Bendigo Magazine - Issue 46 - Autumn 2017

ISSUE 46 | AUTUMN 2017 www.bendigomagazine.com.au

fortuna villa BEHIND THE GATES

CREATIVE

HISTORY BENDIGO ART GALLERY CELEBRATES

130 years ISSN 1833-1289 AUD $5.95 (Inc. GST)

bendigo dining & shopping guide

thunderstruck OUR AFL GIRLS DREAM BIG AND PLAY STRONG

Remarkably beautiful and naturally captivating, Dreamtime Australian Diamonds originate from the world renowned Argyle Diamond Mine, located in a remote corner of Northwest Australia.

Every Dreamtime diamond is unique and resonates with the Australian landscape, its stories and legends.

Every diamond is tracked so you can be assured your Dreamtime jewellery contains Australian diamonds that are natural and untreated.

To view our stunning collection visit YOUR PERSONAL JEWELLER KILLIAN’S WALK, BENDIGO, VIC. 3550 TELEPHONE: (03) 5441 2633 BENDIGO MARKETPLACE, BENDIGO, VIC. 35500 TELEPHONE: (03) 5442 5900 www.facebook.com/stearnsshowcase Owned and operated by Rick Stearns qualified jeweller with over 35 years experience.

www.dreamtimediamonds.com

To find the perfect diamond, follow your heart.

If you’re in search of the world’s brightest diamond, look no further. PASSION8 Diamonds are perfection personified. From the hand selection of the finest rough gems where less than 1% make the grade, to the finished diamond, cut with such precision that eight perfect hearts and arrows are revealed within the stone. Cut so perfectly in fact, that the sparkle will never fade. And once you own a PASSION8 Diamond, neither will the sparkle in your eye.

8 Perfect Hearts & 8 Perfect Arrows See us in store to custom design your own PASSION8 diamond jewellery

YOUR PERSONAL JEWELLER KILLIAN’S WALK, BENDIGO, VIC. 3550 TELEPHONE: (03) 5441 2633 BENDIGO MARKETPLACE, BENDIGO, VIC. 35500 TELEPHONE: (03) 5442 5900 www.facebook.com/stearnsshowcase Owned and operated by Rick Stearns qualified jeweller with over 35 years experience.

passion8diamonds.com

B ENDIGO HO L I DAY R E N TA L S Weekend retreats, executive stays, short term holiday accommodation and long term rentals WITH 2, 3 AND 4 BEDROOM HOUSES IN BENDIGO CBD, WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. All our self contained houses are walking distance to attractions like Ulumbarra Theatre, Chinese Museum, View Street Arts Precinct, Pall Mall, shops and restaurants all close by.

FREE wifi and refreshments on arrival… all modern convenieces such as 50” LCD SMART TV, dishwashers and off street parking. PET friendly.

Come see why many people are coming back time after time!!

Call us today to discuss your short term accommodation needs.

www.BendigoHolidayRentals.com 0408 395 312

from the team Autumn is a beautiful time of the year in Bendigo. The leaves on the trees turn their amazing shades of gold and brown, people are getting stuck into the footy season, the summer doona is being upgraded and it’s time to get someone in to check the heater.

Well, given how up and down the temperature has been, no doubt some of those things have been taken care of already. But as the chill sets in and the nights become shorter it is time to spare a thought for those who are doing it tough.

Bendigo Magazine spoke with Anglicare about how homelessness affects our young people and the hard work this organisation does to help those in need. It is a humbling experience when you hear the plights of some people. At 17 years of age, most of us only had to worry about the next CD we were going to buy or getting our English essay in on time. These youth worry about where their next meal is coming from and finding somewhere safe to sleep. Check out the feature on page 50.

With so much focus on the 100-year anniversary of World War I, Bendigo Magazine wanted to highlight the work of our female veterans. We were lucky to chat with Jo Harding about her career in the armed forces and what Anzac Day meant to her. Feature on page 53.

Following the theme of the contributions of women, Lisa Chesters talks about the Bendigo Thunder women’s football team. A selection of the city’s local players has moved on to be part of the AFWL, but there is still plenty of talent and dedication with the likes of coach Cherie O’Neill and player Laura Flanagan.

We continue to highlight the amazing and diverse members of the community including the original creator of the Chiko Roll, the winemakers of Sandhurst Ridge Winery, a cyclist and photographer who overcame a life-threatening injury, some funny locals who are taking to the stage at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, an individual artist with a new creative plan, and some impressive lacrosse players.

Happy reading to you.

6

MANAGING EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dustin Schilling DEPUTY EDITOR Sue Turpie CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER David Field WRITERS Linda Barrow, Ben Cameron, Sarah Harris, Geoff Hocking, John Holton, Paula Hubert, Colin King, Justin McPhail, Lauren Mitchell, Raelee Tuckerman and Finn Vedelsby CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Chesters and Arj Perera PHOTOGRAPHY Ashley Taylor PRINT MANAGER Nigel Quirk ADVERTISING advertising@bendigomagazine.com PO Box 5003 Bendigo, VIC 3550 Phone: 0438 393 198

Bendigo Magazine takes all care but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Bendigo Magazine holds copyright to all content unless otherwise stated.

ISSN 1833-1289.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the publishers accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication.

The views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the editor or the publisher.

42

73

contents

PEOPLE & LIFE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 25

It’s a funny life

27

Groovin as grown ups

29

Life’s rich tapestry

31

An ideas man

61

A creative history

FOOD & WINE 69

On top of the game

73

Seeds of change

77

Autumn Ales

79

Sup on quality

81

Autumn delight

83

Asian special

88

14 18 21 37 39 41 42 48 50 53 54 65 88 90 105 106 108 111

Don’t knock the roll Road to recovery Canine catwalk Gold fever Privilege of teaching Home is where your tribe’s at Crafting their happy place Enlightening bendigo On the home front A proud service For the love of literature Easter smells!

Jodi and Ricky Farin and Corey Australian doctors orchestra Trailblazers Fit for battle Fighting the fad

69 31 8

99 HOUSE & GARDEN 85

On our doorstep

93

Bendigo’s grand dame

99

Understated elegance

100% LOCALLY

OWNED AND OPERATED

Recruitment - HR - Training Offering a broad range of tailored solutions to best suit your business Phone 03 5442 6676 | www.eseconsulting.com.au

Ken Pollock and Ian McKenzie, BlackJack Wines.

what's happening

A new name for an historic college, producing red liquid gold, walking to squash the stigma surrounding suicide, and an innovative, outdoor exhibition ...

NEW NAME, NEW LOOK, NEW BUILDINGS The future is exciting for Catholic College Bendigo in 2018 and beyond with the opening of contemporary and innovative learning spaces and a new college name.

In 2018, students will start the year as students of Catherine McAuley College and be the first to experience the new twostorey facility opening in April of that year. The new building, which overlooks ovals and bushland, incorporates 28 flexible learning spaces and a centre for performing and creative arts.

Principal Brian Turner is excited by the potential of these state-of-the-art learning spaces. “The innovative building developments will create new learning opportunities,” Mr Turner says, “designed to enhance the students’ skills and educational pathways well into the future.”

JUMPING SHIP TO CHASE A DREAM It all began when Ken Pollock and Ian McKenzie were neighbours in Bendigo. Over many bottles of wine it was a dream of both to establish a vineyard and winery – a dream to produce “red“ liquid gold.

Fast forward 28 years and BlackJack Wines is an established and well-respected Bendigo region winery.

We caught up with Ken and Ian to find out more.

Why the name BlackJack?

BlackJack Wines is named for an American sailor who jumped ship during the Gold Rush era of the 1850s. In search of his fortune, BlackJack found his way to the Castlemaine Goldfields and into the history of this region, with a road adjacent to BlackJack vineyard still bearing his name.

Similarly we jumped ship from our existing careers to plant grapevines on an old apple orchard in 1988 and chase our dreams of red instead of gold.

How do you create your distinctive BlackJack flavour?

BlackJack is red. We’ve only ever made red wine with Shiraz and cabernet the major varieties. Most people that taste our wines are surprised by the flavours. The fruit intensity and the balance of the wine is recognisable as a BlackJack red.

From the beginning it was our philosophy to produce consistently high-quality red wines that reflect the vineyard and vintage variations. Wines that reflect the terroir. We aim to achieve that balance between sugar and flavour ripening. This is paired with minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

Steel tanks, oak barrels, vats – what do you use?

All three is the answer. But deep down our winemaking process is a labour of love. Traditional open top vat fermenters are used for the first two weeks. The fermenting grapes are hand-plunged three or four times a day during this time.

From there the wine is pumped to tank and the skins pressed, with all pressings wines blended with the free run wine. After a settling period, the wine is moved into small America or French oak barriques. The wine remains in oak for around 22 months before bottling. The only filtration is a coarse filter at bottling. It must be said that the three resident cows thoroughly enjoy the pressed skins!

Where can we enjoy a BlackJack red?

This April we’ll be showcasing our reds at the Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival in Rosalind Park, Central Bendigo. At the weekend we’re in our Cellar Door 11am to 5pm. www.blackjackwines.com.au

10

FI1294

events

Until April 17 Gallery 369 Exhibition Valentines Antiques www.valentinesantiques.com.au Until April 23 Ag Art Wear Exhibition Living Art Space www.bendigotourism.com Until May 28 Collective Vision: 130 Years Bendigo Art Gallery www.bendigoartgallery.com.au

ART GALLERY HOUSE OF MIRRORS This innovative installation is a fascinating walk-through installation composed of a labyrinth of seemingly endless mirrors.

Created by Melbourne installation artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, House Of Mirrors focuses on the darker side of altered perception playing with themes of uncertainty, thrill and paranoia.

Constructed with 40 tonnes of steel and 15 tonnes of mirrors, the bare basics installation relies on precise geometry and spatial design to lose yourself in endless reflections.

The installation is in Rosalind Park, Bendigo, open daily from 2pm to 9pm, with the last entry 8.30pm, Easter Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 10pm, with last entry 9.30pm.

Tickets available at the door: adults $10 and under 5 and over 80 free.

Until May 28 Composing Objects Post Office Gallery www.bendigoartgallery.com.au

TOUGH TIMES PASS The Suicide Prevention Awareness Network is busy preparing for its annual walk. Each year, members of the community gather in March to raise awareness of suicide and support those who have been affected by suicide in some way.

The event also aims to banish the stigma surrounding suicide, which is a quiet killer especially of young men, and to help people understand that it’s okay to talk about their circumstances and ask for help. As the SPAN saying goes: “Tough times pass.”

This year’s awareness walk and events will be held on March 19 at Di Gum San in Bridge Street, Bendigo. The day start at 8.30am with the Ride 4 Life breakfast before the official proceedings and walk itself at 11am followed by a free sausage sizzle at 12.15pm.

If you or a loved one or friend needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

ESE CONSULTING WELCOMES NEW TEAM MEMBER Stephanie grew up in Bendigo and moved to Melbourne to complete her double degree in Health Sciences and Business, majoring in Public Health and Human Resource Management.

She returned to Bendigo in late 2016 after completing her degrees and wanting to pursue a career in regional recruitment. Stephanie has joined the ESE team as our HR Assistant and first point of contact at Reception.

For permanent, contract and temporary recruitment services contact ESE Consulting on 5442 6676 or visit www.eseconsulting.com.au

12

March 11 Moonlight Market Bendigo Hargreaves Mall www.moonlightmarketbendigo.com.au March 11 – March 12 Bendigo International Madison Carnival Bendigo www.bendigomadison.com.au March 15 – March 24 Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival Canterbury Park Eaglehawk www.eaglehawkfestival.org.au March 18 – March 26 Bendigo Festival of Cultures Locations across Bendigo www.bendigofestivalofcultures.org.au March 25 Bendigo Craft Beer and Cider Festival Tom Flood Sports Centre www.bendigocraftbeerfestival.com.au April 1 – April 2 Starlight Yoga Festival Dudley House and the Engine Room www.starlightfestival.com.au April 2 Brian Cadd and the Bootleg Family The Capital Theatre www.thecapital.com.au April 7 – April 30 House of Mirrors Rosalind Park www.bendigoartgallery.com.au April 14 – April 17 Hazeldene’s Bendigo Easter Festival Bendigo CBD www.bendigoeasterfestival.org.au April 20 Swan Lake Ulumbarra Theatre www.thecapital.com.au April 29 Strategem Winemakers’ Festival Rosalind Park www.bendigowine.org.au May 6 Groovin’ the Mood Bendigo Bendigo Showgrounds www.gtm.net.au

DESIGNER FRAME & LENS

PACKAGES

149

$

FROM

FOR UFS MEMBERS*

ASUFS51891-3217

See the world through a pair of designer frames.

Visit us in store or call 5441 8077, and we’ll get you sorted. ufsoptical.com.au

379 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo (behind UFS Pharmacies) *Conditions apply, see in store for details. Non-members from $187.45.

don't knock the roll

It seems, even after six decades, others are still trying to unjustly claim the Chiko crown.

But as the record shows it was Bendigo’s own McEncroe clan that created the Aussie icon.

By Linda Barrow The Chiko Roll – it’s one of Bendigo’s best-loved inventions and a genuine Australian icon. But more than 65 years after it was created, the roll’s history has sparked a national fried-food-feud, leading to claims, counterclaims and some hard-bitten comments in our Federal Parliament. There have been several halfbaked (no pun intended) attempts from other towns to claim the Chiko as their own.

But Bendigo’s Keiran McEncroe and his sister Jedda Noonan – the son and daughter of one of the original founders, Leo McEncroe – simply want to set the record straight for future generations.

“The whole story has become distorted by history,” says Jedda.

“We just want the history to be the truth, so our kids and grandkids can go online and see the truth. That’s all,” she says.

“We want Australia to know it was made in Bendigo, and stop the crap,” Keiran says.

According to the family, the story is simple.

Leo and his two brothers Frank and Gerald were dairy farmers in Bendigo in the 1940s.

14

They started a mobile catering business in the late 1940s. Working out of a coolroom in a dairy shed in Mill Street, the three of them created the now famous roll.

They marketed and sold them as the Quality Snack Roll. They also sold hot chips and other snack foods.

The original roll contained cabbage, barley, a range of chopped fresh vegies and beef or mutton. But the brothers were creative with the ingredients, depending on the availability of particular items.

“One time they ran out of cabbages, and there was a plot of lucerne out the back so they put that in,” Jedda says.

“It was probably the original kale,” Keiran says.

They created a hand-operated machine to make the rolls into long sausage shapes, covered in their special batter casing. These were pinched off to make the distinctive ends on the roll. The rolls were frozen to keep them intact, and when needed, cooked in hot oil.

Handmade forks were used to lower the rolls into the oil for deep frying. The forks were created from strong wire and four big nails.

Jedda has since had one of the forks framed – a wonderful reminder of times gone past and of the ingenuity people used in those days.

The family members all pitched in and worked hard selling the rolls to people in hotels. This was no mean feat in those days as Bendigo boasted about 100 pubs.

They went to Bendigo’s football matches and horse races and also travelled extensively to country shows and other events.

As the Quality Snack Roll became increasingly popular, Frank McEncroe tried to convince his brothers to expand into Melbourne, but Leo and Gerald were happy to stay with their catering business in Bendigo.

Frank took the recipe to Melbourne on his own and set up a small factory on Mount Alexander Road.

“There’s no doubt he was an entrepreneur,” Keiran says.

Frank invented a machine that could produce the rolls far more quickly than the original hand-operated one the three brothers had devised in Bendigo.

Legend has it that he started to market them as Chicken Rolls but this quickly changed when it was pointed out they contained no actual chicken.

The name was then changed to the Chiko Roll. By the mid-1950s he was selling 65 million Chikos a year and exporting them to Japan.

Over time, the Chiko also became famous for its saucy advertising, featuring alluring female models on motorbikes, holding tight to their rolls and urging customers to “Grab a Chiko.”

Meanwhile, back in Bendigo, Leo and Gerald continued their mobile catering business, travelling to events as diverse as the Melbourne Show, Moomba, the Laverton airshow, VFL games in Footscray and even the Myrtleford Rodeo.

In 1956 they were at the Melbourne Olympic Games.

They did so well there that Leo surprised his family with a brand new black and white TV.

sponge cakes.

The longest lived of the three brothers, Leo eventually passed away in Bendigo in 2012, aged 98. But the rivalry over the origins of the Chiko has gone on since then. It seems everyone still wants to “Grab a Chiko.”

Castlemaine has tried to claim the Chiko credentials because the three McEncroe brothers were born there – but that was many years before they moved to Bendigo to create the classic roll.

Wagga Wagga has also tried to grab the glory, as the Quality Snack Roll was sold at the 1951 Wagga Wagga Show, but that was well after the roll was created in Bendigo in the 1940s.

And most recently Bathurst has laid claim to the Chiko. The rolls have been manufactured by Simplot in Bathurst since 1995. Interestingly, Simplot has expanded the Chiko stable.

They now boast the following: The Chiko (“The original and best”); the Chiko Corn-Jack (“As corny as you can get!”) and the Chiko garlic chicken balls (no slogan).

Eventually the debate made its way to Federal Parliament where the Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters defended the Chiko. She outlined the story of the three McEncroe brothers and tried to dispel the “terrible myths” put forward by other MPs about where the Chiko began.

In a debate on food labelling, she said: “If we are serious about truth in labelling and making sure that we have country-oforigin labelling, I suggest the minister and his colleagues read the back of the label of the Chiko Roll. Perhaps we can say that they helped set the benchmark for countryof origin labelling, in that they printed on the back, ‘Born in Bendigo’.”

So after all these years, it’s still easy for people to get their hands on a Chiko, but for one Bendigo family it’s time to set the record straight and have others keep their hands off the roll’s history.

“All the neighbourhood kids came over to watch the TV,” Keiran says.

At other times, Leo came home with a dog that had been tied to the catering van during a big event, and forgotten – and a bald cockatoo that he bought in Malmsbury. Both lived with the family for many years.

The catering business involved hard work and long days. Leo employed his family members, neighbours and any potential boyfriends or girlfriends who turned up.

“All the family grew up with a solid work ethic,” Jedda says.

If there was perishable food left over after a day out, Leo would take it to Bendigo’s St Aidan’s Orphanage.

“He was the original Foodshare,” Keiran says.

McEncroe’s Catering Service finally ended in 1979 after Leo retired to take up two new passions – bowling and cooking marvellous 15

Casey and Jayvon Quin

Evie, Belinda and Louis Malcolm

Kaitlin and Jedd Johnstone

Katy and Zoe Taylor

Sharindar and Sheenal Sharma

Maddy, Samantha and Amelia Popple

GETTING MERRY WITH MUSIC Pre-school aged children and their parents enjoy singing, dancing and playing instruments at this community group.

Merry Music is a not-for-profit event held each week at St Mary’s Anglican Church. Pre-school children and their parents enjoy a half-hour of music and activities from Der Glumph Went the Little Green Frog, to running in and out from under a giant parachute.

Afterwards everyone enjoys morning tea and a chat. For details about this wonderful initiative, visit their Facebook page.

STYLISH ACCOMMODATION, WITH OCEAN VIEWS FOR THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY OR COSY WINTER ESCAPE

50 STEPS TO THE BEACH! Perfectly situated opposite the renowned family front beach TS STAY 2 NIGH HT GET 3RD NIG

FREE

Playgrounds, parkgrounds & restaurants at your door, numerous activities close by and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road!

3 fully self contained town houses individually architecturally designed with spacious rooms and a beach essence. Dog friendly.

p. 0408 395 312

www.FrontBeachTorquay.com

Oliver Scott and Alex Akins

Elliot Beks, Jemuel Pryse and Bailey Keck

STUDENTS JUMP INTO CARNIVAL

Eva Scopelliti, Alicia McGovern and Jemma Morris

Jess Hulme, Emma Mattiske, Ki Li Clark and Morgan O’Meara

Laure Dumoulin, Blake Rutledge and Kate Blake

Competing, splashing, cheering and having fun was all the go at the recent Girton Grammar School swimming carnival.

It was an inaugural win forJones House at this year’s senior swimming carnival. Sporting their house colours, students cheered each other on as they competed in events, scoring points in the hopes of taking out the Spirit Cup.

Harrison Waller and Milly Ellis

There was plenty of fun in the lilo race, as well as the synchronised dive.

road to recovery A freak cycling accident left Dion Jelbart fighting for life.

But sheer determination on his part and support from a loving family made Dion’s remarkable recovery possible.

