Fleurieu Living Magazine Winter 2018 by Fleurieu Living Pty Ltd

FLEURIEU LIVING T H E B E S T O F S O U T H A U S T R A L I A’ S F L E U R I E U P E N I N S U L A A N D K A N G A R O O I S L A N D

FLEURIEU LIVING MAGAZINE

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A hidden treasure: Ivybrook Farm Six artists of the 2018 Fleurieu Biennale Lapito House at Myponga Here’s cheers to Fleurieu beers The good life at Second Valley: Leonards Mill FLM turns six! Art · Design · Food · Wine · Fashion · Photography · People · Destinations

2 D AY K A N G A R O O I S L A N D

Visit boutique producers for amazing food and wine experiences and see some of the natural attractions that this island is so famous for. • Coach and ferry transfers Adelaide to Kangaroo Island

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Call 13 13 01 or visit sealink.com.au Illustration by Chris Edser.

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

Key Personnel Petra de Mooy Petra would like to thank staff, freelance writers and photographers, advertisers and subjects who have helped us to create FLM over these past six years. It has been an incredible journey.

Jason Porter Jason has worked as a graphic designer and creative director both locally and overseas for over thirty years. When not in the office, he can usually be found tweaking the crossover filters on his ridiculously over-the-top hi-fi system. Esther Thorn Esther Thorn is a storyteller. She has worked as a journalist for twenty years in print, radio and television. Esther believes small things, like commas and apostrophes, are important. This makes her an irritating dinner guest but a good editor. Holly Wyatt Sinking her roots into the Fleurieu has truly resonated with Holly. She loves peeling back the layers of the region and its people through her role as sales manager for FLM. Holly is also an accomplished visual artist and songwriter. Lulu Our company mascot Lulu started appearing in way too many of our Instagram posts – so now she has her own profile (sad, we know) where you can follow her charmed life. Search for ‘miss_majestica’ if you’re so inclined.

Featured Contributors Nina Keath Nina was going mildly bonkers at home with two young kids when she joined the Fleurieu Living family. Her sanity was restored by meeting and writing about the diverse thinkers, creators, dreamers and achievers of the Fleurieu. Nina has almost two decades of experience in environmental policy and currently works with a fantastic team at City of Onkaparinga, collaborating with the community to build greener, more resilient and sustainable places to live, work and play. She is also chair of Ideas on the Fleurieu, a community group highlighting and supporting people’s big, bright ideas for our beautiful region.

Evan Bailey Evan finds it hard to talk about himself, especially in the third person. He is a wedding and portrait photographer who lives with his wife and two children in Middleton. Over the past few years he has become increasingly obsessed with ‘conversations’ on ABC Radio, and slightly idolises Richard Fidler. He believes the role of a portrait photographer is a wonderful experience, not only by way of producing a portrait, but by learning the subject’s story and how they came to be where they are.

Publisher Information Nicole Leedham Nicole began her journalism career in the pre-Internet dark ages, when newspapers ran on the smell of bromide and ink, and news was more than clickbait and cat gifs. She moved sideways into corporate and government communications before launching Black Coffee Communication in 2011. Nicole now works from her Moana home with clients all over Australia, finessing their business communication and marketing material. When she is not working or wrangling her children, Nicole enjoys nothing more than a McLaren Vale red, some sharp cheese and binge-watching Netflix.

Other contributing writers and photographers Nicola Gage, Robert Geh, Gill Gordon-Smith, Leonie Hick, Mark Laurie, Heidi Linehan, Angela Lisman, Sean McGowan, Winnie Pelz and Corrina Wright.

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 EDITOR Thanks again to guest editor Nicola Gage. ADVERTISING SALES Holly Wyatt holly@fleurieuliving.com.au ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Cathy Phillips GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason Porter jason@fleurieuliving.com.au PRINTER Graphic Print Group DISTRIBUTION Integrated Publication Solutions 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.

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THIS ISSUE

Contents

FEATURED HOME: Ivybrook Farm; a hidden treasure. FRONT COVER PHOTO: by Robert Geh.

FEATURED STORY: Here’s cheers to Fleurieu beers.

FOOD AND WINE

MARKETS AND EVENTS

38 Uncorked – wine reviews by award winning Gill Gordon-Smith

12 Stay abreast of all that is happening in the region.

30 Here’s cheers to Fleurieu beers

76 Fleurieu Coast Festival of Nature

66 Producer profile: The fresh food remedy – Remedy Bliss

ART AND DESIGN

82 Iberian Wines – these grapes can handle the Australian heat

BOOKS AND WORDS 36 Great Winter reads from Mark Laurie

58 Lara Tilbrook – a basket of dreams 68 Noel Akmens, furniture maker – it’s all about the shed 72 Jasmin Morley – an avid knitter with a mobile yarn shop 40 Six artists of the 2018 Fleurieu Biennale

FEATURED FOOD: The good life at Second Valley; Leonard’s Mill.

FEATURED ARTISTS: Six artists of the 2018 Fleurieu Biennale.

50 FEATURED HOME: Lapito House at Myponga.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

PENINSULA PEOPLE

BEING SOCIAL

74 The path to wisdom

16 FLM turns six

WEDDINGS 86 Lachy Button and Erin Stewart married on 16th February 2018

28 Ideas on the Fleurieu 48 Richard Bennett and Richard Casley Smith – garlic love 78 Alan Noble – engineering in the deep 80 Geoff Hutchinson – sharing the spoils

FLM sees who was out and about at: · d’Arenberg Cube Surrealist Ball · Fleurieu Fringe Festival · FLM Autumn issue launch party · Goolwa Art and Photographic Exhibition · MY Playground Myponga opening · The Lakehouse Chiton official opening

84 Michael Heath – discovering the roots of history

ACKNOWLEDGES

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

BRONZE PARTNERS

il (Bookings 03 9005 7750) ad, Goolwa on 8 and 9 April ographic Exhibition at wa from 9 to 23 April Mike - Kids Magic y Hall, Goolwa on 17 April den Boat Festival at the n 22 and 23 April el Griffiths at Centenary

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 Tribute Show at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 20 May * tickets/ booking required

ll Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Visitor Information Centre on 1300 466 592. Alexandrina Council a copy online for more events in the region, www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au

Welcome to FLM From the FLM team

From our readers

FLM is turning six. It seems like only yesterday that we had our fifth anniversary party. As we go to print with issue 25, it is cause for pause and reflection.

Dear Petra, I am blessed to live in the Fleurieu with its bounty of art and artisans, wine and cellar doors, beaches and walking trails. I loved the Autumn issue of Fleurieu Living for the design features and round-up of local cafes, art venues and events. But mainly because I saw so many familiar faces, as writers and subjects.

I was listening to a podcast about the future of print media and journalism in the digital age, and it was nice to have what we already feel about our hard copy publication, validated. Although online media has a vast audience, it is missing a few key elements that it may never achieve. ‘Print is still a really great technology. It has a great battery life and the content lasts.’ Indeed many people have the entire 25-issue collection of FLM at home. People often don’t throw magazines away. ‘There are no load times and the content doesn’t drop out. There is also the serendipity of reading a print publication and coming across other content that you may not have otherwise come across.’ But above all we feel the medium of print is a reflection of the slower, more mindful approach of the region. It is like making cheese or fine wine or beer – it takes time to develop and to be at it’s best. It takes us three months to nurture our content and that approach makes it special. People have felt compelled to write us and share their sentiments about the magazine since issue one, and they continue to do so today. These FLM lovers make it worthwhile during tougher periods. Here’s cheers to everyone who helps us make it happen. Team FLM.

Below: The very recognisable jetty at Port Noarlunga. This photo was clearly taken before the grey skies and winter weather crept in!

I am now considering pursuing basketry or at least, dobbing someone else in to do it! Cheers, Jenny Esots Hi Petra, Trust you guys are all well. Just wanted to let you know I had a couple through today who saw Barn1890 in FLM from the featured wedding you ran. Thanks so much and it’s confirmation the magazine is doing its thing, presenting our wonderful region. Cheers, Colin & Lee, Barn1890 From Lara Tilbrook (who is featured on page 58 of this issue). The Hardy’s Tintara site at the Fleurieu Arthouse is home to my studio and shop. It’s an extra special place for me, as my grandfather used to work in the building where I now work, and my mother and aunt played as children amongst the vineyards. Working alongside a supportive community of artists at the Fleurieu Arthouse has been an inspiration; meeting like minded creatives and bringing together a wealth of knowledge from all different disciplines which is freely shared.

Taken an amazing photo on the Fleurieu lately? Send us an email or upload it to our Facebook page and you could see your handiwork in print. Each issue weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll choose an image to publish right here in the pages of FLM: facebook.com/FleurieuLivingMagazine. This spectacular sunset at Petrel Cove in Victor Harbor was sent to us by reader Michael Davidson.

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MARKETS & EVENTS

Winter Diary Dates LOCAL MARKETS: Aldinga, McLaren Vale and Willunga Aldinga Bay Art, Craft and Produce Market Central Way Aldinga Central Shopping Centre Fourth Sunday of every month, 9am – 2pm Arts and crafts from local artisans, as well as fresh local produce. Willunga Farmers Market Willunga Town Square Every Saturday, 8am – 12.30pm Don’t forget to buy a membership and receive discounts on all the fabulous local food. Willunga Quarry Market Adjacent to the Willunga Oval Second Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm Come and browse an eclectic mix of everything, ranging from second hand tools to plants and craft. There’s always something new to see. Willunga Artisans Market Willunga Show Hall Second Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm Local art and craft with a little bit of something for everyone. A great place to buy a unique handmade gift!

Goolwa, Port Elliot and Victor Harbor Goolwa Wharf Market First and third Sunday of every month, 9am – 3pm With around 80 stalls, there is a myriad of goods on offer. Bric-abrac, collectables, fresh local produce, coffee and food, plants, books both new and old, and hand-crafted goods. Goolwa Cittaslow Farmers Market Goolwa Wharf Precinct Second and fourth Sunday of each month, 9am – 1pm Artisan food producers and farmers providing a diverse range of in season produce. Port Elliot Market Lakala Reserve Port Elliot First and third Saturday of each month, 9am – 2pm A typical country market with plenty of fresh local produce on offer, as well as a good mix of other goods, such as plants, bric-a-brac, books, fishing gear – even a $2 stall!

Victor Harbor Farmers’ Market Grosvenor Gardens, Victor Harbor Every Sunday, 8am – 12.30pm Over 32 stalls, with locally caught seafood, organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, local honey, mushrooms, fresh flowers, Fleurieu regional wines and much more. Well worth the visit.

COUNTRY MARKETS: Kangaroo Island Farmers’ and Community Markets Lloyd Collins Reserve by the beach at Penneshaw First Sunday of the month, 9am – 1pm Kangaroo Island’s top food producers selling a range of fresh local produce in a great village atmosphere. For special SeaLink Ferry fares, visit sealink.com.au Meadows Country Market Meadows Memorial Hall Second Sunday of the month, 9am – 3pm Up to 70 stalls of local produce, crafts, collectibles, plants and brica-brac. A true country market. Myponga Markets The old Myponga Cheese Factory, next to Smiling Samoyed Brewery Every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, 9.30am – 4pm Enjoy browsing a variety of stalls including art, books, fine china and glass, toys, local leather work, coins, records and fossils. Strathalbyn Markets Lions Park, South Terrace, Strathalbyn Third Sunday of the month, 8am – 2pm A quaint, country-style market with bric-a-brac, produce, coffee, pies, apples, plants, soaps, jewellery and much more in wonderfully historic Strathalbyn. Yankalilla Craft & Produce Market Yankalilla Agricultural Hall, Main South Road Third Saturday of each month, 9am – 1pm Craft and produce market featuring goods from the local area. You’ll be surprised at what you may find!

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS: JUNE 2018 FLEURIEU BIENNALE ART PRIZE EVENTS: Artworks to be exhibited across three venues from June 16 – July 22. A wonderful milestone not only for the art prize but also for the region. All events are free. Opening Night Stump Hill Gallery, in the Mclaren Vale Visitor Information Centre Saturday 16 June, 5pm – 7pm Finalist works on exhibit with winning artist and their work will be announced on the night. Southern Fleurieu Opening Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa Sunday 17 June, midday Proudly featuring local and interstate artists, showcasing paintings and sculpture that celebrate a sense of place. Fleurieu Arthouse Finalists Exhibition June 16 - July 22 Sunday 22 July – Attend the closing event where People’s Choice will be announced. View some of the 120 artists’ works in the fantastic space that is the Fleurieu Arthouse. For more information visit: www.artprize.com.au

JULY Community Kids Market Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre, Yankalilla Sunday 1 July, 10am – midday Capturing creativity and learning, all stallholders are school-aged children. Come and support our budding entrepreneurs. For more information contact Melissa Nicholson on 0407 315 030 Gold coin donation

Star of Greece Commemorative Event Shipwreck Dinner Star of Greece Restaurant Thursday 12 July 12, 6.30pm for 7.00pm start This dinner marks the sinking of the Star of Greece. Enjoy a three course feast, with wine and soft beverages provided, at this highly praised and appropriately named restaurant. Book through trybooking.com/VHAJ Tickets: $100 Everything Must Go Dinner! Leonards Mill Restaurant Saturday 21 July, 6:30pm – 10:30pm This is the last Dinner service before winter break. $80 pp for food – no menu, bookings only. For more information: www.leonardsmill.com Willunga Almond Blossom Festival Willunga Oval and town halls Fair Saturday 28 July and Sunday 29 July Every year the Willunga Almond Blossom Festival takes over the town to showcase all that Willunga and its surrounding areas have to offer. There’s entertainment galore for all ages, including show rides, food stalls, markets and more. Don’t miss the opening night fireworks spectacular! Visit: www.almondblossomfestival.com.au for full program and costs.

AUGUST SALA Festival Various venues across SA Wednesday 1 August – Tuesday 31 August SALA Festival is the largest and most innovative community-based, visual arts festival in Australia. Get along to the many events and immerse yourself in the artistic talent of South Australia’s visual artists. Download the festival app to find an exhibition near you. CHECK OUT THESE SALA EVENTS: Fleurieu Arthouse at Hardy’s Tintara Sunday 29 July, 2pm Common Ground – Studio Artist’s Exhibition and First Birthday Celebration. Fleurieu Arthouse studio artists celebrate a shared consciousness of their shared space with this group exhibition >

Left: Don’t miss the Community Kids Market at the Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre on Sunday !st July, from 10am to midday. 13

MARKETS & EVENTS

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS cont: Drawing on Country – Where Art meets Environment The Centre, 181 Main South Road, Yankalilla Sunday 12 August – Sunday 26 August What happens when people are invited to interpret their local environment through an artistic lens? A group of local professional, amateur and novice artists meet for a day in Bungala Park, Yankalilla to experiment. This exhibition shares the results of that day. Exhibition Opening Event: Sunday 12 August, 4-6pm Free entry Open Studio Weekend Saturday 11 August – Sunday 12 August Meet local artists and visit their work spaces at SALA Festival‘s Open Studio weekend. Check the full SALA festival program for details at www.salafestival.com How Do We Love Thee? Kangaroo Island cliff tops and coastal dunes art exhibition National Wine Centre, Adelaide Friday 3 August – Sunday 26 August. This event will be officially opened on Sunday 5 August from 2pm – 4pm, everyone welcome. Enjoy the outstanding diversity of Kangaroo Island’s visual artists in the ninth ‘How Do We Love Thee?’ tour to Adelaide for SALA, convened by Fine Art Kangaroo Island. Twenty selected artists visually explore the 540km of robust cliffs and restless dunes that mantle and fortify the island, to produce over 100 fascinating new artworks. Langhorne Creek Cellar Treasures Weekend Various cellar doors in Langhorne Creek Saturday 11 August – Sunday 12 August Taste some rare and museum wines, attend a masterclass or have a relaxing lunch at one of the cellar doors. For more information visit: www.langhornecreek.com Free entry

Below: SALA Festival’s Open Studio Weekend is on Saturday and Sunday the 11th and 12th of August. Check the festival website for details: www.salafestival.com.

