Classic Lifestyle - The Royal Edition

NEW BOSE QUIETCOMFORT® 45 HEADPHONES

You feel it the minute you put them on. The soft, plush cushions seal you in. Then you flip the switch and whoosh — the world fades. And the music starts. The original noise cancelling headphones are back, with world-class quiet (plus the new Aware Mode), shockingly light materials for premium comfort, and proprietary acoustic technology for deep, clear sound. It’s an icon reborn.

BOSE QUIETCOMFORT® EARBUDS

Better sound begins with better silence. So Bose engineered these truly wireless earbuds with the world’s most effective noise cancelling and high-fidelity audio. Because when music goes up, so does passion, and everything that makes you —you.

TRIPLE BLACK WHITE SMOKE

TRIPLE BLACK SOAPSTONE

The original noise cancelling headphones are back.

In bloom

Introducing Chasseur’s Cherry Blossom range. Delicate and timeless all at once. It’s the perfect Spring addition to your cookware collection to make all your favourite recipes pop.

Made in France Since 1924

Chasseur Cherry Blossom• Round French Oven See the range at chasseur.com.au

Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

Location: Derby, in the Kimberley, Western Australia

Taken from a helicopter with the last light exposing the tidal creeks on the salt flats in Derby with huge Kimberley tides.

Photographer: Canon Master – Sean Scott

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Inspired by traditional indigenous art, Canon Master Sean Scott created “Flow” – a series of tranquil yet arresting images that showcase the movement of water, how it shapes our landscape and our connections to it.

To experience more of these stunning abstract impressions scan the QR code.

FEEL TIME STAND

Jindabyne

SPECTACULAR DOHA

CHRIS HARMAT PARKOUR ATHLETE

45 PARK LANE

THE INCREDIBLE HISTORY AND INDIVIDUAL STYLE OF THE STUNNING HOTELS IN THE DORCHESTER COLLECTION

HOUSING ALL AUSTRALIANS, SALLY CAPP’S WORK, INTEGRATING QUEST & HAA INVOLVEMENT IN TACKLING HOMELESSNESS

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

HOW WORKING

HOMELESSNESS EPIDEMIC

Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis that has been building for decades.

The escalation of housing prices has created a situation which, if left unabated, will further polarise Australian society, and with it, our social cohesion.

Housing is a fundamental human need and right. Access to a safe and affordable home is one of the key ingredients that enables an individual to positively contribute to society.

Housing All Australians (HAA) is a business-led initiative dedicated to the pursuit of solutions to help address Australia’s chronic and growing shortage of social and affordable housing. Housing for all, rich or poor, is a fundamental economic and social determinant for a prosperous country.

Even with the significant work we have already done, it will still take decades to reverse the trend.

Firstly, we must recognise and acknowledge the scale of the problem, otherwise we will never develop the solutions we need. A federal government review of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) in 2021 quantified it as a $290 billion problem.

This is far too big for government to tackle alone. Philanthropy, while crucial, is not enough either. As a community, we must engage business in finding solutions, collaborating with super funds and peak bodies to drive a nation-building exercise with the goal of housing all Australians.

The reality is there are no silver bullets – only through working together and building partnerships between industry and government can we bridge the gap between demand and supply of housing.

TOGETHER IS THE ONLY WAY TO TACKLE THE

Government needs to work to encourage business to invest in market-based solutions to homelessness. The solutions our society needs will only come from true collaboration and future-focused partnerships that transcend current thinking.

We need to work together to work towards long-term solutions to our homelessness epidemic.

To lead the way, we need champions of change who can effectively navigate the complex pathway that can bring together business and government for the benefit of our community.

One of those champions is the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp. Part of Sally’s job is to reinforce Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities - and a significant part of that role is highlighting the provision of safe and affordable housing.

Melbourne has so many vulnerable community members sleeping rough, which isn’t acceptable for the world-class city. In 2019, the City of Melbourne identified a shortfall of 5,500 affordable homes for key workers. Without action, that number is expected to grow to 23,200 by 2036.

To address the growing problem, the City of Melbourne created Homes Melbourne, which works collaboratively with the state government body, Homes Victoria, and community housing providers, support services and the property sector to provide practical solutions to the city’s housing shortage.

Homes Melbourne is currently exploring several initiatives, including affordable rental housing on City of Melbourne-owned land, advocating for increased investment and systemic change

for better housing outcomes, facilitating more affordable rental housing through the planning system, and partnering with government and industry to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.

The City of Melbourne has offered up the council-owned 602 Little Bourke Street as temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness. Transformed into 50 studio apartments, the building will provide safe housing for vulnerable community members making the transition to permanent housing. All residents will have access to on-site essential services, including financial advice, counselling and mental health support.

Corporate cooperation is another essential step to addressing homelessness in a meaningful way.

The local business owners who make up the Quest Apartment Hotel network across Australia have partnered with HAA to provide short-term transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness, and supply furnishing for our pop-up homeless shelters in vacant buildings.

Homelessness impacts everyone in our community. The Lord Mayor and the City of Melbourne, in addition to businesses like Quest Apartment Hotels, are determined to keep working towards a future where everyone of us works together to ensure every Australian has a home.

We at Housing All Australians applaud their efforts, and commend them for recognising that only through the power of collaboration can we address Australia’s homelessness epidemic.

On a Quest

D AVID MANSFIELD

David on Quest’s journey to educate people on, and fight against, Australia’s homelessness epidemic.

PURPOSE BEFORE PROFIT: OUR QUEST TO HELP AUSTRALIA’S HOMELESS

Quest’s network of passionate local business owners have been supporting Housing All Australians (HAA) since mid-2019. In recognising the impact of homelessness in their own communities, we as a brand wanted to make meaningful change through harnessing our shared resources as Australasia’s largest serviced apartment provider to make a meaningful impact on the issue of homelessness.

We are proud to sponsor the Royal Edition of The Classic because Quest are a company that cares.

Quest is a values-driven business model, built by people who love looking after people, so supporting our local communities is simply part of who we are. We understand that immediate and meaningful action is needed on homelessness, and that we have a unique opportunity to play a part in providing shelter by drawing on our scale as a business.

The impact of Covid and the extended lockdowns on traveller confidence was devastating for our industr y, our business owners and our franchise. But we knew there were those doing it tougher.

To assist vulnerable people in accessing secure and stable accommodation, particularly people who lost their job due to the pandemic, we expanded our longstanding partnership with HAA. We wanted to use our resources to assist in the provision of accommodation to those less fortunate, doing what we could to create comfortable rooms, furniture and beds – a homewhich we all take for granted.

With the post-Covid economic recovery now stalled by rising inflation, our partnership is more important than ever as more Australians now face rising cost of living pressures.

For us, it’s our privilege to be able to help address the issue of homelessness. We are so grateful for more than 100 Quest business owners around the country who continue to step up to support the practical solutions HAA is committed to providing.

Our involvement initially centred around offering access to serviced apartments at over 140 locations nationally at cost for Australians in need of temporary housing. Since then, we’ve expanded our involvement to support HAA financially and to provide loose furniture items.

Moving forward, we will continue to use our scale as a business to provide free gardening, fit out and furnishings for pop-up shelters in places like Melbourne. In the Garden House project, we’re so proud to have helped transform a vacant house into a home for women getting back on their feet.

A Quest apartment is home away from home, particularly for extended stay travellers, so supporting HAA from a business perspective makes perfect sense for us, particularly in furnishing dormant buildings with our contemporary and comfortable furnishing to provide a sense of stability for homeless women, rather than just another space to stay.

Quest is proud to offer all our guests, whether travelling for business or leisure, an accommodation option that aligns with community values, voices and causes, at both a network and local business level.

Women over 50 are the most rapidly growing demographic of homeless in the developed world, with the major driver being domestic violence and lack of visibility on the issue. These women are ‘hidden’ from our view - living in their cars, couch surfing, or living in short-term accommodation.

Quest are proud to have helped fund UNDER COVER, a documentary highlighting the issue which will be screening at select cinemas across Australia from 6 October.

Narrated by Margot Robbie, the documentary goes undercover with some of these women to shine a light on their experience. It is an important work which helps us understand what the reality is and how and why we as a community must come together to do everything we can to stop and reverse the growth of homelessness for women over 50, and help those who are already homeless.

We believe in going further to create moments that matter for our guests, because everyone deserves a place to be themselves, and an important part of this is recognising that everyone deserves a place to call home.

The Quest franchising family are committed to continuing to work together with government and HAA to address and alleviate homelessness throughout the communities we operate in.

Opening our e yes to Australia’s hidden homelessness epidemic for women.

Robert Pradolin, Founder & Director, Housing All Australians on the homelessness issue and philanthropic nature of this book.

When you walk past a homeless person – what do you see?

Is it their clothes, possessions, the way they’re sitting – do you look them in the eye?

What sort of thoughts run through your mind –do you feel uncomfortable, do you tell yourself they’re not really homeless they just want money, or do you ignore them?

In your mind right now, are you picturing a man sleeping on a bench or on the street?

Changing and challenging our ideas around homelessness are some of the ideas explored in this book, with over 116,000 Australians lacking a safe, stable or affordable place to sleep, and that number is growing each year.

Australians at particular risk of homelessness include those who have experienced family and domestic violence, young people, children on care and protection orders, Indigenous Australians, people leaving health or social care arrangements, and Australians aged 55 or older.

People experiencing homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness, represent Australia’s most socially and economically disadvantaged. 1 in 3 are under 18, but women over 55 are the fastestgrowing group to experience homelessness – and the true extent of the problem is hidden.

Of the 278,300 clients Australian Specialist Homelessness Services agencies assisted in 2020–21, 60% were female. While you may not see them sleeping on the street, many women move between staying with children, relatives or friends to keep a roof over their head. Some sleep in their car when there is nowhere else to go, having to move between carparks to feel safe at night.

These hidden homeless women are sisters, aunts, mothers and grandmothers.

A range of systemic factors are drivng the rise in women’s homelessness including a lack of superannuation, career gaps to care for family, the gender pay gap, age discrimination and the current rental housing crisis in the Australian property market.

SQM Research revealed rental vacancy rates have fallen to Australia’s lowest rate since 2006, at 0.9% in August 2022, which has the flow on effect of raising rental prices. Rents have risen 20% across Australia in the last 12 months.

When we add in major life events such as the death of a spouse, serious illness or divorce, you can understand how women are becoming homelessness. However, the single largest driver of women’s homelessness is domestic violence.

Women who are forced to leave their homes and abusive partners face the difficult reality of being unable to put a roof over their children’s heads and so must turn to emergency accommodation services, which involves rooms which are allocated on a daily basis. Crisis accommodation isn’t a place for a family, where they are living around people suffering from drug addiction.

How exactly can you find stability when you don’t have a safe place to live?

Having access to shelter is a fundamental human need and its provision is the basis of a successful society. How can a parent or carer bring up a family if they are always having to move? How can people manage the emotional or physiological events of life if their basic human need for stable shelter is not met?

We have seen a rise in people experiencing homelessness in our streets over the last decade. The increase in women’s homelessness points to a much bigger issue with our housing market that will not be resolved until we solve the upstream supply of non-market housing.

This isn’t just an issue for low-income households. Homelessness is an issue for all Australians.

I’m incredibly grateful to Phil that proceeds from this Royal Edition of The Classic will support our work at Housing All Australians, where we are partnering with business and governments to provide practical solutions to address homelessness through increasing the supply of housing.

It is in everyone’s interest to make housing a national priority. We need to view the issue of homelessness through a long-term lens and consider what society we are leaving our children and grandchildren. The impact of homelessness goes beyond the individual to also shape the lives of their families and communities.

I hope the inspiring people and their stories featured in this book inspire you to start a conversation about homelessness in your families and workplaces, and discuss how you can take action around the urgent need to house all Australians.

“Having access to shelter is a fundamental human need and its provision is the basis of a successful society.”

How working together is the only way to tackle the homelessness epidemic.

Housing All Australians, Sally Capp’s work, integrating Quest & HAA involvement in tackling homelessness.

Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis that has been building for decades.

The escalation of housing prices has created a situation which, if left unabated, will further polarise Australian society, and with it, our social cohesion.

Housing is a fundamental human need and without it, we have unintended human consequences that manifest into physical and mental health, family violence, justice, policing and eventually, long term welfare dependency which has significant economic cost implications as well as societal ones. Access to a safe and affordable home is one of the key ingredients that enables an individual to positively contribute to society.

Housing All Australians (HAA) is a business-led initiative dedicated to the pursuit of solutions to help address Australia’s chronic and growing shortage of social and affordable housing. Housing for all, rich or poor, is a fundamental economic platform and social determinant for a prosperous country.

Even with the significant work we have already done, it will still take decades to reverse the trend. Firstly, we must recognise and acknowledge the scale of the problem otherwise we will never develop the solutions we need.. A federal government review of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) in 2021 quantified it as a $290 billion problem.

One of those champions is the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp. Part of Sally’s job is to reinforce Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities - and a significant part of that role is highlighting the provision of safe and affordable housing.

Melbourne has so many vulnerable community members sleeping rough, which isn’t acceptable for the world-class city. In 2019, the City of Melbourne identified a shortfall of 5,500 affordable homes for key workers. Without action, that number is expected to grow to 23,200 by 2036.

To address the growing problem, the City of Melbourne created Homes Melbourne, which works collaboratively with the state government body, Homes Victoria, and community housing providers, support services and the property sector to provide practical solutions to the city’s housing shortage.

Homes Melbourne is currently exploring several initiatives, including affordable rental housing on City of Melbourne-owned land, advocating for increased investment and systemic change for better housing outcomes, facilitating more affordable rental housing through the planning system, and partnering with government and industry to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.

QUEST EDITORIAL

This is far too big for government to tackle alone. Philanthropy while crucial, is not a solution either. As a community, we must engage business in finding solutions, collaborating with superfunds and peak bodies to drive a nation-building exercise with the goal of housing all Australians.

The reality is there are no silver bullets –only through working together and building partnerships between industry and government can we bridge the gap between demand and supply of housing.

Government needs to work to encourage business to invest in market-based solutions to homelessness. The solutions our society needs will only come from true collaboration and future focused partnerships that transcend current thinking.

We need to work together to work towards longterm solutions to our homelessness epidemic.

To lead the way, we need champions of change who can effectively navigate the complex pathway that can bring together business and government for the benefit of our community.

The City of Melbourne has offered up the councilowned 602 Little Bourke Street as temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness. Transformed into 50 studio apartments, the building will provide safe housing for vulnerable community members making the transition to permanent housing. All residents will have access to on-site essential services, including financial advice, counselling and mental health support.

Corporate cooperation is another essential step to addressing homelessness in a meaningful way.

The local business owners who make up the Quest Apartment Hotel network across Australia have partnered with HAA to provide short-term transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness, and supply furnishing for our popup homeless shelters in vacant buildings.

Homelessness impacts everyone in our community. The Lord Mayor and the City of Melbourne, in addition to businesses like Quest Apartment Hotels, are determined to keep working towards a future where everyone of us works together to ensure every Australian has a home.

We at Housing All Australians applaud their efforts, and commend them for recognising that only through the power of collaboration can we address Australia’s homelessness epidemic.

EDITORIAL

Publisher Phil Harte

Sub Editor

Nick Nichols

Creative Direction and Design

Martha Clegg: @mac_des1gn

Operations Director

Steven Fitzroy

Contributing Photographers

The Sydney Studio: thesydneystudio.com

Dominika Ferenz: dominikaferenz.com Phil Harte

Social Media Editor

Tayla Harte: tayla_harte@icloud.com

Feature Writers

Robert Pradolin, Daniel Resnik, Phil Harte

Here’s to a big finish as I set off on another flight to the Gold Coast, preparing to sign off on this year’s 29th edition.

I received an invitation to the media awards to be held in Melbourne on October 28. Yes, we are one of four finalists for book of the year, and you don’t think I want to win this little accolade? Our Classic Agenda Heroes book is one of our proudest moments over the last 29 years, so it’s fingers crossed.

My theme for this year’s edition was to be One World, seeing how we were letting loose and getting back to some normality. However, I just couldn’t help but acknowledge the remarkable achievements of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. So, we decided our 29th year would be The Royal edition.

Neither a monarchist nor a republican, I simply could not overlook the mark Queen Elizabeth has left on the world, given the herculean challenges she faced during her long reign.

There is no doubt that the republican drum will start to beat, but I beg you, let’s give Charles a chance. Hopefully he has learnt something from mummy over the years, enough that he can right the ship and convince the doubters that all is in order.

Just think about the alternative. We have never been in a worse political position with state governments floundering, incapable of simply managing their local affairs, and with the exiting of Scomo leaving us in total disarray. Why would we even consider turning any of our politicians into a president, God forbid…

To that point, and speaking of government blundering, Australia is neck deep in homelessness. It is becoming an epidemic and getting worse by the day.

In this edition, we pay homage to Housing All Australians and the remarkable work of its founder Robert Pradolin and Quest Hotel CEO David Mansfield in their relentless fight to right the wrongs and oversights of our government. This year’s support is dedicated to shining a huge light on the plight of the homeless.

Please enjoy this year’s Royal Edition and please give thought to where we all sleeping tonight!

Thank you

Classic Lifestyle Magazine is published by Harte International Consultancy Dubai UAE. Harte International Consultancy Dubai UAE use due care and diligence in the preparation of this magazine but are not responsible for any mistakes, misprints, omissions or typographical errors. Harte International Consultancy Dubai UAE print advertisements provided to the publisher but give no warranty and make no representation as to the truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement. Harte International Consultancy Dubai UAE accept no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly, or in part, upon any description, photograph or statement contained herein. Harte International Consultancy Dubai UAE reserve the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. ©Copyright – no part of Classic Lifestyle Magazine may be reproduced in part or in whole without the written permission of the publisher. No spam. Email addresses are published for professional communications only and do not constitute an invitation to send unsolicited emails.

Arun Pratap Singh

Keith Ferrel - Cactus Imaging

Queen Elizabeth II

he former British Prime Minister Theresa May has said audiences with the ‘immensely knowledgeable’ Queen were the only meetings as leader where everything that was said would remain private.

She said the meetings involved ‘talking about the affairs of the day, in a sense tapping into her wisdom and that knowledge that she had from her great experience’.

Queen Elizabeth was a very acute judge of people and was able often to give those little, if you like, pen portraits of people that she knew, that she’d met. And sometimes it was a case of not just the individual but actually a sort of history of that individual, of her experiences of particular countries, particular issues.

There was often that twinkle in the eye, that magnificent smile that would break out and calm so many people’s nerves and made people feel at ease.

The Dalai Lama expressed his ‘deep sadness’ over the death of the Queen in a letter to King Charles III. He told the King his mother had led ‘a meaningful life’.

He wrote: “I remember seeing photographs of her coronation in magazines when I was young in Tibet.

Her reign, as Britain’s longest-serving monarch,

represented celebration, inspiration and a reassuring sense of continuity for so many people alive today. Your mother lived a meaningful life with dignity, grace, a strong sense of service and a warm heart, qualities we all should treasure.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby said:

"The Queen could make anyone she met feel like they were the only person in the room.

"There were hundreds of events every year which she attended. And she was the one – and again it runs in the family, I’ve seen His Majesty do the same thing –who could go into a room full of people or walk down a crowded street, and everyone she spoke to felt that they were the only person there. She was never looking over her shoulder to see if there was somebody a bit more interesting. Everybody got her attention.

"I think part of her great service that was unseen. As one former prime minister I heard say, there’s only one person in the world that he could talk to and say exactly what he thought and felt and was 100 per cent certain that it would never go any further.

"And I think that that was a hidden service. She was a place of confidences, and of accumulating wisdom."

PHOTO BY: DOMINIKA FERENZ

llegraSpender M

um emigrated from Italy as a child, arriving in the outback WA mining town of Bullfinch with her family and no English.

Her teacher thought her given names, Carla and Maria, were too complicated for the locals, so she was called Mary until her 20s. She left school at 14, but instead of an early marriage that was expected, she headed to Melbourne and then Sydney. She started her business in 1965, when women didn’t start businesses, got divorced with a nine-monthold baby, when women weren’t single mums, and restarted her business when the bank manager wouldn’t give her a loan because 'she would just get married again and then stop her business'. She did marry again – to my father – but she never stopped working and carried on that business until she died.

MY MUM, CARLA ZAMPATTI, WAS FEATURED IN AN EARLIER EDITION, SO I WANTED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO WHAT SHE TAUGHT ME, AND WHAT IN TURN, I AM TRYING TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN.

Mum loved women succeeding. Nothing gave her more joy than to see a woman leading from the front. A typical story from Mum would start: “I sat next to this wonderful woman who….” This translated into design. What started as a love of fashion transformed into a love of making women feel confident in how they looked, so they could take on the world.

For us children, we were brought up as almost unconscious feminists. Of course Mum worked full time, of course Mum expected to have as interesting and fulfilling career as her husband. Her feminism extended to the softer sometimes more powerful expectations of the school gate. From the age of eight we were responsible for making our lunches and if I didn’t make my lunch, I went to school without, as that is how I would learn. She often missed school engagements, was never on the school tuckshop, and would only come to my weekend netball games when I was in the final.

But she was equal parts a migrant, and that framed upbringing as well. Every school holiday from the age of 10 would find us in her business working full-time. She wanted us to know how hard it was to come from nothing, to a new land that welcomed her

but didn’t give her any special treatment. She was proud her office was home to countless nationalities, refugees, second-generation migrants, and the celebration of that diversity was also a celebration of Australia. My siblings and I have never forgotten those lessons, and I look forward to my eldest starting in the business this Christmas, when she is 10, to learn those lessons anew.

When I was thinking about running as an independent in the election, I often thought about Mum and what she would have said. I can picture her shaking her hands above her head, smiling at me saying 'go for it' because she liked nothing more than to see women succeed (looking good in her beautiful suits in the process!). When I felt guilty about our children and the impact it would have on them, I reflected how her balancing her love of her work and her love of her family gave me the licence to love both as well, and how I owed that licence to our children. And when I was scared, I thought of her courage, as a young female migrant with a dream. She talked about how hard moments were, but that her toughest times showed her how strong she really was. Knowing your own strength is a gift – one she wanted me to have, and to pass down, as I will.

I reflected how her balancing her love of her work and her love of her family gave me the licence to love both as well, and how I owed that licence to our children. And when I was scared, I thought of her courage, as a young female migrant with a dream.

AS THE WORLD OF AVIATION NOW FINDS ITS PULSE, WE ALL START TO FEEL THE ADRENALINE PUMPING THROUGH OUR PROVERBIAL TRAVEL VEINS AND, BEFORE WE KNOW IT, WE ARE SCRAMBLING FOR THE BEST PRICE TO THE COOLEST DESTINATION - AND IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER WHERE!

