it; we can tell people to get stuffed and leave us alone and we don’t get beaten or put in jail for it. We can indulge, albeit in the ‘vanilla’ versions, of the Seven Deadly Sins and usually get away with it; well, hello there envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. I’ll take you all on my next shopping bus tour fundraiser, and we can work on lust on a good Saturday night at home with the hubby!

Some of ‘my people’ have made some great life choices and are shining examples of how old age can be done, and done well. Some of the others… well, not so much. It’s probably best if we just back away, avoid eye contact and think of them as the ‘horrible warning’.

Either way, you will hear all about it.

Getting older means that sometimes all you can offer is the benefit of your experience. Failing eyesight means you can’t see others’ eyes glazing over. A few noisy, opinionated elders (especially when they’ve got a few Sparkling Shirazes under their elastic waistbands) cannot fail but to set the world to rights. When you are pondering the rights and wrongs of pretty much anything, be it makeup … movies … mobile phone plans … men … there is wisdom in their experience (just don’t get them started on childbirth, or menopause.)

Yes, everything you’ve heard about getting older is pretty much true, but once you’re there and actually in it, it’s not that bad after all. There’s no going back to the fountain of youth, but do not fear growing old. It’s a privilege denied to many.

Got a tattoo that no longer fits your lifestyle?

We can help‌.

Geelong Laser Tattoo Removal tattoo removal and fading

free consultation

18 James Street Geelong

0478 616 905

geelonglasertattooremoval.com.au 15 Ruby Autumn

ruby women

A LADIES NIGHT OUT full of heart and hope

It was a celebration of wonderful, intelligent, challenging and inspiring women the International Women’s Day evening at the new Geelong Library and Heritage Centre on March 4th. The event was hosted by the City of Greater Geelong’s Women in Community Life Advisory Committee and supported by event partner, Business & Professional Women (BPW) Geelong.

A Friday night party with a though-provoking undertone, the event included the presentation of the Women in Community Life Awards, recognising local women who are driving change in gender equity. This year, the National Disability Insurance Scheme sponsored a new award category for local women with a disability and the stories of how all of the finalists are making a difference in our community were the highlight of the night. While guest speaker, Guardian Australia columnist, Van Badham, pointed to why the push for gender equity must continue to gain in strength in her own inimitable smart and funny way.

The stunning views across the city provided the perfect backdrop for a ladies night out, and while the lolly bar and signature cocktail helped to keep guests smiling, helping to raise vital funds for Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) and Minerva Community Services topped off a great night. photos pam hutchinson, pam hutchinson photography

providing unique options for in-home care * Award winning service provider of choice * Provider of private services to CALD and Anglo Saxon community * Provider of unique options for palliative care, in partnership with Hospice Foundation Geelong

RD AWA ING N WINARE C

Call 1300 622 778 to organise a FREE care assessment

100 Weddell Road, Geelong North 16 Ruby Autumn

* Specialist care * Respite care * Care to lighten the load * Care to help you stay in contact * Care to help you get out and about

Email completecare@macs.org.au

Phone 1300 622 778

macs.org.au

AUTUMN TONES Dress

$45

Belt

$20

Jacket

$60

Necklace

$25

Boots

$65

Earrings

$20

Clutch

$30

Bracelet

$10

WOMENS CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Beautiful range of wooden Go Green jewellery in store

NOW!

Shop 20 Bellarine Village Newcomb VIC 3219

03 5248 5365

STYLISH • COMFORTABLE • AFFORDABLE

17 Ruby Autumn

ruby’s lookin’ at you

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH...

WHERE ARE YOU?

This issue is all about ageing, so I thought I’d outline some of my own concerns (or white knuckle fears) about growing older by listing my pros and cons to ageing gracefully, or kicking and screaming as some would say.

Firstly the Cons: The are both physical and emotional – aching body, deteriorating eyesight, tiredness, loss of energy, hot flushes (I’m hoping it’s because of the weather at the moment, but perhaps not?), grey hairs, wrinkles, sleepless nights, memory loss, no patience and not to mention the weight gain after only looking at a Tim Tam! Pretty depressing, huh?

Now for the Pros: Can’t think of any… THE END! Now that would be sad. And although some of my close friends look at it like that, well, that’s just not me. A positive attitude is everything - make the most of what you’ve got. Be thankful for making it this far because lord knows a lot of people don’t make it to middle age, let alone old age.

If I knew then what I know now would I have done things differently … but then again, probably not. Every mistake I’ve made I have learnt from and every wrinkle - or character line as I like to call them – I have earned. My beautiful grandmother was an inspiration - she always looked impeccable, gave great advice and never complained.

Some of her words of wisdom were: eat healthy, laugh often, go for a walk, smile

at people, say please and thank you, treat others as you would like to be treated. Oh, and put some lippy on!

Even though we’re all busy looking after others – parents, kids, spouses, pets, etc. it’s important to make sure you take the time to look after yourself - even more so as you grow older. Colour those greys, if you want to, and have regular health check ups. If your body doesn’t feel right then be persistent and get a second opinion if needed. We often stick to our same doctor that we’ve always been to, year in year out, and sometimes they can get a bit complacent. If something is worrying you, get to the bottom of it. And don’t forget about your eye health in amongst all that.

If you’re over 50, your risk of dry eye

problems is significantly higher. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat the symptoms of menopause may increase a woman’s risk of dry eyes or worsen dry eye symptoms, as will some medications, i.e. diuretics, heart medications and antidepressants.

If you are in your 40s (or older) and are having trouble reading the fine print on things, get yourself some progressive lenses (from Eyewear on Pako, of course) - I did and I can’t believe the difference they make.

I can actually read the alcohol volume percentage on the back of my favourite bottle of wine now!

And if all else fails, grab a packet of Tim Tams and keep searching for that Fountain of Youth … and when you find it, let me know!

words tanya carroll

Find us on facebook Find us on facebook @eyewearonpako @eyewearonpako 18 Ruby Autumn

ruby business

Taking It Slow I

love the first few months of a new year.

The sun is shining, time with family is prioritised and the light lingers long enough in the evening for meandering walks on the beach. Some of the stresses of the previous year can be compartmentalised as “the past” and we can look with hope to maintaining a better balance this year.

My aim for 2016 is to slow down and find a way to be more grounded. For the first couple of weeks I found myself wracked with guilt, as I was no longer doing many of the things I’d convinced myself I “should”, but the calmness and clarity I’m discovering is refreshing and leading me to be more receptive to insights that are drowned out when my brain is constantly alert.

There will always be times in life that require us to step up and give more than

we were expecting. I am still learning how to recognise when to bring down my energy and output after responding to these urgent demands, rather than continuing at a heightened level.

It’s so easy to mistake franticness and anxiety for achievement, and not to question the value of constantly striving for success in our study, career, community and family roles. It’s fascinating to observe the internal and external resistance when we challenge the notion of perpetual motion. Many of us have developed beliefs that unless we end every day exhausted, we haven’t worked hard enough. We feel like we can’t afford to stop, but the longer we operate at this pace the less effective we become, and the harder it becomes to see the wood for the trees.

Another challenge to this philosophy is today’s business environment, where service expectations are constantly increasing. My second challenge for 2016 is to create an environment for my team in which everybody is supported to find an improved balance in their life, while recognising that we work in a sector where our clients’ needs cannot be predicted and must receive a swift and professional response 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As we strive for this together I’ll keep in mind that there’s nobody in the world who has the answers we seek. We’re all doing our best with the resources we have and if we work together in good faith, we will continue to build better lives for ourselves and our community.

words beth king, bking@kingsfunerals.com.au

19 Ruby Autumn

WIN a

$15,000 WITH kitchen makeover

CABINET MAKERS UNITE TO PROMOTE LOCAL MANUFACTURING Be loud, be proud, be local. We want our local

businesses, and especially our local manufacturers to be thriving and one of the ways the local guys and girls can compete with the big end of industry is by forming collectives.

It worked in the dairy industry and now, cabinet makers and suppliers from around Geelong, Surf Coast and the Bellarine have formed a group called Independent Cabinet Makers (ICM).

The group’s ‘Made Locally For You’ campaign stars Dan & Dani from The Block (a.k.a. Dani Wales and Dan Reilly) with the message that made locally is better for everyone.

“When buying from a local manufacturer, you are supporting Geelong manufacturing and many of the proud family-run businesses in the area,” says Sean Blood, owner of Newgrove Benchtops.

“When Mum and Dad want a new entertainment unit for example, they are likely to head to one of the larger department stores. However, their local cabinet maker is good for the job,” says Sean.

And that goes for a whole range of things around the home – not just kitchens and bathrooms, but occasional furniture, desks, bookcases, wine racks and even fish tank cabinets can all be manufactured right here in Geelong. Custom made, custom fitted with competitive pricing.

Want the very latest in interior design style without blowing the budget? ICM cabinet makers and suppliers have the very latest and greatest products ranging across timber and particleboard through to melamine veneers and bamboo.

Offering alternatives for customers, ICM is a great example of small business working together to promote local manufacturing.

“Projects such as ICM are important to the manufacturing sector in Geelong,” says Chamber of Commerce CEO, Bernadette Uzalec.

“The industry has many family based businesses that have been in the region for years and are now handing over the baton the next generation. We need to ensure there is a future for cabinet makers in Geelong and that jobs are secure,” Bernadette says.

The new website makes locating a cabinet maker near you easy and brings together some of their best work and latest designs all being done right here in our beautiful part of the world. No more explaining, ‘But this is what I’m after’!

The home renovator, Mums dreaming of a kitchen with a butler’s pantry, Dads after a seriously cool alfresco area, expanding families looking for storage solutions and couples wanting a luxury walk in robe with serious wow-factor can all get inspiration from the website.

This innovative approach to helping local people keep their business local is already attracting some big attention, with Laminex Australia, Polytec and a range of local suppliers jumping on board to sponsor ICM. Kicking off the campaign in March, the Independent Cabinet Makers are giving away a $15,000 kitchen improvement to one lucky winner.

You can enter online at www.icmgeelong.com.au To get ideas for your next home improvement project or to find a local cabinet maker near you, visit www.icmgeelong.com.au Kitchen by SCLK &

Pam Hutchinson Pho

tography

.com.au g n o l e e g wwco.ndiitiocnsm w t a e n i l n Enter o Visit website for full terms & 20 Ruby Autumn

ruby spotlight

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE “The Australian education system has the opportunity to lead the world in preventing violence against women by engaging the whole school community,” Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year 2015 For a number of years, Barwon CASA has conducted a respectful relationships Sexual Assault Prevention Program in Secondary Schools (SAPPSS) program, taking a whole of school approach to the prevention of violence against women and children by educating young people to prevent and understand the causes of violence and recognise and respond to sexual assault.

This program is presented to Year 9 and 10 students over a six-week period and includes education about respectful relationships, sex and consent, attitudes and cultures. The delivery to schools occurs in partnership over a three-year period with ongoing support from Barwon CASA, after which schools are equipped with all the necessary training and resources to continue to embed the culture change model for future years. Schools currently participating in the program to date are: St Joseph’s College, North Geelong Secondary College and Nelson Park.

We are very excited to announce that Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College and Bellarine Secondary College have joined in our three-year respectful relationship in schools partnership and will be delivering the SAPPSS program to their students.

Prevention of Violence Against Women and the key role of schools in addressing this social issue, is a major step in the right direction.

words helen bolton, CEO Barwon CASA

DOOR PRIZES

OPEN DAY

on the da Win 1 of 3 $100 Sho pping Vouchers

y

Saturday 16 April 11am – 2pm

Bring your family and friends along to enjoy: • Free lunch • Free entertainment • Free giveaways Art Exhibition ‘Gifts of Nature’ by Amanda Blake-Sutterby Call 1300 472 424 89 Barwarre Road, Marshall www.barwarregardens.com.au Karingal Inc. (Vic) Limited Liability / Reg. Assoc. A0038261E / ARBN 158 375 903 / ABN 97 468 305 401

21 Ruby Autumn

ruby business

MAKE CASH FLOW YOUR 2016 RESOLUTION

The start of the new year provides small businesses with the perfect opportunity to improve their credit management and cash flow conversion cycle.

Cash flow was one of the biggest causes of small business failures last year, with around 90 per cent of enterprise insolvencies due to businesses putting their tax debts last to supplement their working capital.

Document your terms of trade

Managing cash flow is more than just good practice for business; it is key to survival.

Here are five tips for improving your credit management and cash flow in 2016:

Routinely carry out credit checks for new and existing customers to identify any issues that can influence credit terms and limits.

Implement a clear credit policy Routinely review your business’s credit policy to ensure it remains appropriate for the business’s risk profile.

Terms of trade need to be documented and include aspects like prepayments, deposits, guarantees, security and payment terms.

Understand your customers

Develop a clear debt recovery process

A business’s process for collections should be clearly mapped out, understood and strictly followed by all staff.

Businesses who are disciplined in their collections process are more likely to see this kind of behaviour in clients who will follow the same practice after seeing the importance of paying on time.

Make provisions for bad debts Good credit management is about safeguarding profitability. Provisions for bad debts should be made in the budgeting process to minimise the risk of impacting on profitability.

words renée jovic, owner & managing accountant, jovic accounting pty ltd DISCLAIMER: This article is for guidance only, and professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. Neither the writer, publishers, nor the distributors can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned by any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of this article. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• Property • Property Investment Investment • Business • Business Solutions Solutions • Accounting • Accounting • Taxation • Taxation 80 Pakington 80 Pakington Street,Street, Geelong Geelong West West E: admin@jovicaccounting.com.au E: admin@jovicaccounting.com.au www.jovicaccounting.com.au www.jovicaccounting.com.au P: 03 5222 P: 036962 5222 6962 22 Ruby Autumn

“Providing “Providing Solutions Solutions to to Businesses, Businesses, Individuals Individuals and and Property Property Investors.

Investors.

With a With a Personal Personal Approach” Approach”

ruby spotlight

OUR YOUNG CARERS It is estimated that there are over 104,000 young carers in Victoria and up to 3,000 in Geelong.

The term ‘young carer’ is used to describe children and young people, who provide unpaid care for a family member who has a disability, mental illness or chronic illness, or who is frail aged.

Caring responsibilities can have positive effects on youth. Young carers are often very independent, capable people with strong family relationships. However, they are also at risk of social isolation, poor health and dropping out of school.

Geelong’s Bluebird Foundation, in conjunction with the National Disability Insurance Agency and Barwon Health, is working to raise awareness of young carers through the power of the arts.

Some very talented young Geelong carers have been working with these organisations and local artist Jenna Ramondo to create project CUBED. This visual storyboard aims to create awareness of what a young carer is and permanent artwork installations are being hosted at The Fort in Corio and now at Market Square Shopping Centre on Little Malop Street.

