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JANUARY 2022 I AUSTRALIA COAST TO COAST

ESCAPE THE EVERYDAY

LAKE HOUSE

A charming cottage by the water

$8.90 INC.GST NZ $9.50 INC.GST

DAYS IN THE SUN CREATE A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR ROOM

THE SIMPLE LIFE A YOUNG FAMILY’S JOURNEY AROUND AUSTRALIA

The Wicked Collection

SYDNEY 02 9906 3686

BRISBANE 07 3252 8488 sales@cotswoldfurniture.com.au - www.cotswoldfurniture.com.au

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EDITOR’S LETTER

my favourite things...

Top it off

When I’m on holidays, this Seashells Fedora from Lack of Color barely leaves my head.

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIGID ARNOTT, NYNNO BEL-AIR DRESS COUNTRY ROAD

As I pack the car to head up to the NSW Northern Rivers for a holiday filled with sunshine (hopefully) and ocean swims, I realise I am looking forward to the drive almost as much as the destination. It marks the beginning of winding down and will be some much-needed ‘me’ time. I’m driving up by myself, which means I get to select the music (Taylor Swift, who has been on high rotation during the school run, can take a break) and the podcasts, and to quote a good friend of mine who also makes the annual eight-hour drive up the Pacific Highway, “I’ll use the time to call people I wish I had the time to speak to more often.”

I like long drives, unless of course something goes wrong. Many years ago, I did work experience with a vet in Kyogle and before we headed out for our first call, she ran me through the basics of changing a tyre, “an essential skill for a country vet”.

Two days later, we had to change a flat late in the afternoon on the way home from Woodenbong, after tending to a bull who had quite a delicate injury caused by a barbed-wire fence. So now, before setting off, I inspect the spare, check the pressure in my tyres and make sure my Ezijak tyre-changing kit is in its place – just in case.

During my break, I’m planning to visit artist Emily Imeson at her family farm in Lindendale, NSW. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Emily at her exhibition in Sydney, and we worked out that my great-grandfather and her great-greatgrandfather were brothers! I’ll admit it was her surname that first caught my attention a few years ago, but it is her beautiful artworks and the way she sees the Australian landscape as she travels around the country, painting from her Troopy, that made it impossible not to include her in the magazine. Turn to page 28 for more.

I hope you enjoy this issue, which is filled with gorgeous coastal homes, inspiring young people making a difference on the land, decorating ideas for alfresco spaces, and delicious recipes for relaxed summer entertaining.

Kylie Imeson

Summer rain

Thanks to La Niña, these Bobbi Gumboots from Merry People will be essential packing.

Beach time

This Beach Blanket from Gin Gin Garden Club is on stand-by for sunny days.

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JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 5

“I’ve got my own little jetty and I’ve got a canoe, and a beautiful old wooden rowboat, which is lovely to take out now and again.” Rachel Waller, page 36

J a n u a r y 2 02 2 | c o n t e n t s

28

48 COVER STORIES

36 Lake house: A charming cottage by the water 68 Days in the sun: Create a beautiful outdoor room 82 The simple life: A young family’s journey around

58 SHORE THING

Protecting the fragile environment was top priority for landscape designer Kathleen Murphy while renovating an old beach shack at Inverloch, Vic.

Australia

25 COUNTRY STYLE EXHIBITION

PHOTOGRAPHY HANNAH PUECHMARIN, ABBIE MELLE STYLING CHERYL CARR

The annual art exhibition by Country Style and Michael Reid Murrurundi explores country gardens.

Create outdoor spaces for rest, dining and entertaining.

GARDEN

74 WHERE PEONIES GROW

Rural advocate Georgie Somerset works tirelessly to support communities across regional Australia.

80

PEOPLE

81

28 EARTHLY MUSE

122

68 ALL SUMMER LONG

WOMEN ON THE LAND

26 NO DISTANCE TOO GREAT

82

DECORATING

Artist Emily Imeson works in tandem with nature when creating her stunning fabric and canvas works.

BACK TO BASICS Be inspired by Jodi Wilson’s book, Practising Simplicity.

FLOWER POWER Meet the maker of Oak Meadow’s handpainted dresses.

88 NEXT GENERATION

Meet the modern faces of agriculture in Australia.

48

ENTERPRISE

94 A GOOD YARN

HOMES

36 PRETTY IN PINK

At Weston Farm in Tasmania, fresh produce abounds – but it’s the pretty peonies that are most in demand.

INSIDE OUT Fiona Weir Walmsley offers tips on indoor plants.

IN THE GARDEN New gardening gadgets and advice on what to plant.

Nature, art and antiques put on a dazzling display at model Rachel Waller’s cottage in Lake Weyba, Qld. 100 COASTAL PARADISE Gav and Emma Hames transformed a “little fibro box” 107 into an oasis-style home in balmy Keppel Sands.

Nick and Kylie Bradford, owners of Nundle Woollen Mill in NSW, are honoured to continue an historic tradition.

FOOD

PLATE UP Make vibrant, easy-to-assemble grazing boards.

FLAVOURS Try new drinks, snacks, recipes and top restaurants. >

122

116 73

EDUCATIO

136 LESSONS IN LIFE

Mum-of-four Wendy Henning says boarding school offers myriad social benefits to country children.

136

REGULAR READING

12 Contributors 14 Your Page: Readers’ emails and letters 18 A Month in the Country: Add outdoor festivals, art 23 24 153 154

exhibitions and beer sampling to your activity list.

A Day in the Country: For Maggie MacKellar, the year’s work is almost done and it’s time for a holiday.

Homegrown: Meet the father-and-daughter team behind Morella Grove Olive Oil. Collectables Country Squire: Rob Ingram wants to make like the Romans and shorten the annual calendar.

SERVICES

16 SUBSCRIBE OR EXTEND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

108 MY TOWN: BALLARAT 116

Visitors to Ballarat, in Victoria, discover a vibrant community that encourages creative collaboration.

SERENE DREAMS Riverside serenity or eco-glamping? Two stunning getaways in NSW boast the best nature can offer.

FASHION AND BEAUTY

128 THE STYLE DIARY 132

As a model, Rachel Waller has a keen interest in fashion, both modern and vintage.

MANE ATTRACTION Four hairdressers share the high-tech products and treatments that will nourish hair during summer.

134 BOOK CLUB

Country Style’s Annabel Lawson delves into a juicy thriller by a political figure, plus enthralling memoirs, and new titles from Australian icons.

115 140 150

OUR COVER

Groodle Aggie has found the perfect spot for an afternoon nap at model Rachel Waller’s stunning lakeside cottage on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

PHOTOGRAPHY Hannah Puechmarin STYLING Cheryl Carr

ON THE COVER Gorgeous groodle Aggie relaxes on the private jetty at Rachel Waller’s Lake Weyba home. The charming pink cottage is located in an eco-reserve on the Sunshine Coast, where Rachel is surrounded by birdsong, abundant wildlife and lush greenery.

Dunes Beach Umbrella, from Sunday Supply Co.; Picnic Basket and Gingham Travel Towel, from The Beach People; Walter G Cushions, from Harry and Kit.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Country Style acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of the place we now call Sydney, where this magazine is published. Country Style also pays respects to Elders past and present.

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PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE, BRIGID ARNOTT, EDWINA ROBERTSON

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CONTRIBUTORS

in this i s s u e . . .

E D W I N A R O B E R T S O N

Capturing authentic moments and stories on film is vital for free-spirited Edwina, who photographed our story about the Henning family on page 136.

Let us bring to life your dream jewellery piece from the comfort of your own home.

Living on a mixed cropping property in Dalby, in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Edwina, 36, is in love with country life: “It’s the sense of community and benefits of health. I can be so productive and yet also relaxed, without the pressure of needing to be someone all the time.” Edwina is certainly productive: she’s been a photographer and champion of rural communities for many years. Growing up near Glen Innes, in NSW, set the tone: “The sense of freedom I had as a child is the thing I treasure the most.

I’m grateful for a wholesome childhood surrounded by horses, open spaces and wanderlust.”

Writing our regular A Month in the Country feature (page 18) has revealed a new side of Australia to journalist Matilda.

A: 78 McDowall Street, Roma, QLD 4455 P: (07) 4622 1145 E: sales@coomberbros.com.au

www.coomberbros.com.au

The best part of being a journalist is learning about new things, people and places, says Country Style writer Matilda. “I get to discover places in Australia that I haven’t heard of before; I end up spending a lot of time looking at maps of where these places are and making a list of where I’d like to go,” says the Sydneysider, 27.

“Especially during lockdown – it was nice to imagine getting out of the city.” Matilda escapes the big smoke whenever she can: “Some of my fondest memories are from when I was little and my family would rent a house in the country and we’d sit around a fire, read, go for walks and have long lunches.”

WORDS HANNAH JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE, EDWINA ROBERTSON

M A T I L D A R I N G R O S E

YOUR PAGE

AS THE NEW YEAR BEGINS, OUR READERS SHARE THEIR DESIRE TO SLOW DOWN AND SAVOUR THE SMALL JOYS. THE COUNTRY SQUIRE ALSO MADE MANY READERS CHUCKLE! DOWN A GEAR

Following a turbulent year of COVID lockdowns and grim isolation, I was blessed to be in a position to allow myself a ‘mental health day’ at the end of October. Feeling a sense of empathetic relief for my Melbourne friends coming out of lockdown, I was thankful for a perfect, sunny Friday.

After an exhausting week juggling my family’s needs, I was able to go for a leisurely swim in a local pool, a relaxing float all by myself, with the sun shining above and the Toora hills standing boldly nearby.

I came home and had a cup of tea on the back verandah, overlooking my beautiful cultivated garden. I took my healthy lunch out to the front verandah, surrounded by native plants and warbling birds. In the far distance, I gazed at farmland leading down to Shallow Inlet and the blue ocean on the horizon.

And then, the ultimate indulgence: I opened the newly delivered Country Style magazine. I’m thankful to live in this glorious part of the world, South Gippsland. Soon the roads will be busy with visitors, but for now, I will savour the isolation and beauty.

Thank you, Country Style, for completing my day, and Australia Post for your always welcome delivery.

Christine van Boxtel, Fish Creek, Vic

state. With chickens and fresh vegetables in the garden, life out here is slower and very peaceful.

The people are lovely and welcoming, and winter mornings are foggy and cosy, with a wood fire crackling away, a birds’ chorus as a backdrop and crisp, fresh air.

Sitting on my verandah, watching the sunset, I wonder why I didn’t do this years earlier.

Andrea Becker, Bridgetown, WA

MY TIME

Enjoying Country Style with a nice cuppa is a small gift of self-care that I’ve been giving myself each day recently. Just that 30 minutes of stepping off the “hamster wheel” of life, immersing myself in the pages of beautiful photography, inspiring stories and creative ideas, has helped me so much. Thanks, Country Style!

Rosemary Haigh, Belmont, Vic

14 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

After years of reading the letters in the Your Page feature, I have come to realise I am not alone in thinking that Country Style is not just a beautiful and inspiring magazine that delivers great joy, but almost a manual for a way of life.

I used to say to my husband that I wouldn’t live in the country, but isn’t it interesting how, as we age (I am in my 50s) and as we see the world differently, our hearts can pull us to the land, wide open spaces and potential for a different, more organic life. We purchased a block of land in the Hunter region recently and all I can think about is the move there one day with my stash of Country Style magazines in the boot!

In this age of mobile phones, social media and endless news stories about our changing world, nothing compares to sitting in a lovely chair, with a cup of tea in hand and your magazine. As they say: the simple things in life…

Carolyn Peterson, Berowra, NSW

GIFT GIVING

A NEW BEGINNING

After the trauma of losing everything in the Perth Hills bushfire in 2014, and the terrible aftermath of trying to rebuild my life in a neighbouring suburb – plus finding the daily reminders too confronting and upsetting – I left the city in 2019.

I took a big leap of faith by moving to a small town in the south-west of WA. Bridgetown, where I now live in bliss on 2.5 acres of paradise, is easily the most picturesque town in the

CHANGING PACE

We love receiving beautiful handwritten letters from our readers. This month, Queenslander Beverley Calle enjoyed the Country Squire’s witty musings on Christmas traditions.

My husband and I have six wonderful children who always try hard to give me gifts that I will love. Many times I tell them I don’t need anything, then the thought came to me to buy a subscription to Country Style, which they did. Over the years this happened a couple of times.

My husband and I then moved to a one-acre property (the closest we’ve come to living in the country).

I rang the subscription company to change my address, so as not to miss my magazine, and to my surprise, the woman told me my subscription was renewed – for the next four years!

What a lovely family I have, and what a wonderful magazine you have.

Sue Everingham, Wandandian, NSW

YOUR PAGE

On our Christmas 2021 cover, Henry the peacock and Arnie the quarter horse are celebrating the season @thehighlandsblackbarn, an off-grid new-build in the NSW Southern Highlands whose owners have an opendoor policy for friends and neighbours at Christmas.

Photography @brigidarnottphotography Styling @belljarinteriors

When it comes to Christmas decorating, photographer Marnie Hawson likes to keep things simple and neutral. The big day is all about getting together with family and enjoying delicious desserts made in her 50-year-old AGA oven.

Photography @marniehawson Styling @lynda.gardener; @bellebrightproject Words @virginia_imhoff

IN THE FAMILY

My two daughters, my daughter-inlaw and I all have subscriptions to Country Style and have voted it the best magazine in Australia. The Country Squire, with his Christmas version, was a cracker – so funny!

Audrey Taylor, Wheelers Hill, Vic

LAUGH OUT LOUD

I’ve just read Rob Ingram’s page in Country Style’s Christmas issue.

I just love his sense of humour, and my advice to any young woman pending marriage (or whatever) is: if he can’t make you laugh, then ditch him! Thanks, Rob, for the joy and merriment you give in the final page of every issue – God knows we can do with it.

Beverley Calle, Dugandan, Qld

a relevant funny photograph and gluing it on – as my tradition demands. Happy Christmas to all, and thank you for giving us a treat of this lovely magazine each month.

Carol Pearce, Surfers Paradise, Qld

WINNER

MAKE IT RAIN

As we sat at home on the cusp of an impending bushfire, I opened your November edition to read the quote: “A mid-afternoon downpour on a warm day makes everything seem fresh and new again.” Those words couldn’t have run more true as strong, hot winds fuelled a fire south towards our little coastal town. We sat on our verandah as a sprinkle of afternoon

Congratulations

HANDMADE JOY

PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE

rain started among the falling ash and smell of smoke, and those beautiful droplets sparked optimism and a turn in the weather.

As we head into a summer that they have warned will be potentially catastrophic, with our first bushfire it makes us so aware of the devastating impact bushfires have in the country, and the amazing network of volunteers in our communities that go out to battle them.

Wishing everyone a safe summer and a big thank you to those who join the front line of defence. Country Style, thank you for always capturing the true essence of country living in Australia.

Jasmine Meagher, Augusta, WA

to Jasmine Meagher, who has won a $500 voucher to use at Oak Meadow’s online store. To read more about the founder of clothing label Oak Meadow, Madeleine Lee, and her beautiful, sustainable garments featuring handpainted floral designs, turn to page 122.

I have just posted 200 Christmas cards, all made by me each year, and the ‘chore’ of that is a misnomer, as the pleasure it has given me for the past 30 years is enormous – and particularly over the past year, when we have been assailed by COVID on all sides.

It gave me Christmas in the middle of gloom, as I wrote notes to all my family and friends, as well as the months beforehand while choosing

Share your thoughts and experiences with us by writing to Country Style, GPO Box 4088, Sydney, NSW, 2001, or emailing austcountrystyle@aremedia.com.au. Please include your address and daytime telephone number.

Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.

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A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY Wind down after the festive season with a leisurely road trip in the country.

Celebrate summer and the start of 2022 with festivals of food, beer, music and art across the nation.

PHOTOGRAPHY EDWINA ROBERTSON

WORDS M ATILDA R INGROSE

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 19

Eschalot restaurant at Berrima. BELOW The restaurant’s beautiful desserts are hard to resist.

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

VIC

NSW Eschalot A visit to Eschalot restaurant in historic Berrima will take you inside one of the Southern Highlands’ most charming heritage buildings. The menu, crafted by head chef and co-owner Matty Roberts, follows the seasons and features fresh, local ingredients.

Feeling adventurous? Be guided by the chef with the ‘feed me’ menu. eschalot.com.au

NSW

Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, Jan 15 Gaze skyward at dawn as two huge hot-air balloon sculptures by artist Patricia Piccinini, titled Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, are released over Maitland at sunrise. This event is presented by Maitland Regional Art Gallery and Maitland City Council’s Vibrant Cities in conjunction with the National Gallery of Australia. Book your free tickets online. mrag.org.au Tamworth Country Music Festival, Jan 14-23 The best of the nation’s rural talent descends on Tamworth for the town’s annual Country Music Festival. An Aussie institution, the 10-day event features both free and ticketed gigs, with a line-up including classic favourites Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan and Troy Cassar-Daley, as well as new crooners waiting to be discovered. tcmf.com.au Carcoar Village Fair, Jan 26 This tiny town west of the Blue Mountains will once again host a history-focused Australia Day fair.

Expect re-enactments of the country’s first-ever armed bank robbery, which

20 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

took place in Carcoar in 1863, presentations about bushrangers, children’s entertainment, market stalls and wares from local artisans. carcoarvillage.com 2021 Archibald Prize, Jan 22-Mar 6 Eager to see the 2021 Archibald Prize as it tours across NSW? Then head to Maitland Regional Art Gallery to view all the finalists in the nation’s top portrait prize, plus Peter Wegner’s winning piece, Portrait of Guy Warren at 100. mrag.org.au

TAS

Sirocco South Foraging Tours, Jan 14; Jan 21 Join Sirocco South’s Mic Giuliani on a foraging expedition through the dunes, beach and marshland of Dodges Ferry on Tasmania’s Frederick Henry Bay. The tours are seasonal, so summer’s bounty will include wild berries, asparagus, pigface and seaweed varieties, plus periwinkles and blue mussels waiting to be plucked from rock pools. After foraging, enjoy your harvest in the form of a six-course lunch prepared

by Mic and his team, paired with wines from Bream Creek Vineyard. siroccosouth.com.au

Frederick McCubbin – Whisperings in wattle boughs, until Feb 13 On display at Geelong Gallery, Whisperings in wattle boughs is a celebration of artist Frederick McCubbin’s representations of pioneering figures. Featuring golden gums and dreamy nature scenes, McCubbin’s landscapes played a major role in the formation of folklore surrounding the Australian bush. geelonggallery.org.au/mccubbin Victorian Salami Festival, Jan 22 Join Dal Zotto Wines and The Meat Room in crowning ‘Il Salame Perfetto’ (The Perfect Salami). Kicking off at midday with a salami demonstration, the event features live music, Italian food and a three-course lunch among the vines at Dal Zotto vineyard. Book tickets online. dalzotto.com.au

WA

Bunbury Fringe Festival, Jan 21-29 Hosted by local venues and businesses, the annual Bunbury Fringe Festival brings music, comedy, theatre, dance and storytelling to WA’s South West region. Treat the kids to a Circus in the Tronox Big Top or an Intergalactic Family Rave. bunburyfringe.com

SA

Fleurieu Beer Festival, Jan 22 Prepare for the sound of popping cans and satisfied gulps as the Fleurieu Beer Festival kicks off at Willunga Recreation Park. Showcasing local craft beers, the one-day event offers a chance to sample the goods while chatting to brewers. willungarecpark. com.au/fleurieu-beer-festival/

PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE

book a table

Great Australian Beer Festival Geelong, Jan 15 Beer lovers, rejoice! The Great Australian Beer Festival is back.

