ISSUE NO.9 : AUTUMN 2020 - Coal Coast Magazine

INSIDE THE I L L AWA R R A

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ISSUE No.9 MARCH APRIL MAY 2020 HISTORY | ART | PEOPLE | MUSIC | FOOD | REVIEWS | CULTURE | TRAVEL

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what's inside

4 at the drive-in 6 generous spirit 10 cooking for community 14 crème de la crème 18 meringues recipe 20 shaken or stirred 22 wine time 24 where's the cappuccino gone?

26 #gowithemptyeskies 28 wildlife in ashes 30 picture perfect 32 what's on calendar 34 life is a cabaret 36 finds for you 38 royal escape

40 42 44 46 50 52 54 56 58 59 60 62 63 64

party time, excellent hot headliners the music farmer half pipe hero caring corrimal nourish to nurture celebrating home renovate vs renovated coal coast faves hey brew coal coast faves coal coast pops meet a neighbour the quiz

There is a QUIZ on page 64 and here are the answers: 1. Hanoi; 2. Martin Scorsese; 3. Tenpin bowling; 4. New South Wales; 5. Nitrogen; 6. La La La’s; 7. Greta Thunberg; 8. Cows; 9. Four; 10. Terry Richardson; 11. One; 12. The Handmaid’s Tale; 13. Adelaide; 14. A Day in the Life; 15. 1923; 16. The Simpsons; 17. Vodka; 18. Sleeping Beauty; 19. Hardwood; 20. K2 in Pakistan.

Coal Coast a term which recognises our industrial history while celebrating our glittering coastline.

Welcome to Issue 9.

Well, what a summer we've had. The devastating bushfires have left a permanent reminder on our landscape and our psyches, reminding us all of Mother Nature's ferocity. But after the fire comes the rain, and after what felt like a lifetime of drought, our dams are refilling, the grass is greener and we breathe a collective sigh of relief. This summer is now a part of history and one we will never forget.

acting editor Kate O'Mealley

Our stunning cover honours the native wildlife impacted by the fires. With over one billion animals killed, Nicole Karin's beautiful illustration symbolises regrowth and the regeneration of our land.

We can only hope that our love and care for these animals will help to rebuild their populations. We look at the devastation and future of our wildlife (p28-29).

head of sales & marketing Tara Connor

In the midst of heartbreak, our impressive community shone under pressure. People devoting time, donating money and creating appeals to help communities and animals in affected areas (p 6-9). We also look at how we can continue to support these communities (p26-27), so please, go visit and spend up! As Joaquin Pheonix said in his recent Oscars speech, "We're at our best when we support each other.

When we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption. Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow".

cover illustration Nicole Karin

Beyond the bushfires, we look at our wonderful community and the efforts to support each other. Corrimal's Autistic Friendly Community (p50-51), Samara's Restaurant (p10-13) and Jeb Taylor from Music Farmers (p44-45) are leading the way, in their own way.

Finally, this issue marks our 2nd birthday. So please have a drink to us and our beautiful community!

Cheers

Dani, Kate, Tara & Tess x

Coal Coast Magazine is published four times a year and has taken the utmost care to ensure content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher and editor.

Coal Coast Magazine does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information, product or service represented within our magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Coal Coast Magazine PTY LTD. ABN 49 621 097 461

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editor Dani Sherring

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creative director Tess McIntosh

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our contributors Matilda Jesiolowski Lucy Dinn Wollongong City Libraries Lost Wollongong Stefan Posthuma Penny Keogh Sea People Photography Amy Morrison Styling Ben Mackay Chris Cook Mark Turner Pamela Raith Rebekah Lambert Adara Enthaler Ronald Dick Mark Woolley Rita Balshaw Anna Thackray LA Early Joanna Singletary Nicole Karin Matt Castell Birdblack Design Michelle Ahern Bevans Elyshia McKirdy

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SUNDAY 10TH MAY, 2020 BUFFET BREAKFAST

LUNCH & DINNER

8.30am - 10.30am

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ADULTS $30 CHILDREN 5 - 12 yrs $15 Children 4 & under FREE BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Visit our website - wbrsl.com.au Buffet Breakfast includes a glass of Sparkling Wine on arrival 3

THE WAY WE WERE

at the drive-in YOUNG FAMILIES TO YOUNG LOVE, THE SOUTHLINE DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATRE IN FAIRY MEADOW WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Sources Lost Wollongong, Drive-Ins Down Under, Cinema Treasures Images Wollongong City Libraries and Lost Wollongong

Valiants to VWs, EH Holdens to Minis – every make and model could be seen at the Southline drive-in movie theatre, near the corner of Balgownie Road and the Princes Highway at Fairy Meadow. It was a regular night out for many – parents with pyjamaclad children, teenagers sneaking their friends in under blankets or in the boot, and the signs of young love (with a mattress in the panel van!) Neighbours were often spotted sitting on their roof, or the girls toilet block at Fairy Meadow Demonstration School, to catch a glimpse of the film – classics including The Poseidon Adventure, Love Story, The Great Escape and ET. In 1955, plans for the construction of drive-in theatre were in the works, however, several disputes came about that delayed the project’s completion. Police raised concerns that the development would create traffic congestion in the area, a common complaint after the first few drive-ins drew huge crowds. Local theatre owners objected to a license being granted for the operation of another theatre and there was a dispute between the original developer and the architect employed for the project.

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THE WAY WE WERE It was not until late 1957 that the issues were resolved and work could commence. Three months later Southline was ready for operation, opening with great fanfare on 30 October 1957 with a screening of Picnic, a romantic comedy starring William Holden and Kim Novak. The theatre boasted space for 682 cars, the highest standard of image and sound recording, and a screen capable of showing images 33m wide and 14.6m high.

Southline drive-in opened at a time when television was growing across Australia. Rather than attempting to compete with the new medium, management installed a TV set in the dining area for patrons during intermission and prior to the start of the movie.

In the late 1970s, popularity of drive-in theatres across Australia declined with the arrival of home movies and Southline’s fortune began to change. It eventually closed in March 1984 with a final double-feature showing Octopussy and Flying High 2. After demolition, the Southline site was sold in 1988 and is now a light industrial area. ¡

I was there

1960s

“I saw an Ethel Merman musical with my family around 1960. I watched from the swings in my dressing gown and slippers.

I have a vague recollection of seeing Dr. Zhivago as a teenager in 1972 and then, when I was first married, we would watch from a mattress in the back of the panel van with the back open” Cheryl Thomson

1970s

“In 1972, I went with my husband, our 16 month old boy and newborn baby in our Mini Clubman to see The Exorcist – yikes!”

Carolyne Turner

1980s

“I went with my parents to see Raiders of the Lost Ark. Just as the scene where Indy and his offsider are covered in big hairy spiders, I discovered a big hairy huntsman sitting in the back of the car with me. I was traumatised!” Daniel Judge

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SPOTLIGHT ON

generous spirit SO MANY PEOPLE DUG DEEP IN RESPONSE TO OUR BUSHFIRE CRISIS, HERE ARE A FEW LOCAL STORIES Words Penny Keogh & Kate O’Mealley

The fires were all around us, but so too were heroes. Firefighters, many of them volunteers, who put their lives on hold to bravely tackle the heat and flames at the face. And then there was the rest of the community who stood up when help was needed. Here we celebrate some of those local businesses who helped galvanize us to give generously during this crisis.

Fergo's Tackle World Warrawong

Fire Fund

With some help on Instagram from TV personality Allana Ferguson (@allanaferg_), who is also the owner’s daughter, Fergo's launched an online fundraiser and coordinated a collection for non-perishable items, clothing, pet food and much more.

Fundraising concert at the North Gong Hotel including Hockey Dad, Totty, Shining Bird, Pist Idiots, Dear Seattle, Odette, Tumbleweed, and DJs Dune Rats and Jungle Giants.

Money/items raised: $70,000 and 96 pallets of goods Where it went to... Fire victims from Lake Conjola and surrounding areas “We had 96 pallets of goods in 48 hours, so much we asked people to stop donating goods. Some people came with boot loads, getting their mates together to donate and others came with a bag or two. It took three trucks to transport everything down south.” Kirk Ferguson, Manager

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North Wollongong

Money raised: $150,000 Where it went to... NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services, and the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund “The original idea was Hockey Dad’s, who had chosen the Windang Bowling Club as that’s where they’re from, but capacity wise we’d sold that venue in half an hour. We knew the demand was there, so we moved it to North Gong.

I feel like we’ve all known someone who has been affected by the fires. When that happens it hits a bit closer to home.

Everyone felt pretty positive about being able to do this. All these bands have toured with each other or played together before, so everyone was connected in some sort of way and it was good to come together for this.” Jeb Taylor

SPOTLIGHT ON

Southern Highlands Bushfire Appeal Northern Illawarra Sewing Bee Thirroul

Sewing bee at Thirroul Bowling Club to help sew joey pouches, bat wraps and koala mittens.

Women’s Bowls club put together ‘Handbags for Hope’, filled with cosmetics and pampering packs.

Items created: 600 joey pouches and 60 bags were made by 170 people + $650 Where it went to... Wildlife Rescue South Coast for the pouches and Lake Conjola community centre will distribute the handbags “We thought were going to get 30 people, but people came from all over. We had 60 machines going at once. The community were really happy to be able to do something. It gave them something immediate to do to help” Cassandra Cahill, Club Member

Five Barrel Brewing Wollongong

A fundraising day was held donating $20 for every FBB shirt and $10 from every burger/beer combo sold. Five Barrel Brewing are also part of worldwide collaborative beer bushfire relief fundraising project called Resilience – donating beer to venues on the South Coast in desperate need of tourism, as well as selling beers locally.

Russell Vale

Casandra Walsh coordinated a collection at Cawley Park in Russell Vale to collect groceries, non-perishable items, toys, gift cards, bedding and much more.

Items created: Over 80 hampers, 20+ trailer loads and $3,500 in money and gift vouchers Where it went to... Fire victims located in the Southern Highlands “My brother lost his home in the first lot of bushfires in the north, near Walcha in October. I knew from experience it was important to get up there quickly with bare necessities, like toiletries and canned food, so victims could stay in their communities and get through the immediate days and weeks.

It was just before Christmas and we took our first load to Balmoral, just as the fires had swept through that area.We weren’t allowed to cross the bushfire lines set up by the RFS.We received an escort from the SES up to the inner barrier.The SES staff then attached our trailers to their vehicles and transported the donations direct to the families who were still within the fire zone.We knew then that our donations were going directly to where they were needed.

We went up three times and were always welcomed

by Wollondilly Lord Mayor Matthew Deeth and his team at the Council Office Recovery Centre, who were all working around the clock.

It was days before Christmas and we had brand new toys.We saw families coming to pick toys for their children for Christmas.We soon learned that all the SES guys who had been so busy with the fires for weeks, they had completely forgotten about Christmas for their own families.We hand-selected a stack of toys and gifts for them so they could take them to their families on Christmas Eve.” Casandra Walsh

Money raised: $1800 Where it went to...WIRES “Five Barrel Brewing aims to be a community-minded brewery, not just for bushfire relief, but to ensure that we're here to support the community as a whole. It was an easy decision to participate in industry efforts to help in any way we can.” Phil O’Shea, Manager

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SPOTLIGHT ON

Northern Illawarra Extinction Rebellion Bushfire Vigil Austinmer

Beach vigil featuring musical performances by Elana Stone, Yael Stone and Holly Throsby.

Money raised: Over $3000 Where it went to... Rural Fire Service “All that’s happening to support the bushfire relief ended up being this explosion of creativity and compassion.

It was incredible. Our event came together in five days.

We’re part of a local extinction rebellion group which combines people will all different skills.Tim Flannery has just joined the other day.There’s no specific leader.

We all come up with our own actions.

The Austinmer Vigil included performances and speakers. We had words from a climate scientist and a woman personally affected by the fires, who is also an activist. It was completely volunteer run, with donations from businesses, speakers and performers.

My sister and I wrote a song specifically for the end of the evening. The Thirroul choir I sing with, The Earth Wind & Choir, learnt the piece, which supported my performance with Holly Throsby and my sister Yael Stone.