“Market Square work with local charity groups throughout the year and are proud to be supporting the Bluebird Foundation to increase awareness of support available for young carers,” said Centre Manager, Sandy Kelly-Burton.

Willow, aged 13, was particularly thrilled to hear that her artwork would be showcased in the CBD. “It’s great to have my work in town, as maybe it will raise awareness and help other young carers,” said Willow.

For others, like Jett Henderson, 18, it’s more about helping others find the support he has found so helpful.

“I’m glad that my art and my story is getting out there to help other young carers alike,” said Jett.

Twitter: @MarketSquareSC @BluebirdBirdy Facebook: MarketSquareSC / BluebirdFoundationInc Instagram: marketsquareshoppingcentre

NOW

Geelong's MAJOR STOCKIST of

TONIA T BOUTIQUE MARKET SQUARE, GEELONG PHONE: 5221 6550 16 WATTON STREET, WERRIBEE PH 9974 0352 23 Ruby Autumn

word

ruby money

WOMEN professional self-taught jugglers

W

hether you are single or in a relationship, one thing we all have in common is that we are juggling many roles all at once. I learnt quickly that once you begin to add little munchkins to your clan, the number of balls that you are juggling dramatically increases. When I thought I had achieved some rhythm to my new found skill of juggling, it was time to return to work. I had no idea what I was in for in regards to the level of organisation it would require trying to fit in my own personal time, setting goals for now and later, while continuing to run a house!

Returning to work is a big decision. For some it is financial and for others it is to assist with self-fulfilment. Whatever the reason, finding the right work life balance is crucial. There is no right or wrong level of work life balance. The solution that works for your family is individual.

Following returning to work, I began to experience guilt. Guilt for not being able to spend more time with my little ones, that I wasn’t completing as much at work as I had (in comparison to my old, full time employed, child free self), that the house wasn’t as tidy as it used to be and the list goes on! I had to find a way to put a positive spin on what I was doing and the reasons as to why I had returned to work. I realised it was to achieve my goals! Our goals often take second place to day to day activities, however even without realising it, it is another one of those balls we are juggling. Understanding and knowing why I was back at work and the benefits

my employment brings to myself and my family was very important, empowering and motivating. Without goals, it is easy to question why. It helps you stay on track towards reaching those goals which are important to you. Also, it is hard to know if you are on the right track, if you don’t know where you are heading.

Goal setting doesn’t just end with the things you want to do in the next 12 months. Goal setting should include what you and your family want to do in 5 years - family holidays, education for your children, a new car, when it is that you and your partner would like to stop work or wind back into retirement. As far away as these milestones may seem, without having an active plan in place, time will continue to fly by.

Without a solid plan our goals rarely materialise.

Planning your exciting goals and aspirations doesn’t have to be a weighted time consuming ball that you have to

learn to juggle along with everything else.

It is easier than you think if you work with someone who can help you plan and keep you motivated. It is very rewarding when you realise you are actually living and experiencing the achievement of the goals you wrote down.

We use systems all the time without realising. Just like we put systems (well try to!) in at home to make our home life easier, it is vitally important to establish systems that ensure your money is working for you, and your family.

Something as simple as structuring your banking correctly can have a big impact on how hard your money works for you Now that you are back at work and earning additional money to put towards your household, it is important to ensure that all the sacrifices that have been made to earn this money have not gone to waste. You need to ensure that your hard earned money is working for you.

I have written about my own personal experience, as a Mum working part time.

In my professional life I am a Financial Planner with Income Solutions. I regularly hear stories just like mine, which provided me with the motivation to create a tailored presentation for women which provides some examples of the impact receiving financial advice can make to your day to day lifestyle as well as your long term goals. For more information visit www.incomesolutions.com.au. The process to book a one-on-one meeting or a workplace session is easy. Invest in yourself – it could be the best investment you’ll ever make!

words elise ryan, financial planner, income solutions DISCLAIMER: The advice in this article is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances.

Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information.

24 Ruby Autumn

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A HOLIDAY, SO THEY SAY… We hear, time and time again in the salon, “I feel like a change, but I don’t know what to do differently with my hair.”

Then it usually plays out something along the lines of, “Well, you’re my hairdresser, what would you do with my hair?”

Now this scenario is great when you have built up a trusting relationship with your hairdresser and you have absolute faith in them, that they are going to perform a ‘hair miracle’ on you!

However, if you are sitting in the stylist’s chair and you are feeling adventurous, but you have no clue where to even start to articulate what you want - here are some our recommendations:

• Firstly, identifying if you would like your hairstyle shorter or to start to grow your locks longer.

• Take into consideration your lifestyle and how much maintenance you want your hair to be.

• When going lighter, remember your re-growth may be more obvious & need colour sooner.

• Do you need to tie your hair back in a ponytail for work or exercise?

• Call the salon, ask to speak to your stylist and make sure there’s enough time for your restyle.

• Start researching images of styles you might be thinking about.

• Be realistic when looking at how their hair is styled for the photo - is that achievable?

• Ask a friend’s opinion and make sure it’s an honest one; once you chop, it’s gone!

• Look over past photos when you loved your colour or cut and ask your stylist to tweak it.

• Enjoy the dreaming process and make sure you are fully committed when it’s the day.

As hairdressers, you would be surprised at how many conversations, pictures, umm-ing and ahh-ing WE do before our salon hair day comes. Every six to eight weeks at the salon, we stay back on a Saturday afternoon to do each other’s hair. Weeks prior to hair day it is the topic of conversation, “What do you think about this colour on me?” or “Do you think I need a full head or a half head of foils this time?” It goes on and on! It’s the fun part of our job, being creative and brainstorming new ideas and techniques to achieve results.

So, now that we are coming into the Autumn season - if you need that ‘FRESH hair feeling’ start by using these tips, get researching and make sure you book your hair appointment accordingly.

words Bec Lethbridge, Salon Owner.

Phone (03) 5258 4764 4/6 Wharf St Queenscliff ivycreations.com.au 25 Ruby Autumn

ruby arts

EXTINCTION Complex, funny and sad: Why Extinction Is A Must-See Show

Two of Australia’s most creative and talented women of the theatre are behind a brand new play that has been produced in Geelong.

solutions to them, and a whole host of other human complications - love, death, money and power – that are at the heart of the piece.

Helen Garner calls Helpmann award winning playwright and screenwriter, Hannie Rayson, ‘Melbourne’s most influential playwright’; and, like Garner, Hannie and her latest play, Extinction, have a strong connection with this region. Rayson, who shot to fame with Hotel Sorrento, and her work extends across theatre, film and television.

Extinction, her latest play, is being produced in Geelong by the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, in the first foray into production for the home of the stage in Geelong, in partnership with Red Stitch Actors Theatre.

The play is set in the Otways, where a mining executive hits an animal on the winding forest roads during a stormy night. At the nearest vet the animal is found to be a tiger quoll, a species thought to be extinct in the area.

Characteristic of Rayson, Extinction explores the relationships that bind us in a story grounded the big ethical issues that challenge us – the things we should be questioning because the answers are never simple or easy to find. The drama focuses on the plight of Australia’s largest marsupial predator, the tiger quoll. But it the human stories – people as the cause of problems, people as the 26 Ruby Autumn

The tale is one of contrasts and conflicts, with Rayson deftly avoiding the expected clichés to present the more genuine struggles we all face. The play opened in Perth at the State Theatre, where the audiences were split by mining and environmentalists. On closing night, all of them stood and applauded.

“This is not a play that will divide you,” Hannie said. “This is a play that will fill you with hope.”

The four protagonists of play are Andy, a vet with an adventurous streak who has treated exotic animals all around the world; Piper, an American zoologist that Andy met on his travels; Heather, Andy’s sister, an ecologist frustrated by government funding for conservation projects; and Harry, a mining executive

Hannie Rayson

in the Otways exploring potential mining opportunities when he hits an elusive quoll. Heather is passionate about protecting the ecology of the area she loves, Harry urges compromise and negotiation, while Andy and Piper clash over the treatment of the injured animal.

All four want to protect the species from dying out, but there are tensions and dramas are swirling and shifting amongst them, not least being a lurking secret.

Previously a ‘Sorrento person’, Hannie was drawn to the Otways by her husband, writer and broadcaster Michael Cathcart, whose family have a holiday house in Airey’s Inlet. She researched the ecological material of the play at the Conservation Ecology Centre in Cape Otway, where volunteers with specially

ruby arts

trained dogs have been tracking down evidence of the elusive quolls. She spoke at the 2016 Deakin University Season Launch of having sent the first draft of the play to America (the play was commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club) on the same day it was reported that a tiger quoll had been seen and photographed in the Otways.

The Directorial force behind the play is none other than Nadia Tass. Tass stunned the film world when her 1986 debut feature film, Malcolm, went on to become a hit around the world, scooping 21 international awards and 8 AFI Awards. In the 1990s, Tass’s production of The Big Steal confirmed her as a talent to be reckoned with. With a career that has taken her around the world, Nadia has become a leading light of Australian theatre and is a familiar face in Queenscliff, where her and her cinematographer/ director/writer/producer partner, David Parker, have a holiday house and a number of commercial properties.

Otway Brewing have provided a delightfully quirky piece of the picture, producing ‘Spotted Ale’, made with pure Otways rainwater, with all of the profits from the brew supporting the work of the Conservation Ecology Centre.

As Hannie says, “It’s pretty amazing to be involved in something as momentous as saving a species.”

Extinction will be presented in Geelong in July as part of 2016 Deakin University Theatre Season. For more information or tickets, visit www.gpac.org.au

27 Ruby Autumn

Diplomacy ruby inspire

THE NEW WORLD OF Born in north west London, her family’s roots are in the coal-mining districts of Wales, and when the family moved back to Wales when Menna was 18, she stayed in London, graduating from her local comprehensive and then studying International Relations at the London School of Economics. In 1989 she joined the Foreign Office, and served in Brussels, Nairobi, Tel Aviv, Accra, Washington D.C. and London, before taking up the role as British High Commissioner to Australia in April 2015.

I sat down for a bit of girl talk with Her Excellency after her speech at the Committee for Geelong’s Annual Leadership Breakfast in February. She said that in the early, early days, it was the support from her family that gave her the confidence to go after what she wanted.

“I come from a very close family, with Mum, Dad and two brothers. They made me feel supported and didn’t put any barriers or ceilings in the way, without being incredibly ambitious or aspirational as a family – we’re very ordinary people,” she said.

As a young woman in her early twenties, Menna spoke of being daunted by the grandeur and the aristocratic atmosphere of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Walking up the Grand Staircase of the Whitehall building and wondering what she, a girl from west London, was doing there.

“Once I joined the Foreign Office, and I was having a few issues and lacked confidence, there were one or two people who had my back and who looked out for me. They were more senior leaders, and these days we’d call them mentors, and they definitely gave me a bit of extra support. They validated the work that I was doing and helped me to settle in to what, at the time, felt quite a strange place to be.

“The way it works in the Foreign Office is that you move through different jobs, so you don’t stay in the one place for terribly long. You will do a job for three years and then move on to somewhere else.

“In my early twenties I went to Brussels, then I went to Kenya for three years, and I think that the end of the day, when lots of people are telling you that you are doing a good job, or that they like what you do, or 28 Ruby Autumn

you get a sense of competence reflected back, ultimately you’ve got to believe it yourself or you’re holding yourself back.”

Menna and her husband, Mark, have three children, aged from 8 to 18, that the couple have raised wherever Menna has been posted. It is a rarity for a leading diplomat to also be the mother of young children and it is commented on frequently, ‘And she has three children!’

I wondered if having a young family and having to make all the choices around time management that come with that - specifically what to say no to – had helped her in her career.

“I would say definitely, definitely. First of all, my partner – now my spouse – has always been very supportive, and we took the decision very early on that we would go with my job rather than his, because my job was more interesting and offered opportunities for global travel that we were really interested in. But he’s been a fantastic support.

“When I was single, in my twenties, I didn’t have someone to talk to and to lean on – never mind lean in, there’s definitely a bit of leaning on at times that’s needed – and that makes all the difference. But also I think that my family, in the broader sense, have helped me with balance and to keep everything in perspective, to avoid the risk of the career becoming all consuming and the biggest part of me.

“My family is more important to me than anything else and that is massively balancing. And we’ve had fun. We’ve lived in Israel and Ghana and the United State, and now Australia. We’ve travelled all over together and done some amazing things, and that’s part of our story as a family.

That’s really precious,” she said.

All working parents of very young children know that, for a few years, there is a rolling recurrence of colds and all-toofrequent bouts of gastro. It is a difficult time for many of us, but as an increasingly senior diplomat working in the public service – having to appear and speak regularly in public, not to mention the continual meetings with other diplomats, government officials and professionals who are notably not sniffling, coughing or running to the loo – it must have been quite a trial. words author’s name

Her Excellency Menna Rawlings, British High Commissioner to Australia is the rather stiff title worn with ease by a very warm, engaging, down to earth and funny woman.

“Yeah, I definitely remember those years,” Menna said. “My youngest is now eight, so touch wood we are coming through that, but certainly when our girls were very small it was awful. And then, when they go to nursery or kindergarten for the first time, and they just bring home cycle after cycle of illness, I think you just have to grit your teeth and get through it. But also, if you’re ill, don’t go to work! Really don’t, because you’re not helping yourself and you’re not helping anybody else.

“These days, with the possibilities of remote working, I think it’s actually easier… You just cope, and you can see why women are going to be increasingly successful in the workplace because those sorts of skills, that flexibility and adaptability and prioritisation is something that women have to be very good at. If you can apply those skills in the workplace, then the sky’s the limit.”

It’s a little like the fridge magnet: ‘You can’t scare me, I’ve got kids!’ but, despite the challenges, Menna said there have been many more ups than downs.

“The jobs that I’ve done have been very diverse and different, but there have been a couple of standout moments. One happened when I travelled from London with somebody I was working for to Israel and the occupied territories. I had already been posted there before, but I had travelled back with him and, because he was very senior, we got to see Yasser Arafat. This was probably about three years before he died, and, whatever you think of the situation there, to me, figures of history like that up close and personal are just incredible. He was making me tea and he was actually incredibly charming.

The fact that you get to meet people like that, to have a conversation with them, you see why these world leaders, leaders of countries or organisations are leaders, because they do have something amazing about them,” she said.

The news footage of Yasser Arafat kissing Menna’s hand certainly caused a sensation amongst her friends back in the UK. “At the completely other extreme, I’ve been involved in cases of British people who’ve got into trouble overseas. Some of those can be very devastating, but you’re helping people through terribly difficult times.

