Little National Post Newcastle

NEWCASTLE EDITION 1

Breathing new life into

HISTORY T H E D O M A STO RY

Big Thinking and an Eye for Design P. 6

TA ST E

Immer Besser: The Story of Miele P. 17

ST Y L E

Autumn/Winter Key pieces P. 18

T R AV E L

Canberra Like a Local P. 26

EVENTS

Insider Guide What's on P. 28

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

THE WINTER ISSUE — 1

CONTENTS C OV E R STO RY

Breathing New Life unto History P. 5

P L AC E

The Store P. 2 T H E D O M A STO RY

Big thinking and an eye for design P. 6 CIT Y

Newcastle: Surfing a cosmopolitan wave P. 10 STAY

Little National Hotel P. 14 TA ST E

Immer Besser: The story of Miele P. 17 ST Y L E

Autumn/Winter key pieces P. 18 R E A L ESTAT E

Buying off the plan P. 22 T R AV E L

Canberra like a local P. 26 EVENTS

Insider Guide P. 28

PUBLICATION DEVELOPED BY

DOMA.COM.AU

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

LEFT The Store Newcastle, West building BELOW The Store Newcastle, Supermarket

THE STORE’S SECOND LEASE ON LIFE

WORDS Laurie Meyers

Newcastle's TRANSFORMATION from steel town to coastal hipster haven is well underway. But as PEOPLE FLOOD BACK to the city’s centre to WORK, LIVE AND PLAY, there is reason to REFLECT ON THE HISTORY, the stories and the spaces that have shaped it.

If you live in “Newy”, or visit regularly, you’ll know that big changes are underway along the full length of Hunter Street, and none are bigger than what’s growing at number 854—the site of what was once known as ‘The Store’—soon to be home to the city’s new transport interchange.

An architecturally-refined space where Novocastrians from all walks of life can meet, shop, eat and live is currently coming together—and by design, echoes of the site’s rich and colourful history will be felt there.

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THE STORY OF THE STORE

RECORDS SHOW CONCERTED development at the site likely began in the mid to late 1800s, including a business known as ‘Edward’s Horse Bazaar’, a barrel-making cooperage servicing a nearby brewery, cottages, wells and a coach factory, all of which lined both Hunter Street and a network of adjoining laneways.

A property advertisement in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate on 11 July 1891, seemingly placed by the owner of the horse bazaar, described it as: “A very good business position near the busiest part of Hunter Street west being opposite the brewery and adjoining Mr T. Proctor’s coach factory, saleyards and bazaar, and the intersection of the Maitland Road and Hamilton, and thoroughfare into Wickham.”

Then, at around the turn of the century, a group of enterprising souls intent on improving the lot of the working class in Newcastle set their sights on the land.

The Newcastle and District Co-Op Society, which would go on to become the Newcastle and Suburban Co-Op Society, purchased a small weatherboard shop front at the site, after establishing themselves some years before at a shop further along the road.

The co-op took its lead from cooperative movement principles established more than a century prior in Scotland, by the ‘Rocheford Pioneers’. Its core function was to improve the living standards of its members, who bought shares in the cooperative, and in return were able to buy and sell goods at an affordable price.

“It costs only 2s 6d (2 shillings and 6 pence) to join the Society, and subscribers are then entitled to share in the membership benefits, which include dividends,” an article in the Newcastle Sun explained, on 10 October 1935.

And, as the promise of employment in the industrial sector brought working class families to the city in droves, the cooperative’s membership grew.

From a two-storey brick building with an ornate parapet and a wide footpath awning, designed for the cooperative in 1905 by local architect Ernest George Yeomans, The Store’s premises and membership grew over the decades. Renovations and new wings were added at various points, including an Art Deco addition in 1936.

There were bakeries and barber shops, credit unions, clothing and carpet stores. The Store supplied the community of Newcastle with just about everything imaginable and a home-delivery service ferried groceries into the suburbs by horse and cart. In the second half of the 20th Century, even electronic goods like television sets travelled by this method.

Its Christmas window displays were legendary, attracting crowds of evening onlookers every year.

It was even possible to buy health insurance through The Store at one time.

For those who weren’t born while it was operating, or aren’t old enough to remember—in its heyday, The Store’s pulling-power in Newcastle was immense. There was a time in Newcastle where just about everybody had a membership, and it was arguably a forerunner to the loyalty card systems popular with many retail chains today.

Other cooperatives even popped up in other parts of the Hunter region, modelled on its success.

The Store reached peak membership in the 1970s, at 95,000 members—but the advent of the suburban shopping mall and a shift in consumer attitudes contributed to its decline, and finally, to its closure in 1981. It was a surprisingly swift end to an enduring history.

Many re-imaginings of the site occurred in the years that followed—some would remember the Pink Elephant Markets—but none could stack up to the legend of The Store. It lives on in the minds of many Novocastrians, who remember fondly the important role it played in the community for much of the 20th Century.

“It really is a place that—as a TRAVELLER, RESIDENT, OR WORKER—will get you the benefit of a WELLCONSIDERED and HIGHLY DETAILED, HIGH-QUALITY public domain.”

SIMON SWANEY

BATES SMART Managing Director

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

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Breathing new life into

HISTORY In conversation with Simon Swaney PHOTOGRAPHY Jake Terrey

C

ut to 2019, and there are movements afoot to establish a new kind of community hub where The Store once stood.

The site already acts as a transition point between heavy rail, the new light rail system and the local bus network—but there are greater plans for the site just around the corner.

Managing Director of leading national architecture firm Bates Smart, Simon Swaney, has a healthy respect for the history of The Store, and the role it played in the lives of Novocastrians for so many years. He is in charge of rolling out the new development from DOMA. The design team’s brief was complex enough to make the most experienced architect tremble: to build a world-class transport interchange, complemented by two residential towers with views over the harbour, room for recreation, an office block and retail space—all of which pays respect to the site’s history and contributes to the reinvigoration of the city’s centre.

“The Store was an amazing concept… they provided all the facilities that you, as a member of the cooperative, would want,” he said.

“It’s importance evolved from that—as a really important centre for the people who worked and lived in Newcastle.

“Centred around the main industries of Newcastle, steel making and coal mining, it was those people who were using the facility that really formed the hub and the base of the community.”

Swaney said he sees parallels with the history of the site in the transport interchange development.

“It is also about providing facility and amenity to the people of Newcastle,” he said.

“Our goal, really, in doing this development, is to try and carry forward that idea.”

Architecturally speaking, significant efforts have been made to pay homage to the original building.

“With the main podium that the residential tower will sit above, we’ve developed a façade system that carries a memory of The Store,” Swaney said.

The podium base for the residential towers will be built in brick and will replicate the arched wall of the original Store building, he said.

“So, without being a literal representation of the original Store, what it will do is prompt the memory of those who remember The Store building on that site and recall its significance.”

The architect and his team have also developed and extended the laneway system that used to run through the site, to create a series of streets and lanes through the centre that are serviced on both sides by retail.

“The experience of travelling through the site, then, will be that you have a number of opportunities to shop, to take time out, to get the benefit of the northerly aspect in terms of sun,” he said.

“It really is a place that—as a traveller, resident, or worker—will get you the benefit of a well-considered and highly detailed, high-quality public domain.

“The public domain has been a real focus for all our design work on this project.”

Swaney and his team have kept the people who will eventually use the space in mind at all times.

“With this project, we really centred the vision around the idea of community, and the idea that people who use and live at this site will have a great experience,” he said.

“This will become a major community hub that provides high levels of amenity, both through the views … and the idea of extraordinary convenience, linking all modes of transport—heavy rail, light rail, bus and car.

“And with that there will be great facilities in retail and recreation.”

For the commuter, the vision is for a space where they feel safe, no matter what time of day it is.

“So their experience of moving between the modes of transport is one that’s comfortable but also one that’s enjoyable,” Swaney said.

This will be achieved by introducing high levels of natural light into the transport interchange, retail that will operate well into night and design that

facilitates airflow.

“So that it’s all well ventilated and a very sculptural solution to the actual transport interchange itself,” he said.

For the office worker, too, the site will have fantastic natural light on all sides.

“And great outlooks back to Newcastle Harbour that carefully control sun on the north, east and western sides, and give great flexibility in the way that they can occupy and use that building.”

For the residents, who will live in two towers above a retail podium, access to an extensive recreational area on the top level of the transport interchange will be key.

“They will have swimming pools, potentially access to a running track, and areas for passive and active recreation, directly accessed from their lifts onto that recreation area.”

“There will also be gymnasiums and other facilities provided at that level—and importantly for the residents, they have these extraordinary views back over Newcastle Harbour, but also towards the surrounding hinterlands.

“We think it will be an amazing experience to live in those towers, where you’ve got great outlooks, great amenities and unbeatable convenience.”

The intention is for the new transport interchange and the overall development to play an integral role in the reinvigoration of the city’s centre, which Swaney believes is already underway.

