Peninsula Essence February 2023

PENINSULA

ENVIRONMENTAL HEART

Red Hill artist Liz Walker shines a light on the dark side of plastic.

Love Angels • Peninsula Wildlife • Creating Smiles Bloomin’ Marvellous • Finding Voice • An Ambulance For Mornington

10. Love Angels

Date-Ability is a nationwide standardised program for people on the NDIS. It teaches individuals with disability the secrets to successful dating including self-awareness, dating etiquette, boundaries and consent, online dating and warning signs, understanding sex and sexual wellbeing.

14. Peninsula Wildlife

Multiple award-winning natural history filmmakers David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook love the Mornington Peninsula. Staunch conservationists, they discuss their favourite species from home and retell stories from their vast travels.

22. Creating Smiles

Having both faced the mental and physical challenges of being the best version of themselves, James Short and Scott Carson have made it their mission to put a smile on people’s faces from the Bayside Community Kitchen in Frankston.

Advertising

44 6

Writers: Andrea Louise Thomas, Murielle Cooper, Cam McCullough

Photography: Yanni, Gary Sissons

Creative: Sam Loverso, Dannielle Espagne

Publisher: Melissa McCullough

Advertising: Andy Jukes, 0431 950 685, andy@mpnews.com.au

Phone: (03) 5974 9000

Registered address: 63 Watt Road, Mornington 3931 W: peninsulaessence.com.au FB: @peninsulaessence Insta: @peninsulaessence

30

26. Bloomin’ Marvellous

Mornington Botanical Rose Garden volunteers are celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2023, with the group aiming to have their flora haven looking better than ever.

30. Recipe

Hot smoky salmon with roasted cauliflower rice.

32. Environmental Heart

All material is copyright, and may not be reproduced without the express permission of Mornington Peninsula News Group, or the original copyright holder in the case of contributions. Copyright of contributed material rests with the contributor.

Disclaimer: The authors and publisher do not assume any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. This publication is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

Peninsula Essence is produced monthly. 30,000 copies (mix of home delivery and bulk dropped at an extensive network of outlets across the peninsula).

Red Hill artist, Liz Walker, has been experimenting with materials her whole life. Her latest exhibition features found plastics in her sculptures, assemblages, mixed media tapestries and paintings to shine a light on the dark side of plastic.

38. Finding Voice

Peninsula author and literary agent, Danielle Binks, hopes to change the landscape of Australian literature, not just as a writer, but as an agent too. Her aim is to seek out and lift up diverse and underrepresented voices in the market, something she is very passionate about.

Focus On

58. Focus on Red Hill

Historical facts, café recommendations and what to do in one of Victoria's most popular peninsula holiday destinations.

61. An Ambulance for Mornington

On 18 July 1937, King George V opened the Memorial Bush Nursing Hospital in Mornington. The building was affectionately known as ‘The Bush’. The hospital was to provide for as many as seven patients but, in an emergency, it could care for as many as twelve. This was thought to be sufficient for the foreseeable future.

Proudly published by

MAIN STREET EYEWARE

Australian label Silhouette Eyewear pride themselves on being the world's leading brand in lightweight, quality eyewear. Inspired by fine watches and jewelry, the Momentum Aurum Rimless collection is unique and luxurious in both look and feel. 7/68 Barkly Street, Mornington 5975 3235

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE

The Victoria Swivel Chair will add a sense of luxury to your space. Upholstered in black cowhide leather and sitting atop a steel base, this chair showcases a sophisticated design with horizontal stitching detail. Perfect as an office chair or occasional chair that swivels a full 360 degrees.  Showroom D4, Peninsula Home 1128 – 1132 Nepean Hwy, Mornington  8560 1137  ozdesignfurniture.com.au

PENINSULA Styles

PRODUCTS FROM THE PENINSULA WE'RE SURE YOU WILL LOVE

love that one tree is planted for every piece made. Shop C 85-99 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento blackfinch.com.au

LITTLE BEAUTY MARKET

These handcrafted ceramic tumblers are by Melbourne based ceramicist Niamh Cleary. Made with Australian stoneware clay and finished in a white gloss glaze they are perfect for sipping your morning coffee or chai. The next Little Beauty Market will be held on February 25th, from 9am to 2pm. Beauty Park, Frankston llittlebeautymarket.com.au

The Midnight Sapphire and Diamond Ring is a claw set cluster ring featuring ethically sourced Australian sapphires and a salt and pepper diamond. Featured here in 18ct yellow gold, crafted with 100% recycled refined gold. We especially

BLACK FINCH JEWELLERY

What's on?Upcoming Peninsula Events

FEB 1-5

SILVERS CIRCUS SPECTACULAR

Silvers Circus has been a household name since the early 70's and is back to entertain, with a modern twist. Featured in this 90 minute spectacular you can expect to see performances from elite artists from around the globe.

Bata Shoe Company of Australia, 1158 Nepean Hwy, Mornington www.ticketmaster.com.au

FEBRUARY 18-19

THE WATERFRONT FESTIVAL

The much-loved summer festival returns. Over two jam-packed days, the festival delivers the best live music, delicious food and drink for every member of the family, a great range of market stalls, rides and amusements and free activities. Fireworks on the Saturday night. This is a free event.

7N Pier Promenade, Frankston www.waterfrontfestival.com.au

FEBRUARY 4

PENINSULA FILM FESTIVAL

After a two-year absence the Peninsula Film Festival will return to the Rosebud Village Green. Film directors, producers, and actors will showcase their skills and passion with a top prize of $5000. General admission tickets start at just $10, with all age groups welcome. www.evenbrite.com.au

FEBRUARY 19

SHOREHAM MARKET

Shoreham Market is a simple community-based gathering run by three young Shoreham locals. The aim is to connect people through hand grown, made and gathered. Enjoy some music and good old face-to-face conversation. Shoreham Common, Crn of Byrnes and Cliff Roads, Shoreham www.ShorehamMarket.com

FEBRUARY 10

TIPSY TWILIGHT

Come be a 'Tipsy Artist' at their Paint and Sip sessions. Paint a pot whilst sipping on signature cocktails. Bottomless cocktails, art materials & tools are supplied. Perfect for birthdays, hens, sport club functions and more! Held at their studio, or they can come to you!

18 Progress Street, Mornington www.tipsyartistmornington.com.au

FEBRUARY 26 SUNDAY SESSIONS AT THE PIG & WHISTLE

Free live entertainment. Bring your own picnic blanket and/or chairs and set yourself up for a groovy Sunday sesh out on the lawn. Food & drinks available to purchase. Book your free ticket with an option to donate to artist.

365 Purves Road, Main Ridge www.trybooking.com/owenthomas

LOVE angels

Datingis a tricky business. It brings up all kinds of questions about self and other. It challenges a person’s confidence. Am I good enough? That dreadful question inevitably rears its ugly head. Insecurity is part of being human, but dating can amplify fears. Communication is critical, but difficult when overwhelmed. All this is hard for anyone, but for a person with disability, dating is even more fraught. Fortunately, there is help.

Date-Ability is a nationwide standardised program for people on the NDIS. It teaches individuals with disability the secrets to successful dating. The aim of the program is to build romantic intelligence. All instructors are qualified counsellors. They teach participants about self-awareness, dating etiquette, boundaries and consent, online dating and warning signs, understanding sex and sexual wellbeing. Participants leave the program with a practical toolkit for dating.

