SPRING 2015
Port Fairy
Getaway Local
Creative Talent Unveiled The
Real Truth About
The Iconic
sugar
A Day On The Green H O M E
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Contents On our front cover:
Fleetwood Mac at A Day On The Green
18 6 Culturally Aligned Geelong’s very own A Day On The Green 10 A Geelong Entity, Jon Mamonski
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14 A Natural Approach Just how toxic is sugar to our body? 18 Lifestyle and Balance You can overcome anxiety 23 Our Offspring An unfortunate reality – Bullying 28 At A Glance 32 LOCAL Creative Flair Creativity unveiled 35 ABODE 36 Spring home product release 40 Property Investing superannuation into property
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47 Weekend Getaways The lure of Port Fairy 52 Fitness Yoga to nurture the body and soul 56 Grazing Award winning Terindah Estate 59 Gardening Style A fresh food patch of your own 62 Book Review The latest reads for kids and adults
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64 Tech Knowledge All that is new in the marketplace 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 Tracy McCabe on 0421 440 441 tracy@southernpublishers.com.au General enquiries: sales@whatsoningeelong.com.au
from our
Editor
I put a comment recently on facebook, which by the way I rarely do, my biggest input typically being a like here and there. Anyway I had literally spent the day freezing into the shower while the house warmed up, freezing while watching my kids play sport, freezing while hanging out the washing and by the way praying for no rain and freezing when I jumped into bed that evening and the cold sheets felt like they were biting my toes! So my facebook comment was along the lines of: I am sick and tired of heading outdoors with 3 layers on + a scarf + a hat + an overcoat and BYO umbrella. The overwhelming response to this rather meagre comment clearly indicated we will all be very joyous when 1 September arrives and marks the start of spring. So here we are marking the new season with a brand new us…..
A new Look!
Bay Lifestyle is now bigger in size, look and content to make sure we are everything readers want to see and read about and so much more. In addition to our regular features, we have added extra topics that we know you won’t resist. We also wanted you, our audience to notice us loud and clear and who better than with Fleetwood Mac gracing our cover, reminding us of their iconic talent heading to Geelong’s own A Day OnThe Green in November. So some great new sections added moving forward include: our culturally aligned section which is literally going to be brimming with all things local arts within our region. Local creative flair showcases the incredible creativity bursting locally. Property is back bigger and better and let’s face it we are all property specialists aren’t we!! Weekend Getaways is something we should do more often, so Port Fairy kicks this new section off to lure us to a weekend of relaxation. Our book reviews have expanded to include some great kids selections, so Mum check these out for your next planned book purchase and make sure you buy one for you also! The world of technology feels like it is constantly evolving at a lightning pace, so let’s not get left behind, lets embrace it in our Tech Knowledge section. We hope you agree, we are literally chock full of some great content which I can promise is also well stamped with lots of research, discussion and a whole lot of love thrown in for good measure. We hope you enjoy it!
TRUDI AND THE TEAM
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a unique
MUSIC EXPERIENCE Chrissie Camp
Photograph by Kerry Kissell
6 SPRING 2015
n Australia Day, 26th of January 2001, Melbourne music promoters Michael and Anthea Newton of Roundhouse Entertainment decided to try a brand new concert experience: contemporary music in a beautiful winery environment. James Morrison, Renee Geyer and Stephen Cummings performed at Morning Star Estate in Mount Eliza, Victoria in an event the Newtons called A Day On The Green... As Michael Newton now remembers: “At that show it was all hands on deck and we had our friends helping us out, but from that very first concert we thought ‘this is such good fun’. The idea of enjoying good food and wine with your friends, while listening to some great music in spectacular environments just seemed like a great way to spend a day.” More than 14 years, 363 events and nearly three million happy patrons later, A Day On The Green has become one of Australia’s most successful and loved concert brands. The event is held at 16 wineries and several outdoor areas around Australia but is always looking to expand its roster of venues. It arrived in Geelong at The Hill Winery in February 2013 with a concert featuring The Hoodoo Gurus and The Angels. According to Mr Newton, the event was immediately embraced throughout the Geelong region and since then international stars such as Paul Simon and Sting, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen have attracted crowds in excess
Athea and Michael Newton
of 15,000. The upcoming summer season promises much with rock legends Fleetwood Mac in November (making good on a 2013 show that was cancelled when John McVie was diagnosed with cancer) and Elton John in December. It’s an incredible line-up of superstars to be coming down the highway to Geelong and in turn, the huge crowds provide a valuable stimulus for local businesses, from motels to cafes to petrol stations. Mr Newton said after working a few years earlier with the Browne family at their previous Bellarine Peninsula property Scotchman’s Hill, he knew there were plenty of music fans in the region ideally suited to the A Day On The Green outdoor experience, and continuing the relationship with Matthew Browne when he opened The Hill Winery (since renamed to Mt Duneed Estate) was an easy decision. “Matthew and his team are very committed to our event and working with us to make sure we can continue to bring these amazing artists to Geelong SPRING 2015
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very strong. We’ve presented all the big names so that means the artists’ managements are comfortable that we know what we’re doing, everything will run smoothly and that they will be looked after. That reputation is very important.” After securing the act, Mr Newton said there is an “absolute mountain” of work that then needs to be done by his team on the logistics – things like production and the infrastructure which transforms the wineries into concert sites. To not only survive but to thrive after more than 15 years in the tough concert touring business, means that A Day On The Green is obviously doing something very right! What’s the secret to the brand’s success?
and most importantly, give our patrons a really fabulous day,” Mr Newton said. “Mt Duneed is an ideal location because we have the capacity for 17,000 people to attend so we can draw on a big area for ticket sales and the post code reports are showing there are a huge number of people coming from Melbourne. They prefer to have a great day out or weekend away coming to Mt Duneed rather than seeing the act at Rod Laver Arena. That’s a fantastic thing for us all.”
agents in the US trying to get the right time periods for the artists to tour here. A Day On The Green can only run in the summer months but thankfully that coincides with the Northern hemisphere winter so there’s often a window there.”
Speaking of the huge names lined up for this summer begs a question often asked by curious music fans – exactly how does A Day On The Green secure the acts for Geelong?
“These conversations can start a couple of years before we actually announce the concerts. There’s a lot of negotiating regarding how many shows the artist wants to do whilst in Australia. If we are confident the artist is popular enough to do, say both, a Rod Laver Arena and A Day On The Green show, we work out how many shows they will do in a row or how many days off they need between shows, and of course their fees.
“With the international artists, I work with a number of other promoters and
“It does help that our reputation both here and internationally is obviously
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“Unlike the other music promoters, we don’t do tours through the entertainment centres or theatres, we solely concentrate on the wineries. That’s all we do and that’s an expertise that nobody else has,” he says. “Also for the first four or five years we grew very slowly and carefully. We were only doing about six or eight shows every summer in the early days and so we could make sure we did everything thoroughly, learn and really think it through. “But the main thing for Anthea and I, is that we truly feel like one of the crowd at our shows. We love our shows and we want to have fun. We want to ensure everyone has the best day possible. That’s what it is all about. We try really hard to make that happen.” A Day On The Green presenting Fleetwood Mac on Saturday, November 7 is sold out. The concert with Elton John and support act Sheppard on Saturday December 12 still has tickets available from Ticketmaster.
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a
GEELONG
ENTITY Jon Mamonski Story: Desiree Jacobson Photos: Roza Marciniak
he Geelong Performing Arts Centre, affectionately known as GPAC, is about to embark upon an ambitious re-development program, which eventually will see the centre double in size. At the forefront of creatively engaging our community is Jon Mamonski, who, since 2006, has been part of the team responsible for the steady growth of GPAC. GPAC came about from the drive of a local group of individuals determined to provide Geelong with a world class performing arts centre. In the late 1970’s the then Victorian Premier: Dick Hamer, was contacted to provide funds to develop the concept and dream of GPAC. Additional funds were then raised to an impressive (in today’s money) 2.5 million dollars. This amazing effort then kick-started the project and building commenced in 1979, with the project being completed in 1981. Over the last 34 years, GPAC has experienced steady growth in audience numbers (in 2014/15 over 244,000 patrons attended over 220 performances at GPAC, (in comparison to 180,000 patrons during the same period, through the turnstiles at Kardinia Park). GPAC has quite simply run out of room. The plans on the drawing board are to eventually double the capacity. With the first stage planned for commencement
at the Ryrie St end of the centre, which is virtually invisible and for this very reason the most practical starting point. In the process, saving the old St David’s church and revealing the old façade, which will then be converted into a cabaret space. If Jon Mamonski wasn’t real, you’d be forgiven for thinking that he was imaginary. As Community Relations and Marketing Manager, Jon is an accredited journalist/ director/producer/actor/ singer/musician/recording engineer/radio host/MC/skilled arts administrator and ex Deputy Mayor of Shire of Sherbrooke, an accredited home cinema consultant and a board member on various local charities. He is also a self-confessed ‘gadget freak’, known to those closest to him as Inspector Gadget! His recording studio; Ocean Grove Studios, has recorded many local acts (including his daughter Rachael’s band; “Bound by Hound” and Australia’s Got Talent alumni Cam Henderson), Jon himself has also released over 10 albums. As artistic director of the Ocean Grove Carols, Jon has overseen the growth of the event, from 700 on the back of a semi, to over 3,000 each year. It is this unique combination of skills that has led Jon to undertake the not inconsiderable responsibility of keeping local business support for live theatre relevant; and engaging a new generation in an increasingly digital age. SPRING 2015
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Keen to pick up where he had left off community-wise, Jon was approached by the Geelong Hospital Gala Parade to join the board. Jon is also on the board of Bethany and the children’s charity: Bravehearts. He is a keen supporter of Bravehearts Geelong who do a tremendous job teaching children how to deal with those who may not behave appropriately toward them. The increased building footprint of GPAC opens up more programming options, the philosophy of which is to try and bring work to Geelong that commercially would not normally flow through, especially children’s theatre. Jon believes that when children are exposed to quality theatre, it starts a life-long relationship. Born in Devonport, Tasmania, Jon left the Apple Isle aged 18 after winning a local talent competition. The prize was a spot on Channel Nine’s New Faces, a well-known live music program not unlike the modern day version of Australia’s Got Talent! By then, Jon was already a seasoned performer. As a 5 year-old, he banded together his fellow kindergarten friends to form a percussion group – and this bringing together of people, working toward a common goal, has continued unabated throughout his life, professionally and personally. Contact with a young Anglican minister as a youth led Jon to become an evangelist for youth services that he would pursue in later years. Jon met his wife Karen in Melbourne and they settled in the Dandenongs and eventually he became Deputy Mayor of the Shire of Sherbrooke, setting up a youth services program along the way. His continued interest in local community, especially the young of our society, is a great driver for Jon, this is due in part to the unfortunate death in 2002 of his three year old son Ryan from cancer. “Children are a very important part of my DNA. Anything that helps children to deal with the world - the good and the bad - is very important to me” A spell in Cairns saw Jon direct musicals for the first time (“Annie Get Your Gun” for the award-winning Cairns Choral Society) and by the time Jon and his wife had left Cairns, he had performed in, directed and produced numerous musicals. A job offer from Deakin University in 2000 enticed Jon back to The Bellarine. 12 SPRING 2015
The current programming reflects the philosophy of GPAC presenting worldclass shows in a regional setting. This artistic vision, through the GPAC Theatre Patrons fund, was realised most recently with the internationally renowned Shakespeare Globe Theatre presenting its only Australian performances of Hamlet in Geelong. Jill Smith, General Manager of GPAC contacted a lot of people in Geelong who loved theatre and with the support of these people the Globe Theatre was able to come to Geelong which was an absolute coup for the region. The event also injected a considerable amount of money into the local economy and promoted our region on a world-stage. The redevelopment has opened up another avenue for GPAC to engage with the audience. “The GPAC Circle” is an opportunity that provides another door into GPAC beyond the box office where the public can find out a bit more about what is going on. A personal insight into GPAC and another addition to an already successful concept. The other important plank in audience engagement and fostering of community is the way in which GPAC engages audiences socially. Not only do GPAC have over 10,000 likes on Facebook, they have managed to penetrate the fortress that is Facebook, instigating a direct-ticket tracking option through their Facebook page, the first theatre company in Australia to do so. Along the way GPAC won awards for this revolution in social media. This function further supports the work of the GPAC
box office staff who regularly poll a 98% satisfaction rating. GPAC also actively encourages a social media dialogue and revels in the opinions of those who take the time to post them.
