Issue 18 online by Adriana Alvarez

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Issue 18 * 2015

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Autumn

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The hillscene is created in partnership with Burrinja

Join our Grassroots Market Poppies for Remembrance craft circle. 21 March.

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Autumn is for Art @ Burrinja Dandenong Ranges Open Studios Meet the Makers Hidden in the Hills Open Weekend 18 + 19 April

All your favourite studios and lots of fabulous new artists open their doors for you to explore. 2015 introduces Emerging and Odd Ball artists, as well as Individual Artists and Collectives. Open Studios Exhibition ‘On the Brink – The Tensity of Change’ - 28 March to May 3. Opening Celebration April 16 at 7pm. Check out www.openstudios.org.au for all the latest artist info.

Theatre Sampler Package

Burrinja is bundling together a very special offering for its patrons to try the different flavours of three fabulous shows in 2015, for one very tempting price. Gallipoli - A manual of trench warfare - Friday May 1, 8pm; Australia Day, by Jonathan Biggins - Wednesday May 27, 8pm; Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow Sunday June 21, 7.30pm. All 3 shows for just one price: $79 - a saving of over $20 on full price. All show details on the web.

Café Burrinja re-opens with new look and menu

Come and meet the new crew – Sandra, Bluzal, Leah and staff. Sandra will be familiar to anyone who has had the pleasure of enjoying the menu, coffees and service at Kallista Tea Rooms. Café Burrinja keeps it local, friendly and fabulous. Opening early from 9am for breakfast, great coffee and a tempting allday menu. Now Open Tuesday to Sunday 9am – 5pm Café Bookings 9754 4771

Burrinja - Cnr Glenfern Rd & Matson Drive, Upwey ph: (03) 9754 8723 w: burrinja.org.au

burrinja - BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTS

editor’s rave I’m running a bit behind! But that’s what happens when your life is ramped up a notch. My oldest has started high school and the Summer has disappeared in the blink of an eye. Now Autumn is here I hope things will settle down and be a bit crusier. The colours will soon start to change and the days will grow shorter and cooler. But I’m sure the busyness of life will be a constant. One reason for the full schedule that keeps me busy is that there are so many things always going on in the hills. There seems to be an event or festival on almost every weekend and we try and make it to as many as possible. Whether it’s the Belgrave Buskers Festival, or the Upwey Billy Cart Races, or one of our vibrant markets like Kallista, Emerald or Big Dreams. There is always something happening. Some things we have covered in this issue like bees scene @ PAVE festival in Emerald, the Poppies project for ANZAC day with workshops planned at the Grassroots markets in Upwey and of course the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios. But there are plenty of other things happening which we mention on our facebook page and blog. Apart from all these events we’ve also highlighted a creative new local shop, an exhibition by an emerging local artist and a community cohousing group which offers some diverse opportunities.

Hills folk aren’t content to just stay put in the hills, though. So this issue also features plenty of adventurous locals who are doing great things outside the hills too. Like Samantha Dunn who is heading off to take her seat in the state Senate, Matthew Thomson who has been photographing his travels around the world and our very own Gareth Hart of hillsceneLIVE with his new show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. There are so many things to enjoy it’s hard to know where to begin. Perhaps my Autumn will be just as busy as the Summer. As long as I get time to appreciate the beautiful colours of the changing trees I’m sure it will be a great season.

Editor/Designer Adriana Alvarez Cover Katherine Herriman Editorial Committee Ross Farnell, Amy Middleton, Gareth Hart Contributors Gareth Hart, Amy Middleton, Samantha Levy, Tiffany Morris North, Krystal Seigerman, Sarah Walker, Ann-Maree Baker, Susan Brown, Max Lancaster, Ariel Haviland, Michele Fountain, Peter Burdon, Matthew Thomson, Lee Fuller, Dianne Lagerwey and Adriana Alvarez facebook: The Hillscene www.hillscene.com.au blog: hillsceneblog.wordpress.com/ For submission and advertising enquiries e: hillscene@westnet.com.au Printed by Ferntree Print on Envirocare 100gsm recycled paper. © Copyright 2015

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Words by Amy Middleton Katherine Herriman’s studio in Sassafras exudes calm and whimsical charm, with tiny hand held canvases wrapped in meticulously considered colour pallets, shelves stacked with children’s story books, and a careful selection of furniture drenched in natural light, casting abstract patterns on the wooden floorboards. In preparation for the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios program taking place this Autumn Katherine shared the following insights into her studio practice.

Can you tell us a little about your background and why you have chosen to be a painter? Although I’ve always enjoyed drawing and creating, I began my art practise in earnest whilst living nomadically throughout Europe in a motorhome called ‘Nettle’. My studio is now based in a 1920’s cottage, nestled in Sassafras. My aspiration is at the same time both simple and lofty: to create more opportunities for daydreamers to keep their heads in the clouds. Harvested from an infatuation with colour and a yearning for the pleasantly strange to infuse daily life, each painting is subtley hued and playfully offbeat.