“People with disabilities face more barriers to dating due to lack of opportunity or education. Once people reach adulthood, it is much harder to form connections. People with disability may not have the opportunity to form those connections at work or in social settings,” says Angel Singer-Kling, a workshop facilitator who has been with Date-Ability since its inception.

The Date-Ability Project started in April 2020. It was designed by Cheryl Drury, director at First Step Solutions. The Adelaidebased company started out offering financial literacy programs to people with disability. Then, Cheryl discovered many of her clients were victims of online romance scams or were being financially abused by dates or partners.

“Clients often had trouble asserting their financial boundaries in different scenarios. This also extended to other areas of their lives. They often had trouble communicating their emotional and physical boundaries so the idea to deliver a group program that focused on healthy relationships and boundaries was created,” Angel says.

“Because Cheryl flagged the financial abuse issue, one of the things we talk about is money on dates because it’s common that someone will go out on a date with a person with disability and get them to pay for everything or ask them for money. We encourage clients to predetermine who is going to pay and communicate about money,” she says.

First Steps Solutions’ programs started off in Adelaide, but when word of the programs got out into the disability care sector, the team quickly realised there was a demand in all states. DateAbility classes are currently run in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne

By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni continued next page...

People with disabilities face more barriers to dating due to lack of opportunity or education

and Brisbane. Demand is growing. Roughly 800 clients have benefited from this program alone.

Every group is slightly different, but they try to match clients of similar age. This has allowed friendships to form, discussions to flow more easily and sometimes romances slowly blossom in the safety of the classroom. Youth groups and all age groups are available.

The themes in this program are applicable to all ages and abilities. Angel says she’s had participants from teenagers to people in their seventies in her classes. It’s never too late to learn about dating and romance. Date-Ability aims to give people the knowledge and skills to negotiate one area of life few people ever get practical information about.

In Frankston, a small group of participants has started their journey. Angel flew across from Adelaide to get things going, introducing the program and co-teaching with a local colleague. Everyone takes away something different from the program.

“The relationship pyramid was interesting to me - the different ways in which we relate to people and where they sit in our social order. The intimate partner was at the top of the pyramid. I’m hoping to fill that spot,” 20-yearold Frankston participant, Alex Danis, says with a chuckle.

There is a wide spectrum of dating experience in the groups. There are participants who have never been kissed and ones who’ve had lots of relationships or been married and divorced or widowed. Frank discussion about sex and sexual wellbeing are a key component aiming to keep participants safe and knowledgeable.

“To boost date-ability, it’s important to have good selfawareness, know what is being sought in a partner and having clear boundaries. Improving communication and listening skills are also vital as well as learning to pick up on non-verbal cues,” Angel says.

Classes run for two hours over a six-week period. All participants have a workbook to follow along with the weekly presentation and consolidate learning. They take it home at the end of the program. During workshops there are games and interactive activities to accommodate all learning styles and improve communication skills.

“What we hope people take away from the program is a better understanding of themselves, how to develop meaningful relationships and how to go about that safely. Everyone deserves a chance to fall in love and embrace who they are,” Angel says.

She is always excited to empower clients to advocate for themselves and be aware and conscious of what is fair and reasonable in dating. After the program, participants fill out a feedback survey so the program can evolve and improve, but it’s the incidental stories of love blossoming after the program that warms Angel’s heart.

thedateabilityproject.com.au

Improving communication and listening skills are also vital as well as learning to pick up on nonverbal cues

has the Peninsula covered with umbrellas -from small beach umbrellas to our giant cafe 5x5M umbrellas.

PENINSULA wildlife

By

award-winning natural history filmmakers David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook love the Mornington Peninsula so much that they’ve decided to make it their permanent home. From their Emmy awardwinning film on Orcas, ‘Wolves of The Sea’, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, to living in the Galapagos Islands for two years, David and Liz have worked in some of the most beautiful and remote places on the planet. So why the Mornington Peninsula?

Multiple

They initially chose the Peninsula when they worked at the ABC Natural History Unit in Elsternwick. Liz says, ‘We love the beaches, we love the bush, and when you’re close to the sea, you have that sense of space, and with all the leafiness, you have all the birds down here that you don’t see in the city. You have the superb fairy-wrens they’re absolutely gorgeous little birds. There are two birds in particular in our area; the musk lorikeets, which visit our flowering gum and the Eastern Rosellas, which come for all the seeds.’ continued next page...

Muriel Cooper Photos Gary Sissons D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

David and Liz have a large family of Australian noisy minors. Two nest in their lemon tree and their young call out constantly ‘It must drive their parents nuts,’ says Liz, laughing, ‘because it drives us nuts.’ They have a bluetongue that lives under their deck, lots of skinks, and a year or so ago they had a koala in a nearby tree.

Extra special to them are the weedy sea dragon living under Flinders Pier and Portsea Pier, which you can see giving birth.

Then there are the spider crabs, the subject of a spectacular underwater film made by David and Liz off the Sorrento Pier. ‘When you see hundreds of thousands of spider crabs piled up in mounds, and then the stingrays coming in to gorge on them, that is amazing,’ Liz says. ‘Anyone with a snorkel can see these. I think we forget how special our wildlife is here. There are echidnas. Walking our dog near a creek, we saw a couple of yellow-tailed black cockatoos, and regularly we hear kookaburras there.’

David reminisces about one of the most extraordinary experiences they have ever had.

‘In1988, just after we’d completed the six-part series ‘Nature of Australia, we were just about to set off on a twelve-month trip around the world just taking stills, leaving the movie camera behind. We got a phone call from a friend saying, “The paper nautilus are in!” The paper nautilus is a very mysterious animal, and very rare – a cephalopod (like an octopus) with paper-thin shells. The theory is that they ply the circumpolar current around the Antarctic, so for many years, they’re off in wild water and never seen, and then they’ll suddenly turn up out of the blue.

‘‘That June, there were tens of thousands of them. There were big rafts of them on the beaches at Portsea and Seaford. We spent about a week photographing them and got some amazing pictures.

‘There’s a bird, the bar-tailed godwit, that flies from the Arctic across the Pacific to Western Port Bay and does not land for over ten thousand kilometres. I think that is one of the most extraordinary things.

‘The thing about the bays is that it’s got these little jewels, Pope’s eye, for example, is a person-made island to put armaments on; that’s just loaded with fish. People can snorkel around; you don’t need diving gear. It’s a miraculous place.’

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

At Woodleigh, we challenge young people to be adventurous with their learning – to take risks, to go beyond their comfort zone and break new ground. When young people have choice to pick their own path, their school journey is more challenging and more rewarding. This is how they learn to thrive.

To learn more about Woodleigh School, scan the QR code below, or email our Enrolments Team –enrol@woodleigh.vic.edu.au

It’s not all fair-weather diving for David and Liz. They were filming fur seals giving birth off Phillip Island and decided to quit when they saw a seal with what Liz described as ‘A ginormous bite out of its side. We suddenly decided it was way too rough to film anymore that day.’ She laughs, saying there used to be a great white shark that lived around that area.