Strathalbyn Treasure Market Strathalbyn Harness Racing Club Sunday 19 August This event showcases a wide variety of stall holders and their treasures. Find antiques, glassware, furniture, textiles, ceramics, toys and more. It’s worth popping your head in. Entry $5 Ideas on the Wharf Wharf Barrel Shed, Goolwa Sunday 26 August, 12.30pm – 2pm with live music from 2–5pm Hear from a panel of local movers and shakers about their vision for the Fleurieu, share your own big ideas for the region, then settle in for a cozy afternoon of wine, cheese and tunes from local songstress, Laura Hill. For more information visit: www.ideasonthefleurieu.com Free event. The Great Leonards Mill Spring Clean Leonards Mill Restaurant + Leonards Mill Sidebar Sunday 26 August We are clearing out all our sheds and storage areas for a big Spring clean as soon as we reopen. Pig on a spit for lunch with chairs, crockery and random things for sale! For more information www.leonardsmill.com

SEPTEMBER Fleurieu Coast Festival of Nature Western Fleurieu Thursday 6 September – Sunday 9 September This Spring, be sure to head down to the Western Fleurieu for the Festival of Nature. From guided bushwalks and hands-on workshops, to yoga in the park and a sustainable living expo, the inaugural festival aims to inspire, empower and celebrate nature on the Fleurieu. For more information visit: www.visitfleurieucoast.com.au for further information.

PENINSULA PEOPLE

Happy sixth anniversary FLM Story by Esther Thorn. Photograph by Jason Porter.

It was during my daughter’s tenth tantrum of the morning that I decided to write a story for Fleurieu Living Magazine. My husband and I had just moved to the region with our two children – both under two years old – and I was drowning in a sea of nappies and dirty washing. As each new season rolled in, I’d eagerly anticipate the arrival of the next issue. For me, the magazine was more than pretty photos on glossy pages. It was a life buoy; a reminder that somewhere, not too far away, people were reading books (without pictures), drinking wine (that didn’t come in a cask) and creating artwork (using brushes not fingers). So in a desperate bid to remember the person I was pre-children, I wrote a story about a new cafe and sent it off to FLM. I’d worked for magazines before and assumed that like so many seemingly independent magazines, Fleurieu Living was owned by a large corporation, with a huge pool of well-groomed writers who wouldn’t give my copy a second glance. You could imagine my surprise when I received an email from the Publishing Editor and owner Petra de Mooy, saying she would indeed publish my story. When the magazine came out, I was elated. After two decades in broadcast journalism, there was something reassuring about the permanency of my words in print. In a ‘click culture’ this was something tangible and indelible, it couldn’t be swiped left or right, the story was here to stay. And so was my connection to FLM. In the five years since that first story, I have continued to write for, and was eventually asked to edit, the magazine. With each edition, my understanding of the magazine grows, as does my respect for the people who, four times a year, summon all their energy to create the magic that is FLM. My second surprise was just how small the Fleurieu Living team actually is. The magazine was started six years ago on a bit of a whim by Petra, a furniture designer who hails from Canada, and her husband Jason Porter, a graphic designer. Holly Wyatt recently relinquished her position at Emu Australia and joined the FLM team to sell advertising. The stories and photos are supplied by a dedicated band of freelance writers and photographers, most of whom eke out a tiny bit of space in their busy lives to create the content. In a time where print publications are dropping off the perch at an alarming rate, FLM’s success is a remarkable testament to the commitment of all those involved. Recently, over a glass of wine

at FLM headquarters (Petra and Jason’s home in the Aldinga Arts Eco Village), I asked them why they thought to embark on such a mammoth task? Why start a print magazine in a small region, during an era of digital, global media? ‘In some ways we didn’t really realise what we were creating when we started,’ Petra tells me. ‘We were living on the Fleurieu and we wanted to do something to celebrate the abundance and creativity here; the food, the wine, the art and the amazing natural surrounds.’ What she didn’t expect was that the magazine would become as important to the community as the community is to the magazine. ‘I truly value the number of people who tell me how much they love the magazine,’ Petra says. ‘I feel very honoured that people respond so positively to it. It opens doors; people let us into their homes and their lives.’ Petra does all the planning of the magazine and the commissioning of stories. Her background in design means she has a keen eye and a strong sense of style. ‘I’ve always wanted the magazine to feel nice, to be something people want to pick up and dedicate time to,’ she says. ‘After the first issue came out I was worried and thought: ‘How are we going to keep this up?’ But we have, and with each issue we’ve just become stronger and stronger.’ When Petra finishes co-ordinating the content for each FLM issue, Jason carefully applies the polish. The month before the magazine goes to print is a race to the finish for Jason, as he painstakingly designs every page. Jason is a practical man who doesn’t mince words and calls a spade a spade. ‘I was quite sceptical when Petra first told me she wanted to start a print magazine,’ he tells me. ‘I was sitting in my office, building websites, and I thought the whole idea sounded very risky. Then I started to look at what was out there and I thought, ‘maybe this has merit, maybe we can actually produce a niche magazine, that people will want to buy’.’ This philosophy permeates the pages of FLM; the design is clean, simple and timeless. ‘I wanted to be able to look back on the earlier issues of the magazine and not be embarrassed,’ Jason says. ‘It’s not just about making the pages look pretty, it’s also about communication, ensuring the layout is clean and easy to read.’ From the beginning, Jason has steadfastly refused to place advertising into editorial pages. ‘We certainly could have made more money but it’s not about that,’ he says. ‘It’s about integrity and honesty.’ Like all magazines, FLM does rely on advertising to make it viable, but the ads never encroach on stories. Indeed, Jason puts as much time and effort into designing the ads as he does the editorial layouts. The advertising can be enjoyed as part of the magazine, without being ‘sneaked’ into the readers’ consciousness. ‘What I say to people is that if you have not got reader engagement, what

Above: The FLM team – Jason Porter, Petra de Mooy, Esther Thorn and Holly Wyatt.

are your advertiser’s even getting?’ Jason explains. ‘I feel that engagement is really important – and that’s something we do have with FLM.’ This approach has meant that over time, many of the advertisers, have had a longstanding relationship with FLM and feel as connected to it as the writers do. The magazine also has longevity. At a recent visit to the doctor with a snuffly toddler, I picked up a dog-eared copy of FLM in the waiting room. By chance it was the first issue I wrote for, five years ago. I flicked through it and there was that same sense of longevity in a fastpaced world. Black and white words that remain unchanged, even though the subject of them may have moved on or closed down.

The magazine also has longevity. At a recent visit to the doctor with a snuffly toddler, I picked up a dog-eared copy of FLM in the waiting room. By chance it was the first issue I wrote for, five years ago. I flicked through it and there was that same sense of longevity in a fast-paced world.

There was also the celebration of beauty in it that drew me to FLM in the first place; a small reminder that no matter how much darkness there is in the world, somewhere, maybe just around the corner, someone is creating art, making fine wine or building a breathtaking home. Thank you FLM for giving us all a greater understanding of the beauty and creativity that exists on the Fleurieu and for bringing us so much joy over the past six years. We look forward to what the next six have in store.

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A hidden treasure Story by Esther Thorn. Photography by Robert Geh.

Previous page: Across a little stone bridge and past a grove of towering gums, the farm opens up before you; a hidden gem in an unlikely location. Above: The old stable has been lovingly restored into a cosy undercover area for groups of visitors to the cellar door, and for the occasional wedding

‘That was our cubby up there in the hayloft,’ David Hunt tells me, pointing behind us to the two-storey limestone building that is Ivybrook Farm’s new cellar door. We’re sitting in the shadow of the historic building sipping a glass of Ivybrook Farm Tempranillo, made from grapes grown in the valley just below. The view opens up before us; golden paddocks kissed with green by the first autumn rains, lush vineyards and a vast blue sky. It’s a view that hasn’t changed in decades and almost everywhere I cast my eye, there are the fingerprints of David Hunt and his family. ‘My Mum and Dad still come back to the property pretty regularly,’ David says. ‘They’re both 86 but they’re still involved; Mum sketched the picture for our wine label and Dad produces our honey.’ Ivybrook Farm is nestled on the border of Maslin Beach and Aldinga, on the west side of South Road. Across a little stone bridge and past a grove of towering gums, the farm opens up before you; a hidden gem in an unlikely location. David’s ancestors discovered the patch of fertile land five generations ago. They moved their four daughters and two sons to the area, establishing a mixed farm in 1913. And there the

Hunt family has stayed ever since. ‘We had a lot of fun growing up here,’ David says. ‘I can still remember Grandpa chasing the sheep across South Road back in the day.’ Today the property has been divided up between David and his two brothers. While the sheep and grains have been replaced by vineyards, the love for this land remains as strongly in the hearts of the Hunt family as it ever has. The old stable, which stands in David’s portion of the property, has been lovingly restored into a cosy undercover area for groups of visitors to the cellar door, and for the occasional wedding. It’s the perfect mix of rustic charm and comfort, with fairy lights adorning the roughly hewn roof frames. The walls are pockmarked with history; heavy duty iron hooks and scribbled numbers mark the count of sheep from many moons ago. On one wall there’s a hasty sketch of a cockatoo, as if the artist was so captivated by the fleeting beauty of this place they tried to make a permanent mark of it. Clear cafe blinds keep the chill at bay without obscuring the view, and the old dirt floor has been improved upon with neat red bricks. In the hayshed next door, the floor has been laid by a local stonemason, with large flagstones of Willunga slate. David and his wife Cheryl initially renovated the stable for the wedding of their eldest son, Nick. But the success of the project gave them the impetus to open the heritage-listed property up to the public. ‘It’s not just our family history,’ David says. ‘It’s the history of this whole region.’ >

Previous page: The interior of the main space is a perfect mix of rustic charm and comfort, with fairy lights adorning the roughly hewn roof frames. The gorgeous table garland was created for these photos by Hope Lovelock Deane from Harvest Studio, McLaren Vale. Above: Cheryl and David (seen here in the cellar door) love that all of their hard work has come to fruition and they love sharing their special patch of the region.

On one wall there’s a hasty sketch of a cockatoo, as if the artist was so captivated by the fleeting beauty of this place they tried to make a permanent mark of it. There are other beautiful old limestone buildings that David and Cheryl intend to do up in the future, but their motto is to live slowly and let Ivybrook Farm evolve as organically as possible. ‘We’re such a family-focussed business and we really plan to keep it that way,’ Cheryl says. ‘We just love working together, it really is a dream come true.’ Nick is the winemaker and works in the cellar door on weekends. Indeed, he’s behind the bar when I arrive and I watch him explain the winemaking process to a fascinated group of visitors. It’s not everyday you find the winemaker working in the cellar door. Nick is proud of the wine he makes and he enjoys the chance to share its story.

Ivybrook Farm grapes are grown using biodynamic farming techniques. The Hunts believe in producing the best quality grapes and using simple wine-making techniques. ‘We just want to keep it as pure as possible and let the health of the vine and the terroir shine through in the wine,’ Nick explains. ‘The whole property has quite diverse soils so there are several different microclimates, which are reflected in the different wines we make.’ The Tempranillo we’re drinking tastes vibrant and fresh, with aromas of red cherries and blueberries. There’s also a rich Reserve Shiraz on offer, as-well-as the popular GSM and a Riesling, which is produced off-site. ‘We’re not into interfering too much with the wine,’ Nick says. ‘We keep it simple to reflect the ethos of the vineyard and the property.’ > 23

Top: The outdoor seating area is a great place to enjoy the view, and share a platter and a bottle of wine. Bottom left: Nick Hunt was previously at Yangarra Estate but has stepped into head wine maker role at the family farm now â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is really proud of the wines they are making. Above right: David and Cheryl see themselves as custodians of the property and each generation seems to find ways to improve what they have. Page right: The rich patina of age and improvements are evident in every detail of the building. 24

Top: Stay at the Ivybrook Vineyard Cottage B&B. Bottom: Family history and rustic charm present themselves in all of the details.

‘Across a little stone bridge, past a grove of towering gums, the farm opens up before you; a hidden gem in an unlikely location.’ Later they show me the winery, which is a small but slick operation at the end of a large shed. During vintage, the Hunts pull the machinery out of the shed and it’s all hands on deck, crushing the grapes in the open-air. ‘Friends and family come from all over the place to help out,’ laughs Cheryl. ‘It’s really a lot of fun.’ This attitude of quality over quantity and enjoyment over economics pervades every part of Ivybrook Farm. ‘Early on we were given advice to just keep things small and we’ve really stuck to that,’ Cheryl says. Opening the cellar door in the old hayshed last December was a leap of faith for the family, and already word is getting out about the unique beauty of the property and the quality of the wines. ‘At first we were a bit nervous about having people drive past our house, but it’s actually been a really lovely experience,’ Cheryl says. ‘Everyone is just so positive, we love having people here.’

Just down the hill from the cellar door is Ivybrook Vineyard Cottage; a luxury bed and breakfast overlooking the Tempranillo vines. ‘Actually we built the B&B and named it before the vines were in,’ Cheryl tells me furtively. ‘I told David that we can’t call it ‘Vineyard Cottage’ if there are no vines, so we put the Tempranillo in and it’s just done really, really well there.’ Like David’s ancestors, it seems everything this current generation of Hunts touches turns to gold. As the autumn sun sinks lower in the sky there are still a few groups of visitors on the lawn, chatting and laughing over glasses of wine and platters of local cheese. They’re finding it difficult to draw themselves away from this little patch of paradise and its warm and easy-going caretakers. ‘It is a really special place here,’ David says. ‘We’re just so happy to be able to share it with people and have them appreciate it too.’

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PENINSULA PEOPLE

Ideas on the Fleurieu Ideas on the Fleurieu is a community-led initiative aimed at celebrating the amazing thinkers and doers of the region. Proudly supported by Fleurieu Living Magazine, Bendigo Bank and the Fleurieu Future Leaders Program, this edition shines a light on four inspiring community leaders who have big ideas for the Fleurieu.

01. Brenton Carle

03. Bronson Lavers

Brenton runs guided canoeing and kayaking tours through his business, Canoe the Coorong. The business is also involved in community outreach, with groups like Dyslexia SA, CanTeen and CanDo4Kids. For Brenton it is all about moving kids into a different environment for a great experience. Brenton has created a lifestyle business out of his passion and as he says ‘it’s not all about the classroom’.

