Fleurieu Living Magazine Autumn 2024

CURTAINS & BLINDS

The colours of the Fleurieu in Autumn. Awesome!

Sarah Homes are number 1 for holiday homes and homes that make you feel like you’re on holiday. It’s easy to see why!

They’re designed to include generous living areas and expansive decking. A brilliant space for entertaining or just relaxing. Wide opening sliding doors and full-length windows deliver wonderful views and let you retreat to sunlit comfort.

We have a great selection of 1 and 2 storey home designs. Visit a Sarah Homes Display soon and discover just how easy it is to enjoy The Fleurieu’s easy lifestyle.

Our display homes are open 7 days a week and are located at Victor Harbor, Old Noarlunga, Mile End, Pooraka and Murray Bridge*. Visit our website for details.

Key Personnel

Petra de Mooy

Petra started her career as a furniture designer/maker, but always had aspirations to write so … why not start a magazine? Making the connections we’ve made and getting to know this region in-depth has been a gift.

Jason Porter

Jason has worked as a graphic designer, creative director and more recently photographer for thirty-five plus years. When not in the office, he can usually be found tweaking the crossover filters on his ridiculously over-the-top audio system.

Hollie Connery

After over a decade at sea and traversing some of the world’s wildest places, Hollie has landed back home on the Fleurieu. With a diverse repertoire of experience, Hollie comes to her role at FLM with a deep connection to land, community and culture.

Heather Millar

Heather Millar is an editor and life story writer. She has also recently become a farmer. Kind of. She and husband Adam Rickard are the proud new owners of Tanamera Christmas Tree Farm in McLaren Flat. Ho ho ho.

Kate O’Donoghue

When not engaged in presenting the world with Play Pouch, the innovative toy storage bag and mat she co-designed, Kate enthusiastically embraces the vibrant culture of the Fleurieu. She is a without a doubt a valued addition to our team.

Other contributing writers, photographers and stylists:

Jack Brown, Zoe Kassiotis, Mark Laurie, Kate Le Gallez, Alana Pahor, Myriah Smith, Katie Spain, Nick Stock, Grace McDonald and Harry Vick.

Publisher Information

PUBLISHER

Fleurieu Living Magazine is published four times a year by Fleurieu Living Pty Ltd. ISSN 2200-4033

PUBLISHING EDITOR AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

Petra de Mooy petra@fleurieuliving.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Jason Porter jason@fleurieuliving.com.au

EDITOR

Heather Millar

ADVERTISING SALES

Hollie Connery hollie@fleurieuliving.com.au

Kate O’Donoghue kate.o@feurieuliving.com.au

PRINTER

Newstyle Print DISTRIBUTION

Wrapaway

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Print: isubscribe.com.au Digital: zinio.com

ALL ENQUIRIES

Petra de Mooy petra@fleurieuliving.com.au

POSTAL ADDRESS

PO Box 111, Aldinga, South Australia 5173. ONLINE fleurieuliving.com.au facebook.com/FleurieuLivingMagazine instagram.com/fleurieulivingmagazine/ COPYRIGHT

All content copyright Fleurieu Living Magazine Pty Ltd unless otherwise stated.

While Fleurieu Living Magazine takes every care to ensure the accuracy of information in this publication, the publisher accepts no liability for errors in editorial or advertising copy. The views of the contributors are not necessarily endorsed by Fleurieu Living Magazine.

Printed on paper from well managed forests and controlled sources using environmentally friendly vegetable-based inks.

Family owned and operated since 1991. Telephone 8552 3055. Find us at baileyhomes.com.au or like us on Facebook.

A special thanks to the advertising partners that have made a long-term commitment to FLM.

Alexandrina region:

Mount Compass on 8 April (Bookings 03 9005 7750) Aquafest on Barrage Road, Goolwa on 8 and 9 April

*Goolwa Art and Photographic Exhibition at Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa from 9 to 23 April

*The Amazing Magic Mike - Kids Magic Workshops at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 17 April

South Australian Wooden Boat Festival at the Goolwa Wharf Precinct on 22 and 23 April

*Cole - starring Michael Griffiths at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 26 April

Silent Disco 4 Kids Party at Strathalbyn Library

Community Centre on 27 April

*Sista Girl, at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 5 May Our Mob 2015, Aboriginal arts at Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa from 5 May to 11 June

Good Things Small Packages, at South Coast

Regional Art Centre, Goolwa from 5 May to 18 June

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - The Elton John at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 20 May * tickets/ booking required

www.visitalexandrina.com or call Council’s Visitor Information Centre on 1300 466 592 . Alexandrina Council culture program in 2017. View a copy online for more events in the region, www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au

SPONSORS

From the publishing editor

This past few months have not been easy for us here at FLM. On a personal level we all felt a lot around young people who were taken too soon and want to honour them on these pages. Our friend Jodi Honnor lost her son Ben Figuron, and both Kate and Hollie, our advertising managers, had sons who surfed and skated with Khai Cowley who also passed away. Collectively we had so many friends and family who loved these young men, but as much as sadness prevails, we found light and healing in hearing about the fundraising efforts made to rally around and support the families.

It never ceases to amaze us how this community will reach out and lend a helping hand and to also hold space to celebrate and reflect on the lives lived.

In February we also lost my mother, Jopie. I feel sorrow that she is gone and that we will not have any more of our deep conversations about world events or family events or just to show each other what we were knitting or making. She taught me so much about art and design. She had a flair for colour and a kind of bohemian, preppy style. She always said if something she was doing or wearing was frivolous, ‘You just have to do it sometimes.’ She was always taking us out for a treat because ‘we deserve it’. She was a generous woman and we will carry on in that spirit.

Jason and I are now officially becoming older and wiser.  As the Autumn issue took form it felt a little surreal getting everything done amongst it all, but once we put all the pages together again, we became really proud of our combined efforts.

Below: Friends, family and community members gather at Seaford Beach to honour the memory of young surfer Khai Cowley. Photograph by Liz Wright.

South Coast South Coast

FOOD, WINE & SPIRITS

50 W illunga Farmers Market: Chef Todd Steele with ‘keep it simple and local’ recipes

54 D rinkability: Wine reviews by Nick Stock

52 Places we love: Hey Juj, McLaren Vale

12

PLACES TO EXPLORE

82 Create your escape : Southern Fleurieu

36 Noteworthy new locales in the region

62 W ild South Coast Way

10 Take One: Hollie Connery

102 K hai Cowley 7 June 2008 – 28 December 2023

& DESIGN

24 L ayers of meaning: artist Emma Fält

58 C eramic artist: Shane Connery

96 Local selections: designer made, off-the-shelf and made to order

56 My style: Michelle Attard of M AD Studio

88 B ruce Munday: those dry stone walls 78 Studio Fleurio

BOOKS & WORDS

92 Autumn book reviews from South Seas Books

104 O ut and About: W hy aren’t you at work?

100 FLM Summer launch at Varney Wines

FASHION FEATURE Recycled Runway VENUE FEATURE Yeo Haus LIFESTYLE FEATURE Van Life

Take One

Hollie Connery

What are your connections to the region?

My family moved to McLaren Vale from the Barossa when I was in my final years of high school. It felt like this constant holiday, growing up. I loved being anywhere near water so when we moved, I launched into a complete explosion of ocean-based activities. I became enamoured with sailing, surfing and freediving and remember jumping off some very high cliffs that first summer.  Before I even owned a car or licence I had purchased a decrepit tinny full of rust with some friends, and we would skip school to launch this unseaworthy vessel to squid and freedive. I really fell in love with this area over that time.

You spent some of your work life as a skipper. How did this come about?

I was raised by hard working parents that always encouraged us to travel so I started early and at 17 hitchhiked up the east coast with about $300 to my name. A stroke of serendipitous luck while selling poetry at a music festival landed me my first job as an apprentice, diving shipwrecks off the Queensland coast. I had returned to university to study environmental science, and purchased a small allotment of land in northern Thailand with a group of enthusiasts to start a permaculture community. I thought that would be my life. The trajectory of my twenties took a turn whilst visiting my sister in Darwin. We talked our way into a spot on a sailing regatta around the Maluku Islands, West Timor and East Papua New Guinea, despite having zero sailing experience. I just loved every second of being at the mercy of the ocean and that was it for me. I spent almost the next decade out to sea in a range of industries, from Pearl farming in the Buccaneer Archipelago off the coast of Northern WA to driving whale shark tours on the Ningaloo. When Dusty came along (my eldest son) I drove a tour boat with him in a sling on my back. A lesser known reality is that you spend a lot of time at sea simply waiting - for the weather to turn, tides to change or on long passages. The forced introspection allowed me to spend half of my twenties with my nose in a book and writing stories. Although I no longer skipper vessels, my love for storytelling has remained.

What does community mean to you? How has life evolved now that you have a family?

Community is made up of millions of micro moments. Everytime I came back to the Fleurieu to visit my family, I would pick up conversations with people on the street as though years hadn’t passed since I’d been back. I can go for a surf and bump into someone that made my morning coffee and have dinner with my parents. Everything is in those moments for me. I returned to stay with my family when my grandmother passed away and something shifted in me on that visit. My love for my family and the connection with this community surpassed the love I had for the life I thought I wanted, and I have been back here ever since. It is easy to find beauty and adventure on this stretch of soil, with its empty beaches. There is so much this coastline has offered me over the years, and after a time it starts to feel like an old friend, the land itself. My days are spent showing my three children all of the magic I have found hidden across the Fleurieu, and I hope that if there ever comes a time they need it, this place can offer them a home, a place to return to and be known and feel a part of.

Where do you like to go on the Fleurieu for coffee, to eat and drink?

There are so many places to get a great coffee and I know most of the baristas (a sign of someone who needs to get on top of their caffeine addiction), so it would be like choosing a favourite child to mention just one here; I just can’t. I love them all equally. (Willunga General, you are my favourite child).

If I ever need a moment of solitude, I get in the ocean then sit on the cliffs at Port Willunga and shuck oysters. That is where I take my friends who visit and wonder why I came back to SA; it is selfexplanatory. I could eat the mussels from Pearl perhaps every day for the rest of my life and my kids love Beaches cafe in Port Elliot for their turmeric smoothies. The Silver Sands Beach Club is my new authority on what wine to drink next because everytime I ask the bartender to surprise me, it’s delicious.

Above: Hollie Connery. Photo by Janey Fowler.

Make a date

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

March

Twilight Food Affair

Tatachilla Lutheran College, McLaren Vale 22 March, 4.30-9pm

Don’t miss one of the biggest family events in McLaren Vale, showcasing some of the best food and wine from the Fleurieu region and boasting a range of carnival rides, sideshow entertainment, live music and fireworks. The Twilight Food Affair is the perfect opportunity to make new memories with friends and family in the heart of vineyard country before the onset of winter. This year’s food line-up includes tasty treats from Italy, Mexico, Spain and Vietnam as well as crowd-favourites such as bush burgers, kransky dogs, spinning spuds, hot cinnamon donuts and fairy floss. No need to book: just rock up with a picnic rug. More information at www.tatachilla.sa.edu.au

April

Autumn Fair

Willunga Waldorf School, Willunga 1 April, 10-4pm

Join in all the fun of the Autumn Fair in the beautiful grounds of Willunga Waldorf School. Enjoy the village atmosphere, live music, coffee, cakes and good food. Discover local handmade products, plants and produce and the many activities available for your children to participate in. More information at www.wws.sa.edu.au

Aldinga Air Show

Aldinga Airfield

7 April, 10.30am-4pm

Aldinga Air Show is back for a day of high-flying fun. Head down to Aldinga Airfield for non-stop aerobatics, featuring vintage flying displays and modern high-speed aircraft feats. There are also 50 stalls and static displays to enjoy. Meet the pilots and their unique aircraft up close and personal, while the kids enjoy the range of children’s activities on offer. Buy tickets online at www.aldingaairshow.com.au

Goolwa Aquafest

Goolwa Aquatic Club

13-14 April

Experience the sights and sounds of vintage, classic and modern race and speedboats at this free, family-friendly event. See the boats in action on the water and check them out in close proximity in the pits. Enjoy a drink at the Goolwa Aqua Club, grab a feed from the food stalls and stretch out on the lawned banks with your family and friends. With a hot rod and classic car display and a vintage airplane  flyover, Goolwa Aquafest promises to be an actionpacked day on land, in the water and in the air. More info at www. goolwaaquaticclub.com/aquafest

Richard Hamilton Wines McLaren Vale Marathon

Richard Hamilton Wines and surrounds 21 April, 7am

This beautiful run through the vines set against the stunning backdrop of the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges also features a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a free kids’ dash – suitable for runners and walkers alike. With markets, cellar door, food trucks and kids’ activities there will be fun for all the family. Visit www. mclarenvalemarathon.com.au for more information.

