Bay Lifestyle Magazine Summer 2015

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SUMMER 2015

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summer

Contents On our front cover:

Clare O’Donoghue Art photography by Nikole Ramsay styling by Emma O’Meara

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Culturally Aligned Watch this artistic space

9 A Natural Approach A toxic load 12 Lifestyle and Balance Loving you first

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17 Our Offspring Preparing for school The importance of outdoor play 26 Book Review The latest reads for kids and adults 28 At A Glance

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32 LOCAL Creative Flair Creativity unveiled 35 ABODE Summer interior products 40 INTERIOR TRENDS The inside look 43 PROPERTY Creating outdoor havens 46 Weekend Getaways Sorrento and Portsea 51 FINANCE A firm business foundation

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54 Fitness The bigger picture of health 58 GRAZING A unique local offering 61 GARDEN STYLE Low maintenance beauty

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64 Tech Knowledge Smart home automation 66 Bay Lifestyle with Roxie Bennett

Bay Lifestyle Magazine is published by Southern Publishers Pty Ltd ABN 13 101 848 408 Level 3, 83 Moorabool Street Geelong, Victoria 3220 ph: 03 5221 2644 fx: 03 5221 7066

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Managing Editor: Trudi Bondarenko Production Manager: Briana Roach Layout/Design: Vivien Walker Designs Printed by: Printgraphics

For all advertising enquiries, please contact Tanya Hickey on 0412 551 870 tanya@southernpublishers.com.au General enquiries: sales@whatsoningeelong.com.au


from our

Editor Well this year it really does appear that November has literally arrived by absolute surprise, as if it had been simply sick and tired of waiting and decided to push in ahead of the other months. So too did the warmer weather just show up one day and apart from a departure from our skies on occasion, it appears the warmer weather is here to stay for a while. With summer lapping at our doorsteps so too do the words; relax, calm and luxuriate come into play meaning more time on our hands to do the things we love. This edition of Bay Lifestyle is literally full of topics, tit bits and temptations to delight and entice you, we hope you sit back and enjoy every moment of what’s on offer in our summer 15/16 issue. Our wonderful cover evokes the summer season and the colour and joy it exudes. This is also the case of the artwork as featured, of local resident artist: Clare O’Donoghue. Her work has been featured in Real Living, Inside Out as well as Home Beautiful Magazines and with this, is quite literally popping up in key home areas everywhere. So keep watching closely, as her story doesn’t end here.

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Bright new season

The celebration of Christmas and the lead up to is a wonderful time to spend with friends and family. But with it we tend to overindulge with the end result of a few unwanted inches. However in addition, toxicity builds up in our bodies zapping away energy and vitality, so read our article about how to minimise toxicity and head into the new year with definite health and zest. Many of us are lucky enough to be able to bask in the daily role of parenting our small people. Our offspring section this issue, centres around two key areas which though totally different, require our parenting skills to ensure that the end result in both arenas is positive and beneficial. So read on for some interesting information sharing and parental advice,that you simply can’t ignore. Otherwise why not add a trip to Portsea and Sorrento over the summer break to your plans, our weekend getaways article will take all the leg work out of where to go. Learn about the latest tech must haves for your home, keyless entry…it was only a matter of time! Abode is bursting this issue with interior and exterior know how and products tempting you to purchase. Take a look, they are gorgeous! Gardening is literally blooming with low maintenance garden additions, perfect for any garden. Our finance pages offer some invaluable advice on starting a new business and don’t be fooled in thinking health and fitness is a body only story, the mind is our largest driver for a healthy future. Add to that a great article on loving yourself before being able to love another, as well as a snapshot of some amazing creative local businesses. Enjoy and have a great new year. Look forward to catching up for our Autumn 16 issue.

TRUDI AND THE TEAM OF BAY LIFESTYLE

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watch this

artistic SPACE Trudi Bondarenko

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lare O’Donoghue is a name synonymous with an artistic style that is being noticed not only in the local marketplace, but well beyond. Her natural talent has claimed editorial space in Real Living, Inside Out and Home Beautiful Magazines and will no doubt, not stop there. Clare’s style is clearly abstract in its definition; however that’s where it starts and ends in the likeness of her work to others. For it is the way in which the form and colour usage within her artworks take on a strong contemporary twist and offers a depth of each and every colour she applies. The end result is striking to say the least and you could happily fill every key room within your home with these gorgeous originals. Art has been a passion since she was at primary school. However it was throughout her senior school years that art began to dominate her other subjects and she was very clear in the fact that this was her passion and her calling. After her first child was born she started painting on canvas, working at the time she showed a few colleagues and their amazement and her talent and their desire to order from her was when she first thought about turning her passion into a business. This was 22 years ago and she hasn’t looked back since. It has however been in the last two years with the help of print media exposure and being discovered by various interior designers and stylists as to her appealing aesthetic ability that she has been gracing interiors both locally and beyond. The commerciality of Clare’s artwork became apparent with her first print editorial in the iconic nationally circulation Real Living Magazine. Clare had just given birth and was literally unaware of the excitement her artwork was creating both in the magazine world and for the readers that simply just had to have it. At the time she cared for neither facebook or email, so she literally slipped by the unrelenting demand unscathed and able to concentrate on what is most important to her, that being her family, who she clearly adores. Clare is Ocean Grove born and bred and is firmly entrenched in her local area having made a move only once to the glorious coastal area of Fairhaven. However she just couldn’t resist being back in the town that she knows and loves and a town to which her family introduced the first taxi company! SUMMER 2015

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Clare’s artistic Influences are wide reached, however she quotes nature and the sea and the colours they provide as being a wonderful basis for her painting. She is also a great lover of fashion and finds much inspiration in the colours, textiles and textures that fill her favourite boutiques. Clare’s artwork does not start and finish when applied to canvas, she is also reproducing it on glorious linen cushions, where she takes a section of a painting and reproduces it on fabric. This idea initiated from local: Nerida Hansen who specialises in print and textiles and saw and approached Clare on this as a retail concept. The concept came to fruition and the finished styles are an amazing addition that can work hand in hand with Clare’s artwork or alternatively to brighten up any interior space. Clare is also able to design lightboxes which illuminate her canvas pieces and are a dramatic statement piece for any room requiring a look at me art piece. These work particularly well in key spaces but can be placed anywhere creating the wow factor. She has many other great creative ideas of which to evolve

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her style, but for the moment these are deeply under wraps, so watch this space, because I think we are about to be wooed. Along with the style of her artworks, her biggest passion is quite simply colour. This is her world both in her artwork and beyond. She is also not an artist looking to create a signature style, but rather consistently wanting to achieve a freshness and individuality in each and every piece. Away from her art, her family fill her time much of it heading with them out to the great outdoors and enjoying the glorious surrounds that resides at her back door. She also adores fashion and home interiors, but is not a follower of trends but rather has a very defined eclectic style which she keeps building upon. Her wishlist is to keep doing her adored art, hanging out with her kids and hubby and she would really love to jump onto a plane for an extended trip to the Amalfi Coast on Italy. However as I pointed out to her, there probably is not much time for such things as her art is in such hot demand, how could she possibly take any time off... www.clareodonoghueart.com


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TOXIC LOAD Mary Petherick

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very day we are exposed to an array of toxins via the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the chemicals we put on our skin. This accumulation of toxins places a lot of pressure on our detoxifying organs to render them harmless and excrete them from our body. Diets high in sugar, fatty foods, processed foods, and chemically-laden foods add to this load. If we continue to bombard our body with toxins and be deficient in the nutrients that help our body clear these toxins, then our detoxification processes will be compromised. This results in toxins being stored in tissues or re-circulating in the bloodstream causing fatigue, weakened immune function, poor memory, foggy head, lowered mood, sensitivity to foods and damage to our cells We all know we need to take stock of our eating habits if we want more energy and vitality. A detox eating guide can take the load off your digestive system and reduce the total toxic load your body is under. However to experience optimum results certain nutrients and herbs are required to support and enhance the capacity and function of the body’s detoxifying organs. 10 SUMMER 2015

NUTRIENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL

DETOX

Zinc is a mineral well known for its ability to support gastro-intestinal health, and especially significant in detoxification processes. It is very important that your body has adequate zinc levels to successfully cleanse and detoxify.

Probiotics enhance a healthy gut flora. For many the gut will be the largest source of toxic exposure mainly due to foods and other chemicals ingested. This causes an imbalance of gut flora and so supplementation with beneficial bacteria can help to create a healthier environment within the gut. Glutamine is used to heal the small intestine and address ‘leaky gut syndrome’. It is important to ensure the digestive system is functioning optimally before working on the liver.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid is the only antioxidant soluble in both fat and water. Whilst it is an important antioxidant for mitochondrial protection against free radical damage, it also promotes the function of other antioxidants. Lipoic Acid is ideal for those with significant toxic metal or chemical exposure as it assists in heavy metal chelation.

Protein, B6, B12, Folic Acid, Taurine, Choline: The overall goal of the liver is to take substances that are toxic and lipid soluble and make them non-toxic and more water soluble so they can be excreted via the kidneys and bowel. They need to be bound first (coagulate) before they can be excreted. These nutrients are the ‘coagulants’, so unless they are present, toxins are unable to be excreted and will then re-circulate.


HERBS

FOR A SUCCESSFUL

DETOX

Spirulina and Chlorella are great to use to alkalise your body which supports detoxification and elimination functions. Chlorella is a great cleanser and detoxifier because it binds and flushes heavy metals, pesticides and toxins. Spirulina supports liver and kidney detoxification. Tumeric is a fantastic herb which balances the three stages of liver detoxification ensuring effective detoxification without unnecessary

side-effects or ‘healing crisis’. The active part of turmeric is “curcumin and it is important to get it in a form that is easily absorbed by the body.

St Mary’s Thistle is a beautiful herb that is ‘tropho-restorative’ to the liver. It reduces our toxic load by supporting the liver to detoxify effectively and efficiently.

Green Tea is a fantastic antioxidant, ‘mopping up’ any free radicals before they cause damage. Antioxidants are central to successful detoxification as they help to reduce tissue damage and unpleasant symptoms. Aloe Vera Juice is great for any gastrointestinal inflammation. It has been used to heal the gastro-intestinal tract to prevent a ‘leaky gut’.

