times
SPRING 2016
NEWS
Pitt Town leads the property market
AT HOME
Carla’s dream home takes the cake
COOKING
One-pot chicken chow mein
GARDENING Sprouting success in the garden
Brittnee goes back to school
Teen Queen finalist dreams of a glamorous future
DISPLAY OFFICE MAKES WAY FOR OUR NEW RELEASE, BLIGHTON We are excited that the development of Blighton is underway on our prime land at Vermont. You can now find the Vermont Display Office at 80 Hall Street, Pitt Town. Read more about the development of Blighton on Page 4.
PITT TOWN ‘LEADING THE PROPERTY MARKET’ An article recently published in the “Daily Mail Australia” has stated that Pitt Town is now the seventh fastest growing area in Sydney. Statistics compiled by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and CoreLogic RP Data have revealed the best performers across Sydney – and Pitt Town is right up there in the top 10. “Pitt Town has had one of the highest turnovers in property numbers in the past 12 months, on average one a week has been sold as vendors take advantage of its growing popularity,” the article says. It’s a great time to buy at Vermont! Story Page 5.
SUBMIT YOUR PLANS! It’s an exciting time, finalising the plans for your dream home at Vermont, and we look forward to hearing from you and sharing in your excitement. It is a requirement that plans are submitted for approval to ensure the Vermont community maintains the planning and building standards that we have become famous for. For those who have their home-build plans ready, please submit them to drp@johnsonpropertygroup.com.au
HAVE YOUR SAY Johnson Property Group is committed to the Vermont Community and investing in its success and growth in the future. We’d love to hear from you about what you would like to see happen or change at Vermont that we can potentially help play a part in. Please email your feedback to marketing director Kristy Lee at kristy@johnsonpropertygroup.com.au
ABOUT VERMONT At Vermont, we believe more is more. Which is why we’ve gone the extra mile to include everything you could possibly want at an affordable price. We have bigger blocks, wider streets, more access to services and more lifestyle choices. Beside the Hawkesbury River and situated near the Hills District, Rouse Hill and Norwest Business Park, Vermont encompasses four serene precincts – Riverland, Central, Bona Vista and Fernville – each of which offers a diverse aspect and wide frontage blocks. These fully serviced blocks range from 550m2 to over three hectares. Our community is ideal for growing families who want to spend more time together outdoors in a natural, safe and healthy environment. Expect more space, more community, more friendships and more living. Our latest land release at Riverland offers you a unique opportunity to build your ideal home a stone’s throw from the Hawkesbury River. Our 2000m2+ blocks of land accommodate big dreams – whether that means room for a big family, somewhere to park the boat when you’re not enjoying the water, or creating a private sanctuary for your family to explore, anything is possible. As a master-planned community and part of Vermont, Riverland offers picturesque views in a tranquil surrounding, within walking distance to the Hawkesbury River.
EDITORIAL TEAM Editor: Kathryn Vukovljak Journalist: Kate Meikle Graphic design: Janet Ewen Proof reader: Glenda Anderson
Rising prices bring a spring to Vermont SPRING always brings out the best in its plants and trees and, with the weather warming, it’s great to see Vermont’s green enviroment stir from the cooler months.
Sydney and that many once “unfashionable” suburbs are now leading the property market, with house prices rising 50 per cent in 12 months.
And spring sunshine always makes it a wonderful time to once again enjoy the many outdoor lifestyle and recreational choices around the estate and the region.
Locally, we have moved the sales suite to 80 Hall Street to make way for our exciting new prime-land release of Blighton and it’s also great to see purchasers within Riverland commence their building journey. Like nature, life in Vermont is always evolving.
Proudly published for Johnson Property Group by Macquarie Publishing Pty Ltd on 6262 9100.
Also putting a spring in the step of residents is the gratifying news that Pitt Town is ranked in the top 10 when it comes to biggest change in median value of houses across Sydney and its outer suburbs.
Johnson Property Group is one of the largest private developers of residential land in New South Wales. Combining a passion for creating vibrant and sustainable communities with a vision for the future.
I was very pleased to read the statistics compiled by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and CoreLogic RP Data that reveal Pitt Town is now the seventh fastest-growing area in
2 More Times • Spring 2016
Keith Johnson, Managing Director, Johnson Property Group
AT HOME
Home-owner Carla Goodman… “I wanted a four-bedroom home but something not too large, with room for me and all the pets.”
K
Carla’s dream home takes the cake
een baker and veterinarian Carla Goldman loves her newbuild home in Fernville, and so do her vast array of pets! “I just love animals,” she says.