Davina Montgomery & Menna Rawlings: Photo: Alan Barber, Barefoot Media

There’s definitely been a couple of cases that I was involved in which were hard, but where I felt, ‘God, what I’m doing here is really important’; that it isn’t just about quotes around building critical relationships, it’s about actually helping people as well.

Those moments are quite special.

“The thing about diplomacy is that there is no fixed end. It’s not a project, it’s a relationship, and it’s often quite hard to identify those moments when you’ve made a bit step forward.

But we had one this week, when my team came and said that we’ve got a British company, based in Stockport [part of David Cameron’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’], and it’s a military company building bridges, that has won a contract with £53 million worth of business. You think, ‘Wow, that’s great, that’s a good day.’ But you don’t often get those moments, and it’s sometimes quite intangible. You have to get used to not always having that sense of achievement because it is an ongoing process and an ongoing set of relationships.”

By anybody’s standards, Her Excellency Menna Rawlings, has a very big job, and I had to ask, before she went on to her next round of interviews (‘I feel like a celebrity’, she laughed, after yet another person had interrupted to get a selfie with the British Government’s representative in Australia) what got her through the day and up the next morning to do it all again.

“What gets me through the day is definitely caffeine, as my team would tell you. Unfortunately, in Canberra I’m not right next to a coffee shop as I was in London, so lots of coffee runs and caffeine in the morning. Laughter gets me through the day; having relationships with my team that I feel are really valuable and seeing young people having energy and ideas and coming up through the [public service]. And then, absolutely, husband, kids, sitting in front of the TV at the end of the day with a bottle of wine maybe, pyjamas, a bag of crisps … yeah, all those things.”

This is one diplomat with humour, heart and intelligence. words davina montgomery

Photo credits Foreign Office Grand Staircase:

By Cmglee (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s main building in Whitehall

words author’s name

Source: UK Government https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ foreign-secretary-commemorates-world-war-1-centenary

29 Ruby Autumn

FRUSTRATING FLUSHING CAPILLARY COMPLICATIONS I AND OTHER

t’s the last thing you need; you have a list a mile long of things you have to do and nowhere near enough time to do them all and then you feel that dreaded flushing feeling. A quick check in the mirror and yes, there it is, those telltale pink patches that means rosacea is about to, once again, inflict itself on your usually lovely pale skin.

From rashes and flushes, to spider veins, red skin spots, stretch marks, birthmarks and purple/blue growths, the blood delivery system to our skin can cause a whole range of issues. They range in severity from irritating and mildly embarrassing, to so severe sufferers avoid going into public during an occurrence.

There is much more to Rosacea and other capillary complications* than just a little flushing or redness.

Rosacea occurs when small surface blood vessels, or capillaries, on the face becoming enlarged. It tends to make its first appearance between the ages of 30 and 50; affects men and women, including those who have not previously experienced skin problems; and there is no permanent cure. (Source: betterhealth.vic.gov.au) Varying in severity, rosacea symptoms can range from pink patches – which can look like flushing – across the nose and cheeks through to a sporadic and angry red rash with yellow-headed pustules (unlike the acne that it can resemble, rosacea does not scar). Severe rosacea can result in enlarged, reddened noses of the sort that a few generations ago were attributed to drinking too much.

The painful truth about vascular skin conditions is that they are very rarely curable. You just have to walk down the aisle of any sizeable chemist to see the array of creams and ointments that offer some form of relief, but all too often the results aren’t what sufferers are hoping for.

Another common capillary complaint is the truly tongue-twisting Telangiectasia, characterised typically by a grouping of red lines on the skin surface resulting from permanently enlarged capillaries. Also known as spider veins, telangiectasias are most common on the face and legs.

30 Ruby Autumn

Laser treatments have been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of vascular skin conditions, but just as all men are not created equal (but don’t tell them that), all laser treatments are not the same.

The Vbeam Vascular Laser is a pulsed dye laser operating at 595nm, the wavelength that has the strongest absorption for treating vascular conditions. The laser is attracted to the dilated capillaries and collapses them. As the vessels break down over time, the redness associated with vascular skin conditions is reduced.

The Vbeam – officially the Vbeam Perfecta Laser

by CandelaTM - is the ants’ pants, the bees’ knees and the Rolls Royce of vascular laser. It really does what it says it does, it reduces the redness

ruby health

associated with vascular skin conditions and scarring and has proven to be a welcome relief for patients who have been there, tried it all, and found nothing really helped.

However, it can’t be said too often or too adamantly, there is no one size fits all model when it comes to vascular skin conditions, and they have to be treated on an individual basis. ‘How many treatments will I need and what will the results be?’

The simple answer is, it varies. It varies as much as the conditions themselves vary.

The Vbeam isn’t a painful procedure, with an inbuilt cooling spray mitigating the heat of the laser, but again, everyone experiences sensations on their skin differently. What most would feel as slight

warmth and tingling, and a sensation of mild sunburn after treatment may be uncomfortable for others. Discussing this with a qualified and experienced dermal clinician is a must before treatment. And other factors will impact on how many treatments are needed, or how deep the laser has to go, including things like age, skin colour, and type and location of the lesion. As with all light-based treatments, some antibiotics and medications may impact on the laser treatment and these should be discussed when you make an appointment.

Typically, Vbeam treatments are run as a course of three to six treatments, four weeks apart. Some people only need a

few treatments to resolve the symptoms, while others may need a touch-up every six or twelve months … it varies!

Post-treatment, redness can be covered up with mineral makeup or BB cream straight away, and, always, absolutely, use a good quality zinc-based sunscreen after laser treatment – preferably one with a 50+ rating.

There may not be a cure for those frustrating flushing symptoms, or confidence-crushing capillary conditions, but there is hope in banishing the blushes.

Just remember, when it comes to laser treatments, all laser treatments are definitely not equal.

*Vbeam treatments target the symptoms of: Rosacea** - (rhymes with acacia, I had to double check) a non-contagious skin inflammation on the face Haemangioma** - birthmark-like benign tumour of blood vessels Telangiectasia** - clusters of ‘spider vein’ dilated capillaries, common on face and legs Cherry Angiomas** - common skin growth in people over 30, broken blood vessels give the spots a bright red colour

Spider Nevi** - a form of telangiectasia,

Birthmarks

characterized by a dark centre spot

Sunspots, age spots, freckles and acne scars

surrounded by ‘spider leg’ veins Red stretch marks

soft dark blue/purple papule commonly

**Warning: pronunciation of some of these names should not be attempted on too little sleep, too little coffee or too much wine.

Embarrassing twisting of the lingual papillaecovered oral muscle*** may ensue.

found on the lip

***Tongue

Red scars Venous Lake (Phlebectases**) – a

words davina montgomery

10% off

all Vascular Laser Treatments* Visit www.asfb.com.au for full terms & conditions

Australian Skin Face Body Plastic Surgery, Skin & Laser Clinic 50 Western Beach Road, Geelong Telephone 5221 2238 www.asfb.com.au AusSkinFaceBody

Introducing the ‘Vbeam Perfecta’ Laser for: facial redness, rosacea, pigmentation, broken capillaries on the face, nose & legs, birth marks 31 Ruby Autumn

“The colors colors of of autumn autumn make make my my “The heart skip skip aa beat.” beat.” -- Julia Julia Green Green heart Soininorder orderto toallow allowthese thesecolors colorstotosing singininmy myspace, space,I Ioften oftenopt optfor fora a So neutralpalette palettewith withmy myblinds blindsso sothat thatI Ican canchange changeup upthe thedecoratives decoratives neutral seasonally.IfIfyou youdo doititright rightthe thefirst firsttime timewith withquality qualitylocally locallymade madeblinds blinds seasonally. likethose thosefrom fromBrax, Brax,you youwill willonly onlyhave havetotodo doititonce! once! like Visitour ourShowroom: Showroom:332 332Pakington PakingtonStreet, Street,Newtown, Newtown,VIC VIC Visit www.braxwt.com.auor orcall call5221 52215533.

5533. www.braxwt.com.au

ruby living

IS IT REALLY AUTUMN ALREADY? Forgive me, but I’m not sure I’m ready for autumn … have we really had enough summer already? Can’t we have more sunshine and days at the beach?

I

’m so not ready for the days to get shorter and the mornings to be cooler, but I know I don’t get a say in the matter, so I guess I’ll just have to embrace it and welcome in autumn with a little redecorating. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do actually like autumn with its beautiful colours and tones - it just has this way of sneaking up on me every year.

I admit to being a seasonal decorator.

I like to change things around to suit the time of year, especially as the days get cooler – adding throw rugs to cosy up on the couch, as it’s not quite cold enough to light the fire. It becomes a bit of a routine, much like getting out the Christmas decorations each year – the nights cool off and, instead of putting on a jumper, I’ll grab a rug so I can snuggle up on the couch.

This then means changing the cushions – they have to compliment the throw rug

after all. So the ‘summer’ cushions will go hide in a cupboard and out come the warmer toned ones that make my home feel warm and cosy. Of course, this often means a few new ones will find their way into the mix, but you can never have enough cushions, right? And sometimes the older ones will find their way to the local charity store, where they hopefully find a new home and someone who’ll love them like I did.

Accessories can be a fun, and, for the savvy shopper, an inexpensive way to change the look of your home, and there are just so many fun things to accessorise with. Our homes should be a reflection of ourselves, so try not to buy stuff just because it’s on trend or in fashion – these are the things you will often tire of quickly or never quite feel comfortable with. As for colours, it is always best to use it in

groups – a good rule to follow is to use ‘pops’ of three.

For our Brax Autumn campaign, we worked with Interior Stylist, Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors, who has a natural flair for perfectly pulling a space together, while at the same time making it look so easy to do. Julia styled our bedroom with a selection of autumnal tones and textures that worked well with our backdrop of simple roller blinds. The day’s experience, however, had me heading home to change things around and also created the need for a shopping expedition to acquire more layers and extra pillows for the bed.

So, now that I’ve added these layers and warmed the space up a bit, I’m feeling much more ready for autumn’s cooler days. While I don’t think I’ve quite nailed the look as well as Julia, I’m looking forward to indulging in a cosy sleep-in hopefully sometime soon.

words cal stewart 33 Ruby Autumn

ruby inspire

AGING WITH

CINDY BATCHELOR The women who instantly light up a room, inspire you, and hold themselves with incredible courage and poise, are often ones who have come from dark periods and difficulties in their lives, but have risen up and beyond to grow, thrive and, ultimately, succeed. One such example is Cindy Batchelor.

Every challenging and difficult situation this woman has experienced, whether it’s been in or out of her control, has shaped where she is today as a leader. Personally, this is reflected as a mother, friend, mentor and family member.

Professionally, it is as Executive General Manager of NAB Business for National Australia Bank (NAB), where she leads the largest banking business supporting small to medium customers in Australia. Only last year, she was a finalist at the Telstra Business Women’s Awards (Vic).

Fifty-one year-old Cindy views being a woman in leadership humbly, “For me, being a female and a leader is a privilege and a huge responsibility.” With a scholarly background boasting the University of Melbourne and Harvard Business School, you wouldn’t guess she was once the young girl counting her single mother’s waitressing tips to see how many groceries the family could buy.

allowed me to minimise my work travel. It was the best therapy I could have asked for - a big job that gave me focus. Routine was an important ingredient for the boys and I to adjust to a new normal. For that I am eternally grateful.”

Leadership at home

Leadership in the workplace

Cindy maintained her career throughout motherhood and surrounded herself with likeminded women who shared the drop-offs and pick-ups between each other.

Cindy believes strong, determined women deserve leadership roles in the workplace, and when given the opportunity, they can truly thrive. “I absolutely believe in gender equity and you don’t have to look far to know that diversity in teams improves business performance. Organisations need to make sure they have the policies, processes and systems in place to ensure they are proactively sourcing women for leadership roles. However, it is also critical that the culture of the organisation supports the success of women in leadership roles… There are so many talented women who make great leaders - we have to turn on the light and let them shine.”

“I didn’t feel guilty, as we could all do a little bit. I have also not been afraid to ask for or seek help,” she says. “This became even more paramount when I lost my husband [John] three years ago in a paragliding accident.”

After John’s accident, Cindy once again experienced stepping up to support her family. Although this time it wasn’t to assist her mother with her three younger siblings, it was to continue raising her boys Billy (17) and Jackson (18) as a sole parent. “It was a devastating time in our lives. They say it takes a village to raise a child – [and this is] so true. Friends, family, our community, the NAB, supported us in so many ways. I also outsourced everything I could so that I was focussed on what really mattered - my boys, my job and my own wellbeing. I have the best dog walker in Melbourne!”

Cindy found a way to discover a positive from the dark place that was losing John – focusing her energy on doing what she was great at - her job. “I was promoted by NAB two weeks after John died - it was a bigger role but it was based in Victoria and 34 Ruby Autumn

She is also no stranger to failure; but not the kind that defeats you, and shrinks your motivation and dreams, but rather the uplifting kind. “The first front line leadership role I applied for I didn’t get, but it didn’t deter me. I refer to it as my most successful failure as it gave me the opportunity to ask for feedback and through the process get access to an influential leader who became my sponsor. He opened the door for my transition but I had to walk through it and prove myself. All I needed was a chance and I didn’t waste the opportunity. I have taken risks in my career backed by the knowledge of what I am good at doing.”

ruby inspire section Ageing as a woman For Cindy, getting older is inextricably linked to sustaining good health and wellbeing. “I have always tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I know that if I don’t look after myself I will not be the best mum I can be or the best leader. It is particularly important as we get older - creating the time for exercise is just part of my life as it makes me feel better, not just physically but mentally. I am stronger when I’m fit.

“I also set myself goals so my exercise routine culminates into a great experience. Eighteen months ago I was privileged to join a group of women from NAB, and an amazing female trek leader and doctor, and walk the Kokoda trail. I trained for seven months, including doing lots of weekend walks with the girls. It wasn’t just the trek; it was the friendship, the support and the level of fitness we all achieved. It was also a memorable trip for me as I spent what would have been John’s 50th birthday on the trail - lots of tears and hugs, it was a great day.”

Cindy approaches work-life balance slightly differently to some. “I don’t really have work life balance - I call it more work life blend. The days are long but it’s how I live them that is important. Early morning starts, hands-free phone in the car for conference calls, knock off by 5.30pm to get to the gym and keep fit.” Sharing the last meal of the day with her boys is always a must for her too. “I also travel for work, but set myself a goal not to be away from home more than two nights in a

row – it doesn’t always work, but it shifts my focus to what’s possible. We all have demands - it’s how we manage them.”

Joanie Connell once said, “No matter how you define success, you will need to be resilient, empowered, authentic, and limber to get there.” For Cindy, resilience was instilled in her from a young age, first supporting her mum and siblings and then later when she was a single mother. Empowerment stems from her hardworking and determined nature, as well as believing in herself and allowing her passion to shine through in all aspects of her life.