Bronson is a graduate of Leadership Onkaparinga and the Venture Dorm Entrepreneurship Program at Flinders Uni. He is also the founder of Flawless Clothing, Lavers Consulting and is a committee member of the Onkaparinga Youth Enterprise Hub.

Who do you think is doing great things on the Fleurieu? The Goolwa Tourism Association is doing good work by trying to get all of the local operators to link in and promote the area as a whole. Brenton would like to see the Fleurieu as the major tourist destination of the state for national and international travellers.

02. Larissa Barry Larissa Barry is married and lives in Myponga with her three active boys. She established The Myponga Progress Association in early 2017 to apply for grants and offer events in the township. In April, the town completed a new nature play playground, using funds secured by the association. ‘If something isn’t right for me, I like to fix it or make it better,’ she says. The playground provides a meeting place for young families and creates a centre for the town What is your big idea for the Fleurieu? Larissa’s future vision includes a skate park and opening the reservoir. Also to provide useful and much needed infrastructure to Myponga so the locals can enjoy and tourists can come and appreciate their town. With this in mind she hopes that these ideas will support local business, and invite other business to start up in Myponga. Who do you think is doing great things on the Fleurieu? Fleurieu Milk Company, I like their story for standing up for themselves and always supporting the farmers. They always support the Myponga Progress Association every time when we hold community event. They also provide jobs in our town, employ locals, donate to charities plus it’s a great product. 28

What is your big idea for the Fleurieu? As a young entrepreneur I strive to be a role model for youth in the community. I dedicate my spare time to ensure youth have opportunities that I missed out on, mentoring young people to help turn their passion into profit. My clothing brand Flawless was created around the concept that we are all flawless. Beyond clothing wants to represent self-pride and individuality, empowering people express their uniqueness in their own creative way.

04. Victoria MacKirdy Victoria is the CEO of the City of Victor Harbor, a Board Director for Country Arts SA and Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island, mother, wife and a passionate advocate for the Fleurieu. What do you love about living/working on the Fleurieu? Pristine coastlines, breathtaking countryside, beautiful towns that contain strong community spirit, we have an abundance of great food, wine and art. What’s not to love? This is where I chose to raise my family. What is your big idea for the Fleurieu ? To build an international class university in our region that offers programs in Coastal and Marine Studies, Tourism and Gastronomy. Check out ideasonthefleurieu.com for upcoming events and to share your own big ideas. Our next event is Ideas on the Wharf, Sunday 26 August, 12.30pm ~ 2pm.

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Corrina Wright says

Here’s cheers to Fleurieu beers Move over wine. Grapes, step aside – there is a refreshing new beverage in town. Craft beer is well and truly flowing in the Fleurieu, and while the wave of brewers is a more recent phenomenon, the region has a long history of producing the key raw ingredient: malting barley. I thought it was about time to shine a light on this latest breed of fermentation freaks.

Battle of Bosworth, Willunga Organic grapegrower, winemaker and wannabe fisherman, Joch Bosworth had a vacant piece of land after he grubbed out a vineyard. He decided to grow certified organic barley, with the intent of making some whiskey and beer from his crop. While this may sound like a simple plan, most barley is currently malted in bulk. After finding a small batch malter in Geelong, Joch became the proud owner of what he describes as ‘Australia’s most expensive malt!’ Working with Simon and Kate at Smiling Samoyed Brewery in Myponga, Joch developed super clean malt-driven pale ale, with only a small amount of hops. This extremely limited single-paddock regional beer is available from the Battle of Bosworth cellar door. Forktree Brewing, Carrickalinga If you’re looking for a brewery with a breathtaking view, then do yourself a favour and visit Forktree Brewing in Carrickalinga when they open to the public in the near future. Sitting on top of a hill at the back of Carrickalinga, you can see all the way down the coast to Cape Jervis; you can even spot Kangaroo Island on a clear day. Brewer and owner, Ben Hatcher, became obsessed with home brewing and

Far left: Mike Holden and his partner Nina got tired of waiting for someone to open a brewery on KI so they opened one themselves. The stone and recycled timbers of the brew door along with a blazing fireplace for winter make this a great stop. Middle: Set in the organic barley field adjacent to their cellar door, the Battle of Bosworth 2018 cellar door crew pose with a 30+ year old New Holland header used for their harvest. Right: At Meechi Brewing they believe that every good wine region needs a beer brand, so they started the first beer brand for Langhorne Creek.

the creative process that comes with beer production, focussing on crafting quality beers. Realising the family farm was only one hour south of Adelaide – but feels like the middle of nowhere – he decided to start the building phase for his brewery door. ‘I absolutely love the area,’ Ben muses. ‘It is a true natural paradise.’ Goodieson Brewery, McLaren Vale After spending their 20’s travelling through Europe, developing a taste for craft beer among the traditional beer houses of Austria and Germany, Jeff and Mary Goodieson returned to Australia with a mission. Jeff completed a Bachelor of Food Technology with Honours in Malting and Brewing in 1999, and landed a job at West End Brewery. The opening of their own brewery on Sand Road in McLaren Vale in 2010 was the culmination of their dream. Many, many accolades have followed, establishing Jeff as one of Australia’s most respected and leading brewers. With all the brewing on-site, visitors can sit back under the big gum trees and enjoy the big flavoured, fullbodied beers with fresh, clean finishes that Goodieson is renowned for. Jeff assures consistency saying, ‘the brand is a promise, you have to live up to that promise. If I am not 100-per-cent happy with the beer, it doesn’t go out the door’.

Kangaroo Island Brewing, Kingscote ‘Hand Built Beer’ is the brand catchcry for Kangaroo Island Brewing, and it is one that is adhered to in every sense. Builder/brewer Mike, and his eco-tourism specialist partner, Nina, moved to the island from Mclaren Vale six years ago and ‘got sick of waiting for someone else to open up a brewery, so we thought we’d have a crack’. All the beers have been crafted by hand – super authentic – and Mike sticks to chasing flavour before trends. The cellar door consists of local stone-recycled timbers and steel from old shearing sheds and jetties on the island, and was built by Mike and Nina. ‘We believe everything on island has had to travel more than the average item and deserves a second go round.’ > NOTE: Most of the beers in this editorial are or will soon be available at their own beer doors (three are currently under construction!) Two are available their cellar doors because a couple of wine makers decided to add beer to their arsenal. So it is very exciting times indeed for beer drinkers on the Fleurieu!

Top: Jeff Goodieson at their brewery in Mclaren Vale. Above: The view from the large deck at the soon to be opened Forktree Brewing is stunning!

Meechi Brewing Company, Langhorne Creek Meechi Brewing Company was launched back in 2014 when two mates who studied winemaking together emerged from the deep dark depths of the man cave (AKA the back shed). Owners Matt and Kate Schmidt, Ben Potts and Lucy Willson believe that every good wine region needs a beer brand. So, after countless research and development missions, BBQ’s and long lunches – as well as extensive testing by family and friends – Meechi became the first beer produced in Langhorne Creek. The ‘Meechi’ name draws on the aboriginal name for the lifeline of the region, the River Bremer. These small-batch, handcrafted beers are available for tasting at The Winehouse Cellar Door. Shifty Lizard, Willunga The old butchers on High Street in Willunga has recently transformed into the Shifty Lizard Taphouse, where mates Lee Stone and Danny Strapps have taken their brewing to the next level. Originally brewing out of a backyard shed in Old Noarlunga, the new taphouse has allowed them to expand their range and customer base on the increasingly bustling Willunga street. Lee looks after the brewing with

many years working in the UK fitting taps and tap lines into pubs for some of the largest names in the game under his belt. Danny looks after all of the illustration, design and photography for the brand. With beers like ‘Stouty McStout Face’, it’s clear these boys like to have a bit of fun with the brand. ‘We take beer seriously, but that’s about the only thing!’ Lee says. Smiling Samoyed, Myponga Simon Dunstone and Kate Henning are seriously committed home brewers. At their peak, software engineer Simon and lawyer Kate had four beers on tap in their home. Opening a brewery seemed like the natural next step. In their search for a brewery site they saw the spot in Myponga and there was an immediate attraction; in 2012 the duo gave up their day jobs and opened its doors. Six years on, visitors swarm to the brewery for the delicious wood oven pizzas and the opportunity to see the brewery in action, bringing the kids to play in the fabulous on-site playground. Oh, and the dogs … everyone comes for the dogs. The two fluffy brewery mascots, Samoyed’s Hoppy and Mia, are everyone’s favourite. Don’t believe it? Well, Hoppy was recently crowned ‘Brewery Dog of the Year’ at Serafino Wineries ‘Paws for a Cause’ community event.

Above left: At Smiling Samoyed you can often be greeted by Hoppy or Mia. Above right: Dan Wright of Swell Brewing Co. will soon be opening a brewery door on Oliver Road in McLaren Vale.

Sparkke, Willunga Sparkke is a beverage brand that is shaking things up. Female owned and operated, with a strong social conscience, Sparkke is intent on disrupting Australia’s $4.3 billion beer industry – an industry that arguably lacks equality and diversity. Brewer Agi Gajic became fascinated with beer while she was working in a pub with rotating craft beer taps. Originally from Fremantle, Agi honed her craft at Gage Roads, then Young Henrys in New South Wales, before moving to Adelaide in 2017 to begin the Sparkke journey. The beers are currently brewed in Willunga and can be delivered to your door, with 10-percent of sales donated to social causes that the Sparkke team are passionate about. Sparkke is also making other beverages in cans, sourcing grapes from McLaren Vale for their white wine and bubbles, as well as orange blossom honey from Aldinga for their Ginger Beer. Steam Exchange Brewery, Goolwa Back when there were only three craft breweries in the entire state – and after decades of home brewing – Gareth and Angela Andrews opened the Fleurieu’s very first boutique brewery to customers in the Goolwa Wharf precinct in 2006. Since then, Steam Exchange beers have won a myriad of awards, and the brewery door has hosted

thousands of visitors for a cleansing ale on the wharf. More recently, the Andrews have diversified into whiskey production, and are continuing their award-winning ways taking out Best International Whisky trophy at the American Distilling Institute Awards earlier this year. Swell Brewing Co., McLaren Vale Dan Wright (yes related) has been in search of the perfect wave since he first waxed a surfboard. He’s also been in search of the perfect beer. While trekking the world full of too much average beer on a twoyear surf and snowboard odyssey, an idea brewed. Swell Brewing Co. is the result, a ‘beer to be consumed cold with mates after a day on the coast’. Dan is a viticulturist by trade and comes to brewing from a wine background. He stunned the beer community when his Swell Golden Ale won the Best Pale Ale at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2016; quite a feat for a relative newcomer. Currently building a brewery door and taphouse on his vineyard on Oliver’s Road, Swell has come a long way since the trial batches in the back shed. >

FOOD & WINE

Above left: The Steam Exchange Brewery and Fleurieu Distillery now reside side-by-side at the Goolwa Wharf Precinct. Top right: Vale Brewing burst on to the craft beer scene in 2008 and most recently added the Fox Hat brand to their stable. Bottom right: Brewer Luke Meir and wine maker Alan Varney are eagerly anticipating the opening of Victor’s Place; Cellar / Brew Door and Restaurant – with chef Joey Taylor.

Vale Brewing & Fox Hat, Willunga Jeff Wright (no relation) started his working career pulling beers in bars through university while studying viticulture at Adelaide University. Jeff has been Head Brewer at Vale Brewing since 2011, where he commissioned the brewing facility in Willunga. Vale Brewing burst onto the craft beer scene in 2008 and added the Fox Hat brand to their stable more recently, to enable the brewing team to up their experimental level. Probably the most well-known Fleurieu brand interstate, the beers have been paving the way for others in the region. Vale has had a recent change in ownership, becoming part of the South Australian family-owned craft beverage producer, Bickfords. As such, you can now sample the beers at sister winery, Beresford Estate, in McLaren Flat.

Victor’s Place, Old Noarlunga Victor’s Place is a labour of love born over many years and beers shared by three good mates: brewer Luke Muir, chef Joey Taylor, and winemaker Alan Varney. Working together at d’Arenberg wines for the past decade, they dared to dream of a place where they could share their food, beer and wine creations with the world. All three call the Fleurieu home and, inspired by the budding brewery scene, they are currently mid-development of their winery, brewery and restaurant on Victor Harbour Road. With full integration of the production areas and public spaces, Victor’s Place will allow guests to see right into the winery, brewery and kitchen. ‘We want to create a place loved by locals where you can always come in and try something new’, Alan says.

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BOOKS & WORDS

Winter Book Reviews by Mark Laurie.

the past, and to our capacities. There is no real “other” in war, perhaps most obviously in civil war, only ourselves. We are born forgetting, he concludes, particularly when we should not. And amidst all of this, love is indeed the only miracle.

One Clear Ice-Cold January Morning at the Beginning of the Twenty-First Century by Roland Schimmelpfennig Published by MacLehose Press ISBN 9780857057013 $29.99

A Shout in the Ruins by Kevin Powers

Published by Sceptre ISBN 9781473667785 $29.99 Fresh from his award-winning debut with The Yellow Birds, Kevin Powers continues to explore humans at war and how they endure its aftermath – this time in civil war Virginia. Centering on the conflict itself, and upon the race-based slavery which was its pretext, Powers intertwines characters and their narratives over two generations, rendering this part of his homeland’s history as one of a grasping, abusive and violent power struggle. The stories he weaves demonstrate all of life’s vagaries; that survival and circumstances may be the result of random, dispassionate fates meted out when societal rules are suspended, and baseness and cruelty let play. While a little more uneven than the author’s universally lauded first work, there are passages of reflective insight and poetic beauty, which combine with compelling narrative plotlines, to capture and hold the reader’s attention. He holds up a mirror to

distinctly European work renders finely drawn and intimate character studies by a series of snapshots taken over a short period – the literary equivalent to a box full of photographs. The precision of its language and power of its imagery, well treated by translator Jamie Bulloch, is at odds with its title. It is a book which is starkly contemporary, with its invocation of urban Berlin long after the collapse of the Wall and the unification of East with West, and of people immediately identifiable as present-day. Drawing from Hermann Hesse’s illustrious tradition, it manages at the same time to be a timeless portrait of humanity in all of its striving and imperfection.

A wolf enters Germany and travels to Berlin, becoming an object of fascination for the city’s inhabitants; both a cipher and metaphor for how they live their lives. Its tracks through Berlin’s streets mirror the travails of the existence of distinctly individual beings. Their own routes through life are marked by glimpses, connections, clashes and missed opportunities in fated ways which are at once both inevitable and opportune. The first novel by an esteemed and awarded German playwright, this

A Sand Archive by Gregory Day Published by Picador ISBN 9781760552145 $29.99 A novel in the form of a biography set between Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and France, Gregory Day engages sand dunes as the central physical, philosophical and metaphorical force in the fictional life of FB Herschell, an eccentric minor engineer from Geelong. Employed by the Victorian

government to remedy problems with the road, Herschell journeys to France to study the engineering feat that is the giant Pyla dune at Arcachon and is caught up in the student-led Paris uprisings of 1968. The months spent in France become the fulcrum upon which his life turns, curiously not by virtue of his involvement in the momentous political upheaval in the streets of Paris, but rather by his contemplation of Piet Mondrian’s early abstract art, the words of his French supervisor, and the actions of his lover. Like its subject, this is a gentle and thoughtful book, intriguingly illustrated; sparkling with wit and an exuberant joy in the experience of learning. It explores the layers we insert between nature and culture in our lives of “urban abstraction” and extolls the patient accumulation of life’s meaning from the slow realities of the earth, supplemented by extensive reading. In an age when second-rate leadership dominates and proliferates amidst truncated attention spans, we must hope that our suburbs and towns continue to hide enough of the quiet intelligence and determination that this book portrays and embodies.

