Secrets Magazine - Issue 50 - Summer 2017

ISSUE 50 SUMMER 2017 PRICELESS

15 Feb - 4 Mar 2017

SCOPE17 Visual Arts staff, Research Associates, Associate and Adjunct Professors

James Pasakos The Bridge, 2016 drypoint courtesy the artist

federation.edu.au/pogallery

Guirguis NEW ART PRIZE 25 MARCH — 14 MAY 2017

Come and see the work of Australia’s best contemporary artists in Ballarat Post Office Gallery, Federation University Australia Art Gallery Of Ballarat

OPEN 10AM - 5PM DAILY

federation.edu.au/gnap

Cover ASQ Skydancers

By Anthony Webster - Imagine Pictures Bendigo imaginepictures.com.au

CONTENTS 5

The Wisdom Of The Barefoot Investor

22

Winds Of Change

6

Post Office Gallery

23

Future-Proofed Living

7

The Rabbits Have It

24

From Italy To Daylesford

8

Shannon’S Bridge

26

Secrets Womens Expo

12

A Cider Trail To Savour

27

A Couple Of Dynamic Women

15

Showcasing Castlemaine

16

This Is Definitely A Platform To Visit

REGULARS

17

A Victorian Premier Event

10

Town On A Plate

18

Tribe Of Creators

36

Summer Astrology

19

Simply Delightful!

21

Include A Trip To Maldon When You Visit Castlemaine

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND PINTEREST 3

FROM THE EDITOR I’ve been on this planet for a long time and it never fails to amaze me that when we get to this time of the year, it comes as a bit of a shock. It can’t possibly be 12 months since our last summer issue. 2016 has been a year to remember, not all good, not all bad. We have lost some good people along the way, both personally and on the world stage.

We endured yet another Federal election and were compelled to be immersed in the American Presidential election with so many of us incredulous at the result – it’s sure to be a very interesting four years. There were incredible moments, not the least of which was my much beloved Western Bulldogs winning the AFL Premiership. I will be forever grateful to my son for managing to buy tickets so he and I could share one of the best days I can remember. Throughout the year we have met amazing and inspiring people who have shared their stories. For us, it has been a year of changes, restructure, reflection and planning for the upcoming year when we will present our first Secrets Women’s Expo in March, plus some other interesting things in the pipeline.

In this issue I believe we have cobbled together some pretty good reading, including speaking with Scott Pape, well known writer and broadcaster of financial matters who has just released his new book. We also met Jeremy and Belinda McKnight whose daughter Shannon lost her long battle with leukaemia, but who has left an amazing legacy of Shannon’s Bridge, a programme to fund the making and distribution of personal palliative care kits. A couple of articles about sustainability may have you thinking. Amelia James has written about some new initiatives implemented at a community level giving people choices and Matthew Turner has penned a piece about sustainable living in the future with his article on Future Proof Living.

We’re looking forward to taking a couple of weeks off to take a deep breath and gear up to be back into it again for a very exciting 2017.

Until then have a very safe, healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.

Cheers, Norma Morton

ISSUE 50 SUMMER 2017 Published by

Secrets Magazine ABN 35 535 679 949

Mailing Address Phone Email Web

PO Box 356 Creswick VIC 3363 03 5345 7260 info@secretsmagazine.com.au www.secretsmagazine.com.au

Editor Artwork & Layout Photography & Administration Contributors

Norma Morton Nick Morton, Kathy Lange Suzanne Cooke Lyndall McQuinn, Amelia James, Matthew Turner

All content in this publication is copyright and may not be re-produced in whole or in part in any form without prior permission of the publisher. Secrets will be distributed quarterly throughout Victoria and various tourism outlets.

Secrets is also available from cafes, restaurants, B&B’s, hotels and shops. All care is taken to ensure accuracy of articles and advertising, however the publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions and references are a guide only and not intended as a recommendation.

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THE WISDOM OF THE BAREFOOT INVESTOR Scott Pape is a well known and popular newspaper columnist writing regularly on finance matters in the Herald-Sun and syndicated around Australia through Fairfax Media. He regularly appears on television and radio. Twelve years ago, Scott wrote his first book, The Barefoot Investor, which was a practical guide for Australian families on how to achieve financial freedom. At that time, Scott was aiming at the twenty to thirtyyear-olds, but discovered that their parents were picking up the book and following his practical hints. Now he has just penned his second book, also titled The Barefoot Investor, targeting a broader spectrum of ages. Scott’s no nonsense attitude comes through clearly on each page, which can be described as a slap-in-the-face, kick-in-the-backside guide to financial freedom. Scott is adamant that it doesn’t happen overnight - you have to plant, then grow, then harvest, something he and his wife had to do after they lost everything in a devastating bushfire, with the only thing left standing was the tree they were married under. Scott writes in his book “With a million things to do, where would we even start?

Well, we chose to plant an apple tree. It wasn’t a short-term fix - after all, you don’t plant an

apple tree on a Saturday and come back on the Sunday asking “Where’s my freaking apples?” No, you just plant the bloody tree – and then you wait.”

Scott says his down to earth look at life comes from being a country boy – born in Ouyen, growing up in Bendigo, now living in the Macedon Ranges - this and his sense of humour come through his writing. Books on finance can often be a pretty dry read, but The Barefoot Investor is entertaining, thought provoking and inspiring. The Barefoot Investor was released in Australia on 1st December, 2016 – to learn more visit barefootinvestor.com

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POST OFFICE GALLERY The Post Office Gallery presents a broad range of exhibitions and associated events by local, national and international artists. The year will kick off with SCOPE17, which highlights the extraordinary skill of lecturers at Ballarat’s Arts Academy Camp Street campus.