We wanted to simplify the shared sentiment of the evening down to an act of compassion. I guess the major sentiment was voiced in the words “I’ve got you” and “hold my hand”. In those situations where you feel completely helpless, we wanted to be there together.

It was a beautiful community event.Very heartwarming but confronting with the speakers sharing important stories about climate change. It was obviously sombre because we were recognising the victims of the fire and the loss of wildlife and bush.

It’s unfortunate in some ways that people feel forced to take things into their own hands. There was the impression the government was not acting swiftly enough or with enough strength, in terms of climate change and the fires. Lots of people want to do something about it and this event and others showed that.” Elana Stone

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Dignam Real Estate Woonona

Coordinated a collection for non-perishable items, medical supplies, pet food and heartfelt letters to fire victims.

Items created: 58 boxes of donations received in 48 hours plus hundreds of litres of water Where it went to... Mumbulla Mountain Retreat in Brogo, to be distributed to those affected throughout Quaama, Brogo, Cobargo and Tilba “Our hearts were heavy as we watched so many homes be decimated in a raging, angry fire as we know firsthand how emotional property is to people.”

Adam McMahon, Owner

Coffee on Us Thirroul

Ten cafes, a milkbar and video shop in Thirroul offered free coffee, milkshakes or video rental in exchange for a donation.

Money raised: Close to $20,000 Where it went to... The Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul for distribution locally “Seeing the daily news of the devastation caused by the bushfires and experiencing the smoke engulfing the escarpment created a feeling of helplessness, yet so many wanted desperately to help our friends on the South Coast. As a resident of Thirroul, I know a few of the cafe owners, so I spoke to them and they were up for giving their coffees free for a day in exchange for financial help towards the South Coast families affected. Fierce competition between cafes was put aside for a day, so we could unite and help as a town. So happy with what they have achieved.”

Michael Lavilles, Event Organiser

SPOTLIGHT ON

Playing for the Firies Wollongong

Fundraising concert at the Illawarra Music Foundry with over 20 local performers, including Jodi Phillis, The Dark Clouds, Roses in Hand and the Mem Davis Collective.

Money raised: $9000 Where it went to... Rural Fire Service “It started with a Facebook rant, feeling so helpless and not knowing how to help, and the rant turned into an event in 10 days straight. It wouldn’t have worked unless the community stood so wholeheartedly behind us. Even though the funds are important, it was more important for everyone who attended to be together as a community at that time. People didn’t want to be alone and feeling despair and helplessness. Most of us wanted to do something helpful and joining together, as we did, felt important.” Mem Davis, Event Organiser

Men’s Sheds

Thirroul, Bulli and Woonona, CWA Picton and Bunnings Bellambi Coordinated a collection of old tools including shovels, rakes and spades, electric drills, chainsaws plus smaller hand tools.

Items donated: Box trailer of tools plus $2500 Bunnings gift cards Where it went to...Picton, Balmoral, Thirlmere and Bargo fire victims “They were right for most things, but it was the equipment from sheds that were destroyed that we helped replace. We were proud to do it.” Bob Ascoli, Men’s Shed Thirroul President

Extreme Carpet Cleaning Dapto

Coordinated a collection of old camping equipment, non-perishable food, personal care items, towels and clothing (and more).

Items donated: Seven utes and vans full of donations and pallets of water Where it went to... Quaama, Cobargo, Mogo and Nelligen fire victims “We drove down in a convoy, with every ute and van packed to the brim. We went down to a little town called Quaama, near Cobargo, where I heard that people needed help. When we drove into the town unannounced, I ran into a guy and he got a bit upset.

He says, overwhelmed, “Man, we’ve been waiting for this.” I asked if he could get some locals to help unpack the gear. Then he walks to his car and starts beeping his horn in what sounds like code. And within minutes, two people walked from over the hill, and a few turned up from around the corner. People were coming from everywhere. The town must have worked out this code just so they could come and help when the time came.

While I was there I got to chatting with a guy and he was smiling.Then he says, “Have you got half an hour? Come to my house. I want to show you.” I ask, “But, your whole house burnt down, what are you smiling about?” To me it was heartbreaking. He’d lost everything. “Well,” he said. “My house burnt down to the ground. But, mate, I was in the process of building this new place, my dream home, five metres away and it didn’t get touched.” I see a little cottage still standing right next door to the rubble of the old house.

It was overwhelming. Unbelievable. It was so good to meet the locals. Once our mate is set up, we’ll go back and stay on his property and enjoy a beer and yarn.”

Wayne Cooke, Owner

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LOCAL FOOD

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LOCAL FOOD

cooking for community AS THE BUSHFIRES RAGED THIS SUMMER ILLAWARRA FOOD INSTITUTION, THE FAMILY-RUN SAMARAS RESTAURANT, WERE THERE TO SERVE THE BEST WAY THEY KNOW HOW Words Penny Keogh Images Sea People Photography Cnr of Market and Corrimal St, Wollongong and 2/417-419 Princes Hwy, Woonona

Tragedy often paves the road to kindness from which inspiring stories are revealed. Omar and Samara Nemer, co-owners of Samaras Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurants and food vans, shares one of those stories.

as the centrepiece between hungry groups. Put simply – food cooked with love to be enjoyed with loved ones.

A man of action, Omar’s response to the devastating bushfires, which reached a fervent peak on the south coast around Christmas time, was to set up his van at the Albion Park and Nowra RFS headquarters to cook free meals for hundreds of brave firefighters defending homes.

After days of Samaras serving hungry heroes, the NSW RFS appointed Samaras as the official local caterer, which was a role Omar’s team performed for weeks during the crisis.

This generous response to the community emergency was not out of character for Omar and his family, who have been serving the Illawarra for over 10 years. If you have dined at Samaras (and if you haven’t, you really should!), you will know that sitting down to enjoy a homely Lebanese feast there feels like you’ve been invited to eat in the family’s home. It is a welcoming and lively space, where large plates of fragrant, unpretentious food sits communally

Omar’s sister and the business’ namesake Samara Nemer says that it’s her mum, a passionate cook known as Mumma-Re to everyone, who has always insisted her family treat every customer as someone who was invited as a guest to their dinner table.

From this big-hearted mentality, combined with a nourishing menu of fresh food, Samaras has cultivated an equally devoted and huge local following across the Illawarra and beyond.

How did Samaras first come to life?

Samara: When I was young, my parents were always hosting events for family and friends.

They were so hospitable. They loved to cook.

Whenever they were cooking in our kitchen at home it was such a big occasion. It felt like everyone was in a restaurant. It still does. My dad, Mohamed, was a taxi driver while Mum did party planning. It was my father’s and my dream to open a restaurant. For many years we talked and talked about it, hence the name Samaras when we finally opened.

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LOCAL FOOD got two restaurants, one in Wollongong and one in Woonona, and multiple food vans that go to markets and festivals around the south coast and up past the central and north coasts.

Our olive oil is “ 100 per cent pure and we like to think it’s liquid gold”

What prompted you to help the firefighters during the recent bushfire crisis? Omar: In the extreme heat and wind, at that time of year with such a big focus on family, I couldn’t think of anything worse than fighting fires. All I could think of was how could we help. I was amazed at the morale of these teams. It was spectacular!

They give their time and suffer through horrendous conditions, 12-hour shifts in scary situations and still they’re energetic and happy.

They are a special breed!

We were there for weeks, serving the same meals and every time they came back with a smile and said they looked forward to it. It was a beautiful sight to see. They came in, ate for 10 minutes or so, then they were off again, back to the frontline.

What sets Samaras apart? SN: Our philosophy is about fresh food. We’re connected to where our food is grown. We make all our food from scratch. A good example is how we prepare our falafel and hummus – we soak our chickpeas every night, then grind them and add our own special spices and ingredients.

We have land in Lebanon where my dad spends four months every year, working and harvesting to provide for our menu. The tiny village is called Marj El Zhour, translating as ‘the field of flowers’. It is surrounded by olive, fig and fruit trees everywhere you look. We fill a shipping container every year with all the food we grow and food from our neighbours.

We grow olives, pomegranates, and herbs like za’atar, sumac and peppercorns.

Growing up, I remember enjoying a meal served with my grandmother’s olive oil. She would send a few bottles over every year from our village in Lebanon, where the family harvest lots of olive trees. At the time, I said to Dad that everyone should be able to enjoy this beautiful olive oil because it makes everyone so happy. Then my parents just jumped into the deep end in 2008 and we first opened our doors in Corrimal Street, Wollongong. More than 10 years on, we’ve now

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It’s the little things that really add flavour.You’d be surprised how much organic peppercorns change the taste of food. Our za’atar spice mix, which has dried oregano and sesame seeds, really lifts our salad and marinades. Our olive oil is 100 per cent pure and we like to think it’s liquid gold.

What are the fan favourite dishes on your menu? SN: Most people can’t go past the amazing lamb shawarma. The wrap with finely shredded lamb shoulder and garlic sauce has a

LOCAL FOOD

delicious flavour and fragrance. The traditional Lebanese rice, which has vermicelli noodles in it, is beautifully infused with a rich mix of spices. The young kids who come in to order it call it ‘magic’ rice. It’s adorable. We’ve also had customers from Sydney and all over Australia come in and eat having heard about our amazing, authenticflavoured food. And we love our regulars who come in every summer to get their Samaras fix.

How are your food trucks different to the restaurants? ON: We have four vans and we drive to markets and festivals across the south coast up to the north coast. Yours and Owls was a fun one. We do Eat Street in Wollongong Mall every Thursday night, Killalea on the first Sunday of the month and the Sunset Cinema in the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. The menu is a little different for the vans, with meals like the Halal Snack Packs and the Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad. It allows for a faster service and an easy hand-held meal.

It’s been a little disappointing that Wollongong Council hasn’t supported food vans setting up in high-tourist locations – I believe variety would add

to a festive atmosphere that may attract more tourists. There are only four or five local food van businesses making a good go of things and keeping the income locally. I’d like to see more local restaurants having the incentive to create pop-ups.

Then people who visit Wollongong have more chance to sample the flavours that are authentic in our community. This would only lead to a stronger food community here in the Illawarra.

What do you love most about the Illawarra community? ON: The restaurant was born from a love of cooking and entertaining. We love sharing that with a community who come from all different backgrounds. We live in an amazing multicultural area, who have wholeheartedly embraced us. ¡

Shop 1, 407 Princes Highway, Woonona (02) 4283 5511 www.woononaflorist.net.au

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LOCAL FOOD

crème de la crème BAKED TO PERFECTION – THE FINE ART OF FLAKY CROISSANTS (AND OTHER SWEET TREATS) WITH MILLERS' LOCAL BAKEHOUSE Words Matilda Jesiolowski

Emma Huber is no stranger to the Wollongong hospitality scene, having run Sandygoodwich with her partner Yon Miller, along with family-style restaurant Eat at Sandy’s. At the end of 2018, they made the decision to move away from the café and restaurant scene to focus on a wholesale bakery, and Millers’ Local Bakehouse was born. It is showing no signs of slowing down, with more recent explorations in different retail models such as direct-to-customer popups proving to be quite the success.

Have you always been interested in baking and food? I remember being interested in food when I was about five or six. I would spend time in the morning to make little handmade menus and I would ask my sister to sit at the dining

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table and order off my menu, and then I would go and make it. I would make things like Weetbix and milk, or cheese and tomato sandwiches. That was when I started to believe that I wanted to own a restaurant or a café when I got older.

When did your career in hospitality begin?

I told my careers advisor when I was in about year 9 or 10 that I wanted to leave school and become a chef, and the answer was basically a flat out no. I went to an all-girls private school, and that wasn’t a traditional career choice in the early ’90s. After first being sent to do work experience in an advertising agency, I then managed to find work experience at Lorenzo’s Diner. I think they were hoping it would beat it out of me, but I absolutely loved it. I said, ‘That’s it, I’m going to do it!’ But they said no, I had to finish Year 12. So I did, and then I went to the University of New South Wales and did a Bachelor of Industrial Design. I finished that, and then I went to study Fine Arts, and then after that I did a Business degree.

LOCAL FOOD

The reason I did all those degrees was because as long as I was at uni, it meant that I could work in hospitality to support myself. To maintain a connection to the career that I really wanted, I used study to keep me there. By the time I finished all those degrees, I had 12 years of experience in hospitality.