By Paula Hubert The tiny scar in Dion Jelbart’s hair remains hidden, almost innocuous and insignificant.

It gives no hint of how close the 41-year-old came to death, the acute pain he endured, nor the heartache of his family as they kept vigil at his bedside while he remained in an induced coma.

Dion’s cycling accident occurred a week before Christmas 2015 and his plight touched the community. No one knew if the father-of-two would pull through.

“It was overwhelming to see how many people helped, especially our neighbours and the Bendigo and District Cycling Club,” says Dion, who is a cycling enthusiast and runs Dion Jelbart Photography.

“I still look at the messages people put on Facebook at the time.

There were messages from people from all around the world.”

His wife Stephanie still can’t believe the kindness shown during the family’s hour of need. A crowdfunding page was set up to raise money for medical expenses. VicRoads, Dion’s other place of work, also provided incredible support.

“We could never feel that we could find enough words to thank people as we are so grateful. The support has blown us away. You don’t know what a community can do until 18

something like this happens,” Stephanie says.

“The entire neighbourhood rallied together.

They took all of our animals, watered the plants and rostered to do things. I just couldn’t believe it.”

On the night of the accident, Dion had walked his family from a Christmas party back to their home in Spring Gully and was returning to the neighbour’s house around the corner.

“I just jumped on my mountain bike, something I’ve done a million times, but I wish I’d grabbed my helmet.

“I’ve never fallen off a bike,” says Dion who rode competitively during his teens. “I don’t think I’ll ever really know what happened.”

It was a neighbour who found Dion lying on the road covered in blood. He’d hit the back of his head.

In a critical condition, Dion was flown to The Alfred hospital and placed in an induced coma. Doctors had no idea if he would survive.

“Seeing him being put into the induced coma, I didn’t know if he’d wake up as the same person or wake up at all,” Stephanie says.

Dion came out of the coma on day 11.

“I remember walking into the room and Dion’s eyes tracked me across the room but it was robotic. He could remember his favourite cyclist but not his mum’s and dad’s names,” Stephanie says.

He underwent surgery after it was discovered he was bleeding between brain tissue and the skull.

The right frontal lobe, which determines speech and short-term memory, had also been affected by the fall. Remarkably Dion escaped permanent brain damage, but he was paralysed on the left-hand side of his body and couldn’t walk.

“His creative side was intact and I thought thank goodness because he loves his

photography,” Stephanie says.

getting tired and frustrated.”

Dion’s determination to recover stunned doctors during his 40 days in hospital. He learnt to walk again and regain his balance in rehab.

Dion’s occupational therapist explained that his brain was working “double time” to remember things which was causing fatigue and frustration. Now Dion writes down what he needs to do for the week which has improved life significantly.

“My main goal was to be back taking photos,” Dion says.

He is happiest behind the camera, capturing races and behind-the-scenes shots of popular cycling events in Australia and abroad.

He also takes time out when noise gets too much for him.

Such was his determination that just three months after the accident, Dion attended the Bendigo International Madison in his voluntary role as the Bendigo Cycling Club’s media officer. But despite his speedy recovery in the first few months, Dion still had some way to go.

Since the accident, Dion says he feels so grateful and doesn’t sweat the small stuff like he used to. However, he still feels remorse about the night of the accident.

“Sometimes I just feel that 100 people are talking to me at once,” Dion says.

“I looked normal and walked normal but there were things going on inside my brain, people didn’t realise,” Dion says.

“My biggest regret was not grabbing my bike helmet. Even though I’m here and mostly well, the helmet may have prevented what all of my body, my family and friends went through. I hope that people reading this will learn from my mistake.”

“Dion’s head was doing backflips to keep up with conversations,” Stephanie says. “He was

The freelance fee for this article has been donated to Brain Injury Australia.

19

Andrew and Lisa Campbell and Paul Gray

Deidre Hankinson, Robyn Abramowski and Barbara James

Donna Smith, Di Kenwrick, Helen Kennedy, Gillian Britt, Pauline Prebble and Julie Fahey

Jack, Lacey and Mason McNamara

Steve Atkins and Len McGrath

Sheryle Watson, Jenny Fitzpatrick and Verna McIntosh

COMMUNITY VISITS KEZ’S HIDEAWAY The Otis Foundation opened the doors of its newest retreat to the public as a way of saying thank you for its support.

The home was built in partnerhip with Paul Gray in memory of his wife Kerri, or Kez, as she was known. The purpose-built property is available to guests who are experiencing the challenges of breast cancer, and their families.

The Community Fun Day featured kids’ activities, a sausage sizzle and jumping castle.

HAVE YOU HEARD? GREENCROSS VETS ARE NOW AT 2 NEW LOCATIONS

THE GREENCROSS VETS TEAM AT WHITE HILLS HAS RELOCATED TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME AT 354 NAPIER ST, WHITE HILLS. WE HAVE ALSO OPENED A BRAND NEW CLINIC NEXT TO PETBARN AT LANSELL SQUARE, HIGH ST, KANGAROO FLAT. You will see the same friendly faces at both clinics along with: State of the art veterinary facilities and equipment Large reception and consultation rooms.

Open all day Saturday and Sunday at Kangaroo Flat for your convenience.

Ample parking at both clinics.

Online appointment booking available from our website greencrossvets.com.au

White Hills - 5443 0044 | Kangaroo Flat - 7001 5580

canine catwalk

Two generations ago dogs lived outside and were fed on scraps, but in a fast adaptation they’ve not only taken over the couch, and have their own cuisine and couture.

By Sarah Harris

21

If you don’t think pets have aspirations to the good life, you haven’t met Frank the Boston terrier.

Frank likes nothing better than to get kitted out in his tuxedo and head out to a party with his peeps.

so it kind of worked out for everyone. Then I started with more and more elaborate costumes, little security T-shirts at bigger parties, and he’s such a character he’d pose and work it like a model.

“I started dressing him up, I’m not entirely sure why,” owner Gabi Rowland laughs.

“Then people started asking me to source costumes and to make costumes and I started making lots of bandannas and onesies.”

“I would take him along to parties and stuff and people just loved it, and he really liked it because he was the centre of attention

The next thing you know Gabi and her partner Gus Read-Hill found themselves starting a business dedicated to four-legged

22

fashionistas and the people who adore them.

Admittedly Wagging Tailors – with its extensive range of pet costumes, accessories and cushions – is at the niche end of the burgeoning pet industry.

But pet clothes, pet furniture and expensive gourmet foods containing supplements like omega-3 that have migrated across from our own diets are all manifestations of the trend to humanise companion animals.

Australia boasts one of the highest rates of

pet ownership in the world with 63 per cent of us owning a companion animal.

Increasingly pets are on par with people – in their numbers estimated at 25 million by the Australian Veterinary Association – also in their status within households.

And, the more we treat pets like people the more we spend money on them, making the pet industry one of the fastest-growing business sectors estimated to be worth $8 billion a year.

Two groups in particular are driving this trend. The babyboomers whose children have left home and have replaced them with fur-kids that they love to spoil and indulge.

The other group is millennials, the first generation who have grown up thinking of pets as being like people and regarding pets as their first babies before starting their own families.

“I guess I do think of him as my son,” Gabi laughs of Frank. “I actually think of him maternally, I think.”

But this is in no way barking mad as Gabi, who studied psychology, knows. Study after study has shown that owning a pet provides significant health benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure and reducing risk of stroke.

“Pets make people feel good and I love to make people feel good. This is a light-hearted way to do it and that is why I tied the Black Dog Institute into it by donating a percentage of all sales,” Gabi explains. www.waggingtailors.com 23

Felicity Eva, Alex DeAraugo and Jane McKinley

Bryan Coghlan and Erin Ryan

Elle Gentle and Justine Blacklock

Simon Dobeli, Stacey Rothacker and Chris Copland

Gerard Horan, Lisa Wills and TIm Croke

Tim Burnham, Jason Priestly and Luke Toohey

NEW NAMES FOR OLD FAVOURITES Southern Cross Austereo celebrates the rebrand of two of Bendigo’s radio stations.

For many years, residents have tuned into the airwaves of 3BO FM and Star FM. However the radio station were recently re-branded by Southern Cross Austereo along with other networks throughout regional Victoria. Guests, staff and friends gathered at Fortuna Villa for the official launch of Triple M Bendigo and Hit 91.9.

THE WORLD OF 21ST CENTURY

PRINTING on your doorstep SIGNS | POSTERS & BANNERS PACKAGING | BUSINESS CARDS INVITATIONS | BOOKS & MAGAZINES

incorporating

20-22 Deborah Street, Bendigo VIC 3550

5441 6600

ELLIOTT PRINT Kyneton 5422 1488 Castlemaine 5472 1788

Kerang 5452 1733 Swan Hill 5032 2161

CAMBRIDGE PRINTERS 5443 1855

CREATIVE RURAL PRINTERS 1800 591 881

it's a funny life Three burgeoning Bendigo comedians dream of giving up their day jobs for a career at the mic. Their upcoming gig at Melbourne International Comedy Festival could be the first step.

By Sue Turpie Standing in front of a room full of people and having them laugh at you… for most this would be the stuff of nightmares, but for Ashley Greblo, Cody Jones, and Shaun Rosaia this is their dream career. They’re on their way too, currently preparing for their gig at the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

This is the first year the boys have been involved in the internationally-renowned festival. While they’re joking about filling seats and catching other comedy acts, this is an important milestone. But they’re all equally supportive of each other and ready to face the challenge.

Shaun explains that the three came together, funnily enough, through comedy.

“Cody and I met at a gig at the Shamrock one night and under some advice from the people that were running that professional gig, we were told we should start our own smaller gig as a good way of getting stage time and getting better. Then after the first gig we ever did, Ash came along.

“I was like, ‘Boys can I get on board?’ ” Ash laughs. “I really enjoyed it.”

As obvious as it is, at the end of the day the boys just enjoy making people laugh which is not as easy as it sounds.

“It’s either the best thing in the world, or the worst thing in the world, there’s no in

between,” Shaun says. “It’s so instant – you tell a joke and straightaway you know if it works.

Dad or someone really close who’s still going to love me.”

As Cody says, “It’s horrible when you’ve written stuff and worked really hard on it and then no-one laughs.”

They perform the second Thursday of each month at the Goldmines Hotel, and there’s also an open mic night. It was watching quality comedians that inspired the trio to step up to the mic.

“I was working in radio,” Ash says. ”I’d be making jokes all the time and not hearing anyone’s response at all. You wouldn’t have a clue if it was good or not. But with this, it’s instant gratification. And even if it’s bad, for some reason you do come back each week.”

They’re pitching their festival gig as “Three guys from regional Victoria going to Melbourne to have a go at comedy, and we’ll be telling stories about growing up in the country.”

But with personal material, what’s it like telling stories to a local audience in a city where if you don’t know someone, you certainly know their friend, colleague or relative?

“There’s been times when I’ve changed the name and then got on stage and gotten so into the joke that I’d forgotten that I was going to change their name and just said their real name,” Ash says. “But people have asked who’s that person, or do they know that person.

“Rule of thumb is I try and end the joke with me being the lowest-status person in the joke,” Shaun says. “Or if there’s going to be a lower-status person then it has to be Mum,

“I think there’s world-famous comedians that inspire you at the start, but now when you’re doing gigs in Melbourne you’re seeing all these different people who are a year or two ahead of you, and they inspire you a bit more because you can kind of catch them, maybe,” Ash says.

“There’s a lot of guys in Melbourne who could be more than they are but they haven’t had the luck to get out,” Cody says.

“It’s not a meritocracy,” Shaun says. “Some people get opportunities after a year, while other people who are really good don’t. That’s who we often get to Bendigo … (comedians who) have been honing their craft for five or 10 years who are great, but they’re not on TV or anything.”

“We’d love to not have day jobs,” Ash says. “I guess Comedy Festival is that next step to see what can come from having a go.”

The trio will perform from April 10 to 16, from 6pm in a 55-minute show at the Tickle Pit, 377 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne.

25

groovin as grown ups

Zach Hamilton-Reeves tried to outsmart fate. Thank goodness he didn’t as North East Party House revel in their latest and more mature album and get set to rock at the Moo.

By Ben Cameron North East Party House frontman Zach Hamilton-Reeves is living, singing proof that you can’t resist your roots.

For his first 17 years, the laid-back singer with the Kele-like pipes shirked the musical influence of his folks.

While he happily followed his father’s path by embracing the Port Adelaide Football Club (“I’m pushing hard for that Port Adelaide ambassadorship”), music was kept at arm’s length.

“My mum and Dad were both (classical) musicians so I never wanted to be anything like them,” he tells Bendigo Magazine from the couch of his Melbourne home.

“Mum’s a violinist and Dad’s a double bass player. I was heavy into sport, basketball in particular, from when I was five until about 17. But then I gave it up for music. The (music) appreciation came later. You can’t escape your fate.”

Zach once toyed with the idea of becoming a lawyer.

“I love the idea of law, it’s a really challenging kind of job,” he says. “(But) I don’t know if there’s anything else for me anymore.”

Fate, as Zach would have it, stepped in when he met a charismatic singer during a student exchange in Germany.

“He was like the coolest guy ever so I just started singing,” Zach remembers.

Not long after his return to Australia, the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School student got to know founding Party House members,

Jack Schumacher and Sean Kenihan, through regular Facebook posts from their makeshift studio in a little-known eastern suburb, The Patch.

“I was talking to Jack who was going back to Sean’s studio where it just happened to be where I lived, the same suburb, a really obscure suburb that nobody’s ever heard of,” Zach says.

“So I asked for a lift home and we started talking about music and I told him I’d been singing and he was like ‘We need a singer, you should come.’ So we got together and made Dusk.”

It was more like a dawn, as the single won Triple J’s Unearthed tune of the year.

Zach is still amazed at how quickly success came.

“It was such a shock (when Dusk was first played on Triple J). I was just starting Year 12; I felt very cool,” Zach laughs. “But we also realised how shit we were and how much we had to learn.”

Are you still chasing that rush of early success?

“It’s hard to say, you kind of get used to everything,” he says. “It’s like the curse of life, you become accustomed to everything.

“When we first heard ourselves on the radio, it was like watching Almost Famous.

It’s like ‘Holy cow, this is going to take off’.

Like something off Entourage, we thought we’d be millionaires by the time we were 20. You get a delusional sense of grandeur

from it all.”

North East, which took their name from school friend Sam Northeast, partied like the boys from Entourage at least. Sam held the party to end all parties at his mother’s Richmond abode.

“He was left in charge of the house in year 11; he just completely betrayed his mum’s trust,” Zach laughs. “It went for like two weeks. They ruined the house, really.

“We were making fun music and being silly, experimenting, that was the brand, the ethos. When we started we were like an electro thrash band using music to have a party, an excuse to keep having fun and be crazy.

“Now I think music is more coming first.”

Zach believes their music has matured on the band’s latest album, Dare.

The LP has already spawned two heavyhitting singles; Heartbreaker (“About a girl whose a bit self-obsessed, a bit of a man eater I guess, it’s about needing to save yourself or you get broken”), and For You, which was written on a hot LA day in October, 2015.

“I was hesitant to show the boys (For You), because it was so poppy,” Zach says.

“I had a girlfriend at the time, I was thinking about all that soppy stuff. You just never know if the people are going to enjoy your music or not.”

North East Party House will play Groovin the Moo on May 6.

27

life's rich tapestry Exposing the younger generation to great music, singing songs she loves, and working with good friends ... Debra Byrne’s latest performance with Vika Bull in Tapestry is a dream job.

By Sue Turpie When talking with Debra Byrne, she’s so natural and down-to-earth that you quickly forget you’re on the phone with one of the country’s iconic performers.

From Young Talent Time, to being crowned Queen of Pop, releasing albums, and performing some of theatres most coveted roles ... not to mention penning her biography, establishing a performing arts school and being a parent.

Debra has achieved much throughout her lifetime, too much to cover in one interview.

However, her latest achievement, bringing the works of Carole King’s album Tapestry to the stage, was talked about.

Debra is full of respect for the woman who penned the album that sold some 25 million copies worldwide, as well as countless hits covered by other artists.

“Simon Myer, our producer, has produced shows that I’ve been involved in and he knows me and knows how much I enjoy that genre of music,” Debra says about Carole’s music.

So is it that after such a long and distinguished career, she’s in a position to choose what she wants to do?

“That would come with a financial security which not all performers would have,” Debra says. “You have good years and you have really bad years. I think over the years, especially the last 25, I’ve done that anyway. That’s something I’ve always been reasonably careful about what I do and I think my choices have been right for me.”

thinking about,” she says.

a different perspective.”

“I’m wondering if I am going to enjoy it. Is it going to be a good headspace for me to be in, and is it something I’m going to want to continue to do or am I going to get half-way through it and go ‘Oh, I wish I’d never done this?’ ” she laughs. “You know, if you’re not singing it in an authentic way then why are you doing it?”

And for Debra and Vika, they’re offering parents an opportunity to further inspire their children, and children’s children.

It’s understandable then why Debra is so respectful of Carole King, whose music is incredibly authentic ... gutsy, honest.

“That’s why I love it,” Debra says. “It’s so pure, and simplistic. There’s no bullshit. It’s from her heart and it’s beautifully written music.”

So is this skill of songwriting still about today?

As Debra says, it depends on what you listen to. “(Back in the day) there was James Taylor and I loved him, then Joni Mitchell and I loved her, then Linda Rondstadt and I love her, Crosby Stills and Nash, I love them. There was all this happening but there was also music I didn’t like. As a teenager I didn’t like everything coming out, but that’s the same now. There’s some beautiful singer-songwriter work that’s out there and it is different.”

Debra says her daughter will play a song on the radio for her, and Debra will comment on it being in the style of Cosby, Stills and Nash, which her daughter understands because her mum has played that music for her. It’s about exposing our children to all types of music.

While for some artists it’s all about marketing and being a brand or label, for Debra her choices go deeper than that.

Debra says she’s listened to an artist and she can hear the influence of John Lennon, or a Welsh singer who has grown up with Annie Lennox. As parents we’re providing children with an education in music.

“It’s more about whether something is very personal, because performing is a very personal thing. It’s not so much my brand I’m

“What we listen to inspires a younger generation and that music grows in them,” she says. “It doesn’t get lost, it just comes out with

“There’s a huge younger generation that just love this music. I don’t think there’s ever going to be a time when it’s not loved.

“For 20 odd years I’ve been singing ‘Up on the Roof’ and I absolutely adore it. It takes me (somewhere) and everytime I sing it I get to go to that place that she so beautifully describes.”

With Carole King penning such raw lyrics, would it be difficult not to get caught up in emotions and life’s own tapestry when performing certain songs?

“I don’t bother with composure,” Debra laughs.

“Obviously there are days when you’re more vulnerable, or more dissasociated, and that’s the wonder of music, how it can trigger you.

“There are certainly days when I’ve sung ‘Up on the Roof’ and cried, and that’s a good thing too.

You’re emotionally connecting with that song at that particular time. If you try and compose yourself that means you’re disconnecting from the song, and disconnecting from that moment you’re in so then there goes the authenticity of what you’re doing.

“But then you don’t really want to be a blubbing mess on the floor, you know what I mean,” Debra jokes. “That’s something I think the audience will enjoy’ — how each song triggers them because we do talk about this being the soundtrack of your life.

“The album has been with you for every adolescent or adult event (good and bad), they’re your friends, and if you want to reexperience something you just put on that song.”

Reconnecting old friends; sounds like a great gig.

29

season 2017 In TaIls

ilbijerri TheaTre company & belvoir presenT

Coranderrk

A comediAn (colin lAne) And An operA singer’s (dAvid hobson) worlds collide.

C M Y K

18 0

C M

0 0

A definitive story from our neglected indigenous history C M

This 100 is a clean, classy comedy Y 0 ThaT Y will31 keep you smiling.

K 100 K  - glam adelaide. (adelaide cabareT FesTival)

0 100 100 0

C M Y K

0 30 100 0

C M Y K

100 72 0 32

whaT ilbijerri is able To Take From This painFul hisTory is a sTory oF resisTance and oF sTrengTh. - The age.

so Funny, i cried. - The age.

saTurday 8 aprIl 2017

Tuesday 2 may 2017

8pm

8pm

sunday 9 aprIl 2017

ulumbarra TheaTre

2pm CapITal TheaTre

shake & sTir TheaTre co and Qpac presenT

downunder promoTions presenT

draCula

by bram sToker. creaTed and adapTed by shake & sTir TheaTre co.

