ALEX PIKE
HER FAVOURITE MELBOURNE
TRAVEL
ESCAPE TO AN ISLAND PARADISE
WINE HALLIDAY’S TOP DROPS REVEALED
ALEX PIKE
HER FAVOURITE MELBOURNE
TRAVEL
ESCAPE TO AN ISLAND PARADISE
WINE HALLIDAY’S TOP DROPS REVEALED
QUEEN OF POP’S GOLDEN JUBILEE
Imagine doing something for half a century. You’d really have to love it to want to keep going. But that’s exactly what our cover star, the incomparable Marcia Hines, has done. Hines was crowned Australia’s Queen of Pop in the early 1970s, and in her 50-year career has starred in musicals, released countless albums and been a judge on Australian Idol – a role she is soon to reprise. We spoke to Hines about her enduring career. Also this week, we explore the Cook Islands, talk to some of the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Award winners and ask cosmetic guru Alex Pike about her favourite Melbourne haunts. ●
IN FLAMES \ Two-hatted chef Ben Devlin of Sydney’s Pipit is coming to Rockpool Melbourne on August 8 for an evening of luxurious wood-fired fare in the city. ● rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au
MAKEOVER \ Melbourne businesswoman Alex Fevola has just opened a second Runway Room store in Armadale, for a hair and makeup experience like no other. ● runwayroom.com
Marcia Hines
Photographed by Riccardo Raiti
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LOVED UP \ A new Melbourne-made sustainable skincare line has hit the market this week. Darl’s mission is to foster “skinlove” through nourishment and protection. ● darlskincare.com
WINTER WARMER \ Until the end of this month, head to BKK – a Thai canteen at HER – for a lunch-only midweek menu of $15 noodles or an express banquet for $35 per person. ● her.melbourne/bkk
Easing into island time on Rarotonga, an idyllic tropical getaway in the Cook Islands, takes no effort at all.
The largest and most visited island in the nation (there are 15 altogether), Rarotonga has a population of nearly 18,000, boasting sublime sunsets, welcoming locals and pristine beaches.
It’s been more than 30 years since an Aussie airline has flown direct to the remote island, so we hopped on a Jetstar flight to check it out.
Most of the restaurants and bars are either built on the sand or have spectacular beach views.
Waves crash in the distance as we try a super-fresh, spicy seafood curry at outdoor eatery Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant.
The new Ukulele Bar, adjacent to the popular dining space Tamarind House, provides ideal vantage points for stunning lagoon sunsets, while the 18-plus Muri Beach Club is the spot to dig your toes into the sand and sip an enormous “fishbowl” cocktail.
At bustling Charlie’s, grass-skirted dancers and drummers entertain while we try local treats, including fish sandwiches and ika mata (marinated raw fish in coconut milk and lemon).
For some easy take-away, locals recommend Super Brown for a juicy, home-style burger or steak sandwich.
For brunch, try former art-galleryturned-cafe, Beluga, which has some of the most innovative dishes on the island, including feta, roasted eggplant and hummus on sourdough.
A smattering of boutiques in the heart of town showcases a slew of black pearls, souvenirs and bathers.
At Punanga Nui Market (Saturdays only), the queue-worthy Kai Coffee pumps out chai latte, cold brew, mochaccino and a delectable creme brulee cheesecake.
Creamy coconut-laced banana or pumpkin poke disappear in moments, while stalls and car-boot stands are in a flurry, selling out of home-cooked curries and just-caught grilled fish – sometimes served within the first hour or so. There are also plenty of sarongs, jewellery, arts and crafts to admire.
Meantime, in a further quest for delicious morsels, the most flavoursome pork-belly buns are found at Muri Beach night market, where an assortment of food trucks dominate and a solitary T-shirt stand can be found.
Eco-tourism is top of mind for the operators of Ariki Adventures, who twice a day take small groups out on sea scooters to swim with green sea turtles (face-to-face but no touching).
Ultra-pristine, postcard-ready beaches and the clearest of azure waters are found on the island of Aitutaki, a 40-minute flight from Rarotonga. The warm waters are teeming with marine life; a plethora of colourful tropical fish of all sizes flashes by while snorkelling just a few metres offshore.