Was there a significant turning point or moment when you knew you wanted to be an artist? I never wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I don’t think it ever actually occurred to me that it was an option. I thought I had sussed out what the artistically inclined could do with their skills when I first encountered the subject of graphic design - they make logos! That was the nail in the coffin for my creative career. My turning point was when I began to notice how I felt about art when I wasn’t making it. It hurt to look at beautiful things I didn’t create.

What does your studio space mean to you and how does it influence your work? For three and a half years my studio was the smaller table in our motorhome ‘Nettle’, just a couple of feet wide. My current studio is the first time I’ve had a whole room dedicated

to making art. When I was painting in ‘Nettle’, I discovered that I felt much more motivated and content when I left all of my art supplies out where I could feel surrounded by them. It’s incredibly important to have a dedicated space for all of my art supplies and work in progress whether it’s a corner of a motorhome or a whole room.

Describe a typical day working in your studio? There isn’t one typical day, there are several varieties of typical day. There’s the inspiration gathering day, and the sketching day, the art supplies ordering day, and the colour scheme creation day, the paint mixing day and the canvas preparation day, then a lot of painting days whilst listening to podcasts online. There are also plenty of days that are peripheral to artmaking but integral to life as an artist, such as blogging and photographing work.

You’re taking part in the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios in April. What can visitors expect to experience? I will be exhibiting a series of paintings of tiny, gentle worlds. My paintings are characterised by a limited, muted palette with a subtly textured appearance, achieved by accentuating the weave of the canvas. I work as if illustrating a picture book of fantastically improbable scenes that invite each viewer to fill in the missing story. Within these works of pure imagination, clusters of balloons, stylistic constellations, cloudscapes, creatures and characters will be found. Amongst the narrative threads woven around each scene is the sense of the infinite possibility that children’s books once bestowed upon our childhood selves. To see more of Katherine’s stunning work and to follow her blog, check out www.nelliewindmill.com. To visit Katherine’s studio and meet this lovely lady head to the Open Studios website www.openstudios.org.au

homes

Cohousing in the Dandenong Ranges In February an event designed to establish ‘Cohousing in the Dandenong Ranges’ was held at Mater Christi College, Belgrave. This collaboration between Inner Sanctuary Design, Cohousing Australia and the Sustainable Living Festival 2015, brought together over 50 people from the local area, greater Melbourne and regional Victoria to form a group that could foster this concept in the Hills region. Inspired by the deepening interest of Samantha Levy, Director of Inner Sanctuary Design, to pursue and share skills and knowledge relating to cohousing, the event was intended to support community living and housing projects in the Dandenong Ranges by addressing crucial issues of housing affordability, ecological impact and community building. As well as the practical considerations of cohousing, such as alternative building methods, sustainable design, food growing and community collaboration; the conceptual context of cohousing is of equal importance to this group. Developing a community that is able to balance privacy, shared facilities, encourage self-management and ownership are also core considerations to this reconstructed way of life. Samantha said that, “As a designer, the type of community, both professional and social, around me is integral to the strength and quality of projects I undertake which embody the ethos of social wellbeing, health and connection with nature. My deep interest in cohousing and

intentional community began in 2011 when travelling the world in search of a better way of utilising my architecture training, and a better way of living. I discovered many of these skills through experiences with residents of ecovillages, intentional communities and eco-projects who tend to prioritise quality of life, nature and community which affirmed that this was definitely a movement of which I wanted to be a part. After a few years exploring the landscapes of Australia’s intentional communities, I connected with Cohousing Australia who offered me a supportive platform to share my passion and knowledge using workshops and group facilitation to spread the word. Having recently relocated to the Dandenong Ranges, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with existing cooperatives and cohousing projects in the area and have set my intentions to share this heart-based, resourcesharing way of living with those who wish to discover a greater quality of life and warmer sense of community.” ‘Cohousing in the Dandenong Ranges’ has developed an online database of skills, expertise and knowledge designed to make resources easily accessible should any opportunities arise. For upcoming events, further information and to register your interest in becoming part of the online database, please contact Samantha by email, innersanctuary@live.com.au www.innersanctuary@live.com.au