Lou Hubbard Dead Still Standing, 2014

By now the cat will be out of the bag! FedUni’s Post Office Gallery will have a BIG year presenting the wonderful Guirguis New Art Prize (GNAP) in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ballarat, showcasing a Collection: Federation University Australia selection of important Australian Winner: Guirguis New Art Prize (GNAP) 2015 contemporary artists from across the nation working in diverse media including video, sculpture, installation, painting and sound. The Post GNAP showcases a selection of Australia’s Office Gallery will also host a core program in most exciting contemporary artists in Ballarat, the 2017 FOTO Biennale, with more exciting, Victoria, in association with the Art Gallery yet to be announced exhibitions to come. of Ballarat across the two Gallery sites. As an acquisitive award, the winning artist’s SCOPE17 work is acquired for FedUni’s Permanent Art WED 15 FEB – SAT 4 MAR 2017 Collection. Shelley Hinton, Curator, Post Office SCOPE, FedUni’s Arts Academy important Gallery said, “GNAP17 will be as exciting as the annual exhibition showcases an inspired two exhibitions in 2013 and 2015 in new and and rich mix of accomplished work by visual exciting ways. The works may be challenging arts staff, research associates and associate and question traditional views of what art may and adjunct professors and highlights their be perceived as being and in some cases ongoing commitment to a sustained, rigorous be repellent for the visitor, but there is no art practice. While the exhibition offers an doubt the works will offer a sense of wonder opportunity for staff to present their more and intrigue - created by nationally and recent work, which extend and reflect notions internationally acclaimed artists who’s work is of contemporary art, new and returning visual highly inspired and well considered in a broad arts students are able to view work created range of styles and media.” The two previous by key visual arts lecturers in ceramics, winners are; Ash Keating for his poetic 3 painting, photography, design, drawing and channel video, West Park Proposition, 2012 printmaking. and Lou Hubbard for her installation, Dead Still Standing, 2014. A range of artists’ talks, GUIRGUIS NEW ART PRIZE seminars and workshops will be presented (GNAP) 2017 throughout GNAP17.

SAT 25 MAR – SUN 14 MAY 2017 Following the successful GNAP13 & GNAP15, GNAP17 will wow audiences with extraordinary works of art in this prestigious $20,000 national, acquisitive, biennial, contemporary art prize, administered by Federation University Australia (FedUni)’s Arts Academy, generously supported by local Ballarat surgeon and philanthropist Mr Mark Guirguis.

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Keep in touch and be the first to hear about GNAP artists and the Gallery’s changing program of temporary exhibitions on the Post Office Gallery’s website federation.edu.au or go online to ‘subscribe’ to receive invitations and alerts to Post Office Gallery openings and events via their e-bulletin.

THE RABBITS HAVE IT Sitting appealingly in the window of a Creswick shop was a display of hand painted portraits, printed onto silk and linen cushions that were so curious, they invited the question of ‘who, what and why’. The portraits of individual rabbits in various poses are intriguing, not least because, whilst they are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter’s bunnies, they have an edginess far beyond the sweetness of Ms Potter’s creations. Speaking with the artist, Joanna Thomas it came to light that each character in the portraits is actually inspired for better or worse, by people from Joanna’s life. The portraits happened first, then Joanna decided that she could turn them into a craft with a view to selling them and has now extended her range to include bags and cards as well as producing custom portraits.

Meeting Joanna is like being hit by a force of nature, her enthusiasm for life and her exuberance soon becomes infectious, even more so when she tells of her journey in life. Looking younger than her fifty-three years, Joanna has been a flight attendant, a kinesiologist and spiritual healer, survived advanced cancer and a marriage breakdown, then as a single mother moved from Mansfield

to Creswick for her daughter’s education.

Joanna says the move was one of the best things she has ever done, for both her and her daughter. Her rabbit paintings were suggested by her daughter and it was a friend who suggested that she recreate her paintings onto cushions using a cache of kimono silks. Her range is organic and develops with demand.

To find a stockist, or puchase a bunny, email Joanna at wortsong@gmail.com.

THE FARMER’S WIFE CLOTHING HOME WARES

49 albert st I creswick I 03 5345 1180 I www.thefarmerswife.co I tue to sat 10-4pm

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SHANNON’S BRIDGE Shannon McKnight was a 19-year-old girl who passed away in March this year after a two year battle with leukaemia. Shannon was able to spend her last days at home with her family due to the Palliative Care Support provided by Dr. Claire Hepper and Dr. Alison O’Neill of the Creswick Medical Centre. Living near Talbot in rural Victoria, Palliative care coverage was limited and available only during business hours with no provision for emergency care after hours. While at home, Shannon experienced a bleed into her spine, which was agonizing for her. When the ambulance that was called didn’t arrive, the McKnights contacted Dr. Hepper, who visited Shannon, administering medication to alleviate the pain. Dr. Hepper left a pack of preventative medications for emergency symptom control that proved to be vital over the next few days.

The packs have become known as Shannon’s Pack, from which a not-for-profit organization, Shannon’s Bridge has evolved.

when she was diagnosed. What followed was a series of trials, which required Jeremy and Shannon to live in Sydney for awhile, ongoing treatments and endless periods in hospitals at a time when a young girl would normally be out and about having fun and doing what teenagers do. Shannon had a spirit that defied self pity. Jeremy and Belinda tell of how their daughter’s first concern was always for others – she worried about overworking the nurses and would often refuse assistance when offered because she felt the nursing staff had done enough for the day. Belinda said “not once did Shannon ever say ‘why me’”.

So who was Shannon? We met Shannon’s parents, Jeremy and Belinda McKnight and learned a little about her and the exceptional young woman she was and about Jeremy and Belinda’s journey with their daughter.

Shannon was just about to enter university

Palliative care funding is very limited and resources outside larger centres are restricted.

Shannon’s pack allows families to have their loved ones at home. The packs contain the basic medications, syringes and equipment along with detailed instructions on usage.

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They also tell of how beneficial the pack was in an unexpected way. Shannon wanted to go to Clunes to have a cup of tea - just to do something normal again. Because they had the pack with them, Shannon and her parents were confident that if they faced a crisis, they were well equipped to deal with it.

They are essential to patients and families to quickly limit the amount of pain and anxiety that many palliative care patients have, especially after hours when support services are extremely limited. Each pack costs $470 and Shannon’s Bridge has been set up to raise funds for the packs. But, Shannon’s Bridge does more than raise money, it helps connect patients and existing palliative care services and supports. These include training and coordinating volunteers in many areas, even the simple acts of shopping, collecting medications, light gardening and housework or even walking the dog, can help in making an extremely challenging time, a little easier.

Donations can be made to Ballarat Hospice Care Inc. www.ballarathospicecare.org.au/ make-a-donation (remember to state the donation is for Shannon’s Pack). Alternatively go to gofundme.com/2825bdje. For more details about Shannon’s Bridge email: claire.hepper@creswickmedical.com.au

Allendale Nursery Hooked on Herbs Specializing in Herbs & Vegetable seedlings.

All ornamentals reduced to clear.

