Issue 17
Oct/Nov 2023
Contact us for story ideas or to contribute rezzadentnews@gmail.com Follow us on insta @therezzadent Like or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheRezzadent/ Receive the paper in your inbox https://bit.ly/3tv3Pkd The Rezzadent continues to exist thanks to: Editor-in-Chief Shannon McKeogh Deputy editor Viktoria Komornik Grouse designer Delyse Drummond Whizz-bang marketing guru Vinisha Pulikkaparambil Amazing Contibuting Artists Nicole Robertson Lauren Findlay Cover Image Credit Julian Abrahams Awesome writers & photographers Shannon McKeogh Camille Webb-Short Eddy Urias-Castro Julie Atkinson Julian Abrahams Shailla Van Raad Kate Jost KL McGlynn Fred and Molly Thanks to our proof-readers: Jenny Brown Suraya Saleh Hayley Culley
By Nicole Robertson
Acknowledgement is not enough but still important The Rezzadent was made on stolen land in Reservoir, Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of this beautiful land. For many of us, our local creeks, trees, and our lake have been such a comforting balm to the soul during these chaotic times. We would also like to pay respect to the Wurundjeri Elders, past and present, and extend this respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait people from other communities who may be reading this. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
THE REZZADENT
Contents LOCAL 04 Reservoir Dogs 06 Preston's Urban Flower Farm 18 A Black Swan Called Mabel 28 Magnificent Murals
PROFILES 04 An Almost 70-Years Rezzadent 20 Maria Colaidis 22 Desert Highways 24 Lauren Findlay
COLUMNS 26 Agony Pets
COMMUNITY 32 Community News
FUN 10 Dating in Reservoir 15 Spring 30 Pizza Pockets
About Us The Rezzadent is a community publication that was created during one of Melbourne’s many lockdowns in 2021 and has continued since. Run by volunteers, we focus on light-hearted and positive stories that celebrate and embrace our neighbourhood and its delights and oddities.
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RESERVOIR DOGS
OR THE REAL TRUE STORY BEHIND THE REZZADENT’S CONCEPTION Words & Photos By Shannon McKeogh
Just after the first lockdown in Melbourne, we moved north: to middle-suburbia, our first house and a new neighbourhood. We swapped apartment living and proximity to the city for a place with two bedrooms, a small patch of grass and a 30-year bank loan. We unpacked our boxes, but something was missing – that sense of home, of feeling grounded, a part of something. A part of what exactly? I didn’t know, but I needed to find out. I conscientiously asked a local Facebook group how to meet people and be involved in the community. Someone replied, “Get a dog, you’ll make friends in no time.” I didn’t mean to take their advice literally. But a week after moving in, we found ourselves the new pup parents of a black and tan sausage dog named Ernie. Ernie, at the time, was sweet, shy and didn’t like sleeping. Luckily, I was working from home, so sleep deprivation could be hidden behind a fun Zoom filter. Nobody could see that I was often multitasking: cleaning up wee and poo underneath my desk, or being forced to play tug-of-war. Now that I lived near a park, I could take Ernie out for walks during lunchbreaks. It wasn’t hard to chat to strangers when I had a little puppy at my feet. Soon we met Kujo, the miniature schnauzer who’d become Ernie’s best friend. Then there was Roman, the Weimaraner; Dexter, a ball-obsessed Jack Russell; Bella, a posh Pomeranian; Sapphire, a bitzer rescue; Tilly, the speedy greyhound; Hugo, the beefy labrador- cross-dalmatian; and Carlos, the black and white staffy who would run non-stop with a ball in his mouth. Ernie would sniff tentatively at the sidelines, or
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hide behind my feet, before sometimes venturing in for a play. Eventually I learned the names of the dogs’ owners, although it is much harder when no-one is calling them out repeatedly, and they don’t wear nametags on their collars. During the longest of lockdowns, come 5pm you were guaranteed that someone would be at the park and up for a chat. We discussed our workdays, and what we were cooking for dinner. We also talked a lot about our dogs, who didn’t seem to be bothered by staying at home at all. While Ernie was selective about who she befriended (and some people were only interested in Ernie and not me), I did make some genuine friendships with the dog park parents. The dog park parents and I found creative ways to be active during lockdown, whether that be rollerblading in the park or to the milk bar to get an ice cream, foraging for local produce such as
cumquats to make marmalade to gift to other neighbours, or baking each other delicious treats. Best of all was that the dog park, and the connections I made with others, gave me the confidence to start The Rezzadent, a local newspaper run by volunteers who live in and love Reservoir, or “Rezza” as it’s fondly known. Some of the first contributors to the monthly publication were friends from the dog park. Ernie even started her own advice column, ‘Dear Ernie’, before realising she was too lazy to give advice, so we expanded to ‘Dear Reservoir Dogs’, written by a different dog (or cat) each issue to help locals through their problems. We have now lived in Reservoir for three years – two of which were a bit of a blur. The Rezzadent continues to run, although bi-monthly, and recently won an award at the Darebin Community Awards. We regularly hang out with dog park friends, whether that be going out for dinner, having barbecues at each other’s houses, tenpin bowling or trivia. This year we are also going to two different weddings (of Roman and Kujo’s respective parents), and Carlos’ mum has recently announced she’s having a baby. So I can now confidently say that I am a local, and that’s thanks to one small, stubborn sausage dog named Ernie who helped us meet and create our own little community during some of the toughest times we have faced in Melbourne. How to win friends and influence people? Get a dog. This story was first published in The Big Issue, edition #692.
