Our home 2017 june (low res)

ISSUE 24 WINTER 2017

THE Sustainability EDITION

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FEATURE HOME The Shearing Shed House

GET THE LOOK Modern industrial chic

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FEATURE HOME Colours of the gum trees

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FEATURE HOME Telling tales through trinkets

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SUSTAINABILITY Design for the future

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KITCHEN APPLIANCES Conscious consumption

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LAUNDRY APPLIANCES Every drip counts

NEWER HOMES Planning for the future

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Utilitarian utopia

Under-tile heating

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GET THE LOOK Get garden ready

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GET THE LOOK Mix it up

REPURPOSED Much loved then, much loved now

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OLDER HOMES Small changes, big results

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SOLAR PANELS It’s all about the sun

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GET THE LOOK Tactile textures

FEATURE GARDEN A hidden country gem

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Book giveaways

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Handmade with love

COVER Photo by Holly Curtis.

Story page 24.

Welcome I recently spent hours deliberating over which grey upholstered bedhead my husband and I would purchase. There I sat, night after night, perusing bedhead inspiration in search of the right size, design and shade of grey.

EDITOR DAMITA LAMONT PHONE: 5820 3183 WRITERS JESSICA BALL ALANA CHRISTENSEN SUB-EDITORS WENDY RUSSELL LISA ANDERSON JENNY CHAPMAN EDITORIAL DESIGN BELLA CONSIDINE ADVERTISING DESIGN JACQUI MASKELL ADELE DHILLON PHOTOGRAPHY JULIE MERCER HOLLY CURTIS ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATORS GRACE ANGEL RHIANNON NICHOLAS ADVERTISING LEESA HAEUSLER PHONE: 5820 3188

PUBLISHED BY SHEPPARTON NEWS, PO BOX 204, SHEPPARTON, VICTORIA 3632 (03) 5831 2312

T

he reason for such a high level of consideration: this bedhead needs to last a long time.

Sustainability means different things to different people — as showcased in this sustainability edition of Our Home — and for me it is about considered decisions.

As we carefully select the furniture that will soon adorn our first home, every decision we make needs to result in durability and longevity.

Reducing waste stems from considered decisions — only buying what you need for the home, groceries and lifestyle you lead — and through this you save money, time and ultimately benefit the environment.

It is a principle I have long applied to my personal style too as I consciously curate my “forever wardrobe” of classic and feminine pieces.

As the disposable lifestyle has become almost ubiquitous across the world and the ramifications of our collective poor decisions are catching up with us, sustainability in home design has never been more essential.

But the consideration and constraint required in sustainability has far from hindered style and creativity, as displayed by the many savvy locals featured among these pages.

The sustainability edition shines a spotlight on sustainable architecture, repurposed furniture and reclaimed materials, self-sufficient kitchen-gardens and energy-efficient appliances.

We hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired us!

DAMITA LAMONT EDITOR OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

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THE SHEARING SHED

House

STORY JESSICA BALL

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PHOTOGRAPHY JULIE MERCER

Enjoying their Shearing Shed House are (from left) Lisa Booth, Steve Booth, Xan Booth, Charlee Hawken, Jedda Booth and Bodhi Hawken.

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neglected block of land has been given a second chance at life, resurrected from a deserted sand mine to a modern industrial off-thegrid home.

For almost 20 years the Kyvalley land sat idle but when Lisa and Steve Booth discovered it five years ago they knew it was something special.

“The sand hills in this region are quite rare and it’s sad to think that so much of the sand hill has been excavated away,” Lisa said.

“There is nothing we can do about that but we can now start the process of revegetating and planting a whole lot more trees.” » OUR HOME

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Lisa found some fruit bins for sale from a grower in Stanley and she decided to use the panels from these in the home’s interior.The name Stanley had extra meaning as it was also the name of her beloved grandfather — who had passed away not long before the installation of the panels as part of the feature wall and kitchen splash-back.

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For the family of six it was important to have a sustainable home that was not too big — therefore economical to build and run — but designed in a way that it had spacious living.

“We wanted to be really smart about the spaces we built,” Lisa said.

“We didn’t want to have a big McMansion that we would have to heat and cool and clean and use the materials to build.”

One of the pieces that would eventually take pride of place in the home — an old wool-sorting table from a Byron Bay shearing shed that was reclaimed and repurposed into a dining room table — actually inspired the design of the home.

The natural materials and “boxy” shape of the table are reflected in the design of the home, which has affectionately been dubbed the Shearing Shed House. » OUR HOME

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Keeping the home warm, even when the sun is behind the clouds, is the bio-fuel heater which runs for three months straight — gradually releasing heat into the home. “It can burn corn or wheat and it takes about a bucket a day,” Lisa said. “It is a really slow burn — we go through about a tonne to a tonne-and-a-half of corn per winter and it just slowly burns away. It uses feed grain corn or wheat so it costs about $300 for the whole winter.” A gas log fire acts as a secondary heat source to raise the temperature quickly.

Recycled timber salvaged for the benchtops has created a butler’s pantry-meets-laundry that effortlessly fuses modern and industrial style. Rescued from Kyabram P-12 College’s home economics room, the recycled timber has been given a new life. “It’s a combined space because there was no way I was going to be able to justify the space of two rooms,” Lisa said. “It’s brilliant because it’s tucked away and out of sight.”

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Brass fittings take centre stage in the home’s two powder rooms.

Lisa was thrilled to pick up the bargain garden taps, building the rooms around them. “I love the natural look of brass and it ages differently and I love that idea that a material takes on its own life,” she said.

Multi-purpose areas make the best use of space in a compact home.With exposed brick, and a reclaimed wooden desk, Lisa said the space was one of her favourites.

“Turning that space into a study nook just created another usable space rather than it just being a hallway,” she said.

“Wool was sorted on (the table) for probably 70 or 80 years. It was built to function really well but it also just happens to be beautiful and that’s kind of how I view this whole house,” Lisa said.

The home itself is comprised of two connected and light-soaked pavilions.

Inside and out the abode offers stripped-back charm with a minimalistic mix of clean lines, black metal, recycled timber and red brick.

Peppered with second-hand pieces and natural materials, the industrial aesthetic is met with warmth and character.

Almost every room has north-facing glass for passive energy gain, with the sunsplashed concrete slab and recycled internal brick wall storing and releasing heat to keep the home comfortable.

Large windows on the north and south sides bring the outside in and allow for cross-ventilation.

With 8 kW of solar panels and 28 kW of salt battery storage, the house is completely powered by the sun.

“We live totally off-grid and have not changed our lifestyle at all,” Lisa said.

“We’re not totally selfsufficient because we’re using some LPG gas and that was a compromise, but it feels damn good to know you are not connected to the grid.”

Follow the family’s sustainable journey on Instagram @bookenblend or Facebook.  OUR HOME

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The minimalist and industrial aesthetic is achieved through clean lines, black metal, recycled timber and red brick.

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GET THE LOOK

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MODERN INDUSTRIAL CHIC Style your home with industrial materials and sleek lines for a raw and edgy look.

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1 Hatteras Bay™ pendant light, $1217, Future NRG. 2 Black Metal Orbit lamp, $145, Walls & Windows. 3 Décoro Class tiles 600 x 1200 mm, $480 each, Choices Flooring. 4 Black Woven Derby chair, $490, Walls & Windows. 5 Porters Paints Alchemy paint range, ‘Liquid Copper’ $72.80 500 ml, ‘Pantina Green’ $34.22 500 ml, Paintright Walls & Windows. 6 Custom Concrete and Reclaimed Harwood coffee table, 995 x 455 mm, $1399, by Envisage Furniture and Concrete Culture Australia. 7 Toi sink mixer, Square Line Black/Rose Gold, 517822, $693, Beaumont Tiles. 8 Bayliss rugs, Soul – Silk Worm, various sizes from $899, Choices Flooring. 9 Salt & Pepper Timber Butcher board, $89.95, Pinch of Salt. 10 Industrial stool, $145, Walls & Windows. 11 Timber art, $100 a pair, Walls & Windows. 12 Cow Hide chair, $560, Walls & Windows.

OUR HOME

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COLOURS OF THE gum trees STORY JESSICA BALL

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PHOTOGRAPHY HOLLY CURTIS

A small wood-heater is the only heating source the Baker family’s well-insulated eco home needs in the depths of winter.

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ith the Broken Creek in the distance, a Nurmurkah farmhouse blends into the eucalyptuslined horizon both in form and function.