4141 Creswick-Newstead Road Allendale

ALPACA PASSION

Phone 0411 551 550 allendalenursery@gmail.com Find us on Facebook Catch me at the following markets:

72 Vincent Street, Daylesford | P 03 5348 1177 www.alpacapassion.com

1st Saturday of the month 1st Sunday of the month 2nd Saturday of the month 2nd Sunday of the month 3rd Saturday of the month 3rd Sunday of the month

Woodend Farmers Market Gisborne Olde Time Market Kyneton Farmers Market Maldon Market Creswick Market Talbot Farmers Market

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TOWN ON A PLATE: PERFECT DROP Hugh Maxwell, Executive Chef at Daylesford’s Perfect Drop and the Farmer’s Arms Creswick says that he and his brother, grew up under a kitchen bench. Hugh’s parents, Robyn and Rodney Davies are well known in the region for their culinary expertise, but Hugh smiles when he says “they certainly didn’t want me to become a chef and sent me to a private school hoping I would do something else”, adding “I fell in love with food at sixteen, so they couldn’t keep me away”. This may be the start of a dynasty as Hugh’s five-year-old daughter Evie loves cooking especially dumplings, sushi and rice paper rolls that she makes herself.

She even has her own special apron.

Hugh ensures that the food at both Perfect Drop and the Farmer’s Arms Creswick is sourced within a 50km radius with their own qualified butcher who also creates all smallgoods and anything for the ‘nose to tail’ concept. Hugh and his staff regularly forage for flowers and garnishes, either wild picked or from their own gardens, this he says is the fun part, giving them all a break from the kitchen.

FARMER’S ARMS HOTEL CRESWICK Pub, dining, music.

Nose to tail/in-house butchery.

Live music weekends.

Open 7 days.

Albert St. Creswick – 5345 2221 www.farmersarmscreswick.com

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PERFECT DROP Daylesford’s boutique Restaurant and Wine Bar. Fine dining, local, organic & seasonal produce.

Howe St. Daylesford 03 5348 1100 www.theperfectdrop.com

Mon/Tue 4pm till late Fri to Sun noon till late

TUKI LAMB LOIN, ROLLED LAMB BELLY, SPRING VEGETABLES, BLACK GARLIC & LEMON GEL PEA PUREE

LAMB CARAMEL

2 cups fresh peas – blanch & refresh

500ml lamb stock

1 small onion

100ml each of port, sherry and red wine (300ml in total)

1 clove garlic.

Sweat down, add 100g butter melted, 100g cream Pass through fine sieve.

BLACK GARLIC PUREE Blend 50g black garlic with 25ml olive oil

LEMON GEL

Reduce until almost burnt add 100ml cream to caramelise.

OTHER ELEMENTS Fresh broad beans and edible flowers Pomegranate molasses & seeds Sweet pea flowers Asparagus

Juice of 4 lemons 100ml strained ¼ tsp agar agar Heat add agar agar, pass through Gracelemon Kelly juice, Exhibition sieve and cool.

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A CIDER TRAIL TO SAVOUR If you love cider and who doesn’t, you will appreciate the fair dinkum, home grown product made from fair dinkum, home grown apples. With the growing popularity of ciders there has been an explosion of cheap imported products and juice concentrate, so it is difficult to know where the ingredients come from, what the additives are and how much additional sugar is in the product. With the real thing growing in our own backyard, why would you not choose the local cider.

Depending on the direction from where you set off on your meander, start or finish at Daylesford Cider. Here you can kick back and enjoy your visit, summer or winter, either communing with nature on the manicured lawns or cosying up in the English style tavern with the roaring wood fire. Dine on locally grown produce used in the seasonal menu and of course, completely immerse yourself in tasting the still and sparkling ciders.

Next on your trip, you will need to head toward Castlemaine to the tiny town of Harcourt, the apple producing heartland of Australia. Here you’ll find Henry of Harcourt and owner, operator Drew Henry. Drew has almost certainly forgotten more about apples and cider than most of us will ever know and he is in his element when he is talking about cider – the real cider made locally, or the less real imported “alcopop” flooding the market.

Creating good cider is akin to developing a fine vintage wine – the same expertise,

Daylesford Cidery

dedication and love for the product has to be in the maker’s DNA. Obviously Drew’s DNA hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Close by at Barkers Creek is Harcourt Perry and Apple Cider where Simon Frost and his team produce apple, pear and dry ciders along with fresh juice, sparkling juice and a range of cider vinegars. Like Drew Henry, Simon is also passionate about using only real Australian fruit and does not compromise on quality. The Frosts also run The Little Red Apple on the Midland Highway, where you can pick up the freshest of fresh fruit and vegetables and also taste the range of ciders.

Don’t try to skimp on time on this trail, there is too much to take in and you owe it to yourself to enjoy every minute.

HANDCRAFTED IN DAYLESFORD, VICTORIA USING HERITAGE APPLES GROWN ORGANICALLY ON THE FARM. NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK MONDAY – FRIDAY 12PM TO 4PM SATURDAY, SUNDAY 11.30AM TO 5PM.

P: (03) 5348 2275 A: 155 Dairyflat Road, Musk VIC 3461

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W: daylesfordcider.com.au E: enquiries@daylesfordcider.com.au

DAYLESFORD CIDERY Five gongs at the recent Australia Cider Awards 2016 – 1 Gold and Best in Class, 1 silver and 3 bronze is not a bad achievement for a young couple who only took over Daylesford Cider less than two years ago.

Clare and Mackie grow all the apples used to make their ciders on their own property and are constantly experimenting to achieve the high quality range of still and sparkling ciders that they are proud to put their label on. Clare says “Craft cider is coming into it’s own and people are more aware of quality - we love educating people about craft ciders made from fresh juice”. Daylesford Cider is a great place to spend an afternoon. Set in a beautiful location just outside the town, the English style tavern and outdoor courtyard offer great choices, summer or winter, for enjoying a cider or three over a delicious meal, all made on site from fresh local ingredients.

Asked how they have found the past two years since they have been at Daylesford Cider, Clare said “When we started, being young and enthusiastic we thought we could do so much more in a year, but reality bites and its hard to find the time to experiment as much as we’d like, but it’s still exciting and we’re enjoying it.”

Daylesford Cider is open 7 days. For more go to www.daylesfordcider.com

HARCOURT PERRY & APPLE CIDER “Australia is awash with brands of cider made from cheap imported apple juice concentrate.

