Voice on Pako - May 2017

free monthly MAY 2017

CRAZY ABOUT COFFEE PAKO CAFE TAKES ON GEELONG’S BEST SEE PAGE 7

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YOUR voice With Mother’s Day coming up the Voice asked locals about their plans for the day. free monthly MAY 2017

CRAZY ABOUT COFFEE PAKO CAFE TAKES ON GEELONG’S BEST SEE PAGE 7

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Clara Therese Otis of 7 Origins delivers on the promise of a better brew in Pako’s bustling coffee scene.

Picture: LOUISA JONES Published monthly, covering Pakington Street and surrounds, Geelong West, Newtown

“

I’ll spend some time with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

We’re having lunch, hopefully somewhere down on the Bellarine.

– PENELOPE BUTLER, 37, GEELONG WEST

“

I’m going up the country to see my mother and my family. We always catch up for family gatherings on Mother’s Day.

“

I’ll be having the family over.

– BEV BENNING, 65, MANIFOLD HEIGHTS

– JENNY CUNNINGHAM, 72, LARA

Advertising and content executive: Emily Robinson 5249 6723 emily.robinson@geelongindependent. com.au General enquiries: 5249 6700 Managing editor: Tony Galpin 52496700

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voiceonpako.com.au Published by Geelong Independent Pty Ltd ACN 006 653 336. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Geelong Independent Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution numbers, areas and coverage are estimates only. For our terms and conditions please visit: www. starcommunity.com.au

“

I might take my mum out for breakfast at Rushbrooks - I love ’Rushies’.

– DANIEL ALLISON, 30, HAMYLIN HEIGHTS

“

I’ll be as good to my wife I as can be.

– STEWART FORBES, 64, WENSLEYDALE

“

I normally go round to my mum’s house and have lunch. I’ll probably get her some flowers.

– ARJ KERN, 31, GEELONG WEST

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LATEST on pako

New approach to tackle thefts

BY LUKE VOOGT GEELONG West retailers are battling a surge of burglaries and thefts, with one alleged thief sneaking into a staff room during working hours last week.

Geelong Fresh Foods offered a $500 reward for information on a man who brazenly walked into the store’s staffroom, allegedly stealing wallets and personal items.

Store owner Carmel Dawson said shoplifting “happens all the time” but this week’s theft was the first time items had been taken from her staffroom.

“When it’s in our staff room and they’re (stealing) our private property, that’s the next level. It makes us feel very unsafe.”

Ms Dawson said shoplifters stealing exotic items were a constant source of frustration.

“If it was something they needed for their family I could understand. If someone came in and stole some apples or potatoes I would be sympathetic.

“But when they come in and steal things that aren’t necessary - like truffle paste - it makes you angry.”

But a strategy that beat overnight store burglaries in Ocean Grove is on the way to Geelong West, police have revealed.

Police will first encourage Geelong West traders to close stores without leaving money

BRAZEN: An image from security footage of a man in Geelong Fresh Food’s staff room.

inside as burglary rates surge on Pakington Street.

Leaving money in-store was turning shops into targets for burglars, Geelong Senior Constable Andrew King said.

“I was talking to a retailer about it this morning. I think it’s a problem around all of Geelong.

“You can’t go leaving a day’s takings or a float in stores overnight because you’ll get offenders taking advantage of that.

“Every retail burglary I’ve been to, I’ve recommended

they don’t keep money on the premises.”

Sen Const King’s “no-cashon-premises” initiative would involve Geelong West stores displaying empty till inserts in streetfront windows.

Shop owners could also display signs stating that no cash was held on the property.

“That indicates to anyone with any illegal intentions that they’re wasting their time but if you don’t actually (remove the cash) the sign means nothing.”

The initiative would be a first for Geelong, Sen Const King said.

“Over time I’ll bring it in all over Geelong.”

The Ocean Grove Voice reported in June that police introduced the initiative after a burglary crimewave in the town’s centre.

“It was clearly seen as a soft target and we had to bring in something that would restrict easy access to cash,” Sen Const King said.

“It was quite successful.”

Bellarine police Sergeant Mick Knight confirmed a “dramatic reduction” in shop burglaries in Ocean Grove.

Sen Const King worked with the Ocean Grove Business Association to introduce the initiative and hoped to unite Geelong West store owners with their own traders’ group.

“They used to have one and for whatever reason it fell over.

“I have to, basically, go door to door or use resources such as the Indy to let traders know about issues that are happening in certain areas.”