“It is, to me, really remarkable how the city is developing,” he said.

“You’re starting to see a reinvigoration of the whole city and a sense of purpose again—and I think this development is emblematic of the re-emergence of Newcastle as a great city, a great place to live.

“What we’re hoping is that we’ll produce the sort of high-quality architecture that will help lead that next phase of its existence.”

So that once more, the site of The Store will hum with life, dreams and commerce.

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

“Back then I had a goal. I was earning 21 pounds a week and I thought to myself, ‘if I could earn 30 pounds I WOULD BE THE HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE’.”

IVAN DOMAZET

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

THE WINTER ISSUE — 7

BIG THINKING AND AN EYE FOR DESIGN— THE STORY OF DOMA. A young Croatian flees to Australia

with little more than a PRODIGIOUS WORK ETHIC and DREAMS OF SELF-DETERMINATION. Half a century later, IVAN DOMAZET’S company—DOMA—is setting NEW STANDARDS in property development across Canberra, Newcastle and the east coast of Australia as it is steered by Ivan’s only son Jure. Father and son share a STRONG BOND and a seemingly boundless energy to build—BIGGER, BETTER, AND MORE BEAUTIFUL. WORDS Emma Macdonald PHOTOGRAPHY Martin Ollman

S

ome of Australia’s most enduring migrant stories start the way of Ivan Domazet’s.

Born in the shell-shocked aftermath of World War II in the Croatian village of Bijeli Vir, Ivan left home at 15 to learn a trade as a glazier. But he was haunted by the spectre of conscription to the Army and a lifetime in a Communist country and at 18 he made a break for freedom and economic certainty outside of his homeland.

Ivan and some mates dodged Yugoslavian police before hiking across the Slovenian Alps and arriving in front of Austrian border police. They spent some time in a detention centre just outside of Vienna while their quest for asylum and resettlement got underway.

To this day, Ivan is unsure of what exactly prompted

him to choose Australia over Sweden or Canada. Perhaps it was it the newsreels of golden beaches or quirky marsupials, but Ivan thinks it was simply because it was as far away from Europe as he could possibly travel.

He arrived on Australian soil on 28 October 1964.

He had nothing that would constitute luggage—just the jeans he wore, a pair of shorts and a few shirts.

At a migrant reception centre near Albury, a recreational kick of soccer with the other detainees led to an offer to join a group headed for work in the nascent national capital. While Ivan’s was just one face amongst a surge of two million migrants who resettled on peaceful Australian soil in the post-war years, it was by chance that he discovered Canberra was also home to some of former villagers from Bijeli Vir. He

was given board with his fellow Croatians on arrival and appreciated the support of the 600 or so of his countrymen who then called Canberra home.

While his training was as a glazier, the demand for painters was such that Ivan joined a small group helping make frontier suburbs in the growing capital more inhabitable.

“Back then I had a goal. I was earning 21 pounds a week and I thought to myself, ‘if I could earn 30 pounds I would be the happiest man alive’.”

He worked hard. He earned word-of-mouth recommendations. He saved his pounds and never took a weekend off. He ventured forth on his own and eventually landed a job sub-contracting for what was the biggest construction company in Canberra at the time.

His scrupulous savings meant he had the $150 deposit for a block of land and spent every evening and weekend building what would become his and his new bride’s, Helen, first home.

When it was completed in record time, he and a friend went halves in a block of land, built another home, and sold it for a profit. One development quickly turned to two and three, and eventually Ivan was making enough to quit his job as a painter and set his sights on the property business full-time.

Jure recalls his dad working hard. Always. But he was very present in Jure and his three older sisters’ lives. And there was little overt sense of Ivan’s business success within the busy household.

Continued from page 5

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“We all worked when we were kids. We were never given things such as cars, we had simple holidays and we had to earn our own money. There was no sense of just how well Dad was doing. We just all knew he worked very hard and we worked very hard.”

This meant, for a primary-school-aged Jure, that he became firm friends with the lawnmower. It was also in lawnmowing that the seeds of his own independent and entrepreneurial spirit were sewn.

At age nine, his mum would drop him and the mower out to one of Ivan’s new developments early on a Saturday morning. After his “official” duties were done on the common grassed areas, unit owners would request young Jure do their own little patches of turf. He made $5 a pop.

“It was fantastic money, all things considered,” he recalls with a grin.

At the family’s Hotel Heritage, Jure got his first taste of the hospitality industry as a busboy, clearing tables, being a dish pig, cleaning the pool. And more lawnmowing.

By the time he entered teenager-hood, Jure was able to take on more physical labour, spending his high school holidays on building sites, rendering walls, helping landscape, working with the brickies.

“I actually always enjoyed it, but I particularly loved doing the landscaping. It's that old cliché where you enjoy something when you can see progress. You start the week with a bare patch of dirt and by the end of it you have a manicured yard. It was very instant and gratifying.”

For as far back as he can recall, Jure knew that he wanted to join his dad in the family company. But he wanted to do so on his own terms.

“I was always good at maths and physics, so I was going to do Civil or Structural Engineering at university, but then I felt Commerce and Law would be more useful in the long-term. Plus it would allow me to get experience outside of Dad’s business and I always knew I wanted to work independently and to get some perspective before I joined.”

That experience came at the bank of St George (then Advance Bank) followed by two years as a lawyer with Clayton Utz. Where successful property developers usually find room in the fold to employ their progeny, Jure was headed out into the real world first.

“I feel this strongly about my own kids. I want them to go out on their own to start. It's important to be an employee at some point in your life. I think it's important to have to ask for a raise. It's important to negotiate your own pay and conditions and be a very small part of a bigger team or even a low-valued part of a bigger thing.”

After a few years of enjoying the law, finessing his flair for the written word, understanding the vital role of nuance, and soaking up the behind-the-scenes minutiae behind every big business deal, Jure found his learning curve was flattening. He felt he was “ready” to come home.

Ivan laughs about the day Jure turned up in his office and said “Dad, I’m here.”

“He quit his other job and he basically hired himself,” says Ivan.

“I had nothing to do with it!”

But in a sign of their remarkably simpatico and harmonious relationship, father welcomed son into the fold without hesitation. And Ivan was almost immediately prepared to stand back and let his bright and committed youngest child learn, and, eventually lead.

Ivan attributes his own business success to an insatiable appetite for learning—and listening.

“Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I am always looking around, seeing how things are done, listening to people, asking questions. I always think to myself, how could I do this better? My mind is always ticking over.”

Similarly, Jure says his early years in the business were marked by concerted listening, a steep learning curve and exposure to all sides of the property development game. “Like Dad, I would sit and listen and talk to a real mix of people – architects, planners, bureaucrats, real estate agents, lawyers, tenants, business owners and competitors . The more perspectives I got on any one issue the better.”

Ivan recalls how Jure would stubbornly refuse to call in favours to his father, preferring to head into negotiations on his own terms, only to be infuriated when, at the end of a successful deal, someone would ask “Hey, are you Ivan’s son?”

Ivan said he knew very early on that Jure had the innate talent to steer the company in new directions and to new heights.

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

“He has a great mind. And he knows people very well. He is also very honest.

Very. When Jure gives you his word on something, you don’t need to write it down. He will honour it 100 per cent.”

ABOVE Dockside Kingston RIGHT Bridge Point, Kingston ACT OPPOSITE The Domazet family

Ivan says that in their lifetimes of working together, father and son have never shared a cross word.

“Jure and me, we have never had a fight. Not a single disagreement. When he first started, he kept quiet and just took it all in.”

Jure is grateful for a father who was “a great mentor and sounding board and I was privileged that he let go of the wheel very early in my involvement.”

After seeing through some initial residential developments of varying sizes across the city, Jure’s first big deal arrived in 2002 when the company won a tender to redevelop the second stage of the Kingston Foreshore—one of Canberra’s newest and most cosmopolitan precincts.

While Ivan was a little more formulaic in his design scope throughout his career, Jure has a more attuned sense of aesthetics.

“I think it is fair to say Dad was always more concerned with getting it built. I wanted to get it built but to make it look beautiful at the same time.”

The two also had slightly different spending priorities.

“Dad would always try to save a dollar to make a dollar, whereas I was always happy to spend a dollar to make a dollar—and hopefully it would make me two.”

That’s not to say that Jure does not admire his father’s financial tenacity—or work ethic.

“Back then, what Dad was doing was rolling the dice with everything on the table. I don’t face that similar sort of risk. It would take quite a lot to go wrong for the business to suffer greatly, whereas back when Dad was growing it all, he put all his eggs in one basket and he had to back himself completely.

That’s admirable.”

During stage 2 of the Foreshore, Jure took the lead and consulted with Cox Architects at a time when residential developers and national architecture firms generally operated in two separate spheres. Today, DOMA is renowned for it's strong design credentials and close relationships with a stable of pre-eminent Australian architects keen to work on their increasingly prestigious commissions.