When a hail storm left Gary and Suzanne Baker’s 93-year-old home flooded, they knew they had no choice but to start again.

Inspired by the native red gums, an off-the-grid rural retreat evolved in its place.

Taking its cue from nature, the home features an earthy palette of brown, grey and green — the colours of the

gum trees — combined with corrugated steel and reclaimed timber.

“As weird as it sounds, I walked out to the bush with the little colour samples and went up against a tree and matched them up,” Gary said.

Continuing the rustic, natural charm indoors, the metal provides a nod towards the former home, and the timber towards the surrounding trees.

The three-year project was completed in two halves with the Baker family ripping up and restoring the almost

century-old floorboards in the kitchen and recycling red gum tank stands for the veranda.

“That main pole (in the kitchen) is from a power pole out in the paddock,” Gary said.

“When we went underground we kept the poles and a lot of the kitchen bench is a pine tree from my mum’s house in Nathalia.”

Every aspect of the design was highly considered to create an environmentallyfriendly and efficient home.

Led by the sun, the open-

plan lounge, dining and kitchen is oriented towards the north, overlooking the paddocks.

The winter sun floods through large windows washing over the concrete slab and concrete block walls to heat the home, while in warmer months ornamental grape and wisteria vines grow over the back pergola, blocking the sunlight.

“On the north side of the house we have a lot of windows and that lets light in at the right time of year,” Gary said. » OUR HOME

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bedroom 4 3.11 x 4.47

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lvs sh 820

W.I.R

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master bedroom

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store 820

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laundry

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powder room

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ving: 24.44m2 (2.63Sqr)

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“We’ve worked it out that if the sun didn’t shine it would last 100 hours with all the lights on at once.”

– Gary

“The amount of concrete we have in this house, including the floor, is 103 cubic meters — that’s quite a large amount of thermal mass.

“What that does is stabilise the temperature, so instead of it rising during the day and dropping sharply during the night, this house only wobbles a couple of degrees

from day to night.

“When you walk in here it’s always the right temperature and you can happily walk anywhere in the house without a light on.”

The angular roof creates a loft space but also correctly positions the solar panels that power the entire home.

“We wanted to get the solar panels facing north at a fairly

steep angle. At the time that was the best thing to do,” Gary said.

“Everything in this house — refrigeration, airconditioning, the whole works — runs on solar power.

“We’ve worked it out that if the sun didn’t shine it would last 100 hours with all the lights on at once.”

Insulation is another

important feature of the eco-friendly design.

The Baker family opted for double-glazed windows, double stud walls, a waffle pod slab system and two layers of insulation in the ceiling. The gum trees, sugar gums and gray box trees shade the western side of the home from the afternoon summertime sun.  OUR HOME

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TELLING TALES through trinkets STORY ALANA CHRISTENSEN

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PHOTOGRAPHY HOLLY CURTIS

F

orming a story of Nicole Taylor’s travels, experiences and history are the furniture and trinkets that adorn each space in her Shepparton home.

As carefully curated as a museum, each piece has been meticulously selected and positioned in its rightful place — and each has a tale to tell.

Every surface has been considered, and every vignette composed after much contemplation.

As a self-declared “rearranger”, Nicole says she is constantly reimagining her home until each piece finds its rightful place.

“The (large green) chairs have been in the lounge room, they’ve been in bedrooms, they’ve been outside and they’ve been moved until something works and once something works, I’ll never touch it,” she said. »

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These oversized, plush green chairs — that now take pride of place in the living room — have recently undergone their own transformation from their original life clad in black and white fabric.

After scouring online websites and furniture stores for her dream emerald green sofas, Nicole was finally given the idea to get the chairs reupholstered to tie in a much-loved painting and inject a pop of colour into the otherwise neutral-toned room.

Wooden accents are prominent throughout the home; with side tables, dining tables and trinkets featuring different hued timbers and unique details — while the industrial elements keep the space modern and on trend.

The dining table is the epitome of Nicole’s style; bringing together distressed wood and metal legs, yet softened by the oversized plush seats that surround it.

Moving through the home, each of Nicole’s pieces is unique and reimagined in a new way to suit the space — like the Hungarian dough bowl that is now filled with rugs and cushions.

Nicole’s love of reclaimed furniture is not just about its individuality, but the history that comes with each piece; they are carefully selected from second-hand stores, online or unlikely places » throughout her travels.

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“The (large green) chairs have been in the lounge room, they’ve been in bedrooms, they’ve been outside…”

– Nicole

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“It’s personal and it’s always got a story.”

– Nicole

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“It doesn’t matter who had it before you, it had a life.”

– Nicole

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“It’s personal and it’s always got a story. It doesn’t matter who had it before you, it had a life,” she said.

“It’s different to going and buying just a brand new dining table.”

Nicole and husband Andrew have been avid collectors of items during their travels to Thailand, Fiji and Europe.

This has provided an eclectic feel to their home, bringing together items from opposite sides of the world, along with

woods, metals and other textural materials.

Ultimately — regardless of the trend, colour or object — each piece is a conversation starter and provides insight into their lives.

“Andrew and I sit here sometimes and look around and say, ‘Do you remember that holiday?’

Everything reminds us of a story, a moment or an experience we’ve shared,” Nicole said.

“I believe everything should be personal.” 

GET THE LOOK

TACTILE TEXTURES 1

Organic, natural and rustic combine together to tell a story.

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1 Haymes Paints, Pond Moss – Stark Beauty, $87.99 4L Low Sheen, Paintright Walls & Windows. 2 12” world globe on 16” metal stand, $85, Walls & Windows. 3 Redgum natural edge slab hall table and three hidden draws, $2390, Envisage Furniture. 4 ‘Royale’ fabric wing chair, $999, Harvey Norman. 5 Hessian foot stool, $180, Walls & Windows. 6 Wire baskets/tray, Large 45 cm $39.95, Med 38 cm $29.95, Pinch of Salt. 7 Holiday knitted throw, $159.90, Pinch of Salt.

8 Salt & Pepper Timber Look 48 cm wall clock, $95.95, Pinch of Salt. 9 Timber & Concrete table $175, Timber pot $38, Greenery $49, Walls & Windows. 10 Hand Crafted Ornamental Ancient candle holder, $399, Walls & Windows.

11 Country Style 4 x 4” Quarry photo frame, $39.95, Pinch of Salt. 12 Jute ring chair $390, Newport Off White/Charcoal 50 x 50 cm cushion $59, Walls & Windows.

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UNIQUE AND INSPIRING McKellars offer a huge range of beautiful prints that inspire ideas for your home.

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Art by Nicky Kriss Art.

MUCH LOVED THEN,

much loved now

Everything old is becoming new again, reclaimed and repurposed into items that will continue to be loved. Savvy locals Lisa and Steve Booth from Kyvalley and Nicole Taylor from Shepparton — share some of their favourite repurposed home décor items.

STORIES JESSICA BALL AND ALANA CHRISTENSEN

BESPOKE AND HISTORY-RICH When Lisa and Steve Booth began designing a brand new eco-friendly home, they were worried it would lack warmth and character.

With a penchant for natural materials, they decided to construct a barn-style door for the master bedroom using recycled timber.

They struck gold when they uncovered floorboards from a local school, which they used to make a floor-to-ceiling door.

Splattered with paint and scattered with scuff marks, the door has stories to tell and preserves a little piece of history.

Its organic-looking, free-spirited personality adds depth to the long hallway that Lisa described as the spine of the home.

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PENDANT PERFECTION On a mission to source second-hand light fittings, Lisa stumbled across rustic gems rescued from an oldfashioned shearing shed.

In a fitting decision, Lisa hung the three blue-grey pendant lights — adorned with rusty charm — above an old wool table which had been repurposed into a dining table.

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES When a local dress shop closed its doors, Nicole Taylor saw an opportunity.

She snapped up the wooden doors and they sat waiting in her home for five years until finally they were turned into the vision she’d had from the start — a reversible dining room table.

She took the doors to local store Envisage Furniture and they were recessed into the frame, meaning that even with the original handles still attached both sides the door could still be used as a dining table.

A pane of glass completed the table top and old pipework was used to make the legs.

This allowed the table to be adjustable, while adding an industrial feel to the rustic and worn-in look.

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MEANINGFUL WORDS Florist paper and timber floorboards are an odd combination, yet they came together to create a muchloved item in Nicole’s home.

Featuring a beautiful

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poem, the paper was saved from being wrapped around flowers and instead found its home in a reclaimed floorboard frame, taking pride of place on Nicole’s dressing table.