Broccoli Sprouts or any herb from the brassiacea family work wonderfully on the three stages of liver detoxification,

balancing them beautifully so as to prevent the production of free radicals. The important thing to remember is that we are all inevitably exposed to toxins but we are not powerless against toxicity. Enhancing our body’s natural detoxification capacity through supplementing with specific herbs and nutrients, while at the same time reducing our toxic load through a healthy diet and lifestyle choices, is definitely our best defence. Mary Petherick is a Health & Wellness Educator and owner of Mammoth Health, a Health Food Store and Professional Clinic consulting in Naturopathy, Myotherapy and Remedial Massage. Join Mary’s Health Tribe at www.Mammoth Health.com.au and get empowered with her weekly blogs on the latest professional research and tips on all things health.

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LOVING

YOU FIRST Tamra Mercieca

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nce upon a time there was a young lady, who despite eating the poisoned apple and missing the ball, still believed in love. Yes, I believe in fairytales! So at 30-years of age, with a posy full of romantic expectations I decided if my Prince wasn’t going to find me, it was time to go out and find him. So I did what seemed like the obvious thing to do, I started dating… a lot! Romantic rendezvous and curious frivolities prevailed and it felt like I was starring in my very own episode of the modern day fairytale Sex And The City, but just like the TV show, Mr Big always ran away… often, with my heart in tow. So after kissing one too many toads, without any of them turning into my dreamy Prince, I realised that perhaps, just maybe, I had something to do with this string of toxic relationships. As a child with few real friends I’d learnt to keep busy – studying hard, working in my parent’s business, playing in bands – all to stop me from feeling alone. To stop me from feeling the pain inside, and in living a super busy lifestyle for the past 20-odd years, I’d become an expert at distracting myself. I’d essentially walked out on myself. I had abandoned myself. When we abandon our-self with distractions, we stop loving our-self and fall into fear. The fear we feel on a daily basis, serves to steal us away from ourself, to disconnect us from who we truly are. When we’re in fear, we make bad choices, we procrastinate, we struggle and as a result, we waste this precious gift called life. Yet when we choose to be our-self and experience love, everything changes instantly. Like a Prince kissing his Snow White, we get our life back. We feel connected, life flows with ease, and we have the honor of starring in our very own love story. The only real obligation we have in life, is to love our-self. And the best way to love our-self is to stop… and be with our-self. To date our-self. So one evening, I decided to get out of the house and do something where I could actually be with myself. No distractions. No couch, no TV. I booked myself into a fancy restaurant. I dressed up in my little black dress, hair twirled into a fancy up-do, I arrived at the restaurant to be seated at the best table in the house. But as I ordered my entree I started to feel a little self-conscious. Discomfort prevailed and I began to worry about what others might be thinking of me. I started to twitch and adjust myself, my

posture starting to stoop. Anxiety rose within in me…Then I stopped. I took a slow, deep breath… and came back to myself. What other people think of us, is none of our business. We spend so much time sizing our-self up to the cool kids, when all that matters is what we think of our-self. And if we can’t love our-self, it’s because of our childhood conditioning. From the moment we are conceived up until age seven we are programmed, much like a computer, on how to think, act and behave. We take on beliefs about our-self, modeled on the adults around us, this programming forms the basis for how we see our-self in the world. How we feel about our-self. So each time we are humiliated, laughed at or we are told things that diminish who we think we are, we take them on;

we absorb them like a sponge. It is these beliefs we form about ourselves that create the negative mind-chatter that I’m sure you’ve experienced at some point in your life. ‘I’m not good enough, ‘pretty enough’, ‘rich enough’. And this negative mind chatter can wear many disguises. It can even numb us into thinking life is ok just the way it is. And so we go to our mediocre job, spending all of our mediocre pay on those pants that make us feel good for all of five minutes. And we continue living a life we’ve been led to believe is ok. The problem with an ok life, is we end up settling for less. Less than we deserve, for anything is possible. The negative mind chatter is not who we are. We are not our thoughts. The only thing guaranteed to end your magical carpet ride, is a critical SUMMER 2015 13


mind. That’s what will hold you back. That’s what will keep us stuck repeating the same unfulfilling patterns in life. The more we identify with these limiting thoughts, the more we keep looking for love in all the wrong places; in people, in fancy cars, in bigger paychecks, in validation from our parents.

I’d been in denial about how I really felt about being single. I wanted to be seen as the independent strong woman who was fine on her own, but when it came down to it, what I really craved was connection. All this time I’d been denying my true feelings – not wanting to get down and vulnerable, with myself.

We are eternally seeking to get love. Hence why we never find it. Love is an inside job. The most important place to find love first and foremost is inside yourself. It is our thoughts that cause us to abandon our-self and thus, lean away from love. Yet change your thoughts, and you change your story.

Vulnerability really is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood of all human qualities. Without the willingness to be vulnerable, we cannot build deep and lasting relationships, not with others, not least with our-self.

So I continued to date myself and during this time, I was given front row seats to my own insecurities and hang-ups. As my past hurts and emotions took center stage I gave myself permission to be vulnerable.

At our core, we are love. But as we grow up we start to believe things about our-self that stop us loving our-self. We deviate from love into fear and begin the internal fight with our-self. It is not the wounds themselves that hurt us, but our holding onto them that causes the pain. The struggle and the separation from oneself.

It was in those moments of silence that I would feel my deep fears gush forth like a swollen river. Fears of being left on the shelf, fears of never meeting anyone in time to make a baby, fears of living a lonely life with no one to grow wise with.

So over the next six months I allowed myself to feel. I let the tears cascade down my cheeks, I released my anger onto my drum kit playing those heavy rock songs designed specifically for such occasions, I journaled… then journaled

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some more.. I let myself be ok with feeling. And every time I emerged, I felt cleansed, renewed, free to love myself that little bit more. No more masks, it was time to be honest, and real. While some dates were more confronting than others, the fact that there was nowhere to hide, gave me the chance to see myself for who I really was. By date number 72, I’d pretty much become a black belt ninja in dating myself. I was also finally me and emotionally free. So once I found love in myself, my Prince did ride in, not on his horse, but in his Toyota starlet, sweeping me off my feet. Yet as this relationship flourished, I continued to water the seeds of self. Not only did I date my Prince, I continued to date myself. Every time I felt my life spin out of control, instead of looking out there for answers, I would come back to me. Be with myself. Date myself. For we are the center of our world. When we give ourselves permission to come home to our-self, only then can we experience love. Deep down, what we all crave, is love. And when we have love, that’s when we can live happily, right now.


WINNER

HAIR & MAKEUP P 5298 1547 • www.saloneve.com.au • 1/127 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights SUMMER 2015 15


Life is like a fairytale. It starts with a once up on a time, and you hope it ends with a happily ever after. But can I just ask you this question: Are you living happily right now? And if not, why not?

fall ill, do you have time to lose your job, do you have time to settle the divorce papers, when your partner walks out on you?’ As these are all symptoms of someone who has abandoned themself.

Fairytales aren’t just something for the imagination. Fairytales are something we can create. You are not your stories except the ones you wish to write. It doesn’t matter how many big bad wolves have tried to blow down your world, all you have is now. And now is the time to start living. To start loving. And the easiest way to begin loving yourself, is to date yourself.

If you want someone to support you, first find a way to support yourself. If you want someone to love you, learn to love yourself. When you’re in a healthy relationship with yourself, there is no need for another, so when someone does come in, you do not need them, they are not filling a gap, they are simply an added bonus to your already full and gorgeous life.

The only real problem in our life, and in this world for that matter, is a lack of love. When infants aren’t held they become sick, even die. It’s universally understood that children need love, but at what age are we suppose to stop needing love? Love is not an option. It’s a necessity.

So do it! Go on a date. It’s not so much about the activity, as it is about how present you are to yourself on that date. Let yourself really see you, for all that you are. And like any good fairytale, love will prevail.

So next time you come up with the excuse ‘I don’t have time to date myself’, ask yourself this: ‘Do you have time to

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Relationship and Self-Love Thrapist, Author and founder of gettingnaked. com.au: Tamra Mercieca, runs courses and sessions on how to let go of the barriers keeping you from loving YOU!


our

Offspring

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PREPARING for

SCHOOL Anne-Louise O’Donoghue

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s my child ready for school? It’s a question almost every parent asks themselves but there is no right or wrong answer because each child’s journey to school, and at school will be different. To prepare your child for their best experience at school, and to support them through their first year, there are many things you can do at home. Running, climbing, building, drawing, painting and creating with junk materials and construction toys in a non-structured, creative way will develop the physical well-being and motor development they need to thrive at school. They also need down time to rest, relax and for free play, so try not to over schedule them. In the hot early months of school, with the faster and more structured pace, your child may tire easily and find it difficult to cope socially and emotionally. Before they begin school your child needs to interact with other children at home and out, and learn to understand the perceptions and feelings of other children by resolving social conflict themselves. It is important to then reflect on it

with them afterwards. Also, encourage your child to ask other people for help when it is needed, as this builds social competence. Approaching learning with eagerness, curiosity, persistence, creativity and inventiveness is important and should be a focus for all parents. Children are very capable, they can work on tasks independently, so don’t respond immediately when they demand help or affirmation. At school this can’t always happen in a busy classroom and children need to be able to try and work through challenging tasks independently or with the help of their peers. Ask questions that encourage your child to talk about what they have learned or achieved, rather than praising them, and when playing games don’t always let them win or make and change the rules as they please. Talking with your child about the things you do, see, read and discover together will help them to develop the art of conversation, both listening and speaking. At school, conversations are the basis for learning and are often in large groups, so children need to listen actively in order to respond to the

ideas of others. “Excuse me” should no longer be seen as a licence to interrupt and turn an established conversation in an entirely different direction. If your child is not communicating confidently because of unclear speech or extreme shyness, it is recommended that you discuss this with an early childhood professional and take steps to address it prior to beginning school. Burying yourselves in books and exploring the story themes, playing with the vocabulary and creating new stories together can help to develop your child’s language skills and a love of learning. Real drawing and writing activities such as messages, greeting cards and shopping lists can also help to introduce your child to letters, sounds and writing conventions. Similarly knowing what numbers look like and how they are used every day will help your child when they start more formal mathematical learning at school. Play lots of card and board games with your child and identify numbers in the environment, while shopping, walking and driving in the car, this will develop your child’s awareness of and confidence with numbers. SUMMER 2015 19


Learning and adapting to new environments is difficult, there will be challenges along the way. Here are a few tips to smooth your child’s path into school: • Be positive about school; don’t focus on how different it will be. • Practise your routine before you start school. • Familiarise your child and yourself with the school grounds and environment. • Be on time for school, set up a morning drop off routine and stick to it to reduce stress. • Pack snacks and lunches that are small and easy for your child to manage independently.