As hard as it is to pick a favourite animal or bird to photograph on the Peninsula, David chooses the paper nautilus. ‘It’s so typical of wildlife,’ says David. ‘It suddenly came out of the blue and was totally unexpected, and it’s never happened since.’ David and Liz say they are always prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice and scramble when an opportunity presents itself, like the march of the spider crabs in perfect conditions, which is unusual. Liz chooses the superb fairy-wren. ‘They’re so common here and so beautiful – small but mighty. They’re just exquisite.’

David and Liz are staunch conservationists and applaud the saving of the mangroves in Westernport Bay, the breeding grounds for so many fish. Liz says habitat is lost every time a housing development is built on the peninsula. ‘Even though there are so many rules and permits, they take every tree and developers don’t pay the fines. So constantly our vegetation is being degraded. The corridors for koalas and other animals to move from one place to another are being destroyed. The freeway opens up the peninsula and if the infrastructure isn’t there, from our perspective, you can just see that the developers win.’

Even though there are so many rules and permits, they take every tree and developers don’t pay the fines

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

On the brighter side, David notes that the rains from successive La Nina’s have revitalised insect life. ‘But I wish people wouldn’t use chemical herbicides and insecticides.’

‘We know there’s all these extinctions, both on the land and on the sea,’ says Liz, ‘but there are all these ‘hope spots’, reserves, national parks, land set aside by private individuals, so there’s hope. And we’re pretty blessed living on the peninsula.’

You can watch David and Liz’s spectacular work with wildlife around the world on their website or YouTube channel.

youtube.com/@parerparercook davidparer.com

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

Photo: ©D.Parer & E. Parer-Cook

CREATING smiles

It is a simple enough mantra, ‘I hope you are smiling’, but it has become the mission of a couple of blokes who have gone all-in to put a smile on people’s faces.

James Short and Scott Carson have differing life stories, but both faced the mental and physical challenges of being the best versions of themselves.

By Cameron McCullough Photos Gary Sissons continued page 24...

Photo: Alistair Johns.

Both started their lives in broken homes, with James channeling the experience to hone his communications skills and dedicate himself to a life of learning.

Scott ended up on the street at aged fourteen. Through the breakup his parent’s marriage, he learned the hard way the impact poor communication can have on a young man growing up.

After meeting in 2020, they decided to band together to help improve the lives of people around them. And one of their ideas? Socks.

The run to Christmas is a frantic time, but the organisation set about surprising people with a gift to bring a smile.

‘The Business of Smiles’ raised tens of thousands of dollars and embarked on a pre-Christmas blitz of Frankston with bright yellow socks with smiley faces on them.

“Through the socks, we managed to speak to thousands of people over the run-up to Christmas”, said Scott.

The socks are designed to positively bridge the gaps that exists on many fronts in the community. Symbolic in their brightness and smiling face, the socks also have black polka dots to represent the hard times we all endure.

“The socks are really a tool; a tool to connect with people’s hearts,” said Scott.

“It’s a way to thank people for doing their best in life”.

‘The Business of Smiles’ has now switched their attention to networking evenings in the Frankston area specifically to create a system of support and friendship for men.

“Life is the toughest game you can play,” said Scott.

“As men it is important to lean on each other to be the best son, brother, husband or father you can be”.

The socks are really a tool. A tool to connect with people’s hearts

Scott and Tazmin

Scott Carson

“As a man, you are a role model and there are usually eyes on you from others wanting to learn how to be and act. It is important to take the time to learn to be the best version of yourself.”

Not satisfied with that, James and Scott will be running from Sydney to Melbourne in October to highlight the importance of men’s health.

“We’re doing the run to learn more about ourselves, primarily. To make us better versions of ourselves”, said Scott.

“Life will always present challenges. We need to be brave enough to take them on even if they are extremely hard. The growth we get when we take them on is the true gift of life”.

“Embracing the difficult, knowing it will be hard, is what life is about.”

They also run ‘Happy Friday’s’ at Bayside Community Kitchen.

“This a great café doing an amazing job in our community”, said Scott.

“Not only do they serve beautiful food, but they support those in need in our community.

“Feel free to drop in for a coffee, chat, or even a board game!”

‘The Business of Smiles’ will not rest until they have engaged and encouraged as many people as they possibly can.

All served up with a smile.

Visit their website at: www.ihopeyouaresmiling.com or check them out on Facebook: thebusinessofsmiles.

For information about the networking nights, contact ‘The Business of Smiles’ through their website.

Embracing the difficult, knowing it will be hard, is what life is about

L-R Floss, Scott McLaughlan, Jon Craig and Scott Carson

BLOOMIN' marvellous

By Cameron McCullough Photos Yanni

Mornington Botanical Rose Garden volunteers are celebrating their 15th anniversary in 2023, with the group aiming to have their flora haven looking better than ever.

It’s a labour of love for this happy and supportive group of volunteers who have established, maintained and managed the gardens for the enjoyment of the many visitors.

The idea for the garden came from businessman the late Don Gordon. Through extensive lobbying, land at Civic Reserve was allocated by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

page 28...

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT BACKYARD HENS?

Open weekend 18th and 19th March 2023

The growing popularity of owning backyard hens has largely been due to families wanting to become more self-sustainable. So why is keeping backyard hens so good for your family?

Well, hens make for fantastic pets! They love company and like nothing more than to spend time interacting with their owners. We hear lots of entertaining stories from our customers such as their hens going on school runs, on swings with the kids and happily jumping up onto their laps.

Of course, you can’t get more “local” food than what you get from your own backyard! When combined with a vegetable garden, your family becomes far more self-sufficient and able to live more sustainably.

Hen ownership also teaches children some important, practical lessons about life. Not only do they need to be responsible for feeding and providing water for their hens but they must collect eggs daily and keep the coop clean and safe. Excess eggs can also be sold or given away to friends and neighbours which is a great way of benefiting others in your local community.

We are holding our 4rd Annual - Open Weekend on the 18th & 19th of March 2023 from 10am to 4pm. It’s a great chance to visit the farm and see what keeping backyard chickens is all about.

There will be a range of fun activities for the kids such as a petting zoo, face painting, craft activities, presentation on backyard hens and more!

Come visit us!

A: 3590 Frankston Flinders Rd, Merricks

P: 0406 691 231

W: TalkingHens.com.au

Looking for backyard hens but unsure where to start?

Talking Hens is a family business that enjoys backyard hens. We specialise in friendly, egg laying hens with quality products to keep them happy and healthy.

There’s nothing like the friendship and entertainment that you receive from our laying hens - a pleasure to be shared!

Talking Hens

3590 Frankston-Flinders Rd

Merricks, Vic 3916

Opening daily: 10am to 4pm

Closed: Wednesday's

Open weekend 18th and 19th March 2023

For enquiries call 0406 691 231 Email: talk@talkinghens.com.au

Visit: TalkingHens.com.au

The first sod was turned in 2004, with the garden’s formative years through one of the longest droughts in history.

Men from Mornington Lions Club, many of whom were Don’s mates, turned up day after day, and toiled for years on the monumental task of establishing the gardens.

The 4000 rose bushes were donated by Treloars of Portland, with garden products maker Neutrog donating all the fertilisers.

Gardener and radio and television personality Jane Edmanson officially opened the gardens on 12 November 2008.

“We were very fortunate to have tremendous support from many local businesses,” said Mornington Botanical Rose Garden vice president Jill Hardy.