“At the moment I have two dogs; a golden retriever called Missy and a cattle dog called Hilda. I often do temp care at home for animals through work, and the most I’ve had is a female dog and her eight puppies in my lounge room, with two of them on drips! “I also have two ragdoll kittens, so it’s pretty busy around here.” Carla says she built her home through Wisdom Homes, and describes the design and building process as a very positive experience. “I wanted a four-bedroom home but something not too large, with room for me and all the pets!” she says. “The floorplan is perfect for me, and I only tweaked it slightly from the original. It’s nice and open, with a separate office, different living areas and an outdoor alfresco. “The front garden is geometric, neat and formal, just how I wanted it – I designed it and my dad created it for me. The best thing is, it hasn’t been ruined by the dogs, who run freely at the back where it’s more dog-proofed. “I love the street too, everyone is so friendly. I see people while I’m out and stop for a chat, so it takes me much longer to walk the dogs than it used to!” Carla, who works as a vet in McGraths Hill, is also a keen baker and says that baking is in her blood.
“I grew up baking cakes as a little kid in the country,” she says. “My grandmothers and my mum were always baking, so I learned a lot from them. They were always entering shows, so that was just something that was always on my radar. “I’m a fourth-generation baker and I really enjoy competing, the whole process,” she says. Carla, who moved into Vermont in September 2015, says her love of baking influenced how she designed her stylish kitchen, which has everything perfectly placed to make her work easier and more enjoyable. “I really wanted a 900mm oven, and I also moved the window over a bit so I could have a glass splashback behind the stove top instead of having to clean the window all the time. “I also needed lots of bench space and a really big pantry to keep all my cake tins, cooling racks and platters!” Carla recently won first prizes in the Hawkesbury Show for her orange cake, carrot cake, lamingtons, health loaf, Anzac biscuits, gluten-free carrot cake and custard tart. She also won Most Successful Exhibitor. She also entered the Royal Easter Show for the first time as an adult this year, and came away with two seconds and a third. She says her mum Barbara, a long-time exhibitor and judge at the show, shares her recipes with her and encourages her to enter. “Mum is usually fine about me using her recipes, but this year I beat her in the Royal Easter Show with my chocolate sponge cake, so I think she’s starting to mind!”
Carla Goldman... “I needed lots of bench space and a really big pantry to keep all my cake tins, cooling racks and platters!” Photos by Belinda Walkom Photography More Times • Spring 2016 3
WHAT’S ON
this spring
MARKETS
EVERY SUNDAY Windsor Mall Craft Market George Street Mall, Windsor 9am-3.30pm. Take a stroll through historic Windsor and enjoy the friendly market atmosphere. Quality handmade homewares, arts, crafts, fashion and fresh produce. Local bands and buskers offer great entertainment. Wheelchair access. Stallholders with quality handmade goods in a unique setting.
THIRD SATURDAY EVERY MONTH Windsor Riverside Market Governor Phillip Park, Windsor 9am-2pm, market stalls, fashion, homewares, art, craft, photography, jewellery, food, fresh produce, music, local Sydney buskers, kids’ zone and more!
ESTATE NEWS
What’s happening around Vermont New Blighton precinct gets underway A new precinct is being added to the Vermont estate, bringing another highly prestigious element to the community, says Keith Johnson, Managing Director of Johnson Property Group. Keith says that work on the Blighton precinct should be complete by October, subject to weather, adding to the mostly established areas of Riverland, Fernville and Bona Vista. “The principal contractor is Menai Civil, who is providing earthworks and civil infrastructure to the site under a 16week contract, which started on started on June 27,” he says. “Bulk earthworks and boxing out of roads are nearing completion, so there is a lot happening on site.
Keith says the works were able to start in June following a period of extensive European and Aboriginal heritage site investigations.
“We have 10 blocks being developed within the Blighton precinct, so it will be a premium addition to Vermont,” he says.
EVERY SATURDAY Richmond Good Food Market Richmond Park, corner March and Windsor Streets, Richmond 8am-1pm, featuring local fresh produce, candles, beeswax, sheepskin and food, including raw treats, cakes and curry pastes.
EVENTS EVERY TUESDAY UNTIL DEC 27 Community Fishing Sydney International Regatta Centre, Gate A, Old Castlereagh Road, Penrith From 9am-5pm, catch-and-release fishing program – shore-based fishing, BYO equipment, including barbless hooks, BYO bait such as corn, bread or worms. Subject to weather; check regattacentre.nsw.gov.au/facilities/fishing
OCTOBER 27-30 Sydney Blues and Roots Festival Venues around Windsor The Sydney Blues and Roots Festival, now in its eighth year and widely acknowledged as one of the premier blues and roots festivals in NSW, will be free again this year.
OCTOBER 29 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic – 40th anniversary Hawkesbury River, Windsor Held from 4pm onwards into the night, around 600 paddlers paddle 111km in the moonlight, down the Hawkesbury River from Windsor to Brooklyn, to raise money for charity.