Sample beer and cider from more than 200 breweries while relaxing in Geelong’s Johnstone Park. The event includes masterclasses, food stalls and music – don’t miss Art vs Science and The Badloves. gabfgeelong.com.au

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A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

A HARD DAY’S WORK AS HOLIDAYMAKERS PASS HER PROPERTY, MAGGIE MACKELLAR EAGERLY COUNTS THE DAYS UNTIL HER OWN SUMMER HIATUS.

PHOTOGRAPHY SAMUEL SHELLEY

WE LIVE ON ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR coastal drives

in Australia and every January, like a flock of migrating geese, there is a steady stream of packed-to-the-hilt cars heading north past our front gate. The cars are like magic carpets, transformed from their everyday ordinariness by the holiday cargo they carry. The family vehicles are the busiest – they sit low, burdened by full bike racks, surfboards, boogie boards and fishing rods – and that’s just the outside. Inside, it’s hard to see the children for the doonas and favourite pillows, books, beach towels, eskies and the obligatory waving tail of the family dog.

The retirees and young couples without children have a less frantic, “let’s stop at the next vineyard for a tasting” quality about them, but they’re just as keen on recreation.

The 20-somethings travel in convoys. One car will be towing a dinghy; someone else will have the fishing and diving gear; and someone else the grocery bags and grog.

No matter the generation, all are bound for a holiday.

It’s often a bit excruciating watching them sail past.

Summer is busy on the farm. This year, with all the rain, The Farmer and The Offsider (home from his season on a cattle station in northern Queensland’s Gulf Country) will be busy making hay and silage ready for the scales to tip back the other way and the earth to be bare of grass.

Our farmstay cottage is always booked out and my washing machine never stops. There’s always the danger of fire once the feed dries off, and then there are tense days looking for smoke and the constant checking of weather apps. For all of these reasons, I look longingly at the snake of holidaymakers heading north while we stay put.

One thing I miss from my summers on the mainland is the extreme heat that insists you down tools in the middle of the day. It’s too hot to work and there’s cricket or tennis on the telly, so lunch takes up more time and there’s no incentive to head back into the heat until it’s past its peak.

I used to take my cue from the stock. During the heat of the day, they’d chew their cud and doze in the shade, only moving when the air cooled a little and then they’d ‘walk to the pub’ (creek, trough or waterhole) for a drink and spread out to graze in the cool. But down here, it never gets really, really hot and so the temptation is to keep working.

The Farmer is no different from most who find it hard to leave the farm for a holiday. This year, we have the bonus of The Offsider’s return, so I’m hopeful that we, too, will pack the car in late January with fishing rods, books and beach towels, and hook up the boat and head to the coast.

Our holiday needs are different. All The Farmer wants is to fish and dive and eat his catch, as the last light washes the bay in hues of pink, purple, orange and red. He will pile logs in the fire pit and watch as the flames leap into the night and the stars press the heavens close. All I want to do is read and walk and swim. I’m no fisherman, but in the afternoons I’m happy to take my book and a little esky with cold beers and a packet of chips and putter up the river. The only sound is the soft lap of the water against the boat, the hiss and splash of his line, and a page turning.

It’s pure heaven, and even if we can only manage a week away, the change of scene, the empty scope of days, the shimmering beach and still, quiet river will surely shift the weariness of the past year

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 23

HOMEGROW N

RIVERINA-BASED COMPANY MORELLA GROVE IS A FAMILY BUSINESS THAT’S MAKING THE GOOD OIL.

“HE’S HAD SOIL ON his fingers from

day dot,” says Natasha Dal Bon of her dad, Frank. Together, they run Morella Grove, an olive oil company based outside Griffith, NSW, in the Riverina food bowl. It’s Frank who tends and harvests the 15 hectares of olive trees whose fruit creates the oils, soaps and relishes the company is increasingly becoming famous for.

Growing up on a vineyard, Frank has tended the land for more than 50 years. But he started his working life as a motor mechanic, only switching to farming when he married Jan, Natasha’s mum.

“Her parents owned a property and I used to help out on the weekends. I enjoyed it, and bit by bit we bought the property,” Frank explains.

Much of their work is in intensive irrigation crops – rice, cotton, canola seed – but when a property they bought in an expansion drive happened to have olive trees on it, an idea was sparked. “We thought we’d make olive oil, and develop the label, which Jan had a lot to do with. Then we thought, ‘Okay, we’d better go and sell a bit.’ It gave me the opportunity to focus on a totally different aspect of farming,” Frank says. “You’re out meeting a lot of people and communicating, and trying to put a salesman hat on to go out and sell your product.”

It took some time – Morella Grove launched 15 years ago – but they built up the market, concentrating in Canberra, as it’s only three and a half hours from home.

Natasha had long since left home to go to university, then travel the world for her job in retail management.

She settled in Sydney, then later moved to the Southern Highlands, seeking the country life she grew up with.

“Every day we were checking the sheep, feeding them, helping with the cattle and driving tractors to help with harvest,” she recalls. When Roger David, the company Natasha was working for, closed down, she had valuable

24 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

time to plan her next move. “Dad was just at the right stage to need help,” she says, so that’s what she did.

Natasha’s corporate skills, says Frank, took Morella Grove to the next level. “That brought a totally different aspect to the business – someone young and enthusiastic who sees opportunities to broaden it out.”

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. “It was hard for me, having a new mind coming on board, because I was fairly traditional,” Frank admits. “But it’s the best thing that’s ever happened – she’s taken us up to a level that I would never, ever have achieved.”

Now bought by top restaurants, including Canberra eateries Pilot, Mezzalira, Molto Italian, and Italian & Sons, Morella Grove is really hitting its stride, branching out into vinegars, relishes, drizzles, jams and sauces.

“It was the chefs and our stockists who pushed us to keep diversifying and developing new products,” says Natasha.

But the sweetest triumph for the Dal Bons is building their own business. “You want to work harder for your family than anyone else,” says Natasha. “We were raised with the idea that you’ve got to work, and work for a family business. Now, my kids get involved – they spend a weekend doing orders and sticking on labels.” At just five and six years old, Joshua and Lucas are still a way off taking Morella Grove into its third generation. But it’s possible they’ll buck the trend Frank has identified.

“There’s been a lack of young people on properties,” he says, “and that’s a major issue because without young people coming in to carry the baton, it’s a concern as to what goes on with farming down the track. But recently there’s been a bit of a turnaround. It’s interesting to see young generations coming back and taking over from the ageing parents, which is wonderful. I’m passing the baton to Natasha, and that’s a nice journey to be on.”

For more, visit morellagrove.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY BRIGID ARNOTT, ABBIE MELLE

WORDS H A NNA H JA MES PHOTOGRAPHY ELEISH A M A DDISON PHOTOGR A PH Y

COUNTRY STY LE EX HIBITION EVENT

COUNTRY GARDEN

Country Style’s 2022 art exhibition with Michael Reid Murrurundi.

BIGGER AND BETTER… Now in its third year,

Country Style’s annual exhibition in partnership with Michael Reid Murrurundi will focus on the Country Garden, in all its incarnations. With 25 artists showcasing three works each, inspired by the theme ‘Art in the Garden’, and five ceramicists making vases to display the spoils of the garden, this exhibition is set to be our biggest yet! A series of talks and activities will also be held during the exhibition period, including beekeeping instruction and yoga sessions in the gallery grounds.

WHEN Thursday, March 3 – Saturday, April 2, 2022 TIME Thursday – Sunday, 9:30am – 4pm WHERE Michael Reid Murrurundi, corner Boyd and Mayne Streets, Murrurundi, NSW, (02) 6546 6767; michaelreidmurrurundi.com.au CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Paintings by Kate Vella, who will be exhibiting again in 2022; Michael Reid and Kylie Imeson, editor of Country Style; the March 2021 ‘The Art Issue’ cover on display at the exhibition’s opening last year; the cafe and shop at Michael Reid Murrurundi; doctor-turned-artist Lucila Zentner’s artworks; Kate Vella at work in her garden at Robertson, NSW; Lucila Zentner at last year’s exhibition.

Georgie empowers young women and men to join the larger conversations about farming and regional life.

WOMEN ON THE LAND

NO DISTA NCE TOO GR E AT

THIS SOUTH BURNETT RURAL LEADER BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL COMMUNITIES. WORDS CLA IR E M ACTAGGA RT PHOTOGRAPHY DAV ID K ELLY

GEORGIE SOMERSET SHOWS that anything is possible when

you live in the bush. The 54-year-old beef producer and rural leader serves as general president of Queensland’s peak agricultural lobby group AgForce, as well as holding roles with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Georgie also chairs the Red Earth Community Foundation, which she helped to establish in 2013 in her home region of South Burnett.

“Our greatest limitation is our own mindset about what we think we can do and juggle in our own lives. The possibilities are endless – you just have to find what it is you want to do,” she says.

Georgie and her husband, Rob, live at My Yon, a beef cattle property one hour west of Kingaroy, where they raised their three children: Ben, 26, Macartney, 25, and 21-year-old Gemma. For the past three decades, Georgie has worked to improve regional development, resilience and connectivity, and continues to strengthen our agricultural industries. “I love being part of a team to make systemic improvements or create new opportunities,” she says.

“I value what other people bring to the table and the skills they have.”

Uniting people is a skill Georgie honed early. After attending School of the Air, then boarding at Geelong Grammar School followed by Fairholme College in Toowoomba, she returned in the mid-1980s to her parents’ sheep property in western Queensland to establish farm tourism, which was then a fledgling industry. She began her own consultancy business – equipped with a travelling fax machine – and helped create an industry body for farm tourism.

“Those were the first steps in realising that, by getting everyone together and around the table, you could change the way that council thought about tourism, how insurance companies provided insurance and all those granular things,” she explains. “Because I was young and involved, people were incredibly supportive and that opened up other opportunities. It gave me a really broad base to think about… not only about agriculture, but all the things that go into a regional ecosystem. My heart is agriculture and that’s what I am passionate about, but I bring to it a real interest in all these other things as well.”

Alongside rural advocacy, Georgie connects women across the nation. She chaired the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network from 2010 to 2014. “The QRRRWN set me on a whole new trajectory

of being involved in changing the way things happen and I had some great, wise women who supported me,” she says. “Over the years, I see women giving themselves permission to be what they can be.”

That support drives Georgie to continue to give back.

“The women in QRRRWN trusted me enormously and gave me amazing opportunities. I was in my mid-20s and now I make sure we let young people have that voice at the main table, with the main game, so they are actively involved in those conversations,” she says.

Georgie has undertaken facilitation and journalism training, and participated in the Australian Rural Leaders Program. Along with Rob, she attended the Grazing for Profit School in the late ’90s. “I remember the excitement of coming home with our joint vision,” she says. “When you come into a family business and carve out your own place, it’s important, as a couple, to have a joint vision. Now, we are at the next exciting stage of: how do you enable the next generation? I love that they’re so involved in our business.”

Georgie is vocal about the importance of scaffolding with her own family: “You need a good team around you. Rob is an incredible rock and a strategic thinker who thinks about the future, but in a different way to me. We’ve learnt to celebrate how different we are. He has backed me with my crazy ideas and now my kids as well. It’s important to prioritise learning together.

You also need your tribe around you, and others you can call on professionally. Have your village and your tribe.”

Through her role on the ABC board, Georgie is able to help regional bureaus highlight the great work of rural Australia on a national and international platform.

Her “heart gig”, the Red Earth Community Foundation, has seen 150 people participate in its flagship Community Leadership Program over the past eight years. Meanwhile, through AgForce, she represents almost 6000 sheep, wool, beef, cane, goat and grain producers around Queensland.

Georgie’s advice to those wanting to make a difference is simple: now is the time. “Back yourself; life is short. Since my mum, Jane, passed away in 2001, I’ve had this sense of urgency,” she says. “You don’t get a second crack to hang out with your family and be there on important dates, and you don’t get a second crack to have a go or speak up or do those things you want to do.”

Follow Georgie on Instagram @g_somerset and Twitter @GeorgieSomerset

“Over the years, I see women giving themselves permission to be what they can be.”

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 27

LINDENDA LE NSW PEOPLE

E A R T H LY M U S E AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS ON THE ROAD, LANDSCAPE ARTIST EMILY IMESON IS RECONNECTING WITH FAMILIAR GROUND. WORDS PENN Y CA R ROLL PHOTOGRAPHY A BBIE MELLÉ

For Emily, the creative process involves skill, intuition and inspiration from Mother Nature. FACING PAGE Emily’s painting titled Floating Qld Waratah turned Flame Tree Season.

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 29

PEOPLE LINDENDA LE NSW Plant dyes and rainwater add striking visual effects to Emily’s canvases. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT “The suitcase is an old school port – it’s the perfect size for my paints and brushes,” says Emily; her charming home studio; Brahman-cross cattle; colours of the earth; each creation evolves organically; Emily lets nature add its touch.

“Nature was a place that always filled me with a sense of calm, and at the same time, excitement and contentment.”

EMILY IMESON DOESN’T JUST PAINT NATURE, she

collaborates with it. A landscape artist, her practice involves taking huge canvases into the bush to paint, embroidering fabric under the shade of a tree and burying her work in the earth to let the soil have its say.

“It started as a way to calm my mind, taking myself out into the trees,” Emily explains. “Before painting, before the creative process, nature was a place that always filled me with a sense of calm, and at the same time, excitement and contentment. So, returning to the trees and to the outdoors with my art as well is doubly soothing as an experience.”

The 30-year-old’s unusual creative methods evolved in response to her minimal lifestyle as a travelling artist.

Pre-pandemic, Emily and her partner Kieran Rangger, 31, spent two and a half years driving around Australia in their trusty Toyota Troopcarrier, until COVID restrictions eventually caught up with them.

Initially working on small pieces of paper, Emily soon upscaled her work to better fit the wide, open spaces she was encountering on the road. “A few months into the journey I said, ‘I need to paint large on canvas and make artworks’, and then I just developed all these new methods to make art while living in the car,” she explains.

Now in a holding pattern in the NSW Northern Rivers region where she grew up, Emily’s processes are still very much connected to nature. But, she’s discovered, having a studio space is vital, too; a self-critical counterpoint to the “blissful ignorance” of working en plein air. The spacious rosewood-panelled room she’s taken over in her parents’ almost 120-year-old home in Lindendale on the Alstonville Plateau is a real treat, she says, after living and working out of a car; it also offers a nurturing space

30 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

for introspection, where she can deepen her work. Here, between her indoor and outdoor studios, Emily is focusing on revealing the invisible elements of the landscape through her art.

“I’m really interested in the things that humans don’t necessarily consider to be super-important or powerful or interesting – or even alive,” she says. “I first started looking into that idea when I was studying a Bachelor of Arts at university, and this year I’ve gone back to study my Honours in painting, and funnily enough, this whole idea of exploring the unseen qualities of the world has come back. For me, it’s a really exciting way to explore the landscape.”

Emily’s current body of work begins with large landscape paintings – of rainforest, rocks or the vibrant flame trees that erupt across the Northern Rivers in spring. At the same time, she uses batik processes to create detailed patterns of local flora on fabric that’s then dyed with plant dyes, buried in the ground, unearthed and soaked in rainwater, before being incorporated into the larger canvas work. “Soil is alive and it’s got this incredible ability to be this living system that we don’t really acknowledge or consider,” she muses. “I love the idea of allowing dirt to have that voice and to be seen in a positive light.”

The rich, red soils of the Northern Rivers have plenty to say – and Emily has been listening for a long time. She has fond memories of visiting her grandparents’ farm in Yorklea, near Casino, before her parents relocated to the Northern Rivers from Tamworth when she was 10.

Although reluctant to move at first, Emily soon embraced the rainbow region where she “had space to run around and be in the trees”. >

PEOPLE LINDENDA LE NSW Emily – pictured with her beloved Troopy – enjoys exploring unusual mediums such as soil in her artwork.

She wants to encourage others to view all parts of the natural world through a positive lens.

32 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

“I’m really interested in the things that humans don’t necessarily consider super-important or powerful or interesting.”

PEOPLE LINDENDA LE NSW

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP Emily says that varied life experiences spark inspiration; artworks on display at home; thoroughbreds Banjo and Zara; Emily’s grandmother taught her embroidery; assessing a work in progress. FACING PAGE Emily creates an impromptu gallery with her fabric piece titled Lively Rocks Suspended in Lantana.

While drawing and painting was a constant for Emily growing up, she never considered making it her career.

After school she moved to Sydney and “got jobs, partied, spent all my money,” she says with a laugh. Then a phone call from her father Jeff, a retired police officer, helped to clarify her direction. “He had just started studying art at TAFE in Lismore and he was calling to tell me to start studying art [too],” she recalls.

Both her parents’ support was all the encouragement Emily needed, and she enrolled in a diploma of visual arts at Southbank Institute of Technology in Brisbane. Later, when she decided to study an arts degree at Southern Cross University in Lismore, her father was again there to guide the way. “My dad had also gone from TAFE to university [to study art]. He was in third year, so on my first day he was walking down the hall and introducing me to all his friends! It was the total opposite of the [typical] university experience,” Emily says.

Jeff’s intuition about his daughter’s vocation was spot-on: Emily has flourished in her creative career.

As well as holding solo shows at Saint Cloche gallery in Sydney and Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane, she was named the Macquarie Group Emerging Artist of 2019, and was awarded the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship in 2020.

As for what’s next, Emily is looking forward to showing her Honours project at the Elevator Artist Run Initiative in Lismore in 2022. Then, with any luck, she’ll be heading back out on the road – this time to trek through the west coast of Tasmania, where the ancient forests can inspire a new body of work. The nomadic life, it seems, is hard to resist. “Instead of having a lot of room to have things, it’s more about experiences and just living and being,” Emily explains. “It’s a fantastic lifestyle.”

Follow Emily on Instagram @emilyimeson

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 35

HOME LA K E W EY BA QLD

The perfect place for morning coffee.

FACING PAGE The soft pink of the house blends beautifully with the sunsets and sunrises, says Rachel.

PRET T Y IN PINK A LAKESIDE COTTAGE ON THE SUNSHINE COAST HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A WELCOMING, PERSONALITY-FILLED HOME BY ITS OWNER RACHEL WALLER. WORDS SUE R A MSEY PHOTOGRAPHY H A NNA H PUECHM A R IN ST YLING CHERY L CA R R

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 37

HOME LA K E W EY BA QLD FROM TOP The kitchen is home to many vintage finds; Rachel relaxes on her oversized sofa.

FACING PAGE A collection of artworks provides a colourful backdrop in the dining area.

THE CUTE PINK COTTAGE beside a lake near Noosa, in

Queensland, that model Rachel Waller has made her home couldn’t be more of a contrast to some of the other houses she’s lived in. Modest in size but huge on charm, the cottage reflects her unique style and personality, and suits the simpler life she has created for herself.