“In particular, Bunnings have been wonderful and never wavered in their support”

Since then, the garden has evolved and thrived for the enjoyment of its many visitors each year. The volunteer base has grown over the years and now numbers about 50.

In 2015 the garden was awarded a Garden Excellence Award from the World Federation of Rose Societies; a testament to the hard work and dedication of the volunteers.

The garden did not avoid the afflictions of the pandemic, with volunteers legally unable to tend to the garden during lockdowns.

“It was a difficult time,” said Jill.

“The garden we all love so much fell into some disrepair. “We are still working on the long task of getting the garden back to how it was before the pandemic. It is not just the four acres of gardens we need to work through, but also weeding pathways and general maintenance”.

Mornington Botanical Rose Garden is always looking for new volunteers to help maintain the garden. If you have time to devote a couple of hours each week, please call them on 0459 032 497 or email on morningtonroses@gmail.com

If you are unable to volunteer, then ensure you drop in to admire the garden. Roses tend to be at their peak between October to May, with the prime months between November and March.

HOT SMOKY SALMON WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER RICE

Serves 4. Sarah Glover, chef and Traeger Grills ambassador.

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup Traeger Fin and Feather Rub

1 x 700 g side of salmon, pin-boned

1 orange, thinly sliced into rounds

Cauliflower rice

1 large head of cauliflower

½ cup natural almonds

2 garlic cloves, crushed zest of 1 lemon zest

1 teaspoon paprika

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

METHOD:

1. Rub the Fin and Feather Rub all over the flesh of the salmon, then cover and set aside in the fridge to marinate for 2 hours.

2. Preheat the Traeger grill, with the lid closed, on 180°C for 15 minutes.

3. To make the cauliflower rice, wash and thoroughly dry the cauliflower and remove the leaves. Finely chop the cauliflower into small rice-sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the almonds, garlic, lemon zest, paprika, salt and olive oil and mix well with your hands, then spread the mixture on a baking tray lined with baking paper and cook in the Traeger for 30–40 minutes, until golden.

4. Insert a meat probe into the centre of the salmon, then place the fish, skin-side down, on the barbecue grill. Top the salmon with the orange slices, close lid and cook for about 45 minutes, until the internal temperature of the fish reaches 60°C.

5. Place the roasted cauliflower rice on a serving platter, top with the salmon and serve.

ETHICAL JEWELLERY

Ethical jewellery label Black Finch, has made its mark by producing jewellery which is bold, playful and radiates style. With a particular love for uniquely cut sapphires and unexpected colour palettes, each piece is not only beautiful but highly personalised.

Raymond de Zwart and Davina Adamson are the creative couple behind the brand. Following 15 years in business, the couple knew it was time to open a second location complementing their Collingwood Flagship store. Opening at the end of 2022, Black Finch now call Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento home. The small, yet mighty space is filled with beautiful coastal light showcasing the jewels in all their resplendent glory.

Welcomed by an expert team of trained artists, jewellers and designers, you immediately sense the tremendous passion placed into creating each sparkling piece. There’s nothing the Black Finch team love more than guiding clients through their own custom design adventure. It is the heart and soul of the Black Finch business, a true expression of personality and creativity.

Whether you’re redesigning a personal piece or creating something new, each tale is artfully translated. The material quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail is guaranteed to be of the highest standard. Watching the rainbow assortment of in-house diamonds and precious stones be laid out in front of you is when the piece begins to take on a life of its own. Enjoying the moment to carefully curate the perfect stone collection, alchemising personal tales of romance, self-love and friendship.

Black Finch creates heirloom pieces which will be cherished and passed down for generations to come. Whether you’re looking for an everyday piece, or an eye-catching engagement ring, make Black Finch Jewellery your first point of call.

Open Monday to Sunday, 10-5pm or book a custom consultation through our website. blackfinch.com.au

Contemporary Fine Jewellery Studio with a love of colour and design.

www.blackfinch.com.au Shop C 85-99 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, 3943

ENVIRONMENTAL heart

By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni

RedHill artist, Liz Walker, has been experimenting with materials her whole life. She sees a possibility in all things, from the natural environment to the cast offs of a disposable society. “My whole purpose is about giving things another life,” she says. Liz is a painter and sculptor. She often uses found objects to create works that reflect societal and environmental issues.

The impact of plastic rubbish on Mornington Peninsula beaches is the focus of her latest exhibition, 'While We Were Sleeping', held this month at the Foul Luggage Store at Point Nepean’s Quarantine Station. Using found plastics in her sculptures, assemblages, mixed media tapestries and paintings, Liz shines a light on the dark side of plastic.

Liz grew up in a creative family with parents who made everything. They also collected art and encouraged artistic experimentation. Her dad let Liz use his tools and building materials. She made her first sculptures, little metal robots, when she was just four years old. Painting, drawing and making occupied her free time. At high school, a supportive art teacher recognised Liz’s talent and encouraged her.

Liz completed a Diploma of Visual Arts in painting, learning the hands-on skills needed to be a professional artist. She continued on with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Drawing (with distinction) working with mentor artist Godwin Bradbeer. She then achieved a Master of Fine Art, all at RMIT.

From there Liz started exhibiting. Over the years she has participated in dozens of group and solo exhibitions, as well as creating public artworks and installations. Liz has won grants, awards and residencies. She shares her skills teaching at creative workshops and enjoys working on collaborative projects.

Place has always influenced her work. Having grown up in the city, Liz wanted to live in the country on a farm. She moved to the Riverina. Her studio was an old train carriage where she worked as a potter for seven years, but the climate was not conducive to the clay or her comfort so she moved to the cooler Trawool Valley where she and her then partner ran a bed and breakfast. All the while Liz was working as a potter. She did so for twenty years.

My whole purpose is about giving things another life

Liz ran her art practice parallel to other work. She had her own catering business for film and television, worked in market research, revived a run-down café, ran a community house and worked in Visitor Relations at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. She enjoyed all of these, but making art was her constant.

It was during her university years, while living in Brunswick, a neighbourhood she considers a treasure trove, that Liz started collecting ‘rubbish’, seeing the possibilities in it and repurposing it. “I’ve always responded to what’s around me. Everything should be reused. Nothing should go to waste,” she says.

From the beginning, Liz was attracted to metal for its transformative qualities. “I love working with aged metal because you can manipulate it. I love patina. In my metal sculptural pieces, I don’t do anything to the metal. Nature has done the work for me,” she says. One of her professors observed that Liz created work that defied its materiality. She makes handbags and envelopes out of corrugated iron and gum leaves out of vintage copper, amongst other things.

Right now, her main passion is plastic rubbish and the myriad things she can repurpose it into. Liz is disturbed by the insidious nature of plastic waste and how it gets into everything, wreaking havoc from the marine environment to microplastics in the human body.

“I want to raise awareness, to create change,” she says. As she sees it, art is all about problem solving. Liz loves the challenge of finding purpose. She has always had a recycling ethos. “I love seeing beauty in the discarded,” she says. Her exhibition, 'While We Were Sleeping', is so named for the way plastic waste has crept up while people were not paying attention.

I love seeing beauty in the discarded

It’s unlikely Liz will ever run out of inspiration. As she says, “Ideas are going off in my head like firecrackers. One project leads to another.” If she had to choose a different incarnation, she’d be a jazz drummer or saxophonist. Liz loves the intimate conversations between musicians. Jazz plays quietly in the background at her studio while she works creating the unexpected from the unexpected.