Southern Surf Festival 2024

Middleton Point

27-28 April

Held at Middleton Point, the festival will feature over 200 competitors vying for State Championship status in shortboard, longboard and kneeboard surfing, along with inter-club twin-fin and midlength events. There will be music, food trucks, local wine, beer and much more. Supported by Alexandrina Council, the event is expected to attract thousands of visitors and attendees to the famed South Coast surf mecca. Visit www.southernsurffestival.com.au for more details.

NOTE: For long-time or even sometime readers of FLM, you may notice our ‘Markets’ listing has been omitted. In an effort to create more space to focus on what’s happening seasonally in the region, we’ve opted to move the listing to our website (fleurieuliving.com.au/markets).

May

Tasting Australia

A culinary celebration of cheese, food and wine with Dandelion Vineyards

Dandelion Vineyards, McLaren Vale

5 May, 10.45am

Immerse yourself in the world of fine cheese, gourmet food and exquisite wine with this exclusive tasting experience. Begin with an exploration of the Firehawk Farm, the McLaren Vale home of Dandelion Vineyards. As you walk among the vines, owner and winemaker Elena Brooks will share the rich history of Dandelion Vineyards. Next you’ll visit the Wonder Room, which boasts breathtaking regional views, and enjoy the food and wine the vineyard has on offer. Search for the event details and buy tickets at www.tastingaustralia.com.au

Kurrangk/Coorong Long Lunch

Coorong National Park

7 May, 9am-5pm

Explore the Kurrangk/Coorong in this cultural, culinary experience. Cruise on the Kuti Co Barge before foraging for pipis with guidance from a Ngarrindjeri elder. The exploration is followed by a long lunch, prepared by the Kuti Shack team with seafood and foraged native ingredients, along with wines from 2021 Young Gun of Wine winner Charlotte Dalton and Ben Cooke of Port Elliot cellar door The Joinery. Return coach transfers from Victoria Square are included in the ticket price. Search for the event details and buy tickets at www. tastingaustralia.com.au

Coriole Tasting Trail

Coriole Vineyards

11 May, 10.30am

Cheese, olives and wine are much-loved delicacies of Coriole Winery, and you can enjoy all three at their Tasting Trail. Coriole winemaker Duncan Lloyd and the cellar door team will host a tasting of wines ranging from traditional McLaren Vale shiraz to their new and emerging varieties. Coriole’s award-winning olives will be on offer, along with their olive oil – a pioneer of local production. Learn about the art of cheesemaking from Kris Lloyd and Mitch Lloyd and enjoy a selection of locally made cheeses. Search for the event details and buy tickets at www.tastingaustralia.com.au

2024 Alexandrina Council Heritage Awards

Milang Butter Factory

16 May, 6pm

The Alexandrina Council Heritage Advisory Committee are proud to present the 2024 Heritage Awards, commending the finalists and winners that demonstrate best practice and excellence in heritage tourism, conservation or restoration, adaptive reuse, heritage gardens and fencing, and historical research. The award evening,

with special guest speaker Peter Goers, celebrates the Alexandrina Council region’s rich heritage and the work that is being undertaken to preserve it. An SA History Festival event. Bookings are essential: alexandrina.sa.gov.au

Recycled Runway

Wirra Wirra, McLaren Vale 25 May, 6-9pm

Join McLaren Vale’s stylish sustainability movement at their debut recycled fashion runway event. McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association, She Sews and the City of Onkaparinga will showcase the creativity of local fashion enthusiasts, who’ve transformed preloved clothes into runway-worthy outfits. Watch as models walk the runway and garments are judged by a local panel, and engage in community-building conversations about mindful fashion choices. >

ART EXHIBITIONS

Miscellany

Coral Street Art Space, Victor Harbor 5 April–31 May

The Coral Street Art Space encourages the development of the creative cultural industry in Victor Harbor by providing a venue for artists, community members and groups to meet, work, exhibit, share, collaborate and learn. In April and May, visit to view the exhibition Miscellany, featuring the work of three Fleurieu based artists –  Margie Hooper, Linda Forrester and Peter McLachlan –who continue to explore and develop their art practice.

The Light Between

The Strand Gallery, Port Elliot 29 March–5 May

An exhibition of contemporary and innovative photography with David Hume, Ron Langman, Tricia Ross and Nicole Rix. The exhibition will be officially opened by Paul Atkinson.

Fleurieu Seascapes by David Hume – an artist best known for representations of the Australian landscape. He has lived his whole life near the Fleurieu Coast and the places in the photographs that form this exhibition. The seascapes in this exhibition have been shot on film in the gentle low light of dawn and dusk, using a technique of multiple exposures that reflect a way of seeing where it often takes more than one glance to take in the beauty around us.

Zoonoses

South Coast Regional Art Centre, Goolwa Until 28 April

Dr Nicola Hooper has taken the darker side of nature and turned it into exquisite, thought-provoking art. Through drawing and lithography, Hooper uses fairy-tale iconography and rhymes to explore concepts surrounding zoonoses: animal diseases that can infect humans. The exhibition Zoonoses explores how we perceive certain animals in the context of fear and disease.

Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize

Fleurieu Arthouse, McLaren Vale 7 June–14 July

The Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize returns in 2024 with three prizes to be awarded: the Fleurieu Art Prize, the Emerging Artists Prize and a People’s Choice Award. This year’s theme is ‘a sense of place’ with both  2D and 3D works exploring the theme. Judges are Lisa Slade, Assistant Director at AGSA, Brian Parkes, CEO at Jam Factory and Nicholas Folland, Head of Contemporary Studies and Sculpture at Adelaide Central School of Art.

Home by the bay

Story by Kate Le Gallez. Photography by Jason Porter. Styling by MAD Studio.

For 35 years, Geoff and Louise Hutchinson lived in the same house in Myponga. Then Geoff retired. ‘The house that we were in came with the job,’ explains Louise. ‘So we had to get out.’ It’s a characteristically modest way of describing their circumstances – Geoff and Louise are one of the trio of families who co-founded Fleurieu Milk.

Now they’ve swapped the green paddocks of Myponga for sweeping sea views over the Fleurieu coastline and the lowing of cows for the whistle and thwack of golf balls sailing towards the green at Links Lady Bay.

It’s a big change. Geoff was born and bred on a Myponga dairy farm and while Louise may not have been born down south, she’s got the Myponga-bred part covered, after her parents left Adelaide to become dairy farmers. The pair met through local sport. ‘He actually was in the same class as my sister,’ says Louise. ‘The joys of a country town I guess,’ Geoff adds, dry as a bone.

Until moving to Lady Bay, they lived together in an old farmhouse (built ‘when Noah was loading the ark I reckon’) and as they added four children to their family, they kept adding rooms. The kids all still live south of Adelaide, so when moving was on the horizon, Geoff and Louise naturally looked within the region. ‘We were never going to be in the suburbs anywhere,’ says Geoff. They chose a decent-size block (about 1000 square metres) on a dead-end road, but they’re clearly still bracing for the eventual arrival of neighbours as the adjacent blocks sell. >

Above: The modernist home at Links Lady Bay was designed and built by Finesse Built featuring a large undercover portico and beautiful warm wood detailing offset by white.

On the ‘pros’ side of the moving list – proximity to the golf course was a major draw for Geoff, while Louise is chuffed with the lack of dust inside the house and mud clinging to the car, both of which had been constant companions on the farm. Then, of course, there’s the sheer newness of it all, and the chance to enjoy something made just for you.

The couple worked with Glenelg-based Finesse Built on the design and build process. It was clear to Finesse co-founder Alan Cooper from their early discussions and meetings on site that this home should enable the clients to embrace their new lifestyle. That meant embracing the view and making the most of the golf course from the elevated site.

Alan took inspiration from a resort town a little beyond the Fleurieu’s borders. ‘We went for a tour to Palm Springs to see mid-century modern homes. And that’s sort of where this design came from,’ explains Alan. ‘And, particularly when we were over there in the US, we actually went to a few communities that are on golf courses.’

The mid-century influence is clear in the long lines of the v-shaped roof and minimalist exterior, while the separate portico and ramp for Geoff’s golf cart is pure Palm Springs. ‘Seeing the practicalities of having that portico and being able to roll home and park your buggy ... it was just so cool. We loved putting that together for them,’ says Alan. >

Page left: The kitchen by Artisan Joinery in whites and grey made super-functional and hospitable by the walk-in pantry and bar ready for entertaining.

Above: The deluxe entertainer’s living area features a credenza and coffee table by Timberwolf Design . Bottom right: Detail of a bespoke light above the bar. Top and bottom left: All interior design and selections by MAD Studio.

Located on the low side of the street, the main entrance leads into the top storey of the two-storey home. The entryway is a generous, welcoming space with slate underfoot set in a crazy-pave layout. A timber staircase leads down to the lower level, while the ceiling stretches up some three metres. Geoff has a framed large-scale map sitting in his office, ready to hang above the stairs, but it’s going to take some jerry-rigging to get into place.

The upper level is where Louise and Geoff spend most of their time. It contains the kitchen with butler’s pantry and bar alongside the open-plan living and dining areas. The space is meant to bring people together which is why, Alan explains, they kept the bar in the same room rather than creating a separate space that might lead people away.

MAD Studio advised Louise and Geoff on the interior design, based on a ‘very open brief’.

‘We wanted to create a warm family home, using colour, timber and tactile materiality,’ explains Michelle Attard, director of MAD. The kitchen fitout by Artisan Joinery features Polytec cabinetry in the softest olive green which gently contrasts with the grey-veined stone benchtops, while the Tasmanian oak battens under the kitchen island and into the walk-in pantry provide texture in harmony with the timber flooring.

Custom touches include a bespoke feature pendant light over the bar by Wiseman Made and a made-to-order dining table by Timberwolf Design, both Adelaide-based. ‘The palette is warm and soft, allowing the landscape to sit calmly alongside the home. It’s a very calm home,’ says Michelle.   >

Page left: A trio of super stylish bathrooms – one for the master ensuite and two for guests. Designed by MAD Studio, cabinetry by Artisan Joinery. Above: Master bedroom with views features a custom-made bed by Timberwolf Design. Bottom left: The wine cellar houses the Hutchinson’s impressive collection. Bottom right: Outdoor entertaining done right!

While social spaces claim the limelight, the master bedroom, robe and ensuite carve out a quiet corner retreat – both in the continuation of the soothing colours and quite literally through the acoustic design. ‘We created a bit of an airlock and really, really upped all the acoustics so that the main bedroom can be as quiet as possible,’ says Alan. It’s perfect for when one person (not naming any names) wishes to stay up later than the other.

It’s also an example of the thought that’s gone into the home’s liveability. Entering on the top level negates the need to be constantly climbing stairs, and from a practical perspective, the laundry is upstairs for the same reason. There’s also a guest suite so the grandkids can be nearby when they sleep over. The lower level is largely a self-contained space perfect for when their adult children

come to stay while also providing a few niceties, like the cellar built under the stairs.

The same consideration has been applied to the home’s exterior, with decks drawing the inhabitants outside to make the most of the view –even on the windiest days when blinds can be drawn to enclose the outdoor areas. They also protect one of the home’s most decadent flourishes – the cedar spa on the top deck.

The Hutchinson’s home is the perfect example of how good design can enhance day-to-day life. It’s a far cry from the old farm house where renovations responded to the circumstances, building on room-by-room. This home is all about intention, about choosing your lifestyle and, with the hard work done, enjoying it to the fullest.

Top: The backyard and decking area designed with family in mind. A place for the Hutchinson’s four children and their grandchildren to enjoy a BBQ, relax and take in the view over Lady Bay. Above: The home carves a long and sleek profile from the street.

Emma Fält: Layers of meaning

Story by Kate Le Gallez.

With so many creative pursuits, getting started can be the hardest part. The stark expanse of a blank canvas, or a blinker flashing benignly in a new document, can make even the most creative juices run dry. Some people feel crippled in this space between intention and action. Others, like Emma Fält, will themselves through the discomfort and create their own destiny in the process.

Of course, it didn’t happen quite that simply. Emma’s current home in Sellicks Beach is the most recent entry on a long list of places Emma has called home. Born in Sweden, she moved to America with her family aged three. After a year, the family moved to Norway. Then France. And then, for her teenage years, the Republic of Congo. She eventually finished her schooling in France before studying graphic design in Stockholm.

Then, after visiting her brother in Melbourne, Emma too packed her bags for Australia in 2008. The following years were tumultuous. Emma had her daughter Annabelle (now 13) in Melbourne and then moved with the baby’s father to Adelaide in 2011. Eventually she disentangled from what had become a toxic and unsafe relationship, but the resulting depression also took her creativity and she stopped working in graphic design.

If there’s a job that is the absolute opposite of being an artist, it could well be a sterilisation technician – and that’s where Emma ended up. It was a job that offered the stability she and Annabelle needed, but it was devoid of the creativity that nourished Emma. Small side projects at home – crafting, crocheting and painting – were fun, but only piecemeal.

Some years later, a chance to make a change came about unexpectedly: Emma’s back gave way and she learned she had a degenerative disc disease. On medical advice, she quit her sterilisation job. Fortuitously, she received a small inheritance at the same time which gave her time to breathe and consider what next. She and Annabelle packed their bags to set off on a trip around Australia.