Bee Scene @ PAVE 2015 In 2015 the PAVE festival celebrates its’ 10th anniversary. The event runs over an entire week with events every day and evening. Over 200 performers and artists contribute to the PAVE festival, offering something for every taste, age, ability and interest. This year, the festival (now considered to be a young adult in festival years) starts to consider its place in the world, and really tackles some grown up ideas. One of these, is to assist a global trend of awareness and action around the importance of our tiniest yellow and black hills friends: the bee. Lee Fuller, from Emerald for Sustainability (EmFSus) writes…. All around the world, bees are in trouble, and they need your help! Bees are vital for cross pollination of flowers, vegetables crops and fruit trees not only for suburban gardens but also for farms, parklands, plant nurseries and community gardens Certain insecticides known as “neonics” widely used in commercial stone-fruit cropping, have been linked to mass declines in bee numbers. Three types of neonics were banned in the EU

in 2013. A similar ban is being called for here in Australia. Australian bees also face the added biosecurity threat of the vorrea mite, which could decimate existing bee populations. Global bee populations are also at risk due to varying climatic disruptions. Increases in prolonged droughts here in Australia, particularly with climate change, have done, and will wipe out large percentages of bees. A cold snap and harsh winter conditions are also responsible for bee declines. Scientists have found a name for the phenomenon that matches its scale, “colony collapse disorder.” They have good reason to be worried: 80% of plant species require bees to be pollinated. Without bees, there is no pollinization, and fruits and vegetables could disappear from the face of the Earth. A reduction in their natural habitat is also a contributing factor. Apis mellifera (the honey bee) appeared on Earth 60 million years before man and is as indispensable to the economy as it is to man’s survival.

environment

Photos by NeilbyCreek • www.neilcreek.com Photography Neil Creek - www.neilcreek.com

So, what can you do to help the bees? Plant bee-friendly shrubs and plants in your garden, native bees are equally important as honey bees. Build a bee hotel. There are several plans available on-line, although the one from Hume City Council is my favourite. (Google “Hume City Council bee hotel”) Are you able to have a bee hive at your place? Not sure? Get in touch with a bee club in your area and find out more about them. A community hive may be an option for you, or adopt-a-hive. STOP using insecticides! Investigate natural alternatives. “Bee Scene @ PAVE 2015” is a focus for this year’s PAVE Festival in Emerald, by drawing attention to the issue of the decline in bee numbers with the local arts festival as the platform.

Specifically, on Tuesday 14 April at the Emerald Library, commencing at 7.30pm, Emerald for Sustainability (EmFSus) and in conjunction with the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation, will be hosting the screening of “More Than Honey”, preceded by a talk about bees from Bec McBride from Bec’s Bee Hive (www.becsbeehive.com.au). This is a no cost event, but bookings are essential. Buzzzz along and find out more. About 50 years ago, Albert Einstein said, “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” A sobering thought. But there IS plenty you can do to help. That is the key to reversing the decline of bees. You have the power to change the current situation, so get to it! PAVE: www.pave.org.au Emerald for Sustainability: www.emfsus.org.au

A Serendipitous studio

Words by Krystal Seigerman photos by Krystal Seigerman and Sarah Walker

ometimes things just fall into place. While Dandenong Ranges artists Eva Glac, Emma Jennings and Shelley Krycer each maintain individual art practices, they have recently begun working out of a communal studio in Ferny Creek which is influencing their work in surprising ways. Nestled amongst a rambling garden of eucalypts, ferns and lilies, the rustic studio is spread across three storeys with each artist having their own level. As Emma explains, when she moved to the property, she realised the studio was much too vast for her needs. Inspired by Monsalvat, Eltham’s unique artists colony established in 1934, Emma had always been drawn to the idea of creating an artistic community. Chatting to Shelley one day, Emma happened to mention her dream of a communal studio. Shelley’s response was simple: “How’s Wednesday?” Eva moved in soon after. Although the artists come from contrasting backgrounds, it is possible to see subtle, connecting threads between their work. Eva originally began her career in industrial design, later constructing sets and props in film and TV and this foundation informs her love of shape and form. Working mostly in 3D, she experiments

with a range of materials, from clay, to plaster, wood, metal and even sugar to explore themes of nature and the body. Although Eva has been creating art since she was 18, it is only in recent years that she has been able to devote significant time to her art practice. Having a dedicated studio space will undoubtedly facilitate her artistic progression. For many years, Emma worked as an artist and designer for prominent stationery, textiles and homewares brands, with her detailed designs informed by extensive research. Although still undertaking some freelance work, Emma now focuses on her art practice and often creates intricate gouache paintings on beautifully handmade papers. Echoes of a Japanese aesthetic are evident in her work through her delicate use of line and geometric patterns. Graduating from Honors at Monash in 2004, Shelley’s art practice has evolved to encompass a diverse range of mediums, yet at the heart of her practice is drawing. As Shelley explains, “I see it all as drawing…even when I’m doing an installation, it’s like tracing…like drawing in space.” Whether working in basket weaving, watercolours, stencilling or jewellery, an interplay