Punt Road upgrade and car park progress Plans have been approved and finalised for the upgrade to Punt Road and the new car park, according to Keith Johnson, Managing Director of Johnson Property Group.
The off-street, dedicated car park will include a pathway to the water, making it easier to launch boats and park trailers near the water’s edge, he says.
“Construction approval for the car park and the upgrade to Punt Road was received from Hawkesbury City Council on July 15, and construction to commence soon,” he says.
“The landscape works are still currently out to tender, but we are planning for a beautifully planted area with picnic tables and shelters for residents and visitors to enjoy,” he says.
More building blocks in the pipeline More large, spacious blocks are in the pipeline for Vermont, with a development application having been lodged for the Central precinct, says Keith Johnson, Managing Director of Johnson Property Group. “Central will feature 29 large residential blocks for those who dream of semi-rural living and space to play,” he says. “The application also seeks approval
4 More Times • Spring 2016
for roads, services and associated stormwater infrastructure.” Keith says the lot sizes at Central will range from 1500m2 up to 2612m2, so whatever the size of your dream home, there’s room for that, a large backyard and space to park the boat. “Provision is also being made for future road connections into the broader Central Precinct,” he says. The application was lodged on July 15.
LOCAL NEWS
WHAT’S ON
this spring
EVENTS
OCTOBER 1-NOVEMBER 7 Wildwood Garden at Bilpin Wildwood Garden, 29 Powells Road, Bilpin Wildwood is a two-hectare garden nestled among 10ha of towering natives, a waterfall and ponds, sweeping lawns and a tranquil lake. Seats are scattered throughout to encourage visitors to relax and enjoy. Wildwood has a tearoom, gift shop, nursery, toilets, disabled parking and picnic grounds by the lake. Adults $10, Concession $8, Children under 16 free.
EXHIBITIONS Shaun Tan, from the animation, “The Lost Thing” (distributed by Madman).
C
Adventure time at the gallery
hoose Your Own Adventure”, a new exhibition at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery in Windsor, brings together a diverse group of artists to investigate the medium and meaning of contemporary book arts, including the book as object, as media and as a site of resistance. The exhibition will run until October 30 and has four components. The first is Shaun Tan’s “The Art of Story Discovering the Lost Thing (Book to Film)”, in which visitors can see how the popular children’s book “The Lost Thing” was created and then became an Oscar-winning film. “Visitors will see the work behind the work, including the original painted and collaged illustrations for the book, the character sketches, storyboards and the final short animation,” says the gallery’s spokesperson. The second component is Kylie Stillman’s, “Local Branch”, an installation specially created for this exhibition using books “weeded” from the Hawkesbury Library collection. The work features more than 500 books that have been intricately carved, examining the lifecycle of trees and books.
“Since her time as a student, Stillman has enjoyed the challenge of finding materials and pigments from the ‘real world’ to create an artwork, and is best known for her book sculptures and woodcarvings,” the gallery says. The third component is a display of artist’s books from the Manly Library collection. “Manly Library’s biennial Artist’s Book Award has provided an opportunity to develop a significant collection while contributing to the development and awareness of this energetic emerging contemporary art form,” says the gallery. Entries are received from around the world, marking this a globally recognised event. The final component is a display of works titled “Lost Things” by Year 5 pupils from Kurrajong Public School in the small exhibition space. The exhibition will continue until Tuesday, October 30 at 300 George Street, Windsor (first floor). Monday, Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Closed Tuesdays and public holidays. Weekends 10am-3pm. Visit hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/gallery
Pitt Town leads the property market
P
itt Town has ranked in the top 10 when it comes to biggest change in median value across Sydney and its outer suburbs, according to an article published in the “Daily Mail Australia” in July.
“Leading the top-growth suburbs is Homebush, near Sydney Olympic Park in the western suburbs, which has surged almost 50 per cent in the last year to an average $1.9 million,” says Frank Coletta, for “Daily Mail Australia”.
It states that statistics, compiled by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and CoreLogic RP Data, have revealed the best performers across Melbourne and Sydney – and Pitt Town is right up there.
He says Pitt Town is now the seventh fastest growing area in Sydney.
It states that many once “unfashionable” suburbs are now leading the property market, with house prices rising 50 per cent in 12 months.
“Pitt Town has had one of the highest turnovers in property numbers in the past 12 months, on average one a week has been sold as vendors take advantage of its growing popularity,” the article says.
OCTOBER 15-NOVEMBER 27 ‘Out West’ by Ann Evers Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah Fibre artist Ann Evers explores the struggles, adaptation and loss over the millennia that people have walked on this land. Using collected plant fibres along with collected cultural and natural material from Broken Hill and the West Darling region, Ann’s exhibition of works tells a story of how people have survived in this harsh region.