SECOND CHANCE It was during a visit to a Yarra Valley winery that Nicole and her husband Andrew got the inspiration for another favourite piece in their home.

After seeing a stunning, intricately-designed tray take centre stage on one of the winery’s walls, the couple thought of the shed at home, where a similar

one sat tucked away in the corner after being bought at a second-hand store.

After plenty of elbow grease, turning the once blackened underside of the tray into a glistening gold, the platter can now be found propped up against the wall in the kitchen or at the centre of the couple’s dining table, overflowing with foliage, flowers and candles.

FREE

in hom measure e an quote d

A LASTING MEMORY In the search for natural timbers, Lisa discovered a grower in Stanley who had a treasure chest of fruit bins for sale.

She originally planned to strip the boxes back to their simplest form and place the plain wooden panels behind glass to create an upcycled splashback.

When Lisa’s grandfather Stanley passed away the very week the splashback went in, Steve suggested they incorporate a piece that just happened to be stamped with his name.

Stanley, one of her favourite people, now anchors the kitchen design — watching over as they cook.

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Sustainability A passion for timber has driven Envisage Furniture owners Chris Willis and Matthew Irwin, with reclaimed and sustainable wood operating at the heart of their business.

Australian hardwoods including red gum, jarrah and Victorian ash feature in the Kialla showroom, with a number of special pieces showcasing the attention to detail the duo and the staff pride themselves on.

“For us, we want to make something that will always be there and that will be an heirloom for the future,” Mr Willis said.

“We’re the shop people come to when they’ve been everywhere else and we help make what they want and find a solution.”

Over the past 16 years the pair has breathed new life into a number of pieces of wood, with the showroom’s barn door coming from the roof of the Shepparton Golf Course which was ravaged by fire in 2014, and many tables created from an American oak wine vat that used to reside in the Tahbilk Winery.

“We love to work with something that has a story behind it and we spend time sourcing quality wood and pieces for a very customised and personalised approach,” Mr Willis said.

With pieces handcrafted on site, the custom furniture has continued to push the business’ boundaries and work to come up with creative solutions to ultimately deliver the client’s final product.

MATT & CHRIS

Whether the wood is reclaimed from homes in Melbourne, local businesses or sourced from across the region, there’s a continued dedication to quality craftsmanship and enhancing the natural beauty of the timber.

It’s an attention to quality and detail that is translated through the rest of Envisage Furniture’s range, with the business stocking couches from award-winning Melbourne brand Molmic and Norwegian company IMG. With customisable designs and a focus on using renewable materials and reducing the company’s carbon footprint, Molmic and IMG fit seamlessly with Envisage Furniture’s attempts to bring quality and sustainability together under the cover of stunning furniture.

“Our focus is on making timeless furniture that will hopefully last not only for your lifetime, but also your children’s,” Mr Willis said.

and style...

Tahbilk Oak Reclaimed from last large Vats

Reclaimed Hardwoods

Unique Custom Design • Entertainment Units • Dinning Settings • Buffet • Chairs Kitchen dressers, buffets & hutches • Book cases & Crystal cases • Bedroom furniture Coffee tables • Hall tables • Pool tables • Molmic Couches • IMG comfort - recliners

For more information on our handcrafted furniture call (03) 5823 1766 Showroom open times: Mon to Fri 8.00 am – 5.00 pm | Sat 9.00 am – 12 noon Or by appointment

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WWW.ENVISAGEFURNITURE.COM.AU

OPPOSITE RIVERSIDE PLAZA , KIALLA

With natural light, thick blinds to screen out the hot in summer and the cold in winter, and energyefficient bedside lighting; this room boasts several sustainable design principles. Photo: Diverse Builders.

DESIGN for the future Whether it’s recycling, running an energy-efficient home or living completely off the grid, sustainable living can be as complex or as simple as you choose.

STORY ALANA CHRISTENSEN

S

ustainable living takes many shapes and forms depending on the individual; with some choosing to live completely off the grid, and others finding smaller ways to create a limited environmental impact.

Regardless of the scale of these choices, one thing is for certain: sustainable living will become essential in the future.

This is the view of Geoff Lodge, the chief executive officer of not-for-profit organisation Goulburn Valley Community Energy, who said that sustainable living would not only benefit the environment but the wider community.

“It’s important because it’s so fundamental as a community. We must learn to be able to sustain our lifestyle and at the moment we’re not,” Geoff said.

“As a society we’re wasteful and have been leaving a legacy of waste because of squandered limited resources.

“If people are interested in (living sustainably) they can easily do it.”

There’s long been a history of adopting energy-efficient technology in Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley, with local energy assessor Colin James and his team leading the charge to see Shepparton crowned the Solar City.

“There was a period back in about 2011 where Shepparton had the highest per capita installation rate of solar panels everywhere in Victoria,” Colin said.

“There certainly was a higher level of interest within the community (in 2011 than previously) and that interest has continued.”

Colin said several thousand households had installed solar energy systems in an attempt to reduce energy costs and lessen their carbon footprint.

Whether building a new home, living in an already-established home or installing solar technology, Colin said there were many simple things people can do to reduce their carbon footprint.

“We have a reason for future generations to move towards a sustainable lifestyle and we need to move quickly,” he said.  OUR HOME

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SAVING MONEY on heating A

bout $800 is spent on home heating in Victorian households each year.

This equates to about one third of the average home’s energy bill.

Energy-efficient heating is a combination of operating a heater efficiently, having a heater that is appropriate for the area it is heating and for the use of the room, and making sure that a home can retain the heat put into it for as long as possible. So think about insulation, keeping draughts out and effective window coverings.

Consider the following points on heating use to save money on overall costs:

• Where possible, avoid leaving a heater running overnight or during the day on weekdays. Also, remember to turn heating systems off completely when on holidays.

• For heaters that have a timer, set the thermostat to turn them on and

off automatically in the morning and in the evening. For standard plugin heaters a simple timer from a hardware store can be programmed to do the same job.

• Zone the home; minimise the rooms that are heated by closing doors to areas of

the home that are not being used. Less areas heated means a lower cost.

• Some ducted heating systems can be automatically zoned and others can be manually zoned by closing off vents in rooms not being used.

Check your system’s instruction manual to see how many ducts can be closed at one time.

• Maintain airflow by keeping curtains and furniture clear of ducted heating outlets and the return air grille.

Clean the filter pads on the return air grille of a ducted heating system regularly.

This information is sourced from Sustainability Victoria, a Victorian Government statutory authority: www.sustainability. vic.gov.au 

• Set the thermostat at a constant temperature, between 18°C and 20°C for living areas.

Draught-proofing THE HOME W

ith nine out of 10 homes in Victoria having unwanted draughts, most homes will benefit from greater consideration towards fixing these common problems.

Draughts are not only uncomfortable, they can increase heating costs by about 20 per cent or up to $160 a year.

WHAT IS DRAUGHT-PROOFING? All houses have air leaks, or draughts.

Draught-proofing is finding and fixing the common air leaks that exist in every home.

Draughts are an unplanned and uncontrolled form of ventilation; letting too much cold air in and wasting too much heat.

CHECK FOR DRAUGHTS To draught-proof a home, seal unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out, by considering the following: • Obvious gaps which can be identified by visible light under and around doors and windows.

• Rattling or whistling sounds around doors and windows, especially during strong winds.

• Moving air that can be felt

around doors, windows, fireplaces, air outlets, vents, stairways, floorboards, exposed rafters and beams, built-in heaters and airconditioners, architraves, and skirting boards.

• Movement in curtains and blinds.

ESSENTIAL VENTILATION FOR GAS APPLIANCES Special care needs to be taken in houses which have internal gas appliances, especially flueless gas heaters, a gas heater installed in a chimney or an open flued gas heater.

All flueless gas appliances

require a certain amount of fixed ventilation to expel the products of combustion from the home and operate safely.

Open flued gas heaters — which draw combustion air from the room in which they are located — require a supply of fresh room air to operate safely.

Fixed ventilation openings required for flueless and open flued gas heaters must not be blocked.

This information is sourced from Sustainability Victoria, a Victorian Government statutory authority: www.sustainability. vic.gov.au  OUR HOME

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INSULATION for consistent temperatures A

well-insulated home can save up to 45 per cent on energy bills.

The most important factor to consider is the R value; a measure of the material’s resistance to heat flow.

The higher the R value the greater the insulating effect, and therefore the larger the savings.