Since February 2022, I have certainly become a renewed travel junkie, back on board using any excuse to feel those remarkable Qsuites, slip into the premium pyjamas and hit the call button to order that lobster salad and a crispy skinned barra, all as the movie starts up and the door slides closed on the ultimate business suite in the sky.

Doha is a mere 14-plus hours from Kingsford Smith Airport, or six movies, but once you have checked in you tend to forget about anything outside the terminal knowing that a six-foot-plus bed, dinner whenever you’re ready and a choice of any movie awaits.

Over the years, I have been an advocate for choosing the right alliances and the above continues to confirm that Oneworld is the way to go. As I held a Qatar business-class ticket wanting to access the QF First-Class Lounge, only being a gold member of Qantas I was not eligible for the Qantas First Lounge. However, holding an Emerald BA card, this allowed me to use the QF First Lounge under the Oneworld Alliance.

It’s always a little difficult to fully articulate the true experience of long-haul travel in a business-class seat unless you have done it. But let me say, sitting in a Qsuite on board Qatar’s Boeing 777 is a whole new experience.

A Qsuite is the closest thing to your own room on a plane with 1.5-meter-high walls, lockable sliding doors and ‘do not disturb’ signs.

Qatar Airways strives for excellence in everything it does. It is the attention to detail and unparalleled level of service that has made the airline what it is today.

Home to one of the most innovative and modern fleets in the world, Qatar’s spacious and comfortable seating, delectable cuisine and extensive entertainment options make flying a truly remarkable experience.

And now, exclusive to Qatar Airways Business Class, the airline has introduced a new level of innovation.

With the introduction of its first ever business class suites with doors, Qatar Airways has created an experience that has redefined my expectations.

Suites offer ambient mood lighting, fully flat beds and generous storage space, creating a new standard in comfort.

The first ever cabin to offer aft and forward-facing seats takes cabin innovation to an entirely new level, thanks to its quad configuration.

Cabin interiors are designed in the signature colours of burgundy and grey, enhanced with elegant and warm rose gold detailing.

Seats have been thoughtfully dressed in the latest and finest fabrics to optimise our comfort and the media panel also comes with an all-access power port with USB, HDMI and NFC capabilities.

Whether travelling with family, friends or business colleagues, movable panels allowed us to transform our space into a social area, allowing us to work, dine or socialise at 40,000 feet. When we wanted to relax or sleep, we transformed our space back into our own private room for the ultimate in privacy and comfort. It’s business class like never before.

With up to 4,000 movie, music and video options to choose from, it’s hard to make the call to get some sleep as it’s hit after hit.

What is really cool is Qatar Airways’ first fully flat double bed that gives a whole new meaning to date night at 40,000 feet. Qatar hasn’t left any stone unturned with bespoke turndown service complete with pillows, a quilted mattress and a soft, plush duvet now complemented by The White Company sleepwear and slippers.

The next three days in Doha were certain to be hectic after landing at 5am, arriving at our hotel at 6.15am, a workout until 7.30am and straight to a breakfast meeting at 8.30am, which would not be possible without that eight hours’ sleep.

Arriving at Hamad International Airport, Qsuite customers, unlike those from other airlines, get to use the premium arrivals lounge to complete customs - no lines or usual chaos.

Our driver was waiting at the exit and the short drive to the Mandarin Oriental Doha was traffic free at 6am knowing that the early check-in was confirmed and the steam room was fired up. Over the next few days, we would be shooting, critiquing, experiencing and enjoying only the best of the Mandarin Oriental Doha.

Doh a Stopover

DOHA, THE CAPITAL OF QATAR, IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A TRANSIT HUB. THE ARCHITECTURAL FEAST OF MOSQUES STANDING IN GRACEFUL HARMONY ALONGSIDE FUTURISTIC BUIDLINGS IS COMPLEMENTED BY THE MYRIAD CULTURAL FACILITIES IN THE CITY CENTRE TO ENRICH THE SOUL. AMID ALL THIS WONDER, THE RENOWNED HOSPITALITY OF THE QATARIS IS SURE TO MAKE YOUR VISIT EVEN MORE MEMORABLE.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

The Mandarin Oriental is an intimate and sophisticated urban retreat, located in the centre of Msheireb Downtown Doha, overlooking the Barahat Msheireb Town Square, the cultural heart of the city.

Located on the west side of Doha in the more corporatecultural side of town, the MO offers an amazing 189 rooms with an additional 200 apartment complex that is both contemporary and culturally sympathetic. Surrounded by the Souq Waqif, Parliament House and a spectacular Museum of Islamic Art all within walking distance from the Doha Corniche, the MO boasts amazing views of the downtown skyline of a modern-day Doha.

The Mandarin Oriental Doha was, as expected, remarkably cultural but at the same time never losing its sophisticated and luxurious image that is trademark MO.

THE MO IS ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE GLOBAL BRANDS BECAUSE, BESIDES LIVING AND BREATHING LUXURY, THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONVENIENCE AND IMPECCABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

THIS PRISTINE AND SOPHISTICATED PROPERTY WELCOMES YOU WITH A PLETHORA OF DISTINCTIVE DESIGN ELEMENTS, ALL REFLECTIVE TOUCHES OF THE QATARI HERITAGE.

We were escorted straight to our suite on the third floor and could not help but gasp at the luxury and attention to detail of this hotel that shows cultural design through showcasing all elements of a proud Arabic history.

Blending contemporary design with Qatari heritage, the rooms were decorated in subtle colours and elements inspired by desert sand dunes. Thoughtful layouts and furnishings provided all the comforts of home with a residential ambience. A bathroom with floor-to-ceiling hand-crafted stone and marble, plush towels, robes, in-mirror TV screens and signature amenities were stunning.

The lounge room was fitted with electronic blinds, curtains and the two 60 inch LCD screens. It offered a Bose sound system – a perfect set-up for the ultimate luxury experience.

We arrived at 1am so it was a little difficult to sleep more than five hours. Then it was up to the gym which had the latest in Technogym gear and a regular steam before venturing down to breakfast. One unique element of the suites was the private butler door that allowed the room-service waiter to place your order in a special pantry accessed from the hallway without entering the room.

CULINARY

It has become more common to run into an Aussie or two on our trips and Doha was no exception - welcome Daryl O’Neill from just outside Canberra and pastry chef Naomi from Adelaide. Daryl and I spent a couple of days hanging out in the kitchen, having lunch, outlining the challenges in the Middle East where everything is flown in. This can be a plus because of the global options from an international marketplace.

Breakfast each morning was fresh and healthy in the Mosaic restaurant, with its amazing array of international live stations from India to Asia, fresh fruits and juices and a great selection from the hotel’s bakery.

Our evening was spent reviewing IZU and its FrenchMediterranean dishes inspired by chef Izu’s travels around Spain, France, England and the Middle East. Ideal for sharing.

The menu showcased a modern interpretation of distinct Mediterranean culinary styles to create simple and honest tastes. Facing the beautiful Barahat Msheireb town square, the restaurant featured three seating areas, an indoor ground and mezzanine level, and an outdoor terrace. Our feast started with tuna tartare, fresh burrata, New Zealand lamb cutlets and tagliatelle with lobster and chilli. Dessert meant a short stroll outside to the gelato bar and a couple of scoops of homemade gelato.

THE MENU SHOWCASED A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF DISTINCT MEDITERRANEAN

STYLES TO CREATE SIMPLE AND HONEST TASTES.

Each night returning to our room was an adventure as the pastry team amazed us with their remarkable talents. The first night, it was a handmade chocolate suitcase complete with name tags and flags of our next destination, courtesy of patisserie chef Naomi.

Danielle and I took advantage of The Spa and after our 15-hour flight it was so needed. The Spa at the MO took a holistic approach to helping guests find wellness of the body and mind. We were immersed in a heavenly two-hour ritual which took us on a seamless journey of treatments based on the Orient’s age-old philosophy of Zen and balance.

PHOTO

Spread over 3,030 square metres, the nine treatment rooms include one couples’ suite and two exclusive VIP suites. The Spa also features male and female indoor pools as well as extensive heat and water experience with my favourite, the steam room.

Meetings and events are a key signature for the MO properties and the hotel included an elegant ballroom, exclusive bridal room and seven additional function rooms.

It was near impossible to avoid getting caught up in the amazing culture of the Middle East shown in the fabulous photographs by Danielle. I believe these are enough to make you want to stopover in Doha next time you’re on your way to Europe or the UK.

World Cup QATAR 2022

QATAR AIRWAYS HAS BECOME WITHOUT DOUBT THE LEADER IN GLOBAL AVIATION, HAVING BRAVED THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND SHOWN THE WORLD HOW TO TAKE ON THE GREATEST EVER INDUSTRY CHALLENGE AND WIN.

As our latest edition hits the stands, we all would have celebrated the spectacle that is the world game.

As a truly global airline, Qatar Airways has courageously taken on arguably the biggest consumer challenge of the past decade - the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - as they continue to rebuild post-COVID.

On my most recent trip to Qatar, I visited the stadiums, amazed at the task at hand, trying to process the scope of works and the global expectations that lay ahead.

The world’s largest sporting event is to commence across Qatar, played out via Hamad International Airport. Qatar Airways is as busy as it gets now with the opportunity to prove its operational performance to the world.

Arriving in Doha, I was thrilled to see that a Park Hyatt had just opened its doors in preparation for the FIFA World Cup.

Under significant staffing challenges the Park Hyatt, like all hotels, was frantically preparing and we looked to enjoy a threenight stay to soak up the excitement.

Over the past 20 years I have frequented some 30-plus Hyatt hotels from Regency to Grand and the flagship offering, the Park Hyatt.

Doha had just opened its doors to the latest Park Hyatt property in time to play its part in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and, as you would expect, you will need a lot of luck securing a room for what is shaping up as the sporting event of the year.

Park Hyatt Doha is a sophisticated retreat located in Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project.

Immerse your mind in the artwork masterfully decorating the walls, indulge in a carefully curated treatment at the tranquil twostorey spa and, as we did over the few days that we spent in house, take part in an exquisite culinary journey dining at two unique restaurants.

There is no view quite so magical in Doha as the one you get from Sora, a sophisticated, rooftop Japanese restaurant and lounge, with a balance of small sharing dishes, sushi, sashimi and the unique culinary art of robata (meat grilled over charcoal).

Sora offers a sense of place from arguably one of Doha's most magnificent outdoor dining terraces, where a pre-dinner sundowner while basking in the golden light of an Arabian sun is not to be missed. Perched 21 storeys above Msheireb Downtown, Sora provides panoramic views of the Doha Palace, Green Mosque, Souq Waqif, Corniche and West Bay skylines.

Opus, a composition by Michelin Star Chef Jean-Francois Rouquette of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, is a celebration of French and Qatari

cuisines, prepared in an open kitchen, cooked from the heart and served share-style, the way food is meant to be enjoyed.

Opus features a magnificent outdoor dining terrace, where you may dine in the first rays of morning or amidst the light of Arabesque lanterns dancing on vaulted walls. Diners may otherwise retreat to the exclusivity of private dining rooms, ideal for special occasions or corporate entertaining.

Park Hyatt Doha offers 187 elegant guest rooms including 28 Park Suites, three Park Executive Suites, one Diplomat Suite and one Presidential Suite. All rooms enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows, luxury window seats and designer marble

THERE IS NO MORE INSTAGRAMMABLE VIEW IN DOHA AS THE ONE YOU GET FROM SORA, OUR MODERN JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE.

PARK HYATT DOHA IS A SOPHISTICATED RETREAT LOCATED IN MSHEIREB DOWNTOWN DOHA, THE WORLD’S FIRST SUSTAINABLE DOWNTOWN REGENERATION PROJECT.

bathrooms with deep soaking tub, rain shower and double vanity sink. Presidential and Diplomat Suite guests can retreat to a private terrace with magnificent views over the city or Corniche.

During our stay we had a chance to discover the main football stadium preparing to be the centrepiece of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Lusail Stadium will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final – an event that will secure its place in football and architectural history.

Immense yet exquisite, the scale and splendour of this arena are a wonder, built in harmony with its surroundings. The design reflects the hand-crafted bowls found across the Arab and Islamic world during

the rise of civilisation, while interplays of light mirror the fanar lanterns of the region.

With the passing of time, the golden exterior will fade, replicating aged metal handicrafts to create a venue alive with cultural character.

On December 18, 2022, some 80,000 fans will come together in Doha for the greatest FIFA World Cup final ever.

After the World Cup, and in keeping with Qatar’s dedication to sustainable development, Lusail Stadium will be transformed into a community space of schools, shops, cafes, sporting facilities and health clinics.

ON DECEMBER 18, 2022, SOME 80,000 FANS WILL COME TOGETHER IN DOHA FOR THE GREATEST FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL EVER.

Arriving at the main stadium there were literally hundreds and hundreds of trades working around the clock to meet the unforgiving deadlines. With the finishing touches under way and the pitch undergoing its grooming, this event will be truly spectacular.

Hosting events such as the IATA AGM and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 demonstrates the trust that has been placed in Qatar’s ability to stage world-class spectacles.

With the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Qataris cannot wait to welcome visitors and fans to proudly showcase their beautiful country, their people and their unique blend of tradition and culture.

Qatar will be the first country in the Middle East to host a FIFA World Cup and they will do whatever it takes to provide a most memorable and unforgettable experience, leaving each and every visitor with lasting memories.

Qatar has a flawless reputation for successfully delivering globally respected events, such as the 2006 Doha Asian Games, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 and 2020, and the World Athletics Championships.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be the first ever tournament of its kind on Arab soil. Furthermore, beyond the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar aims to create a legacy of sustainability, economic balance, environmental awareness, social and human development for the nation that falls in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the country’s own Qatar National Vision 2030.

With the tournament expanding the narrative surrounding Qatar and encouraging travellers to visit, the World Cup will put this country on the map as a must-visit destination rather than a transit hub.

Some sporting competitions have the incredible power to bring people together as nothing else can and hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will allow Qatar to be part of, and facilitate, cross-cultural moments of human achievement and unity in a spectacle only rarely seen in such prestigious events.

So as the countdown begins, I can only wait with anticipation, drooling at what the greatest show on earth can bring.

Mythical

Mykonos

Departing Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport on QR000, especially during the schoolholiday period, you could see reflected in the passengers the cultural diversity and the strong Greek community residing in Melbourne.

Qatar Airways has taken a tremendous leap of faith creating a pathway back to the wonder that is Greece and those unforgettable Greek islands, specifically Mykonos.

WORDS BY : PHIL HARTE

THE WONDER THAT IS GREECE AND THOSE UNFORGETTABLE GREEK ISLANDS, SPECIFICALLY MYKONOS.

MYKONOS WAS NAMED AFTER ITS FIRST RULER MYKONS, A LOCAL HERO WHO WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE SON OR GRANDSON OF THE GOD APOLLO.

Mykonos was named after its first ruler Mykons, a local hero who was considered to be the son or grandson of the god Apollo. Mykonos was supposedly where the battle between omnipotent Zeus and the fearful Titans took place.

We touched down at 1pm. It was like going back in time with the quaint local airport a haven for the smart traveller, ever aware of the benefits of bypassing the chaos of Athens’ airport.

From the comfort of our seat to the airconditioned limo it was just five minutes; no customs to tell of, just a friendly smile, with every Mykonian understanding the importance of tourism.

Who would have thought a local Greek kid (Myconian) could have the vision to build a global hospitality empire including 10 luxury hotels, restaurants and spas using only his passion, family and unbridled vision for success?

The Daktylides family, led by father George and wife Eleftheria, raised a team of developers and entrepreneurs that today will leave a legacy for generations to come - sons Panos, Markos, Vangelis and Marios.

Over the next four days we ate, went to the spa, had massages, lay in the sun and photographed our way through four of the best hotel names in Greece, the Ambassador, the Avaton, the Utopia and the Kyma, all part of the remarkable Myconian Collection, which consisted of 10 impressive properties.

The Avaton excited the many guests with its spectacular collaboration of natural and traditional architecture and sublime luxury. It oozed style and sophistication.

The Avaton was perched spectacularly high upon the cliffs of the breathtaking Elia Beach. We savoured Greek cuisine at the Panorama restaurant while watching the most amazing sunsets on the island.

Our table for dinner was at the steps of two infinity pools, both glistening and reflecting all that is Mykonos.

While the music subtly seduced the 80 or so guests, cocktails flowed and lovers jockeyed for the most romantic table, all in readiness for the evening’s service.

There was truly something unique about the Greek islands. I have visited Mykonos several times over the past three decades and a lot hasn’t really changed, apart from the music. Mykonos exuded luxury. It’s a world-class destination that has managed to retain its family values and sense of community.

The food was fresh, simple and steeped with local flavours. The local talent pool of chefs and hospitality executives was also world class. The locals understood they worked in the tourism business and ensured that you had a seriously memorable time. So the menu was set.

Entrees - Mediterranean fish tartare with lemon, cumquat, chilli and kefir. Crayfish from the Aliakmonas River with a basil and butter sauce

Main course was served at the table, a beautifully filleted catch of the day: sea bass and freshly sliced wagu beef, medium rare with a mushroom ragout and creamy mashed potatoes.

The wine pairing was the highly recommended Biblia Chora Semillon Assyrtiko from the island of Santorini.

The pool was bursting with hundreds of LED lights, the sun had gone down and the chef was underway and the wine was chilled.

The morning after a mammoth night at dinner we took an early morning walk to the beach for a coffee and a few snapshots before breakfast. The local fisherman were out and about. The smell of fresh breads wafted our way from a few little bakeries as we passed.

The Kyma hotel was both classic and chic with lashings of elegance, a stone’s throw from the town centre boasting the fabulous restaurant Noa, that was not to be missed. Our table was set by the window with views across downtown Mykonos and we simply allowed the chef to deliver a convoy of culinary delights over the next two hours.

Greek bruschetta covered with lashings of feta, yellowtail crudo in a lemon and lime dressing, sautéed chilli scallops and beautifully grilled prawns bathed in a soy and lemongrass sauce and tomato fritters smothered in dill-infused local Greek yogurt.

Mains were a baked rooster marinated in local garlic and cherry tomatoes with four perfectly grilled lamb cutlets and a trio of baked eggplant, potato and mushrooms. It wasn’t until the dessert came out that the magic happened; a Greek custard tart doesn’t sound exciting but let me tell you it was spectacular.

It was like a crème brûlée met a Portuguese tart, with sheets of filo pastry sandwiching lashings of Greek custard and smothered with a finger-licking caramel glaze - OMG.

Our final morning had us with an early checkout, allowing us to make the most of the next stop, the Myconian Ambassador. This was a short drive along the whitewashed trail of millions of stoned fences lined by the turquoise waters of the Platis Gialos Beach.

The Ambassador was a sophisticated hotel bursting at the seams with elegance and a need to deliver perfection throughout its 90 contemporary suites.

The Ambassador, a signature Relais & Chateaux resort, was created for the most discerning guest. Here one can enjoy a plethora of luxurious experiences from celebrated chefs, horse riding, photographic tours, pilates and water sports to immersing oneself in the Thalasso Spa.

After we arrived, we were ushered to our eighth-floor suite with an infinity pool that seemed to become one with the Aegean Sea.

The hero assets of the Ambassador are the wonderful underground spa with three amazing mineral pools, steam, sand and sauna with several treatment rooms, of which we took full advantage each day.

The award-winning Efisia restaurant was as expected, spectacular again with those postcard views and a menu to match courtesy of chef IIisia. Dinner was set for 8pm as no one can book prior to then, so we opted to enjoy a couple of their signature cocktails from a celebrity mixologist, Pablo, who whipped up a Green Mile as we captured a few more photographic melting moments.

Our gastronomic journey went like this: sea bass crudo - roe, fresh citrus, scallops with pickled sweet potato.

Ginger lime and orange blossom honey.

Tuna tartare laced with passionfruit, ginger and chilli.

THE AWARD-WINNING EFISIA RESTAURANT WAS AS EXPECTED, SPECTACULAR AGAIN WITH THOSE POSTCARD VIEWS AND A MENU TO MATCH, COURTESY OF CHEF IIISIA

Mains were octopus with red fruit sauce and fresh catch of cod with squid-ink-infused creamy potato and an early morning catch of lobster with grilled garden vegetables.

Dessert, as you can see, was a masterpiece of orange and dark chocolate with a scoop of lemon gelato on a bed of pink grapefruit.

It was hard to get much more Greek than that night with views across the Aegean Sea, Mykonos in all its glory, only the freshest local catch of octopus and lobster complemented by local wines from Santorini.

It was safe to say that Danielle took full advantage of a sleep-in as the cocktails and wine list took their toll. We decided on a late breakfast and a final chance to lay by the pool before a 2pm departure to Doha.

The Myconian group of hotels comprises 10 uniquely bespoke and authentic properties, that are at the same time spectacularly individual. Each hotel has its own style and customer DNA giving you tremendous choice both in style and price points.

After we arrived at the local airport, we had a chance to share a coffee with Vangelis, coowner of the Myconian group and, as the Greeks and the Aussies do well, we started to plan for the future and to continue to spread the word and be a part of this truly remarkable product.

with love Camilla

ICONIC AUSTRALIAN FASHION DESIGNER CAMILLA FRANKS IS RECOGNISED GLOBALLY FOR THE UNIQUE PRINTS AND EFFORTLESS, FREE-FLOWING SILHOUETTES OF HER EPONYMOUS LUXURY LIFESTYLE LABEL CAMILLA. EACH OF THE BRAND'S LIMITED EDITION COLLECTIONS WEAVES IN STORIES AND EXPERIENCES FROM HER TRAVELS ABROAD, INSPIRING A FIERCELY DEVOTED FASHION COMMUNITY AND LEGIONS OF CELEBRITY FANS WITH ITS SIGNATURE DESIGNS AND ARTFUL BLEND OF IMAGINATION AND ESCAPISM.

Her designs have been spotted on Hollywood fashion elite including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah, Nicole Scherzinger, Tyson Beckford, Mariah Carey and Sofia Vergara, and homegrown heroes like Kylie Minogue, Miranda Kerr, Delta Goodrem and the late Olivia Newton John. CAMILLA's luxurious travel-inspired aesthetic, sustainable, communityminded ethos and all-inclusive XXS-4XL size range has seen it grow into a global print house that spans womenswear, menswear, kidswear and home, now sold in over 55 countries around the world.

In just the past 12 months, the brand has headlined Miami Swim Week, released a limited edition collaboration with Brit rockstar Robbie Williams and cemented itself as a global brand with new boutiques across the United States, but Franks' vision extends far beyond such traditional measures of success.