‘I think I was probably at a crossroads in life where there’d been a lot of heartache and loneliness. And now I’m coming back to me and myself, and I’m being a lot more present with my daughter. It feels like I’ve lived in darkness for so many years,’ she says.

After their road trip, she landed in Sellicks and the seachange became the opportunity for personal change too. With one foot still planted in her old life, Emma reached out to artist Mariana Mezic for advice on how to start. ‘She’s like, “Just do. Just set up a little space … just go in there and do something for ten minutes. Just tell yourself: ten minutes. I bet you that after ten minutes, you’re still doing it and you continue”,’ recalls Emma. ‘If you still don’t like it after ten minutes, walk away, but show up for yourself. And if you do that every day, eventually you get somewhere. And it’s by doing >

Page left: Healing (120cm x 120cm). Above top left: Mother Love. Narelle King lost her son in custody (120x150cm). Top right: Sylvan Dream. Bottom left: Tiny Wildflower Astrid Dream Big (30x30cm). Bottom right: Collection of Tiny Wildflowers on wood.

and playing that you discover more of yourself and your art, and that’s how you progress.’

After two years of showing up for herself, Emma has found a process and style that fits her. Her colourful works are both delicate and bold, built up from layers of tissue paper and overlaid with handdrawn line work and detail. The beauty for Emma is in the process: ‘Allowing myself to be messy and not perfect. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t think about the end result. It’s the journey there, the process,’ she says.

‘You see mistakes happen and there’s beauty in the mistakes. Just sit with it and let it do its thing. It’s a meditation almost. It becomes a need.’

Often she starts with words or sayings – sometimes images, always flowers. ‘I sit with that and I free paint. I paint whatever comes up.

And then I use pens and pencils and I write on it so it’s a big mess. Then I start layering the tissue paper on top of that. So a lot of the detail underneath disappears, but some you can still see,’ she explains. ‘And it’s the layering – layers and layers, like flowers, petals. That’s what it is, basically, the symbolism of it.’

In the relatively short time she’s dedicated herself to art, Emma has exhibited as part of SALA and had pieces in the Fleurieu Arthouse and a solo exhibition at The Gallery at St Peter’s. She hopes to continue exhibiting in 2024, perhaps focusing more on incorporating portraiture into her work.

‘It adds to the layers, I think. I’m drawn to fighters of the system and where there’s been grief in the story,’ she says. ‘Because you can overcome anything. We are strong people. We’re humans. We are strong. Our souls can deal with anything.’ Look out for Emma Fält’s work at the Fleurieu Arthouse.

Above left: After Rain Comes Sun. Top right: Where the hills meet the ocean, Home. Bottom right: Emma Fält.

Recycled Runway

Photographed on location at Wirra Wirra Vineyards

Photography by Jason Porter

Shoes and bags compliments of Gorgeous Soles Model: Imari

On 25 May, Wirra Wirra’s century-old Barrel Hall will form the backdrop for the inaugural Recycled Runway event. The event will highlight artists of the region while showcasing the beauty of recycled fashion. The textile artists featured here were given the directive to create garments using second-hand denim.

Megan Caldersmith, She Sews

Megan at She Sews loves colour, dressing for fun and designing one-off garments. There couldn’t be a She Sews garment without a ruffle! The bodice top is constructed from pink jeans and tied together with a blue-jean side panel. Long straps hang for fun and texture. The skirt yoke is constructed from a straight denim skirt with a jean-panelled full skirt with ruffle trim.

Katja McCumiskey

Upcycled maxi-skirt and bodice.

Designed and made by newly graduated fashion student, Katja McCumiskey from Mount Compass High.

At YellowBird Lynley specialises in showcasing beautiful fabrics. This garment incorporates a recycled dress she found in an op shop. ‘It was unwearable but I loved the fabric,’ Lynley says.

Lynley Slater, YellowBird Handmade

Mady Stentiford, Peninsula Design

At Peninsula Design, Mady exclusively uses recycled materials to create reimagined one-off garments. The featured dress has been created by knitting custom-made denim yarn from secondhand jeans. Shoes from Gorgeous Soles.

Megan Caldersmith, She Sews

The white denim crop top features overall clasp straps and little denim pockets. The matching panelled skirt is constructed from jeans in shades of blue and white denim, all tied in with a customised bleach feature.

Bridget Gardiner, textile artist

Upcycled and seam-shredded denim jacket and jeans embellished with images from a children’s vintage-cotton, beach-house curtain fabric titled ‘Garden party’.

SATURDAY 6th APRIL 10am - 4pm

New locales

As the seasons change, and our region swells to cater for the summer crowds, owner-operated businesses emerge to meet this demand. A swag of new businesses blend the traditional charm of our coastline with fresh new tastes, sights, sounds and

Fossick Made + Found

When creative couple Farley Wright and Katrina Weber became unable to participate in design markets because of the COVID pandemic, they decided to explore new directions for their business. A shift towards more jewellery meant that a retail shop could now include elements of their production studio. The search began, with 2023 bringing many lessons through trial and error until the right space finally became available: a shop just a 10-minute walk from their Goolwa home. Thus, Fossick Made + Found was born, bringing locals authentic Australian creativity in a gallery aesthetic. ‘Fossick’ means to search through a mine’s tailings for precious stones and metals; in Farley and Katrina’s shop, you are welcomed in to search and discover that special item that is precious to you. True to its name, everything in the store is either designed and handmade by the couple, or something they’ve found made by a fellow Australian creative. Be sure to drop by and explore their collection of original, handmade and authentically Australian art, goods, and products.

Pizzarella

After a hectic 30-year career as a pastry chef and baker, Mark Brown decided to simplify his working life and focus on making one food extremely well: pizza. A Fleurieu local, Mark seized the opportunity to open a pizza venue in the area, sourcing produce and staff from the local community. Pizzarella offers traditional Roman-style pizza with some modern twists, along with ‘quaffable’ wines and beers. The menu caters to locals and tourists alike, with Pizzarella having received compliments from a visiting Italian family. Mark has instilled his ethos of honesty, value for money and accessibility into the establishment. Pizzarella welcomes visitors to stay awhile with its rustic charm. The tin shed is cosy and comfortable, with a potbelly stove inside for cooler weather and a lovely outdoor area. In the colder months, visitors can enjoy tiramisu, cannoli and soups along with local ports and fortified drinks. Mark is proud of his offerings and to be part of the Fleurieu community. Stop by for a quality pizza, cosy surroundings and a drink or two.

textures ensuring there is always something familiar yet exciting to encounter on the Fleurieu. Take a look at these new and revived offerings, and consider switching up your coffee stop or satisfying those retail therapy urges.

Tealicious Cakes

For Laura and her daughter Monica, it’s been a lifelong dream to open a family business where people can enjoy quality, homemade food. So, when the opportunity to take over ownership of Tealicious arrived, they took the leap. The duo, along with their dedicated Tealicious team, are excited to bring a slice of their Italian heritage to an already-wonderful array of goods. Laura and Monica have grown very passionate about the Fleurieu community and endeavour to bring out their Italian ethos in Tealicious, by sharing good food with people they care about. The venue offers home-baked goods and elegant, traditional high tea services. The duo pride themselves on using quality local ingredients where they can, incorporating them into crowd favourites as well as their own family recipes. Come visit for a coffee and cake or special occasion; you’ll be enamoured with the venue’s glittering crystal chandeliers and French provincial decor. As Laura and Monica will tell you, you’ll be able to taste the love in all their edible ‘works of art’. Family and heart are at the centre of everything they do.

RAW Bulk Wholefoods

If you’re after the ‘biggest and best’ range of bulk foods on the Fleurieu, RAW Bulk Wholefoods is where it’s at. New owners Sonja and Adrian Hurley, who just celebrated their one-year anniversary at RAW, are proud of the relaxed, fun atmosphere they’ve created. They’ve recently rebranded to celebrate and to officially put their stamp on the business. The pair began shopping at RAW when they moved to Hayborough in 2021 and took the opportunity to buy the business as part of their sustainability journey. Their love of the coastal lifestyle and Fleurieu community helped them to form great relationships with local business owners, whose array of products are on offer. Products come with sustainable packaging alternatives to encourage locals to reduce their reliance on plastic. If visitors have any questions, they can count on Sonja, Adrian and their staff for friendly, knowledgeable service, and there’s no need to buy and run – RAW encourages you to stay and catch up with friends over coffee and a locally baked cinnamon scroll. The store is also actively involved in community events, such as Fleurieu Food Festival and Coral Street Art Space’s Powerful Women Exhibition. If RAW is one thing, it’s passionate about promoting the Fleurieu region, its products and its people. >

Dais at Home, Mc Laren Vale

Opened late last year, Dais at Home – the McLaren Vale lifestyle and furniture boutique – provides a range of one-off pieces and quality furniture, including tables, dining and lounge chairs, and ottomans. The furniture is complemented by their range of gorgeous coastal homeware pieces, including lamps, vases and pillows. Dais at Home is all about family life and finding joy in the everyday; apart from furniture and decor, they stock a variety of skincare, clothing, beach products, mum and bub items, and giftware. Treat yourself to some Bopo Women body oils, indulge the kids with some cute swimwear or pick up the perfect birthday gift. There’s even something for the fur baby, with a range of stylish collars, harnesses, leashes and bandannas on offer. Stop by and enjoy the best the coastal lifestyle has to offer with Dais at Home.

Tregarthen Studio, The Range

Tregarthen is a place of stories. As current owners Cathryn Charnock and Peter Lockett will tell you, even its name is a story: ‘Tregarthen’ is a Cornish word meaning ‘house in the garden’. The farmhouse was built in the 1890s on a thousand acres. Over time it became a mixed farm with orchards, stock yards, a blacksmith’s forge and a cellar dug into the hillside. In the 1960s, the property was divided into smaller blocks, and when the pair bought Tregarthen in 2002, it was little more than a rundown farmhouse and derelict vineyard on just over 100 acres. Determined to write a new story, Cathryn and Peter set to work planting a garden, refurbishing the old house – now their home – and reestablishing the vineyard. A few years ago, they began to renovate an old shed near the house, turning it into a stunning studio. Featuring expansive views, recycled timbers, designer lighting and a wood fire, the studio is perfect for gatherings; Cathryn and Peter hosted a SALA exhibition there last year and have since hosted yoga classes, a pottery workshop and private gatherings. Could this beautiful, comfortable, calm space be the perfect spot for your next event?

Nudi Brews, Maslin Beach

Walking down Maslin Beach, local Beth Upton couldn’t help wishing there was a coffee van in the area. So, she decided to start one herself. Nudi Brews is a playful nod to South Australia’s famous nude beach, nearby where Beth sets up her van each weekend. Beth offers Maslin Beach locals coffee by Dawn Patrol, along with locally made croissants, baked goods and toasted sandwich specials that change weekly. Nudi Brews also does private events, catering to corporate, parties and special occasions. The freedom to do different things is what Beth loves about Nudi Brews; it’s given her the opportunity to set up in a variety of spots and meet many local people. She loves that she’s been able to set up a business on the doorstep of her favourite beach in South Australia. Come visit Beth for some beautiful beach views and a delicious coffee.

Any3Pieces, Willunga

Discover a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Willunga, where eclectic treasures await at Any3Pieces. Founder Janene Lyttle has brought her passion for unique furniture and homewares, along with her business expertise, from Queensland to the picturesque Fleurieu region. With a love for one-off pieces, Janene is also inspired by the ‘rule of three’ in home styling, with Any3Pieces embodying divine wholeness, completeness and perfection. Further embracing the art of odd numbers, Janene curates a collection that captivates with rich textures, vibrant colours and timeless patterns. Pop in and experience the allure of aesthetic intrigue, and elevate your living space with a blend of upcycled furniture from India, captivating artwork and vintage rustic pieces.  >

Pipi Middleton

Located centrally in Middleton on Goolwa Road Pipi Middleton, comprising Pipi Eatery and Pipi Stays, has rebranded and was reopened just in time for Christmas 2023 by new owners Gabi, Des and Del.

At Pipi Eatery, expect delicious coffee, cold pressed juices, fruit smoothies, old school milkshakes, açai bowls, granola bowls, housemade bakes, fresh and generous sandos and salads, plenty of smiles, welcoming banter and (hopefully!) some beautiful sunshine. Pipi Stays is their seaside accommodation, currently compromising Pipi Studio and two eco glamping tents, Pipi Moon and Pipi Star. Situated one block back from the Middleton foreshore, the spaces have been designed with relaxed comfort and peaceful tranquillity in mind. Relax and regenerate in the Pipi Stays spaces while enjoying the open natural expanse, local treats, fresh linen and quirky knick-knacks.