IN 2012
JON WAS AWARDED A
KNIGHTHOOD
For Jon, it always comes back to community, for his main driver is community. Jon perceives that being able to bring lots of people together through entertainment or for whatever reason, brings joy to their lives which in turn also brings joy to his. In 2012 Jon was awarded a knighthood by the Order of St John Knights Hospitaller, the most ancient imperial order in the world still operating. Dating from the 1100s during the time of the Crusades. The award is recognition of his contribution to charity and community. The enthusiasm Jon has for his work and life in general is not easy to distinguish, his philosophy is to burn out, not rust out and his philosophy is written largely in the way he lives his life. Geelong is blessed to have one who cares so much…. Photography by: Roza Marciniak 0417 399 311 at Geelong Photography www.quirkgallery.com.au
WINNER
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just how
TOXIC SUGAR to our Body? is
Mary Petherick
14 SPRING 2015
ave you ever thought about how much sugar you eat every day? You may be surprised because according to the experts, the average Australian consumes more than 27 teaspoons a day. The main sources of our sugar intake are soft drinks, fruit juice, breakfast cereals, biscuits and muffins, lollies and chocolate, processed foods, condiments such as sauces and chutneys, desserts, and sugar added to tea and coffee. So along with the obvious offenders, there is sugar to be found where you least expect it. Belief is growing amongst medical authorities that it is sugar that is the major contributor to our obesity crisis. Last year the World Health Organisation (WHO) published its draft guidelines recommending that sugar be less than 10 percent of our total daily energy intake. This equates to consuming just 6 teaspoons (25g) per day or less than a quarter of what we are currently eating. David Gillespie, a Brisbane-based lawyer, turned researcher and author of book, “Sweet Poison – Why Sugar is Making us Fat”, researched the science of how sugar breaks down in our body and the detrimental long term effects of excess sugar on our organs. His book charts his personal story of how he lost
THE SCIENCE AROUND SUGAR 40kg by just giving up sugar in his diet. Gillespie explains the science around sugar and why fructose (the sweetest of all sugars) might just be the culprit. There are basically three types of sugar in our diet; glucose, fructose and galactose. Normal table sugar is called sucrose and it is made up of 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. Whereas the sugar found in milk is called lactose which is made up of 50 percent galactose and 50 percent glucose. Most cells in our body use glucose as their main source of energy. Our bodies are wonderful, wellengineered pieces of equipment that have many feed-back loops in place that will alert the brain when it is hungry and when it is full. For example when we have eaten, the pancreas will produce the hormone insulin,
The challenge is that we have become ‘hard-wired’ to seek out sweet foods but to reduce our risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease we need to reduce our sugar consumption.
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to control the amount of glucose in the blood stream. Insulin assists each cell in our body to take-up the digested glucose to produce energy so the body can do its job effectively. If there is too much circulating glucose (i.e. we have eaten enough), insulin will help the liver and fat cells store the excess glucose so it doesn’t wreak havoc in our blood stream. And along with the hormone leptin, it will alert the brain that we are full and to stop eating. Glucose will circulate in our blood for about four hours where our cells can uptake it as needed. If there is no food coming in after four hours then the brain will be alerted. It will stimulate the hormone, glucagon, to release the stored glucose back into the blood stream so the cells can use it and it will also alert the hormone ghrelin, to stimulate our appetite – basically tell us we are hungry and to eat more food. If there is not enough food for our body’s cellular requirements then glucagon will release energy from our fat cells. The challenge is that we have become ‘hard-wired’ to seek out sweet foods but to reduce our risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease it is paramount that we reduce our sugar consumption.
5
ways
TO REDUCE YOUR DAILY CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR
Ditch the soft drinks
With a 600ml bottle of soft drink containing 16 teaspoons of sugar, drinking just one bottle more than doubles your recommended daily intake of sugar and is a sure-fire way of contributing to weight gain.
Be organised with snacks
Replace sugar-laden snacks with eggs, nuts, seeds, cheese, vegetable sticks, even delicious crackers and hummus.
Read nutritional labels
Look for products that contain less than 10g of sugar per 100g. Beware, food manufacturers and health experts will often replace normal sugar with honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, dried fruit and agave syrup which contain high levels of fructose.
Eat festive foods only occasionally
Sugar is very addictive so limiting it to special occasions will help keep it under control.
Eat fruit only in its fresh, whole form Eating fresh fruit comes with all the fibre, enzymes and nutrients intact. Enjoy two pieces of fruit a day. 16 SPRING 2015
The problem is that a lot of the sugar we consume is in the form of fructose and according to Gillespie’s research, fructose doesn’t affect our blood-sugar levels the same way as glucose does and therefore is not controlled by our insulin, leptin, and ghrelin feedback loops. In a nutshell, when we consume foods with a high-fructose content it bypasses all of our “enough to eat” hormones. Therefore we can basically eat as much fructose as we want and never feel full for long. And the excess fructose is stored in the body as fat. According to Gillespie “it is impossible to not get fat on a diet infused with fructose”. So the effects of sugar on our overall health both in the short and long-term are concerning to say the least. But these can be simply stopped in their tracks and the effects can be minimised, if not eradicated by simply reducing daily sugar intake. Habit also plays a large part, so form a positive habit of thinking about how much sugar there is in everything you consume on a daily basis and you will be surprised that once you have reduced your sugar intake, how much better you not only look but also feel. And most importantly the big tick you have just given your inner health. 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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you can
OVERCOME
ANXIETY Tamra Mercieca
18 SPRING 2015
nxiety can be like having a lasso around your neck. Just one small tug and you’re left gasping for air. I remember my days when I would experience severe panic attacks – before I learnt what I’m about to share with you – and how horrible that was. Yet life doesn’t have to be this way. You can cure anxiety. Firstly though, you need to understand what anxiety actually is… Anxiety is a fear of what might happen in the future. Yet we all know that the future hasn’t happened yet. This fear of the future is simply a story we have made up in our mind; a story that might seem very real to us, but is still just a story of the mind. Therefore it is our mind, not life or the circumstances and situations we find ourselves in, that create anxiety. So with the mind being the cause of anxiety, it makes sense that we need to work with the mind to get rid of the anxiety. Following are some effective suggestions on how to control this often debilitating condition... If you have negative thoughts running around your head: fears, worries and self-depleting mind-chatter, they will keep you living in a self-induced nightmare. The easiest way to free your mind of negative thinking patterns is to reprogram the subconscious mind. As a child we are programmed, much like a computer, on how to think, act and behave. We form limiting beliefs about ourselves that have us thinking we’re not good enough, money doesn’t grow on trees, and all sorts of other fear-driven thoughts and it is this childhood conditioning that creates anxiety. In order to change these thinking patterns you need to change the subconscious programming.
You can visit a therapist who uses various techniques that deal directly with the subconscious mind. These techniques remove the limiting beliefs causing the anxiety and will assist in easing the anxiety until it is no longer part of your life.
BEING
100%
PRESENT There are plenty of techniques you can utilise, but if you are programmed to experience anxiety, until you clear your subconscious mind of the limiting beliefs that are causing the anxiety, then anxiety will still take its hold. However, if you don’t have programming that supports anxiety, then anxiety cannot exist for you.