The ceiling is the most important area to insulate and in Victoria, a minimum of R3.5 should be installed.

For those who have the space required to fit it, you can install insulation with an R value of up to R5.0.

Walls and floors are harder to insulate in established homes, but if you are building or renovating don’t forget to include these areas.

This information is sourced from Sustainability Victoria, a Victorian Government statutory authority: www.sustainability. vic.gov.au 

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OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

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CEILING insulation

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here are two main types of insulation: bulk insulation and reflective foils.

BULK INSULATION: Bulk insulation traps millions of tiny pockets of still air within its structure.

These air pockets provide resistance to heat flow, which is what creates the material’s insulating effect.

Bulk insulation is available as batts, blankets and boards, or as loose fill which is pumped or blown into the area to be insulated.

BATTS AND BLANKETS: Batts or blanket insulation are the best choices for ceilings, whether a flat ceiling or a pitched metal or tile roof.

The range of batts and blankets that may be suitable for ceiling insulation include polyester, natural wool, glass wool and rockwool.

BOARD INSULATION: Board insulation can be useful in cathedral ceilings where there is little space between the ceiling and the roof.

It is available in extruded

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polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, with or without foil.

LOOSE FILL INSULATION: Loose-fill insulation can be used in ceilings, however it can settle over time, reducing its effectiveness.

It is available in cellulose fibre, polyester, natural wool and granulated rockwool.

REFLECTIVE FOIL INSULATION: Reflective foil insulation works by reducing the

radiant heat transfer across an enclosed space.

The best place to install reflective foil is in walls or as sarking under the roof because it reflects radiant heat away from the interior of the building in summer.

This information is sourced from Sustainability Victoria, a Victorian Government statutory authority: www.sustainability. vic.gov.au 

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OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

47

CONSCIOUS consumption

Photo: Miele.

By making smart decisions in the kitchen you can ensure that it’s your oven temperature, not your power bill, that remains high. By selecting the right appliances and understanding energy ratings you can reduce household power consumption and benefit the environment.

SHOPPING ELECTROLUX FreshZone 530L bottom mount fridge ‘stainless steel’. Star Rating: 4.5 stars.

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PANASONIC 547L french door fridge ‘silver glass’. Star Rating: 3 stars. NRCY54AGSAU $2499 rrp 48

OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

ARISTON 60 cm Freestanding dishwasher ‘silver’. Energy Rating: 4 stars. Water Efficiency: 5.5 stars. LFF8M132CXAUS $1249 rrp

AEG 60 cm ProClean Extra Tall Tub XXL dishwasher ‘white’.

Energy Rating: 3 stars.

Water Efficiency: 5 stars.

F77602W0P $1199 rrp

WRITTEN IN THE STARS While energy-efficient star ratings can be confusing, they are very helpful once you understand them.

Energy-efficient star ratings compare similar models for their energy-efficiency; with typically six stars to a label, although some labels now show as many as 10.

The more stars highlighted, the better.

Labels also include an energy consumption label — the lower the number the better.

To calculate the approximate costs of operating a particular appliance visit www. energyrating.gov.au/calculator

OLD SCHOOL VS NEW SCHOOL The benefits of using a dishwasher outweigh hand washing; with dishwashers using less water, heating the water to a higher temperature and using detergent more efficiently.

According to Your Home, an Australian Government guide to economical homes, modern dishwashers can wash a full 12-place setting with less than 14 litres of water — significantly less than hand washing.

To make a dishwasher even more energy-efficient, consider using economy cycles, only run the dishwasher when fully loaded and avoid drying cycles.

IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE The humble oven accounts for 15 per cent of energy use from home appliances.

For more energy-efficient heating consider the following tips.

Fan-forced ovens will circulate hot air more evenly, keeping the temperature constant to cook food quicker.

Ovens fitted with tripleglazed doors and a high standard of insulation will also help with energy.

Turning the oven off with a few minutes remaining will save energy.

COLD AS ICE The difference in energy costs between a two-star 400L to 500L fridge-freezer and a four-star fridge-freezer of the same size is more than $50 a year. This adds up to more than $500 difference over a decade.

Also take note of your fridge’s thermostat, keeping the fridge temperature between 3°C and 5°C, with your freezer between -15°C and -18°C. A higher rated refrigerator costing a few hundred dollars more is worth the added investment in efficiency over its life.

This information is sourced from www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/appliances

Photo: Miele.

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WINTER 2017

49

Photo: Bosch.

Every drip COUNTS W

hen it comes to the laundry, make sure you are not washing your money down the drain.

Selecting the right appliances and fittings can dramatically reduce household costs, while positively contributing to sustainability.

FRONT LOADER VS TOP LOADER When selecting a washing machine it’s important to consider front loader and top

loader options to see what the best choice is for your needs.

Front loader machines tend to be more water and energy efficient than their top loader counterparts, use less detergent and have faster spin cycles, leading to drier clothes.

Look for washing machines that have hot and cold water connections. Those that have only cold water connections will use internal heaters to

heat the water, producing more emissions and using more energy.

Use cold wash cycles wherever possible, as warm or hot water cycles for front loaders use 50 per cent more energy and these cycles for top loaders use 85 per cent more energy.

TAPWEAR TALES A dripping tap is an infuriating noise, only made worse by the knowledge that

one drip a second can waste more than 12 000 litres a year.

Avoid over-tightening taps to save some wear and tear on washers, and this will make leaks less likely and save the cost of a plumbing bill.

When selecting tapwear, hot and cold taps with a Water Efficiency star rating of at least three are ideal for laundry sinks, ensuring water is not heated unnecessarily. 

SHOPPING MIELE T1 Heat Pump dryer ProfiEcoMotor 8 kg. Energy Rating: 7 stars. TKR450WP $3499 rrp

BOSCH Heat Pump dryer 9 kg. Energy Rating: 7 stars.

WTW85460AU $1999 rrp 50

OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

LG True Steam front load washer 10 kg. Water Efficiency: 4.5 stars. Water Consumption: 86 L. WD1410SBW $1899 rrp

AEG ProTex Series 8 10 kg front load washer. Water Efficiency: 4.5 stars. Water Consumption: 86 L. L89409FL $2299 rrp

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PLANNING for the future Photo: Diverse Builders.

For those looking to build a house, now is the time to be making those key decisions that will influence how energy-efficient your home will be in the future.

STORY ALANA CHRISTENSEN

L

The budget-friendly basics

E

• Placing windows on the co-friendly homedesign does not cost north-facing and souththe earth. By making facing walls allows for smart decisions in the cross-ventilation, helping planning stage, an energy- to keep the temperature efficient home will not down without turning necessarily cost more to on the airconditioner. build — and furthermore, • Installing eaves will it will save money in protect the home energy use in the long from the sun in the run. Neil Rose from summertime and allow it Diverse Builders shares to shine through during his top tips for affordable the winter. sustainable design: • Invest in good quality • Take advantage of the insulation; the higher the low winter sun by R value, the better the positioning the home to product will work. face north. Orientation does not cost a cent but • Double glazed windows will help create a warm let through the sun at the abode during the cooler right time of the year for months. comfortable living.

ocal energy assessor Colin James encouraged those building a new home to make decisions that will save them money in the long run.

“If you can do it when you’re building, you’ll afford things you normally wouldn’t be able to,” he said.

CORRECT ORIENTATION When deciding how your home will be placed on your block of land, ensure it will receive maximum shade in summer and maximum sun in winter, ultimately leading to a more comfortable living environment and less reliance on heating and cooling.

Colin said it was worth consulting with your builder to find the best solution to avoid living in “a hot box”.

“Very few people think about passive design (when planning their home), which is really short-term thinking.

It’s free energy,” he said.

EAVES Although the orientation of your home plays a large role in keeping your home

comfortable year-round, the addition of eaves on the outside will further reinforce this mission.

Colin said although eaves had been used less in construction in recent years, they were a valuable asset to any home.

When constructed, the eave creates an overhang around the building, blocking the high summertime sun while still letting the low-lying winter sun filter through your windows, resulting in free solar energy to heat your home.

DOUBLE-GLAZED WINDOWS When seeking to build a light and bright home, the number of windows can quickly climb and, if not properly equipped, can quickly leave your home exposed to the sun.

While window dressings are one thing, Colin said doubleglazed windows added an extra layer of protection and prevented the house from getting too hot when the » blinds were open.

OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

53

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DESIGNING FOR ALL SEASONS

L

iving in an environment where the temperature drops to the negatives and soars to 40-plus degrees celcius, eco-friendly design is crucial.