Originally from the UK, Rachel, 63, has lived in or around the Sunshine Coast for 20 years since emigrating with her husband and four children. “My husband was an Olympic gold medallist, so we travelled to Australia for races and he would train here in spring, and we always loved it,” says Rachel.

So much so that the family decided to move to Noosa from Scotland where they’d been living in a 42-room castle, Kinmount House, which they’d renovated. “We moved into a home on Lake MacDonald, and although my husband and I are now separated and have been for many years, I’ve always maintained a home on the Sunshine Coast – but very different sorts of homes.”

When Rachel went house-hunting five years ago, she knew the area well, but Lake Weyba was a revelation.

“I couldn’t believe the lake when I saw it,” she says. “I just thought, ‘How did I not know about this?’ I started scouring the area and my little cottage had been sitting on the market for a whole year. And that was that – it was extraordinary, really. I bought the cottage with the view that one day I would live here.”

After leasing the house as an Airbnb property for a couple of years while she lived in Brisbane, Rachel decided to move in permanently about two and a half years ago. “That’s when I did the extension and a complete renovation,” she says.

A wall was removed between the two bedrooms to create a larger sitting room and dining area. “Then I added two bedrooms at the end, which married in beautifully with what was already here,” she explains. “I’m fortunate that my son-in-law, Michael Valdal, is a builder in Toowoomba, and they did the whole build in three weeks. The painters, Martin Mills Painting, were also from Toowoomba, and I did the decorative side after they had finished. I’ve got a background in interiors, so it really was a joy to do.”

Decorating the cottage was a very different experience from some of Rachel’s past homes. “Obviously when we had the castle, things were on an enormously grand scale, which was exciting in a different way… I couldn’t be further from this in my little cottage,” she says. “It’s taught me that you can live very well in a small way, and you can be extremely content with less. It’s really quite lovely to be discerning about the things you have.

“I’m a great collector, so I had already sourced things I wanted to use – an old pedestal sink, my Victorian bath, and my barrister bookcases for my kitchen were all on hold, waiting for the right moment. Just about everything in my home is old. I have very few things that are new and that’s right down to my crockery and cutlery. I love old stuff; it continues to interest me in all sorts of ways.” >

The cottage is filled with antique furniture and artworks Rachel has sourced from around the world.

“I started collecting antiques and bric-a-brac when I was 16, so it’s been a lifelong passion,” she says.

LA K E W EY BA QLD HOME

HOME LA K E W EY BA QLD

Rachel’s bedroom is a feminine haven, with its Anna Spiro wallpaper, Anokhi quilt from India and Scottish antique lamp, all in contrasting patterns.

42 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

“I couldn’t believe the lake when I saw it. I just thought, ‘How did I not know about this?’”

HOME LA K E W EY BA QLD A table from an Irish monastery takes pride of place on the verandah. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Rachel loves oversized furniture, like this Scottish linen press; the alfresco bathroom; an Art Deco sink sits next to a decorated chest found in an English antiques store.

44 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

All of the rooms look out onto the lake – a bird-lover’s paradise teeming with fish. Located in a 20-hectare eco-reserve, there are a few other cottages nearby, but Rachel’s home is closest to the shoreline. “I’ve got my own little jetty and I’ve got a canoe – I’m a keen canoeist – and I’ve got a beautiful old wooden rowboat, which is lovely to take out now and again,” says Rachel. “Lake Weyba is tidal and it feeds into Noosa River – you can take a tinnie all the way down to Hastings Street from the shore here.

I am nestled right in the bush, but I’m still very close to everything. If I want to go for a jog at the beach, I can be there in 12 minutes. It’s such a lovely balance.”

Rachel adds: “It’s just me living here now. I’ve got four children and they’re all scattered. Lois [24] and my granddaughter Zara, who’s six, are in Burleigh Heads, and I’ve got another daughter, Georgie [30], who’s just got married, and they live in Toowoomba.” Her other children live overseas – daughter Alex, 31, in New York, and son Freddy, 27, in Spain – and she hopes to visit them soon.

Aside from applying her creative touches to her cottage, Rachel has returned to modelling and is very much in demand. “I was a model in London 40 years ago, but I’ve had more success in my 60s than in my 20s! I think that’s all about timing – it’s wonderful to be in an industry that is so inclusive. It’s so much fun and I’m busy – and no-one is more surprised than me!”

Follow Rachel on Instagram @inhersixties Visit valdalprojects.com.au; martinmillspainting.com.au

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The sideboard is one of Emma’s favourite finds from @bill_and_thelma, while the collection of hats came from op shops. FACING PAGE Emma and Gav Hames with their two youngest children, Annie-Rose and Seá.

COAS TAL PAR AD ISE A SMALL FIBRO ‘KNOCKDOWN’ WAS RESCUED, RAISED AND LOVINGLY RESTORED BY A RESOURCEFUL COUPLE IN THE TINY BEACHSIDE VILLAGE OF KEPPEL SANDS. WORDS CLA IR E M ACTAGGA RT PHOTOGRAPHY H A NNA H PUECHM A R IN ST YLING CHERY L CA R R

FOR GAV AND EMMA HAMES, NOTHING BEATS launching

their dinghy from Pumpkin Creek and exploring some of the picturesque islands strewn throughout Keppel Bay in Central Queensland. “There’s a darling little island where we camp overnight and it takes us seven minutes to get there by boat,” Emma, 48, says. “It has a big lagoon and when the tide goes out, all these turtles are marooned and you can wade through it. It’s just amazing.”

The coastal playground that lies just beyond their home has been a constant source of wonder for the Hames family since they moved to the tiny village of Keppel Sands eight years ago. Bounded by Coorooman and Pumpkin Creeks and the estuaries of the Keppel Sands Conservation Park, the holiday and fishing village is located 40 kilometres east of Rockhampton.

Before moving to the region, Gav, 43, and Emma lived close by at Mount Chalmers and their youngest children – Annie-Rose, 16, and 11-year-old Seá – attended school at Keppel Sands. Elder children Bethany, 26, and 20-year-old Meg now both live in Brisbane, while William, 24, is currently living on nearby Great Keppel Island.

“We thought it would be lovely to have a place near the beach and we looked first at Emu Park and Yeppoon. The prices were too high and I said to Gav, ‘Let’s have a serious look in Keppel Sands,’” Emma says.

They found a house that had been on the market for some time and was, as Emma recalls, “A little fibro box being

50 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

sold as a ‘knockdown and build another house on it’ type thing.” But as soon as they stepped inside, the pair looked past the aluminium sliders and fibro sheeting, and realised it was actually an old timber workers’ cottage. “It had the original sash windows, exposed studs and beautiful original floorboards hiding underneath,” she adds. “We said, ‘Yes!’ then put the wheels in motion and off we went.”

Emma and Gav were excited to turn their hand to the considerable project, however the immediate challenge was accommodating their young family in the two-bedroom cottage. They decided to raise the house to build underneath and in the interim, they camped in a tent in the backyard with three children for the first six months. “It was the best time and so much fun!” Emma says.

Emma, who grew up in Hertfordshire, in the UK, and moved to Australia with her parents when she was 11, worked full-time on the renovation with Gav, an experienced bricklayer and carpenter. “We wanted to keep it as authentic as possible and use good materials so it’ll still be here in another 100 years,” she says. “I was a bit naive and didn’t realise what was involved; it took so long!”

Emma found joy in the transformation process and moved through each room, carefully sanding and painting.

“My whole skill set changed. I loved being really hands-on and I loved that, at the end of the day, we could say, ‘We did that,’” she explains. “Gav and I loved planning and we would sit down at night to discuss things.” >

K EPPEL SA NDS QLD HOME

The family’s ‘great little room’ with a cluster wall of collected seascapes from op shops and online stores. FACING PAGE, FROM LEFT The green anchor on the front verandah was a gift from a neighbour; the polished concrete on the ground floor is “heaven” says Emma.

“It’s cool in summer and warm in winter.”

HOME K EPPEL SA NDS QLD

CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE On the front verandah, “I can hear and smell the sea,” says Emma; the kitchen features stainless steel benchtops and shelving, while the 1953 New World Radiation stove came from Gumtree; the oasis-like backyard; a cute desk from @hamiltoncollective. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT A phalaenopsis orchid and Spanish moss in the garden; Annie-Rose’s room; the family on the verandah, which is surrounded by palms.

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 53

“I found my feet here. I love the lifestyle and I just decorate how we live.”

54 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

K EPPEL SA NDS QLD HOME

The secretary, gifted to Emma from Gav, is filled with treasured finds from the sea. FACING PAGE Located downstairs, the main bedroom features a stylish bedhead from @theoldboathouse_dock. The seascapes were purchased from Vinnies and other op shops, while the cushions came from Emma’s friend at Dee Muir Design in Rockhampton.

The French doors, which open to the verandah, were sourced from an old home in Keppel Sands.

The cottage features a wide front porch on both levels, reminiscent of Key West-style architecture, which Emma had carefully researched. There are three bedrooms upstairs, the main bedroom on the ground level and an additional covered deck at the rear, where the family can eat and relax on balmy summer evenings.

Emma and Gav got to work on the garden soon after they purchased the house and now enjoy basking in a subtropical oasis of cool palms, pandanus and orchids.

Always a collector, Emma happily sourced shells, model ships, cane pieces and coastal paintings to adorn the home.

“I found my feet here. I love the lifestyle and I just decorate how we live,” she says.

One of her favourite furniture items is the large, squarecut log-turned-side table, which washed down the Fitzroy River in a flood and Gav rescued in the dinghy. Another treasured piece is the secretary in the living area, which houses Emma’s collection of sea urchins, chambered nautilus, murex and precious wentletrap shells.

Meanwhile, she spotted the beloved old writing desk in a vintage store in Rockhampton and immediately fell in love with it. “I loved its proportions and came home and told Gav, ‘I’m really excited about this piece, but I know we don’t have the money,’” she says. “I begged him to come and see it, and when I finally got him in the store, I could see it had a ‘sold’ sticker on it. I was devastated… When we got home, Gav told me he’d actually bought it for me and planned to give it to me for my 40th, but I was so upset that he just had to tell me!”

56 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

Now, with their house almost complete, Emma and Gav are enjoying their idyllic coastal location before contemplating the next project. “I just love it here,” says Emma. “I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to do this house – although I’m glad we went into it not knowing what was ahead and the amount of work involved. One day, I’d like to save another old house.”

For more, follow @palm_house_keppel_sands and @thebrasspalm on Instagram.

ABOUT THE HOUSE:

• The interior and exterior of the house is painted

in Dulux White on White in high gloss.

One of Emma’s favourite local stores is Dee Muir Design, @deemuirdesign, for beautiful fabrics and one-off pieces. She also likes local thrift and op shops.

Her favourite online stores include: @eclecticfind; @hamiltoncollective; @chelseacoco; @foundbyher; @thecoastalcushioncompany Emma’s best decorating tip: “Buy only what you truly love and don’t be in a rush to do it all at once. Let your home evolve and don’t follow trends.”

To create a gallery wall, Emma recommends: “Buy what you really love, don’t worry about different frames and always lay pieces out on the floor before hanging.”

The seagrass matting was sourced from the Natural Floorcovering Centre.

• • • • •

K EPPEL SA NDS QLD HOME

CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE The window overlooks a hedge of ixora and jasmine; the cement wash tubs came from Gav’s parents’ house; a corner of the laundry with a skirt made from Spotlight fabric.

The benchtop is an old restored door.

“I’m a big basket collector,” Emma says; the guest room upstairs has original casement windows, while the added bench seat holds bed linen. FACING PAGE The seashell mirror and ceramic seagull were bought from @foundbyher. The vintage painting of ladies at the beach came from Rocky Swap.

HOME IN V ER LOCH V IC

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER KATHLEEN MURPHY IS KEEPING FOND CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ALIVE WITH THIS COASTAL HOME DESIGNED TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE. WORDS PENN Y CA R ROLL PHOTOGRAPHY M A R NIE H AWSON ST YLING BELLE HEMMING BR IGHT

Kathleen relishes the quiet on her regular walks along the coast. FACING PAGE Outdoor wall racks display both practical and decorative items.

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CLOCKWISE, FROM BELOW Kathleen loves exploring the trails around Inverloch, which is close to Bunurong Marine National Park; vintage paintings depicting nature add charm; a study nook in the master bedroom is an inviting place to work. The wall-hanging is from Saardé; Kathleen’s aim is to revegetate the land. FACING PAGE Townsend Bluff is one of Kathleen’s favourite local spots.

IN V ER LOCH V IC HOME

GROWING UP ON A DAIRY FARM IN GIPPSLAND, Victoria,

Kathleen Murphy didn’t have too many long holidays far from home during her childhood. Instead, the family would bundle into a car and head 25 minutes south to Inverloch, where the river meets the sea. “Inverloch was always where we took our day trips to – it enabled farm life to continue,” Kathleen explains.

A sleepy fishing town at the mouth of the calm Anderson Inlet, Inverloch was the sort of quiet place that flew under the radar, with tourists and city slickers favouring the Mornington Peninsula or Phillip Island. Even now, it still has a relaxed, countrified feel – which is why Kathleen, 48, and her husband Robert, 49, were keen to put down roots.

“Robert is originally from Ireland and grew up in the coastal town of Lahinch, County Clare, so we both knew we wanted to retire by the sea,” Kathleen says. “I still have family in the area so Inverloch seemed like the perfect spot.”

But, with house prices on the rise, they didn’t feel like they had time to wait for retirement before making a move. After five years of fruitless hunting, they boldly made an offer on a house that wasn’t yet on the market, and it was accepted.

The late 1960s-era, two-storey house just 10 metres from the beach was in need of TLC, but Kathleen loved the feel of the space, with its sea views, balcony and large windows.

Knowing they would need to make the house a financially viable investment until they were ready to retire, Kathleen and Robert hatched a plan to lease it as luxury holiday accommodation when they weren’t using it for their own family getaways with their three children, Conor, 15, Niall, 14, and Niamh, 13. But, before they could welcome guests, they needed to do a substantial renovation.

“It was really run-down,” says Kathleen. “There were lots of damaged walls, and the master bathroom had water damage and needed to be gutted.” Plus, she adds, the balcony at the front needed repairs to make it safe to use.

Settling on the house just as COVID-19 swept the globe, it became their pandemic project. Kathleen, an award-winning landscape designer, took on the garden revamp, filling the beds with native plants. She brought in stylist Belle Hemming to guide the interiors. She was also lucky to have a family friend, builder Paul Lovell, help get the house into shape. “Home renovations have taken off during COVID, so it was really hard to get tradespeople, but he came to us on Sundays and worked seven days a week, the gorgeous man,” she says.

With the beach so close, a coastal-inspired look was a given. But Kathleen wanted to offer a different riff on the typical beach-shack theme. “Our brief to Belle was to make it attractive so it could bridge all seasons, not just summer, because it is actually lovely in winter,” she explains.

Belle’s answer was a palette of rich, moody colours inspired by the bushland surrounding the beach, creating a cool retreat in summer and a cosy cocoon in winter.

While initially Kathleen wasn’t sure about cloaking some of the already dark spaces in deep tones, she trusted the process and gave Belle free rein. “I think it’s important when you engage a creative person not to stifle them,” she says. “I know that from my business, too, when people get me to design gardens, that you need to be left to do what you do well… She’s done such a good job – it really works.”

Kathleen’s creative eye has also come into play – an op-shop aficionado, she sourced a few second-hand pieces of furniture and collaborated with friend and photographer Marnie Hawson on a collection of artworks for the house. “I wanted to make it feel like my place, too,” Kathleen says. Marnie’s photographs sit alongside works by local artist Lucy Hersey, who specialises in paintings made with foraged earth pigments.

Championing local artists, craftspeople and the area’s natural beauty was important to Kathleen, who is >

“I love that Inverloch has that combination of the sea and bushland… It’s also got great fishing, which I love to do.”

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 61

HOME IN V ER LOCH V IC Kathleen chose a durable leather couch for the family room. It works with the natural tones of Porter’s Paints Aubusson and the photograph

by Marnie Hawson. The woven wall-hanging is by textile artist Jacquie Lazzarotto.

ABOUT THE HOUSE:

• Stylist Belle Hemming designed the interiors. She

used Porter’s Paints in Mineral and Aubusson in the bedrooms and living area, and Dulux Mangrove in the entry and children’s bedroom.

The ensuite in the master bedroom shines with brass touches, including fittings from Consolidated Brass Tapware.

Kathleen sourced special pieces of furniture from Island Adirondacks, located near Phillip Island, and Southern Bazaar in Inverloch. The Upholstery House custom-made a padded bedhead for one of the rooms, while a wicker bedhead came from Temple & Webster.

Chunky, soft throws for the beds and couches came from Saardé. The eye-catching wall-hangings are from Saardé, The Dharma Door and Melbourne textile artist Jacquie Lazzarotto, @jac.weave.

Belle sourced several vintage paintings from local op shops.

• •

• •

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 63

HOME IN V ER LOCH V IC

“I believe you should make things better than when you found them.”

Kathleen selected stylish bed linen from Cultivar and In The Sac. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP With a new wood heater, the living area is now a cosy spot in winter; Inverloch has many natural hidden gems; the kitchen was already painted olive green, which suited the new look perfectly.

Modern door handles and shelving updated the space.

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 65

passionate about protecting the environment. Alongside eco-friendly touches such as an onsite compost and organic linen, Kathleen set up a carbon offsetting scheme with three nearby farmers, including her brother, who now runs the family dairy farm. “I’m planting a tree for each person who stays, and I envisage there’s going to be at least 500 to 600 planted each year,” she says.

The goal is to create a wildlife corridor across the farms, creating strips of trees, shrubs and bushes for reptiles, birds and other creatures. “I believe that you should always make things better than how you found them,” Kathleen explains. “I thought that if I could connect with local farmers and get them to agree to fence off their cattle from the trees, and if I supplied the plants, it would really make a difference over a few years.”

With the home’s refresh now complete and a plan for the future in place, Kathleen is looking forward to spending the summer reliving her childhood holidays with the next generation. “I love that Inverloch has that combination of the sea and bushland,” she says. “There’s great bushwalking all around, you can take kayaks up through the river, the beaches are safe, which is good for kids, and it’s got great fishing, which I love to do. It’s just really nice to switch off.”

For more on Kathleen’s work, visit kmldesign.com.au To book your stay, visit inlethouse.com.au

IN V ER LOCH V IC HOME The outdoor shower is hooked up to hot water for a luxurious post-swim rinse. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP The mustard fabric bedhead was made by The Upholstery House; the ensuite in the master bedroom was gutted and waterproofed; Kathleen worked with photographer Marnie Hawson to select prints for the house, such as this one titled Waiting for pizza in Coffin Bay.

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 67

ALL SUMMER LONG

CREATE INVITING ALFRESCO SPACES FOR RELAXING, ENTERTAINING AND EMBRACING THE SUNSHINE. WORDS H A NNA H JA MES

68 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

OUTDOOR ROOMS DECOR ATING

Beachside beauty

PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE

Step off the deck and straight onto the sand for a classic summer day of swimming and sprawling. An armless sofa allows for maximum relaxing for a solo stretcher, while also being perfect for kids to pile onto. The Lucy Laze sofa and chair from GlobeWest also have quick-dry filling and sun-proof fabric, to withstand saltwater and scorching rays. FACING PAGE The verandah of a classic Queenslander is a sacred space for leisurely afternoons spent dozing, reading and dreaming. No need for overthinking or fancy furniture; a few plain, honest pieces, carefully selected, are all you need to create memorable moments of serenity. >

Delightful dining

This Southern Highlands barn exemplifies indoor-outdoor living, with flagstone floors flowing past bi-fold doors onto the terrace.