• Name all your child’s belongings

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with tags that they can easily recognise. • Whenever possible go straight home after school to give your child some down time. • Consider an earlier bed time or having a day at home if your child is over tired or emotional in the early days. • Don’t ask “How was school today”; it is a really difficult question for a child to answer. • Do ask “What was fun today?” “What was the best/worst part of your day?” “What story did you read today, tell me what happened”. • Encourage your child to talk about new learning, strategies they used to work things out and what

they can do the next day to solve any problems or worries that they might have. • Take the time at the start or end of the day to look around the classroom to see your child’s work and what’s been happening. • Try not to over analyse things that your child tells you. Accept what they say and then work through it with them. Be careful not to expect children to behave as adults would in social situations. Remember your own stress and anxieties will be sensed by your child.

Anne-Louise O’Donoghue is an Early Learning specialist and Prep teacher at The Geelong College.


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the

IMPORTANCE of

OUTDOOR

play Jason Brown

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ith the long summer break ahead of us, now is a good time for you and your children to start planning some outdoor activities to do over the holidays, while using some ingenious strategies to avoid the dreaded technology tantrums. Here are some smart ideas that work. For those of us raising children, there seems to be a battle going on. It is an unconscious battle between our desire to reproduce the wonderful experiences of freedom of our own childhood for our kids whose lives seem to be more screen-focused and indoor based, than we could ever contemplate. Children often ignore our suggestions to get outdoors and appear more concerned about connections, data and downloads. Known as ‘digital natives’, our kids consider internet access as necessary as the air that they breathe. How can we as parents provide our children with enriching outdoor activities, while at the same time avoiding any conflicts that may arise from requesting the smartphone, tablet and television to be switched off?

PUTTING THE

SCREENS AWAY

MIND

BODY

Learning something new gives kids better access to self-directed learning. That is, they want to learn by doing, and the learning becomes embedded as long term knowledge.

Whether it is formal exercise, playing a sport or just getting moving, we all need to be doing something everyday. Riding bikes together is one really great family activity that is fun and free. As kids, it is often their first form of transport that allows them access to a sense of freedom seeing the world for themselves. Take a ride together beside the river or along a rail-trail.

Go to the local library and teach your kids how to play chess with their free chess sets, including giant oversized pieces you can play with outside. How about buying a couple of ukuleles? Sit under a tree and teach yourselves how to play a song you both like. They are cheap and youtube is full of free lessons. On another day, take a walk in a park, botanical gardens or even among the tall timbers in the Otways. Set up a family challenge to find a tree with the longest girth. To do this, use a piece of rope to act as a measure, or join everyone’s hands to form a human chain. Second challenge: find the tallest tree. You don’t have to climb the tree to do this; you actually measure along the ground, so it’s easy. Here’s how. Use a spirit-level app on a phone, holding it at 45 degrees. Stand well back from the tree. While looking up with your eye along the phone, walk forward or backwards until your eye lines up with the top of the tree. The height of the tree is now the same distance from where you are standing to the base of the tree. Count your steps to the base of the tree. This is the actual method used by foresters and park rangers. Another idea is to record the whole process on your digital camera.

Perhaps plan a picnic at the destination. Have the kids set the agenda, including when to begin the return trip. On your smartphone, record your journey on a GPS bike app and print out your travel route at home afterwards. You will all be surprised at how far you have actually travelled!

HAND Do something creative with your hands. Plant a raised veggie garden in your backyard. Don’t forget to include sunflower seeds. Next, get the watercolours out and paint what you have planted. Each week, do another painting, recording the changes. Your iPods and smart phones now have cameras with a new time-lapse function. This allows the camera to capture still images over a long period. It then stitches them together to make a continuous video that records the actual

Firstly, create a list of all the wild outdoor activities that you can do with your kids. The key is to make the listwriting process collaborative, exciting and without limits. You’ll be surprised by your kids’ ideas! Plan your days to include the activities that you believe are positive, achievable and realistic. Maybe these can be complemented with tech gadgets. Let the device come along with the proviso that it is used to record the fun. Next. Group the activities according to the following criteria. Mind. Body. Hand. Heart. This approach ensures that your chosen activities balance opportunities for learning, physical exercise, creativity and caring, whilst enjoying the great outdoor weather. Following are a few ideas to get your children out into the fresh air... SUMMER 2015 23


movement of sunflowers in your garden over the course of a day as it follows the sun. Add some art to your veggie garden with colourful mosaic creations. Mosaics look right at home in the outdoors. You can use reclaimed materials and they are great fun to make outside. Some ideas are mosaic birds, plant containers and birdbaths. Check out the link to local mosaic workshops.

HEART Do something for someone else or try doing a great thing for our planet. We can receive great personal satisfaction in return for helping someone other than ourselves or contributing to a cause. Assist at a school working bee, or volunteer at a community organised tree-planting event in a local reserve. For extra satisfaction, do beforeand-after shots of the area or project your family are working on. This will make the experience more real for the children. Take a walk along the beach;

collect 3 pieces of plastic rubbish; take a photo of your efforts; upload it to ‘take3cleanbeach’ on Instagram; and you have made a difference! Integrating digital devices with your own Mind, Body, Hand, Heart activities allows kids to creatively record and relive the great times you had together in the outdoors. It helps establish positive memories and strengthens their brain pathways. Check out some of the links to our ideas for Mind, Body, Hand, Heart. But remember, the best ideas are often the ones you come up with yourselves. Have a wonderful holiday season peppered with lots of unique, family outdoor fun time.

ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS TO CONSIDER

To see kids in a ukulele band check out www.ukesdjour.com Geelong West Library is open daily for a game of chess or two. Bannockburn Library has outdoor oversized Chess and Checkers every Saturday from 10 - 11am. Parks Victoria – Health Parks Healthy People www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Rail Trails – Checkout the popular Bellarine Rail Trail www.railtrails.org.au Mosaic Workshops in Geelong www.flockofbirdsmosaics.org Waterways Cleanup – ‘Take 3’ https://instagram.com/ take3cleanbeach/ Volunteering Geelong www.volunteeringgeelong.org.au Kevin Kirby Reserve has a working bee on the last Sunday of the month. It is located at the corner of Heytesbury & Buxton Roads, Herne Hill.

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Celebrate the diversity of life on earth with a parade of rare and unexpected creatures, collected in one, exotic garden. Discover extraordinary animals from all corners of the globe that have evolved to survive the harshest environments, outlive predators, or find a new mate, with the vivid engravings of Icelandic artist Kristjana S Williams that make real-life seem more fantastic than fantasy.

The Wonder Garden Written by Jenny Broom Illustrated by Kristjana S Williams Wander through five of the world’s wildest habitats to discover 80 amazing animals.

This book is visually an aesthetic delight, an incredible compilation of beauty and rich color.

brilliant for all ages!

It is a joy from the cover through to the final pages and is a must for the Christmas stocking or as a gift for another child to enjoy.

Published by Murdoch Books RRP $35.00

Available at all leading bookstores

This is definitely one for the home bookshelf.

Ages

for all ages!

7-10

Published by Allen & Unwin

Published by Murdoch Books

RRP $9.99

RRP $29.99

Available at all leading bookstores

Available at all leading bookstores

Freddy Tangles – Legend Or Loser

Diary of a Time Traveller

By Jack Brand and Illustrated by Tom Jellett

By David Long and Illustrated by Nicholas Stevenson

Freddy Tangles is an ordinary boy with more than his fair share of fears and a whole lot of trouble heading his way. No one is scarier than the bully; Sid Malone and he’s coming to get Freddy. But Freddy’s got a plan, laser beam eyes!

When young Augustus falls asleep in history class, Professor Tempo decides to teach him a lesson and show him that history isn’t boring at all. She hands him a magic diary, all he needs to do is write the time and place to travel there. Together they head out on a whistle-stop tour of history through the ages to meet some of the world’s finest explorers, inventors, leaders, writers, composers and painters.

On second thoughts though, he might need a back-up plan. He also needs to protect his friends and rescue them all, including himself. But what can he do when he is even afraid of his little sister (to be fair, she is totally evil)... One things for sure – it’s going to hurt! Also look out for Freddy Tangles – Champ Or Chicken. Both books are perfect for kids who are fans of Tom Gates and Big Nate. 26 SUMMER 2015

Each double page spread introduces a different time and place, with an introductory text from Augustus which explains the sights and sounds, and accompanying captions from the Professor which provide key facts. A character index at the rear gives a short biography of all the historical characters covered, and a timeline helps to contextualise the different time periods covered.


MARYANNE

VAGG

With warm days finally here, publishers are bringing out new books each week to tempt us to add to our ‘must read’ stacks. Memoirs are huge right now and the two reviewed below have a wonderful blend of humour and great narrative to keep you turning the pages. Also reviewed in this issue is Australian crime writer Michael Robotham’s latest release. He was recently awarded the prestigious British Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger for the best crime novel of the year, beating both Stephen King and JK Rowling and is only the second Australian to have won the award. Fellow Australian crime writer Honey Brown has turned her talent to a new genre and Six Degrees is the result; an entertaining (and slightly racy) holiday read. Enjoy!

MEMOIR

CRIME

AU S T R A L I A N F I C T I O N

MEMOIR

The Anti-Cool Girl

Close Your Eyes

Six Degrees

Prick with a Fork

by Rosie Waterland

by Michael Robotham

by Honey Brown

by Larissa Dubecki

Rosie Waterland is best known as the author of the hugely popular re-caps of Channel Ten’s The Bachelor on the Mamamia website. Her memoir captures much of the irreverence and humour of her online writing which provides an overarching positivity to the narrative of her fractured and challenging childhood. Growing up with her sisters in a highly dysfunctional household, her mother’s alcoholism and frequent relationship failures resulted in little stability and consistency for Rosie. However her innate intelligence and stubborn resilience, despite the anxiety that continues to plague her has enabled her to forge her own way with her writing and embark upon the successful career she now enjoys. This is a raw and honest writing by Rosie who has experienced more than enough to fill the pages of this moving and ultimately hopeful story.