If we’re being 100% present it is impossible to experience anxiety. Yes really! If you consider that living in the past causes depression, living in the future causes anxiety. When our mind is focusing on our future fears and worries and concerns we invite anxiety in. How do we remedy this? We start by being more in the present. This is about focusing 100% on the task at hand and engaging all of the five senses in whatever it is you are doing. Another way to help you be more present, is to focus on your breathing. When we get anxious our heart rate increases causing us to take short, shallow breaths into our chest. This lack of oxygen depletes us, leaving us with an uneasy feeling that can lead to the dreaded panic attack. We need oxygen – and big doses of it – to survive. Oxygen itself just so happens to be good for our mental health too! So next time you feel anxiety set in, make sure you…STOP! That’s right. Simply stop what you’re doing. Take a deep breath in, right down into your SPRING 2015 19
belly, allowing it to expand to the front, to the back and to the sides. Then simply allow the air to exit your body slowly on the exhalation. Continue to breath like this until your heart rate has slowed, and you’re feeling calm again. When you breathe deeply into your belly, focusing on each breath, this reconnects you with your body, which forces you back into the present moment. It takes you out of your head which is full of anxious thoughts, and back into your body. When we laugh our body produces happy chemicals; such as endorphins, that make us feel better instantly. Laughing really is one of the quickest ways to change your mental state. Even if it’s a fake laugh, you still get the rush of happy chemicals. So fake it ‘til you make it! Laugh BIG! And see how quickly your body relaxes and your mind calms down. Avoid caffeine. Yes, that means ditch your morning cuppa. Caffeine is a stimulant that boosts our heart and breathing rate. This is the same fight or flight reaction that kicks in when we’re in danger. Is it any wonder once the initial caffeine high wears off we’re
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ANXIETY
DOESN’T NEED TO BE PART OF YOUR LIFE... left feeling jittery and on edge? So get off the caffeine and take up the laughing instead…! Don’t allow anxiety and depression to take over your life, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Try to remain positive and be proactive. Be good to yourself, smile and laugh as much as your body can take! If you want to get rid of anxiety in two minutes flat, visit the website www.gettingnaked.com.au/anxiety for a free audio playshop to assist in overcoming anxiety. It is all you need to know about the subconscious mind to experience a life free of anxiety.
Relationship and Self-Love Therapist, Author and founder of Getting Naked, Tamra Mercieca has helped thousands of people overcome anxiety and depression. Find out more about how Tamra can help you at www.tamra.com.au
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22 SPRING 2015
an
UNFORTUNATE childhood
REALITY Jason Brown
SPRING 2015 23
t was one of the most powerful ads on TV recently. The scene was a typical Australian schoolyard. The camera solely focused on the pale, teary face of a 10 year-old schoolgirl. In the background she can hear loud, angry voices; taunting, threatening, humiliating and dehumanising voices. The viewer is led to believe that the girl is powerless and that she is directly experiencing bullying by a group of kids, especially as the tears begin to fall. “Stop it!” she yells. Only then do we realise that she is not the target. She is experiencing bullying, but is actually a bystander, who is witnessing a male classmate being bullied. As one studies the scene carefully, we can see she is one of many bystanders. The girl is moved by compassion for the boy, by empathy or just wanting to do the right thing. “Stop it!” is all she says. The bullying group instantly scatters. The boy’s eyes rest towards hers, in an anguished message of gratitude and relief. The text on the screen simply delivers the message: “Find a voice for someone who can’t find their own” and “If you see someone being bullied, always say something”. A group of local school children recently viewed this television commercial and the following was highlighted:
EMPATHY
This bullying situation is one that most kids are familiar with. Empathy is appreciating someone’s feelings or predicament. The camera’s long gaze on the girl’s face makes it easy to engage with the very real and desperate situation she is facing.
EMPOWERMENT
After all the taunts, threats and abusive words, the answer to helping the boy was very simple. It only took one person to say just two words, “Stop it!”. With courage, we can all do that. 24 SPRING 2015
COMMUNAL CARE
We must focus on the care of the victim. This person could easily be me. Help for the victim is not far away. In the culture of every one of our schools, we should expect help. Get a voice. Get a teacher. Tell someone who will do something.
BULLYING IS
NEVER OKAY
Bullying is not normal or part of growing up. Every child has the right to always feel safe and be safe. The take home message for kids is: The answer to stopping bullying starts with ME. There are various books available aimed for children which are high in appeal but even higher in the messages they convey. Sue Anderson’s book “Unbullyable” contains sensational new approaches and bullying solutions for parents and students. It is an Australia based must-read on the subject. “One” by Kathryn Otoshi is also a highly effective book for school aged children in conveying the meaning of bullying
and how to effectively react. The story uses different colours to represent different main characters. ‘Blue’ is the main character who is a quiet individual, interested in lots of things, not socially outgoing, but happy being Blue. ‘Red’ on the other hand, is a hot-head and likes to pick on Blue. The story goes on to introduce other unique colours as bystanders, who are also threatened by Red. Red grows bigger and hotter every time no one stands up to Red. Then ‘One’ rolls in. One’s message is “If someone is mean and picks on me, I, for one, stand up and say, NO.” Empathy, Empowerment and Communal Care are again featured strongly in this text. What we do as adults by reading such books to our kids is help them define what is a good character. A good character recognises that people have differences and they are wonderful. A good character recognises what is wrong and takes a stand. A good character like Blue has values that respects others, values the idea of friendship, the concept of movingon and giving people like Red another chance to join the group. A powerful and positive message for children to comprehend and understand. Allowing them to differenciate between what can be right and what’s wrong and helping them make the correct choices at the right time.
AS AN
EDUCATOR
AS A
PARENT
AS A
FAMILY
STOPPING BULLYING
STOPPING BULLYING
STOPPING BULLYING
ME
ME
HOME
STARTS WITH
Most schools take preventative and empowering approaches to bullying. They try to consistently design and promote a school that is a supportive and safe environment. Schools have also adopted programs such as ‘Bully. No Way!’ ‘Bully Busters’ or ‘Bounce Back!’. These programs are powerful, well-designed curriculum units and whole school strategies that are evidence based. That is, they are effective and they work by educating parents, teachers and students alike. Most schools also pro-actively put in place bullying policies and follow legislation. Check out your child’s school website for details or speak to your school to ensure they are at the forefront of instilling a bully-free school.
STARTS WITH
Most parents are regularly engaged in discussing the tricky issues of life with their own kids. Knowing how to respond to our kids’ confronting and uncomfortable social situations are some of the trickiest. As a parent, we never truly know the dynamics of every situation. So can we really help them? Well, Yes and No. No, you can’t be there all the time to stop incidents from occurring. Making mistakes, trying again, and failing are essential for your child’s healthy development. But yes, we can teach and model to our kids those same themes of empathy, empowerment and communal care. Another key characteristic to assist our children is to teach them resilience. This is where a child through uncomfortable
STARTS AT
experiences is able to bounce back. A child having what are known as healthy ‘Protective factors’ allows this reaction to occur. This is established through a nurturing home environment as well as having trusted relationships with others. These are seen as important protective factors for a child who may use the opportunity to confide in the difficulties or experiences of bullying. So nurture trusted relationships with your child and trusted adults such as friends’ parents, extended family, mature adolescents, sports coaches, teachers and health professionals. Your children will be more resilient, more able to communicate their experiences and their feelings to others, and hopefully more able to stand up and say “I for one say No!” or “Stop It!”
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RESOURCES FOR PARENTS TO CONSIDER
Book References: Unbullyable
by Sue Anderson (2013)
OPEN DAY One
by Kathryn Otoshi (2012)
There are many resources available for reference in assisting parents and carers in effectively handling this often difficult and distressing behaviour.
Most importantly it is imperative as our children’s carers, that we consistently provide a nurturing and loving home environment and teach our children early in their lives that quite simply bullying will never be tolerated.
In addition it is also our responsibility as parents to ensure that we are always leading by example and to be mindful that our children are literally continuously learning from our own behaviour. So let’s be the best we can be, it is the greatest gift we can give our children in growing to become happy, well balanced individuals.
Bounce Back Books and Bullying Solutions
by Toni Noble and Helen McGrath AUGUST (2005)
12
2015
from 9.15am Online References: www.bullyingnoway.gov.au www.insideouted.com.au www.bzaf.org.au www.bullying.com.au
www.takeastandtogether.gov.au www.psychology.org.au www.no2bullying.org.au www.kidshelp.com.au
www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au
26 SPRING 2015
OPEN DAY 21
OCTOBER
2015
from 9.15am
T U F E H T G SHAPIN
E R U
The Geelong College, a Uniting Church coeducational day and boarding school from Early Learning to Year 12. Find out more at www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au or phone (03) 5226 3156 to arrange a visit. SPRING 2015 27
Geelong College Head of Teaching and Learning Adrian Camm believes that young people need to spend time outside, to stop and look, and to dig in the dirt to learn to understand and value our environment. In Year 4 at Geelong College students spend the year immersed in a cross disciplinary Enviro program designed to help transition students to their new Middle School environment and to encourage curiosity, personal responsibility and deep learning. Throughout the year, the students are challenged by the question, “How can we create a good tomorrow?” Students learn how to live sustainably; they develop the concept of Identity, a sense of responsibility and come to understand the world as a living system that they can contribute to. In the garden students
11-13
SEPTEMBER
WORD FOR WORD FESTIVAL
learn focus, patience, teamwork and social skills as well as gardening and agricultural concepts and most importantly, the true source of their food. They plan, sow, plant, tend and harvest fresh produce each season, and find recipes, plan menus and cook meals for the whole year level, all the while becoming aware of the importance of looking after the land.They also embrace the joy and importance of cooking and
sharing food. So instead of being afraid or not understanding the dire warnings of a looming environmental crisis, the Year 4 students are empowered to think and act for the environment and effectively spread this message to others. A third Year 4 class will run in 2016 opening up a small number of additional places. Please contact the Admissions team to arrange a visit on (03) 5226 3156.
Climate change, sex, true crime, medical myths, narcissism, sport, grief and motherhood…. That’s just a small taste of the exciting array of non-fiction writing to be discussed, dissected and celebrated at this year’s Word for Word Festival in Geelong. Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2015 festival will again showcase non-fiction works of all sorts across three days at Deakin University’s stunning waterfront campus. Presented by Deakin University, in partnership with Geelong Regional Library Corporation and the City of Greater Geelong, the program will include more than 70 fascinating guest speakers participating in conversations, panel discussions, workshops, book sales and signings. Acclaimed scientist and author Professor Tim Flannery will open the festival with a special keynote address entitled ‘Atmosphere of Hope’ at Deakin University’s Costa Theatre on Thursday, 10 September. For the full program and booking visit the festival website:
www.wordforwordfestival.com.au
28 SPRING 2015
Volunteering Geelong is an independent not-for-profit organisation that is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the community, through the promotion and support of volunteering. Volunteering Geelong was established in 1998 by a number of individuals and members of the Geelong Volunteer Network (GVN), through the identification of the need for a “one stop shop� for volunteer recruitment and support.