Sen Const King urged anyone with information relating to the staff room theft to phone Geelong police on 5225 3100.

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BUSINESS on pako

Sun rises on digital marketing

BY EMILY ROBINSON Kochie is all about small business.

That’s why Channel 7’s Sunrise star has relocated KBB Digital to the heart of Pakington Street alongside local traders.

KBB Digital agency managing director Dave Chaffey says the previous Geelong CBD location could not support the overwhelming growth of the company.

“Our company has grown so quickly, we’re a team of 25 now,” Mr Chaffey says.

He says Pakington Street was quickly identified as a “booming” area in Geelong and was the preferred street for the business’s relocation.

“It has high speed internet, which is something the Geelong CBD doesn’t have.

“It’s also an easy commute and there are lots of trendy cafes around here.

“The staff have been trying a new café every day,” Mr Chaffey says.

Mr Chaffey created KBB Digital three years ago in collaboration with David Koch.

“We’re a digital marketing company - we work on behalf of other clients and run their marketing for them.

“We do web design, Google advertising and other forms of digital marketing.

“Kochie represents our brand - it’s all about small business.

KBB Digital has relocated to 216 Pakington Street.

Kochie hopes to visit KBB Digital's new Pako location within the next two weeks.

KBB Digital’s Dave Chaffey says the team are enjoying the new Pako location.

“We have his name and our own name on the line - Kochie being the front man, we’ve got him to answer to,” Mr Chaffey says.

Mr Chaffey says he and Kochie have a “great relationship”.

“He’s such a nice guy - how you see him on TV is how he is

in real life.

“Because he’s so busy with Sunrise commitments, I fly up to Sydney for weekly meetings.”

KBB Digital’s clients include Pako business Somewhere Great, Lambys, The Pier, Edge, Specsavers and Officeworks.

“Only 5 to 10 per cent of our business comes from

Geelong, with the rest spanning across Australia.”

KBB Digital’s new 216 Pakington Street home has been completely revamped.

“It’s an 1800s vintage building. We’ve kept things traditional but added crisp, white colours.”

Mr Chaffey says the

company’s expansion means great employment opportunities for local IT and marketing graduates.

“We prefer to recruit locally - 24 out of the 25 team members are all from Geelong.”

Kochie hopes to visit the new Pako location within the next two weeks.

“Pako is our home now,” Mr Chaffey says.

Time to pamper mum!

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ROCK OUT on pako

Sphinx set to rock the night Mr Meaner will perform two shows at the Sphinx Hotel.

BY EMILY ROBINSON Geelong’s newest cover band Mr Meaner will hit the Sphinx Hotel this Saturday night.

Just a short drive from Pako, the audience will experience the best of party rock, funk, alternative and classic rock music at the nightclub.

Band members include Jamie Stahl on guitar, Danny Meehan on drums and percussion, John Pirrotina on bass and Matthew Bird on guitar, with all members smashing out the vocals.

Lead singer Jamie says the band’s current line-up has been going “for just over a year now”.

“We came up with about 60 or 70 songs - we came up with a repertoire based on what everyone wanted.

“We have about four or five regular venues - the Sphinx has been one of our supports right from the start, we did one of our first gigs there,” Jamie says.

Music will include songs from the Black Keys, the Dandy Warhols, Paul Kelly, David Bowie, KC and the Sunshine Band, Daddy Cool, Stevie Wonder, Kenny Logins, Dragon, INXS, Hoodoo Gurus, just to name a few.

All band members grew up in the music industry, Jamie says.

“We were born into the business - I think I could play guitar before I could walk. I now work at Music Workshop in Geelong.

crowds flocking to the nightclub “knowing they’re going to have a great time.”

“The younger venues have DJs and the like, but the Sphinx has been very good for live entertainment.”

The four band members

created Mr Meaner around the idea to “put together a party band”.

“We’re four dudes - we have a lot of fun.

“We’re partying with the crowd and bouncing off what they’re doing.

“In some respects, it’s kind of like our weekend away where we can have fun as a group of guys as mates, we’re all family men with wives and children.”

Mr Meaner will play the Sphinx Hotel on Saturdays 29 April and 27 May.

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“My dad was formally trained, but it never gelled with me. I learned playing guitar through ear - we all play for the love of it.”

The Sphinx Hotel is renowned for its live entertainment shows, with

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GOOD TASTE on pako

Brothers know what’s brewing HIGHTON brothers and 7 Origins owners Bahaa and Wassim ‘Was’ Mohtar love the challenge of Pako’s coffee scene.