From left: Eva Glac, Emma Jennings and Shelley Krycer

between structured and organic forms is an intriguing feature of Shelley’s work. In different ways, each artist thinks carefully about the materials they use. There is an emphasis on using natural, salvaged or recycled products; on knowing the origins of their materials; and on creating art with integrity in a slow, measured way. Perhaps this is a response to living in a globalised world where so much is mass-produced and disposable. Yet, the artists also agree that the hills landscape also has a strong influence on their work. As Eva says, “your environment has to change you in some way,” whether directly or subconsciously. This is clear in Eva’s ceramic seed pods, Shelley’s earthy colour palette and Emma’s paintings of treasured plants from her garden. In addition to their already multifaceted practices, collaborations are emerging. Emma and Shelley have inspired each other to work

on reclaimed timber, while Emma and Eva are experimenting with decorating Eva’s seed pods with Emma’s exquisite designs. The artists are excitedly preparing for the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios in 2015 and a range of jewellery, cards and artworks will be available to purchase. Emma greatly values direct communication with visitors that the Open Studios weekend allows. As she puts it, “when I’m standing there and can talk to them about the process and show them the brushes I paint with…people really respond in a positive way.” Ultimately, the finished result is just one aspect of the creative process - the unpredictable trials, the serendipitous conversations that spark collaborations and the lingering influence of the surrounding environment are just as important. www.evaglac.com www.emmajennings.com.au www.shelleykrycer.com

Seven Pages We love to shop local especially when there are so many interesting shops to choose from. One such shop which opened late last year was Seven Pages. Owners Ann-Maree Baker, Susan Brown and Max Lancaster talk to us about the inspiration for their gorgeous store. The creation of Seven Pages in Sassafras started over coffee and cake at a local coffee shop. Max and Susan had been enjoying participating in the market scene for a while and Ann-Maree had been itching to open a shop that was “something creative” since she was a little girl. A friendly chat about the directions of our lives and a discussion of combining our skills led, within a matter of minutes, to “why not... let’s open a shop”. The seed was planted and grew from there into an outlet that allows us to pursue our creative,design and artistic passions. We each have our own interest, skills and styles, you name it, collectively we’ve either done ‘it’ or have been dying to try ‘it’. This makes our store interesting, eclectic and evolving, which shows in what we have on our shelves. We work together and play to our strengths to create and design interesting and inspiring handcrafted objects of desire. If possible, we love repurposing objects, as it not only inspires our creative minds, but is environmentally friendly and lends itself to a unique end product. Offering products that are not mass produced but handcrafted gives each piece its own uniqueness, personality and character. To complement the things we make, we also stock a unique range of artisans who contribute their talents. We love that we have the good fortune to not only sell our own items, but can provide an opportunity to support some of the many talented artists who live locally and interstate. Our local artists include Metro Art and Design, Amy Middleton, Penelope Long, Moiety, Tiffany Morris North, Grasshare Girl, Chum Laser, Gia, Crafted By Conner and Zombie 8 just to name a few. We feel that we are creating our own little ‘hills’ community and have received great support from many hills residents who have wholeheartedly welcomed locally made and designed products!! We run the store together which gives us great flexibility in staying on top of family life as well. It means we can be there for each other if family

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commitments require a change of a work day. Our older children have come in to help on the weekends which gives them a connection to what we are trying to achieve and helps make it a whole family adventure not just our own. Part of our philosophy behind opening the store was to be able to inspire creativity in others, provide a space to represent local

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Collaboration works

art

Words by Adriana Alvarez

With the new year comes new ideas. Although they are of course just ideas that have been floating around waiting for the right moment to manifest themselves. I have been thinking for a while that it’s not enough for the hillscene to just showcase our talented local artists, but that we should be more proactive in creating connections between artists and an opportunity for them to create fresh works. hillsceneLIVE was a great example of this. With that in mind we are starting a new collaborative feature in the hillscene. Inspired by my time at Leaf studios where there were always mini collaborations and ideas being exchanged. The idea is to get a collaboration between artists. The work of one artist will be given to another to

create a collaborative piece. Either inspired by the other’s work or started by one artist and finished by another. Our first collaboration is between Michele Fountain and myself. I met Michele when she came in to Leaf studios. We chatted about her work, art, old books and found poetry. Not long after she sent me a found poem which she had crafted by ripping out sentences from an old book as a form of creative expression. When I received it I began to think of the design possibilities for putting it in the hillscene, and so the collaborative process had begun. Here is the finished work. Michele’s poem and my artwork. I hope it inspires some new connections, shared perspectives and collaborations from others.

Michele Fountain Michele is a handweaver and textile artist whose love affair with words started early. She creates beautiful woven works of art which are often wearable, and sometimes just can’t resist adding something a little poetry-based. She loves the whimsical, wistful, wonderful possibilities to be found in fragments of old stories and cast-off rusted treasures. www.metafourstudio.com.au

Adriana Alvarez So many projects, so little time. Always up late, trying for a creative life. I’m an artist, designer, illustrator, writer and editor, a real Renaissance woman (did I mention mother as well). I’m also the creator of the hillscene maga’zine’ and blog. To find out more check out my website and blog. www.alvarezcreative.com.au

Living on the Fringe

Hills based artist Gareth Hart is taking a new performance work to Adelaide Fringe.... Peter Burdon fills us in on his latest show.