SEPTEMBER 3-NOVEMBER 27 ‘Gravity (And Wonder)’ Penrith Regional Gallery and The Lewers Bequest, 86 River Road, Emu Plains This exhibition looks at the science of gravity – as phenomenon, the creation of knowledge and understanding. It will also address gravity as an invisible force and therefore one that is surrounded by mystery and wonder and has generated spiritual and poetic responses. The exhibition will look at how our understanding of the universe and our space explorations are made possible through our knowledge of gravity. The exhibition aims to introduce new ways of looking at things. It will look at how artists take the ideas of science, the laws of the universe and seek to communicate them.
NOVEMBER 4-DECEMBER 4 2016 Hawkesbury Art Fair Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor This annual event showcases the diversity of creative people in the region, including traditional and contemporary artists, designers, crafters and jewellers. There will be demonstrations and studio visits.
DECEMBER 9-FEBRUARY 12 ‘All Dressed Up’ Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Deerubbin Centre, 300 George Street, Windsor This exhibition explores the politics, culture, drama and play of clothing, costume and disguise. More Times • Spring 2016 5
Q&A with GREG HOUSTON, the Bridge to Bridge’s most successful driver. He owns a holiday house on the Hawkesbury River. What do you enjoy about competing in the B2B? The B2B is regarded by most ski races in Australia and around the world, along with the Diamond Race Belgium, Catalina Island Race USA, as one of the three most iconic ski races in the world. To be a part of this great race held on the magnificent Hawkesbury River is an unbelievable experience. There is nothing better than racing along this river and pass all the spectators along the way and rounding the last corner seeing the finish line and huge crowds at the finish.
Do you ski on the Hawkesbury as a hobby? I first was introduced to skiing on Hawkesbury at Anderson’s Ski Park at Sackville in 1960 with my parents, and have continued skiing all my life, now with my own family at our holiday house at Ebenezer.
How did it feel to win the B2B as a local? Winning the B2B is a great honour and is only achieved by putting together a top-class team, and winning this race as a local goes without saying is a very proud moment, knowing that friends, family and supporters have the opportunity to watch your team win this race at home gives you a sense of fulfilling a great achievement in your sporting life.
Do you compete every year? I have now been competing in the B2B since 1980.
Is this event good for the region? Major sporting events contribute greatly to any region and the B2B is no different. It brings to our area 800 competitors, officials and support crews, along with spectators as well as all the businesses that are in attendance at any major function. It also is an iconic event that is associated with our region.
What do you like about water-skiing? Everything! It is family-oriented, fun and you can ski anywhere there is water and a boat. You make lifelong friends both here and around the world. It is a sport that keeps families together.
Winners of the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic 2015, the ‘Superman’ crew (driver Darren McGuire, observer Brett
I
Waterskiers ta
t’s that time of year again, when keen ski racers come from all around the world to compete in the annual Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic in the midst of the picturesque scenery of the Hawkesbury River, says Edwina Best, secretary of the Bridge to Bridge committee.
Held on the weekend of November 26-27, the Bridge to Bridge is one of the longest races in the world, running from Dangar Island near the Central Coast, under Mooney Mooney Bridge to Governor Phillip Park in Windsor, a total distance of 112km along the length of the Hawkesbury River, Edwina says. “It’s a big international event, with competitors coming from the US, NZ and Belgium, as well as lots of local entrants,” she says. “It’s one of the longest-running and most prestigious ski racing events. “Of course, the Hawkesbury is such a popular spot for skiing and wakeboarding anyway, so there is a lot of interest locally. There are ski parks all along the river, from Wiseman’s Ferry to Portland, one on pretty much every bend! It’s a very well-loved sport in the area.” Jack Harrison, 18, the current two-time world champion waterskier in the junior boys category, says that while he competes in up to 20 races per year, in various locations around the world, he enjoys the Bridge to Bridge because it’s just down the road from his home in Pitt Town. “It’s also one of the toughest races in the calendar,” he says.
Jack Harrison with Cameron Osborne... “It’s one of the toughest races in the calendar,” says Jack. Photos by Michael Kemp 6 More Times • Spring 2016
“It’s good to push yourself though and it’s an adrenalin rush. The social side of seeing everyone at the race is good fun, too.”
WATER SKIING
Winning crew, from left, top row, Brett Armstrong (observer) and Darren McGuire (owner/driver). Front row, Daniel Cotton (skier) and Daniel Graziano (skier).
Q&A with BRETT ARMSTRONG, observer in the winner of the 2015 Bridge to Bridge Waterski Classic. He lives on the Hawkesbury River. What do you enjoy about competing in the B2B?
t Armstrong).