The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantu Published by The Bodley Head ISBN 9781847924872 $29.99 A memoir examining the border between Mexico and the United States, written by a third generation Mexican-American who has lived in the region for most of his life and worked for the US Border Patrol as a means of better understanding it. The author’s patrol work, undertaken when the power and violent excesses of the Mexican drug cartels was at its peak, is narrated episodically and in dreamscapes amid his growing uncertainty of its value and values. The history, geography and politics of this heavily marked line, its consolidation touted more recently as a core proposition of the Trump presidency, contrasts with the moral ambiguity and moral injury faced by those who enforce it. In the broad expanses of the borderland desert, there is no space for glibness or certainty when dealing with the criminal barbarity of the smugglers and the spiralling desperation of those upon whom they prey. Coupled with his insider status, Francisco Cantu really can write. Combining sparse language, vivid metaphor and poetic sensibility, he conveys the centrality of the borderline, how large it looms physically and within the consciousness of those on either side, and how small lives are systematically ground down beneath the heels of those who maintain and exploit it. There are questions for us and our own border here; questions no easier to answer.

The Last Great Australian Adventurer by Gordon Bass

Published by Ebury Press (Penguin Random House) ISBN 9781925324990 $34.99 At the beginning of the twentieth century the renowned adventure writer H. Rider Haggard – author of King Solomon’s Mines – lamented that geographers had

left nowhere to the imagination. Some years later, academic Daniel Boorstin was to describe the word ‘adventure’ as ‘one of the blandest and emptiest in the language…. a contrived experience which somebody is trying to sell us.’ By circumnavigating the world in a tiny amphibious jeep, Australian Major, Ben Carlin, sought to reawaken the post-war populace from this jaded suburban apathy and make his name within a new golden age. In a feat of limitless mechanical and navigational skills, considerable daring, and sustained effort, he completed the journey. It took him a decade and consumed his life. Biographer, Gordon Bass, whose father spent time with Carlin while he prepared to embark from New York, has written a thorough and sensitive account of this flawed and difficult individual, his motivations, and his odyssey. His compelling account describes a man who, like the army surplus jeep he chose as the vehicle for his celebrity, had been cast adrift at the end of the war. He sought to always keep moving, driving, drinking and living hard, pushing through the ‘awful endlessness’ towards chimerical fame. Ultimately, there was to be no new golden age of adventure and no escape from his own nature. In the twilight of colonialism, Major Carlin was to explore the fine line between adventure and absurdity before a world whose interests had changed and whose attention had drifted away. 37

FOOD & WINE

Uncorked Wine reviews by Gill Gordon-Smith CSW FWS

This is the time of year we can enjoy bolder flavours and more comforting wines, with our wonderful local produce. From the classic Cabernet and Shiraz to newcomers like Sangiovese and Montepulciano, the Fleurieu has a wealth of Winter Wines for every taste. Big Easy Radio 2016 ‘Fun Time Fountain’ – Montepulciano / Sangiovese Matt Head has been working on a new and unique cellar door on Stone House Lane at Aldinga, and Big Easy Radio is one of his projects that aims to bring a fun and lively voice to the region. In this wine, he makes and blends two of Italy’s most widely grown grapes – Sangiovese and Montepulciano – grown in local vineyards. Bright red cherry fruits, soft violet and rose florals and dried figs jump straight out with plum, cherry, dried herbs and a soft, juicy texture once it hits your mouth; totally makes for delicious drinking with a load of Italian pizazz – perfectly matched with pizza, fresh basil, tomatoes, herbed sausages and cured meats. In the Marche region of Italy, you’ll find a lot of this same blend – watch out for names like Rosso Cornero and Rosso Piceno on the label. Penley Estate 2015 Coonawarra – Cabernet Sauvignon Mclaren Vale has recently welcomed the Penley Estate Wine Room to its main streetscape. The inspired work of two well-known wine women, sisters Bec Tolley and Ang Paxton, it blends the best of the Coonawarra and the Vale together in a sophisticated and welcoming tasting room that is a perfect fusion of cellar door and tasting bar. Ripe dark cherry and blackcurrant, olive tapenade and savoury aromas circled by cocoa and light cedar notes. It’s a voluptuous but elegant wine, full bodied with a lick of blood orange acidity and chalky tannins that make for a long conversation in your mouth, while keeping perfectly balanced at all times. Classy stuff. I’d be so happy drinking this with beef cheeks, potatoes, green beans and Jus or balsamic roasted vegetables alongside a Willunga Farmers Market lentil pie. A classic Bordeaux variety that is grown all over the world. It has thick skins and wines made from Cabernet will always have lots of colour. You will often find it blended with Merlot. 38

Bleasdale Generations 2015 Shiraz – Langhorne Creek The Bleasdale story is indeed a generational one, with a long history of grape growing and winemaking in the Langhorne creek region of the Fleurieu. Old vines, judicious winemaking and the Potts family history come together here to showcase the best parcels of Shiraz, blended to produce this full figured and balanced wine. Inky deep with black fruits and berries alongside fresh licorice and spice aromas and flavours. This classic version of Shiraz has lots of black plum, olive, Turkish dates, dried fig, mint ,charred oak, and black pepper characters with a savoury edge, mouth filling, soft tannins leading the wine to a long finish. This is a wine made for steak – barbequed – and roasted meats, as well as grilled vegetables and eggplant. The Potts family are Langhorne creek pioneers and have been in the region since 1850. Beach Road 2016 Shiraz – Langhorne Creek Beach Road has been a pioneer in Italian Varietals in the region, but winemaker Briony’s experience also has her crafting the classics – like Shiraz – into food-friendly and approachable styles, pulling both grape and vineyard firmly into the spotlight. This is a very juicy nose and mouthful of rich black fruits, plums, cherry jam and warm baking spices. A comforting and slurp-able wine with a baked blackberry tart flavor; lots of ripe plum fruits and a balanced, spicy warmth to finish. Makes me think of sand dunes and huddling around smoky beach fires with friends. I will be drinking this with spaghetti, lasagne, hard cheeses, roasted red capsicum and mushrooms. A classic French variety grown in the Rhone Valley and called Syrah – we call the same variety Shiraz.

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Six artists of the 2018 Fleurieu Biennale Story and interviews by Petra de Mooy. Photographs by Angela Lisman.

Above: Detail from Tom O’Callaghan’s rolling palette.

When you think of an artist’s studio, you may envisage a place filled with tools, materials, inspirational curios and unfinished artwork; maybe even packing materials, standing ready for the finished artwork to be shipped out. I love visiting artists in their studios. It gives great insight into their practise and what is important to them. I have been lucky enough to have visited most of these artists more than once and they are all incredibly industrious and professional. They represent themselves through venues locally and interstate. They all, in some way, take inspiration from their environment and know how lucky they are to be in the enviable position of creating a lifestyle around their art. Many work in the landscape – all gain inspiration from it. The Fleurieu Biennale will be held over six weeks in three venues, featuring artists from across South Australia and interstate. Eighteen of the 120 finalists will be from the Fleurieu. We visited six of them to find out what’s happening behind the scenes. 40

Brian O’Malley Brian O’Malley is a designer, painter and all-round experimenter, and his creative stimulus of artworks varies. Brian tells me that Polyocular artworks – which he creates – are formed by moving through the environment while recording and featuring aspects which gives him stimulation which describes the sense of place. Polyocular art is crafted with detail and lots information. To achieve these art works, Brian paints on-site; the canvas is moved through the landscape to various points to achieve multiple perspectives, allowing peripheral vision to be continuously joined. What makes your work unique? The artworks’ uniqueness is the multiplicity of views of an environment that describe the one place; the painting is created so you can see in front and behind you simultaneously. I like that it is demanding and difficult. The process of moving through the landscape physically while painting means it is about the whole place, not just a snapshot of the diverse, real visual information available.

Working on site means that I can change the viewing points. I choose to remove some aspects to increase other elements that I would like to highlight. The painting can be recording up to six to eight hours of changing light depending on how long I can keep working. Sleep after is always guaranteed. How does living on the Fleurieu influence your work? The Fleurieu is a topographical haven with an enormous range of interesting physical features. The roaming hills, the beaches, the vines and the small patches of natural scrub give rise to a smorgasbord of potential. The light means that I feel inspired because it gives depth to the paintings, from the colour intensity to the contrasting shadows. The social aspect, the diversity of people with varying interests, the growth of the cultural aspects in the Fleurieu over the last fifteen years, give rise to an art-interested supportive public. I am very touched by the people who follow the works, purchase them and give positive feedback. >

ART & DESIGN

Chris DeRosa Chris DeRosa has been an artist for more than twenty years and takes a multimedia approach to her print-based work. Her current project reflects her engagement with the local coastal environment (for years Chris has been part of a group which takes a daily swim across the width of Horseshoe Bay). ‘While I don’t aim to make unique work, an idiosyncratic look or style has emerged from my approach to printmaking technique and colour’, she tells me. Chris intervenes with traditional print media to experiment, explore and reconfigure imagery in large-scale two and three dimensional forms. Her studio is a cabinet of curiosities, with walls covered in sea sponges, patterned lino, drawings and other objects which have grabbed her attention. ‘The studio in my garden is a haven which can be peaceful and contemplative, or loud and productive,’ she says. ‘As any artist knows, the studio can also be a site of high anxiety; making art isn’t always an easy or intuitive activity.’ Since moving to Port Elliot some seventeen years ago, her work has become heavily influenced by her appreciation and interpretation of the beaches and waters around her. ‘I am amazed by the flora and fauna that wash up on the beaches’, which she combs on a regular basis. 42

‘The more troubling side of my forays into and on the edges of the sea is the amount of plastic and detritus in the ocean environment.’ These themes are addressed in Chris’s work through bright plastic colours, macrocosms and recognisable – yet abstract – forms. ‘Reading also informs my practice, particularly writers dealing with post apocalyptic ecologies such as JG Ballard and Margaret Atwood,’ she says. ‘I have also taken the opportunity to recharge by travelling to international museum collections of ocean organisms, art museums and events like the Venice Biennale.’ Chris has received funding for various projects from Arts SA and Country Arts SA. ‘Last year I was the recipient of the Breaking Ground Award for regional artists, which provided a great opportunity to be mentored by Michelle Nikou and to make a significant new body of work which was shown at Light Square Gallery last year and this year at Signal Point Gallery in Goolwa’, she tells me. This work hangs together as a group beautifully, however each piece remains a stand-alone work. These awards are important for mature artists to take the time to create works of significance, and to delve deeply into their practise.

John Lacey John Lacey is a jovial character with an easy laugh. But behind his casual demeanour is someone serious with an astute design sense; a deft use of the brush and palette and a strong sense of purpose. Artists can sometimes be depicted as meandering characters. When John decided to commit himself to a career as a painter he did so with determination. His studio and gallery have been carefully laid out with good lighting and polished concrete floors; the artworks are given pride of place and he is prolific. While speaking with John I quickly work out he is certain about one thing: he loves painting, whether it’s a landscape or the challenge of a portrait. His studio is light and spacious. ‘It’s just good to work in,’ he says. ‘It gets untidy but I kind of know where everything is, unless Lydia (his wife) cleans it up, but I gradually find things and put them back.’ John’s work is multidisciplinary and ranges from impressions of what he sees to an expressive interpretation bordering on the abstract. Living on the Fleurieu – at their beautiful Mount Compass property – has allowed John and Lydia to create a perfect setting for creating his landscape inspired work. The landscape is ‘just there,’ John tells me. ‘I’m in it and I feel and see its ever changing moods. Being outdoors, whether it’s gardening or golf, rain or shine, you suck it in. It all helps what come out the end of the brush.’ What does the Fleurieu Art Prize represent to local artists? It’s a great showcase of work from around Australia and great for the region. ‘It’s fabulous if you can get your work hung, as you can see where you fit amongst other artists from around the country. >

Tom O’Callaghan Tom O’Callaghan creates realist oil paintings using of a variety of painting techniques, exploring subject matter ranging from local landscapes and fire, to images from his travels. He has a spacious shed in the back of his Victor Harbor home, which he works out of. ‘The studio is equipped with everything I need to make all the components of a finished piece of art,’ he says. There, Tom makes and stretches his own canvases. Working in oil, he has a large mobile pallette on wheels which he can move freely around from painting to painting. The space is orderly and clean, and the walls are reserved for finished work so it is like a studio inside of a gallery. He describes it as somewhere to ‘hang work while it is drying and for the times I have people over to view work’. How does living on the Fleurieu influence your work? Living on the Fleurieu influences my work on a daily basis. I observe and take note of my surrounding environment at all times. The varying

moods of the landscape, light effects and atmospheric conditions find their way into my work in some form or another. This coastline on my doorstep informs my work as I submerge myself in the ocean regularly and gather information from new perspectives not viewed from the well worn trails. Do you feel supported in your current practise? Yes. It is brilliant living in a community that supports artists with local galleries and exhibition venues and art prizes, along with many local art lovers and collectors. What does the Fleurieu Art Prize represent to local artists? It is a prestigious art prize that attracts many high calibre artists nationwide. It represents an opportunity to showcase my interpretation of landscape to a wider audience.

Gail Kellett Gail Kellett is a self-taught artist who has been practising in the art of linocut printmaking for 25 years. ‘Linocut printmaking is an exciting medium which can be unpredictable, which I like,’ she says. Her work is hand drawn straight onto the lino and she often works in situ and can be found in Hardy’s Scrub, the Onkaparinga Gorge, Deep Creek Conservation Park or the various vineyards and scrublands around the Fleurieu. Her work reflects the diversity of the region – rural and urban landscape, native flora and agricultural machinery. Gail has great memories of the Fleurieu of the ‘60s and ‘70s; her grandparents lived at Sellicks Beach and she moved to the region in the ‘80s. ‘I work in an incredibly energetic region,’ she says. ‘All the local councils are highly supportive of the arts and artists within their districts. Many galleries and wineries exhibit artwork. I am fortunate to be permanently exhibiting at Penny’s Hill Winery and owner Tony Parkinson has been an integral force behind the Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize.’ What does the Fleurieu Art Prize represent to local artists? I think it gives all of us the opportunity to showcase the area in so many different mediums. It also gives emerging artists a chance to exhibit in their own region. > 45

ART & DESIGN

Dana Kinter Dana loves walking her dog Honey, early in the morning or late in the evening, through to the Aldinga Scrub or down to the beach. Foraging for inspiration along the way, she usually comes back with some beautiful coloured leaves, bark and sticks. She even finds herself rummaging through bird books to find the name of the bird she just spotted in the trees. Do you feel supported in your current practise? Yes absolutely. I get lots of support from government-run arts organisations in South Australia like the Guildhouse and Wellmade.