Authenticity is at the heart of Cindy, or else she wouldn’t be a trusted source of advice and inspiration as a mentor, friend, family member and colleague. And limber – well you only have to see how she spends her busy days and looks after herself to know she has agility (and not just the physical kind).

“I hope I am a role model and inspiration for many women whose lives I have been able to touch. I share my story with many women with the goal of showing them that unleashing their dreams is within their control. Sometimes you just need a break, but mostly you have to believe in yourself and put yourself into a position to compete. Mindset is a great leveller it can make the difference between success and failure. What’s the worst that can happen - they say no?”

And isn’t simply knowing better than never being quite sure whether you’d make it or not? I can hear Cindy screaming a big “Hell yeah!” from the Kokoda track.

words ally mcmanus

Getting back to nature Let’s get serious ladies, none of us really want to live in a cookie-cutter straight-out-of-display-home-land house that looks and feels exactly like every other McMansion on the block. More and more, we want a home that feels like us, that makes us smile when we wonder out in search of that first caffeine hit of the day.

We want a little bit of us in the spaces we live in.

It’s the carefully thought out features that make all the difference, those design touches that show consideration of how you and the people you love live in that space. From earthy and raw, to show-stopping contrasts to smooth and subtle, there is just so much you can do with beautiful bamboo.

A self-generating natural material, bamboo isn’t just an everyday building product. Its fast rate of growth and selfrenewal make it an incredibly sustainable timber when grown and harvested with a care for the environment, and bamboo has some absolutely incredible properties, it can be stripped into strands and woven, it can be cut into boards and engineered into timber sheeting that has a tensile strength similar to steel.

Bamboo is a vital for development in many of the world’s poorer nations. According to the Bamboo Thematic Network (approved and funded by the European Commission) over

600 million people rely on bamboo as a source of income, many of them women and children with no other means of generating an income, and hundreds of millions of people live in bamboo houses.

Using sustainably sourced, certified bamboo products doesn’t just mean you will have some stunning individual features in your home, it also means you are supporting an environmentally-sustainable industry that is helping some of the world’s most vulnerable communities to pay for secure housing, food and education.

It’s a pretty big deal, and it is no wonder that bamboo is soaring in popularity, but knowing where and how bamboo products are sourced, and how they have been manufactured is important for a whole range of reasons.

Becoming recognised as a self-renewing natural resource has meant that in some places natural bamboo forests are harvested without thought of the impact on the environment or the animals of the region. Orangutans, tigers and many other species are under threat because of deforestation.

And even sustainably sourced bamboo can have its problems, with boards and veneers that haven’t been cross-banded tending to warp and shift out of shape – hardly ideal in your gorgeous new kitchen, wardrobe, feature wall or furniture!

LETO bamboo furniture board and veneers are FSC

accredited and LETO’s bamboo factory is ISO 9001: 2000 quality management certified. Incredibly versatile, the boards and veneers range in thickness from 0.3mm to 50mm thick and come in a variety of styles and colours.

That’s tradie-speak for bamboo can be used in just so many different ways. Think laser-cut timber decorative panels, glowing natural bench tops, finely textured cabinetry, silky timber drawers, interior timber cladding, feature shelving and storage, furniture and decorator pieces… just imagine the possibilities!

Going green is the one interior design trend that won’t come and go and it is now de rigueur for celebrity home designers to make sure their A-list clients can splash around their green credentials (skating deftly over the excesses of concrete, steel and power-sucking gadgets and straight to the sustainably-grown custom-designed bamboo watch cases). But seriously, it’s a thing! Touches of natural luxury have a timeless elegance. Like designer Diane Von Furstenberg, whose master suite features a linen-draped bamboo sleeping pavilion.

Bringing bamboo into your home doesn’t mean your resident bloke or handy babe just banging up a

kitschy Balinese bungalow out the back. The new generation of bamboo products are engineered for longevity and have an extraordinary array of finishes.

Bamboo can do it all, from sleek and sexy bamboo kitchens, textural feature doors or furniture, to the kind of purpose-built shelving and cabinetry that will have you airily showing off: ‘Oh, you know, we just wanted something to fit the space’.

Yeah, right! You wanted something gorgeous and seeing your friends sick with envy is rightful reward for that careful design time! After all, who doesn’t want their friends to loathe them, just a little bit, for all the right reasons?

www.cabinetmakerschoice.com.au • • • • •

Cabinet doors & hardware Decorative boards & laminates Custom & prefabricated wardrobes Timber veneers Benchtops & more!

Unit 1, 124 Grove Road Grovedale 3216 (03) 5244 3631 www.cabinetmakerschoice.com.au 37 Ruby Autumn

ruby fashion

AAAUGH! WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?

W

hat are the strongest trends this autumn 2016 you ask? Well, the catwalks presented us with a huge diversity of inspiration ranging from different eras and materials to fabulous fabrics.

Fabrics. We are seeing the love for suede, though also embracing fur, velvet and all the prettiness of lace. Mix and match them and have a little fun.

Silhouettes. Although the Seventies maintain their role this season, we are also

seeing the Sixties and Eighties showing us the beauty that they were. So, let’s not worry about the length of our skirts (mini-midi or maxi, it doesn’t matter; they’re all super cool). Go for crazy, out there prints – we love a bit of personality in our fashion here at Nyata.

Trousers, well we are seeing some love for the wide leg, though for the skinny leg lovers, this silhouette-hugging style is cool too. There is a chilled out approach overall to trousers this season, so don’t fret skinny leg lovers, as always, you are safe.

Colours. We hear it every season, but this time it’s actually true. Black is back.

And, ladies, together with the monochromatic look it is easy to present the most perfect effect of all in my view. You can never go wrong with a lil’ black and white.

I love them all and rock bold prints mixed with black or white tones, or just bold prints on bold prints, or bold colours on bold colours - I am not afraid to be a bit crazy and out there, making my unique stamp on the world. You should try it too.

Expect to see plenty of red, yellow, orange and green, and our love for pastels are here to stay. YAY for pastel pink, light blue and lilac!

Details. They are what makes the difference! Tie a scarf around your head and

embrace your inner tribal; throw a bold and fun maxi belt on with your fave basics; love your colourful print scarf and those found at our fave, the Geelong Mill Markets. Refresh that look with a few personality pieces that make you smile, or even go on an Op-Shop hunt and find yourself some amazing and unique blazers and coats – you can always style up by adding your own buttons. Last but not least, to the babes out there who wear glasses, go big and go bold frame-wise.

Be the hot chick in the workplace enhancing those gorgeous eyes of yours.

words amber gwynn 38 Ruby Autumn

ruby fashion

39 Ruby Autumn

Food, Glorious Food The cooler, sharper days of autumn make the lure of good food all the more irresistible, and this April, local fresh produce is on show around the region.

EAT LOCAL MONTH Sip, sample and savour the bounty grown and created by chefs, artisan producers, craft brewers and winemakers at a wide variety of culinary events throughout the month of April.

Visit cellar doors, restaurants, farm gates and breweries; the Surf Coast and Otways premier food and wine festival has something that will fit both your mood and your palate.

Eat Local Month offers a wide variety of events to choose from including: a cider making Master classes, a Mini Farmers Day with fun-filled activities for the whole family, Gumboot Tours visiting local farms in the area, a Forage and Feast Dinner with Chef Luke Wakefield and a Hunt and Gather Regional Field day in Winchelsea.

FEAST, Eat Local Month’s signature event, held on Saturday 2nd April, offers a walking food and wine degustation trail.

Enjoy strolling through undulating paddocks at Raven’s Creek Farm, as you discover the very essence of eating locally. 8 chefs, 8 courses, 8 tastes of the region, each course skillfully crafted by some of our regions top and up coming chefs matched with our regions best wines.

Ravens Creek Farm, Moriac 4:30-8pm Tickets $145

Eat Local Month is proudly supported by the Surf Coast Shire and The Otway Harvest Trail.

Many of the events sell out quickly!

Discover something new.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.eatlocalmonth.com.au 40 44 Ruby Autumn

ruby food

RUBY

FOOD

AUTUMN 2016

DARIUS SARKIS

TARA THYER

Head Chef, Baveras Brasserie

Head Chef Curlewis Golf Club

Originally trained in French cuisine, Darius enjoys the lighter side of Asian cuisine and tries to combine a blend of both in his cooking.

A dynamic culinary talent is Tara Thyer, Head Chef at Curlewis Golf Club. Hailing from the UK, Tara has been a chef for more than 30 years and joined the Golf Club in late 2015.

After commencing his career at Mietta’s in Queenscliff, Darius has worked at Harry’s, Finnigans Place, and Riviera on Yarra before starting with Baveras Brasserie in 2012.

Tara’s life-long love of all things culinary – produce, creativity, colours and tastes - was activated whilst still at school so there was never any doubt as to what career path she would take. After completing her training in the UK, Tara worked throughout England in fine-dining restaurants and ‘Gastro pubs’ before moving to Australia in 2000.

Since landing in Geelong, her work history has included Le Parisien and Crown.

With 19 years’ experience now under his belt, passion continues to drive Darius to evolve in the craft of cooking as he inspires his team and customers at Baveras Brasserie.

E

ating in season can really give a fond sense of appreciation as the new harvests appear at our local Farmers Markets.

Not only does it cost less than having your food shipped half way across the globe, there are added health benefits by bringing variety into your diet. Plus you’ll be supporting our local food industry!

We have markets a plenty across our wonderful region – in fact, you could probably visit a new destination each week to get your fix of seasonal goodness.

Although Tara is an exceptional chef across the board, her absolute passion is patisserie as seen by the ever increasing array of spectacular sweet offerings available at Curlewis.

In addition to the range of popular dishes (think great Ploughman’s, warm chicken salad, dill battered whiting. . .) on the lunch menu, this is definitely a find for those who love a special coffee and cake hot spot!

FRUIT

VEGETABLES

Geelong Waterfront Makers & Growers Market First Sunday of the month

It is a great time for preserving and some of these delicious treats can team up beautifully in savoury dishes as well:

Golden Plains Farmers Market Bannockburn 1st Saturday of the month

Apples Figs

Autumn is a great time to enjoy some lightly roasted vegetables and start moving into some warming soups as we get later in the season.

Pears Persimmons Quinces

Look out for:

Barwon Heads Market last Saturday of the month February to November

Start your food journey at:

Torquay Farmers Market Every Saturday Point Lonsdale Primary School Market 2nd Sunday of every month + Easter Saturday

Beetroot

Parsnip

And still happily harvesting from Summer, enjoy the last hearty crops of:

Broccoli

Peas Pumpkin

Watermelon Nectarines

Brussels Sprouts Cauliflower

Zucchini

Peaches Plums

Kale

Silverbeet

41 Ruby Autumn

ruby food

RIB EYE STEAK WITH CHAT, BEANS AND BACON BOURBON RELISH

4 x 300g rib eye steaks 1kg small chat potatoes 500g green beans Butter Salt Pepper Vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 200˚c. In a large lined oven tray, add your potatoes and lightly cover with oil and salt and pepper. Give the tray a shake so that the oil and seasoning coats all the potatoes evenly. Place in the oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

BACON BOURBON RELISH 100g bacon, finely chopped 1/2 small brown onion, finely chopped 1 cloves garlic crushed 1/4 tsp dried chilli flakes 1 tbs whole grain mustard 1/8 cup maple syrup (30ml) 1/2 tbs brown sugar 125g tomatoes chopped 1 tbs bourbon

Heat a large pan over a high heat and when the pan is smoking add a dash of oil and place your rib eye steaks down carefully. Season one side of your steaks with a little salt and pepper and after 2 minutes carefully turn your steaks over. Continue to cook the other side for another 2 minutes then transfer steaks into an oven tray and place in the oven.

Cook the steaks to your liking and, when ready, remove from oven and set aside and allow to rest for 4 minutes.

1/8 cup malt vinegar (30ml) PREPARATION Heat a pan over a high heat, add the bacon, garlic and onion and cook for 6-8 minutes stirring occasionally or until golden brown. Add the chilli, mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar and tomatoes and reduce heat to medium and cook for a further 6 minutes or until thickened.

Add the bourbon and vinegar and continue to cook for 2 minutes.

Set aside and cool.

Sneak Peak B RA SSERIE

Heat a small pot of water on the stove and lightly blanch your beans. When ready, place into a bowl and add a small nob of butter. Slice your chats in half and add to the beans.

Season and toss together. Evenly distribute the beans and potatoes over 4 plates, rest your steak over the top and add a heaped spoonful of the bacon bourbon relish on top of your steak.

Enjoy!

NMeewnu

This juicy new Rib Eye is here now!

(03) 5222 6377

42 Ruby Autumn

baveras

@baverasbrasserie

words author’s name

ruby section

CHOCOLATE PAVE CHOCOLATE FLOURLESS SPONGE BASE

CHOCOLATE PAVE

362g unsalted butter

5 egg yolks

176g icing sugar 26g cocoa 250g dark chocolate 150g whole eggs 210g egg yolks

300g dark chocolate 2 whole eggs 250g caster sugar 83mls water 500mls double cream

676g egg white 250g caster sugar BASE Cream butter sugar and cocoa until light and fluffy. Add whole eggs and egg yolks together and gradually add to butter and sugar.

Melt chocolate, cool to 40 degrees and add to the above. Whisk egg whites and sugar until soft peaks and fold into the above. Spread thinly onto tray and cook at 170 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes.

PAVE Melt chocolate over water bath. Add eggs and egg yolks until it reaches the ribbon stage (i.e. it looks like shiny ribbons). Boil sugar and water and cook to 120 degrees then slowly add to eggs and continue whisking the sabayon (mousse) until cool.

Semi-whip the cream and leave at room temperature. Add half of sabayon into chocolate then add remaining sabayon. Finally, fold chocolate sabayon mix in to the cream.

Line a rectangle mould with acetate (strong clear plastic used in dessert baking for a professional finish, you can find them at paper/art supply stores. If you don’t have any, you can use baking paper, although the sponge may stick a little) then place sponge on the bottom.

Pour chocolate pave mix over the sponge and refrigerate overnight.

CGC022 Aloha Ad A4 FP OL.indd 1

18/02/2016 7:08 am

CGC022 Aloha Ad A4 FP OL.indd 1

18/02/2016 7:08 am

CGC022 Aloha Ad A4 FP OL.indd 1 CGC022 Aloha Ad A4 FP OL.indd 1

18/02/2016 7:08 am 18/02/2016 7:08 am

43 Ruby Autumn

JRV125 Best PPP GSCL FP Ad OL.indd 1

11/02/2016 3:48 pm

:48 pm

ruby wine

THE PERFECT AUTUMN RED As we engage ourselves in all things Autumn, the question of what is the perfect red for this season of cooling and colour needed to be asked. Some of the Jack Rabbit Vineyard team were posed three questions...