But in Harcourt we do things differently. We use apples; not only are they Australian apples but we grow them in Harcourt.

The Harcourt Valley, just 130km north of Melbourne, has been renowned for growing apples since the gold rush era of the 1850’s and we have been making cider here for decades, so we know what we are doing,” says Simon Frost, owner and producer.

Simon and his team at Harcourt Perry and Cider Makers use locally sourced Apples and Pears to make their range of 3 Ciders at their Cidery in Barkers Creek. Their Apple, Pear and Dry Ciders are all crisp and fresh with real flavour. They also make Fresh Juices, Sparkling Juices and a range of Cider Vinegars. Their attitude of no compromise

on quality and REAL Australian fruit definitely show in all their products. Simon and his team also run the Little Red Apple that has a huge range of local fruit and vegetables and where they welcome tastings of their ciders.

The Little Red Apple is on the Midland Highway, Barkers Creek, Open 8am to 6pm Monday to Sat and Sundays 10am to 6 pm. www.harcourtcider.com.au 13

HENRY OF HARCOURT On your cider trail you have to include Henry of Harcourt Cidery. Drew Henry is an award winning cider maker whose knowledge in cider making is exceptional and unsurpassed.

From his own orchards, where he grows the apples that are used to make his premium, multiple award winning cider Kingston Black ’13, Drew is the penultimate maker – growing, processing, bottling and selling his delicious brew. Speaking about his ciders, Drew said: “Many ciders are made from apples, which are sold in supermarkets, but good quality cider comes from the right apples” adding “Cider apples are very unpleasant to eat because of the tannin, which makes them bitter, but these are the components that give the colour and the flavour. Kingston Black ’13 has a good dark colour, has complex characteristics and goes well with food, just like a good wine”.

Achieving this with Kingston Black ’13 isn’t

easy. Drew said “The Kingston Black is a difficult apple and a devil of a thing to grow.

It’s small and grows in a funny way on the tree, but the results are well worth the effort”.

Drew Henry loves to educate people about cider and can talk for hours about it’s long history. Drew and his wife Irene came to cider making when they bought an orchard and started to learn about the apple industry. They expanded their orchard to where they now grow forty different varieties of apples. Henry of Harcourt is open for tastings and sales Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 10am.

For more information, visit www.henrycider.com.

Producing blended and single varietal ciders – “Ciders for Grown Ups” from the Apple Centre of Victoria – Harcourt.

Cider farm open Mon to Sat 9am – 5pm and Sun 10 – 5 for tastings of ciders and perry.

Tours available.

HARCOURT P E R RY & C i d e r M A K E R S Real Cider f ro m R E A L Au s t r a l i a n F ru i t

219 Reservoir Road, Harcourt phone: (03) 5474 2177 or 0427 217 701 email: ddhenry@bigpond.net.au

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Little Red Apple 8795 Midland H/way Barkers Creek.

Open Monday - Saturday 8am - 6pm, Sunday 10am - 6pm

Phone 54742483 www.harcourtcider.com.au

SHOWCASING CASTLEMAINE The forecast is for a long, hot and dry summer. Combine that with the long holiday break and the question is ‘what do we do’.

Here’s a suggestion. Bundle the kids, mum and dad, grandma and grandpa and old Mr. Whoziwhatsit who lives down the street and head to Castlemaine. It’s not far to travel no matter where you live, it is after all the centre of Victoria. Yes, it draws on its gold history and beautiful historic architecture and there are amazing sites around that you can ramble and explore, but there is more, so much more to do in this town. Food, wine, cider, organic meats, fruits and vegetables, cheeses, its all there to either consume on your trip or to take home – did we mention the coffee? Castlemaine also boasts one of the best regional Art Galleries that has as its point of difference the fact that it only exhibits Australian artworks, with Buda Historic Home and Garden and the Theatre Royal, the oldest surviving cinema in Australia iconic landmarks. This is a town that positively abounds with artists, around 400 in fact who work and exhibit in the region. If you time your trip carefully, you can catch the monthly farmers market and artist’s market and a visit to Castlemaine is not complete without

a visit to The Mill. This is the old Castlemaine Woollen Mill, built in 1875, which has been transformed into a place for food and artisan manufacturing. Just out of town is the stunning butterfly house at ASQ Skydancers garden and café and a bit further along the road is Harcourt - think apples, think Harcourt.

Castlemaine is a destination to be explored at any time, but during summer, it is stunning.

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THIS IS DEFINITELY A PLATFORM TO VISIT One of the “new kids on the block” is Platform No5 that has taken up residence at The Mill in Castlemaine. This place is an eclectic mix of vintage industrial furniture and homewares that opened in May, 2016. Platform No5 is the brainchild of Antun Davcik who has been collecting since he was only thirteen years old influenced by his father, a traditional upholsterer and antique restorer. Now in his mid thirties Antun has been a landscaper and was in mining and mechanics, but has now settled into what he really wants to do. He chose his current location at The Mill because when he first saw the place, he had a feeling that it was going to turn into something really good. Antun says “There is a lot of interest in vintage industrial, which is very popular

with people between the ages of 20 and 50 years.” Adding “As long as they can see that the piece they like has a function at home, they’ll buy it”. Although Platform No5 is fairly new, asked where he saw it being in five years’ time, Antun said “I haven’t thought that far yet, but I hope it flourishes and becomes a well known feature of Castlemaine” adding further, slightly tongue in cheek, “I would like to be the drawcard for Australia to Castlemaine.” That wish is not beyond the realms of possibility as Antun learned from his father that through patience and creativity, you can achieve anything. There is a lot to see here, so allow time to wander around at your leisure.

Platform No5 is part of The Mill complex, 9 Walker Street, Castlemaine.

HANDMADE, UP-CYCLED AND VINTAGE INDUSTRIAL FURNITURE, LIGHTING AND HOMEWARES. Located at The Mill Castlemaine.

1-9 Walker st. Castlemaine.

0417 870 767. Platformno5.com

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@platformno5 platform.no5

CASTLEMAINE STATE FESTIVAL – A VICTORIAN PREMIER EVENT Victoria has an abundance of festivals throughout the year and one of the most anticipated events every second year is the Castlemaine State Festival. This ten-day extravaganza of art, music, film, culture and fun is packed full of appealing events held in some of Australia’s finest gold rush venues. Drawing from a town that boasts an astounding artist population of over 400, many of whom will be involved in the festival and joined by over 50 international artists, bringing with them a treasure trove of cinema, dance, visual and performance art. The State Festival is embraced by the community with many organisations participating including schools, sporting groups, designers, heritage specialists and many more, making this Australia’s flagship regional art festival and one of the longest running.