Another bloody clAssic.

This perFormance is proudly and locally supporTed by

C M Y K

0 0 0 100

sInaTra aT The sands Tom burlInson

FeaTuring his all sTar big band This perFormance is proudly and locally supporTed by

 arTshub

shake & sTir TheaTre co’s laTesT Triumph.

- The courier mail.

The nexT besT Thing To sinaTra. - The courier mail.

Tuesday 9 may 2017 8pm

saTurday 3 June 2017

ulumbarra TheaTre

8pm ulumbarra TheaTre

shake&s ir theatrecot

Call 03 5434 6100 or visit GoTix.com.au

for more performances at ulumbarra theatre, the capital and the engine room.

an ideas man

Artist Paul Boromeo follows his heart when it comes to his creations. From drawing to photography and now outdoor dunnies; his career path has not been about logic so much as going where life takes you.

By Sue Turpie He’s known as the Eccentric Bushman, but really artist Paul Boromeo is just a downto-earth, friendly, open and enthusiastic bloke who loves doing what he’s doing. And what he’s doing is creating art inspired by the Aussie lifestyle that he loves. Although he’s probably best known for his quirky photographs, he’s been branching out into model outdoor dunnies. And why not?

It was a case of needing a change. Paul first started with drawing but then decided he needed a break from that and moved into photography. After that, another change was needed and his new outlet is creating intricate replicas of backyard toilets. The attention to detail is impressive, but then Paul has never been one to do things by halves.

He is certainly one of a kind, and is open to talk about his influences and life experience. He remembers being creative since he was a Grade 2 student at Kangaroo Flat Primary School. Paul attended Kangaroo Flat Tech School because it was expected he’d follow in the tradie footsteps

of his family.

“But I was always arty,” Paul says. “My grandma used to always say to me that I was the black sheep, and why don’t I get a proper job.”

Happily, he didn’t. From there it was off to TAFE to do art and then to university to study fine art, but he admits he deferred his tertiary education... since 1985 when he was employed by the Bendigo Art Gallery as a technician.

He left a few years later and has spent his time since living a creative life.

His drawing and a twist of fate involving a local newspaper photographer and a pen friend in Italy, resulted in winning a major art prize in Italy.

“When I won the art prize I thought I might ring a few of the fat cats and Tommy Hafey

Miniature “Dunny” scuplture.

31

“Dunny Time” - Lockwood, Victoria 32

“Go Tigers!” - Lockwood, Victoria

was my hero because I was an old Richmond supporter. My dad’s cousin used to help as a trainer at Richmond years ago and he was good mates with Tommy. So to cut a long story short, I did Tommy’s portrait and I had an exhibition at the Capital Theatre and got him to come up and do the opening.”

From there Paul created a football ground at his home in Lockwood and decided to get football legend Tommy Hafey in some photos, as well as a sheep from a nearby house.

“The neighbours didn’t really know me, and I said ‘look can I borrow a sheep for an hour?’ ” Paul says. “They asked what I wanted with it and I said that I just wanted to take some photos behind the shed of me with the sheep.”

Possibly not the best way of wording the request, but the neighbours were happy for their woolly pet to be a model for the day. As was Tommy, who trekked to Lockwood for the photo shoot.

“It ended up that (the photo) got front page of the Weekly Times,” Paul says, “so I took the paper to the neighbours and showed it to them.”

Paul’s generous nature saw him pass on his work to his favourite footy club in honour of his mate.

“At the Baa Baa” - Lockwood, Victoria

“Six months ago, down at the Richmond footy club, they had a big thing on Tommy Hafey because he’s passed away. He’s been gone nearly three years, but I donated a big print to the club of that photo with him in it. Rex Hunt was the MC of the day so I got him to have a look. He told me I was a freak, but I said ‘Well you kiss fish.’ But I was really proud to get that in the museum.”

“Good Night Mate” - Lockwood, Victoria

In another twist of fate, Paul has a partner in crime. He works with Nicole who had gotten in touch after buying one of his cards. The chance meeting has resulted in a great working relationship built on a mutual liking and respect of each other. Paul now gets Nicole to take photographs he sets up, and she’s the brains behind his social media presence.

“Even though I used to do the photos myself and set up the tripod with a delay, I still didn’t know what I was doing even though I studied photography.”

Since December of last year Paul has been filling in countless hours creating these miniature outdoor dunnies. Like his other work, there is incredible attention to detail, including taking the heads off nails and grinding them down to use to hold the wood together and making a tiny toilet roll.

Visit www.theeccentricbushman.com.au so see more of Paul’s work.

33

Boronia Paterson, Billy Stewart, Lochlan Paterson, Hadyn Baker and Victoria Paterson

Bradly Rose and Andy Howitt

Charly Gaskell and Brodie Nash

Dylan Harris, James Earl, Billy McNally and Dave Chisholm

William Tamblyn, Christopher Epworth, Caitlin McLoughlin and Geoffrey Fitt

Tayla Currey, Cailey and Connor Finlayson, McKenzie Everad and Megan Majczyna

CLASH OF THE CULTURES It was medieval with a contemporary twist at this year’s Scots Day in Bendigo.

Parts of Rosalind Park were turned into a medieval village for the annual event, with residents and visitors donning costumes of all kinds for the day.

There were sword skill demonstrations, Celtic dancing, caber tossing, pipes, drummers and haggis too, as Bendigo celebrated its Scottish heritage.

WE TOOK UNI TO A WHOLE NEW PLACE. BENDIGO.

For further information on holding your wedding at The Grounds of the Ravenswood Homestead, please contact Grace Cowling on 0400 606 127 or via email grace@thegroundsravenswood.com.au

Ag Art Wear Display

15 February – 23 April 2017

A selection of imaginative garments made from agricultural materials entered in the 2016 Elmore Agricultural Field Days Ag Art Wear competition.

Mode and Motif 26 April – 30 July

Three artists from Bendigo and region merge to present a unique exhibition of painting, furniture and textiles. The exceptional works of Sarah Boulton, Brett Tully and Jenny Carrington together create a vibrant and memorable display.

Bendigo Visitor Centre

Open 9am to 5pm daily (except Christmas Day)

51-67 Pall Mall, Bendigo • 03 5434 6060 tourism@bendigo.vic.gov.au • www.bendigotourism.com

Quality Souvenirs Locally Made Gifts Local History Books Visit us in store or online at www.uniquelybendigo.com.au

#ExploreBendigo

Bendigo Visitor Centre

gold fever Amidst the soaring price of gold Dr Ben Mountford is unearthing historic goldfields tales, researching their impact on the world’s social, economical and political climate.

By Lauren Mitchell

The US presidential election outcome was not the only surprise to happen in November last year.

While the world was preoccupied with talk of uncertain times, something else unpredictable was taking place. The price of gold soared above $1300 an ounce for the first time since January 2015, crushing stocks, bonds and most other major assets.

“After Trump was elected, one of the first things people noticed was the gold price soared,” says Dr Ben Mountford. “Gold has been a safe haven in times of trouble across history and that’s forced people to do amazing things to get it.”

Ben is holed up at La Trobe University in Bendigo researching another, perhaps more drastic world event than a Trump presidency.

He’s delving into the heady gold rush years of the 1800s to determine the global impacts of the rushes of Bendigo and beyond.

“There was a time when Bendigo and Ballarat were the two most well-known cities in the world,” Ben said. Although his work stretches further than Victoria, this place is a major focus.

“Between the late 1840s and early 1890s more gold was found in the world than in the previous 3000 years, and that was not just in Australia. So you have this really interesting question of what does that do to the world?”

He says, for a start, not everyone was a fan of much of the world packing up and hotfooting it to the dust of Victoria’s goldfields.

“There were some strong critiques to the gold rush overseas. British newspapers were worried about England losing workers and their people getting gold fever and some campaigned against people coming here.

They wrote if everyone was rushing to be rich, what kind of society would that create?

“There were a number of great thinkers of the day who were worried about what this would mean for the world economy, trade and people’s welfare. Those big economic questions in some way are academic ones but it’s also about how that affected people’s lives.

“I’m thinking about the international stories of Bendigo — where people came from and how Bendigo became a cosmopolitan place during the gold rush, and all the questions and issues that arise from that.”

Ben has spent much of his life asking questions about the past, starting as a child growing up in the Western Australian port town of Bunbury.

about the collections.

“After that I went back to studying as a student at Melbourne Uni and on the back of that I got a scholarship to Oxford.”

Ben left Australia for England to complete a doctorate at Oxford, and ended up staying for seven years as a research fellow.

Last year, the fruits of that research was published by Oxford University Press as the book Britain, China, and Colonial Australia, offering new insights into Australia’s place in the British Empire and its role in shaping migration history.

From there Ben went on to lecture in history at Federation University in Ballarat for 12 months, before last year being appointed as a La Trobe University David Myers Fellow.

“It’s really fantastic, coming to La Trobe,” he says. “Being based at La Trobe in Bendigo and engaging with the community here is really important and will help shape the project.”

“I come from a family of hoarders and collectors,” he says. “Growing up I was always surrounded by old things. Plus, I had some wonderful high school history teachers who inspired me.”

Over the next three years Ben plans to unearth and link the everyday stories of life on the goldfields with major changes in the world’s economy, politics, patterns of migration and social fabrics.

Originally he, too, studied to be a teacher, and ended up working in education roles in museums; the West Australian Museum, Immigration Museum and Melbourne Museum, where he worked in the discovery centre, helping the public with their queries

And he will be looking for Bendigo’s help, perhaps raising a few temperatures in the process?

“Gold has always been portrayed as having magical characteristics and gold fever is a real thing,” he says.

37

Michael Davies and Ellie Walker

Jess Brady, Caitlin Ford and Sheridan Cook

James Fulton, Micky Del Ros, Julia Birchall, Vincent Fitzpatrick and Josh Lee

Vern Hardie and Amanda Jane

Sue Inglis and Clinton Pearson

Rowena Bolden, Jess Brady and Debra Cormack

LOADS OF FUN IN THE SUN With so many activities to chose from, it was impossible not to enjoy Bendigo’s Summer in the Parks.

As part of the initiative, events and activities were held in the many beautiful gardens and parks throughout Bendigo.

Both the young and young-at-heart learned circus tricks with Vern, tossed a Frisbee or three as part of Ultimate, and pounded away with the Zfit crew.

privilege of teaching For this former teacher, the connection between successful education and the tight-knit bonds of family has always been palpable.

By John Holton “I am a wonderful person. The world is mine.”

Educator Kay Fenton-Branson wrote these words on the whiteboard at the beginning of each class. Her students didn’t leave the room without saying them aloud at least once.

The lowest score in her VCE Art Fashion class that year was 38, while the other students all scored more than 40. It says a lot for Kay’s ability to instil self-belief in others, whether it be her secondary students from a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years, or the many teachers she trained at La Trobe University.

“Teaching isn’t a job,” she says, “it’s a vocation.

I’ve never felt anything but lucky to be involved in the lives of the young people I’ve taught.”

For Kay the seeds of that passion were planted at Warrnambool High School in the early 1960s. After leaving school at 16 and trying her hand at secretarial work she knew she had to go back to school and “do well”.

“Education became my passion,” Kay says. “I had two inspirational teachers at Warrnambool – textile artist, Lois Densham, and art teacher, Fi Aitken. They showed me that a good teacher can have an influence beyond anything you can imagine. When you’re aware of that influence, the responsibility can

be frightening, but it’s also the most incredible gift.”

Kay’s first school was Mortlake High; arriving as a young teacher in her early 20s. It set the scene for a career in rural education but also proved a steep learning curve.

“In country schools you were given senior teaching roles very early on. It definitely fasttracked my career,” Kay says.

Teaching positions at Rushworth and Rochester consolidated her passion for rural education and the need to be involved in the communities she taught in.

“Country schools give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in local life,” Kay says. “It enriches your teaching and ensures you have a strong connection to your students.

“At Rochester, we had mature-age students who came back to school after having children to achieve their VCE. Teachers came to Rochie and stayed because they just loved it so much; it was like a big family. I wanted to bring that feeling to Bendigo Senior Secondary.”

Kay arrived at the college in 1994, and as head of the design and technology department taught art, studio arts, visual communication design, and art Fashion. With her colleague Lyn Schroeder, she built a successful

department and students thrived.

“At BSSC we only had two years to build a rapport with students, but the visual arts department became its own little world,” Kay says. “The students were amazing; we’d give them direction and away they’d go. It was a real team and the students supported one another to do their best.“ The course gained such renown that Kay and Lyn were asked to develop and deliver a series of workshops for design and technology teachers around Australia and went on to win an Outstanding Leadership in Technology award. Kay was also seconded by the Department of Education and Training as an art consultant, visiting schools here and overseas. Those experiences informed Kay’s own teaching, and also her training of future visual art teachers at La Trobe University Bendigo where she taught for the last five years of her career.

“I love catching up with the teachers I trained,” she says, “to hear their experiences from the classroom and offer encouragement. As long as the students in our care can face the future with joy, anticipation and maturity, then we’ve all succeeded.”

39

Frazer Ginn and Bree Reilly

Hannah Frilay, Claire O’Donoghue and Rebecca Bigham

Isabella O’Brien and Sophie Fisher

Joshua Koglin and Romy Koglin

Natasha Talbot and Georgia Reilly

Vicki Cowle and Bella Cowle

IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS While it seems an age away now, the memories of Christmas still make us smile.

One such memory is the annual lighting of the Bendigo Christmas tree in Rosalind Park.

Crowds of family and friends were there to enjoy the festive celebrations, including singing carols, watching the city’s talented musicians perform, and getting to see the jolly man himself, Santa.

Celebrating diversity

BSSC 2017 Our ROLE is to empower learners for individual, community and global leadership. We value Respect, Optimism, Learning and Environment.

“Bendigo Senior Secondary Collage has offered me many opportunities to learn more about my culture and be involved in events that have allowed me to meet great people and open up pathways for my future as an artist. At BSSC I am able to embrace my culture and self comfortably and supportively.”

MICHELLIE CHARVAT – INDIGENOUS STUDENT & ARTIST

“One of the highlights of my BSSC experience so far was travelling to Brisbane with five other students to represent Victoria in the National Schools Futsal Championships. The College and the Bendigo community raised the money for us to make the trip, which was amazing. At BSSC I’m also gaining skills in Building and Construction. ” C O N TAC T US

BAH BLU HTO O KUNO O, EAL-VCAL STUDENT

CCO ON NTAC TACTT U USS Bendigo BendigoSenior Senior SecondaryCollege College Secondary Rosalind RosalindPark, Park,Bendigo Bendigo PO POBox Box545, 545,Bendigo Bendigo VIC VIC3552 3552

Phone Phone61 61335443 54431222 1222 Fax61 61335441 54414548 4548 Fax Email Emailadmin@bssc.edu.au admin@bssc.edu.au Web Webwww.bssc.edu.au www.bssc.edu.au

Phone 61 3 5443 1222 Bendigo Senior Fax 61 3 5441 4548 Secondary College Rosalind Park, Bendigo Email admin@bssc.edu.au facebook.com/bendigoseniorsc facebook.com/bendigoseniorsc www.facebook.com/bendigoseniorsc twitter.com/bendigoseniorsc Web www.bssc.edu.au PO Boxbendigoseniorsc 545, Bendigo www.twitter.com/ twitter.com/bendigoseniorsc VIC 3552 instagram/bendigoseniorsc gplus.to/bendigoseniorsc gplus.to/bendigoseniorsc www.youtube.com/user/bendigoseniorsc youtube.com/user/bendigoseniorsc youtube.com/user/bendigoseniorsc

facebook.com/bendigoseniorsc twitter.com/bendigoseniorsc gplus.to/bendigoseniorsc youtube.com/user/bendigoseniorsc

home is where your tribe's at “Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling,” so the saying goes.

By John Holton

For Bryley Savage, who made Bendigo her home in 2010, that feeling is a many faceted and complex thing, grounded in family, local participation, and her ‘tribe’ of like-minded souls.

After spending the first seven years of her life in Gippsland, Bryley’s parents split and she moved with her mum and stepdad to Mooroopna near Shepparton.

“It wasn’t ever a place that felt like home,” Bryley says. “I left home when I was 16 and moved in with a wonderful teacher from school and her two daughters while I studied Year 12.

“Once I graduated from the illustrious Maroopna Secondary I moved to my grandparents’ place in Alphington. That was my first real taste of home – a place where I could be myself; feel truly comfortable in my own skin.”

Bryley describes her grandparents, Audrey and Percy, as the epitome of family. She remembers their home as a place of love; of good-natured stirring and joking; a place where family came and went freely, often dipping into Audrey’s celebrated lolly jar in the pantry.

“Percy was a ‘You can do it’ kind of guy,” Bryley remembers. “During the depression he’d looked after his five siblings on an apprentice wage.

Later in his life, when others in his community couldn’t afford to move to retirement villages, he literally built one.

“Grandma and Grandpa were loving, kind, beautiful people. They were great role models for what home could be. We strive to create that with our own kids and our Bendigo tribe.”

When Bryley and her partner John moved to Bendigo from inner-city Melbourne it was with a certain reluctance. After all, they were ‘city people’ – Melbourne was where they had a profile – but they also saw an opportunity to give their children a country lifestyle and embrace everything Bendigo had to offer.

“We were determined to love it,” Bryley says. “We quickly discovered things about Bendigo that made it easier – the art gallery, the monthly farmers’ market, the Old Green Bean…

“One of the first people I met there was the enigmatic Michelle Martin. I instantly had a playgroup for the kids; I joined the Sustainability Group. When we met Nicole and Darren Murphy, we knew we’d found our tribe.

In a town like Bendigo, the people you connect with quickly become your family – they help form your sense of home.”

It was around this time that Bryley began her “I ‘Heart’ Bendigo” blog as a way of sharing the things she loved about Bendigo and important information for others discovering the city.

“I saw a gap in the market – a need that wasn’t being serviced,” she says. “What were the best schools? Where could you get a decent coffee?

Where could you access free wi-fi? Who was open for breakfast on a Sunday?

“I started the blog in December 2011 and had 11 views that month. After 12 months I was getting 2000 hits and thought I could be on to something. It quickly grew from being therapy for me, to a sort of personal crusade to promote Bendigo, support local business, and build community.”

The blog has continued to evolve, along with Bryley’s involvement in Bendigo life, through initiatives such as the new Bendigo Made website she developed with local designer Dale Harris; an online store and support network for local makers and sellers.

Bryley is also the marketing force behind bHive, a burgeoning online platform that will allow local enterprises and people to own Bendigo’s sharing economy, generating income and profits that will be reinvested back into the local economy. It’s a concept very much at the heart of her definition of home.

When I ask Bryley to sum it up for me in a nutshell, she quotes James Rebanks from his poignant book, The Shepherd’s Life: “I understand for the first time that our sense of belonging is all about participation. We belong because we are part of the work of this place.”

“Bendigo is big enough that you don’t know everybody but small enough that you can,” Bryley says, waving to a passer-by from our table at the Harvest Cafe in View Street.

“Michelle Martin told me that the very first time I met her.

“She was right, and it really does make anything possible.”

41

crafting their happy place

The members of the Strathdale (Bendigo) Quilters initially came together because of their passion for creativity but from there have developed solid friendships and nurtured a desire to give back to the community.

By Sue Turpie It would be fitting to insert a pun in here about their crafty-covered car stopping traffic. It certainly does. But to reduce the effort of the Strathdale (Bendigo) Quilters to just that doesn’t do their work justice.

Underneath the colourful fabric is a 1950 Morris Minor called Patsy. Named after its owner. The car is used as a way of creating public interest in the group’s upcoming biennial exhibition, and it’s easy to see why 42

it’s successful. Just looking at the car you can’t help but smile and want to know more about it and what the group is about.

Standing by the car chatting with Bendigo Magazine are Strathdale (Bendigo) Quilters members Pat Clarkson, Marily Lynch, Suzanne Bell, Chris Bourke, Ruth Turner, and Jane Leahy; also members of the exhibition committee.

Chris explains that the group introduced the

car as a different way of promoting the quilt, as suggested by one of the newer members.

“We’d seen similar things on the internet, of cars covered in patchworks and then Pat offered her vehicle,” Jane says.

“Well, it was reasonably small and only had two doors to worry about,” Pat jokes.

It’s car coat of many colours was made up of orphan blocks donated by members; essentially random bits and pieces left over

from other projects.