For long-time fans of writer Michael Robotham, his latest release signals the welcome return of clinical psychologist Joe O’Loughlin. Joe has stepped back from his crime work and is attempting to repair some of the damage his career has wrought upon his personal life. His efforts to find work-life balance seems to be paying dividends as his estranged wife Julianne invites him to spend the summer with her and their daughters. Events conspire to draw Joe in to a new case involving the puzzling circumstances surrounding the murder of a mother and daughter whose deaths have caused great community concern. True to form, this story moves along at a cracking pace but the author never sacrifices the development of each of the key characters in order to do so. Another brilliant read by a writer who continues to both challenge and confound his readers.

Having made her name as the award-winning writer of intriguing psychological crime novels, this is a new direction for this clever and highly engaging writer. Six Degrees is a book about sexual attraction and far from being a romp or romance, it is an intelligent and sexy look at desire and temptation through the eyes of a disparate cast of characters.

This memoir by The Age’s former restaurant critic, Larissa Dubecki ‘spills the beans’ on the ten, ‘not-so glorious’ years she spent waiting tables, before her ‘real career’ began. The writing is witty and highly illustrative and one of the features of the book is the inclusion of personal (and often laugh out loud hilarious) anecdotes from hospitality staff where, for various very good reasons the names of venues and staff have been changed. From grungy cafes to gastro pubs and most venues in between, anyone who has ever waited on tables or worked in the food industry will recognise some of the more outrageous personalities and characters from the front of house to the kitchen-hand and for those diners who have never worked the tables, you may not look at your restaurant meals in quite the same way again.

In a nod to the author’s usual genre, the narrative of an accidental death loosely links all of the characters and this allows the author to explore a range of relationships from first love to the reawakening of the sensual self, to the slow burn of an unresolved affair over the six chapters of the novel. While each vignette is erotic and sensual in its study of attraction, the characters are real and flawed in their responses and this makes for a fun and ultimately satisfying read.

SUMMER 2015 27


Effortless Style 3oh2 Willows is a quality, contemporary homewares store in Newtown, Geelong. Their style is beautifully pure, with a touch of elegance and individuality, providing a personal style not seen elsewhere within the local marketplace. Recently introduced to their range is a stunning, limited edition furniture collection which has been made exclusively for the store. All furniture has been manufactured in the highest quality materials. The collection includes; solid oak dining, coffee and side tables, a three shelf console and bench seating, aged elm coffee and side tables as well as sofa, ottoman and bedhead options. Each encompassing a beautiful Belgian linen/cotton theme which is available in navy, light grey and mocha.

3oh2 Willows is at 302 Pakington St, Newtown 5229 9230

Individual, Creative Christmas Gift Giving Piccadilly Market is run by Janina Lear and has been an iconic market within Geelong for the past six years, loyally supported by locals and visitors from Melbourne and the coast. Piccadilly Market showcases over 100 stallholders all operating in a comfortable indoor environment. It is the best of local small businesses and designers, selling a wide range of clothing, homewares, jewellery, gourmet food, wall art, home decor and more. Whether you are looking for creative, contemporary and unique items for your home, children’s or adult clothing and accessories or a special gift, you are sure to find it at Piccadilly Market.

The next event is on 5th and 6th December at Deakin Waterfront Campus. Entry is $2 for adults and children are free. There is plenty of free parking available. www.piccadillymarket.com.au

Leah Grant Exhibition at Metropolis Gallery Artist Leah Grant is a talent you simply can’t overlook. Having recently completed a successful solo exhibition at Analogue Academy and about to launch a pre-Christmas exhibition at Metropolis Gallery, her work is a wonderful escape from the chaotic pressures of everyday life. Drawing on her life experiences, relationships and emotions, she has created a series of works which are both individual in the stories they portray as well as their aesthetic nature. They exude great colour usage as well as intense warmth and depth. Her art is available not only on canvas prints but also on lightboxes. Leah recently completed a mural at the renowned Powerhouse in North Geelong.

Leah Grant can be contacted on 0434 013 839 or artist.leahgrant@gmail.com

28 SUMMER 2015


Escape...Experience...Embrace the heartbeats of falling leaves... Consider a weekend or mid week escape to the beautiful and refreshing Otways! Be pampered with luxurious inclusions on your Great Ocean Road getaway and explore nature’s bounty that surrounds you. Otway Escapes Luxury Cottages offers a choice of three private and exclusive holiday cottages, custom designed as romantic retreats for couples. Leave your cares behind and revitalise your senses at these romantic getaway cottages for couples which are just over a 45 minute drive from Geelong . The International Award Winning Brae Restaurant is only a 10 minute drive away and transfers are available. Strategically located close to all the attractions on offer along the Great Ocean Road, Surf Coast and Hinterland Townships. These luxury properties offer many options to re awaken your senses, from excusive local restaurants, food and produce outlets and wine and craft beer producers. There is also in-house pampering with massages and food packages available.

Escape. Experience. Embrace.

Otway Escapes offers a unique and luxurious accommodation experience within the Otway Ranges. Reawaken your senses in these private, exclusive holiday cottages and enjoy the local indulgences on offer. www.otwayescapes.com.au | Phone 0411 721 163

otway

escapes SUMMER 2015 29


A Magical Christmas Wonderland is coming to Geelong On Saturday 5 December at the Geelong Showgrounds from 11am- 4pm will be a magical Christmas Wonderland for the whole family to come along and enjoy. A jam packed day with so much on offer including a range of Amusement Rides, Christmas Craft Workshop, Face Painting, Christmas Carols, Pantomimes, Stage Shows, Roving Entertainment and the yummiest of Food Trucks. Santa will be there in his snow dome, with Santa photos being offered for only $10. The day will finish at 4pm giving families enough time to make their way to the waterfront for the Denis Walter Carols in the evening for the perfect Christmas themed day. Tickets include entry and unlimited access to rides and entertainment. Prices start at $35 per person, for more information and to book tickets visit:

www.magicalchristmaswonderland.com.au

A Natural Outdoor Playspace at One World For Children Providing children natural play spaces with challenges and risks is an essential part of development and learning. Whilst at play, children are in charge, instinctively making various decisions as they assess and determine the levels of risk they want to take, physically, emotionally and socially. Through play, children acquire confidence, but also an awareness of limits and boundaries. With the new kindergarten outdoor playspace at One World for Children, this was an essential part of the design, helping them to navigate and learn in preparation for school. The visually stunning project is based on international best practice in natural play and is designed to move past sterile fake grass and prefabricated play equipment to really engage children with natural materials and multi-sensory experiences. One World’s new state of the art natural playscape will be revealed in an open day for the public on Sunday 13th December. Bay FM will share this special day from 11am to 3pm, with plenty of fun activities and Frozen’s Anna, Elsa and Olaf.

30 SUMMER 2015


Water Safety... a Must for Our Children With summer fast approaching it is important to give your child the best grounding to be able to enjoy and survive in the water. Children who are happy and confident in the water will be more able to think themselves out of a difficult situation and be in a position to most quickly, safely and enjoyably, learn to swim. Learning to swim and respect and be confident in the water in pools, beaches, lakes, rivers, dams, is essential for babies, young children, school age children, teenagers and adults. Children need regular and ongoing lessons until they reach the required skill level. By swimming all year round they retain skills and build techniques easily. Breaks in learning to swim, mean valuable time is lost and when lessons resume, skills must be revised and often re-learnt. Geelong Aquatic Centre with its three heated, salt chlorinated pools and a dedicated learn to swim program, is the ideal venue for your child to learn to swim. Staff are passionate about passing on their skills to each child in their care, in a warm, nurturing, friendly atmosphere, full of colour, movement and fun, that stimulates the senses and encourages children to learn to swim. They offer per-term and holiday intensive swimming programs.

3 Bridge Street Newtown p 5222 5530 www.geelongaquaticcentre.com.au

SUMMER 2015 31


little

LOULI Little Louli’s Lucy Miller is a talented screen printer with a strong career history in the fashion arena. After the birth of her first baby in 2013 and recognising a clear gap in the market for contemporary, quality kid’s bedlinen, her talents shifted and so the Little Louli range was born. From her printing studios in Fyansford, Lucy innately designs children’s bed linen in all sizes from baby’s cot sheets to double doona covers. The bed linen is then manufactured in Melbourne and the finish is cool, crisp 100% cotton bedding with a clean and contemporary design which is guaranteed in working well in any small person’s bedroom. To add to this gorgeous range, is the recently released Little Louli T-shirt’s for kids ages 0-4. These are not your typical tee and the words “absolutely divine” comes to mind in what’s on offer. These are a great addition to the unique and contemporary style bedding range and as well as a staple to baby and toddler’s summer wardrobe, they offer a stylish gift giving idea. For those that appreciate simplistic style in cool colours and designs and tend to shy away from the big and bold which tends to dominate the children’s apparel and bedding market, then Little Louli ticks every single box and more. Sweet Dreams….

littlelouli.com.au 32 SUMMER 2015


little

CREATIONS

by

Roxy Little Creations by Roxy started in April 2014 by new mum Roxanne Preston with a need to keep her mind stimulated but also to work hand in hand with her main priority of bringing up her children. In September 2014, she decided to take a leap of faith and showcased the brand at local Melbourne and Geelong Markets. This was the official launch of Little Creations by Roxy and also the beginning of meeting a network of other locally creative people with a similar story to her own. Since then she has featured at various markets but concentrates on Little Creatures monthly market where you can find her unique and gorgeous Macramé Hangers, Terrariums and upcycled quality planters. In addition, she continues to expand her range, having recently introduced concrete homewares. This has since grown into a collaboration with Torquay Surfcoast Candles who pour their divine soy candles into her concrete pots. Hence offering a more versatile and unique take on the concrete homewares look which is very now. She has also introduced cute painted concrete hearts, which are a great gift idea. Roxy has taken her creativity to another level and has signed up with Craft Space to teach basic Macramé. So for those wanting to make their very own of this latest look, then Roxy is your girl for the job! Little Creations By Roxy, is a definite on trend, modern homewares business, with a boho look about to be added to the range, offering some great new products and styles. If unique and trend are what you want your home interior to define, then Creations by Roxy is a concept you can’t possibly ignore. Ballyhoo Art currently stock some of her styles however you can also find her on:

www.etsy.com/au/shop/lilcreationsByRoxy facebook.com/littlecreationsbyroxy instagram.com/lc.byroxy SUMMER 2015 33