While We Were Sleeping exhibition at the Foul Luggage Store, Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park February 11 –24, 10am - 4pm. Opening event February 12, 2 – 4pm. Family workshop February 19, 1 – 3pm. Bookings essential.

Insta: @lizwalkerart

Dr Peter Scott is also a consultant at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

TWO CENTRAL ARNHEM LAND MASTER ARTISTS AT EVERYWHEN

Two of Central Arnhem Land's most senior artists - Ivan Namirrki and Jack Nawilil from the coastal community of Maningrida 500k north-east of Darwin, are exhibiting new barks and sculptures at Everywhen Artspace in February

Jack Nawilil was born in 1945 and is a revered law and song man whose unique fibre sculptures made of kurrajong bark with ochre pigment, natural fibres, bush wax and feathers, won him the prestigious 3D Award in the 2012 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award.

Sixty-three-year-old Ivan Namirrkki is the son of one of Maningrida's most well-known founding artists Peter Marralwanga (1917–1987). Namirrkki was taught to paint by his father – a renowned bark painter and political proponent of the maintenance of his country and culture.

Themes in Namirrkki's work include the ngalyod (rainbow serpent), djarlahdjarlah (barramundi), komorlo (little egret,), nayuhyungki bininj (ancient people), ngurrurdu (emu), yawkyawk (a water sprite) and mimih (spirit figure).

“The point of painting such work for the market is to expose viewers directly to the power of the ancestral realm,' says Namirrkki.

Both Namirrkki and Nawilil have had decades-long, illustrious art careers .Their work has been exhibited in leading galleries Australiawide and internationally and acquired by many of Australia’s state and national public galleries and leading private collectors worldwide.

Having painted in a more abstract linear style for many years, Ivan Namirrkki's new works in the show hark back to the style that first made his work famous - fluid figurative images etched in fine line against a velvety black ground.

Nawilil's extraodinary multimedia spirit poles are his own creation. However, the stories they represent are both ancient and complex - referencing multiple places, clans and events that span vast distances and timeframes.

Most of Nawilil's works in the exhibition feature the story of the shooting star/comet called Namorroddo - believed by Central Arnhem Land people to be a manifestation of a spirit figure which can attack Aboriginal people and is overcome only by the powers of a very senior medicine man. Nawilil is one of the main proponents of this story - his beautifully crafted works exuding a power similar to that of ceremonial objects and unique in contemporary Aboriginal art.

Two Masters of Maningrida Arts runs from February 10-28 and can also be viewed online at everywhenart.com.au

Everywhen Artspace 39 Cook Street, Flinders, T: + 61 3 5989 0496

Open 7 days a week 11am-4pm W: everywhenart.com.au

Ivan Namirrkki (left) and Jack Nawilil at Maningrida, Photo Maningrida Arts

FINDING voice

By Andrea Louise Thomas Photos Yanni

Peninsula author and literary agent, Danielle Binks, hopes to change the landscape of Australian literature, not just as a writer, but as an agent too. “A literary agent is a curator of stories. I read the tea leaves of the market,” she says. This puts her in a unique position to seek out and lift up diverse and underrepresented voices in the market, something she is very passionate about.

Danielle was a shy bookish child, but she found her voice in high school at Toorak College. She wrote her first piece of fiction for a school short story competition and was surprised to win. At 23, she was runner up in the prestigious John Marsden Short Story Prize. Danielle was thrilled when Marsden, one of her literary idols, told her how close she was to winning and encouraged her to keep going.

Her Mum and Grandma always pushed her to be a writer, but Danielle bucked their advice opting instead to get a ‘real job’ as a journalist. She went to Monash University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Journalism. It was evident from the outset, this wasn’t her forte. Her teachers criticized her writing as ‘purple prose’. “Journalism wasn’t for me, but I learned the valuable art of editing from studying journalism,” she says.

In her last year at Monash, Danielle didn’t do placement with a magazine or newspaper, she went to publisher, Black Dog Books where she discovered the people behind books – editors, authors and publishers. They suggested RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing course. She was surprised to get in because she only had her fan fiction writing to show them. RMIT’s program helped her find her writing voice. Now she teaches there helping others to find theirs.

Outside of writing, Danielle’s passion is promoting literary diversity. It’s how her writing got seriously noticed. While writing her blog, ALPHAreader - my solo book, she started to notice how white washed young adult fiction was. Literary fiction magazine, Kill Your Darlings, read her blog and asked Danielle to write opinion pieces for them. Her first piece was about the absence of indigenous voices in Australian young adult fiction.

Meanwhile, literary agent, Jacinta di Mase had been following Danielle on Twitter. She ran into her at Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre for Books and Ideas and told Danielle if she wanted to change the landscape of Australian literature, she should join her agency and become a literary agent. She’s been an agent since 2016.

“Literary agents are the conduit between creatives and publishers. We are the quality check for publishers. We make sure that what we are bringing to the publishing house is worth their time. The agent is also the person in the writer’s corner to take care of the contracts and royalties –the money side of it,” she says.

Australian publishing is slowly changing. Readers want to see themselves represented in the stories they read. Danielle would like to see more disabled writers coming forward. She represents Carly Findlay who wrote the eye opening, Growing Up Disabled in Australia. Writers with autism like Kay Kerr and Anna Whateley are giving voice to neurodivergence. Inclusion and breaking down stereotypes are issues Danielle is conscious of in her own writing. The Year the Maps Changed, Danielle’s best-selling debut middle grade novel, looks at the plight of asylum seekers in Australia. In 1999, during Operation Safe Haven, 400 of the 6000 incoming Kosovar-Albanian refugees came to stay at Point Nepean’s Quarantine Station. Practically in her own backyard, Danielle felt she had to tell their story. Themes of change, kindness, compassion, family tensions and acceptance thread the narrative.

128 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento m: 0438 537 757

e: marlenemiller3@bigpond.com

Specialising in antique jewellery, as well as newly-made jewellery by Melbourne’s top jewellers

I truly believe that art changes people and people change the world

Her second book, award-winning, The Monster of Her Age is young adult fiction. It developed from her passion for old movies, Hobart and alternate history stories with a hat tip to her love of horror movies. It’s a coming of age tale of fraught family tensions with themes of love, loss, forgiveness and bravery.

Danielle plans to set her next middle grade fiction book on the Mornington Peninsula. “Writing for kids is where I’m most alive. I’m very proud that The Year the Maps Changed is being studied in schools. Middle grade is where I feel I can have the most impact,” she says.

To be a greater writer, Danielle feels it’s important to be a great reader. “Everything I’ve read has taught me something. Romance teaches plot, crime teaches pacing, poetry teaches economy in language. I tell students, put your phone away and read a page of poetry before bed every night. It will change the way you write and speak,” she says.

“I find value in all I do. Yes, I’d love for my work as an author to live on, but if I can change the landscape of Australian literature, particularly for kids, that has huge meaning to me. I’d like to leave the world a little better off. I truly believe that art changes people and people change the world,” Danielle says.

daniellebinks.com

VENN CONSTRUCTIONS - BUILDING YOUR IDEAS!

For more than 10 years, Venn Constructions combined our experience, building skills and values with our client’s aspirations and built beautiful homes and facilities on the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne.