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A BACKYARD OF POSIES
PRESTON’S URBAN FLOWER FARM Words by Rachel Unicomb Photos supplied by Kristi Sattlecker
In a world where people are increasingly conscious about buying local and minimising their environmental impact, there is one area we typically wouldn’t think about in these terms - the flower industry.
While there is always going to be a place for imported flowers, we are fortunate that there has been a boom in small-scale growers in Australia, who focus on sustainable, environmentallyfriendly blooms with a field-to-vase mentality.
The fact is, nearly half the flowers used by the floral industry in Australia are imported; we import around 10 million stems for Valentine’s Day alone! It can also be really difficult to know where your flowers are actually coming from, as unlike other products (such as food), there are no country of origin labelling requirements for flowers.
In and around Melbourne there are an increasing number of micro flower farms. Some supply direct to florists, others sell at farmers markets or in their own floristry shops. Micro flower farms vary in size, but typically have a growing space of less than an acre. These are often started by people who already live on a farm, who have space and want to diversify their income. But you don’t have to own a farm to grow flowers; urban flower farms are also springing up, in smaller suburban properties.
In the pursuit of a more sustainable flower industry, there is a growing number of micro flower farms popping up.
Like any product that has travelled thousands of miles to get to your door, there will be implications for quality and the environment. Think of the carbon used to transport them; they will have been refrigerated throughout this process, and then sit in quarantine before they even hit the shelves of our wholesalers, let alone your kitchen table.
Australia also has incredibly strict biosecurity laws, so all flowers that are imported are sprayed with methyl bromide or placed into buckets of Roundup to kill any pests. The fungicides are terrible for the environment when initially sprayed, but can also be harmful to the florists who are handling the blooms every day.
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Kristi Sattlecker is one such grower, who is running an urban flower farm right on our doorstep in Preston. Her growing space is only around 150 square metres, which is relatively tiny compared to many other farms, but it’s amazing how much can be grown in such a small area. Her journey began as she and her partner were keen to buy an acreage. While researching potential sources of income, she came across an episode of Monty Don’s My Dream Farm, where he interviewed two ladies in the UK who started a
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micro flower farm. Kristi was hooked. “I had been growing a few plants like dahlias for myself in my veggie patch, but made the jump to add four beds in our front yard to grow more varieties. This year I’ve expanded into my neighbour’s backyard, with an additional eight beds. “I only grow annual flowers like ranunculus, anemones, tulips, larkspur, snapdragons in the spring, and zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, gladiolus and lilies in the summer. I use intensive plant spacing, which means I can fit quite a bit into each bed. Each year I am learning from the previous year and getting better with my planning for each season,” she said. Micro flower farmers generally also focus on the soil quality, not just the flowers they grow. By adding compost and manures, the biology within the soil is improved, which in turn helps ensure healthier and stronger plants, without the need for tilling or spraying chemicals. Natural remedies for pest management are also used, like using lady bugs to control aphids.
So, when you’re next looking to buy flowers, here are some thing to consider: •
Buy local wherever possible. Download the Grown not Flown app (an online platform developed to promote local and sustainable flower growers) to find a flower farm near you. And follow the #grownnotflown hashtag on Instagram.
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For those looking for wedding flowers, focus on a colour palette rather than particular flowers. Farmers and florists are working with Mother Nature, so it’s hard to guarantee that a particular flower will be available on your wedding date.
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Seasonality is important as well. You won’t get tulips in the height of summer, and if they are available it’s likely they’re imported so won’t last as long and will be incredibly expensive. Find a florist whose work you love, but be sure to ask where they source their flowers and be guided by their expertise to source the best of what’s in season to bring your vision to life.
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If you’re ordering a bouquet from a larger florist or shopfront, ask to use minimal packaging, or at the very least request no floral foam. Floral foam and single use plastic is another big issue in the floristry industry. Knowing that floral foam doesn’t break down and just sits in landfill is something to keep in mind. Many florists are now choosing
to forgo plastic packaging, choosing biodegradable wrapping, and using foamfree mechanics like chicken wire or moss in their largescale wedding and event designs.
If you’d like any more info, feel free to contact Kristi at The Posy Yard. You will also find her on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/theposyyard/ and Instagram at https://www. instagram.com/theposyyard/
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MEET KELVIN, ‘THE GREAT AUSSIE NEIGHBOUR’
AN ALMOST-70-YEARS REZZADENT Words by Shailla Van Raad Photos by Julian Abrahams
I hear a crackly voice over the other end of the line.
Reservoirian man-about-town, the local Whitelaw Street socialite.