The following design tips — from Darrell Bowden at D & M Bowden Constructions and David Reid Homes Goulburn Valley & Southern Riverina — will ensure you are comfortable year-round: • When designing the floorplan, consider positioning the garage on the south-west corner of the home where it will offer protection from the summer afternoon heat.

• Outdoor entertaining areas situated on the north and north-east corners take advantage of morning winter sun while also creating a shaded area in the summer afternoon.

• Consider skillion-style roofing for alfresco areas, as the high beams allow the winter sun to shine through to heat the home.

• Skylights fill living areas with warmth and light, and when fitted with remote control curtains they can simply be opened and closed depending on the weather.

In winter up to 40 per cent of your home’s heating energy can be lost through windows, while up to 87 per cent of the heat in a home can be created from windows, making doubleglazing a solid investment.

SOLAR ENERGY Starting from the drawing board can be the perfect time

to consider installing a solar system with the ability to supplement electricity use and ease the pain of your bills, Colin said.

“The savings you make from your energy bills will see the system pay itself off in five to six years and the systems will last anywhere from 15 to 20 years.”

However, he suggests consulting with the experts about what will work best for you to ensure you get the desired results.

LIGHTING Choosing the correct lighting can be the key to reducing energy consumption, with smart choices paying off in the

long run.

Downlights often have to be used in large numbers to provide even lighting and, due to their installation and safety regulations, insulation in the roof must be a certain distance away, reducing its effectiveness when dozens of downlights are taken into account.  OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

55

UTILITARIAN utopia

Photo: Beaumont Tiles.

Industrial chic interiors are best paired with statement tiles.

Whether subtly patterned in monochrome or featuring a bohemian print – these stylish additions can adorn any space.

OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

57

OPTIONS IN STAGES 3 & 4 NOW BEING TAKEN

Laura Gibson. 0488 477 700

Photo: Choices Flooring.

N

o longer reserved as a feature point for the bathroom, these stylish additions have made their way into feature walls, kitchen splashbacks or flooring.

“Popular at the moment are those raw materials, blending together metal textures with timbers and the polished concrete,” Choices Flooring Shepparton and Tile Boutique Shepparton co-owner Annette Ellis said.

“There is also a real trend for more of a matte finish, instead of gloss.”

Annette said to consider the whole room design when choosing new tiles.

“Consider the style of cabinetry, tapware and lighting – whether artificial or natural light – then build from the floor up,” she said. 

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OUR HOME

WINTER 2017

59

Under-tile heating is a safe, energy-efficient and streamlined option for heating the bathroom this winter.

W

ith no exposed heating surfaces, under-tile heating has long been a popular choice.

“The system is child-safe … so little fingers won’t get burnt, and for the many families who suffer allergies, under-tile heating is a saviour because it actually prevents mould from building up,”

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Beaumont Tiles national buyer of bathroom ware Darcy Shaw said.

Darcy said under-tile heating kept tiles warmer for longer than other heating solutions.

“Not only is it good for the hip pocket, but it is a good option for reducing household energy consumption,” he said.

“It also creates a drier environment by radiating heat to all solid objects and the air is warmed by convection.

This means a room stays warm long after the system is turned off, unlike regular heaters where the heat dissipates quickly.”

The streamlined factor is another reason why under-tile

heating is popular.

“Under-tile heating is silent and there’s no wall space or roof cavity required, which means minimal impact on a room design,” Darcy said.

“A touch-screen wall thermostat makes it simple to use and enables programming 24/7.” 

Photo: Beaumont Tiles.

STREAMLINED HEAT

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Geometric shapes, timber looks, metallic bling, raw industrial style and mixing colours are some of the latest tile trends.

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1 Deco Heritage mix tile 320 x 625 mm, $60 each, Choices Flooring. 2 Vector Range, pattern tile $141.75 sq m, plain tile $121.77 sq m, Beaumont Tiles. 3 Foster black tile 250 x 750 mm, $60 each, Choices Flooring. 4 Beachwood Kuni green tile 280 x 70 mm, $141.75 sq m, Beaumont Tiles. 5 Shabby Chic Blue mosaic tile 286 x 286 mm, $401.74 sq m, Beaumont Tiles.

6 Scrapped Wall rust tile 150 x 300 mm, $180 sq m, Choices Flooring. 7 Mosaic Rubix White, Grey or Black Gloss porcelain tile 305 x 266 mm, $8.59 each, Beaumont Tiles. 8 Bling silver tile 300 x 315 mm, $45 per sheet, Choices Flooring. 9 Mosiac Stone Soliel gold mix tile 297 x 297 mm, $78.30 each, Beaumont Tiles.

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ELITE PROPERTIES FOR SALE 89 Maude Street

This historic beauty has been fully renovated whilst maintaining period charm. This family home offers 5 BR’s with BIR’s, study, formal lounge room with fireplace, extensive storage & family bathroom. Master bedroom comprises his & hers wardrobes, full ensuite & private patio. Full renovations take advantage of the North/East aspect of the 1113m2 (approx.) block. The open plan living includes a chef’s kitchen & the home has been fitted with r/c ducted a/c. Period features, polished timber floors and French doors which open onto an u/c ent. area enveloped by an inground leisure/lap pool featuring extensive brick paving. Beautiful English gardens with white pebble driveway leading to lock-up garage complete this outstanding family residence. Qualified inspections by appointment only.

720 Hammond Road

This architecturally designed master built home set on 4.87 acres (approx.) is nothing short of sensational. Designed for seamless family life, the home is centred around a gourmet kitchen with large granite island bench and quality European cooking appliances, perfect for entertaining. First impressions when you enter this home are stunning timber floors leading to the formal lounge, an inviting warm and cosy room to relax in. The kitchen overlooks the huge family living space with wood heater and floor to ceiling timber windows capturing views of the great outdoors. There is a rumpus room for family entertainment plus study and wine cellar, definitely no shortage of space.

This house and garden can host everything from Sunday lunches to intimate dinner parties or large celebrations. View online to appreciate the high end finish of this wonderful 5 bedroom home.

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Pendant lights are an on-trend and more sustainable form of lighting.

Photography: Serana Hunt, Dookie.

Small changes, BIG RESULTS Improving energy efficiency in the home doesn’t need to be difficult — or expensive.

STORY ALANA CHRISTENSEN

T

he reality of creating an eco-friendly home is not merely applicable to new builds, but instead impacts the thousands of people who currently rent or live in an older home.

Local energy assessor Colin James said a few key investments could make a big difference to how energy

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was used in the home and ultimately save householders a pretty penny.

This is a sentiment that has been passed down in his family from generation to generation.

“My grandma used to say, ‘you look after the pennies and the pounds pay for » themselves’,” Colin said.

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Plenty can be done to an established home to make it more energy-efficient.

Photograph: Julie Mercer.

to have it escape through small cracks and openings around the home — which can account for as much as 25 per cent of lost heat in winter.

It was a common problem in homes, Colin said, but with a small investment in items such as draught stoppers for the bottom of doors and rubber around other openings it could be easily resolved.

INSULATION Those living in already constructed homes should take the time to ensure their insulation is correctly installed with no gaps, an easy fix to improve energy efficiency in the home.

Geoff Lodge from Goulburn Valley Community Energy said a survey of 1032 homes by the not-for-profit organisation found 70 per cent of homes in the region did not have insulation effectively installed.

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He said installing insulation correctly was the “single most cost-effective action” to improve a home’s energy efficiency.

WINDOW DRESSINGS Selecting the right window dressings for a home is not merely a design choice, with curtains playing a key role in the way air moves within the home.

Colin suggests having thick, well-fitted curtains to keep the heat in during winter,

and these can also be drawn in summer to block out the sun.

It’s important to install a pelmet along with curtains because it will prevent warm air from rising and transferring out of the home through the window, ensuring heat stays within the home.

DRAUGHT PROTECTION There’s nothing worse than spending money on heating or cooling a home only

BLOCKING AIRCONDITIONING VENTS Although they are indispensable on scorching hot summer days, Colin said airconditioning vents could present a challenge in winter.

“Given hot air rises, you can end up sending the air you’re spending good money to heat into the ceiling,” he said.

“That just means your heater has to work hard to heat the house because air is going up into the vents.”

By buying covers for airconditioning vents or closing them in the cooler months, you can easily keep the hot air where it’s meant to be — in your home.

DECIDUOUS TREES To further protect northfacing windows, Colin said deciduous trees were a great landscaping choice and could add an extra layer of protection and shade from the harsh summer sun.