I have lots of wonderful galleries that love to have and promote my works, but mostly I find it directly from people that enjoy my work, either through social media, my web page or at one of the many art and design markets around Australia that I do my best to travel to. What does the Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize represent to local artists? As an artist, having such a well known and established exhibition, art prize in your neighbourhood that you can, fingers crossed, be part of gives you a sense of place in the community.

Fleurieu Biennale: June 16 ~ July 22. Visit the Fleurieu Biennale at Stump Hill Gallery and the Fleurieu Arthouse in McLaren Vale or Signal Point Art Gallery, Goolwa. There will also be satellite exhibitions at Dog Ridge Gallery and Kay Brothers in McLaren Vale. Opening night at the Stump Hill Gallery â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday June 16 and the Southern Fleurieu Launch at the Signal Point Art Gallery on Sunday June 17. Check the Biennale website for details: https://artprize.com.au

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Artist: Clare Belfrage. Quiet Shifting, Pale Brown and Pistachio, 2018. Image: Pippy Mount

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For the love of garlic Story by Nicole Leedham. Photograph by Angela Lisman.

Above: The two Richards at Richard Casley-Smith’s Bull Creek farm.

Nestled among the award-winning grapes, almonds and olives of Willunga Hill is a champion of a different kind. A vegetable that many of us use every day, with barely a second thought. You could say we take it for granted. Richard Bennett and Richard Casley Smith, however, are on a mission to ensure their locally-grown garlic will never be just another pantry staple. The two Richards, along with Brentyn Hart, are what you might call garlic pioneers, sharing insights into the best way to nurture the aromatic vegetable. Although Brenton is no longer growing garlic, the Richards have taken on board his lessons about cultivars, soils and how best to grow quality produce in the somewhat difficult conditions of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Their knowledge and skills haven’t gone unnoticed; Richard Bennett was recently recognised with a gold medal from the Royal Victorian Agricultural Society’s Australian Food Awards, which described his garlic as ‘a joy to eat’. It’s not the first time he’s won the prestigious award, either; Richard began growing garlic commercially on his parent’s Willunga Hill property in 2008 – trading as Fleurieu Garlic – and took out his first gold in 2014. Richard Bennett lives in the Willunga township and is well known as the Operations’ Manager at Willunga Farmers Market. He also keeps busy as a part-time actor, even scoring a small role in the first ‘Wolf Creek’ series as Mick’s dad. But his passion is back on the farm, among the cloves and cloves of garlic. He works under the routine of ‘plant Anzac Day, harvest Remembrance Day’, however, the variety he’s had the most success with – Creole – often isn’t picked until December. While timing is important, the key to great garlic, he informs me, is all in the soil. ‘You have to continue to work on the soil, incorporating organic matter and ensuring the pH is about 7,’ he says. ‘I try to do about a year’s preparation before planting the garlic,

then there is a huge amount of tending during the growing season. The big issue is weeds, you have to keep it weed-free.’ Richard has done well financially from his garlic but his main reward, he tells me, is the enjoyment he gets from cultivating his crops. ‘I think people do a great job of things they are interested in,’ he says. ‘It’s a huge amount of work but if you are trying to grow a highquality product, which I do, you don’t look at it as work. Yes, there is a financial return but there is also the pleasure of growing it.’ Richard sells his garlic at the Willunga Farmers Market, which shows unwavering support to local growers. Richard tells me it’s not the same for the large supermarket chains; they import garlic, arguing that consumers want the larger varieties grown overseas. In 2015, according to the Australian Garlic Producers Group, 95 per cent of Australia’s garlic was imported from China. And it is this that killed the Australian garlic industry several decades ago, Richard explains. Richard Casley Smith also has long history with garlic, growing it in the Bull Creek area for almost 20 years. He tells me that when he started, you couldn’t buy Australian garlic in stores. So, he decided to grow it himself, initially for his own use. ‘We started with half an acre and we always had nice, big garlic, through planting and harvesting by hand. Then we decided this was too hard and spent money on machinery, expanding to 2.5 acres.’ Richard Casley Smith is a certified-organic grower and sells wholesale to supermarkets as well as through markets. He says, however, that the retailers ‘kept demanding our largest garlic, which is usually your best seed stock as well. It’s like selling off your best cows’. Both Richards tell me it has a been a bad three years for growers, ‘but I’m not going to say that is why I won the award,’ Richard Bennett jokes. Given this reality, and to ensure supply, the supermarkets are not being as demanding, and combined with an increase in wholesale prices and the continued popularity of farmers markets, things are looking good for locally-grown garlic. The two Richards – as well as Brentyn Hart in the early days – have impressively led this vanguard of locally-grown garlic. And garlic lovers are reaping the benefits.

Visit

Alexandrina

Experience our art, culture and open spaces... Cedric Varcoe - Solo Exhibition at South Coast Regional Art Centre, Goolwa from 7 June to 22 July Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize at Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa Wharf Precinct and other locations from 16 June to 22 July Which Way Home* at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 29 June Those Guys That Dance* at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 21 July Rapture - Monika Morgenstern at Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa Wharf Precinct from 26 July to 26 August The Adelaide Guitar Festival comes to Goolwa* at Goolwa Library on 29 July

Bacchus at Langhorne Creek Hub, Langhorne Creek from 1 August to 19 August Stranger than Fiction II at Strathalbyn Library from 1 August to 31 August Drawing on Country at Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa Wharf Precinct from 1 August to 31 August Wanton Wild and Unimagined Alison McDonald at South Coast Regional Art Centre, Goolwa from 15 August to 30 September Altered Artists Books* at Strathalbyn Library on 18 August James Blundell* at Centenary Hall, Goolwa on 1 September

* tickets/ booking required

For bookings and enquiries please visit www.visitalexandrina.com or call Council’s Visitor Information Centre on 1300 466 592. Alexandrina Council continues the ‘Just Add Water’ arts and culture program in 2018. View a copy online for more events in the region at www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/JAW

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Lapito House Story by Petra de Mooy. Photography by Robert Geh.

Previous page and above: The recently renovated Lapito House sits upon a hilltop bordering the Myponga Conservation Park and the Heysen Trail.

It’s often said that it’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. This adage was on my mind when I first visited Lapito House, quietly perched on the hilltop at Myponga, bordering the Heysen Trail. The peeled-back feel of the property stood out to me; a pareddown environment consisting of three elements: things worth keeping, things which have meaning, and the practical necessities. Lapito House is owned by the Nowland family; John Nowland is a graphic designer and his wife, Yvonne, designs textiles. An extension of any designer’s style is their home, and the couple

has spent their careers committed to making things of beauty that last. There is a restrained simplicity in both their creative work and in their environments. It wasn’t necessarily in the master plan for the Nowlands to buy a rural property – they already had a beach house at Port Willunga – but John likes to keep busy. And one weekend, while he was doing a bit of beach house maintenance, he ran out of things to do. So, he drove out to a friend’s newly-built home at Myponga Beach and explored the area. ‘It was an adventure,’ he says. He found himself criss-crossing and traversing the rural roads of the Western Fleurieu and, after some meandering, began to wonder what might be for sale in the area. He came across a property up on the hill by the Myponga Reservoir. ‘I looked at it and thought … it has good bones,’ he says. ‘And the house is very simple.’ > 51

Abovet: The stripped back interiors are offset by the more frivolous pendant lights that hang over the dining table. A hand-printed linen table runner by Yvonne and handmade napkin holders add a personal touch. 52

Top left: The Nowland’s dog Hugo awaits the next excursion. Top right: A beautiful collection of furniture and art adorns every room. Yvonne’s hand-printed and hand crafted pillows are a lovely addition. Bottom: The home is nestled in the hills above the Myponga Reservoir. Photo by Pia Nowland.

It appealed to John, and after various discussions with Yvonne, they decided to buy it. ‘The property was very bare,’ Yvonne says. The first number of years were spent just planting trees. She tells me it was hard work but with the help of their three (now grown-up) children – Lara, Pia and Toby – as well as friends, and Trees for Life, they were supported in their cause. ‘Our goal was to leave the property in better condition than how we found it.’ John says. The old stone farmhouse was set a bit lower and up a bit further was what they called ‘the tower’. ‘The wind would just blow through there,’ Yvonne says. The house, I’ve been told, had a really old feel, but the stone walls remained intact and beautiful. The family made a few modest improvements but continued to use the home as they found it, while enjoying the property and developing the land.

When they decided to renovate, John and Yvonne called upon an old friend and architect, Phil Burton, who suggested a new site for a new build. But John felt there was a lot of energy in the original building and wanted to retain its integrity. They decided to stick with the farmhouse and restore it. As the construction equipment came up the hill, down came the north wall of their farmhouse, opening up an impressive view across the grand landscape. While parts of the original house were gutted, many aspects were recycled, including the building’s original wooden beams; John used them to make five beds, adding a sentimental touch to Lapito House. Phil’s brief was modest: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry and living space, all created while connecting the ‘tower’ to the main house, and retaining the old stone walls. In addition, it also > 53

Previous page: Vaulted ceilings in the main entryway and an open metal and wood stairway lead up to the studio where all manner of creative pursuits take place. This page: In between the paintings and objects sits furniture made by John’s father as well as his own refurbished collectors items.

The result is a home which is humble, uncluttered and relatively maintenance free. There is a real peacefulness here. became important to raise the ceiling height to let in more light, and take full advantage of the vista. Eventually the home will be pretty much off-grid, with large holding tanks for water already in place and solar power to come. Wide sliding glass doors lead out to a spacious wooden deck where one can sit and watch the kangaroos, or even the odd echidna. Using local trades has helped the family form ties with the local community. The result is a home which is humble, uncluttered and relatively maintenance free. There is a real peacefulness here. If you pick up any object in this house, there will be a story behind it. John and Yvonne both have an eye for collectables and art. John refurbishes old furniture and Yvonne recovers some of these finds in her textile designs. In between the paintings and objects sits furniture made by John’s dad as well as himself. John tells me some of the works of art dotting the walls have been left by friends. ‘We have a yearly retreat called Artback,’ he says. ‘We go outback to do art.’ It

grew out of a group of artist friends wanting to take time to pursue their drawing and painting practise. They sometimes travel interstate, taking up positions in the landscape to draw, paint and have shared meals while giving each other feedback. ‘It is not a holiday, we actually really work,’ John says. More recently, Laptio House has hosted Artback. ‘The nice thing is that we ended up with a few pieces of artwork that are in the collection at the house,’ John says. Lapito House has become part of the Nowland family. Last year, their daughter Pia spent her thirtieth birthday on the hill. ‘Everyone helped cook a feast; it was perfect weather and a beautiful day,’ she tells me. During that feast, people started to tell her that they would love to spend more time at the property, and commented on what a great place it was for small events, or for people to stay overnight. While they had not previously considered it, the family agreed it was a nice idea to share their cherished piece of the Fleurieu. >

Top: Each room has a view and lovely furnishings. The beds were made from the old farmhouse beams by John. Middle: Pia and Yvonee Nowland love spending time at Myponga as a family, but also love sharing their house on the hill with others. Bottom left: John Nowland spends time restoring auction finds in the shed. Bottom right: One could sit for hours just watching the light move across the landscape.

‘It is a win-win for all of us,’ Yvonne says. Pia looks after the home’s marketing and promotion; she started up an Instagram page before placing the home on Airbnb. Yvonne and John work behind the scenes, maintaining the property. The business is slowly evolving and interest has been growing; Pia is looking forward to expanding their offerings to weddings, location shoots and even yoga retreats. 56

The property is also dog friendly, so it’s a great option for those being at a loose end with their furry friends. I ask John and Yvonne how the place differs from the beach house in terms of how they spend time. They tell me it’s a nice place to cook and to have long discussions; it’s a place to contemplate.

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A basket of dreams for different times

Story by Winnie Pelz. Photography by Sean McGowan.

The first time I met Lara Tilbrook she was carrying an orphaned baby kangaroo in a pouch across her chest. The small creature was receiving the same love and affection, it seemed, that one might normally direct to a child. I quickly learnt that this level of attention and care that Lara displayed was far from limited to the joey in her arms. Many people have extraordinary life journeys and stories to tell, but the dramatic contrast between the world Lara has chosen on Kangaroo Island and her previous one in the concrete, fast-paced jungle of London paints a colourful picture of a woman connected to the environment around her, who isn’t afraid of adventure. Lara was pulled to the other side of the world in the ‘90s after obtaining a Bachelor of Design in Jewellery and Metalsmithing at the University of South Australia. She backpacked through Africa before setting her sights on Notting Hill. Remarkably, within a few short years, she had made a name for herself, offering a bespoke service for wedding and engagement rings, and other adornments. She went on to design for several iconic London retailers including Paul Smith, Marks & Spencers and British Homestores. 58

Success built on success and soon enough, she found herself in Primrose Hill; she became one of the founding directors and designers of the internationally-renowned boutique, Sweet Pea Fine Jewellery. The studio employed ten staff and had more than 200 stockists across the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe and Asia. She travelled regularly, visiting Paris, New York and even Tokyo to sell newly-designed collections; she also ventured through parts of Europe and India to source precious stones and materials for her distinctive, delicate work. They were heady years – her pieces were featured in Russian, French and German Vogue magazines and bought by A-list celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Lulu, Gwen Stephani and Janet Jackson. ‘I loved it as a young woman,’ she says. ‘Fashion was an avenue where I could make a good living and it was exciting to be part of that world. But after adorning celebrities for some years, it all began to feel like a facade and I started to question the purpose of it. I began to realise the importance of having a basket of dreams for different times, and the different time had come.’ After living in Notting Hill for more than a decade, there was a growing hunger for nature, trees and the Australian bush. So, in 2008, Lara sold her business in London and made the decision to invest in the environment. Childhood memories of Cape Forbin and Snug Cove on Kangaroo Island lured her back to the land and when she found 400 acres of pristine, high rainfall bush – with no man-

Previous page: Lara Tilbrook at her Western River property on Kangaroo Island. Above: As a goldsmith and jewellery designer she continues to make exquisite contemporary collections and creates bespoke commissions under her label ‘Lara Tilbrook’.

made structure as far as the eye could see – she had found her place for the next stage of her life. While her location has changed, Lara is still a busy woman. She’s a director, apiarist, organic grower, small batch maker, package designer and stylist. And that’s just under her label of Bush Organics KI. As a goldsmith and jewellery designer, she continues to make exquisite contemporary collections and creates bespoke commissions. She is also an environmental activist and conservationist. What is astonishing and rare is that she brings these disparate sectors of her life together, weaving them into a cohesive whole – the result has been nothing short of outstanding. As an activist, Lara has been a driving force behind a revegetation project at Stokes and Vivonne Bays, pushing to stop sand dune erosion and provide a screen for beach-nesting birds. She designed the “Help a Hoodie” signage, to raise public awareness of the vulnerability of these birds, and co-authored a book “Our Life on the Beach”, which linked to murals on the public toilets at Stokes Bay. In 2012, Lara was awarded a Highly Commended award in the Waterhouse Art Prize for a collar made from the leaves of Banksia ornata, in loving memory of the banksias that had died from an infestation of phytophthora, a water-based mould that causes disease and death to a wide range of native plants, damaging natural ecosystems. She was awarded two “Caring for Country’

grants to conduct workshops undertaking treatment trials on phytophthora infestations, but hit a bureaucratic brick-wall and was barred from carrying out the trials on public lands, as it was against government policy. Instead, the trials were conducted on private land; the bureaucratic brick-wall even triggered a question in Parliament. I’m also quickly learning that Lara does not readily take no for an answer. Her latest project is with a group called “Land for Wildlife KI”, which is undertaking remote surveillance of the noctural KI Dunnart. This little sooty grey marsupial is elusive and no-one knows how many are left on the Island, although it’s thought the population could be as small as 500. Bush Organics is a growing business – growing in the sense that it is thriving, but also because everything that goes into the products is grown or produced by Lara and her family (with the exception of the eucalyptus oil from Emu Ridge). The bees on Lara’s property produce the finest premium cold-pressed leptospermum honey; the propolis is harvested for special salve, as well as the wax for candles. Herbs and flowers such as calendula, rosemary and thyme are grown by Lara to supplement her skin care range. The labels are her own designs, and she tells me that distributing to selected stockists harks back to the practical skills she developed during her days in London. > 59

Top: Lara’s family love spending time in the bush and on their property always observing and respecting nature. Bottom left and right: Lara’s Bush Organics products are full of healing oils and botanicals. All of this is done while taking care of the land and it’s wildlife.