ECLECTIK

Blonde Eclectik Blonde’s Liz Angelovich, as long as she can remember, has always been creating something, even when growing up, she would purchase certain items and would change them by adding her own signature style. As a child Liz was always surrounded by fabrics as her Mother was a seamstress, this creativity and eye for detail was clearly passed on to her daughter. Art, fashion, home decor and interior styling have always been Liz’s great passions and her business Eclectik Blonde was started by some creative dabbling which turned heads and gave Liz the inspiration to turn her creativity into a business venture. Liz is not what you would call mainstream, she is also not a follower of trends, she is quite simply a creator of trends. Her Clay/Resin Crosses which can be made to order or purchased in a variety of colours and embellishments are ready to be hung and are an amazing addition to any interior. Macramé wall-hangings on copper rods made with rope and embellished with feathers and wool have recently been introduced to the range. Also one off unique wool/metallic leather wall weavings are also available for purchase. Apart from the eclectic creativity displayed in Liz’s works, she gets great inspiration also from her love of the ocean and the calmness and tranquillity it exudes. This can often be felt in the look and feel of some of the products she offers. Resin abstract artworks are another direction for Liz, who is also working towards this product style as another feature of her current range. All products are available for purchase through Eclectik Blonde on both Facebook and Instagram. Liz can also often be found at various local markets and is also stocked at FrankieSayRelax in Geelong West. So if edge and style, that offers a uniqueness and individuality is your preferred interior look, then this is without doubt a label that needs to feature strongly and make its mark in your home.

facebook.com/EclectikBlonde instagram.com/eclectik_blonde 34 SUMMER 2015


Abode

SUMMER 2015 35


Neutrals

with a twist of

Metallic

This season’s abode is still high in mono

and neutral surrounds, with metallic additions upping the ante, in particular rose gold proving a must do statement. Summer however is also a season and celebration of colour, embracing in particular muted tones of orange, red, blue and green which are featuring multi layered in many product ranges. These are a great way to convert your winter interior to a fresh and vibrant new season look.

Talk to the experts at Haymes Paint Geelong 23 Pakington Street, Geelong West, Victoria. ph. 5229 4971 geelong@haymespaint.com.au Colours featured here left to right: Refuge, Copper, Bleached White, Bleached Brown.

Featured stock on this page clockwise from top left: Uashmama Rose Gold Tote from Townhouse Living $149.00; Italian Linen Tea Towels from 3oh2 Willows $35.00; Concrete/ Copper Pots from High Eight $15.95; Uashmama Platino Cosmetic Bag from Townhouse Living from $59.00; Rosamund Copper Bowl from High Eight $39.95; Mikko Concrete Stool from Schots $199.00; Brass Spoon from Townhouse Living $16.00; Brass Fork from Townhouse Living $16.00; Brass Salad Servers from Townhouse Living $66.00; Metallic/White Cross from High Eight $59.00. Individual product photography by: Roza Marciniak 0417 399 311 at Geelong Photography www.quirkgallery.com.au

36 SUMMER 2015


Mono reigns

Supreme

Talk to the experts at Haymes Paint Geelong 23 Pakington Street, Geelong West, Victoria. ph. 5229 4971 geelong@haymespaint.com.au Colours featured here left to right: Greyology, Intimacy, Marble Mist, Intrigue.

Featured stock on this page clockwise from top left: Kate Spade New York Plates from 3oh2 Willows from $26.50; Union Retro Metal Wall Clock from Schots $59.00; Honolulu Patio Chair White from Schots $179.00; Kate Spade New York Salad Bowl from 3oh2 Willows $97.00; 100% European Linen Towels from 3oh2 Willows from $19.50; Australian packaged Soap Bars from 3oh2 Willows $13.50; Salus Gift Packs from Townhouse Living from $29.90; Kate Spade Water Bottle from 3oh2 Willows $49.00; Bobby Armchair and Ottoman Set in Snow from Schots $799.00. Individual product photography by: Roza Marciniak 0417 399 311 at Geelong Photography www.quirkgallery.com.au

302 pakington st, newtown . ph 5229 9230 . open monday-friday 10am-5pm, saturday 10am-2pm, sunday closed three oh two willows 3_oh_2willows

SUMMER 2015 37


A Colour

injection for

Summer

Featured stock on this page clockwise from top left: Le Jacquard Francis Napkin from Townhouse Living $22.00; Zoda Bag from High Eight $79.95; Norway Mint Calndleholder from High Eight $39.95; Manta Placemat from High Eight $17.95; Manta Coasters from High Eight $14.95; Thurlby Herb Farm Range from High Eight from $9.95. Individual product photography by: Roza Marciniak 0417 399 311 at Geelong Photography www.quirkgallery.com.au

open wed-sat 10am-4pm & sun 11am-4pm • 8 high st inverleigh • p 5265 1633 • higheight.com.au 38 SUMMER 2015


Talk to the experts at Haymes Paint Geelong 23 Pakington Street, Geelong West, Victoria. ph. 5229 4971 geelong@haymespaint.com.au Colours featured here left to right: Horizon Glow, Ocean Cruise, Sunburst, Vivid. Featured stock on this page clockwise from top left: Kyoto Medals Necklace from High Eight $89.95; Kyoto Medals Bracelet from High Eight $59.95; Naraina Round 150cm Cotton Hemp Rug from Schots $149.00; Tamba Vintage Mustard Dining Chair from Schots $99.00; Zuzunaga Waves Beach Towel from Townhouse Living $199.00; Multi Coloured Rattan Basket from High Eight from $49.95; Acqua Dell’ Elba Home Fragrances from 3oh2 Willows from $79.00; Bobby Armchair in Teal from Schots $695.00. Individual product photography by: Roza Marciniak 0417 399 311 at Geelong Photography www.quirkgallery.com.au

SUMMER 2015 39


the

INSIDE

LOOK

40 SUMMER 2015


ur abode is our utopia, it is the place where we escape to and is a reflection of us and the things we love. It is also to many of us, a rendition of style and taste which is influenced by trends or simply an eclectic mix of pieces we love which come together and tell a story and create a gorgeous environment for us to enjoy and live in. Libby Gumley of Design Inside has for 20 years been creating interior stories and impressions both locally, in Melbourne and beyond. Her taste is quintessentially classic meets contemporary, with some twists and turns along the way. This is also what makes her so unique within the interior world, as rather than repeating one style throughout her projects, her take on interiors is wide, full of colour and brightness, or neutral and succumbing as well as everything in between. She can build into an established interior or start from scratch, while all the while working with the tastes and needs of her client base. Libby has some great fundamentals that she follows and that should be taken into consideration when styling your own home. In particular she believes that form follows function, so practicality first and foremost followed by style. In a homewares world of so many choices this is thankfully an easy rule to adhere to. She is also a great believer in sticking to the things that you really love, as an honest room is always up to date. Famous design statements have always resonated for Libby. Interior Designer William Morris was well known for his quote: “You should have nothing in your house which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Renowned Architect and Furniture Designer; Charles Eames was a believer

that “The details are not the details. They make the design.” His designs are currently well embraced in interiors everywhere and his original pieces a clear signature of his incredible talent and style. With summer here and a new season for fashion, as well as interiors and homewares, Libby believes there are three types of interior style that can be applied or combined to any interior.

Fashion is first and foremost but certainly not the rule of thumb, and it reflects what is in today and in season. This however can be easily incorporated into your interior with simple cushioning, throws and well placed home décor. Colours to embrace for an on-fashion summer 15/16 interior season are Salmon as the dominant colour, Grey as the accent colour, and yellow as the support colour. Or if one of these colours or tones is currently a key feature of your home, then simply add the other two for a now and on-trend look. Trend is another style that influences our homes but with a much greater shelf life being typically 10-15 years, which allows investment in larger furniture items, artworks and key feature pieces. Style is a combination of the above as well as key individuality throughout our homes which reflect us and our taste and continue to evolve over time. In regards to your personal style and how this is reflected when pulling your interior together ask yourself – What is the worst thing that can happen? Make the space a signature of you, make it individual and dare to be different. Plan and invest your time and energy in finding your look prior to heading out and picking your pieces. It will be easier to make better buying decisions that are based, not on trends but on what makes you happy and makes your surroundings more comfortable.

SUMMER 2015 41


OUR

HOMES ARE AN EXTENSION

OF US

(continued from page 41)

With the sun shining, the bbq blazing and at home entertaining featuring well throughout the season then ensure your outdoor space is a natural continuation of your indoor living. Choose a colour palette that flows seamlessly throughout both interior and exterior areas. Along with the aesthetic nature of what will evolve, both indoor and outdoor spaces will benefit with a feeling of more space. If incorporating fabrics internally, choose fabric that can be utilised inside and out and make the most of outdoor cushioning accents. Outdoor lighting is also key in contemporary styles and warm, low lighting works best. Finally potted plants are a must and the larger the better, but strategically placed and working with rather than against one another will ensure a great overall look. Our homes are an extension of us encompassing both our taste and style. They can be transformed simply and easily with a few key pieces or completely updated with some thought and planning. Add to this some pieces that exude fashion and reflect trends current and moving forward, but most importantly always aim for an overall look that quite simply exudes you.