Have you had a mentor or anyone that you admire from the baking industry throughout your career? Probably my mother. We lived in London for three years when I was at school, and she worked in some very good pastry kitchens.

On the weekends, she would bring home the reject croissants, where one arm was a little too far in, or they’d be slightly too dark, and I just thought that it was the coolest thing ever. A lot of the cakes and pastries that we do at Millers’ are rooted very heavily in the cultural background of my grandparents – very European. The other mentor I had was Yon. He taught me discipline, how to organise a kitchen, how to keep it clean – all the things that you would learn as an apprentice, which I missed out on because I never received formal culinary training.

Tell us about your focus on organic and ethical food? It probably started again with my mother. When I was growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s, she never allowed anything less than free range eggs and chicken in the house. While it meant we didn’t eat it very often as it was

more expensive and harder to come by, it was part of what we understood – that you need to be respectful of the produce and where it came from. I think it’s really important to be aware of where your food is coming from, because every time you spend your money, you are making a conscience choice of how something will be treated, how the animal has been treated, how the staff are being treated, and so on. That’s the main part of it – it’s being respectful and sustainable.

At Millers’ I try as much as I can to source all our produce locally and to support local business.

Unless you start to support local and start to think more specifically about where the product that you’re eating is coming from, then not only will these things not be produced locally but the actual quality of the product becomes completely different.

Tell us about the decision to focus on your own bakery? We decided to focus on the bakery for a number of reasons. For me now, working as a baker with the hours that I’m able to give myself, they suit having two kids. Another reason that we decided to transition from the café and restaurant to Millers’ was that we felt that the bakery would recognise a market that had not been met yet in Wollongong, whilst being able to maintain our food ethos. I was already obsessed with croissants anyway, and to me it just made sense.

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LOCAL FOOD Where can people find your treats? The wholesale side of the business has been great – I love being a part of the other side of cafes. Up north, we supply all the way up to Stanwell Park at Uluwatu Blue, and Moore Street General, in Austinmer. Finbox in Thirroul was our first customer, we’ve been supplying to them for about five years since we were at Sandygoodwich. We also do some of the desserts for South Sailor in Thirroul. We supply to Two Sister’s Garage in Bulli, Lee and Me and Delano in Wollongong, as well as Diggies and North Kiosk on North Wollongong Beach and occasionally Diggies in Kiama. We have just started supplying to Rush at UOW, and there’s also Brown Sugar Espresso in Mangerton.

things that “areInostlikealcooking gic for me and remind me of my family or my childhood”

What are the most popular treats from Millers’? Almond croissants are definitely the most popular. Then there’s also the almond and berry gluten-free friand, or at the moment we’re selling a lot of the orange sponge cake filled with lemon curd. The lemon curd tarts are also one of the best sellers.

What are some of your favourite things to cook? If I’m cooking in my spare time, I love to cook things I’ve never cooked before, to challenge myself and learn something new. I hate cooking with chocolate, but I love cooking with fruit. I guess I like cooking things that are nostalgic for me and remind me of my family or my childhood.

I like baking because it’s very repetitive. In particular rolling croissants – it’s the same thing over and over again, hundreds of them. After hours of rolling them, you begin to use muscle memory and you’re not actually thinking about it. What that allows you to do is let your mind wander, and I actually find it quite meditative. One of the things I really like about it is that it’s subject to so many effects, such as if the weather is humid or dry, the quality of the butter, if the flour is slightly different depending on the time of year… there are so many challenges, but that’s what is kind of great about it. It’s really quite technical.

What’s next for Millers’? I would like to push towards more retail orders. I have a new website up and running (www.millerslocalbakehouse. com) for direct to the public orders. Customers can check out the menu, get in touch and make orders online. ¡

16

C E L E B R AT I N G O V E R

40 Years E S T. 1 9 7 9

VISI T OZ D ES I GN FURNI TURE WO L LO NG O N G

ozdesignfurniture.com.au

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RECIPE Meringues: 245g room temperature free-range egg white 1/4 tsp cream of tartar 455g caster sugar

MILLERS’ LOCAL BAKEHOUSE

(Note: to multiply easily, assume 35g for each egg white and use 65g sugar per egg white. For every 7 egg whites allow ¼ tsp cream of tartar)

Preheat oven to 100℃.

Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, and a perfectly clean, dry bowl, pour in the egg white and the cream of tartar.

Turn on to medium high and whip until the whites are frothy and leaving a trail when the whisk is lifted. Now add a tablespoon of sugar at a time while the machine is whipping on medium-high. Wait a couple of minutes after each spoonful is added before adding the next. If you add the sugar too fast the whites may collapse, and the sugar won't dissolve properly.

Once most of the sugar has been added turn the machine up to high. Slowly add the rest of the sugar, and once it's all in leave the mixer going for a few minutes. Turn it off and rub a little of the meringue between your fingers. If it is a little gritty from sugar that has not dissolved, keep mixing. Once the meringue is smooth, spoon large scoops onto the tray, leaving a few centimetres between each.

Meringues with roasted stone fruit and whipped cream

Bake for 40 mins, then turn the tray and bake for another 40 mins. Check and the meringues should lift off the paper easily, do not overcook or the meringues will ooze sugar syrup.

Turn off the oven and wedge the door open with a spoon.

Leave for at least 2 hours to cool slowly to avoid cracking.

Roasted fruit: 8 whole stone fruit (plums are the best for this) Spices (if you'd like) - two star anise or one cinnamon quill works beautifully About 1 cup caster sugar Preheat oven to 170℃.

Cut the plums in half and remove the stone. Place in a snug fitting baking tray, lined with baking paper. The fit must be tight! Then sprinkle over the sugar - it is quite a lot but will melt into the plum juice to make a syrupy sauce with the spices.

MAKES 8 SINGLE SERVE MERINGUES, A TRAY OF ROASTED FRUIT AND ADD WHIPPED CREAM TO SERVE

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Cover with foil and bake for around 40 mins, depending on how ripe the fruit is. We often use fruit that is at its height and then takes a shorter cooking time. It should be very tender but not falling apart.

Serve the meringues in a large bowl, with bowls of roasted fruit and whipped cream – your guests can then build their own dessert! ¡

Sunday, 12th April, 12:30pm

EASTER Sunday

Hop on over to Windjammers Restaurant this Easter and indulge with fun for all the family!!

Book Now: www.novotelnorthbeach.com/whats-on

19

REVIEWS

shaken or stirred WE ROAD TESTED A FEW MARTINIS AROUND TOWN FOR YOU Débutant – 119 Keira St, Wollongong Where better to start off our martini journey... than with a French martini. But it's not what you'd expect from the French. At all.

Pineapple juice? Yes, vodka, chambord and pineapple juice. Are there palm trees in France? Makes me think the French wanted a slice of paradise, Hawaii perhaps? Unlucky. But well compensated with a smooth tropical tang of a cocktail. I'm in paradise.

Caveau – 122-124 Keira St, Wollongong The Curiosity Show. Was this your favourite TV show growing up, Simon and Tom (aka the chefs)? Because some magic is happening in that kitchen back there. Turning plums into olives, neat trick. Ants are in my martini, am I an echidna? Plus there are hats flying in the door! Deane would be so proud.

Moominn – 68 Crown St, Wollongong Bang, bang on the door baby. Hustled our way into this funky little shack. Clearly need sweetening up. Am I still an echidna? So martini of choice is the espresso. Needed this glass of sweet fluff.

Dead set delicious.

Births and Deaths – 2/74 Kembla St, Wollongong I just wanna be on a show like My Kitchen Rules where we all sit around the big table discussing this freaky drink. Actually they have a big table. It's a dry juniper freak martini with a classic lemon twist.

It sure would rattle some bones. Pure alcohol, pure entertainment... possibly a slap in the face!?

Howlin' Wolf – 103/53-61 Crown St, Wollongong The bartender says, “shaken or stirred”. Just like that I feel like James Bond. Thanks guys. But stir it please. No need to bruise my alcohol, I'm pretty sure I'll wake up bruised. Have a belly full of martinis so will probably fall over on your dancefloor. So actually... nothing like James Bond. ¡

20

9 APR - 3 MAY

19 APR

26 APR

BLANC DE BLANC

THE KRANSKY SISTERS

CARLOTTA

3 MAY

3 MAY

26 APR

DOM CHAMBERS

KATIE NOONAN

ABORIGINAL COMEDY ALL STARS

1 MAY

17 APR

2 MAY

JOEL CREASEY

RENÉE GEYER

DAVE HUGHES

23 APR

30 APR

24 APR

THE EAST POINTERS (CAN)

TOM GLEESON

TOMMY LITTLE

21 – 24 APR

25 APR

22 APR

THE LISTIES

ROXEE HORROR’S TIME WARP

ANNE EDMONDS

9 APR – 3 MAY ALL THIS AND SO MUCH MORE AT SPIEGELTENTWOLLONGONG.COM

21

LOCAL DROP

wine time WINE AND CHEESE YOU SAY? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN A ROAD TRIP DOWN TO CUPITT'S IN MILTON WHO HAVE MASTERED THEM BOTH Styled Amy Morrison Styling

When our coast was under threat with the fires and people displaced, this stunning winery sent out their food van to feed the evacuees. Now, we'd like you all to plan a trip to go visit them – drink their wine, taste these delicious cheeses and give them a high five. Because they deserve our support.

Cupitt's Fromagerie cheeses are hand-made on-site from milk from the Narrawilly Dairy Farm only 10 minutes away.

Need more convincing because this pretty picture of their wine and cheese isn't enough for you to plan a trip? In a nutshell... it's a boutique winery, brewery, fromagerie, restaurant, sporting unrivaled views overlooking the nearby

Budawang Ranges and Burrill Lake. Cupitt's Alphonse wine is estate-made, with grapes from the vineyard that the restaurant overlooks. The afternoon sea breeze during ripening gives this wine a cool climate quality. ÂĄ

Cupitt's Estate 58 Washburton Road Ulladulla. www.cupitt.com.au

22

# Winery # Distillery # Brewery # Event

# Airport # Cruise Terminal Transport

Ph: Hamish 0421 497 604

23

LOCAL DROP

where's the cappuccino gone?

AS COFFEE BECOMES INCREASINGLY GLAMORISED, WHAT IS THE FATE OF COFFEE CULTURE IN THE ILLAWARRA...

Words Lucy Dinn

It’s hard to confess we have a problem.

We love its ability to awaken us after a tumultuous night’s sleep, or the way it suppresses our sweet, earthy cravings. It’s an insatiable thirst. Yet today we live in an era where coffee can satisfy us further than just our primitive caffeine desires, and the Illawarra is thriving.

Embracing this new era of coffee, the Broken Drum in Fairy Meadow has been at the forefront of this change. “When we opened we definitely brought something different to the suburbs of the Illawarra,” says owner Graeme McLuskey. “We brought a little bit of Sydney and Melbourne down here, with a bit of style and class”. Titling themselves as an espresso bar, The Broken Drum offers speciality Campos coffee through options of single origin, pour overs, cold brews as well as milk coffees, something fairly modern to the Australian market.

Yet The Broken Drum is not unique. “Standards are becoming higher and tastes are changing compared to five or 10 years ago,” Graeme explains. With more speciality cafes than ever before, we are seeing vast changes in the make-up of our cup due to our newfound coffee snobbery.

So, what does this mean for our beloved cappuccinos and lattes? “A lot of speciality places are consistent in milk froth now,” Graeme

24

explains. “It gives a consistency of service because we can produce the same milk for all the coffee, giving them a nice creamy texture”.

He explains that the Australian market is delving away from clear distinctions between lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos, rather there is now a strong focus on the quality of coffee beans.

And while milk coffees are simplifying, filter coffee is diversifying. “The Australian filter coffee market is slowly growing,” says joint owner Joanne McLuskey. She explains that Australians have reinvented batch brew, pour over and cold brew coffees through a unique level of care.

“It is similar to American coffee but with really nice coffee beans from a single farm or estate, roasted specifically for its purpose,” Graeme says.

“It’s been five years since the emergence of filter, and it’s slowly growing”.

Due to our changing tastes, we may see an even more modest approach to coffee drinking in the foreseeable future. Melbourne is currently reinventing consumer choice with some speciality cafes only offering black or milk coffees, with chosen variations in coffee beans.