Angove Cellar and Distillery Door, McLaren Vale

Always innovating and changing to suit the times – a relatively recent addition to the award-winning wine and spirits at Angove’s McLaren Vale cellar door is the Vineyard Kitchen, headed by noted chef Georgie Rogers. Open for lunch featuring seasonal, reflective dishes made with the best from the McLaren Vale area. Enjoy the views in the newly appointed wine and spirit bar where you can try the full range of products from Australia’s oldest continually operating craft distillery – St Agnes. From the famous St Agnes brandy to Blind Tiger Organic Gin and the recently released small batch, single cask series of Camborne Single Malt Whisky, there is sure to be something that excites the senses. The wines on offer will certainly have you coming back for more, from the single vineyard expressions of regional Shiraz to new and emerging varietals, perfectly paired with sumptuous food.

From the ground up

Words by Sam Healy and Nick Dugmore.

In the spiralling tapestry of our interconnected world, there exists a silent hero beneath our feet. Despite our having degraded it to dirt, the profound science under our soles is beginning to scream. It is time for us to celebrate the need to cultivate our holistic well-being through the roots of the land. It is time for us to save our soil.

It may seem counterintuitive, but taking soil health seriously is crucial to the very foundation of our existence. Just like ‘mental health’, ‘soil health’ is unseen and can be challenging to fully understand. It takes effort to learn about it, and once you have, the need to make changes arises. Turning a blind eye has become easy because we’re so busy in this day and age. But again, just like mental health, we are talking about life or death. The vital truth is that soil is not just for growing succulents! Healthy soil fosters healthy crops, ensuring the food we consume is not only abundant but also nutritionally rich. It helps to clean water and prevent erosion, and determines the variety of plants and animals around us. By caring for the health of our soil, we safeguard the intricate web of life it supports, ensuring a resilient and thriving environment for present and future generations.

But we haven’t cared for our soil and the impact of this is profound, reaching far beyond the agricultural fields. ‘Dead soil’, characterised by poor fertility and depleted microbial activity, directly influences the food we consume. Nutrient-deficient crops grown in dead soil produce harvests that lack essential vitamins and minerals, compromising our physical and mental health. Unnecessary agricultural practices, which we have grown to believe are essential, have led to humans becoming the foundation of the soil food web rather than the plant naturally providing for itself. Ultimately, for soil to be healthy, it requires organic matter, much like we require quality nutrients. This comes from trees, bushes and plants shedding

their green litter and from animal waste. Extraordinarily, automated processes have taken these key elements out of farming, reducing the organic matter in our soils. Essentially, as the health of our soil declines, so does the nutritional value of what we grow and the overall well-being of communities.

It is at this point that we can celebrate the fact that there are already people on the front line. The ‘Save Our Soil’ initiative, spearheaded by the Indian mystic and author Sadhguru, has emerged as a beacon of hope for small communities grappling with ecological challenges. Focused on regenerating soil health through sustainable practices, the initiative promotes organic farming, agroforestry and water conservation methods. Not only seeking to rejuvenate the soil, it also aims to empower local communities nutritionally, emotionally and economically. Its emphasis on education and community engagement further fosters a sense of environmental stewardship, creating a ripple effect that benefits all in its path, much like soil itself does. This puts Sadghuru’s words into stark perspective,  ‘The strength of our soil determines the strength of every life,’ and helps to build the motivation to take action.

So, what does that action look like outside of a coordinated initiative like Save Our Soil? For long-time readers, you would know that we consistently talk about small steps, as they are easier to repeat and sustain.

The Netflix documentary, Kiss the Ground, narrated by Woody Harrelson, is a great place to start as it sums up the issues and suggests inspiring solutions. Another step is to grow something you can eat in soil you can trust at home. Eating nutrient-rich food that you grew yourself is addictive, providing a great sense of achievement while also assisting the cause. Or, by simply visiting places like the Willunga Market on Saturdays, you can literally smell the difference in produce grown in healthy soil as well as connect with passionate experts.

Whatever action you take, your body, mind and our soil will thank you for it.

Above: Save Our Soil was initiated by Indian mystic and writer, Sadhguru. Photo courtesy of Save Our Soil

Boombox Bootscoot

Dust off your boombox and get ready for a wild ride down memory lane!

Where Centenary Hall, Goolwa

When Saturday 24 February, Time 7:30pm

Things to know Cabaret event

Little Red in The Hood

A fun-filled fractured fairytale with timely educational messages.

Where Centenary Hall, Goolwa

When Wednesday 28 February

Time 10am & 12:30pm

Things to know Schools welcome Age 3 – 10 year olds

Jen de Ness in The Green Tile Tango

An entertaining musical about a local Tango club and the people who have loved and lost there.

Where Centenary Hall, Goolwa

When Saturday 16 March

Time 7pm

Things to know Cabaret event

or visit

Freaks of nature

Story by Zoë Kassiotis. Photography by Jason Porter.

Embodied, homeostasis is an increasingly rare sense of harmony, allowing us to maintain internal stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Eco-warrior husband and wife duo Chad and Emily Freak are going one step further. They are using their earth-charged environmental drive and community spirit to showcase the necessary synergy of a living, breathing home for the health of the planet.

A drive up Old Willunga Hill now offers a captivating glimpse of an earthship – its organic rendering and domed design reminiscent of a cave one would expect to see carved into a desert landscape. This fruit of loving, community-oriented labour sits atop Chad and Emily’s seven-and-a-half hectare Willunga property, with sweeping views north over the region’s vines right across to our sparkling coast and over to Mount Lofty in the east. ‘The curves create a round and natural feel that mimics what we see in nature. Nature doesn’t have

harsh edges like we build our homes with today, so it’s an organic feature that you both see and subconsciously feel,’ Chad says.

With their shared background in education in tow, Chad and Emily led a group of nature-loving volunteers through a four-week workshop that commenced last February. ‘I feel this experience brought together like-minded people and was the absolute highlight,’ Emily says. ‘It was just a great reminder of the importance of community.’

Chad and Emily then spent their days off chipping away at the build, as well as hosting working bees with family and friends to bring it all to completion by November 2023. ‘It’s the moment when the people who have spent time helping us return to see the final product that we experience those real moments of awe,’ Chad says. There’s something very wholesome about being able to recall the hands that worked in each of the spaces of a build. I get it when I see the summer sun passing through the coloured glass walls featuring the very bottles I matched together, now making for an artful statement. >

Page left and above: Standing in front of the building’s impressive façade, it’s impossible not to feel drawn to the claw foot bathtub, beckoning a sunset soak –local vino in hand.

Top left: It’s all in the details. Top rIght and bottom left: The greenhouse is a delightful attack on the senses, with stepping stones made from local Willunga slate leading to a sun bed that faces a young banana palm and lime-rendered archway to a rainfall shower. Bottom left and right: A concertina window into the kitchen allows the spaces to merge. Pillow, leather ottoman, vases and throw from Morocco by Mish. Floor rug by Mozaik Market

Like a sail, earthships harness the wind to steer, or in the case of a home, heat and cool themselves. Opening windows to the warm entryway greenhouse heats the living area while ‘earth tubes’ act as natural cooling ducts, cooling the outside air as it blows in. Designed to collect and store their own energy, earthships are at the forefront of the green building world. Equally ancient as they are futuristic, these fully self-sufficient builds have gained traction in Australia in recent years. South Australia is home to earthship design guru Martin Freney, of Earthship Eco Homes and the state now boasts a handful of striking eco homes. The Freaks worked closely with Martin to design Earth B&b Willunga as a ‘new and improved’ version of his own earthship in Ironbank.

After working on a similar project in Inman Valley, Chad and Emily were inspired to delve deeper into different ways of building using alternative materials. ‘We wanted to experience something that looked after itself and we saw the earthship as an opportunity to

make an income on our property and create the permaculture haven we’re striving for,’ Emily says. While their Willunga build has a distinct feel, it houses all the features typical of an earthship, with some three hundred earth-packed tyres comprising the back wall.

The earthship offers a unique view into a (better) world where discarded tyres, cans and glass bottles are the building bricks for a fully functional home. ‘These materials would usually be recycled, but repurposing them minimises the resources and energy required in the recycling process, making repurposing a better option,’ Chad says. Cob walls made from a temperamental mix of clay, straw, sand and water, earthen render, a thoughtful use of natural light, an abundance of greenery and rich timber finishings exude a sense of calm that washes over you upon stepping foot into the space.

A logical flow leads from the greenhouse through to a kitchenette where a Merbau wood breakfast bar commands attention, the >

Above: The hardwood against the raw earthy materials and soft green tiles – a harmonious mix with handmade pottery by Kirsten Treloar adding to the handcrafted elements throughout.

durable timber a nod to the earthship’s permanence. Inside, a 1960s Moroccan rug, handwoven from natural wool in the Atlas Mountains complements the rust-coloured linen bedding, autumnal tones working together to cocoon guests in the space. There’s a calming sense of synergy in every corner, from the ‘live’ timber clothes rack to the handmade ceramic tableware crafted from clay sourced on site.

When it comes to adopting a sustainable ethos, Chad and Emily both agree that the best home is one that is already built. With the

earthship as our teacher, there are practices that modern homes can take from sustainable builds, creating spaces that provide instant environmental benefits. ‘People can’t live in silos, so we need to create and sustain our physical villages,’ Emily says.

After offering those who worked on the build a chance to experience living in harmony with the land, the pair have opened the doors to give everyone the opportunity to sample the beauty of off-grid living and get inspired by the earthship way of life. Earth B&b Willunga can be booked online through Airbnb or Stayz.

Above: With the living, dining and kitchen in an all inclusive space, functional and simplistic furniture and storage areas are well planned. A linen towel from Loom Design adding to everything local and natural. Food from de Rose Kitchen and wine from Hither & Yon just down the street add to the provenance of place for proud owners Emily and Chad Freak.

Market to table: Chef Steele

Words by Mryriah Smith.

There exists a masterpiece in the Fleurieu’s ‘foodie’ world – a farmers market brimming with vibrant, seasonal produce, and a wholesome connection to the heart of a chef who understands that, at its core, good cooking is about the connection of quality food and the collaboration of the entire food community.

If you’ve had the pleasure of attending a wedding or indulging in a ‘foodie’ event in the Fleurieu region over the past decade, there’s a strong likelihood that Chef Todd Steele catered it. And for good reason, Todd has earned his reputation for possessing an unwavering, can-do attitude when it comes to bringing events to life, often conquering challenges in less than ideal locations, and in run-of-themill kitchens. However, it’s his simple but undeniably delicious cooking that steals the show. In a world of complex flavours and intricate techniques, he lets the quality of local ingredients shine through. His approach is a celebration of simplicity, proving that sometimes, the most delicious things in life come from keeping it beautifully straightforward.

Todd’s cooking has always been a tribute to the Fleurieu’s local produce, or as he fittingly calls them, ‘world-class’ products. His ability to elevate and celebrate these ingredients is what sets

his meals apart. No imported ingredients or convoluted techniques here – just honest, unpretentious cooking that lets the produce take centre stage.

His commitment to sourcing locally isn’t a trend; it’s a life philosophy for him. In Chef Todd’s world, conversations about his kids, his beloved football club and the local market suppliers seamlessly intertwine, all converging under one overarching theme: ‘It is always about relationships.’

He forges direct relationships with local suppliers, ensuring that only the freshest, seasonal produce finds its way into his kitchen. His menu is always based on recommendations direct from the producers on what is currently growing best – the result being a menu that truly reflects the heart of the Fleurieu. If anyone is the true embodiment of the farm-to-table philosophy, it is in fact Chef Todd Steele.

On Saturday mornings, you’ll find him in the midst of the 8am shoppers at Willunga Farmers Market. Armed with a list for a weekend wedding, he navigates the stalls, chatting with local vendors, on the hunt for the best supplies. For Todd, this routine is more than just shopping; it’s a personal connection with the community and with the producers of the region.

It is a strategy that seems to be working for him. With over two decades of industry experience under his belt, Todd boasts an impressive career that includes stints at renowned establishments such as the Victory Hotel, and successfully catering some of the highest-profile events in the region.

Above: Willunga Butcher’s lamb shoulder, green beans, tomato, olives and Choice Mushrooms, Lilyara goats curd bruschetta.

But what’s next for him now after climbing the ladder of the cooking world? His current mission is simple: to continue to produce quality, locally sourced food, and in doing so to inspire the next generation of chefs to also source locally. Todd’s humble and down-to-earth persona makes it clear that he’s not interested in competing, believing in the principle that ‘we can all succeed’. And based on that mantra, as a dedicated member of the Fleurieu Food Board, he actively contributes to orchestrating the ‘Chef’s Table’ events. These innovative gatherings build meaningful relationships between chef and local supplier, where cooking success is a shared achievement.

To summarise the message for chefs, home cooks and busy parents alike, it’s clear: if you want to cook like a chef, you need to source like a chef. Looks like we will all be joining the Willunga Farmers Market 8am crowd after all.

Choice mushroom, Lilyara goats curd bruschetta

Artisan sourdough, cheese and gourmet mushrooms need little preparation to sing.