There are day trips to Aitutaki, but you can also stay on the island.
Back on Rarotonga, the culturally infused Koka Lagoon Cruises conducts drum-accompanied
Most stores are closed on Sundays.
One main road – with no traffic lights and a 50km/h speed limit – traces Rarotonga’s 32-kilometre circumference. Shoes are optional on land, while reef shoes are recommended in the water. There are no bus stops, so roadside hailing is necessary. Congregations and choirs welcome visitors at Sunday church services.
There are 16 varieties of bananas on Rarotonga. No camping is allowed. Free Wi-Fi is not readily found, so a travel SIM is a good option. Insect repellent is imperative.
● kokalagooncruises.com
● tamanubeach.com
● seachangevillas.com
● arikiexperience.com
● vaimarestaurant.com
● beluga-rarotonga .business.site
singalongs on board before a snorkelling experience that includes a fish-feeding frenzy and the sight of giant clams.
Then a visit to yet another litterfree beach for a coconut tree-climbing demonstration, with dancing, singing, a barbecue lunch and drinking from the husk of a just-cracked coconut.
It takes just one step to reach the sandy shore from the private decks of beachfront Sea Change Villas. That’s if you can drag yourself from a private plunge pool set among coconut trees. An expansive living space, top-shelf amenities and a tropical fruit platter come with the self-contained villas.
There’s also the family-friendly Edgewater Resort and Spa just a few kilometres from the airport, or the luxe, boutique digs of Nautilus Resort, set against a mesmerising mountain backdrop.
Alex Pike, one of Melbourne’s best-known cosmetic injectors, has launched a new Inside Out Beauty program aimed at inspiring women to improve their health and wellbeing. The career mum of three sons splits her time between Melbourne and Albury and her two clinics in those towns.
“In 2018, I went on my own self-improvement journey,” she says. “I was in a state of chronic overwhelm, and you could say I was burnt out.”
The former model decided to quit alcohol and start walking daily while embarking on a meditation journey.
“I started to share this journey on my social media, and women began to DM me and ask how I was ‘doing it all’, what I was eating, and how far was I walking,” Pike says.
Her eight-week program is all about self-love, self-control and creating daily rituals that work for you. She’s a big advocate for cold therapy, walking an hour a day (it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing) and drinking celery juice, while a ketofocused diet is also important.
“Ageing is something everyone faces in their lifetime; I welcome it and am proud to be more confident, self-assured and really wanting to share my experiences to help other women too,” Pike says. She shares her favourite things to do in Melbourne.
My favourite casual Italian eating spot in Melbourne is Gilson. I was a student from country NSW boarding at MGG (Melbourne Girls Grammar in South Yarra) for my high school years, so I have very fond memories of “hanging out” on Domain Road after school and walking the Tan. I have known one of the owners for over 20 years, so I feel very at home there. I often have breakfast on the weekend after exercise with my best friend Michael Harris and either order the breakfast salad with smoked salmon or two poached eggs with a side of bacon and avocado. I adore the staff, atmosphere and some classic Italian comfort food. ● gilsonrestaurant.com.au
YUM CHA
My close friends and family know how much I love yum cha. I have recently discovered Moonhouse in Carlisle Street, Balaclava, which has unlimited yum cha on Saturday and Sunday. It’s modern and I keep going back.
● moonhouse.com.au
JUNGLE HQ, PRAHRAN
Jungle HQ in Prahran. Owned and operated by Jack Boon, Jungle HQ is a private and exclusive gym housing some of the best equipment I have ever used. I love going there because the membership is 50 per cent female and it is never overcrowded or overpopulated. No casual drop-ins are allowed. Jungle offers private coaching and I originally
started working with Jack as he is very experienced in working with women and their hormones through nutrition and movement.