It’s flooded with light thanks to its northerly outlook, and vast views onto the 40-hectare property’s paddocks, forests and creeks mean it’s a spot to linger in after a long lunch or convivial dinner. Wicker chairs and a farmhouse table create rustic elegance, while just out of shot, a stone fireplace houses a pizza oven that cooks roasts and bakes bread, making it a functional, beautiful space.

OUTDOOR ROOMS DECOR ATING

Pool’s out

PHOTOGRAPHY NICKI DOBRZYNSKI, ABBIE MELLE

A full 12 metres of cool, fresh water is the perfect garden feature for sultry summer days. Glass mosaic tiles in muted shades of blue give the water a deep, sophisticated hue, which contrasts with the light limestone paving. The stone gives way to decking in the sitting area, for a softer feel underfoot, while timber chairs with white cushions keep the modern country theme going. And glass fencing maintains the views of the rolling hills of Newrybar, NSW, that turn a swim in the pool into an immersion in nature. >

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 71

Gracious living

PHOTOGRAPHY HANNAH PUECHMARIN

This award-winning, French-styled potager garden is filled with cottage plants and vegetables. And its verandah, where the garden meets the house, is the ideal blend of carefree outdoor styling and useful living space.

Cane chairs and a chippy old bench surround a white-painted trestle table decked with simple linens, while packed plant pots bring the garden beyond even closer. An air plant draped over the nearest tree is nature’s own decoration, while a classic wooden bench invites you to relax under the lemon tree.

OUTDOOR ROOMS DECOR ATING 1 10

9

ALL SET UP ADD POPS OF COLOUR TO OUTDOOR FURNITURE. PRODUCED BY BER NH A R D SCHMITZ

2 3

4

1 Recycled cotton kite throw in Snow, $169, from Country Road. 2 Hampton outdoor dining chair in Stone with Ecru, $649, from Alfresco Emporium.

3 Anwar ratt an lantern, $99, from Domayne.

4 Ingefära terracott a outdoor plant pot with saucer, $4, from Ikea. 5 Architect sunlounge in Fabric Grey, $2995, from Coco Republic. 6 Bohai Child stool, $74.95, from Alfresco Emporium. 7 Lucy dining chair, $665, from Cotswold InOut Furniture.

8 Outdoor cushions in Plain Olive Green (50cm x 30cm), $69.95, and Daintree (50cm x 50cm), $99.95, from Katrina Read. 9 Kent side table, $525, from Cotswold InOut Furniture. 10 Medium Allia concrete planter in White, $245, from Coco Republic.

8

6

7 5

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 73

GARDEN BR IGHTON TAS

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER LED ONE TASSIE COUPLE TO PLANT PEONIES ON THEIR FARM. TWO DECADES LATER, BUSINESS IS BLOOMING. WORDS JESSICA BELLEF PHOTOGRAPHY M A R NIE H AWSON

74 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

Belinda and Richard Weston with their border collie, Heston, at Weston Farm – the focal point of their working lives.

GARDEN BR IGHTON TAS

“PEOPLE ASK US WHAT WE DO, and I will often say we save

marriages,” Tasmanian farmer Richard Weston quips.

“Blokes get themselves into trouble and have to buy our peonies to make up for it!” Richard and his wife, Belinda, run Weston Farm, a seven-hectare lot located on rich alluvial flats near Brighton, just north of Hobart. “We were 24 when we bought the property and started this journey,” recalls the Tassie-born horticulturist and landscaper. “That was in 1992, and there was absolutely nothing here. It was a bare canvas… a field of dreams.”

The pair has since built a thriving business that supplies premium peonies, vegetables, fruit and herbs to restaurants, cafes and retailers all over Australia. The Weston Farm Produce range boasts an award-winning smoked paprika, as well as olive oil, honey, peony petal jelly and other flavoursome condiments.

In 2013, Richard and Belinda took ownership of the Pigeon Hole Cafe in Hobart, where the seasonal menu is directed by the farm’s yield, and lush peonies are bought by the armful. Richard may joke about selling bunches of flowers to men in the doghouse, but the truth is, Weston Farm’s produce reaches far and wide.

A bird’s-eye view of the property looks like a rectangular swatch of green-striped wallpaper settled onto a dry, straw-coloured surface. Rows of peonies meet with a grove of olive trees, while neatly gridded vegetable beds, clusters of outhouses and beehives sit by the homestead.

The house, the first addition to the land, was designed

by Belinda, who works as a building designer when she isn’t running around on the farm or being a mum to the couple’s 20-year-old twin sons, Lloyd and Campbell.

In 1993, after living in their newly constructed home for six months, Richard and Belinda relocated to the Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman Peninsula, where Richard was employed to restore the gardens and grounds. A chance meeting with peony growers opened the Westons’ eyes to the possibility of creating their own peony farm. Upon returning to their rural property in 1998, they started work on the land in earnest.

Despite their exquisitely blousy appearance, the cool-climate-loving peonies are tough. “They are fieldgrown here, and they put up with the pretty strong >

76 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT “We enjoy what we do. It keeps us in touch with the seasons,” says Belinda; the farm is teeming with life; “Every season, you’ll see something different on a flower, or a different insect or weather condition,” says Richard; healthy pigs have space to roam on the farm; the peonies are a bestseller at the cafe; Richard greets the pigs; “The greater the diversity, the healthier the soil,” Richard says.

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Years of research and trials are about to come to fruition with Weston Farm’s first commercial yield of European white asparagus, a rarity in Australia. “We like long-term things. You look at something like the peonies and the asparagus, and it tends to keep the cowboys out because it’s not quick money,” Richard says; the family’s outdoor entertaining area; loyal Heston is always in tow; new artichokes; “Everything you see here today, we planted,” Belinda says; romantic yellow roses; the roosters add colour and character to the farm.

BR IGHTON TAS GARDEN

winds,” Richard says. The flowering season is a short, joyful burst that runs from October to December. There’s heightened anticipation of a peony’s first flush.

“We always plant a crown with three to five eyes, and we won’t let them flower for the first few years. We de-bud, and that builds a nice, strong plant. We wait patiently and then harvest in the third year,” Belinda explains.

Richard adds: “There’s a saying that you’ve probably heard – ‘the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap.’ And that’s how the peonies operate.”

Among the first blooms to roll off the paddock are the double-flowered Coral and Red Charms, and the glowing, lipstick-pink Paula Fay. In total, Weston Farm produces about 40 different peony varieties, and the size of the crop is growing. “We’ve had a big expansion in the last three years – we put in about another 8500 plants,” Richard says.

In the same paddock, you’ll find 600 olive trees that the couple started planting well over a decade ago.

“Interestingly, with the olives and the peonies, they both require the same soil pH, so there was a correlation there in regards to what would grow,” Richard explains.

The vision for Weston Farm has always encapsulated organic farming principles and quality over quantity.

“When you start small-scale farming, it’s got to be about diversification,” Richard says. “We had a good example this year, where we lost about 10 or 15 tonnes of olives to an unseasonal frost. The peonies can look good early in the season, but you can’t count your chickens before they hatch. You can’t rely on just one industry.”

For all the diversity they have nurtured and the intricate patchwork of tasks that make up their days, the Westons are driven by one simple thing. “There is a lot of joy out of growing things, and at the end of the day, that’s what it boils down to: a seed popping out of the ground,” says Richard. “It’s that connection with the earth and it gives you a lot of happiness.”

Belinda happily agrees, “It certainly grounds us, that’s for sure.”

For more information, visit westonfarm.com.au and pigeonholecafe.com.au

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 79

DOWN THE GARDEN PATH

A little TLC goes a long way with indoor plants.

i n side out

HELLO JANUARY! The sun is bright, the days are long, and

we are embracing gorgeous high summer here at Buena Vista Farm with many late afternoon garden wanderings, armfuls of pretty flowers and fresh vegies in the garden.

So, on this hot day, let’s go inside and chat about indoor plants. Do you have many? Are they a chore or a source of joy? Full disclosure: I’m obsessed. Ask my husband, who is looking for his lunch in a kitchen jungle right now. I’ve been known to lose small children under giant monstera fronds, and if the Boston ferns in the living room get any bigger, I’ll have to dispense with the couch.

The ability to maintain indoor plants doesn’t typically qualify you as a ‘gardener’, right? The reason I want to talk about them is because in high summer, like you, indoor plants can suffer heat exhaustion, too much sun, and insufficient hydration. But if, like you, they are tended carefully, they will gleam with good health, bring green joy indoors, and clean your air. What marvels they are!

I inherited my love of gardening from my mum – an excellent gardener with an extensive garden – but she is a bit of an indoor plant terrorist. While excelling at gorgeous floral arrangements, she only has two hardy flamingo lilies inside her home (gifts from my sister and me).

I water them when I drop in and find their leaves drooping.

It was during dinner at my house recently – when I spied Mum tipping her glass of my perhaps substandard Pinot into one of my beloved fiddle-leaf figs just as Dad produced a bottle of Lake’s Folly Cabernet – that I realised the fundamental difference between an indoor and outdoor gardener. It’s all about relationships. Indoor plants need you to love them. They need one-on-one time. Once you enter that zone, you’ll never toss wine on their roots again.

The secret to lush indoor plants is simple. You know the age-old advice that your plants will thrive if you talk to them? It’s true. But it’s not the talking, or the oxygen, or even the love – it’s simply the attention. Plants have needs

and these change throughout the year: the temperature of the room; whether the plant is near a door or in a dark corner; whether it’s getting indirect light or unfiltered sunshine; whether it’s potted with a good absorptive mix.

Some plants like to dry out between watering; some like their leaves misted; and others should only be watered at the stem. Some plants thrive by the window in winter, but in summer, they need a different position. You learn all this by paying attention… your plants really will tell you!

Set a day every week to check and water your house plants.

Check their leaves – are they glossy? Or yellowing? Maybe the plant needs more light, or less sun, or repotting. Or if you missed your plant date last week, it might be thirsty.

I didn’t create a jungle in my house overnight – it crept in as I gradually assured myself that I could keep an indoor garden alive. If a plant looked unhappy, I googled it. If you’re starting out, the hardiest indoor plants are succulents.

Next up is the Chinese money plant, which can withstand neglect and has very pretty, round, glossy leaves. The reliable pothos is one of the best indoor climbers. I first admired it at a friend’s house and she gave me a cutting which is now three metres long, winding around my cookbook shelves.

Rubber plants, peace lilies, monsteras and umbrella trees are all safe and resilient bets, as are Boston ferns (keep them moist). Fiddle-leaf figs are very forgiving – they just hate being overfed. And they don’t drink wine. It’s true that wine contains nitrogen (hooray!) but it will acutely acidify the soil. You don’t want the plant absorbing too much alcohol in its roots, as it may die. (For the record, my tipsy fiddle-leaf is fine.)

Indoor plants can totally change the look and feel of a room, and if you set up a regular date, they’ll love you back. It’s a heartwarming bond. Just no Pinot in the pots, okay? And an indoor plant is a terrific gift for most people – except my beloved mum. Best to gift her wine.

Follow Fiona on Instagram @buenavistafarm

“If you’re starting out, the hardiest indoor plants are succulents.”

80 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY FIONA WEIR WALMSLEY, CHRIS CHEN STYLING JENNIFER SAMPSON

Fiona Weir Walmsley shares her wisdom on indoor plants (they like water, not wine!).

IN THE GARDEN

WONDERFUL WICKER

Weather-resistant wicker means you get the best of both worlds: that pretty, historic look, plus long-lasting furniture that can withstand humidity, rain and sun.

Harvey Norman Sage 5-Piece Outdoor Rectangular Lounge/ Dining Setting, $3799; Parma Melon Cushion, $39.95; Esta Driftwood Cushion, $34.95; Areca Palm 120cm Potted Plant $199.95; Areca Palm 190cm Potted Plant, $499.95.

in the garden WHAT TO PLANT, BUY AND TRY THIS MONTH. Words Hannah James

NO-FAIL FEEDING

Keep your indoor plants happy during summer with Bio Pellets from The Plant Runner. Small but mighty, they’re full of slow-release organic seaweed, frass and other nutritious goodies your greenery will love. $20, theplantrunner.com

TIME AND TIME AGAIN ALL YEAR ROUND

Start the year out right in your patch with this gardening classic that takes you through essential tasks month by month. Inspirational, informative and packed with tips, this book is a must-have for the potting shed. Gardening Through the Year in Australia by Ian Spence ($49.99, Penguin Random House).

Give your garden a boost with this beautifully illustrated calendar from Conscious Calendar Co. It includes a packet of seeds to plant each month – from pretty flowers like everlasting daisies, cornflowers and marigolds, to aromatic herbs like caraway and borage. For more, visit consciouscalendarco.com

REST EASY

CONSTRUCTED FROM CLASSIC TIMBER AND ROPE, THIS DOMAYNE CHAISE LOUNGE IS CURVY AND COMFORTABLE, WITH A TIMELESS DESIGN. TALARA OUTDOOR CHAISE WITH CUSHION, $1899, DOMAYNE.COM.AU

BRANCHING OUT

Adding new house plants to your collection? Jones & Co’s handmade Rainbow and Moma pots are subtle but stylish. To see the range, visit jonesandco.com.au

LIGHT THE WAY You can never have enough candles outdoors. This clean-lined lantern lends a lovely glow to a dark corner of the garden or patio. Salt & Pepper Alfresco Small Hurricane Candle Holder, $79, domayne.com.au JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 81

BOOK EXTR ACT LIFESTY LE

Jodi’s family found that slowing down and living with less actually gave them so much more overall.

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BACK TO BASICS IN HER BOOK PRACTISING SIMPLICITY, WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND MUM-OF-FOUR JODI WILSON SHARES TIPS FOR CREATING A SIMPLER LIFE. WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY JODI W ILSON

BOOK EXTR ACT LIFESTY LE

A self-confessed homebody, Jodi Wilson faced doubt and uncertainty when she and her partner, Daniel, decided to forgo routine and take their four young children around Australia on a two-year journey of freedom, fun and discovery. Here, Jodi shares the life lessons she learnt in her debut book, Practising Simplicity…

AS WE TRAVELLED we stopped in heritage towns to read

plaques on the fences of old homes and I wondered about the people who once lived there and the stories they could tell, of how they squeezed 11 children into a tiny room, then fed and washed and soothed them in the very same space. If our homes are full of stories, an invitation to visit feels all the more precious. Before we hit the road, we had been told about the travelling community and the willingness of other nomads to share advice and lead you from one destination to the next. And it’s true: wherever we parked there was someone willing to have a chat. But one of the best invitations I received came in the form of an email and a bold yet chipper introduction: “You don’t know us but we’ve been ‘following’ you for a long time.

We are Sarah and Emma, sisters from South Australia.”

They wanted to let me know that if we ever found ourselves on the far south coast of the Yorke Peninsula, we were welcome to stay in their holiday home – a beach shack with plenty of beds and puzzles, an outdoor bath and a coffee machine. I immediately adored them, not only for their generosity but also because of their lively sentences, their willingness to share, their admission that they were just regular people in a rather performative online space.

I call them dear friends now and I know they are anything but regular. They are golden, creative lights in this world, salvaging all that has been discarded and giving life to old homes, championing lost stories and creating spaces for new ones to be made.

Nine months after that email exchange, we drove south from the desert and swapped the red dirt for canola fields and salty air that hit us with such force that when we inhaled our sinuses instantly relaxed. The desert dries your whole body but we hadn’t realised how deeply we were affected until that moment when, with dry hands, parched lips and a thirst for the sea, we were reminded of our love and need for the ocean.

The towns got smaller the further south we drove but it was the verdant green hills against the blue sea that stunned us. We’d grown so accustomed to the rich, red land that witnessing spring’s abundance was all the more beautiful; even the weeds looked romantic. The little white shack beckoned us with its bathtub and simple comforts,

which, when you’re living on the road, really are as simple as a washing machine and a flushing toilet. It was raining when we arrived in Marion Bay, a small town that sits at the entrance of Innes National Park and, as we opened the door to the cottage, we were instantly charmed.

The house is undeniably beautiful but before long you realise that what you’re feeling is a stirring of the heart. The walls hold the stories of summer holidays and family gatherings, and you can’t help but dream and plan and wonder.

Everything that has been placed on a shelf has been done so with intention: old artwork, collected shells, a sprig of this, a gathering of that. There’s a magpie that has the audacity to wander into the kitchen and catch crumbs from the little girl sitting on the bench eating toast. You light the fire with pine cones that have fallen from the tree down the road, the afternoon sun shines straight through the yellow curtain in the kitchen and the whole house glows like the canola fields we passed to get there. Simple, joyous things.

“If our homes are full of stories, an invitation to visit feels all the more precious.”

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This little shack is found in one of the southernmost points of South Australia and it’s imbued with Sarah and Emma’s story: rich with found treasure, spontaneous adventure, colour and texture and love. It’s an ode to their sisterhood and their mother, the woman who would squeeze roadside furniture into the car with four sandy children on summer days – they had no choice but to contort themselves around chairs and table legs to make it home.

Some houses ruffle us, stir up all the thoughts and feelings we may have ignored and make us face them head on; they haunt us until we listen. Others invite us to stay a while and settle in, put down roots, hang pictures and make memories. Houses, like stories, are safe places for us to seek solace and quiet. It’s here where we rest and learn, and where we first think that maybe, just maybe, we could change direction, embark on something new. When we believe that there is hope in our habits and our homes, in the things we do each day, anything seems possible. And for me, sitting in our last home, the one that brought >

CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE A welcome rest for weary travellers; beach shack treasures; glorious canola fields; the joy of adventures; homely comforts.

BOOK EXTR ACT LIFESTY LE

my discomfort, fear and complacency to the surface, I realised that I wasn’t so much seeking change as I was time. The crux of our decision to travel, to sell most of what we owned and live nomadically in a caravan, was not to see the country or tick places off the list. It was simpler than that. We just wanted time – to spend with each other, growing and learning but mostly just being, together. We wanted a whole year with our kids before their childhood evaporated in a rush of school mornings and lost lunch-box lids. It was always about time because time is all we have.

As we sat in that little white cottage by the sea, 10 days of no plans stretched out in front of us and we tossed around ideas for where we should go and what we should do next. An invitation to return to Tasmania for the summer arrived and we leapt. That decision was more profound than we realised at the time, for it led us to our new home on the Apple Isle, in a little town where the mountains meet the sea Follow Jodi on Instagram @practisingsimplicity

This is an edited extract from Practising Simplicity

by Jodi Wilson ($32.99, Murdoch Books).

86 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

FEBRUARY ISSUE ON SALE FEBRUARY 3

PHOTOGRAPHY HANNAH PUECHMARIN STYLING CHERYL CARR

Discovering this Queenslander in the Granite Belt was a happy coincidence for its buyers, who renovated it extensively to create the perfect weekend retreat.

Plus, inspiration for fitting out the ideal home office.