VOLUNTEERING
GEELONG
The Geelong Volunteer Leaders Network was set up to provide a forum for those with a common interest in volunteer management to communicate, share ideas and provide informal mentoring and support opportunities as required. Membership is free and meetings are every 2 months. If you would like to join the Network, please contact:
manager@volunteeringgeelong.org.au
Make Mondays the day for ear wax removal. Start the week with your ears open and ready to hear. Regular swimming can mean ear wax accumulates deep in the canal, wax build up due to hearing aid use can make hearing aids whistle, or ears can simply become blocked, creating dizziness. If this is an issue, ear wax removal may solve your problems. Waurn Ponds Hearing Clinic is the first clinic in Geelong to introduce waterless ear wax removal using micro-suction applied by a qualified Audiologist. No referral is required. Mention Bay Lifestyle for a discounted rate of $60 (normally $85), offer is valid until October 12th 2015.
Waurn Ponds Hearing Clinic, Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre (next to Kmart Tyre and Auto) P 5245 7940 www.waurnpondshearing.com.au
SPRING 2015 29
2015
TOAST TO THE
COAST
Toast to the Coast Geelong’s major annual wine, food and music festival will be held over the Melbourne Cup long weekend; 31 October and 1 November and is definitely an event not to be missed. Take the opportunity to explore one of Australia’s truly iconic wine regions and taste your way across The Bellarine, Moorabool Valley and Surf Coast, as our region’s producers showcase the best Geelong winery experience on offer. Relax and enjoy acclaimed wines and delicious food and be entertained by the finest local musicians. Toast to the Coast is a true celebration of the Geelong Wine region’s premium cool climate wines, local produce and entertainers. With more than 25 wineries on board this year, come along and immerse yourself in wine, visit scenic cellar doors and meet with the makers themselves. A weekend pass is just $45 and includes a commemorative Geelong Wine glass – the passport to wine tastings at all host vineyards, rare back vintages, premium new releases and an abundance of regional fare and entertainment. A limited number of discounted ticket are available in the presale period. Tickets can be purchased via GPAC www.gpac.org.au Event information, touring maps and shuttle bus details can be found online at:
www.toasttothecoast.com.au
30 SPRING 2015
Relationships are complex, some relationships that we have in our lives work better than others. Noticing early warning signs of relationship breakdown can help a couple resolve conflicts. Some early warning signs are: living parallel lives, recurring arguments that are never resolved, ongoing unhappiness and dissatisfaction, feelings of neglect and an increase in irritation and arguments. Increasing our understanding of who we are and how we have developed as well as learning practical skills
LOVE
HAPPINESS FULFILLED
CARING
in communication and problem solving, can lead to more satisfying and harmonious relationships, and to personal fulfillment. Often we are told that ‘communication’ is the key to good relationships, what if you don’t know where you are going wrong with your communication? Amy at Geelong Bodi & Mind can help you identify problems and assist you in finding ways to mend your relationship.
Call Amy on 5223 2370.
SPRING 2015 31
All About Grace was a business that quite
Watch THIS
SPACE
simply started from a love of the creative and grew from that. Pepper the concept with a Grandmother who was an artist and a childhood dappled with art and its influences and the end result is simply beautiful, contemporary pieces. Lynda Knuckey is the face behind the name and for something that started as a hobby with a couple of product photos featured on facebook, the concept has quickly gained public interest and Lynda is often packing orders from around the state, with a healthy interest from Geelong fans who can’t seem to get enough. The desire to start a business hadn’t really occurred, as Lynda is kept extremely busy as a Cardiac Clinical Nurse Educator at Barwon Health as well as bringing up a young family. However she has always painted for fun, in recent years experimenting with resin painting which adorn her interior walls and is just another addition to add to her endless list of creative talents. An interest in creating Polymer Clay jewellery in the form of unique necklaces and earrings came about, and so too did the birth of All About Grace. A candle range soon followed, with Lynda pouring the wax of each and every candle and filling with the delicious scents of sweet lemongrass, coconut and lime, vanilla and cinnamon and lotus flower. The concept of concrete candles, hand poured and painted was the next step and then similar styles were mocked up in small, medium and large pots which are simply stunning and now available within the range. Where to from here you might ask? Well its seems fast heading upwards and the next category to unveil will be in the form of artwork, so watch this space, because it’s quite simply All About Grace.
Allaboutgrace@bigcartel.com
32 SPRING 2015
Hub Retail and Studio was born by the desire of three creative businesses (Nook Nest Den, Dear Mabel and Print Patch) to set up in one combined retail space in a pop up style format. This was simply to test market their concept as well as requiring an adjoining art studio for the screen printing arm of their business.
Creativity COMBINED
A trial was definitely not needed as the business continues to strengthen due to the highly creative and diverse offerings all offered in one great location. Support keeps pouring in from all corners, including the coast and Melbourne and the future looks very bright for the fabulous business concepts that are Hub Retail and Studio.
Dear Mabel
Nook Nest Den
The inspiration to start this business is a love of beautiful stationary and providing glorious stationary, ribbons, wrapping and tags for events of all sorts. Samantha and her husband are a strong creative collaboration who offer a gorgeous, ever expanding range to ensure your gifts are wrapped and presented in a stunning, stylish finish. Also on offer are buntings, wall ornaments and party invitations. A truly contemporary slant, on all things celebration.
Rebekah is an interior designer and with children of her own was very motivated to provide soft furnishing ideas and dĂŠcor that was contemporary and unique.
www.dearmabel.com.au
The Nook Nest Den range is made up with an emphasis on local or Australian only designers.
Print Patch Print Patch originated in a local garage offering participants the opportunity to explore the many facets of screen printing. Since joining The Hub, classes and printing workshops take place in the adjoining studio and have gained great momentum with both adults and kids alike. Ally loves teaching all age groups how to make and create, as well as nurturing the talent in her students and bringing out the best in their chosen end product designs. Print Patch offer a variety of courses and classes.
This providing a modern uniqueness to the products on offer and combined together, Nook Nest Den creates a fresh, individual style with a strong contemporary accent.
www.nooknestden.com.au
www.printpatch.com.au
SPRING 2015 33
Style with a
CONSCIENCE
Harlequin Belle was founded in of 2013 by husband and wife team Kellie and Andrew Sands. Kellie has an extensive background working for major fashion labels in design and production and had long been looking for the right time to launch her own range of quality leather accessories. All products within the range are made from beautiful high-end quality leather and are all carefully and lovingly crafted from the finest leather and trims. They are then beautifully packaged in environmentally conscious packaging with Harlequin Belle placing great importance on being thoughtful in every aspect of their business. The brand vision is synonymous with style and quality. They aim for their customers’ expectations of class and attention to detail, to be exceeded with every interaction. The ideal is ‘forever fashion’, that being to create products that are fresh, thoughtful and timeless so that customers will want to use them and enjoy them for years to come rather than just a season. All bags and wallets are limited editions with only fifty made in each colour. A unique leather label is attached to each one displaying an individual number – this clearly defining its originality and that there is without doubt not another one just like it anywhere in the world!
Sign up to the Harlequin Belle newsletter to get VIP access to all the news and season launches. https://www.facebook.com/ harlequinbelle.com.au https://instagram.com/harlequin_belle/ www.harlequinbelle.com kellie@harlequinbelle.com Kellie Sands - 0422 744 187
34 SPRING 2015
Harlequin Belle is now available in every state in Australia. The summer 15/16 “Elements” range will be available September 2015 and is absolutely stunning.
Abode
SPRING 2015 35
Fresh & Bold Colour...
Colour is the key this season so get creative as there are no rules.
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: Veronesse Peach, Muskmelon, Sundawn, Wow.
Featured stock on this page clockwise from top centre: Fiona Mirror Yellow $59.95 from High Eight, Noah Clock Orange $59.95 from High Eight, Geometric Pendant with Copper $59.95 from Townhouse Living, Tux Rectangle Cushion Neon Pink $49.95 from High Eight, Luna Cushion Orange/Fuchsia $49.95 from High Eight, Santa Fe Bowl $69.95 from High Eight, Pastel Pink Pure Linen Napkin Set $22 from Townhouse Living, Kate Spade New York Glitter Water Bottle $59.00 from 3 OH 2 Willows, Sunshine Bowls Yellow & Coral $12.95 each from High Eight, Soft Touch Mugs Yellow & Coral $9.95 from High Eight
open wed-fri 10am-4pm sat 10am-4pm sun 11am-4pm 8 high street inverleigh • p 5265 1633
www.higheight.com.au
36 SPRING 2015
Mono Stays in Style...
Great together or with an injection of other tones and textures.
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: Polar Bear, Marble Mist, Magnolia Moonlight, Intrigue.
Featured stock on this page clockwise from top left: Teques Pendant Lamp Black Wire 39x30x30cm $129, Large Lantern Mosaic Tile in Gloss Black 25.2x27.5x0.6cm $7.50, Oland Pendant Light 16x16x27cm $59 all from Schots Emporium. Tribe Bottle Black $19.95 from High Eight, Black and White Pom Pom Cushion $29.95 from High Eight, White Marble Cheese Board $85 from Townhouse Living, Pinch Pot Marble Bowl with Brass Spoon $35 from Townhouse Living, Lumira 60 hour Hand Poured Soy Candle $57.00 from 3 OH 2 Willows
SPRING 2015 37
Blue Leads the Way... This is the highlight colour this season and comes in many forms
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: Pennant, Blue Sapphire, Ocean Cruise, Blue Spark. Featured stock on this page clockwise from top centre: Pastel Trio Pendant Light in Mint, White and Blue 16x16x20cm $149 from Schots Emporium, Fiona Mirror Blue $59.95 from High Eight, Puzzle Hand Embroidered Ottoman in Turquoise & Green 45x45x45cm $395 from Schots Emporium, Button Patterned Coasters $19.95 from High Eight, Sunshine Bowl Blue $12.95 from High Eight, Geo Mint Arrow Cushion $85 from Townhouse Living, Aclan Throw Turquoise $79.95 from High Eight, Soft Touch Mug Blue $9.95 from High Eight, Landy Vase Aqua $89.95 from High Eight, Bemboka Combed Cotton Flat Rib Aqua Throw $279.00 from 3 OH 2 Willows
302 Pakington St,Newtown . Ph 5229 9230 . open Monday-friday 10am-5pm,Saturday 10am-2pm,Sunday closed Three oh two willows 3_oh_2willows
38 SPRING 2015
Neutrals Always Favoured...