Beginning in 1976, The Castlemaine State Festival is now in its 42nd year and shows no sign of slowing down. After eight years, Festival Director Martin Paten will deliver his final festival in 2017 and says that it will be different with the only rule of thumb being artistic quality, which he believes is absolutely guaranteed with the calibre of artists engaged.

There is too much to take in for just one day, so this is a perfect reason to enjoy some of the warm and friendly accommodation options in Castlemaine and take in the many attractions of this vibrant and fascinating town. The Castlemaine State Festival commences on 17th March, 2017 and runs through to the 26th March. For more details and the emerging programme, visit castlemainefestival.com.au or follow the festival on Facebook.

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TRIBE OF CREATORS Part of the joy of visiting a country town is discovering its unique, hidden treasures.

Visitors who happen across Tribe, in the creative “West End” of Castlemaine, are always delighted by what they find. From the friendly welcome of a local craftsperson behind the counter, to the delicious scent of aromatherapy-based skincare products that fills the rooms, Tribe is a nurturing experience of handmade loveliness. Showcasing 30 local makers, this delightful little vintage-inspired store promises a relaxed, ‘slow-shopping’ experience as you explore a diverse and everchanging array of handcrafted treasures. Oneoff pieces of jewellery and clothing, unique textural homewares, craft materials to inspire your own creativity and a selection of precious natural playthings to make you wish you were a child again. Join their mailing list to find out about creative workshops throughout the year.

A beautifully c u r a t e d collection of locally made artisan wares alongside natural, crafty bits & bobs to i n s p i r e creativity.

Make time to discover this slow shopping experience, a treat for the senses in a gorgeous rustic vintage setting.

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Open from 10am Tuesday to Saturday, 227 Barker St (just up from the train station), Tribe is a must-do on your next visit to historic and creative Castlemaine.

Open 7 days a week | Butterfly Garden

Tribe...the perfect gift & so much more.

227 Barker St Castlemaine Open from 10am Tues to Sat

www.tribecastlemaine.com.au

SIMPLY DELIGHTFUL! If you find yourself enjoying a relaxing stay in the heart of Central Victoria, then make sure you include ASQ Garden & Landscape in Harcourt on your list of ‘things to do’.

Set back amongst the trees just off the highway between Castlemaine and Harcourt, you will find a gorgeous nursery that boasts a fully licenced café, a butterfly garden and a unique range of giftware and homeware throughout.

The butterfly garden can be found within the nursery and is home to an array of beautiful butterflies from October through until May – so summer is the perfect time to visit! Enjoy watching them dance amongst the blooms, and discover what you can plant in your own garden to attract butterflies at home. Entry into the butterfly garden is free and you are encouraged to bring your camera.

Within the nursery there is an abundance of plants, pots, garden furniture and a stroll through the nursery’s gardens is a lovely relaxing way to spend your time!

Within the nursery, you will find Skydancers Café, with a menu to suit all tastes! It is fully licenced, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and there is also a small playground for the kids. The café offers an extensive breakfast menu ranging from something light right through to the hearty Breakfast Banquet! Or why not make an afternoon of it and choose from the wide range of delicious lunch options, local wines and ciders. It really

is the perfect place to sit back, relax and take some time out, all whilst enjoying the beautiful surrounds.

The giftware throughout is exquisite and offers a wide range of products from candles, soaps and jewellery through to wall art and homewares. There are even a few clothing racks amongst the wares! There’s something to suit all styles and budgets, and even the kids are catered for!

There is ample free parking, indoor and outdoor dining and even a playground for the kids. So while you’re visiting the Goldfields region in Central Victoria and exploring all it has to offer, ASQ Garden & Landscape is certainly a place to add to your list!

“Learning for life, from life and throughout life.”

Nurturing children from Playgroup to Class 8 Cnr Rilens Rd and Pyrenees Highway, Muckleford 03 5479 2000 enquiries@castlemainesteinerschool.com.au www.castlemainesteinerschool.com.au

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A Touch of Class Step back in time to an era of elegance and decadence, into the Golden Age of rail travel, when the journey was just as important as the destination Our first class carriages offer a unique rail experience complete with cosy compartments, open lounges and fully equipped bar. Enjoy a drink or snack served by our Stewards, while you simply sit back and relax. Ride on the observation platform on our parlour car, let the world drift by as you leave behind the hum-drum of modern life and experience a taste of true decadence during your leisurely journey.

The Authentic Steam Railway Linking Castlemaine and Maldon Trains run on Sundays and Wednesdays as well as selected Saturdays and public holidays throughout the year.

www.VGR.com.au info@vgr.com.au

MALDON FUDGE & ICE CREAMERY

Exc ALL lud FAB ing LineRIC $ ns & 15p/ Quil m tba cks

The Village Patch Over 3000 fabrics in stock, kits, locally handmade quilts, gifts, threads and books.

Machine quilting service also available.

Photo courtesy of Bendigo Regional Tourism

Freshly made on premises using all natural ingredients.

22 High Street, Maldon Open Wednesday to Sunday 11 - 5pm

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49 High Street, Maldon – 03 5475 2391 email enquiries@villagepatch.com.au Open 6 days, Wed–Mon 10am–5pm Secure online store www.villagepatch.com.au

INCLUDE A TRIP TO MALDON WHEN YOU VISIT CASTLEMAINE You can’t spend time in Castlemaine without nipping down the road to Maldon. There is so much to do in this historic town, you really need more than one day in which to do it, but it’s always easy to make regular visits.

Accommodation isn’t a problem with a variety of cottages and b&bs providing all you need for a delightful place to stay. Retail therapy is well catered for and you will find shops that will satisfy every taste – from the wistful joy at Vanilla Spice Christmas Shop, the variety of a huge range of fabric and design at The Village Patch and of course, the best ice cream ever from Maldon Fudge and Ice Creamery – all made by hand in house.

On the second Sunday of each month, you’ll find the Maldon Market, which is a combined farmers and makers market, promoting regional produce and crafts and on the weekend of 18th and 19th February, 2017, the eighth Maldon Antiques and Collectables Fair will be held at the Maldon Oval. This event has grown enormously since its first showing and is now seen as an annual ‘must do’.