By 2003, DOMA began the transformation of the Realm precinct in Barton—within Canberra’s blue-ribbon real estate belt of the Parliamentary Triangle.

Expansion was further aided when the company established the Chase building company after poaching three ex-Bovis Lend Lease executives and its capacity was enhanced exponentially.

“We were more confident doing office buildings and larger scale developments because that's what these guys were about, big scale jobs and big office buildings.”

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DOMA tentatively ventured outside the Canberra bubble— purchasing the Huskisson Pub in Jervis Bay and developing and building the Australian Taxation Office in Albury in a joint venture.

In recent years, the company’s confidence, capacity and strong design and development credentials have seen it win some key property opportunities in Sydney, but perhaps more remarkably, invest huge sums and manpower in the transformation of Newcastle.

DOMA is currently overseeing the development of four key pieces of inner-city and waterfront property in the surfing city—including Honeysuckle Drive’s Huntington and Lume apartments and commercial spaces, the redevelopment of historic site The Store, and the creation of a Little National Hotel (LNH).

A ground-breaking and award-winning concept that grew out of Canberra, LNH is the brain child of Jure, who turned a spare space on top of a carpark into an award-winning boutique hotel opposite the company’s more conventional Realm Hotel in Barton.

LNH offers a discerning traveller everything they need—namely enormous luxury beds, high-spec bathrooms, and artfully-designed common areas— and nothing they don’t. What they don’t need are large rooms or in-house food or beverage options—the theory being that the prime positions of these hotels will see most seeking to eat at the closest “it” restaurant and enjoy the offerings of the city they are visiting.

LNH quickly took off in Canberra and with the purchase of a unique land parcel above Wynyard Station in Sydney, and in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD, two more will be rolled out next year.

Of his many achievements, Jure is understandably proud of his deceptively simple idea.

“I’m proud of a lot of things—of the company and its people and the passion with which we all work together and learn and reach for the next big thing. It really gives me enjoyment to see people who are either part of the organisation or under the umbrella grow—whether it’s an architect, or an engineer, or our hotel team. But in terms of legacy, bringing that kernel of an idea behind LNH to fruition, and seeing it going national has been really satisfying.”

Still, Jure is young and energetic enough to understand that much more is yet to come. His children are still winding their way through school and university and Jure seems genuinely detached from any desire to pull them into the company fold.

“If they want to work in the business, that’s fine, but they will need to prove themselves and whichever path they take, I want it to be their own.”

For Ivan, the man who grew a business and property empire from saving and investing his 21 pound-aweek wage in those difficult early years, priorities have changed.

His days are more likely revolve around a walk up a local mountain or a Pilates class than the negotiations around the newest parcel of land or tender for the next mega Government office block.

“These days, my focus is on keeping fit and healthy,” he says.

You’ll see his immaculately dressed figure catching up with friends over coffee in the French-style bistro Buvette, part of the Realm Hotel, or heading into DOMA’s world-class gym and day spa, Hale, for a treatment.

But none of this seems particularly pertinent when you ask Ivan Domazet what his most important legacy is.

He answers with a broad smile. “Well, I never dreamed of all of this,” he says with a sweep of his arm.

“But for me, my family is my legacy. My eight grandkids. When I go away, one of the grandkids will always come pick me up at the airport. They are waiting to see me with a hug. It makes me feel so good. That is what I care about most.”

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

NEWCASTLE: It’s the next best thing to Sydney—but many would argue it’s even better.

SURFING Newcastle is more laid-back with an industrial edge and a surfie vibe.

A From a dip in the iconic Ocean Baths, to a table at a hatted restaurant or a gig at an historic church-turned concert venue, Newcastle is surfing off a wave of cool, not coal.

COSMOPOLITAN Here’s our guide on how to experience a city reborn and brimming with style and energy.

WAVE

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

THE WINTER ISSUE — 11

PLAY

NEWCASTLEAFOOT Get out and tour the city on foot. Newcastleafoot offers specialised tours by those in the know. The Seascapes to Laneways Tour includes eclectic streets between the harbour and the sea, hidden houses, art and laneways, and the hippest creative hubs. Get the low-down on everything from Aboriginal culture, to the city’s rich convict and industrial history, right through to what makes modern Newcastle tick. Includes a coffee stop at one of the city's buzzing cafés. newcastleafoot.com.au

CIVIC THEATRE

The city’s cultural heart beats strongly, and nowhere more so than out of the Civic Theatre. The 1400-capacity venue has a jam-packed calendar of shows to suit every taste—drawing the big international and national names. From comedy festivals, to music and children’s theatre, there is always something interesting to book.

375 Hunter Street, Newcastle civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

BLACKBUTT RESERVE If nature is more your jam, Blackbutt Reserve is less than 10kms from the city but feels like a world away. Explore the natural bushland park where you can hang with wildlife including koalas, emus, wombats and loads of birdlife. Reconnect with your contemplative side during a long walk or book in for a reptile encounter or emu feeding time.

Carnley Avenue, Kotara newcastle.nsw.gov.au

SANBAH GRINDHOUSE

Sanbah Grindhouse allows you to eat, drink, shop.

And skate. Grab your deck and hit the (indoor) pavement or just watch how the experts do it at any number of competitions and demonstrations.

Always buzzing, you can enjoy the 570 square metre concrete skate park by hiring equipment for the day.

Shop 35, Marketown Shopping Centre, Newcastle sanbahgrindhouse.com

FORT SCRATCHLEY Built in 1882 to defend the city against a possible Russian attack, Fort Scratchley went into battle in June 1942 during the shelling of Newcastle and was decommissioned in 1972. Set atop Flagstaff Hill, here is a place rich in interest and history, with tours running daily. Or simply explore it yourself. The underground tunnels are particularly thrilling— if you don’t mind confined spaces.

Nobbys Road, Newcastle East newcastle.nsw.gov.au

WORDS Emma Macdonald PHOTOGRAPHY Edwina Richards

The perfect blend of natural beauty, intriguing history and edgy culture, Newcastle has an experience for any type of urban explorer. From live shows to laneways, here’s where to start your adventure.

HELI SERVICES NEWCASTLE If you want to see the city from its best vantage—go up. Heli Services Newcastle offer a unique perspective on the city from its fleet of helicopters that take in the harbour before swooping over foreshore attractions including Honeysuckle and Nobby’s Head.

Try a breweries tour, or the aptly named “vines from the sky”, or head out to the dunes of Port Stephens.

8 Cowper Street, Newcastle heliservices.com.au

ABOVE Civic Theatre LEFT Civic Theatre BELOW Blackbutt reserve

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EAT

CAFÉ SET

BLUE DOOR CAFÉ It is, by now, an oldie but a goodie. Blue Door set an early benchmark for wholefood indulgence in the city with simple but well-executed dishes. With two locations in Newcastle, the beach side kiosk at Merewether is a sure win all year round.

363-365 Hunter Street and Cnr Watkins Street & John Parade, Merewether blue-door.com.au

MOMO WHOLEFOOD Similarly, Momo Wholefood sustains vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious eaters with a casual menu served under the enormous vaulted ceilings of a heritage bank building on the corner of Hunter and Brown Streets. Produce is more likely than not to be sourced from the organic Hunter Valley Phoenix Park Farm.

227 Hunter Street, Newcastle facebook.com/momonewcastle

CORNER HOUSE

Think blonde wood and bricks with a Scandi twist and a style school sensibility. Corner House, tucked amongst the charming residential streets of Cooks Hill, yet still in the CBD, is a must visit and is pared back with a simple menu and coffee obsession.

29 Union Street, Newcastle facebook.com/cornerhousecafe.newcastle

ONE PENNY BLACK

Located in Hunter Street mall, One Penny Black serves coffee just the way Novocastrians like it— strong and deep. The type of place where baristas take every step of the process to heart, here is a café to benchmark all other coffees—serving up filter and single origin brews from a rustic shopfront and offering a small but seasonal menu to go with.

196 Hunter Street, Newcastle

BAKED UPRISING

The suburban streets of Maryville have not been so sleepy since Baked Uprising set up shop. Serving up the freshest and most heavenly-smelling baked goods each morning, Alice and her team have earned a loyal clientele keen to secure their share of bread, tarts, brioche, pastries and cakes. Baristas are on hand to make the journey truly worthwhile.

21-25 Downie Street, Maryville facebook.com/bakeduprising

ABOVE Baked Uprising RIGHT Momo Wholefood BELOW Ginger Meggs

FINE DINING SUBO

It’s time to ditch the boardies and frock up for fine food and an elegant atmosphere. At Subo, it is about delicious and picture-perfect plates with a Japanese/French twist. Partners Suzie and Beau bring their Sydney and Melbourne restaurant polish to this tiny but brilliant 35-seater establishment.

Stay awhile and enjoy the dégustation.