“You’re competing with some of the best places in Geelong so you have to know what you’re doing,” Was tells the Voice.

“But there’s always room for another good cafe.”

For Was there is only one way to stand out from the pack.

“We make a great coffee,” he says. “I like to try other (coffee) places all the time but I think our coffees stand above the rest.”

The brothers use a creamy and intense Forza blend with caramel and dark chocolate flavours, which makes it perfect for milk-based coffee.

“Bahaa’s a great barista and he takes a lot of pressure off me,” Was says.

Was and Bahaa opened 7 Origins on 20 December after four weeks of renovations.

“It’s been fantastic,” Was says. “It was a good time to open before Christmas - trading was fantastic but I think we’ve been busy on a daily basis.”

Many Pako regulars would recognise Was: he and his brother moved from Melbourne to Highton in 2012 to run a local restaurant.

They had both worked in hospitality for more than a decade.

“I’ve been my own boss for a while,” Was says.

“There’s no traffic here - at least compared Melbourne. It’s easy to make friends here because you get to see them more.”

In September 2016 they bought a former restaurant, transforming it into a

“modern-industrial themed” cafe with a laid back atmosphere and open layout.

“We wanted it to be our style and our vibe,” Was says.

While he is happy with business so far he hopes to expand the store one day.

“You never know where it’s going to take us,” he says.

The brothers feel right at home in the cosmopolitan and multicultural Pako.

“It’s got that Melbourne vibe thing,” Was says.

The brothers use local butchers and grocers for their delicious all day breakfast and lunch menus, which include gluten-free and vegetarian options.

“One of the great things about Geelong people is they like to support local businesses,” Was says.

The store cooks a range of breakfasts from muesli and a full fry-up, to more unique options like pulled-pork Eggs Benedict with apple-cider hollandaise and zucchini fritters.

Was gets a good mix of locals and tourists on their way to the Great Ocean Road.

“It’s always a good stop here,” he says.

“If you’re coming in hung-over and want to smash down a big breakfast, you’re having a shop on pako or you just want a little or cake or macaroon - this is the place to go.”

Regular customers often choose 7 Origins for birthdays or cocktail parties with the store’s liquor licence extending to 11pm.

The store can do finger foods, music, dancing or whatever it takes to make the customer happy, Was says.

“We’re hoping to do some more functions. It’s all up to the person - what they want and how they want to do it.”

HOT SHOTS: Bahaa and Wassim ’Was’ Mohtar, and Clara Therese Otis, centre, are crazy about coffee. (Louisa Jones)

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10

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COMMUNITY on pako

One of the delicious burgers at Burger Inc.

The team at Burger Inc have raised more than$5000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

Trader’s Good Friday taste Burger Inc has raised $5721 for the Royal Children’s Hospital, an increase from last year’s donation.

But it’s not just about the amount of money raised, Burger Inc business owner Hilal Acar said.

“In some ways, yeah it is, it’s our way we can help out, but

there’s so many other ways you can help,” he said.

All of the 13 April day’s takings have now been donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal, a cause close to Hilal’s heart.

“We raised about an extra $500 compared to last year’s donation,” she said.

“Easter is such a quiet time, there’s not many people around, so we were happy with the response.

“Last year when we did it, we didn’t really advertise, whereas this year people were making the effort to get involved.

“A lot of other business wanted to get involved and we

had our own Pako community coming down to eat that night.”

Hilal said the Burger Inc team pumped out lots of “fried chicken club” and “number two” burgers that day.

“We did so many of those,” she said.

The team at Burger Inc view the business’s tradition as

a chance to give back to the community.

“It’s something we’ve done for years.

“It’s not about us at all, a lot of people that came down were really involved, everyone was asking about it, it was a really positive thing for everyone involved.”

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THE FEED on pako Geelong mum Tracy Skilbeck’s inspiration behind Pakington Cottage was a chance encounter in Cambodia.

The social bite

Left: Tracy has kept the cafe’s traditional charm, but added a modern touch.

BY EMILY ROBINSON A mother and son team have brought new life to a charming 100-year-old miner’s cottage in Newtown.

Formerly known as The Cottage Geelong, Geelong mum Tracy and son James Skilbeck renamed the cafe Pakington Cottage in January this year.

But the inspiration behind the local business came all the way from Cambodia, following a chance encounter with a local during a trip to south-east Asia.