One member laughs and says she misheard at first, thinking that they were being asked to donate “awful blocks”. But there’s nothing awful at all about the quilt-covered car. It’s retro, quirky and certainly eyecatching.

“We’ve had a few people ask whether it was for sale,” Chris says. “Or if it was a raffle prize. Down at Lake Weeroona we could have made a fortune on Australia Day if we charged everyone a dollar who took a photo.

It’s certainly created a lot of interest.”

“And everyone smiles who sees it,” Pat quips. “Even when it was only half finished and in our workshop, in bits and pieces,

being fitted, someone came up and said ‘Oh, this is great.’ “ Becoming a celebrity in its own right, the car will be parked out the front of the exhibition and most likely will be a feature in this year’s Easter fair.

The group also uses its talents to serve a greater purpose, such as raffling off its quilts.

“We also do community quilts,” Chris says, “which gives us that sense of giving something back.”

“The profit from the raffle will go to Quality Living Options, which is a group who purpose-build a residential facility for

adults with disabilities,” Ruth says.

The upcoming exhibition will feature more than 100 quilts of varying sizes, shapes and colours. It’s the culmination of two years’ work and there will be many quilts on display that haven’t been shown before.

“The raffle quilt will also be at the exhibition.” Jane says, “Tickets for the raffle are on sale already, but that’s usually a highlight.”

For almost three decades this group has been creating, forging friendships and helping the community. The club recently celebrated its 27th birthday, reflecting on the history of a club that has grown from seven founding members to some 141 43

today. However, while members have come and gone over the years, no doubt they would all share the same views as those held by those here today.

When asked what they get out of being part of the quilting group, these women are all quick to laugh.

“Therapy,” Jane says, to which the others nod in agreement. “Friendship,” says another. “Playing with fabrics and having fun.”

“Creativity.”

“Sanity.”

“It’s a good escape from the everyday.”

“Given the longevity of our club, I think that demonstrates that quilting has always had an appeal to people,” Chris says. “And 44

when we have an exhibition, just watching the reactions of people as they walk around, smiling and commenting on stuff and becoming enthusiastic about it and how it’s done, and wanting to find out how they join.“ “When a woman retires, this is something that she can spend her time doing,” Jane says. “Also people from out of town, who move to Bendigo, can join and walk in and are immediately surrounded by like-minded people who speak the same language.”

But you don’t have to be retired to join up. The group meets each Thursday from 9.30am to 10pm, and members can come along for as long or short a time as they like, although most information sessions are held in the morning, such as show and tell.

“It is an obsession; an addiction,” Ruth says.

“There is no middle ground, we don’t just dabble.”

“It’s my escape, my retreat,” Marilyn says.

“It’s all of our happy place,” they agree.

Strathdale (Bendigo) Quilters present its biennial exhibition, A Parade of Quilts, at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, 26 Myers Street, Bendigo. Entry is $5, with primary school children and under free of charge. There will be morning tea, light lunch and afternoon tea available. The times and dates are: Friday, April 14, noon to 5pm; Saturday, April 15, 10am to 5pm; Sunday, April 16, noon to 5pm; and Monday, April 17, 10am to 3pm. For information, email strathdalequilters@gmail.com

“We looked everywhere for the best place for Nan. Only one ticked all the boxes.”

Clarice’s granddaughter, Rebecca.

Freedom family

After a lifetime of caring for her own three children, seven grandchildren and her 103 year old mum, 81 year old Clarice finally needed care herself. In her search for a place that provided 24 hour care plus the independence, companionship and lifestyle her Nan so richly deserved, her granddaughter Rebecca visited every nursing home in her region. The only place she found that “ticked all the boxes” was Freedom Aged Care.

Freedom Nursing Aged Care Home

COMPARATIVE ITEMS

24 hr nurse services – immediate response nurse-call technology Low, High, Palliative and Dementia Care Government funding available Full domestic support Your own self-contained home with kitchen, bathroom, laundry and courtyard/garden Couples stay together Family and friends can stay whenever they want Pets are welcome Encouraged to live independently, while you are capable Move-in without ACAT assessment No means-testing or asset-testing required for move-in Visit 107-115 Condon St Kennington or call us on 1800 984 840 today.

What’s life without freedom?

Freedom Aged Care Click freedomagedcare.com.au

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

Kevin Isaccs. Stacy Hodge and Alan Clever

Kathryn Mackenzie and Glenn Harvey

Mat Christie, Scott Blair and Rebecca Cooper

Belinda Nihill and Carla Anderson

Kate Newman and Lorraine Dicks

Peter Rees-Lee, Ange O’Shea and Lorraine Wiggins

DESIGN PRECINCT ON SHOW Offering something new, this was the first Progressive Showroom Tour, thanks to Bendigo’s Design Precinct.

Design Precinct members each hosted a showroom presentation, moving along the member venues in High Street, Bendigo.

The aim of the event was for architects, interior designers, builders and developers to see what’s new in building and design for 2017.

FULLY RENOVATED UNITS FROM: Studio Apartment - $99,500 1 Bedroom - $220,000 2 Bedroom - $260,000

...because where you live should feel like home 33-53 Mandurang Rd, Spring Gully, Bendigo

Phone: (03) 5442 3000 or free call 1800 013 451

www.bendigorv.com.au

Anita Jack, Russell Jack and Helen Benny

Margaret O’Rourke ,Michele Morrison Neil Beattie

TOASTING THE FUTURE Michele Morrison, Dianne Fletcher Bob Cameron

Phil Janett, Larissa Delaney, Keith and Karen Sutherland and Sonya and Michael Kuchel

Dressed to the nines, the community comes out to support the city’s healthcare facilities.

Exemplar Health and the Bendigo Health Foundation hosted the fundraising gala dinner inside the new Bendigo Hospital.

Glenn Thomas, Robyn Lindsay, Byron Perrin and Melissa Silk

Shaun Makepeace, Sarah McAdie and Kiri Earl

Guests heard from speakers on what the public can expect from services in this regional healthcare facility, while enjoying cocktails and canapés, as well as a delicious dinner.

Welcome

All of our modern rooms are designed with comfort in mind and contemporary decor for both the business and leisure guest.

Superbly located opposite Mildura’s majestic Murray River and within walking distance to the shopping and dining precinct.

Corner Seventh Street & Deakin Avenue, Mildura Phone: 03 5023 0241 Email: info@commodoremildura.com.au Web: www.commodoremildura.com.au | 

enlightening bendigo Ian Green talks of the progress and plans of the Great Stupa on the outskirts of Bendigo, and how the popularity of the iconic building continues to grow in both the city and beyond.

By Sue Turpie It’s a building that is overwhelming in both size and stature, but with a reverence and calmness that comes with being a sacred monument of ancient religion of Buddhism.

As the website of the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion explains a stupa symbolically represents an enlightened mind and the path to enlightenment.

Measuring some 50 metres wide by 50 metres high, this is the largest stupa in the western world and word has spread globally about this amazing structure resulting in greater numbers of visitors to the site.

Chairman Ian Green says that even though the main building has been erected there is still much to do, starting with lining the four interior walls of the temple.

“But after that we’ll be able to paint it and then get into the decorating phase,” he says, “which will mean all the artwork will go up.

We’ll be ready for that within the next six to 12 months.”

Next, work will be done on level six, putting on the roof and walls, within the next 12 months. Then they’ll be working towards

the completion of the stupa which will mean putting another 18 metres on top of what is already there, then finishing the top of the stupa.

of senior groups, Probus Clubs and the like, coming from all over Australia. And school groups as well. The stupa is well and truly on the tourist map of central Victoria.

It’s a carefully planned operation, but as you would expect there is no sense of urgency with everything happening when it should over the next three years. But it’s obvious that Ian is looking forward to putting the finishing touches on the building.

“The stupa itself is more like an iconic building. It’s like the Sydney Opera House where the vast number of people who go aren’t interested in opera, they’re interested in this building because it’s such an icon.

Everyone who comes here comments on how amazing it is to drive up here in the middle of the bush and then you see this incredible building and the peaceful ambience that it brings with it.”

“Like on the inside of the temple, there’ll be decoration work on the outside. Although the background will be white, we’ll have an immense amount of decorative friezes and statues around the outside; that’s going to be very exciting after all the building, building, building,” Ian laughs.

As the stupa project progresses, the number of visitors to the site continues to increase, with 25,000 people expected in 2017.

“We’re seeing that it’s growing, and each year we’re getting more and more people and a lot of those people, about 60 per cent of them, are not Buddhists, they’re what you might call general tourists but we’re also getting a lot

People have visited from Cambodia, and people from regional Victoria who visited last year and wanted to see the progress. Not all the people who work at the stupa are Buddhist but Ian says they respect what they’re doing and it is a wonderful work environment.

“It’s not Dreamworld,” Ian says. “People come here for a mental or spiritual experience which is every bit as exciting but in a completely different way. And there is a sense of civic pride in people who live here and bring visitors to the Stupa.”

49

on the home front

Anglicare is working directly with central Victoria’s young people, empowering them to overcome any circumstances and be the best that they can be.

By Sue Turpie As a young person, the biggest dilemmas you should be facing is what music to download or how to fit in work and going out with friends at the weekend, maybe cramming for next week’s exam.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case with many young people in central Victoria.

For young people, family violence and unforeseen circumstances can see them suddenly thrown into a life of uncertainty and potential homelessness. While media may focus on the metropolitan areas it’s a very real problem here in Bendigo. But there is constant work on the front to help, and Anglicare Bendigo is just one of many organisations in this area doing all they can to assist young people.

Anglicare Victoria Regional Director Tom Hadkiss says their interest is empowering young people to be “the best that they can be”.

“We really would like to prevent things if we can,” Tom says, “as much as possible to avoid negative things happening in a young person’s life and where that hasn’t worked we’ll look at protecting people as best we can.

“Young people and children are incredibly resilient and we’re constantly pleased to see that with the right support and the right protective activities, people who come into our service whether it’s children or young people go on to lead absolutely successful lives. And our job is to give them the 50

support they need to go on and reach their potential.

“Part of our challenge in Bendigo and as a community is to have appropriate expectations of people, which is that they do have the capacity to be wonderful and successful, regardless of whether they have a homelessness issue or whether they have been homeless for a time, or have a drug issue or mental health issue… the task is to keep that spark of potential alive for as long as we possibly can.”

Leigh Brown is program manager of Youth Services at Youth Central, working directly with young people in Bendigo. She says that, on average, Anglicare supports 320 to 350 young people every year with issues of homelessness. That demographic comprises people aged 16 to 20 years old.

“Homeless Australia-wide you find that 40 to 45 per cent of people accessing any homelessness services are under the age of 25,” Leigh says. “Youth are overrepresented in statistics of homelessness and part of that could be the lower costs of benefits, and also a lack of living skills and a lack of budgeting skills and a lack of more independent supports in their natural network.”

Last year, Anglicare support 1050 instances of homeless in Bendigo last year which means that from those 300-plus people many had re-occurring issues of

homelessness.

“We have secondary homelessness, which is couch surfing, not having a lease or tenure or sleeping in a garage or a tent in a backyard. They may have somewhere to stay that night but haven’t yet actually slept on the street and may still have natural networks. Then primary homelessness which is people who have exhausted all networks and will be on the streets if a response is not given.”

For Anglicare, primary homelessness will be their main focus but they still remain involved with people who are experiencing secondary homeless to prevent things progressing further.

“We like to monitor people in our Bendigo community so we don’t see them ending up sleeping on the streets,” Leigh says. “If we remain involved in some way we can prevent a lot of those issues. There is an intake system for youth so young people can call and book an appointment or they can walk in. So any young person experiencing primary homelessness, we can make sure they’ve got a roof over their head for that very night and that we’re not leaving them without support.”

There is also an after-hours number, so any young person who phones the statewide response number will be linked in with Anglicare. For further information visit www.anglicarevic.org.au

51

Alex O’Shea, Ryan Clegg and Ben Hitchman

Lily Bennett and Jesse Sefton

Billy Spearing and Abbey Sanders

Brianna Elder and Illy Sevudredre

Caitlin, Tony and Kayla O’Loughlin

Levi and Reyna Spruce

CELEBRATING ALL THINGS AUSSIE The annual celebration of Australia Day was enjoyed by all across Bendigo, including crowds at Lake Weeroona.

Surounding the lake were activities, displays, sausage sizzles, live music, arts and crafts and more.

It was the perfect day out for family and friends, enjoying the sunshine in one of the city’s iconic locations and celebrating all things Australian.

SUNDAY 23RD APRIL 2017 2:00pm – 4:30pm

ulumbarra theatre

gaol rd, bendigo vic 3550

AUSTRALIAN

DOCTORS

ORCHESTRA fe at uring

Presented by

AUSTRALIAN DOCTORS ORCHESTRA

Supported by

SOLOIST

CONDUCTOR

MICHAEL DAHLENBURG

WARWICK STENGARDS

BENDIGO YOUTH CHOIR

IN THE DVORAK CELLO CONCERTO

Tickets on sale at www.gotix.com.au Events sponsors

All proceeds proudly donated to

otisfoundation.org.au

Media partners

The Hon. Howard Nathan

a proud service

As Anzac Day approaches, we honour the role of one particular servicewoman whose knowledge and dedication has helped advance critical care nursing in the armed forces.

As Bendigo prepares to honour Anzac Day on April 25, we thought it fitting to highlight the role played by our servicewomen. One, in particular, Dr Jo Harding.

the first Rwanda rotation in 1994 that reserve specialists were required because the regular force didn’t have a developed specialist skillset.

Jo began her career as a nurse in 1977, starting first in general nursing then moving to critical care in the 1980s. It was in her 30s she joined the Australian Army Reserve.

“Three reserve specialists in critical care were included for the deployment to Rwanda in ’95 and it was quite clear there was a two-way street of learning opportunity here. That the full-time regular nurses could help us with military skills and culture, and we could help them develop their clinical skills. This has now has become part of the working relationship between reserve and full-time (regulars) as far as specialist clinicians and professions are concerned.”

“I come from a very military family,” Jo says.

“Every generation of my family since the Boer War has served; most have served overseas.

I’ve served overseas in a number of capacities and deployments, but my main capacity has been as a critical care nurse specialist officer.”

academic pathway with a Masters in nursing that defined the role of the Australian military nurse on operational service. Her thesis just happens to be at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Jo then went on to complete a PhD in Medical Science and is now a medical research scientist, specialising in explosives biophysics.

During the Afghanistan campaign Jo worked with Defence Science, as an Injury Scientist, researching ways to protect soldiers from the types of injuries she had nursed in years past.

Some years ago Jo founded the Post 75 Veterans Group with Paul Penno.

It wasn’t only Jo’s medical knowledge that gained her respect in her role; she was a crack shot, too. Participating in the same training as her regular colleagues was a simple fact of life.

“It’s grown to be a functioning working group within the RSL Bendigo,” Jo says. “The Vietnam Veterans have been wonderful to our cohort of vets, you couldn’t ask for more supportive mentors than this group of guys.”

“In the early ‘90s we hadn’t deployed hospitals for a long time so specialist clinical experience for full-time members of Defence was limited,” Jo says.

“I was older, already in my 30s, and I joined as a lieutenant. That was enabling for me because I’d already experienced an extra 10 years of life. Some pals are telling me now that I was a bit of a mentor for them and that’s a nice thought, but my best advice to anyone was always ask why,”Jo laughs.

She is full of praise to the current working group, who focus on support within their own.

You name it they’re helping. I am so proud of what they have achieved.”

“It’s changed a lot now of course but back then there was a recognition at the end of

It was Jo’s inquisitive nature and wanting to know ‘why’ that saw her continue an

During her 12 years as a specialist reserve nursing officer, Jo was deployed to Rwanda in 1995, Bougainville in 1997, and East Timor in 2000, where she was an officer in charge of the military intensive care unit in Dili. Jo brought a wealth of knowledge to her role which benefited the full-time members of the Australian Defence Force.

Jo’s also been a keynote speaker on Anzac Day in Bendigo. “RSL president Cliff Richards openly values women’s roles in Defence and ensures our contributions are included in the overall stories”.

53

for the love of literature

Teacher Sue Gentry says she has the best job ever. Driving a truck loaded with books from school to school and helping schoolchildren find joy in reading ... yep, that does sound amazing.

By Sue Turpie Teacher Sue Gentry has a passion for books that is impossible to deny, and it’s this passion that makes her a perfect fit for her current position at the wheel of the Mobile Area Resource Centre.

Not to mention the fact that she loves driving a truck, too.

Originally from Bendigo, Sue taught in Merbein for five years, went to Melbourne for 10 years and is now happily back in her home town. Of course there was the arrival of her own children in between.

Established during the 1970s, essentially MARC is a medium-sized truck filled with books and reading material, driven to rural schools so children can access additional resources.

“The library has always been a big part of my life,” Sue says. “I have taken all three of my own children to toddler reading time at our local library. Once my last child hit school we have created our own little library sessions of a Saturday morning.

It visits Marong, Inglewood, Bridgewater, Lockwood South, Axedale, Raywood, Eppalock and Goornong; schools with 100 students or less. Sue has been driving MARC since August of last year, filling in while teacher Brooke Ball is on maternity leave.

54

“I find myself collecting titles to look into for the MARC van as I’m wandering through. It’s hard to stop working when you have the best job ever.

55

“I just love the books,” she says. “That was always my favourite part of teaching in the classroom – literacy lessons. Now I get to be involved with small schools, which I love, books, which I love; and I get to drive a truck. It’s everything I love about teaching in one job.

“And I had to go and get my truck licence with all the truckies and that was really good fun,” she laughs.

MARC also provides support for teachers.

“I have resources to share as well as providing much-needed time release for planning and assessment – that’s something that can be taken for granted in larger schools but very often nearly nonexistent in small schools.”

As well as actual books, Sue has 10 iPads on hand that students can use to research authors and material.

“They have been used for things, such as trawling David Walliams website, creating Little Lunch videos, recording our thoughts on books and collaging an eight-page book using the We Publish app.”

This MARC isn’t the only one on the road, with some 30 MARC vans and teachers in operation across the state as well as several MACCs or Mobile Art Craft Centres and teachers. Sue says that over the years some schools have closed while others have outgrown MARC. “The most recent closure was Drummartin in 2015, but very kindly, principal Adam Torney donated the entire Dummartin library to the MARC van.”

Sue has the fun task of buying books and resources for MARC, and she enjoys sourcing literacy and material directly related to student interest as well as recommendations.

“It’s a good excuse to read books, buy books and go to the library every week to search for books,” Sue says. “I go shopping every couple of weeks and buy whatever is new and fantastic. I also go to op-shops and buy through catalogues.”

While there is such a diverse range of interests with the students, Sue asks the children what they like and don’t like. Her goal, she says, is having the children read and enjoy reading.

“I also go to newsagents and buy tractor magazines for a few boys at Goornong,” she says. “They’re farm boys and don’t want books...

I find football magazines. If you’ve got non-readers and reluctant readers, then I say if they’ve got something in their hand and they’re reading it then that’s wonderful.”

As one teacher says: “The MARC van provides the students of our smaller primary schools the opportunity to be immersed in a variety of books and literature that we would struggle to provide otherwise.”

With providing reading material, Sue is always aware of what the children are reading. While she encourages stepping beyond the comfort zone she understands the responsibility that comes with her role.

“I always say to the students to tell your parents what you’re reading and if it’s too much then stop. I’m trying to make sure I read all those top-end novels so I can recommend them and tell the children if there’s anything in it that might be a bit tricky. It’s good when you can say this is a wonderful book but at the end it made me cry a bit so be aware if it’s too much to put it down. I try to know the books and know the kids.”

And what are the kids reading?

“Graphic novels are huge now, and Guinness Book of Records,” Sue says. “I did an Aaron Blabey fortnight. His books are hilarious, they’re fantastic and the kids love them. Any book that has ‘bum’, or ‘fart’, or ‘pooh’ in it is a winner. I do author focuses, so I’ve done him. I love Stephen Michael King, I’ve done Friar Blackwood and Vanilla Strata. They love Andy Griffiths; if those guys keep churning out books the kids will be happy.”

“David Walliams is the new Roald Dahl; I have a big crush on David Walliams, and I brought in all the books. He’s brilliant and he’s hitting the mark where I don’t think anyone else is really hitting the mark. When kids are talking about books in the playground you know that’s when they become a huge success.”