In autumn and winter the leaves fall, allowing the rooms to take full advantage of the low winter sun and saving on heating costs on cooler days. 

SAVE SAVE $1000 $1000 *

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Images for illustrative purposes only.

W W W . N O R T H S I D E E S T A T E . C O M . A U

35·45

744m

OLD S57 2 OLD S56

727m

35·45

2

85

8·

3·30

A1

22·83

54 O L D2 S706m

(30·94)

55

A2 672m 5· 13 7·50

750m2

13

19m

35·45 23·50

(30·94)

31·24

38

735m2

14·94

19·24

25

DRIVE

768m2

20·74

OLD S 37

20·75

20·75

(27·94)

39

NORTH SHEPPARTON

20·50

768m

20·74

20·75

20·75

O L D2 S36

20·50

35·45

37

733m2

21

582 SOLD

37

24

20

OLD S 709m2

21

20·50

20·50

35 OLD S 759m2

59

20

37

MUNGO

749m2

37

5

20·24

20·24

First Home Buyers!

Secure your block with only $500 deposit. $20,000 Grant from the 1st July 2017.

FAMILY LIVING

35·45

37

34 SOLD

22·83

DRIVE

25 22·50 (35·45)

(30)

(30)

744m2 (35·45)

48

814m2

(35·45)

22·95

22·95

23

23

(30)

49

STAGE 2 IS THE CONTINUATION OF NORTHSIDE ESTATE WITH A FURTHER RELEASE OF 24 BLOCKS. Accessed via the fully landscaped service Road (Numurkah Road) this popular Estate already FIRST HOME BUYERS features many quality and $20,000 fully established homes.

BONUS * STAGE

21

21

DRIVE

(30)

45 O L D2 S690m

50

780m2 (35·45)

21·45

21·45

44

644m2

815m

22

22

660m

51 LD SO 2

21·33

(35·45) 22

22

COURT

OLD S43 2

832m

23

23

675m

22·50

22·50

O L D2 S42

OLD S53 2

23

20·46 (30)

52

823m2

(39)

767m2

JASPER

(19·95)

41

)

27

O L D2 S778m

85

21·33

6·50 (39)

(39)

(39)

BARGO

40

8·

(A

8·47(A1

19·95

·1 3)

KINCHE GA

TWO

NOW SELLING

Situated to the north of the expanding sports precinct and GV Health (hospital) these lots are anticipated to be fully constructed by approximately August 2017.

* SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

SCOTT BUTLER: 0418 149 569

GLENN YOUNG: 0438 579 993

T

It’s all about THE SUN

o install efficient solar panels it’s all about research, positioning and making the most of the sun.

Wendy Reilly, who owns Sunvalley Solar with her husband Paul, said when it came to locations, Shepparton definitely had its positives.

“Shepparton is in a fantastic area for sunny

you wouldn’t just be sending power back into the grid if you didn’t have battery storage.

“Do your due diligence and research, ask questions, don’t just go to one person.

It’s a big financial decision so you want to make sure,” she said.

“You want a quality system, you want it put in properly and try and go local because if there’s an issue you want to know you can get it resolved.” »

weather …we just get so much more sun than everyone else on the other side of the Great Diving Range,” she said.

“That’s why the Goulburn Valley is a great place for solar in general, that’s just reality.”

When it comes to exploring the potential for solar power, Wendy said it was important to do your research and make sure your power usage would make the investment worthwhile and

Lifestyle • Location • Prestige The Grange, Marlboro Drive Kialla

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SELLING FAST DON’T MISS OUT Prices starting from $120,000

www.gagliardiscott.com.au 182 High St. Shepparton 03 5831 1800

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69

Off the grid

T

hose living off the grid have no access to the power grid as a backup, so their solar power has to do all the work, Future NRG director Shaun Gash said.

“A lot of the market is people who are building a

70

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WINTER 2017

house out of town … we can supply them with power and they never have to see a power bill,” he said.

“We sell tailor-made offgrid systems for homes … and can remotely monitor systems meaning we’ll usually know about a problem with their system before anything has happened.”

BATTERY POWER

W

hen the sun is shining, solar panels can create a lot of energy, yet often that’s during working hours when no-one is home to use it — which is where a battery comes in.

“They call it your 9 to 5, instead of exporting to the grid you’re able to store your power in the battery,” Future NRG director Shaun Gash said.

Battery technology such as the Tesla Powerwall 2 was perfect for those living in town with access to the grid, Shaun said, and could even blackout protect your home in the event of a power outage.

A HIDDEN country gem Tucked away in a residential street, a family has transformed a quintessential Australian backyard into an unexpected sustainable kitchen garden.

STORY JESSICA BALL

PHOTOGRAPHY HOLLY CURTIS

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71

“It’s something I grew up with. My dad was particularly into growing vegies and fruit and I thought it would be good for the kids to know where their food comes from.”

– Simon

A

childhood spent tending to the vegie patch with his father inspired Simon Cowan to dig up the ground and start planting an edible garden.

The Tatura block is now alive with a thriving vegetable garden, clucking chooks and fruiting trees.

“It’s really nestled right in town but we have our own little bit of land,” Simon said.

“You’re always looking for things to improve but it’s good to take the time to enjoy what we’ve built up because it looks very different than it did 10 or so years ago.”

For Simon and wife Lisa, the garden is a labour of love where they spend quality family time with their now teenage children Liam and Fiona.

“It’s something I grew up with. My dad was particularly into growing vegies and fruit and I thought it would be good for the kids to know where their food comes from,” Simon said.

“It’s also a bit of stress relief and an outlet for getting out of the office and doing stuff with your hands on the weekend.”

Four raised garden beds, an assortment of fruit trees and a patch of herbs are well planned for year-long harvesting.

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Nature’s way of recycling

C

omposting has been a part of the Cowan family’s way of life ever since the gardens were started.

Simon said composting was important to minimise waste and rejuvenate the garden beds.

“We try and keep all the raw materials, leaves, chook poo and all the other stuff that we can turn into good compost on site,” he said.

“We let it rest and make sure it’s matured enough and mix it with the soil and try and put it on the vegie beds but sometimes around the fruit trees too.”

SIMON’S COMPOSTING TIPS: • Keep your compost pile healthy by adding a range of different vegetable scraps straight from the kitchen.

• Mix it up with hay, chook poo and leaves from the garden to help develop a rich soil over time.

• Minimise things like citrus, onion and bread to avoid rodents and cockroaches.

• For the best result, keep compost aerated by turning it once a week. This will also prevent bad smells.

• Give it plenty of time to rot down and become compost. Do not use it too early as it can be too rich.

» OUR HOME

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73

WWW.KIALLALAKES.COM

A BETTER PLACE TO BE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE Future Connection to Archer Road

DRIVE

SANCTU ARY

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THE PREMIER LAND DEVELOPMENT IN THE GOULBURN VALLEY.

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POSSIBLE FUTURE CHILDCARE CENTRE

OLD 804m S1251

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2

2

2

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2

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AVENUE

1323 800m 1322 810m

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2

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2

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2

2

2

FUTURE ST. MELLS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

123 Wyndham St, Shepparton Ph: 03 5820 8777 Glenn Young: 0438 579 993 Laura Gibson 0488 477 700

2

DRIVE

1349 1350 1352 1351 1353 1354 1045m 1050m 1050m 1050m 1050m 1050m 2

No other Estate in the Goulburn Valley can offer anything close to what Kialla Lakes has developed over the years and will continue to develop well into the future.

2

2

1321 851m

The new access from the Goulburn Valley Highway (directly opposite the Emerald Bank Centre) offers another landscaped entrance to this highly sought after Estate

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2

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2

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2

2

2

1341 1013m

2

2

2

BRIDGEWAT ER AVENUE

With 3 lakes, connecting shared walking paths and extensive reserve and open areas it’s no wonder that Kialla Lakes is “the place to be”.

1348 1148m 2

STAGE

36

NOW SELLING

CONTACT YOUR AGENT TO SECURE YOUR BLOCK TODAY*

FIRST HOME BUYERS

$20,000 BONUS *

* SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

228-232 Wyndham St, Shepparton Ph: 03 5821 8388 Terry Shiels: 0448 573 820 Kevin Hicks: 0428 271 270

GET THE LOOK

1

GET GARDEN READY When style and function combine.

2

6

3

5

“For me, I really like the idea of growing my own food and the sustainability aspect to it,” Simon said.