With our track record based on the principles of integrity, creativity and excellence, we established a reputable brand in the market. Our experience is extensive, as it combines the best of local practices with those acquired internationally.

We specialise in bespoke residential, commercial and institutional projects, and our proposition starts with design assistance, building and project management from prepared plans to completion. We collaborate with our clients on their ideas and designs, establishing involvement early in projects to bridge the challenges between vacant land, handover and beyond.

With project management, we offer a complete construction service and a comprehensive range of construction and building solutions. Taking care with the sourcing of building materials to support a quality built, including concealed details essential to achieve a long-lasting structure, remains our continuous focus.

Long-standing client relationships and repeat business confirm the favourable outcome of our dealings. We offer quality projects, satisfying value and a transparent process for our clients to make the construction process a memorable experience.

The result is a long-lasting dwelling place for people to enjoy.

W: vennconstructions.com.au

At G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington Peninsula, we understand that choosing to build a home is a significant decision for you and your family. We also know you want to work with a local home builder you can trust, which is why our team is committed to excellence and passionate about bringing your dream home to life.

Mornington Peninsula Homes Pty Ltd, CDB-U 58234. Business name G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington.

Wentworth

We can build your custom home plan or one of many architecturally designed G.J. Gardner home plans. With our comprehensive range of G.J. Gardner home designs you can modify our plans to suit your family and lifestyle, we can tailor the house to your expectations. Whether your dream home consists of a custom design, a knockdown rebuild or a house and land package, we can work with you on the right home to suit your needs.

Explore single-level developments that can accommodate a range of bedrooms or living environments, to duplex home designs and multi-level homes. You can view our entire range of G.J. Gardner home designs online to get an idea of what elements you may like in your home.

There are plenty of decisions to make when building a home, and choosing the right home builder is crucial. All members of our team, from the Builder to the New Home Consultants and Supervisors, we work with you to customise and realise your vision – from choosing your design to making your colour selections, laying the foundation, framing and finally, the handover of your new home.

Call 132 789 or visit gjgardner.com.au

The G.J. Gardner Mornington Peninsula team supports you from the first meeting to the day the keys to your new home are placed in your hand – we’re here to help you feel the joy as you build your new home!

Get in touch with our team today to make the first step of your homebuilding journey.

Ashwood

Inglewood

Featured Home Designs

Wentworth

The Wentworth is a large, bespoke home design with no compromise on features or functionality.

This home is an entertainer’s delight, offering multiple living zones. Entering this gorgeous home, you are greeted with a formal lounge and home office providing a quiet space to relax, before opening to reveal the true heart of the home. A huge, openplan living space featuring family and dining areas, a modern kitchen with island bench and butler’s pantry, a separate games room with bar, and a huge covered alfresco.

An abundance of space is everywhere you look featuring five bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite sure to impress with a grand walk-in robe and ensuite and a guest room with its own private bathroom.

Ashwood

The Ashwood is a two-storey dual occupancy design with a front and rear dwelling. Each dwelling has its own individual layout and features with impressive street appeal that work in symmetry with each other.

The Ashwood is both modern as it is functional with the use of clean lines to make the most of every space. This design provides great value for money and with the option of having a built-in investment property there is nothing to lose but everything to gain.

Both Units combine the best in open plan living with optional alfresco and outdoor spaces helping to create a seamless indoor-outdoor light and bright home to enjoy for years to come.

Regatta

The Regatta home design boasts an elegant design perfectly suited to sites that slope sideways. The large master bedroom is on the ground floor and features a stylish double ensuite walk-in robe and study area with good separation from four upstairs bedrooms.

Also on the ground floor are a separate lounge or media room and a large open plan living zone that takes in the well-appointed kitchen with island bench dining and family spaces and easy access to the alfresco area.

The upper level provides the ideal kids’ retreat including bedrooms an activity room and a central bathroom.

Regatta

Your Building Journey The G.J. Way

Your building journey consists of many unique stages guided by your local G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington Peninsula team.

Research Stage

The research stage sets the foundations for your project. You will choose your builder, the location of your home, and the house design that will help your dream home come to life.

Once you have chosen your builder, you will work with them to assess your block of land and go through the building construction process from start to finish. Our builders have plenty of experience and can advise you of any extra costs or potential issues with the land. We can also help you find the best block of land that will maximise your value for money.

You will also need to confirm and organise your finances to know which home loans apply to your situation and any grants you may be eligible for ahead of time.

Make The Home Yours

It is time to work with us to make the home uniquely your own. An important consideration to start building a home is being realistic about your expectations and budget, enabling our team to provide the best way to maximise your budget.

The engineering and colour selection stage involves decisions on colours, features, fixtures and the façade.

The team at G.J. Gardner Homes can help you choose a thoughtful colour scheme since it will directly impact home performance and feel.

During this stage, you and our team ensure that the home design is as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible.

With engineering and selections completed, G.J. Gardner Homes will be able to prepare your new home contract with everything included and no hidden surprises.

Construction Stage

It is time to see everything come together. At this point, the team at G.J. Gardner orders all materials, schedules labour, pours the slab and begins to build the frame. You will be able to see your project commence over the weeks right up until the insulation of roofing and plasterboard. This stage also includes the construction of indoor elements, such as the installation of linings, timber skirting, and architraves.

The Finishing Touches

It’s time to complete the final construction elements, including painting, tiling, and utilities like electrical and plumbing installation. It is also when you add extra personality to your home with all the additional features you may have chosen, like mirrors and splashbacks.

After all these finishing touches are complete, we will take you on a final walkthrough of the property, ensuring you are happy with the flow of the house.

Handover Day!

Once you are happy with your new home, it is time for the most exciting stage! As a customer, you see your dreams come to life as you receive the keys upon settlement. A truly memorable moment will ensue as you walk into the brand-new home that is now all yours.

Post-Handover Care

Following the handover, our team will still support you. We will handle any apparent building defects to ensure the house is perfect for you and stands the test of time.

Want To Know More About The Building Stages?

To learn more, reach out to the team at G.J. Gardner Homes Mornington Peninsula today.

Scan the QR to see the full range of home designs on the website

Call 132 789 or visit gjgardner.com.au

Live the dream, naturally

At Ecoliv we believe that modern luxury is living in comfort without compromising the natural environment.

Contemporary, functional and luxurious, our award-winning prefab modular home designs are purposefully created to integrate harmoniously with the Australian landscape and lifestyle.

Crafted with precision from responsibly sourced and timetested natural materials, our eco-friendly approach to design and construction addresses the needs of the present without compromising the future.

Climate responsive and operationally efficient, Ecoliv homes harness natural resources to provide a healthy living environment, keeping you comfortable, safe and happy.

As a boutique design and builder committed to delivering high quality outcomes, Beachstone Homes enjoys collaborating with clients to create stunning new homes.

Based in Mount Eliza and servicing the Mornington Peninsula, they can build from prepared plans or undertake the entire process from initial design brief through to completion.

With over 25 years of experience in building and development, a professional team, and an on-line client portal, they look forward to assisting you with your new dream home.

Contact Beachstone Homes today!

info@beachstone.com.au

BUILDING HOMES THAT MATCH YOUR LIFESTYLE, YOUR BUDGET AND YOUR VISION

Masterline Homes services the Mornington Peninsula and around Westernport Bay up to Phillip Island. Whether building your first, or fourth home, Masterline Homes has the blueprint to suit you.