Photos by Michael Kemp
ake to the river Having been a keen skier since he was eight and racing from the age of 10, Jack says the best thing about living in Pitt Town is the Hawkesbury River. “In the summer I’m out on the river every weekend and a few times during the week,” he says. The qualifiers for pole positions from Sackville to Windsor will be held on Saturday, November 25, with social races and all the categories including under 19s, under 16s and under 10s. The main event will be run on Sunday, November 26, starting at Dangar Island to Windsor Marine Stadium in Governor Phillip Park. “The best place for people to come is to Governor Phillip Park, where we will have lots of family entertainment, live broadcasts from Hawkesbury 97.5 radio station, exhibits, stalls, food and family fun, as well as demonstrations from other facets of water-skiing, like wakeboarding and tournament displays,” says Edwina. “There will also be a presentation of trophies for the winning teams at 3pm.” The Bridge to Bridge started in 1961, with just 80 competitors. Teams were a mix of the super competitive and weekend skiers, and 23 years later in 1984 the Bridge to Bridge entries record was set at 415 boats (1660 competitors). This year the committee is expecting around 200 entrants, and Edwina says the beauty of the event is that entrants could be regular ski racers, once-a-year Bridge to Bridge competitors or a family enjoying the sport together.
The Sydney Bridge to Bridge is one of the toughest races on the calendar. It’s the only major race of the season where we all take off together. As an observer this brings tactics and strategies into play.
Do you ski on the Hawkesbury as a hobby? Yes, my family is fortunate enough to own a property on the river, so social skiing is a large part of our lives (when not racing).
How did it feel to win the B2B as a local? The Bridge to Bridge was the one race I wanted to win outright. It was right up there with a world title. So to finally achieve that goal was something that I cannot put into words. To win as a local was also very special, as I have a long history on the river.
Do you compete every year? Yes I have competed in the Bridge to Bridge since 1982, ranging from my first year in U10s right through to superclass.
Is this event good for the region? The event is a great spectacle for the region, both economically and socially. It’s great to come down the river and have people on the banks cheering you on.
What do you like about water-skiing? The thing I enjoy about water-skiing and ski racing is it’s something we can enjoy as a family, as well as the lifelong friends that are made and the stories told around the fire.
More Times • Spring 2016 7
SUNDAY WALK
MUM IN THE SUBURBS
The worries of germ warfare
I
T’S easy to get obsessive about germs, particularly if you have children in school or childcare, where they are exposed to all manner of ailments. Life can seem like a never-ending battle against those insidious, microscopic terrorists. With baby number one, I was totally germ phobic. I was positive that if I didn’t wash my hands with disinfectant every time before I touched the baby, if I didn’t use the best-available, dust-sanitising vacuum cleaner or invest in the most-powerful anti-bacterial washing powder and cleaning sprays, my son wouldn’t survive his first year. Looking back, I now know you can’t put your children in a sterile bubble. Indeed, some germ exposure probably helps develop children’s immunity. Some of the heavy-duty cleaning products many of us nuke our homes with may well present their own health risks. Cleaning the shower cubicle with a powerful cleaner recently, I had a bit of a turn. The fumes were overwhelming and I was seeing flashing lights and feeling dizzy. Reading the fine print on the product afterwards, I realised the bathroom window should have been open for ventilation. I also probably shouldn’t
By
Sonya Fladun
have mixed the cleaner with a mould remover in an effort to do two jobs at once! However, the experience got me thinking about the safety of using these potent products so regularly. Our homes are often awash with chemicals – cleaners, solvents, insecticides – in all sorts of weird and wonderful combinations. Yet it hasn’t always been like this. My mum swore by the likes of vinegar, eucalyptus oil, bicarbonate soda and good old soap for household cleaning, and would only employ the big guns when a serious clean-up was called for. I still favour hand-washing and won’t be giving up my hand-sanitisers or antibacterial wipes any time soon. But I will weed out from the cupboard some of the chemicals that could knock out ebola with a single whiff. So when contemplating spring cleaning, think about if you really need to kill every possible microbe with the domestic equivalent of nerve gas, or whether it’s possible to use a cheaper, healthier, more environmentally friendly and childsafe alternative.
PUZZLES General knowledge crossword
Aboriginal art and breathtaking views
F
or a great experience that highlights the best of the Aboriginal art in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, step out on the Aboriginal Heritage walk.
Combining Resolute and West Head walking tracks, you’ll encounter historic rock engravings and art of the Guringai people, the traditional owners of this land. You can chose to do an easy 1km return walk to Red Hands Cave and the rock engravings, or the full 4.4km loop which can be steep and rough in parts, and takes around three hours to complete. Within a 10-minute walk along the track, you’ll come across the best-known ancient Aboriginal art site in the park, Red Hands Cave. Nearby, as you continue on the track, there are impressive rock engravings, and further down the hill you’ll discover an historic occupation shelter. During the colder months, families would light
Across 1 Name one of the red suits of playing cards. 8 Which metallic element has the symbol Ti? 9 Name the PNG trail in which WWII Australian soldiers successfully thwarted the Japanese invasion. 10 What is a particular grape, especially in the dried form as a raisin? 11 What, in music, is the characteristic quality of sound produced by an instrument or voice? 12 Name a small, semi-aquatic salamander. 13 What is a feeling or outlook of dread, fear, etc? 16 What are short metrical compositions combining words and music? 19 Name the monetary unit of the Republic of South Africa. 21 Which term refers to standards of perfection? 22 What is a concluding part added to a literary work? 23 Name another word for stables or sheds for horses. 24 To once more come into view, is to do what? 25 Which word describes lords entitled to allegiance and service?