51D Hunter Street, Newcastle subo.com.au

Newcastle long ago cast aside its staid reputation for meat-and veg to satisfy its hungry and high-viz workers. Now it’s foodie central—helped in large part by coffee-swilling hipsters and close proximity to all the seasonal goodness growing out of the Hunter Valley.

Some days it is hard to keep a track of what new fine-diner or café has opened its doors. There are those establishments which have stood the test of time, while others are rocketing up the latest hot-list—it means there’s definitely something for everyone.

GINGER MEGS’ What Ginger Megs’ large warehouse fit-out lacks in windows it makes up for in giant Asian murals and brash, raw style, prompting people to wonder where it is they have landed for dinner. Promising Asian hawker-style dishes with flair and finesse, such as Shanghai braised pork belly and a plethora of dumpling choices, here is a place which also houses a truly fabulous bar. What is not to like?

212 King Street, Newcastle gingermegsx.com.au

RUSTICA Rustica makes it difficult to know where to look.

Up at the hundreds of lanterns which make up its baroque interior? Or out at the crashing waves of Newcastle Beach? Perhaps you should simply focus on the menu, which delivers tapas-style, Mediterranean-infused platters best shared with friends or someone special.

21 King Street, Newcastle East rustica.com.au

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

SHOP

RESTAURANT MASON

OLIVE TREE MARKET

Chris Thorton is a Newcastle lad who went out in search of culinary adventure, worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, then came back home to win some impressive accolades for his own establishment Restaurant Mason. Not shying from offal, venison, goat, or pheasant (but equally catering for vegetarians) Chris pushes the envelope and sets the city’s top standards. All accompanied by a beautiful wine list.

3/35 Hunter Street, Newcastle restaurantmason.com

Founded in 2008, The Olive Tree Market is the city’s most thriving contemporary handmade art and design market. Featuring 150 stalls each month, you can purchase photography, illustration, fashion, ceramics, homewares, jewellery, printmaking, sustainable design, textile arts, wood and metal work, painting and handmade children’s clothing and toys.

There is also a dedicated gourmet artisan produce area and delicious food from around the world.

Held first Saturday of the month, and first and third Saturdays of November and December.

Civic Park, Newcastle theolivetreemarket.com.au

THE FLYING TIGER

THE WINTER ISSUE — 13

BELOW Newcastle Farmers Market BOTTOM Darby Street

The Flying Tiger promises a perfect night out. The bar is downstairs, the restaurant on top, and there are bonus jungle plants, a giant tiger mural, and half a vintage aeroplane suspended in the air for good measure. But don’t let any of this distract you from the menu, which promises a broad range of dishes with a South American bent—heavy on chargrilled meat which is done on a giant multi-level charcoal grill. Yes, it’s every inch as eye-popping as it sounds.

31 Hunter Street, Newcastle tft231.com.au

SEAT AT THE BAR

Sun, salt, and surf often require a chilled cocktail to take the heat off. But if you want to keep a close eye on those perfect waves, then the Merewether Surfhouse provides the best of both worlds. The terrace bar on the top level is a perfect perch from which to imbibe a fresh cocktail, or ale of your choice.

If it sparks an appetite, pop downstairs to Lesley Taylor’s eponymous restaurant and order a bottle of wine to enjoy while the sun sets.

5 Henderson Parade, Merewether surfhouse.com.au

THE BASEMENT ON MARKET ST

The Basement on Market St promises drinks as tempting as Limoncello Sorbita—Vodka, Licor 43, mint & limoncello sorbet. If that doesn’t scream Newcastle sunshine then what does? The Basement is just as it sounds—dark and moody, with lots of steel, exposed brick, and just the right amount of lighting to set off an enormous stone bar, The Basement is where the cool kids congregate for a Malbec and a selection of tapas.

2/2 Market Street, Newcastle basementonmarketst.com.au

BABYLON

Step back into the ‘20s at Babylon, which promises an art deco, dark-wooded, sophisticated bar experience even if technically you are sitting in a former Methodist Mission. Don’t let that put you off their extensive whiskey menu or a delightfully obscure craft beer. It feels extra fancy to lounge on velvet sofas underneath giant brass chandeliers.

145 King Street, Newcastle babylonnewcastle.com.au

COAL & CEDAR You’ll need to be in on a few secrets to visit Coal & Cedar. This hidden speakeasy has no signage or doorbell. But never fear—text a special code to a number on the wall and a host will open the door and usher you inside. There you’ll find a dark and tiny bar holding a maximum of 60 patrons. The bar staff love nothing more than discussing spirits and superior mixes, so tell them what flavours tempt you and see what they come up with.

380 Hunter Street, Newcastle coalandcedar.com

NEWCASTLE FARMERS MARKET Speaking of food, the Newcastle Farmers Market is a true treasure. Peruse avenues of fresh produce and chat to the farmer who lovingly nurtured it to market. If you’re feeling a little lazy, fill your basket with prepared gourmet treats—everything from bread to pasta to wine awaits you. And if you can’t even be bothered waiting to get home, there’s food ready to eat then and there. No one will go hungry.

Each Sunday in various locations around the city newcastlecityfarmersmarket.com.au

STREET FEAST Street Feast is all the food you need to eat while soaking up a carnival-style atmosphere which shows off Newcastle harbour and those magnificent sunsets. Part of the Hunt&Gather market empire, Street Feast takes place one evening of every month—usually at Foreshore or Dixon Parks. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy live music while you try and narrow down the food highlights you’re keen to try. Stretchy pants mandatory.

Street Feast is held monthly huntandgatherevents.com/street-feast

VAULT 73 Vault 73 takes its name from the fact it is housed in an old bank building complete with marble pillars, miles of wood panelling and an old-fashioned manager’s door. Large leather armchairs conjure images of Newcastle’s monied forebears in discussion with their mortgage brokers, but really, all you’ll be thinking about is which cocktail goes best with the Italian food you’re about to order. A God Father (Amaretto di Saronno and Scotch whiskey) with Italian meat balls? A sound investment.

73-75 Hunter Street, Newcastle vault73.com.au

DARBY STREET Whether it is fresh produce, clothes, art or the most covetable of homewares, Newcastle has an edge as a shopping mecca. Here's where to head for retail therapy.

Darby Street shopping is not for the faint-hearted.

It’s a street absolutely crammed with destination points. Fuel up at any one of the 25 cafés and head in to buy the latest street designer wear, alternate music, second-hand books, quirky homewares, or jewellery your heart desires. Unique fashion boutiques will have any style requirements covered.

If you can decide on an outfit, peruse one of the private art galleries, where you can chat with a local artist.

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

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WORDS Emma Macdonald PHOTOGRAPHY Romello Pereira

L

ittle National Hotel (LNH) has turned conventional hotel accommodation on its head—proving small rooms with large and luxurious beds can convert into big business.

communal spaces—when they can pull themselves out of the bed, that is. These encourage work (in the elegant and amenities-laden library staring at the Parliamentary Flagpole at close range) or relaxation (in the rooftop lounge with its open fire, bar, and views across the city).

The business model works because where dollars are channelled to provide a high level of amenity, LNH operates with far fewer hotel staff than usual.

There are limited in-house food and beverage operations; rather, guests enjoy food and beverage facilities in the surrounding Realm Precinct, which includes a variety of cafés, restaurants and bars.

It goes without saying that each room does provide guests with Nespresso machines and coffee pods or PUKKA organic tea so no one need leave their room un-caffeinated.

The locations chosen for the 230-room Sydney and 152-room Newcastle LNHs are similarly wellplaced amidst dining and entertainment precincts— directly above Wynyard Station in Sydney, and the rapidly cosmopolitan strip transforming Honeysuckle Drive in Newcastle. And just like the Canberra site, beds will be the focus of each room, built into their own windowed alcove.

DOMA, meanwhile, is looking for suitable sites to further expand the concept in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart.

According to Guy, the most likely point of failure for a hotel is with its food and beverage. LNH encourages guests to experience the city’s dining scene and avoids any such pitfalls.

“I know from my own experience with work-related travel that no-one wants to sit in a hotel room doing their work, or eat at the hotel restaurant.”

“The very best ideas are always so simple in hindsight,” says architect “LNH’s strength Guy Lake. is it provides He came to this view after his design firm Bates Smart was briefed on a new hotel venture which was the brainchild of DOMA Managing Director Jure Domazet.

Domazet, a well-travelled and frenetically busy businessman had a lightbulb moment a few years back that the traditional hotel mode—big on space, accompanied by hotel restaurants and in-room dining options—was rarely utilised by the discerning business traveller, who was unlikely to spend much time in their room, and usually dined out in any event.

Jure reasoned that a new model of hotel could be created to provide “everything I need and nothing I don’t”. And removing the unnecessary bits of the hotel experience—namely excess space and hotel dining—could mean that an otherwise luxury stay could be offered at a more affordable price.

LNH broke new ground when it first opened in Canberra in 2015 and enjoyed instant success, and later recognition, as it went on to win the Property Council of Australia’s National Innovation and Excellence Award in 2017.