SEE OUR GREAT SUBSCRIPTION OFFER ON PAGE 16 OF THIS ISSUE.

PEOPLE Alessa Margan, property manager at Margan Wines, is passionate about regenerative agriculture and the future of viticulture.

NEXT GENER ATION

SIX YOUNG PRODUCERS SHARE A LOVE OF THE LAND AND EXPLAIN HOW THEIR WORK IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS ELFES/ELFES IMAGES

WORDS CLA IR E M ACTAGGA RT

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 89

ANNA HOLCOMBE

JOSHUA GILBERT

In 2019, Anna Holcombe had graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and was enjoying a fulfilling role at AuctionsPlus, an online livestock sales platform, in Sydney. However, when the drought worsened, Anna decided to return home to help with the family business.

It was a tough period, but she hasn’t looked back since.

Based at Rayleigh Farming Company, west of Burren Junction in NSW, Anna works on a mixed farming enterprise which comprises stud Poll Hereford cattle, merino and first-cross lamb production, plus dryland farming. The Holcombes manage 4046 hectares between the Cryon and Narrabri properties. “Agriculture is such a dynamic industry – no other industry is as fast-paced, ever-evolving or diverse,” Anna, 28, says.

The Holcombes are improving broadacre farming practices, and have implemented drought mitigation measures in an effort to prosper during poorer seasons.

A member of the Herefords Australia Marketing Committee, Anna says: “Some of the biggest issues facing our industry have the potential to become our biggest opportunities. A growing consumer demand for traceable, more ethical agricultural products provides us with an opportunity to connect with our consumers and showcase our positive land and animal management practices. In turn, we can benefit from new ideas and are challenged to constantly improve our practices.”

Worimi man Joshua Gilbert can trace his mob’s history back some 60,000 years. The 30-year-old aims to connect that history to inform the next 60,000 years.

“My hope is that we can recognise the role and contribution Indigenous people make to western agriculture,” says Joshua. “We know that quite a lot of terrible events happened in the past, but there’s also a really rich story around adaptation and survival through western agriculture and farming. It’s hanging on to that, telling positive yarns and learning from each other, to bring that forward into the future.”

Joshua lives in Nabiac on the Mid North Coast of NSW, near his family property, Riverside Park, where they operate a Braford stud. He is currently working with UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, and doing a Master of Indigenous Agriculture.

This project explores the role of Indigenous people in western agricultural systems post-colonisation.

“Everyone has a story about agriculture and connects back to it in some way, and it’s a yarn you keep building upon and develop over time. For me, it’s great to keep learning from people,” Joshua explains.

In 2016, Joshua was recognised for his contribution to climate and environment with the Australian Geographic Young Conservationist of the Year award.

Visit gilbertjoshuam.com

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Indigenous Consultant, Agriculturalist, Innovator

PHOTOGRAPHY ALYS MARSHALL, OGA CREATIVE AGENCY

Assistant Manager, Rayleigh Farming Company

PEOPLE Dan is finding new ways to boost soil health and regeneration. FACING PAGE Anna and Joshua are both focused on promoting agricultural practices across Australia.

DAN FOX

President, Vic No-Till Regenerative Farming Group

Grain grower Dan Fox is exploring ways to improve soil health and biology on his family farm near Marrar, in the Riverina region of NSW. “Farming is innovative and we are in one of the driest and most challenging environments in the world,” the 30-year-old says. “When you know that you’re changing a system for something that is better, it’s still challenging but very rewarding at the same time.”

Together with his wife, Rachel, and parents, Dan farms 2000 hectares of land and grows a variety of grain crops which are selected with the aim of building carbon. They are implementing many practices to increase biodiversity, reduce soil disturbance, retain

ground cover for moisture retention and help build soil organic carbon.

Dan did a trial during the drought in 2017, which compared stubble height treatments. He discovered the length of straw was important and the longer the length, the better the yield of the subsequent crop in a dry season. He now uses a stripper front at harvest time and single-disc seeder for sowing. “We want to get to a position where we are rebuilding and regenerating our soils,” he explains.

The family has also started removing some synthetic fertilisers from the seeding trench and replacing them with biological, organic forms of fertiliser.

Visit vicnotill.com.au or follow Dan on Twitter @Fox_Farming

PEOPLE Darcy aims to reduce synthetic fertiliser use on his family farm.

FACING PAGE Caitlin is proud to work in the innovative beef industry.

“I hope to start implementing a holistic grazing program to gain an improvement in our plant health, animal health and soil health.”

DARCY SKIPWORTH

Manager of Daily Operations and Farm Planning, Skipworth family farm

Darcy Skipworth knew he wanted to be a farmer from an early age. He now manages the daily operations and farm planning of his family’s sheep and cropping business at Lake Cargelligo in Central West NSW. Darcy, 24, and his father have been following the regenerative agriculture movement for some time and experimented with low rates of fertiliser on cereal crops during the recent drought. The surprising results led to an ongoing reduction of synthetic fertiliser inputs and they aim to limit soil disturbance. “We’ve begun to grow multi-species cover crops to help feed soil biology, while using biological seed treatments to further stimulate our soil biology,” says Darcy.

For the past three years, the family haven’t used insecticides or fungicides and believe their beneficial insects are increasing. “I hope to start implementing a holistic grazing program to gain an improvement in our plant health, animal health and, hopefully, soil health,” Darcy adds.

He is determined to achieve those environmental outcomes, while also maintaining a profitable business that creates jobs. “I hope to see more farmers working together and learning from each other because we are all in this together,” he says.

ALESSA MARGAN

PHOTOGRAPHY LIVESTOCK LEADERS, SUSANNA FORKER

Property Manager, Margan Wines

In her role as property manager at Margan Wines, Alessa Margan leads a strong environmental focus.

“I dream that Australia is known and revered on the global stage for regenerative agriculture and connection to land,” says the 27-year-old, who lives in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Along with her full-time job in the family business, Alessa is completing her second degree, a Bachelor of Viticulture. “Spending my days growing and nurturing fills me with joy and gives me purpose,” she says.

Margan Wines is accredited with Sustainable Winegrowers Australia, and is currently converting to organics. Alessa is working on a plan towards a more holistic polyculture, and initiatives include native revegetation of the riparian zone to build diversity and soil carbon, as well as creating insectariums.

“It’s an amazing time to enter viticulture as a young person,” says Alessa. “So much of the hard work has been laid out by generations before us. At the same time, we’re at a line-in-the-sand moment to transition away from chemical-dominated agriculture to a regenerative approach where biology and soil receive more attention.

Armed with new knowledge, each ‘next generation’ places important positive pressure on the status quo.”

Visit margan.com.au

CAITLIN OBST

Livestock Health Leading Hand, Roxborough Feedlot

Caitlin Obst’s connection to cattle began early on, while growing up on a small farm in Far North Queensland. After completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Adelaide, she began a career in the feedlot sector. With Mort & Co – Australia’s largest privately owned beef cattle lot feeding, management and marketing company – Caitlin transitioned from general to leading hand and gained valuable skills through an operations traineeship.

Now working as a livestock health leading hand at Roxborough Feedlot in Miles, Qld, the 24-year-old says: “The beef industry holds so many opportunities, resources and lifestyle options. It provides challenges, consistency, routine, variety – there is truly something for everyone. It fosters growth in its people, and is a very innovative industry that strives with integrity in all we do.”

Caitlin is also involved in Graeme Acton Beef Connections, which fosters skills and personal development. “This program allowed me to embrace my authentic self, build confidence in networking and expressing myself, and to take opportunities as they arise,” she explains.

Caitlin’s Beef Up Your Mindset project provides inspiration, empowerment and resources. “I envision our industry placing more significance on our people, whether that’s in recruitment, retention of staff or developing those people,” she says. “I believe helping people align with their own values will naturally draw and keep the right people for our industry.”

Visit beefupyourmindset.com

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 93

ENTERPRISE NUNDLE NSW Nundle Woollen Mill offers guided tours.

FACING PAGE Wool from the Bradfords’ sheep is sold at the mill for home spinners to transform into yarn.

A G O O D YA R N NICK AND KYLIE BRADFORD, WHO RUN ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S LAST REMAINING WOOL MILLS, ARE PROUD TO CONTINUE THE RICH TRADITION OF WOOLLEN YARN PRODUCTION. WORDS MEGA N TROUSDA LE PHOTOGRAPHY BR IGID A R NOTT

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ENTERPRISE NUNDLE NSW

SOAKING UP THE COMFORTING warmth of the morning

sun against a backdrop of blooming Blue Moon roses, Nick Bradford considers the transformation of the four hectares he shares with wife Kylie and son Zachary, 12, at Nundle in north-west NSW. “I think we’ve created a utopia here,” Nick reflects, musing on their purchase of an overgrown block and house, and taming it during the past six years, clearing away rubbish, building a new Federation-style house, and landscaping the gentle slope.

The Bradfords missed out on buying the property twice.

“I fell in love with the corrugated iron shed [an enviable 28 x 12 metres],” he adds. “Kylie couldn’t see the potential, but I worked on her for two weeks before making an offer.”

Kylie, who grew up in Bathurst, wasn’t sure that she would be able to adjust to life in a town as small as Nundle.

“It was good to experience city life. Returning to the country just wasn’t part of my plan,” she explains.

However, it was third time lucky and the block was theirs, beginning the process of relocating their Sydneybased family and work to their Nundle business, Nundle Woollen Mill, which they bought in 2007. It was a time of upheaval in the fashion world; the Global Financial Crisis was changing people’s buying patterns and

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tightening demand for fashion retail. Nick and Kylie found themselves at a crossroad and analysed the potential of their Sydney and Nundle businesses. Surprisingly, it was Nundle Woollen Mill, making woollen yarn and selling clothing based in a town of just 300 people, that showed the most promise. The mill was riding the wave of a resurgence of interest in simple living, including traditional crafts like knitting and crocheting.

The move meant Nick and Kylie could be on the ground, making improvements, which saw them double their turnover and grow their online business. In 2019, Nundle Woollen Mill won Silver in the Cultural Tourism category of the NSW Tourism Awards.

In 2020, the global outbreak of COVID-19 saw the mill close for 10 weeks, but while over-the-counter purchases halted, online sales doubled. The lifting of NSW regional restrictions mid-year attracted urban visitors in droves, increasing from 30,000 to 41,000 a year.

“We have a diverse customer base and I’m always after value for money and points of difference when I’m looking at the wool ranges of our suppliers,” Kylie says. “I will buy pieces with ‘wow factor’ specifically for our annual fashion parade, which shows real fashion on real women. >

“We have a diverse customer base and I’m always after points of difference when I’m looking at the wool ranges of our suppliers.”

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Nick operates The Opener; most of the machinery was sourced from defunct mills and restored; pillow-soft wool; Zachary loves farm life. FACING PAGE, FROM LEFT Nick and Kylie with son Zachary at the mill, which they bought in 2007; wooden bobbins used for yarn production.

ENTERPRISE NUNDLE NSW

FROM LEFT Crossbred Merino sheep graze in the paddock; wool used for yarn production is sourced from Tasmania.

“I don’t want for anything else. It’s satisfying to be at this stage in life. Country life is real and fulfilling.”

We’ve also expanded our range of knitting accessories, wool tops for felting and spinning, and blank yarns for indie dyeing.”

Most rewarding for Nick and Kylie is being able to give Zachary the relaxed country childhood they both enjoyed at Deniliquin and Bathurst respectively. “Building a five-bedroom home with three bathrooms for three people might be considered pretty crazy,” Nick says.

“But our move to the country was about having a place where our families and friends could stay comfortably and have their own space. They live so far away that they usually stay for a week.”

Kylie adds: “It’s the house we’ve always wanted to build.

It has character and charm with modern conveniences. The kitchen is the hub, and when we have friends visit, we gather around the kitchen island bench. We have people over for dinner rather than going out, which is an opportunity to improve your cooking. I’m a big fan of scrolling through online recipes and I enjoy cooking food that I have grown.”

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The friendliness of Nundle also won their hearts. The pair is deeply involved in the community: Nick is part of several local groups, including the State Emergency Service; while Kylie enjoys her book club and hands-on projects such as growing food, tending roses and making cheese.

Kylie says she enjoys “seeing kids being kids”. Zachary has the space to have a dog, and loves riding his motorbike and driving the ute. Neighbouring kids jump their back fence and come over to play, or they meet at the local pool.

“My nephews visit and swim, play tennis, cricket, build cubbies, and feed sheep. They have freedom and fresh air, away from their devices,” she says.

Meanwhile, Nick is content working on their small acreage. “I’m a farmer’s son, not farming, so we have 15 ewes and a ram,” he says, laughing. “I don’t want for anything else. It’s satisfying to be at this stage in life.

Country life is real and fulfilling.

For more, visit nundle.com or follow Nundle Woollen Mill on Instagram @nundlewoollenmill

FOOD GR AZING BOA R DS

TAKE THE FUSS OUT OF ENTERTAINING AND WHIP UP COLOURFUL GRAZING BOARDS LADEN WITH GOODIES. PHOTOGRAPHY H A NNA H BLACK MOR E ST YLING OLI V I A BLACK MOR E

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 101

FOOD GR AZING BOA R DS

CREATING BOARDS FEASTING HAS ALWAYS been synonymous with celebration,

from Roman times through to the medieval period and continuing to the modern day. Big, bountiful tables resplendent with food and drink have always been a constant that has tied gatherings together and brought joy to those who are indulging. Although much has changed over the years in regards to what we serve (oxen, pigeon and giant hare, anyone?), one thing that will stay the same, regardless of culture, race or affluence, is that food will always be the conduit of togetherness.

Grazing tables and boards are in fashion today, and it’s easy to see why – they create a dramatic scene of abundance, with colours that hark back to the days of the Tudors with tables groaning from excess. Grazing boards create a flow that permits guests to mingle and sample what’s on offer while still being social; something that rarely happens with static meals at a dinner party.

These boards offer maximum impact with relatively minimal effort. They are a good conversation starter

that brings casualness and fun to a meal or event, and are perfect for people who have specific dietary needs. There’s the added benefit that each person is choosing their own personalised menu from what’s on offer on the board.

The ease of being able to cater for all tastes is a big reason that grazing boards have soared in popularity.

Also, as guests serve themselves, you, the host, get to spend valuable time with them, and at the end of it all the clean-up is delightfully easy. Arrange in the hour prior to guests arriving, saving time and sanity. Above all, the beauty of a grazing board is that it can be achieved by anyone regardless of their cooking-skill level. It is easy to look at images of grazing boards, and while recognising that they are a collection of simple items and recipes, they can still look maze-like to assemble. “What do I put down first?” and “Will mine be as pretty?” are common questions that people ask. Simply use our step-by-step instructions on how to build each board so yours will be equally Instagram-worthy.

ANTIPASTI SELECTION Head to the deli to get most of the provisions required for this board. If possible, request that your cold cuts are sliced to order, and ask to see the first slice; that way you’ll know if the slicer is proficient! Check to see that your goodies are being carefully laid out and separated by wax paper for easy separation later. With skinny sausages of salami, if you have a steady hand and a sharp knife (and the time), there’s money to be saved in buying a whole sausage and slicing it yourself.

MAKE

• Chargrilled Three-cheese Zucchini Flowers • Mushroom Arancini • Rosemary & Grape Olive Oil Focaccia • Grilled Vegetable & Provolone Muffuletta

BUY

Salumi: prosciutto, bresaola (cured beef), ’nduja (chilli-infused spreadable salami), garlic and fennel salami, mortadella Cheese: parmigiano-reggiano, gorgonzola dolce, burrata (creamfilled mozzarella), bocconcini Fruit: melon, pears, figs, grapes

Bread-like things: grissini, fresh or chargrilled bread, pane croccante (thin wafer breads), pane di casa Dips: Cracked Green Olives with Pecorino Dip, Tonnato Dip

DRINK

Prosecco Italian soft drinks Sparkling mineral water

SERVING

You will need: • 1 large wooden board • 3 medium shallow bowls • 2 small bowls • Baking paper • 1 knife • Serving utensils

BUILD

Using the picture on the previous page as a guide, position the bowls on a large wooden board. Place a large sheet of baking paper diagonally across the board. Place the burrata, bocconcini and melon wedges in the medium bowls. Place Tonnato Dip and Cracked Green Olives with Pecorino Dip in the small bowls. Place Mushroom Arancini, Rosemary & Grape Olive Oil Focaccia and Grilled Vegetable & Provolone Muffuletta on the board, then add all the bought items to fill in the gaps. Add Chargrilled Three-cheese Zucchini Flowers to the board last. Add the knife and serving utensils. >

PHOTOCHEF CHARLOTTE BINNS-MCDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY DMITRI KALVAN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Serves 12

Summer holidays call for casual picnics in the park with friends, and plenty of delicious nibblies to share.

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 103

Provide a variety of sweet and savoury foods, and include options for guests with specific dietary needs.

GR AZING BOA R DS FOOD

GETTING IT RIGHT • To work out the quantities needed for items to be sourced, aim for 60g of cheese per person, plus a fist-sized serve of accompaniments, such as cured meats, crackers and fruit.

If the platter is in lieu of a meal, allow two generous fist-sized amounts of food per person, or 120g protein plus a fist-sized portion of accompaniments. You can modify this if you know you have a particularly ravenous crowd.

• If you feel you have over-catered, just put half the cheese or food down and replenish as amounts get low.

• Some fruit oxidises and turns brown over time. To avoid your beautiful spread turning brown before your guests arrive, dip cut fruit, such as apples, pears and figs, in a bowl of water with a generous squeeze of lemon juice.

• You may be happy with just fingers and a napkin for your guests to serve themselves. Some small disposable bamboo picks and plates can be handy when there is food that drips or is oily, or is too cumbersome to hold on just a napkin.

GRILLED VEGETABLE & PROVOLONE MUFFULETTA Serves 12

PHOTOGRAPHY DMITRI KALVAN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

3 medium zucchini (360g) 1 medium eggplant (300g) olive oil cooking spray 1 large ciabatta loaf (420g) or other Italian bread 330g jar whole roasted peppers, drained, seeded 250g mozzarella, sliced thinly 250g provolone cheese, sliced thinly OLIVE PASTE 230g jar pitted green sicilian olives 1 shallot, quartered 2 cloves garlic, quartered ½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 small red chilli, halved, seeded

Cut zucchini and eggplant lengthways into long, thin slices. Preheat a chargrill pan (or barbecue) over medium heat. Spray slices with olive oil spray and season.

Cook eggplant in batches for 2 minutes each side or until chargrill marks appear.

Cook zucchini in batches for 1 minute each side or until chargrill marks appear. Cool.

Meanwhile, make the olive paste.

Pulse ingredients in a food processor until finely chopped. Season.

• Add small bowls to discard olive pits, strawberry tops, grape stalks, oyster shells and the like. This helps keep the board looking fresh and hygienic.

• People eat with their eyes. Remember to include colourful items, such as fruit or vegetables, and have them scattered throughout the board. Fresh produce, such as grapes and small truss tomatoes, look lovely kept on the vine.

For bigger produce that requires cutting, such as rockmelon, apples and celery, carve a variety of shapes.

• Consider how guests will serve particular items. Provide cheese knives next to cheese, spreaders next to labne or soft cheese, honey drippers and spoons, and extra knives. Consider how these implements can add to the visual impact and composition of your board, too.