Because our focus is to provide you with the home you want, we can change colour schemes to suit your personal taste. You can even design your own home for us to build. In contrast to many large builders, we will alter house plans and change the design to suit your block of land and your budget. Alternatively, you can provide us with your own plan if you prefer.

Our home design philosophies are born from our combined experience of 55 years in the housing industry, inspiration from our client’s input, paying attention to our client’s desires, and our adaptable approach to all important issues. We do our best to make the whole process a happy and exciting one.

Specialising in:

• New homes

• Knockdown and Rebuild

• Dual occupancy

• Duplex

From a dual-occupancy to a multi-unit development , Masterline Homes can handle all size projects as both the builder or developer.

All our projects can include our full homemaker pack (Turnkey), ready to move in, thus taking all the stress out for you.

Masterline Homes has built many developments ranging from a single unit in a backyard, to duplex dwellings and multiunit projects, specialising in residential property design and development, offering an exclusive, yet affordable collection of homes and town-houses to suit all buyers.

Using Locally based suppliers where possible, we can maintain a quality product while ensuring employment opportunities for the future. Building with Masterline Homes is a co-operative effort between our company, our suppliers and you, our valued client.

Masterline Homes is a long-time member of the Housing Industry Association, the Master Builders Association and is registered with the Victorian Building Authority Reg # CDB-U 48889.

Benefits of choosing Masterline Homes for your next development:

• Flexibility in approach and design

• Dealing direct with the builder

• Getting the home you want

• Enormous range of colour choices

• Quality fixtures and fittings

• Designing your own home

Wine Lovers Warehouse is the direct to public arm of our wholesale business specialising in restaurant, hotel, and function wines for over 17 years.

We opened the warehouse every week to the public, selling our wines and suppliers at trade prices and no retail mark ups. It is our commitment to remain open servicing the needs of our Wine Lover community into 2023 and beyond. Come along and say hello, grab a bottle or a case. Try before you buy at the Hastings store guarantees you will be satisfied with your choices. Yalumba 2018 Eden Valley Viognier Our Price $10 RRP $27

Taylor Ferguson 2017 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Our Price $10 RRP $28

Granite Rose Estate 2022 Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay Our Price $10 RRP $49 Try Before You Buy At The Hastings Store

John Luke 2019 Heathcote Shiraz Our Price $10 RRP $25

56.

58.

59.

61.

63.

64.

ACROSS

93. Caviar 94. Drop by (4,2) 96. Shaft of natural light 98. Fulfilled (demand) 99. Spoil 100. Goaded (5,2) 102. Erupting mountain 103. Placate 104. Assuaged 105. Abdominal muscles 106. Scamp 107. Washington port 108. Second longest river 110. Treat (cow hide) 112. Racial 114. Apply for (patent) (4,3) 117. Spikes 120. Army toilet 123. Terrible tsar 125. Epic story 127. Curtain 128. Frozen cover 131. Repelled, ... off 133. Apportion 134. Landed estate 135. Maritime 136. New Testament Messiah 137. Rink 140. Pelvic joint 141. Brazil's ... Paulo 142. Senior 145. Blue dye 147. Sinews 148. Familiar with (4,2) 150. Pull heavily 151. Norway's capital 152. Be useful, ... one's keep 153. Bawls 154. Most monumental 156. Remove (cap) 158. Grizzly beast 160. Mafia, Cosa ... 162. Hither 163. Dwelt 164. Burial vault 165. Open-mouthed 166. Actor, ... Penn 167. Immerses 168. Painter, Vincent Van ... 170. Excessive utilisation 172. Sniff noisily 173. Thank goodness! 174. Grounds (electrical circuit) 177. Pointed stake 179. Tibet's Dalai ... 180. Gather 182. Heathland shrub

DOWN

77. Lord 79. Beautification 81. Sergeant (1,1,1) 84. Hug 85. Mourns 86. Entertainer 87. Lower edge of skirt 88. Scuffs (shoes) 90. Voter 92. Russian villa 95. Sleep late (3,2) 97. Hymn, ... Maria 101. ... whiz! 109. Brass metal 111. Daunt 113. Watering tube 115. Jack 116. Sole performer, ... band (3-3) 118. Ruler, Genghis ... 119. Unfeigned 121. Crockery service (3,3) 122. Ran in neutral 124. Cabin crew members (3,9) 126. Postponements 129. Detonates 130. Kerosene 131. H2O-filled mattress 132. Sweet courses 138. Eager, ... to go 139. Negligees 143. California's City of Angels (3,7) 144. Receding 146. Wow! 149. Snooty person 155. Resentment 157. Bolts (of lightning) 159. Enlightened 161. Eye for an eye (3,3,3) 165. Features 169. Stockpiled 171. Blackboard stands 172. Scorched 175. Bronze medal position 176. Overfills 177. Cordless or mobile 178. Child's coughing condition

181. Besides 184. Frog relative 186. Folk tale hero, ... Thumb 190. Mi, fah, ..., lah Corner Puzzle

on Red Hill

Red Hill is a 86 kilometre journey south from Melbourne, located in the hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula, between the coastal towns of Dromana and Balnarring.

It has a population of approximately 1,009 with a landscape consisting of scenic hills and native forests.

The name Red Hill derives from the rich, red clay that has made the area predominantly agricultural from its first European settlement in the mid-nineteenth century.

Many Red Hill streets are named after pioneers: Sheehan, McIlroy, Stanley, Bayne, Arkwell, Eaton, Nash, Perry (sic) and Callanan.

The Red Hill Post Office opened on the 1st of August 1871.

A railway operated in Red Hill between 1921 and 1959 and was known as the Red Hill railway line.

Since the 1970s, wineries have been established around Red Hill to take advantage of the microclimates that suits cool climate grapes, and especially pinot noir.

Herbert Robinson (1876–1919), later mayor of Albany, Western Australia, and member of the Parliament of Western Australia was a notable resident of Red Hill.

Wine lovers unite at the annual Winter Wine Weekend in June, and join in the fun and sample more than 200 premium wines from some 50 wineries before exploring local cellar doors.

A monthly community market is held from September through May.Patrons can still watch old-time games like Pétanque being played and smell the roasting of chestnuts. Other traditional Australian foods such as meat pies and jam donuts are also sold.

Scattered throughout the area is a proliferation of vineyards, orchards and berry farms. Many of the vineyards are boutique wineries, offering visitors the opportunity to experience fine dining, wine tasting and the purchase of local produce of the region. Most of the wineries also feature attractive gardens, free for visitors to wander through or have a picnic within.

The commercial centre of Red Hill is spread along four distinct spots on Arthurs Seat Road, Flinders Road and Shoreham Road, featuring a variety of eateries and services. Tucked away along roads and shady laneways around Red Hill, visitors will also find several galleries and cafes.

Red Hill is a major centre on the Mornington Peninsula for entertainment events, including the popular Red Hill Show and the peninsula's premier art show - Art Red Hill.

Strawberries, cherries and apples are grown and available seasonally at the farm door.

The median house price for Red Hill is $2,265,500.

CoffeeSafari

Freshly brewed coffee is a musthave for weekends away and the Mornington Peninsula's coffee haunts are second to none. Here are just a few to check out when you head down to this beautiful part of the world.