Down 2 Name the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by water, winds, etc. 3 What is an oblique-angled equilateral parallelogram? 4 Name the pollen-bearing organ of a flower. 5 What are taps also known as? 6 Which term describes a made-up story? 7 What are objects superstitiously worn to ward off evil? 13 Which mathematical art uses letters and symbols? 14 Name the Liberal NSW premier from 1988 to 1992, Nicholas ... 15 What, in Australian history, was a mounted police officer called? 17 To perform a surgical task, is to do what? 18 Which racehorse won both the 1966 Melbourne and Caulfield cups? 20 The Australian rock singer, Mark Lizotte is known as what?
8 More Times • Spring 2016
a fire inside, warming the stones and themselves. The people of West Head were virtually decimated by an outbreak of smallpox within a year of the arrival of the First Fleet. Pause for a moment in this beautiful bushland to reflect and pay respects. Continue around the loop track to the impressive views from West Head lookout before heading back to Resolute picnic area for lunch. • The Aboriginal rock art and engravings along this walk are of great cultural and historical significance and are very delicate. Please don’t touch or interfere with the artworks. • It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out, remember to take a hat, and bring plenty of water. • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to birdwatch!
Sudoku – hard
Teen queen Brittnee goes back to school
M
iss Teen Galaxy 2016 finalist Brittnee Sheath says she’s hanging up her evening gown for a while to focus her attention on school. Brittnee, 17, goes to Windsor High School and says that as she’ll be studying for her HSC next year, she would like to put her energy into that.
I actually started modelling when I was four years old,” she says. “I love being in front of the camera. It’s my dream to become a model full-time one day, I would love it to be my career.”
“I’ve loved competing in Miss Teen Galaxy for the past three years – meeting all the other girls, raising money for charity, the community work and promoting the pageant,” she says.
Brittnee says she has been accepted into a Pacific Fair runway fashion show at the end of the year, and has done castings, TV work, photoshoots and won Model of the Year at Fashion Mandu, a Nepalese fashion show in Sydney.
“Competing in pageants takes up a lot of time, but once school is completed my dream is to enter Miss Universe.”
When she’s not modelling, Brittnee works both at the Pitt Town pharmacy and the local pizza shop.
Miss Teen Galaxy Australia is open to teens aged 14-17 and Brittnee says she qualified for the nationals in her first year, won second runner-up in Australia last year, and placed best in evening wear. This year she was awarded first runner-up.
“They are both lovely places to work and you get to know the people here really well,” she says.
“I’ve always had a passion for modelling and dressing up, so it was so much fun for me,” she says. In the meantime, Brittnee says she’s turning her attention to modelling. Brittnee Sheath... “I’ve always lived in Pitt Town and I really love the area.”
COVER STORY
“It’s always been my dream to be a model, and
“I’ve always lived in Pitt Town and I love the area. “My older brothers Jaden and Aaron are keen waterskiers and I like getting out on the river too, waterskiing, wakeboarding or on the boat. “It’s a lovely small, laid-back town, it’s not jampacked with shopping centres. It just has what you need. “It’s a great location and just quiet and peaceful and the community here is fantastic.”