• Items that are easy to pop in the mouth without too much preparation are ideal. Seedless grapes are a much better option than those with seeds.

Cut bread in half horizontally, then turn both sides, crust-side down, onto a board. Divide olive mixture between both cut sides.

Lay roasted peppers on bread bases, followed by mozzarella, eggplant, half the provolone, zucchini, remaining provolone and lids. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Place muffuletta between two oven trays and weigh down with a heavy saucepan to compress. Stand for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 3 hours. If standing for longer than 1 hour, you’ll need to refrigerate the muffuletta, then bring it to room temperature before cutting it into slices to serve.

ROSEMARY & GRAPE OLIVE OIL FOCACCIA Serves 6

31⁄3 cups (500g) bread flour 2 teaspoons (7g) dried yeast 1 teaspoon caster (superfine) sugar 2 teaspoons sea salt flakes ¾ cup (180ml) extra virgin olive oil 400g red grapes ¼ cup rosemary leaves

Put flour, yeast, sugar and 1 teaspoon of the salt in the large bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached.

Mix for 10 seconds on low to combine.

While motor is running on low speed, add 1 cup (250ml) lukewarm water and 1⁄3 cup (80ml) of the oil. Beat on medium speed for 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic.

Coat dough in 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Stand in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Brush a 25cm x 40cm oven tray with 2 tablespoons of the remaining oil; place dough on tray and, using the palm of your hands, press out to the sides. Stand dough in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 200°C. Make indents in the focaccia by pressing two fingers into the dough in rows.

Brush with remaining oil. Press grapes into dough. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and the rosemary.

Bake focaccia for 18 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or cooled.

TIP You can also add large sprigs of rosemary to the focaccia for a more rustic look, and either keep the grapes in clusters or separate.

PREP IT Focaccia can be baked up to 8 hours ahead. >

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 105

FOOD GR AZING BOA R DS

Makes 18

50g blue cheese 50g fetta 250g firm ricotta 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 egg yolk 18 zucchini flowers (540g) 2 tablespoons olive oil

Crumble blue cheese and fetta into a medium bowl. Add ricotta, mint, lemon rind, chilli flakes, garlic and egg yolk to bowl; stir to combine.

Season to taste.

Open zucchini flowers carefully and remove yellow stamens from inside the flowers. Spoon or pipe cheese mixture into flowers (see tip), leaving a 1cm gap at the top. Twist petal tops to enclose filling.

Brush flowers with oil. Cook flowers on a heated grill plate (or grill or barbecue) over high heat for 1 minute each side or until lightly charred and heated through. Season to taste.

TIP To make an easy piping bag, spoon mixture into a small zip-top bag and twist the open end to seal.

Snip the corner, then pipe mixture into flowers.

PREP IT Zucchini flowers can be filled up to 4 hours ahead; keep refrigerated until ready to cook.

MUSHROOM ARANCINI Makes 28

1 litre (4 cups) salt-reduced vegetable stock 200g Swiss brown mushrooms 2 tablespoons olive oil 30g butter 1 small onion (80g), finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1½ cups (300g) arborio rice ½ cup (40g) grated parmesan 1 cup (150g) plain flour, seasoned

3 eggs, beaten lightly 1½ cups (115g) panko (Japanese) breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons thyme leaves, finely chopped 14 cherry bocconcini (220g), halved oil, for deep-frying

Place stock in a large saucepan over high heat; bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and keep stock hot.

Place mushrooms in the bowl of a food processor; process using the pulse function until finely chopped.

Transfer to a bowl.

Heat olive oil in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan over high heat. Cook mushrooms for 6 minutes or until mushrooms are golden.

Transfer to a bowl.

Add butter to same frying pan over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring, for 4 minutes or until golden. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

Add one-third of the hot stock.

Cook, stirring, for 7 minutes or until almost absorbed. Repeat two more times with remaining stock. The rice will take approximately 20 minutes in total to cook. Stir through mushrooms and half the parmesan.

Season to taste.

Transfer risotto to a large, shallow roasting pan; freeze for 20 minutes or until chilled and firm.

Place seasoned flour, beaten egg, and combined breadcrumbs, thyme and remaining grated parmesan in separate shallow bowls. Roll 1 tablespoon portions of risotto to make 28 balls in total. Push half a piece of bocconcini into the centre of each risotto ball. Coat balls in flour, egg, then breadcrumb mixture.

Heat oil for deep-frying in a deep, heavy-based saucepan to 170°C. Cook arancini in batches for 4 minutes or until crisp and golden. Drain arancini on paper towel.

Recipes from The Australian Women’s Weekly’s Grazing Boards ($49.99). Available in bookshops and at awwcookbooks.com.au

106 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY DMITRI KALVAN - STOCK.ADOBE.COM, HELEN KOKER, TREVOR WORDEN

CHARGRILLED THREE-CHEESE ZUCCHINI FLOWERS

FLAVOURS

CITY DINING IF YOU’RE OFF TO SYDNEY,

f lavours

FOOD, DRINKS AND PRODUCTS TO SAMPLE THIS MONTH. WORDS H A NNA H JA MES

MAKE IT EXTRA SPECIAL WITH A VISIT TO CORSO BRIO. LOCATED IN THE BARANGAROO PRECINCT, CORSO BRIO HAS AN OPULENT DINING ROOM WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY A MODERN ITALIAN MENU. STAND-OUTS INCLUDE: SLOW-COOKED MARGRA LAMB SHOULDER WITH SMOKED SWEET POTATO PUREE AND FIG VINCOTTO JUS; BEEF CARPACCIO WITH WILD ROCKET, SHAVED PARMESAN, TOASTED HAZELNUTS AND DARK CHOCOLATE; FRESH HANDMADE PASTAS; AND FOR DESSERT, THE DELECTABLE CITRUS CRUSH (LEFT) FEATURING BUFFALO RICOTTA AND LIMONCELLO SPONGE. VISIT BELANDBRIO.COM.AU

NUTTING IT OUT

DRINK LESS, DRINK MORE

Designed for the adults in the room, Non creates sophisticated non-alcoholic wines using techniques and ingredients from fine-dining kitchens across Europe.

Flavours include Salted Raspberry & Chamomile, Tomato Water & Basil, and Lemon Marmalade & Hibiscus. From $30. Visit non.world

Two of the NSW Northern Rivers’ finest products – beer and macadamia nuts – have come together to create Stone & Wood’s limited-edition Malty Mac. It’s a lager with the buttery, smooth taste of roasted macadamias. Try it only at the Stone & Wood Brewery Tasting Rooms in Byron Bay. Visit stoneandwood.com.au

EAT OUT IN STYLE

Granola, pancakes, coffee cake and frittata – they’re all delicious and incredibly simple to make in the great outdoors, whether you’re camping in a national park or down the bottom of the garden.

The Family Camp Cookbook provides step-by-step instructions on how to make breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts and snacks over a camp fire, on a grill or in a Dutch oven. Camping season gets gourmet! The Family Camp Cookbook by Emily Vikre ($35, Murdoch Books).

GET RICH Start 2022 with a sweet treat from Byron Bay’s Loco Love, who create organic, fair-trade chocolate. Their indulgent flavours include Gingerbread Caramel and Wild Orange Ganache – with a secret healthy twist. From $5.75. Visit locolove.com JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 107

MY TOWN BA LLA R AT Boathouses are put to good use at Lake Wendouree.

FACING PAGE TV presenter Gorgi Coghlan loves the community spirit in Ballarat.

MY TOWN

BALLARAT

ENJOY THE HISTORY, ARTS, FOOD, WINE AND RELAXED LIFESTYLE OF VICTORIA’S LARGEST INLAND CITY. WORDS CLA IR E M ACTAGGA RT PHOTOGRAPHY TA R A MOOR E

Gorgi Coghlan OWNER, THE PROVINCIAL HOTEL

“What I love about Ballarat is the kindness in the community and the willingness to collaborate.”

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 109

MY TOWN BA LLA R AT Ballarat’s Lydiard Street boasts mid-19th century classical European architecture. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Clothesline Cafe; the interior at Fossick Coffee & Wares; curious cows with views of Mt Buninyong; tasty fare at Eclectic Tastes Cafe & Pantry; Lydiard Street stores; Brad Wilson; the umbrellas at Hop Lane lead to Hop Temple beer hall.

IT’S LITTLE WONDER THAT Ballarat has collected a swag

of awards in recent years. Home to some 110,000 people, it was recognised as Australia’s Most Liveable City by RMIT University in 2020, and won Victoria’s inaugural Top Tourism Town Award in 2021.

Located over an hour west of Melbourne, the tourism, food, wine, art and heritage hub is attracting a growing number who come to enjoy a slower pace of life, coupled with all the amenities. The traditional home of the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung people, the city has a beautiful heritage streetscape, much of which harks back to the 1850s gold rush, when Ballarat was considered the world’s richest alluvial goldfield.

For Ballarat resident Brad Wilson, 45, it was family connections and a historic, red brick home that led him to relocate here with his wife Marian, 44, and their two children, Zac, eight, and five-year-old Isabel. “I came back looking for a renovation project – a house outside of Melbourne in the country,” he says.

Brad is part of a redevelopment, The Goods Shed, which will feature a hospitality and entertainment hub near the railway station. Each week, he also spends a couple of days in Melbourne running the Little Lon Distillery business.

“I love the pace here; it’s a lot easier to move around,” he says. “Ballarat has grand architecture and it’s very pretty.

There’s also a really good, creative energy around with a lot of talented designers, artists, scientists, hospitality people and entrepreneurs.”

Another resident who was charmed by Ballarat is TV presenter Gorgi Coghlan, who moved to the city 12 years ago. She and her husband Simon, a long-time local, opened The Provincial Hotel, a boutique accommodation and

dining space. “We were sitting with our daughter, MollyRose, in a gorgeous French bistro in the Marais, Paris, four years ago enjoying simple, fresh, beautiful food. As we absorbed our surroundings – elegant yet relaxed decor – we asked each other if we felt Ballarat was big enough and ready to embrace something similar,” Gorgi explains.

“I suppose we were dreaming out loud… serendipitously, over 12 months later, The Provincial Ballarat landed in our lap and we were able to live out that dream. It’s our little slice of Europe in the middle of Ballarat’s historic CBD and we are very proud of it.”

Some of Gorgi’s favourite eateries include The Healthy Hub and Ragazzone for a delicious lunch, and Underbar for a degustation treat. “What I love about Ballarat is the kindness in the community and the willingness to collaborate,” she says. “There are so many talented and brave women doing exciting things, and when we all come together to collaborate, magical events and projects happen. Ballarat is made up of people with passion and drive, and when you have that mix, a city can flourish and grow. It’s the perfect mix – relaxed regional living with a dynamic culture only one hour from Melbourne.”

For more information, visit ballarat.com.au and theprovincialballarat.com.au >

GETTING THERE Ballarat is 110 kilometres from Melbourne CBD via the Western Freeway, or 90 minutes by train.

FLYING IN? Avalon and Tullamarine Airports are just over an hour’s drive from Ballarat, and an airport shuttle operates between Tullamarine and Ballarat.

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE $642,375 MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE $360 per week

BY THE NUMBERS “Prices have been increasing at a rapid rate through most suburbs of Ballarat. Central areas have seen some of the highest price growth over the last 12 months,” says Allister Morrison, General Manager of Ballarat Real Estate.

MARKET WATCH “The market is particularly strong as Melbourne buyers continue to look to regional areas for lifestyle advantages and relative affordability. Great schools both private and public, two quality hospitals, great cafes and an abundance of shopping opportunities are just some of the advantages buyers are moving to the area for,” Allister adds.

Brad Wilson FOUNDER, LITTLE LON DISTILLING CO.

“Ballarat has grand architecture and it’s very pretty."

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 111

OPPORTUNITY CALLS

Ballarat has experienced 45 per cent growth rate in the past decade and is the state’s third fastest-growing city.

Close to 9000 businesses operate here and major industry sectors include health services, education, advanced manufacturing and visitor services.

For more information, visit ballarat.com.au/invest

112 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

BA LLA R AT MY TOWN The picturesque Fairyland at Lake Wendouree.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Lush paddocks before Mt Buninyong; coffee and sweets at Fossick Coffee & Wares; Gorgi Coghlan prepares an event; Reid’s Coffee Palace was built in 1886; Eclectic Tastes Cafe & Pantry stocks local produce, beer, wine and coffee; Eclectic also offers stylish dining.

REASONS TO VISIT EUREKA CENTRE BALLARAT

Discover the social history and artefacts of the Victorian gold rush on the site of the Eureka Stockade rebellion. eurekacentreballarat.com.au

BALLARAT INTERNATIONAL FOTO BIENNALE This leading

photographic festival has been extended until January 2022, and features esteemed Australian and international photographers, as well as a retrospective exhibition by Linda McCartney. ballaratfoto.org

THE ART GALLERY OF BALLARAT

Australia’s oldest and largest regional art gallery features a permanent collection, as well as touring exhibitions in the beautiful heritage-listed gallery. artgalleryofballarat.com.au

SOVEREIGN HILL The whole family will enjoy experiencing the thrill and adventure of the 1850s gold rush. sovereignhill.com.au

REASONS TO STAY BALLARAT BOTANICAL GARDENS Planted in the 1860s,

these historical lakeside gardens span 40 hectares and are considered one of Australia’s most significant cool-climate gardens. The Murrup Laarr ‘Ancestral Stones’ can be found in the North Gardens, created by artist Dr Deanne Gilson, a Wadawurrung Traditional Custodian. ballaratbotanicalgardens.com.au MT BUNINYONG Hike this extinct volcano remnant. visitballarat.com.au/ explore/mount-buninyong

BALLARAT PUBLIC ART WALK, LAKE WENDOUREE Ballarat can boast the nation’s largest regional collection of outdoor artworks, and a 3.5-kilometre circuit around Lake Wendouree is a great way to view the various installations.

EASTERN PEAKE WINERY

This boutique winery in the Ballarat highlands is where you can stock up on top-quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah made by 2018 Australian Winemaker of the Year, Owen Latta. easternpeake.com.au THE GOODS SHED Watch out for this upcoming hospitality, distillery, eatery, retail and entertainment precinct based beside the Ballarat Train Station. It’s set to become a major foodie destination for locals and tourists alike. >

“Ballarat is the perfect mix – relaxed regional living with a dynamic culture only one hour from Melbourne.”

MY TOWN BA LLA R AT

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Ballarat has two hospitals, a range of public and independent schools as well as two tertiary institutions, the Federation University and Australian Catholic University, Ballarat Campus. The University of Melbourne’s Ballarat Rural Clinical School is also based here.

Visit ballarat.com.au/live/

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Gorgi at a Lola restaurant barn function; the chic exterior of The Provincial Hotel; customers at Fossick Coffee & Wares can enjoy a meal while browsing local products.

SHOP

HATTIE AND THE WOLF For

beautiful hampers, gifts, fashion and accessories. 202 South Street, 0478 088 055; hattieandthewolf.com.au SWEET FERN A stylish fragrance boutique which also stocks botanical skincare products and a range of gifts.

114 Armstrong Street South, (03) 5332 9297; sweetfern.com.au WOOTTEN Head cordwainer Jess Cameron-Wootten continues the family tradition of crafting bespoke footwear and leather goods. Open by appointment. Shed 1, 20 Elizabeth Street, Delacombe; wootten.com.au

EAT

ECLECTIC TASTES CAFE & PANTRY Stock up with gourmet

cheese, paste, cocktail mixes and coffee from the pantry, or book a table for dinner. 2 Burnbank Street, (03) 5339 3391; eclectictastes.com.au

FOSSICK COFFEE AND WARES

For great coffee, meals and souvenirs.

54 Victoria Street; @fossickwares

114 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

LOLA Fresh, regional produce paired

with beautiful, European-style dining.

121 Lydiard Street; @lolaballarat RENARD Meet friends at this social club and cocktail bar. 209 Mair Street, 0455 915 695; renardballarat.com.au

STAY

BATTISTA This luxury five-star

accommodation in the former Ballarat Baptist Church featured on ABC series Restoration Australia. battistaballarat.com.au LYON HOUSE Stay in this opulent three-bedroom holiday home, which has an indoor heated swimming pool in the former stables. lascellesballarat. com.au/accommodation/lyon-house THE PROVINCIAL HOTEL This heritage boutique hotel has a range of beautifully curated suites to cater for all travellers. 121 Lydiard Street; theprovincialballarat.com.au SETTLER & SONS A charming 1930s Californian bungalow, close to Lake Wendouree and the CBD. settlerandsons.com.au

FIELD GUIDE

BROWSE OUR ADVERTISERS’ PRODUCTS AND SERVIC

BACKGROUND PHOTOGRAPHY GUY BAILEY, MATT DUNNE STYLING ANNA DELPRAT

ALFRESCO STYLE

PORTABLE PALETTE

LEAD THE WAY

A curved back, deep seat and cloud-like cushions make the Elodie Outdoor Armchair the ultimate lounging spot for summer. domayne.com.au

Paint anywhere, anytime with the Blooms Travel Paint Box. No easel required! artscreativehub.com/ product/blooms-travel-paintbox/

The durable, hand-plaited Swanky Lead from Georgie Paws will definitely turn heads this summer and is perfect for active hounds. georgiepaws.com

AGELESS DESIGNS

STAY, EAT, RELAX

PICNIC PERFECTION

Zephyr’s classic garments in beautiful fabrics aim to flatter the silhouette through the ages, from 18 to 80 years. zephyrwares.com

Enjoy a slice of European style at the luxurious, lovingly restored heritage Red Feather Inn in Tasmania’s north. redfeatherinn.com.au

Eco Impact’s sustainable tableware range is ideal for leisurely picnics and entertaining at home this summer. ecoimpact.com.au

VERSATILE CLOGS

RASPBERRY MAGIC

CAKE TINS TO TREASURE

Clogees are perfect for all types of work, including gardening, feeding the chooks, and taking out the rubbish. otwayfootwear.com.au

Quite possibly Australia’s most iconic hard-boiled lolly, the classic raspberry drop is handmade at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. sovereignhill.com.au

Sara Miller’s ‘Orchard’ range of cake tins are perfect for storing baking creations, tea, and treasures. baketableandtea.com.au

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 115

serene dreams

TWO DIVINE HOLIDAY PROPERTIES CAPTURED OUR IMAGINATION THIS MONTH. WORDS H A NNA H JA MES PHOTOGRAPHY A MBER CR EATI V E, BR IGID A R NOTT ST YLING JODIE GIBBONS

116 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

STAYS Guests can relax with a welcome drink and cheese platter on the verandah at Riverbreeze, or enjoy a serene yoga session with the provided mats. FACING PAGE Well-behaved pet dogs are welcome at the charming vintage fishing shack.

RIVERBREEZE, HAWKESBURY RIVER, NSW In search of the perfect Hawkesbury hideaway? Tucked away on a bend of the river, this charming fishing shack can only be reached by boat. Although it’s less than an hour’s drive – plus that short boat ride – away from Sydney, Riverbreeze’s air of remoteness whisks you away from all your worries. (Though there’s great wi-fi, so if you have to bring your worries – and laptop – with you, those work tasks will still get ticked off.)