Bates Smart were more recently engaged to work with DOMA to evolve the brand and roll out two more bespoke Little National Hotels—one in Sydney and one in Newcastle.

Loosely following an international movement spearheaded out of Europe known as affordable luxury hotels, LNH has turned conventional hotel accommodation on its head.

It recognises that there is a community of discerning travellers seeking a tailored and beautiful product, providing the essentials of accommodation with no compromises—but at a competitive price point.

To that end, the 120-room Canberra LNH is designed to make travel a joy, while dispensing with the unnecessary add-ons.

And, to coin a well-worn phrase, at the end of the day (when you are travelling for work or play), what counts more than dropping your bag in a prime location, and getting a beautiful night’s sleep?

LNH has spawned a wave of Instagram scenes of well-rested guests gazing out from under highthread-count sheets as they sit atop their super kingsized and high-specification bed which are built into window boxes to take in views of the city.

The underpinning design philosophy asks ‘why create large hotel rooms when the bed is always going to be the focus of attention?’ LNH rooms are small. Just 17 square metres in fact. But you are not going to feel cramped in the enormous beds.

DOMA’s Director of Hotels Patrick Lonergan said the beds are so popular, and such an exalted part of the LNH stay, that they are available for sale to guests.

“We sell around 15 a month in fact. You get to testdrive a car, so we are allowing people to test-drive our high-end beds.”

Upon waking rested and refreshed, guests immediately seek a second hotel priority—a superior showering experience. To that end, each of LNH’s small suites contain large showers with exceptional water flow.

“We use the same chrome accessories and the sorts of luxury fit-outs as we do in our penthouse apartments. It is a quality you see and feel instantly.”

Canberra guests to LNH are almost universally finding themselves drawn to spend time in the

extraordinarily well-thought out communal spaces for work and relaxation and is within walking distance of great food experiences.”

Meanwhile, the Sydney and Newcastle LNHs are different in design to respect the differences in their locations.

The Sydney concept is located over Wynyard Walk—taking visual and spatial cues from the iconic New York Flat Iron building—and is literally hovering above a transport hub in the middle of the CBD, close to the cream of fine-dining restaurants and bars. A rooftop terrace makes the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail before heading off on an adventure—a large circular fireplace in the rooftop lounge a counterpoint for a nightcap, perhaps.

Newcastle has a more resort feel—reflecting the more laid-back vibe of the city. There is a pool, the hotel sits beside a park, and a large open staircase draws the focus to the generous proportions of the building.

The Newcastle LNH will cater for both the business traveller but also holiday-makers and families through serviced apartments on the upper floors.

LNH Sydney is due to open in May 2020 and Newcastle in September 2020.

Guy is busy ensuring every single detail is put into place.

“I think the success of the model is that each hotel will be remembered for its beautiful beds and great spaces for work or quiet reflection outside of each room—all at a price point which represents a cost effective luxury experience.

“Nobody thinks twice about a small room when they are compensated by brilliant sleep and artfully designed communal spaces.”

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

SPICED CAULIFLOWER with BAY SCALLOPS

by Shannon

Bennett — Miele Brand Ambassador

Prep time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves: 24 as a canapé, 6-8 serves as entrée

INGREDIENTS ½ head of cauliflower, cut into florets ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp cumin seeds, crushed with mortar and pestle 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp curry powder 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp ground cinnamon 2 tbs pine nuts 4 spring onions, white and light green, thinly sliced Zest and juice of 1 lemon 2 tbs currants 2 tsp sesame oil 24 fresh scallops, in the shell Micro coriander to serve

METHOD 1.

Pre-heat the oven to Fan Plus at 160°C.

2.

I n a food processor add the cauliflower florets and blitz until fine.

3.

lace the pine nuts on a multi-purpose tray P and toast in the Oven on shelf position 2 for 5-7 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool.

4.

Heat oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add the spices and toast for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add the cauliflower, spring onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until tender and slightly golden.

5.

oughly chop the pine nuts and combine with R currants, lemon juice and zest, sesame oil and cauliflower mixture.

6.

lace the scallops on a perforated steam tray.

P Steam at 85°C for 2 minutes.

7.

Serve the scallops in the shell and top with the cauliflower mixture and micro coriander.

FOOD STYLIST Deborah Kaloper PHOTOGRAPHER Mark Roper

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

THE WINTER ISSUE — 17

IMMER BESSER: THE STORY OF MIELE WORDS Molly McLaughlin

More than ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO, the company that would go on to become Miele was founded in GERMANY.

With a guiding principle of "immer besser" (forever better), today, the legendary appliance brand is known for products that incorporate the latest technology and research. Miele appliances have found a fitting home in DOMA’S Newcastle developments, Lume and Huntington.

The Miele story is one of tradition, as well as innovation. It begins in 1899, when Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann sign a contract to establish Miele & Cie., a factory for making cream separators. In an old saw and corn mill in Herzebrock near Gütersloh in Germany, the company begins operation with a workforce of eleven employees. The rest, as they say, is history.

1924

The expanded Miele factory in Bielefeld begins the long-awaited production of bicycles.

1929 1931

Miele builds Europe’s first electricallypowered domestic dishwasher.

Miele creates its first torpedo-shaped vacuum cleaner with the Model L, a design that was to remain popular for decades to come.

1932

Miele builds its first motorised bicycles, laying the foundation for ultimately expanding the range to also include mopeds and motorbikes. The production of two-wheelers only comes to halt in the 1960s.

1952

As appliances move into the home during the 1950s, washing machines are redesigned as rectangles to fit more easily against interior walls. Miele’s washing machine No. 75 is described as “an elegant, decorative exterior and an eye catcher in any kitchen or bathroom.”

1987

Celebrating the oldest washing machine manufacturer in Germany, the Miele museum opens. Miele also introduces the first dishwasher in the world with a top-level cutlery tray for a more thorough clean.

1998 2001

Miele introduces the world’s first fully automatic built-in coffee machine.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Miele washing machine, the company premières the patented Miele honeycomb drum.

2004

Miele releases the new generation of washer-extractors and tumble dryers with the programmable Profitronic M controls.

2010 2013

Miele débuts its first fully automatic bench-top coffee maker.

In dishwashers from the Generation 6000 series, Miele invents the Knock2open feature. Tapping twice on the front opens the dishwasher door which is otherwise seamlessly hidden.

2014

The Scout RX1 is Miele's first robovac. Its navigation system, cleaning performance and the charge and longevity of its lithium ion rechargeable batteries take the product to the next level.

2016

The Blizzard CX1, Miele’s first bagless vacuum cleaner, is available for the first time, incorporating technology to reduce noise and streamline use.

2017

The new dialog oven from Miele brings a brand-new technology to home cooking, in which electromagnetic waves respond and adjust to the texture of the food. Multiple fresh ingredients can be placed together on an oven tray and are all ready be served at the same time.

1910

Miele's first washing machine with its own electric motor hits the market, changing the lives of thousands of women who previously spent hours washing clothes in hand-driven machines.

The same motor also powers the wringer, which can be disengaged from the drive mechanism with a lever.

1912

Encouraged by their huge successes so far, the company’s founders venture into the production of motor cars. Due to the extensive capital investment required by this line of business, the manufacture of cars is abandoned two years later after the delivery of 143 vehicles in total.

1914

Miele introduces a water-powered washing machine (No. 40), because water was cheaper than electricity at the time and could also be collected afterwards and reused.

Then, a third totally new model, powered by an 'outboard' electric motor that could be plugged into a domestic power socket, is added and the iconic Miele washing machine No. 50 is born.

1952

Miele’s front-loading washing machine No. 307 is one of the first to include a 'porthole door’ so users can monitor the activity of the newly-automated appliance.

1958

The first electric tumble dryer for the home leaves the Miele factory, making laundry history.

1975

Miele begins manufacturing fitted kitchens, with cabinet fronts made from solid oak, or laminate fronts in different colours.

1977

The microwave boom begins.

Miele's first, the Model M 690, becomes popular as it is small enough to fit anywhere on the kitchen bench.

1978

Miele becomes the first manufacturer to commence with the series production of electronically-controlled domestic washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers.

2019

Miele celebrates its 120 year anniversary. In the largest product launch in the company's history to date, Miele releases its Generation 7000 range. The range renews Miele’s signature built-in kitchen appliances, from ovens to coffee machines to dishwashers with hightech intelligence that prove Miele continues to lead innovation in the future of home appliances.

See how Miele’s products integrate seamlessly with Lume and Huntington’s sleek interiors at the harbourside display suite at Worth Place, Newcastle.

18 — THE WINTER ISSUE

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

NEUTRAL gear Meet CARA HO, our fashion stylist bringing you this season’s looks.

Say it with a SNEAKER Sneakers are nothing new, but it seems 2019 will be another year of sneaker mania. This year, fashion girls are going beyond the classic whites and opting for statement-making shapes and colours. Style back with… everything!