Local business directory Alan Ferris Mortgage Broker Ph: 0409 189 990 aferris@echoice.com.au echoice.com.au/alanferris Austbrokers AEI Chad Smith Commercial, domestic and corporate insurance Ph: 8913 1635 or 0438 143 616 chads@aei.com.au aei.com.au Automotive Tyre King Seven Hills Anthony Ziebell Tyres, wheels, servicing and pink slips Ph: 9838 8433 sales@tyrekingsevenhills.com.au tyrekingsevenhills.com.au Beach Designs Mark Bennett Decks and Pergolas info@beachdesigns.com beachdesigns.com.au Belinda Walkom Photography Belinda Walkom Professional photographer specialising in family and newborn photography Ph: 0408 307 309 info@belindawalkom.com belindawalkom.com
Bruce Walton AFSM JP (NSW) Justice of the Peace Ph: 0418 866 771 Chem-Dry Austyle Nathan and Amanda Ward Carpet, upholstery and leather cleaning Ph: 4587 8318 service@chemdryaustyle.com.au chemdryaustyle.com.au Code Studio Anthony Ziebell Web, applications, software development Ph: 1300 CODESTUDIO admin@codestudio.com.au codestudio.com.au Douglass Homes Mark Douglass Building and Construction Ph: 0412 546 675 mandrdouglass@bigpond.com douglassbuilder.com.au Exterior Matt O’Brien Landscape and pool creators Ph: 1300 735 122 info@exterior.com.au exterior.com.au
Fox n Hound Hand-stamped jewellery Kirby Will Handmade jewellery and gifts Ph: 0401 914 014 facebook.com/foxnhoundbykirby Greener Property Maintenance Phillip Kustreba Lawns and gardens, gutter cleaning and gutter guards Ph: 0410 639 096 enquiries@gpms.com.au gpms.com.au Goodlife Financial Services Colin McAlister Finance Broker Ph: 4580 7000 colinm@goodlifefs.com.au goodlifefinancialservices.com.au Grow Equity Management Rebecca Mansfield Specialist in home, business and commercial lending Ph: 0439 971 311 rebecca@growequitymanagement. com.au growequitymanagement.com.au Hoban Recruitment Renee McIntosh Recruitment and HR consulting
services Ph: 02 8834 8977 or 0425 669 831 reneem@hoban.com.au hoban.com.au
design Ph: 0416 020 787 shelley@rockitmarketing.com.au rockitmarketing.com.au
Jim’s Mowing Kellyville Gary Rogers Garden Care and Lawn Maintenance Ph: 0404 062 148 jimsmowingkellyville@hotmail.com
Sydney Pressure Cleaning Phillip Kustreba Pressure cleaning and exterior house washing Ph: 0410 639 096 enquiries@gpms.com.au sydneypressureclean.com.au
Limcora Evan Graham and Alex Nelson Plumbing and Drainage Ph: 4587 9595 info@limcora.com.au limcora.com.au Mavbuilt Homes Glenn Mavin New home construction Ph: 0497 109 916 info@mavbuilthomes.com.au mavbuilthomes.com.au Plumb-Rite Plumbing Solutions Dean Kentwell Plumbing, gas fitting and drainage Ph: 0414 288 717 dean@plumb-rite.net.au Rockit Marketing and Design Shelley Melville Marketing consultancy, social media management, website and graphic
The Art of Joinery Nestor Porley and Graham Bridges Joinery Ph: 4577 9022 Nestor: 0407 275 527 Graham: 0402 278 660 theartofjoinery@optusnet.com.au theartofjoinery.com Tranquil Waters Natural Therapies Lorna Cousins Naturopath, nutritionist, remedial massage therapist, beauty therapist Ph: 0419 634 507 lornacousins@hotmail.com Trent Croft Electrical Trent Croft Electrician Ph: 0419 223 713 tcr03292@bigpond.net.au
To advertise your local business in More Times please contact kathryn@citynews.com.au More Times • Spring 2016 9
LIFESTYLE
Sprouting success in the garden Russell Brown gardening guru
S
pring has sprung and the garden awaits your attention! Here are Russell’s top tips for managing your outdoor space as the weather warms up and things start to sprout and grow...
Top tips • Fertilise everything! This will promote new luscious growth, fruiting and flowering and kick-start deciduous trees and Thank you rose. shrubs. • For a great summer lawn, eradicate weeds now (spray or remove by hand), aerate, fertilise and top dress with clean sandy loam. • Apply wetting agents to preserve spring soil moisture for all the new growth. • Apply mulches to all garden beds to reduce weeds, conserve moisture and increase organic matter (humus). • Add compost to vegetable and flower beds – it’s time to plant out your summer seedlings. • Repot orchids and indoor plants. • Fertilise fruit trees and be aware of pests such as citrus leaf minor and aphids on new growth. Spray with eco friendly garden oils. • If you haven’t already pruned roses, do it now by up to two-thirds and fertilise with dedicated rose food. Ensure you spray fungicides at the first sign of Black Spot. • Plant new additions to your garden now to allow for root development before the summer heat sets in!
10 More Times • Spring 2016
The joy of growing your own Our local food guru, Julie Sullivan, on trench composting, worms and the love of growing your own You can get it all There is not much that isn’t available in spring! Local farms would be picking fresh herbs, Asian greens, broccoli, spring onions, tomatoes, beetroot, kale and spinach. Citrus fruits are still abundant and early nectarines, peaches, melons, grapes and strawberries add plenty of variety to fruit plates.
My home veggie garden I’m really excited to see how my plants grow this season. During winter I seriously got into trench composting. It’s supposedly the most effective way to compost and simply involves digging trenches directly into the garden and then filling them with kitchen scraps, green waste and paper. As the aim is to attract worms, I didn’t add citrus or onion scraps – apparently worms are fussy! It has definitely increased the worm population and I look forward to them doing the hard work of aerating and fertilising. You have to love them!