"I always wanted CAMILLA to be a symbol of love, joy, and inclusivity, for every person who wears us," she told Forbes. Indeed, it's the community that surrounds CAMILLA, and its devotion to celebrating and empowering its customers that Franks is most proud of. This inclusive spirit is perhaps best exemplified by the personalised styling approach found in CAMILLA boutiques, where boutique 'Angels' welcome all-comers, curating everything from individual looks to bespoke wardrobes.

Since its disruptive launch at Australian Fashion Week back in 2004, travel and storytelling have been at the heart of the label's approach. Twice a year, Franks heads off in search of unexpected beauty and new experiences to inspire each collection, retelling stories from her travels through the magic of print. She immerses herself completely, taking a deep dive into each destination and all that it represents: textiles, music, food, culture and daily life, returning to Sydney with over 40,000 images and hours of footage to start the design process with her team of in-house artisans. Prints and hand-drawn and painted, silks and luxurious fabrications are cut and sewn by hand, and embellishments applied with precision.

THIS INCLUSIVE SPIRIT IS PERHAPS BEST EXEMPLIFIED BY THE PERSONALISED STYLING APPROACH FOUND IN CAMILLA BOUTIQUES, WHERE BOUTIQUE 'ANGELS' WELCOME ALLCOMERS, CURATING EVERYTHING FROM INDIVIDUAL LOOKS TO BESPOKE WARDROBES.

HOW DOES TRAVEL INSPIRE YOUR BRAND AT CAMILLA?

Travel has always served as the creative inspiration for my prints. My brand was built on experiencing the unexpected and the unknown. We've trekked the globe, seeking out new adventures, new places, new people. We immerse ourselves in worlds where we don't often speak the same tongue, but connect through the language of textile, colour, food, sound. My prints become a diary of my travels, communicating the essence of far-flung destinations, communities, and culture. A poetic collision of imagery and personal experiences.

WHERE, OR WHAT, IS YOUR ESCAPE?

I live in a wild, colourful, crazy world and sometimes you feel like you’re on a rollercoaster and you don't always have time to get off. My escape is actually sitting still. Sitting down on the mat doing my yoga downward dogging and meditating. Meditating for me has become an escape because I'm so visual I actually trip out; I go to all these crazy worlds in my 25 minutes a day. That for me is complete escapism.

WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL EMPOWERED?

Taking risks! There’s magic in trusting your intuition, in unbridled creativity galloping free on the plains of opportunity. No matter how ridiculous my ideas first seem, they’re grounded in key values and instinct, and fearlessly following them down unfamiliar paths usually leads to success. That is incredibly empowering! It’s terrifying at times, but staying true to myself is incredibly empowering. I like getting uncomfortable to get comfortable.

Empowerment is found in hurling caution to the wind, in deep faith that the universe rewards bravery.

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL AFTERNOON IN YOUR HOME CITY?

I live in Woollahra, Sydney, which is 10 minutes from Bondi Beach. My ideal afternoon would be going down to Bondi, throwing myself into the ocean and giving myself a good mermaid scrub with the sand. Then heading to Slow House which is my happy place. Five minutes in an ice bath, half an hour of infrared sauna then back to the house to re-tox with a Margarita (the ying and yang baby!).

HOW DO YOU USE YOUR BUSINESS AS A PLATFORM TO INSPIRE WOMEN AND LIFT UP OTHERS?

In a noisy world, it’s important to raise your voice only to lift people up. I always wanted CAMILLA to be a symbol of love, joy, and inclusivity, for every person who wears us. Our dream is to drive change for future generations and create a brighter future for all.

I’m proud that we’re now renowned not just for our products, but for our community: a human collective of all ages, genders, shapes, colours, abilities, lifestyles, faiths, and sexualities. I strive to use my voice and our platforms to fortify this community; our family - to share inspiring stories, to educate and encourage action in this world, and come together supportively.

CAMILLA has long-running charitable partnerships that tackle domestic violence, child marriage, breast cancer, cultural change, ethics, and sustainability across the globe, and we are conscious of learning to adapt as the world evolves.

HOW DO YOU RECOVER FROM JET LAG?

There's something quite fun and quirky about it, and jet lag means you've been somewhere amazing. I think you just lean into it and let it ride its waves. You’ve also gotta get your mermaid on and jump into the ocean. I always try to have something fabulous to come home to, something that keeps me awake, excited and reminded that home is the best place on earth.

YOUR FLIGHT’S DELAYED AN HOUR AND YOUR PHONE’S OUT OF BATTERY. HOW DO YOU PASS THE TIME?

I actually don't mind when my flight's been delayed. Sometimes there's gifts in the imperfection when it comes to travel and usually I come home with some beautiful travel treasures.

WHAT’S ON YOUR TRAVEL PLAYLIST?

Well, believe it or not my travel playlist is actually my birthing playlist, so every time my husband hears he has post-traumatic stress disorder!

WHAT ARE YOUR MUST-HAVE TRAVEL PICKS?

Lavender oil. It's something that just makes me feel like I'm at home and it calms me. I always travel with 5,000 lip glosses. Superga trainers help getting my steps up in a new city. Plenty of CAMILLA swimsuits, of course! Our swimsuits are now made of 100 per cent recycled ECONYL which is regenerated nylon, crafted from waste materials that would otherwise end up polluting our majestic planet. And, sometimes I like to go incognito with a big pair of fabulous sunnies so I can just watch the world around me go by.

WHAT IS YOUR HANDLUGGAGE ESSENTIAL?

My husband, to carry it!

PACKING: ROLL OR FOLD?

Shove and zip 10 minutes before the flight.

TIME KILLER ON A LONG HAUL FLIGHT?

I’ve always got so much design work to do so for me this is a time that's uninterrupted, sacred and it's a space where my phone doesn't work, nothing works so I can just literally focus on coming up with the ideas to hand over to the team on land.

HOLIDAY TIPPLE OF CHOICE?

Spicy Margarita!

WHICH DESTINATION IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Home! I'm never home enough; being home is a holiday in itself.

WHAT'S THE BEST SHOPPING GEM YOU'VE FOUND ABROAD?

Ancient prayer beads that were given to me by a Buddhist monk.

BEACH OR CITY?

Beach. I'm a mermaid, I'm a Piscean and a beach near the city is the perfect combo for me. That's why I live in Sydney!

WHAT'S YOUR ULTIMATE HOLIDAY TREAT?

Massages! I was recently on holiday and I got to do sound-bath healing, that was awesome.

WHAT IS A FAVOURITE PRODUCT OF YOURS AT THE MOMENT AND WHY?

After an enchanted white winter spent in Wales, I’m SO ready for warmer days ahead spent marinating in the sun in crystalembellished swimsuits and kaftans, and by night, I’m into printed silk party dresses, catsuits, jumpsuits, whimsical wovens...more is more, darling!

WHERE TO NEXT?

I’m in love with the Middle East at the moment. I can feel something pulling me there.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WORLD OF CAMILLA AND DISCOVER THE LATEST COLLECTION AT CAMILLA.COM

with

The View

HARTE

Nestled in the historic district of The Rocks, the contemporary hotel features 564 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, reflecting the vibrant hues of the harbour beyond. Horizon Club on level 30 is Australia’s most sophisticated guest lounge. The finely decorated space with 13-metre-high windows spanning four floors offers 270-degree panoramic views.

WORDS BY : PHIL

PHOTO

THE LUXURIOUS HORIZON CLUB IS AUSTRALIA’S MOST SOPHISTICATED CLUB LOUNGE IN A FIVE-STAR HOTEL SINCE ITS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR RENOVATION, WHICH ENLARGED THE SPACE BY 20 PER CENT.

SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL NATURAL LANDSCAPES, ALTITUDE DRAWS ON AUSTRALIA’S DISTINCT INGREDIENTS FOR INSPIRATION. NOWHERE ELSE IN SYDNEY WILL YOU FIND SUCH AN AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANT HOVERING HIGH ABOVE SYDNEY’S WORLD-RENOWNED ICONS, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE AND SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE.

Horizon Club on level 30 is Australia’s most sophisticated guest lounge. The finely decorated space with 13-metrehigh windows spanning four floors offers 270-degree panoramic views.

Altitude restaurant takes dining to new heights. Nowhere else in Sydney will you find an award-winning culinary experience with such extraordinary, all-encompassing vistas of Sydney Harbour’s glittering jewels.

Blu Bar on 36 serves creative cocktails by talented bartenders presiding over a sleek space brimming with Sydneysiders and visitors alike, as the city glistens below.

Chi, The Spa, is the perfect destination for those seeking a tranquil, urban oasis, drawing inspiration from ancient Asian healing and wellness philosophies to create a place of personal peace, enchantment and wellbeing.

The luxurious Horizon Club is Australia’s most sophisticated club lounge in a five-star hotel since its multimillion-dollar renovation, which enlarged the space by 20 per cent. Guests now enjoy a magnificent 335 square metres where they can take in Australia’s best hotel view over a refreshing beverage.

The original architect’s concept for the hotel was that of a lighthouse at the head of the harbour foreshore. The Horizon Club lounge acts as the main viewing point from the building and at night glows like the lamp of a lighthouse.

A stunning brass and crystal LED chandelier, comprising three giant suspended brass rings of 1.5 metres to 3.5 metres in diameter, forms a striking centrepiece. Weighing more than 600 kilograms, its spectacular glow can be seen from many points of the Sydney Harbour foreshore.

ALTITUDE HAS BEEN AWARDED BEST RESTAURANT AT THE PRESTIGIOUS AUSTRALIAN HOTELS ASSOCIATION (AHA) NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE, 2022.

The Horizon Club includes an atrium drenched in natural sunlight, which takes in sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, fully encompassing the world-famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Guests enjoy a plethora of privileges and benefits, including private check-in, 4pm late check-out, a private boardroom with views of the harbour, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening canapés and cocktail hour.

The most impressive thing about the Shangri-La’s hospitality is the depth of the hotel’s long-standing and loyal staff and the way the group nurtures its team. A case in point is the remarkably welcoming nature of Rose, who was always there to ensure we were looked after and who remembered every detail during our stay.

Rose Kaewkaemsua has been with the Shangri-La hotel group for over a decade and is an inspiration to the new breed of hospitality hopefuls.

At Altitude, take your seat for spectacular Sydney views through soaring high windows. Having lived in Sydney most of my adult life, I hadn’t yet ventured to level 36. I was blown away by the magnificence and the spectacle that is Sydney Harbour.

Our menu was a five-course offering from executive chef Brent Morley and it spanned three hours with meticulous wine pairings. Nowhere else in Sydney will you find such extraordinary views of Sydney Harbour accompanying an award-winning dining experience.

Altitude’s glass jewel box of a private dining room literally ‘floats’ 36 levels above the harbour, accommodating up to 18 guests. We were seated at the window with uninterrupted views of a bustling harbour setting.

The culinary team draws on Australia's distinct ingredients for inspiration to create a taste journey that is a true reflection of modern Australian dining. Classic menus are enhanced by a thoughtful wine list created by the hotel’s executive sommelier, Matt Herod.

THE CULINARY TEAM SELECT ONLY THE BEST SEASONAL PRODUCE FOR MENUS CREATED BY EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF MICHELE MENEGAZZI, CHEF DE CUISINE FRANCESCO IERVOLINO AND HEAD PASTRY CHEF KUMIKO ENDO.

Altitude recently won Best Restaurant at the prestigious Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence, 2022.

Blu Bar on 36 became our go-to in the afternoon. The sunsets were breathtaking as we enjoyed some of Sydney’s most iconic cocktails set high above the harbour - clearly the envy of the local cocktail scene.

This glistening spot of late-night gettogethers serves creative cocktails by talented bartenders presiding over a sleek space, brimming with Sydneysiders and visitors alike

Our final day in house was taken up with pure relaxation at Chi, The Spa, which lives up to the traditional Chinese philosophy of ‘chi’ or ‘qi’the vital life force or energy that runs through all living beings.

Designed as an opulent sanctuary, the spa boasts six private suites with expansive changing areas and aroma steam showers. Couples may embark on soothing sessions together with twin treatment beds, or guests can enjoy a blissful solo experience.

Chi is exclusively home to Sodashi’s Arabian Oud Renewal Therapy. This luxe head-to-toe treatment is a 90-minute experience which relieves deep muscular tension and provides a restorative emotional release for spiritual wellbeing.

The multi-award-winning spa recently achieved Highly Commended at the Tourism Accommodation Australia Awards for Excellence 2022 and won Best Day Spa at the HM Awards in 2019.

For health-conscious travellers and Sydneysiders alike, the boutique Health Club has a fully equipped gymnasium with more than 16 cardio machines including treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes, plus a comprehensive range of free weights and machines.

Our few nights at the Shangri-La Sydney certainly opened our eyes once again to just how spectacular our home town is.

EXPERIENCE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PRIVACY AND COMFORT ON OUR A330 WIDE BODY AIRCRAFT WHERE SECLUSION BLENDS WITH LUXURY. INDIVIDUAL STORAGE SPACE PROVIDES ROOM FOR ALL YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND YOU’LL FIND MORE KNEE ROOM AND LIVING SPACE, MAKING OUR FLAT BEDS THE VERY LAST WORD IN LUXURY.

The planning of our new adventure would start with good mate Peter McKeon in our usual hangout sipping a Vittoria piccolo. It has been two years in the making as we navigate our way out of the mess that COVID created, the commercial unrest and economic mayhem left for only the ones strong enough to keep up the good fight. There enters Pete and Sri Lankan Airlines. Planning a trip to the sub-continent isn’t easy at the best of times, but when you have the right airline partners it makes all the difference.

Sri Lankan Airlines is just that partner. Add to that the ‘Queen of India’, Ms Thushara Liyanarachchi of the Taj Hotels group, and the world’s best tour company, Exotic Destinations, and we were set.

As is the policy, my go-to alliance is always Oneworld - and here is why. I was booked on Sri Lankan Airlines business class, used my British Airways Gold Card to access the Qantas First Lounge at Sydney Airport (Australia’s best lounge) and once returning to the lounge it was like nothing had changed - great food, great service and a sense of business as usual.

Now on board, it was simply getting set up for dinner of prawn skewers, crispy skin salmon and a pot of lemon ginger tea, and within an hour of takeoff I was into a movie and happy to lay out the bed ready for a well-earned eight-hour sleep.

SRILANKAN’S BUSINESS CLASS IS AN EXPERIENCE OF COMFORT AND SOPHISTICATION, SEALED WITH TRADITIONAL SRILANKAN HOSPITALITY AND WARMTH.

Our journey will take us from Sydney to Colombo, arriving at midnight local time with a VIP Fast Track service through the airport, no bags to pick up and a limo at the ready for a fourhour ride south to the resort town of Hambantota.

The best decision we made on this trip was to engage the local experts, Exotic Destinations, the real benchmark in local and legit luxury tour operators. Our guy was Charmila who met us at the airport and stayed with us through until our departure - six nights in Sri Lanka, three nights in the Maldives and five nights from Hyderabad to Mumbai, Jaipur and New Delhi before heading home to Sydney.

SRILANKAN AIRLINES SRILANKAN.COM

verlooking the pristine southern coast of beautiful Sri Lanka, Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa is located along the ancient Spice Route in a city steeped in rich history. Hambantota is known for its natural beauty and wildlife and allows visitors to explore Asia’s most fascinating nature sanctuaries, including the Yala, Udawalawe, Lunugamvehera and Bundala National Parks.

The luxury resort spans 58.8 hectares, making it the largest resort in Sri Lanka, and boasts 300 spacious rooms, including 21 suites, all surrounded by stunning tropical gardens. It is home to an 18-hole golf course, an expansive spa and an artisan village that celebrates local arts and crafts.

Shangri-La’s signature CHI Ayurveda Spa is a place of personal peace, enchantment and wellbeing that features exceptional Chinese and Ayurvedic treatments. A health club, a 30-metre sunset pool and an additional free-form lagoon pool offer recreational opportunities and facilities that are unparalleled in Sri Lanka.

We were lucky enough to spend three nights on this spectacular southern coast gem with amazing dinner options, a world-class spa and gym, along with a top-class 18-hole golf course. We found ourselves running out of time.

Our suite was on the top floor overlooking the pounding surf of the Indian Ocean and surrounded by hundreds of coconut trees. Throughout the beautifully manicured gardens were families of monkeys, peacocks and the human kind, all basking by the pools sipping cocktails.

But it wasn’t until the final night that general manager Moshi Perera had arranged a private dinner in a cabana on the sand with waves lapping against our chairs. It was a local five-course menu with an array of cocktails that just didn’t stop coming.

Our late morning found us giving Mr Mahindra another go around, and his freshly brewed Sri Lankan tea before heading two hours north to the old fishing port of Galle.

THE AIRY ROOMS PROVIDE AN IDEAL HAVEN FOR GUESTS, WITH EITHER A SPACIOUS TERRACE OR BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE RESORT'S VAST GREENERY.

SHANGRI-LA HAMBANTOTA

Discover Sri Lanka and its multifaceted magnificence with SriLankan Airlines on weekly non-stop flights from Sydney and daily from Melbourne to Colombo on a A330-300 airbus with traditional warmth and hospitality offering convenient connections to Maldives, India and Europe.

Galle

As we arrived in town, we were literally thrust into a group of salty old fisherman ripping out the nets eager to see their catch of the day. And what a gang - no one under 70, and all crusty old local sailors having the time of their lives, knee deep in nets, prawns and lobsters. The rustic old port town of Galle is steeped in history. As we embarked on a voyage of discovery in Sri Lanka's southern countryside, we meandered along the rural waterways and backroads of Galle.

In the early morning with dawn breaking, we took a short journey on a small vessel past the soul-soothing scenery and daily life of rural Galle before transferring into a longboat that had us gliding along riverbanks fringed by local villages, and rubber and cinnamon plantations.

Lucky to see the occasional tea bush and intriguing bird and reptile life, it was the art-like sheets of the national flower, the water lily, strewn along the banks that were breathtakingly stunning.

Back on terra firma, our next leg was by bike taking a stunning 9km ride through the region's heart, with its picturesque paddy fields, hamlets and their markets abuzz with throngs of local farmers, all Wall Street-like bidding and bargaining for business.

COIR, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS COCONUT FIBRE , IS THE NATURAL FIBROUS MATERIAL FOUND BETWEEN THE HARD, INTERNAL SHELL AND THE OUTER COAT OF A COCONUT. THIS FIBRE IS EXTRACTED FROM THE HUSK OF EITHER RIPE OR UNRIPE COCONUTS AND USED TO MAKE A VARIETY OF PRODUCTS, SUCH AS BRUSHES, FLOOR MATS, MATTRESSES, DOORMATS, AND ROPE FOR THE USE IN BOAT AND HOUSE CONSTRUCTION.

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

Our next stop was a traditional mud hut and the reward of a revitalising herbal tea. Here our host, Chef Boudie, was starting the cooking demonstration by explaining the techniques and key ingredients used in Sri Lankan cuisine.

The cooking class included a visit to a vibrant local shop and its myriad fruits and vegetables. We witnessed how coconut milk is made and how to create our own delights by trying our hand at tempering, frying, boiling, grating and caramelising our ingredients. And as we started preparing the dishes and setting the table, it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labour with a spread of local dhal, fresh and crispy hopper and a steaming bowl of home-grown sweet potato

SRI LANKAN CUISINE IS KNOWN FOR ITS PARTICULAR COMBINATIONS OF HERBS, SPICES, FISH, VEGETABLES, RICES, AND FRUITS. THE CUISINE IS HIGHLY CENTERED AROUND MANY VARIETIES OF RICE, AS WELL AS COCONUT WHICH IS A UBIQUITOUS PLANT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

LOOKING FOR AN EARLY NIGHT, KNOWING THAT THE ALARM BELLS WOULD START RINGING AT 4AM I SHOT THE SUNSET AND CALLED IT A NIGHT

Our overnight was to be at the meticulously renovated Galle Forte Hotel with its boutique 12 rooms, a cute lobby cocktail bar and a fashionable but quaint 30-seat restaurant that would spill out onto the veranda.

Looking for an early night, knowing that the alarm would start ringing at 4am, I shot the sunset and called it a night.

The next day was a two-hour coastal drive to the Taj Bentota. Vivanta by Taj Bentota, delightfully located along one of the finest beaches on the southwest coast, is now riding a fresh new wave, yet it remains a charming beach and spa resort that's almost one with the Indian Ocean.

However, there's a nice new buzz in the renewed living spaces, the fine restaurants, the high-energy bar, and the world-class Jiva Spa where you get to simply escape. Chef Arun remains as eager to wow you with specially designed meals.

Whilst checking in, I marvelled at the solid-wood high ceiling in the stunning lobby and at the picture-postcard window views of the blue Indian Ocean while accepting humble greetings of 'ayubowan', followed by sips of 'nelli' (gooseberry nectar). That was just for starters as it set the mood for a short but memorable stay.

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Ba W a s Lunuganga

From Gaulle, Bentota is just a 62km drive north along the coast road and as we arrived we had a speedy check-in and made our way to a late-morning excursion to Lunuganga, the legendary architect Geoffrey Bawa's country home.

Spread over 15 acres, this iconic estate sits at the banks of the Dedduwa Lake in Bentota. The enchanting retreat and fascinating gardens of Lunuganga were often considered beautifully crafted experimental grounds for Geoffrey Bawa, whose extraordinary architectural work can be seen amidst the many charms across the estate.

The estate provides telling insights into the life's work of this prolific architect. Elements of Italian Renaissance gardens, English landscaping, Japanese garden art, and the water gardens of ancient Sri Lanka come together to form Geoffrey Bawa's most extravagant creation, a mecca for those passionate about landscape design and architectural history.

Every turn and bend in Lunuganga provide an interesting experience, with so many exotic plants, trees and views to take in. The house is also adorned with paintings and photographs that are a marvel in their own right.

LEFT TO THE LUNUGANGA TRUST ON HIS DEMISE IN 2003, THE GARDENS ARE NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THE BUILDINGS ON THE ESTATE ARE RUN AS A COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL.

Having enjoyed a marvellous lunch in Geoffrey’s private lounge room, we ventured back to the Taj Bentota for an afternoon spa treatment followed by cocktails, marvelling at the blistering sunset as we readied for a spectacular local feast prepared by Executive Chef Arun.

Heading out early the next day to Colombo’s airport, it was time to set our sights on the breathtaking crystal-clear waters and pristine white beaches of the Maldives and the worldfamous Taj Exotica.

As Sri Lankan Airlines’ Flight 101 approached the capital Male, it banked, inviting the spectacular aqua seas, palm trees and thatched roofs of the luxury villas to paint a mesmerising image of what was to come.

Being first to depart, I was met by the Taj Exotica team and within 10 minutes I was fast-tracked through customs and onto a private speed boat destined for the ultimate bucket-list experience, Taj Exotica Maldives.

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

From voyages above high waves to tranquil enclaves in the heart of the island, Sri Lanka awaits.