1 Basket Range Baker baguette

150g Lilyara goats curd

1 pack Choice oyster mushrooms

50g Judith’s herb mix

Slice baguette,drizzle with olive oil and toast, spread with a generous dollop of goats curd. All topped with mushies cooked in butter. Gently dress herb mix with Peninsula Providore olive oil and serve.

Willunga Butcher’s lamb shoulder, green beans, tomato, olives

A hit of salt via the capers and olives elevates this simply prepared lamb and salad. Keep it simple but more importantly keep it fresh and locally sourced.

Lamb dish

1.2kg Willunga Butcher boneless lamb shoulder

1 pack Harvest the Fleurieu green beans

1 punnet Alnda Farms tomatoes

A pinch of capers

Coriole chefs blend olives

Jill’s herbs – whatever takes your fancy

Olive oil, salt and pepper

Judith’s micro herb mix

Slow roast lamb shoulder covered with a good splash of red wine @160* for 4 hours or until it starts to fall apart.

Blanch green beans in salted boiling water, cool slightly and add to all other sliced salad ingredients, dress with olive oil, salt and pepper. Top with Judith’s micro herb mix and enjoy!

Above: Chef Todd Steele.

Places we love Hey Juj

Words by Hollie Connery.

Young entrepreneur Elliot Brown has had his sights set on business ownership since high school. A growing desire for his grandparents to see his success in their lifetime is what ignited the bravery in him to open Hey Juj – affectionately named after his adored grandmother and matriarch of the family, Jilian. When he announced his plan at a family dinner, his grandmother burst into tears.

Anyone who has cruised down Main Street in McLaren Vale lately would have noticed the bold new flavour in town. A bright pink banner

stands where many great cafes have had their time, but this takeover is something entirely different. Cafe by day, late night cocktail bar by night, Hey Juj has landed in town and doesn’t plan on going anywhere, anytime soon. Offering a refreshing alternative to the many wine tours the region is known for, Hey Juj also has regular DJ sets and a license until 2am on weekends, making it the perfect place to have a fresh pour and dance the night away. It’s also a great ‘last stop’ for any tour in town.

THE EXPERIENCE

Hey Juj is an extension of Elliot’s signature eccentricity. It’s bold and fun, and a little unexpected. It serves up life as he likes to live it, daring and colourful, with cocktails for breakfast. You can grab your morning pick-me-up as early as 6.30 am, along with a delicate pastry if you are after a quick bite on your way through. If relaxing is on the agenda, they have an extensive all-day menu suitable for a brunch or long lunch with crowd favourites as well as some more surprising creations. Then as the sun sets, Hey Juj really gets dressed, everything from the music, the smells, sights and sounds comes alive and that’s before the cocktails and food start to flow. Perfect for getting a group of friends together or a fun date night.

DRINK

Everything and anything! This is where Elliot really has a handle on what to pour. The son of wine giants Mike and Melissa Brown of Gemtree Wines, his generational knowledge on what is best behind the bar truly shines. Take one look at the wine selection and know that anything that lands in your glass will be the best of the region. ‘I try to support as many locals as possible,’ Elliot says. And for those looking to cast their net a little wider beyond our local heroes, Elliot has curated a wine selection that spans toward Europe and beyond, putting those years of observation to good use.

LOOK OUT FOR

Taco Thursdays and bottomless brunches on the weekend, which are very popular. DJ sets until late into the nights on weekends are definitely growing in popularity, and earning a reputation as people look to spend their weekends locally instead of commuting into town for a boogie.

WHAT WE LOVE

‘People come for the boozy brunch and late night dancing, and me, well I  love a whisky sour and now i don’t need to drive to Rundle Street to get a good one,’ Elliot says.

Above: Hey Juj, McLaren Vale – cafe by day and cocktail bar by night. All day good coffee, great food and fine wine.

Above: Hey Juj owner Elliot Brown.

Drinkability

Wine reviews by Nick Stock

Autumn is the best time of year on the Fleurieu, just ask any local. The warmth continues through March and April, the sunsets are spectacular, and every winery is humming with the sights, sounds and scents of vintage. These four producers make wines perfectly suited to the season and each

S.C. Pannell

Stephen and Fiona Pannell have incredible wines on offer and their sprawling deck is such a great spot to gather with friends, sip wine and relax. The team here is so welcoming and knowledgeable – it’s the kind of place I always end up staying longer than expected.

Berg Herring

Chloe & Sam Dunleavy’s little converted church up the top of Sellicks Beach Road is an oasis. Grab a bottle and set up in their sheltered garden overlooking the beautiful coastline of South Australia. One of the best spots on the Fleurieu.

Samson Tall

A pair of floppy black labradors on arrival is always a treat; then as you enter this tiny, light-filled church you feel like you’re in a home overlooking a beautiful backyard. The wines here are great across the board, but Grenache is the main event so explore the various guises on offer – or try the lot!

Varney Wines

Alan Varney had a brewery, distillery, award-winning restaurant, winery and cellar door packed into the stone-walled enclave at the turn off to McLaren Vale. He’s now booted the beer, gin and restaurant to focus on winemaking. The cellar door here has stunning views over the Onkaparinga Gorge.

S.C. Pannell FiFi Fiano McLaren Vale 2023

A wine style so well-suited to our region, with a nose lightly perfumed with elderflower and bathed in citrus and white peach as well as fragrant sliced melon. Juicy energy on the palate, with a smoothly supple, fleshy feel and citrus, melon and peach fruit flavours. Drink now.

S.C. Pannell Basso Garnacha McLaren Vale 2021

The Spanish version of grenache is inspired by the versatility and drinkability the Spanish bring to this variety. From an outstanding vintage, it has attractive raspberry and red cherry fruits with a smooth and fluid feel. Try over the next four years.

S.C. Pannell Rosé Arido McLaren Vale 2023

There’s something about rosé and autumn that really gets me going. This dry, pale style (arido) sets itself apart from so many other wines in this category as it is so well tuned and balanced. Great winemakers finesse their wines beautifully and this is one of those. Drink now.

Berg Herring Sparkling Pecorino McLaren Vale 2023

Pecorino is an Italian grape variety that is taking a toehold in vineyards of the Vale. This is transformed into a bright, crisp sparkling, a little like prosecco – but better! It has bright acidity and good fruit definition with similar lemon and apple fruit characters. Drink now.

has a cellar door where you can relax, hang out with your friends, taste the wines and enjoy the essence of autumn on the Fleurieu.

Berg Herring Grenache McLaren Vale 2021

Spicy nose with raspberry, blueberry and mountain herbs. The palate has an even-handed feel with smoothly delivered raspberry and red currant fruit flavours. Proof positive McLaren Vale is a gifted place to grow and make grenache. Drink over the next three years.

Samson Tall Grenache Rosé McLaren Vale 2023

This top rosé has an attractive mix of cranberry, blood orange and ruby grapefruit with some strawberry and papaya aromas. The brightly sprung palate is a highlight creating a vibrant and juicy feel. Drink now.

Samson Tall Grenache McLaren Vale 2022

Attractive complexity of fruit and savoury characters with detailed texture. Herb and terra cotta notes weave through strawberry, red currant and raspberry fruits. Plush and rich feel on the palate with attractive fruit flavours. Drink over the next five years.

Samson Tall Tempranillo McLaren Vale 2021

Flavourful, supple and drinkable, this vintage has violet, blueberry and mulberry fruits on the nose with a subtle earthy edge. The palate is focused and gathered around a fleshy mid-section with blueberry and black currant as well as some chocolatey flavours. Drink now.

Varney Entrada GMT McLaren Vale 2022

So well suited to our laid-back local lifestyle. The grenache, mourvèdre and touriga all contribute pretty evenly to a supple mid-

weight red that has a run of red to dark berry fruits and a juicy, fleshy feel. So versatile and could even take a little chill if conditions are warm. Drink now.

Varney Mencia McLaren Vale 2023

This shimmery, glossy red has a smooth feel yet also a kind of crunchy edge. Red, blue and dark summer berry fruit aromas and flavours are attractively captured in a style that is fresh and juicy. This variety is one to watch in McLaren Vale. Drink now.

My style

Michelle Attard of MAD Studio

What’s your brand philosophy?

Designer Michelle Attard is one of five women who comprise MAD Studio – a boutique practice specialising in interior architecture and design. The team shares a variety of design skills and utilise their combined expertise to produce incredible spaces. ‘Our focus is always to create a detailed and complete package for our clients, be that a residential property, a commercial fit-out or simply a single space,’ Michelle says.

MAD Studio applies attention to detail and careful consideration to every project no matter how small or large. Here at FLM we love their style. Every detail really is considered in their design work and ethos. We asked Michelle what her personal design ethos encompasses: ‘Oh – how this changes as I evolve as a designer, as a woman and as I age! I am attracted to things that are handmade, tactile, unique and tell a story.

I love anything timber, artisan ceramics and natural stone, and I have become far more adventurous with colour.’

Prior to starting MAD in 2015 Michelle had worked in the building industry for 20 years, helping people bring their visions to life and she admits that renovating is her passion. ‘I have a huge appreciation for mid-century architecture but also love an old stone villa,’ she says. ‘I find myself most comfortable in something old that I can give a new lease of life to. I also love seeing a 3D render come to life.’

MAD provides clients with a professional and personalised service. ‘Our clients are our friends and our relationship throughout the duration of their project is so important to us,’ says Michelle. ‘Our clients are those who trust in us and our process, allowing us to create the best design solutions and wanting to have fun along the way!’

MAD Studio enables our clients to create their own aesthetic based on what their needs and style are. A project’s aesthetic encompasses more than just a style; it’s about location, the client’s brief and their individual needs.

Where do you hang out on the Fleurieu?

Our family love to spend time on the Fleurieu – beach walks with the dogs and surfing at Middleton and lunch and shopping in Port Elliot.

What do you do in your spare time?

Being outdoors as much as possible in nature. Love the beach and the river, spending time with friends and enjoying the amazing food and wine South Australia has to offer. We feel very blessed to live in this amazing state.

What interior trends are coming in 2024–25? Colour, colour and more colour!!! Using natural materiality to bring warmth and colour into homes and spaces we share. Colour trends are soft pinks, peach and terracotta.

Above: Product selections: a ceramic wall hook from Made and Found and Dish Wall Light from Robert Gordon Interiors . Bottom left and right: Two MAD Studio interiors from a home at Middleton. ‘This beachside holiday home encompasses many of our favourite artisans and suppliers.’

Above: The rugged cliffside walk at Port Elliot.

Above: A recent project at Lady Bay. See home on page 16.

The art of it

Story by Katie Spain.

Anyone with a penchant for South Australian food and wine has probably imbibed with or dined off an ES Ceramics creation, but Shane Connery’s handiwork goes far beyond the kitchen table.

It takes time and patience to master the pottery wheel. Fortunately, ceramicist Shane Connery has both.

The young craftsman grew up in McLaren Vale and studied jazz at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music before the world of pottery opened up to him.

‘As a little boy, I wanted to play basketball for the NBA,’ he says. ‘I never imagined this would be my life.’

Connery was living and playing drums in Europe when an encounter with a Spanish ceramicist set clay cogs turning. After returning to Australia in 2016, Connery attended a six-week pottery class with Henley and Grange Arts Society. The bug bit hard.

‘A lot of people are doing pottery classes these days so clubs like that are getting overwhelmed,’ he says. ‘It was more casual when I went

there. You could hang out and ask questions over cups of tea. I got pretty lucky to have that experience. I loved it.’ Connery learnt the hands-on, traditional way and continues to follow that path.

‘I love the problem solving,’ he says. ‘Every process is as different as it is long. When you’re on the wheel, you have to be completely engaged in what you’re doing. It’s never going to be perfect and having your hands in what is essentially wet mud is great.’

His original business plan was to make urns for funerals but the public’s gradual move away from single-use packaging changed all that. ‘People suggested making coffee cups and keepcups for cafes,’ he says. ‘It took months to get them right. I returned to the Fleurieu Peninsula and lived in Middleton where I started making them at my home studio.’

Aldinga’s Maxwell’s Grocery and Middleton’s Pipi were his first customers. He was also a regular at Aldinga’s Fridays After Five markets. As demand grew, Connery launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the purchase of what is now a collection of five kilns.  Since 2019, ES Ceramics has been based in a large Thebarton studio. The warehouse-style space was formerly used for metal

Page left: Honing his craft – jazz drummer turned potter, Shane understands that time spent in repetition is the only difference between good-enough and great. Above left: Years of perfectionism and taking bold steps in business is what has allowed him to work on a broad range of artistic collaborations. Above right: A recent commission for ‘Singapore Circus’ restaurant at d’Arenberg.

fabrication. There, he works alongside Dani Komorek who helps with production. Commissions include the lunch plates at Aldinga’s Goodness Coffee Co., restaurant ware and pots for luxury Adelaide Hills accommodation Sequoia Lodge, custom creations for LOC bar and bottle shop in Adelaide’s CBD, crockery for Thirty Five Stirling cafe in Thebarton, and cups for Barossa Valley’s Rockford Wines.