Yet sometimes our love of coffee goes beyond the cup sitting in front of us. “Our customers have become our friends and we care about them and they care about us,” Joanne says.

“That’s the whole point,” Graeme adds. “It’s the consistency of what we do; measuring, weighing, checking, watching every single coffee and the service, we’re here for the customers”. ¡

SLUG

Audley Dance Hall is perfect for any occasion, set on the river in the Royal National Park.

Cafe on the park open 7 days, 8.30am - 4.30pm.

Dance Hall upstairs seats up to 200 guests for weddings & events.

25

TRAVEL

#gowithemptyeskies THE ULTIMATE BUSHFIRE RELIEF ROAD TRIP Words Matt Castell Image Ben Mackay @benmack_

“I want you to do just one simple thing. When these fires have stopped, and the towns impacted are safe and trying to regain some sense of ‘normal’, I want you to plan a road trip. Go with empty eskies, empty cars and low fuel. Go and spend your money, stay in the hotels, buy from their shops, camp at their campgrounds, buy the gifts, buy their fuel, buy bread and milk.

Beyond rebuilding, they need continued and long-term support to get back on their feet and your empty eskies make more of a difference than you could ever imagine.” Tegan Weber

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TRAVEL It’s time for us to jump in the car and to fill up along the way with treats and good vibes.

Hit the road and check out a few of these places.

The charity and support shown to our nearby brothers and sisters during the recent devastating bushfires has been incredible. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been poured into dozens of charities and Rural Fire Service trusts by everyday people, celebrities and philanthropists from around the globe.

This has been an immense help to get people out of harm’s way, but we can’t forget that local business owners can struggle to make ends meet for months – or worse, be forced to close their doors for good. Luckily, the South Coast is known for amazing produce, great venues and friendly locals always keen for a yarn.

The Sapphire Coast

The Shoalhaven

The Southern Highlands

Stretching from Bermagui to Eden, this little pocket of paradise is jam packed with deserted white sand beaches fringed with crystal blue water. Boasting some of the best game fishing in NSW and fantastic whale watching opportunities, most of the activities around here will revolve around water.

A bit closer to home, the Shoalhaven is the perfect choice for a last-minute weekend jaunt.

If beaches aren’t your thing, head inland via stunning mountain roads into the picturesque hamlet of Kangaroo Valley. Fill up with a tasty pie from Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop before hiring canoes from Kangaroo Valley Safaris and floating down the river on your own self-guided adventure. Celebrate afterwards with a frosty pint at The Friendly Inn.

Up we go over the escarpment to help our neighbours in the clouds! The Highlands offer waterfalls galore, great wineries and cute townships full of quirky antique shops. Head up the winding Macquarie Pass and stop in Robertson to see one of Australia’s famous “big things” – The Big Potato and if that’s not cheesy enough for you, check out The Old Cheese Factory to fill your picnic basket before heading down the road to nosh on your purchases at Carrington Falls.

After a tough day slurping fresh, local oysters and spotting wildlife, mosey on into Camel Rock Brewery in Wallaga Lake for delicious BBQ, groovy tunes and a few growlers of ale for the fridge at home. If you’re in the region on a Thursday, swing by the Bermagui Growers Market to stock up on fresh veggies, dairy and other goodies brought in by local farmers. Also a must, is an afternoon at Tilba Valley Winery & Ale House. Rest your bones at any number of campsites or holiday parks – if you have a four-legged friend with you, give Top of the Lake Holiday Units in stunning Merimbula a go, or for something a bit different, try Tilba Lake Camp for some luxe glamping on a farm set amongst the rolling hills of Tilba.

Before steering the car home, head to historic Mogo village and fill the esky with homemade fudge, lollies and other sweet goodies from The Middle of Mogo, a collection of shops that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth for the drive!

If paddling, pies and beer sounds a bit rough, head further south to Mollymook for stunning holiday home rentals, some of the best cafes in the region – like Tallwood Eatery and the ever fabulous, Cupitt’s Estate Winery, where you can eat, drink, sleep and take home plenty of wine and cheese from their cellar door and on-site fromagerie – it’s dog friendly, too!

If you’re keen for a wave or two, check out Bendalong Point, just north of Manyana on Lake Conjola.

It doesn’t get much sleepier than this and the locals prefer it that way!

Pitch your tent at Holiday Haven Bendalong then stroll down to the beach to swim with stingrays in waist-deep water. On your way home, opt to break the drive with a stay and dinner at stunning Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay.

Not too much further, you’ll find the towns of Moss Vale, Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong. You might want to bring a trailer though as old wares and antique furniture shops crowd the streets between cafes, bakeries and butchers – things haven’t changed much here over the past 50 years.

Gastronomy tourism is rife in the Highlands, foodies will get their fill at the most epic Biota Dining in Bowral and then cruising the region’s wineries on an e-bike with Mittagong-based Cycle Tours NSW. If you’re looking for a Downton Abbey-style place to sleep, try the iconic Milton Park Country House & Spa – or if you’re after something a bit more rustic give Berrima River or Wombeyan Caves Camping a go. ¡

27

LOCAL WILDLIFE

It’s difficult to put into perspective the amount of Australian bushland that was burnt during this summer’s bushfire crisis. Over seven million hectares has been destroyed. It’s a huge number, almost impossible to visualise – but let’s try. Imagine standing on top of the highest peak in your favourite national park – dense bush to the horizon in every direction – all destroyed by fire, hundreds of times over. A heart-wrenching amount of our unique ecosystems, gone. The devastation caused by the fires will undoubtedly impact the lives of Australians for many years to come, but perhaps the hardest hit by this disaster are the native animals that call this place home.

wildlife in ashes ONE BILLION ANIMAL DEATHS AND THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE OF ECOSYSTEMS Words Stefan Posthuma Illustration Nicole Karin

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It is now estimated that one billion animals have perished since the bushfires began in September 2019, with much of this staggering number being the result of direct effects like fire impact, smoke inhalation, injury and lack of water. Unfortunately, the numbers continue to rise as immediate aftereffects such as starvation, loss of shelter and feral animal predation take their toll. For many of our most vulnerable species however, severe habitat destruction is the major contributing factor to what is now a challenging and uncertain future.

Australia is one the most biodiverse countries in the world – our position as an isolated island continent has facilitated millions of years of unique floral and faunal evolution, resulting is us being home to more endemic animal species than any other country on Earth. Many such species rely on small patches of fragile habitat for survival and are already being pressured by issues such as land clearing, invasive species and climate change.

LOCAL WILDLIFE Throughout the fire crisis the native range of many our most vulnerable creatures has been severely impacted, presenting a new set of challenges as we look ahead to recovery. Animals like the Greater Glider, the Hastings River Mouse, the Kangaroo Island Dunnart, or the Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby have all experienced the destruction of vast swaths of their native range. Some animals, like the Long-footed Potoroo from Victoria’s East Gippsland region have had their entire distribution destroyed by fire. Any chance of recovery hinges on the regeneration of their natural ecosystems, which experts predict will take anywhere from decades to centuries – depending on the habitat; with complete ecosystem collapse being a tragic probability in some cases. This paired with a forecast of longer, hotter and drier summers as a result of global warming spells a bleak future for many of our unique endemic species.

The unprecedented scale and ferocity of these fires has made it difficult to predict or plan for the future – with ecologists currently doing what they can to assess damage as fires continue to burn. Nevertheless, the immediate response by Australian wildlife organisations, volunteers and the public has been immense.

Organisations such as WIRES, Animal Australia and the local Wildlife Rescue South Coast are just some of the dozens of agencies that have been responsible for the rescue and recovery of thousands of native animals, helped greatly aided by an overwhelming public response. In the first week of January alone, WIRES received one million unique visitors to their website, with an outpouring of donations and volunteer requests. The support has allowed wires to extend its reach and establish $3 million worth of national emergency relief grant programs for frontline wildlife rescue and volunteer groups.

On the landscape, tonnes of food has been air-dropped into some of the worst affected areas in the hope of providing sustenance for animals which have survived the blazes or have taken shelter underground. Teams of volunteers all over the country continue to scour the landscape in search of surviving animals, which are taken to recovery centres for rehabilitation – then placed in the care of volunteer carers to ensure the animals’ long-term health.

The overall impact of the bushfire crisis on our native animals is unclear, the numbers are uncertain – the future unknown. Australia has been hit by its worst national disaster in recorded history, reducing unimaginable amounts of our beloved bush to ash. With figures like one billion animals killed and seven million hectares of bush destroyed it can be difficult to find a place for hope. The best we can do is to continue to support all the organisations that are making a difference. The Australian people will recover, however some of our ecosystems and the animals that call them home may not. The future rests on our ability to be respectful of the land that we inhabit, to never forget the events of the summer, and to move forward making everyday decisions that help protect the long-term future of this country. ¡

HOW TO HELP OUR WILDLIFE With so many local and national wildlife organisations there are ample opportunities for public support. Here are some ways you can help.

Donate

: Donations allow animal welfare organisations to direct resources where they are needed most, and to work with other organisations to devise strategies and share information aimed at long term animal protection.

Volunteer

: Wildlife organisations need human resources for anything from administration to rescue and rehabilitation.

If you have the space and the time, register as a volunteer.

Support

: Wildlife carers near you. The IFAW app provides an online registry of wildlife care groups in your area, get in touch and see how you can help.

Keep informed

: Many ecosystems will take decades or centuries to rebuild. During this time, needs and opportunities to support will shift and alter, so stay in the loop. If you find you aren’t in a position to help in this immediate aftermath, you may be in the future.

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LOCAL CREATIVE

picture perfect ANIMALS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT FEATURE IN NICOLE KARIN’S ILLUSTRATIONS – SO WHEN WE NEEDED A WILDLIFE-THEMED FRONT COVER, NICOLE WAS OUR GAL!

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LOCAL CREATIVE

Australian animals with nursery artwork in mind.

I wanted to create art that the next generation would grow up with, and therefore bond with our local wildlife,” Nicole explains.

Illustrating wasn’t always the career choice for Woonona artist Nicole Karin, but her subject of choice – animals – was always front of mind.

“I grew up in Heathmont, a small suburb east of Melbourne, and spent my summers camping in Eden. I have always loved the ocean. When I was 20 I moved to Wollongong to study Marine Science majoring in Biology at UOW and worked at the Sydney Aquarium while in my last year of university,” says Nicole. “Even though I had always been creative and I loved drawing, I never pursued it as a career. I thought that it would be something I could do as a hobby, or in retirement.”

Just over three years ago, Nicole stumbled upon artist Ester Roi who created amazing artworks of pebbles using colour pencil and decided to give drawing another go. “My first artwork was of our cat. I used my derwents that I had bought as a teenager, had the wrong type of paper, and I didn’t have a pencil sharpener in the house. It wasn’t fabulous but it was a start! I then invested into better supplies and I kept drawing.”

“My art is inspired by the world around me and the beauty I see in it. I’ve always loved animals and I think they are all so beautiful. Just the amount of detail in one small feather blows my mind, so they have become my main subject. I started drawing

Nicole’s first sale was a milestone and came after hanging two artworks at Reay’s Place in Fairy Meadow. From there she created her Australian Animal Print collection and exhibited at the RAW Artist showcase in Wollongong, continuing to build on her portfolio and find inspiration in other forms of art.

“I have always been attracted to realism and get blown away by artists that make you question whether an artwork is a photo. I like my pieces to look real but, at the same time, I want people to be able to look closely at one of my originals and see my pencil strokes,” says Nicole. “For most of my artworks I use reference photos, and pet portraits are great because I’m given an image to work with. With other illustration work I normally form a picture in my mind and then breakdown how to draw it in my head before I put pen to paper.”

After the recent bushfire season, it provided the perfect opportunity to use her drawing skills and put native animals front of mind in the community. “The recent fires were devastating to me. I really enjoyed creating the illustration for this issue of Coal Coast magazine – we have so many gorgeous animals in Australia, and people really do have a love and care for them. The renewal of the land and habitats after the recent rain is something I want to be positive about.” ¡

fast five favourites

Favourite beach… Bulli beach with its gorgeous rock pools at each end.

Favourite place to grab a coffee… Black Market Roasters in Thirroul.

Favourite breakfast spot… At All and Sundry in Woonona.