Fresh and relaxing in any interior or exterior setting
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: Imagine, Organic, White Chocolate, Modesty White. Featured stock on this page clockwise from top left: Flint Bar Stool in Natural 52x37x69cm $299 from Schots Emporium, 3 Tier Metal Candelabra $49.95 from High Eight, Spot Queen Bed Cotton Sheet Set from $239.95 from 3 OH 2 Willows, White Marble Cheese Knife $27.50 from Townhouse Living, Tribe Bottle $19.95 from High Eight.
SPRING 2015 39
PROPERTY and your
SUPER FUND plan 40 SPRING 2015
ccording to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, there were 30.7 million superannuation accounts in existence at the end of March 2015. With a whopping $2.05 trillion in assets, that represents a lot of money invested. And with around 14 million Australians in possession of a super fund, superannuation has become a hot topic for many investors. Although there are a huge range of investments available to superannuation funds and a variety of ways in which to invest in these, inevitably property comes up as a talking point. There are several ways to invest in property within your super fund, the most common of which are:
Indirectly, as part of your wider managed superannuation fund investment strategy For instance, if you have a super fund that is not a self-managed super fund, for example an industry fund, it is likely that your fund has investments in both listed and non-listed property, as these funds have on average 8% holding in property. This means that although your super fund owns property, it does not directly own a particular piece of real estate, it is part of a larger investment by a group of investors.
Directly via purchasing property in your self-managed super fund Using a self-managed super fund, investors are able to purchase real property and own it within their super fund. Their super fund will then collect rent and pay the expenses on the property.
Directly via owning business premises within a super fund Another common investment strategy for business owners is to purchase their business premises within their super fund and rent it to their own business. This appeals to a lot of business owners as it allows a tax deduction on rent paid and the rental income is taxed in the generally lower taxed super fund (between 0 - 15% tax on superannuation funds, as opposed to between 28.5 – 30% for companies and up to 47% for individuals). It also allows greater control and you are your own lessor.
To invest directly in property, a selfmanaged superannuation fund is necessary. By rolling your existing super fund into a self-managed super fund you transfer control of the super assets to the new trustees, which will be the fund members, ie... you! This allows you greater freedom to control your assets, but also greater responsibility. However, this option is not for everyone. You definitely need to spend time considering the implications and obtaining good advice before you go ahead. If you form a self-managed superannuation fund you need to consider an investment strategy. The fund is able to purchase property directly in a similar way that any other individual can, however there are several SMSF property rules that must be adhered to, such as: • The property must meet the ‘sole purpose’ test and be solely providing retirement benefits to fund members. • The property must not be purchased from a member of the fund or a related party (with the exception of business real property). • A member of the fund or a related party must not live in, or rent, the property. This means that you are not able to purchase residential rental premises and rent out the property to your son/daughter or other relative or allow them to live in it. This also includes holiday homes, so if you are considering purchasing a holiday home in your self-managed super fund to spend your summers in – think again! SPRING 2015 41
A good financial planner or accountant will be able to handle this seamlessly on your behalf and make it a smooth process, as it’s actually not as difficult as it sounds if you know what you are doing. Some of the benefits for investors are:
• Tax Effective The expenses of the rental property can be claimed by the super fund to reduce the tax payable. This is especially apparent where the property is a business property and a successful business owner is able to pay rent to her/his own superannuation fund.
• Borrowing Super funds can borrow to purchase real property. Again, this may not be appropriate for all super funds, however it can be very effective for some funds.
• Greater Control With self-managed super funds, the property can be purchased/sold based on its benefits when the member believes it is the appropriate time. The decision does not depend on a fund manager’s opinion. The investor is also able to purchase a specific property, rather than having a portion of a listed/ unlisted property trust.
42 SPRING 2015
SO MANY OPTIONS
There are many different types of investments and many methods of investing, and like all financial options, there is no one-size-fitsall option. For the most effective outcome based on individual needs and long-term goals it is highly advisable to contact a financial planner who can offer step by step guidance and expertise on this matter and any general financial assistance. SJ Canny can offer a wide variety of financial and accounting assistance and would be happy to answer any questions.
www.sjcanny.com.au 5278 9500.
SPRING 2015 43
2
1
3
Bathroom
Directions
4
44 SPRING 2015
6
5
7
8
6. VISTA 1800mm
Wall Mount Vanity (Cabinet Only) $799 WHISPER White Stone Top (1800mm) $379 CORINDI Bench Mount Basin $119 OMEGA Tall Basin Mixer $189
7. LUCINI Freestanding Bath 1700mm $1199 OTTIMO Floor Mount Bath Mixer with Soul Handshower $549
8. PHOENIX 1500mm
9
1. LINO 1700 Freestanding Bath $949 QUARDA Deluge Wall Arm $59 MONSOON BOMPANI 200 Stainless Steel Shower Head $139 1000mm Frameless Shower Panel (10mm) $259 CANALE 900mm Shower Grate $159 ZEN CASCADE Bath Spout $149 2. TORQUAY Bench Mount Basin $99 SPIN Tall Basin Mixer $129 SPIN Bottle Trap $69
Highgrove Bathrooms offer a wide range of contemporary, classic and traditional bathroom ideas to ensure every bathroom they create blends seamlessly with
Wall Mount Vanity (Cabinet Only) $659 CORINDI Bench Mount Basin $119 OTTIMO Wall Basin Mixer $249 1500mm x 900mm Bevel Edge Mirror $119
9. ORIANA Freestanding Bath 1800mm $1099 Spin Freestanding Bath Mixer $499
10. LINO Freestanding Bath (1700mm) $949 OTTIMO Floor Mount Bath Mixer with Soul Handshower $549 OSCA 1200mm Shaving Cabinet $269 OTTIMO Tall Basin Mixer $169 BRONTE Bench Mount Basin $119 SPIN Bottle Trap $69 EGO MKII Toilet Suite $599
your perfect idea of style and taste.
3. OTTIMO Integrated Shower System (Rail Only) $299 MONSOON BOMPANI 250 Stainless Steel Shower Head $169 Duo Handshower $25 900 x 900 x 2100mm Frameless Shower Kit $550 EZILAY Shower Niche $40
4. BURAZZO Undermount Sink Double Bowl $499 OMEGA Kitchen Mixer $199
5. LUCINI Freestanding Bath 1500mm $1099 Toughened Glass Shower Panel 1200W x 2100H $289 SPIN 300mm Round Ceiling Dropper $27 MONSOON RAZOR Round Shower Head $35
SPRING 2015 4510
46 SPRING 2015
certainly not
AWAY FAIRIES with the
Port Fairy Deb Sansom
SPRING 2015 47
As fishing towns go,
Port Fairy
is as salty, quaint and comforting as they come...
he town curls softly around the harbour, which bobs with idyllic fishing boats and day cruisers. Nuzzled into the dramatic Shipwreck coast, it’s not hard to imagine Moby Dick himself rising up to greet you with a wink and a nod on your arrival. In 2012, Port Fairy was voted the world’s (yes, the world’s) most liveable community of towns with a population of under 20,000, in the UN-recognised LivCom Award. And yet, this small town’s big reputation doesn’t interrupt its relaxed flow. A perfect springtime activity is a morning cruise to Lady Julia Percy Island, which is about 22km South West of the town. Run by the aptly named Salty Dog Charters, the eco tour also takes in blow holes, Griffiths Island and lighthouse and (if you’re lucky) the occasional dolphin. The island is Australia’s only off-shore volcano and is listed as a geological monument of national significance by the Geological Society of Australia. It is also home to Victoria’s largest colony of breeding fur seals, and if you catch them during their breeding season (October -December) they are wonderfully vocal. Tower Hill State Game Reserve is also a must for nature lovers and is an inactive volcano which now teems with wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, possums, echidnae, sugar-gliders, emus and water birds. To get the most out of the place, join one of the guided walking tours, which offer fascinating insights into the area’s Indigenous history, flora and fauna. No modern story about Port Fairy is complete without mention of the Folk Festival. 2016 marks the festival’s 40th year and this world-renowned cultural gem ignites the town with street events, market stalls and buskers over a four day period in March. To this day, the festival is run as a not-for-profit
48 SPRING 2015
musical adventure which supports a whole range of community projects in the South West. It’s also a genuinely family-friendly event, but if you’re not a camper, be sure to book your accommodation nice and early. The Folk Festival isn’t the town’s only big attraction. Port Fairy has a deep love of the arts. In June and July the Winter Weekends bring visitors aplenty and the Ex-Libris Book Fair in September is literary heaven. The Spring Music Festival in October is packed with local talent and the summer Moyneyana Festival is great family fun. The town is also rich with antique and craft shops as well as locally made homewares, artisan objects and produce. There are also a variety of working studios, including Eclectic Designs Glass and the Old Market Inn. Another favourite is the Wishart Gallery, whose rambling garden, great coffee and art bookshop could happily detain patrons for hours, if not days...
Port Fairy is so historically intact that the National Trust of Australia have protected over 50 of its local buildings, including the oldest house in the State (1843). By far the best way to enjoy yourself is to travel on foot, so leave the car and meander through the wide streets with their white-washed workers’ cottages, churches and monuments.
For a luxurious stay, book a river room at Oscar’s On the Waterfront, or for something a little more unusual try one of the five bedrooms at St Patrick’s luxury boutique hotel which is about ten minutes out of town. This exclusive restored convent is steeped in history and the summerhouse alone is worth the visit. If you are self catering, No. 1 William Street is a delightful and cozy stone cottage. Situated one block from the beach with its open fire and old world charm, it will wrap you in arms at any time of the year.