Special projects also include hand-painted crockery and jugs for d’Arenberg Cube’s Singapore Circus restaurant in McLaren Vale, custom mini port bottles for McLaren Vale’s Woodstock Wine Estate and dog bowls for Ethelton’s The Pet Butcher. A commission for a new luxury hotel, the Adelaide Marriott – part of the redevelopment of the iconic Adelaide General Post Office building – also keeps him busy. Connery is creating twenty pottery pieces for the foyer. No day is the same. ‘You’d think it gets monotonous but it doesn’t.’

Wildly unique projects, such as an ongoing relationship with nearby Aboriginal-owned APY Art Centre Collective, are particularly fulfilling. Connery throws large format pots for the artists to paint as they wish.  ‘The pots go across to the centre raw,’ he says. ‘They paint them and then the pots come back to my studio and I fire them. For them it’s a unique canvas.’

The calibre of established First Nations artists is as good as it gets. The likes of Iluwanti Ken Frank Young, Yaritji Young, Sandra Pumani, Josina Pumani and Rhoda Tjitayi are among them.

The potter is always delighted by the results. ‘It’s been great to have the freedom to experiment and get really good at something, while also making a living from it. A lot of potters just end up making lots of plates and cups.’

ES Ceramics creations have even appeared on the big screen. Connery was commissioned to create pieces for movies The Tourist,

Talk To Me, The Royal Hotel and The New Boy. ‘I made giant lamps for The Royal Hotel and I was told actress Julia Garner was going to throw it at somebody,’ he laughs. ‘I was excited about that but it ended up just being in the background.’

Meanwhile, the exploding mugs during a shootout scene in The Tourist were also made by ES Ceramics. ‘I say yes to everything. I don’t usually fire things for people but when the APY Gallery team asked me to, I jumped at the chance.’

One of the most fulfilling parts of this creative’s job is sharing the love through workshops and classes.

ES Ceramics Studio even hosts the occasional international tutor like Copenhagen’s Tortus (aka Eric Landon) who will teach a two-day workshop in March. ‘He is world-renowned in the pottery community so we’re feeling pretty excited about him coming.’

Plans for an onsite coffee shop (served in ES Ceramics cups) are on the horizon. ‘My brother-in-law, James and I made the counter using old bits of wood from a soda factory in Port Adelaide,’ says Connery.

‘Any handmade pottery is great … but there’s a subtle difference between really well-made pottery and standard pottery. Even down to weight distribution. When you pick something up, you are hit by that realisation of quality.’

Fortunately, there is synergy between Connery’s past in professional music and his new creative pursuits.

‘To be an average musician you have to practise for five hours a day,’ he smiles. ‘You have to practise for 10 hours a day if you want to be the best. Spend five hours a day on pottery and you’re going to develop good skills.’ esceramics.com.au

Top and bottom left: Shane’s popular workshops fill fast as his ES Studio grows in notoriety. Above right: Artists Yaritji Young and Nyunmiti Burton with works created at Aboriginal-owned APY Art Centre Collective.

· Initial Consultation free

· Victor Harbor, Kangaroo Island and CBD office

· Home and after hours appointments available

Designed to provide children with a head-start for their transition into Primary School, our 2024 mid-year intake (Prep) is ideal for ELC-aged children who are ready to embark on the next stage of their learning journey.

Investigator College invites parents, children and families interested in enrolling for our 2024 mid-year intake to join us for an upcoming tour of our beautiful Victor Harbor Campus.

Wild South Coast Way

Story by Grace McDonald. Photography by Harry Vick.

In a world captivated by screens and constant notifications, the Wild South Coast Way on the Fleurieu Peninsula presents an opportunity to connect with the abundance of nature right here on our doorstep.

It’s time to lace up those hiking boots, pack a sense of curiosity and tune into the natural world. This remarkable walking track forms (in our opinion) one of the most picturesque parts of the Heysen Trail. Connecting a string of parks along the southern coastline, it extends from the rural town of Cape Jervis along to the surf breaks of Waitpinga to the soaring cliff faces of King’s Beach all the way along to The Bluff at Petrel Cove and ending at the township of Victor Harbor.

An easy 90-minute drive from Adelaide, the trail has many entry points. Whether you’re after a short walk or the full-monty five-day, four-night hike, you can tailor it to suit – any day, any direction, any section. It’s a great introduction to the iconic Heysen Trail without needing to complete the whole 1200 kilometres.

The slower tempo of hiking allows one to connect with the environment on a profound level and commune with nature in a deep way. Plus hikers can extend the magic beyond daylight hours at the four walk-in campgrounds along the way, which offer a frontrow seat to starry skies and the sounds of the Southern Ocean.

As you embark on the Wild South Coast Way, the first lesson it imparts is to take the time to learn the names, histories and roles of the myriad of living beings that inhabit its landscape – from the resilient wildflowers emerging through the underbrush to the towering sentinels of the forest.

Wildlife enthusiasts will find joy in the abundance of creatures along the trail – kangaroos, echidnas, sunbathing lizards, and over one hundred bird species. If you are on the trail between May and October, you may even have the chance to witness the majestic kondoli (southern right whales) during their annual migration to the southern coast.

The trail retraces the footsteps of Ngurunderi who, as legend has it, shaped the landscapes, spiritual identities and cultural traditions of the Ngarrindjeri people. You can follow in Ngurunderi’s footsteps, and as you reach Tapanappa Ridge Lookout, connect further with Ramindjeri Sea Country and learn about Kondoli, the keeper of fire. >

Page left: Grace McDonald and artist Ailish Nienhaus taking a pause for camaraderie and to appreciate the ancient yaccas nearby. Above: Scenes on the Wild South Coast Way.

The hidden nooks, rugged coastal cliffs and diverse flora along the trail extend far beyond the physical, imprinting a lasting impression in the hearts of all who like both natural beauty and adventure. The unspoken kinship formed with fellow hikers provides an immediate connection as you smile at each other on the trails. Without saying a word, you’re sharing joy in that steep section’s struggle together –and gaining strength from it.

It’s an invitation to find glory under the arches of our tired feet and joy in the wrinkles of our squinting eyes. Nature, in its purest form, has the power to rejuvenate and inspire.

The Wild South Coast Way provides more than just a break – it’s a chance to get back to basics and remember the joy of life’s simple pleasures. The trail not only captivates with its stunning landscapes

and diverse fauna but also serves as a muse for local artisans. I had the pleasure of walking the trail with Ailish Nienhaus, a talented potter and ceramicist from the region, whose intricate creations are inspired by the geological landscapes on trails like this one only a stone’s throw from her Middleton studio.

Ailish passionately explores traditional hand-building techniques in her work, focusing on coil and slab methods. Her ceramics go beyond functionality, aiming to invite diverse interactions within a space, whether through touch, emotions, or the play of shadows and light. Bringing outside elements inside, and blurring the lines between art and nature, Ailish draws inspiration from the everchanging elements of the world around her, particularly rocks – which serve as a primary source of inspiration for her work –

Above left and right: The rugged shores of the Wild South Coast Way are seen from a vista on the trail. Bottom left: Wayfinding signage celebrates Ngarrindjeri culture and Kondoli (whale) as ‘Keeper of the Fire.’ Bottom right: Birds like the majestic yellow-tailed black cockatoo (pictured) can be seen on all parts of the trail with sea birds closer to shore and colourful parrots, singing kookaburras and honeyeaters on the inland trails.

their smooth edges, worn-down shapes, textures, patterns and rich earthy colours. At the end of our journey, I asked Ailish for a reflection of her time on the trail.

‘Venturing into the Wild South Coast Way, I am struck by the stillness and ample space, allowing me to tune into the sounds and scents. My surroundings helped me develop a quiet mind, providing room for my thoughts to come and go. Being amidst the elements filled me with gratitude for the fresh air, diverse flora and rugged coastlines – a treasure right in my backyard.

‘The impact of the WSCW, and those alike, on my craft is quite substantial – drawing inspiration from the colours, textures, shapes and shadows that these places present is an endless source of creative fuel. Connecting with the land directs my focus back to

the intricate details found within the living world. In our restless pursuit of schedules and to-do lists, it is easy to feel weighed down and overwhelmed.

‘The Wild South Coast Way provides a chance to break free from the pushing and pulling of the daily hustle and immerse oneself in the beauty of the bushland and coastline. Taking a moment amidst the plants, trees and wildlife offers people a chance to breathe deeply and reconnect with a sacred, raw space that has so much to offer.’

Top: West Island just offshore and near one of the idyllic beaches along the coast. Bottom left: Wildflowers of all kinds appear at all times of the year. Bottom right: Kangaroos are very tame and allow walkers a fairly close-up interaction before they bound away at speed.

South Seas Books is an independent bookshop on the Fleurieu’s south coast.

will ignite your imagination.

Seas

South Seas Trading offers a selection of vintage art and design pieces · clothing · jewellery · giftware and books in an evolving Arcadian haven.

North Terrace, Port Elliot P: 8554 3540

Van Life

Photographed by Jason Porter at Haycock Point Lookout, Carrickalinga Models Jordan, Harry and Myah Vick.

Take a break and celebrate! Who doesn’t love a road trip?  Our region is rich with spectacular places to park and have a picnic or a stay.  And we love celebrating all the things that make our region great: people, wild nature, entrepreneurs, producers and some seriously good bevies!

Jordan’s clothing and Harry’s shirts from Gypsy Life, Moana. Myah’s clothing from Dais at Home, McLaren Vale. The delightful Retro RV ’Skye’ is available for hire through Camplify. Table and throws from Dais at Home

Top left: Ever-evolving and innovating Hither & Yon Wines are paired with artisan platter finds from Port Willunga Fine Foods. Top right: Delicious takeaway from Hey Juj, McLaren Vale.

Bottom left: Pillows and picnic blanket from Dais at Home, McLaren Vale. Right: Get all your ‘booch’ (kombucha) from Gather Brewing

Top left: Spiced Rum cocktail made from fine organic spirits created by Pluto Spirits. Above: Sunsets ‘done right’ in Skye.

A home to plenty

Yeo Haus

Story by Hollie Connery. Photography by Jason Porter.

Back in 2017 FLM featured an article called Young Guns of the Fleurieu Peninsula. It’s here that Benjamin Hewett, the brainchild of SA surf label Yeo Haus, took to the page as one of the personalities carving out an identity for his generation of south-coasters, creating a visceral culture deeply representative of the region and the youth that spend their time collecting stories on our shorelines.

Fast forward seven years later, and time has seasoned Ben into an experienced business owner who has steered his brand from strength to strength. His latest season of growth is his largest to date – Ben and wife Bridget have welcomed the birth of their daughter Babs, alongside the rebirth of Yeo Haus into its new expanded space in Port Elliot.

The once very humble brand has essentially grown out of its shell on The Strand, and the new warehouse space on Elliot Street offers the oxygen needed for Ben to breathe life into his creation, driving it toward the innovation required to carry this next phase of growth. With a lineup of local artists – Chris DeRosa, Gerry Wedd and Mickey Mason – adorning the expansive space, the aesthetic is not forced, in essence it is not trying to be anything other than what it already is: a very large surfers shed where friends can drop by for a beer. But it doesn’t stop there; the physical expansion as well as the business partnerships Ben has picked up along the way have incubated several branches of the label as it unfolds to fit the new custom-built cavity.

Keeping as much of the manufacturing in-house as possible, the iconic Yeo Haus label now includes a range of signature beers, developed and brewed in-house with business partners, and the warehouse has a fully stocked bar to quench the palette of any thirsty visitor. With a new capacity of up to 200, the live music and film nights have already started to line up. The already popular clothing range has now switched to a more ethical manufacturing process out of Bali, and has launched its autumn/winter range. >

Page left: Opening at 8 am, Yeo Haus is the perfect place to drop in for a coffee and croissant on your way to the beach, or for lunch. Check out the range of burgers. Above: Ben Hewett works the brand new, purpose-built bar.

Creating an all day drop-in, you can swing by for a morning coffee and croissant from 8 am on your way to the beach, then come back for a burger and beers later. A full range of surfing hardware is available and a shaping bay planned for the future, and rotating gallery space will constantly showcase the swag of local creatives unique to our region. It’s an effort that Ben says would not have been possible without the ongoing support of his wife Bridget and parents Jenni and Tony, who are often behind the scenes, keeping the space ticking. He speaks fondly of the time spent working closely with his dad Tony, who spent countless hours on the build. A time that Ben jokes was a chapter called ‘Working Tone to the bone’, sending him into an early retirement.

This is how community culture and identity are created. Instead of building yet another outlet for surfing brand giants that dominate any seaside township in Australia, Yeo Haus has put a stake in the ground and turned the lens back on our coastline and people. South Australia in and of itself has a surf culture that needs not look anywhere other than its own shores for inspiration. With its ‘open mind, open door’ rhetoric Ben sets about the task of ensuring that local artists, shapers, brewers, surfers and musicians are welcomed and represented in this space, and the effect sends waves of representation through the community and gives its people a place to land, to stay and to create.