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Her AUTUMN/ WINTER STYLE

Born into Australian fashion royalty, Cara cut her teeth working in fashion business management for eight years, before establishing her niche styling Australia’s celebrities for red carpet events and television. With a strong portfolio of clients from TV, fashion and the corporate worlds in both Sydney and Canberra, Cara is passionate about helping people establish their signature look, whilst paying homage to trends.

Beige is now anything but boring.

Unlikely as it sounds, full-look beige is slated to become 2019’s power colour of choice.

Resort-appropriate shades of ecru, beige, sand and—tastily enough—oatmeal, are making a much-prayed-for return to full form this season.

No longer just a base or a filler, let the shade stand on its own in a monochrome look, or pair it with white and grey.

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1 Country Road cashmere knit $399 countryroad.com.au 2 M1064 Studio Silence 14 set of two gold-plated necklaces $382 net-a-porter.com 3 Lee Mathews Didion front-tie skirt $399 farfetch.com 4 Zara coat with faux fur collar $259 zara.com 5 Shona Joy O'Dell long-sleeved bias midi dress cream $295 shonajoy.com.au 6 Laura Lombardi Luna gold-tone ring $70 net-a-porter.com 7 Chanel sling-backs $1,150 chanel.com

1 Rebecca Vallance Vivian coat in check $1,200 rebeccavallance.com 2 Morrison Marielle top in grey $299 morrisonshop. com.au 3 Morrison Marielle pant in grey $299 morrisonshop.com.au 4 Apple Watch Hermès stainless steel case with Fauve Barenia Leather Double Tour $2,139 apple.com 5 Guise tote bag washed ink denim print $365 stateofescape.com 6 Adidas Originals Nite Jogger shoes $200 adidas.com.au

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

THE WINTER ISSUE — 19

Slippery as SILK Personality PRINTS Polka dots, stylised snake and animal prints have shaken off their kitsch connotations for AW19. Embrace your animal instinct and pounce on this fashion trend any way you please.

It's been a minute since satin was on the designer radar, but the luxury fabric is back in action from international designer houses to high street stores.

There is no escaping this trend.

Test the silky look at your next formal event, wear it as a buttondown for the office, or pair a silky skirt back with a knit and sneakers.

Lady LUXE Goes DAY

OFF BALANCE never looked so good Asymmetric off-the-shoulder necklines done slouchy, architectural, or draped and fluid—there is no escaping this not-so-friendly winter trend.

Think of it as an opportunity to show a hint of skin during the cooler months.

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It’s all about the long-sleeved dress with floaty hemlines. Team back with knits, boots or sneakers for a more casual take on this feminine trend.

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1 Trenery merino ocelot jacquard cardigan $279 trenery.com.au 2 Country Road jacquard wrap top $179 countryroad.com.au 3 Country Road knit tube skirt $89.95 countryroad.com.au 4 The Daily Edited Black Box Bag $299.95 thedailyedited. com 5 Country Road Nadine mid heel $159 countryroad.com.au

1 Isabel Marant gold-tone multi-stone necklace $299 net-a-porter.com 2 MM6 Maison Margiela ribbed-knit sweater $718 net-a-porter.com 3 Misa Cesra dress $579 husk.com.au 4 A Black & Brown Delilah knotted leather waist belt $119 net-a-porter. com 5 Givenchy GV textured-leather and suede shoulder bag $1,650 net-a-porter.com 6 Tony Bianco Bakari Black Phoenix/Black Heels $179.95 tonybianco.com

1 Farrah + Sloane margot bag in champagne $159 farrahandsloane.com.au 2 Reliquia perpetual earrings $209 reliquiajewellery. com 3 Vince Knotted silk-satin blouse $330 vince.com 4 Vince Knotted wrap-effect silk-satin midi skirt $330 vince.com 5 Tony Bianco Marley Clear Vynalite Heels $199.95 tonybianco.com 6 The Laundress silk and delicate care set $43 net-a-porter.com

1 Reliquia pearl cluster drop earrings $169 reliquiajewellery.com 2 Rebecca Vallance Harlow dress $1,100 rebeccavallance.com 3 Olga Berg Telesa crystal facet clutch $149.95 olgaberg.com 4 Aquazzura Purist 105 mirrored-leather sandals $672 net-a-porter.com 5 Fashion Forms gel nipple covers $25 shopstyle.com.au

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

Relaxed-Leg TROUSERS Over the past few seasons, looser cuts and more relaxed shapes have worked their way off the runways and onto store rails. This voluminous way of dressing has infiltrated everything from coats and hoodies to suits and shoes (if you count the chunky trainer trend), but it arguably looks best down below on dad jeans, pleated trousers and not-sotailored separates.

The easiest entry into the world of wider fits is with denim.

No need to go full Slim Shady though—a straight leg is a good first step. For a smarter look, it’s wise to wear something with weight, like a wool-mix. This will gather nicely on your shoe rather than just looking like you’ve got your dad’s trousers on.

TACTILE Fabrics Tactile fabrics are a simple way up to update your wardrobe in a trend-led way without stepping too far out of your comfort zone.

All of these layering pieces can be worn smart or casual and will make your usual outfits feel new.

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1 Brunello Cucinelli double-breasted shearling coat $17,005 mrporter.com 2 Brunello Cucinelli canvas and full-grain leather holdall $5,015 mrporter.com 3 Universal Works striped wool-blend rollneck sweater $369 mrporter.com 4 A.P.S petit new standard skinny-fit dry selvedge denim jeans $282 mrporter.com 5 The Laundress denim care set $45 mrporter.com 6 Brunello Cucinelli suede boots $2,035 matchesfashion.com

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1 Pradaslim-Fit cashmere sweater $1,087 mrporter.com 2 Saturdays nyclogo-print cotton-jersey T-Shirt $85 mrporter.com 3 Ray-Ban Erika round-frame tortoiseshell acetate sunglasses $213 mrporter.com 4 White sand mid-rise straight-leg twill trousers $250 matchesfashion.com 5 Converse One Star OX suede sneakers $112 mrporter.com 6 nnative + Liberty London hunter cotton and linen-blend twill hooded field jacket $1,659 mrporter.com

LITTLE NATIONAL POST

THE WINTER ISSUE — 21

Utilitarian SUIT

BROWN Everything

With athleisure and fitness gear now a staple part of everyday wardrobes, guys are paying more attention to what pieces do rather than just how they look.

Technology is not just confined to better and more efficient business—it’s making its way into suit attire. One way to show you have your finger on the pulse is to pair a hybrid athletic-suit with tonal trousers and a simple crew neck T-shirt.

Stand out TAILORING The navy suit. Stylish, yes. A wardrobe cornerstone, most definitely. But exciting? Not necessarily. For this reason—and because menswear itself has become increasingly ballsy—a sartorial reshuffle has been bubbling away under the surface for the past 12 months.

Your tailoring now comes in technicolour. Try your hand at burgundy, teal and patterns.

On paper, brown is far from the sexiest tone on the colour wheel.

The reason brown works so well is because it’s an easy-to throwon colour, up there with black and navy, but allows textures to pop so much more. Use it to show off the slight sheen of suede or the shadows that form in the ridges of a chunky knit.

NOD To The ’70s

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If there is one overarching trend this season, it’s the 1970s. The decade that style supposedly forgot is now informing colours, patterns and cuts—and even fabrics—with corduroy inexplicably making a comeback.

Pay homage to the trend and apply a contemporary twist to ensure you wear the look and not the other way round.

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1 ETRO burgundy slim-fit linen and woolblend suit jacket $1,559 mrporter.com 2 Tom Ford slim-fit button-down collar checked cotton shirt $599 mrporter.com 3 Tom Ford metallic silk-jacquard tie $291 mrporter.com 4 Tom Ford dark-brown leather belt $1,009 matchesfashion.com 5 ETRO burgundy slim-fit linen and wool-blend trousers $530 mrporter.com 6 Berluti Lorenzo leather loafers $1,767 matchesfashion.com

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1 Z Zegna grey techmerino wool-jersey suit jacket $3,005 mrporter.com 2 TZ Zegna techmerino wool t-Shirt $495 mrporter.com 3 Z Zegna grey tapered techmerino wooljersey drawstring suit trousers $969 mrporter.com 4 Brunello Cucinelli suede-trimmed leather sneakers $1,455 matchesfashion.com 5 Native Union drop wireless charger $129 mrporter.com 6 Suunto 9 Baro GPS stainless steel and silicone digital watch $925 mrporter.com

1 Hugo Boss ribbed virgin wool, silk and cashmere-blend rollneck sweater $406 mrporter.com 2 Rag & Bone Fit 3 denim shirt $335 mrporter.com 3 Cartier eyewear aviator-style leather-trimmed gold-tone sunglasses $2,976 mrporter.com 4 Johnstons Of Elgin fringed cashmere scarf $291 mrporter.com 5 Rag & Bone Patrick checked wool and cotton-blend trousers $479 mrporter.com 6 Converse 1970s Chuck Taylor All Star canvas sneakers $112 mrporter.com 7 Polaroid Original Sx-70 Sonar camera $1,105 mrporter.com

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1 Bottega Veneta Intrecciato detailed leather bomber jacket $5,820 mrporter.com 2 Stüssy Malcolm striped cotton-jersey t-Shirt $145 matchesfashion.com 3 Bottega Veneta intrecciato cotton polo shirt $650 matchesfashion.com 4 Acne Studios toronty logo-jacquard wool-blend scarf $306 mrporter.com 5 Dunhill slim-fit denim jeans $385 matchesfashion.com 6 Bottega Veneta Intrecciato suede slip-on trainers $950 mrporter.com

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

PETER CHITTENDEN COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL Managing Director | Residential

What does it mean to buy off-the-plan?