There are restaurants aplenty, including the high-end Portofino, Saltra Brasserie and L’Edera on Bank Street as well as the atmospheric Merrijig Kitchen (which just happens to be Victoria’s oldest tavern) on Campbell Street. Cafes on offer include the non-pretentious Rocksalt, Coffin Sally pizzas (it was once an undertakers) and The Farmer’s Wife. We all love a seaside treat and one place not to miss is Poco Artisan Ice Cream, where the choice changes daily and where the Burnt Fig is delightfully beautiful.
Port Fairy is certainly a delightful escape for a weekend, a week or a month, so next time some well earnt R&R is in order, hop in the car and head West... but don’t tell anyone, make sure to keep it our gorgeous little secret!
Established since 1999
SPRING 2015 49
HOW TO GET THERE Drive: About 2½ hours from Geelong via the Hamilton Highway or longer along the Great Ocean Road. Public Transport: V Line Trains go from Geelong to Warrnambool. Transit South West buses operate daily from Warrnambool to Port Fairy.
WHERE TO STAY Oscars Waterfront Boutique Hotel The ultimate marina bed and breakfast. Gipps Street, (03) 5568 3022 oscarswaterfront.com St. Patrick’s Boutique Hotel Pure pampered convent luxury. Anzac Avenue, Koroit, 0428 416 104 saintpatrickshotel.com.au No 1 William Street Historic quaint stone cottage, sleeps 6. William Street, Port Fairy, 0419 598 263 no1williamst.com.au
WHERE TO EAT Merrijig Kitchen Seasonal and locally sourced (hard to go past the Western District lamb). Campbell Street, (03) 5568 2324 Portofino Mediterranean with a little bit of Oz for good measure. Bank Street, (03) 5568 2251 The Farmer’s Wife Great service and spicy gourmet breakfasts. Sackville Street, 0438 227 240 Coffin Sally Thin-crusted loveliness (especially the Pear Blue with gorgonzola and pancetta). Sackville Street, (03) 5568 2618 Poco Artisan Ice Cream The best ice cream and gelato within a 300km radius. Cox Street, (03) 5568 1979
WHERE TO SHOP Wishart Gallery Contemporary arts, books and objects of desire. Sackville Street, (03) 5568 2423 Decked Out On Bank Boutique clothing. Bank Street, (03) 5568 1736 Periwinkles Antiques Collectables and quirky fun. Bank Street, (03) 5568 2244 Evolve Lifestyle Modern and stylish homewares, gifts and clothing. Sackville Street, (03) 5568 3131
WHAT TO DO Port Fairy Folk Festival The 40th Port Fairy Folk Festival will take place from March 11–16, 2016. portfairyfolkfestival.com Lady Julie Percy Island Eco seal tours and all-year round deep sea fishing trips. saltydogcharters.com.au Tower Hill State Game Reserve Guided Walks worngundidj.org.au 50 SPRING 2015
SPRING 2015 51
BREATHE
&
NURTURE Molly Perrett
52 SPRING 2015
As much as we are all extremely busy with the day to day demands that life places on us, we are not all naturally drawn to placing and investing time in our physical fitness and wellbeing. However the unfortunate ramifications of this from the longer term on our bodies, can be concerning both mentally and physically. Apart from what might be perceived by some as the gruelling effort required at the gym to achieve a summer ready physique, there are other alternatives. One such alternative which seems to be consistently growing in popularity would have to be the many forms of Yoga on offer. The beauty literally, with this style of physical output is that these many varieties offer so many options to enjoy and benefit from. So if gentle and meditative with the long-term benefit of body fitness and mental wellbeing is appealing, then Hatha Yoga is a great starting point or alternatively a very nurturing style for both the body and mind. If you want to enjoy slightly more exertion and a faster pace then Vinyasa
will definitely provide this. It is also a great option for weight loss and toning. If improving individual balance as well increasing stamina and joint mobility then either Yin or Restorative Yoga will achieve these things. However do ensure your body balance is strong and cohesive as some poses will require to be held for up to 20 minutes. Bikram Yoga seems to be a focal conversational point for anyone talking Yoga in general, as it appears to be taking the region by storm in both its
uniqueness and long term results and benefits but it is a fairly intense Yoga form so read on and decide if it ticks your Yoga box. Yoga really does live up to its reputation and for something that seems to have been around since the dawn of time, some saying that it originated in India as early as around 500 BC, then you could rightly assume that its offerings and in turn benefits to us, have been well honed and well practiced... SPRING 2015 53
Hatha
Vinyasa
Yin
Hatha is a slower paced stretching form of yoga. It focuses on simple breathing and meditation in order to provide spiritual balance. This is a great style for beginners and those wanting to focus on the traditional yoga poses, practice breathing and familiarise themselves with meditation.
Some may find the Hatha style a little slow and not challenging enough. Vinyasa takes the pace to the next level. An emphasis on breathing is what will take you through the paces and allow your flow through the movements. Through inhaling and exhaling at a faster rate asanas will move with ease from one pose to the next. The dance like nature of the movements provides a good cardio workout, testing you breathing, strength and endurance. Focusing on strengthening the body and the power of breathing, Vinyasa increases your metabolic rate. This proves a great option for weight loss and toning. Vinyasa concentrates on flow of movement but also posture, assisting with lengthening the spine and muscles. This increases your everyday posture especially for those stuck at a desk. The practice of Vinyasa also helps contribute to the prevention of injuries, osteoporosis and heart disease. Whilst the pace is faster, Vinyasa does allow for modifications on poses, meaning you can adjust accordingly to suit your level. Overall this is a great class for those who are ready for the next step up from the basics.
Yin Yoga differs from the others as its focus is holding poses for extended periods. The meditative approach allows you to reach a relaxed state of body and mind.
There are many variations of Hatha yoga, which all focus on strength, flexibility and opening up channels of the body to ensure energy flows freely. Hatha ensures the alignment of muscles and bones which are as a result of the various forms of deep stretching, this style of yoga commands.
Gentle Hatha classes are held at Kyo, Pilates & Yoga Styles Studio Geelong, Lotus School of Yoga, Atha Yoga and Spirit Earth Yoga.
Toning You can attend Vinyasa classes at Kyo, Pilates & Yoga Styles Studio Geelong, The Yoga Bud and at Yoga Dojo.
54 SPRING 2015
Mobility is a big part of Yin practices, as holding the poses from anywhere between 3 to 20 minutes can increase your mobility. Yin yoga poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. They are also designed to improve the flow of qi, the subtle energy said in Chinese medicine to run through the meridian pathways of the body. Improved qi flow is hypothesized to improve organ health, immunity, and emotional well-being. Common poses are of a more passive nature and generally on the floor. The aim is to soften the muscles and when holding the pose really let the body sink in towards your bones. Releasing tensions, this form of yoga deters anxiety and stress, increases stamina and aids the joint mobility.
Release Yin classes can be taken at Kyo, Seaire & Pilates and at Yoga Styles Geelong.
Restorative
Bikram
Not too dissimilar to the Yin style, restorative yoga concentrates on long holds. The difference being the introduction of props such as blankets, blocks, straps, balls etc. Props remove any strain on the body, which allows for longer holds and to focus on breathing.
This is not for the faint hearted, the heated exercise environment can be a huge challenge for beginners. At approximately 40.6 degrees, the humid temperature will become the norm as you perform 26 poses throughout the session. The heat is said to allow for a deeper stretch and aids as a tool to rid any toxins from the body due to the excessive perspiration. Not only will you sweat excessively but also your heart rate will increase providing an effective cardiovascular workout. This allows your muscles to warm up faster, and this is the best bit – warm muscles burn fat more effectively!
For instance, a seated forward bend (paschimottanasana) can be done with a bolster or several folded blankets on top of the legs so that your forward bend is fully supported with the entire torso resting on your props. Legs up the wall (viparita karani) is a classic restorative, with the wall used as a prop to support the legs. Minimising strain on your body also gives you an indication of where you hold tension throughout. This will allow you to focus on these areas and work on releasing that tension.
Holding
It’s said that as we stretch at this body temperature, our fat has nowhere to go but back into our blood stream, becoming an energy source for our body.
Not only are you able to burn this fat, but Bikram is known to repair injuries through the focus on relaxation. Overall it is an intense workout that can take a lot of getting used to but the experts will assist you during your class.
Cardio You can attend a Bikram yoga class at Bikram Yoga in Geelong and Torquay.
It is important to note that there are variations of all styles of yoga depending on the teacher and their philosophies. As a beginner it is important to not get turned off by a particular style if you did not enjoy the first class. Explore other yoga teachers and work out what style of yoga and teaching is best suited to you and your body. Make the most of your ‘Me Time’ and your body will thank you.
Restorative yoga classes are held at Seaire, Atha Yoga and at The Yoga Bud.
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TERINDAH ESTATE
Dark Horse Winery of the Year
56 SPRING 2015
erindah is a family owned and operated establishment, comprising an award winning café; ‘The Shed @ Terindah’, a fully functioning winery, cellar door wine sales and an event space which hosts private functions, weddings and corporate events. Open 7 days a week, Terindah offers complimentary wine tastings at their cellar door and an enticing lunch in ‘The Shed’. Transformed from the property’s original 1950’s hayshed, this modernday café with floor-to-ceiling glass wall doors captures a postcard view of the vineyard, framed by an ocean background to enjoy while you dine. The Cellar Door is open daily from 10am for wine tastings as well as morning and afternoon tea. Clearly the location and the picturesque setting is glorious, but there is much more at Terindah to tantalise the senses and lure you to come and enjoy this must do destination.
Terindah’s 100 acre property boasts 15 acres of vines, rotating wheat and barley crops, quince, fig and citrus trees as well as a small organic herb and vegetable garden which contribute to their award winning menu served in The Shed. Terindah wines are estate grown, made and produced on site. The name ‘Terindah’ is the Indonesian translation for ‘most beautiful’ which is the property’s original name from the previous owners.
in 2013). Chris ensures the unique characteristics of each vintage and varietal style are harnessed to produce exceptional wines. Low rainfall and cool winds across the bay, combined with Chris’ wealth of knowledge and consistent craft for making premium wines with great flavour, is clearly noted in each and every wine.