Best place to take a visitor from out of town… You can’t go past the view from Bulli Tops.

Favourite thing to do on a weekend… Relaxing at home and spending time with my family.

Nicole’s latest exhibition is on display at the Minnamurra Cafe until 8 March, followed by the Thirroul Arts Festival and the Village Practice in Woonona East in April. www.nicolekarinart.com

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what's on calendar

email us at info@coalcoastmagazine.com to include any future events

www.coalcoastmagazine.com monday

march

2

Babies Love Books Oak Flats Library (every Monday)

9

3 10

16

Storytime Oak Flats Library (every Monday)

30

Wriggle and Jiggle, Thirroul Library (every Tuesday)

17

Babies Love Books Oak Flats Library (every Monday)

6

Toddlertime (every Tues) Dapto Library

31 Shellharbour Children’s Writers and Illustrators (every Tuesday 11am) Shellharbour Library

EASTER MONDAY

Curtis Eller's American Circus The Spiegeltent•Sculpture in the Garden Botanic Garden

21 28

The Listies (till 24th) The Spiegeltent •Rich Hall The Spiegeltent

SCHOOL GOES BACK

may

20 27 11

5 12

18

19

25

26

Storytime Oak Flats Library (every Monday)

wednesday

4

Wollongong Churchill Fellowship Information Session Burelli Street

11

Nocturnal Walk Botanic Garden•UniClubs Day UOW

Ross Noble: Humournoid Anita's Theatre•Lotions & Potions Workshop Botanic Garden

24

23

april

tuesday

Frank Woodley The Spiegeltent

Chip Roll Festival UOW•Sewing Workshop: Reusable Shopping Bags Wollongong Library

5

Simon and Garfunkel: Through the Years Anita's Theatre Storytime (every Thursday) Shellharbour Library•Ocean Film Festival World Tour UOW

12 19

Kingswood UniBar •Eat Street Crown Street (every Thursday)

25

26

1

2

8

9

Nocturnal Walk Botanic Garden •Wriggle & Jiggle (every Wed) Wollongong Library

15 22 29

Smoking the Universe Servo Food Truck Bar Anne Edmonds The Spiegeltent Heath Franklin's Chopper The Spiegeltent

6 13 Storytime (every Tues) Wollongong Library

thursday

Supergrass Waves Towradgi Wet Wet Wet Anita's Theatre

Autism Awareness Day (Wollongong lighthouse turns blue) Blanc De Blanc (till May 3) The Spiegeltent•Under the Stars Stuart Park SCHOOL HOLIDAYS START

16 23 30 7 14

Freya Josephine Hollick The Spiegeltent The East Pointers The Spiegeltent Tom Gleeson, The Spiegeltent•Eat Street Crown St (every Thursday) Australian Chamber Orchestra Wollongong Town Hall Wendy Matthews & Grace Knight Centro CBD

Ocean Clean Up North Wollongong Beach•Get Booked: Wollongong Book Club Wollongong Library

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21

27

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RECONCILIATION DAY

The Smith Street Band UniBar•Sheer Mag La La La's•Crafters Fair WIN Entertainment Centre

Eat Street Crown Street (every Thursday)

Because life is better with laughter Grab some people that need a laugh.

Tickets only $20-$25 no joke.

Wollongong Comedy www.wollongongcomedy.com.au

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week ends friday

saturday

International Women's Day Luncheon WIN Ent Centre • Seeker Lover Keeper Bulli Heritage Hotel• Ruben Guthrie Wollongong Workshop Theatre Just A Number, Moms Today, Blackout Fun Club, Servo Food Truck Bar •FARA in Concert, City Diggers •March Junior Art Trail, Anthony Lister: Thousands Amazing the Great Art Gallery Hollie Col 'She Knows' Tour UniBar•Book Fair Illawarra Sports Stadium •Illawarra Harmony Dinner City Beach

27 3 10 17 24 1 8 15 22 29

Harts Concert Anita's Theatre •Garfish The Music Lounge

7

The Brave La La La's •Great Illawarra Walk •Illawarra Annual Brick Show Illawarra Sports Stadium •Festival of Sport Shell Cove •Kiama Jazz Festival Kiama Leagues Club

Wollongong Comedy: Cassie Workman + Supports The Builders Club•MS 24 Hour Mega Swim UOW•Uni Strike 4 Climate Justice UOW •Paddle Against Poverty Thirroul•Boom Crash Opera Kiama Showground•The Renovate to Accumulate Tour Novotel

EndoMarch High Tea Sage Hotel •Glitz and Glamour Ball Novotel •Women's Kiama Coast Walk Kiama Lighthouse

29

Dapto Markets (every Sunday) •Wollongong Colour Frenzy Stuart Park

11

Homegrown: Opera Carnivale The Spiegeltent •Wollongong Comedy: Julia Wilson + supports The Builders Club•Warrawong Markets (every Saturday)

ANZAC DAY•Homegrown: Roxee Horror's Time Warp The Spiegeltent

9 16

Cocktails for a Cause North Wollongong Hotel •Wollongong Comedy: Simon Kennedy + supports The Builders Club

Luke Kidgell - On the Run UniBar Itsy Bitsy Builders (every Fri) Shellharbour City Library Down Under Cross-Fit 2020 Championship (till sunday) WIN Entertainment Centre•Daryl Braithwaite Anita's Theatre

Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer •Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

28

Dave Hughes The Spiegeltent•Homegrown: Circus Monoxide The Spiegeltent•Wings Over Illawarra Air Show •The Illawarra Grevillea Park Open Day Shellharbour Airport

Joel Creasey The Spiegeltent

15

Coledale Markets Coledale School •Wollongong Museum Trail Wollongong

25 2

Tommy Little The Spiegeltent

8

Planet of the 8's Servo Food Truck Bar •Wollongong Ocean Swim Belmore Basin • Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel (every Sunday)

22

Homegrown: Wollongong Sings The Spiegeltent •Wollongong Crystal & Craft Festival Town Hall •Giggle & Hoot Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

Renee Geyer The Spiegeltent

The Farms Market Killalea State Park • The Great Ocean Pool Crawl • A Sunny Afternoon Festival MacCabe Park

Garden Party UniBar•Paint Your Zodiac Pinot and Picasso •Girls Big Day Out Vintage High Tea Sage Hotel

Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival •Fisher Australian Beach Party Tour North Beach •Nan Tien Health & Wellbeing Markets Nan Tien Temple (first Saturday of month)

GOOD FRIDAY •Fat Musicals: A Body of Work The Spiegeltent

1

21 4

The Vanns UniBar •Thirroul Seaside & Arts Festival

sunday

Boy and Bear Waves Towradgi Warrawong Markets (every Saturday)

5

Dapto Markets (every Sunday) • The Farms Market Killalea State Park • Wollongong Museum Trail every Sunday

12

EASTER SUNDAY • Sam Simmons The Spiegeltent Peter Helliar The Spiegeltent •The Kransky Sisters The Spiegeltent •Wollongong Triathlon Festival Lang Park •Illawarra Reptile Show Illawarra Sports Stad

19 26 3 10 17

23

Warrawong Markets (every Saturday)

24

30

Warrawong Markets (every Saturday)

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Wollongong Where work-life balance is real

Aboriginal Comedy Allstars The Spiegeltent•Carlotta - I'm Not Dead Yet Darlings The Spiegeltent Katie Noonan The Spiegeltent • Dom Chambers The Spiegeltent • The Farms Market Killalea State Park MOTHER'S DAY •The Australian Bee Gees Show Anita's Theatre Three Course Vegan Cooking Class Balinese Spice Magic Dapto Markets (every Sunday) •Wollongong Museum Trail every Sunday• Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel (every Sunday)

Botanic Garden Day Botanic Garden •Wollongong's Annual Wedding Expo Novotel

visit investwollongong.com.au

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WHAT'S ON

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WHAT’S ON

life is a cabaret JUST LIKE A CHILLED BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE, BLANC DE BLANC SERVES UP AN INTOXICATING BLEND OF VINTAGE GLAMOUR AND SPARKLE TO DELIGHT LOCAL AUDIENCES Images Mark Turner, Pamela Raith

The famous Spiegletent is back, so get ready for a perfect mix of cabaret, comedy and music in the antique mirrored tent. Off the back of sell-out performances at the Sydney Opera House, London and Las Vegas, Wollongong is set to love Strut & Fret’s latest cabaret show Blanc de Blanc. We speak to Scott Maidment, Blanc de Blanc’s creator and director, who prepares us for a wild night of big moves, great tunes and more than a few surprises.

How do you describe Blanc de Blanc? We call it a ‘champagne cabaret’ – it starts out smooth and sophisticated like a glass of champagne.You go out and feel a bit posh, but by the end of the night after you’ve had a few glasses, you’re a bit tipsy and you’ve had a pretty good time… and you end up dancing on the tables! That’s the arc of the show – the first 10 minutes of show is all in French and you feel like you’re in a traditional French cabaret like Moulin Rouge, but then it evolves and becomes a crazy party.

The show is cheeky, hilarious and packed full of big stunts and great acts. It’s part comedy, part acrobatics, part dance – the performers are up close and personal, above and around you.

What can audiences expect? Blanc de Blanc is the most successful show we’ve ever created and toured. This show is in two halves, and takes up a little more of the evening, but it’s definitely worth it. There are some performers that are just mindblowing. We think audiences will love Blanc de Blanc, and if you haven’t been to the Spiegeltent before, this is the perfect introduction.

Monsieur Romeo is our maitre‘d who hosts the show – he’s a French-born, high-fashion model turned entertainer who has performed with Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Dita Von Teese.

There’s a lot of big dance numbers in the show choreographed by Kevin Maher, an LA-based choreographer, who has worked with J-Lo, Britney Spears and Madonna. Blanc de Blanc happens not just on the stage but in and around the audience – it’s really quite an immersive experience.

What do you love about performing to regional audiences? It's amazing to be able to give audiences in smaller cities like Wollongong the exact same show that’s played in London’s West End or in Vegas. You can still be transported somewhere else because the show is not in a theatre or a club, it’s in the Speigeltent which brings a great atmosphere. People can get a taste of things from all round the world because of YouTube and the internet, but to experience it first-hand and up close is a really different experience. ¡

See Blanc de Blanc at the Spiegeltent in the Wollongong Arts Precinct from 9 April to 3 May. For the full program or to book online go to www.spiegeltentwollongong.com

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FINDS FOR YOU

affectoredk artoeas re fi om fr ng hi et m so ng yi bu Whether prit'ofsits going towards those doing thppe orwt. or fr omhere are some cool finds to show su help, WE RECOMMEND you drink the wine while wearing the tee, listening to Better Pour. Then come morning time, very much needed coffee is waiting for you, because you drank the whole bottle!

Delano Specialty Coffee What legends, doing what they can. They have a special roast available with 100% of the proceeds going to both WIRES Wildlife Rescue and NSW RFS. Pick up a bag for $12. www.delanocoffee.com.au or drop by the cafe 85 Montague Street, North Wollongong.

SH/18 - Shiraz Yeah yeah, it's clear we like a wine.

But even better to drink and show support to a winery which was smashed by the fires. But from these ashes they will rise. Drink up and be merry. Bottle $30.

Vinteloper www.vinteloper.com.au

Lousy handshake tees The beautiful town of Cobargo was destroyed in the fires – and 100 per cent of profits from these awesome tees go towards helping them rebuild.

'When nothing else matters to you but love, hard work and community, you feel a bit Cobargo'. $30 each. www.lousyhandshake.bigcartel.com

Bushfire song for RFS Austinmer musician/producer Fat Tommy has teamed with singer Ellara Rainnie and Mastering Engineer Michael Tesoriero to record and release a song about the recent bushfires on all streaming platforms. All proceeds from the streams, downloads, licensing, royalties will be donated to the NSW RFS. It’s available for purchase through Apple Music, Google Play and Amazon.

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LIVE MUSIC Acoustic Covers Every Tues & Fri 6pm - 9pm

WINNER Best Contemporary Australian Restaurant (NSW Regional- 2019)

STEAMERS BAR AND GRILL Beachfront restaurant overlooking Wollongong Lighthouse.