56

Julietta, Uma and Emma

Janice, Gillian and Val

CASTLEMAINE TURNS IT ON Sam and Kirsten

Judy and Lorna

Verna, Simon and Emma

Jude, Gianluca and Mark

Crowds filled the Castlemaine Goods Shed to help launch the town’s State Festival.

This year’s celebration features an extravaganza of circus and physical theatre from the UK, a Filipino film festival, Indigenous arts and musicians from North East Arnhem Land, plays and performances in some interesting places, classical music from India as well as some outstanding contemporary visual art from the Philippines and lots more.

Tessa McNaulty, Stephen Phillis and Sandy McLennan

Janine McLachlan, Elaine McLachlan and Janie Tonkin

Jessica Spalding, Peter Valentine and Maree Tonkin

Jon and Audrey Savage

Kathryn MacKenzie, Fiona McMahon, Helen Attrill and Leanne Fitzgibbon

Matt Harris and Jo Eltringham

NEW EXHIBITION AT GALLERY 369 The official launch of Homecoming featured a selection of works by five of the region’s renowned artists.

Homecoming, in Gallery 369, Valentine’s Antiques celebrate local creative talents and showcases an offering of contemporary artworks.

The exhibition features works by ceramicist Garry Bish, painter Stephen Phillis, painter Jessica Spalding, photographer Maree Tonkin, and painter Ben Winspear.

BEST WESTERN CATHEDRAL MOTOR INN Situated 500m from the CBD and adjacent to the beautiful Sacred Heart Cathedral • Featuring 31 spacious rooms • Wireless broadband and complimentary Austar • All rooms include a queen size bed with spa rooms available • Breakfast service available

96 High Street, Bendigo p: 03 5442 5333 | www.cathedralmotorinn.com.au

Ann and James Williams

Jackson Dole, Blake Walden, April Dole and Brianna Downing

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR Laura and Amber Pritchard

Sharni Simpson and Michelle Rose

There were festivities and fun times for the celebration of the 2017 Chinese New Year.

Crowds gathered at Dai Gum San, next to the Chinese Museum to see in the Year of the Rooster.

Taine and Caitlin Bishop

Trinity and Michelle Parker

Chinese heritage is an important part of Bendigo’s history, and the community always gathers to help honour this annual event.

BOOK PUBLICATION IS OUR SPECIALTY. FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS, BIOGRAPHIES, HANDBOOKS, MAGAZINES, NOVELS, PROGRAMS, ANNUAL REPORTS, ETC. FROM 1 TO 1000 OR ANY OTHER QUANTITY, WE CAN CREATE, PRINT AND BIND YOUR BOOK.

incorporating

20-22 Deborah Street, Bendigo VIC 3550

5441 6600

ELLIOTT PRINT Kyneton 5422 1488 Castlemaine 5472 1788

Kerang 5452 1733 Swan Hill 5032 2161

CAMBRIDGE PRINTERS 5443 1855

CREATIVE RURAL PRINTERS 1800 591 881

MODN SIGN CO. 5441 6600

breakfast | lunch | events located in the very heart of the arts precinct, overlooking rosalind park, the gallery cafe is bendigo’s best kept secret. let our #cafewithadifference cater for any of your function/event needs, or simply pop in to enjoy a coffee, cocktail, glass of wine + creative café menu. open 7 days, 8.30-5pm (evenings by appointment) see you there. linc + ben.

42 View Street, Bendigo | (03) 5441 8896 | bendigogallerycafe.com.au

IMAGINE A SCHOOL WHERE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IS DEEPLY VALUED...

Where how we feel influences how we learn, who we are and who we will become. Where managing how we feel, empowers us to strive for excellence.

“Imagine” - Girton Grammar School Charter Girton is an inclusive School that welcomes children and their families from a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances. We are non selective which means we don’t exclude students due to academic ability, but rather we support them to achieve their potential. It’s an approach that delivers exceptional outcomes and preferred futures.

Find out more by contacting The Registrar on 5441 3114 or email: registrar@girton.vic.edu.au

OPEN DAY FRIDAY MAY 26

A S P I R E TO S TA R

a creative history

In another major milestone, the Bendigo Art Gallery is celebrating its 130th anniversary, and in honour of the occasion the gallery’s curators reflect on their favourite works.

By Sue Turpie For more than a century, residents and visitors to the city have moved through the doors of the Bendigo Art Gallery being treated the works of great artists. This year, the gallery is celebrating its 130th anniversary which has given senior curator Tansy Curtin an opportunity to reflect on the colourful history of this internationallyrenowned art space.

“The gallery was established as an independent organisation with a board of management and remained so until an agreement was brokered between the board and local government in 1996 which saw operational matters transferred to council,” Tansy says. “From the outset, the selection committee (appointed by the gallery board) sought to acquire works of contemporary art by both Australian and international artists, an approach that established the foundation for the following 130 years.”

During its history, the Bendigo Art Gallery has hosted international collections of art, fashion and iconic memorabilia. However, this year’s milestone has given the gallery’s curators an opportunity to set up their own

displays, highlighting work that they’re passionate about and that resonates with them.

“I’ve found it to be a really fabulous process,” Tansy explains. “It’s not often that we get to be more introspective and spend time looking for our own collections. It’s almost a little bit indulgent as a curator to have that opportunity to go through the racks and look at works and think about all these different contexts you can create.

“It’s not about a big, international blockbuster. It’s about trying to tell a story about us and that’s a lovely part of what we get to do. It’s been really fun.

“I’ve been here almost 11 years and there are works that I’ve never seen before. That’s one of the things that’s been so fabulous getting works out that have never seen the light of day, or haven’t for a long time. Of course fashions change, staff change, and so you forget about works but we do have a fabulous data collection now which we didn’t have 20 years ago.

“Not only are you looking at the story of the

work of art, but you’re looking at the story of the history of the object, where it came from and the collectors that it belonged to and its connection to Bendigo Art Gallery.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to show 130 years of history in Bendigo, and the history of the people of Bendigo and the history of the gallery. Of course, there are works where I’ve gone ‘Oh I wish I could find a spot for that.’ but next time.”

There will be a couple of visitor books from the early period of the gallery, the late 19th century, on display. Tansy says the comments are fascinating to read and they highlight what pieces were popular then; Too Late by Herbert Schmalz, which is still beloved today.

“It is interesting to see something that was popular in the 1890s is still popular today, nearly 120 years later,” Tansy says.

The Bendigo Art Gallery will host its Collective Vision: 130 Years exhibition until May 28. For more information, visit www.bendigoartgallery.com.au 61

CLARE NEEDHAM Curator - City History and Collections Bendigo Art Gallery How long have you been working for Bendigo Art Gallery?

5 years What does working at Bendigo Art Gallery mean to you?

Working at Bendigo Art Gallery allows me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people including artists, the local community, private collectors and large institutions. I really enjoy the challenge of making exhibitions, drawing out stories, building connections and providing insights for audiences. I also love having the opportunity to work closely with a vast array of artworks and objects.

What is the piece of artwork you have chosen?

There are so many fascinating things in the gallery’s collection. I have been working primarily with the furniture and decorative arts collection which has amassed in the last 50 years through several generous and important donations from private collectors.

The majority is from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Although several items date back to the 17th century, I have taken inspiration for the decorative arts and furniture display from the Victorian aesthetic of the mid to 62

late 19th century, a time when the notion of interior decoration emerged as a defining force and Bendigo citizens were rapidly building their wealth and their homes. I hope audiences will enjoy the historical insights afforded by this approach.

The eclectic Victorian aesthetic was heavily influenced by orientalism and historic revivals like Baroque and Rococo defined by an overlapping of colour, texture and pattern. One of the most quirky objects on display is the lustres. These are delicate, often ornately embellished glass vessels with drops of glass or crystal attached to a central cylinder flaring out at the top.

At the height of the Victorian era, lustres were commonly displayed in pairs on the mantelpiece or sideboard of a parlour or dining room. Much like a chandelier, they reflected and refracted light across a room.

In 1969, Stanley & Nellie Seymour gifted an impressive collection of lustres to Bendigo Art Gallery along with a large collection of porcelain tea cup and saucer sets. I think visitors will really enjoy these unique objects. They are so unique and distinct to this period in design history. They look particularly good en masse.

There are also several items on display that pertain very specifically to Bendigo’s history including several items from Fortuna Villa on Chum Street including two oriental censors and an 1877 Napoleon III

upright piano. This mansion is arguably the most impressive domestic example of the Victorian aesthetic in Bendigo. Mining magnate George Lansell purchased the property in 1871 and spared no expense in its expansion and decoration. Interior photographs of Fortuna, also on display, show lavish decoration with an eclectic mix of influences and a flamboyant personal style.

I have also included several contemporary art pieces like Cuckoo by Emily Floyd to show how artists today draw influence from or borrow iconography from styles and ideas of the past; as a celebration, critique or contemporary comment.

Is there any other information you would like to add?

I have also curated a collection display for our satellite exhibition space Post Office Gallery. The exhibitionComposing Objects explores the instinctive creative desire to arrange three-dimensional objects; for example on a mantelpiece, in a cabinet, a shop window or in a gallery.

Taking this simple idea of bringing objects together in conversation as a starting point, the exhibition showcases a selection of pieces from Bendigo Art Gallery’s vast collection in various combinations including glassware, mid-century Bendigo Pottery and contemporary ceramics as well as still life paintings.

SIMONE BLOOMFIELD Collections Manager How long have you been working for the Bendigo Art Gallery?

Sixteen years (not all of that fulltime) What does working at Bendigo Art Gallery mean to you?

It is a challenge. We do great exhibitions, we punch above our weight – something I’m very proud of. So I suppose there’s a big sense of pride in what we do – and I’m part of it.

What is the piece of artwork you have chosen?

Louise Hearman Untitled 896 2003 oil on masonite 63.5 x 73.6cm The Gift of Grace and Alec Craig, Bendigo Victoria, 2014. Collection Bendigo Art Gallery 2014.28

JESSICA BRIDGFOOT

Can you describe the piece?

Curator- Bendigo Art Gallery

It is a relatively small work but it’s powerful.

How long have you been working for the Bendigo Art Gallery?

What does this particular artwork mean to you?

Five months

Personally, and on a very basic level, it depicts a beautiful dog and I am very much a dog person. I especially love the painting technique employed by the artist. The simple application of a few flicks of paint has created an amazing sense of light. The way in which the paint has been applied resembles a sketchy, drawn-like application and I am particularly interested in drawing having studied this at university.

What do you believe this artwork means to visitors to the gallery?

I think it is very accessible. People can relate to it immediately and just like in life, a lot of people are drawn to animals – dogs in particular.

How does it fit into your space and the theme of your space?

The theme of my space in Bolton Court, is broadly, animals. Almost everyone enjoys the company of an animal or at least understands and appreciates the impact they have on our lives. Animals have always been a popular theme in art, whether real or imaginary, domestic or exotic. Artists have chosen to use them literally, symbolically or figuratively, with or without human subjects. Depictions of animals help the artist to convey the joy and warmth that many of us derive from our animal companions or to portray happiness, distress, landscape and environmental ideas.

What does working at Bendigo Art Gallery mean to you?

A great privilege. I work with some of Australia’s most fascinating artworks and artists on a daily basis.

What is the piece of artwork you have chosen?

All Summer Long (1995-6) by Rosalie Gascoigne Can you describe the piece?

An epic abstract assemblage of ‘found’ materials (wooden Schweppes crates) pieced together to form a six-metre long shimmering landscape.

What does this particular artwork mean to you?

Growing up in Bendigo I would visit the gallery and marvel at this work. Gascoigne was probably my first experience of abstract assemblage on such a scale and – as an impressionable high school art student ignited my interest in the use of found materials and non-traditional

mediums to make art. Two decades later the work still resonates with me.

What do you believe this artwork means to visitors to the gallery?

Gascoigne was a very important female in Australian art and came to making quite later in life (in her 60s) I think Australian visitors recognise the work as a significant and quintessentially Australian piece of art history. On an experiential level, the use of Schweppesbranding prompts memories of childhoods spent during long hot Australian summer holidays, milk bars and road trips to the beach. International visitors to the gallery may find Gascoigne’s work a striking Australian counterpart to the European and American constructivist artists like Vladimir Tatlin, Robert Rauschenberg and the German Dadaists.

How does it fit into your space and the theme of your space?

All Summer Long hangs alongside other artists who describe the landscape through the use of abstract language. Rather than a traditional representation of landscape, Gascoigne uses robust colour and repetition to convey the essence of a hot summer day. In this sense the works in this space offer a spiritual, emotive experience of landscape.

Untitled 896 fits into this space quite obviously. The hero of the painting is a gorgeous German Shepherd named ‘Honey’ that belongs to artist, Peter Booth.

63

Chyan Wigmore, Phoebe Skinner, Jackson Dole and Tameka Poole

Sarah, Haylee, Jacinta and Jayda Hoggan

Elijah, April and Claudia Hinton

Imogen Jones-Jack and Abby Perdon

Liming Liao and Marla Rajics

Shai Watts and Nicholas Downing

COLOURFUL START TO NEW YEAR The Bendigo Chinese Association Lion Team put on an active and captivating show for the 2017 Chinese New Year.

Family and friends gathered at the Rosalind Park Piazza to watch the impresive show of traditional Chinese lion dancing.

This year marks the Year of the Rooster, one of 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac which is related to the Chinese calendar.

- AdvertIseMent -- AdvertIseMent AdvertIseMent --

Lisa Chesters MP - a strong VoiCe for Bendigo Lisa Chesters Lisa Chesters MP MP -- a a strong strong VoiCe VoiCe for for Bendigo Bendigo federal Member for Bendigo Ifederal am honoured to have been elected as the Federal Member for Bendigo.

Member for Bendigo federal Member for Bendigo As your Federal to Member of Parliament, my office and I can provide a II am honoured have elected Federal Member for am honoured to have been been elected as as the the Member for Bendigo.

Bendigo.

As your Federal Member of Parliament, myFederal office and I can provide a wide range of services.

As your Federal Member of Parliament, my office and can a wide range of services and support.

As your Federal Member of in Parliament, my office and IIeither can provide provide a Please don’t hesitate to get touch with me anytime, at my office wide range of services. wide range services. on (03) 5443of9055 or by lisa.chesters.mp@aph.gov.au Please don’t hesitate to email get inat touch with me anytime, either at my Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me anytime, anytime, either either at at my my office office office on (03) 5443 9055 or by email at lisa.chesters.mp@aph.gov.au on (03) 5443 9055 or by email at lisa.chesters.mp@aph.gov.au on (03) 5443 9055 or by email at lisa.chesters.mp@aph.gov.au

www.lisachesters.org Authorised by L Chesters, 16 Myers Street, Bendigo www.lisachesters.org www.lisachesters.org

easter smells!

“I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning!”

By Geoff Hocking On the evening of New Year’s Day, 2017, some exuberant revellers attempted to blow up our letterbox.

Now, this would not normally cause me too much concern but the box in question is a particularly nice one. I brought it home as hand-luggage from a trip to New Zealand last year. To make the best use of its capacious interior I filled it with all of our dirty laundry, which made a bit more room in our overflowing cases.

Known in NZ as the ‘rural letterbox’ it is ubiquitous across the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’. It appears that every farm has one at the front gate. This well-formed hi-density plastic receptacle for postal items comes in a range of colours and features a bright-red signal arm that the postal-person stands upright to signify that mail has been delivered.

(In NZ it is the farmer who puts the little red hand up to let the mail contractor know that mail is to be collected).

As we toured around NZ the desire to have

one of my own grew apace. So I brought one home thinking that I would be the only person in Australia with one. Alas, there is another somewhere near Kooingeburra, on the road between Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne.

But, someone attempted to blow ours up on New Years Eve. The rascals wrapped the bubble-making apparatus from a Soda-Stream maker in newspaper, set it alight, deposited it in our letterbox and waited for the explosion. No doubt it made a good bang as the inside of my letterbox was blackened and a small hole was punctured in the door.

The strange thing was — it smelt good. It smelt of the firecrackers that we once were able to freely buy in Bendigo at Easter, and more appropriately for that long-gone tradition of fire lighting and gunpowder exploding on November 5 — also known as Guy Fawkes Night — or cracker-night.

drop a few penny-bungers in some letterboxes and hung around just long enough to watch them explode. Lids flying open and that nostalgic smell of gunpowder.

Once upon a time we saved our shillings and judiciously made our selection of the objects of explosive firepower, always choosing carefully to ensure we got the biggest bang for our buck.

I liked to buy from old Mr O’Hoy’s General Store that once stood in Bridge Street. He had genuine Chinese crackers which were always packaged in brightly coloured and exotically designed paper wrappings.

Tom-thumbs were popular. For the smallest outlay you could get a string of tiny red-

I have to admit that as smaller persons we did

65

crackers all joined together that once lighted, exploded, one by one, in a sequence of loud retorts as they leapt about all over the place.

Tom-thumbs could not be controlled.

Penny-Bungers gave the loudest bang for your buck but were an expensive once off. They were best used in confined spaces where the aim was to really blow something up.

Catherine Wheels were showy. Nailed to a fence post, they whirled around for a minute or two, sprayed sparks everywhere and then fizzled out. Not a bang, just a whimper.

Rockets were good, but expensive. You usually only added one of these to the mix, just to round off the evening with a dramatic aerial display. If you had a few mates, you could time them to launch one after the other and make quite a show of it.

Accompanying this show of sparks and explosions was the residual smell of gunpowder. Smoke hung in the air.

That smell of smoke and gunpowder also takes me back to bonfire night up the back paddock in Golden Square where we built towers of scrub combined with any combustible material we could drag from anyone’s old shed or backyard.

As kids we cleared the surrounding bush. We scoured empty blocks of rubbish, fallen sticks, tree limbs and Chinese scrub. We knocked on doors and gathered old furniture, broken things and general household garbage. We cleaned up the neighbourhood before the days of hard rubbish collection and at a time when a lot of households simply disposed of a lot of waste in pits dug in the backyard or burnt in backyard incinerators.

I would suggest that ‘Bonny Night’ did a public service while it also gave us an opportunity to blow things up. It was common practice to place a few bungers in the ‘bonny’ and wait for the resultant, sporadic explosions as they caught alight in random order. That seemed to be money well spent, as each bang always

seemed to be a surprise.

But we aren’t allowed to do that anymore.

Fireworks exploding, in the hands of the general gunpowder appreciating public is no longer permitted — and to be sure, blowing stuff up was always a dangerous practice.

At Easter in Bendigo, when Imperial Chinese Dragon Sun Loong wends its way around the streets, as it has done every year for more than a century, it too is accompanied by the crackle of Tom-Thumbs and Penny-Bungers and smoke swirls around its centipede feet — and that smell.

That smell will always take me back to Bendigo on Easter Monday as well.

The School of Mines Easter fFloat, if that is what a collection of rubbish on the back of a semi-trailer could be called, always followed in the wake of Sun Loong in the Easter Monday procession.

The cheeky chappies from the ‘old Tech’ also liked to let off a few crackers, but they masked the smell of gunpowder with gazunders smoking with burning sheep-dip, which they passed under the noses of the crowd still lining the streets even though most of the parade had passed them by. All that was left was the Tech float. Always good for a laugh, always accompanied by a bad smell.

Easter in Bendigo — it used to stink. The Chinese keeping the dragon alert as it parades through the streets are allowed to light crackers for this special festival but the Europeans aren’t. Maybe this is why nobody bothers with Guy Fawkes Night anymore. Our junk is now dropped at Vinnies. Hard rubbish takes away the rest.

66

Crackers are illegal, except in the Northern Territory where they are still allowed to blow things up. No doubt they lose a few citizens but isn’t that what is called ‘Darwinian theory’?

wine & food festival

strategem bendigo winemakers festival

enjoy a leisurely autumn afternoon with a Bendigo region wine, delectable food and music that will make you smile.

On show is the best of Bendigo’s sparkling, red and white hand-crafted wines in the idyllic garden setting of Rosalind Park.

Entry tickets include souvenir Festival glass, all wine tastings and the chance to win a case of Bendigo region wines. Buy a drop you love, sit and enjoy the festival atmosphere on your picnic rug and enjoy music from main band The Northern Folk.

Throughout the day wine masterclasses by Rocks on Rosalind Owner Finn Vedelsby will take ticket holders* through the joy of wine-and-food pairing.

saturday 29 april 2017 11am to 4pm Rosalind Park, Central Bendigo Ticket: $45. Prebook at bendigotourism.com and save $5. * Wine masterclass: additional ticket.