Upon arrival, you can settle on the deck for a riverside sunset, watch the boats passing by, and light the specially made Riverbreeze candle. When it comes to dinner, opt for a suitably maritime theme – if you ask owners Sunny and Brett South in advance, they’ll prepare a whole snapper for the barbecue, or serve up some Hawkesbury River Oysters for you. They also provide delicious provisions for a hearty breakfast, so you can relax in the mornings.

The views outside – the river, the nearby Muogamarra Nature Reserve – may be glorious, but inside is just as wonderful. Relaxed styling incorporates vintage treasures and nods to the shack’s shoreline location, with earthy tones in cotton, linen, jute and rattan. Stay cosy in winter with a wood-fired stove and an outdoor fire pit, while fans and ducted air con will keep you cool in summer – as will those river breezes, of course. And comfort is guaranteed in both bedrooms, with linen sheets and MicroCloud bedding making sure you’ll have sweet dreams of drifting away on the tide. For more, follow @riverbreeze23 on Instagram. >

118 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

STAYS Luxurious flax linen bedding is a sweet reward after a day exploring the river and bushland. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Nature’s shades are echoed indoors; indulge in locally made muesli and organic yoghurt in the sunlit kitchen; pet dogs are free to roam at Riverbreeze.

STAYS FROM TOP Don’t forget to pack a book, then settle in for a relaxing stay; country views surround the eco-tents. FACING PAGE Birdsong, camp fires, starry skies… reconnect with nature in comfort.

EVAMOR VALLEY, MUDGEE, NSW Sitting on the deck of a luxe glamping tent, a glass of local wine in hand, watching rosellas flicker overhead, is as serene an experience as it sounds. Linger longer and great drifts of stars glitter thickly in the dark skies. When I visit Evamor Valley, it’s been open for just a month – but it’s as smooth and stylish as if it had been running for decades.

The three glamping tents, located on owners Charmaine and Chad Hurrell’s 32-hectare property outside Mudgee, NSW, are spacious and luxurious, with king-size beds made up in Pony Rider bed linen, and locally made furniture.

Formerly a homewares store owner and stylist, Charmaine says, “I do love decorating – it’s a passion I can’t let go of.”

That’s evident, with every detail considered: deliciously scented Leif products are set out in the bathroom; the pretty kitchenette is well equipped; and the fire pit comes complete with firelighters, a blanket and insect repellent. And yes – the tents have separate bathrooms (with rainfall shower) and kitchens. This is very definitely glamping, not camping.

But a trip to Evamor Valley is still all about nature, says Charmaine. “We’ve got a natural billabong, with huge river red gums, and further down is the Cudgegong River, where you can have a picnic.” As if all that weren’t enough, you’re a fiveminute drive from Mudgee, with its cafes and wineries and gourmet experiences. You couldn’t ask for anything more.

Visit evamorvalley.com.au

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 121

PEOPLE BY RON BAY NSW

F L OW E R P OW E R

BECOMING A MOTHER – AND LIVING OUT OF A VAN ON THE ROAD FOR EIGHT MONTHS – INSPIRED MADELEINE LEE TO CREATE A RANGE OF BEAUTIFUL FLORAL DRESSES FROM HER BYRON BAY HOME. WORDS H A NNA H JA MES PHOTOGRAPHY A BBIE MELLÉ

122 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Madeleine’s business, Oak Meadow, specialises in dresses featuring handpainted floral designs; elegant apparel; delicate details; dresses for sale. FACING PAGE Madeleine enjoys a beach stroll with young sons Oakie and Soli.

PEOPLE BY RON BAY NSW

“OAK MEADOW WASN’T INTENTIONAL,” says the clothing

label’s founder, Madeleine Lee. It’s a surprising statement, given the brand’s increasing popularity, with its seasonal collections regularly selling out and a 60,000-strong fan following on Instagram. But it’s consistent with Madeleine’s approach to her growing business. “I never set out and said, ‘I’m going to create a brand,’” explains the 31-year-old Byron Bay local. “It had a lot to do with the transition of girl into mother.”

The former hairdresser and childcare worker had just welcomed two sons 16 months apart (Oakie, now five, and Soli, almost four) with her electrician husband Sam, 33.

She missed working and being creative, and so she began tie-dyeing baby clothes and selling them on Instagram.

“I noticed that there was a celebration of women coming together, connected by children. And I’d always dreamed of designing womenswear, but I didn’t think I was capable,” Madeleine says. “But I did want to launch a bed dress – like the old Country Road ones – that you can throw on and it’s effortless.”

The launch was complicated by the fact that Sam and Madeleine decided to sell all their possessions and go on the road, living out of their old Toyota bus with their boys, plus kelpie Django. “I was raising these two little kids

The family is enjoying life in Byron Bay, not far from where Madeleine grew up.

124 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

and having beautiful days by the beach, and my husband worked every day. It felt lonely. We wanted to feel freedom and the open road,” Madeleine explains of the move. “We sold everything we owned and were living in a bus for eight months.” It sounds idyllic, and it often was, but it had its challenges, too.

“I was running the business out of the bus,” Madeleine adds. “So, we had the stock in the boot and it was just manic. Living on top of each other is really confronting, and there was no routine – I thought I wasn’t a routine person, but walking the kids in the pram to the coffee shop and taking them to the beach was my routine; I just wasn’t aware of it. People think life on the road is going to be this free thing, but it can be really challenging. It was stressful, but it’s in those times that you find strength.”

In need of a break, the family went to Bali for three months, where Madeleine met up with the team who were helping her make her baby clothes. It was there that she created that first womenswear dress, and that Oak Meadow, as it is now, was truly born. “It started out small, with that one shape, and then that one shape turned into a whole celebration of seasonal collections,” she says.

Based on colours and seasons, rather than trends, Madeleine focuses on multi-functional dresses that are >

“It started out small, with that one shape, and then that one shape turned into a whole celebration of seasonal collections.”

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Time spent in nature is a daily joy for the family; precious cuddles; pretty, feminine designs; Madeleine’s dresses are a hit with her followers. FACING PAGE Madeleine is busy juggling work and parenting, but she takes it all in her stride.

BY RON BAY NSW PEOPLE

pregnancy-friendly, breastfeeding-friendly, and generally life-friendly. “The main thing we’re known for is that we are keeping handpainted tradition alive,” she says. “We work with artists who paint the fabrics based on a story, then we digitally print the fabric and do small runs, really limited, in tiny releases.” This, plus going plastic-free in packaging, is all part of Oak Meadow’s sustainability mission, meaning it’s as environmentally friendly as possible.

After moving back to Byron Bay (Madeleine was born in Pottsville, 40 kilometres away), the family has settled down to give Oak Meadow the attention it deserves. And while Madeleine has big dreams for the brand – a bricks and mortar shop, plus lifestyle pieces such as bedding, swimwear and tableware – it will retain its free spirit.

“I’m a nonconformist,” she says. “As we’ve grown, we’ve had

people coming in saying, you need to do this and you need to do that… but I just lead with my gut and my intuition.”

Madeleine’s team is still tiny – just herself, one full-time employee and two freelancers. “And we still work out of my house – the kids co-sleep with me, so there are two spare bedrooms full of stock, and it’s manic,” she says.

“But I don’t put much pressure on myself – things do always work out.”

And that’s in large part due to her loyal customers.

“I’m incredibly grateful for our supporters; their input is so valued,” Madeleine says. “We’re all about being honest, empowering women and bringing beauty into their lives, and every day I just cannot believe this is where we are. I feel so grateful.”

For more, visit oakmeadow.com.au

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 127

FASHION Rachel’s wardrobe holds beautiful classic garments that she’s worn for 40 years, along with treasured second-hand pieces.

FACING PAGE Living among nature “brings tremendous peace” for Rachel. Prayer and meditation are part of her daily practices.

FASHION MODEL RACHEL WALLER IS DRAWN TO VINTAGE FINDS FROM OP SHOPS OR LOCAL MARKETS, AND WELL-CUT CLASSIC APPAREL. PHOTOGRAPHY H A NNA H PUECHM A R IN

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 129

RACHEL WALLER SILVER MODEL, 63

Fashion model Rachel lives in a cottage at Lake Weyba in Qld, where the eco-reserve is teeming with wildlife.

FROM TOP Rachel buys exquisite antiques and adds splashes of soft colour; bushland surrounds the cottage and provides ample shade; nature plays a big part in Rachel’s daily life. FACING PAGE A relaxing row on the lake.

130 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

What do you love about where you live?

I love the peace and solace. On the lake, the colour of the water is ever-changing and the sky is so big.

How would you describe your style?

My home has a very British mood. I love antiques and traditional furniture, well-worn rugs and craftsman pieces. And I adore colour – particularly in textiles.

Are you interested in fashion?

The majority of my wardrobe is vintage, but since I’ve started modelling again, my love of clothes has been reignited. I also love tailored suits.

Who are your style influences?

No-one and everyone. I enjoy street style and seeing how different people put things together.

What’s the best style advice you’ve received?

“Don’t ever look like you’re trying too hard” – from my dear, darling Mum. What are your wardrobe essentials?

A pair of old Levi’s 501 jeans, linen and silk blouses, tailored pants, and a well-cut jacket. I do like a scarf, too. I love runners and wear them with everything.

What are your favourite clothing labels?

Citizens of Humanity, Bassike, Venroy, Scanlan Theodore, Max Mara, and Jac + Jack.

Where do you shop for clothing and accessories?

Yandina Markets is my local scouring spot, along with Fishermans Road Market in Maroochydore. When I’m in Brisbane, I’ll head to the James Street precinct.

What are your essential beauty products?

I’ve used Dr Hauschka products for 35 years. I was introduced to this organic brand in Scotland; I love it.

Do you have a favourite fragrance?

I wear Kara Rosenlund pure rose oil. It’s divine!

Do you have any favourite accessories?

I wear small pearl earrings or diamond studs. I always wear my mother’s handmade silver bangle and recently found a local jewellery designer called Elysian, who made me a stunning silver bangle to pair with it.

What helps you keep a balanced life?

Movement. I do yoga, weights, jogging, Pilates and swimming. I also go canoeing. Nature is very important to me… I find peace in it.

What are you reading/listening to/watching?

I like to revisit my bookcase – at the moment I’m re-reading The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Where are your favourite local spots to eat?

I love Flying West Coffee Roasters in Doonan, and Belmondos Organic Market in Noosaville.

For more on Rachel’s lakeside cottage, see page 36.

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romantic touch

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LIGHT FABRICS, SIMPLE JEWELLERY AND EARTHY TONES APPEAL TO RACHEL. 6

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PRODUCED BY K ATE LINCOLN

1 Cotton gathered neck shirt, $295, from Bassike. 2 Wide leg linen pant, $160, from Venroy. 3 Charles Timeless hat in Navy, $1109, from Calexico. 4 Shelly French basket bag, $79, from Miz Casa & Co. 5 Emma Bridgewater polka dot plate, $44.95, from Finch & Lane. 6 Chama sterling silver cuff, $380, from Lucy Folk. 7 Anri midi linen shirt dress in Dusty Pink, $331, from Wolf & Badger. 8 Atlas Rose pure rose oil, $68, from Kara Rosenlund. 9 Carved wood side table, $399, from West Elm. 10 Levi’s 501 Original jeans, $89, from The Iconic. 11 Castañer Palmera frayed canvas espadrille slides, $106.37, from Net-A-Porter. 12 Pin stitch blazer, $299.95, from Witchery.

13 The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy book, $12, from Big W. 14 La Mer The Lip Volumizer, $120, from Mecca.

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The effect will last from six weeks to three months, then drop out. “The new technology is much gentler, with a lower pH than the traditional perm, so it won’t wreck your hair even if you have it again and again,” says Ali Holmes, owner of Sydney’s Wild Life Hair Sogo, who uses the new Goldwell NuWave. “For people with fine, flat hair, NuWave is great. Heavier hair won’t achieve the same lift, but you’ll still get a nice wave and width.”

Got natural curls with frizz? “For curl control, the Evolution Perm is stronger,” says Ali. Post-perm, use a shampoo and conditioner designed for colour, as they contain both protein and moisture. “And for styling, just towel-dry and spritz in sea salt texturiser or a wave serum,” Ali adds.

TRY: (1) KMS Hairplay Sea Salt Spray, $32.95 (3) Goldwell Stylesign Curls & Waves Soft Waver, $28.50

it needs to be in balance,” Pete says.

“But the issue with most scalp shampoos is that while they kill off flakes, they also kill the ecosystem.”

He says skincare brands need to seriously target the scalp. Sisley Paris is leading the way – its two-step Hair Rituel delivers results that can last for up to three months. A shampoo infused with sage, celery seed and piroctone olamine purifies the scalp; an intense serum returns equilibrium long-term. “The science is amazing,” enthuses Pete. TRY: (7) Sisley Paris Hair Rituel Soothing Rebalancing Shampoo, $100 (4) Sisley Paris Soothing Rebalancing Cure, $165

Hit the hair luminiser During lockdown, DIY hair-colour maintenance was essential. However, Aleks Abadia, of Esstudio Galleria, says: “Your relationship with your colourist is still very important for getting results at home. Call up to talk through techniques – it’s all about reviving colour with shades that blur into natural hair to soften regrowth.”

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Balance your ecosystem “The scalp can react to diet, genetics, stress and season changes,” says session hairstylist Pete Lennon. Scalp aggravation can also make your locks lose oomph. “Dead skin blocks new growth and the scalp will overproduce sebum, making your hair look lank.”

Skin-soothing vitamin B6 or polyunsaturated fatty acids can help, but scalp woes often indicate that your balance of good and bad yeasts is off kilter. “Your scalp is an ecosystem;

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Colour-depositing formulas like Evo Fabuloso’s Colour Intensifying Conditioners and semi-permanents are safe bets. “Also think about shades like rose gold and copper, which will give the colour you already have a little something,” adds Aleks.

For blondes, DIY bleaching is a big risk. Instead, try brightening systems with peroxide-free agents – these will bring clarity back to salon colours rather than lightening the hair.

TRY: (8) Oribe Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist, $57 (5) Oribe Bright Blonde Essential Priming Serum, $64

Embrace minimalism The problem with some plant-based shampoo bars is that they don’t foam or froth up and can leave behind residue. The best option is to choose solid, plastic-free shampoo bars with high-performance boosters. “Natural ingredients like orange peel oil have long been used to remove oil and build-up – you need technology to make plant ingredients work for hair,” says hairstylist Richi Grisillo.

Richi points to the new eco-ethical WeDo/ Professional hair-care range as a smart collaboration between scientists and hairdressers. The sulphate- and silicone-free products are 86-99.7 per cent natural in origin, and come in sustainable cardboard or recycled plastic that, in partnership with the Plastic Bank initiative, removes pollution from the sea.

“The shampoo bar is designed to lather without stripping your hair, but rinses out nicely,” says Richi.

“That’s great for someone who has a relaxed look, and wants minimal styling product going into their hair.”

TRY: (2) weDo/ Professional No Plastic Shampoo Bar, $24.95 (6) weDo/ Professional Natural Oil Hair & Body Elixir, $59.9

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 133

BOOK CLUB THE MOST ALARMING THRILLER EVER REVIEWED IN THIS COLUMN, PLUS TWO ILLUMINATING, GAME-CHANGING MEMOIRS FROM POWERHOUSE WOMEN. REVIEWS ANNABEL LAWSON

BOTH/AND: A LIFE IN MANY WORLDS Huma Abedin, Simon & Schuster, $35 If the name is familiar it’s probably in the context of Abedin’s darkest hour – her husband Anthony Weiner’s lewd pictures and the mishandling of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s laptop material. His bungling may have cost HRC the presidency. Ouch.

Let’s go back to the beginning.

Abedin’s parents were South Asian.

Her childhood ricocheted between Saudi Arabia and the US, with spells in Pakistan and the UK. Her dream life began with an internship at the White House. This either meant menial tasks in a windowless corridor or being grafted onto a biggie.

HRC picked Abedin as her righthand woman and travelling chief of staff. They dive-bombed the world on perilous business. They met movers and shakers; gotta shake or be shook.

Almost every White House memoir features drink, drugs and promiscuity among lesser inmates. But Abedin is Muslim – at 3am she wasn’t partying, she was working. (Anthony courted her with devotion and decorum, the only option.) I’ve left out so much: motherhood, friendships, and the sheer fragility of today’s world.

Now, Abedin’s forward focus is on her son, Jordan. Ex-husband Anthony is only a lift ride away. End of Act One.

THIS MUCH IS TRUE Miriam Margolyes, John Murray, $49.99 She’s four foot 10 inches, weighs 94 kilos and has been confident for all but a few years of her life when she was fatefully unfaithful to her true love and paid the price. If you’ve seen her only on talk shows or as the Harvey Weinstein-esque infanta in

134 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

Blackadder, you may wish she wasn’t so brash. However, Miriam Margolyes turns in a memoir which is one of the top two I’ve read in the last decade.

Her life began in Oxford, UK, where her father was the only doctor who could speak Yiddish; a boon in postwar Britain. After winning a scholarship to Newnham College at Cambridge, where misogyny was rife, Miriam threw herself into acting. At auditions, her ploy was to open proceedings with an offer of oral sex but not intercourse.

It sounds deplorable, but we take the point about who was in charge.

Miriam was a brilliant property investor and thus became rich while many actors squirmed in poverty.

Today, the actress is an Australian citizen and looks forward to “fun to be had… as I hurtle towards incontinence and immobility”. Her attitude and advice is a boost to any woman who winces at her own willingness to rise above a thorny situation. There is another way: Miriam’s.

MY FAVOURITE MOVIES David Stratton, Allen & Unwin, $32.99 One thing is certain: David Stratton’s selection of 111 films will provoke controversy. He’s an Aussie maverick.

Some readers will recall Margaret Pomeranz saying, “David, we’re teenagers,” when The Movie Show turned 13. It ran for another 15 years.

Now that many of us are oversubscribed to movie packages, Stratton’s guide to great films from Fritz Lang’s prophetic Metropolis to our own lugubrious Animal Kingdom is exactly what’s needed. On the Asian front, he picks Seven Samurai but not An Actor’s Revenge, Rashomon, The Departed or Parasite. Among Italian masterpieces, Fellini’s I Vitelloni but not Wertmüller’s Seven Beauties.

Stratton is smitten with Jacques Tati (Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday), who divides the cinema-going public along gender lines – men say he’s a genius, women say he’s twee. Neither the nonpareil comedian Samuel Labarthe nor Italy’s Giancarlo Giannini get a mention. Moreover, in Stratton’s pantheon, there are not nearly enough mesmerising women to inspire us.

No Sônia Braga (Kiss of the Spider Woman) or Greta Garbo in Ninotchka.

That said, there are pleasures galore from David’s one-on-one encounters with the great ones. Minus the quotes provided by their publicity teams, they open up and out spill surprises.

WHERE THE RIVER BENDS Jane & Jimmy Barnes, HarperCollins, $49.99 When Jimmy met Jane, both of them were hiding the truth. On travels with her stepfather, a diplomat, Jane gathered culinary inspiration from Malaysia, Rome, Moscow, New Guinea, Japan, Kiribati and Malta.

Moreover, her mother was one of 26 children, so the family recipe folder weighed a kilo.