SriLankan Airlines now offers non-stop weekly flights from Sydney and daily from Melbourne to Colombo, Maldives, India and Europe.

JINDABYNE ROAD, BERRIDALE, NSW PHOTO : Phil Harte

E exotica

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA, MALDIVES, IS AN EXCLUSIVE, PRIVATE AND ROMANTIC ISLAND RESORT LUSH WITH TROPICAL PLANTS AND ENCIRCLED BY AQUA-BLUE WATERS OF ONE OF THE LARGEST LAGOONS IN THE MALDIVES.

WORDS BY : PHIL HARTE

IT WAS WITH THIS VISION AND DISCIPLINE THAT SAW THE MALDIVES BECOME THE FIRST DESTINATION TO REOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL GUESTS AND SET A TREMENDOUS BENCHMARK FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD TO FOLLOW.

WITHIN THIS OASIS OF CALM SET IN PARADISE, LOUNGE BY THE INFINITY POOL OR AT YOUR PRIVATE BEACH, LAZE IN A HAMMOCK OVER THE BLUE WATERS AND JUST LAY BENEATH THE STARS AT NIGHT.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa spreads idyllically along a pristine beach and the serene lagoon. This awardwinning resort, now relaunched, seamlessly extends the magic of the island's blessed natural beauty in its design, even as it offers the finest contemporary luxuries and services.

Through the masterful stewardship of general manager Samrat Datta, the island paradise was closed for six months but still held onto the 80-strong local staff determined to get through the COVID outbreak and beyond, thanks to the forward thinking and resilience of the Maldives Government which decided to allow each of the islands to independently manage their own medical affairs.

It was with this vision and discipline that saw the Maldives become the first destination to reopen to international guests and set a tremendous benchmark for the rest of the world to follow.

Only scheduling three days, I decided to go ‘all in’ with snorkelling, jet-skiing, paragliding, a shark dive and six signature restaurant reviews throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As you can imagine, I was a regular guest at the over-water Technogym health club and was lucky enough to squeeze in a world-class massage treatment from Din Din, the spa manager. Jiva Grande Spa is an authentic Indian spa that offers a full menu of treatments including daily yoga and meditation.

WARDEN HEAD LIGHTHOUSE - THE LIGHTHOUSE AT WARDEN HEAD RESERVE, ULLADULLA, NEW SOUTH WALES

PHOTO : TONY HEWITT (GIRT BY SEA PROJECT)

AT TAJ EXOTICA MALDIVES, YOU ARE ON TAJ TIME, WHERE DOING NOTHING IS AN ART FORM. TIME STANDS STILL—AND YET THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT.

Each of the resort's luxuriously designed 62 villas are furnished in natural tones and textures. I was blessed to be given a beachfront villa, boasting the warmth of wood, the fragrance of flowers and the soft glow of lamps and candles creating an intimate ambience throughout and spoiling all guests with uninterrupted ocean views, a private outdoor shower and a relaxing hammock tucked between two palm trees to enjoy the afternoon sea breeze.

Taj Exotica, with a full house of 120 guests, still retains its intimacy. You rarely bump into other guests and they all seem to find their own points of seclusion via little hideaways and private nooks.

My final night was to be spent with general manager Samrat Datta enjoying a five-course degustation and the signature dessert called

‘The Opera’. As the chef arrived to use the entire table as his platter, Pavarotti echoed Nessun Dorma in the background, guests all rose to join the show and with the strike of the chef’s mallet, the chocolate sphere was shattered, bringing a feast of fruits, gelato, torte, syrups and crème to a finale.

Our last morning on the island was spent with an early swim as the sun was rising over the villas. Our invilla breakfast was served as our bags were collected and our check-out was seamlessly completed in-room. Our stroll down the boardwalk was joined by Samrat and awaiting us was the Exotica’s 50-strong team to bid us farewell.

My final jet boat ride to the airport gave us lasting memories of what had been a memorable few days.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Grandeur Romance +

PERCHED 2,000 FEET ABOVE THE CITY OF HYDERABAD IS TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE, A JEWEL AMONGST THE CLOUDS. BUILT IN 1894, IT IS THE FORMER PALACE OF THE NIZAM, RUMOURED TO BE THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD AT ONE TIME. OVERLOOKING THE TWINKLING CITY OF PEARLS, THIS ENCHANTING PALACE HOTEL IN HYDERABAD EXUDES ROMANCE AND GRANDEUR THAT TAKE ONE BACK TO WHEN THE NIZAM RULED HYDERABAD.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

The next few days would open up the pure luxury of India allowing us to retrace the steps of Nizams, European royalty, enchanting Begums, distinguished heads of state and walk the walk of kings through this palace in the sky.

A lofty 2,000 feet above Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace's 60 beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored rooms allowed me to journey into the clouds and into the gilded ages, where grandeur and excess is celebrated and savoured in equal measure.

Those who have revelled in its opulence have revelled in its large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases and gurgling fountains, priceless statues, and objet d'art of stained-glass windows, unique sketches and murals encased in ornate frames. There is also a world-class collection of crystal as well as the Mughal, Rajasthani and Japanese gardens personally conceived by the Nizam.

The Palace Library, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle, is a collector's envy as it is home to the rarest of manuscripts, books and one of the most acclaimed collections of the Holy Quran in the country, all of which were selected and brought back by the Nizam himself.

Having spoken to friends back home I found it near impossible to translate the magnificence I was invited to experience.

On arrival we were met at the lower entrance with security high, then we were invited to arrive by royal coach taking a majestic ride up the cobblestone path winding up the manicured gardens to the palace, lit up in all its glory.

Awaiting us was the entire executive staff, butlers, chefs, housemaids and, from that moment, we knew this was to be a moment in my extensive travel diary I could never have imagined.

Our suite was palatial to say the least, a welcome lounge room that was to showcase an array of hand-made chocolates, fresh fruits, floor-to-ceiling bathrooms of marble and glass, walk-in robes and enormous changing rooms the size of most hotel suites.

After six hours travelling from the Maldives, a private balcony dinner was awaiting us, showcasing a spectacular backdrop of Hyderabad sparkling in the distance.

A MAJESTIC RIDE UP THE COBBLESTONE PATH WINDING UP THE MANICURED GARDENS TO THE PALACE, LIT UP IN ALL ITS GLORY.

Waking at 6am, an early trip to the local markets exploring the cultural side of India was a true eye opener. Meeting up with local tour expert Joynti, she had us explore every culinary corner of the markets and gave me a personal lesson on the amazing history of her home town.

As the sun rose, we joined the locals over a freshly baked pastry and Masala tea, all while shooting the eclectic mix of farmers, buyers, kids heading to school, all five on the one bike, and all the while navigating our way over and around the beggars and the homeless.

A TRIP TO THE BUSTLING MARKETS, WITH THEIR ECCLECTIC MIX OF LOCAL CHARACTERS, IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE THE CULTURAL HEART OF INDIA.

PHOTO

Revel in spectacular adventures and enjoy the warmth of SriLankan hospitality, as we fly you to over 126 destinations in 61 countries*. You can now enjoy seamless connectivity to Colombo and beyond with weekly non-stop flights from Sydney and daily from Melbourne with SriLankan Airlines.

My last night at the palace was spent preparing a traditional biryani with Executive Chef Sayjesh that I would later enjoy in a gala dinner at Table 101, usually reserved for royals and government dignitaries as it is a table with 101 settings stretching 80 meters long.

A 12-course meal was the finale to the night and, as the evening drew to a close, coffee was poured and the team presented themselves for a photo, thanking me for coming to visit their palace.

As if the pomp and ceremony of the past two days wasn’t enough, on checkout I descended the marble staircase toward my limousine and from the third-floor balcony a shower of rose petals was released as was the tradition for the royals of Falaknuma Palace.

TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE TAJHOTELS.COM

MumbaiNext stop Mumbai and the Taj Mahal. A onehour flight from Hyderabad had us descending across the home of Bollywood, Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. It is not only the financial capital of India, but also renowned for its slums. Not for the faint-hearted, Mumbai is a true melting pot where the richest of the rich cohabitate harmoniously with the poorest of the poor.

Arriving at the Taj Mahal, traffic was as expected, chaotic and, as perverse as it sounds, it’s totally organised.

In a city of 20 million, one can’t imagine what life is like as I joined national historian Dr Arun Pratap Singh Manohar who introduced me to the world’s largest outdoor laundry with hundreds of workers hand washing, ironing and folding millions of garments, and eight simultaneous cricket matches playing out on the one field, all this while being escorted around the streets on a motorised gold-leaf Victorian carriage.

We finished our short stay with a signature dinner at the Golden Dragon, one of India’s longest-established Chinese restaurants, hosted by Executive Chef Amit and curated by Matre d’ Prakash, a 25-year Taj veteran.

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

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Ja pur iPretty

in Pink

JAIPUR, THE CAPITAL OF INDIA’S RAJASTHAN STATE, EVOKES A BYGONE ERA OF ROYAL PRIVILEGE. FOUNDED IN 1727 BY THE KING OF AMER, JAI SINGH II, THE OLD CITY IS KNOWN AS THE ‘PINK CITY’ FOR ITS TRADEMARK BUILDING COLOUR.

WORDS BY : PHIL HARTE

PHOTO

As I write, we are on final approach into Jaipur ready for the adventure to continue at the Taj Rambagh Palace.

Expectations are always high when the palace is included in the itinerary. As we drove past the private polo fields of the king and made our way up the driveway, we would be transferred into our convertible 1937 Ford, the personal car of the royal family.

The welcome was as expected with the area director Ashok Rathore proudly presenting his team alongside a pride of majestic peacocks.

Built in 1904, the Rambagh Palace has been meticulously converted into a 74-suite royal oasis in the centre of Jaipur, boasting polo grounds, traditional spas with stone and marble pools, a grass traditional tennis court, an outdoor dinner room from which to enjoy the vistas of Jaipur and, remarkably, an original 1940s squash court which I am proud to say I am advising on its full restoration.

As we were escorted down the polished marble hallways. We approached with anticipation the Marharani suite and as its three-metrehigh timber door opened, a gasp could be heard as we marvelled at the majesty of this spectacular suite.

THE DINNER THAT NIGHT WAS ARRANGED FOR THE ROYAL DINING ROOM, DRIPPING IN HISTORY WITH THE TABLES ADORNED WITH GOLD-PLATED CUTLERY AND CROCKERY, AND ORIGINAL FRESCO AS IF IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL.

THE RESTORATION OF THE TAJ RAMBAGH PALACE IS WELL UNDER WAY, REVIVING THE SPRAWLING GRANDEUR OF A PROPERTY CREATED FOR ROYALTY.

Our next 48 hours were planned to the minute with Arun personally curating our journey through his home town, but the dinner that night was arranged for the royal dining room, dripping in history with the tables adorned with gold-plated cutlery and crockery, and original fresco as if in the Sistine Chapel. It was hard to absorb as the executive chef presented the evening’s traditional feast celebrating his culinary journey of 30 years.

Two days hanging around a palace was one thing, but actually being treated like royalty was another. Having endured 90 minutes in the Jiva Spa with a deep-tissue massage, followed by a 30-minute steam and a swim in the 80-year-old stone pool, you get a feel for how the royals whiled away their days. It wasn’t until general manager Ashok Rathore met me in The Polo Bar for afternoon tea and invited me for a personal tour, sharing his vision, that I knew the future of the Rambagh Palace was in good hands.

Ashok had commenced a remarkable transformation of the grounds that had fallen into disrepair over the years.

Entering the botanic gardens, a path would lead us down to the king’s private pool and spa surrounded by an acre of beautifully manicured grounds showcasing his own private lawn tennis court. Behind the grounds, we strolled through the herb and vegetable gardens to enter a 70-seat Tuscan restaurant boasting all hand-made furniture, including the bar, with a sense that we could have been along the Amalfi Coast.

Next was the 70-year-old personal squash court, slightly dilapidated but still preparing to have the life injected back into it with new flooring and a fresh coat of paint.

With hundreds of peacocks proudly strutting around the grounds and an equally proud team of gardeners and Palace staff, you knew that the Rambagh Palace was heading back to its traditional glory.

On check-out, the entire royal staff lined up to bid us farewell and, with Arun on standby, we were off to Jaipur Airport for our final flight and our last night at the Taj Palace New Delhi.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Arriving in Delhi is not for the faint-hearted at the best of times, but luckily it was Easter Sunday and the streets were surprisingly quiet giving us an unusually quick run to the city.

The boys from Exotic Destinations were all over the pick-up and they navigated a route to town, arriving unscathed to be met by general manager Nayan Seth and ushered to our suite for a briefing on the next 36 hours.

The rooms and spa, the grounds and the service were as we had become accustomed to staying with Taj over the previous two weeks, slick and up to any challenge. Our feature experience that night was to be dinner on board the replicated carriage of the legendary Orient Express where the nostalgia of train travel would sweep me back to my days travelling from London to Venice via the snow-capped alps of Innsbruck.

Before jumping aboard the Express, I caught up with local Aussie mixologist Joel Scholtens Lindsay who has been slinging cocktails for several years at the Taj.

Being our last night in India it was certainly a culture shock, even though I’ve been a guest there for many years. India never fails to amaze, shock and inspire all the senses with its 1.5 billion people all just simply getting on with life.

Over the previous 10 days we experienced the best of the Taj Palaces, enjoying the majesty and ever-present history. Our tours of the markets and sampling of the traditional street food was a little daring, to say the least, but it was certainly worth the risk. The Taj hotels, to their credit, have endeavoured to thread the local culture and food into their way of world-class hospitality and this has been magnified by the unique culture within the company.

TAJ

I CAUGHT UP WITH LOCAL AUSSIE MIXOLOGIST JOEL SCHOLTENS LINDSAY WHO HAS BEEN SLINGING COCKTAILS FOR SEVERAL YEARS AT THE TAJ.

Byron Bay

OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, BEING BOUTIQUE IN AUSTRALIA IS WHAT OUR DOMESTIC TOURISM MARKET HAS BEEN ALL ABOUT - AND THE CRYSTALBROOK BYRON IS CERTAINLY THAT.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

reviously known as the Byron on Byron, Crystalbrook has positioned itself as the standout luxury destination of far northern NSW.

Nestled in 45-acres of magical subtropical rainforest, Crystalbrook Byron is a celebration of nature, responsible luxury and the local environment. Offering 92 guest suites, each with its own front and rear veranda, the resort works with its surrounding landscape to offer guests an immersive experience in nature.

Featuring signature restaurant Forest, the Eléme Day Spa, daily yoga classes, tennis court and infinity pool, Crystalbrook Byron proudly offers sustainable luxury loved by locals and travellers alike.

Set next to a lush rainforest oasis, Forest is passionately local with over 80 per cent of ingredients coming from within a three-hour drive of the restaurant. The utmost care for the surrounding landscape has been woven into the menu, with only sustainably sourced seafood and freerange proteins used.

Having enjoyed a few nights at Crystalbrook, taking advantage of the solitude, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Chef Jordan Staniford who proudly hosted our local feast each night.

WITH A PHILOSOPHY IMMERSED IN NATURE, ELÉME FEATURES BESPOKE FACIAL AND BODY THERAPIES

Our time away left us with a lazy morning in the Eléme Day Spa and a brunch by the pool before heading back down south.

Eléme Day Spa is Crystalbrook’s signature spa brand, developed in consultation with leading spa expert Naomi Gregory.

With a philosophy immersed in nature, Eléme features bespoke facial and body therapies using the internationally renowned Sodashi skincare range featuring ethically sourced natural ingredients. For massage therapies, Eléme has partnered with Byron Bay’s Cura Co. Lab to develop custom-made eco-conscious therapeutic oils.

Forever inspired by the healing powers of Byron Bay, Eléme at Crystalbrook Byron offers restorative treatments with like-minded products reflecting their passion for natural healing.

Mindy

WOODS

PROUD BUNDJALUNG WOMAN OF THE WIDJABUL WIABUL CLAN. CHEF & OWNER KARKALLA BYRON BAY

AS A FIRST NATIONS WOMAN, NOTHING LIGHTS UP MY HEART (AND BELLY) MORE THAN NATIVE FOOD AND I’LL ALWAYS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT IT, SHARE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IT, GROW IT, BUT MOST OF ALL COOK WITH IT WHENEVER I GET A CHANCE.

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

First Nations food is important to me because it connects me with my country, my culture and my ancestors. From the knowledge of our old people, I know that our food is also an important tool for environmental protection and sustainability.

When I was a young girl, together as a family we would spend days on end at the beach - one big family, one mob. We would fish and pipi and always have a big cook-up - food straight from the sands and waters.

Pipi curry was my favourite!

And at a time when it’s being popularised by cafes, restaurants and media throughout Australia, it’s an exciting time to be talking about native foods and how more people can ‘discover’ them.

OUR FOOD IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY.

As an Indigenous woman, food is my world, and here's what I want Aussies to know about native ingredients. Food has the ability to define time and place. It has a culture, a history and a story.

As a nation of food and travel lovers, we freely associate countries and cultures across the globe with their unique foods and ingredients. Think about the street food of Thailand with kaffir lime, chillies and our favourite noodle dish pad Thai, the pastas and pizzas of Italy, and the fine cheese, wine and champagne of France.

Interestingly, as Australians we struggle to associate our own country with its own unique food culture, despite the fact that Australian ‘native food’ has a 60,000-yearold history.

It’s estimated that there are over 6,500 food species native and unique to Australia, but how many have you actually tried?

As First Nations Australians, we have an innate connection, knowledge and understanding of Country and its natural resources - a knowledge and connection developed over more than 60,000 years, handed down from generation to generation through cultural lore, stories, song, dance, art and tradition.

It is only in the last 20 years that modern Australia has begun to discover the exciting range of native food and botanicals which has been nurtured and cared for by our ancestors for thousands of years. The world's newest and Australia's fastest growing food trend of native foods remarkably depends upon just that - the world's oldest living culture and the world's oldest, most unique ingredients. This recent ‘craze’ has also fuelled interest and desire to know more about Australia's rich

Indigenous culture. It’s also evidence that the world’s oldest living culture is very much alive and thriving.

Australia's booming bush food industry is currently valued at well over $20 million, yet Indigenous Australians represent fewer than 2 per cent of the providers across the supply chain.

Research conducted by Bushfood Sensations in 2019 found that only 1 per cent of the industry’s produce and financial value is generated by First Nations people.

Following the success of Karkalla, my native-inspired restaurant in Byron Bay, I want to challenge and disrupt the clear and growing divide between a thriving bush food industry and lack of shared benefits to its traditional knowledge holders.

My goal is to change the narrative and increase Indigenous representation along the entire process chain from grassroot growers to processing and retail to ensure these sacred ingredients remain connected to story, culture, community and Country to which they belong.

With a shared passion for culture, community and Country as well as health, equality and sustainability, I am driven to bring ethical, purposeful and sustainably sourced native ingredients to the marketplace.

Food was not just an ingredient we sourced and took from the land. It was a relationship we formed with Country. Ingredients were not just a food source; they often had two, three or sometimes even four uses as medicine, cultural tools or materials for crafts.

Native ginger for instance was eaten as a food source; leaves were used as cooking vessels and the seeds used as geographical markers. Spreading the seeds ensured sustainability of the plant for future generations and indicated common pathways and walking tracks.

All parts of the plant are edible, though the best part is found in the small new shoots and the rhizomes under the ground.

It’s mild in comparison to commercial gingers, but absolutely another wonderful and useful native Australian plant and food with which we should all be familiar.

Fuelled by a social and cultural mission and to bring native Indigenous ingredients into the homes of everyday Australians, I want to ensure that the inseparable connection of these ingredients to its traditional owners remains.

NATIVE INGREDIENTS WERE NOT JUST A FOOD SOURCE FOR FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE. THEY OFTEN HAD MULTIPLE USES SUCH AS MEDICINE, CULTURAL TOOLS OR MATERIALS FOR CRAFTS, AS WELL AS BEING DELICIOUS.

I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE INSEPARABLE CONNECTION OF THESE INGREDIENTS TO ITS TRADITIONAL OWNERS REMAINS.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

SEAN

CONNoLlY

IF THERE WAS TO BE A CULINARY HALL OF FAME, SEAN CONNOLLY WOULD NO DOUBT BE FRONT AND CENTRE.

WORDS BY : PHIL HARTE

Afew years ago, I had the pleasure of working with Sean Connolly at my first long table soirée held at the Hyatt Regency Gallery, with a guest list including 50 of the most discerning culinary palates in the country.

Our collaboration was to become the beginning of a great friendship as we created a six-course spectacular, cooking with tens of thousands of dollars from the premium champagne and cognac cellars enjoyed by the 50 lucky diners. For you foodies out there, cooking with a 2008 Dom Perignon (poached Sydney rock oysters) and a 2006 vintage Moet Rose (coq au vin) with fist-size truffle and the following courses boasting the best of Krug and Veuve Clicquot, we completed the spectacular offering with a dessert including a bottle of only the best Hennessy XXO, devoured for a deconstructed hot fudge sundae. This lunch is still talked about today thanks to the team at the Hyatt Regency Sydney and the creativity of chef Connolly. Sean Connolly is one of Australia's and New Zealand's most respected and well-recognised chefs, with restaurants in Auckland, Adelaide and Sydney. From an unpaid teenage apprenticeship at the Hilton in Leeds, the Yorkshire-born Connolly has travelled far, including stints cooking on the QEII and in high-profile restaurants in Sydney, Auckland and Adelaide.

He also has a wealth of global experience as a restaurant consultant. Underpinning all his work is a passion for wonderful produce and a love of simple, honest food.

Regardless of whether he’s creating a Parisian-style brasserie in Adelaide or a New York-style steakhouse in Auckland, Connolly is always focused on using the best local produce he can get his hands on, and letting the natural flavours shine.

Connolly first gained critical acclaim at Astral at The Star in Sydney, where he was in sole creative charge of the award-winning fine diner. During his time at Astral, he was named Chef of the Year in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.

When bestowing the award, the editors wrote: “The Chef of the Year title is bestowed for various reasons. These include career achievement, staying power, potential for greater things and sheer, bloody talent. Sean Connolly ticks all those boxes. Twelve years at Astral has to be triple that in restaurant years, but there’s a sense of more to come. Blessed with sound technique, plenty of wit and imagination and the intelligence not to try too hard with prime ingredients.”

Connolly left The Star to pursue international opportunities and nurture his burgeoning television career.

In New Zealand, he opened The Grill by Sean Connolly at SkyCity in Auckland, which went on to receive multiple awards including Cuisine magazine’s Best New Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year in 2012.

THE BON PAVILION: PETUNA OCEAN TROUT, AVOCADO, PICKLED GINGER, CUCUMBER, SEAWEED SALAD, MISO DRESSING

The Grill’s creation, with its $4 million budget and 100-day deadline, was the subject of a popular multi-episode television documentary, Under the Grill, which saw Connolly in a race against the clock to open on time, and made him a New Zealand household name.