● junglehq.com.au
SCANLAN THEODORE
My favourite retail shop is Scanlan Theodore. I shop mostly at the Chapel Street location. The designs are so chic and effortless and they have wool crepe garments in nearly every season that wash so well and can be timeless. I am pretty old fashioned and do not enjoy online shopping, as the fit is not always right so I much prefer a customerfacing experience. The staff at Scanlan go above and beyond to find the right looks and, in addition, the accessories selections – including eyewear, jewellery and shoes – make it a one-stop shop.
● scanlantheodore.com/au
After 50 stellar years in the music industry, Marcia Hines is back on the road for a concert tour.
Marcia Hines turned 70 in July, and is about to celebrate her 50thanniversary career milestone as a singer-songwriter –but she isn’t counting the years.
“I can’t do the numbers,” Hines says, taking the call at home while trying to hush a chorus of birds who have spotted her cat nearby.
“How did the 50th anniversary happen?” she asks. “To be honest, I don’t think about that stuff. I just get on with life, and that would be my advice to anybody. Just get on with it because life is truly a gift.
“I don’t really ever stop to pat myself on the back, but I am grateful I wake each day and get to do what I do and what I love.”
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Hines moved to Australia as a 16-year-old (and, unaware at the time, pregnant with her daughter Deni) when she was cast in the musical Hair in 1970.
“Getting the gig to come to Australia for Hair was amazing, but I didn’t even know where I was heading,” she says.
“I was lucky I found a really good support system in the cast of Hair. We were tight then and remain so to this day.”
Hines fell in love with the theatre scene in Australia and found herself working regularly as a result of Hair ’s success.
She became the first woman of colour cast as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar soon after, and still gets goosebumps thinking about it.
“It was very clever of Harry [Miller] to cast me as the first black woman to play Mary Magdalene,” Hines says. And then came a gig to tour with the Daly-Wilson Big Band in Australia, the US and the Soviet Union in the mid-1970s.
“I was still an American citizen playing in a communist country by way of being in Australia,” Hines says. “That time was certainly interesting.”
By 1976, she had been voted the Queen of Pop by the readers of TV Week for three years in a row.
Words JANE ROCCA25 years ago I stopped singing it,” she explains.
“I didn’t like it anymore. I had baggage with it, and a tumultuous relationship with the person who wrote it and his record company, who I was signed to,” she says, referring to Australian musician and producer Robie Porter, who died in 2021.
“But now, it’s back and I think it’s the best song I have ever sung.”
Hines auditioned to be a judge on Australian Idol 20 years ago, and became one of the show’s most popular stars, co-hosting the show from 2003 to 2009. She will return to the hot seat in 2024, replacing judge Meghan Trainor.
“I remember when Australian Idol started because my mother was very sick at the time and I [visited] her in the nursing home and told her I had just landed a good job,” she says.
“Mum was happy for me. The late Brian Walsh from Foxtel told me about the American version of the
sketches to get her final approval on styles.
“I always ask my manager, does it come in black, black or black,” Hines laughs. “Nigel designed the costume I wear on the new album cover and I’ll wear that as part of my show.
“And I am in some pink – it’s a Barbie move, I know – but I wear pink proudly.”
Hines keeps healthy walking daily, warms her vocals an hour before a show and prefers early nights over late ones when she’s not working.
She’s a pescatarian, and thought about joining the gym until she was told that performing and dancing every night is akin to running a marathon.
Hines counts her close friends on a few hands and says that, as she’s matured, her inner circle has got tighter.
“In your teens, all you want is lots of friends,” she says. “By your 20s it’s still important, but by the time you
“That is really when I felt the country had truly adopted me,” Hines says. It would be almost 20 years later, in 1994, that she would become an Australian citizen.
Her just-released album, Still Shining: The 50th Anniversary Ultimate Collection , sees Hines deep-dive into her hits of yesteryear and record two new songs to mark the occasion.
Spanning five decades, she sings Fire & Rain , From the Inside, You and Hard to Breathe, among others.
There is one song Hines avoided singing for many years due to a dispute with the songwriter – Shining was removed from her repertoire in stage shows.
“I remember recording Shining –a lovely story and song – and then
show, and that it would be a good career move.