Photo by Sarah Walker

review Gareth Hart first came to the 2012 Adelaide Fringe with Ellipsis, a fascinating and innovative dance experience that began with a cup of green tea and a digital headset on arrival. Ultra sensitive microphones mean that every facet of his original and highly intricate movement is picked up, even the tiniest wisp of a fingertip brushing against the floor. It was riveting stuff, and gained the only five-star dance review of the Fringe. “Hart himself has a mesmerising appeal, and exudes tranquillity in this really fine dance experience,” I said at the time. He was back in 2013 with Symphony of Strange which continued his long journey into improvisation. The venue, an entire gutted floor of a long-disused office building, gave an intimate work an epic feel with four or five ‘stations’ along the space, ultimately arriving at a spectacular scene. Where live musicians filled an entire wall for the most complex part of an impressive original score for approximately fifty pitched and unpitched objects. Another five stars, and a nomination for the Fringe awards. “I’m so glad that I can get back to Adelaide in 2015,” says Gareth Hart, “I had a fantastic time and a great reception in 2012 and 2013 but things got a bit busy last year so it’s taken until now.” A bit busy, he says modestly. In fact, soon after the Fringe in 2013 Hart went to the UK for an extended residency with the acclaimed Lift festival at which he honed his producing skills, leading directly to a gig producing community festivals [hillsceneLIVE] in regional Victoria throughout 2014. “It was amazing,” he says, “I rolled out three festivals across the year featuring young, emerging and experimental artists, across all the live art forms. It was just for a year, but it’s seen so many links develop between communities that wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance. People get a whiff of what’s possible and things just grow.”

Hart’s new show Excavate started life as a different piece. “I had an idea of a work called Tunnel Vision which I started to develop in London in 2013. It was about depth perception and optical illusion brought to life on stage through relating proximity to live performance, but without bring a magic act. But by the time I got back from the UK it was getting too late for the Fringe in 2014 and it’s never a good idea to force work before it’s ready. But the benefit of having time has really come through, I think.” Excavate will be an immersive performance. “I’m putting a ton of dirt on top of a building!” he says with a laugh, “The people at the Edments Building on Rundle Mall have been incredibly supportive. Around the dirt, which forms the performance space, there will be speakers facing in, and with each there will be a monitor showing archival footage of Adelaide, especially some of the darker parts of its past. “There’s incredible material available,” he says, “It’s all about Adelaide’s gritty past, things that are socially or culturally taboo. There’s a choreographic interest in that. And it has no lighting: it’s performed in the fading light of the sunset.” The footage sounds interesting. “There’s a wealth of material from the ABC, the National Film and Sound Archive, and these days of course the good old internet. Some will be familiar but much of it won’t be. It’s been a fascinating exercise.” Hart has plans for other seasons of the show during 2015. “The show’s going to a number of places,” he says, “and the challenge there will be to recreate the visual component for the place where it’s showing. That’s the intention of the show, that it be specific to the place where it is showing.”

Peter Burdon Peter Burdon is Dance Critic for The Advertiser in Adelaide, and a selector on the Australian Dance Awards. He also chairs the Adelaide Critics Circle.

Samantha Dunn heads up Words by Adriana Alvarez Samantha Dunn is a formidable force. As the Greens member for local council over the last ‘nine years and two months’ she has achieved a great deal that she’s proud of. Now that she has been elected as a Greens member for the Eastern region in the Victorian Senate that list of achievements is likely to grow even longer. Samantha is a well known character in our local community through her very visible and vocal advocacy for the environment and the arts. And with her down to earth, friendly and easy-going nature it’s not hard to see why she knows so many locals. While I sit having drinks in a café interviewing her, people come up to chat, congratulate her and share a laugh. She often attends festivals and exhibition openings and generally gets involved in many issues in the community that she’s passionate about. So when I ask her why she moved from local government to state the answer is all about being able to serve the community better. “I realised when I was in local government that you could achieve a lot of good things on behalf of the community and I guess putting my hand up for the state was a bit of an extension of that just on a bigger scale,” says Samantha. “And a thing I recognised in local government was that there’s a lot of policy changes needed at the state level, because that hampers a lot of what can happen.” Although she’s proud of the big achievements made on a local level like saving the long daycare centre which is now Sherbrooke Family and Children’s centre, the Monbulk Pool redevelopment and her work on the Belgrave health hub, which is still in the planning stages it’s the “day to day stuff” that matters more to her. “I have helped so many people with little things, community groups, artists, with the creative community as well, in terms of supporting festivals and events and things that they’re trying to do. And that’s been really great to be part of that.” The hillscene is one such project