Connolly was also the culinary mastermind behind the rustic Italian eatery Gusto at the Grand at SkyCity in Auckland, Sean’s Kitchen at Adelaide’s SkyCity.

Sean Connolly is well known to television audiences in Australia and New Zealand and increasingly to audiences throughout South-East Asia and further afield. His popular television series My Family Feast, which celebrates the interaction of food, family and diverse cultures, is screened in Australia on SBS.

The families he visits in each episode are often communities of migrants who are focused on retaining their traditional culture as they learn to live in and understand their new environment.

Connolly’s other television credits include Sean’s Kitchen which showcases the outstanding South Australian produce that features so prominently on his eponymous restaurant’s menu in Adelaide, and On the Grill, which explores amazing produce and the technique required when cooking with flame.

All television series have been featured widely throughout Australia, New Zealand and sold into Europe and Asia, among other territories.

Connolly has also created a menu of delicious ‘finger and fork food', such as crab and lettuce tacos, southern fried chicken lollipops, and saltimbocca prawns, which are perfect bar snacks to soak up the booze.

His signature style - seasonal produce, cooked on the bone and in the shell wherever possible – shines in the abundant main courses, from duck fat fish and chips to meat cooked over the coals, as well as feasting dishes, such as free-range lamb shoulder or whole baked fish, designed to be shared.

IN THE HEART OF HERITAGE SYDNEY , ON THE SITE OF THE OLD BROOKLYN HOTEL, THE MORRISON BAR AND OYSTER ROOM HAS BREATHED NEW LIFE INTO AN OLD CITY PUB.

SEAN CONNOLLY

QT Hotels Auckland NZ The Wild Flower Bar & Dining Killcare Steak & Co by Sean Connolly West HQ Sean’s Kitchen Adelaide SEANCONNOLLY.COM.AU

Overlooking the eclectic streets of the town centre and just a towel shake from Main Beach, Balcony Bar evokes the hippy-cumsurf culture for which Byron Bay is famous. Breakfast is hugely popular here – think Turkish eggs and house toasted granolawhile the lunch and dinner menu boasts the simple, honest food for which Connolly is famous.

The produce, especially seafood, is sustainable and locally sourced. Oysters are shucked to order while local mud crabs are served either whole with mayo or with a spicy sweet and sour chilli sauce.

Sean is all about the produce – the finest meats, seafood and smallgoods from South Australian producers, including Richard Gunner’s Fine Meats, Saskia Beer’s Barossa Farm Produce, and Hiramasa Kingfish from Port Lincoln.

The ingredients are treated with respect and cooked with the utmost care, with southern king crab and rock lobster among the many highlights.

Sean’s most recent celebrations include Bells resort, The Wild Flower Bar & Dining at Killcare and QT Auckland hotel.

The one thing I find the most endearing element at Sean’s eateries is the ease with which you can dine, from creative yet thoughtful menus and, most importantly, the calm and relaxed culture of each and every eatery.

My pick of the bunch, Bells resort, is world class inclusive of the accommodation spa and the spectacular offering at Wild Flower, one hour from Sydney on the Central Coast. Sean’s Kitchen in Adelaide is also a must.

ILVE A passion for perfection

ILVE’S FOUNDATION WAS BUILT UPON MANUFACTURING COOKING APPLIANCES FOR PASSIONATE HOME COOKS, ALLOWING ONE TO EXPRESS THEIR INDIVIDUALITY

THROUGH A LOVE OF FOOD, PASSION AND DESIGN.

ILVE’S MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT CREATING BESPOKE APPLIANCES, HAND CRAFTED WITH A FOCUS ON CUSTOMISATION AND PROVIDING A TOTALLY UNIQUE COOKING EXPERIENCE FOR EACH CUSTOMER AND THEIR FAMILY.

For over 50 years ILVE has established itself as a genuine specialist in handmade cooking systems. Right from the beginning, this iconic Italian company stood out for its innovation and vision. Founded in Campodarsego, Padova in 1969, still family owned and operated, ILVE proudly carries on a great tradition of technical expertise in the moulding of steel, combined with continuous research in cooking technology processes. ILVE’s continued success is due to extraordinary flexibility in design and production, to meet every culinary need in the kitchen matched with customisable design solutions. ILVE appliances are precise, versatile and reliable: durable enough to stand the test of time and enhance your cooking experience, day after day.

ILVE first established itself as an industry leader when it introduced the oversized builtin oven, and a few years later the revolutionary Panoramagic freestanding cooker. In half a century of constant research and commitment, ILVE has created cooking solutions that have raised the bar in performance, design and safety in the kitchen.

It’s with this passion the Design Your Own ILVE product configurator was built, exclusively for Australian cooking enthusiasts. Meticulously built with every possible scenario accounted for, the configurator gives our customers the ability to design their dream freestanding oven, visualising the product as it comes together with live imagery as you go through the build journey. You can create 60,711 different combinations of models, sizes, cooktops, colours, styling options, accessory trims and even add in rangehoods, allowing you to build the perfect cooking suite.

With personalisation well beyond a passing trend, it is a natural extension for ILVE to deliver true customisation to their clients. The Design Your Own ILVE configurator allows further design flexibility and places the freestanding oven as an exciting centrepiece for every kitchen. With a choice of 213 RAL Colour Choices, as well as different styling - Copper, Brass, Chrome or Bronze - you can really create something unique.

ILVE appliances are inspired by the kitchens in which great chefs make their creations, but their aesthetics are designed with the home cook at the forefront. ILVE uses the same superior materials as professional kitchens: marine-grade stainless steel, cast iron, brass and copper. Like the selection of raw materials, the technical reliability of the

various components also undergo the strictest checks and processes ensuring their suitability for a home. No ILVE appliance leaves Italy without being tested prior to ensuring it will meet the end user's expectations. ILVE appliances are made individually, according to customer specifications, and are assembled by hand with expertise, passion and craftsmanship.

ILVE’s pursuit of excellence does not only apply to our appliances, it’s also the case with our brand partners. We only choose to work with personalities that share the same ethos, passion and values that we do. Like us, the partners we work with believe in quality, authenticity, creation and passion.

It is with this in mind we have partnered with the OurRustica B&B couple Ruth and Andrea. Ruth, once a fashion executive at Benetton in London, and Andrea, a former corporate accountant now an authentic traditional and regional Italian chef, grew tired of the hustle and bustle of big city living, retreating to the Italian countryside to pursue their dream lifestyle - and, boy, does it truly embody ‘la dolce vita’!

The idea of OurRustica was born from wanting to be together and to create a space where they could be happy and welcome guests to share their journey. They were ready to trade in the highflyer lifestyle they once lived, for that of simplicity, value, land, sea and love.

So, the search for the perfect sustainable home began. After many years, they finally found the home that left them both saying, 'questo e’ or 'this is it'.

When they found OurRustica, it was completely run down, uninhabitable and overgrown. With no roof, running water, or electricity, it was essentially a blank canvas on which they were able to work to create a truly gorgeous, rustic haven. The couple began their OurRustica journey by stepping out of their comfort zones, learning to build, work with wood and concrete, and their dream soon turned to a reality…their reality.

Establishing an Italian cookery school and retreat, hidden in the woods between Venice and the Dolomites in the land of Prosecco, Ruth and Andrea created a little piece of Italian paradiso for themselves to reside and for guests to escape to. Showing a different way of life, a way where nature and living off the land is at its heart, the couple share their passion for traditional Italian cuisine through the experience.

“Five years ago, we opened OurRustica B&B and Cookery schoola creative, safe, happy nest for ourselves and our guests to share. In an otherwise crazy world, it is a wonderful place to come to relax, laugh, cook, eat, drink Prosecco and let yourself be nurtured.”

When Ruth and Andrea had no other choice but to replace their ILVE built-in oven after using it for many years, they knew what they wanted: “You never forget your first love, so our new oven had to be an ILVE.” Along with the built-in cooktop, part of

ILVE’s iconic Nostalgie collection, their first ILVE oven was, for a long time, the undisputed king of their kitchen and an essential tool for the cookery school. When the time came to replace their cherished oven, Ruth and Andrea had no plan B. They visited ILVE’s factory to get a first-hand look at the ILVE world: this turned out to be a crucial moment since they were able to find their new cooker and, most importantly, met with the Illiotti and Berno families, who share the same values, forging a special bond. Collaborating with ILVE, Ruth and Andrea share their favourite recipes and stories so that those of us who aren’t lucky enough to escape to Italy can join in on a culinary masterclass! Using their Nostalgie series cooker, which complements the rustic but stunning aesthetic of their B&B perfectly, the couple shares a unique perspective of authentic Italian living. The cooker provides all the functional benefits that Ruth and Andrea look for in an appliance, from high-powered brass burners to an array of cooking functions like electric rotisserie and humidity control and, of course, being hand made in Italy. This cooker has an abundance of luxury and functional features. Guests of OurRustica are also able to select the freshest ingredients from Ruth and Andrea’s vegetable garden or join them in foraging in the woods surrounding the property. The food journal and culinary tutorial series created in collaboration with ILVE allows you to discover the joys and importance of local produce, amazing landmarks and good food through 12 video recipes and eight video stories. The couple truly embodies ILVE’s brand ethos of 'vivi, cucina e ama - Live, Cook, Love'.

TO EXPLORE THE ILVE WORLD, VISIT ONE OF THEIR SHOWROOMS ACROSS AUSTRALIA OR VISIT ILVE.COM.AU

Rural Women's AWARD

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. The program provides opportunities to showcase and inspire the next generation of female leaders across Australia.

I had the opportunity to shoot these seven amazing and inspirational women at the recent AgriFutures awards in Albury with national winner Stephanie Trethewey taking the top prize.

Fuelled by her own experience of raising young children on the land, Stephanie created Motherland, a podcast series sharing a raw and unfiltered representation of motherhood in rural communities. After successfully amassing 330,000 downloads and profiling over 130 rural mothers, Stephanie extended Motherland’s offering through the launch of Motherland Village – Australia’s first online mother’s group and resource centre. The digital platform now offers nine separate programs for over 80 rural mothers with children aged from newborns through to their late teens.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Due to their location or a lack of local services, many rural women don’t have access to adequate postnatal support, including the opportunity to form meaningful connections with other women.

Mothers are the backbone of these communities, yet they remain significantly undervalued and undersupported.

Stephanie will use her newly awarded Westpac grant to offer additional resources through the Motherland Village platform as well as a series of tailored postnatal programs developed in partnership with several rural-based hospitals.

Through her advocacy and implementation of the Motherland programs, Stephanie has created a new model for postnatal care in regional Australia and a blueprint for others looking at ways to improve the delivery of services in our rural communities.

Her drive to create spaces that encourage connection and support for other rural women is highly commendable and a true embodiment of the award’s key objectives.

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

TRetheway Stephanie

e have been failing rural mothers. We are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic that is only increasing mental health challenges for women on the land. It takes a village to raise a child but living rurally means many mums feel incredibly isolated during their motherhood journey due to their geographical location, or a lack of local services. A staggering number of women don’t have access to adequate postnatal support, including the opportunity to form meaningful connections with other rural mothers. I know, because I’m one of those rural mums.

Becoming a mother was a baptism of fire for me. Having grown up in the city, I wasn’t at all prepared for the unique challenges that come with raising kids on the land. I spent more than seven years working all over the country as a television journalist, but after falling in love with a farmer, my life changed forever.

In 2019, my now husband Sam and I left the big smoke and moved to rural Tasmania (his home state) to start a regenerative beef business, The Tasmanian Agricultural Company. Our son Elliot was six months old when we hopped on the Spirit of Tasmania ship and made the journey across the Bass Strait to our new home. It was a whole new world for me and, overnight, I lost my village. With no family, friends, or mother’s groups nearby to support me, I felt incredibly alone on the farm, and my mental health declined rapidly.

I soon realised that what I, and many other rural mothers crave, is connection. A few months later I launched Motherland, a notfor-profit organisation and a charity that

celebrates and connects rural mothers across Australia.

It started as a podcast in December 2019 sharing real and raw stories of motherhood told by women on the land. In late 2021, after having my second baby Evie, I launched Motherland Village, Australia’s first online rural mother’s group program. Motherland Village connects rural women to their own, small, personalised support group via a sixweek online program. To date, we have connected more than 120 rural mums from seven different states to a virtual mother’s group, and we’re just getting started because the demand is growing.

With hospital partnerships and collaborations with industry bodies and businesses now under way, our focus is on scaling Motherland Village to ensure no rural mum is left behind.

In addition to forging new friendships, our data shows significant improvements in everything from mental health to self-care for many of the rural mothers coming through our program.

Social integration and social support are known globally through many studies to be supportive to our health and longevity. Therefore, maternal health services and resources including mother’s groups should not be a luxury only women in urban areas can access.

Mothers are the backbone of our rural communities; they are the glue that holds households together and their emotional wellbeing is critical.

To all the rural mums out there, it takes a village. Let me help you find yours.

BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Josie

PHOTO

I WAS ONLY FIVE WHEN MY FATHER, GLEN, BECAME A PARAPLEGIC IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT. AFTER DAD WAS INJURED, MY SIBLINGS AND I HELPED MUM, TANIA, RUN THE FAMILY’S CATTLE PROPERTY NEAR KEMPSEY, ON THE NSW MID-NORTH COAST. MY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND WORKING IN AGRICULTURE FOR A CAREER MADE ME REALISE HOW FEW STORIES THERE WERE ABOUT DISABILITY IN THE AG WORLD, SO I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT - AND SO ABILITY AGRICULTURE, AN ONLINE PLATFORM TO RAISE AWARENESS, WAS BORN AFTER A CHAT WITH DAD IN THE PADDOCK. I AM A 2022 AGRIFUTURES RURAL WOMEN’S AWARD NATIONAL FINALIST. HERE IS PART OF MY JOURNEY.

hen dad had his accident, we received an incredible amount of community support and I’ve always tried to give back, whether it’s being involved in social welfare roles or volunteering in my spare time. The seed for Ability Agriculture was sown during a conversation in the paddock with dad whilst I was home in between finishing my honours and starting my PhD.

I realised there was a lack of conversation and representation for people with disability in agriculture and I wanted to change that. Telling stories is just the beginning - it is also ensuring that these incredible voices are being heard.

I would like Ability Agriculture to be the representative voice for disability in our industry to ensure that disability is on the table for future policy and workforce planning. Down the track I’d also like to launch an Ability Agriculture fund that can contribute towards career and leadership development, on-farm support or modifications for individuals and families living with disability in agriculture.

I want to show that agriculture can be a truly inclusive and diverse industry and a career option for anyone to consider. Importantly it’s about creating this broader conversation so that we can collectively work together to increase greater accessibility in our industry.

I recently received a direct message from an agribusiness asking about where my dad got his Gator converted for hand controls, so that they could look into making an accessible role in their business. I love that Ability Agriculture is making a difference in that respect.

I think there have been many pivotal people in my life who have shaped me into the person I am today. My parents: mum, a lady who raised four well-rounded kids whilst our family experienced significant life changes and supported other families in hardship after dad’s accident, and dad for his resilience and open mindedness.

There were my schoolteachers, who supported me in my regional school and the incredibly supportive businesspeople in horticulture I have come across who taught me I can negotiate and stand my ground as a young woman.

The people of Ability Agriculture – their attitude towards life, their resilience and honesty. Every story is so unique, yet so impactful and they are not just making a difference to me, but to everyone else. I always ask for ‘words of advice’ from each person and one that resonated with me recently was Nigel Corish – a broadacre farmer from Goondiwindi who was born with cerebral palsy.

"Be positive and don’t be afraid to put your hand up. For most of my life I thought I was different and didn’t have the confidence to speak up or put my hand up. Now I’m glad I did," he said.

Those words meant a lot and if I could say anything to my younger self it would be quite similar – have confidence in yourself, take every opportunity, even if it might be challenging and, importantly, learn and grow from both your successes and failures.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Jones Kylie

I’m a qualified teacher and, after four years in the mainstream classroom, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and take a belated gap year as a governess on a remote cattle station in the Northern Territory. As a governess, you don’t need any formal qualifications. However, you’re responsible for the delivery of lessons provided by the distance education school, you’re in charge of behaviour management and you often have to provide learning support when a child is having difficulty. On top of this, you’re generally hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town and can feel quite isolated and alone.

Even though I was a fully qualified teacher, with four years’ experience, I found this to be very a challenging role. I couldn’t imagine how difficult this role must be for young girls straight out of Year 12 or mums who have no experience as an educator. I felt there was a real need for more support in the remote classroom, but I realised support in the bush is often non-existent.

to start RAISEducation.

What makes RAISEducation so special is that we not only support the child’s individual learning journey, but we also work closely with the governess and/or parent. Technology has come a long way, but it’ll never replace the face-to-face connections you develop when you’re physically present in the classroom. This is why I believe it is vital to support the governess/parent to feel confident, knowledgeable and passionate about their role and develop a team approach to a child’s education.

We currently work with children undertaking distance education due to their remote location. However, our dream is to provide individualised learning support to any family across Australia that wants to help their child develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

Education is the starting point for change and the more support we can give children to find their love of learning and become lifelong learners, the sooner we’ll create a better future for all.

O'Neil Louise

The seed of Farm Life Fitness (FLF) was initially planted when I realised that as a fitness trainer I couldn’t do as much as I wanted for the mental and emotional health of the people walking through the doors of my gym. They weren’t making gains or healing as well as they should have been because there wasn’t enough time to go into their emotional wellbeing and how they were coping at home.

At the same time, I saw first-hand how hard farming could be. My husband Warren was all work, work, work at the beginning of the relationship –but, to him, that wasn’t strange. All his farming friends were doing it. His dad had done it before him, so why stop? The more I started to see how pervasive this mindset was, the more I wanted to help.

The work overload finally came to a head when what should have been one of the happiest times for us became one of the most emotionally draining and stressful. We were about to welcome our first son, we were in the middle of seeding, and our machinery suffered a devastating breakdown. Warren did, too - right there in the paddock. He hit rock bottom and didn’t know where to go or what to do to fix things. If seeing your husband reach that point doesn’t inspire you to make a change, I don’t know what will. That image of him and me in that paddock, feeling lost, burnt out and helpless, will probably stay with me forever.

I knew I needed to put that hardearned lesson to good use, to turn it into something positive. And I feel that by creating FLF and holding space for others to connect, talk and seek advice, I am doing that.

I don’t want our boys growing up thinking that farming is a 24/7 job –no other job requires this, so farming shouldn’t be any different. Instead, I want them to grow up knowing the value of work, truly appreciating what and who is around them, and knowing that their mental health is the most important thing in their life.

I think I was awarded the AgriFutures WA Rural Women’s Award because FLF is a unique and innovative business helping farming families and rural communities create a healthier, more sustainable future in agriculture. We do that through speaking, education, community building, oneon-one coaching, and fitness programs available live and online.

Too many people in agriculture suffer due to the false belief that farming must be an all-consuming, 24/7 job. At FLF, we are all about challenging the conventions and unhealthy paradigms preventing people in agriculture from having a happier, healthier and more productive farming lifestyle so they can spend more time with their family, friends and community, away from the farm, guilt-free.

People often ask if I always wanted to be a nurse and, honestly, I can’t recall a time in my childhood when I didn’t have plans to be one. I have always had a huge desire to have kids and my passion to become a nurse was just as strong. I am now a clinical nurse and maternal child health nurse and the founder of Rural Child Health.

Looking back on my childhood there were experiences along the way that determined my path for which I will be forever grateful. I am one of five children who grew up in a small mining town in Central Queensland. Like most rural kids, we grew up on the farm riding our push bikes to the grid, catching the bus, riding our horses in the afternoon and eating watermelon on the trampoline in summer! Dad worked in the mine, but mum and he also ran a beef cattle farm and Charolais stud. Mum certainly had her hands full and a full-time job at home raising us five kids.

Dad had a farm accident which he was fortunate enough to survive, but he spent months in Rockhampton Hospital, initially because the intensive care he needed could not be provided at our local hospital. His recovery progressed and he was transferred back to our local hospital where we would stop in and visit him every afternoon after school. Dad was then able to come home!

This was an incredible milestone for our family and a big adjustment for everyone as dad still had a way to go to full recovery. The local nurses would visit our home regularly. To see dad’s progress from the first time in Rockhampton Hospital to when he came home was amazing and I feel it was very much due to the nurses. All of the nurses, especially our local ones who knew us to say hello down the street, made me feel special and I remember thinking: “I am going to make people feel like that one day; I am going to be a nurse!”

I went to boarding school, then onto university and began nursing in the small rural town of Taroom. It was there I saw a huge gap in the availability and accessibility of child and family health services that our rural, regional and remote families experience.

Rural Child Health is Queensland’s first child health nurse-led online service, delivering child and family health services to our rural, regional and remote families directly to their home via telehealth. We strive for happier, healthier and more connected families and my vision is that every rural, regional and remote family has access to the service and support they need without having to drive hundreds or thousands of kilometres.

remote family has access to the service and support they need without having to drive hundreds or thousands of kilometres.

Kimberley

Furness

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO BE, ALTHOUGH I CAN PINPOINT THE EXACT MOMENT THAT I HAD A FALLBACK ANSWER.

t was lunch time when my year nine homeroom teacher Terri Driscoll pulled me aside to ask what my plans were for work experience. I hadn’t given it much thought. She said: “Do you know you can write?” It was more of a statement than a question, and I had the feeling she wasn’t referring to the love letters I’d penned to boys,

She suggested I consider work experience in a newspaper. So off I trundled to The Nhill Free Press in country Victoria to experience a newsroom. That

A passion for telling other people’s stories is one of the puzzle pieces as to why I started OAK Magazine.

As a mum of four, I’ve spent a lot of time in a supermarket. More recently, I’ve stood in front of the magazines and failed to see myself in those front covers - and that is a woman, running a business in regional Australia whilst wrangling kids.

Over the last five years, I’ve been travelling around rural Victoria and NSW delivering social media workshops. In those workshops I’d listen to primarily women talk about why they started a business, what problem they were solving at a community level, and the highs and hurdles they would often experience in isolation.

From my hometown of Bendigo, I launched OAK Magazine in 2017 in just six weeks from concept to print. OAK shares real, authentic stories and has courageous conversations centred on regional and rural women who run a business.

Sharing your story gives other people permission to feel like they can be seen and heard. Through OAK I can share these stories and play an active role in

helping rural and regional communities feel more visible on the world stage and change the way women view themselves and what’s possible.

Our stories are diverse and inclusive but they’re not reaching everyone.

Dylan Allcott once said: “Inclusivity really starts with accessibility.”

In an effort to be a better disability advocate, I focused my AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award project on making an audio version of OAK Magazine so it could be more accessible.