• What is your favourite Autumn Red? • What do you like about it?

• What food would you match it with?

Pinot Noir came up (almost!) trumps all round. Boasting lovely, earthy aromas and an elegant (many would say ‘pretty’) body, Pinot Noir is simultaneously complex and delicate.

Classic characteristics include floral, cherry and strawberry.

Mushroom, barnyard and sometimes leather are also traditional notations to be unveiled to the palate by a Pinot Noir.

Various elements of spice and herbs - including cinnamon, rosemary and oregano – may also be thrown into the mix.

Mid-range silky tannins and pleasant acidity complete the Pinot Noir persona, often hailed as the most versatile red wine in the world.

Pinot Noir colour is generally more opaque than its bolder relations such as Shiraz and Cabernet but don’t let that fool you, a good Pinot will take your palate on a journey involving twists, turns and layers. When it comes to food pairing, Pinot Noir is a wine that lends itself well to a suite of flavours – it is light enough for salmon yet daring enough for game.

Here’s what some of the Jack Rabbit team had to say about their ‘ favourite Autumn red’. . .

David Warmisham Executive Chef What is your favourite Autumn Red? Jack Rabbit Single Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir What do you like about it?

The rich fruity flavours What food would you match it with?

Any red meats or game

Trevor Parker

Jessica Duncan

Chef

Marketing & Administration Officer

What is your favourite Autumn Red? Jack Rabbit Pinot Noir What do you like about it?

That it is light but still has plenty of guts to it.

What food would you match it with?

Our Bellarine smokehouse tasting plate.

Sharyn Evendon

Briony O’Connor

Functions Manager

Restaurant Manager

What is your favourite Autumn Red? Jack Rabbit Pinot Noir

What is your favourite Autumn Red? Jack Rabbit Cabernet Shiraz

What is your favourite Autumn Red? Jack Rabbit Pinot Noir What do you like about it?

I like the lightness of it mixed with the warm earthy aromas, and how after I drink a bottle of it my dance moves dramatically improve.

What food would you match it with?

Lamb salad

Martijn Van Leent Restaurant Manager What is your favourite Autumn Red? Jack Rabbit Pinot Noir

What do you like about it?

With the changing of the seasons and the nights becoming cooler, being able to smell the cherries and earthy tones is a welcoming change.

What do you like about it?

I like that it is full body and robust with a nice Shiraz finish

What do you like about it?

It has lots of flavour and body – but still keeping it light.

What food would you match it with?

Pasta

What food would you match it with?

Lamb Ragu

What food would you match it with?

Duck

45 Ruby Autumn

ruby spotlight

LIVE AND LET DIE You might have thought there was a real debate going on in Australia about voluntary euthanasia but, as Deb Campbell explains, you’d be wrong.

V

oluntary euthanasia (VE) has been on the national agenda for more than 20 years, since Australia had the first VE law in the world in the Northern Territory in 1996. This law was repealed by the federal Parliament in 1997. Polls1 show that more than 75% of Australians want changes to the laws relating to death.

But the key question of what sort of changes should they be is not being satisfactorily asked or answered by either side of what passes for the Australian voluntary euthanasia debate.

On the one hand, we have those opposed to change, who can be loosely divided into two camps. First, there are those arguing from a theological perspective. Most monotheist religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam – oppose giving people the right to end their lives when they choose, although some Protestant churches see a need for limited reform. Those opposed to VE on religious grounds have views rooted in hard line theology: that human life is a gift from their god and one that none of us - believers or not - must be allowed to refuse.

The Australian constitution makes it clear that no religion should govern the nation or its laws.

Then there are those who argue from a

secular perspective, and claim that any change to the law would result in the murder of the old and infirm by greedy relatives and governments intent on cost cutting in health and aged care.

Since our 1996 laws were repealed, Canada, several European nations and US states have passed laws allowing forms of VE. Nowhere is there evidence of murder, coercion or other mistreatment of those eligible to use those laws.

We do have advocates arguing for VE law reform, but those with the loudest voices are advocating for reforms that they claim would allow ‘dying with dignity’, but only for a very, very few.

Dying With Dignity Victoria, Dr Rodney Syme and, most recently, Andrew Denton are seeking legal changes that would protect doctors from legal sanction when they assist the literally almost dead to die.

What you might have thought were reform proposals designed to give us all control over our own lives and deaths would only help those who: • have a diagnosed terminal illness, and • are in the very last stages of that illness when ‘death is imminent’, and • are not suffering from any mental illness, including depression, and • are not disabled in any way, and

1

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-23/victorians-back-voluntary-euthanasia-vote-compass/5910668 and other polls show similar results: http://www.essentialvision.com.au/voluntary-euthanasia-3

2

h ttp://www.medicalboard.gov.au/News/2014-07-24-media-release-Dr-Nitschke.aspx

46 Ruby Autumn

• have the written permission of at least two, or in some proposals three doctors in the same room at the same time, one of whom is a psychiatrist.

Got it? Just how many of us do you imagine such a proposal is going to help? Take just one potential problem – how many of you have met with your doctor and your specialist in the same room at the same time? Have your GP and specialist ever even met?

So, even though a debate appears to be occurring when Andrew Denton discusses the issues, what he is actually saying is the same old mantra of the Dying With Dignity movement: doctors will decide when you die, and that will be when you are nearly dead anyway.

It is pretty clear that what is supposed to be the ‘Yes’ case is not Yes for you and me – it is the Not Only But Also case – not only must you be very nearly dead already, but also you must get permission from doctors.

Happily there is a real Yes case, but up to now the only person arguing for it, and actually helping many people to make the choice themselves is Dr Philip Nitschke. His book The Peaceful Pill Handbook and his organisation, Exit International, have helped many people obtain the information they need to make their own decisions about their

ruby section

IT IS AN IDEOLOGICAL STRUGGLE ABOUT US, OVER OUR BODIES, BEING CONDUCTED BY THEOLOGIANS AND DOCTORS. MEANWHILE, POLITICIANS AND THE MEDIA WASH THEIR HANDS OF THE ISSUE AS ‘FRAUGHT WITH DIFFICULTIES’.

deaths. He continues to do so, despite being required to give up his licence to practice medicine by the Medical Board of Australia.2 Most Australians die in hospitals, others in nursing homes, and in their own homes of course, which is what most of us say we want. Remember that we do have control over all other aspects of our medical treatment, and we can maintain that control even after we are incapacitated by serious illnesses, which may render us unable to speak for ourselves, by empowering others to act for us. Yet, we actually have very little control indeed over our own deaths.

hold as long as we wished. If and when we want to, we could go to the chemist and have it filled, having shown the proper ID – as we do now for pseudoephedrine here in Victoria. Then we can keep the drug securely until we may decide to use it – or not. Simple really: choice about death would really be personal.

Suicide is not illegal in Australia any more, but the unceasing efforts to minimise it in Australia now mean there has been a blurring of the very real differences between what are often desperate acts taken by people suffering from serious mental illnesses, and what I call chosen deaths.

In a way, the current VE debate is everywhere but nowhere. It is in literature, in the news, popular culture, in academia and in the commentariat; but there is no end in sight, no mainstream political support. The core aspects of the arguments never develop, change or evolve in any real way. More than 25 attempts to change the laws in line with the Not Only But Also approach have failed. The issue seems to be part of the zeitgeist – but without anywhere to go.

The conversation is stalled by a tyranny of political cowardice, lingering religious dogma, media inertia, and the mistaken belief that we, Australian adults, need permission to die.

In my essay, Doing Us Slowly, I advocate what I call the ‘Us’ model, which proposes the re-legalisation of Nembutal to allow anyone over 60 or suffering from a terminal illness to go to their GP and get a prescription for it, which we could then

Doing Us Slowly does not pretend that these issues are without complexity. On the contrary, it explores the intricacies of this intensely personal decision: a decision that many might wish to at least contemplate in the face of

modern medicine and its wonderful and ambiguous effectiveness. While most will wish to live for as long as possible, others can and do wish to die, to be done.

As the recent deaths – long-planned – of Peter and Patricia Shaw show us, what are counted as ‘suicides’ by Australian government statistics were in fact chosen deaths: conscious, deliberate decisions made by sensible, thoughtful people.3 If only their daughters, who supported their decision, could have been present to see them off. But no, had they been so, they could have been liable for criminal prosecution for assisting suicide. This too needs to change.

Many Australians want reform of the laws relating to death, but few realise that the current VE debate is not about you and me at all. It is an ideological struggle about us, over our bodies if you like, being conducted by theologians and doctors. Meanwhile, politicians and the media wash their hands of the issue as ‘fraught with difficulties’.4 It may serve us all to start asking: if these guardians of our democracy are unable to discuss, let alone directly address difficult issues, what, if anything, are they good for?

3

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/elderly-couple-found-dead-in-brighton-home-20151113-gkyon3.html A fuller story of the Shaws’ lives and deaths can be read here: http://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2016/the-big-sleep

4

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/turnbull-rules-out-legalising-euthanasia/news-story/2115cf34155c251824cbb6ee3c926feb

words deb campbell Deb’s essay Doing Us Slowly: What’s Happened to the Voluntary Euthanasia Debate in Australia? will be published soon by Sidharta.

Contact: doingusslowly@bigpond.com 47 Ruby Autumn

ruby competition

WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELIN’ ***** “A night of sheer delight. The perfect pick-me-up” Daily Telegraph (UK) ***** “Hummable tunes, high-octane dancing, lots of rain” Financial Times ***** “A splash hit! Take cover as the cast kick up a storm” Daily Express WHAT A GLORIOUS FEELING, I’M HAP-HAP-HAPPY AGAIN.’

WIN a double pass to Singin’ In The Rain*

With the bureau predicting some serious rain this autumn (does that mean our rain dance has been working?

Even if it was danced to Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off?), there couldn’t be a better time to skip through the puddles on your way to see that old favourite, Singin’ In The Rain?

That’s right, the West End stage production of the classic musical is splashing on to the stage at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from May 7th. And RUBY has four double passes to giveaway to the 11th May show – the perfect chance to gather your brollie and your bestie and make a night of it.

This Australian show brings together some all-singing, all-dancing stars of stage and screen, with Adam Garcia, making his return to the Australian stage in the role of Don Lockwood, made famous

by Gene Kelly in the screen musical that this production is based on. Joining Adam on stage the extraordinary Gretel Scarlett, star of Grease, Wicked and Mamma Mia, who kicks up her heels as Kathy Selden, the character played by Debbie Reynolds in the film; Jack Chambers, winner of the Australia’s first So You Think You Can Dance in 2008, choreographer and teacher at the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York and star of the Australian production of Hairspray the Musical; Erika Heynatz, nominated for a Helpmann Award for her role as Brooke Windham in Legally Blonde and earning rave reviews for her portrayal of Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show; and Robyn Arthur.

Produced in Australia by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Michael Cassel Group, David Atkins Enterprises and Dainty Group International - prepare to be thrilled by the high-octane choreography, sumptuous sets and costumes and the exhilarating spectacle of rain live on stage!

To achieve the famous ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ scene, the production uses over 800 metres of flexible pipe work, a 9000kg water tank and a water system that creates a downpour from above as well as flooding from below the stage, in total ‘raining’ over 12,000 litres of recycled water every performance. * WIN a double pass to Singin’ In The Rain at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, May 7th at 7.30pm. Enter via Facebook @MagazineRuby or email abbey@adcellgroup.com. au with your contact details. Competition closes April 20th.

48 Ruby Autumn

ruby competition

Photography Jeff Busby

COMEDY WITH CLAWS It was a surprise smash hit on Broadway and the West End, and Australian audiences have loved Bad Jews so much it’s coming back to Melbourne for a strictly limited encore season from April 27th-May 14th. RUBY readers can grab one of four double-passes to the opening show on April 27th at St Kilda’s Alex Theatre.

If you missed it during a sellout Melbourne season last year, the All-Australian production of Joshua Harmon’s hilarious play is back in St Kilda for an 18-day run before starting a national tour to Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

At a time when earnest and serious theatre was dominating American stages, Joshua Harmon’s seriously black comedy had the critics salivating and audiences screaming with laughter. Dubbed ‘best comedy of the year’ by the New York Times, Bad Jews is a story that centres on four young Jews.

Their beloved grandfather has died and a treasured family heirloom with religious significance is up for grabs in the Feygenbaum family. But who is most deserving of it?

Bossy, overbearing, fanatically religious Daphna, who swears she is the most devout Jew in her family? Her wealthy, less observant cousin Liam, who’s just returned from skiing with his non-Jewish girlfriend, Melody? Or Jonah, Liam’s brother, who would prefer not to get involved in the fight?

WIN

a double pass to Bad Jews*

A cramped Manhattan apartment becomes the setting for a viciously hilarious quarrel about family, faith and legacy as the contenders set at each other’s throats on the night after the funeral.

Bad Jews features a tremendously talented Australian cast. Starring as the domineering Daphna is Maria Angelico (Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Under a Red Moon, Hating Alison Ashley, Wentworth, Rush, City Homicide, We Can Be Heroes). Simon Corfield (Packed to the Rafters, COPS, Crownies, The Birth of Creation, Songs for the Fallen) stars as Liam while his ‘shiksa’ girlfriend, Melody, is played by Anna Burgess (39 Steps, God of Carnage, Goodbye Miss Monroe, The Producers, Waiting for Godot, Neighbours, Last Man Standing, Thank God You’re Here). Matt Whitty (Foxfinder, About Tommy, Penelope) plays Jonah.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek www.ticketek.com.au or Phone 1300 795 012 *WIN a double pass to Bad Jews on Wednesday, April 27th. Enter via Facebook @MagazineRuby or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with your contact details. Competition closes April 11th.

49 Ruby Autumn

ruby spotlight

LEARNING TO WALK THE TIGER “WITH ADDICTIONS, YOU CAN LOCK THE TIGER UP IN THE CAGE AND THROW THE KEY AWAY. WITH EATING DISORDERS, YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO OPEN THAT CAGE MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY AND WALK THAT TIGER.” - Excerpt from ‘11 Myths About Eating Disorders, Debunked By Someone Who Lived It’ by Brittany Burgunder 50 Ruby Autumn

The mention of eating disorders conjures images of skeletal teenage girls, but the reality is that these debilitating and life-threatening illnesses affect women and men of all ages and are more common in the 30-plus age group than you might suspect.