“I met Somnang during a Mekong river cruise and he just struck me as such a beautiful person,” Tracy says.

Upon learning about Cambodia’s lack of medical access, Tracy felt a “strong need to improve health and education outcomes for Cambodian people”.

“James and I starting looking into starting a social enterprise cafe in Cambodia, but obstacles in the country prevented us moving forward. So after doing a lot of research, we considered Geelong.

“When The Cottage came on the market, we bought it in an hour and three quarters, we knew it was perfect,” Tracy smiles.

Tracy grew up in Africa and moved to England at the age of 13 with her family.

“I got a job in London as a marketing manager, but when I turned 24 I was ready to see the rest of the world.”

Not long after she met her husband-to-be at Airey’s Inlet.

Tracy, now 50, has two adult children and co-manages Pakington Cottage with son James, 24.

“James and I are so different, we really complement each other.

“I deal with the marketing side of the business – I love dealing with brides and organising parties.

“On one occasion our kitchen catered for 120 wedding guests with different dietary requirements.

“The feedback was fantastic - guests even said the food was better than anything they’ve had in Melbourne.”

Tracy’s husband, a builder by trade, spent his entire summer holiday completely refreshing the cafe.

“We also built a new menu around our customer base and incorporated really fresh food and gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options.”

Despite not being able to open the cafe in Cambodia, Tracy still holds the country close to her heart.

“I continue to sponsor a Cambodian family.

“I’ve also recently given our new chef Emily some Cambodian cookbooks – she’s very excited about some of the ingredients.

“We hope to incorporate south-east Asian culture into our menu in the future.

“We’re proud to contribute to Spare Meals Geelong and we’re also currently in talks with an Australian-based charity which provides education and water to Cambodians.”

Pakington Cottage is open from 8am to 3pm seven days a week at 359 Pakington Street, Newtown, phone 5229 1599 or visit pakingtoncottage.com.au

PAKINGTON COTTAGE The vibe: Chilled, happy and mellow Tracy’s Mother’s Day recommendation

The coffee: Turmeric latte with almond or soy milk – not only delicious, but also full of anti-inflammatory properties.

The meal: The Pakington Bowl with chicken - healthy with a beautiful lean protein fix.

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GRUBguide

Allira Potter, Instagram @grub_guide

Smoothies deliver the goods Hey foodies, This year is flying by and I’m currently overwhelmed and excited for the rest of the year.

I have spent most of my day editing photographs for multiple clients and I’m just so excited to share them.

While I’m sitting toasty and relaxed I’m indulging in a giant Green Smoothie!

Yes, I am that person who will still drink smoothies during winter and the cooler months, and I think you should too.

One of the main reasons I have smoothies every day is because I’m time poor and have little time to sit there and chop up all my food, so I pre-make the smoothies - I chop it all up on a Sunday and put the ingredients into a freezer bag, then freeze.

Every morning I have the exact same smoothie filled with spinach, kale, cucumber, lime, ginger, apple, matcha powder and coconut water ... delish!

Please don’t be scared off by the thought of all those greens smooshed into one glass, I like to call them secret greens - the ones we don’t really love to eat individually but will tolerate mixed with some sweetness.

Recently I have had the privilege to write a whole bunch of smoothie recipes for a Melbourne cafe so I thought I would share a few of my favourites below.

I'll share some super sweet

smoothies for when you have the 3pm cravings and I'll also share a green smoothie.

Happy mixing!

GREEN SMOOTHIE · · · · ·

1 cup frozen pineapple.

3 slices of cucumber.

2 handfuls of washed spinach.

1/2 banana.

1 cup coconut water- add a little bit more if too think.

Mix.

CHOCO COFFEE SMOOTHIE 1 shot of coffee.

1 frozen banana.

1 cup almond milk.

1 teaspoon cacao powder or peanut butter. · Dash of maple syrup.

Mix.

Allira freezes chopped vegetables every Sunday for a quick and easy smoothie preparation time.

· · · ·

Green vegies are easy to eat when mixed into Allira's green smoothie recipe.

BREAKFAST BERRY SMOOTHIE 1 cup of mixed berries.

1/4 cup of oats.

Drizzle of maple syrup.

1 cup coconut water.

You can also add protein powder to this one, it's so delicious. · Mix. · · · · ·

REFRESHING SMOOTHIE · · · ·

1/2 cup frozen raspberries.

1/2 cup of frozen mango.