“Hello?” it says tentatively.
I pursue the conversation, shrugging off the awkwardness. This is because he and I aren’t there in that moment on Whitelaw Street anymore, as we have been hundreds of times before, where we pass each other by, and wish each other well.
This is the voice of my now former neighbour, Kelvin. It’s so strange hearing him so far away because I’m used to seeing his face on the opposite end of the street, peeking above the marigolds, stone statues, and French lavender, whilst he sits grinning on his mobility scooter. His dog Sam, a black doodle-cross yaps at his ankles, while his red-brick veneer house ‘Kelvetta’ sits proudly behind him. A kingdom fit for a
I miss Kelvin. He used to be our neighbour but has recently ‘moved on’. Now in his 70’s, Kelvin is now a resident of a Mernda retirement village.
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Rewind back to 1955, Kelvin and his family moved to Kelvetta with his English-born mother, father, and sister. Although the house hasn’t changed much, Kelvin says that the suburb was a very different place back then.
Kelvin sometimes alluded to this foreign land as we visited his beautifully manicured front garden, let our baby toddle into his backyard to watch the chickens in their natural suburban habitat, or had him over for a beer and a roast Sunday dinner.
“There were no roads in Reservoir when we moved; there was a lot of mud,” he recalls with a chuckle, “there were cows wandering around the place.”
Now in my snippets of spare moments, I sometimes watch Kelvetta. The more time that passes from when Kelvin officially left his house, the more I see Kelvetta shrivel and crack in the spring heat. The once carefully crafted garden is starting to bloom with four leaf clovers, and a war between the weedy summer and winter grass has begun.
Kelvin does remember fondly that the iconic “Edwardes Lake was still there though, and there used to be a pool near the lake where people used to swim.” This version of Reservoir is a foreign land Kelvin describes. And in a voice tinged with nostalgia, he harks back to a Reservoir where “people used to walk everywhere as there wasn’t a lot of public transport back in those days.”
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After 10 years of living in such proximity, Kelvin was a steadfast fixture on Whitelaw Street— an epitome of a ‘great Aussie neighbour’. I talk to others about Kelvin, and they remember him fondly, but are happy he has downsized and gone to a place where he is thriving.
THE REZZADENT
A PLACE TO SAVOUR LIFE
SARDINAS A new foodie haunt from the makers of La Pinta has popped up in our necks of the woods. Eddy Urias-Castro explores the menu and bar. Photos provided by Eddy Urias-Castro and Sardinas.
We talk about venues closing far too often during these times. So for me, it’s heart-warming to see new places open up in our neck of the woods. Far down High Street in Reservoir, near the top of the hill, where few roam for food there is one restaurant which stands there pulsing energy into post-pandemic life, La Pinta. Always busy, with an exciting menu that doesn’t empty your wallet. Adam Racina and his team use seasonal ingredients that are often overlooked and like
magic they convince them to sing and flirt with the taste buds on your tongue. Such a restaurant needs a companion, a sister - a venue that could complement La Pinta’s voracious intensity for creative culinary delights. They named her Sardinas. Directly across the road, she sits quietly and comfortably. A perfect place for a late night coffee and a slice of breathtaking cake, it has all your take-away
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688 High St, Reservoir @sardinas_reservoir
essentials; cheese, salami, wine, a bouquet to profess your love, or indulge and savour share plates and wine and gossip into the night. They serve wine on tap by the half-litre or litre carafe, and that night we shared a half-litre of a chilled Shiraz whose maker I don’t remember, a mark of a great wine I believe. In truth, I had visited Sardinas once before and already knew I must return. My previous visit to Sardinas was after dinner drinks with friends after eating at a ramen house, and even though my belly protested as it digested what I had just slurped to satisfaction. We savoured the traditional craftsmanship and devotion to the art of curing that stared and dared us to eat it from it’s comfortable home in the curing cupboard. The jamon was a delight on a plate. As we worked our way through offerings of lip-smacking white anchovies, warm soft housebread, a perfect pork terrine, funky cheeses with
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lavosh, all while sipping on our chilled shiraz - it dawned on me again that hospitality is so much more than just great food, it’s about the vibe, the soul of a joint. It’s something that can’t just be replicated. It’s something that has to be genuinely offered, it’s a part of a proprietor, a visceral piece of themselves they wish to share with you. They believe in it and nurture it - whatever it may be. Whether it’s voracious tapas or a quiet sister bar who’s peach-coloured walls, and soft curtains warm the place and make you feel like you’ve stepped into an old friends home. When something is this genuine it feels effortless, like everyone was there waiting for you to arrive. It’s the kind of place where you linger just a little longer, savour each bite a little more, and leave with a sense of warmth and connection. A reminder that food and wine aren’t just about sustenance; it’s about the human experience, and when you find a place like this you savour every moment.
g n i r p S Photos By Julie Atkinson
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Photos By Julie Atkinson
THE REZZADENT
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mabel
A BLACK SWAN CALLED
It was at this moment the community rallied around the male black swan, who was named Kevin by an eight-yearold volunteer from Friends of Edwardes Lake, because his research collar read “K35”. K35 became Kevin while the community waited patiently for him to find another mate.