“That show went on to be a huge success, and nothing in my life stopped me in the street as much as Idol – from pilots to hotel cleaners, everybody knew it, wanted to talk about it.”
Hines was inducted to the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007, was appointed a member of the Order of Australia in 2009 and has made 22 albums.
She will join the cast of Grease when it rolls into town later this year, and is also preparing for an abundance of concerts.
For those, she’s working alongside two costume designers: Nigel Shaw, who made the costumes for Six the Musical , and Leonie Grace, who sends her fabric swatches and
hit the 30s it changes again, and in the 40s people really start to fall by the wayside. From your 50s and 60s you find there [are fewer] again.
“I have always remembered being told to choose your friends wisely because they become your family in the end, and that is very true for me.”
Hines credits her humility for her longevity in the music industry.
“I was brought up incredibly well and taught the rights and wrongs of life,” she says. “I was taught to treat everybody [well] and that has remained true to who I am.” ●
STILL SHINING – THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR
2023 \ Frankston Performing Arts Centre, November 6; Swan Hill Town Hall, November 10
“I just get on with life, and that would be my advice to anybody. Just get on with it because life is truly a gift.”
From shortlisted top wineries in Australia to winemakers and viticulturists at the top of their game, the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2024 is a chance to acknowledge some of the industry’s biggest, brightest and emerging champions in the field.
All Saints Winery director Nick Brown says nothing felt like a greater pat on the back than discovering he was nominated for winery of the year. As a fourth-generation winemaker who runs
competition aplenty at this year’s Halliday awards.ALL SAINTS WINERY DIRECTOR NICK BROWN
All Saints Estate with his siblings Eliza and Angela, Brown says it was the advice his father Peter shared with him that still rings clear today.
“Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey,” Brown recalls. “It was torturous to hear when I was younger, but now it makes sense.”
But his biggest buzz is the thrill of seeing the wine improve each year in the famed Rutherglen wine region in north-east Victoria.
“It’s the joy of seeing the wines constantly improving through the many small tweaks in our vineyard and winery practices that makes the job worthwhile,” Brown says.
The Rutherglen region is traditionally known for its amazing fortified wines but Brown says their customers also now love their beautiful table wines such as marsanne and sangiovese/cabernet.
Also shortlisted for winery of the year are Giant Steps from the Yarra Valley, Oakridge Wines and Yalumba from Eden Valley in South Australia.
Mayer Wines’ winemaker Rivar Ferguson-Maye is also on the shortlist of nominations, with his pinot gris in the spotlight for its epic flavour profile.
“It’s a tremendous honour to be a finalist and always great to see your wines appreciated by others,” he says. “This will motivate me to continue to try to make delicious wines in the future.”
Ferguson-Maye is all about capturing the wholebunch wines that embody the essence of the vine.
Nominated for best new winery is Gaffy & Neal from the Mornington Peninsula. It is competing against Entropy and Fleet wines from Gippsland, and Gentle Folk from Adelaide Hills, among others.
Gaffy & Neal is a winemaking project of Darrin Gaffy and Douglas Neal who focus on the flavour and character of their wines. Known for their Mornington Peninsula chardonnay and Merricks North chardonnay, theirs is a labour of love and understanding of all that is artisanal.
In 2019, Darrin Gaffy’s Red Hill Winery Prinicipia won the Halliday Dark Horse Award
at the annual event. Gaffy admits that being acknowledged in the industry does wonders for the brand. What’s more, it puts it on the consumer’s radar beyond the industry itself.
“I think if you win a Halliday Award it definitely matters,” Gaffy says.
“All the press that came with winning the Dark Horse in 2019 was a huge deal for us. Seeing your brand splashed across the major papers like the AFR [Australian Financial Review] is something you do appreciate, and it’s a great honour to be spoken about beyond those who review us. To have someone take your story to the readers at large is a wonderful feeling.” ●
HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION AWARDS 2024 \ August 2, Stokehouse, St Kilda Halliday Wine Companion 2024 out August 3.
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“It’s the joy of seeing the wines constantly improving ... that makes the job worthwhile.”