The condition often goes unrecognised as a person with an eating disorder can have what many would consider a ‘normal’ body size. The good news is that eating disorders are treatable and full recovery is possible, whatever your age.

ruby spotlight

S

he sits alone at the table, a plate of food in front of her. She knows exactly how many kilojoules are on that plate, she knows exactly how many kilometres she will have to run to work those kilojoules off. She needs to eat, but the very act of putting food in her mouth terrifies her.

She is anxious and afraid all day, every day, and she’s exhausted by this battle. But food is only the outward enemy; the real enemy is within, a bully that can’t be run away from because it goes everywhere she goes. This bully has a name – they call it “Ed,” short for “eating disorder” and it’s ruining her life, her relationships and her career.

The woman at the table is not a teenager, the most common public perception of someone with an eating disorder. She is over 30, married with children. She has a job to hold down and a mortgage to pay and a façade to maintain. She may look like she is of perfectly normal weight – people with eating disorders are not always ‘too thin’. “She” could, in fact, be a “he” – men are increasingly being diagnosed with eating disorders, too.

Anorexia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa. Binge eating disorder and variants of all of the above that fall outside specific diagnostic criteria (OSFED). Too often, older victims suffer silently, living in a private hell that destroys relationships and careers and can threaten their lives. The death rate for people with eating disorders is the highest of all mental illnesses and over 12 times higher than that for people without eating disorders. Most adults with eating disorders don’t have parents checking to see how much and what they eat and partners and friends are often reluctant to confront the issue and at a loss as to where to start.

Geelong’s Dr Peter O’Keefe, a psychiatrist specialising in eating disorders, says that while exact figures of sufferers in the 30plus age group are not well researched, he has seen some studies suggesting that 30 to 40 per cent of all eating disorder sufferers are aged over 30.

A recent Australian-based study estimated nearly one million Australians suffered from an eating disorder: approximately two-thirds of these were women and one-third men.

In a variety of studies cited by the National Eating Disorder Collaboration, 3.8 per cent of women aged 60-70 years met criteria for an eating disorder, 17 per cent of the 200 women aged 35-65 in one study probably had an eating disorder and levels of bulimia were found to be similar in a comparative study of women over 45 years old and younger women.

TOO OFTEN, OLDER VICTIMS SUFFER SILENTLY, LIVING IN A PRIVATE HELL THAT DESTROYS RELATIONSHIPS AND CAREERS AND CAN THREATEN THEIR LIVES. THE DEATH RATE FOR PEOPLE WITH EATING DISORDERS IS THE HIGHEST OF ALL MENTAL ILLNESSES AND OVER 12 TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT EATING DISORDERS.

The myths and misconceptions that surround eating disorders and their sufferers can cloud the process of seeking help, but research clearly shows that, far from being a ‘lifestyle choice’, or a ‘diet gone too far’, these are serious, biologically and genetically influenced diseases that “defy classification solely as mental illnesses as they not only involve considerable psychological impairment and distress, but … are also associated with major wideranging and serious medical complications, which can affect every major organ in the body.” (The National Eating Disorder Collaboration, www.nedc.com.au)

A West Australian study found that 25 per cent of patients from a community sample developed an eating disorder after the age of 30. Dr O’Keefe is not aware of specific research for the Geelong region, “but the proportion for aged 30-plus patients with eating disorders that I have treated over the past ten years would probably be about 20 per cent.

“The proportion of men I’ve treated locally would be much less than a third, but it does seem to be increasing. Perhaps people are becoming more aware of eating disorders in adolescent males and adult men and so more men seem to be presenting these days.”

The important thing is that treatment is available. The earlier an eating disorder is detected and the sooner treatment commences, the quicker recovery may be.

While there is no one cause of eating disorders, research points to a significant genetic component, linked with other factors like individual psychological and

personality traits such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, perfectionism and obsessive-compulsiveness; stressful life experiences like divorce, death of a loved one, retirement or children starting school or leaving home; dieting; and physical changes associated with transition stages in life like puberty, pregnancy, menopause or the ageing process.

“Patients diagnosed with an eating disorder later in life might be having their first episode but often they have been suffering in silence for many years and some recent crisis has now brought them to treatment,” Dr O’Keefe says. “Or perhaps they just reach a point in their life when they find the courage to seek help.

Sometimes it is their concern that their illness might have a negative impact on their own young children.”

Explaining their eating disorder to their children is something that concerns many older sufferers. “I imagine talking to their children about the eating disorder would be a real challenge for any parent,” Dr O’Keefe says. “I would try to talk about it as one would talk about any illness, being honest, non-blaming and realistic about the difficulties of change but hopeful about recovery.”

He doesn’t think talking about eating disorders would make a child more prone to developing one. “Kids probably see the behaviours and see the physical and emotional toll of the illness. I suspect that knowing their parent is getting professional help would alleviate some of their concern.

Certainly discussing this issue with members of the treating team would be worthwhile and partners or kids could then be provided with their own avenues of support.”

Local author, June Alexander, knows all too well the devastating toll an eating disorder can take on adult life. Much of her teenage years were stolen by anorexia, which then transitioned into bulimia. The disease dominated her life until her mid-50s, when she achieved what she describes as “selfrenewal”, and she is a vocal advocate that full recovery is possible - at any age.

“A surprising number of women in their thirties, forties, fifties and beyond have this private hell,” she says. “The key is to help the person feel they’re part of their own treatment team and in the driving seat of their own recovery. The best results are achieved with a therapist you trust and when you are doing work yourself and reaching out for help.

51 Ruby Autumn

ruby spotlight

“It’s not just about food,” she adds firmly.

“There are usually other issues as well, especially about relationships. Eating disorders also leave you open to being exploited in the workplace, because you want to please everyone; and also to being exploited in relationships – you can be attracted to people who are more aligned with your eating disorder characteristics than your own true self and with people who strengthen Ed’s characteristics rather than your own.”

Since her recovery, June has developed an international reputation as an author of and contributor to numerous books and academic texts dealing with eating disorders and how best to treat them, including her own memoir A Girl Called Tim, as well as Hope at Every Age – Developing An Appetite for Recovery. She is also on the steering committee for the first Annual World Eating Disorders Action Day to be held on 2 June this year as part of a global grassroots effort aiming to advance the understanding of eating disorders, that these are genetically-linked illnesses that affect people from all walks of life around the world. The hope is that by raising awareness amongst policy makers, more resources and the building of national treatment systems will follow.

“An eating disorder eats holes in your selfesteem and that’s how the illness controls and debilitates you,” June says. “It affects everything in your life. You go out for lunch for with your friends and they’re laughing and having fun and you’re worrying about what’s on your plate and you think, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ What’s wrong is you have developed a very serious illness. Importantly, help is available to help you heal.”

In Geelong, help is available through local GPs and both the public and private health systems.

In the public sector, Barwon Health Eating Disorder Service (as part of Jigsaw) provides assessment and case management for those up to 25 years of age, while those over 25 can be assessed at Deakin Psychology Clinic. They may then be referred for individual therapy at the private Geelong Clinic or, in more severe illness, case management with the local Community Mental Health team.

In the private sector, there are numerous psychologists and dieticians with expertise in treating eating disorders and The

Geelong Clinic has an Eating Disorder Program for inpatients and day patients.

There is also support available for families of people with an eating disorder. Barwon Health and Deakin University offer the Collaborative Care Program, a six-week workshop run three times a year for parents and partners of people suffering from eating disorders, which can be accessed by contacting the Barwon Health Eating Disorder Service.

Dr O’Keefe says there are various approaches to treatment in the older age group, “but all would include achieving stable physical health as a priority.

Treatment usually involves bringing together a team of professionals to assist the patient and potentially their family. Treatment would aim to provide understanding of what drives the illness and support the patient and the family through the process of recovery.

“THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE SUFFERING SILENTLY, DEBILITATED, LIVING ONLY PART-LIVES. AN E ATING DISORDER AFFECTS E VERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE, BUT THE GOOD NE WS IS YOU CAN HE AL. THERE IS HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH LONG-TERM E ATING DISORDERS, NO MAT TER HOW OLD YOU ARE."

“The psychological strategies will generally be tempered to each patient’s individual preference, plus their specific needs based on the type and severity of the eating disorder. Therapy might focus on improving motivation to change, learning new ways of thinking, adjusting unhealthy behaviours, developing other strategies to address any underlying issues or building a more satisfying lifestyle/social network.

“Whatever the focus, a non-judgemental approach is a core principle because, unfortunately, many patients have carried unfair shame and guilt about their illness for many years.” words judy baulch

52 Ruby Autumn

“Shame and stigma can be very debilitating,” June agrees. “People with eating disorders tend to be high achievers who want to please and set themselves high standards. It can be very hard to admit you are struggling within and need help.”

While adamant that full recovery is possible, neither June nor Dr O’Keefe deny it’s a long process towards “being free and getting yourself back,” as June puts it, and both agree that support from family and friends throughout recovery is essential.

“Remember the person you love is inside there, they’re still there and they need help to come out,” June says. “People with an eating disorder need a support network of people – friends and family who want to understand and help them discover their real self again.”

What they don’t need is advice to “just eat properly” or remarks about their weight and appearance. Avoid saying things like, “You look like you’ve put on weight, well done,” or, “You’ve lost weight.” Even spoken with the best of intentions, such comments can feed the eating disorder and the guilt and shame that fuels it.

“There are many people suffering silently, debilitated, living only part-lives,” June says.

“An eating disorder affects every aspect of your life, but the good news is you can heal. There is hope for people with longterm eating disorders, no matter how old you are.

“Don’t stay silent. Through sharing our stories in a supportive environment we can help others. There is no quick fix, but you can get there. You can get yourself back and you can be free. You deserve to live a happy, fulfilling and purposeful life that’s ‘true you’. Don’t settle for less.”

RESOURCES: Barwon Health Eating Disorder Service 1300 094 187 The Geelong Clinic www.thegeelongclinic.com.au Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria 1300 550 236 www.eatingdisorders.org.au Butterfly Foundation 1800 334 673 www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au National Eating Disorders Collaboration www.nedc.com.au www.junealexander.com

Seeking answers ruby insight

TO WHAT CAUSES FOOD ALLERGIES

F

ood allergies – there has been an explosion in intolerances, particularly in children, and one new study based on research in the Barwon region is helping to answer some of the questions around why that is.

A study of more than 1000 Victorian babies has shown those with hyperactive immune cells at birth, detected in their cord blood, were more likely to develop food allergies in their first year of life.

The Australian research team discovered a new pattern of immune activation at birth that was associated with an increased risk of babies developing food allergies in early life. The finding could lead to future treatments for babies and infants to prevent childhood food allergies.

The research, led by Dr Yuxia Zhang and Professor Len Harrison from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and Associate Professor Peter Vuillermin from Barwon Health, Deakin University and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Professor Harrison said the team had described a new immune ‘signature’ found in cord blood at birth that identified babies at risk of developing food allergies.

“We found a link between children who had hyperactive immune cells at birth and the development of allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat and other common foods in their first years of life,” Professor Harrison said.

Dr Zhang said babies at risk of developing food allergies had activated immune cells at birth.

“In at-risk babies, immune cells called monocytes were activated before or during birth,” Dr Zhang said. “Signals from these cells encouraged the development of immune responses by specialised immune cells called T cells that were predisposed to cause allergic reactions to some foods.”

The research used well-documented food allergy information collected

by the Barwon Infant Study (BIS) - a collaboration between Barwon Health, Deakin University and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. BIS is a infant health study of more than 1000 pregnant women and their babies from the Barwon region of Victoria, looking at immunity and allergy as well as respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological development.

Associate Professor Vuillermin, a paediatrician who leads the BIS, said childhood food allergies had become very common in Australia.

“There has been a three-fold increase in hospital presentations due to food allergy over recent decades, and most of this increase has been among children under five years of age,” Associate Professor Vuillermin said.

“In fact up to one in every 10 babies in Melbourne develop food allergy during the first year of life.

“We don’t know why the increase in food allergy has occurred. The important thing about this study is that we’ve shown the

immune systems of babies who develop food allergy are in a sense ‘primed’ for allergic disease by the time they are born,” Associate Professor Vuillermin said.

Professor Harrison said one of the next steps for the research team would be to identify why these babies have hyperactive immune cells.

“Are the immune cells inherently activated because of the baby’s genes or do they become activated at the time of birth or earlier in pregnancy, and how?”

Professor Harrison said.

“This study really emphasises how critical it is to look at pregnancy and early life to really understand why chronic immune and inflammatory disorders such as allergies develop in childhood and later.”

The research was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Catalyst Fund and the Victorian State Government Operational Infrastructure Support Program and the Australian Food Allergy Foundation.

53 Ruby Autumn

ruby women

‘Y’

WHY WE LOVE THE

With a history spanning over 130 years, chances are, you’ve heard of the YWCA. Present in over 125 countries and engaging with 25 million women and girls each year, it is the largest women's organisation in the world.

The YWCA – the Young Women’s Christian Association - was the daughter of the industrial revolution, which started the movement of women and girls out of the home and rural areas and into factories throughout the Western world.

These days many of the world members, including Australia, are now secular but still retain the original and wellrecognised acronym.

Delving into the history of the ‘Y’ in Australia, and particularly in Victoria, is a pretty colourful read. The very first Victorian YWCA was established right here in Geelong in 1872 and offered evening social catch ups and language classes for women working in the woollen mills. The group eventually fizzled out from lack of memberships, but in 1882 women in Melbourne held a public meeting for ‘ladies only’ and re-established the YWCA – and from this date the ‘Y’ firmly stamped itself in Victorian women’s history.

54 Ruby Autumn

Ladies doing it for themselves…

YWCA Victoria today…

At a time when a woman’s place was considered to be the home, ‘Y’ women were certainly not hanging out in the kitchen! They were purchasing property, establishing sporting clubs for women, providing sexual health information, assisting with relief efforts during the Great Depression, providing support to servicewomen during both world wars, establishing the first mothers groups for young ‘Y’ wives and meeting young migrant women coming off the ‘bride ships’.

Today, YWCA Victoria continues with the mission to improve the lives of women by ending inequality. How do they do this? They have three priority areas – affordable housing, mentoring programs, and engagement activities to strengthen communities.

Along with support and relief efforts, social reform was high on the agenda, with campaigns to address poor working conditions for women and equal pay.

How disappointing for our sisters in the 1900s that the theme of International Women’s Day in 2016 is ‘Pledge for Parity’! And the World Economic Forum predicts we won’t see the gender pay gap close until 2133! Seriously?!

Over 250 Victorian women a night are housed in YWCA rooming houses in Melbourne and Geelong. And recently the organisation partnered with a family violence agency to provide emergency accommodation for women and children escaping family violence. The Y also provides some great services and activities to residents to support health, job training and community engagement.