that Samantha helped out with some seed money from council when we first started out, and having that help at the beginning of your journey is very encouraging. Now she’s moving on to a bigger challenge in the Upper House but she’s still interested in the things that got her into politics in the first place, community and environment. Her portfolio mix for the Greens includes local government and planning, public transport as well as roads and safety. “And the other issue that’s incredibly dear to my heart is the Great Forest National Park. So I’m very happy with that portfolio mix for the Greens,” states Samantha. It sounds like a big challenge but I’m sure Samantha is up for it. “Yes always challenging

profile but I think that I really relish the challenge of politics and policy shift and change. I think local government gives you a bit of exposure to that and there’s greater exposure at a State level.” If you’re a bit vague on the way government works. The Lower House makes legislation and policy but it’s the Upper House, the Senate, that gets to decide whether the legislation gets passed. With the Upper House being the house that reviews policy and legislation Samantha believes it’s important to have a green voice in the Eastern Metropolitan area looking at things through the lens of sustainability. She will be judging laws based on whether it’s a good thing for the people of Eastern Melbourne, in terms of whether it’s better public transport, renewable energy and bringing integrity back to government. Then with this in mind deciding whether that legislation and law is worth supporting or not or amending as part of that process. What is she hoping to achieve in the Senate? “If we can shape legislation to be more progressive, more sustainable and actually securing the long term future of Victoria in a way that shifts it towards renewable energy and the things we need to see. I’d be very happy about that.” Just because Samantha is now in State politics though, don’t think she won’t be around to enjoy the creative community of the hills anymore. She grew up in Boronia and always wanted to live in the hills, she

loves the atmosphere, people and environment of the area. So you’ll still see her at openings and festivals enjoying the cultural life of the hills just not in an official capacity. When I ask about her plans for the future... federal government perhaps? She laughs and says “Not for this little black duck... Well you can never say never but as it stands at the moment I have no desire to run in the Federal jurisdiction at all. Maybe that’s because I’m so parochially Victorian.” It’s good to know we have such a dedicated and passionate local on our side in politics. Whenever I’ve seen Samantha out and about, which is a lot, she seems to have a real passion for community and for practically and positively getting things done. Will she miss local government I wonder? Well she sums it up like this. “There are parts of me that are going to miss local government because there’s no doubt local government is the closest tier of government to it’s local community and state government is more removed than that. I think there’ll be elements of that, that I’ll miss quite a lot. But because this is such a connected community anyway I’ll never lose touch with what’s happening locally. But I’m really looking forward to trying to make a change and make Victoria a far more sustainable and positive place.” Samantha.Dunn@parliament.vic.gov.au

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The Return Home Words and photos by Matthew Thomson It was a total of six months and a few days that I had been away, and during that time I visited two continents and nine countries, stayed in over thirty hostels, took too many trains to count, met an overwhelming amount of new people and tried some quite exotic foods. However, I have been home about one week now and it feels almost as if I never left. In the weeks leading up to my return, I thought a lot about how life would be when I arrived home. How much it would or wouldn’t have changed. How different I had become. How quickly people might stop asking about my trip. And I spent quite a significant amount of time outlining how the next six months will be; building expectations. But as per usual, it has been nothing like what I thought it would be. Family and friends have changed and stayed unchanged in some aspects,

and people are interested in my travels, although they mainly prefer a condensed summary; categorised into my favourite place, scariest moments, and if I got sick. Once I had arrived home and recuperated, it was time to jump back into the social hoops. However this has not been completely smooth sailing. This isn’t meant to sound snobby, but talking to friends who still have barely left Melbourne can be at times, unusually challenging. Not in that it is hard to generally speak, but rather they can have a lack of openness or I feel that I am less understood. That is nothing against them but travelling simply opens your mind and you begin to see around you with broader eyes. Like one of my traveller friends says, I am now an ‘international’ person, part of the travelling community. In general though, I have been feeling slightly out of place, unsure of where I should be or what I

should do. It is a very weird feeling, because it is a mix of familiarity, in that I can settle back into the surface of ‘this is home’, and a deeper detachment, as if no single place is now truly my home. It is a strange uneasy comfort, which is complex and hard to describe, and that has made me feel slightly outside. But apart from feeling awkward, I have also become less stressed out or over concerned about my long term future. Not to say that I have become lazy or lax, but more accepting of the broadness of my future, which is mostly because that is how I tackled my travels. For the entire trip I would’ve only had a handful of definitive dates, the rest of the time I simply go where I wish. For now though, I will set aside my extravagant travels to focus on where I am and what I am doing… except for Japan next year. Written on 14 February 2015. To follow Matthew’s blog and to see more of his photography, head to his website www.matthewthomson.com.au

Locally grown and made food, produce, art & craft, fashion & accessories, plants and live entertainment.