Top left: Yeo Haus has extended its arm to brewing a range of beers – and now gin and wine. Top right and below right: The café in the front of the building accommodates both indoor and outdoor dining. Centre left: There are also plenty of retail offerings, from artworks, to sunglasses and surfboards. Centre right: Babs, Ben and Bridget.

Peter Barnes Studio Fleurio

For the past eight years photographer

Peter Barnes has called Port Willunga home, where he can often be seen walking his Airdale Terrier, Minnie.

Peter started his working life as a nurse for the disabled and then became a union official, but after many years decided he needed a change and enrolled in a photography program at the College of Advanced Education (now UniSA). The college had recently amalgamated with the SA School of Art, so Peter found it an interesting time to be a student there.

With dreams of becoming a photojournalist, Peter set up a darkroom at home and began processing his own black and white

photos. However, he also had a young family which quickly became his top priority, so he swapped further education for work as an IT professional.

Together with his young family, Peter spent his time off travelling, and he was drawn to photographing buildings and architecture along the way. The hard lines and skies among the landscapes are graphically revealed in Peter’s work. As photography entered the digital age, Peter learned Photoshop processing and furthered his studies in photography via online courses – keeping in step with the changes in photographic technology.

At some stage, Peter took the plunge and began to seek work as a freelance photographer full time. His specialty was, in his words, ‘big

Story by Petra de Mooy.

Above: Studio set up for photographing a set of cups by local ceramic artist Mieke Boerema.

things that don’t move’ and he became sought after working for local architects like COX, Grieve Gillett and Taylor Buchtmann Architects. Peter invented a style of cold-calling where he would find a building he liked, take photos, print one and present it to the architecture firm and he gained some clients that way.

When the SAHMRI building on North Terrace was being built, Peter took a spectacular image, about which he says matter of factly: ‘A lot of people liked that photo – it spectacularly captures the reflections of the sky.’

Ever the innovator, Peter is now bringing all his accumulated skills to bear on his most recent project … Studio Fleurio.

Employing his skills in printing, photography and his love for the arts, design and all things visual, Peter has developed the downstairs space in his home into a purpose-built gallery-come-photo studio, specialising in reproduction of photography and original artwork as well as studio and product photography. Peter is now equipped to do one-off or small print runs, and the space is also cleverly set up as a flexible space where he can hold exhibitions, or hire the space out for photoshoots with some backdrops and lighting gear available.

Peter also offers print production and reproduction, so we locals now have a place to get this work done ‘at a reasonable price,’ Peter assures me. ‘I’m really good at reproducing or producing images,’ he says. This tucked-away new locale should prove to be a great asset for any artist, producer or photographer needing prints, product shots or a space. www.fleurio.au

Top: View from the main studio/exhibition space into the garden and office. The sliding door is made from timber salvaged from the previous wall frames. Bottom left: Camera and lighting set up for high resolution copying of Jim Cane’s Fence Post, Telowie Bottom right: Two of Peter’s architectural photographs hung using the traditional gallery hanging system. Art work can also be easily displayed without frames or mats using magnets on the steel covered walls.

The Light Between

An exhibition of contemporary and innovative photography with David Hume, Ron Langman, Tricia Ross and Nicole Rix. Opening by Paul Atkins on March 30th at 2pm.

For further information, call Sonya Hender on 0419 501 648

The Strand Gallery, 41 The Strand, Port Elliot

Fleurieu Port Elliot Early Light, David Hume 2023

Art Reproduction highly accurate digital copies of your art

Custom Printing beautiful archival prints; single copies and limited editions

Studio Hire all you need for photo or video shoots

Exhibition Space exhibit your work; ask about the expense slashing magic walls

Studio Fleurio O412 797 783

www.fleurio.au

Port Willunga

Quality services to visual artists & photographers

Forever Furniture, Designed & Handcrafted in Adelaide

Showroom located at 60-62 Mitton Ave, Henley Beach.

10 minutes from Adelaide Airport. Available by appointment only.

To view the complete furniture range go to: www.timberwolfdesignsa.com All enquiries via website.

Create your escape

> Southern Fleurieu

When a business weathers many seasons and remains standing, they become the glue for the community and its surroundings.

A sense of essentialism in their offering helps but often what some establishments offer is an experience people will travel miles to be a part of. The southern coastline stretching from Goolwa to Victor Harbor is littered with fabulous places to wine, dine and peruse art in between glimpses of coastline. Here are just a few of the businesses that make up our perfect down-south trip ... we hope you can add them to your itinerary next time you visit.

EAT / DRINK

Planted Coffee House owners Nick and Mikayla McKenzie and Daniel and Amelia Cocker say, ‘Planted is all about being planted within the community to deliver great coffee and connection. We also love plants! We want to brighten up every customer’s day when they come in for coffee.’ They also offer a light menu and a peaceful dining area to meet friends or colleagues. As locals themselves, the owners want to create more opportunities for young people to live and work in the community. Not only is the coffee good, but the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the team of local staff also appreciate how great our region is.

We love the consistent delicious dishes that are served at Nino’s Owners Kirsten and Simon Pitman have worked hard to make their establishment a favourite place for family and friends to meet. Recent renovations offer a comfortable, stylish space within which to enjoy

Above: Colourful decor and delicious Mexican food at Loco, Victor Harbor.

an extensive menu of Italian-inspired food. The curated selection of wine, signature cocktails or dessert and coffee have regulars coming back on their annual holiday. Everyone is welcome. Also owned by the Pitman’s is Loco Mexican – the colorful decor, kids menu, delicious food and fun cocktails make this another family favorite.

When creating your escape be sure to include FLM favourites Yeo Haus (see page 74) and Pipi Middleton (see page 40) for excellent coffee and lunch menus.

SHOP

Elliot & Me owner Abbi Webber is always dressed to impress with her ethical and sustainable Australian brands. She knows her client base well, has a great eye and is responsible for some fantastically dressed locals. We love brands such as Elk the Label and Boom Shankar, and the selection of shoes is impressive. Her range of gift items make it a reliable stop when looking for something special.

Charlie & Jack at Victor Harbor is a long time favourite here at FLM. Kristy Robertshaw, a self-professed ‘crazy plant lady’ has a wide selection of indoor plants, plant care products, ceramics, planters and baskets – along with a great range of giftware including candles, jewellery, cards, puzzles and more! Kristy is passionate about resurrecting sad indoor plants and offers a ‘repotting and spa service’ consultations and plant hire.

Mist at Port Elliot is owned and managed by Jodie Coombs. The ambience and curation of the space is always on point with a nice balance of designer gift items, skin care products and an impressive selection of women’s clothing, bags and shoes. Go for a gift and leave with something just for you, perfect for that slow weekend that feels luxurious.  >

Top left: A long-time family favourite – Nino’s , Victor Harbor. Bottom: Planted Coffee House, Victor Harbor. Not only is the coffee good, but the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Right: Freshly made sandwiches with all of the good stuff at Pipi Middleton

find for someone special

to help you find what

South Seas Books – swoon. What is sweeter than spending an hour or two perusing a book shop? South Seas Books was featured in the very first issue of FLM! Owners Sarah Taylor and Mark Laurie have since added to their beautiful little bookstore on North Terrace, Port Elliot with South Seas Trading over the road and an architecturally designed extension to the original building. Find art, designer clothing, jewellery and knowledgeable staff who are wellread and eager to help you find what you are looking for. Mark writes our regularly featured book review (see page 92).

Recently opened Fossick Made + Found in Goolwa has carefully curated a selection of artisan goods by Australian makers that complement the work of Farley Wright and Katrina Weber (see page 36) and is quickly growing in popularity and notoriety in the region.

PLAY

We greatly admire the head coach and owner of Surf Culture, Cheryl Buck, who has been teaching people to surf since 2004. She leads her team of qualified coaches who are all experienced surfers with a passion for teaching others in a supportive and uplifting environment. Surf Culture lessons run between Middleton and Goolwa beaches, a stretch of coast known for its consistent swell and a perfect spot for beginners. Lesson categories range from beginner to advanced, teenage to corporate and anything in between.

The Coorong National Park protects a string of spectacular saltwater lagoons which are sheltered from the Southern Ocean by the sweeping, rolling sand dunes of the Young Husband Peninsula.

Top left: Elliot & Me, Port Elliot – a fantastic selection of sustainable, Australian brands. Right: Mist , Port Elliot – always something to

or just for you. Photo: Julia Partridge. Bottom: South Seas Books – knowledgeable staff who are passionate readers are always willing

you are looking for.

Canoe the Coorong offers an intimate and relaxing exploration of these waterways, without impacting the natural ecology. Our favourite tours include a three-hour Coorong Sunset Tour of the Murray Mouth, a half-day Winter Kayaking Tour and a full-day, all-inclusive Coorong Tour. For real adventurers, a four-day expedition covering almost 100km is on offer, including a ‘bush tucker’ walk through the sand dunes, cockle (pipi) catching and cooking lessons.

STAY

If you decide to stay for a night or two or five, find your getaway stay with Take A Break Holiday Rentals. Owned and operated by locals, each one of their many properties on the south coast has a unique offering, ranging from beachfront to semi-rural. There’s even

a log-cabin-style stay! After a pool or need to bring your furry friend?

There are options for you. The attention to detail and clean, wellappointed accommodation does not leave guests wanting. Find your place to stay, settle in and simply enjoy the lifestyle of the region.

For something a little bit different, check out the charming tiny house accommodation, Wren House, just out of Victor Harbor. Luxurious interiors, modern amenities and an outdoor bathtub await.

GET CULTURED

We have been so impressed by all of the projects that Mia Stocks, current arts and cultural facilitator at Coral Street Art Space, has >

Top left: Surf lessons with Surf Culture Australia – for old and young. Right: At Canoe the Coorong the team will bring you to all of the best locations to witness wildlife and enjoy the years of knowledge they bring to their tours. Bottom left: Tiny home Wren House in Victor Harbor. Right: A recent exhibition at Coral Street Art Space, Victor Harbor.

achieved. We also feel that, under her watch, the awareness of Ngarrindjeri culture has been elevated and representation nurtured to a new level. Then there are exhibitions such as last year’s Water People and this year’s Powerful Women that have really brought the community together in an interesting way. She has raised the bar and Coral Street Art Space has come alive with her dedicated work. In addition to a full exhibition diary there are also workshops and events to attend.

We have also loved the evolution of the Strand Gallery in Port Elliot over the past nine years. This is where we go to discover new talent for our artist features in FLM. We hold the gallery in very high regard here and Ron Langman and Sonya Hender have maintained a very

high standard in the artists they have represented over the years. Changes are afoot and in 2024 Ron and Sonya will step down from their roles as owners and managers of the gallery. We would love to thank Ron and Sonya personally for their dedication to arts, craft and design in the region and for their ongoing support of FLM.

The Fleurieu Coast from Victor Harbor to Goolwa is full of brilliant places to eat, shop, play and stay. The cultural landscape is constantly evolving and what we have uncovered here is just a small slice of what you can discover. Create your escape on the Southern Fleurieu, whether it be a day trip or a long stay, and make the most of all that is on offer as you craft an experience that suits you.

Top left and right: Stay at one of the many holiday rentals managed by Take A Break Holiday Rentals. Featured properties are Surfer’s Reserve, Middleton, Seamist on Seagull, Chiton and Frankie’s Beach House, Encounter Bay. Bottom: A recent exhibition of John Lacey’s work at the Strand Gallery

Photo by Ron Langman

Those dry stone walls

Story by Alana Pahor. Photography by Jason Porter.

As 81-year-old Bruce Munday guides us down one of the many walking trails of the Aldinga Arts Ecovillage, we are shown through to a few of his dry stone wall projects. Unlike stone masonry, which generally utilises mortar to hold the stones together, Bruce’s dry stone creations rely on gravity and friction alone.

‘You have to make sure there’s a lot of stone packed into the wall, so it can’t fall out,’ he says. His projects are dotted throughout the landscape, waiting to be found; they’re his gift to Village residents and his dear grandchildren, who come to visit and play among the stones.

When I first meet Bruce outside the Village’s community building, he shares how he got into dry stone walling. He fell in love with the craft

when he was living on a 300-hectare farm in Mount Torrens. ‘Because we had a lot of stone on the farm, I just made things,’ he says. ‘I enjoy working with my hands.’

As we begin our journey through the Village, Bruce explains it wasn’t just the process of dry stone walling he fell in love with, but its history. While there’s much to be said about Bruce’s historical knowledge, it’s best explained in his book, Those Dry Stone Walls. When he first published the book in 2012, he was surprised by how much people adored the stories behind South Australia’s dry stone walls. In fact, they loved it so much that the book sold out four times. He is awaiting delivery of the second edition, Those Dry Stone Walls Revisited, which goes more in-depth into the building process.