NICK BROWN
“This property has generated a lot of interest because it is a trendsetter,” says agent Jonathon O’Donoghue of this double-storey abode. It’s among the new builds appearing among the historic homes of Camberwell’s leafy streets, which are, O’Donoghue says, “not what people are used to”.
With black trim, charcoal bricks and horizontal timber slats across the bulk of the facade, which are echoed in the poolside pavilion at the rear, this contemporary design is the work of Vibe Design Group and Next Generation Constructions.
In addition to the location, which has the Willison Park green space, playground and tennis club literally across the road, O’Donoghue says a high level of interest is coming from people seeing the benefits of buying a modern home rather than one that went up over a century ago.
He says the five-year-old property, which could pass as a new build, will be especially attractive to families needing something bigger and are considering taking on a largescale renovation or starting from scratch themselves.
The aesthetically pleasing dark shades of the exterior give way to light interiors, with hydronically heated polishedconcrete floors and European oak floors complemented by stone and timber finishes. On the ground floor, the Mieleappointed kitchen (which includes an integrated doubledoor fridge-freezer) overlooks an expansive open-plan living and dining zone which flows out to the covered commercial outdoor kitchen – with a second dining space – by the heated, fully tiled, self-cleaning pool.
There’s one bedroom on this level, while the other three are upstairs, sharing a wraparound balcony that provides views of the pool and landscaped garden by Hamilton Landscapes and COS Design. There’s also a retreat space and separate study up here.
Being so new, the home benefits from the latest technology, with five-kilowatt solar and three-phase power, individual-room-controlled ducted heating and cooling, Sonos integrated audio, keyless entry, full security, video intercom, smartphone-connected CCTV, electric blinds, C-Bus automation and auto irrigation. “This is a very good family home,” O’Donoghue says. ●
JOANNE BROOKFIELD property@domain.com.auAgent: Jellis Craig, Jonathon O’Donoghue 0412 745 707
Price: $3.2 million-$3.4 million
Auction: 3pm, August 12
“A HIGH-LEVEL MODERN FAMILY HOME WITH EVERYTHING YOU COULD DREAM OF, ALL READY FOR YOU TO MOVE STRAIGHT INTO.”
JONATHON O’DONOGHUE – AGENT
4 4 4
If there are three words anyone into flipping or developing property likes to see, it’s “no heritage overlay”. Without that restriction here, you’re potentially looking at a vacant block of about 1224 square metres with a north-facing wide frontage of almost 30 metres in the golden mile precinct if you want to bulldoze and start again. Otherwise, there’s a sprawling double-level family home in the Queen Anne style of architecture ready to move into. Highlights include five internal living spaces, a large
deck under a rotunda, upstairs en suites with clothes chutes, a fitted home office, and an internal-access double garage with a workshop/storeroom. “It’s walking distance to esteemed schools, Maling Village’s shops and Canterbury station,” says agent Annabelle Feng. ●
JOANNE BROOKFIELDAgent: RT Edgar, Annabelle Feng 0409 384 144
Price: $6.8 million-$7.2 million
Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, August 22
4 4 2
This recently renovated, double-storey residence maintains its Edwardian charm while seamlessly integrating modern features. The entrance is characterised by a wide hallway fitted with American oak floors and flanked by a sitting room and home office, both with open fireplaces. To the rear, an open-plan living and dining area leads to an outdoor entertaining terrace perfect for al fresco dining. The heated pool is complemented by a
flexible studio space that can become a poolhouse adjacent to a powder room and workshop. A butler’s pantry, bar with a wine fridge, marble benchtops, ornate ceilings and copious storage spaces complete the home. Situated close to Central Park and Wattletree Road shops, cafes and tram stops, this family abode offers a comfortable, inner-city lifestyle. ●
SHAE WIEDERMANNAgent: Marshall White, Fiona Counsel 0409 516 916
Price: $6 million-$6.4 million
Auction: 12.30pm, August 12