1/2 cup of frozen pineapple.

1 cup coconut water.

Mix.

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Join the Pakington St Community @voiceonpako #voiceonpako

Allira's Choco Coffee Smoothie featuring peanut butter and maple syrup.

13

TRAVEL on pako

The marvels of the Mekong Cruiseabout’s Candice Free shares the highlights of her latest cruise to Vietnam and Cambodia.

For some people travel is all about the sightseeing, the food or the shopping for me it’s about the local people as well as all of the above, of course.

I recently travelled with Travelmarvel, sister company to APT, on their 12-day Essential Vietnam and Cambodia trip which includes an eight-day Mekong River Cruise on the beautiful RV La Marguerite as well as a few days in each of Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap for some extra sightseeing and relaxation.

The highlight of the trip for me, were the people of Cambodia, they were so friendly, kind and hospitable. Remarkable when you consider that the horrors of the Khmer Rouge happened within our current generation.

The local guides used by Travelmarvel are so knowledgeable and share their own personal stories which makes your trip so much more than just seeing the places you have heard about; you truly gain an understanding of what happened from a locals' perspective.

The 12-day Travelmarvel itinerary is at a relaxed pace with excursions most mornings, then back in time for lunch with time to relax in the middle of day, possibly by the pool on the sundeck and then another excursion in the afternoon.

The meals served aboard RV La Marguerite are a mix of local and Western dishes and are delicious -

nothing was too much trouble for the lovely staff onboard.

The extra days in Ho Chi Minh City can involve an optional excursion to the notorious Cu Chi tunnels or can be spent exploring the many museums or perhaps indulging in some shopping or a massage.

Concluding your trip with some extra time at the beautiful Shinta Mani Resort in Siem Reap is well worth it, a sunrise expedition to the nearby Angkor Wat Temple complex is a must do and does not disappoint. Be sure to head to “Pub” Street for dinner, drinks and some shopping before you leave as well.

Travelmarvel currently have some amazing specials available for departures in both 2017 and 2018, so call the team at Cruiseabout Pakington Street on 1300 765 059 or come in and see us at 172 Pakington Street, opposite the Geelong West Town Hall.

The highlight of the trip for Candice was the people of Cambodia.

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BOOKS on pako

CLIMATE CHANGE Michael Joseph (Penguin Randomhouse) Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, Climate Change is a clear, simple and enlightening introduction to one of the most important issues facing our world today.

From HRH The Prince of Wales, environmentalist Tony Juniper and climate scientist Dr Emily Shuckburgh, it explains the history, dangers and challenges of global warming and explores possible solutions with which to reduce its impact.You’ll learn about the causes and consequences of climate disruption; heatwaves, floods and other extreme weather; disappearing wildlife; acid oceans; the benefits of limiting warming; sustainable farming, new clean technologies and the circular economy.

THE MYSTERIOUS MR JACOB

BILLY SING

John Zubrzycki (Transit Lounge)

William ‘Billy’ Sing was born in 1886 to an English mother and Chinese father. He and his two sisters were brought up in Clermont and Proserpine, in rural Queensland. He was one of the first to enlist in 1914 and at Gallipoli became famous for his shooting prowess. In writing about Sing’s triumphant yet conflicted life, and the horrors of war, Yu captures with imaginative power what it might mean to be both an outsider and a hero in one’s own country. The telling is poetic and realist, the author’s understanding of being a Chinese-Australian sensitively informs the narrative.

After arriving penniless in Bombay in 1871, Jacob became the most famous jeweller in princely India. Starting on the banks of the Tigris in modernday Turkey where Jacob was born, Zubrzycki strips away the myths and legends to discover the astonishing story of one of the most enigmatic figures of his time. The journey takes him to the slums of Bombay, to the fabulous court of the Nizam of Hyderabad, the hedonistic heights of Simla, the summer capital of the Raj, and finally to the labyrinthine corridors of Calcutta’s High Court, where Jacob’s career ended in bankruptcy and humiliation.

Ouyang Yu (Transit Lounge)

THE GOOD GIRL OF CHINATOWN

THE GIRL WHO WAS TAKEN

Jenevieve Change Viking)

Charlie Donlea (Bantam)

From Sydney suburbia to the grey clouds of London, Jenevieve Chang has been running away for as long as she can remember.