Tof•e

11 Pakington Street Geelong West Phone: 5222 8203

www.designinside.com.au

42 SUMMER 2015


creating an

OUTDOOR

HAVEN Trudi Bondarenko

SUMMER 2015 43


he outdoor areas of our homes no matter what the size, should create a continual flow of your indoor interior. They should exude an appealing landscape luring you to head out and enjoy. To make the most of these areas both aesthetically and practically, simply follow a few exterior rules and you won’t want to be anywhere else, at least when the sun is shining! Outdoor spaces work better with a clear order defining them, otherwise known as traffic patterns which can be established in creating pathways, systematic garden beds and an order and unification in the planting of trees and shrubs. These will always provide a stronger, more appealing end result for your outdoor space. There is no doubt that in the winter months, nothing quite equals the feeling of curling up in front of an open fireplace. Well winter does not need to be the only season for this luxury, as the outdoor fireplace is finding its way into many an outdoor area and on a cooler night is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. If space and budget allows, a full size outdoor version is a great addition to any outdoor area. The other version is the fire pit which are an affordable option to their 44 SUMMER 2015

larger cousin. However do check local building codes regarding residential fire safety, fireplace and fire pit placement legislation. Apart from outdoor settings and lounges, where space permits, seating can tend to be an oversight in an outdoor space. More often than not, a shortage in this area can prevail but really shouldn’t have too. Bring out your chairs with pride, don’t over clutter and if you can stick to chairs that work well together, then you are definitely on to a winner. Go for a look that is warm and welcoming, a little like the summer months ahead. Alike our indoor interiors where a focus rule in each room is a key piece whether it be an artwork or furniture piece that the room works around, this is also applicable to our outdoor spaces. This can be anything from an interesting pot on your outdoor table, to a daybed filled with gorgeous cushions luring you to sit back with a good book. Or for those lucky enough, a wonderful view to enjoy on a regular basis. The world of outdoor pots is never ending and is the simplest and most cost effective way to add interest to an outdoor space. Even an old pot whose colour is no longer ideal, can be quickly

resurrected with a great concrete style or textured paint, or a simple burst of bright summer color to reinvigorate it. Make sure they are positioned to add balance to your overall area, with placement in corners tending to work best. As outdoor spaces can vary from a small balcony style space to a vast multi acreage area and beyond, what works can be very dictated simply by the space at hand. For a small area, how outdoor furniture is placed will affect the overall feel. It is best in this instance to place your dining bench or table closer to a corner creating the illusion of more space and where space is vast at the very least, outdoor rugs fill space creatively as do multiple pots being displayed and don’t forget to bring out the chairs! For less private outdoor areas, strategically placed potted shrubs and dwarf trees are a great way to create structure as well as privacy. Lush vines crawling up trellis are also another great way to create screening and also some added greenery to enjoy. Wall décor is another great way to add depth and interest to your outdoor area. With hanging baskets and wall baskets back as key homewares looks, these too are a great outdoor addition. Otherwise


AN

EXTENSION OF OUR

INTERIOR SPACES

there is a lot of interesting metal wall art in the marketplace. For the more creative, vintage stores are also a great place to source some really interesting additions. Outdoor spaces are no longer just an addition to our homes, used only in unison with the lighting of the bbq and the warmer weather of the summer months. They are now a clear extension

of our loved interior spaces and in most cases sit prominently off our living and/ or bedroom areas. So treat them as such, but also with a view that they provide a warm and comfortable environment conducive to long languishing lunches and dinners with friends and family or simply provide a great spot to relax into and enjoy a cuppa and a good book.

Established since 1999

P 5229 9923 • 138 Ryrie St, Geelong • www.chefsessentials.com.au • Open Mon-Thu 9am-5.30pm, Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Closed Sunday SUMMER 2015 45


an

IDYLIC coastal

TREAT Deb Sansom

46 SUMMER 2015


Portsea

&

Sorrento so close, yet a world away... he journey to Sorrento is a mini travel treat. The gentle 40 minute ferry ride from Queenscliff takes in the seal site at Chinaman’s Hat, an occasional dolphin and stunning views of the historic coastline that await you. Sorrento’s refined simplicity embraces you as soon as you step off the ferry. On arrival, head straight down the main street of imposing limestone buildings to Just Fine Foods, where you can feast on the award-winning vanilla slice, a creamy pillow of loveliness that deserves its foodie fame. Just opposite is the charming and historic Athanaeum Cinema (built in 1894), which is the perfect place for an afternoon flick and a choc top! The area’s fascinating history can be uncovered at the Nepean Historical Museum, Pioneer Cottage, and Collins Settlement Historic Site, while for art lovers there is the colourful annual Art Show (8th – 16th Jan 2016) and the outdoor Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail, where you can view the coastal views as captured by renowned local and international artists.

While Sorrento is a relaxed holiday destination, thrill seekers can still get their kicks with the popular rock jump at the end of St Johns Wood Road in Blairgowrie. Start with the lower level jump before you get too confident or just spend a couple of fun-filled hours watching others do all sorts of tricks off the rocks. We have wide stretches of sand on our side of the bay, but the beaches on the southern tip of the Peninsula are altogether more rugged and pioneering. The cool kids head for Sorrento and Rye back beaches in summer where the surf is stunning. Tideways (which is bayside Sorrento) is good for families, while Point King at Portsea, down a steep cliff top embankment, is great for rock pool adventurers. SUMMER 2015 47


The most interesting and beautiful way to get to Portsea from Sorrento is along the cliff tops of Millionaire’s Walk, where you’ll pass the landscaped gardens and private jetties of the uber rich. Given Portsea’s exclusive reputation (only 500 people live there) it is surprisingly easy going and the iconic Portsea Hotel, with its green lawns, steady seafood menu and occasional weekend markets, is a great place to start exploring. Just next to the hotel is the pier, which is home to the Weedy Sea Dragon and some of other extraordinary marine life. These are best discovered via a scuba dive with local dive company Bay Play, who cater for the beginner to the experienced diver. Experienced divers can also explore the reef system to the left of the pier, or venture by boat to outlying reefs and historic wrecks, like the former warship HMAS Canberra. One of the highlights of Portsea is the Port Nepean National Park. It’s the second oldest permanent quarantine station in Australia and comprises over 50 heritage-listed buildings including military forts dating back to the 1880s. Hop on a bike (you can borrow one from the information centre) and discover the tunnels, forts and gun emplacements around the park. Or if you’re less inclined to pedal, jump on the hop-on hop-off shuttle bus. The Mornington Peninsula has so much to offer that it would be remiss of us not to recommend a couple of other great 48 SUMMER 2015

day trips which are within easy driving distance of Sorrento and Portsea. For the kids, opt for the brilliant Enchanted Maze at Arthur’s Seat, where you can surf through the trees, take a giant doughnut ride, get lost in mazes or spend the day rambling through the bush obstacle courses and puzzles. Inland are some of the best wineries in Victoria and there are currently no less than seven hatted restaurants on the Peninsula. Our favourites include Ten Minutes By Tractor at Main Ridge, famed for its vineyard views and extensive wine list and Montalto at Red Hill South, where on a hot summer’s day, as you dine among the sculptures and organic veggie garden, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Tuscany (be sure to pick up a bottle of their divine lemon infused olive oil). As the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, so if you like your wine tasting with a twist, take a Horseback Winery Tour at Main Ridge – it’s a fun and unique way to sample some of the area’s finest tipples. The famous Peninsula Hot Springs are well worth an early morning dip (book through summer) and a round of golf at any of the 19 courses in the region will satisfy the swingers among you. So, just to recap. It’s close. It’s stunning. It’s different in oh, so many ways. The only question is – with all this on your doorstep, why would you go further afield this summer?


HOW TO GET THERE

Ferry: Every hour on the hour from Queenscliff to Sorrento (7am – 6pm/7pm peak times only) – searoad.com.au

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Sorrento Opt for a heritage suite and late night cocktails in the cellar bar Hotham Rd, Sorrento, 5984 8000 - hotelsorrento.com.au Portsea Hotel Iconic country style accommodation Point Nepean Rd, Portsea, 5984 2213 - portseahotel.com.au Oceanic Apartments Convenient and comfortable loft apartment Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, 5984 4166 - oceanicgroup.com.au

WHERE TO EAT

Cake and Ale Mod-rustic Mediterranean. Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, 5984 4995 Just Fine Food Home of their famous vanilla slice and great ice cream. Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, 5984 46666 Smokehouse Best pizza in town. Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, 5984 1246 Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove Finely crafted food for the soul. Shoreham Rd, Red Hill Sth, 5989 8412 Ten Minutes By Tractor Go for the Dégustation menu! Mornington Flinders Rd, Main Ridge, 5989 6455

WHERE TO SHOP

Deb’s Boutique Beautiful pieces from the likes of Camilla, Marc, Anna & Boy Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, 5984 1617 Emia Vibrant, colourful store with a focus on natural fibres and wearable shapes. Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, 5984 3399 White Nest A curated collection of art, fashion, books and interiors from around the world. Point Nepean Road, Blairgowrie, 5988 9676 Big Chair Living Iconic and unique homewares. Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, 5984 3388 Saltwater Modern and stylish homewares, jewellery and clothing. Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, 5984 0444

WHAT TO DO Sorrento Art Show – sorrentoartshow.com Scuba Diving – From beginners to experienced divers, with accommodation available – bayplay.com.au St Johns Rock Jump – St Johns Wood Road, Blairgowrie Point Nepean National Park – Over 50 heritage listed buildings including military forts – parkweb.vic.gov.au Peninsula Hot Springs – Pure outdoor relaxation – peninsulahotsprings.com Enchanted Maze – Purves Road, Arthur’s Seat – enchantedmaze.com.au

SUMMER 2015 49


“the catchup”

catch them 4 - 6pm weekdays

50 SUMMER 2015


a firm

BUSINESS foundation

SUMMER 2015 51


ome people dwell on the idea for a long time, others come up with it over a glass of wine with friends and some people buy into one, but no matter how it is developed the idea for a new business venture is really thrilling. Most people don’t know where to begin, but getting expert professional advice is a really pertinent place to start.

Do your research Firstly, when starting a new business make sure to thoroughly research the idea. Critically evaluate if there is a market need and/or desire for the product or service being considered and find out who the competition are. Always ensure that there is a defined point of difference with your business offering.

Establish a business plan This will be the detailed roadmap to achieving business success and will serve to highlight milestones to be achieved along the way. This document should be quite detailed and can be modified as the business develops and grows. Issues to consider in the business plan are how to reach consumers, what is required to operate the business, map out details of business premises, equipment, staff, insurances, finance and marketing. 52 SUMMER 2015

Part of the business plan will be to cost what is needed to get started. If capital is required and you need to apply for a loan, the bank will likely require a Cash Flow Statement. This shows expected income and expected outgoings, taking into account monthly loan repayments, quarterly tax and GST to be paid as well as other general running costs. Even if there isn’t the need to borrow, this is a very valuable document for your business’ yearly planning. An Accountant will also be able to produce this document after some initial discussion. The Cash Flow Statement can then be used as a basis for the annual budget. Never operate blindly without giving consideration to when income is expected and what payments are coming up. If it is set out for the twelve months ahead, then plan for periods when monies need to be outlaid for capital equipment, periods of low income such as over the Christmas period or perhaps when extra wages are required in peak trading times of the year.

Establish a business structure The correct business structure is a critical decision to be made. The most common structures to operate a business are known as Sole Proprietors, Partnerships, Companies, Trusts and Joint Ventures. It is essential to seek professional advice from your Accountant in relation to what best

suits, this can greatly vary. Get the structure correct from the start and make sure it is flexible enough, with a clear understanding of the tax consequences of what has been set up. With guidance, decide if a business name needs to be registered also.