The mentoring program ASISTA is offered to young girls within the DHHS child protection system and has been operating for over sixteen years. The program matches the girls with older, female mentors who meet up socially every fortnight to help support their ‘little sisters’ on their path to independence.

ruby women

YWCA trains and supports the mentors along the way.

A more recent program is being piloted this year for disadvantaged women looking to return to study, but who may lack the confidence to do so. The Transitions Program operates similarly to a ‘study buddy’, with women matched to a female mentor who will provide friendship and support while they take on an adult education course.

The small team at the Y – with around 15 staff – are passionate about creating safe and fun communities for women. And they have a jam packed calendar of events this year for women to get involved in and link

up with other like-minded ladies.

Already this year they’ve held a female rock music festival at the Tote Hotel in Collingwood that raised over $10,000 for at-risk women in their rooming houses.

Next up is a series of female panel events called TINATalks (see what they did there?) and a Member Party to celebrate World YWCA Day. Keep an eye on the website for all the news and events – www.ywca.net.

While events are currently happening in Melbourne the organisation aims to broaden its reach to the wider state, with its eye firmly on Geelong as a key region for a local group. Anyone interested in starting up a local Geelong YWCA

member group is encouraged to contact the Y. The organisation would love to help establish a local group, providing support and resources and mentoring from Women’s Melbourne Network that works in partnership with the YWCA. The YWCA is also developing an annual Regional Scholarship to support a young Geelong woman in her education or training journey.

The organisation is calling on Geelong women to join its girl gang and be a voice for local women. An official Membership Drive is happening throughout April and you can join up at www.ywca.net

words Bree Attwood

Become a Part of the World's Biggest Women's Movement!

Connect, network and support Victorian women by becoming a YWCA Victoria Member today

Join Us!

www.ywca.net 55 Ruby Autumn

ruby legal

Children Have Rights Parents Have Responsibilities

PARENTING AFTER SEPARATION The end of a relationship is usually a very distressing and confusing time for those involved. The Family Law Act (1975) sets out the law regarding children’s rights and parents’ responsibilities when relationships breakdown. No Act of Parliament can solve the actual emotional pain and financial distress often associated with a relationship breakdown.

M

any parents are able to make their own arrangements for their children after separation.

They don’t need to obtain court orders describing which parent will be caring for the children and at what times. For some people, however, this is not possible.

Separation can and often is accompanied by distrust and conflict.

When working out post-separation arrangements for your children, the following matters are important: • You and your former partner’s living arrangements • The distance between your respective homes • Your work commitments • The children’s ages and any views they may have expressed 56 Ruby Autumn

• Activities the children may be involved in • Cultural considerations • Extended family relationships • Arrangements for special occasions and holidays This list refers to some of the usual matters the Court considers when determining the best possible arrangements for children following separation.

What if you can’t agree?

If agreement cannot be reached, parents and family members are generally required by law to participate in mediation before commencing Court proceedings. There are some exceptions to this. Mediation is not mandatory in

circumstances where there has been family violence or child abuse. If there is a threat to abduct the children or move them interstate you should obtain legal advice urgently. In these circumstances it may be possible to obtain an Order from the Court urgently without first participating in mediation.

The benefits of mediation Mediation is an excellent way in which you can meet with your former partner in a controlled environment. A Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner controls the process. Parties are able to express their opinions safely and respectfully.

Unlike Court proceedings, Mediation is an inexpensive process. It is not combative and is far less stressful than

ruby legal

going to Court. Mediation allows parents to make decisions about their children, not Judges. There are several family mediation services in the Geelong region.

If you reach agreement at Mediation a parenting plan can be drawn up and agreed.

If you wish to formalise the parenting plan, Consent Orders reflecting the plan can be prepared and filed in the Court.

After Mediation you will be provided with a certificate that enables you to file proceedings in Court. The certificate is valid for 12 months. A certificate will also be provided if the Mediation Centre considers your circumstances unsuitable for Mediation or where Mediation has been unsuccessful.

The Family Law Act The law relating to the parenting of children is set out in the Family Law Act. Although there are a few exceptions, the general rule is that children have a right to know and be cared for by both parents. Children have the right to spend time regularly and communicate with both of their parents and significant other people, such as grandparents and other extended family members. The law states that parents should share duties and responsibilities relating to their children and that children have a right to enjoy their culture. Children have rights, parents have responsibilities.

The underlying purpose of the Family Law Act is to ensure that children can continue to have meaningful relationships with both of their parents and significant other people after separation. The Act also promotes the protection of children from harm and abuse.

When making decisions about children the Court must always consider what is in the best interests of the child.

Is one parent favoured over the other?

A child is exposed to family violence if they see, hear or experience the effects of family violence. This can include the following:

The Court does not favour one parent over the other when making orders. The Family Law Act recognises that both parents are equally responsible for their children. This means that very important decisions about a child’s health, education, religion and other big decisions are to be agreed by both parents. Day-to-day, small, everyday decisions can be made by the parent with whom the children are with.

A child overhearing threats of violence from one family member to another A child seeing or hearing an assault by one family member on another family member and being present when police or ambulance attends at their home after one family member has assaulted another

If the Court believes that living equally with both parents is not the best arrangement for the child it will usually make Orders that enable the child to spend substantial and significant time with the parent the child does not usually live with. This is usually more substantial than every second weekend and holidays. The Court seeks to involve the non-resident parent to be involved in all aspects of their child’s life and not just weekends.

In circumstances involving family violence or child abuse, the Court will usually not make Orders providing for these types of arrangements. The Court must make Orders that are in the child’s best interests and which endeavour to protect the child from harm.

Family Violence and the Family Law Act The Family Court places great weight on the need to protect children from harm, abuse, neglect or family violence. That is more important than the benefit to the children having a meaningful relationship with both parents.

Family violence can include an assault, stalking, sexual assault or sexually abusive behaviour, damaging property, taunting, making threats, shouting abuse, killing or injuring animals, financial abuse, or depriving a family member of their freedom.

And again, this list is not exhaustive.

If the Family Court considers that there is a risk and there are safety concerns for a child, the Court will consider what arrangements are in the best interests of the child.

The Court can Order that an offender not spend any time with the children in some circumstances involving family violence.

Supervised Contact or very limited Contact for a few hours during the day in a public place may be Ordered. Often, the perpetrator of family violence may be required to complete parenting courses (and/or seek other treatment) to ensure the children are safe and to re-establish and improve their relationships with their children.

If Family Law proceedings are commenced, it is important to tell the Court of the existence of any family violence intervention order. It will need to know the circumstances in which the Order was made to ensure that it can make Orders that are in the children’s best interests.

words robyn davis *Robyn Davis is the principal lawyer at Greater Geelong Legal and is a Board Member at Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault (BCASA) and Minerva Family Violence Services.

GGL

Small Business Law, TAC, Personal Injuries & Family Law.

Ph: 5222 8986 | Mob: 0447089763 Suite 1 Level 1, 27-31 Myers Street, Geelong Vic 3220. e: robyn@greatergeelonglegal.com.au greatergeelonglegal.com.au

57 Ruby Autumn

ruby kids

S L E E PI N G L I K E A B A BY

The Bean

Bible

A

pe

h, nine month olds.

What gems. I had a pretty easy newborn - the normal eat, sleep, laugh, poop and make milestones too early for her age kinda kid. Delightful!

Sleeping arms out, sleeping in her cot, sleeping through the night.

Sure, we had our battles, because we’re parents. She had eczema that looked like we had dipped her in hot water; we had two weeks of gastro and we felt every single tooth cut through her gums with her. But, on the whole, I couldn’t complain.

Recently, however, we went back to England to visit Chris’ family for a month for Christmas. Chris doesn’t really like going home - Australia is home now, and as an ex-British soldier, he’s not one for sentimentality. I love England though, and I love traveling, and even though we were taking an almost eight month-old to the other side of the world for four full weeks, I was so looking forward to it. The pints! The pubs! The steak and ale pies! The possibility of snow!

I wasn’t even that nervous about taking her on the plane; even if she was on her worst behaviour, it’s only 24-hours of our lives,

58 Ruby Autumn

! o o b ek a

As I sat here on deadline day wondering what on Earth I could write for you, something sparkly and witty to capture the last few months of my life since the last edition has been out, I was stumped.

I started, I stopped, I started again and then I deleted the entire thing, ate some leftover curry and took a nap at 12pm. Which really, sums up my energy levels of late, because as I type I am just over 3 months pregnant, with a 9 month-old sleeping in the middle of my bed.

And I couldn’t honestly pinpoint which one of the two is making me more tired!

and rightly so, because she was an absolute dreamboat on the plane (gloat, gloat). The trouble, it seemed, started once we got there. At first, the refusal to spend all night in her portacots in various houses and hotels was fine with us - come into our bed! We don’t mind.

We’ll share! Our naive (and tired I might add) parent minds didn’t mind an extra snuggle.

But as the middle of the night whinging turned into not going into the cot, or even asleep in a room without us at all, we got annoyed. We wanted to come home. We found out we were pregnant. The promise of late nights at pubs with beams so low we had to duck, drinking warm English ales slowly disintegrated, and we were left with a cranky baby, a nauseated me, and a partner who wanted to go ‘home’ more than any of us.

Now, we find ourselves a month home and the sleeping situation has got worse – which we didn’t think was possible. We blamed it on gastro. We blamed it on the top teeth, which have been coming through on what seems like a daily basis. But her untouched

cot is gathering dust, our bed has never felt so small, and I just took a day nap I’d like to continue having for, oh, another four-or-so-hours.

Sleep regression? Some say separation anxiety - which I am keen to agree with at this point (though who knows why, I think I’m clinging to anything to explain this away), but whatever it is has left us with a baby who spends more time swaddled and laying with us on the couch or in our bed, than in her room where she has slept since day one home from the hospital.

But it’s okay. These fine folk thought having baby two would be a brilliant idea! Why wouldn’t we want to get pregnant after only six months since Evie was born (cue hysterical laughter); no, I kid. Although Chris woke up this morning and suggested putting Evie into a moses basket and floating her down the Barwon river, or leaving her on a church step (he was completely kidding - I think), we are beyond excited to have another babe so soon. I may be rethinking my four children idea, and Chris has mentioned the ‘Dr Snip, walk in, walk out!’ advert more times than I think is completely necessary, but a little chaos never hurt anyone right? Right?!

words madelin baldwin from The Bean Bible and Le Monde Entier

KIDS

RUBY LOVES 1. Wheels On The Bus Print From $39.95 Wooden Art Hanger From $19.95

something for mum

1

Wooden Baby Milestone Cards $49.95 2. Mini Banners $19.95 3. Assorted prints From $29.95 White Rabbit Print, Flower Girl Print, Woodland’s Fox Print, Flamingo Print, Ahoy Print, The Wheels On the Bus Print, Lost Print And Went To Sea Print From $29.95

1

2 4

4. Wooden Baby Milestone Cards $49.95

2 3 W fizzypopdesigns.com.au

Miss Bella Bows

3

Melissa Moore 0408031043 miss_bella_bows@hotmail.com

Melissa Moore 0408031043 miss_bella_bows@hotmail.com

4

6

1. Z ebra print necklace in watermelon and mint $39, Matching set of 3 Earrings $25 2. Filigree Pop 3 pack Earrings $25 3. Z ebra mini bead necklace on 75cm braided leather $39 4. Z ebra print necklace in Jade and Violet on braided leather $39, matching set of 3 Earrings $25

Peek R Boo games are $15 Alphabet Mania which includes uppercase and lowercase letters for $20.

W peekrboo.bigcartel.com

www.kissy.com.au 59 Ruby Autumn

ruby competition

h T

ills are A H e

Are you singing already? It is still the most successful movie musical of all time and its songs live in the childhood memories of many of us. This lavish production from Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian, John Frost and the Really Useful Group premiered at the London Palladium in 2006 and went on to a record-breaking run of 954 performances. Premiering on May 8th, the Australian season brings together a stellar Australian cast, including some of our youngest musical theatre talents.

“We have assembled an extraordinary cast of young stars to play the von Trapp children,” said the producers. “We had over 1000 children audition in February and we were absolutely blown away by the talent. It’s exciting that Australian audiences will see a production of this quality.”

The central role of Maria will be played by Amy Lehpamer, with Cameron Daddo playing Captain Georg von Trapp, the roles made famous by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer; Marina Prior plays Baroness Schraeder, with Jacqueline Dark as Mother Abbess, Lorraine Bayly as Frau Schmidt and David James at Max Detweiler.

Inspired by the lives of the real von Trapp family, The Sound of Music tells the uplifting story of Maria, a fun-loving governess who changes the lives of the widowed Captain von Trapp and his seven children by re-introducing them to music, culminating in the family’s escape from the Nazis across the mountains from Austria. It features an unforgettable score that includes some of the most famous songs ever performed on stage, including My Favorite Things, Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going On Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and, of course, The Sound of Music.

The original Australian production of The Sound of Music opened at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in 1961 and ran for three years with a cast headed by the talented Australian soprano June Bronhill. Later Australian productions starred Julie Anthony and Lisa McCune as Maria.

Tickets are on sale now at www.soundofmusictour.com.au or phone 1300 111 011 @SoundofMusicAU

words author’s name 60 Ruby Autumn

il v

. . . e

WIN

a double pass to The Sound of Music*

* WIN a double pass to The Sound of Music at The Regent Theatre on Sunday, May 15th at 5.30pm. Enter via Facebook @MagazineRuby or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with your contact details. Competition closes April 27th.

Photography James Morgan

words author’s name 61 Ruby Autumn

BUBBA NYATA “Nyata is proud to be introducing Nyata Kidswear this season. Understanding that body confidence needs to begin at a young age, and that our mothers are our biggest role models, why not is allow our girls to wear the same amazingness that is Nyata like their mumma bears?

Bringing the option of ‘Matchy Matchy’ outfits, or just beautiful designs for your babes to help them release their inner sparkle, you will find it at Nyata kids.”

– Amber Gwynn

ruby kids

Family Violence Advocate appointed as

CHILDREN’S COMISSIONER Victoria has, for the first time, appointed a woman as the Commissioner for Children and Young People. A distinguished lawyer and anti-violence advocate, Liana Buchanan will officially commence in the role on April 4th. The Victorian Government has also moved to increase the oversight powers of the Commissioner.

Ms Buchanan has a significant record in public service, as the Executive Officer for the Federation of Community Legal Centres and a commissioner with the Victorian Law Reform Commission.

She has worked in senior roles within the Department of Justice and Regulation – including as the Director for corrections oversight body the Office of Correctional Services Review. She has also held positions with the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria, Office for the Status of Women (SA) and Women’s Legal Service (SA).