Sassy, graceful and an excellent mother and partner to Kevin. The local swan who will never be forgotten. Words by Kate Jost (President of Friends of Edwardes Lake)
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n the depths of COVID-19 lockdowns in October 2020 there was one place to find some joy, Edwardes Lake. There you could find a swan couple and their fluffy clutch of cygnets, swimming around to the sounds of “aww, isn’t that cute”. The community not only got their one hour of allowed exercise, but formed a bond with this local family. Flocks of people hurried down the lake each day to observe the family, and get their daily swan update.
But it wasn’t long before tragedy struck, the cygnets disappeared, and the female black swan was killed by an off-leash dog, leaving the male black swan alone.
In late November 2020 Kevin’s prayers were answered when a female black swan moved in, and they started to bond. The day myself and a photographer friend (Tania Bahr-Vollrath) followed them around the lake, in what can only be described as a couple’s photo shoot, was joyful. Kevin had a mate again, who would soon be known as Mabel (voted in by poll of course!) On Friday 14th July 2023, at approximately 12.30pm, Mabel was attacked by an off-leash dog. I was sitting in an online meeting for work when the
the feeling of the earth under my knees as I knelt next to her, the last warmth of her body as I stroked her back, or the sound of Kevin desperately calling for Mabel’s reply that couldn’t be answered in the background.
call came through from Wildlife Victoria. The operator requested that I attend to a swan that had been attacked by a dog, I asked “where?” Edwardes Lake was the reply, my heart sank. As I was loading my rescue equipment into the car, I continued to ask questions of the operator; “Are there photos attached to the case?” “Can you see a tag on the swan?” “What is the tag number?”
Mabel was an excellent mum to all her cygnets, and always made Kevin stay away from the BBQ area and eat greens instead (a habit I am proud to say he has kept). She was sassy and graceful. Mabel brought so much joy to so many members of our community, and I know she is missed. We must now move towards a culture of responsible pet ownership, to build respectful relationships between humans, pets and wildlife. We all have a
part to play to arrive at a culture of responsible pet ownership that includes Darebin Council, the State Government, and the community. We must ensure that Mabel’s death was not in vain. You can do that by; •
Keeping Mabel’s memory alive, tell her story the good and bad
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Keep your dog on a leash and under control
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Thank a dog owner who has their dog under control
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Acknowledge that when we visit a creek or lake that we are in wildlife’s home, walk lightly, respect their space, leave only footprints.
Kevin now has a new mate, Evie who arrived in September 2023. Black swans have an average lifespan of 50 years. If we work together as a community to protect Kevin and Evie, they may get to their golden anniversary.
I was bargaining with the universe, please don’t be Kevin or Mabel, please. The operator replied, “white tag, number is K15”. White tags are for female swans and K15 was Mabel. I arrived at the lake to find her alone, laying on the grass and almost gone. I examined her injuries; they were too serious for treatment. All I could do was keep her company until she was ready to go. I will never forget Previous Top : Mabel Previous Bottom: Mabel & Kevin Top: Mabel & Cygnets Bottom : Kevin & Evie
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CAPTURING LIFE THROUGH HER LENS
MARIA COLAIDIS Artworks provided with permission and words by Camille Webb-Short
Maria Colaidis, a resident of Reservoir for 19 years, has committed herself to capturing life through her camera lens. Maria is more than just a photographer; she's a visual storyteller. She describes her work as encompassing two streams. The first stream is a deeply personal one, where she documents her lived experiences of trauma, ill health, and other significant life events. By sharing she hopes to extend a hand to others, letting them know they are not alone in their struggles.
from them she wanted it to be on something she loved. She said she often reminds herself of a quote by American writer Annie Dillard - “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” So she undertook a diploma in photography, studying two nights a week for six years. She won portfolio of the year when she graduated in 2017. Maria has a new story to share. Her upcoming exhibition, "pretty white silk," is set to open at Unassigned Gallery in Brunswick on Friday, November 10th. "Pretty white silk" is an exploration of the complexities of love and loss, capturing heartache, vulnerability, and resilience. The title of the exhibition is inspired by the male nursery web spider, who presents the female with a gift wrapped in pretty white silk to entice her. If the female is enticed by the gift, they will mate while she unwraps it, however, often the bundle is empty.
After having children Reservoir Artist Maria Colaidis discovered the expression of photography and hasn’t looked back.