“We’ve got a little bit coming through at different times of the year.

“We’ve got citrus in the autumn and winter period, we’ve got apples, plums, apricots that come in in the summer and quince in the autumn.

“In the vegie beds we try to do a winter and a summer crop, and sometimes an autumn crop like snow peas.

“There’s rosemary, sage and some mint — once you have mint in you’ll never get it out.”

To help water the sustainable garden

without relying on town water, the Cowan family installed a rainwater tank and irrigation system.

Hand-built from recycled bits and pieces, a rustic chicken coop is home to 10 happily roosting hens.

Simon fondly remembers the backyard chooks of his childhood and over the years has seen his own children excitedly discover freshlylaid eggs.

“For the kids it has been a part of their chores to come out and look after the chooks,” he said.

“We’ve had times where we’ve raised chicks and that’s been good fun.” 

4

1 Annabel Trends 1.5 L watering can, $19.95, Pinch of Salt. 2 Crabtree & Evelyn ‘Gardeners’ range ultra moisturising hand therapy, 100 g, $28.95, Pinch of Salt. 3 Stephanie Alexander stainless steel hand trowel, $29.95, Pinch of Salt. 4 Crabtree & Evelyn ‘Gardeners’ range hand scrub with pumice, 195 g, $21.95, Pinch of Salt. 5 Crabtree & Evelyn ‘Gardeners’ range hand recovery, 100 g, $29.95, Pinch of Salt. 6 Sprout Goat Skin & Lycra garden gloves, $28.95 pair, Pinch of Salt.

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75

CONNOLLY PARK ESTATE

SHEPPARTON’S MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY ADDRESS CONNOLLY PARK ESTATE STAGE 7 NOW SELLING Connolly Park Estate is your opportunity to live in Shepparton’s most family friendly address. In close vicinity to a range of education, sport, grocery and health services, and within minutes of the Shepparton CBD, this estate is sure to impress discerning home buyers seeking perfect family living.

Range of block sizes available, priced from $105,000.

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Exclusive to Gagliardi Scott Real Estate

SOLD

Gerald Sabri 0448 877 511

SOLD

SOLD SOLD SOLD

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

www.gagliardiscott.com.au

182 High St. Shepparton | 03 5831 1800

Giveaways

FERMENT FOR GOOD

DELICIOUSLY ELLA WITH FRIENDS

by Sharon Flynn, Hardie Grant Books, RRP $39.99

by Ella Mills, Hachette Australia, RRP $29.99

I

n Ferment for Good, Sharon Flynn takes readers on a journey into the alluring world of fermenting.

Considered nature’s slowest fast food, fermented food relies on its environment and the life on and in raw foods to preserve it.

E

lla Mills makes it easy for you to prepare delicious, healthy food for you, your friends and family, whatever the occasion. Whether you are planning a laid-back brunch, a last-minute lunch or a fancy supper, Ella has it covered with wonderful hearty and filling recipes that celebrate her healthy eating philosophy.

FLOWERSMITH

ROPED IN

by Jennifer Tran, Hardie Grant Books, RRP $40

by Gemma Patford, Hardie Grant Books, RRP $29.99

W

elcome to the wonderful world of paper flowers, where you hold the magic to create beauty, inspire and bring excitement to the lives of everyone around you. This is the definitive guide to handcrafting and arranging true-to-life paper flowers.

G

et ready to be roped into Gemma Patford’s creative and fancy world with her book Roped In. It is her rope vessels for which she is known and Roped In shows you how to make them, as well as other inspiring projects — including a rope coil lampshade, pink rope floor rug, friendship knot earrings, little leg pantaloons, cat tuxedo and a 3D gingerbread centrepiece.

HOW TO WIN Our Home has copies of each book to give away.

For your chance to win Ferment for Good, send your entry to: Our Home, Ferment for Good Competition, Shepparton News, PO Box 204, Shepparton 3632.

For your chance to win Deliciously Ella with Friends, send your entry to: Our Home, Deliciously Ella with Friends Competition, Shepparton News, PO Box 204, Shepparton 3632.

For your chance to win Flowersmith, send your

entry to: Our Home, Flowersmith Competition, Shepparton News, PO Box 204, Shepparton 3632.

For your chance to win Roped In, send your entry to: Our Home, Roped In Competition, Shepparton News, PO Box 204,

Shepparton 3632.

Remember to include your name, address and day-time phone number on the back of an envelope.

Entries close on August 4, and the winners will be notified by phone.

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77

NEW LAND RELEASE

LARGE RESIDENTIAL BLOCKS

OVER 2,000m2 EACH

PRICED FROM

23 N O P T IO2

12 P T IO N

$164,000

2449m

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22 N O P T IO2 2449m

P T IO 2N O2279m

FULLY SERVICED INCLUDING:

21 N O P T IO2 2449m

10

P T IO2 O2052m

9 P T IO N O2052m 2

N

8 P T IO 2N O2040m

20 N O P T IO2 2449m

E

L SA 1 R FO T9871m O N

• TOWN WATER

2

6

O P T IO

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2082m2

19 P T IO2N O2449m

7 N O P T IO2 2143m

18

• TOWN SEWER

2449m2

5 N O P T IO2

• NATURAL GAS

2064m

• RAW WATER

N

STAGE ONE CONTACT SELLING AGENT:

GLENN YOUNG PH: 0438 579 993 WWW.YOUNGSANDCO.COM.AU

2449m2

RESERVE

FOR LAWNS & GARDENS

MOOROOPNA Ph: 5825 4833

17

4 2137m2

SHEPPARTON Ph: 5820 8777

2

3

2171m2

2247m2

15

16

2028m2

2041m2

FERGUSON ROAD

NOW SELLING!

HANDMADE with love There is nothing more rewarding than making something for the home, or your tummy, from scratch. With DIY projects and tantalising recipes being popular right now, the following pages feature some you can try for yourself at home.

Photography: Amorfo

SIMPLE MACRAMÉ PLANT HANGER

METHOD Step 1 Take the longest piece of rope and fold it so you are holding eight strands of equal length.

Take the ring and thread it through into the middle.

Fold the rope at the ring.

You should now have 16 strands of rope hanging from it.

Step 2 Gather the strands of rope near the ring and, with one of the short pieces of rope, secure the 16 strands together using a gathering wrap. Cut and separate the 16 strands at the other end.

Step 3 Measuring 20 cm from the top of the ring, take four strands and tie four square knots. Repeat this step with the neighbouring four strands until you have sets of four square knot clusters.

Step 4 Measuring 20 cm from the

YOU WILL NEED • 20 m of cotton rope • 1 metal ring measuring 5 cm in diameter • 2 x 50 cm (1 ft 8 in) pieces of contrasting rope for the gathering wraps • Scissors

• Measuring tape • Embroidery thread in your favourite colours • Super glue • Water-based acrylic paint in your favourite colours • Your favourite mediumsized plant

bottom of your square knots, take a middle strand, along with an outer strand of one set, and marry it with a middle strand and an outer strand of a neighbouring set.

Tie seven half-knot sinnets.

Repeat until you have four sets.

Step 5 Measuring 15 cm from the bottom of the half-knot sinnets, take the middle strand, along with an outer strand of one set, and marry it with a middle strand and an outer strand of a neighbouring set. Tie two square knots. Repeat until you have four sets.

Step 6 Measuring 10 cm from the bottom of the last set of square knots, gather all strands and, with the remaining short rope, use a gathering wrap to tie them together.

Step 7 Your plant holder is now

almost complete. It is time to start embellishing. This is the fun part. Select some random strands of your plant holder and wrap the embroidery thread around and around to cover small sections. Fasten in place with a little dot of super glue.

Step 8 I’ve never been one for cutting off loose threads and making everything symmetrical. However, you may like to take scissors and tidy up a few loose ends. To prevent fraying, dip the loose end of each rope strand into some coloured paint.

Step 9 Wait until the paint is dry, then position your favourite plant in the macramé hanger.

This is an edited extract from Roped In by Gemma Patford published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $29.99 and is available in stores nationally.

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COSMOS This is an edited extract from Flowersmith by Jennifer Tran published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $40 and is available in stores nationally.