“Buying off-the-plan means you are committing to buying a property that is yet to be built. It is appealing to potential home owners, first home buyers and investors, due to the range of government incentives available as well as the tendency of it being more affordable and flexible than buying an existing property”, says Peter.

What are the advantages?

How to get the best result Look at the developer’s track record Like all property investments, the only way to know if buying off-the-plan is for you is to check out what’s on the market. When searching for a property that you can fall in love with, stick to developers with a long track record of delivering quality on time.

“There has been negativity surrounding the residential market, however, when entering into the property market in 2019 buyers should gravitate towards developers with lots of experience—those developers will then employ experienced architects and builders that are reputable and have a portfolio of success and terrific outcomes.”

Buying off-the-plan has many benefits—the property is brand new and comes with new fixtures and fittings and it gives the buyer much more time to save and get their affairs in order before having to settle on the property due to the length of the construc- Do your research tion time. It also allows you to buy at today’s price— Successfully buying off-the-plan requires lots of meaning that when the property settles there is the research, even before inspecting the property. Peter suggests considering the location, surrounding possibility of it increasing in value.

During the construction period, you can also amenities, other buildings and market conditions.

“Preparation in anything you do is important, but avoid paying interest on any mortgage required for while buying an investment property or your home, the purchase or save up your payments out over a couple of years. There are stamp duty savings, gov- it's an expensive and important exercise that needs ernment incentives and on occasion the developer research and prep work by the buyer. Speak to your financial adviser, ask questions, visit the display suite may offer discounts.

“There are many benefits of buying off-the-plan, so you can touch and feel the finishes and be sure however it’s important to note that residential prop- that the property you are choosing is right for you.” erty is a long-term view, and you should always do your research. If you can buy today, do your planning Lastly, has the recent Federal Election made any appropriately and you have a five to 10-year plan— impact on the market?

“Recently the Federal Government announced that then it’s always a good time to buy,” says Peter. they will soon offer new assistance to first home buyers, and with Australian Prudential Regulatory And the risks? Authority (APRA) announcing plans for a new formula to be used by the banks in assessing mortgage Some potential buyers feel trepidation at the pros- applications, there has been more of a positive senpect of making such a big investment without seeing timent in the residential property market.” the finished product—for many, sometimes their biggest worry is that the project will not be completed, leaving them disappointed and out of pocket. But Peter assures buyers that there is no risk of losing their deposit because under Australian law it must be held in a trust fund until completion of the project.

“It's understandable that people do get nervous about it,” says Peter. “But from a positive point of view, the protective legislation in Australia is second to none and there is always recourse to protect the buyer. Make sure you do your research, choose a developer with experience and be selective from the outset.”

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If you are in the market and looking to buy the home of your dreams or an investment property, you will have probably encountered the option of buying “off-the-plan”. But what does it actually mean? We asked Peter Chittenden, Managing Director of Residential at Colliers International Words: Molly McLaughlin

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LITTLE NATIONAL POST

(NEW)C Discover a vision for Newcastle where lifestyle, quality, and taste merge. Creating

THE STORE

DOMA will lead the bold transformation of The Store site at 854 Hunter Street in Newcastle, with a $200 million redevelopment that will take design and opportunity to new levels in the city’s emerging West End. The redevelopment of the 12,000m2 site will combine innovative design solutions to provide an integrated masterplan delivering a new 15,000m2 standalone office, retail and two residential towers and structured carpark that is built over the NBI designed and approved by Transport for NSW. The office space will be anchored by NSW Government tenants 854 Hunter Street Newcastle NSW 384 apartments 20,000sqm A-Grade office Newcastle Bus Interchange Completion 2022 Architect – Bates Smart thestorenewcastle.com.au

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THE WINTER ISSUE — 25

HUNTINGTON Huntington promises an extraordinary lifestyle and an escape from the ordinary.

Residents will be immersed in the very heart of Newcastle’s urban redevelopment transformation—enjoying enviable access to retail, restaurants and the Hunter lifestyle.

Huntington promises unparalleled luxury and aesthetic standards, while its lofty water views, ocean breezes and seascapes will sooth the soul. Designed by SJB, the façade delivers sleek curves and rich textures. Green roofs and treescapes are woven through the development, while internal finishes push the envelope for apartment interior design standards.

35 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW 92 Residential apartments 19 x 1 bed, 41 x 2 bed, 32 x 3 bed 1,500sqm retail/commercial Completion 2020 Architect – SJB Builder – BLOC Pricing: 1 BED $495,000 – $645,000 2 BED $995,000 – $1,295,000 3 BED $1,325,000 – $1,895,000 huntingtonnewcastle.com.au

CASTLE residences by

that represent the city's future while respecting the past.

THE CROSSING

The Crossing has been conceived as a dynamic composition of four twisting towers positioned above a lush green interconnecting podium breezeway.

A place to socialise or relax and enjoy the framed views of the harbour and city beyond.

With only 2 apartments per level, each is designed to maximise views, light and natural ventilation, with corner sliding doors providing seamless connection between living and balcony.

1 Merewether Street Newcastle NSW 9x 1 beds, 36x 2 beds, 3x 3 beds 477sqm retail/commercial Completion 2021 Architect – Chrofi Builder – BLOC crossingnewcastle.com.au To enquire or learn more about these properties, contact Colliers International 1800 851 936 newcastle.residential@colliers.com

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CANBERRA LIKE A LOCAL One of the most exciting things about arriving in an unfamiliar city is the thrill of discovery. The chance to find all the hidden gems, the things that aren’t necessarily listed in the tourist guidebook. And what better way to do that, than letting a local show you around? We asked five Canberrans to share their picks for the things that should be on your Canberra to-do list.

for the

FOOD LOVER

for the

THRILL SEEKER

Damian Brabender One of Canberra’s most highly-awarded chefs, Damian Brabender owns and operates various restaurants and cafés in the capital, and acts as Executive Chef at The Truffle Farm. Here’s where you’ll find him when he’s not in his own kitchen.

Tim the Yowie Man Tim the Yowie Man is a Canberra expert, author, and tour guide and has dedicated the last 25 years of his life to showcasing the natural wonders of the region.

Here he shares some of the city’s most charming natural and man-made secrets.

LiloTang It’s elegant Japanese fine-dining meets izakaya raffishness—Head Chef Shunsuke Ota has crafted a modern Japanese menu that’s full of flavour and matched by an impressive Sake list of more than 25 varieties. This hatted restaurant’s Tasting Menu is a must-try.

Open for lunch 12pm–2.30pm Tuesday to Friday, and dinner 6pm–10.30pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Burbury Close, Barton 02 6273 1424 lilotang.com.au

Mt Gingera The spectacular day-walk up this dramatic peak in Namadgi National Park is a treat for the senses. In the warmer months, marvel at millions of Bogong moths aestivating (a form a summer hibernation) in secret caves near the summit, while after a big snowfall in winter, follow the maze of animal tracks. Don’t get lost!

Start at Namadgi National Park, Naas Road, via Tharwa environment.act.gov.au

Trecento

Jerrabomberra Wetlands

Amazing pasta, simple flavours done correctly by people who love what they do. A trattoria so authentic you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported to Italy, Trecento is perfect for experiencing local hospitality.

Try the Trecento Carbonara—so simple it’s perfect.

Open for dinner Monday 6pm– late, lunch 12pm–2:30pm and dinner 6pm–late Tuesday to Sunday. Open for breakfast 7am–2:30pm Saturday and Sunday.

Manuka Terrace, 18 Flinders Way, Manuka 02 6260 7111 trecento.com.au

Grab the binoculars, creep into one of the camouflaged bird hides and spy on rare local and exotic birds, all within sight of Parliament House. Canberra is truly the bush capital.

Dairy Road, Fyshwick 0439 030 058 jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au

National Film and Sound Archive

ZAAB Clean-cut flavours and genuine family-based hospitality. Becky and Uncle are the father-daughter team bringing the smells and taste of Thai and Laos cuisine straight to the middle of Braddon. Serving small plates and share dishes, Zaab is perfect for an unplanned spontaneous dinner and drinks. Do not leave without trying The Laos sausage, handmade daily by Uncle. Don’t bother asking for the recipe, he won’t give it to you (I tried!).