The impact of bringing our published stories to life through audio is that women with a visual impairment, reading difficulties or those who are time poor and want to multi-task can visualise themselves in the stories.

To lift the stories from our pages to our ears is ensuring all women of all ages in any postcode can feel a part of the business community and discover opportunity.

I’ve seen the positive impact of audio storytelling through my podcast A Friend of Mine. A woman felt inspired to open her own creative space in rural NSW to support local artists and attract visitors off the highway and into their tiny town.

That’s what happens when you see or hear someone who you can identify with sharing how they’ve launched their business. Visibility is one of the most powerful tools we have to inspire women to pursue their dream.

Through sharing more stories, we can see and believe what’s possible. I've come to realise my postcode isn’t a barrier but an opportunity. And I want that for all of us living in rural and regional Australia.

PHOTO BY: PHIL HARTE

FEEL LOST IN

THE MOMENT

Bellingen Shire

dorchester

ONE OF LONDON’S MOST ICONIC HOTELS, THIS UNAPOLOGETICALLY LAVISH BRITISH ESTABLISHMENT IS ADORED BY THE RICH AND POWERFUL AND IS THE HOME OF CHOICE FOR ONLY THE MOST STELLAR A-LISTERS, WHO TREAT THE PROMENADE LIKE THEIR VERY OWN CATWALK. THE DORCHESTER SIMPLY HAS THE BEST OF EVERYTHING.

WORDS BY : PHIL HARTE

Beautifully positioned at the hotel entrance was nothing less than a Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari and an Aston Martin, all the latest models, screaming luxury, a whole new level of ‘look at me’.

With the obligatory concierge in top hat and tails we were ushered into the reception with our bags disappearing before our eyes and with general manager Luca Virgilio eager to welcome us to his humble abode. We strolled through in amazement to The Promenade lounge for afternoon tea and a plate of freshly baked scones.

Passing by the subtle Wimbledon display of racquets and oversized tennis balls, we were reminded that the greatest show on earth was but a few miles away. After dragging ourselves away from the clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, it was time to check in and prepare for dinner.

Level six was our stop. We hoped to score the last room on the floor and today was our lucky day - room 606 and 607, The Dorchester Suite. The door opened to reveal our foyer complete with original parquetry floors, stone and marble celebrating original period furnishings and spectacularly textured wall coverings, not only at the entrance but throughout this classically beautiful suite.

Our bedroom showcased a king-size four-poster bed with handcrafted pillow covers and woollen throws with all the technology discreetly incorporated in the bedside phone. There were classical bay windows with spectacular views of Hyde Park and, as we walked through into the lounge, I thought it a parlour fit for a royal. There was a dining table for eight, 60-inch LCD with surround sound and an open fire place with upholstered seats around its hearth. Lounges were comfy enough to sleep on with a dozen plush hand-woven cushions and enough fruit, chocolates and wine on the coffee table to open a stall on Park Lane.

After a gentle reminder from our host, it was time to dine. Positioned off the lobby was The Grill restaurant where we would complete our Monday night review, but this evening it was to be the famous lobby bar.

Our now retired host was the legendary Giovanni, a 36-year veteran of the Dorchester from a little town just outside Venice. He took us on a nostalgic journey covering his time running the bar and its plethora of celebrity favourites and long-time loyal and royal guests of the Dorchester. We left the menu in Giovanni’s capable hands as he paraded a plate of salmon tartare, homemade burrata with an assortment of heirloom tomatoes soaked in a bath of balsamic and extra virgin olive oil, a bowl of homemade linguini with chilli prawns and a silky smooth wild mushroom risotto, a single espresso and a night cap for the bride.

HE TOOK US ON A NOSTALGIC JOURNEY COVERING HIS TIME RUNNING THE BAR AND ITS PLETHORA OF CELEBRITY FAVOURITES AND LONG-TIME LOYAL AND ROYAL GUESTS OF THE DORCHESTER

As we sat back enjoying the flavours of Venice, across the road, Hyde Park was staging Stevie Wonder, so we knew it was only a matter of time before Giuliano and his team would be snowed under, this being one of London’s best-known cocktail bars.

Monday morning came far too fast and we headed down to the gym, expertly fitted out with the latest in Technogym gear. After an hour's workout and a steam we couldn’t wait for the tradition of the big English breakfast. We had a reserved table in The Promenade. Breakfast was a pleasant a la carte experience, so that meant whatever my little heart desired - eggs benedict, scrambled, fried or poached, Cumberland sausages, mushrooms and a typically English slice of black pudding! Yet no, I thought of the waistline and ordered a hearty bowl of porridge, fresh fruit, a freshly squeezed juice and a bowl of Greek yogurt with a pot of English breakfast tea.

THE DORCHESTER SPA WAS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL, WITH ITS ALLWHITE LOBBY AND STEEL-BLUE PLUSH MEDITATION LOUNGE

Danielle finished off her shoot for the remainder of the day and then we had our couples’ massage and steam. The Dorchester Spa was simply beautiful, with its all-white lobby and steel-blue plush meditation lounge, only to be outdone by the boutique six-table tearoom. The colours and furnishings were amazing and the treatment was even better.

The day just seemed to fly by with the 7pm dinner review at The Grill upon us.

You will see by the pictures the sophistication of The Grill and the classical menu where silver service paid tribute to a level of service scarcely seen in today’s forgetful and, in most cases, overblown eateries.

Entrees were a remarkable lobster bisque and a traditional prawn cocktail. I was so pleased to see the head waiter eager to serve our main course, sole Meunière, surgically removing the fillets from the bone at our table then masking a subtle lemon and garlic butter sauce, creamy mashed potato and sautéed spinach.

Our desert of choice was a chocolate and a strawberry soufflé with a homemade salty caramel ice cream.

Tuesday morning at 6am was met with a knock on the door and our breakfast was delivered - hot freshly baked croissants, yoghurt, fruit and a plunger of freshly brewed coffee. Then unfortunately it was time to checkout and return to Heathrow Terminal 5 and our BA207 to Miami.

Our stay at The Dorchester was nostalgic, classical with sophisticated luxury, never forgetting the way hospitality should be.

Park Coworth

ARRIVING AT COWORTH PARK WAS NOTHING SHORT OF ASTOUNDING. LESS THAN 50 MINUTES FROM THE BUSTLE OF DOWNTOWN LONDON, WE FOUND OURSELVES IMMERSED IN AN INCREDIBLE OASIS OF CALM.

ith green meadows the first view to greet us on the drive up to the Mansion House, it was a memorable sight to behold, filled with a vibrant array of traditional English country flowers, cornflowers, poppies and red campions creating a colourful display.

I couldn’t wait to check in and take in the history of Coworth Park. Its royal connections go way back to 1066. Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, gave the land on which the hotel now stands to Westminster Abbey. The land was later repossessed by William the Conqueror for the crown.

Coworth House was built in 1776 for William Shepheard, a prosperous East India merchant. The house took its name from the surrounding hamlet of Coworth.

In the 1800s, between 1810 and 1893, the house was owned by three successive generations of the aristocratic Arbuthnot family.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, the future Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, stayed at Coworth Park in 1879 and in 1883 when they attended the races at nearby Ascot.

William Farmer, who served as Sheriff of London and High Sheriff of Berkshire, purchased the estate in 1883 and the two Farmers Cottages are named in his honour.

In 1899 Lord Stanley, who became the 17th Earl of Derby, bought the house and lived there for 50 years. He was one of the most influential men of the time and a keen horseman who won the Derby several times. The famous race is named after his ancestors. He was also the first person to introduce rhododendrons to the UK.

COWORTH HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1776 FOR WILLIAM SHEPHEARD, A PROSPEROUS EAST INDIA MERCHANT. THE HOUSE TOOK ITS NAME FROM THE SURROUNDING HAMLET OF COWORTH.

In the 1980s Galen Weston, owner of Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, bought the estate. It was his idea to create a polo field and village area with stables to house the polo ponies and their groomsmen.

Following a complete restoration, Coworth Park opened as a Dorchester Collection hotel in September 2010. Overlooking the terraced garden, we enjoyed the Drawing Room terrace for an alfresco experience. Decked out with patio heaters, blankets and the warm glow of lanterns, this intimate spot is in a prime position for incredible sunsets.

The Barn was our next pick for dinner with a relaxed rustic theme and farreaching views of the polo fields from across the estate bridge. It was hard to beat; this bright and beautiful spot is the perfect place to dine on seasonal British classics.

Each day we were thrilled to see just what was next, as at each turn there would be another nook to enjoy. A unique sense of space extends to the outdoors, where you’ll find your own private garden. This is a space for all

seasons, for lighting up the barbecue in summer or warming up beside a firepit with marshmallows on winter nights.

The grounds are full of hidden treasures, among them the latest gem in the collection, North Lodge. This private gatehouse cottage is located on the outskirts of the grounds, now beautifully restored to offer three bedrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen and an idyllic country garden.

As you stroll from room to room, you enjoy a wonderful sense of comfort and ease. This is a warm and inviting space for doing as much – or as little – as you please. Cook a family dinner in the kitchen, watch films in the snug or step out to explore the grounds right at your doorstep.

As a member of the spa, a one-off treat becomes a life of luxury from the beautiful indoor swimming pool and steam rooms to outdoor tennis courts and, as is standard with the Dorchester Collection, a full complement of Technogym equipment is at the ready.

Coworth Park is one of those properties you just don’t want to leave, so when you are next in London, think twice before heading into the city.

No storms in this tea cup

Park Lane offered an unprecedented approach to service during my stay. My very own host was on hand as butler, concierge and a personal source of useful knowledge - think of it as a personal assistant around the clock.

General manager Lee Kelly was at the ready as I arrived ensuring that the room was good to go and a table for breakfast was reserved. Breakfast at 45 Park Lane is a real treat and getting a table can be a challenge.

45 Park Lane has lived various lives, including as an opulent private residence with a four-storey marble staircase, a ballroom and artwork of such note as to attract Noel Coward, Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill and T.E. Lawrence to its famous exhibitions. Today it proudly continues this tradition with its own contemporary art collection and diverse exhibitions spanning different genres.

With just 45 spacious rooms and suites, alongside our magnificent penthouse, each guest room overlooks the royal Hyde Park and those on higher floors enjoy panoramic views across London. The hotel design was modelled on a private residence, creating a sublime feeling of cossetted intimacy combined with complete discretion and privacy.

Having spent 26 hours travelling from Sydney, you can only imagine my eagerness to spend the day in the newly relaunched spa.

The gym was a showroom of only the best Technogym equipment with a wealth of cardio and free weights, and each morning at 6am I was hard at it.

This transformative space, designed by Jouin Manku, gives a feeling of calm and tranquillity to relax in, featuring an enticing swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hydro pool, state-of-the-art gym and relaxation area.

The impressive pool is perfect for both serious swimmers and those who prefer to take life at a gentler pace. An artistic floral mosaic provides a beautiful backdrop, created by Venetian artisans using traditional Roman-style tiles, making this a serene place to unwind.

Treatments at The Spa at 45 Park Lane are by Valmont and Aromatherapy Associates, and they are truly world class. There are options across the road, at the award-winning The Dorchester Spa, on hand with signature facials and exceptional massages if you can’t secure a booking at 45 Park Lane.

With my birthday looming, what a place to celebrate. At CUT, a Wolfgang Puck creation spearheaded by Chef Elliott Grover, I was overwhelmed by the attention given

45 PARK LANE OFFERS AN UNPRECEDENTED APPROACH TO SERVICE DURING YOUR STAY. YOUR VERY OWN HOST WILL BE ON HAND AS BUTLER, CONCIERGE AND PERSONALISED BANK OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.

to this ageing publisher as the Wagyu beef and the roasted lobster arrived, followed by the huge celebration chocolate soufflé to finish us off. Elliott’s fresh take on the menu celebrates locally sourced ingredients and close relationships with his producers. Positioned at the very heart of the hotel, CUT at 45 Park Lane is a lively delight. From here you can observe the endlessly fascinating buzz of the lobby, the exciting hum of London beyond the windows and be treated to live performances from some of London’s most renowned artists.

THE DORCHESTER LONDON DORCHESTERCOLLECTION.COM

Dominika

Ferenz

My father is a sculptor and glass designer, and I enjoyed a childhood filled with constant artistic activity, playing in the woods while my father sculpted with other artists. When I was six, we escaped from Poland as life was getting dangerous for anyone opposing the communist regime. We were accepted by Australia as political refugees, after waiting in transit in Austria for nine months.

My father taught me how to be curious about life and how to observe things around me. He would always talk to me about colour, different art techniques and the qualities of light, so it is no surprise that I grew up immersed in creating art, painting and drawing whenever I could.

It never occurred to me to have a career outside of art, so when I went to university, I chose to study mass communications with a focus on filmmaking and photography. Initially, I was planning to focus on writing but when I got my hands on a camera, I realised that there was nothing that I loved more than making images. Soon after I graduated, I started a production company with my husband, focusing on directing and producing films.

When I became a mother, I was unable to continue working in film as I had before, so I turned to my other passion - photography. I would steal moments away from home when the girls were asleep or at preschool or, more often than not, I would take photos of them, finding inspiration in the everyday moments of motherhood. I was inspired by photographers such as Sally Mann who elevated ordinary shots of her children to art and I felt this to be fertile creative ground for myself as well. I started a blog and committed to posting a photo a day just to keep my creative juices flowing and not to disappear under my never-ending domestic responsibilities.

I GREW UP IN COMMUNIST POLAND SURROUNDED BY ARTISTS, THEATRE DIRECTORS, ACTORS AND ALL TYPES OF CREATIVES.

Now, as my daughters are older (and sadly rarely want to be photographed) and I have more time for work, my focus has shifted once again. I am passionate about women’s stories and themes based on identity and transformation (influenced by my own experience of needing to recreate my identity in a new country as a refugee).

Over the last couple of years, I have been developing a documentary about the different stages of womanhood. I would like to complement the film with a photography exhibition of each woman interviewed.

I have been photographing girls as young as seven, and women up to 80 years old. I am deeply interested in how a woman’s identity shifts over time from girlhood, through the teenage years to womanhood and then menopause, and I am passionate

I think that my own experiences as a refugee have made me more sensitive and aware of other people’s struggles. What I’ve learnt is that art can be created from anything; you just need to be observant enough to see it and shed light on it.

arbeit macht frei

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Dale Jacqueline

Iwas born in Paris in 1931 and lived with my parents and my brother Charles. We were not well off but content and happy. Events in Europe were to change all of that.

My father and most of my extended family in Poland and France were later to be murdered by the Germans.

The worst hardship of my life was when I was a child and the war broke out, and I was amongst the Holocaust. I was hidden in orphanages until the end of the war. First my brother and I were separated, but later we were brought together. I’m very grateful to the OSE that helped support the children during the war, feeding and clothing them and keeping them safe.

My mother reacted very badly after the war from the loss of her husband and being separated for a long time from her children. I was unable to go to school and was told to learn a trade so that I could help my mother. This was very difficult as I was only 14 years old.

After the war, I emigrated to Australia and a year later my brother Charles followed and lived with me in Sydney.

I married, learned to speak English, had a daughter and a son - and a very difficult marriage.

All these events made me a very strong independent person and I changed my life and remarried.

Now I am surrounded by my daughter, my son and their partners, five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

I have been working at the Jewish Museum as a volunteer for the past 30 years. The last 10 years I have been speaking to groups of schoolchildren about my story to help them understand what happened in the past and I try to make a better world.

In conjunction with the museum, I have written a small book, Goodbye Manan, about the Holocaust which is aimed at young people. It was in response to a group of children who wrote letters to me asking questions after hearing my talk.

I was recognised by the French Government and awarded the National Order of the French Legion of Honour in 2022 for my work at the Jewish Museum.

A beautiful medal was presented to me by the French Consul General of Sydney in a ceremony at the Jewish Museum. I was proudly surrounded by family and friends and many members of the Jewish Museum.

Kariuki Rosemary

love my country, Kenya, very much but in 1999 I was forced to flee for my life to escape brutal tribal violence which escalated every time there was an election.

Two of my uncles had been murdered and my own brother had disappeared.

I made the heart-breaking decision to leave my two sons behind and to bring them over once I was safe in Australia.

I was 39 years old and didn’t know anyone here, so I began to volunteer at a nursing home in Randwick. It was a good job for me, but I was incredibly lonely when I went home. I had lodgings in a share accommodation provided by the government, but no one would talk to me.

It was around Christmas time, so I wrote a card to all of the women in the building wishing them a Merry Christmas and asking them to say hello next time they saw me. After that, they all started talking to me and we became friends. In life, I’ve learnt that when you see a negative, do not complain; look for a positive and do something about it!

It took six years for me to receive a permanent residency and I was finally able to be reunited with my sons, bringing them here to safety. I was so happy and relieved that I didn’t have

to worry for their lives each and every day. During this time, I wrote to them and sent them a card every single week.

I started work with the Parramatta Police as a multicultural community liaison officer after being involved in local African groups in Western Sydney. I help build trust between the police force and the local communities, because if there is no trust, crime will never go down. I’ve been there for 16 years now.

I’ve also been deeply involved with women’s groups - some are for survivors of domestic abuse, some are to help with financial stress, and some are cultural and health exchange groupsproviding them with information and support, especially as I know what it’s like to have neither. This is why I like to give information freely. When you’ve empowered a woman, you’ve empowered a whole family, and a whole village.

In 2021, I was honoured to receive the Australian of the Year Local Hero award based on the work I do with migrant women and domestic violence survivors.

In 2012, Parramatta Council also named me Citizen of the Year.

In life, I’ve learnt that to be happy, you have to make other people happy. Be positive, be focused and never give up.

Mundi

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A BLOKE FROM THE NORTHERN BEACHES OF SYDNEY COULD ENTICE 10,000 40-SOMETHINGS TO FIRE UP THEIR VANS AND DRIVE 16 HOURS ACROSS COUNTRY TO THE MOST REMOTE PIECE OF OUTBACK DIRT WITH NO POWER, NO WATER, NO INTERNET AND NO PHONE HOOK-UP - AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, AT TEMPERATURES OF FOUR DEGREES MOST MORNINGS - AND EXPECT THEM TO ALL RUN AROUND IN THEIR UNDERWEAR. WELCOME TO THE ICONIC MUNDI MUNDI BASH.

reg Donovon is the ‘Bash boss’, not only at Mundi Mundi, but also the equally iconic Birdsville Big Red Bash, Australia’s premier music festival.

Risking some $9 million across these two events, Greg has come out of COVID swinging, totally committed to staging arguably Australia’s most successful music festival, the Aussie Burning Man.

Our journey started in North Sydney setting out in our 40-foot Swagman motorhome fully loaded with a week’s pantry supplies, 300 litres of water, two generators, three gas bottles and a kit bag of Canon, all ready to shoot one of this country’s legendary line-ups of Midnight Oil, Jon Stevens, Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Bachelor Girl, Wolfe Brothers, Richard Clapton, Daryl Braithwaite and a host of great Aussie musos all eager to hit the main stage in front of 10,000 adoring fans.

Our 16-hour drive took us through Wagga Wagga, Yass and Hay before overnighting at the Quest Mildura.

After recuperating with a real bed and hot shower, we made our final four-hour push to Broken Hill, and the Silverton Pub, and then onto Mundi Mundi. What a sight it was, with nothing but that deep red Aussie dirt forever, rolling hills covered with wind farms all showcasing the main stage and the beats of great Aussie anthems serenading us down the track. We had finally arrived.

Having secured all-access media passes, we skirted the thousands of fans in their caravans, trailers, motorbikes, 4x4s, push bikes and even a dozen camels to finally set down on our home patch for the next four days.

That night was opening night with vintage Richard Clapton, Missy Higgins and the headliners Peter Garrett’s Midnight Oil performing. The punters were pumped as the sun set and the rain clouds tried to spoil the night. But, as with all great events, it was bigger than the rain gods and the show went on with only a sprinkle, etching the night into folklore.

Friday morning was a sight to be seen as the traditional Mundi Undi Run was to start at 10am and, as we set to shoot this extremely disturbing activity, we couldn’t help but admire the incredible commitment, friendship and camaraderie shown by these outback athletes.

Amongst this tight-knit community were G-strings, undies and mankinis, and as 10am hit, still at a nippy six degrees, the gun echoed throughout the village with all 4,000 competitors racing to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

As the throngs of runners made their way through the finish line, many new friendships were forged with highfives and the obligatory man hug, with the occasional tear of success in completing the gruelling 700-metre event. That night I would be on stage shooting good mate and Aussie rock legend Jon Stevens, and as the wave of revellers started to position their chairs and set up their personal bars for the night’s big concert, the sound check ignited the vast desert landscape as the sun prepared to blanket the horizon.

PHOTO

I was sitting on the drum riser, up close and personal with the band to capture the vista of 10,000 revellers that stretched over three football fields. What a sight as the hits just kept coming from the INXS and Noiseworks song book. Jon was electric. Each night’s performances would wind up at 8.45pm, allowing the masses to get much-needed sleep in preparation for the next morning’s challenge.

Saturday would see the walking wounded making their way to the coffee carts, all telling their own stories of the memorable night that was.

As 10am came, it was to be the world-record attempt featured in that legendary Nuttbush City Limits TikTok moment and, as per the previous Undi Run, the revellers didn’t disappoint with fancy dress being the feature of the day.

It was a screaming success as the Bashers strutted their stuff and, as quickly as they came, they were off to lunch all fired up to prepare for the finale. The great Jimmy Barnes would close out the 2022 Mundi Mundi Bash.

THE MUNDI MUNDI BASH BROUGHT TOGETHER SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S GREAT LEGENDS OF ROCK, WHILE NEW OUTBACK LEGENDS WERE BORN AMONG THE HARDY CREW COMPETING IN THE MUNDI UNDI RUN

PHOTO

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Opening Saturday’s stage was pocket rocket Bachelor Girl, with Tania and James celebrating their epic single Buses and Trains, followed by Daryl Braithwaite.

Come 7pm it was to be standing room only as the ‘working class man’ did his thing, belting out all the hits. As the pyro fired up, we knew that the finale was near and our exit strategy kicked in. We had to get ready to escape the stampede, so it would be a dash to the bus, pack down and get any sleep we could knowing that there was a 16-hour drive home in front of us.

Sunday 5am, and as the alarm rang out, like zombies we were up, fired up the Swagman and managed to beat the herd. We met the sun poking its nose through the clouds, leaving behind one of our most memorable weekends ever.

Trying to get some distance behind us, we decided to overnight at the Quest Wagga Wagga, and thank God we did. Enjoying a king-size bed and a 30-minute soak in a real bath, we had time to reflect on what the hell just happened.