One of the best and most nostalgic attractions of Maldon and Castlemaine is the Victorian Goldfields Railway. Staffed totally by volunteers, who not only run the train, but lovingly restore and care for them. It’s worth checking their website for running times and special events www.vgr.com.au.

Vanilla Spice

For all things Christmas and more!

Open all year round Wednesday to Sunday and most public holidays. Online shopping and laybys welcome. www.vanillaspice.com.au

Wicked Temptations Café / Wine Bar Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Gourmet Coffee & Cakes Open Wednesday to Sunday

Royal Hotel Complex - 18 High Street Maldon

www.wickedtemptations.net.au

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By Amelia James

WINDS OF CHANGE While healthy lifestyles are definitely a draw card of living in the beautiful Central Highlands, the reality of small town living can paradoxically mean that sustainable choices are not always an easy option. Perhaps that’s why it’s exciting to see new initiatives implemented at a community level that are making a difference!

The most immediately impressive is Newstead’s intention to transition to completely renewable energy by 2021 and to this end they have struck an agreement that sees them working hand in hand with their energy provider. It’s a clever arrangement where energy generated from locally based renewable sources is distributed for local use via the existing grid system. Having such an arrangement means that renewable energy is always available, even when the sun isn’t, and provides incentive for the provider to make the new model financially viable. It’s definitely a win-win situation, with customers able to generate and benefit from renewable energy in a relatively economical way that couldn’t be achieved individually.

In Creswick a new group based on the international transition towns model has been watching Newstead with interest. Although early days for Transition Creswick their focus on community resilience and sustainability have already seen positive changes. Regular social evenings and film nights have got people talking - about everything from food waste and renewable power to how to meet your neighbour. A monthly swap meet has begun and an initiative to make Creswick plastic bag free has fostered sewing workshops to make 1000 re-usable bags.

There’s also a wholefoods collective in town where members can share the benefits of bulk purchasing and it seems that Creswick is really in the swing of implementing sustainable solutions.

In Ballarat the Food is Free Laneway is yet another example that has really caught on.

In 2014 local resident Lou Ridsdale was inspired by a project by the same name in

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Austin, Texas and decided to share her surplus garden produce in the lane beside her house.

She was excited when her first free offerings disappeared but had no idea that it would take off in such a big way. Within weeks she found that others were contributing their own excess produce to share, and before long the project had inspired people across Australia to do the same. The Food is Free Laneway facebook page now has over 12,000 followers and the initiative is so successful that a team of volounteers work a roster to keep the whole operation running. Even the council are on board, offering additional space for the group to expand in an adjacent park.

It’s inspiring to hear about the real and permanent changes that can happen when communities band together, with positive benefits and outcomes – that’s got to be good for everyone.

By Matt Turner - Enduring Domain Building Design

FUTURE-PROOFED LIVING When I was a kid growing up in the 80’s the notion of ‘The Great Australian Dream’ was very different to what it is now. The dream used to be to own one house that you lived in with your family and you stayed there long term. There was a big backyard and room to play cricket, and you loved your home.

Since then the dream for many has been to accumulate investment properties and to subdivide the backyard cricket pitch in order to develop what are not so affectionately known as ‘dog boxes’, intended for other humans to rent from you.

Simultaneously, owner occupiers are building ever increasingly large homes for themselves despite the fact that the average household size has been decreasing. The property market would have you believe that you will have difficulty selling your home if it has anything less than four bedrooms and three bathrooms. When designing and building a new home we seem to worry so much about what future owners might want rather than just designing for our own needs.

The good news is that there is an emerging generation of aspirational property owners who desire a new kind of Great Australian Dream. This dream is to create a more self-sufficient and low environmental impact lifestyle whereby their home is future-proofed

against rising utility costs and power blackouts, and that they have space for some small scale food production.

Instead of investing in cheap quality housing that will give us bigger capital gains when we sell, why not invest in well-designed passive solar buildings that are modestly sized, wellsealed and insulated, oriented to face the north and not just oriented to face the street, and have double glazing and solar panels with battery storage as standard. Owner occupying such a building will mean that with the savings made on operating costs, you will be able to pay off your mortgage quicker, and will be less likely to want to move from a home which is working for you. And if you do want to sell it or rent it out, you have left a legacy to the housing stock that will benefit generations with a year round comfortable home with low energy bills.

The biggest argument I always hear against doing this is the extra cost to build such homes. To which I say, continued complacency in our building standards are going to cost us all more in the long run through unnecessary heating and cooling bills, retrofitting costs once we realise our mistakes, and the impact on our health due to condensation, cold and toxic materials from standard industry practices.

Dedicated to creating inspired spaces by using appropriate materials, technology and strategies.

building design www.enduringdomain.com.au matt@enduringdomain.com.au

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FROM ITALY TO DAYLESFORD Renowned photographer Robert Marnika and his partner Simone left Italy to settle in Australia in 2015. After 12 months in Melbourne, Robert and Simone, moved again, this time to the iconic tourist town, Daylesford.

“It is wonderful here, so different to Italy.”

Robert said. “Although it was a surprise to find so little activity at night at first!”

When Robert and Simone announced to friends that they were moving to Australia, their friends couldn’t believe it. Robert had been a photographer for more than 25 years and is well-known for both his photography and his photographic workshops in Italy, Croatia and Spain.

“But you are made here. You have everything, why would you want to start again?” his friends asked. Good question. “Mostly, from a desire for adventure and a sense of curiosity.”

Robert responded, “We are happy, but it is hard because in terms of my photography I’m starting from scratch and no-one knows me or my work”.

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There is no shortage for photography lovers to learn about Robert’s work. He is a regular exhibitor and is doing photographic workshops in Melbourne and Daylesford. Course details can be found on Robert’s website www.robertmarnika.com. Or for the more adventurous photography and nature lover, Robert and Simone are organising a Summer Photography School Tour of the Canary Islands in July 2017.

A NEW DISTILLERY DESTINED FOR DAYLESFORD You may have seen them at festivals and fairs in Victoria and interstate or you may have visited Herbal Lore at their home in Daylesford, where the Old Butter Factory has been converted into a cellar door that would do justice to King Arthur’s Court.