Terindah Estate is part of the historical Geelong wine region which boasts some of Australia’s finest winemakers. Winemaker Chris Sargeant was appointed in 2012, following his previous work at Brown Magpie Wines (one of ten Dark Horse recipients
SPRING 2015 57
The vineyard is managed by Tim Byrne, who ensures grape quality and fruit characters are ideal at harvest. From vine to bottle, harvesting is done by hand at the Estate. Vines are handpicked; hand pruned and made onsite from estate-grown fruit. Bringing together delectable food is the Terindah kitchen team, led by experienced chefs Lyndon Betts (apprenticeship at renowned Mietta’s of Queenscliff, followed by former AGFG One Hat restaurant; Pettavel and The Vue Grand), alongside William Moyle (previously Donovans St Kilda), who has now hit his straps since working at Terindah over the past 20 months. So the quality, innate food and wine experience on offer at Terindah Estate may therefore account for the proceedings that took place on the 28th July at the prestigious 2015 James Halliday Wine Companion Awards. For this year Terindah Estate took out the notable award of “Dark Horse Winery Of The Year” for 2015. Up against the very best of wineries throughout the country, this award has truly clarified that Terindah Estate is without doubt one of the Australia’s leading names
in wine. Awarded by the Halliday Wine Companion which is an indispensable reference from the country’s leading wine authority; James Halliday, who is renowned on every aspect of the wine industry, from the planting and pruning of the vines through to the creation and marketing of the finished product.
‘TERINDAH’
IS THE INDONESIAN TRANSLATION FOR
‘MOST BEAUTIFUL’
In addition to this, Terindah Estate has also enjoyed a string of accomplishments past and present. Alongside Halliday’s 5 star winery rating in 2015 and a score of 97 points for their 2012 Shiraz, they also won a gold medal at the 2013 National Wine Show and received the highest Shiraz honour; the Shiraz Trophy. The Terindah Estate Shiraz is a well-balanced cool
climate wine produced from vines planted in 2006. It has a vibrant rich purple colour with strong blackberry and cherry aromas and hints of tobacco, which follows onto the palate with complex flavours including white pepper. Eight of Terindah Estate wines recently scored above 90 points in the 2016 James Halliday Wine Companion. In 2014 and 2015, Gourmet Traveller Wine named Terindah’s cellar door as the ‘Best Food in Geelong’. Then in 2013, Tourism Victoria rated Terindah as one of Victoria’s top five regional restaurants’s to visit. Terindah wines have also won various other medals at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards and Geelong Wine Shows since 2005. The basis of the Terindah experience is an amalgamation by both the owners and staff of an exquisite blend of hard work, infinite skill, glorious surrounds and a good peppering of an absolute love and dedication to all things food and wine. It is a must do destination for visitors to come and truly appreciate.
90 McAdams Lane, Bellarine 5251 5536 www.terindahestate.com
AWARDED ‘DARK HORSE WINERY OF THE YEAR’ by James Halliday
The Bellarine’s most beautiful venue Cellar door wine tastings Award winning estate-grown wines ‘The Shed’ was rated one of the top 5 restaurants to visit by Tourism Victoria Rated
by James Halliday
Awarded ‘Cellar Door with the Best Food’ by Gourmet Traveller Wine OPEN 7 DAYS
LUNCH DAILY
WEDDINGS
90 McAdams Lane, Bellarine VIC 58 SPRING 2015
PRIVATE FUNCTIONS
Ph: 03 5251 5536
CORPORATE EVENTS
www.terindahestate.com
A PATCH OF YOUR
OWN Words & Photos:
Andrew Lucas
SPRING 2015 59
The Humble
Veggie Patch o longer hidden down the far end of backyards, veggie beds are even appearing in front yards in urban Geelong and the Surf Coast. You’ll also notice herbs and leafy greens growing as part of the local cafe scene as owners get serious about ‘patch to plate’ menus. With such a focus on food, cooking and diet, it’s not surprising that the next logical step in knowing where your food comes from is to grow it yourself! Raised garden beds are a fantastic way to achieve instant success growing your own vegetables. These allow you to create the perfect drainage and fertility for growing veggies. Available in many different sizes and materials, raised beds can be easily integrated into your existing garden or become an individual feature. In filling your garden bed, you could use soil or loam from a garden centre. Another option is to explore the ‘no dig’ technique. This was popularised by Esther Deans in the 1970’s and since then the Permaculture movement has been a big no dig fan. No dig gardens are a great way to quickly establish a high fertility veggie patch - especially where your underlying soil is covered with weeds. For a step by step guide and a few tips, read on...
YOU WILL NEED... MATERIALS FOR A BORDER Straw bales, timber, bricks and don’t forget if you’re building over asphalt, you will need the sides to be around 40cm high. NEWSPAPER or cardboard boxes. BALES OF HAY Ideally lucerne but straw will do (pea straw is great)
1.
Place your newspaper and/or cardboard in a sturdy wheelbarrow right where you’re working and fill up with water.
2. Mark out the edge of your new garden with your border material 3. Take the now soaked newspaper and place down thickly (the tougher the weeds, the thicker it needs to be) 4. Throw some veggie scraps over the newspaper to encourage lots of worm activity
COMPOST If you can’t find a quality matured like our local Geelong compost, use aged manures, ideally sheep or cow
5. Place down a thick layer of straw (if the straw breaks off into ‘biscuits’ go one layer deep) approx 20cm
POTTING MIX
7. Cover with a good layer of compost or manure, use the ‘hottest’ first e.g. chicken. Again, water well.
WATER
SEEDLING OR SEEDS? Growing veggies from seeds can tests our patience and requires faith. It also opens a new world of unusual vegetables that simply aren’t available as seedlings yet. While you’ll be lucky to see five varieties of tomato at your supermarket or 10 at a good nursery, over 40 varieties are available online at the click of a mouse. 60 SPRING 2015
STEP BY STEP
GETTING STARTED
6. Water well
8.
Cover with another straw layer and follow with compost or manure, watering between each layer. Continue until you’ve reached the height of your border.
9. Finish with a final layer of pea straw or sugarcane mulch. 10. Pull aside holes in the top layer of mulch and put in a few handfuls of potting mix. 11. Plant mature seedlings directly into the potting mix and water well.
ABOUT SEEDS...
depth of their width. For instance, broad beans around 1cm while lettuce and cabbage seeds barely need covering. Try spreading some lettuce seed across the surface of some seed raising mix and just water without covering.
Seeds are made up of two major parts. Firstly, the embryo which includes the roots and the shoots. Secondly, the food source... they pack their own lunch! To grow, seeds need to absorb around 60% of their body weight in water. Additionally they also need access to air. So when growing seeds it’s a balance between moisture holding growing mediums while also having excellent drainage. You can assist the water absorbing process by presoaking your seeds before planting for a day or so.
In around 10 days they’ll germinate and anchor themselves nicely. We all know how wonderfully weeds grow, and nobody is sowing them at a specific depth!
LONGTERM CARE FOR SEEDLINGS Seeds germinate well in dappled light (especially in summer) and this will also prevent the seed raising mix drying out too much. You will know it’s too shady if seedlings grow ‘leggy’ i.e. thin and tall.
Direct in garden or seed raising mix? For root vegetables (carrots, beetroot, parsnips etc.) always sow directly as the large tap root is susceptible to damage when transplanting. Peas, beans and corn also sow directly – the large seeds making it a straight forward process. Most other herbs, brassicas (cabbages, broccoli, Asian greens) tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers...well pretty much everything else, needs to grow into seedlings before transplanting.
Temperature is the other necessary factor in germination, with most seeds only coming to life when the soil temperature is close to 20 degrees. It’s now a lot up to your diligence and ongoing nurturing and a little up to nature.
HOW DEEP TO PLANT? It is very tempting to plant seeds deeper than they need to be. Generally speaking seeds are planted to the
WHAT TO PLANT THIS SPRING
With carrot seedlings you have to be cruel to be kind by thinning, in this case using tweezers.
If you follow these tips then the literal fruits of your labour will unveil and voila a delicious array of pickings will be beckoning to enjoy.
• Artichoke
• Chicory
• Parsley
• Squash
• Basil
• Chilli
• Parsnip
• Sunflowers
• Beans
• Chives
• Potato
• Sweet corn
• Beetroot
• Cucumber
• Pumpkin
• Tomato
• Broccoli
• Eggplant
• Radish
• Turnips/Swedes
• Capsicum
• Kale, Collard
• Rocket (in shaded area)
• Watermelon
• Carrots
• Kohlrabi
• Rockmelon
• Zucchini
• Celery
• Leek
• Sage
• Celeriac
• Lettuce
• Silverbeet
SPRING 2015 61
The stories have all been created by the ethos of using literature, art and music to heal and inspire. The Hush Music Foundation was founded over 10 years ago by Physician, Dr Catherine Crock while working with children with cancer at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
The Hush Treasure Book Various Short Stories A glorious collection of illustrated stories and poems from thirty favourite Australian children’s book creators.
www. hush. org. au Ages 3-10
This concept is based on an inspiring vision that brings music and medicine together.
Playing music during treatments in hospitals helps patients and their families to relax in what is often a stressful environment.
Published by Allen & Unwin RRP $29.99
Available at all good leading bookstores
HUSH music is now also played in many varied settings, not only hospitals.
Ages
Ages
8-12
14+
Published by Allen & Unwin
Published by Allen & Unwin
RRP $13.99
RRP $16.99
Available at all good leading bookstores
Available at all good leading bookstores
My Brother is a Superhero
Green Valentine
by David Solomons
by Lili Wilkinson
Behind every great superhero is a very angry younger brother… Luke is a comic-mad, eleven-year old who shares a treehouse with his geeky older brother, Zack. Luke’s only mistake is to go for a wee right at the wrong time.
When Astrid and Hiro meet they give each other superhero names. She’s Lobster Girl and he’s Shopping Trolley Boy. Not an auspicious beginning. But it gets better. Then it gets worse. Much worse. Classic romantic comedy: girl-meets-boy, love blossoms, and is derailed. Incredibly engaging, upbeat, funny and smart. Astrid Katy Smythe is beautiful, smart and popular. She’s a straight-A student and a committed environmental activist. She’s basically perfect. Hiro is the opposite of perfect. He’s slouchy, rude and resentful.