Driving 32 hours across country to a place with no water, power, literally nothing but red dirt and, remarkably, having the time of our lives! Thanks to the Mundi Mundi Bash team, the volunteers, the amazing crew and the committed revellers, all of whom played their part.

Bring on the 2023 Bash!

PHIL AND BACHELOR GIRL VOLCALIST TANIA DOKO

TIMELESS + DURABLE.

Built like a battleship and marked by iconic Hammertone green, the legendary Stanley Classic Series is stronger, and better. stanley1913.com.au

Smart Seafood

t’s an impressive offering, unfortunately housed in decidedly unimpressive facilities. Despite this, Sydney Fish Market (SFM) draws approximately three million visits a year, making it one of Sydney’s most visited attractions. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the future potential of Sydney Fish Market has been recognised, with the NSW Government investing a whopping $750 million on its redevelopment. Slated for completion in 2024, the development has provided the fish market with the opportunity to reimagine the site, in a way that will better serve the industry and the community for decades to come.

With construction now well underway, we’re delving into some of the technology and innovations that will feature at the new fish market, improving both the trade operations and visitor experience.

The new build enables SFM to operate as a ‘smart building’ with integrated ICT systems running off the backbone of a fibre optic cable that runs throughout the building. This will enable SFM management to better manage and control myriad services including carpark movement, security, communications with staff and tenants, air conditioning, exhaust systems, mechanical services, and visitor counting software. The data intelligence that can be drawn from these collective data points will be significant and will help to continually improve the site performance and visitor experience.

It’s worth noting at this point that the current Sydney Fish Market was never purpose-built as a fish market. In fact, the bustling blue arcade filled with produce stores, eateries, offices, and a wholesale seafood auction was previously a printing warehouse owned by Fairfax.

SYDNEY HAS LONG BEEN HOME TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT FISH MARKETS – COMPLETE WITH WORKING WHARVES, A WHOLESALE AUCTION, RESTAURANTS AND CAFES, PREMIUM PRODUCE RETAILERS, SYDNEY SEAFOOD SCHOOL AND, OF COURSE, AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF SEAFOOD AT ITS SIX FRESH SEAFOOD RETAILERS.

Somehow, the market and its traders have managed not just to function within the constraints of the existing site, but to flourish.

Although the new multi-story design will enable the market to grow, it brings a whole series of challenges for handling of seafood. For decades, the market and its traders have acted on horizontal movement across a single level, shifting an average of 55 tonnes of seafood in and out of the auction hall into the retail areas and carpark using forklifts and hand trollies.

The new site will see the operations floor sandwiched between the carpark and retail levels – essentially meaning that highly perishable product will need to be moved quickly across multiple floors. Because it’s wet product, traditional hoists and lifts can’t be

used. Instead the new market will feature ‘wet hoists’, which to the fish market’s knowledge is untried and tested in Australia. The new building will also provision for hoists to carry fully loaded forklifts with their operators. This type of operation is not unusual – it’s used at Toyosu Fish Market for example, but for SFM’s operations it’s completely new.

The new Toyosu Fish Market has been a source of many learnings for Sydney Fish Market, with management taking inspiration on product movement, EPS (polystyrene recycling) and live tanks.

Likewise, learnings have fed into the design process from European markets in terms of how they receive, handle, sort and stage product.

With the demand for ultra-fresh, live product ever increasing, the new market will feature an expanded number of live tanks allowing auction trade of a greater variety of live product including molluscs, crustacea and - for the first time - live fish.

While the current market has no temperature control, instead relying on ice to maintain product quality and safety, the entirety of the new auction floor will be compartmentalised into ambient controlled rooms. For example, high-risk product such as sashimi-grade tuna will be in a very large chiller, whereas live mud crabs will be in a room with a warmer temperature and high humidity.

These features may not seem like a big deal to the layman, but their cumulative effect will mean SFM can maintain freshness and quality for longer, ultimately leading to a better product for the end consumer.

Culinary

Ambassador AS THE SYDNEY FISH MARKET PREPARES FOR A NEW ERA THROUGH A $750 MILLION TRANSFORMATION, RENOWNED CHEF SEAN CONNOLLY IS LENDING HIS EXPERTISE.

The Sydney Fish Market has named celebrated international chef Sean Connolly its culinary ambassador with the culinary hall of famer set to take the visitor experience at the new facility to a new level.

In this role, Connolly will lend his expertise as a professional chef to the Sydney Fish Market as the organisation enters a significant period of transformation.

Celebrating from December 2022, as the market prepares for its famed 36-hour Seafood Marathon, the ambassador role will see Connolly apply his culinary insights to the curation of food and beverage offerings on the Sydney Fish Market site, a refresh of Sydney Seafood School classes and strengthening connections between primary producers and seafood lovers.

Sydney Fish Market is celebrating the appointment by releasing a range of gourmet sauces and fish salt, personally formulated by Connolly.

"The best conversations, connections and moments of joy are shared over food; it’s the vehicle that brings us together and I’m incredibly excited to join Sydney Fish Market to share my passion for creativity in cooking with seafood lovers,” says Connolly.

“My ethos for cooking is all about tradition over trend, provenance and simplistic creativity. Through my work with the iconic Sydney Fish Market, I hope to integrate these three cornerstones, and assist in the company’s exciting transformation ahead of its redevelopment.”

Construction of the $750 million new fish market is under way, with the spectacular new building set to open in 2024.

As industry leaders in seafood education, responsible sourcing and quality assurance, Sydney Fish Market intends to leverage the opportunities provided by the redevelopment to further enhance the customer experience.

Future visitors will enjoy more visibility of the site’s wholesale operations, enhanced provenance information and an expanded events and education offering.

“This is a pivotal time in the history of Sydney Fish Market and the next few years will be crucial as we begin to transition to our new home,” says Sydney Fish Market CEO Greg Dyer.

“Part of our transformation will include engaging experts like Sean Connolly to enhance our offering, both for consumers and the wider seafood industry. We are excited to welcome Sean and his world-class expertise to our team.”

Sean Connolly, the visionary behind Sean’s Kitchen (Adelaide), Esther (QT Auckland) and The Wild Flower Bar and Dining (Killcare), is a chef with years of experience under his belt.

His career spanning more than three decades, along with his uncompromising drive, have seen him win multiple awards and accolades, release his own cookbook and line of gourmet products, and star in his own TV series in New Zealand and Australia.

SY DNEY

Launch Classic

MARCH 2022 WAS TO PROVE ONE OF OUR GREATEST CHALLENGES WITH THE USUAL BOARDER CLOSURES, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND RESTRICTED NUMBERS AT EVENTS, BUT DID THAT STOP US? NO! NOT ON MY WATCH.

AS WITH MOST OF OUR ANNUAL BOOK LAUNCHES, THE CLASSIC THEME WAS THE ICONIC EDITION FILLED WITH ICONIC LOCATIONS, ICONIC PEOPLE, ICONIC IMAGES AND, OF COURSE, ICONIC GUESTS.

ICONIC MEDIA PRESENTER SANDRA SULLY WELCOMES THE CLASS OF 2022 TO OUR PARISIAN ALLEY

Our annual Classic launch turned out to be the soirée off the year with the Hyatt Regency being converted into a Parisian marketplace with yellowfin tuna from Ulladulla, oysters from Narooma, lobsters from Stanley in Tasmania, magnums of Perrier Jouet, the Olympic champ Cate Campbell and the amazing media icon Sandra Sully all in attendance.

As with most of our annual book launches, the Classic theme was The ICONIC Edition filled with iconic locations, iconic people, iconic images and, of course, iconic guests.

At a sold out luncheon we hung a vineyard of grapes and parasols, framed giant iconic images, a plethora of seafood delights and desserts for miles.

Our added celebration was the magnificent cover artwork of Goompi Ugerabah flown in from the Gold Coast to unveil his breathtaking paintings and deliver the Acknowledgment of Country.

With bouquets of flowers from IGA Romeos Sydney for everyone, candles from Glasshouse and gifts from Victorinox and the kitchens of Chasseur and Scanpan,

it was left up to the generosity of Sri Lankan Airlines and Qatar Airways to share the love with trips to London, Maldives and Sri Lanka complemented by acommodation from the Taj Hotels, Shangri La hotels and the Dorchester Collection.

The luncheon wasn’t for the faint hearted as Bec Curuana from Voice fame hit the stage for an afternoon of sultry blues and a little jazz.

As 3pm arrived, new friends were made, books were signed and not a drop of PJ was left to drink - and that was the year that was! Another Classic year.

ROGER SEAMARK WITH GOLD MEDALLIST CATE CAMPBELL. TONI AND JOANNA OF HAVEN AND SPACE, BERRY. RIGHT: WAGONGA ROCK OYSTER FARMER DAMON FERNIHOUGH

AT A SOLD OUT LUNCHEON WE HUNG A VINEYARD OF GRAPES AND PARASOLS, FRAMED GIANT ICONIC IMAGES, A PLETHORA OF SEAFOOD DELIGHTS AND DESSERTS FOR MILES.

Located on Queen Street Mall, Hyatt Regency Brisbane is a bustling 5 star hotel in the heart of Brisbane’s premium shopping malls and Central Business District. The hotel features 292 newly refurbished guestrooms and suites with modern décor and two unique food and beverage experiences in Lennons Restaurant & Bar and Hibiscus Room.

For reservations please call +61 7 5647 1234 or visit hyattregencybrisbane.com

Hyatt Regency Brisbane | 72 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia

Soirée

MARCH 8 WAS FOR MOST A DAY TO SIT BACK WITH A GLASS OF PERRIER JOUET AND ADMIRE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MANY OF OUR EMPOWERING AUSSIE WOMEN,

Spare a moment for us leaving Melbourne after a sold-out luncheon and then arriving four hours later to host an IWD cocktail soirée at the Hyatt Regency Brisbane, flanked by a who’s who of the Bris Vegas scene - Olympic champion Cate Campbell, media darling Kendall Gilding and Hanworth House madam Marisa Vecchio with a posse of flowers, frocks and bubbles.

As always, our matriarch Dame Quentin Bryce wasn’t far away supporting her most important of causes, domestic violence via the Woman’s Legal Service, with sincere thanks also to Saraid Carey and her team.

Cockatoo-Collins

The woven throw I’m wearing in the photo on the next page was a trade with Sarah Jayne in mid-2020 - her throw for my handprinted shrug.

Our island was shut down during this time, like many places across the world; a time when we reflected on how we were living and what was important to us. Many of those old skills found their way back into daily life - weaving, baking at home and cultivating a vegetable patch.

For me, this trading of precious items between Sarah and I was a modern take on what our people have done for thousands of years.

In late 2021, as we were emerging from COVID, I retold one of those old trading stories in my artwork featured in guestrooms across the Hyatt Regency Brisbane, where this photo is taken.

The three-metre artwork From the Bay to the River is the journey our Quandamooka people took to trade shell and reed necklaces for brigalow spears with the people of Ipswich.

As a Quandamooka artist, I live and work on Minjerribah and very grateful for the way our people have always cared for, and continue to care for, the land and waters of Quandamooka Country.

My artwork embodies the written words and oral histories from my grandmother and mother, and the beautiful natural environment of Quandamooka.

DELVENE’S WORK IS FAR MORE THAN JUST MARKS ON A PAGE. IT EMBODIES A RICH CONNECTION TO COUNTRY, CAPTURING THE QUANDAMOOKA SOUL. HER PIECES SHARE THE STORIES, CULTURE, HERITAGE AND TECHNIQUES OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS, PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION BY HER MOTHER EVELYN AND HER GRANDMOTHER BETHEL.

It’s the place where my family has been forever and where I was first brought back as a baby from the hospital. I was then Delvene Delaney. Having lived in the same home as my grandmother Bethel Delaney during my early years, her ways stayed with me. Experts talk of the first five years and how that sets a pathway. My grandmother’s sense of family, independence and connectedness to her island and community have been innately transferred to me - going out for flowers during spring, oysters in summer and eugaries off back beach throughout the year.

In 1974, my grandmother wrote ‘dilly bag and matmaking as granny did’. This tells me she saw her grannies make those woven bags, using the same reed in the necklaces that was traded out and across the bay.

Her grandmother’s basket is now in the North Stradbroke Island Museum, a woven bag made over 100 years ago. It’s rare to know the provenance of an item made that long ago and, for me, the most important object on the island. When objects are held in museums they are often identified by the collector, the year and the place from which it was collected.

Later in my childhood we moved around a bit; I went to boarding school and onto university studying tourism. When I eventually met my husband-to-be interstate, he uncovered my intentions of ‘finding a man and taking him back to the island’. By then it was too late. We were firmly planted on the island with our three sons, Sachem, Preston and Stirling. Che Cockatoo-Collins, whose name I have taken, comes from his great grandfather Old Man Cockatoo from Yupangathi Country, a small place in western Cape York called Pennyfather.

My work has been described as ‘gentle yet radical’. It has been displayed in the Australian Pavilion at World Expo 2020 in Dubai and used across a suite of items for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games including the winners’ medals.

What I’m most proud of is the welcoming space I’ve created in Goompi - Dunwich - where visitors are welcomed to see my original work, handprinted homewares and visit my store and studio to chat and exchange ideas.

Berrios Sarah

s I stood in front of my team recently, as a leader in an industry traditionally associated as ‘male’, I realised how ‘normal’ this had now become. So much so, the thought of leading a team full of women seems completely alien. Whilst I had never pictured myself working in the heavy diesel industry, I love my role at Cummins and the challenges it brings me. Cummins has great company values with a strong focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and I’m proud to be a part of the Cummins team and proud to be in the position to provide support to other women in this industry. I’ve got a very capable, qualified female technician on the team, who I often tell others about, particularly when visiting high schools, hosting work experience students or onboarding new female apprentices. I’m a firm believer in the importance of representation; if you can’t see it, you don’t often see it as possible.

Having spent most of my career in the maledominated environments of Sydney Trains and the NSW Police Force, I’m no stranger to the dynamic it brings, the challenges, highs and lows, questions about self-worth, self- doubt and moments of joy and hope. I spent 14 years with the NSW Police Force, spending most of that time working as a detective. I saw the best of humanity, as well as the worst, over these years. I always vowed to move on if I ever started to become cynical, lose my empathy for others or sense of self. Domestic and family violence is something frequently faced by police. I know domestic and family violence has a terribly corrosive

impact on victims, having personally witnessed the impact of physical, emotional and financial abuse and coercion. One of the most tragic incidents I investigated as a detective, was a domestic-related homicide that occurred when the family’s primary school-aged children were downstairs watching television. The children’s mother was murdered and the motive for the murder surrounded the discovery that the male offender was sexually abusing one of the couple’s children. I saw some very good police work that day and great care taken of those children and their mother. I’m very proud we were able to secure some justice for someone who no longer had a voice. The offender went to jail for 20 years but it doesn’t change the life-long impact of his actions.

The changes in society over the last 20 years regarding equal rights and equality for women has been very promising but there is still a way to go. As the mother of two teenagers, I’m often accused of turning chats around the dinner table into ‘life lessons’ (regularly met with tuts and eye rolls) although every now and then it ignites robust discussion and some realisations about the state of the world. I hope my children will enter their adulthood with an understanding of inequality and the confidence and knowledge to call it out as they move through the world. All change starts with one step. In 20 years from now, I hope the steps currently being taken across organisations, business and education sectors sees a lasting difference to our world, but the biggest impact, good or bad, will be from the education we provide in our homes.

vivid Sydney

VIVID SYDNEY IS AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, MUSIC AND IDEAS HELD OVER THREE SPECTACULAR WEEKS IN SYDNEY.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

Vivid Sydney features outdoor immersive light installations and projections, performances by local and international musicians, and an ideas exchange forum featuring public talks and debates with leading creative thinkers.

One such thinker is the Classic lifestyle team who were creative enough to partner with Steve Cox and the remarkable Destinations NSW team.

Over the past several years, I have been fortunate enough to visit Vivid shooting this spectacular harbour city from both the foreshore, on board luxury boats and also hanging out of a chopper.

This year, we were granted permission to set up our Big Black Bus right next to the Park Hyatt, across from the Opera House and adjacent to the Harbour Bridge along with over 2.4 million revellers who had travelled from all over the world and interstate to drown themselves in this pulsating extravaganza. All this whilst I was cooking up home-made pumpkin soup, hot apple crumbles and flasks of hot chocolate for our special guests and budding new photographers.

Words can't really explain the experience of Vivid as it's all wrapped around a visual explosion of sight and sound. I hope you enjoy a few of our snaps.

Having travelled the world for over three decades, I am yet to find a country that showcases its hero city as well as Destination NSW.

The world’s best noise cancelling.

HAVING SPENT MANY NIGHTS OVER THE PAST DECADE ENJOYING THE LANGHAM BRAND – CHICAGO, LONDON, NEW YORK, HONG KONG AND PASADENA ARE ALL SPECTACULAR IN THEIR OWN WAY - WE CAME FULL CIRCLE BACK TO OUR HOME TOWN OF SYDNEY TO EXPERIENCE

QUINTESSENTIAL BOUTIQUE LUXURY IN AN HISTORIC 95-ROOM GEM.

estled in The Rocks district on famous Kent Street, this beautiful five-star haven boasts both privacy and convenience in its location with the property positioned moments from bustling Circular Quay and Sydney’s CBD.

Situated on a delightfully tranquil street, The Langham, Sydney is just a few minutes’ walk from the legendary Sydney Harbour Bridge.

To the east are The Rocks, Circular Quay, CBD, Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden, areas that all house premier dining and shopping precincts.

Needing to enjoy a little retail therapy, we took the signature Pink Taxi that is available onsite to drop us to the CBD, with compliments. We also booked it for an early morning departure to the airport.

The Langham

Lo Ve

LAVISHED WITH ELEGANT COMFORTS FROM HIGH CEILINGS TO BESPOKE FURNITURE, OUR OBSERVATORY SUITE IS THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY LIVING. ENTERTAIN YOUR GUESTS IN A GRAND DINING ROOM, AND IMPRESS THEM WITH MAJESTIC VIEWS OF OBSERVATORY HILL AND THE SYDNEY SKYLINE.

With 95 beautifully appointed rooms and suites from the stunning Deluxe City room to the two-bedroom private Residence Suite with kitchenette, to our piece of opulence and riches of The Observatory Suite, every room boasts impeccable design, quality finishes and attention to detail.

With a focus on opening windows, Juliette balconies and expansive, lavish terraces, our beautiful room provided western harbour views, privacy and seclusion, even though we were in the heart of this busy city.

Each evening at five we would find ourselves tucked in beside the open fire at the Observatory Bar, a sophisticated space where we discovered inventive cocktails and an inspiring food menu with a focus on bringing the best of the world to Sydney.

Located in the heart of Millers Point, this intimate bar provides an escape from the bustling city. Designed for guests seeking an elevated cocktail or fine wine experience, the Observatory Bar is inspired by industrial technology, modern gastronomy and a tinge of fantasy.

The Observatory Bar’s cocktail menu is set to confuse yet delight your senses at the same time with interactive elements combined with the choice of unusual and quintessential Australian ingredients.

Guests are recommended to start with the Green Ant Martini (Australian Green Ant Gin, salt bush, lemon myrtle aromatics and green ants) or Neap Tide (homemade finger lime sugar syrup, Ironbark Wattleseed Gin, a splash of Australian sparkling wine, a garnish of Sydney rock oyster, fresh finger lime, paperbark smoke and violet) which includes some of Australia’s most unique flora and fauna such as sea asparagus.

Kitchens on Kent at The Langham, Sydney is a luxurious open-kitchen dining experience featuring a vast selection of traditional and innovative global cuisines, prepared using incredible and extravagant produce.

The 175-seat restaurant is focused on redefining the traditional buffet and creating an interactive experience for diners where they can enjoy a lineup of international cuisines, live cooking stations hosted by an expert chef, and made-toorder and customisable dishes.

Designed by Executive Chef Dave Whitting, the menu brings together a variety of cuisines which are inspired by his experience working in international Michelin Star restaurants.

The 11 culinary stations showcase a range of traditional and new-world techniques using seasonal and local ingredients.

THE QUALITY AND SERVICE OF FINE DINING COMBINED WITH THE VARIETY OF OUR INTERACTIVE BUFFET. MULTIPLE COOKING STATIONS MANNED BY A TEAM OF PASSIONATE CHEFS. THE FRESHEST, SEASONAL LOCAL PRODUCE EXPERTLY PREPARED RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES.

We took our time navigating our way through the extensive seafood offering, featuring Sydney rock oysters, blue swimmer crabs, tiger prawns, local tuna, salmon and kingfish, all sustainably sourced and supplied by Sydney Fish Market.

The live stations include fresh pasta, rustic pizzas and flatbread cooked in the Beech oven, a robata grill offering a selection of game meats cooked over smokey charcoals, the rotisserie offering whole cooked meats such as a suckling pig and a tandoor serving up traditional Indian dishes.

The restaurant also features a Japanese sushi and sashimi station, raw bar, wok and noodle station and an array of hot western dishes.

The dessert station will satisfy even the sweetest tooth with macaroon towers, a milk, dark and white chocolate fountain, hot and cold desserts, soufflés made to order along with a gelato station that will rotate through a variety of flavours.

For those who prefer to order directly from the menu, a modern Australian à la carte menu is also on offer.

And if that’s not enough choice, you can always graze on the signature high tea with fresh scones, a glass of bubbles and a pot of English breakfast tea.

Featuring a stunning star-dappled ceiling, a 20-metre indoor pool provides guests with Sydney’s most beautiful underground pool experience.

The Langham, Sydney’s Health Club provides guests with the ultimate in personalised fitness. Facilities include a spa and steam rooms, a beautifully equipped Technogym-filled cardio and weights room.

During our stay it was hard to not take advantage of the amazing tennis court located opposite the hotel - and we certainly did that.

Our mandatory treatment was spectacular with a 90-minute deep-tissue session at the Day Spa by Chuan, a lavish underground sanctuary with a focus on providing the ultimate spa journey.

The day spa features facials, massages and body treatments based on advanced skin-care treatments from German beauty pioneers BABOR, local organic experts iKOU and treatment partner Aromatherapy Associates.

Our treatment was finalised with a signature detox juice, and some quiet time by the pool. Each morning, the routine was to explore the northern end, six hectares of open space with lookouts over Sydney Harbour, offering an entirely Australian native garden with spectacular views as we discovered the historic Barangaroo and The Rocks.

The Langham, Sydney is certainly our best hotel under 100 rooms delivering a unique sense of comfort with its spectacular location that gave us access to all the riches and assets that Sydney has to offer.

THE Story teller

Born in 1981 on the Gold Coast (Kombemerri tribal land), Stephen Larcombe has lived between there and Tweed Heads (Minjungbal tribe) all his life.

Goompi grew up in Currumbin going to the local schools, playing AFL and being on the Gold Coast he casually surfed the local breaks with mates as well.