However, the best way to remember the range of Herbal Lore’s liqueurs is to taste them. Roger McLean, owner and founder of Herbal Lore Liqueurs has more than 30 years’ experience in producing premium ports and liqueurs. Roger enjoys a reputation amongst connoisseurs as one of the country’s finest blenders. His Mt. Aitken Estates had the honour of presenting their distinctive range of ports and liqueurs to Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana on one of their visits to Australia. More recently, Roger hosted Chinese government officials Zuolin Li and Fehe Xue (pictured at right with Roger) from Zibo City, China who along with their interpreter, were very interested in how the liqueurs were blended.

The latest project for Roger is building a distillery at the Old Butter Factory where he

has already made the first batch of vodka and five trial batches of gin. Like all good things, full production and perfection take time, but as Roger says “We’re almost there, just waiting on a few loose ends to be tied up and then we’ll be launching the new range with a series of tasting events”. Herbal Lore also has a range of liqueur chocolates and other goodies. The cellar door is at 2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford – open 10am to 5pm Friday to Monday www.herballoreliqueurs.com

LANCEFIELD – A DIVERSE AND AUTHENTIC FARMERS MARKET The Lancefield Farmers Market has become known as one of the best and most consistent farmer’s markets in regional Victoria.

Commencing in 2003, the market has grown from around twenty stalls in its early days, and has stayed true to itself and is one of the most diverse authentic farmer’s markets in the region, attracting local producers to trade their farm and other associated food products.

Located in the picturesque town of Lancefield up to seventy stalls occupy the centre of the main street under a canopy of trees,

making this one of the prettiest markets to visit. Easily accessible from all directions, if you’re a local it’s a mornings shop, but it can be part of a great day out if coming from further afield. Remember the market is plastic bag free, so make sure you have your own bags, which you’ll need to carry all the yummy goodies . Held on the fourth Saturday of each month, or the third Saturday in December, this is one spot to put on your ‘must visit’ calendar. Visit www.facebook.com/ LancefieldandDistrictFarmersMarket

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SECRETS WOMENS EXPO Secrets Women’s Expo is a celebration of women. It will be an eclectic mix of exhibitors, inspirational speakers, workshops and entertainment. It will be two days of exploration, experience and fun. Be inspired, informed and excited.

Here are a few of the great exhibitors and speakers who will be presenting at the event.

Keep an eye on our website for more details: www.secretsmagazine.com.au/expo

ALPACA PASSION is a luxury fashion boutique in Daylesford, Victoria. Home to an enormous range of fine alpaca garments and homewares. Enjoy an exciting, pre-winter fashion parade at the Expo.

ASCEND PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Principal Noelene Gration consults groups and individuals on how to communicate in business and building your personal brand.

COSMIC COCOON Maureen Wilson has been a reflexologist for several years and loves teaching people about reflexology and how this modality can achieve excellent health benefits.

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JENNIFER KALIONIS Director Castlemaine Art Gallery will speak about her role as director of one of the most impressive art galleries in regional Victoria.

KERRY ANDERSON Business woman Kerry is dedicated to empowering others to embrace change and create new opportunities. Her new book “Entrepreneurship, It’s everybody’s business” is out now and she will speak and conduct a workshop to encourage today’s entrepeneurs.

PINK MUESLI Marita Valenzuela discovered the health benefits of beetroot and developed Pink Muesli to help lower her own elevated blood pressure to where she has been able to give up all medication.

SARAH GRANT is a jewellery designer and maker from the age of sixteen. As a small business owner, she knows the highs and lows of developing and running a business in a competitive field.

A COUPLE OF DYNAMIC WOMEN

KERRY ANDERSON will be presenting a workshop at the upcoming Secrets Women’s Expo titled “Can’t spell entrepreneur? Be one and hire someone that can! “ This down to earth and practical approach is indicative of how Kerry faces everything in life. Kerry speaks throughout Australia and Internationally, mentors business people, especially in regional and rural Australia, regularly writes a column for Inside Small Business, speaks on ABC Regional radio, is a blogger and a devoted grandmother, so practicality has to be part of Kerry’s DNA. It would be understandable to think that Kerry would be a formidable lady, however she is warm and open making conversation very easy. Kerry has just released her new book, her first, titled ‘Entrepreneurship – It’s everybody’s business’, which provides practical ideas to strengthen rural businesses and communities (there’s that word practical again). It is a very easy read, full of great tips and ideas and case studies that in themselves are very entertaining and inspiring. To learn more about Kerry and how to obtain her book, visit www.kerryanderson.com.au

MAUREEN WILSON completed a Diploma in Reflexology and recently a Diploma in Facial Reflexology, and has set up a home based business in Woodend. Maureen also practices Crystal Facial Massage, Energy Balance Massage, Auricular therapy (Ear Candling), Tarot Readings, Liquid Crystal Therapy and Schuessler Tissue Salts.

For more than 20 years Maureen has been passionate about Complimentary Health and to take it to the next level from just participating she has put it into practice. So what is Reflexology? It’s a holistic, non-invasive treatment that involves the application of pressure using soothing techniques that focuses on reflex points on the feet, hands and face, working on the theory that these reflex points correspond to organs and reflex points in other parts of the body. It can help to relieve stress and tension, improve nerve and blood supply, release energy blocks, help nature achieve balance in the body, counteract fatigue, soothe nervous anxiety and fear, bring about deep relaxation and boost the lymphatic function. Maureen will be running workshops and is an exhibitor at the Expo and will be available to speak personally to visitors at the event. For further information or to make a booking contact Maureen on 0427 355 525.

Studio 29, Newbridge 5438 7315 sarahgrant.com.au

Coral Pendant, Sterling Silver, on Hematite beads For unique handcrafted jewellery, Sarah can be found at The Castlemaine Artist’s market and Maldon market.

Every 4th Saturday of the month.

Enquiries: 0407 860 320 27

By Lyndall McQuinn

SUMMER ASTROLOGY CAPRICORN is a little lost in setting boundaries this summer. Having the deep conversations with people that could have been had many years ago make for clearer relating. Steamroller over the top tactics won’t work this time and probably you are tired of that anyway. Yes relationships are important and you are realising time builds good ones. The dark moon in Capricorn on Dec 29th opens the vaults wider. Mercury retrograde in your sign in December presses the point.

CANCER may feel like “the world is agin me.”; You in your small corner and them in theirs. Strange ground for you: but you need space and possibly may be working very hard as opportunities are too good to deny. This means not so much family focus as you would think over Christmas and maybe not the energy to step in and carry the family cheer. Your full moon on Jan 12 brings insights into the darker corners.