Last year her organisation assisted Rosie Batty during the coronial inquest into the death of Luke Batty and Ms Buchanan has led advocacy with state and federal governments to improve legal support for women and children affected by violence.

Under changes introduced by the Andrews Government, the Commission for Children and Young People will have responsibility for a new reportable conduct scheme in Victoria to improve child safety.

The scheme will require the centralised reporting of allegations of child abuse by workers or volunteers in organisations with a high level of responsibility for children – including out-of-home care, youth justice services, schools, and child care.

It follows recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations (the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry).

Under the scheme the Commission will be empowered to monitor investigations into abuse and report on trends, share information with key organisations to lift child safety and hold the power to inquire into the safety systems of organisations engaged in child-related work.

The Government will commence consultations on the design of the scheme before enshrining it in legislation. Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos, said the scheme will be key to sharing information to protect children and stamp out child abuse.

There is nothing easy about child protection and youth justice; but when systems aren’t working it’s the kids who suffer.

The new oversight powers for Victoria’s Commissioner for Children and Young People have been introduced into parliament. By enshrining the changes in legislation, future governments will be bound to provide heightened levels of information to the Commission.

Ms Mikakos said the law will require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the Commission with reports of serious incidents involving a child or young person in out-of-home care, detained in a youth justice facility or in a youth justice residential centre.

www.nyata.c

om.au

62 Ruby Autumn

Incidents include allegations of physical and sexual assault, illness and accidental injuries requiring hospitalisation, and serious behavioural issues that impact on client or others’ safety. A further 148 new child protection workers will also be recruited in the state.

RUBY

ruby kids

KIDS RE A DS SUMMER SKIN Kirsty Eagar (Young Adult Fiction) Don’t let the pretty pink cover fool you, Kirsty Eagar’s Summer Skin is a seriously gutsy book about love and sex in the time of social media. It’s sexy and smart and will leave readers’ mind tingling.

THE AMAZING (MOSTLY) EDIBLE SCIENCE COOKBOOK Andrew Schloss (All Ages) Could your child be the next Stephen Hawking, Nina Tandon or even Heston Blumenthal? Who cares!

They, and you, can giggle and gasp your way through some of these amazing, and mostly edible, science experiments in the kitchen at home.

Discovering how things work, and how they taste, should be fun and that is what this book is all about. Mixing and mingling science and cooking through the easy and inspiring recipes is a great way to introduce important scientific principles.

Food expert, Andrew Schloss, has put together a practical guide that includes step-by-step instructions and brilliant photography. Juicy Gel Beads or Glow In The Dark Gelatin anyone?

THE MANY WORLDS OF ALBIE BRIGHT Christopher Edge (Ages 9-12) There’s always an answer to any problem; that’s what we tell our kids. Well, Albie has a problem. His mum has died and he doesn’t know where she has gone. His parents are both scientists and they usually have all the answers.

Dad mutters something about Albie’s mum being alive and with them in a parallel universe.

So Albie finds a box, his mum’s computer and a rotting banana, and sends himself through time and space to find her. What follows is an exciting adventure full of wonder and warmth, while at its heart is a little boy, aching to understand.

CHICKEN MISSION: Chaos In Cluckbridge Jennifer Gray (Ages 7-9) Chickens... we’ve got a cobra problem! Danger is looming over Cluckbridge Town. A cobra has escaped from the local zoo and is after the local birdlife. And if that isn’t bad enough, the dastardly Most Wanted Club are back and causing trouble, too.

Can Agent Cluckbucket and the Elite Chicken Squad vaporise the cobra’s venom and keep the birds of Cluckbridge safe? A hilarious, hen-sational adventure from the bestselling author of the Atticus Claw series.

Jess Gordon is out for revenge. Last year the jocks from Knights College tried to shame her best friend. This year she and a hand-picked college girl gang are going to get even. The Unity girls are out to get Blondie, a typical Knights stud, arrogant, cold... and, unexpectedly, smart enough to keep up with Jess. What happens when a neoriot grrl with a penchant for fanning the flames meets a rugby-playing sexist pig sworn enemies, or two people who happen to find each other when they’re at their most vulnerable? It’s all Girl meets Boy, Girl steals from Boy, seduces Boy, ties Boy to a chair and burns Boy’s stuff.

Just your typical love story.

Clementine Ford calls it ‘the feminist love story that girls have been waiting for.’ We call it a fabulous, flaming hot read that older teens won’t want to put down.

63 Ruby Autumn

ruby business

GROW JUST ONE THING After a hiatus of a few decades away from the veggie patch, Australian families are increasingly returning to backyard (or front yard, side yard, courtyard or balcony) vegetable growing.

As a busy local mum, Kyrstie Barcak knows all too well that adding growing your own fresh food to the never-ending list of activities that already consume your time and energy may seem a little crazy. That’s why she started small – really small – and launched her online business, A Fresh Legacy, to share how easy it is to start by growing just one thing.

Kyrstie will launch her debut book, Grow Just One Thing – The first step in a fresh food journey at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show this March 16-20.

We asked Kyrstie how to begin building our own fresh food legacies.

Q: Where did the A Fresh Legacy journey begin for you?

I was on maternity leave from my corporate job and I realised that the thing I was most passionate about was fresh food - growing it and cooking it for my family. I wanted to ensure that my children were being fed the very best, healthiest food I could give them and, as they grew, I wanted to teach them how to grow and care for the plants and how to make good food choices. Many people I spoke to seemed interested in what we were growing and my recipes, so in 2011 I started A Fresh Legacy to share our journey and my passion for fresh food with an online community of fellow gardeners and food lovers.

Q: What have you learnt about yourself along the way?

I learned that I don’t want to go back to a corporate role where I have little influence over the quality of people’s lives. I want to make a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and lifestyle, firstly with my own family and then hopefully in the broader community. My big dream is that every family in Australia grows at least one fresh food item at home.

I have also learnt that I can’t do everything!

I have had to get some help from my parents, friends and my partner so that 64 Ruby Autumn

I had the time and was able to put the required attention and energy into writing my book and creating the Kitchen Garden Box and the Small Space Garden Kit. I have also learnt that I need to turn off sometimes to take a break and recharge, as the online world can be consuming if you let it.

Q: You’ve targeted your book at busy mums, many of whom would love to be growing veggies at home but aren’t sure how or where to begin. How easy it is really to grow your own fresh veggies at home?

It is super easy! I passionately believe that anyone can grow their own fresh food at home. My 8 and 5 year old can do it, and have been doing it for years. Not only is it easy, but it is cheap if you grow from seed.

There are some basic guidelines to follow to make sure you get to harvest some lovely fresh produce, such as planting in the right season and making sure you give your plants water.

Q: How do you grow your own veggies if you only have a small outdoor space?

There are so many great options for small space garden areas. Many vegetables and herbs will grow well in pots or a container so long as it has drainage holes and good soil. Vertical growing options are also commonly available from nurseries to allow you to maximise your space. Pots or containers are a great solution as you can move them around, they are decorative as well as functional and you can grow in almost any container you have handy.

I have strawberries planted in old mop buckets, potatoes planted in a tyre, and herbs in grape dip tins.

It is important to use a good quality soil when planting in containers and also to replenish that soil each season as the plants will quickly consume the nutrients during their growth period. The other important thing is to monitor the water supply. Plants in pots dry out quicker than those grown in soil.

Q: It’s so sad when you have some beautiful healthy veggie seedlings one day and a row of eaten stems the next morning. What are your top tips for keeping your veggie plants healthy as they grow?

My top tips are: 1. Never throw out your eggshells again.

Keep all of your egg shells from cooking and as they build up allow them to dry in the sun until they are brittle then crush them up finely. Use these shells to scatter thickly around the base of new plants.

They will keep snails and slugs at bay - these are the main problem for newly planted seedlings. Coffee also works in the same way. Other things that work include laying copper tape around the planting area, finely crushed nut shells or a saucer of beer placed near the plants.

2. Consider using a cloche, especially in the cooler months of the year - this is a cover that can be placed over the top of new plants to protect them from pests and also from extreme weather. You can make your own by cutting the base out of a yoghurt tub, or a plastic milk bottle and placing it over the top of the plant.

3. Protect from winter caterpillars by covering your plants with a fine mesh. This is the only real method for preventing the white cabbage moth from laying its eggs on the leaves of the plant.

4. Healthy plants are less prone to attack.

Water your plants with a seaweed solution and ensure your soil is well fed with compost.

5. Check your plants often for signs of attack or distress and act fast if you notice any issues.

6. A water spray bottle with a few crushed garlic cloves and a red chilli sprayed on plants can help keep bugs at bay but test a little first as young or fragile plants can be burnt by the chilli 7. Plant flowers such as marigold, zinnia, sage, and borage around your vegetables to help attract beneficial bugs and also bees. A good bee population will mean bountiful harvests for you as they pollinate your vegetables.

Q: What was your ‘one thing’ that you grew first and what inspired you to keep going?

The first thing I grew was salad greens.

Beginning with a small garden and experiencing the flavour explosion of our own tomatoes and herbs inspired me to expand our garden. From salad greens I now grow enough to make our own tomato sauce, chutney and relishes and other pantry staples that last beyond the season in the garden.

I don’t enjoy taking my children to the shops for groceries so I love being able to simply go out the back door to the garden to grab what I need to add to dinner. Our garden is now a great size and feeds our family through the summer months, saving us more around $250 month in fresh food that I can collect from the backyard rather than the shops.

Q: How do you get kids excited about growing and eating their own veggies?

I have found that if I allocate certain plants for my children to care for they are very attentive, watching the plant grow and develop. You can teach them about the phases of growth and what colour and size it will be, or what signs to look for when it is ready to pick so that by the time it is ready they have watched it, touched it, smelt it and are very excited about harvesting it and trying it. If it is a new vegetable it is fun to get the kids to come up with some ideas of how you may cook or use it in the meal.

The best tip I can give though for involving the kids is to make it fun. Let them get wet, dirty and involved. Let them opt in and out of an activity if they want to do so and do garden activities in short bursts of time so that it is not an onerous task for them (or you!)

Q: Okay, for those of us who’ve got the grow your own bug, what should we be planting now in our veggie gardens?

Autumn is a great time to be planting rocket, coriander, fennel and carrot, peas, spinach and also lettuce and beetroot which you can keep growing pretty much all year round. Just be mindful that at the start of the season while it is still warm you need to make sure that the soil of your newly planted seeds or seedlings does not dry out. http://afreshlegacy.net Facebook: AFreshLegacy Instagram: kyrstie_afl

65 Ruby Autumn

66 Ruby Autumn

RUBY BOOK CLUB FIX YOU Carrie Elks If you’re looking for a little romance in your reading list, perhaps this self-published sensation might be just the fix you need.

It’s nearing midnight at the turn of the millennium. At a New Year’s Eve party in London, the beautiful and self-assured Hanna meets Richard, a gorgeous and wealthy New Yorker. Clean cut American men are not her thing, so she tells herself. But the attraction is unmistakable, and clearly mutual, and as the clocks chime midnight a new romance begins.

THE SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR

Helen Simonson It’s the end of an idyllic summer in East Sussex in 1914 and Hugh Grange, down from his medical studies, is visiting his Aunt Agatha in the pretty coastal town of Rye. Casting aside the recent sabre rattling over the Balkans, Agatha has more immediate concerns; she has just risked her carefully built reputation by pushing for the appointment of a woman to replace the Latin master.

When Beatrice Nash arrives, it is clear she is significantly more free thinking—and attractive— than anyone believes a Latin teacher should be. For her part, mourning the death of her beloved father who has left her penniless, Beatrice simply wants to be left alone to pursue her teaching and writing.

But just as Beatrice comes alive to the beauty of the Sussex landscape, and the colourful characters that populate Rye, the perfect summer is about to end. For despite Agatha’s reassurances, the unimaginable is coming. Soon, everything will be tested as this small Sussex town and its inhabitants go to war.

Helen Simonson knows how to gently meander through a story, slowing the pace and upping the joy as her characters weft towards the climax of the story. From the author of Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand comes another delight of words and wisdom.

Twelve years later, in New York, Hanna walks into Richard’s Wall Street office. But this isn’t the same Hanna he shared those millennial midnight kisses with, this woman he thought he would spend the rest of his life with. This is the woman that broke his heart – shattered it, in fact. But now she’s back, with an explosive secret that changes almost everything. Can Richard find a way to remake his dreams, to let Hanna mend what she broke? A warm and witty modern romance.

YASSMIN’S STORY - Yassmin Abdel-Magied Arguments are fruitless ways to change cultural perceptions, misconceptions and prejudices. It is people, and their stories, that change the world. Frank, fearless, funny, articulate and inspiring, Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a bracing breath of fresh air as Australia struggles to understand Islam and particularly muslim women.

At 21, Yassmin found herself working on a remote Australian oil and gas rig; she was the only woman and certainly the only Sudanese-Egyptian-Australian background Muslim woman. With her hijab quickly christened a ‘tea cosy’ there could not be a more unlikely place on earth for a young Muslim woman to want to be. In Yassmin’s Story, she tells the tale of how she got there, where she is going, and how she wants the world to change.

Born in the Sudan, Yassmin and her parents moved to Brisbane when she was two, and she has been tackling barriers ever since.

At 16 she founded Youth Without Borders, an organisation focused on helping young people to work for positive change in their communities. In 2007 she was named Young Australian Muslim of the Year and in 2010 Young Queenslander of the Year. In 2011 Yassmin graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and in 2012 she was named Young Leader of the Year in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac’s inaugural 100 Women of Influence Awards as well as an InStyle cultural leader and a Marie Claire woman of the future. Yassmin has now been awarded Youth of the Year in the Australian Muslim Achievement Awards. But more than any awards, Yassmin is an Australian woman with a driving hope that, with a bit of humour and humanity, we can all move beyond the prejudices of the past.

THE MIDNIGHT WATCH - David Dyer As the Titanic was sinking slowly into the dark and deadly cold ocean, she could see the lights of another ship on the horizon. She called for help by Morse lamp and the new Marconi telegraph machine, but there was no response. Just after midnight the Titanic began firing distress rockets. The other ship, the Californian, saw these rockets but didn’t come. Why not?

When the story of the disaster begins to emerge, it’s a question that Boston American reporter John Steadman cannot let go. As soon as he lays eyes on the Californian’s captain and second officer, he knows a story lurks behind their version of events. Haunted by the fifteen hundred who went to their deaths in those icy waters, Steadman must either find redemption in the Titanic’s tragedy or lose himself.

Based on true events, The Midnight Watch is at once a heartstopping mystery and a deeply knowing novel – about the frailty of men, the strength of women, the capriciousness of fate and the price of loyalty.

67 Ruby Autumn