Also connecting to those days, she continues to design and make highly original wearable ornamentation, created from natural products. Collars crafted from carefully selected native foliage embellished with 18 carat gold and semi-precious stones are designed to convey a message about the environment, as well as well as a sense of beauty and theatre. “My artwork is about giving the environment a pedestal and a sense of worth,’ she says. ‘I frame them and present them in a way that I hope people will understand these are the things that need to be treasured and protected.’ A purse she made from feral cat fur featuring a goanna claw contains an 18-carat gold frame. It is both beautiful and disconcerting at the same time and certainly something that provokes thought and reaction. ‘Through my work, I am hoping to educate people; to get them to understand that the health of our natural environment is so crucial to our own health and wellbeing. 60

Lara still loves making jewellery for people, even though her latest works are a step removed from the Primrose Hill aesthetic. It is more likely to feature re-worked precious metals and strong Australian, natural themes. No longer travelling between Paris and London, Lara tells me she is happy moving between her remote paradise on the Island and the Fleurieu Arthouse in McLaren Vale, where she maintains a studio and sells her products. ‘These days I am happy under a tree, exploring in our valley and walking alongside the ocean,’ she says. ‘I take pride in producing the best honey I can, creating treasures that last a lifetime, and I love to make art pieces to present issues that can bring about change.’ The time has come for the basket of dreams to be filled with a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction. Although, with Lara’s talents and energy, there is a strong sense of future dreams yet to be fulfilled.

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The good life Petra de Mooy discovers

at Second Valley Photography by Heidi Linehan.

Above: New owners Hayley Pember Calvert and Ian Clavert (couple on right) are excited to be working alongside Chef Peter Smit and Sommelier Nina Thomsen (couple on left).

Last year, intrepid couple Iain Calvert and Hayley Pember-Calvert made the bold decision to take over the reins of Second Valley’s historic Leonards Mill restaurant. Motivated by a desire to own something together – and armed with hospitality, management and retail skills – the couple swiftly developed a vision. ‘We fell in love with top end country pubs in the UK and kind of wanted to do something like that,’ Hayley says. After looking around for a few years, it seemed like fate when their offer on another business fell through; not long after, Leonards Mill came back on the market. The restaurant and venue had built a national reputation for destination dining under the helm of Jane Mitchell and Alan Greig. While Hayley and Iain saw value in those accolades, their motivation to invest was primarily grounded in their connection to the place.

Hayley’s family have owned a farm at Second Valley for more than thirty years and she’s always loved the township for its old stone buildings, especially the Mill. Now, both in their thirties and with a toddler in tow, the lure of grandparents living around the corner was too hard to resist. It was also a bonus that relatives breed Black Angus Beef – featured on the menu – which lined up with their ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy. ‘What we really want to highlight is this region, (South-Western Fleurieu) and to find exciting local producers and products’, Hayley explains. ‘We can tell you the names of each of the farmers and we have relationships with all of the winemakers as well.’ The duo’s wine list is comprised of small boutique, family-owned brands like Brocks View Estate, Cooter & Cooter, Dodgy Brothers and Lino Ramble, just to name a few. It’s easy to see that Iain and Hayley are building a community and life around their dream. The menu depends on what is available. The day I was there, the daily special was fish because locals had pulled in a good catch. Their lunch menu differs from dinner; there is a more casual selection of small plates, mains and desserts, while dinner is an impressive fivecourse degustation. >

Top: Art and classic elegance mixed with rustic charm make the interiors and surrounds of Leonards Mill inviting. Above left: Pete has rearranged the cold room to cure and dry meat and fish.

Finding a chef who shares their ethos – and even enhances it – has made this new chapter at the Mill all the better. Hayley and Iain were on Kangaroo Island when they met chef, Peter Smit, and his partner and sommelier Nina Thomsen, by chance. They embody the same mindset of cooking authentic dishes with local produce, to the core.

butchery, which further enhanced his skill-set and enthusiasm. Both Nina and Pete have a dizzying list of five star restaurants and accolades under their belts – too many to name here, but Pete’s last stop in the UK was to be the most fruitful.

Pete started his apprenticeship in his hometown of Toowoomba, Queensland. He moved around a bit before becoming part of the start-up kitchen team at the esteemed Southern Ocean Lodge. It was working with head chef, Tim Bourke, that solidified his passion and ignited his drive and focus. ‘He is the one who made me look at food and what you could do with it, Nina tells me. ‘He turned things around for me and made me see it not just as a job but something I really wanted to do.’

Nina and Pete met working in Cartmel in the Lake District of the UK, both working at separate restaurants under renowned chef, Simon Rogan. There, Nina acquired her certification through Court of Master Sommeliers and Gold Service Scholarship. ‘I always wanted to be something good and work in the best restaurants I could find’, Nina says. She worked in the top end from the beginning and, upon moving from her native Germany to the UK, she began working at L’Enclume. ‘To be fair this is really the place where I learned everything I know about wine’, she says.

Having a bit of wanderlust, Pete moved to the UK and an unintended encounter with a friend’s friend landed him at Pitt Cue in London. Here, under the tutelage of Tom Adams, Pete learned the craft of

Working her way up, Nina left L’Enclume as assistant head sommelier. Meanwhile, over at Rogan & Co, Pete became head chef and was embodying all that he learnt from Tim Bourke and Tom

Above: Each element of the food at the Mill is delicately handled. Pete Smit has a consummate respect for the produce. Every element on the plate has a stand alone character but all of the flavours are balanced. The wine list boasts an excellent selection of boutique small-batch family-owned wine brands from the Fleurieu and the Hills.

Adams. ‘We were making our own sausages and bacon there, and we would go to a farm down the road and get sheep milk and we made our own cheese,’ he says. When his work visa was coming to an end and Pete needed to return to Australia, Nina happily followed, and now forms part of an important team at Leonards Mill, helping round out its boutique wine list, making cordials and kombucha from scratch, as well as helping Pete with fermenting and preserving. Pete and Nina will be up at the crack of dawn every day to create something special. They are good souls. Pete tells me how on their days off they meet producers at farms to understand everything about what they do. This has led to many close relationships forming, like with Ben and Julieann, who sell free-range Berkshire Pork and ‘Al the fisherman’ from Cape Jervis, as well as Nathan and Sophie from Wakefield Grange, just up the road. ‘We moved down the street and we have had all of them over for a BBQ’, Pete says. ‘I don’t want to be one of those chefs who just calls the producer to tell them what I want.’ For them, it is all about relationships.

It was also a bonus that relatives breed Black Angus Beef – featured on the menu – which lined up with their ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy. It’s not hard to see that food here is handled with delicacy, respect and care. Every element is made to shine and hold its own special place on the plate. With the start of a new era, it’s an exciting time at the Mill, and the team is not only maintaining the destination dining experience; they’re also forming strong ties to the local community. Check the Leonards Mill website for special food and wine-matching dinners featuring local producers. The Mill is also available for weddings and private functions.

Above: Remedy Bliss is a raw and fermented food instructor who is passionate about the fresh locally-sourced produce found at the Willunga Farmers Market. Photo by Ellen Morgan.

The fresh food remedy Story by Nicole Needham.

Meeting Remedy Bliss at the Willunga Farmers Markets, it’s hard not to share her enthusiasm for the array of produce that’s a mainstay of South Australia’s first farmers markets. In fact, she’s such an avid supporter that she still travels south, every weekend, despite temporarily relocating north of Adelaide to Semaphore. ‘It’s about relationships through the market, that is really important to me,’ she says. ‘It’s also important, to me, to understand where everything comes from and how they grow things; I’ve become part of the market family and I am not going to let that go easily.’ Remedy has been tied to the markets since its beginnings. An original stall holder, she’s known throughout South Australia for her food preparation classes; introducing students to the health benefits of fresh, unprocessed, raw and fermented food, to which Remedy credits her own health and wellbeing. ‘As educator, everything I use in my classes comes from the Fleurieu Peninsula,’ she explains. ‘It’s also part of me promoting our area, as well as promoting the principal of regional produce.’ When choosing her produce each Saturday, Remedy is looking for integrity and transparency in how the food is grown, and she shares

her substantial food budget around the stallholders. ‘I bring produce with me, but I also ask my host to bring something from their area as well to put into my ferment mix, which is really important to me as well,’ she says. Organic vegetables are key, but she does not only choose certified organic, trusting in the growers’ claims, as well as her own history and knowledge of local producers. ‘When you buy vegetables that are grown locally and have not been sprayed, what you have is an intact ecosystem that is invisible to the eye on all your vegetables,’ she says. ‘All the beneficial bacteria, yeast and fungus and whatever else gets carried into the mix of my ferment, and those microbes, metabolise all the sugar carbs and starches and become part of that tangy, wonderful ferment that we consume, helping to create a healthy ecosystem in our gut microbiome. When I purchase locallygrown stuff, I know that ecosystem is intact on the vegetables because they have not been sprayed by those nasty chemicals.’ The requirement for stallholders to have a certain amount of transparency around their practices – as well as the seasonality and regionality of the produce – gives Remedy confidence that the vegetables she buys there will meet her high standards. And, as she points out, the market not only brings atmosphere and a sense of community to the region; it also creates a local economy. ‘It is so incredibly important for us that we are supporting and encouraging people to come up with their own business models.’

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A FIVE RED STAR WINERY 2018 Halliday Wine Companion

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Noelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shed Story and photographs by Evan Bailey.

“I take in everything in the room which is likely to affect the way it finishes up and create a piece with subtlety that fits ... but still draws your eye to it.”

Above: Quality materials, good proportions and high functionality make Noel’s work timeless and classy.

A good chat is always best had over coffee, so when Noel Akmens invites me into his home, he heads straight to the kitchen. The quality of his machine tells me he doesn’t mess around, either, so I ask him what’s harder: making coffee or building furniture? ‘Definitely making coffee,’ he says, before laughing. Noel lives on the northern outskirts of Port Elliot, crafting custommade furniture in his back shed. Across 36 years he’s seen his business, Idea at Port Elliot, transform from a larger scale mass producer to one which creates functional bespoke pieces with an eye for clean lines and minimalist form. Using a variety of timber – including American Oak, Jarrah and Blackwood – his creations range from tables and chairs to writing bureaus and beds; each individually shaped, as if holding its own personality. Seeing the passion Noel exudes for furniture making, I’m surprised when he tells me he actually wanted to be a barrister. I ask him whether, for him, there’s any connection between the two, very different, lines of work. While I don’t get a definitive answer, I sense Noel values the relationship he builds with his clients, much like a barrister with those that he or she represents. Noel creates a dialogue with his customers, collaborating with them on the process which, in turn, shapes how each intricate piece evolves. ‘I’ve always had the ability to perceive (the final product) but I am not always right; there’s always a possibility of change through the whole process of making furniture … what I like others don’t, there’s always compromise.’

Noel’s furniture takes shape through a process of natural progression, he tells me, where a client’s vision, limitations in materials, along with his expertise in visualising proportions and aesthetic, all contribute to shaping the furniture’s form; all done – most likely – over a good coffee. ‘What’s the ultimate job then?’ I ask Noel. ‘Carte Blanche’, he explains. ‘When a customer has a clear space in their home and asks me to fill it. I take in everything in that room which is likely to affect the way it finishes up, and create a piece with subtlety that fits the room, but still draws your eye to it.’ Noel’s eye for detail started long before his work with furniture. He started his working life as an architectural draftsman in a government office, focusing on design aspects in buildings. But the role lacked fulfilment, with many of the projects he worked on falling through. In the end, he just wanted out. This change of heart lead him to Christies Beach, where he bought a furniture store. He soon discovered, however, that he wasn’t very good at retail. ‘In fact, I was terrible at it,’ he says. ‘But after a while I started thinking, maybe I could make this stuff to sell,’ he explains. With his innate eye for proportion and scale, Noel took a job with a local backyard furniture maker, learning the ropes before renting a corner of the same space to operate his own business. He quickly caught on and enjoyed the work; day by day learning new skills. But after three months, his corner of the workshop was needed by the manufacturer; he would have to find another home for his business. >

Top: ‘It was all about the shed,’ says Noel of the property at Port Elliot. Bottom left and right: The renovation of the old dairy into a Bed & Breakfast has given Noel the opportunity to showcase his work and create a functional and aesthetic backdrop for his furniture designs.

Noel and his wife, Robyn, moved to their property in 1981 – it was previously an operating dairy, run by a local named Jimmy Smith. While it initially took Robyn some convincing, Noel looked past the property’s modest dwelling and old dairy ruins; he was captivated by the scale of the old shearing shed at the back of the property and immediately visualised the possibilities of using it for his business. ‘The guy wanted to sell the lot and it was a no brainer,’ he says. ‘As much as my wife hated this house, I said, it’s not about the house, it’s about the shed!’ In the mid ‘80s, the region was awash with furniture manufacturers, all mass producing to keep up with demand from Adelaide retail outlets. ‘It was a great community of like-minded people,’ Noel tells me. ‘I was mass producing too and went from [being on] my own to employing six to eight people. Eventually his business outgrew the shed and he moved it to a nearby industrial park. As the business grew, Noel realised that, increasingly, he wasn’t making furniture

anymore – he was simply running a business. And with this realisation, Noel went back to his shed. It’s clear that the move back home for Noel was more than just physical. Returning to his shed symbolised a stark shift in how he approached his craft, as well as his life; with a higher regard for quality and time. ‘It was enlightening, the easiest decision I’ve ever had to make.’ Noel says. ‘I can look back at things I made 30 years ago and wonder why I didn’t (make furniture) like I do now? I didn’t realise what I was capable of back in the early days. Maybe I have worked out what I like a lot more… I now have this perception of, this is me and this is how I make furniture and this is how I want things to look, so that’s evolved over time.’ Under the rafters of his big shed, with the smell of sawdust and oil from industrial machinery, Noel sits at a work table for a photo. ‘I am extremely lucky,’ he tells me. ‘It’s still a job like anything else, but now more so than ever I am getting a lot of enjoyment out if it.’