Nordie Cafe

1008 MORNINGTON-FLINDERS ROAD

Elegant simplicity of Scandinavian styling and dining with highly regarded Allpress Coffee as the backbone of breakfast. Offering something for everyone from house made muffins to the Red Hill Rösti Benedict.

Food on the Hill

10/159 SHOREHAM ROAD

Great spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a great cup of coffee with friendly and helpful staff. Relaxed casual vibe and excellent choice of food for all tastes and budgets.

Red Hill Bakers

141 SHOREHAM ROAD

Bread and delicious treats baked fresh daily, and baristas are standing by to satisfy your caffeine fix. Also fully stocked with take home meals, salads, pies and cakes Cafe at the Epicurean

165 SHOREHAM ROAD

Great coffee made on the premises, great service and awesome bakery treats in the front part of the building.

What to do

Whether it’s driving through the scenic hills and native forests, enjoying a relaxing stay at a beachfront b&b, or partaking in the fine wines and art, Red Hill is the epitome of a relaxed getaway.

Scattered throughout the area is a proliferation of vineyards, orchards and berry farms. Many of the vineyards are boutique wineries, a picturesque venue for celebrations and also offering visitors the opportunity to experience fine dining, wine tasting and the purchase of local produce from the region. Further delights await when coming to the commercial centre of Red Hill with a variety of eateries, galleries and shady laneways with hidden delightful day spas and art exhibitions.

If nature is your thing then lose yourself in one of the dozens of walking trails, bike tracks or horse riding adventures.

Photos: Yanni

AN AMBULANCE FOR MORNINGTON

By Val Wilson and Peter McCullough

One of the most significant dates in the history of Mornington is 18 July 1937; this marked the opening of the King George V Memorial Bush Nursing Hospital. The building, affectionately known as ‘The Bush’, housed eight beds in a single, two and three bed wards, a nursery, labour room, and an operating theatre. The hospital was to provide

for as many as seven patients but, in an emergency, it could care for as many as twelve. This was thought to be sufficient for the foreseeable future. It was the forty-eighth of its kind to be opened since the Victorian Bush Nursing Association was founded in 1910.

continued next page...

Above: Delivery of the original ambulance in October 1925. Fred Bieri, inaugural secretary, circled.

Below: King George V Memorial Bush Nursing Hospital at the time of its opening in July 1975.

One of its supporters was William (Bill) Leggatt. He had served with distinction in World War 1 where he was awarded the Military Cross, then studied law before settling in Mornington in 1926.In World War 11 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel and was in command of the Australian Independent Company in Timor, known as Sparrow Force. Captured by the Japanese, Leggatt spent most of the war years in Changi prison camp.

In 1947 Leggatt was elected to the seat of Mornington in the Legislative Assembly and served in that role until 1956 when he was appointed Agent-General for Victoria in London. He was knighted in 1957. His parliamentary duties notwithstanding, Leggatt resumed his role on the hospital board and was a member between 1947 and 1955.

While the establishment of the hospital was a significant event, the earlier commencement of an ambulance service was also noteworthy. Two local residents played an important role in this development.

Dorothy Leggatt

In 1926, the year that he moved to Mornington, Bill Leggatt married 32 year old school teacher Dorothy Meares Andrews; a university graduate (BA 1916, MA, Dip Ed 1918) she had edited Melbourne University Magazine and advocated the establishment of a women’s college with an article titled ‘Wanted – a Women’s College’. Dorothy was a member of the committee set up to examine the feasibility of the establishment of a college which finally opened in 1937.

Top left: Lt. Colonel Bill Leggatt during World War Two

Left: Dorothy Leggatt when president of Women's College, 1954-55 (Photo: The University College)

She maintained her interest in the college, serving a term as President of the College Council in 1954-55. Her contribution is recognized by the fact that the college, renamed ‘university college’ in 1975 when it became co-educational, has a ‘Leggatt Wing’. For much of her life Dorothy was a prominent member of the Lyceum Club in Melbourne.

“Among the towns with voluntary drivers Mornington was probably unique in that by the late 1930’s all drivers and stretcherbearers on its roster were women. The ambulance was stationed opposite the bush nursing hospital, and the officers were led by the richly endowed and unflappable Dorothy (later Lady) Leggatt. She never panicked, even when the vehicle arrived at the Alfred Hospital with a loose rear door and no patient. A careful retracing of the route found him sitting by a rather bumpy bridge, still clutching the towel provided for his vomiting and little the worse for his slide out onto the road.”

It is believed that the ‘rather bumpy bridge’ was over the Mordialloc Creek, still well short of The Alfred!

Officially known as Country Division Victorian Civil Ambulance Mornington Peninsula, the Mornington service actually commenced in October 1925, some 12 years before the hospital opened its doors. It was a volunteer-run organization which charged for its services. Before long Dorothy Leggatt had assumed a leadership role with the Mornington ambulance service, although the ‘service’ was sometimes found wanting. In her book “Bush Nursing in Victoria” author Susan Priestly relates: continued next page...

Local care and support tailored just for you with Uniting AgeWell

Help at home

Get assistance with personal and clinical care, household chores, assistive technology and transport

Community support and wellbeing Remain connected with social groups, outings and carer services

Independent living

Maintain an independent lifestyle in one of our vibrant retirement living communities

Residential care Specialist 24/7 care and support and respite stays are welcome Andrew Kerr Care Community in Mornington offers generous, stylish spaces, well appointed bedrooms and a vibrant lifestyle program

Call the Uniting AgeWell team today to find out how we can support you to live well with choice, independence and peace of mind as you age.

1300 783 435

unitingagewell.org

Living well with choice and peace of mind

John Frederick Bieri

The inaugural secretary of the newly formed Ambulance Service was Fred Bieri, a gentleman held in very high esteem in the town. According to the newspaper advertisement, if you required the ambulance you rang Fred!

Fred Bieri and his wife Bertha, both originally from Switzerland, were long-time residents of Mornington and were very active in community affairs. They were the proprietors of the Mornington café and adjoining Parkside boarding house in Main Street. Fred was also a renowned pastry cook and a very popular caterer for weddings, social nights and picnics of every kind.

Fred Bieri’s support for young people of the town was evident when, assisted by his two daughters (Olga and Elsa) he established a swimming club and a gymnastics club.

Right: Parkside boarding house and Mornington Cafe in Main Street.

Eyewear As Individual As You Are

Being a very active member of St. Andrew’s church, he was also involved in the formation of a Young Men’s Christian Association in the town. Fred Bieri also served as a councillor with the Mornington Shire Council and was a member of both the Progress Association and the Foreshore Committee.

Sadly, Fred Bieri’s time as secretary of the Ambulance Service was short; he died in 1928 and is buried in the Mornington cemetery.

Footnote:

Elsa Bieri married Clifford Flood in 1921 and they established a farm fronting onto Boes Road in Tyabb. The Flood family played a significant role in the history of Tyabb.

References:

Abeyaratne, Hilary. “The Bush. The story of the Mornington Bush Nursing Hospital”, Hyland House, 1993.

Priestly, Susan. “Bush Nursing in Victoria”, Lothian Publishing, 1986.

Above: Fred and Bertha at Parkside shortly before his death in 1928.