Children under 18 are free. No BYO alcohol, no animals permitted. ID may be checked.

www.bendigowine.org.au

Check us out on

Cellar Door Open Daily 11am-5pm (except Good Friday) Taste and Purchase Current and OlderVintages | Boutique Accommodation Now Available 156 Forest Drive Marong,Victoria Australia | Phone: (03) 5435 2534 | Fax: (03) 5435 2548 | wine@sandhurstridge.com.au

on top of the game Being at the helm of the Queens Arms Hotel, Callum Francis and Corey Howard know what their punters want and make it their job to ensure they get it.

By Sue Turpie Going by history and the number of pubs that used to line the city’s streets, it’s fair to say that Bendigonians have always enjoyed sinking a few at their local watering hole. However, with cultural shifts, changes in hospitality trends, a more worldly population, the city has farewelled a number of historic hotels arguably in favour of cafes and hipster bars. Although thanks to the passion and perseverance of today’s proprietors, many of the city’s favourite pubs are still going strong. Including this one ...

The philosophy behind the current success of the historic Queens Arms Hotel is to know what the punters want and to deliver it well.

Given the experience of Callum Francis and Corey Howard, it’s no surprise they’re doing just that and more.

Callum works the front of house. He brought into the pub some six years ago, going into partnership with Bruce Morcom, John Russell and Budge (Peter) Russell. It was late last year that Corey also came on board as a partner. Essentially, Callum and Corey are at the helm of the Queens Arms while the other three run the National Hotel, another well-known establishment just down the road.

It seems fate stepped in to bring these two together.

“Corey was head chef at the National Hotel for many years until he had a sea change down to Mornington,” Callum says. “When he was ready to come back for the family, a position came up here for someone with his experience and abilities.”

Callum is full of praise for the chef and their working relationship, and understands that changes in people’s expectations mean greater expectations for Corey in the kitchen. Although it seems Corey puts a lot of pressure on himself to perform well.

69

70

“We’ve both really gelled, and work well together,” Callum says. “He has the skill set and brains for the kitchen that I certainly don’t and then vice versa for this side. The food he puts out is at an awesome consistent level of high quality, and he puts a lot of expectation on himself.”

According to the records, a licence was granted to the Queens Arms Hotel in 1886, in the name of Thomas McNamara at a cost of 55 pounds. Of course, there have been many changes to Bendigo since then but there has been a distinctive change to the hotel industry of late. Being in his 30s, Callum has seen first-hand the shift in the industry in the past two decades, and knew that the hotel needed to move with the times in order to thrive.

“It really started to change about 10 to 15 years ago,” he says.

“People used to go out to drink to socialise and the feed was something that came with that, now it’s the other way around.

People go out for a feed and the drink is what follows. And people are a lot more cautious about what they spend their money on. They want value for money and to leave satisfied and happy with what they’ve had.

“With social media and the internet, everyone is a lot more aware of what is out there. But even with visiting other countries and people travelling to Australia you’ve got a variety of people you can use in your kitchen too. They bring a whole new set of skills and a whole new area of food that you can tap into.

“It’s not that people are bored with the old stuff. The chicken parma is still one of the best sellers around,” Callum laughs. “But people do want change, something a little bit different and exciting.”

Such as an updated interior of the hotel? Callum says they researched what was happening in Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat to decide where they could take the Queens Arms Hotel. The result was saying goodbye to the drive-through bottle shop and welcoming a modern interior with function room and updated bar area.

As Callum explains, with the layout of the pub they were able to create a function area that was big enough to cater for large groups but not too small that it looked sparse for the smaller events. So they can do 60 to 70 seated comfortably or 120 to 130 standing.

“We were very lucky in how the room was designed,” he says.

“Darren Casey had a vision for what he wanted and brought it to life superbly.”

There are “a few oldies come in and want to see the old English pub that they’re used to”, but as Callum explains, when deciding what was best for the future of the hotel it was about looking to the younger generation and what they were after, where they were going, and what the hotel could do to secure them as clientele.

“It’s about being an up-to-date modern pub without having gone too far above and beyond.

“There are a few hotels dropping away, which is sad but it’s a sign of the times as well where you’ve really got to make sure you’re on top of your game.

“We work at being a pub, we’re not trying to be a café and we’re not trying to be a restaurant as such as the high-end food. We know our area in the market and that’s what we want to do well.”

71

72

seeds of change Operating a winery requires passion, dedication and knowledge. But as Paul Greblo of Sandhurst Ridge explains there needs to be a willingness to move with the times too.

By Sue Turpie While technology has changed and public tastes may ebb and flow, the underlying passion and procedure in creating a great wine is essentially the same as it ever was.

While it’s meant long hours and a great commitment, co-owning and operating Sandhurst Ridge Winery is something Karen and Paul Greblo have enjoyed greatly. And it’s evident listening to them enthusiastically talk about the past and present of the winery.

The couple is justly proud of its latest creation, a Nebiolo; an Italian varietal.

However, in the world of viticulture, saying something is the latest creation usually means it is the result of years of work and nurturing.

“It takes about five years to get the sort of fruit that you want to make wine out of,” Paul explains, “and then vines have to be about

10 years old to come into their own and give fruit that’s going to give you the intensity and the consistency to go on.

“Because of my Italian heritage I’ve always wanted an Italian varietal,” Paul says, and his vision was supported by another successful established winemaker.

“I was up in the King Valley years ago talking with a friend, Fred Pizzini of Pizzini Wines, and he thought that it would do very well down here in our types of soil.

“His reserve Nebiolo is grown on his worst patch of dirt, which is like our normal soil here,” Paul laughs. “He’s got a lot of creek and river flats there, which are very fertile soils and where he grows his day-to-day Nebiolo. But his really good one comes off the side of the hill which is rugged country, and that’s why he felt it would do well here. He’s proved to be right.”

73

While the region is renowned for its big reds, and Sandhurst Ridge’s shiraz is a favourite, Paul understands the importance of diversity, such as introducing new wines and establishing two luxury cottages on their premises.

“You can’t hang your hat on one variety, that’s a big mistake,” he says. “Like New Zealand with its savignon blanc, it’s extremely successful but they find it hard to sell anything else. And the market changes; the young people don’t want to drink like the oldies drink.

They want to discover something new that they can lay claim to.

“Back when we first started no-one drank European wines, but now people are drinking wines from all over the world. They’ve been marketing European wines, especially French and Italian, for a long time and when you market something properly it works.

“The other area that has become quite popular is South America, Chile, Argentina. When the Aussie dollar went up, the market was flooded with imported wines. But that said as winemakers we expect to export our wines so we have to reciprocate. All we want is for our customers to drink wines.”

While there is a trend for craft beer, organic produce and so on, Paul says producing wine on a small scale is expensive and only taps into a small portion of the market.

“For the amount of products that are produced here the Australian market is tiny, and extremely competitive.”

Sandhurst Ridge has also had to embrace technology as an essential part of its business.

“With the day-to-day selling of wine, social media has a certain effect but for specific events it has a large impact on the number of responses you get. So if you’re not on social media you’re really losing out.”

One thing Karen and Paul aren’t losing out on is the reputation that Sandhurst Ridge has established and maintains as a producer and advocate of quality wines.

74

OFFERING CUISINE WITH A BLEND OF PERFECT ASIAN TECHNIQUES & CULINARY ADVENTURES….

restoran

malayan orchid

OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY • dine-in • take-away

• new menu • exciting wine-list

Winner Best Asian Restaurant - Regional Victoria (Savour Australia TM Restaurant & Catering)

155 VIEW STREET BENDIGO PH: 5442 4411

FOOD BOOK HOT OFF THE PRESS

Pauline Mulcair, Brea Speechley and Esperance Ambrosini

Jennifer Scott, Sandra Willis and Ainsley Stanley

Amy Doak, Renae Westley and Bryley Savage

Sharon Darby and Wendy and Amahli Lovell

Daniel Eltringham and Tim and Taylor Lovell

Caiden, Josh and Logan Westley

Friends and supporters converged to support the launch of the new publication, My Vegetarian Lunchbox Local primary school teacher, Renae Westley, has been successfully running an instagram account profiling her vegetarian lunch ideas for a couple of years now (@lifeofavegetarian). With more than 65,000 fans from all over the globe loving what she does, she was excited to launch her very first book, My Vegetarian Lunchbox. The launch, held at The Brougham Arms Hotel, showcased a number of Renae’s delicious recipes.

You can find Renae’s book at selected retail outlets around Bendigo, or online at www.oftheworldbooks.com

FUNCTIONS

BISTRO

A GREAT NEW LOOK BUT THAT OLD STYLE WARM BENDIGO WELCOME

DINING

BAR FRIENDLY STAFF

www.queensarms.com.au

Ph. 5443 3122 25 Russell St, Quarry Hill

autumn

ales

Autumn is the time for a mix of light lagers for the micro heatwaves we get, and darker, maltier beers for the cool nights and reintroduction of frost. Here we have four beers from local brewery Brookes, run by Doug and Mel.

By Justin McPhail MR BENDIGO IPA Who makes it? It’s a brand new beer from Brookes, with an interpretation of the new world IPAs coming out of America right now. Using research based on the interaction between hops and yeast during ferment stage, Doug Brooke has created possibly his best commercial release yet.

What is it? The style is known as New England Pale Ale and is associated with the ‘haze craze’ as a result of its super cloudy appearance, fresh hop aromas, and remarkably less bitterness than its West Coast style counterpart.

More flavour, less bitterness: Using the same amount of hops but at different stages and quantities, the beer becomes a

much more approachable beer.

Around one per cent of the total hop bill is used in the boiling stage, with the majority added in during primary fermentation.

Consider a West Coast IPA (think Sierra Nevada). Hop additions are largely focused on the boil (for intense bitterness), and the secondary ferment (for aroma).

Try with: Seafood – a Cajun crawfish boil with friends and more than one of these delicious ales.

Available at: Flight Bar, Goldmines Hotel and the Cambrian Hotel.

BENDIGO PALE ALE Who makes it? One of two beers in the simplified ‘Bendigo’

range from Brookes.

What Is it? The Bendigo Pale Ale is designed as a low bitterness, easy drinking pale ale. It has enough hop aroma and character to keep hopheads interested, and remain a clean, easy drinking pale ale.

Try with: Bunning’s snags and low-risk DIY. Available at: A large range of stockists in the Bendigo region.

BROWN ALE Who makes it? Brookes Brewery, Bendigo.

What Is it? A medium-bodied brown ale with big chunks of chocolate malt, roasted malts, a slightly sweet rosewater aroma and a sticky sweet finish.

Try with: Coffee, ice-cream,

cheese (washed rind). Leave at room temp for 15 to 20 minutes before consuming to really open up the rich flavours of the beer.

Available at: Flight Bar Bendigo

BENDIGO DRAUGHT Who makes it? One of two beers in the simplified ‘Bendigo’ range from Brookes.

What Is it? A ‘draught’ lager is an easing drinking low malt, low hop, dry finishing beer. Created to satisfy the demand for a well made lager, using fresh ingredients, wide availability and competitive price.

Try with: Another Bendigo Draught.

Available at: A large range of stockists in the Bendigo region.

77

78

sup on quality Drawing on the experience of seven generations of one family, how can this French burgundy be anything but noteworthy? A local family business has earned the right to boast about its signature shiraz; and why not mix up a Sazerac? It’s cool enough for Beyoncé.

By Finn Vedelsby Domaine du Vieux Collège: 2012 Les Vignes Marie Marsannay Burgundy

2014 Ellis Wines Signature Label Heathcote Shiraz

This family domaine has been running for seven generations; Eric Guyard today oversees 25 hectares of vines over three appelations – Marsannay, Fixin and Gevery-Chambertin.

This historic family domaine makes red wine from pinot noir, white wine from Chardonnay, and Aligoté.

Ellis Wines is a small, local family business which has had a huge success in delivering what it set out to do; create an outstanding wine. I have had a number of vintages of this wine at Rocks on Rosalind and in my opinion 2014 is the best thus far.

The Marsannay wine region is situated in the ‘Côte de Nuits’ subregion of northern Burgundy. It is the latest Appellation d’origine contrôlée awarded in 1987, predominately growing pinot noir. However, the 30 per cent of chardonnay they produce really punch above their weight. The wine has a magnificent, cooler climate character due to the vineyard’s proximity to the north. A medium golden hue with a pretty green tinge, the crystal clear wine in the glass invites you to drink. The nose gives generous classic Burgundian white notes of citrus, luscious white peach and some perfume of white blossom. On the palate this wine is open with continuous stone fruit and a lovely balanced fruit, honey and butter on toast from oak and a little time on its side, fine linear acid structured backbone. It lingers on the palate enticing you to another sip.

Clever local wine gurus John Crow and Ian Leamon brought this into the country.

A Heathcote Shiraz is key to the successful entertaining of guests who are visiting our region. There are some truly iconic names that feature on famous wine lists around the world and the Ellis Wine certainly fits comfortably in this company.

Deep ruby with purple at the edges, this wine looks great. Pronounced intensity on the nose delivers classic black fruit and pepper. It also shows some integrated sweet spices – nutmeg and liquorice, dried fruit and cedar wood.

The Ellis Signature Shiraz is perfectly medium, plus bodied with silky tannins and great acid that together balance to a mouth filling smoothness with a long finish. I love this wine. It is good to drink today, but I think it would be great to put a few on their side in the cellar for a lamb shank dinner in winter 2022.

The Sazerac

Go to http://wine-connect.com.au to see what they are bringing in today.

I was introduced to the Sazerac a few years ago during a history lesson and it has been my go-to after-dinner drink since.

You will be impressed with their selection; always outstanding and wines with affordability in mind.

The Sazerac is so cool there is a whiskey company named after the drink; there is a main street in New Orleans named after the

drink; and it is Beyoncé’s favourite after dinner drink. She went up to the top of my cool list when I learned this crumb of information.

It is argued that it was the first American cocktail getting its name from the importer of spirits home base ‘The Sazerac Coffee House’ in New Orleans where Aaron Bird made the house cocktail with a Cognac named Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils and allegedly with bitters being made by the local apothecary, Antoine Amedie Peychaud and Absinthe or Pastis. The Sazerac Coffee House Changed hands a few times and then Thomas Handy became its proprietor.

It was around this time that the primary ingredient changed from Cognac to rye whiskey, due to the phylloxera epidemic in Europe that devastated the vineyards of France. I love the Cognac version.

How To Sazerac: 60 ml Cognac, or 30ml /30ml Cognac Rye whiskey or 60 ml Rye Whiskey 3 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters Some simple sugar – start with 10ml for your first one and then adjust to taste.

Chill two old-fashioned glasses. The first glass is swirled with a wash of absinthe (5 mls) for its flavour and strong scent.

The second glass is used to combine the remaining ingredients, which are stirred with ice. Stir for a while in order to chill the spirits and most importantly dilute with ice melt – 20ml. Then strain into the first glass and top with a lemon and/or orange twist.

79

Jenny and Mitch Hodgson

Jenny Megee, Muriel Pitts and Merv Pitts

June Havea, Diana Mitchell, Harry Mitchell, Ngaleu Havea and David Schepisi

Trevor Hyland, Daryl and Jeni Watts

Tom, Christine, Kaman and Katie Liang

Sophie Rogers, Amy Rogers and Gordon McKern

ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR FEAST Each year, the Malayan Orchid puts on its popular dinner over three nights celebrating the Chinese New Year.

Again, this year’s event was booked out with dinner guests enjoying sumptous dishes that are specifically prepared for the occasion.

The restaurant is famous for its fine foods which carefully blend the best of Australian and Asian culture.

WINE. FOOD. FUNCTIONS, WEDDINGS & CONFERENCES Visit our Cellar Door and Gallery. You can relax and enjoy wine tasting in air conditioned comfort or relax outdoors in the gardens.

“AN EXCELLENT WINERY, PRODUCING WINES OF HIGH TO VERY HIGH QUALITY” JAMES HALLIDAY Open at weekends, at other times by appointment - (03) 5439 5367 - 77 Faderson’s Lane, Mandurang - (9km South - East of Bendigo, Off Tannery Lane)

autumn delight

Set aside some time in the kitchen to try a dessert that’s sweet and ambitious.

By Daniel Treacy PUMPKIN PUREE

HONEY PEAR COMPOTE

• 1kg butternut pumpkin

• 300g pear, peeled, diced

Line cubed pumpkin on tray and bake for 40 minutes, or until golden

• 20g honey

Blitz pumpkin and pass through a sieve.

• 20g caster sugar

PUMPKIN ICE-CREAM

• 2.5g pectin

• 425g butternut pumpkin puree

• 1.8g vanilla paste

• 22g water

• 250g milk

• 60g lemon juice

• 250g cream (35 per cent fat)

Soak gelatine in cold water. In a saucepan mix together honey, wate,r caster sugar and pectin. Add the pears and bring to the boil. Add the vanilla and lemon juice. Stir to dissolve.

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon • 10g fresh ginger • zest from 1 orange • 60g egg yolk • 100g caster sugar • 15g corn flour • 25g glucose Infuse spices and zest in milk and cream overnight.

Cook remaining ingredients (except pumpkin) to 85˚C.

SPICED CHOCOLATE CAKE • 100g all-purpose flour • 4g cinnamon • 1g ground cardamon • 2g ground ginger • 15g cocoa powder • 75g dark brown sugar

In a small saucepan, bring to a rapid boil the glucose and cream and milk.

Pour boiling cream on top of chocolate and blitz with stick blender, making sure not to lift the stick blender and incorporate any bubbles.

ORANGE FLUID GEL • 300g orange juice • 30g caster sugar • 3g agar agar • zest of 1 orange Place orange juice in a small pot and heat over medium heat.

Combine caster sugar and agar agar and sprinkle onto orange juice in pan.

Continue whisking and bring mix to a rapid boil.

Transfer mixture to a container and cover with cling film and leave in refrigerator for 1 hour until set.

Cool to 4˚C and add in the pumpkin pure

• 2g baking powder

Churn in an ice cream maker until frozen, then store in the freezer until you need it.

• 2g baking soda

MAPLE CARAMEL

• 40g maple syrup

Once set, transfer gel into a tall container and using a stick blender, blend the gel until it becomes smooth and fluid

• Caster sugar 100g

• 75g whole milk, slightly heated

Transfer to squeeze bottle for assembly.

• Maple syrup 140g

• 75g vegetable oil

• Water 30g

• 1 large egg

• Cream 150g

• zest of 1 lemon

• Powdered gelatine 3g

Preheat oven to 170˚C.

• Cold water 18g

Combine all dry ingredients in a medium size bowl.

• Butter 180g Soak gelatine in cold water. Dry caramelised sugar by heating a heavy set saucepan and sprinkling the caster slowly over the hot saucepan until the sugar melts.

Deglaze with the cream and maple syrup; the mix will steam and spit due to the rapid cooling of the caramel Reheat until 110˚C to evaporate the water in the cream.

Remove from heat and add in soaked gelatine. Cool to 40˚C, Then blitz in the butter using a stick blender.

• 90g chocolate, melted

Whisk to combine wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients, whisking until smooth and free of lumps.

Pour into a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 to15 minutes.

Time will vary depending on your oven.

CHOCOLATE CREMEUX • 150g cream (35 per cent fat) • 85g dark chocolate, in small pieces (I use 75 per cent)

CHOCOLATE TUILE • 200g unsalted butter, melted • 200g icing sugar • 200g egg whites • 160g all purpose flour • 40g cocoa powder Preheat oven to 170˚C. Combine butter, icing sugar and egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Add flour and cocoa and beat until smooth and no lumps are present.

Refrigerate mixture for an hour.

Spread out onto sheet tray lined with a baking paper, ensuring an even spread and bake until firm.

• 20g full cream milk • 30g glucose syrup

81

Elegance and style Award winning fruit from rich Cambrian soil

3025 Heathcote Rochester Road, Colbinabbin Warehouse - 4B Mayfair Park Estate, McDowall’s Road, Bendigo East www.elliswines.com.au | raylene@elliswines.com.au | 0401 290 315

HOUSE OF

KHONG TAKEAWAY, DELIVERY & RESTAURANT

Chinese & Thai Cuisine All you can eat lunch Monday - Friday $14.90 All you can eat dinner Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sun $20.90 OPEN 7 DAYS, Full a la carte menu and now available to ORDER ONLINE for pick-up or delivery from www.houseofkhong.com.au

PH: 5442 5088 | 200 HARGREAVES ST BENDIGO

Download our new app from the Apple Store ‘House of Khong’

asian special Healthy and tasty, as Beau Cook will agree, chicken satay has always been a popular choice.