Open 5pm–late seven days Lonsdale Street, Braddon 02 6156 5638 zaabstreetfood.com.au

TOP Trecento MIDDLE LiloTang BOTTOM LiloTang

This striking art deco building on the fringe of the city once housed the gory Institute of Anatomy and is a favourite haunt for paranormal aficionados. Spooky!

Ghosts aside, The National Film and Sound Archive is the custodian of over 2.8 million works, including films, television and radio programs, videos, audio tapes, records, compact discs, phonograph cylinders and wire recordings.

Open 9am–5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-8pm Friday, 12pm-5pm Saturday.

McCoy Circuit, Acton 02 6248 2000 nfsa.gov.au

TOP Mt Gingera BOTTOM National Film and Sound Archive

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TOP The perfect coffee MIDDLE Londsdale Street Roasters BOTTOM The Cupping Room

for the

COFFEE LOVER

for the

CULTURED

Belinda Neame Belinda Neame is the co-founder of quarterly street food and live music event, The Forage. Having unearthed some of the city’s tastiest food vendors, we asked her to do the same for coffee. Here’s where this dedicated caffiend finds her fix.

David Caffery & Rachael Coghlan Rachael Coghlan is the CEO of Craft ACT: Craft + Design Centre and Artistic Director of the annual and fast-growing DESIGN Canberra festival.

David Caffery directs event management company Dionysus, producing the Art, Not Apart Festival, throwing wild parties and overseeing MusicACT. Together, they know where to find Canberra culture.

Lonsdale Street Roasters Lonsdale Street Roasters (LSR) was the venture that kicked off Braddon’s revival back in 2010, forging a trail through the wilderness of car yards and garages that others would follow.

Roasting their own beans and quickly earning a loyal clientele, LSR now manages to sustain two cafés on one street while supplying superior caffeine all around the city.

6.30am-4pm Monday to Friday, 6.30am-3pm Saturday, and 8am-2pm Sunday 7 and 23 Lonsdale Street, Braddon 02 6156 0975 lonsdalestreetroasters.com

National Gallery of Australia The architecture of the National Gallery of Australia and its world class collection feeds the soul and stirs the heart. Just outside Colin Madigan’s 1981 brutalist masterpiece is James Turrell’s skyspace, Within Without (2010), one of our favourite spaces in Canberra—especially at sunset.

Open 10am–5pm daily except for Christmas Day. Parkes Place, Parkes 02 6240 6411 nga.gov.au

The Cupping Room

Art galleries

Although many a newcomer has mistaken this for an exotic massage parlour, this Canberra classic is in fact known for cupping of a different kind.

With seasonal menus and serving consistently fabulous ONA Coffee, The Cupping Room is exotic, colourful and always buzzing with activity. We recommend the Black Betty and its soothing caramel undertones for your next cup.

Open 7am-4pm Monday to Friday, 8am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.

1/1-13 University Avenue, Canberra City thecuppingroom.com.au

Once you’ve explored the riches of the National Gallery of Australia, look farther afield—there are about 40 contemporary galleries in Canberra! Favourites include M16 Artspace (m16artspace.com. au), Canberra Contemporary Art Space (ccas.com.au), Nancy Sever (nancysevergallery.com. au), Strathnairn Arts (strathnairn. com.au), ANCA (anca.net.au), CMAG (cmag.com.au), Nishi Gallery (newacton.com.au) and Beaver Galleries (beavergalleries. com.au).

Taglietti In a city of design, with an abundance of iconic architecture, the work of Italian-born, Canberra-based architect Enrico Taglietti is some of our most distinctive. Enrico’s sculptural shapes and angles, cantilevered planes of roof and deck, and concrete can be seen in houses, schools, churches and commercial buildings. His contribution is significant, as is his attachment to the city.

Buildings across Canberra

Ritual

TOP Taglietti MIDDLE Beaver Galleries BOTTOM Within Without

Tucked underneath Little National Hotel in Barton, Ritual is my go-to for smooth, creamy coffee. We recommend coupling a cappuccino with one of their chocolate chip cookies (with a Rolo in the middle for an oozy caramel surprise!)

Open 7:30am-3pm Monday to Friday 21 National Circuit, Barton 0432 329 390 ritualbarton.com

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MUST-DO EXPERIENCES FOR THE NOVOCASTRIAN—Newcastle is brimming with experiences for every taste, interest and hobby.

Here are 10 you won’t want to miss.

CIRCA'S PEEPSHOW

Friday 13 September Civic Theatre Newcastle

See the world from the other side of the mirror.

Circa’s Peepshow turns cabaret on its head—literally—combining some of the finest acrobatic talent on the planet under the direction of circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz to create a playfully exhilarating ride into the beautifully bizarre recesses of your mind. civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

NEWCASTLE WHISKY AND CRAFT SPIRITS FESTIVAL

Saturday 24 August Babylon, Newcastle

Newcastle's first every Whisky & Craft Spirit Festival will bring more than 50 brands of whisky, rum, gin and vodka to the city in a festival boasting tastings, masterclasses, cocktails, a sumptuous lunch and more. Whether you are a pro-whisky sniffer or don't know your peat from your wheat, your palate will be pleasured. wacsfestival.com.au

SCENE & HEARD FESTIVAL

Sunday 10 November Hawkins Oval, Wickham

Music festival Scene & Heard will bring the sound of the noughties to Newcastle in November.

Wolfmother lead the charge, The Dandy Warhols bring their flamboyant party jams and Alex Lloyd will play his debut album Black The Sun in full to celebrate its twentieth anniversary. They’ll be joined by a host of Australian rockers, including Eskimo Joe, Sneaky Sound System, Jebediah, Magic Dirt and Even. sceneandheardfestival.com.au

TEN YEARS OF NEWCASTLE PRODUCTIONS: THE ART OF TREVOR DICKINSON

Until Saturday 20 July Newcastle Library

Since 2009 Trevor has been representing Newcastle from his unique perspective.

His drawings, prints, zines and murals have highlighted the beauty of familiar locations with a fresh eye. newcastle.nsw.gov.au

NEWCASTLE MUSIC FESTIVAL

6 to 18 August

Newcastle Music Festival is an annual music festival held in August each year at venues around the beautiful city of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

With an exciting concert or event on each of its 13 days, the Festival hosts up to 30 concerts and recitals as well as masterclass and competition events. newcastlemusicfestival.org

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GUIDE

WORDS Annabel Chin Quan

NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY

PBR NEWCASTLE INVITATIONAL: MONSTER ENERGY TOUR

Every Tuesday to Sunday Newcastle Art Gallery

Home to one of the finest public collections in Australia, the Newcastle Art Gallery is the perfect site for those who are partial to art, history, and culture. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, the gallery features multiple media including paintings and sculptures, as well as collections of Indigenous art and Japanese ceramics. Upcoming exhibitions include Robert Dickerson: Off the Canvas and Between Two Worlds. nag.org.au

3 August Newcastle Entertainment Centre

For those who live for the thrills, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) are bringing their Monster Energy Tour to town. Adrenaline junkies will be treated to a one-nightonly special event. Some of the world’s best bull riders are coming together to showcase the sport. As if that’s not nail-bitingly exciting enough, pyrotechnics, lasers, and a concert sound system will pack that extra bit of punch that will make the night unforgettable. pbraustralia.com.au

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX – WELCOME TO THE TWENTIES 2.0 TOUR

4 October Civic Theatre Newcastle

After four successful years on tour, Postmodern Jukebox is coming back to Australia later in the year. On for only one night in Newcastle, people of all ages are invited to join together to celebrate live musical talent.

This modernised, Gatsby-inspired event is ideal for those who are itching for that 1920s throwback. civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

DISNEY ON ICE: MICKEY AND FRIENDS

12 to 14 July Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Dust off those mouse ears and get ready for a magical family day out – the 2019 Disney on Ice tour is coming to Newcastle these school holidays!

Celebrating 90 years of Mickey Mouse, the show will feature the highly anticipated debut of Moana.

Characters from Frozen, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story will also make appearances on the rink alongside everyone’s favourite princesses. nec.net.au/event/disney-on-ice-2019

COATES HIRE NEWCASTLE 500 + KISS END OF THE ROAD WORLD TOUR 22 to 24 November Newcastle CBD

Hit two birds with one stone in November this year at the Coates Hire Newcastle 500. Aside from the 2019 Championship Finale supercar race, which is an annual highlight in itself, the event will feature the rock ‘n’ roll band KISS in concert where they’ll hit off their End of the Road World Tour. The family-friendly day includes both on- and off-track entertainment. supercars.com/newcastle

THE NEW NEWCASTLE Discover where history lives and the future begins.

A new lifestyle precinct—restaurants, cafés, workspace and residential— coming soon to Newcastle.

Register Now TheStoreNewcastle.com.au