The menu has been crafted to be shared; with seasonal dishes, inspired by the bold and dynamic flavours of streetfood. With farm fresh produce, dry-aged beef, wood-fired grill, sustainable seafood and inhouse sommelier. a great dining experience, at a great location, in a great space

PHONE

ADDRESS

02 4229 6895

1 Marine Drive, Wollongong (next to Wollongong Lighthouse)

HAPPY HOUR

www.steamersbarandgrill.com.au

Every Friday 5pm - 7pm $5 beer & wines $10 cocktails

steamersbarandgrill

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ADVENTURE AT HOME

royal escape DEFINITELY A SIGHT TO BE SEEN IS DELIGHTFUL AUDLEY Words Rebekah Lambert Image Chris Cook @sydney_shotz

Just a peep out of the Illawarra nestled in southern Sydney, Audley makes for a great family-friendly day trip. The meeting place of two rivers and the Royal National Park, this unique location quietly marries history dating back to the 1890s and natural beauty with walking trails, bird watching, water sports and sumptuous dining.

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ADVENTURE AT HOME

Tasty temptations

If dining with a magnificent view is more your idea of a delightful day out, the Audley Dance Hall has your name on it. Built in 1949, this beautiful slice of post-war Australia features a delicious menu and great coffee for daytime dining for tourist and traveller alike.

Lush landscapes

The Royal National Park feels like an oasis away from the hurly burly of Sydney and is a refreshing change of pace from the beaches and mountains of Wollongong. The Park and the little townships tucked within, including Audley, Bundeena and Wattamolla, are separated by a gate across the Audley Weir. The weir itself floods approximately 26 days of the year. This isolates the area as the only way out, the ferry to Cronulla from Bundeena, is often cancelled during wet weather.

This is part of the charm for tourists and locals alike. You’re entering a restorative place rich in birdsong that transports you to another almost inaccessible world.

Playtime merriment

If you love bushwalking and exploring nature, then Audley and the Royal National Park are bound to please. With amazing walking trails (signposted throughout), you can match your experience, fitness levels and the child-friendliness of each trail with the help of information on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife website.

Cycling is another favourite of the area. Many a MAMIL (that is, middle-aged man in lycra) can be seen cycling the Loftus Trail before heading to the Audley Dance Hall Café for a pick me up coffee and a light bite to eat.

Lady Carrington Drive is an easy trail that takes about one to two hours to complete by bicycle or three to four hours on foot. The trail covers some 15 creeks with their Indigenous significance and historical facts on display. Majestic blue gums and rainforest are all around, so pack the binoculars and show the kids a large variety of the beautiful birds that are native to the area.

If water is more your passion, head to the Audley Boat Shed. Established in 1893 as a favourite leisure spot, the tradition continues seven days a week throughout the year, even on Christmas Day.You can hire kayaks and canoes, boats and the famed water bikes to play on the Hacking River or Kangaroo Creek.

Brides flock to the venue for its exquisite food and idyllic outlook and families are often found celebrating the major milestones of age, life and romance. The Audley Dance Hall can take up to 200 guests and offer an amazing experience for business conference organisers seeking a memorable event.

With breakfast, lunch and arguably one of the best morning or afternoon tea views around, the Audley Dance Hall is a popular place indeed. So popular, bookings are advised.

Imaginations run wild

The beauty, birdsong and gated nature of the area gives a special spark to the imagination.

Audley attracts romance. On any given weekend, you can see bridal parties poised and posed before the rivers, on lush green and in the various eateries. The mix of old-world charm through the buildings and the exquisite tree canopies add that something special to a gal’s big day.

The same mystique and magic of Audley are a favourite with alternative subcultures. The area calls with great photo opportunities, glorious picnic spots, and fun walks with your parasol.

Always plan your visit

As Audley is behind a flood gate and many of the attractions are tucked within the beauty of the Royal National Park, we recommend checking the National Parks and Wildlife website prior to visiting. Entry to the Royal National Park is restricted to set opening hours of 7am to 7pm daily. However, the park can be subject to closure due to bad weather, during high fire danger days or when nearby bushfire activity is detected.

The Park may also be periodically closed for maintenance.

Entry to the park is $12. Or if you wish to leave the car at home, you can travel by courtesy bus from Sutherland or Bundeena Wharf at $9 per person. You can find information here www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or via the NSW National Parks app. Happy exploring! ¡

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COAL COAST KIDS

party time, excellent BECAUSE IT'S OUR 2ND BIRTHDAY, WE'VE FOUND SOME BEAUT PARTY LOCATIONS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES Words Adara Enthaler

It can be hard enough to keep kids entertained when you only have yours to deal with. Put two dozen of them in a room and you’ve basically signed up for a two-hour intensive cardio session with voice training. Don’t make the mistake of hosting birthday parties in your home this year, check out these great party options.

Harrington Park Riding Ponies

Kembla Grange Horse-lovers rejoice! At Harrington Park Riding Ponies, you can give them the gift they’ve always wanted: a pony! Well, for a few hours anyway.

This beautiful equestrian centre offers pony parties for kids of any age, perfect for horseobsessed kids.

There’s plenty of room to set up the food and sit back to enjoy the sunshine, while you leave the kids to ride, groom and play with the horses and ponies. There’s even a rainbow pony they can play dress up with and tractor rides – the kids will love it.

Da Vinci Art Studio

Shellharbour Da Vinci Art Studio offers a magical experience for kids who like to get creative with fully contained children’s birthday parties. With a range of themes including mermaids, sunsets and superheroes, your little ones and all their friends will enter a room decorated just for them and spend two hours painting, sculpting and crafting with party music, art games, with their very own artwork to take home at the end.

A bonus for parents – you can bring in your own catering or cake plus it’s fully supervised, so you can check out a local café while the Da Vinci team make sure the kids don’t put glue and paint where it’s not supposed to go!

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Northern Bowl

Bellambi Is there anything more classic than a bowling birthday party? Party set-up is made easy at Northern Bowl – they have decorated tables, balloons and lolly bags, plus food and activities all in one package.

All you need to remember is to let the kids believe they’re beating you at bowling, and with optional bumper bars you’ll be able to avoid any meltdowns. There are arcade games along the walls, so there’s plenty to entertain, and if party pies aren’t your thing, you can order food platters for the adults.

Inflatable World

North Wollongong Your kids will be literally bouncing off the walls at Inflatable World, while you join in for some bouncy fun or relax at the party table. Picture a jumping castle the size of a warehouse, and that’s what the children will be running around and playing on for two hours.

You’ll have to drag them back to the table for snacks and cake, because there are so many activities for them to enjoy. There’s no chance that anyone will get bored, and the rest of the parents will thank you for giving them a party that will tire out their crew. ¡

12020_THE_JETTY_COAL_COAST_AD.pdf

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10/2/20

4:53 pm

MUSIC

hot headliners Wollongong’s Farmer & The Owl festival brings British indie-electronic superstars Hot Chip to the stage Words Dani Sherring Image Ronald Dick

When Hot Chip’s co-creators Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard became school friends, bonding over a mutual admiration for The Beastie Boys, the foundations were laid for what would become one of Britain’s most experimental and celebrated electronicpop groups. Now consisting of five multiinstrumentalists Alexis, Joe, Al Doyle, Owen Clarke, and Felix Martin, Hot Chip has been making magical music together for 20 years.

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Catchy dance bangers and melodic, emphatic tunes make up some of the group’s musical back catalogue, with big-name hits including Over and Over, Boy from School and Ready for the Floor, but it’s hard to define the music with just a few words, because Hot Chip’s sound is purely their own.

As well as seven albums, their jubilant and energetic live performances have amassed this group of ‘gloriously ordinary weirdos’ – recently referred to by Double J’s Tim Shiel as ‘disco dads’ – a devoted cult following. And it’s on the back of their provocatively titled seventh album,

MUSIC A Bath Full of Ecstasy, that the group has been touring the world, bringing their brand of weird and wonderful to the Gong on February 29.

We were lucky enough to catch up with Hot Chip’s Felix Martin ahead of their headlining gig at Farmer & The Owl… Firstly, tell me about the awesome name of your latest album, A Bath Full of Ecstasy…

[Laughs] It’s actually very innocent… just to be straight-up, it has no reference to drugs. It’s a phrase that Alexis came up with and is the title of one of the songs on the album. He just really likes to have baths… he finds them enjoyable and there’s a feeling of ecstasy in that. It’s supposed to be fun, playful, light-hearted.

This album’s been described as a celebration of life – would you agree? Was that the intention? Yeah, I guess I would. Alexis and Joe and very keen on their music being a celebratory, positive thing. And for us, travelling round the world playing live music shows is very much about bringing joy to people. This album is definitely an extension of that joy.

The Wollongong show is the first stop on your Australian tour – what can we expect from your performance? We’ve been touring for over a year now, so by this stage we’re well practised. It should be pretty polished, without too many rough edges… hopefully. It will be a really fun show – we’ll play with two other members, a drummer and a multi-instrumentalist.

There’s also lots happening on stage, lots to look at, lots of synthesizers. Our set list is like a greatest hits compilation, a big mix from all our albums. We can’t wait.

Your live acts are renowned for being super energetic with an infectious party vibe – is there a different presence you bring to the stage? Definitely. When we’re in the studio everything is done very carefully and we’re listening very closely to make sure the details are right. Whereas on stage… well, it’s a bit more rock and roll. Things can get quite loud! But in saying that, the way we play on stage is faithful to the recording. We try not to veer to much from the original, and make it sound as good, better, than it did on the record.

travelling round the “ world playing live music shows is very much about bringing joy to people” You’ve been touring since March last year – are you exhausted? Yes! We were exhausted just before Christmas, but we had a few weeks off and now I’m feeling more human again and ready for more crime and punishment [laughs].

We keep touring until November so we’re not letting up.

This isn’t your first time in Australia, what do you enjoy about coming back here?

So many things – the people, the food, the weather, the fact that we can escape the bleak winter in Europe. Getting some Vitamin D is pretty nice too. But we know that Australia has suffered so much recently, and the conditions have been horrific with the bushfires, so we don’t really know what to expect this time around.

It’s definitely been a cruel and heartbreaking summer, but music has the power to uplift and I think lots of people will be looking forward to having a dance… I find it so hard to imagine what it’s been like. Certainly, music is a powerful tool and we think it’s just really important to be there and hopefully provide some kind of normalcy… some joy.

You’ve been playing together for 20 years – what’s the secret to such longevity?

The dynamic just works, and that spark and creativity is still there between Alexis and Joe who are writing music, and the other three of us are there to facilitate that. We still have a lot of fun working and touring together – it’s not always easy but we just feel very lucky and very privileged to do what we do. I think we’re all intelligent enough to appreciate that. ¡

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LOCAL PEOPLE

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LOCAL PEOPLE

the music farmer BAND MANAGER, RECORD STORE, LABEL OWNER AND FESTIVAL ORGANISER, JEB TAYLOR IS A MAN OF MANY MUSICAL HATS

For Jeb Taylor, music has always been a huge part of his life, but it’s the behind the scenes where he has found his true path. Stepping away from the stage and his trusty drum kit, he’s gone from band member to become a guiding force in the local music scene. Through his independent record store, Music Farmers, managing bands including Hockey Dad plus Farmer & The Owl collaborations, Jeb is putting Wollongong on the musical map.

“It all started when we were playing shows in high school. I used to be the one that would book the shows and (kind of) manage our band, Ventolin.

At 19, I liked doing more of that stuff than actually playing. It was becoming a chore, so I stopped playing music and started my own little label, High Beam,” says Jeb. In 2004, he moved into a small office space in Central Chambers with his friend and Music Farmers co-founder Simon Dalla Pozza and decided to sell a few vinyl records on the side.

“It wasn't really a genuine shop, but [eventually] the label faded and it turned into more of a proper record shop. It was the worst time to start, everyone was stopping buying physical music, but it was a good learning. Luckily we had other jobs, I was booking bands at the Oxford Tavern. We moved the shop to a bigger space in Crown Lane in 2007, we put on a few shows and then I started doing more band management.”

Managing local bands and Australian tours for international artists evolved into overseas tours with Nick Oliveri, former guitarist in Kyuss and Queens of Stone Age, and Windang locals Hockey Dad – a band he’s supported from their very early days. “They sent [our label, Farmer & The Owl] some material but it didn’t really work.