Upcoming Markets Saturday 21 March Upwey 2 - 7pm (twilight) Check out our website for next season’s market dates www.grassrootsmarket.com.au or find us on Facebook Stallholder enquiries welcome

Evolve - Belgrave We finally made a visit to Evolve in Belgrave to try this much talked about café. For months, excited locals wondered about what was finally happening in the old buildings just out of Belgrave. Secretly, we all knew what would be good for the place or had ideas of our own but, for too long, it stood empty. The menu, which was recently updated, was a nice surprise. I already knew Evolve was local, fair, organic and ethical, offered vegetarian and vegan options and was also friendly to those with food allergies. What I didn’t know was how interesting the menu was. The menu didn’t have a huge selection, but that doesn’t bother me. I prefer a few things done really well then there’s less decision-making for me. What I liked was that it was a bit different from your regular breakfast/lunch menu. We tried the Paleo Power Breakfast , mushrooms, kale , beetroot relish topped with poached eggs. We thought we might miss the bread in this dish but it was surprisingly filling. Stepping outside our comfort zone, we also tried the Evolver. This arrived served on a wooden board and the presentation was modern and impressive. The platter consisted of granola with yoghurt, avocado and beetroot relish, sauerkraut on sprouted rye bread and a boiled egg covered in dukkah. Also included with this platter was a holy moly metaboliser shot - warm lemon, honey, apple cider vinegar and cayenne. I was a little apprehensive as this was something I only have when I am sick, but it was really good. The menu also includes the regular breakfast culprits as well as a pasta dish, some lentil patties and a brioche burger to name a few. The dessert cabinet is extensive. We tried the avocado and chocolate mousse which was rich and sensuous but not overly sweet. Also the Persian Love Cake which was sweet and decadent (which went perfectly with a dollop of cream - editor). It was such a hot day when we visited that we didn’t actually test the most important thing on the menuthe coffee. Well, not in the traditional sense, anyway. We did have an affogato and an ice coffee, however, and both gave us the caffeine hit we were after as well as cooling us down.

cafe tarts Evolve is a bit more pricey than your regular caf茅 but guilt free ethical, organic choices come at a price and in my opinion, the extra is well worth it. The interior was light and fresh and the outlook over to the forest was magical. My only gripe was that service was a bit slow, but this was acknowledged by the staff and apologies given. I can forgive this. I will definitely go back but it will be difficult not to order the same thing. I enjoyed it that much! 64-68 Monbulk Road Belgrave Facebook - Evolve Fair Food Store Tiffany Morris-North Tiffany is a passionate artist/crafter/foodie living with her family in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Follow her adventures on her blog tiffanymorrisnorth.wordpress.com

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Strangers no more For those of you who consider yourselves purveyors of excellent tunes, or lovers of great music, you may have already encountered ‘Alex Elbery and the Strangers’. With fingers in many pies, and seen with regularity around the hills music establishments, this local force of experimental music is a feast for the senses.

The band is about to embark upon a west coast tour, taking in Perth and Fremantle, and after their recent musical musings at hillsceneLIVE, Gareth Hart decided to dig a little deeper and share some insights from the band. Frontman, Alex Elbery, shares some thoughts.

How would you describe your musical journey up to this point in time? Music is all I’ve ever done so this is like trying to describe my entire life. I think the best way of putting it, though, is to describe the first time I was on stage: 5 years old and playing my first violin recital. The way the program worked was all the kids began playing together, then as the difficulty level increased beyond your level, the teacher would tap you on the shoulder and you’d sit down while the other kids kept playing. Only, she forgot to tap me. I played the entire show when I was only supposed to play the first 1 or 2 numbers, just improvising and listening and trying not to make it known that I had no idea what I was supposed to do. It was terrifying and exciting and hilarious and afterwards I slept for about 3 days because I’d used up so much adrenaline. Since then I’ve always played in bands and written songs.

music

Your career/music highlight? I played Big Day Out in Perth with my first band Stereoflower, toured South Korea with Mulder where we played out doors during a mud festival for several thousand people while a monsoonal storm cloud rose overhead. The main highlight would have to be starting the Strangers though. Two years ago I landed a residency in Fitzroy, playing for 2 - 3 hours solo and after a while it got lonely up there, so I started telling people that anyone was welcome to join me... that’s how I met most of the band. They just chanced upon the place one week and we played, and they came back every week following. We’d literally played hours of music together before we even learnt each others names.

Describe the band in 50 words or less If Kermit the Frog were to take Bruce Springsteens’ place fronting the E-Street band.

Music legends, we all have them, who are yours? Bruce Springsteen, Conor Oberst and Questlove from the Roots.

Tell me more about the West Coast Tour? Why the west? Well, I’m from the West. So are a couple of the other members. Logistically, it’s a nightmare place to tour, but we all know the place so well

that it seemed like a good way to dip our toes into the idea of touring such a large band while still having the security of familiar terrain.