The second stream of Maria's photography is a celebration of the present moment, a documentation of the here and now. She has an eye for the extraordinary in the ordinary, capturing signs of life, quirky details, and oddities she finds interesting. To Maria, Reservoir is approachable, inviting, vibrant, and diverse. We are lucky she is dedicated to capturing elements of our suburb that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Maria says that her street photography keeps her balanced. Her more personal work is challenging, and it is nice to have something lighter to ground herself with. Maria had wanted to be a photographer since taking a year nine elective at school. Like many of us though, she quit at the first sign of failure and went on to do other things. After having kids she realised that if she was going to spend time away
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Maria's photography urges us to pause, reflect, and engage with the shades of life that surrounds us, both in the depths of our emotions, and in the vibrant streets of Reservoir. I hope the opening goes well. To see more of Maria's photos and read about her work go to https://linktr.ee/maria_artist
Maria Colaidis Self Portrait
Photo by Maria Colaidis
DESERT HIGHWAYS Words & Photos By KL McGlynn
How a record label turned into a skateboard/record shop hosting free gigs run by one very passionate muso. As I stand shoulder to shoulder with people 1560 years old I look around and see toes tapping, heads bopping and the obligatory black denim with various band t-shirts. SNUBB are on stage and the crowd is loving the new, never-beforeheard tracks booming from the speakers. Where was I, you ask? None other than Reservoirs’ local record and skate shop located on Plenty Road. This was not my first time here - over the last few months, I have enjoyed being introduced to several bands with the FREE in-store concerts, but, I had to know more! Speaking to the owner Anthony (an amazing guy
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and super welcoming) I found out more on how Reservoir got so darn lucky! This is Anthony’s story in his own words: “I love Reservoir, the community, and the vibe it holds. My wife has BAM Hair just up the hill from Desert Highways and in those eight years we’ve seen the area grow and the sense of community get even stronger. So, it was a no-brainer to open here. “Desert Highways started in 2012 as a record label working with bands. When live music was
THE REZZADENT
totally shut down due to Covid it meant annual events I worked on like Brewtality Festival, A Celebration of Chris Cornell (Beyond Blue fundraiser), Holy Smoke, Lola Fest and others were all cancelled. It was a time of reflection and it felt right to expand and open a store. “My parents bought a surf/skate store, Paradise Surf Centre (Port Macquarie) in 1989 and I grew up working there. I was already skating and loved the art, culture and sense of belonging. Once it’s in you, it’s a deep part of you for life. I’ve also always been passionate about music and have worked in various areas including community radio and journalism. “80s / 90s music and skate are my sweet spots and are of course Desert Highways' main focus. Alongside reissue skate decks and vinyl, we also stock other brands with various points of difference - current releases, clothing, patches, stickers and more. We have free live music at least once a month on a Saturday afternoon and have some very exciting in-stores coming up including Raul Sanchez i Jorge (Magic Dirt), being part of The Eighty-Six Super Saturday Festival (with CLAMM, OUZO!, Bellhop), Lonesome Dove (WA), and Pulley (US) coming in for a signing / meet ‘n’ greet/merch pop up.
Desert Highways skateboard/record store is located at 715 Plenty Rd, Reservoir. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 5pm. www.deserthighways.com
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LOCAL ARTIST
LAUREN FINDLAY Reservoir local Lauren Findlay completed her Bachelor of Fine Art back in 2009, but only recently returned to drawing practice during pregnancy in 2022, after over a decade long hiatus. Shortly after her daughter’s birth, Lauren returned to regular life-drawing sessions, both online and inperson. Working mostly in charcoal and soft pastels, Lauren considers the work a collaboration with the model, embracing movement and layering forms to create a sense of time. Lauren continues to study the form and learn from artists who inspire her through online workshops. You can view more of her work via her Instagram page @find.laurenkate
Bree, 2023 Charcoal and Soft Pastel on paper, A2 Drawn from a live session at Studio 79, Flemington, Vic.
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Sofí, 2023 Charcoal on Ingres, A3 Drawn from live online session.
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ALL I’M ASKIN’ IS FOR A LI’L RESPECT (JUST A LI’L BIT)
RESERVOIR’S AGONY PETS This issue’s problem solvers are Rezza’s once strayed, now rehomed indoor cats Molly and Fred. Molly is seven years old, a former mum and all her babies were fostered out. She is on the chunkier side, likes to lounge in the sun and sit at the window and watch passers by. She dislikes being pulled by babies. Fred, one and a half, is Molly's adopted son who was found in a Rezza shed. Fred loves Molly and doesn’t like it when Molly won’t let him sit on her.
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THE REZZADENT
My two cats treat me as a feed dispenser only. How can I get a li’l respect?
Fred: Of course human = food. Who else is going to feed us?! Obviously they are so busy that they forget sometimes and it's our job to remind them!!! Molly: Oh Fred, you have much to learn young one. Humans are good, they can brush you, let you sit on their laps. Our parents gave us an automatic feeder which gives us smaller meals more often. That way they have more time for pats and lap naps.
Every month a different Reservoir pet helps a troubled Rezzadent through this column; one tail wag and wet kiss at a time. Treats welcome. Send your qualms with the subject line “Dear Reservoir Pets” to rezzadentnews@gmail.com. If your best-legged mate wants to get involved, also get in touch.
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MORE MAGNIFICENT MURALS In our July issue we featured two of the five murals from the Reservoir Public Mural Program. All of the murals are now complete and we wanted to give each of the other murals a shout out as well. Click here or Google reservoir public mural program to watch a youtube video featuring each mural and the artists that painted them.