Now - along with other Westerners trying to escape the 2008 GFC - she has arrived in Shanghai, a city from her family’s past. As her marriage collapses and she struggles to fit in with this over-the-top new world, Jenevieve searches for a place to call home. And then she finds it: Chinatown, Shanghai’s first Vaudeville,Variety and Burlesque Club. She will remake herself as one of the Chinatown Dolls, the most sought-after showgirls in town.

Megan McDonald is a high school senior when she disappears from the small town of Emerson Bay. Miraculously, after two weeks held captive, she escapes from a bunker hidden deep in the woods. Her classmate Nicole Cutty was also taken.

Nicole’s sister, Livia, is a forensic pathologist and the body of a young man, an apparent suicide, offers the first clue to Nicole’s fate. So Livia reaches out to Megan for help. But Megan knows more than she’s revealed.

Flashes of memory are coming together - and they are pointing to something darker and more monstrous than anything her chilling memoir describes.

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Q&A on pako

Freedom and the wind in your hair This month Voice on Pako spoke to Anna Natonewski about her love for motorbikes and adventure.

Anna Natonewski from Nevermind Adventures says riding a motorcycle opened her up to a whole other world of freedom.

Do you have any exciting tours coming up?

We have a Rajasthan ride coming starting on in a few days. Rajasthan is one of my most favourite rides. There is

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Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Both Matt and I grew up in Geelong, I got into motorcycles in my twenties after my boyfriend at the time, now husband, was motorcycle crazy. I learned to ride a trailbike and soon after I moved onto a 250cc road bike.

Riding a motorcycle opened me up to a whole other world of freedom, nothing else gave me the awesome feeling of having wind in my face, forgetting the world. Matt and I love to travel and have done a lot of travel solo, together and with our two children, Stella and Hunter. The kids now come on some of our adventures and love it.

How would you describe Nevermind Adventure?

Nevermind brings together old school motorcycling adventure and handmade leather goods that tell a story. We are a grassroots company founded by myself and my husband Matt Natonewski on the return of a three-month trip through India with our children six years ago.

Combining our passion for motorcycles and India, we wanted to share this wonderful country

with other like-minded people.

Why did you decide to open up a store on Pako and how long has the business been here for now?

We have been in business now for five years, we started in the Fremantle, WA, and then after spending seven years in Perth we decided it was time to come back to Geelong. Our daughter was starting high school and we missed our family so it was the perfect time to come back to Geelong.

Do you ride bikes yourself?

Yes I ride, I love it. It’s an addiction. With the wind in my face, there is not a care in the world; it’s just me and the bike.

Can you tell us a little about the work you are doing for a school in India?

We have been involved with the Taj Ganj Welcome school for about seven years now.

There is just a small handful of us that sponsor the school on a monthly basis. We help to educate primary school children in the poor Taj Ganj area of Agra, India. We provide free education, we also help to clothe the children providing jumpers and shoes in the winter, as well as school books, school bags and stationery. We also employ five teachers and pay them a wage.

I’m so impressed with how well these children can read and write in English, it blows me away each time I go there.

YOUR LOCAL ELECTRICIAN FOR GEELONG WEST & NEWTOWN

PH: 0422 428 155

so much to see and experience in Rajasthan, its rich in history, the food is amazing, the people are so friendly and happy - not to mention how colourful the place is. In July and August is

our Himalayan season, we run five to six trips for either 12 days or 18 days. We take people to some of the most remote places in the world, it’s truly amazing in those mountains and something everyone should see once in their lifetime.

What is your favourite bike in store at the moment?

I love the new Royal Enfield Himalayan model. It’s a fantastic bike and all-rounder, it’s great on road and is fantastic off road - it handles the dirt fantastically.

You also sell leather goods and accessories, what are your most popular products?

We have some amazing handmade bags. My pick is the Overlander, it’s a fantastic overnight bag. It looks like something that Indiana Jones would use, its rugged and practical.

We know it must be hard to choose, but what is your favourite adventure so far?

Oh gosh that is a hard one, it really depends on how I’m feeling. The Himalayas was truly amazing, pushes you out of your comfort zone and those mountains are truly mind blowing.

Rajasthan is rich in culture, the people, the history and everything about it I love and South India is great for the amazing windy roads and beautiful jungles and backwaters. It’s too hard to decide which one is the best. I love them all for different reasons.

YOUR WEDDING SPECIALISTS Outfitting men since 1969 Ask Us About FREE Groomsmen Gifts

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Donations raised so far: 2.5% of every invoice is directly donated to Geelong Animal Rescue

$4,110.98 as of 31 March 2017

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