They went away and rerecorded it and came back with what became their first CD. That was a pretty good indication of what they're like as people. They were prepared to take [feedback] on board,” Jeb explains.

In 2015, he travelled with Hockey Dad on their first trip to New York to do showcases, despite local industry contacts advising them not to.

“There was some sort of instinct in us that thought it was worth the risk. They got their American booking agent from [the showcases], their first US label and by the next year, they'd been to America three times,” says Jeb. “The following year – the first album tour – was their first headline tour across the States. New York sold out. It’s pretty crazy to sell out a show in New York or LA. When you're with bands from the start, it makes it a bit more special when those big moments happen.”

But it was closer to home, and the state of Wollongong's nightlife that prompted a new musical offering. “Ben [Tillman, co-founder Yours and Owls and Farmer & The Owl] and I started putting on shows together back in 2010. In 2013, we were both on a music nightlife economy panel organised by the Council. We'd talk on the drive home afterwards and decided to try to get something started ourselves. If we could get a couple of local bands known outside of Wollongong to come, that will help drive [interest in] Wollongong. That was our whole aim.”

As the Farmer & The Owl Festival has evolved, so have the artists invited to perform. “The bands [on our label] curate it with us.They throw out heaps of wild ideas, which is really good because you can explore many different options. We’ve curated a lineup that's different. It's not based on radio play or Spotify streams, it's very much based on what everyone involved likes. Some of our bands have toured with them overseas.There’s more of a risk taken [for audiences], but we hope it will become something people trust because of the curation.” ¡

Farmer & The Owl Festival is on Saturday 29 February at MacCabe Park, Wollongong.

Music Farmers 228 Keira Street Wollongong.

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LOCAL SPORT

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LOCAL SPORT

half pipe hero AT JUST 16, LOCAL PRO SKATEBOADER KIERAN WOOLLEY IS ROLLING TOWARD HIS OLYMPIC DREAM Words Kate O'Mealley Image Mark Woolley

Minnamurra teenager and skateboard sensation, Kieran Woolley, has his sights set on selection for the Australian Olympic Team, with skateboarding one of five new sports to be contested at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. We sat down to chat with Kieran.

How did you get into skateboarding?

When I was younger, I rode motorbikes and surfed and did competitions for three or four years. When I was surfing, I would ride my SmoothStar skateboard to the beach, so I knew how to skate a little bit. Then my dad had a serious accident out at Mystics Beach in Kiama.

He went head first and broke his neck, and after that I couldn’t surf as much. In the afternoons, I started going to the skate park – I fell in love with skateboarding instantly and haven't stopped since.

You’re hoping to represent Australia in skateboarding at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. How do you qualify for the team?

At the Olympics there will be two types of competitions – park and street. Street skateboarding has flip tricks, skating rails, ledges and stair sets, whereas, park skateboarding has more transitions like quarter pipes, vert and banks. I compete in park skateboarding. To qualify, you need to be in the top 20 in the world and there’s a max of three people from each country.

Currently I'm 25th in the world, but when you look at the Olympic rankings I'm ranked 14th.

I’ll be travelling to all the Olympic qualification events. I came second at the The National Championship in January in Gympie, and I’ll head to Peru and then China for the World Championships.

To keep my position in the top 20 I need to keep improving, working hard, and heading to the all the comps trying to get the best results I can. There's a few tricks that I want to learn and improve on – there’s a 540 in the deep end with no pads on and I want to get my kickflip indies better for the competitions.

Tell us about your training routine... I go to the skate park and train, work on all my tricks and try to improve. When I'm training for a competition, I do strength and conditioning training at the gym plus physio and stretch programs. I started training with a coach, Brett Margaritas, and a group of four other skaters that are trying to get into the Olympics. Brett used to be a pro skateboarder and travels to all the competitions with us. In 2019, I travelled to Sao Paulo and Rio for the Worlds, Long Beach for the Dew Tour skateboard competition and China.

You have a huge following on social media – do you feel like a celebrity when you roll up to the skate park? Nah, not really. I'm trying to stay true to everybody. Social media has changed my life – it's super cool to get lots of followers, but you don't want to turn into an idiot because you think you're cool.

My dad films my videos – I always ask him to film clips of me skateboarding and he's just gotten better over time and now he's really good at it!

It's helpful for my social media, and I can look back on the clips and see what I'm doing wrong if I don't land a trick, or see what I did different to land it.

Who do you admire in skateboarding?

As a skater, I look up to Pedro Barros from Brazil.

He's insanely good. He goes super high and he's

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LOCAL SPORT

How do you fit in study and school? I'm enrolled in distance education so can work on the plane when I travel. I work out when I'm going away and bulk-do my work, like two weeks’ worth in three days. Mum and Dad are both teachers, they help me out and give me quizzes all the time. And I'm learning lots of life skills!

Tell us about the skate community in the Illawarra… The skating community here is super tight. Ryan Grant and Sam Giles are two of the main dudes and they always bring good vibes and create amazing sessions. Ryan was my first skateboarding sponsor. He owned a shop in Wollongong called Mondo Deluxe and sponsored me.

The skate culture is slowly building around here.

There's not as much as other places. The skate parks could be better, but recently there was a competition and skate festival at Shellharbour. It was super cool, everybody killed it, and we were thankful to the council for putting it on. ¡

We had the help of three aspiring skateboarders to conduct this interview, each had a turn in asking Kieran a question:

Archie very powerful. One of my favourite Australian skaters would be Jackson Pilz. He's extremely talented and has thousands of crazy tricks. He blows minds.

You’re only 16, how do you find travelling on your own? I've been travelling a lot on my own. The most I've done at one time by myself is five or six weeks, maybe a bit more. When I go to Brazil, I still travel with my dad or with my Santa Cruz team. When I'm travelling around Australia I'm by myself. I like it a lot. It's good being independent and having to work stuff out for yourself, like learning how to travel and budget… it’s good.

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aged 7 What was the first trick you learned?

The first trick that I learned was an ‘Ollie’ – you hit the back of your tail, lift your front foot up and your board gets air. Then you land back on it.

Nick

aged 7 Where is your favourite local place to skate?

Fairy Meadow skate park! But my favourite in the world would be CATF, which is a skateboarding training facility in San Diego.

Sunny

aged 7 How old were you when you learned how to skate? Nine or 10 years old. I couldn’t surf as much so I switched to skateboarding.

PILATES COLLECTIVE TURNS TWO WHEN:

Saturday 7th March - 9 AM

WHERE:

PILATES COLLECTIVE STUDIO 5/378 LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE THIRROUL NSW 2515

WHAT:

Our second birthday & second studio GRAND OPENING PURCHASE your 5 class pass for $50 TODAY!

FOR MORE INFO: WWW.PILATESCOLLECTIVE.COM.AU @PILATESCOLLECTIVE_

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LOCAL INITIATIVE Allen Harris - Jaffa Cafe Sara Watkins - Corrimal RSL Paul Boultwood - Corrimal Chamber of Commerce Dr Andrea Garner Dr Pippa Burns - UOW

caring corrimal WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA’S FIRST AUTISM-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY

For families with a child on the autism spectrum, a visit to a café or to a supermarket can become an overwhelming experience.

Every day activities – often simple tasks that many of us do easily – are a challenge. In a joint initiative by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) - South Coast School, the Corrimal Chamber of Commerce and the University of Wollongong, an evidence-based program was developed to help support business owners to better assist and support people on the spectrum. Only 12 months after the program launched, over 40 businesses in Corrimal have joined the cause becoming Australia’s first autism-friendly community.

Dr Andrea Garner, from the School of Education at the University of Wollongong, has worked with children on the autism spectrum and their families in Australia, England and her native Canada for 20 years. And the conversations are often the same, regardless of location. “I work quite closely with

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families of young people on the autism spectrum who are high-support young people. Many of the families talk about how isolating it is and how they can't take their child anywhere,” says Andrea. “They would say, 'We can't do regular things, haircuts are impossible, grocery shopping is impossible.' It’s difficult to be able to do everyday things, so families tend to be isolated.”

It was a conversation with Aspect’s Executive Principal, Bruce Rowles, nearly three years ago that cemented the need to support not only the children at the school but their families in the local community to help people feel more included and supported. “We wanted to create an autismfriendly community for our young people because they're going to grow up in this area, and often stay here long-term,” Andrea explains.

With the support of Dr Pippa Burns and the University of Wollongong Community Engagement Grants Scheme, a pilot program ‘Autism Friendly Communities - Investigating the Ingredients’ was launched in collaboration with the Corrimal Chamber of Commerce to identify

LOCAL INITIATIVE how businesses could be more inclusive and welcoming for people on the spectrum. “There were a couple of things that were really important to us. One was that the project was constructed in a grassroots way, with the voice of both the business and autistic communities,” says Andrea.

“We also wanted to employ people on the spectrum to do the research. Partly to give them work experience, but to also hear from people that are actually living these experiences.”

The program’s researchers were tasked with visiting businesses in Corrimal and giving feedback on how they could improve – from the lighting and volume of music, to how they display signage and engage with customers. From the outset, business owners were supportive and keen to understand what they could do better to be more inclusive. “It was an educational process for retailers and business owners,” says Paul Boultwood from the Corrimal Chamber of Commerce. “The program has helped many businesses to become more aware of people with autism and to make the shopping experience more enjoyable. It was great to see Corrimal RSL, Jaffa Café, Luna Café, Corrimal Library and CBA come on board straight away – we all wanted to do it for the right reasons. There’s been such a positive response from our business community.”

The research resulted in the development of the SERVICE principles – a set of guidelines that businesses can adopt to become more autism friendly. “We wanted to develop best-practice principles that a dentist or a cafe could apply in a way that was low-cost and manageable for them.

We see the principles not as an accreditation, but a commitment for businesses to do over the long-term.” Businesses who complete an audit and register for the program receive an Autism Friendly Badge, designed by Aspect South Coast students, to display in their shop window. “It’s a badge that students recognise as being a friendly place for them. Families can help to prepare the young person before they go, because the anticipation is something that causes a lot of anxiety,” explains Andrea.

After only 12 months, participation has grown rapidly with 42 businesses in Corrimal jumping on board and interest in the program coming from around Australia. “The ripple effect has been incredible and we’re hoping to expand the program more broadly. We've had interest

from Dapto and as far as Tasmania who want to replicate the program and become autism friendly,” says Andrea. “When you are autism friendly, you're creating an enabling environment.

And in doing that, you're enabling for other populations as well – people with low literacy, people who do not have English as a first language, people with dementia. It's helping everybody – not just people on the spectrum – to navigate day-to-day activities a little easier.” ¡

SERVICE PRINCIPLES - CREATING A MORE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT

Sensory Equipment Respectful Visual Intentional Create Zones Environment

: Volume should be audible but not overwhelming. Low-odour products and perfume-free environments : Furnishings and fittings that absorb sound. Accessible, clear spaces. : Greet with a smile, offer support and be patient. : Clutter-free, clear signage. Natural or solid colours. : Clear and concise language that has a purpose. : Spaces that are easy to navigate and have a clear function. : Natural ventilation, low decibel fans, natural or incandescent light.

Go blue for autism

Wollongong’s lighthouse will turn blue on 2 April to raise awareness of World Autism Day and mark the beginning of Autism Awareness Month.

Find out more at www.autismfriendlycommunities.com

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HEALTH

nourish to nurture A TIME FOR HARVEST AND INNER BALANCE Words Rita Balshaw

Traditionally autumn is a season to stock up and gather food supplies in preparation for the cold winter months. It's also a great time for restoration and replenishment, nurturing the physical body and emotional wellbeing.

Why nourish?

Autumn Aromatics

Fill your home with the comforting scents of ginger, cardamon, sweet orange, black pepper, cedarwood, frankincense and clove essential oils to promote a cosy feeling of comfort and joy.

We can nourish ourselves with wholesome food, but we can also nourish our spirit, our culture and our community. To nourish means to provide food, healing ingredients and spiritual practices in order to foster the development of health and wellbeing. By integrating all levels of self-care and awareness, complete wellbeing is possible.