Abbey Rick and Olana Janfa's collaborative mural is at 2C Cheddar Road on the corner of the old Edward and Sutton & Sons building. This mural is a blend of their unique styles, and is designed to highlight the warmth and vibrancy of Reservoir.
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Hayden Dewar’s mural is in a narrow laneway off Broadway. Hayden uses the space well, creating an optical illusion so that it appears to leap off the wall when viewing from the footpath. The mural pays homage to the beginnings of Reservoir with water splashing from an old tap. The largest feature is Hayden’s 10-year-old daughter with a parrot on her hand, perhaps representing Reservoir’s bright future.
Emily Green’s mural is a celebration of Reservoir's diverse food culture, highlighting delights from local eateries as well as home grown produce shared among neighbours. You can visit it at the back of the library.
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH
PIZZA POCKETS – WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE SAID Recipe and commentary by Eddy Urias
Serves: enough you greedy guts, ok sorry, about 12
Dough • 550g of plain flour • 370g of water • 3.5g of instant yeast • pinch of salt Filling – to taste • Tomato paste • Gochujang • Mushrooms • Capsicum • Pineapple • Mozzarella • Grana Padano I am hoping the simplicity of this dough recipe will be a gateway into just about any other
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yeasted dough recipe you may want to try. This is base-line right here, it is one of the easiest and most versatile recipes. What some brioche? - add some butter. Want to try and make croissants? - this is like 50% of what you knead. (pun intended! Lol! ) This is the recipe that many years ago helped me to see baking like Neo saw the matrix. All roads somehow return to this simple mother dough. If you get these measurements a bit wrong, it doesn’t matter, you’ll still get something super tasty. If it’s too wet, add a little flour. If it’s too dry, add a little water. There is no hydration percentage to worry about here. It’s just mix, knead, rise, shape and bake. I have a mixer, so for the steps that say ‘mix dough with hook in stand mixer on low’- replace with ‘mix with hands in bowl’. Honestly, it’ll probably take the same amount of time.
THE REZZADENT
To start - put your dry ingredients in your bowl (flour, yeast and salt). Mix the ingredients around with your fingers until you are satisfied they are well incorporated. Then add your water and mix into a shaggy dough. You can do this with your hands, spatula or the dough hook attachment on your mixer. As you knead, the dough will slowly pull together and will begin to pull away from your hands. The kneading or stand mixing on low should take about 6-8 minutes all up. When the dough stretches nicely and most of the dough is together in the bowl, check that it bounces back all springy when poked. Pop the dough in a greased bowl and cover with cling wrap. I use olive oil. (Don’t overthink this step, just lubricate a bowl ) It should rise in about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on room temp. There it is - bread making demystified! Feel free to mess with that dough as much as you like. Swap out the water for your favourite flavour of milk, or add butter - I promise you it will be very hard to mess this dough recipe up. OK, so with the pizza pockets this is more about me sharing tips, because when I made this recipe in preparation of writing about it, I was hungry and I over-filled just about every pocket! While your dough is rising, this a good time to get your ingredients ready. Don’t overthink this. I got a bowl and put all the ingredients that I could find in our fridge and mixed them together. I even ran out of ingredients with two pockets left, so I made one pocket with jam and peanut butter and another with peanut butter and chocolate. Mmmmmm, I’m glad I ran out of mix!
A more traditional thing to use might be semolina, and in my opinion, it’s a better choice. I am trying to make the point that you really don’t have to overthink any aspect of this recipe. You should mess about with it and experiment because that type of cooking is fun and teaches you a lot. If you want to fill your pizza pockets nicely (not like I have) you can use a pastry scraper or a knife to evenly divide your dough before rolling them out with a rolling pin on your bench. When it looks like a little pizza, spoon your filling onto the centre, covering the area about the size of an ice cream scoop. This should be a good size if you’ve evenly divided your dough into 12 pieces. Yes, you could also use an ice cream scoop if you have one, I have a few so I’m not sure why I didn’t use them. ( This is why writing recipes is great, because you get to see how many things you could have done differently, having planned correctly.) Then fold the corners of the circle into the centre. Quiet down! - there are corners on a circle, they are also known to as compass points :) The dough should now be a little tacky, so use this stickiness to close the pizza pocket together. Repeat 11 times. Place them on a baking-tray lined with baking paper, I then baste them with an oil. You should then let them rise again so they grow around 20% Then place them in your preheated oven at around 220 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven. Never trust a recipes time because everyone’s oven is different. I set 5 minute intervals and check and rotate each time. When they are done, let them cool and enjoy!
Firstly, make sure your work surface is lightly floured. I used Masa Harina because I’m hispanic and I always have it in the house - plus, I like the texture.
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AUG/SEP 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS If you have a tip-off or know of an event coming up that you’d like featured please contact us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com
All for Kids Market
Halloween Ice Skating Session
Darebin Community Sports Stadium, $3
IceHQ
Sunday 22 October, 9am - 1pm
Saturday 28 October, 6 - 9pm
857 Plenty Road, Reservoir VIC 3073
1 Blake Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
Up to 50 stalls of pre-loved and boutique kids’ clothes, toys and furniture.