By Beau Cook Researching the history of the chicken satay it became clear that, somewhat like our famous Chicko Roll, there has been slight debate over this food’s origins but the majority says Indonesia.

One website states that the chicken satay is a part of Malaysian Chinese food that originated from Java but was inspired by kebab from the Middle East. Whatever its place of creation, thanks to immigration and shifting populations, this food made its way to Australia. And one constant with this dish is its popularity amongst food enthusiasts.

Former MasterChef contestant Beau Cook is known for encouraging home chefs to get back to basics, create dishes from scratch and eat unprocessed and health foods.

His recipe for chicken satay is flavoursome and fast.

CHICKEN SATAY

• 2 cloves garlic

• 12 wooden skewers (soak overnight to prevent burning)

• 2 coriander roots

• 2 free-range chicken breasts cut into 6 small fillets

• 1 tbsp fish sauce

• ½ cup of peanuts toasted and crushed

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Big handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped • 1 long red chili finely chopped • ½ cup quality crunchy peanut butter • 1 cup coconut milk • Juice of ½ a lime • 1 tbsp of palm sugar PASTE • 1 long red chili • ½ a red onion • 2cm cube ginger • 1cm cube galangal • 1cm cube fresh turmeric

• Zest of ½ a lime • 1 tbsp soy sauce To make sauce prep and roughly chop all paste ingredients. Place in a blender and blitz into a coarse paste. Heat a little oil in a wok over medium heat, add paste and cook until fragrant and lightly caramalised. Now add peanut butter, coconut milk, lime juice and palm sugar. Stir until combined and heated through. To adjust taste, add additional fish sauce, palm sugar or lime juice accordingly. Set aside and reheat when ready to serve.

Meanwhile, thread chicken onto skewers, lightly oil then char grill on a high heat until cooked through. Serve topped with satay sauce, crushed peanuts, chili and coriander.

83

DID YOU KNOW? Bendigo Health has additional operating theatres in our brand new world class facility. We have nursing opportunities for all people in the theatre space.

“

“

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

The new Bendigo Hospital is an amazing place to work with the latest technology. There are many opportunities and a supportive team environment combined with a great work-life balance.

BRIDGETTE HOLT

Perioperative Nurse

www.bendigohealth.org.au

on our doorstep

Made with love and care, here are a range of products produced locally and all available from www.bendigomade.com.au

Koala & Wombat friends cushion by Cute Australia, $30 | McPhail’s Tincture 200ml, $30 | Invigorate Moisturising Shampoo by Simplicity Aromatherapy, $25 | Invigorate Moisturising Conditioner by Simplicity Aromatherapy, $25 | Invigorate Facial Toner by Simplicity Aromatherapy, $17 | Invigorate Facial Moisturiser by Simplicity Aromatherapy, $27 | Huon Pine and Blackwood Jewellery Box by Fentongove Creative, $325 | Sonia Brit vintage fabric pouch bag, $120 | Strawberries print by seven.zen, $20 | Florence Broadhurst “Kabuki” design cushion cover by Reanne Curtains, $85

85

86

Book Cover Prints by Petit Pixel Designs, $10 each | Artists Spaces of the Victorian Goldfields by Of The World Books, $18 | Eco Homes of the World by Of The World Books, $18 | Station Wall Clock (large) in Rose by Crooked Loft, $85 | Kangaroo Paw linen tea towel by Meander Designs, $26.95 | Courage Dear Heart Set 9 mini prints by Petit Pixel Designs, $15 | Invigorate Bath & Shower Gel by Simplicity Aromatherapy, $21 | Invigorate Facial Cleanser by Simplicity Aromatherapy, $20 | Sonia Brit Smitten bag in vintage fabric $120

Alex Honebone, Alicia West and Nicole Palmer

Cronley Taylor and Erin Monk

PASSIONATE ABOUT PETS

Jack and Carla Lang

Jay and Leni Chapman and Jeremy James

Staff, supporters and furry friends were all on hand to celebrate the grand opening of Greencross Vets.

There were Santa photos for pets and a fancy dress competition as well as tours of the new Kangaroo Flat facilities, a sausage sizzle in support of the Axedale CFA and a raffle in support of the RSPCA.

Tully Lang and Eve Conroy

Xavier and Sue McBean

Other activities included educational talks, balloon animals and a jumping castle. A fun day had by all.

LUXURY BRAND GALLERIES - DESIGN YOUR PERSONAL SPACE - CREATE YOUR OWN DESIGNS e. info@makeyourhouseahome.com.au p. 1300 850 535 Australia Wide Shipping

akeyourhouseahome.com.au Online Store at www.makeyourhouseahome.com.au p. 1300 850 535

Bricks and Mortar 132–138 High St, Bendigo, Victoria

e. info@makeyourhouseahome.com.au p. 1300 850 535 87

Jodi and Ricky Such busy but exciting times for this bride and groom, juggling building a home, welcoming the arrival of their daughter, travelling through Africa and planning a beautiful wedding.

Photography by Terri & Bec For Jodi and Ricky Symes, marriage is about their love for each other and their newly-created family. It’s no surprise given all the excitement and events experienced by the couple leading up to the big day.

For their special day, the bride looked naturally elegant, in a dress from Fifi and Edgar, and the groom looked quite dapper in his Roger and David suit; all in keeping with the atmosphere they wanted to create.

“The lead-up to our wedding day was a little hectic with a few surpises,” Jodi says.

“We wanted a simple, relaxed atmosphere for our wedding,” Jodi says. “We went with a cocktail wedding rather than sit down and used the outdoor space at Chateau Dore.”

Jodi, who is presently on maternity leave from Bendigo Bank, and Ricky, a business owner and business broker, had planned their dream five-month trip to Africa.

“I left two months prior to Ricky to go to Ghana, West Africa to do voluntary work,” the bride says. “Ricky arrived in Ghana, and on meeting me at the airport got down on one knee and proposed. We continued our travels throughout Africa for a further three months.

On arrival home we discovered that we were expecting a little girl.”

Now, not only were they thrilled about organising their wedding, but also planning for a new addition to their family. Things certainly moved along from there.

“On arrival home, we started building our new home and also the planning of our wedding,” Jodi says. “This meant a busy 18 months ahead. Our little girl Macey Hazel was born in April and our house was completed early November and finally our wedding on November 19.”

88

And no source of information was left unexplored when it came to researching everything for the day. When the bride was asked where she went for inspiration.

“Everywhere really,” she laughs. “We had bridal magazines, Bendigo Magazine, Internet, Facebook and talked with friends that had been married. We also leant on (and probably annoyed) the people that were assisting us with the wedding, who were amazing.

“The day of our wedding went very smoothly, however the night before we were both so excited and nervous we didn’t get much sleep. The girls were up nice and early to start preparing (hair, make-up, nails) everything was very organised which made the start of the day nice and relaxing.

“The boys all stayed together. They were also up nice and early to get all of the little jobs done. Terri and Bec and Dustin arrived at 11am for photos and videos and once they got what they needed

they then come to visit us girls.

“The morning was full of laughs and we had no dramas at all.”

The wedding ceremony was held at 4pm, and most of the guests were bussed to Mandurang to save worrying about driving. Both Jodi and Ricky had their brothers and sisters in the bridal party along with their close friends. They also had family members do the readings.

“Once the ceremony was complete, our guests moved into the garden area while we moved on for photos,” Jodi says. “We then went back and got introduced. We stayed outside for a few hours before moving inside for speeches, cake cutting and first dance.”

And once the formalities were over?

“The rest of the night was amazing with plenty of drinking and dancing. The night was a huge success and we couldn’t have been happier.”

Besides becoming husband and wife, for Jodi and Ricky the day was an opportunity to share their beautiful moment with family and friends. And not only for the big day but in the preparation and lead-up to the wedding too.

Jodi’s advice to other couples is to be prepared and allow for the unexpected.

“As stressful as this day may seem, I have found being organised makes all the difference,” she says, “but also realising if something isn’t as you planned, not to let this get to you. There will always be something that does not go to plan but I promise you will look back at these things and laugh.

“We’d also recommend surrounding yourself with good people.

Everyone that we got to help us was professional but also relaxed and just made the lead-up and our day so much more enjoyable.”

89

Farin and Corey After saying ‘I do’ on the banks of the Murray River, this happy couple looks back on some wonderful memories, from the proposal in Sydney to having the bride’s nan able to share the day among loving family and friends.

Photography by Cindy Power

It was on a road trip to Sydney that Corey Greg proposed to Farin Lawrence. While Farin thought something was wrong because Corey was so quiet, he was actually incredibly nervous about how he was going to propose.

“On the drive there I was thinking ‘Gee Corey is giving me nothing,’” she says. ”We arrived in Sydney and decided to get ready to walk down to Bondi Beach for dinner. After I got ready I decided to sit myself in the worst spot possible at a table that looked directly into the bedroom where Corey wanted to set up the ring and some photos etc). Corey then went to the bathroom for a while and when he came out he rushed me out the door.

“We got to the elevator and he said ‘Oh, I’ve left my phone in the room.

Can you go get it as you have the key’? So me, hanging for a wine at this stage, went back to get the phone. I wasn’t impressed,” Farin laughs.

“I walked in the hotel room and walked into the bathroom to see the phone set up on the vanity next to the ring with the phone reading “I love you so much Farin, will you marry me? I turned around; standing in the doorway was Corey, sweating bullets. There were a lot of happy tears and phone calls to our loved ones. It was the best day ever.”

The couple worked together preparing for the big day. The first few weeks they talked about what they wanted and where. Farin would take ideas back to Corey for a yes or no.

“I loved planning it all,” she says, “And seeing our vision come alive. We weren’t stressed at all, apart from me just a tad in the few weeks leading up, just due to wanting everything to be perfect. And it was.”

The plan was for the day to be relaxed and calm; just like the couple.

“We wanted the day to feel intimate and not over the top. Our inspiration was the river and the relaxed environment. There were lots of pastels coming through in the flower arrangements and greenery to go with the calming theme for the day.

like the luckiest girl in the world. Having both our families together and seeing how well they all got along was a special moment for us also.

“A special moment for me was having my 94-year-old nan make it to the ceremony after being in hospital in the weeks leading up. We weren’t sure if she was going to make it and she once again rallied to be there on a special day.”

The couple turned to Ash from Style by Ashleigh K to help with planning their wedding.

“I was confused at the start as to what style we wanted and she found it from our personalities and interests,” Farin says. The couple chose Tindarra Resort as the location, serene and picture perfect.

The bride and groom stayed in different villas, with Corey enjoying a sleep-in while his bride-to-be was up early to get ready.

“The morning was very relaxing for the both of us. Us girls sat around talking and getting hair and make-up done while the boys spent most of the morning playing every sport possible on the huge grass area at Tindarra Resort.

“When it was time to put my dress on, the nerves and excitement started to set in,” Farin remembers. “But with a chat with Mum I was ready to go and see my soon-to-be husband. Mum walked me down the aisle and halfway down Dad joined Mum in walking me down. The whole time I couldn’t stop smiling and staring at Corey and likewise from him up his end.”

“It was such a special moment for us to see all our close friends and family there with us laughing along at our story together. After the ceremony we got to say hi to our loved ones before getting family photos at Tindarra.

The couple’s favourite moment was seeing each other on their wedding day for the first time.

“Our bridal party were the best; so funny, so supportive and made the day what it was. At the reception, we walked in to Corey’s Dad’s favourite song, The Black Eyes Peas’ hit Tonight’s gonna be a good night, with the whole reception clapping and singing.

“Corey’s face the first time he saw me still melts my heart every time I look at the photos,” Farin says. “He was so happy and it made me feel

“The dancefloor was full all night. So much laughter. We left at 11.30pm and sat down talking about the day and laughing. It was amazing.”

90

91

made fresh EVERY ORDER, EVERY TIME

HOME DELIVERY NOW AVAIL ABLE $12.90 LUNCH DEAL - REGUL AR BURGER, CHIPS & SOFT DRINK 47-49 view st, bendigo | (03) 5441 2918 | www.borismurgers.com.au ï‚‚

bendigo's grand dame Paul Banks saw the purchase of Fortuna as a business opportunity, but has come to admire both the building and its famous owner.

By Sue Turpie To some it may have seemed an impossible challenge. For others it may have seemed just mad. But for Paul Banks, buying Bendigo’s grandest residence was a smart move and one he is aptly proud of making.

Paul is the managing director of Australia’s largest regionally-based advertising agency, Regional Reach Advertising. The company looks after both national and multi-international clients that identify themselves with country Australia. So why would he chose to take over this distinctive property that had been used by the Australian Army Survey Regiment as a mapping centre?

It turns out that Paul is an astute businessman as well as a passionate supporter of regional Australia and, once he got to know him better, George Lansell himself, the former owner of Fortuna.

They’re actually quite similar it seems.

When Paul first saw the property, to him it was “20 acres in the middle of Bendigo”.

“It came with this monstrosity on a hill,” he laughs, “that we fell in love with a bit.”

It could be argued that the purchase of such a property was never going to be straight forward given its historical value and development regulations. Not to mention some strongly held views by the Bendigo public as to what should be done with their beloved heritage.

George Lansell

“It’s Bendigo’s history full stop,” Paul says. “There’s nothing in Bendigo that identifies Bendigo’s history more than what Fortuna does, and it’s as simple as that.

“There’s so many things that have come out of Fortuna that reflect Bendigo, and there’s so many things that have come out of Fortuna that amazes people when they come here. They say that they can’t believe that happened, or they can’t believe this happened.

“A woman said to me the other day that every school student in Bendigo should see Fortuna and be taken through the history of Fortuna to understand Bendigo’s history before they even worry about Australian history, because the guts of Australian history 93

came out of here. The coat of arms came out of Fortuna; Australia’s wealth came out of Fortuna. They’re digging holes in the back of the Kimberleys and Pilbara and places like that for the wealth now but before that it came out of Fortuna.”

In 1871, thanks to some successful mining interests and investments, George Lansell purchased Fortuna Villa and the associated ‘180 Mine’ on the New Chum Reef. He continued to achieve incredible success in mining amassing a fortune by any standards, an admirable feat giving his humble beginnings.

“You’re talking about a bloke who came here with the seat hanging out of his pants and sold soap and candles in the main street,” Paul says. “He went broke a few times, and became the richest man in Australia and was once known as the richest man in the world.”

Paul speaks with a reverence towards this fellow businessman. Does he admire him?

“I do, because anybody who creates something from nothing I admire. And anyone who takes a punt, and maybe gets kicked in the guts a few times and keeps getting up, I admire. Experience is the best teacher… and he learned the hard way. I’ve probably done the same.

“He also built 88 per cent of the original Bendigo hospital,” Paul says. Given the cost of the new Bendigo Hospital it’s humbling to think of what it must have cost. “I think he was a man of his time. A lot of miners lost their lives and he set up

Historical Fortuna Villa photographs supplied by Paul Banks.

94

95

Big city bar culture, bold menu. Long lunches, late night drinks, or an intimate foodie escape where contemporary design meets historic ambience.

Open for Lunch and Dinner.

EVERYDAY.

different trusts for orphans and wives and families. He excelled at the engineering of mining equipment and made things better. I don’t see too many things wrong with George.

“He owned the City of Toorak; he lost it in a card game and then went back and won it back the next night. He loved a punt, and I didn’t mind that about him either.”

To truly understand the unique granduer of the property it needs to be seen first-hand. It is just as much a lesson in architectural history as it is in our mining history. The famous grand cedar and blackwood staircase, original stained glass windows, and solid marble baths... For 40 years, until his death, George Lansell continued to decorate and expand his home.

“If you look up between the turret and the Pompeii fountain where the veranda is I just love that part of Fortuna,” Paul says. “I also like looking at the back of Fortuna which was once the front of the property and only because of the amount of work that we’ve put into that. George never actually finished it. I did.

“He had gold to deal with and I had bureaucrats to deal with,” Paul laughs. “I look up at it and think, geez George you had all that coin and you couldn’t finish the thing.”

Paul almost sounds like he’s joking about an old friend, which is a satisfying thought given he’s the custodian of this grand dame.

“I’m always one for a challenge, and always one to have a bit of vision,” Paul says. “Looking back I probably wouldn’t have changed anything. It’s been successful. That landholding will, down the track, hold 80 terrace houses that will create an amphitheatre around Fortuna and give it a bit more spark.”

For further information visit www.fortuna-villa.com

Head UNDERGROUND for hidden evening of cocktails, food and fun.

Private booths, chesterfields and plush velvet furnishings.

Come and visit our stunning venue at: et, Bendigo VIC 3550

22 P 03 5441 2222 E dinerocksonrosalind.com rocksonrosalind.com sonrosalind.com 12WView Street, Bendigo VIC 3550 salind.com P 03 5441 2222 12 View Street, Bendigo

96

111 Mollison Street Bendigo

www.eplusarchitecture.com.au

Phone: (03) 5443 0055

Iconic homes and gardens start here

BENDIGO 53–55 Williamson Street Phone 5444 0277 Email: bendigo@thecompletegarden.com.au

TRADING: OPEN 7 DAYS Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm Saturday 9:30am – 4:30pm Sunday 10.30am – 4.30pm

understated elegance Luke and Megan O’Keefe knew what they wanted to achieve with their latest home. The result is a subtle, stylish country property even mother nature would approve of.

By Sue Turpie When the building process started for Luke and Megan O’Keefe they essentially were asking for a house that could be both private and sectioned off or open and all-encompassing. It had the potential to be a design conundrum but instead resulted in a cleverly-planned and changeable family home.

Their second requirement was that the property fit in with the undulating landscape of their chosen block of land in Axe Creek.

Again, another success thanks to carefully chosen second-hand bricks from a demolition yard in Melbourne, Monument Colorbond cladding, and the use of Australian native spotted gum. So much so, that even when driving toward the home, the property blends seamlessly into its surrounds.

The couple had looked at a lot of blocks of land; finding this one after almost two years of looking. Worth the wait.

The house features the main open-plan living areas with adjoining outdoor barbecue area. At one end is the parents’ retreat, while running off the kitchen is the kids’ wing.

As Luke says, the reason for the house being both open plan and separate is to have a divide between the children’s living and bedroom areas, and the adults’ end of the house.

“The older they get, the less children need you,” Luke explains. There is a sliding door at the entrance to the children’s part of the home which starts with a built-in bench used as a study area, then rumpus room, with adjoining bathroom, and three bedrooms.

The décor throughout the property is neutral, subtle and stylish with

99

polished timber floorboards, polished concrete and spotted gum hardwood, and the butler’s pantry and subtle storage ideas mean the clutter is hidden away.

Rather than fill the home with produced works of art, Luke and Megan made the most of the picturesque countryside. Artwork provided by mother nature.

“It is a modern design but built to fit in with the bush surrounds so there are large areas and a vast amount of windows and doors to invite the outside in,” Luke says, pointing to one window.

“It’s a snapshot of the dam below, particularly when you’re sitting on the couch and looking down, that way it’s a nice panoramic view.”

Also making the most of the views are the ensuite and main bedroom windows; floor to ceiling, looking out towards the mountain.

“It faces west so you get to see some nice sunsets,” Luke says. “And everything’s doubleglazed.”

There were other energy-efficient considerations made when designing the property.

“The windows on the north side of the property create heat through the concrete slab during winter because the sun is lower,” Luke explains. “Then in summer the overhanging timber gets that heat away from the windows.

It’s as sustainable as it can be.

“We have a fireplace though because we like to be able to stand in front of something and warm up for the first five minutes, plus it provides ambience.”

Ambience is something this property doesn’t lack; while there is a major city some 20 minutes down the road, this is another world.

“We love the peace and quiet here when you come home after work. And the outdoor entertaining area with the pool… there’s an open fire and TV; you can relax and unwind whether it’s summer or winter.”

An idyllic and elegant family home for all seasons.