SKILL LEVEL Beginner NOTE • Dimensions are height x length • Paper grain is vertical TOOLS • Scissors • Flat paintbrush (optional) • Pliers • Toothpick • Bamboo skewer PAPER • 60 gsm crepe paper in sweet pea • 60 gsm crepe paper strip in light green • 60 gsm crepe paper in yellow • 60 gsm crepe paper in light green OTHER MATERIALS • Flower 5 templates • Pink marker or red food dye • 16-gauge wire • PVA glue » • Brown marker

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W W W . Y O U N G S A N D C O . C O M . A U

MOOROOPNA’S

PREMIER ESTATE PRICED FROM

$110,000

NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ACCESS VIA THE MIDLAND HIGHWAY, MOOROOPNA

• LARGE DEVELOPMENT WITH A WIDE RANGE OF LOT SIZES • • E X C E L L E N T F R O N TA G E S W I T H P R O T E C T I V E C O V E N A N T S •

DRV

G.V.W. Reserve

HE

NLE

Y DA L E

L D2 O31 S1000m MON

32 LD SO 2

33 OLD S1000m 2

1000m

OLD S34 2

35

1001m

1000m2

36

TA N A

949m2

COURT

41

2 4·2 7

44

806m2

O L 2D S809m

LD 40 SO 2

WEST

804m

OLD S39 2 801m

38

798m2

37

756m2

42

WO O

43 L D2 O S807m

813m2

D

DRIV

STAGE

E

TWO

NOW

SELLING

STAGE 2 IS THE LATEST RELEASE AT WESTWOOD RUN. Now under construction, Stage 2 features prime blocks with large frontages and sizes ranging from 756m2 to a huge 1,001m2. Expected completion mid 2017.

CONTACT YOUNGS & Co TO SECURE YOUR BLOCK TODAY*

PH: 03 5820 8777 * SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

CONTACT: Glenn Young Ph: 0438 579 993 Connie Young Ph: 0428 254 833 123 Wyndham St. SHEPPARTON PH: 03 5820 8777 62 McLennan St. MOOROOPNA PH: 03 5825 4833 W W W.Y O U N G S A N D C O . C O M . A U

FIRST HOME BUYERS

$20,000 BONUS

CENTRE 4. C ut a 2 x 10 cm (¾ x 4 in) strip of yellow paper.

Gently stretch the piece of paper crosswise to increase the width to about 15 cm (6 in).

5. U se the brown marker to colour the bottom 1.5 cm (½ in) of the yellow paper strip. Once the ink has dried, finely fringe the top 1 cm (½ in) of the strip.

6. F old the fringed paper in half four times, until it resembles a tassel. Gently twist the fringe back and forth several times, then unwrap the paper strip completely.

7. Wrap the unfringed edge of the paper strip around one end of the stem, securing with PVA glue.

PETALS 8. C url and ruffle the edges of the pink petals you prepared earlier. Pinch together the bottom 1 cm (½ in) of each petal.

9. Attach the petals evenly around the base of the flower centre using PVA glue.

PREPARATION 1. U sing sweet-pea paper, cut seven petals with template A. 2. C olour the tips of each petal pink.You can do this using either the

edge drawing technique with the pink marker, or using the wet-wash technique with the red food dye and flat paintbrush. Allow the ink/ dye to dry completely.

STEM 3. C ut one 30 cm (12 in) piece of 16-gauge wire.

Wrap the entire length of the stem with light-green paper strip, securing with PVA glue.

CALYX 10. U sing light-green paper, cut one calyx with template B. 11. Twist and curl the individual sepals.

12. Wrap the calyx around the stem, 5 mm (¼ in) below the base of the flower, so that the sepals are evenly distributed.

Secure with PVA glue.

FINISHING 13. G ently bend the stem to create a natural look.

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GINGER BEER BUG Fermentation time: up to 3 weeks EQUIPMENT • small jar • muslin (cheesecloth) INGREDIENTS • 2.5 cm piece of fresh ginger (plus an extra 5

Photography:Tara Pearce

METHOD Grate the ginger into a small jar, and add the sugar and water. Cover with a piece of muslin, secure with a rubber band and leave in a warm spot where you won’t forget it. Feed it the same amount of ginger and sugar and stir every day. It should start to

BREWING GINGER BEER Fermentation time: 3 days – 2 weeks

pieces for feeding) • 2 tsp organic sugar (plus extra for feeding) • 250 ml (1 cup) unchlorinated water

bubble a bit after a few days.

The yeasts and bacteria in there will be enjoying the sugar and ginger and would love to carbonate your ginger beer for you. Keep it alive until the day you want to make the ginger beer (see below).

EQUIPMENT • muslin (cheesecloth) • bottles for storing INGREDIENTS • 4 litres (16 cups) water • 330 g organic raw (demerara) sugar (see note) METHOD Boil 1 litre (4 cups) of the water and add the sugar, stirring to dissolve, then add the remaining water, ginger and lemon juice.

Line a strainer with muslin and strain your ginger bug, pressing through as much liquid as you can.

The remaining pulp can be used to start another mother and will be ready in only a few days.

Add the ginger bug liquid to the sugar mixture

• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger (or a whole hand of ginger, depending on how hot you like it), grated but not peeled • juice of about 2 lemons • 1 ginger bug (see recipe above)

and bottle. Leave the bottles in a warm spot for a few days, then taste it. Pop it in the fridge when it’s fizzy enough for you. Depending on your ferment, it could take a couple of weeks, but keep an eye on it.

NOTE If you are using glass it’s a good idea to bottle one in plastic to see how the ferment is going. When the plastic bottle is tight, it’s ready.

This is an edited extract from Ferment For Good by Sharon Flynn published by Hardie Grant Books, RRP $39.99 and is available in stores nationally. 

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OUR HOME

collection

Supply, installation and repairs for roller doors, sectional doors, automatic doors and gate openers.

Phill Cuthbert | 0418 577 280 e: alltypegaragedoors@gmail.com

Ph: (03) 5829 2660

A division of PA & WM Reilly Electrical Contractors

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Walls & Windows Walls & Windows Rhys Cottrell | 0409 408 380 rhyscottrell@mcmedia.com.au

 Commercial  Domestic  Underground Power  Maintenance  Phone & Data  Rewires 7210 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kialla West, 3631 Telephone: (03) 5823 2133 Facsimle: (03) 5823 2118 Email: cottrellselectrical@mcmedia.com.au

PAULA DOHRMAN DESIGNER PAULA DOHRMAN DESIGNER

177 fryers street shepparton 3630 vic australia

tel: 03 58 211 8 99 58 311 556 177 fryers street shepparton 3630fax: vic03 australia mobile: 0427 191556 tel: 03 58 211 8 99 fax: 03221 58 311 paula@wallsandwindows.com.au mobile: 0427 221 191 paula@wallsandwindows.com.au

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 Rugs

View our New & Used Furniture Range today at 55 & 57 Benalla Road Shepparton Ph: 0420 271 748

MARK PUNGITORE CONCRETING For all your tiling needs Domestic  Commercial Renovations  Water Proofing P: 0422 185 852 86 OUR HOME

E: m.tiling.sh@gmail.com

collection

WINTER 2017

 All Domestic and Decorative Concrete  Exposed Aggregates  Shed Slabs  Integrated Pool Coping

0417 109 069

mark@concretecultureaus.com.au

Home Loans

Banking

Whether you are buying or building, we can help you make a house your dream home.

Saving Investments

GMCU offers a range of Home Loan choices - you can choose a Fixed or Variable rate or even an Equity Access Line of Credit.

If you are building or renovating we can help by advancing parts of your loan as your build proceeds.

Insurance

If you are eligible, we can even help you claim the Government’s First Home Owners Grant.

When you borrow from GMCU you deal with one lender from start to finish - simple, isn’t it!

Loans

Ask at your local branch today!

Shepparton 91 Fryers St - Dallas Moore 5821 9033 Benalla 32 Bridge St - Jenni Cogger 5762 3380 Echuca 141 Hare St - Jane Holt 5482 5333

Goulburn Murray Credit Union customer owned banking

Euroa 36 Binney St - Heath Munari 5795 1771 Kilmore 85a Sydney Rd - Bronwyn Fyfe 5781 1221 Kyabram 145 Allan St - Jenni Dunne 5852 2211 Mooroopna 112c McLennan St - Sharna Papoulis 5825 1999 Numurkah 102 Melville St - Lonnie Roberts 5862 2894 Seymour 72 Station St - Dave Drummond 5792 1075 Violet Town 33 Cowslip St - 5798 1761

connect at gmcu.com.au Goulburn Murray Credit Union Co-operative Limited ABN 87 087 651 509 AFSL/ Australian Credit Licence No. 241364. Terms & conditions, fees & charges and eligibility criteria apply.