October’s theme for the evening ice skating session is Halloween! Follow IceHQ socials to find out when tickets go on sale: https://www. facebook.com/iceheadquarters/
Further details online: https://www. allforkidsmarket.com.au/ Sunday Music Afternoons Kingsbury Bowls Club, $5 Sunday 22 October, 3 - 6pm 181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083 Come along and dance to Inferno Duet! https://kingsbury.bowls.com.au/2023/03/29/ sunday-music-dates-2023/
Oakhill 2nd Birthday Party Oakhill Food Justice Farm Saturday 28 October, 2 - 4pm 223 Tyler Street, Preston VIC 3072 Enjoy some birthday cake, pick up some free seedling and mushroom mulch, take a tour of the farm and catch a mushroom growing demonstration!
Halloween Storytime
RSVP online: https://www.oakhillfarm.org.au/ event-details/oakhill-2nd-birthday-party/
Reservoir Library
Garden Bed Weeding
Friday 27 October, 11:15am - 12:15pm
Friends of Edwardes Lake
23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
Sunday 29 October and 19 November, 9am 12:30pm
Dress up in your Halloween costume for Halloween storytime, crafts and songs! Bookings not required. This event is for ages 2 - 5 years old. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ halloween-storytime-at-reservoir-librarytickets-699379913147
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Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir VIC 3073 Volunteers needed to weed the Friends of Edwardes Lake garden bed. Meet at the notice board between the bridge and the playground. Further details online: https://www. friendsofedwardeslake.org/events
THE REZZADENT
Study Zone
November Community Soup Night
Reservoir Library
Oakhill Food Justice Farm
Monday 30 October, 10am - 12pm
Wednesday 1 November, 5 - 7:30pm
23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
233 Tyler Street, Preston VIC 3072
This will be a quiet space for young people aged 16 - 25 years old to focus during exam time. Free hot chocolates will be available.
Come share some soup, hear an update from our project leaders and taste what’s in season on Wurundjeri Country!
Further details online: https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/study-zone-at-reservoir-librarytickets-702967784567
RSVP online: https://www.oakhillfarm.org.au/ event-details/november-community-soup-night
Halloween Crafternoon Reservoir Library Monday 30 October, 4 - 5pm 23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
Detox Your Home Darebin Council Works Depot Saturday 4 November, 9am - 1pm Carawa Drive, Reservoir VIC 3073
A fun Halloween crafternoon making decorations for children aged 5 - 12 years old. Supplies provided.
Household chemicals such as cleaning products, pool chemicals and pesticides can be safely disposed of at Sustainability Victoria’s Detox Your Home events.
Reserve a spot online: https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/halloween-crafternoon-at-reservoirlibrary-tickets-702997322917
Further details online: https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/detox-your-home-reservoirregistration-620307114277
RSCPA Pet Vaccination
Reducing Food Waste at Home
1st Reservoir Scout Hall, $54.26
Oakhill Food Justice Farm
Tuesday 31 October, 11:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8 November, 5 - 7pm
73 - 77 Leamington Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
233 Tyler Street, Preston VIC 3072
RSPCA Victoria is hosting a low cost pet vaccination and health clinic. You’ll receive professional advice on how to keep your pets healthy now and into the future.
A free hands-on workshop covering Root to Stem cooking, food preservation and proper storage.
Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ rspca-pet-vaccination-event-at-reservoir-scouthall-registration-703840434687
Reserve a spot: https://www.oakhillfarm.org.au/ event-details/reducing-food-waste-at-home-freeworkshop-series-2023-10-11-17-00
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AUG/SEP 2023
After School STEAM Club
Device Advice
Reservoir Library
Reservoir Library
Thursday 9 November, 4 - 4:45pm
Thursday 16 November, 2 - 5pm
Free
Free
23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
Join after school for fun craft and activities with a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) theme. Suitable for ages 5 - 12.
Book a one-on-one Device Advice session and have your tricky tech questions answered.
Reserve a spot online: https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/after-school-steam-club-reservoirregistration-517224481347 Pasta Making Class with Piera That’s Amore Cheese, $140 Saturday 11 November, 10am - 1 pm 66 Latitude Boulevard, Thomastown VIC 3074 In this hands-on class, you will learn how to make and shape pasta dough along wiht two sauces. Italian-style lunch and drinks plus That’s Amore apron provided. Book online: https://thatsamorecheese. weteachme.com/classes/1042322-pastamaking-class-with-piera
Reserve a spot online:https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/device-advice-reservoir-libraryregistration-383798360227 Arm Balance Inversion Workshop with Chris Oshun Yoga, $60 Sunday 19 November, 1pm - 3pm 20 Gelliband Crescent, Reservoir VIC 3073 Join Chris for this arm balance and inversion workshop as he takes you through the technique and alignment of some of the most common arm balancing postures. Book online: https://www.oshunyoga.com.au/ special-events Sunday Music Afternoons
Reservoir Frogs - Water Quality Testing Session
Kingsbury Bowls Club, $5
Friends of Edwardes Lake
Sunday 19 November, 3 - 6pm
Sunday 12 November, 11am - 12pm
181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083
73-77 Leamington Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
Gene Martin plays at the Kingsbury Bowls Club.