After 10 years of cultural dance presentations at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with his teachers/skin fathers (the Walker brothers) from Stradbroke, Goompi tried different employment paths. He went from a kitchen hand, sales, managing bottleshops and bars to even driving a truck. At this time, aged 25, he began to paint Aboriginal artworks more frequently. Unlike jobs he held before, painting Aboriginal art felt right because it wasn’t a job. It was practicing culture, passing on stories and history through what is a sacred way his ancestors used to communicate and educate in the past - their written language as such. It was an easy process for him seeing that he learnt culture, history, stories, song and dance for so many years already. As a self-taught artist looking at other Aboriginal artists from around Australia, Goompi started to experiment with painting by using animals and dot formations that had meanings.

STEPHEN LARCOMBE WAS NAMED GOOMPI IN HIS TEENS BY HIS NUNUKUL CULTURAL TEACHERS, MEANING POSSUM IN THEIR JANDAI LANGUAGE. HE IS A DESCENDANT OF THE GURRENG GURRENG PEOPLE IN THE BUNDABERG REGION.

Knowing he had to create his own style was very important to Goompi; it was a goal to achieve so his people's old cultural protocols were followed and to make sure there is no infringing on others' copyright.

Goompi quickly formed his own unique style, which attracted many investors and admirers of his work instantly. Transitioning to an abstract style, he represented his stories with larger dots in black, grey and white tones. The colours are similar to ochres found in his area.

Using water-based acrylics, he has updated his style by adding smaller dots to give a different dimension, plus sandy tones to maintain a saltwater feel which represents his birthplace. In other works, Goompi has also used brighter colours to represent the rainforest and freshwater areas of his home land.

Goompi creates works that are now highly sought after and acquired by collectors from around the world. Most of his exhibitions are in hand-selected galleries within Australia and the open nights are always a hit. Goompi always enlists his tribal dance troupe to present a display of singing, didgeridoo and dancing. This reiterates that song and dance, like Aboriginal art, are both methods that Aboriginal people have used to tell their stories since time began.

Exhibiting overseas is at the top of Goompi’s list after already doing so in Romania and France. His passion has led him to travel and showcase his cultural stories and artworks around the world.

Goompi has sold out numerous exhibitions and is achieving more accolades every year as he continues to paint full-time in the art industry.

With comments like 'Goompi is one of Australia’s leading Indigenous artists of today', it's no wonder after looking at the artworks he has produced.

CURRENT GALLERIES

GALLERY ONE ‘THE BRICKWORKS CENTRE’ SOUTHPORT, QLD KATE OWEN GALLERY – ROZELLE, NSW

ACHIEVEMENTS

NAIDOC GOLD COAST, QLD COUNCIL CHAMBERS EXHIBITION 2009, 2010, AND 2011

NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE, 2009 AND 2011 BALLINA ART GALLERY, NSW

EXHIBITED AT CROWN PLAZA GOLD COAST, QLD, RECONCILIATION WEEK 2011

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS, KIRRA QLD AND THE GOLD COAST TITANS NRL EXCELLENCE CENTRE, ROBINA, QLD

SOLD-OUT SOLO EXHIBITION AT PORT DOUGLAS IN JANUARY 2014

SOLD-OUT SOLO EXHIBITION AT NOOSA IN MARCH 2015

EXHIBITED IN 'DREAMING EXHIBITION' IN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, OCTOBER 2015

OPEN NIGHT SELL-OUT, SOLO EXHIBITION AT GALLERY ONE – GOLD COAST, QLD, 2017

SELL-OUT, SOLO EXHIBITION AT GALLERY ONE – GOLD COAST QLD, 2018

FINALISTS IN 2018 AND 2020 PADDINGTON ART PRIZE

AAAA (ABORIGINAL ARTS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA) ELECTED NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ARTS COUNCIL

Gem Hidden

WITH ITS ROOTS PLANTED FIRMLY IN THE EARTHY RED SOILS ON THE EDGE OF THE GREAT WESTERN PLAINS OF NEW SOUTH WALES, THIS DYNAMIC REGIONAL CITY IS JUST LIKE A FINE WINE – IT GETS BETTER WITH AGE.

GAWAYMBANHA DHUBU-GU. WELCOME TO DUBBO.

ituated on the banks of the winding Macquarie-Wambuul River, Dubbo’s rich cultural history began with the First Nations people whose land and story is honoured through the city’s botanical gardens, picturesque pathways, cultural cafes, reserves and striking urban artworks.

Since 1849, Dubbo has transformed from a small rural village into a thriving regional hub with all the trimmings of a sustainable city on the rise.

It may be the home of the world-famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo, but that doesn’t mean the Dubbo Region isn’t full of surprises. It glistens with highend hidden gems and it boasts an eclectic food scene serving up fresh, local produce absolutely bursting with seasonal flavours.

Whether you yearn to journey into the past, immerse yourself in art and culture, indulge in a thriving entertainment scene or see the wild in the wild - the Dubbo Region will dazzle you with its diversity and style.

While offering hearty, country-style meals, the local cuisine is a smorgasbord of authentic flavours from around the world that celebrate the city’s burgeoning multicultural society. From Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Beijing-style dumpling dishes, through to classics such as wood-fired pizza and modern artisan bakeries; from gluten free, paleo, vegetarian and vegan, to intimate indoor or breezy alfresco dining…the Dubbo Region has it all.

But it’s the freshness of the food that makes the Region stand out, where seasonal produce grown and harvested locally makes its journey from the paddock to the plate – transforming your dining experience one bite at a time.

WHETHER YOU’RE EMBARKING ON THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN JOURNEY, PLANNING A WEEKEND BREAK, OR HEADING OUT ON A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT GETAWAY, CHOOSE TO ESCAPE TO THE DUBBO REGION WHERE ADVENTURE AWAITS.

PRESS DIRECTORS, ALISTER AND CRISTINA. HEAD CHEF TOBY ROUSE AND GENERAL MANAGER DANILO OKAZIMA. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAT SALLOUM

You can source this nutritious and tasty produce at the Region’s farmers’ markets, connecting direct with the growers – all while enjoying awesome coffee on lush, green riverbanks. Think raw, unfiltered honey, emu or kangaroo jerky, nuts straight from the tree, succulent saltbush lamb, organically grown garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fine wine, decadent chocolate, nougat and rocky road, saffron, lavender and oldfashioned farm-baked cakes, through to luxurious hand-made body products and rustic native flower bouquets. It is truly a sensory event.

The Dubbo Region is also home to the first and sole Fairtrade-registered milk company in Australia that distributes its products across NSW and the ACT. The Little Big Dairy Co bottles its milk at the one dairy, traceable down to the very cow that made it.

The heart of a bustling coffee scene, you can experience cafes like Press and its ‘secret garden’ while enjoying fresh food and speciality coffee. Try Press café’s most loved dish: avocado and feta (meticulously created with a mouth-watering combination of multigrain sourdough bread, freshly sliced avocado, home-made tomato salsa and dukkah) or simply enjoy Farmer Brown’s free-range eggs on toast - they are amazingly golden!

If you love food and coffee as much as a great beer, the Dubbo Region has its very own world-class brewery. DubVegas - a cheeky mid-strength lager loaded with flavour - is the biggest seller at Devil’s Hollow Brewery, while Nosey Bob is the most popular with craft beer lovers thanks to its ‘hoppy, creamy, red IPA’. You can also book ‘Meet the Brewer’ tours and tastings at this popular venue.

DUBVEGAS - A CHEEKY MIDSTRENGTH LAGER LOADED WITH FLAVOUR - IS THE BIGGEST SELLER AT DEVIL’S HOLLOW BREWERY,

Shhhh! If you love a good cocktail, take a journey back in time to experience the days of the ‘speak easy’. Recapturing the spirit of the prohibition era of the late 1920s and ‘30s, The Establishment Bar in Dubbo offers crafted cocktails, classic tipples and fine drams in an intimate atmosphere. Located ‘in a hidden valley’, you can also sample regional wines and beer, whilst enjoying the moody vibes of live entertainment in an 18-plus setting. (Psst! You could be forgiven for thinking you are on the streets of inner-city Melbourne!)

Dubbo’s accommodation options range from glamping to boutique B&B experiences, luxurious and sophisticated self-contained apartments and cottages to guest houses and 4-plus star hotels.

Or, for the ultimate indulgence, why not take a walk on the wild side and experience the award-winning Zoofari Lodge at Taronga Western Plains Zoo? Overlooking the vast savannah where giraffes, zebras and rhinos roam, you can wake up and go to sleep with these majestic animals in a unique canvas lodge complete with shaded, furnished decks and ensuites. Overnight packages showcase an unrivalled in-zoo safari experience featuring an Africanstyle menu, cocktails and canapés, a zoo admission bundle, and glorious sunset and beautiful golden morning safari tours.

Before you leave the beautiful region, make sure you take a piece of it home with you to share with your family and friends. Drop into the Dubbo Visitor’s Information Centre and pick up a souvenir hamper filled with delightful indulgences, all made from the heart by local and regional brands including Grilla Pitt, Dill Tickle Pickles, Rosie's Boutique Condiments, The Country Plate, Dreamtime Tuka, Troy Farm, Spencer and Native Secrets.

With interstate highway links, plus daily air and rail services, how you arrive in the Dubbo Region is simply a matter of personal choice. It’s a city glistening with hidden gems where you can become a part of our story, and that story becomes a part of you.

Home to 54,000 smiles and counting, the Dubbo Region is just like a good vintage wine…let’s drink to that!

THE ESTABLISHMENT BAR IN DUBBO OFFERS CRAFTED COCKTAILS, CLASSIC TIPPLES AND FINE DRAMS IN AN INTIMATE ATMOSPHERE.

SHHHH! IF YOU LOVE A GOOD COCKTAIL, TAKE A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME TO EXPERIENCE THE DAYS OF THE ‘SPEAK EASY’.

Whether you’re embarking on the great Australian journey, planning a weekend break, or heading out on a spur of the moment getaway. Choose to escape to the Dubbo Region, with many accommodation options within a short walking or driving distance to attractions, conference venues, shops and restaurants.

Featuring: Taronga Western Plains Zoo Zoofari Experience | The secret is out, this Zoo is not just for the kids 6881 1400 | www.taronga.org.au/dubbo-zoo

PRESS Café, local produce, simple done right 6885 0621 | www.pressdubbo.com.au

Devils Hollow Brewery

Local beer brewery, supporting local produce. 8328 0060 | www.devilshollow.com.au

The Establishment Bar Hidden speak easy #comefindus 5806 0387 | www.establishmentbardubbo.com.au

WORDS BY : DANIEL RESNIK

When Swiss hotelier, the late Ueli Prager, founded the Mövenpick brand in 1948, he redefined the European restaurant scene and paved the way for a new style of modern hospitality conceived on a simple premise of ‘doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way’.

A visionary of his time, Prager created a restaurant concept based on simplicity, innovation, commitment to service and a passion for culinary and hospitality excellence and the rest, as they say, is history.

There are now 80 Movenpick properties, hotels, resorts and Nile Cruisers worldwide with another 30 planned or under construction across the Middle East and Asia.

There are two Movenpick Hotels in Australia, Hobart and Melbourne.

I recently had the good fortune of staying two nights at Movenpick Melbourne on Spencer.

Located on Spencer Street in the heart of the city in the tram free zone and very close to the Southern Cross Station makes it an ideal location if you’re disembarking via the airport Skybus or on a V-Line train.

The hotel forms the first six floors of the new Premier Tower building on the corner of Bourke and Spencer Streets. Designed by Elenberg Fraser architects, the curved building is a new stunning landmark for Melbourne’s skyline.

The Spencer Street end of the CBD is a great location due to the cafes, bars, restaurants and the numerous office blocks that have been built in recent times. When staying at Movenpick you’re in walking distance to Melbourne’s boutique and outlet shopping centres and close to all the many famous laneways that are filled with cafés, restaurants, bars and world-renowned street art.

For football aficionados the hotel is an easy stroll to the impressive Marvel Stadium and the Southbank promenade, a great location that will satisfy everyone’s needs.

From the moment we were checked in by the personable, bubbly and professional young lady called Blaire at reception, it set the tone for a great but short two-night stay.

The Movenpick offers 172 stylish rooms along with 10 exquisite suites.

Walking into our luxurious 41 square metre suite we were taken aback by the generous size, design and vibrant colour palette of the décor. A plush king size bed opposite a 55-inch flat-screen TV that also swivels towards our superb lounge area, along with our oversized bathroom with a generous freestanding bath and massive shower made me want to permanently move in! If that wasn’t enough, a pillow menu also allows you to pick a pillow to suit your needs that ensures a blissful sleep.

Last, but not least, was my highlight of the room; a Nespresso coffee machine that I worked overtime to satisfy my caffeine cravings.

THIS CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA INCLUDES PROFITEROLES, ROLLS, CHOCOLATE PETIT FOURS, CHURROS, CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES, MARSHMALLOWS, MINI ICE-CREAM CONES AND MANY OTHER TEMPTING TREATS.

After settling in, the only reason we left our suite so swiftly was for the Movenpick’s daily complimentary 4:30-5:30pm mouth-watering chocolate hour that is a feast for the senses and is on offer for guests daily in the hotel’s trendy lobby. This chocolate extravaganza includes profiteroles, rolls, chocolate petit fours, churros, chocolate-dipped strawberries, marshmallows, mini ice-cream cones and many other tempting treats.

After gorging on this chocolate feast each afternoon before dinner, I was very grateful for the excellent fitness facilities available.

A 25-metre pool heated to a comfortable 26 degrees features glass louvres that open up the space to the street offering a nice mix between indoor and outdoor. There’s also a hot tub and sauna.

A state-of-the-art gym is operational 24/7 and is equipped with Technogym exercise equipment.

During our short two-night stay, I made the most of the pool facilities that are open daily untill 10pm and worked out in the gym, finishing off with a satisfying sauna session.

The hotel also honours Melbourne’s vivacious art scene and the five-star hotel showcases a collection of works from some of Melbourne's best photographers which are displayed throughout the hotel.

Miss Mi is a modern Asian restaurant awarded a Good Food Chef's Hat, that merges the exotic with the familiar. Time-honoured Asian techniques, ingredients and flavours are paired with modern methods to take you on a culinary journey to the heart of Asia. Ever evolving, the Miss Mi menu encourages you to explore new tastes and aromas.

Our moreish adventure with Miss Mi began with a serve of chilli crab and prawn dumplings, wild kingfish kinilaw followed by roasted bone marrow with marinated rump and the succulent Borneo boar sausage.

For mains we ordered an oven-baked spiced whole barramundi complemented with a serve of various root vegetables.

Our sweet tooth was sated with two desserts; a leche flan (Filipino creme caramel) and a buko pandan (Filipino dessert salad with coconut) which concluded a wonderful culinary experience.

Our short but extremely fulfilling stay at the Movenpick Hotel on Spencer exceeded all our expectations and I look forward to returning soon.

ONE World

IF YOU ASK ANYONE IN THE WORLD WHAT PICTURE COMES TO MIND WHEN THEY THINK OF SYDNEY YOU WILL BE HARD PRESSED FINDING ANY PICTURE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE SYDNEY HARBOUR.

WORDS BY : PHIL HARTE

ydney is defined by that iconic image looking down the harbour with the Sydney Harbour Bridge at centre stage, the Opera House and city skyline to the left, and right in the middle of it all some amazing boats enjoying the best of what Sydney has to offer.

And the chances are that at least some of the boats in that iconic picture were chartered by people who booked their boat through Any Boat.

Any Boat has been the go-to yacht broker for over 13 years and has seen hundreds of thousands of people enjoy Sydney on a luxury yacht.

The client list at Any Boat is vast. Whether it be tourists wanting to see Sydney by boat, a family day out, a corporate event, or even some of the world's biggest names and celebrities which include the likes of Richard Branson, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams and the Swedish royal family, the chances are they booked their boat through Any Boat.

Founded in 2008 by Daniel Da Silva, Any Boat is a success story that started with an idea, a laptop, a spare bedroom and a handful of cheap and cheerful boats. People thought Daniel was mad starting a yacht charter business in the middle of the GFC, but he had an idea that he was going to see through.

Fast forward to today and Any Boat still works with the cheap and cheerful boats but is now a specialist in the superyacht and luxury yacht charter market.

Now with 13 staff across two countries, Any Boat curates events on superyachts in Sydney, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the Whitsundays and also creates custom itineraries for multiday superyacht charters lasting from 24 hours to 10 days. These ultra-luxury superyacht holidays are usually set in the tropical islands of Queensland – The Whitsundays.

What sets Any Boat apart from the rest is their ability to make things happen when no one else can. This all comes down to the experience of the team. With over 40 years of combined experience in charter bookings, vessel management, and time spent working as captains and crew on board vessels, no competitor knows the industry like the team at Any Boat.

Along the way, Any Boat acquired other businesses which included Sailcorp at the Lavender Bay Boatshed. Sailcorp is a dedicated sailing yacht charter company that specialises in corporate regattas and team-building events where teams learn to sail before embarking on a race down Sydney Harbour, and bareboat sailing where experienced sailors can take a yacht for the day on their own.

This combination of working with superyachts, sailing boats, and everything in between is just another reason Any Boat is the go-to booking agency in Australia.

WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE IN CHARTER BOOKINGS, VESSEL MANAGEMENT, AND TIME SPENT WORKING AS CAPTAINS AND CREW ON BOARD VESSELS, NO COMPETITOR KNOWS THE INDUSTRY LIKE THE TEAM AT ANY BOAT.

PHOTO BY: THE SYDNEY STUDIO

AFTER 30 YEARS AT THE HELM OF FRIGCORP BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES. DAVID PRICE REFLECTS ON FOUNDING ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST TRUSTED BUILDING SERVICES COMPANIES.

t 15 years old, David Price left high school, moving onto his new venture as a fitter and mechanic apprentice working on the docks at Cockatoo Island. Located within the working Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island was a notoriously tough place to be. Operating as a convict penal establishment in the 1800s, it later became one of Australia’s biggest shipyards. “My major upbringing was being on that dockyard for four years; it was such a tough place to grow up… it taught me to get along and grow up really quick,” says Price.

When he was nearing the age of 19, Price knew it was time to get out of there. Price eventually took a role working for an air-conditioning company, where he was trained to become a qualified air-conditioning mechanic, but he knew he needed to do more. With aspirations of running his own business and one day working for himself, Price began to conceptualise his future company and take contracting jobs on the side.

At the age of 21, Price had a lucrative contract setting up commentary booths for Channel 10. He would go out to a sporting game - whether it be tennis, golf, or any other live broadcastinstall an air-conditioning unit in the commentary booth, only for it to be torn down a week later and move on to the next location. But when the current company he was working for got wind of his outside contract, he was given the option to either hand the client over or be fired from his job. He chose to leave that day.

Out on his own with nothing but his bedroom for an office and one contract with Channel 10, Price knew this was his opportunity to create something of his own. When he offered a co-worker from his previous company to be a partner in his new business, he was quickly shut down. He was told, “Once you have 10 people working for you, let me know and I’ll reconsider.” That co-worker is now Frigcorp’s longest-standing employee after 25 years.

After years of conceptualising, Price registered his new company Frigair in 1992. Working out of his bedroom at home with his car as his office, he had no employees and no systems in place. After receiving his first computer as a hand-me-down that would have otherwise been trash from a local ANZ, he downloaded Quickbooks and 'muddled his way through it' with no computer

background. While building his company, Price was told by his father, who worked for a large business, that he was crazy working for himself, and was questioned why anyone would come to him. Price responded, “Well, I’m just going to do it better than anyone else, so why wouldn’t they come to me?”

With his now wife as his biggest supporter, Price was in the midst of launching his business, struggling to get employees and canvassing businesses on the side of the street, but he never gave up. He says, “From day one I never told any clients I was the owner; it was all about seeming bigger than we were.” With a new office in the Sydney CBD, Frigair had become an established business in the air-conditioning installation space. But Price had come to realise installation wasn’t enough; construction was a single transaction industry, and Frigair was a company that wanted to build a relationship with the client.

After a few years, the company had outgrown its inner-city office and moved out to Meadowbank where Price began to move the company out of construction and into service and maintenance. Still struggling to find staff who could do the job and had the same beliefs in hard work and building relationships, Price realised the way to grow his company was to move into the space of building automation. “I said, let's find a product that works well, learn it, sell it, get the management fees, and make it as open as we can so if someone doesn't want to deal with us anymore, they can still deal with a good system.”

With the concept already adopted by some big players in Australia, and after attempting to work with one failing supplier, Price took his business overseas to the United States. Working with the new supplier in Dallas, Frigair soon became known as Frigcorp and began to expand into the building automation industry. With no experience in the security industry, Price said he figured that after working with electronics in the air-conditioning space, how hard could security be?

Price was then given an opportunity for Frigcorp to work with Stockland on a new development in Canberra. Price jumped on the opportunity, and wanted to install building automation features into every aspect of the building. When he took the idea

to Stockland, he was denied as it was out of their budget. He then made the decision to contribute his own money to the build, and for tenants to pay a fee for the extra amenities. However, to install the system that Price was imagining, he needed more experience. He was soon on a flight to Dallas to meet with his supplier company, sitting with every part of the business to learn how to install and use the systems. Struggling with income at the time, Price went to dinner with the owner of the supplying company and his wife, a pair of wealthy Texans. At that dinner, the wife had mentioned that it wasn’t too long ago she wasn’t able to pay her own payroll. That’s when a switch flicked for Price. He saw the opportunity he had in front of him with these systems and his new knowledge, and he saw these people who were in his position not long ago, looking at where they are today.

When Price returned to Sydney with this new reassurance and confidence behind him, he transformed Frigcorp into a fully hosted building automation enterprise.

Today, Price still works as the general manager of Frigcorp and

is as dedicated as ever for the business to grow and succeed. Over the years, he has raised his family alongside his wife, with all four of his sons now working in his business. Price credits his success in business to not only his personal dedication and hard work, but the incredible support he has and continues to receive from his wife. “I couldn't have done what I do without her.” Price says he has no intentions of leaving the business anytime soon, and he wants his boys to have that same passion. “If they've got an idea to go do something, I want that idea. I want you to go chase it. Don't think that what we do is what we do forever. Think outside what we’re doing and where are the opportunities.”

Today, Frigcorp services over 1,000 clients across Australia. Built from the ground up, David Price has never given up on his dream of creating something of his own. His passion, drive, and belief in hard work and hardworking people have transformed Frigcorp from a dream in his childhood bedroom, to the force that it is today. “It's easy to be a millionaire but it’s just as easy not to be - you can sit around and complain about what you don’t have, or you can work really hard and do well for yourself.”

Go beyond with an ultra-long 900 meter light beam that illuminates as far as the eye can see