ABN, staff security, insurance, license, bank accounts... A business must hold an Australian Business Number to operate. This is issued by the ATO and depends on which structure the business operates under, as to what it will be attached to. Again, seek advice from an Accountant to make sure that this is done properly and to see if a GST registration is required and a new Tax File Number. If staff is being employed, there are registrations such as PAYG Withholding and Worksafe that are also required. Superannuation for all team member’s, must also be paid. Make sure these costs are taken into account in all budgeting. Also research what rates of pay or award, employees are to be paid under. The same can apply if you are paying sub-contractors. Be sure that the correct insurances are in place and details are correct. These can include: professional indemnity insurance, public liability, income protection and general insurance to protect you against fire and theft.


Also give consideration as to whether a licence or a permit is required to operate the business either through local council or with a professional or industry body. Every business should have a separate bank account to ensure that all transactions are recorded and do not get mixed up with personal affairs. Look at what various banks are offering, including a merchant/EFTPOS facility and what monthly bank fees will be charged. As a new business owner it is imperative to record income and expenditure for the business. This is not only so Business Activity Statements and each annual tax return can be completed, but also for budgeting and decision making in terms of where money is being spent. Above all, enjoy the daily challenges and rewards that come with owning and running a business, it can be an extremely exciting and rewarding journey!

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the

BIGGER picture of

HEALTH Robyn Reimers

54 SUMMER 2015


fter working in the area of health and fitness with a large number of people, one thing has become very clear to me: they are usually only looking at exercise from an aesthetic point of view.

roles within these large companies spanned over a 30 year period, so did my commitment of finding better ways to achieve overall health and strength.

With a physical training history of over 35 years, I admit this has ensured an ongoing good body shape, however the goal of staying in optimal shape is something that hasn’t really been on my radar, yet the benefit is there and will continue.

When I started in the work force, it was the early eighties, when women didn’t dare to enter male dominated industries, let alone work in them alongside male colleagues who were fiercely opposed. On day one in one such oil company a work colleague requested that I perform a certain task, which was simply to remove a broken gauge. What he failed to mention was that the gauge was still live and active, being pressured by another pump full of sulphuric acid, and at full pressure. If I hadn’t been diligent – and let me tell you, I learned not to trust anyone – carrying out all the correct checks, I would have ended up dead or seriously maimed for the rest of my life. I needed a way to cope with this level of pressure and also the negativity I faced daily working in this type of environment, and this is where exercise came into it.

My reason to physically train has always been more than just size and weight. From as far back as 1980, my skills with technology, physics and instrumentation saw me carry out work in some of the most unionised industries, in particular that of the large oil companies. Even though my

What got me through this period of my life was being in the best possible health and shape as it provided me with the resolve to keep walking into a factory of over 200 men, who clearly opposed a female in their midst and I coped with it day in and day out both mentally and physically.

There are however, two types of change that people administer when trying to improve their health and fitness. One is the change that comes by doing something different to what you have always done, so hence forming new habits. The other is not only change in their physical habits, but a transformation in their mental perceptions and habits too. Healthy minds and bodies go together.

MIND & BODY ARE

ONE

What I have observed for many years, is that the mind and body do have a vital connection. With the brain in charge of every muscle contraction, is it any wonder that any level of mental decline can be physically destructive. To illustrate this point, think of the person who suffers a mental illness such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. When the brain function drops off, watch how quickly their physical body will follow suit. Then again let’s look at the situation from the physical strength angle. Think about women who have osteoporosis. When these women suffer a major fracture to their body, such as their hip, why is it that such a large percentage of these otherwise healthy women, actually die? Or take for example the male that undergoes major heart surgery; he has every chance of making a perfect recovery, but never does. Health professionals can testify that physical trauma can often mentally undo a person to the SUMMER 2015 55


point of no return, and bring down their chance of recovery with it, even when they appear to have every reason to get well.

If you are stressed, not motivated or in doubt of your ability, it is a bit like you are saying ‘Stop!’ to your body. A positive mind will tell your body to ‘Go!’

For those who regularly train in the gym, have you ever wondered why sometimes you leave your training session knowing you could have done more? Even when there is nothing physically holding you back, you simply can’t seem to cut it? The answer simply lies in the way that you think. With every muscle response being initiated by thought, desire and need, it makes sense that the intensity with which we move our muscles will depend upon the intensity of our thoughts.

As I often say, our bodies are capable of really great things; it is our minds that we need to convince. If you have got to the point where you want to turn things around, I can assure you that there is a way forward. The goal for better health and real life change will mean small steps forward in order to set them in concrete. Make small, sustainable changes. Every physical step forward is capable of bettering the mind. Bettering the mind will then take your body to that next level.

When someone loses their health and well- being, their whole world can feel like it is crumbling down around them.

Mental benefits and physical attributes go hand in hand. Bring them up together and you will never look back!

56 SUMMER 2015

Robyn Reimers is an all-round physical fitness and strength trainer based in Geelong. You can further read all about her passion in her book: The Importance of Being Life Long Lean and Strong.


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a unique

LOCAL

OFFERING Trudi Bondarenko

58 SUMMER 2015


arriwill Farm in Highton sits proudly at the corner of a village much loved by its locals and is a clever retail combination of café and gourmet food, wine and giftware selections. It is a concept that originated from a homestead located in the Moorabool Valley where a small retail setting traded various food offerings. A business concept started and at the helm sat business partners Andrew Richards and Dougal Ramsay who saw a need for a beautifully marketed gourmet food establishment in a quality retail environment. Fast forward to a head office in Geelong and an additional six stores throughout Victoria placed strategically in Hamilton, which is the flagship store proudly boasting five shopfronts and a booming trade; Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Sorrento and Prahran Market in Melbourne. Gourmet Brands is the name behind the scenes, and operates a highly successful import and export food business of which many of their quality products find their way on to the shelves of Darriwell Farm for clientele to take home and enjoy. The philosophy behind the products in all stores is simplistic and effective, that being that all products are genuine in what is offered, high in quality and not available in mainstream chain style businesses. They enjoy the additional benefit of stunning presentation with the Darriwill Farm brand which is clearly marked on many of their items and as with all instore offerings, the guarantee of quality, and in many cases, local exclusivity of their unique product lines. Many of the product lines are internationally sourced and in

particular feature from both the UK and USA. There is also renowned French brand Le Creuset available in a wide range of kitchenware, as well as some wonderful local brands. These may be found served with breakfast or perhaps lunch next door at the Café, giving clientele a wonderful first-hand experience of how good they really are. How could one not nip next door for the real deal to take home and share with the family? Not only do the owners of the Darriwill Farm business concept, have a vast amount of experience in all things gourmet food, but Dougal Ramsay is a gifted artist of which many of his works are found reproduced on various items in the store. The new owners of Darriwill Farm in Highton: Fleur and Jim Whelan have a very long and successful history in the hospitality industry both locally and internationally. Fleur previously was Site Operations Manager for Alliance Catering at Geelong Grammar, prior to that she and Jim co-owned both a Chocolatier and Café as well as a major Function Centre both located in Regional Victoria. Both have also worked in hospitality in Melbourne for notable establishments including Hilton Hotel and Jim spent many years internationally working in both Ireland and England. What however drew them into investing into Darriwill Farm in Highton was a fondness for the surrounding area they call home, a concept and potential they could both well contribute to and a desire to align themselves with a respected brand with a local history. Walk into their store and not only are you faced with a plethora of gorgeous choices in equally glorious packaging, but you can be sure that staff have

Cafe hours Monday - Sunday 7.30am - 5pm • Shop hours Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm Shop 10/11 65-71 Barrabool Road, Highton | Phone 5241 2933 | www.darriwillfarm.com.au SUMMER 2015 59


tried most, if not all of the range. So any recommendation is genuinely supported rather than simply sold. However do tread carefully as there are so many high quality and simply delicious offerings, you will definitely be unable to take home just one! If the product lines of Darriwill Farm were highlighted they would fundamentally come under a very large and bolded heading of “Kitchen,” however don’t be fooled as you will be amazed at the subcategories that fall under this title. Bakeware, Pots, Pans, Utensils, Gadgets, Mugs, Canisters, Teatowels, Trays, Crockery and that is only a snippet. Did I forget to mention then the mammoth variety of irresistible food offerings? You could quite simply in one foul swoop clear out any trace of non Darriwill Farm home pantry staples and fill up with Darriwill Farm products with glee. Add to that impressive list some equally impressive wine offerings

which are largely local, some lines being exclusive to Darriwill Farm and all of them being quite fabulous. For a delicious cross section of the overall Darriwill Food and Wine experience, hampers are the order of the day and an interestingly large part of the overall pie that is Darriwill Farm. They are a fantastic gift giving idea and come in various sizes and with Christmas in the air, they are a perfect gift. Now moving sideways to the other half of the Darriwill business concept that being their café which is currently open for breakfast and lunch with a view to offering dinner in the new year. The café has been recently refurbished and along with that, a fresh new menu is now offered with a clear theme of clean, contemporary, high quality Australian food. A children’s menu has also been added, something the café has not offered until now. Darriwill Farm Café is fully licensed, serving many of the

wines available in store as well as a special additional few including local wine brand: Austins Wines. Add, a determination to provide quality service every-time to their customers and the mix is sounding pretty right. Darriwill Farm Café is also available to utilise for small, intimate functions which is an area Jim and Fleur are keen to grow over the coming months. The next twelve months will be an exciting time of growth and some positive changes along the way. The Darriwill philosophy will continue to be drawn upon, along with a couple who offer an incredibly relevant skill set and a drive and determination to provide a unique, quality food experience from product to service and everything in between. The sky is the limit and somehow I think they may achieve well beyond that.

Darriwill Farm Café is open Moday - Sunday 7.30am - 5pm The Shop hours are Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sundays 10am - 4pm Darriwill Farm is located at Shop 10/11 65-71 Barrabool Road, Highton Phone: 5241 2933 www.darriwillfarm.com.au 60 SUMMER 2015


LOW

maintenance

BEAUTY Andrew Lucas

SUMMER 2015 61


A few decades ago some well meaning turf aficionados discovered varieties of lawn that self-repair. Now this is great if you have a few bald patches in your lawn or if you’re on a budget and can get away with laying less turf as you WITHOUT know that it will eventually migrate into other areas. All THE BRAWN good right? Wrong. Without a doubt the biggest pain in the grass for most people is trying to keep their ubiquitous running grasses under control. I mean mowing them is one thing, but you can’t mow subsurface runners that make their way into neighbouring garden beds. Often these runners will even make their way under one foot of garden edging and into your beloved veggie patch, it’s something that belongs in a horror film about aliens, not in your backyard. If you’re looking at turf and the description includes ‘vigorous and self-repairing’ then avoid it like the plague unless you enjoying pushing a mower twice a week and can afford a fulltime gardener to keep your lawn out of your garden beds. Instead, look for slower growing varieties like tall fescue.