100

REFRESH WITH RENDER

Creating your vision The qualified professionals with over 20 years experience

CEMENT& ACYRLIC RENDERING | VENETIAN POLISHED PLASTERING SOLID PLASTERING & HERITAGE RESTORATION | STYRENE CLADDING SYSTEMS RISING DAMP TREATMENT | FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTES M 0417 479 491 E info@rendersolutions.com.au W www.rendersolutions.com.au |

101

“ Everyone was so nice, BENDIGO MAGAZINE PROMOTION making you feel so comfortable ”

opening your eyes to a new day in bendigo. “ If I could ...reserve a spot for all the future procedures, I would ”

Dr Bemjamin Burt, FRANZCO FACS Oculoplastic Surgeon is one of the world’s leading surgeons for upper and lower eyelid surgery living and practising here at the Bendigo Eye Clinic.

College of Surgeons and a Member of the Australian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery.

and the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures.

Cosmetic eyebrow surgery and endoscopic eyebrow lifts are also popular areas of his expertise.

Dr Burt is renowned for his excellence in cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) lovely and one of the few experts of lower lid An ophthalmologist for 10 years, Dr Burt“ Excellent blepharoplasty staff... very good where he has achieved specialises in oculoplastic surgery of outstanding results for patients. the orbit, eyelids, periorbital area, face, explanations given...”

He also performs meticulous upper and lower blepharoplasties and forehead lifts for men and women whilst dealing with all general eye conditions having completed hundreds of cataract surgeries and managed patients with glaucoma, macula degeneration and other various eye conditions.

He is a member of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Royal Canadian

For those seeking the highest quality non-surgical treatments Dr Burt is an excellent choice for superior botox and filler treatment Dr Burt is also a leading expert of dacryocystorhinostony (DCR) of which he is one of the few surgeons who can perform this procedure internally (endonasal).

This is a technique which he introduced to West Texas and Southern New Mexico

“ Beautiful facility – must be good to work in this environment ” Welcome to

Bendigo Day Surgery Partner in Medical Excellence

1 Chum Street, Bendigo T 03 5444 3533 1 Chum Street, Bendigo

region as Head of Oculoplastics at Texas Tech University.

The Bendigo Day Surgery offers Dr Burt a world-class facility in Bendigo. It is a facility in which he can continue to expand his extensive surgical experience while caring for the community of central Victoria.

The Bendigo Eye Clinic is at 144 Arnold Street, Bendigo.

For further information or to make an appointment, phone the friendly staff at the clinic on 5441 1622.

Your Bendigo Eye Clinic Adjunct Clinical Professor Peter Burt | Dr Benjamin Burt Dr Robert Buttery | Dr Michael Shiu

Your local Eye Clinic servicing all of your Eye Care needs right here in Bendigo CATARACT SURGERY | GLAUCOMA TREATMENT MACULA DEGENERATION

www.bendigodaysurgery.com.au

T 03 5444 3533

www.bendigodaysurgery.com.au

Our group of experienced Eye Specialists have been caring for the community of Bendigo for over 20 years whilst maintaining the most up to date and highest standards of Eye Care possible.

Ask your General Practioner or Optometrist for a referral and we look forward to working together in caring for your vision here in Bendigo.

Bendigo Day Surgery, and our local Medical Specialists, offer same day surgical treatment and care in the following specialities: • Ear Nose and Throat

• Gynaecology

• Orthopaedics

• Gastroenterology

• IVF

• Plastics and Reconstruction

• General Surgery

• Eye Surgery (Ophthalmology)

• Urology

For more information on our facility or Medical Specialists, please visit the website or contact our friendly staff.

1 Chum Street, Bendigo. Ph: 5444 3533 102 www.bendigodaysurgery.com.au

144 Arnold Street, Bendigo | P: 03 5441 1622

www.beclinic.com.au

102

HPV screening is changing

By Dr Anju Agarwal - Obstetrician and Gynaecologist In Australia, 80 per cent of women with cervical cancer have not been screened or had regular screening tests. The cervical screening program is set to change in the not too distant future.

The Pap smear will be replaced with the cervical screening test; the interval in between tests will change from two to five years; the first test at 25 years instead of 18; and exit test invitation at 70 to 74 years.

Women who have any abnormal symptoms, such as post-menopausal, post-coital or unexplained bleeding, should seek and will be offered tests at any time, regardless of their age and date of previous cervical screening tests.

Why the change?

The current Pap test detects abnormal cell changes which are the effect of persistent HPV (human papilloma virus) which could potentially lead to cervical cancer. The new cervical screening test will test the persistence of the HPV infection which causes these abnormal cell changes prior to the development of cancer.

The screening age is increased to 25 as cervical cancers in young women are rare and common cervical abnormalities would usually resolve by themselves. Also treating at this young age can increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

The HPV vaccination has been shown to reduce cervical abnormalities among young women.

What is HPV virus?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection in females and males. Most people will have HPV at some time and never know it.

Genital HPV is spread by sexual transmission.

HPV types 16 and 18 are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. Most HPV infections clear up by themselves. Persistent genital HPV infections can cause cervical abnormalities, which, if they continue over a long period of time (more than 10 years), can lead to cervical cancer. Most women who do have HPV, clear the virus and do not go on to develop cervical abnormalities or cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV infection known to cause cervical cancer so it is important to screen even if you have had the vaccine.

What is the procedure?

The procedure for collecting the sample for HPV testing is the same as the procedure for having a Pap smear. A health care professional will take a small sample of cells from the woman’s cervix, which is sent to a pathology laboratory for examination.The HPV test result will assign women into different risk categories: • Low risk - when there is no carcinogenic HPV virus types in the sample.

• Higher risk - because of the strong association

between HPV types 16 and 18 with cervical abnormalities the presence of either or both these viruses place the woman at this category.

The same sample will be further tested and almost always a colposcopy is needed.

• Intermediate Risk - where if the sample tests are negative for types 16/18 but positive for one of the other oncogenic HPV types the patient falls into this category. The sample is further tested if the cellular changes are low grade the patient will be asked to return for a repeat HPV test in 12 months. If the changes are higher grade, the patient is referred for colposcopy, a procedure to further evaluate Pap smear abnormalities.

Treatment is surgery which can be ablative or excisional. Both modalities remove a portion of the cervix where the disease is present and a follow-up for two years is necessary. * This article is information for interpretation by the patient and does not reflect the opinions of RANZCOG.

Bendigo Private Oncology St John of God Bendigo Hospital offers day oncology and inpatient services with minimal waiting time for treatment and ample car parking that has easy access to the Oncology Unit.

DR ROB BLUM

DR SAM HARRIS

D R S AY N G

The Oncologists are committed to delivering a first class private oncology service to Bendigo and the surrounding regions.

133-145 Lily Street, Bendigo T. 03 5445 9000 F. 03 5441 1312 E. info.bendigo@sjog.org.au www.sjog.or.au/bendigo A division of St John of God Health Care ARBN 051960 911 ABN 21 930 207 958 (Limited Liability) Incorporate in WA

Building

A new perspective in medical imaging High St Xray is Bendigo’s premier radiology clinic, offering a wide range of diagnostic imaging services including: • Digital Xray • MRI • Nuclear Medicine • CT scanning

• Ultrasound • Bone Densitometry • OPG (dental X-rays) • Interventional Radiology

Our clinic is conveniently located just 500 metres from Bendigo’s CBD with extensive free on-site parking.

149-151 High St Bendigo,Victoria Ph: 5441 9999 E: info@highstxray.com.au

www.highstxray.com.au

australian doctors orchestra Medical professionals from across Australia come together to perform music and raise funds for charity and Bendigo is lucky to be hosting this Australian Doctors Orchestra.

Since 1993, the Australian Doctors Orchestra has been performing concerts every year and in every state, all in the name of charity. Bendigo has been chosen for the ensemble’s upcoming regional performance on Sunday, April 23 at the Ulumbarra Theatre.

The orchestra is made up of specialist doctors, general practitioners and medical students, who are also highly-trained classical musicians. While there are some 600 members of the Australian Doctors Orchestra, more than 80 will be in Bendigo for this performance.

The Bendigo concert will be performed under the baton of Warwick Stengards and feature acclaimed cellist Michael Dahlenburg performing in the Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.

Warwick is an Australian/Swedish freelance conductor based in Vienna, and has studied with the likes of Peter Eotvos, Vittorio Parisi, Ronald Zollman, Robert

Rosen and Vladimir Verbitsky.

He also has a music theatre repertoire of more than 100 works performing with companies such as the Vienna State Opera, Volksoper Wien, Opera Australia, Victoria State Opera, Chamber Made Opera and West Australian Opera. He’s also held esteemed positions in both Australia and overseas.

Michael has an equally impressive résumé having studied with Howard Penny, Chamber Orchstra of Europe, and Molly Kadarauch, Australian Chamber Orchestra, at the Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne. He was Fellow at the Australian National Academy of Music in 2009, and is also principal cellist of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

He’s also conducted orchestras for arts organisations including the Australian National Academy of Music and Melbourne Youth Music.

And as an added bonus, the Bendigo

Youth Choir will perform the Overture and Opening Chorus to Smetana’s The Bartered Bride. This choir is a favourite amongst locals and has made its mark both nationally and internationally.

It was founded in 1984 by its current artistic director Valerie Broad and is a not-for-profit organisation which fosters and develops the singing skills of young people, and their life skills in general. Since it began, the Bendigo Youth Choir has nurtured more than 1000 young singers.

The Otis Foundation, a charity established in Bendigo, has been chosen as the recipient of the funds raised from the performance at the Ulumbarra Theatre.

A worthy recipient, the foundation provides free retreat accommodation to those dealing with breast cancer.

For information or to book tickets to the Australian Doctors Orchestra visit, Ulumbarra Theatre or go to www.gotix.com.au 105

trailblazers

“Follow your dreams because anything is possible. There are opportunities now that we have never had in the past so dream big and play strong.”

By Lisa Chesters - Federal Member for Bendigo This is Bendigo Thunder’s coach Cherie O’Neil’s inspiring advice to all girls and women.

With the launch of the Women’s Australian Football Rules on February 3, 2017, it is an appropriate time to reflect on what was more than just a moment in history.

At a time when gender gains are starting to decline or flatline, such as equal pay and representation in the Liberal Government cabinet, the rise of women’s footy is great for the girl power movement. It’s a reminder that women can do anything that men can.

Bendigo has a stake in this momentous moment in sport. The Bendigo Thunder Women’s Football Club has had significant on-field success since it was established in 2011.

In their first year in the competition in 2011, the Thunder almost took out a premiership. Since then they’ve won two premierships and made the grand final last year.

Impressively, five Thunder players have found their way onto AFLW lists, including 2016 captain, Emma Grant, who is one of 28 players on 106

Collingwood’s inaugural AFL Women’s list for the 2017 season.

For the last few years I’ve had the honour of being the number one ticket holder of the Thunder.

It’s always fun to watch men react to a tough tackle or a great mark the first time they watch a game of women’s footy. First it’s a shocked, “Did you see that?” By the end of the game they are converted.

Brothers, husbands, fathers and friends are the best. The pride on their faces to see their girls come off the field at the end of a game is beautiful.

These trailblazing players are great role models for young women. The club is filled with passionate women who have had to prove again and again that they are just as capable and valued as their male peers.

Through determination and talent, they have paved the way for young local girls to have the opportunity to play football not only in Bendigo, but in a national league.

Carlton draftee Isabella Ayre started playing football when she was seven, at a time when a national women’s football league was a pipedream.

“I didn’t really have a dream because there was nothing to work towards because there was no AFL for women back then,” Isabella says. “Now lots of girls are looking towards playing AFL.” Senior player Laura Flanagan says supporting women’s football isn’t just about a game, but about supporting equality more broadly, and I couldn’t agree more.

“If you want to support equality, support your local women’s footy team,” Laura Says She says her football aspiration is to see women’s footy competition at the same standard as the men, so all girls get the same opportunity as boys.

While there is still a way to go until there is parity between men and women’s AFL in terms of pay, conditions and exposure, for many people involved at the Bendigo Thunder it is a dream to see women playing AFL and being paid to do what they love.

The league will be a semi-professional competition initially with players employed on a part-time basis, but everyone involved in the Thunder is keen for it to evolve into being fully professional as soon as possible.

In the meantime, they continue to dream big and play strong.

107

fit for battle

Meet the modern-day warriors continuing a sporting tradition steeped in history.

By Raelee Tuckerman Mark Reader and Gino Iuliano are living proof that grown men still enjoy a good old-fashioned stick fight.

That’s why they look forward to pulling on their protective gear to engage in bone-crunching blows and pole-clashing pokes as they represent Bendigo on the lacrosse field.

Full body contact is a feature of this fast-paced sport, but there’s much more to lacrosse than simply squaring up opponents. It requires speed, strength, endurance and excellent hand-eye co-ordination to score goals and stop the opposition from finding the net.

“It’s a great blend of physicality and skill and combines aspects of so many other sports,” explains Mark, who coaches and plays for the Bendigo men’s team in the Victorian Lacrosse Association’s division three competition, which runs from April to September.

“There’s the physical contact of football; the defensive and attacking structures of basketball and the finesse involved in throwing and catching similar to cricket.”

Mark’s 20-year playing career began in Melbourne when he grabbed his brother’s stick and joined a workmate’s club.

Gino, 50, was introduced to the sport in primary school by a visiting player conducting a clinic — much like he does now. He was heavily involved with the Melbourne Cricket Club’s lacrosse section before joining Bendigo and serving as president and treasurer.

He is also the face of Bendigo’s junior lacrosse, and is passionate about growing the sport through skills training and regular competition opportunities.

“I’d played a lot of other sports, but lacrosse was so quick that the ball moves up and down the field in a flash and it really captured me.

His children, Jessica and Christian, have both played locally and he has achieved incredible results at Lacrosse Victoria’s annual under-11 carnival.

“I thought I might have played my last season in 2009 after we bought a property in Bendigo and were getting ready to move. But then (much to my wife’s disgust), I discovered Bendigo was about to enter a team for the first time so I continued here in 2010.”

“Our Bendigo kids have been undefeated for two years in a row,” he beams. “I feel like a proud dad about that. But we have some juniors here who, if they keep playing lacrosse, could well become Australian players one day.”

Gino, who runs Bendigo’s junior program and visits local schools promoting the sport, says lacrosse has a history steeped in culture and tradition.

Gino points to 15-year-old Will Kenny, whose potential he spotted during one school visit.

“It originated with the Native American Indians in the continent’s north-east.

Will made his senior debut for Bendigo at 14, joined metropolitan Moreland on loan last year and won their under-15 best and fairest, then represented Victoria at national championships.

“Tribes like the Mohicans played to help keep their warriors fit for battle. Some of the chiefs even started settling disputes with lacrosse games, which could last for days.

“I played a lot of hockey and lacrosse uses similar skills, though it is much more physical,” Will says. “You can bump and check people to get the ball off them and I really like that aspect.

“When French missionaries went over to America and saw these warriors running around with sticks, they referred to it as lacrosse – la meaning ‘the’ and crosse meaning ‘stick’.”

“I first played in the under-13 after-school competition, had a year off, then got back into it as pre-season training for hockey. Now lacrosse has almost taken over as my main sport!”

The modern Bendigo Lacrosse Club was founded in 2008, but early newspapers report matches were played as far back as May 24, 1886 - when a Melbourne association team took on a combined BendigoSandhurst side at the Upper Reserve.

Will’s experience with the Northern Warriors state team has inspired him.

The game has several varieties, including indoor box lacrosse and polocrosse on horseback, but Bendigo competes in the more mainstream men’s field lacrosse.

In short, the aim is to carry the ball in the pocket of the stick and fling it into the goal. Players use their bodies and sticks to “check” opponents in a bid to dislodge the ball and stop their run.

“The women’s game has slightly different rules and there is a lot less contact,” says Gino, who is working towards establishing Bendigo’s first all-female state league team.

“The women are so fit and skilful and their top-grade is quite beautiful to watch.”

“My short-term goal is to play a few games with Moreland’s senior division two men’s team this season, as well as Bendigo in division three.

“The world under-19 championships are in Ireland in 2020 and I’d really like to push to get in the Australian team. I’ll be working hard to finetune my skills and get a lot more experience under my belt at a higher level to give myself the best chance.”

Gino, meanwhile, just wants more people to pick up a stick and give his favourite game a go.

“People play lacrosse because it is unique — there’s really no other sport quite like it.”

For information about Bendigo Lacrosse Club programs for men, women and juniors, contact Gino Iuliano on 0409 970 767.

109

fighting the fad

It’s time to lift — lift well, lift heavy and lift often. With the help of some strong Bendigo women, one coach is working to dispel the myths surrounding women and weight.

By Arj Perera - Head Coach - The Human Mechanics Unfortunately, in an industry which enjoys the reach and influence such as our health and fitness industry, too many mixed and often incorrect messages are sent to cater for those only keen on participating in the latest ‘fad’.

Often each ‘fad’ program — be it diet, training or lifestyle — is around for a short time until it’s replaced by the next ‘fad’.

However, these all still have a profound impact on the consumer.

Unlike most, one which has stuck around for far too long in this coach’s opinion is the notion of “skinny is sexy”; that women who want to be healthy need to simply focus on shrinking more and more in order to gain the approval of the community and to achieve the goal everyone wants.

It is a double-edged sword as not only do people, in particular our younger demographic, get sucked into boarding the skinny train, they are force-fed the notion

that lifting weights of any kind will make them look manly and therefore undesirable.

Mind you, this idea was disproven about the same time it came about. Yet, many women still believe it.

Being skinny should not be confused with improving your body composition. These are two completely different ideas.

The first simply focuses on reducing overall bodyweight which often includes muscle wastage, as well as reduced performance and function. The second focuses on maintaining or improving the amount of lean muscle on the body whilst reducing body fat, thereby improving function and performance as well as aesthetics.

In my opinion, and one which is echoed by many elite coaches in the industry, this view on the body for both men and women needs to change now. Being skinny doesn’t prepare your body for the rigours of life; it doesn’t allow you to perform better in

sports; it doesn’t prepare the body for the demands of pregnancy; and it definitely doesn’t help the body function properly for the demands of a long and busy life. How do we fix this problem which is creating subpar bodies?

You need to lift ladies. Lift well, lift heavy and lift often.

Sure, HIIT (high intensity interval training) has definite benefits and will give most that cardio buzz — just make sure you’re doing the requisite strength work to have a well rounded body.

Thankfully, to help me in the quest of leading coaches from around the world, I was able to enlist the help of some amazing local women who share this philosophy. The reason why I asked them to participate is to prove what really happens when women dedicate the larger portion and sometimes all of their training focus to learning and implementing lifting techniques.

111

Deadlift

Kettlebell Swing

PT Manager Avril from THM demonstrating pound for pound one of the best exercises for the body. Glutes, hamstring, lower back, upper back the entire posterior chain working together to shift the weight and develop amazing strength.

Kat from THM showing us this great conditioning exercise recruiting similar groups to deadlift. It will also give you a great little cardio workout as well when done at high repetition.

Sumo Deadlift Snap Fitness owner and powerlifter Emma with a variation on the conventional deadlift.

More ladies tend to prefer this method as it has a greater glute focus and places less demand on the lower back.

Back Squat

Military Press

Hip Extension

Alana from Crossfit Ironstar with another ‘must do’ compound movement for the lower body. Mobilty, postural integrity and lower body strength need to all come together to perform this fantastic exercise effectively and safely.

Sonia from THM with this fantastic overhead exercise, working not only the shoulders but teaching the body to build stability whilst controlling the weight overhead.

THM Academy athlete Saran demonstrating a movement which is absolute gold for athletic development and also for men and women to build that shapely (but functional) booty!

Lunge

Bench Press

Chin Ups

Sonia with the barbell lunge, working not only her flexibility through movement but also a fantastic lower body focus exercise which is great for athletic development. If you’re not quite up to barbell loading, dumbells or bodyweight variations are a great place to start.

Kat with another primary lifting movement developing upper body strength. Like the lunge, other variations such as dumbbell, machine press or even push-ups can be used as substitutes or additions to the barbell version.

3T Fitness Owner and Elite Triathlete Sophie with a challenging to perform but fantastic upper body exercise in the chin-up. Great for achieving fantastic shape and definition through the upper back and overall strength in the body.

112

PROUDLY WELCOMES OUR VERY OWN LOCAL NEWS TEAM ON NINE Bringing your local breaking news and the latest sport with the experience and resources of Australia’s best news team right across Central Victoria.

For the first time a dedicated Central Victorian team is on the ground delivering local stories that matter.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Elle Gentle Triple M News Reader, Lucy Hinton Journalist, Sarah Lawrence Senior Journalist, Daniel Dea Camera Operator, Emily Gayton Journalist and Marcus Romanin Camera Operator