AQUARIUS what do you want?

This is the summer question. Warm holidays are a good option to ask it? Friendships and business partners may be worrisome and you may need to restructure some of these arrangements. Money flow is deceptive; maybe take the quiet time to study up on new business ideas.

The dark moon of January 28 is a time to make a fresh start.

LEO lazes in the sun, dreaming of copious new ideas around creating business over the next twelve months.

You can be original here as there is a grand fire trine for some Leos with Uranus in Aries and Saturn in Sagittarius. This means the crazy dreams can be structured into fact.

Good luck! Use your February 11 full moon to celebrate.

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PISCES has been overwhelmed for much of this year in fact and with the south node coming to join Neptune and Chiron still in your sign, all those pesky things from the past that are appearing so they can be swept away, are sinking the ship further. Mars will enter Pisces December 20; this may speed up the processes a little or at least bump up the energy supply.

There is an eclipse on the Pisces dark moon in February this may be the time to clear the past completely.

VIRGO feels like the energy has returned and the difficulties, mostly of others, not yours, are easing. If you reflect over 2016 you may realise that your path has been slow, but optimistic and developing; it’s only when you start amping up due to others’ plights that the chaos sets in. Use the summer break to prepare for your life to blossom in autumn.

ARIES is pooped, Uranian overload being stirred up by Jupiter across the wheel. Too much, too often, too fast and too unsupported; its becoming hard to distinguish fact from fiction. I suggest you stop and take a break.

You may find some lovely new folk wander in from across the wheel if you can just rest awhile to hear them.

There really are many opportunities if you give yourself a minute to intuit them.

LIBRA make hay whilst Jupiter rolls through Libra. Great times for you be it in opportunities or relationships and both together. I can feel the warmth of your smiles from the Universe. Let your business advisors explain how to structure the finances. Unexpected encounters can also bring in travel options. Soak it up. This is a time to do rather than explain. All things expand so be aware of what you are creating.

TAURUS maybe you could listen to the disquiet that niggles away at your unconscious. What is it that troubles you in your dreams? Be aware of friends from the past and the issues that you may have buried because of them. Take a minute to reflect on what you are trying to create and how the partnership with others’ may hinder your progress. Telling people what you really feel and listening to the reply may prove useful.

SAGITTARIUS is a little burdened.

Unused to heavy-duty responsibility and the possibilities these offer, places you in two minds. The toss up is between really knuckling down for an extended period of hard work and getting plans set up or roaming off with the new faces that have wandered into your life adding new ideas and beliefs.

Can you do both? Sure why not.

SCORPIO take the moment to tap into the creative you. You may feel an intense calling to do something that delights your ability to create.

Alternatively, the intuitive aspect of you is blown open so it is a time to follow your instincts. Maybe it is a time to realise skills, which you have held for a long time and never really noticed.

Financial issues can be re ordered at present so maybe it will free up your time.

Summer blessing for a happy Christmas and relaxed holidays.

Thought for summer: ‘Focus on the seeds you plant rather than looking for the goals you’ve achieved.’

Lyndall McQuinn

GEMINI is looking for new directions.

Some of the old ones are closing and possibly unresolved aspects of them are no longer needed. Your full moon in mid December is a great time to celebrate the moving on. Restlessness can send you looking for new minds to join with.

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UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS FOR BALLARAT ART GALLERY Saturday 3 December to Sunday 5 February BLACK MIST BURNT COUNTRY TESTING THE BOMB Maralinga and Australian Art This national touring exhibition of works by over thirty Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, which commemorates the little known story of the British atomic tests in Australia in the 1950s. It revisits the history of the atomic test program at Maralinga, Emu Field and Montebello Islands— the forced removal of Indigenous people, the devastation of country, the exposure of servicemen — and its ongoing legacies. It presents varied perspectives and creative approaches from post-WWII modernists to contemporary artists across the mediums of painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, new media and music, including works by Albert Tucker, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan, Ian Howard, Pam Debenham, Toni Robertson, Rosemary Laing and Susie Norrie among Aboriginal artists Jonathan Kumintjarra Brown, Judy Watson, Hilda Moodoo and Yvonne Edwards among others.

Gallery of Art, drawing on photographs from the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive, and is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. The exhibition will be supported by two important books of Ellis’s work – Decade and Decadent.

Saturday 10 December to Sunday 5 March BALLARAT NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION This well-regarded photographic exhibition attracts entries from photographers across the country and has been presented by the Art Gallery of Ballarat since 1997. For this year’s exhibition, exhibited prints have been selected for display from nearly 1000 images submitted by entrants from right across the country. The Ballarat National Photographic Competition is a project of the Ballarat Camera Club. It is approved by the Australian Photographic Society and is run in accordance with its recommended practices.

Saturday 17 December to Sunday 5 March

Saturday 3 December to Sunday 29 January THE RENNIE ELLIS SHOW For the iconic Australian photographer Rennie Ellis, the period from the 1970s to the 1990s was a great period of change — a world free of risk, of affordable inner city housing, of social protest, of disco and pub rock, of youth and exuberance. Ellis was a master of immersing himself in any scene, and photographing it in rich and frank detail, and is best remembered for his effervescent observations of Australia, including his now iconic book Life’s a beach.

This exhibition highlights some of his most defining images of Australian life from the period of Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser, Paul Keating and Bob Hawke; AC/DC and punk rock; cheap petrol and coconut oil; Hare Krishnas and Hookers and Deviates Balls. The Rennie Ellis Show is presented by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive along with Monash

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SIMON M-ROCK: THE HANGMAN’S GARDEN This series of drawings by Ballarat-based illustrator Simon Mroczkowski, known as M-Rock, shows twenty-six of his friends being killed off in alphabetical order. The drawings are inspired by Edward Gorey’s 1963 book The Gashlycrumb Tinies, which describes the demise of a series of unfortunate children, starting with ‘A is for Amy who fell down the stairs…’. For this series, M-Rock presents an individual verse about each of his characters, together with a drawing based on their demise. While each of the characters, from Arkansel Fawn through to Zulland Haas, meet with a grisly end at the hands of the artist, the morbid theme has been softened by infusing the drawings with beauty and elements of nature.

The Ultimate Liqueur Experience

Herbal Lore Liqueurs

Visit us on your next trip to Daylesford Complimentary tastings available The Old Butter Factory, Lot 2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford 0438 069 771 - www.herballoreliqueurs.com

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