LAWN

Why not be brave and consider going without a traditional lawn at all. Here are some great alternatives that will not only look great, but you’ll spend more time admiring them than maintaining them.

LAWN OPTIONS Wallaby Grass (Austrodanthonia sp.)

or some folks, gardening is a hobby. You know, something they do during leisure time, an activity they actually plan for and enjoy. The rise of lawn mowing franchises would indicate that a growing number of us are just too busy to get into the garden or would rather spend time with friends and family - not stuck mowing lawns and weeding.

Native to the eastern states, Wallaby grass is highly tolerant of lousy soils and tough growing conditions. A favourite of landscape architects for public area plantings where they receive no love, no water and plenty of abuse from scooters and pushbikes! It can be mowed, however it’s suggested to let it grow and it will also attract wild life with its fluffy, purple flower heads.

Well if that’s sounding familiar you’re going to love these tips on how to have a beautiful garden without all the beastly work!

Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipioides)

Scaret Runner

One for shady areas, this wildlife attracting native perennial grass can be left to flower in spring or mown occasionally to around 5cm.

Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus nanaus) Becoming more and more popular as a lawn option, Mondo grass varieties can give your garden lush and beautiful green highlights. They will require water to get results like this, but I’d pick watering over mowing any day! Images: nativeseeds.com.au

62 SUMMER 2015


GROUND COVERS

Weeding is loathed pretty much by everyone, I mean... who asked for all these volunteer plants to ruin your garden’s structure? However, weeds are actually nature’s way of using up excess nutrients and making sure as little as possible bare earth is left exposed to erosion and baking in our hot summers. So you can follow the lead by planting these beautiful and hardy ground covers which will eventually out compete even the most persistent weeds.

Native Flan Flower (Scaevola) Stunning masses of mauve flowers will reward you every summer for planting this native ground cover. It’s also a great choice for spilling over containers, retaining walls and rockeries.

Blue Star (Isotoma fluviatilis) Another Australian native whose dense mat-forming habit will prevent weeds, as well as providing a living-mulch filled with flowers. Isotomas can handle part shade and enjoy moist positions (think low lying areas in your garden).

Kangaroo Lobelia (Dampiera linearis) Originally from South Western Australia, this low ground cover bears brilliant blue flowers during summer months. Both frost and drought resistant once established so get ready to sit back and enjoy without lifting a finger. Also provides a great floral display in hanging baskets.

USEFUL

TIPS!

For a well nourished veggie patch, growing in separate raised beds will mean less weeding as your veggies don’t need to compete with lawn and other plants.

Experiment with perennial herbs and veggies as these last longer than one season. Try swiss chard and silver beet instead of fussy spinach.

Only plant what’s in season - see below for suitable summer plantings as planting things out of season will mean lots of work for no reward!

Choose varieties that keep on giving. Scarlet runner beans will produce for seven years! You will find that they die off in late autumn and come back again in spring.

WHAT TO PLANT THIS SUMMER

• Basil

• Chicory

• Leek

• Silverbeet

• Beans (climbing and bush)

• Chilli

• Lettuce

• Squash

• Beetroot

• Chives

• Parsley

• Sunflowers

• Broccoli

• Cucumber

• Parsnip

• Sweet corn

• Capsicum

• Eggplant

• Pumpkin

• Tomato

• Carrots

• Globe Artichoke

• Radish

• Turnips/Swedes

• Celery

• Kale, Collard greens

• Rockmelon

• Watermelon

• Celeriac

• Kohlrabi

• Sage

• Zucchini

SUMMER 2015 63


Smart Home

...has been a dream of homeowners since the consumer electronics industry kicked off decades ago. Yet only in recent years has reality caught up with the dream...

Automation

by Patrick Blampied

What has changed in the last few years? The smartphone that we all carry is the ultimate remote control, allowing us to install a simple app that can connect to any service we have access to. To match that, most homes have a WIFI enabled Internet connection. These two key changes make every home fully capable of being automated in meaningful ways. This has led to an explosion of devices that can be connected by the layperson without punching holes in walls or exposing electrical wiring.

The Latest Home Gadgets... Spicing up the boring old lightbulb Philips Hue Lightbulbs are low power LED bulbs that are controlled from your smartphone. This means ‘Back to the Future’ style control of your lights. All the smarts are in the bulb, so you just need to screw them into your existing light sockets. Once installed you’ll be able to turn them on and off through an app on your phone or via voice control if your phone is capable. You can do this from anywhere in the world, though it’s most likely going to be from anywhere inside the house unless you’re playing a prank on your partner. That’s cool enough, but what about being able to change the colour depending on the time of day, activity or mood? They can do that too! Philips Hues bulbs give you access to the full colour spectrum so you can go from bright white while cooking, to warm and slightly dimmed while eating, to chilled purple mood lighting for wine and a movie on the couch after dinner.

http://www.harveynorman.com.au/ philips-hue-smart-lightbulb-starter-kit.html

$289.95

Teaching your house to heat and cool itself Nest Learning Thermostat takes a slightly different approach to home automation. Rather than focusing on letting you control your heating and cooling from your phone, Nest builds a picture of your temperature preferences and schedule. Then it uses that information to make sure that the house is always comfortable when you’re there, and turns everything off when nobody’s home. Full control from your phone is still entirely possible, however Nest’s aim is to be so good at getting the comfort levels right that heating and cooling disappears from the mind of the occupants. The Nest isn’t officially available in Australia, however you can certainly get your hands on it via places like eBay. This unit also requires professional installation by a registered electrician, so it’s worth doing some research to make sure it can be paired with your current heating/cooling unit. Find out more at http://nest.com

$249 US

64 SUMMER 2015


Fill every corner of your home with music... Sonos have created a dream wireless Hi-Fi stereo system that you can expand over time. This means you can start with a single speaker in a single room and then add as many as you like over time. Featuring the ability to play multiple streams of music from any phone, tablet or computer, you get granular control over where the tunes flow. You can play different music in each room, group rooms together or play the same music throughout the whole house. If you have an existing stereo system, it can be bridged as well so it doesn’t get left out. http://www.sonos.com/en-au

From $299

Connecting ‘dumb’ devices What do you do with the many unconnected devices in the home that are still serving us well? The cost of replacing something like an air conditioner far outweighs the benefit of being able to control the temperature of your home from your phone. There’s an emerging class of devices that solve this problem by bridging the gap between the standard remote control and the Internet. Most regular remote controls use standard infra-red signals that tell devices what to do. A bridging device connects to your WI-FI and interprets commands from your phone into standard infra-red remote control signals. It works in a similar fashion to the old universal remote controls that let you combine the remote for your VCR and TV. Think air conditioners, televisions, stereos and anything else with a remote control. It’s still early days for these devices and some further technical knowledge is needed, however if you’re feeling inspired and adventurous, head over to: https://international.switch-science.com/catalog/1644

$71.30 US

Compatibility and future-proofing

Going keyless Imagine walking up to your front door and it automatically recognising you, releasing the lock the moment you push the door open. This is now possible thanks to keyless bluetooth locks that securely authenticate your identity via your phone, the key you’re least likely to lose. That’s not the end of the benefits. Lending a key to a family member or cleaner is suboptimal as it means they have 24/7 access to your home and can make unauthorised copies of your keys without your knowledge. With a smartlock you can manage access for multiple people and set fixed access times. Find out more: http://www.schlage.com/en/ home/keyless-deadbolt-locks/sense.html

$229 US

Before making any purchase check the label to ensure that the device you’re purchasing is compatible with the phones you use. Just because a device allows ‘smartphone control’ doesn’t mean it allows YOUR smartphone to control it. The pace of device turnover and the fact this is a new category means there are few established standards. With the almost infinite variations of phones out there it’s important to look at hardware requirements, compatible operating systems and whether a certain version of that operating system is required. If you’re an all Apple or all Android household then it will make things easier, however many homes have a mixture of both.

SUMMER 2015 65


with

Roxie 93.9

Bennett ne of the most interesting segments on Bay Lifestyle each week for those with pet pooches would have to be the segment with Paul Hetherigton from IN2KP. He is a dog behaviorist who has managed to convince me that my dogs aren’t people and don’t speak English! Paul adores dogs but is really clear about their place in our lives. One of the things that Paul is particularly passionate about stamping out is exploitative puppy farms, something we can assist with by always checking where our puppies come from and making sure they are ethically bred. One of the segments that have created a lot of interest has been with Monash IVF. A lot of people may not have been aware that Monash IVF has been operating a full time IVF service in Geelong for a number of years and has helped many people realize their dream of parenthood. What has been really fascinating is understanding that Monash IVF can do many different things for fertility long before trying. For example, looking at invitro fertalisation as an option and that for some people is the answer to falling pregnant and can be quite simple. Each week we catch up with fabulous local chef, Daniel Brehaut from Black Bull Tapas Bar and Restaurant who always has a great, easy recipe for us. It’s going to be hard to beat his winning scone recipe, they’re that easy, I just had to share: Too Easy Lemonade Scones Ingredients are: 3 cups of self-raising flour, a pinch of salt, 1 cup of cream, 1 cup of lemonade and some whipped cream and jam to serve. Simply sift flour and salt into a large bowl, make a well in the center and then pour in cream and lemonade. Mix with a knife until mixture comes together then put dough on to a lightly floured surface, knead gently until smooth and pliable, then cut scones into rounds using a cutter and arrange close together on a lightly greased tray. Bake in a very hot oven (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden and then serve with jam and cream. See! Too easy, and absolutely delicious. Finally, I’m super excited to be representing Bay Lifestyle on the trip of a lifetime with Helloworld! Next June we’ll be spending ten nights aboard the amazing Jahan, a boutique five star boat travelling up the Mekong River from Saigon in Vietnam to Cambodia’s Siam Reap. It’s an all-inclusive tour and you can join us too! Just talk to the team at Helloworld, with twelve stores across Geelong, the Bellarine and Surf Coast, there’s one near you. If you have something you’d like to share on Bay Lifestyle please let me know roxie@bayfm.com.au and make sure you tune in every Saturday 10 to 12 on BayFM 93.9

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