If you find it hard to get moving in the cold weather, particularly in the mornings, it is a wonderful idea to burn or vaporise lemongrass, cinnamon, sage, basil, bergamot and vetiver essential oils to get you feeling enthusiastic and energised. A hot bath with a teaspoon of ginger powder, a drop of frankincense and orange essential oil can also help to motivate in the mornings.

Tea Ritual

Healing Wholefoods

It's time to make up a yummy pot of traditional chai! The deliciously spicy and exotic blend of chai herbs brewed with raw honey, nutmeg powder and almond milk creates a magnificently nourishing chai latte healing tonic. Licorice root, lemongrass, cinnamon, clove and ginger tea are also wonderfully warming and immunity strengthening herbal teas can support you throughout this restorative season.

Dedicate time to cherishing your loved ones by creating deliciously healthy and seasonal meals that cater to your nutritional needs. Have fun with exploring new recipes that leave you feeling gratified, rather than guilty. Beetroot with ricotta sweet potato bake, spelt flour vegetable pie, fig and walnut buckwheat tart with maple syrup glaze, and sugar-free apple, nutmeg and ginger autumn crumble are all amazing comfort food favourites. ¡

Follow Rita's work @hippiesinthecity or pick up Rita's books at www.hippiesinthecity.com

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Health cover with heart!

Call Peoplecare to find the right health cover for you.

You don’t need to go bigger to get brilliant health cover.

1800 808 706 peoplecare.com.au Peoplecare Health Limited. A registered private health insurer. ABN 95 087 648 753

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LOCAL STYLE An open-plan Kitchen and Dining Room like ‘Ocean Breeze Residence’ allows for gregarious entertainment; plenty of laughter and lots of conversation

Unique pieces, like this made-to-order tan leather bedhead at ‘Cato Residence’, make an impact

The Sitting Room at ‘Cato Residence’ lends itself to ultimate family time and rejuvenation

celebrating home A FINE BLEND OF FEATURES TO CREATE THE PERFECT HOME Words & images Birdblack Design

The recent bushfires ravaged towns, bushland and properties all over the state and has made many of us regroup and really consider the importance of houses and homes – and of course, the people found within them.

This year, we’re celebrating “home” and everything that it can be. A home simply starts out as a space. What we do within that space is what creates a home. A home should be a haven, a retreat, a safe place, an entertainment zone and a place for all family members to find themselves, find support and love and find relaxation.

Every family looks different: in size, in age, in dynamic. These differences should be celebrated.

Each family, and therefore every home, will display

a different culture and a different lifestyle. By encouraging these aspects to be communicated via layouts, functionality, colours, materials and styles, the family’s culture and lifestyle are often grasped as soon as you walk through their front door. It articulates the individual personalities and communicates what is true and innate to the people who live there.

Home is so important to our physical, emotional and mental health. It is a place where we belong; it is a place where our needs are met; it’s a place where we can be our truest selves. Whether that means incorporating joinery or metalwork to assist with physical ailments, or whether it is a huge entertainment area to invite all you nearest and dearest to celebrate regularly, or a sunroom to read daily and regain our composure from a long day at work… whatever the needs are, the incorporation of these things are what make your house your home. ¡

Birdblack Design are bespoke home design specialists and ready to help you with your renovations. www.birdblackdesign.com.au

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

renovate vs renovated THE BIG DILEMMA – TO RENOVATE YOUR CURRENT HOME OR RELOCATE TO WHERE THE HARD WORK HAS BEEN DONE FOR YOU Words Anna Thackray Image LA Early @la_early

Some of us watch home renovation shows and get giddy watching the transformation.

While others dream of walking into the showroom home, with sparkling new fittings, extravagant pendant lights, and all ready for that perfect Instagram shot #dreamhome.

The big question is though, if you aren’t completely happy with your current abode, should you renovate or buy already renovated and brand new?

Renovating

By renovating a home you have lived in for years you can take everything you know about living in the property, about yourself, your family and your lifestyle and play to its strengths. Visit properties on the market to get inspiration, and book a market appraisal with an agent to ensure you are adding desirable features for future buyers.

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If you’ve decided to live out ‘The Block’ dream and purchase a home that needs a lot of love, hats off to you! Make sure you know what you are getting into (get the building report!), make sure you have the right skills (or can enlist the help of the right trades) and make sure you have done the numbers and know what you can afford.

Renovated

Purchasing new, or freshly renovated means all the hard work is done.You just bring the furniture and personality and it becomes your home.

This option will generally deliver energy-efficient appliances, shiny new fittings and will remove the risk of suddenly discovering termites or asbestos.

If the property is purchased as an investment property, you will more likely receive a higher return, and incur lower maintenance costs.

Food for thought – it also helps to put a few pros and cons down on paper to help you decide whether it is time to start planning the renovations, or talking to an agent about selling your home. ¡

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COAL COAST FAVES

5 things we

around town...

EARLY SWIMS – CONTINENTAL POOL KINGFISH CRUNCHY ROLL – SAKURA SUSHI ESPRESSO MARTINI – NIGHT PARROT INFRARED SAUNA – THE BOD LAB FRESH FRUIT – THIRROUL FRUIT BARN

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE?

advertising enquiries

Tara 0409 774 153 or email sales@coalcoastmagazine.com www.coalcoastmagazine.com

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@coalcoastmag

/coalcoastmag

COFFEE CHAT

hey brew MEET KATIE FROM MOORE STREET GENERAL

lovers bunch of ecoffwe’eell cha We’re a ever here, so ownery orissubarista aboutt to a cafe kes the perfect cup. what ma

How was Moore Street General born? I have spent the majority of my working life in hospitality, it’d now be 20 years. I’ve worked in some amazing places with a bunch of inspiring people. I think for me Byron Bay was the biggest influence, working at Bay Leaf Cafe. This experience also changed my idea about what a cafe could provide for a community – it could create a community. I loved this idea! I moved back to my hometown, Austinmer. Initially, the plan was never to stay. However, I fell back in love with Austinmer. I’d been talking about my dreams with friends and family for sometime, however it’s always a risky venture going into business. I feel it was all very serendipitous – the space on Moore Street became available and at the time, there were only a few cafes in town and I really wanted to do something different, not just for me but for everyone in the community. I was presented with an opportunity and I had to go for it – Moore St. General was born. My (now) great friend Felix Allen, was instrumental in helping me realise my dream. He handcrafted all of the beautiful timberwork in the shop from hardwood and helped me design the fittings from recycled materials.

from free range pork and it's delicious.

Our Kangaroo Valley eggs are true pasture eggs from happy chickens.

Each time we create our menu, it will be a little bit different – it’s a team effort, we include what we love eating and cooking and consider how best we can maintain the quality and sustainability of what we serve.

What’s the inspiration behind your locally focused menu? We work with seasonal produce – that’s the number one principle. We love to celebrate and support local suppliers/businesses. For example, Shane and Amanda from the Veg Box. Shane has been a providore for years and is always happy to share what’s going on in the market; he has a tight relationship with growers that means we get the best produce that is available. Purebred Meats in Thirroul make our ham; it’s made

What’s the secret to a perfect brew? Love of course. Great roasters, passionate baristas.

There’s such a sense of community at Moore Street General... This is certainly a side of the cafe that I really love. I enjoy sharing the place, the coffee and food with other people and I love the idea of people meeting their friends and making new ones at the cafe through sharing tables.

People seem to really like the space and we love that locals would want to use it for their pop-ups. Many of these events are essentially run by and attended by people who live in the surrounding streets. So many talented people are hiding in our streets – it's so nice to be able to share and let other people make it their own.

What brand of coffee?

Single O. They’re a Sydney based coffee roaster. I’ve had a really long friendship with the guys there and they helped me out a lot. And, it’s great coffee.

If you buy coffee from another spot in the Illawarra, where do you go? I have so much respect for my friends in the industry. I hardly get out that much to enjoy coffee anymore but if I do, I'll most likely pop in to Buck Hamblin, Finbox, Two Sisters, At All and Sundry, Omni, Opus or Lee & Me. But there are so many more and I feel horrible leaving anyone out. ¡

Moore Street General 38 Moore Street, Austinmer

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COAL COAST FAVES

#coalcoastmag

@lifestylesouthcoast A pop of fluro on a grey kinda day...

TAG US IN YOUR PICS ON INSTAGRAM & WE WILL PRINT OUR FAVES EACH ISSUE. GET SNAPPING! www.coalcoastmagazine.com

sweet and thoughtful

@sailorsheart_thirroul Sailors Heart Thirroul has been registered with Airbnb Open Homes project.

In light of the events in NSW, those affected or first responders may need a temporary place to stay.

Open Homes, is a program that provides hosts a way to share their space with people in need of emergency housing, at no cost to the guest.

@rubyblake The Aussie waterhole.

Nostalgic and timeless.

@dronespointofview The wharf at Bundeena, originally known as Yarmouth Wharf, was built in 1890.

@alan_and_beau Things that wash up on the beach

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PROFESSIONAL | MODERN | CANDID DOCUMENTING PORTRAITS AND EVENTS PLAN SOMETHING EPIC info@creativeeventsphotography.com.au | 0410710242 | www.creativeeventsphotography.com.au

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COAL COAST POPS

best bacon & egg roll?

Interviews Joanna Singletary

GEOFF FROM FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS

North Kiosk are generous with the amount of bacon and egg and the price is very reasonable.

MATT FROM GERROA

Levendi is my choice for the best egg and bacon roll...soft roll, tasty bacon and perfectly cooked egg!

MEG FROM BALGOWNIE

The Deli Gerringong do a great bacon and egg roll and it's an easy spot to grab one after a surf.

Quay Canteen does the best bacon and egg muffin. It is so tasty you wouldn’t even know it was completely vegan!

SUZI FROM WOLLONGONG

JAMIE FROM THIRROUL

The Coffee Club, I swear there is something in the bacon to make it extra delicious & there’s always the right amount of sauce.

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JEN FROM FIGTREE

Honest Dons is the best because of their tomato relish.

meet a neighbour Interview Michelle Ahern Bevans

COAL COAST POPS How long have you lived in the Illawarra?

Most of my life!

What brought your family to the area? I grew up and lived in Albion Park until 2015 when I moved to Coogee. I lived in Coogee for four years and then a year ago I moved back to my parents’ place in Towradgi so I can complete my degree in PE Teaching at the University of Wollongong.

My mum, Julie, is originally from England and when she moved to Australia she lived in Albion Park. After meeting her partner Steve they moved to Towradgi together.

Steve became really unwell so they moved into the Surf Leisure centre at Towradgi because it had easy access for carers and for getting to and from the hospital.

How do you like to spend your time? Aside from studying full-time I also have three jobs: I’m a trainer at F45 in Bulli, CrossFit in Maroubra and another functional training gym in Caringbah – so that keeps me quite busy!

Emily Fenech Towradgi

Ideal start to the day? My favourite start to the day is coffee and a sunrise swim. I don’t get many of those as I am usually up at around 4am for work. If I do get the chance, I’ll grab a coffee from Sketch on Towradgi Road and head to Towradgi Beach for a swim.

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FINAL FUN

the quiz 1. What is the capital city of Vietnam?

2. Who directed the 2019 film The Irishman?

3. Strike, spare and gutter are terms of which sport?

4. Lord Howe Island is part of which Australian state or territory?

5. What is the most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere?

6. What is the name of Wollongong’s new live music establishment which opened in Globe Lane in 2019?

7. What is the name of the teenager who started the ‘School Strike for Climate’?

8. What are female elephants called?

9. How many strings does a violin have?

10. Which Wollongong-born surfer was the winner of the Australian National Titles in 1980, and also released a biography in 2018?

11. How many paintings did Vincent van Gogh sell in his lifetime: 1, 17 or 193?

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12. The Testaments is the sequel to which 1985 classic novel by Margaret Atwood?

13. Road cycling race The Tour Down Under is held in which Australian city?

14. Which Beatles song features the lyrics: ‘Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head’?

15. What year did Coalcliff Rockpool open: 1923, 1953 or 1983?

16. Moe’s Tavern is a fictional bar from which longrunning cartoon series?

17. What spirit is used in a Moscow Mule cocktail?

18. The Maleficent film series is loosely based on which fairytale?

19. Does balsa wood come from a hardwood or a softwood tree?

20. What is the world’s second highest mountain?

Answers on page 1.

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Property Manager 4267 3344 melanieschott@oneagency.com.au