As we arrive at Bruce’s first Ecovillage project, a murmur of wonder escapes my lips. The semicircular dry stone seating area sits resolute before us, welcoming us inside. As we accept the invitation, Bruce tells me how, when he moved to the Village six years ago, he >

Page left: The henge that Bruce built captures the evening sun. Above: The stone bridges are a feat of engineering and a delight to see. Above right: The ‘egg’ – a honeycomb of bricks that stretches over a metre tall, enveloping a giant slab of stone.

couldn’t bear to leave the schist stone from his farm behind. He got permission from Tony, ‘the mayor of the Village’, to bring 20 tonnes of stone with him to use for community projects.

Pointing at the surrounding landscape, Bruce tells me that the dry stone seating area and arid gardens we’re standing in were uncultivated. ‘I was in a group that came up with a landscape plan, and I offered to build a centre point for the courtyard,’ he says. ‘It’s a meeting place, and it’s oriented so that the opening of its horseshoe shape captures the setting sun at the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.’ On that day, locals come together at the seating area for a party, watching as sunlight fills the courtyard. As we make our way to his next project, Bruce says he felt concerned the seating area might suffer wear and tear – but he was pleasantly surprised. ‘People respect it,’ he says. ‘They take joint ownership of these things.’ The shared artwork of Aldinga Arts Ecovillage is a source of pride for its community.

Brushing aside tree branches, we come across a gorgeous little dry stone bridge. I’m amazed at the strength of the stones, which bear a tremendous load simply by pushing against each other and sharing the load. Bruce tells me that, on his travels to the UK, the bridges and stone walls he sought there were sometimes hard to find. ‘They’re tucked away, so that’s what I tried to do here,’ he says. ‘It’s supposed

to be a surprise.’ It served as more than a surprise for one village resident, a young woman with Down syndrome. After his bridge was completed, Bruce received a letter from her, thanking him for making her walk home easier.

Bruce is soon speeding along the next track, his agility forcing me to quicken my step as he leads me to his stone egg sculpture. The honeycomb of bricks stretches over a metre tall, enveloping a giant slab of stone. Next to the egg lies a pile of rocks, which have been carefully stacked atop each other. ‘It’s a little board game for kids to play with,’ he says. ‘My older grandson got 15 stones stacked on top of each other, which he’s convinced is the record.’

As we head back, I ask Bruce if he has any more projects planned for the Village. ‘I don’t want to outweigh my welcome,’ he tells me. ‘The Village has been very generous in allowing me to do these things.’ As I think back on the winter solstice parties, the letter and the children’s board game that Bruce’s projects have inspired, it is actually his generosity that is clear. Through hours of hard, unpaid work, he’s transformed raw stone into treasures that bring people together. These dry stone walls will stand for many decades (even the next century) to come, serving as meeting spots, playgrounds and, most of all, as a legacy for the kindly man who built them.

Above left: A pile of rocks, which have been carefully stacked atop each other. ‘It’s a little board game for kids to play with,’ Bruce says. Above right: Artist Bruce Munday wearing his favourite t-shirt.

Autumn book reviews

by Mark Laurie of South Seas Books, Port Elliot.

Harlem Shuffle / Crook Manifesto

by Colson Whitehead

Published by in 2021 and 2023 by Fleet (a Hachette imprint)

ISBNs 9780708899465 and 9780349727653

$32.99 each

These two novels by a Pulitzer prizewinning author are able to be read in isolation, but to do so would be to do them and the reader a disservice for their plotlines, themes and portraits are woven seamlessly throughout the 17-year stretch of their setting. Life in New York City from the late 1950s through to the mid-1970s was a scrappy, marginal affair for most of its citizens and for the city itself, fighting off bankruptcy and convulsing with crime. Ray Carney, furniture dealer and fence, operates at those margins, drawing from entrepreneurial acumen and intermittently from an unwanted but useful criminal pedigree. His operations are centred

within his black community and stretch beyond, although never quite, of course, to the rarified air of Park Avenue and white privilege.

The author paints an intimate if not loving portrait of Harlem and New York City, a ‘vast, complicated and crooked enterprise’ full of ‘shifting planes of gloom’ specialising in ‘accumulated miseries’. Constantly changing and decaying, slapping down history with relentless arson and swinging wrecking balls, fuelled by grudges, payback, insurance fraud and an ‘invisible jetstream’, a ‘deep-fathom current’ of envelopes. Such a place is fertile ground for corrupt municipal politicians, bent police, for the likes of Chink Montague and Miami Joe, and for violence, extortion, rackets, drugs and whores.

And yet amidst all of these ills, people make their way, have families and furnish homes with Ray’s latest offerings, whether a threepiece sectional Argent sofa with kiln-dried hardwood frame or a Collins-Hathaway slingback chair. There is much droll, eraauthentic referencing found throughout the books, ranging from aspirational modernist pieces through leopard skin stools and black velvet paintings to the timeless wealth markers of executive walnut desks and the ‘Rich Mummy’ décor of Manhattan’s protestant elites.

Befitting America’s ongoing history, race with all of its tensions and inflections is everywhere in these books. The author makes room for considerable enjoyment of vernacular, cross-cultural referencing and reverse stereotyping in rapid-fire dialogue and epigrammatic character descriptions which round out more pointed social observations. The America of its 1964 NYC World’s Fair, a place of ‘marvels, injustice and hands which were always busy’ corresponds with a place covered in names, whether the sharp angled graffiti tags of those without property or street signs named after the ‘slavers, money pimps and fat cats’ who were the crooked city fathers. The ridiculousness of the

‘proposition of a negro calling a cop to complain he was being threatened by two white men’ endures.

A trilogy is intended, and the third instalment should be eagerly awaited. This inventive composite of crime thriller, saga, cultural history and social commentary, infused with wry humour is highly entertaining and thought provoking.  Whitehead has realised something more than an ‘entertainment’ though, as Graham Greene was to blithely describe certain of his novels. He has reoriented perspective and showcases the latent mayhem, the fine-edged duality of a world in which the ‘sun was shining, the birds were singing, the ambulances were screaming, and the daylight falling on last night’s crime scenes made the blood twinkle like dew.’

Falling Animals

by Sheila Armstrong

Published by Bloomsbury

ISBN 9781526635846

$29.99

Inspired by a real case in Ireland akin to our own Somerton Man, this debut novel begins with the discovery of a body on a wild, windswept beach fronting a small town in Ireland’s inhospitable northwest. Peaceful and ordered, there is neither sign of misadventure or crime, but lack of identifying markers and of any claims by relatives mean mystery nonetheless. In a series of vignettes, a written chorus traversing decades, the author teases out elements of the stranger’s life from the perspectives of those he has come into contact with, both in life and in death.   While an outline of a person and their life is revealed from the ‘fine mist’ of interwoven memories and connections, the brightest light is shone on seafarers and their lives at sea. A malignant industry, flagged for convenience and the avoidance of

responsibility, operating a supply chain of ‘convoluted ridiculousness’ and ‘sheer waste’ churns through those who serve it, treating them as (we should never treat) animals. The ordering of Cicero’s categories of the living, the dead, and those who are at sea was not for its poetic effect. Spare, impressionistic and poignant, this ambitious book explores resonances from the briefest of encounters, the most liminal of memories; how unexpectedly they define us and draw order from a chaotic world, pitching and yawing in the increasing turbulence of the Anthropocene. Young as she is, Armstrong tells us that all lives are lived in the shadows of others, and any sort of legacy must emerge from their grace.

So Late in the Day

by Claire Keegan

Published by by Faber & Faber

ISBN 9780571382019

$19.99

Claire Keegan’s latest offering is like Vladimir Putin: noticeably short and powerful. In Dublin on a summer afternoon and evening, Cathal cycles through his life’s mundanities as he reflects on his relationship with a younger woman, Sabine,

during the past year. His reverie begins from his desk, work interrupted by a view of sunbathers and gardens on a sunny day, with ‘so much of life carrying smoothly on, despite the tangle of human upsets and the knowledge of how everything must end.’ And so a slow fuse is lit and as the day progresses he is intruded upon by increasingly difficult thoughts and unwelcome facts.

Likened to Checkhov and certainly evoking memories of work from the more contemporary American short story master, Raymond Carver, the author has built a long and increasingly successful career from tightly written stories such as this. Her reputation for quietly laying social history bare and the sorry way women have often been treated will be burnished by this work, originally published under the title Misogyny As Cathal’s mind wanders away from mundanity towards mendacity, rents appear in the haze of his thoughtlessness and again we see the sins of the fathers endlessly reprised by their sons.

Local selections

More from the best in custom-made and off-the-shelf products and services from our local manufacturers and retailers. If your interiors or exteriors are needing a lift … here’s a bit of what’s in store.

01. Timberwolf

Hand-made solid timber furniture made in South Australia. You might spy some of Timberwolf’s exquisitely crafted pieces in the Hutchinson home feature on page 16. The Wistow Bedside Tables are available in width from 400–600mm with your choice of solid timber and finish. Pictured here is American Oak in natural finish with handles from the Made Measure Leather Pull range.

02. BQ Curtains & Blinds, Victor Harbor So many windows, so many options.

A recent design / build by South Coast Construction features window coverings by BQ Curtains & Blinds. The custom wave sheers are just one of the expertly made, tailoredto-fit products offered by the team at BQ Curtains & Blinds.

Above: SpaceCraft photographs 03 and 04 by Jonathan VDK.

Pictured: The soft diffused light created by the wave sheers creates privacy while still offering a beautiful light-filled room with a view.

03 /04. SpaceCraft Joinery, Strathalbyn Ever-innovative, SpaceCraft Joinery incorporates functionality into all of their design work, but they are especially good at creating beautiful details. Their thoroughly modern kitchens are superbly engineered and functional but never static in their use of colour and material. Spaces that ooze joy.

A practical but decorative way to incorporate chopping board storage that is also easy to access, and a clever wine storage design – features with a designer’s edge.

Tealicious Cakes

Traditional High Tea | Bespoke Cupcakes | Tea Room 12 Aldinga Road, Willunga SA 5172 www.tealiciouscakes.com.au

TREGARTHEN

kombucha, craft brewed. For wherever you gather. gatherbrewing.com.au for info and stockists.

FLM Summer issue launch at Varney Wines

The mood was high at our summer issue launch at Varney Wines on 13 December. Perfect weather, perfect wine and great company. We love sharing our launch parties and the combined effort of all involved made 2023 a great year and celebrating the summer issue a great night. Photography by Janey Fowler.

01. Charlotte Walsh. 02. Brad Hickey, Sam Temme and Malcolm Leask. 03. Chole Grayling with Patrick Murray. 04. Amy Albrechtsen and Tash Galley. 05. Kathryn Dressler. 06. Ola Adefusi. 07. Hollie Connery and Janey Fowler. 08. Bridget Gardiner. 09. Rob Edwards and Elisabeth Blomberg.

On 27 January surfers, locals, community members and all who were mourning the sudden loss of 15-year-old Khai Cowley gathered to pay tribute, say goodbye and share stories about the young surfer. Khai had made a name for himself on these shores. The many who knew him or who had met him through local schools and the surf community wanted to be there to get one more wave for Khai as a way to honour him and gather strength. Hearts were full for this young man. We send our best to all that he loved and especially those who loved him most.

Photograph taken at Seaford by Liz Wright – Tide & Tribe. @tide_and_tribe

Out & About: We travelled the coast from Port Willunga to Silver Sands at the tail end of the February heatwave to convene with locals and visitors to ask: why aren’t you working? And ask them what they love.

01. Sharne Millswood and Isabella Bland. Sharne’s enjoying some time off work after completing her optometry degree. She loves spending time with family and is making the most the summer before going back to work.

02. Friends, Henrik Lillejord and James Bland are both pilots. Henrik moved to Australia from Norway a year ago and loves exploring the outdoors with his family. When James is not flying he takes the time to care for his daughter. He loves beautiful scenery, spending time with family, kayaking and fishing.

03. Deborah Bogle, Nick Heysen and Tiggy. They’re not working today as they’re semi-retired. They love swimming and gardening, and have a fondness for growing tomatoes.

04. Mandy Pelham and Oriah Dallwitz work at the Silver Sands Beach Club. Oriah loves being at the beach and is figuring out her future. Mandy 07 06 01 02 04 03 05

loves the ‘awesome’ new pilates studio at Aldinga and is excited to go back to studying to become a teacher at university.

05. Louise Smart is the venue manager at Pearl, so she’s working today. She’s originally from Liverpool, and since moving has formed a strong connection with the sea –so loves being by the ocean.

06. Cody Deatker. We spotted Cody having a rest between customers in his pop-up at Sellicks Beach. For now, the takeaway restaurant, Ithaca, is in this food van, but it’s set to open in the new building where the previous Sellicks Beach General Store was soon. Cody loves the location looking out over the coastline.

07. Bec Seidel, Jules and Lula Rydon. Couple Jules and Bec own Pearl at Aldinga. They love their baby, Lula, along with living on the Fleurieu and working in this beautiful restaurant by the sea.

We believe in being yourself. We celebrate your differences. We embrace change. We, like you, are one of a kind.

Let us design and make your space. South Australian HIA Award winners, year after year. spacecraftjoinery.com.au