While he’s gone, an alien gives his undeserving, never-read-acomic-in-his-life brother superpowers and tells him to save the universe. Luke is massively annoyed about this, but when Zack is kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, Luke and his friends have only five days to find him and save the world… Laugh-out-loud funny with enough heart to fill the entire galaxy! 62 SPRING 2015
Despite his brains, he doesn’t see the point of school. Astrid wants to change the world, Hiro wants to survive it. A romantic comedy about life and love and trying to make the planet a better place, with a little heartbreak, and a whole lot of hilarity.
MARYANNE
VAGG
A few years ago, the famed American writer, Junot Diaz addressed the Sydney Writers Festival and his words at the time resonated for me; “It is in the simple act of reading where the living and the dead, the real and the imagined, meet. It is in the simple act of reading where we exercise those two most sacred of human vocations: compassion and creativity”. Readers have long understood the health and well-being benefits of reading and a recent study from the UK has shown that adults who read for pleasure for just 30 minutes a week experience greater life satisfaction; enhanced social connectedness and a sense of community spirit. Reading can even help protect against and even prepare for life difficulties. So read on!
AU S T R A L I A N F I C T I ON
MEMOIR
FOR READERS
CRIME
Relativity
My Life in Ruins
The Simple Act of Reading
You are Dead
by Antonia Hayes
by Adam Ford
edited by Debra Adelaide
by Peter James
Twelve year old Ethan lives with his loving and protective mother Claire. He is an exceptional boy obsessed by physics and astronomy. Increasingly an outsider at school, he starts to question his own identity and focus on the father he has never known.
British/Australian presenter of ABC TV’s Who’s Been Sleeping in My House? and Bellarine Peninsula resident, Adam Ford has excavated sites and explored the story of human history across the world. In the course of digging his way across the world, he has had heatstroke, hypothermia and dysentery, has been chased by camel spiders and been nearly killed more times that he would care to remember.
How could I resist this? What a wonderful concept; to gather writers to share their thoughts and memories about the power of reading. Some of Australia’s best loved and well known writers have contributed to this collection of essays and memoir pieces and published to raise funds for the Sydney Story Factory, a not-for-profit creative writing centre for young people in Redfern. From superstar children’s author Andy Griffths to writer and academic Anita Heiss, to Stella Prize winner Carrie Tiffany, over twenty writers were given a simple brief to write about any aspect of the reading life that was meaningful to them. That has resulted in an eclectic and inspiring collection of writing that comes with its own reading list in the back of the book that has just grown my own ‘must read’ pile by several volumes.
This latest in the long running series featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace hooked me in from the opening pages. Roy Grace’s personal life is complicated, but after remaining single for ten years following the mysterious disappearance of his wife Sandy, he is about to move into a country cottage with his new wife Cleo and their baby son. His plans for domestic bliss are violently disrupted with the puzzling disappearance of a young woman and the unearthing of the body of another young woman, buried thirty years earlier. Although seemingly unrelated, the more evidence Grace and his team uncover, the more these two crimes appear linked. When events take an even more sinister turn it appears that a long dormant killer has returned to old murderous ways.
Mark is Ethan’s father who has long been absent from his son’s life and estranged from his ex-wife, but the news that his own father is dying compels him to get back in touch with Claire as his father wants to meet his grandson as his life comes to an end The revelation of the shocking incident that has caused this family to disintegrate so thoroughly is at the heart of the story and the clever techniques used to peel back each layer of the story through the eyes of Claire, Mark and Ethan leave the reader with more questions than answers until the final pages.
His recently released memoir is a real treat and definitely not just for history-buffs or fans of the show. It is an intelligent and humorous look at a life spent digging around in the past, but more than just a tale of adventures in far-off places, it is a timely reminder of the importance of reflecting on the past and how history informs our shared future.
SPRING 2015 63
Consumer electronics have moved beyond their complex, nerdy origins and have improved nearly every aspect of our lives. The biggest problem now is keeping up and knowing what’s the best of the best. So with each issue of Bay Lifestyle we will bring you just that, the hottest and most useful tech products to enhance your lifestyle... by Patrick Blampied
The Apple Watch...
One could not write a tech article right now without mentioning the Apple Watch. Do you really need a computer on your wrist? Many are dismissive of the watch’s usefulness however breakthrough products tend to be misunderstood at first. For example people thought a phone without physical keys was a silly idea when the first iPhone was released in 2007. Within five years phones with keys had all but disappeared. We’ve road-tested the stainless steel Apple Watch with the silky smooth milanese loop band. The first step towards understanding what it can do for you is to first appreciate it as an extremely good watch. It looks like a watch, it’s priced like a watch, and it keeps time like a watch. What regular watches can’t do is track your fitness and motivate you to move. They also can’t send you brief updates, text messages and reminders.
Voice Recognition The only text input method on the watch is voice recognition. The accuracy is about 95% at the moment and is particular spotty in loud environments and for complex your messages. This will vastly improve over the next 36 months but for now stick to short replies, leaving the rest for the phone.
How it will change your life After a day or so you’ll start to forget about your phone, going to it only for the essentials. That constant need to check to see if you’ve missed a call or message disappears as you know you’ll always get a light tap on the wrist if there’s something important coming in.
Society’s view of speaking to your wrist
You may also find you’re much more active than you were before. The ability to see your progress as the day proceeds will motivate you to push towards that goal while there’s still time in the day rather than retrospectively being disappointed that you didn’t get outside while you could.
It’s cool that you can take calls on your wrist, but to be honest it feels a little bit like having a mobile phone in the 80s. It only works on loud speaker and in public people tend to stare. Whether that will change as it becomes more common remains to be seen, but it is extremely handy while cooking!
Battery Once you get past the initial excitement of the watch where you constantly play with it ‘just because’, the watch will last the day without an issue before needing a charge. This is where traditional watches win out for now, however most people put their watch on their nightstand each night. With a long charge lead and heavy magnetic base that doesn’t slip off the back of thenightstand like your phone charge cable, it’s not nearly as bad as people initially think.
64 SPRING 2015
The low down At the moment it’s mainly an excellent, fashionable watch. It’s also a great fitness tracker and convenient short messaging device, but there are a lot more products that could do all this for you. At some point down the track when it doesn’t need to be tethered to a phone to connect to the Internet, it may actually replace it. If you’re thinking it’s ridiculous to suggest you’ll ever own one, just remember that less than 10 years ago it was just as ridiculous a thought that everyone would have a computer in their pocket. That said, unless you love fashionable watches or are an early adopter of technology, you can get these features from other cheaper products and it’s likely best to wait at least a year.
The Latest in Gadgets...
Did You Know...?
that on the original iPhone you couldn’t send a picture message, cut and paste text or install additional apps? Those features took between a year and three years to be added!
GO PRO FLOATY A small but durable video camera designed to be attached to helmets, cars and surboards, the Go Pro has given us a new perspective on the world. Now the upcoming Go Pro Floaty takes it to the next level by encasing the camera in a bright waterproof plastic case that floats on it’s own. Great for family holidays and aventure treks alike! Price: TBA
gopro.com.au
WEATHER RESISTANT SPEAKER Spring is the first time since Easter that you’ll be taking the covers off the BBQ and having people around. Adding tunes adds atmosphere but it can still be prone to raining in spring. Luckily there are some great wireless water resistant speakers on the market to solve this. This one from Kogan is marketed as a shower speaker but it works just as well outside by the pool and is only $22!
kogan.com.au
iPAD PHOTO SCANNER While not a new product, the iPad Photo Scanner is a great way to save your photos before they fade away for ever! The main advantage compared with scanning on a regular computer is that you don’t have to manage the files on an iPad. Many people also use an iPad as their primary computer. RRP $169
dicksmith.com.au
SPRING 2015 65
with
Roxy 93.9
Bennett ou can almost feel the icy thaw start to happen as we drag ourselves from the depths of winter into the bright sparkle of spring. We can start shaking off that winter coat and get excited for what the new season brings. At Bay Lifestyle it’s the season where we think of new life and it’s been pretty exciting for me to become a great-aunt for the first time. It’s such a beautiful thing to see our family grow into the next generation and gives us all hope for the future. Sadly for some people, getting pregnant doesn’t come easily which is why our regular segments in Bay Lifestyle with the team from the Monash IVF Clinic have been so fascinating. Until recently I didn’t realize that the clinic operates full time in Geelong and that they’re helping so many people realize their dream of parenthood. Dr Prue Johnson has been amazing going though the many reasons why couples may not fall pregnant and the different options available to them with actually IVF not necessarily needed. Having said that, it’s fascinating to discover how the IVF process works. It’s also amazing to see that it’s now an option available to same sex couples and women who may wish to fall pregnant on their own. Science has come such a long way and it’s exciting to think that we can do all this right here in Geelong. Spring also leads me to thoughts of all the new season vegies and that means some exciting new recipes from our resident foody on Bay Lifestyle, Daniel Brehuat from the Black Bull Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Daniel’s food philosophy is around fresh, in-season produce mixed with a whole lot of love and flavor! I’ve often looked skeptically at Daniel when he’s told me that a dish is easy but he genuinely sources great recipes that can often be made with items from the pantry and whipped up in a flash. Each week we put his featured recipe up on line at bayfm.com.au so you don’t miss them. I guess spring also inspires us to think of climbing out from our hibernating cave and planning some travel and who better to help us out but the ‘experts in everywhere’; Helloworld! I’m rapt to have the team on board with the Bay Lifestyle travel segment and have particular enjoyed traveling with them (all be it, in my own mind) all around the world. We’ve explored the Canadian Rocky’s, European river cruises and the amazing big apple, New York, with many more exciting adventures to come! I’d love to hear from you if there’s something you’d like to share on Bay Lifestyle. Just shoot me an email roxie@bayfm.com.au. And make sure you tune in every Saturday 10 to 12 on BayFM 93.9
66 SPRING 2015
SPRING 2015 67
GEELONG’S NEW & ONLY MITSUBISHI DEALER YES, IT’S A MITSI
NEW MITSUBISHI
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TRITON EVER HAS LANDED
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68 SPRING 2015
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