Join the Reservoir Frogs for the monthly water quality testing session as part of the Waterwatch program monitoring our waterways.
https://kingsbury.bowls.com.au/2023/03/29/ sunday-music-dates-2023/
Further details online: https://www. friendsofedwardeslake.org/events
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THE REZZADENT
Communicare Lunches
Live piano shows - free entry
Reservoir Neighbourhood House
Ragtime Tavern
Every Monday, 12 - 1pm
Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 6 – 11 pm
Free
206 Tyler St, Preston VIC 3072
2C Cuthbert Road, Reservoir VIC 3073
Ph 0418 557 650
Weekly chef-prepared lunch for visitors and health professionals on site available to chat https://localfoodconnect.org.au/event/ reservoir-neighbourhood-house-communitylunch/?instance_id=153785
https://ragtimetavern.com.au/shows/
Trading card game tournaments
Trivia
The Game Experts
Nord Bar
Every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm
641 Plenty Road, Preston VIC 3072
Flesh & Blood tournament on Mondays and Dragon Ball tournament on Wednesdays
Every Thursday from 7:30pm
944 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073 Ph (03) 9191 5155 https://fabtcg.com/locator/the-game-experts/ Ballroom Dance
Follow their Instagram account www.instagram. com/ragtimetavern/ to see which artists are performing each week.
Test your knowledge or just take advantage of $12 margherita pizza and $12 margarita deals on Thursdays! Book online: https://nordbar.com.au/ Opa-cize
Dance Action Melbourne
Every Thursday, 7:30 - 8:30pm, $10 or free for children under 16
Every Wednesday, 6:30 - 9:45pm
12 Robb Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
35 Sturdee Street, Reservoir VIC 3073
Join us on the dancefloor for Greek dance fitness run by Sofie. No bookings required.
Join dance sessions and instruction run by Dance Action at Merrilands Community Centre. https://www.facebook.com/ danceactionmelbourne
https://www.opacize.com/classes/australia/vic Movie Trivia Audacious Monk Cellars Last Thursday of the month from 7pm 128 - 130 Regent Street, Preston VIC 3072 http://www.audaciousmonkcellars.com.au/ Email audaciousmonkevents@gmail.com to book
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Barefoot Bowls
Monthly produce swap
Kingsbury Bowls Club, $10
Regent Community Garden
Every Friday, 5 - 6pm
First Sunday of the month, 2 - 3pm
181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083
4 Robinson Road, Reservoir VIC 3073
Casual lawn bowling with drinks available in the Club.
Produce swap facilitated by Friends of Regent Community Garden
https://kingsbury.bowls.com.au/play-bowls/
Further information can be found online https:// localfoodconnect.org.au/local-directory/71517/ regent-food-swap/ https://www.facebook.com/ FriendsofRegentGarden/
Darebin Parkrun CT Barling Reserve Every Saturday from 8am 880 Plenty Road, Reservoir VIC 3073 A free, fun and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate! Register online: https://www.parkrun.com.au/ register/?eventName=darebin Transition Darebin Food Swap Reservoir Library Third Saturday of the month, 10 – 11am 23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073 Monthly meet-up to swap excess food, meet local folks, talk about gardening and sustainability. https://transitiondarebin.org/existing-projects/ food-swaps/
Darebin Creek - Maintenance Working Bee Friends of Darebin Creek Second Sunday of the month, 9am - 12pm Meet at Kingsbury Bowls Club 181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083 As part of the Revegetating Darebin Creek Project, volunteers are needed to maintain plantings through weeding, mulching, removing guards and other activities. Further information can be found online: https:// friendsofdarebincreek.org.au/events/archgibson-maintenance-working-bee/ Sunday Jazz Sessions - free entry Ragtime Tavern Every Sunday, 5 – 10pm 206 Tyler St, Preston VIC 3072 Ph 0418 557 650 https://ragtimetavern.com.au/
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THE REZZADENT
Nordie Comedy Nord Bar, $15 641 Plenty Road, Preston VIC 3072 Last Sunday of the month from 6:30pm Book online: https://nordbar.com.au/ Free bike checks Reservoir Leisure Centre Occur monthly, check dates at link below 2A Cuthbert Road, Reservoir VIC 3073 Book online https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ free-monthly-bike-checks-reservoir-darebin-lovesbikes-tickets-273933571687 E-bike Q & A Sunday 3 December, 1 to 2:30pm Free entry Preston Library 266 Gower Street, Preston VIC 3072 Bookings essential e-bike-darebin.eventbrite. com.au Tempted to explore e-bikes but not sure where to start? Have your questions answered by expert panellists and local e-bike riders at this friendly local forum.
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Illustration By Nicole Roberston
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