On their first date, however, Jane made apricot chicken from a recipe off a packet of French Onion Soup. Maybe she didn’t want to show off. Jimmy kept from Jane the fact that he’d been a meat and potatoes man all his life – no veg, thanks, we’re Scottish.

Anyway, they made it to a second date.

The family home is on the banks of the Wingecarribee River, so it’s easy to wander down and snag a few yabbies to brighten a scrambled eggs breakfast. Exotic greens grown in the garden. The charm of this eclectic array of meals and everything in between is that it unleashes ideas and improvisation.

BOOKS

Jimmy’s chapter on barbecues and his devotion to potatoes interleave with Jane’s sophisticated local specialities. The food is displayed just as it comes, without fuss. Photographs of the children and gorgeous young grandchildren steal the show.

STATE OF TERROR

PHOTOGRAPHY ALANA LANDSBERRY STYLING KATE LINCOLN

Hillary Rodham Clinton & Louise Penny, Macmillan, $32.99 How do they get away with it? I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating: Louise Penny, who is Canada’s Agatha Christie, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State and almost-President of the USA. Do two things before you turn to the first page. First, read the acknowledgements. The two women were writing this in tandem as therapy, which gives the narrative a recklessness that calmer authors couldn’t muster. Louise had lost a husband; Hillary, a brother. Second, staple the last two pages of the narrative with eyes averted. I’ll come back to that later.

Okay, it’s a spy thriller. A female US Secretary of State, Ellen, and confidante Betsy (named in memory of Hillary’s best friend) must cope with the overweening effrontery of a British PM whose hair happens to be permanently askew and a Russian President, Ivanov, who has this curious passion to bring Russia back to glory and seize power while subjugating the US. Contrary to expectations, Hillary (it must have been her, not Penny) does Putin (yes, the real one) a good turn – at America’s expense, but you’ll have to wait until almost the last chapter to find out why and how. The ex-president of the US is depicted as loutish and a braggart (oh, surely not).

The current US President in the novel is, er, not at all like Biden.

The plots and counterplots, the dives into rarefied back rooms, the encounter with Pakistan’s PM (a mite

too cruel) and – in what is, for me, the most enlightening scene of all – coded asides with Iran’s Supreme Leader are pure catnip to a seasoned news junkie.

Note that China does not feature – just as well with this level of exposure happening. There have been waspish critiques of this foreboding thriller from around the globe. Quelle surprise. And those two stapled pages? Not good news, I’m afraid.

THE BOOKSELLER’S SECRET Michelle Gable, HQ , $32.99 Barely room to mention a deliciously moreish novel. There are two time frames. In the present-day narrative, American Katie, who is suffering writer’s block, clatters through a quest to find Nancy Mitford’s lost or perhaps hidden book on refugees.

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In the 1940s chapters, Nancy works in a bookshop (which exists today, owned by Peregrine, Duke of Devonshire, son of Nancy’s youngest sister, Deborah).

Half of the characters are real people. The Mitfords’ father believed that education robbed girls of their femininity. Their mother declared that she could neither love nor like her seven children but would do her best, and they rarely complained.

Most of the events really happened – Nancy did indeed dob in her fascist sister to MI5; Diana was subsequently jailed. Yes, sister Unity was Hitler’s chosen one and put a bullet in her own head (but didn’t die); and sister Jessica was a Communist. This is what happens when girls don’t go to school – they don’t learn to conform.

Gable’s novel spins and sways like a top. Enchanting

EDUCATION

FROM LEFT: Sisters Annabelle, Jane, Peggy and Kate with Pete, the family’s beloved 14-year-old Foxy Lhasa apso.

136 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

L E S S ONS I N L I F E

HAVING SENT FOUR DAUGHTERS OFF TO BOARDING SCHOOL, WENDY AND ANDREW HENNING SAY THAT COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO THRIVING WHILE LEARNING FAR FROM HOME. WORDS CLA IR E M ACTAGGA RT PHOTOGRAPHY EDW INA ROBERTSON

EDUCATION

AS SOON AS THE FOUR HENNING GIRLS return home on

holidays, they don their work shirts and set off to immerse themselves in the 5867-hectare family cattle property, Merchison Park, some 75 kilometres south-west of Glenmorgan in Queensland. “When they’re all home, there seems to be a lot of meal times, a lot of laughter, a lot of conversation, but also a lot of hugs,” says their mother, Wendy. “It’s a hive of activity and productivity because they are our workforce. I call it ‘the rainbows of my life’ because the clothes line is full of colourful work shirts, the conversation is endless – and the advice that Andrew and I are now given is also endless!”

Annabelle, 21, Kate, 19, Peggy, 16, and 14-year-old Jane attended the nearby Teelba State School and knew that their high school years would be at a boarding school, due to the fact the closest high school is two hours away.

This year, Peggy is in her senior year at St Hilda’s School at Southport, while Jane is in year 10. Eldest daughter Annabelle plans to use her early childhood qualifications to become a nanny, after time working as a station hand at Melinda Downs, near Cloncurry. Meanwhile, Kate will study education while working as a nanny at Julia Creek.

When it was time to choose a boarding school, Wendy, 47, and her husband Andrew, 50, explored all options.

“One of the criteria was that they would be able to get to each other as siblings. They are extremely close and each other’s greatest support network. We had to make sure they’d still be able to do that,” Wendy says. Another prerequisite was that the girls be treated as individuals.

After enrolling them at St Hilda’s School, about a six-hour drive from Merchison Park, the duo explained the benefits of boarding. “We really emphasised the advantages of going away, and the opportunities – socially, academically and sports-wise. Also, it’s a chance to broaden their horizons and meet new people,” Wendy says.

It can be a fine line, however, when working through homesickness. “It’s communicating, but not so much that it’s a constant reminder of what they’re missing at home,” she says. “That’s when we developed a strategy that we’ve used for all four girls: we waited for them to call us because

we were conscious of not wanting to interrupt their opportunity to partake in things in the boarding house.

“We let them call us or we’d send a text and say, ‘Are you right to talk?’ If we knew they didn’t want to because it was too hard, we’d just send pictures – a tree flowering or cows out in the paddock – just so they knew what was going on. Once there was more than one [child] away, we started family chats on various social media platforms so that family connection was always there.”

Wendy emphasises the importance of two-way communication with boarding staff to keep abreast of what’s happening. “So often, when our kids are away, it is emotion-driven. We’ve laughed about it over the years with the girls and I’m very mindful of not overreacting,” she explains. “If they rang and told me something was really drastic at school, there’s not a chance in the world that I am going to react that night. I like to sleep on it and find out what the situation is the next day. That may be with a quick email to the school to say, ‘Are they okay today?’ Sometimes their world is overwhelming and they need calmness on the other side of the line.”

Participating in an extracurricular activity each term is also recommended. “It’s idleness that can often lead to unhappiness,” Wendy says. “When they are playing sport or doing another activity, they’re not sitting in their rooms. If you’re part of an activity with other girls, you feel included and don’t feel as desperate or as lonely.”

Wendy is a state and federal councillor with the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association, which lobbies for better educational opportunities for rural and regional students.

“It’s important to take an interest in their education and when we come to a hurdle, I think, ‘How lucky am I that I’m able to do something about that,’” she says.

“We’ve always said to the girls: ‘You don’t have to be best friends with everybody, but you have to treat everyone with respect. Make sure your clothes are named, do your washing and put it away.’ It’s just the simple things… but really [we want] to make sure they embrace the opportunities that are there. When they come home from school for the holidays, it’s just beautiful.”

“We emphasised the advantages of going away, and the opportunities.”

138 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Merchison Park buzzes with energy when the sisters arrive home for the holidays; there are plenty of jobs to be done and the girls love pitching in; it’s time to grab a hat and boots for a day of work and fun on the property; winding down with a sisterly chat; the Hennings – and pet dog Pete – enjoy downtime together. It’s a treat for Wendy and Andrew to have everyone under the one roof. FACING PAGE There’s no place like home.

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Enjoy painting workshops or online painting classes from home!

Start your art & get your creativity flowing in 2022, even if you have never painted before. It’s time to take the plunge!

Learn in person with me or online. Either way, my Blooms teaching is proven to deliver beautiful paintings quickly that grow your confidence. Apply your learning to any subject matter!

'You know how to bring out the best in all of us, Jac. I have learned so much! I was looking for a teacher with a rich depth of knowledge and I have found you' – Roby Z, SA (Blooms student) Dec, 2021

BOOK NOW THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO LEARN WITH ME BOOK your transformational BLOOMS PAINTING WORKSHOP experience in Australia or overseas Blooms Painting Workshops are available again in • Sydney • Melbourne • Perth • Sunshine Coast • The Barossa Valley • Hamilton in NZ • Los Angeles • French Art School France No previous experience necessary. Art materials & catering included.

Check out my inspiring France tour & paint options.

Master acrylic paints.

Learn the Blooms 1 & Blooms 2 painting methods and create two stunning Blooms paintings. Learn how to handle you inner critic.

For the latest dates & locations to suit you, please visit; https://artscreativehub.com/workshops

Learn to Paint Blooms Online from the comfort of home

Work at your own pace with Blooms Art School Online learning. Choose from one off Blooms painting projects such as Paris Rose with concise informative video tuition & live online get togethers.

Transform your life when you enrol in my proven 2 year painting programs BLOOMS MASTERCLASS or The New Edition MAKE MONEY FROM ART, each with live online classes and plenty of support plus one to one mentoring sessions.

Become a confident painter or a successful selling artist with your own style. Enrol at any time. Enjoy mentoring support, frequent live online workshop training sessions and the wonderful Blooms Artist Community. Hang out with like-minded others.

For more information and exciting choices please visit; https://bloomsartistcommunity.com/workshops

My Blooms Painting Method is NO FAIL. I regularly assist total newbies to transform into artists! And YES, you can really do this!

Learn from me, Jacqueline Coates, a 5 star reviewed art teacher who puts her students first.

I am known for my generosity, compassionate approach and sharing of my rich knowledge as a successful selling artist and global art teacher.

Based in South Australia, I have students in Canada, Australia, NZ, Europe, the UK and the US.

Jacqueline Coates

artscreativehub.com/workshops • bloomsartistcommunity.com/workshops Enquiries to my Blooms Assistant +61 412 587 438 or email jacquelinecoates1@gmail.com

TO ADVERTISE CALL 02 9282 8369

MUDGEE, NSW

Stay

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info@evamorvalley.com.au Evamor Valley evamorvalley www.evamorvalley.com.au

Enjoy unparalleled luxury and comfort in this stunning heritage property. Let the warm hospitality and tranquil peace overtake you… It’s all about the detail and intimacy here at Bishop’s Court Estate Bishop’s Court Estate 226 Seymour St Bathurst NSW 2795 Ph: 02 6332 4447

www.bishopscourtestate.com.au

Creating unforgettable memories for family or romance

Nestled at the base of Wollumbin, Mt Warning is Mavis’ Kitchen & Cabins.

Surrounded by rainforest & lush gardens is a modern Australian restaurant, organic produce garden, eco-friendly B&B, featuring 4 cabins dotted throughout the 24 acre property. Each cabin has private gardens & decks. The Farmhouse can sleep up to 14 guests, or hidden up a winding road is the Secret Cabin.

Degustation’s, private dinner parties, elopements or stroll the gardens at your leisure.

There is magic here …..

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HOMESTOLOVE.COM.AU/COUNTRY-STYLE

New South Wales

New South Wales

W W W. B Y N G S T R E E T H O T E L . C O M . A U

Mudgee’s luxury glamping experience.

Located on a stunning 80-acre property alongside the Cudgegong River, just minutes from Mudgee’s CBD and wineries, Evamor Valley offers guests the chance to get back to nature in style. Bookings available for 2022 – special mid-week rates apply.

COUN TRY A ND COA STA L R ETR E ATS

EVAMOR VALLEY

THE LITTLE COOKING SCHOOL MUDGEE, NSW

The little cooking school offers informal, relaxed cooking classes showcasing the best regional produce resulting in a delicious, leisurely lunch.

Adjoining the school is a newly refurbished accommodation sleeping 8. Fully self-contained and stylishly appointed. Accommodation, dining and cooking class packages available.

0400 417 711 6 Henry Lawson Drive Mudgee www.littlecookingschoolmudgee.com.au

JANUARY 2022 COU NTRY ST Y LE 151

COUN TRY A ND COA STA L R ETR E ATS

New South Wales | Queensland | Tasmania

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Book at thevintnersdaughter.com.au, phone 0408 207 331

Wrap yourself in historical luxury in the heart of Tasmania’s North

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R e d f e at h e r i n n

stay eat relax - a slice of European style

Luxury accommodation, cooking school and bespoke intimate rustic dining, minutes from Launceston. Wander in our garden and meet and chat with your very own chef.

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 02 9282 8369

COLLECTABLES

AT THE MUSEUM CONVICT JOSEPH LYCETT’S ARTISTIC TALENTS PAINT A VIVID PICTURE OF 19TH-CENTURY LIFE IN NEWCASTLE. CONVICTED OF FORGERY in 1811, Joseph Lycett arrived

in the convict settlement of Sydney in 1814, aged about 40. After a short stint working as an engraver and a clerk in the police force, Lycett was once again charged with issuing forged notes and sent to the Newcastle settlement.

Life in the place reserved for the worst reoffending convicts was grim. The men were put to work cutting timber, mining coal, and burning shell for lime. The settlement was very primitive but, under the command of Captain James Wallis, more orderly development soon gained the praise of Governor Macquarie.

Knowing that Lycett had skills as an artist, Wallis tasked him with painting views of Newcastle that demonstrated Wallis’s achievement.

The best known of these paintings depicts a neat and well laid-out settlement, dominated by the church, reputedly designed by Lycett. In the foreground we see three figures returning from a hunt. A well-dressed man with his gun over his shoulder leads the return from a successful catch. He is followed by a barefoot convict who carries a kangaroo over his shoulder. The third figure is a naked Aboriginal person carrying a spear and the day’s supplies. Four kangaroo dogs accompany the hunting party. In this precise detail, Lycett captured life in the settlement.

On a visit to Newcastle today, there are only a few reminders of the earliest days of the convict settlement. Lycett’s paintings in the Newcastle Art Gallery collection tell us so much more.

Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman St, Newcastle, NSW, (02) 4974 5100; nag.org.au

$500

COLLECTABLES JOHN McPHEE EXAMINES A STRIKING ASHTRAY WITH A FEMININE FORM. I INHERITED THIS old jade ashtray from

my grandparents, and I would love to know if it’s worth anything. It has no marking on it to indicate a brand or country of origin. It weighs 1540 grams, and measures 20cm in length, 13cm across and sits 7cm in height. Thanks.

Terrina Mesaric, Cooranbong, NSW With its voluptuous nude lying in the waves, this is a very sexy object. The woman’s hair and the stylised face suggest it was made in the late 1920s or 1930s in the Art Deco style. It is a very stylish piece. The material is not jade but glass imitating malachite, a dark-green, semi-precious stone. The Fabergé workshops in Moscow were famous for luxurious malachite objets d’art. Malachite was found in the copper mines at Burra in South Australia and goldmounted malachite brooches were popular in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, glass manufacturers in the Bohemian region of what is now the Czech Republic imitated gemstones including malachite. Sometimes called Desna glass, a similar glass bowl was sold at auction in Melbourne in 2009 for $474.

John McPhee is an art historian who has worked in art museums for 30 years, and was curator of Australian Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Australia.

WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

This painting of Newcastle by convict Joseph Lycett dates from around 1818.

Do you have a precious object that puzzles you or a mysterious item that has been in your family for generations? Send your inquiry, along with a colour print or high-resolution digital image, your suburb or town, and your daytime telephone number, to hannah.james@aremedia.com.au. The photographs must be clear and show the whole object against a white background. Photographs will not be returned, even if they are not published.

JANUARY 2022 COUNTRY STYLE 153

COUN TRY SQUIRE

WHEN IN ROME… ROB INGRAM WANTS TO REORDER THE CALENDAR AND BEGIN THE NEW YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE. One, who’d blindly followed me to the back o’ beyond from a dazzling career in fashion publicity… and hasn’t let me forget it.

“What – the sandals?” I presume.

“No, the toga,” she says. “It is a toga, isn’t it?”

Surely you can choose something cool and loose on a summer day without being accused of emulating a citizen of Ancient Rome. But, okay – that’s only half the story.

January does, in fact, bring out the Roman in me. The thing I most admire about the Romans was that they began their year in March. Any civilisation smart enough to shift January and February to the backburner has my respect.

January is no way to start a year. Consider the last day of December: celebration, jubilation, fireworks, joviality, more fireworks, euphoria, revelry, more fireworks, gaiety.

Then turn the page to January: sluggish, lethargic, slothful, indolent, aimless, listless, torpid, sedentary.

The only good things about January are cricket and cold beer… and the cricket often disappoints. For centuries, humans have assumed that January will be a source of renewal and optimism. In fact, it’s a perpetual Okay, so January has an identity crisis… and it gives reminder of man’s imperfection; of scrapped resolutions; everyone else one. February can boast Super Bowl and cold of previous convictions. January is a dud month. It’s beer. Its most redeeming feature is that it is short, but it’s dishonourable, ignoble, shameful and shabby. really not much more worthy than January. And so we Look at August: International Peace Month. A salute come to March, the Roman calendar, and a fitting start to harmony, freedom and justice. October is Mental Health Month – a chance to challenge misunderstandings. to a self-respecting year. March brings with it the dignity of Zero Discrimination Day and even National Ravioli Day. January is National Bath Safety Month – time to attach The Roman calendar observed just 10 months. Ask those grab-handles to the shower cubicle. And to learn to recite of us living in the bush if we could that Bath Safety mantra: “Preserve GS do without January and February, dignity while ensuring safety.”

“THE ONLY GOOD THIN and it’s like saying: “Could you do If anyone should understand ABOUT JANUARY ARE without droughts, dust storms the importance of observing bath CRICKET AND COLD BEER.” and bushfires?” safety, it’s me. Looking back, I can No good ever came of a January New Year. With it came see that I might have tested my parents’ patience, but the bath ‘toys’ they chose for me did seem to smack of extreme the ancient origins of bribing magistrates and politicians… which, we’ve shown, can easily be done year-round. With it, prejudice. Dad would jokingly toss an electric fan heater today, comes post-Christmas detox and bills. Meanwhile, in the bath to keep me – and him – amused. Mum would the 10-month calendar has endless benefits: 60-month pretend to drop the hairdryer – while turned onto the high furniture repayments would be spread over six years cyclone setting – in the water. No wonder I had bad hair instead of five. There’d be just 10 monthly bills to Foxtel. in those early photos.

Plus, fewer rent payments, power bills, alimony payments…

But January’s claim to fame as Bath Safety Month So, please excuse the toga. As an indicator of gender, hardly places it among the highest virtues of social status and social class, it’s the perfect garment for a man impact. Bath Safety falls short of addressing the most of my position. My position is recumbent in front of the TV. pressing issues in our society. In fact, it rates somewhere Watching the New Year’s cricket test. Just like last year. around National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

154 COUNTRY STYLE JANUARY 2022

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY ABBIE MELLE BACKGROUND PHOTOGRAPHY SAM MCADAM-COOPER STYLING PHOEBE MCEVOY

“WHAT’S WITH THE ROMAN LOOK?” demands The Chosen

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