What can people expect from an Alex Elbery and the Strangers set? The unexpected? We like to put on a show. They can expect capes, humorous theatrics and poorly choreographed dance routines. They can also expect a shared experience, we play to create connection, a feeling of community and togetherness. So they can expect to feel like they’re a part of something

Best gig you have ever been to? Why so? Bruce Springsteen at AAMI park 2014. It felt like the thing I’d been waiting my whole life for. Two songs in and I realised I was crying so hard I could feel the tears bouncing off my boots. I don’t care if that sounds lame, it was freaking transcendental. It felt like the only time anyone had ever actually kept the promise that rock ‘n’ roll makes to us in our youth.

Something people don’t know about ‘Alex Elbery and the Strangers’? If you haven’t seen or heard us yet... you’re probably in the band. You can see Alex Elbery and the Strangers at their upcoming ‘stripped back’ show, at Belgrave’s newest venue, Gin Lane on April 4th.

Raisin the bar Words by Amy Middleton I have only scratched the surface… I have known Hannah Raisin for a combined total of approximately 2280 minutes. Within this time we have enjoyed a quick 30 minute caffeine inspired excursion, a 35 minute interview conducted for the purposes of writing this article, and for the remaining 2215 minutes we have been work colleagues at Burrinja in Upwey. Usually this would be more than enough time for me to write a short article about a person with the confidence that I have scribed an informative and insightful read. However, when it comes to writing about Hannah… my formula has failed me. To put it simply, 2280 minutes and 578 words just isn’t sufficient to do this lovely and curious lady justice. What I can tell you in this bite-sized composition is that Hannah is a self-professing ‘Hills Kid’who was born in front of the fire in her family home on Vernon Street, Upwey. The transition from Steiner School to an all-girls school in the last few years of high school was the catalyst for her to begin questioning the restrictive categorisations

and ways of acknowledging success, particularly in relation to being a young Australian woman. Hannah is a video and performance artist who in 2012 received first class honours at VCA. She has a string of solo exhibitions and awards credited to her, as well as being a co-founder of REAR VIEW, an artist lead gallery in Collingwood. When discussing her work, Hannah explained that humour and feminism were key to her practice. “What I try to do is playfully question and disrupt social and cultural code of categorisation. In my work I perform playful, often surprising and sometimes ridiculous actions to set up these expectations, undermining their authority and integrity. I also want my work to be fun and funny, as I believe humour is the best way for me to engage confronting issues.” It was through a 45 minutes durational performance at the Next Wave Festival where Hannah asked herself a question that seems to have set her work on a strong trajectory. “If I don’t have to be all these things I don’t want to be, what

can I be?” It is through her work that Hannah continues to quiz unanswered questions, initiate provocations and continue the conversation that exists within a long trajectory of feminist performance. More recently, Hannah spent a great deal of time traveling throughout Australia with her partner, making art that contributes to her understanding of Australian identity. It is during these ‘creative expeditions’, that she was also able to exercise another of her passions… op shopping! During a recent six week trip to Tasmania she found so many thrift-store gems that she had to consider passing up on an extra Bernina sewing machine from the 70’s because there was so little room left in the car. The good news is that the sewing machine did make it back to Upwey and is safely tucked away until Hannah embarks on her next sewing frenzy that by her own admission, can

result in a multitude of unpredicted items. For now, beehives and a chicken coop are her current ‘works in progress’, she is excited about being back in the hills and working at Burrinja as the Marketing Officer. We are delighted for her to be part of our team and I for one can’t wait to see what comes from spending more inquiring minutes in her company. To find out more about Hannah Raisin visit her website www.hannahraisin.com or bloghoteljuliet60.wordpress.com/

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community Poppies bring the Hills alive Words by Dianne Lagerwey

25 April, 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the day that Australian soldiers landed at Gallipolli, known as Anzac Cove since 1985, in Turkey. To commemorate this event, people in the hills are invited to make a remembrance poppy. Poppies grew prolifically in the disturbed earth of Europe after the first world war. The poppies can be made from any material. Your creativity is strongly encouraged! We have some patterns available for knitting and crochet – go to www.grassrootsmarket.com.au for details, or call Coonara for details of places that have them available. The poppy project will be launched at the first grassroots market of the year on 21st March, 2-7pm, in Upwey. Some workshops will be held at the market too, so please come along and join in if you would like to, and bring your friends. There are no costs involved. The idea is to display your poppy until 25 April, in a public place. We’d love to see a ribbon of red all the way along Burwood Highway from Upwey to Belgrave. This event is supported by the Belgrave Upwey RSL. If you’d like to make a donation to support the welfare of Australia’s returned service men and women, you can do that via the RSL.

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exhibition A Natural Love Affair “I adore the hills, it’s nature is constantly inspiring me. From the feathers of a bird, or the bare branches of a dead tree, the beauty is always there. I wanted to capture that beauty, combine it, and complement it. I hope I’ve done it justice.” Melinda Wallis’ work is on show at Limerence until 25th March - 2 /1642 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave. To find out more go to the hillscene blog.