What I’m cooking now I love cooking all year round, but in spring meals are dominated by fresh fruit and vegetables. We like to have salads and stir fries, and a vegetable omelette with free-range eggs is a particular favourite.
What I love this season at Vermont Getting outdoors is a must during spring. It’s a time to get as much done as possible around the house and in the garden before the hot weather arrives. We like to take a walk in the Scheyville National Park and also head out onto the river for a fish or kayak.
One-pot chicken chow mein Makes four serves I have chosen this recipe as it is one of my favourites! You need to cook the chicken and stock the day before, so that any fat will solidify for easy removal.
Ingredients for stock (day before) 1½-2kg chicken wings 1 clove of garlic 1 tsp salt
1 star anise ½ small onion
Method • Wash the chicken wings under cold water and place them in a pot with the above ingredients. • Cover the wings with cold water, approx. 4-5 cups, then bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour. • Strain the liquid stock and keep for later – refrigerate so that the fat solidifies.
• Remove and discard the skin and bones from the wings; you will need to do this before the wings get too cold. Refrigerate the shredded chicken meat until needed.
Ingredients Small grate of fresh ginger 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 carrot, sliced 2 spring onions or 4 shallots, diced ⅛ green cabbage, shredded 1 small bunch bok choy, chopped 4 mushrooms, sliced 1 cup broccoli florets ½ cup frozen peas 2-3 packets instant two-minute noodles (discard the flavour sachets) ¼ cup oyster sauce Shredded chicken meat from day before
Method • Remove any fat that has solidified from the stock. • Add 2 cups of stock to a large saucepan along with the ginger, garlic, carrot and shallots. • Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer. • Simmer for five minutes and then add the cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, broccoli and peas and cook for another five minutes. • Add the noodles and oyster sauce and continue cooking until the noodles are soft and the stock has been absorbed (if you have more liquid than you desire, either add more noodles or thicken with a small amount of cornflour paste). • Add the shredded chicken and continue stirring until the meat has heated through. • Serve and garnish with fresh chilli and coriander.
LIFESTYLE
Petite, pretty petals Bring in a subtle floral influence with the Daisy Perennial rug by Armadillo&Co, where warmth, elegance and soft femininity combine to Pretty and petite with playful coiled petals, this is the sweet little sister of the flower family. Available in two sizes, 0.98m or 1.55m diameter, the Daisy rug will bring a touch of personality to any room. Daisy Perennial rug, from $210, Wilde Wolf, Pitt Town
Divine is in the detail Cushions are the perfect way to bring new life and freshen up a tired room. Fringing, pin-tucks, quilting, ruching, diamond waffle and pompoms – take a closer look at new-season designs and a treasure-trove of detail will be revealed. Pattern and texture creates a fresh, vibrant look. Logan & Mason Raffles white square cushion and yellow tassel square cushion, $49.95 each, available at national manchester stores
Tropical sensation Modern and minimalistic, create a tropical backdrop on a neutral wall with this palm leaf print canvas. It looks great and can add a dramatic and refreshing touch to your home. Tropical palm print, $14, Kmart
Peace out Nothing changes the energy of a space like aromatherapy, and the iKOU Peace blend includes the essential oil benefits of pure rose, rose geranium and ylang ylang oils. Highly concentrated, it takes more than 30 roses to produce a single drop of rose oil. Rose is directly associated with the heart, the core of our emotions. This blend is designed to nurture, comfort and soothe the soul. iKOU Eco Luxury Glass Blend Peace, $44.95, Wilde Wolf, Pitt Town
Time to freshen up Freshen up your home for the new season by bringing in accessories in light, bright colours, textures and prints In spring, bold new colour’s the thing...
SOLUTIONS Fresh fish Relax with thoughts of the sea with these swimmingly fun tropical fish mugs inspired by the Great Barrier Reef. Bright pops of colour with handpainted effects will update your kitchen and brighten up your morning coffee. NewWave Caffé Tropical Fish mugs, $39.95, Villeroy & Boch
Spring is a time for vibrant new colours, with interiors are predicted to feature an unexpected mix of hues this spring, according to Dulux colour expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr. Reflecting on the colourful eras of the ’60s and ’70s, the colour trends this season will comprise contrasting shades of blue and green, decadent browns and charcoals as well as light pink, hot red and crisp white. “The 2016 spring palette is a move away from last year’s muted, earthy tones. Heading into spring, we will feel energised and refreshed with a much brighter palette that incorporates pop colours,” she says. “The palette allows homeowners to achieve an eclectic look and to experiment with an unexpected range of colour combinations.” Andrea suggests creating a fresh and airy look by accessorising a lighter background with brighter pops of colour, or introducing a dramatic look with a darker background then highlighting with light and vibrant accessories. More Times • Spring 2016 11