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Jasmin Morley knits in front of her mobile yarn shop, parked here at the Victor Harbor Market.

BOUTIQUE AND UNIQUE:

My Friend Purl Story by Esther Thorn.

There are few things as desirable as skeins of hand-dyed yarn laid out in rainbow rows. Even as a novice knitter, I can’t help but imagine the possibilities; a winter jumper, a pair of woolly socks, or more realistically, a scarf ... for my daughter’s doll.

husband bought a dilapidated 1970s caravan from a fisherman who had been using it as a shack. The couple lovingly restored the van, painstakingly scraping off globs of silicone, removing walls and installing French doors. Finally, after almost two years, the final sheet of crisp vintage-style wallpaper was applied and Purl & Friends was born. Now the little van, with a new purpose in life, is a regular at markets across South Australia, including the Victor Harbor Country Market.

Jasmin Morley tells me this is a common reaction to her mobile yarn shop, Purl & Friends. It’s not just a point of sale for hard-to-find wool, it’s a place of possibilities, where long-held creative desires are realised. ‘I like to think I’m helping people to express their personality and to have something that’s good quality,’ she says.

Jasmin says her customers tend to fit into two categories; older women who used to knit for necessity and have kept up the habit, and younger people keen to reclaim a disappearing skill. This new breed of knitters has prompted an influx of boutique yarns, including possum fibre and blends of alpaca wool and silk.

The 34-year-old has long been a knitter and was lamenting the loss of the local yarn shop. ‘A lot of the yarn stores have gone out of business so there aren’t many places where you can actually go to look at beautiful yarn,’ Jasmin explains. ‘People who are big knitters and crocheters know about online shops, but it’s not the same as going to see (the wool) in person and talking to someone about the fibre and how it behaves. I wanted to fill that niche.’

Jasmin tries hard to stock as much Australian wool as possible, but will make allowances for especially beautiful yarns from the UK or New Zealand, as long as they are hand-dyed and sustainably produced. ‘I’m interested in the way the animal or the plant material is transformed into something else and how what we wear is connected to the world in which we live,’ Jasmin says.

That was three years ago, about the same time Jasmin’s other great love, the ‘Tiny House’ movement was gaining momentum. ‘I saw a photo of someone who had made a ‘Tiny Shop’ and I thought that was a great idea,’ Jasmin says. A few months later, she and her

In a very gentle way, Jasmin and Purl are sending a strong environmental message. ‘I want to empower people to be able to produce the things they wear,’ Jasmin explains. ‘Things that will last for years, so they’re not compulsively shopping.’ Jasmin’s yarns are also available online at purlandfriends.com.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

A path to wisdom Story by Leonie Hick. Photography by Jason Porter.

Above: Lynette Butcher in her Normanville home.

In a timely coincidence – leading up to this final instalment of this ‘happy, healthy, wealthy and wise’ series – I took part in a ten day silent meditation retreat. Much to the amusement of those knowing my chatty nature, I headed off like an excited beagle determined to sniff out wisdom, tail wagging wildly. I liken the experience to childbirth. Nothing could prepare me for the ‘contractions and dilation’ of the mind and body as I gave birth to memory, emotion, clarity and peace from the womb of my subconscious mind. All this through stillness, self-observation and noble silence. To add to my ‘work in progress’ around mindfulness, I reached out to community elders, asking what wisdom means to them. It gives me great pleasure to share some pearls from their life experiences. Lynette Butcher: Normanville Lynette has an easy laugh and a cheeky wit. A straightforward and pragmatic approach to life has seen her through good and bad. Having the first of her four children at age sixteen, she was told by her father that she should marry the bloke. ‘It was me who decided to marry him so I had to wear it,’ she says. She loved being a mother 74

but it was necessity that gave her the wisdom to find ways to avert the confrontation of a violent husband. ‘I knew I had to get out,’ she says. But it took some time for Lyn to gather the strength and courage to make it happen. When it finally did, she never looked back. In her forties, and with the kids nearly all grown up, she had her freedom. So, she began to work and travel. ‘It was like a rebirth,’ Lyn says. She gained objectivity and her world became much bigger and more open to possibilities. She has now been around the world, taking time to read and nurture her soul. In recent years, she has experienced three bouts of cancer and – as if talking about a bad tooth – Lynette tells me ‘it’s no big deal, you just go and get it taken out’. With all of these experiences behind her, and now 82, Lynette enjoys inner peace, and the safety and freedom of living alone. ‘I just love the fact that I’m old because I can do exactly what I like and it is quite a joyous existence,’ she says. ‘Wisdom is a choice, it allows me to trust my instincts, have faith in the decisions I make, based on past experiences and everything I’ve learned along the way. The most important thing is to tell and search for the truth. To have integrity.’ Basil Moore: Port Willunga When I meet with Basil, in his sun drenched sitting room, he is in the midst of preparing a discussion paper on ‘wisdom’. The retired University of South Australia lecturer of education leads

Above: Basil Moore with his canine companions in his Port Willunga home.

a philosophical study group as part of the local chapter of the University of the Third age. He tells me that wisdom is knowing the value of life, ‘it’s not necessarily age related but it’s reliant on maturity sufficient to ensure reference to life experiences. Self-knowledge is an aspect of wisdom; because of an awareness of decisions made along life’s journey, I see how they have affected my outcomes.’ Basil explains that you must have lived a lot of life, and have an ability for ‘abstract thinking’, to think in expanded concepts. We all value life and when push comes to shove, or faced with death, life is what we value most. From this standpoint we must value all living things. In Basil’s opinion, death is final. That’s it. End of story. ‘Not believing in the after- life has one value, you value this life even more,’ he says. Geoff Missen: Port Willunga Being a depression baby, Geoff’s father discouraged architectural study and advised him to pursue a more secure pathway, which sparked a thirty-two year academic career in Geography and economic development in Asia. ‘If you want the definition of lack of wisdom, just look at the Australian cricket team,’ he says. ‘What were they thinking?’ Wisdom is not limited to intellect, it’s not measurable but observable by one’s ability for self-inspection, knowing your capabilities and calmness.

With aging, illness and the prospect of death an imminent reality, there is great opportunity for self-assessment, reflection and the realisation of what is really important. Oxygen support and pain relief are now essential for Geoff to enjoy peace and the things he loves. One of his great loves is painting. Although he practices less these days, he regards himself as a much better painter now, possibly as a result in a shift in his awareness. The notion of love becomes important – love of self and those around you. I have the good fortune of a loving and peaceful relationship with my family and I realise the boundary of this love goes far beyond this home. Returning to the teachings of my recent retreat, in accord with the moral code and practice of mastery of the mind, we were to observe, in silence, the body’s physical sensations with equanimity and the notion of impermanence. ‘With a calm and clear mind, observe the reality of the physical body in this moment, not how you want it to be,’ was the chant of the teacher. The acknowledgement of cravings such as attention, affection, food and wine – that have all been drivers in my life – came bounding toward me like the tail-wagging beagle. In addition, aversion to pain, rejection, confrontation and grief, were taking me farther from the internal peace I sought. I now feel that my path is travelling closer toward a greater wisdom. 75

Fleurieu Coast Festival of Nature Thursday 6 September â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday 9 September 2018

This Spring, be sure to head down to the Western Fleurieu for the Festival of Nature. From guided bushwalks and hands-on workshops, to yoga in the park and a sustainable living expo, the inaugural festival aims to inspire, empower and celebrate nature on the Fleurieu. Workshops at the event will cover a wide range of topics including granny skills, butchery, cheese-making, reuse and repurposing and building soil health. Chef Outta Water Degustation Dinner Thursday 6 September Chef Outta Water is an international chef exchange; Leonards Mill will be transformed into a melting pot of local and international food culture, fresh produce and innovative cooking techniques. Enjoy the fruits of their labour at this interactive Degustation Dinner.

Open House and Garden Tour Saturday 8 September Visit environmentally sustainable and low footprint houses and productive gardens across the region. Highlights include the passive solar Earthship Fleurieu. Currently under construction using both natural and upcycled materials youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll learn about Earthship Biotecture. Also, visit a Tiny House where they pack comfort, functionality and a pot belly stove in this unique tourist accommodation. Or visit local builder, Catalyst Homes, which will showcase contemporary designs that embrace passive design principles and innovative building materials. Sustainable Living Expo Sunday 9 September Exhibitors will feature electric and hybrid vehicles, energy efficient solutions, rainwater harvesting and water wise gardening ideas; you can also learn about chemical-free cleaning and ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. Local business and community groups will also showcase their services and invite you to get involved. For more information visit: www.visitfleurieucoast.com.au

Battle of Bosworth and Spring Seed Wines

Our cellar door is located just outside historic Willunga, in a restored 1850s chaff shed and stables. We’re open for tastings and sales daily from 11am to 5pm. 92 Gaffney Road, Willunga. T: 08 8556 2441 E: info@battleofbosworth.com.au W: battleofbosworth.com.au W: springseedwineco.com.au

SMILING SAMOYED BREWERY Open for lunch every day Monday to Thursday & Public Holidays 12 noon - 4pm Friday to Sunday 11am - 6pm Live music every Sunday 1pm - 4pm Hansen Street, Myponga. Telephone 8558 6166 bookings@smilingsamoyed.com.au www.smilingsamoyed.com.au Craft Beer • Delicious Food · Friendly Atmosphere · Fabulous Functions

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Alan Noble is

Engineering in the deep Story by Nina Keath.

On a sunny autumn afternoon, overlooking the waters of Gulf St Vincent at Port Willunga, I meet Alan Noble to discuss his latest venture. We’re in the perfect spot for it; as a passionate sailor, kayaker, kitesurfer and diver, it’s no wonder it relates to the ocean. ‘It was natural for me to think about oceans, even though I never studied marine biology,’ he tells me. While his hobbies have long drawn him to the outdoors, it has been a different story for Alan’s work life; the majority of it has been spent behind a computer. The Adelaide native worked as a serial entrepreneur in America’s Silicon Valley, before returning to Australia in 2007 where he took up the esteemed job of Google Australia’s Engineering Director – this role saw him lead 700 engineers. Over the years, his mind kept turning to the ocean. ‘I started thinking about how we could leverage technology for the good of our environment and not just to build a cooler product,’ he says. Alan tells me that Google inspired him to use technology as a force for good. So, after more than a decade in the job, he stepped

down this year to focus his energies on his new project: AusOcean. The business is not-for-profit, with a mission to develop and apply technologies to better understand our oceans; as a result, it will hopefully help to preserve, restore and enhance them for future generations. The idea came about when Alan met his AusOcean cofounder, Professor Sean Connell from the University of Adelaide, and they had what he remembers as a light-bulb moment. ‘Sean was describing how marine biologists go about their work and it struck me as very labour intensive and expensive to get relatively little data,’ he says. ‘It’s not a criticism of marine biologists, it’s just that the technology hasn’t yet been developed to make it more productive.’ This is where AusOcean comes in, Alan tells me. ‘Part of the reason I think AusOcean can be different – and ultimately successful – is because I’m going into this with a completely separate set of ideas than people who traditionally do marine science,’ he explains. ‘I look at these [problems] fundamentally as engineering problems. If you can put some monitoring equipment in the water, then you avoid sending out divers and boats – all of which is very expensive. Ocean-monitoring technologies and software are the low hanging fruit for marine science.’ Alan is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the ocean. He tells me that – prior to colonization – southern Australia was home to an

Previous page: Alan carrying out some ocean monitoring on the Yorke Peninsula. Top: Alan with the first cohort of AusOcean interns: Catherine, Jack and Saxon (taken on Yorke Peninsula). Bottom left: Alan and Charlie Huveneers, a shark researcher, taken at North Neptune Island. Bottom right: A natural shellfish reef in Tasmania, one of the last remaining in the wild.

‘If you can put some monitoring equipment in the water, then you avoid sending out divers and boats – all of which is very expensive. Ocean-monitoring technologies and software are the low hanging fruit for marine science.’ extensive network of near-shore shellfish reefs, or oyster beds, that spanned most of the way from Perth right around South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and up into southern New South Wales. However, within decades of colonisation, over-harvesting of oysters saw the destruction of these reefs to the point where there are now no natural shellfish reefs remaining in South Australia. ‘They were wiped out by sheer over-exploitation,’ Alan laments. ‘We became more and more brutally effective. Imagine a big metal basket that you drag along the sea-floor; they were horrible things. They weren’t harvesting the oysters so much as literally dredging the reef.’ Two hundred years later, AusOcean is participating in a major reef restoration project on the Yorke Peninsula. Known as Windara reef, the project is a first for South Australia and involves laying down twenty hectares of concrete blocks and limestone substrate on which native Angasi Oyster are then cultivated. Once established, the oysters will continue to propagate and grow the reef themselves, creating habitat for other sea creatures to populate and enrich. ‘The poor old Gulf St Vincent is a bit of an ecological wasteland right now because we’ve removed a lot of the natural diversity,’ Alan says. ‘A big part of the Windara reef project is to bring that back; it’s a bit like reforestation.’ AusOcean is developing and trialling novel monitoring technologies to help gather data about the reef restoration process, with the aim

of supporting the re-establishment of shellfish reefs right across southern Australia and making cheap, easy to build technologies that can be readily applied by communities and researchers. Reef restoration is an emerging science and there is still much to learn. ‘The holy-grail is evidence-based policy and that evidence comes in large part from scientific data,’ he explains. ‘So, I want to help solve that problem. If we’ve got great data and evidence that can be gathered reliably and cheaply, then we can drive great policies.’ As a property owner in Willunga and Kangaroo Island, Alan says that a reef on the Fleurieu would provide easier access and enable AusOcean and local researchers to do even more science and monitoring. In fact, a Fleurieu reef is not beyond the realms of possibility, he tells me. The current Marshall Liberal Government, as part of their election campaign, committed to establishing artificial reefs as a counterpoint to the marine parks that have frustrated recreational fishers. Alan believes that the Fleurieu would be a prime candidate for at least one of these reefs – but he cautions that most artificial reefs are just ‘a bunch of concrete or rubber tires, which create habitat for fish but aren’t the slightest bit natural’. ‘Whereas, with a shellfish reef, you have to jumpstart the process by creating limestone substrate about 50cm tall, which is just enough for the oysters to get established. From there the reef grows naturally and over time can rise metres and metres high.’ 79

Above: Despite the company’s success, owners Geoff Hutchinson and Barry Clarke still get up early to do the milking.