5 3 8
Elegant, luxurious and expansive, this family sanctuary spans 1261 square metres in a prime Hawthorn location. The exterior is constructed from Mount Gambier limestone adorned with Boston ivy. The rear garden is even more magnificent, with a pool, outdoor entertaining area and tennis court. The primary living area spreads stylishly across two floors, encompassing four large bedrooms (the main including an en suite, walk-in
wardrobe and terrace), a study, a lightfilled kitchen and a lavish formal dining room. Beneath the tennis court sits an apartment with a kitchen, home cinema, gym and rumpus room, and an eightcar garage. This opulent abode sits on a peaceful tree-lined street near to Glenferrie Road’s tram stops and shops and elite schools. It has easy access to the Monash Freeway. ● SHAE WIEDERMANN
Agent: Kay & Burton, Walter Dodich 0413 262 655
Price: $8 million-$8.8 million
Expressions of interest: Close 5pm, August 15
As one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs, Kew retains many of its defining period homes. This one, called Cappa and dating back to the late 1890s, is a “stately, elegant and classic Victorian”, says agent Mark Sproule. “It truly is a landmark in the heart of Kew.” Set on 858 square metres and located between High Street and the private schools precinct, this split-level home blends original features, such as hand-painted stained-glass windows, with modern updates. Its size allows for
five bedrooms plus study, a living room at the front, an open-plan daily living-dining zone at the rear and an extensive deck overlooking the large garden. There’s also storage, laundry and a cellar. Cars are safe behind auto-gates with both off-street and garage parking options. ●
JOANNE BROOKFIELDAgent: Kay & Burton, Mark Sproule 0408 090 205
Price: $3.65 million-$3.85 million
Auction: 3.30pm, August 5
21 Salisbury Street, Balwyn
Harkness Interiors (inc Thomas O’Keeffe) Wool carpet specialists. For all your needs for carpet, shutters, blinds, curtains and timber and hybrid flooring. Quality products with quality workmanship.
Contact: 9830 4172 www.harknessinteriors.com.au
J.L Hutt Electrical Specialising in all electrical installations: Extensions/ Refurbishments, Stove/Oven/Hot Water Repair, Switchboard upgrades, House Rewires, TV/Phone/Data, Safety switches. Free quotes. 24 hour service. Lic 17824.
Contact: Jason 0411 300 772. www.jlhuttelectrical.com.au
Websters Fencing Building quality fences in Stonnington and Booroondara since 1982. Websters fencing provides a tailored and reliable service, with the experience to ensure quality and longevity of your fence. We specialise in boundary fencing. Please call Les Webster between 7am and 7pm for a quote.
Contact: 0417 356 608
GARDEN MAINTENANCE Gardens By Glen 30+ years experience in all aspects of Horticulture and Plants. Garden maintenance, new gardens, garden planning, garden renovations, regular garden service calls.
Contact: Glen 0408 456 988 gardensbyglen@gmail.com
Gardens By Glen 30+ years experience in all aspects Horticulture and Plants. Garden Maintenance. New Gardens. Garden Planning. Garden Renovations. Regular Garden Service Calls. High pressure cleaning.
Contact: Glen 0408 456 988. gardensbyglen@gmail.com
Sol Shine “We perform all Exterior Cleaning services for your home. Gutter Vacuum. Roof Cleaning. Window Washing. House Washing. Pressure Washing. Cobweb Removal. Solar Panel Washing. Specialist Equipment for Tall Houses. $10m Liability Insurance & Work Cover. Free In-Person Quotes.
Contact: Jarrod on 0455 203 487
Chuck Lau Home Improvements
Handyman, small job specialist, all maintenance, defects and repairs works, minor construction and demolition, kitchen/bathroom refurnish refit works, plaster restoration, tiling, carpentry, painting, grouting, accredited waterproofing. Expert troubleshooting.
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Your troubleshooting specialist all-rounder. All maintenance, defects/repairs, minor construction, demolition, kitchen/bathroom refurnish refit, plastering, tiling, carpentry/cabinetry, painting, accredited waterproofing. Locks serviced. Reliable, experienced and interactive. Value to the discerning homeowner seeking honest quality workmanship.
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