Sharing the spoils Geoff Hutchinson is a true Myponga local; he doesn’t live more than a short walk from the home he grew up in. ‘The ongoing joke with my neighbor is that I’ve moved about a kilometre but he has only moved bedrooms,’ he laughs. The way Geoff sees it is, if you live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, why would you leave? It’s no secret that Australia’s dairy industry has faced some turbulent years, with farmers battling low milk prices. This has forced many out of businesses which have been run by their families for generations. Myponga is somewhat of a microcosm of the wider industry; during the mid-to-late 1900s, it was home to about 40 dairy farms – there is now less than fifteen. The story of how Fleurieu Milk Company managed to grow – and then thrive – in the current climate has been well documented as both a regional and statewide success story. The company has gone from strength to strength and now, over a decade later, it has expanded by another two farms, employing almost forty staff. Production has grown ten-fold, with more than 100,000 litres of fresh milk distributed each day by a bevy of smartly branded vans that travel across the state and beyond. Talking to Geoff, it doesn’t take long to realise that he’s a modest, easy-going farmer; he puts his company’s success down to the support of his community, as well as the wider public – those 80

buying their milk have kept him in the paddock. ‘A lot of people have supported us along the way,’ he says. Despite some big wins, Fleurieu Milk has been notoriously media shy when it comes to spruiking their successes; with so many others doing it tough in the industry, they wouldn’t want to add to their pain. However, others in the community say their story has done the exact opposite, bringing a sense of hope and vitality at a time when the region has needed it. As the business grew, the owners quickly realised they were now in a position to support others, just as they had been supported. With footy a huge part of country life, that’s where they turned. ‘We support the home team, Myponga, but we also sponsor the local league and Little Heroes Foundation,’ he tells me. ‘We have guys on board who used to play for the Adelaide Crows. Footy has been a big part of our lives, that’s what it’s like in a small community.’ The Little Heroes Program supports children surviving cancer and serious illness. Donations from Fleurieu Milk recently reached over $300,000, with a percentage of each sale going to the foundation. When it comes to footy, the financial support hasn’t been lost on Great Southern Football League President, Gordon Tonkin. ‘Support of AFL Football in our region, both the men and women’s competitions, is critical to the viability of the league and clubs,’ he says. ‘We sincerely thank them for their support of us and the Fleurieu community generally over the last fifteen years.’ Geoff sees supporting his community as just another part of the job. And it’s a community he wants to see thrive. ‘The Fleurieu itself I think is probably one of the most unexplored parts of Australia,’ he says. ‘As far as the State goes, I think it’s pretty much undersold. It’s a great place to live and grow up.’

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FOOD & WINE

Iberian Wines

The countries of Spain and Portugal comprise most of what we know as the ‘Iberian Peninsula’ and we are seeing more of these native varieties planted in the Fleurieu. The grapes can handle the heat and work well with our lifestyle and food ... si-si!

Geddes Wines Seldom Inn Whilst having a brief siesta dreaming about an olive-skinned Spanish lady clicking her clackers at me, I was envisioning the smell of chorizo and paprika cooking. I felt a warm comfort but with a bang, I woke up and opened my eyes with a startle, and the reality of life was reinstated. Ah, there is nothing better than lying on Sellicks Beach drinking the Grenache Graciano. Victor’s Place Entrada Verdehlo ‘Entrada’ means Entrance. At Victor’s Place, Entrada celebrates the location’s entry to McLaren Vale, and the company’s love of Spanish and Portuguese grape varieties. It is also the name of the village in Portugal where I spent a vintage studying traditional Iberian winemaking techniques. Blanco Nuevo is Verdelho based, inspired by the wines of Vinho Verde. Fresh and vibrant with bright generous fruit and a steely refreshing backbone of natural acidity, it is made to be enjoyed in its youth. Salud! SC Pannell 2016 Dead End Tempranillo This is our most serious Tempranillo release to date from fruit grown at the dead end of Amery Road, McLaren Vale. Youthful, fruit driven and medium-bodied, loaded with flavours of black cherry and Sarsaparilla, and aromas of blackberry and roasted exotic spice. 82

A wine of presence, complexity and depth, you can drink it with flame grilled chorizo, black olives and Manchego whilst listening to Venice by Anderson Paak. Wirra Wirra Touriga Nacional The name Esperanza comes from Spanish, meaning hope. This Touriga Nacional is a classic Iberian varietal that we hope will be part of McLaren Vale’s long-term winemaking future. It has a bouquet of sweet musk and violet florals, underwritten with darker blueberries and dried fruits seasoned with black pepper spice. The palate is rich and juicy with ripe, dark fruits and earthy notes, gently wrapped in sandy tannins and waves of musky spice. A medium-bodied style that just screams tapas! Battle of Bosworth Heretic – Touriga, Graciano, Shiraz Small batch winemaking is the order of the day for the Heretic; its three varietals (Touriga Nacional from Portugal, Graciano from Spain and Shiraz from McLaren Vale) were open-fermented separately but blended prior to bottling. Super bright and lively with hints of red fruits and bergamot on the nose, this is a mid-weight wine, showing blue fruits on the palate. It is an incredibly lively wine with long, light, fine and bright tannins and a freshness on the finish, which is delicious.

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Healthy aging is very dependent on good hearing. We risk our social skills if we cannot communicate. A hearing test is simple and informative. Mary Trowbridge Audiologist 187 Main Rd Mclaren Vale M: 0411 779 916 mary@fleurieuhearing.com.au www.fleurieuhearing.com.au

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FLY THE FLEURIEU 83

Discovering the roots of history Story by by Nicola Gage. Photography by Petra de Mooy.

When Michael Heath stumbled across a photograph in FLM taken on Kangaroo Island, it sparked his interest. He hadn’t seen this particular stretch of mallee trees before and wanted to find out more. ‘If you come across a tree that shouldn’t really be there, you have to ask the question, how did it get there?’, he says. ‘It suggests that there is a story to be told.’ Like anyone in search of a good story, Michael started combing for the facts behind this magical mallee arbor. He sifted through old newspaper articles before contacting the team here at Fleurieu Living Magazine, to see if we could help find the property’s owner. ‘It turns out the National Trust has two examples of [similar] arbors on Kangaroo Island and we now know of four more,’ he explains. ‘There’s a theme developing here, which I would like to explore.’ Michael reminds me of an old-school police investigator; he assigns himself a case, gathers the evidence and methodically pieces the puzzle together. Only, his cases don’t involve people; they involve trees. As a volunteer for the National Trust, he helps discover new trees that are of cultural, historical and scientific value. Or, they could simply just be magnificent specimens. When he learns their past – and if they stand up to the test – they are added to the National Trust of Australia Register of Significant Trees, of which there are some six thousand already from South Australia. There is something about trees that has always fascinated Michael, and I must say, myself as well. They are in some sense majestic and link us closer to nature. While he has always had an interest in natural sciences, it was during his career as a landscape architect that he began to look at trees differently – like a designer would. Michael’s first job in the industry was developing the grounds of an old abbey in the United Kingdom, before landing a secondment to Islamabad, in Pakistan. Whilst there, he helped design public spaces in the new capital city. ‘The major project at the time was to try and bring all of the ministries from Karachi to Islamabad to start to build up the new capital city,’ he says. ‘It was a very special, rewarding experience.’ When he moved to Australia in the ‘70s – after being appointed to work for the Western Australian Government – there didn’t seem to be any process when it came to examining trees on a building site. So, he introduced the idea of assessing trees to determine those that would contribute to future landscape and those that should be removed. ‘That gave other designers, primarily architects, reasons to incorporate trees as part of the design,’ he tells me, ‘and not just see them as nuisances that get in the way of development.’

Michael Heath stands at the start of an ‘avenue of honour’ in Willunga. On Arbor Day in 1915, twelve white cedars (Melia azedrach) were planted in St Peter’s Terrace.

As the National Trust refocussed its interest in valuable trees, Michael was invited to join its South Australian arm, to help determine which ones in the state had intrinsic value. ‘The National Trust had by that time decided that significant trees were those that scientifically, culturally and historically had a story to tell,’ he says. ‘If you think about a tree that’s over 100 years old, it’s managed to take anything we’ve thrown at it, climate wise or development wise, and it’s survived,’ he says. ‘It’s withstood the test of time.’ The National Trust of South Australia has been recording significant trees since 1983 and Michael is always on the hunt for more; each with a different story, waiting for someone to piece together. ‘I quite like the ones in Willunga.’ he says. ‘There is a small avenue of trees that were planted in 1915 by the school and the community to commemorate all of the Willunga [residents] … who enlisted for World War One. Willunga is [to my knowledge] the first town in Australia to do just that, to recognise everyone who enlisted with an ‘avenue of honour.’ This memorial is now 103 years old. And we can just imagine the children planting them back then, if we want to, and take ourselves back in history.’ Forty-seven trees from the Fleurieu are currently registered, however Michael says there are many more he wants to crack the case on, starting with those mallee arbors on Kangaroo Island. If you know of any trees on the Fleurieu that might interest the National Trust, you can contact them on: admin@nationaltrustsa.org.au

Fleurieu Weddings Lachy Button and Erin Stewart married on 16th February 2018. Photography by Evan Bailey.

When Lachy and Erin began planning their wedding, they knew they wanted it to be a true reflection of who they are – a relaxed setting surrounded with good food, good music and the important people in their lives.

They fell in love with the idea of having their reception in a tipi. One half was set out as a lounge area and the other half a dance floor. Lachy’s uncle had recently purchased a property at Middleton which had a beautiful old Pepper Tree in one of the paddocks. This became the perfect setting for their day. Uncle David went above and beyond to make their visions come to life. The location was also special as Lachy and his family have treasured memories of his late grandmother who resided in nearby Goolwa. ‘Our wedding was non-traditional in many ways, but we loved that it was different,’ Erin says. One distinct break from tradition was that Erin and Lachy were officially married at the registry office two weeks prior, feeling that they would be more relaxed with a less formal approach.

Instead, their good friend and housemate Tylah Saunders acted as their celebrant. They felt much better having a friendly and familiar face at the end of the aisle, and it was a fantastic way to surprise their guests. ‘We made an arbour out of of old posts which already happened to be on the property.’ Erin says. There they reaffirmed their commitment and said their vows in front of their family and friends.

fashion so guests could mingle. Local wines and drinks were served from the quirky Little Vintage Bar & Van. They also opted out of a wedding cake and opted for a large grazing table (crafted by the Father of the Bride), which guests contributed to with dips, meats and cheeses. Once speeches were over, the dance floor began, with Connor Hartshorne AKA DJ Spin Laden supplying the tunes.

‘Tylah did a fantastic job given he isn’t a qualified celebrant. He really did settle our nerves and added a personal touch to the ceremony.’ Sophie Orchard sang the acoustic version of Sam Smith’s ‘Latch’ for Erin’s walk down the aisle, and entertained guests with Lachy and Erin’s favourite songs to mark the start of their reception. Guests were treated to Two Fat Blokes Wood Oven Pizzas served in a cocktail

‘Evan Bailey captured the day beautifully and we are so lucky that he knew the area well,’ Erin says. ‘Given he is a Middleton resident, he had already picked out the best locations for photos on the day and he was so enthusiastic and genuinely excited to be a part of our day which was lovely’.

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SOCIAL PAGES

Being Social: d’Arenberg Cube Surrealist Ball On April 14, the opening night of Tasting Australia for 2018, the first major event held at the d’Arenberg Cube was also in full swing. The fully illuminated d’Arenberg Cube welcomed guests to the ‘Surrealist Ball’.

Being Social: FLM Autumn issue launch Our Autumn launch was held at the stylish new Thunderbird Restaurant and Wine Bar at Port Elliot. Fleurieu Living partnered with Ideas on the Fleurieu to ask attendees what their big ideas for the Fleurieu are. Some of this will be uncovered at their inaugural event ‘Fleurieu Festival of Ideas’ in August. Photos courtesy of Kathy Hayter.

01: Nick Stock and Rami Heer 02: Michael Clark, Kirsten and Paul Edgington, Beth Loveday 03: Max Veenhuyzen and Myffy Rigby 04: Lincoln and Corrina Ridley 05: Jason Porter and Lisa Hudson 06: Bronwyn and Gerry O’Callaghan, Jackie Singh and Marcus Benny 07: Carolyn and Don Bailey with daughter Jessica Clapp 08: Kym McHugh and Ron Logan 09: Melissa and Donovan Steer with their children 10: Nina Keath with David and Cheryl Hunt 11: Glenn Rappensberg, Shen Mann and Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes 12: Charles Manning with Cameron Ledgard.

SOCIAL PAGES

Being Social: Fleurieu Fringe Festival The Fleurieu Fringe lit up the shores of Onkaparinga River for two weekends in February this year. Congratulations to Kylea Hartley and her team. Photos of the FLeurieu Living Market courtesy of Christie Thomson.

Being Social: Goolwa Art and Photographic Exhibition The sixth annual exhibition gave patrons the opportunity to view over seven hundred works, with the main prizes for photography awarded to Joshua Baldwin and Alan Bevan for painting.

01: Caitlin Lidae 02: Sharon Dedrick 03: Kirsty Thurnwald 04: Michelle Tyson 05: Mark Bergineti and friend 06: Tanya Gurney, Jasmine Kurda, Kylea Hartley (Fleurieu Fringe Team) 07: Allan Jones, Brian and Janet Tapping 08: Ray Coventry, Helen Hurford and Carol Coventry 09: Geoff Davies, Leah Grace, Cherylanne Brown (curator) 10: Joshua Baldwin (winner), Coline Bertin, Roger Sheldon 11: Geoff Davies, Sally Deans, John and Lydia Lacey 12: Joshua Baldwin (winner), Mayor Keith Parkes and Tracy Parkes.

SOCIAL PAGES

Being Social: MY Playground Myponga On April 23, the new Myponga Playground was officially opened. With funds raised by the Myponga Progress Association this is a very welcome addition to the growing community, with local families lining up to have a go on the new equipment.

Being Social: The Lakehouse Chiton official opening On March 26th, the retirement village at the Beyond Development welcomed its residents to the new state-of-the-art community centre, The Lakehouse. The community centre features a communal lounge/dining area – with a bar and barbecue facilities – offering glorious views across the development’s wetlands.

01: The new nature playgrond at Myponga called MY Playground 02: Larissa Barry and son 03: Landscape designers Karen Schiller and James Potter of Dirt Garden Design 04: Holly Wyatt and son 05: James Potter and Evan Bailey 06: Yankalilla Mayor Glen Rowlands, MP Leon Bignell, Larissa Barry and MP Rebekha Sharkie 07: Desmond Dent, Glynis Carmichael and Margaret Dent 08: Gwen Stone, Sandra Culross, Dianne Greenhow and Joan Driver 09: Ian Campbell, Daryl Stillwell, Dr Roger Sexton AM, Geoff Vogt and Donny Walford 10: Lynette Plane, Donny Walford and Dorothy Lord 11: Steve Wright and Ian Campbell 12: Ron Lind, David Cammack, Jan Lind and Kaye Cammack.

2 D AY K A N G A R O O I S L A N D

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Call 13 13 01 or visit sealink.com.au Illustration by Chris Edser.

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Fleurieu Living Magazine Winter 2018

Articles inside

For the love of garlic

Here's cheers to Fleurieu beers

Engineering in the deep

Noel's shed

A basket of dreams for different times

The Good Life at Second Valley

Lapito House

Six Artists of the 2018 Fleurieu Biennale