Peninsula Essence Winter 2016

WINTER 2016

FREE

PENINSULA Living & visiting on the Mornington Peninsula

Sculpting Towards The Future • Sorrento’s Own Original Skipping Girl • An Unlikely Friendship • Our Peninsula Our Anzacs • Style File • Stilt Walking Goddess • A Taste Of Tuscany • Like Mother Like Son • Following The House Rules • Chopper Heaven • Focus On Frankston

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Winter 2016

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Winter 2016

contents 7. Peninsula Events 8. Window Shopping 10. The Keepers of the Light

Two decades of watching over Cape Schanck lighthouse.

16. Sculpting Towards the Future

We get behind the scenes at the Montalto Sculpture Exhibition.

20. Skipping Girl Writers: Melissa Walsh, Peter McCullough, Cameron McCullough Creative Director: Maria Mirabella Photography: Yanni, Gary Sissons Publisher: Cameron McCullough Advertising: Ricky Thompson, 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Marilyn Saville, 0409 403 336 or marilyn@mpnews.com.au General enquiries: essence@mpnews.com.au Registered address: 2/1 Tyabb Road, Mornington 3931 Phone: 5973 6424 www.peninsulaessence.com.au /peninsulaessence

The original Skipping Girl is right here on the Mornington Peninsula.

24. Peninsula Pinot

Our pinot celebration is back.

26. An Unlikely Friendship Hen’s Teeth tattoo rocks.

30. Our Anzacs

Peninsula Essence photographer Yanni captures the elderly, the young and the very young joining together on Anzac Day.

38. Artist extraordinaire

Perry Fletcher and a unique talent.

40. Cemeteries

Photos and words reflect the rich history found in our cemeteries.

46. Pushing Up Daisies

Melissa Walsh talks to long-time Crib Point Cemetery worker, Clem, about life in the graveyard.

48. Stilt Walking Goddess

Local stilt walker and costume goddess gives the low down on walking tall.

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 quarterly. 30,000 copies (mix of home delivery and bulk dropped at an extensive network of outlets across the peninsula).

60. A Taste of Tuscany

Karen Panton talks life on the vineyard.

63. A Country Boy in the City

Tim Bates’ love of the high country is palpable, as he talks about his beloved mountains with a passion that one might suspect flows through his blood.

66. Like mother, like Son

When Lenny Richardson was growing up, his mum always encouraged him to go skateboarding. Now twenty years later, while his mother has passed away, Lenny has handed on the tradition to youth on the peninsula with Janice Earth Skateboards.

69. Style File

Winter fashion at its peninsula best.

77. House Rules

When House Rules renovators Claire and Hagan Rice decided to apply for the show they had no idea what would be ahead of them.

79. Fire: The Tragedy at Somers

The story of the 1952 fire that took the lives of five young children.

84. Max’s Mushroom Meander

Cover Photo: Devilbend Moorooduc Photo: Yanni

Proudly published by

It’s Saturday morning in early June and a crisp chill fills the air as gastronomic adventurers gather at Max’s at Red Hill for the annual Mushroom Meander.

PEFC Certified

This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. www.pefc.org

87. Wine Food Farmgate

Winter is a wonderful time to rug up and get out on the Wine Food Farmgate Trail.

94. Crossword 96. Focus on Frankston Winter 2016

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Winter 2016

Events

mornington peninsula

WINTER FRUIT TREE PRUNING HERONSWOOD

MORNINGTON RAILWAY TEDDY’S DAY OUT

MORNINGTON RAILWAY

Sunday 19th June 2016 Winter is the perfect time to maintain the size and shape of your fruit trees. Come and learn about different techniques for different fruit trees.

Presenter - Phil Shepard.

Bookings essential Heronswood 105 Latrobe Parade, Dromana. Ph 5984 7321. diggers.com.au

Sunday 10th July 2016 Departs Moorooduc: 11am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm, 3pm First train Departs Mornington: 11.30am Children bring your Teddy Bear for a day out. A certificate will be issued for you and Teddy also you will receive a gift bag.

Mornington Railway 460 Moorooduc Highway, Moorooduc.

1300 767 274

PORTUGUESE WINE DINNER AT FLINDERS HOTEL

ELECTRIC MARY - GRAND HOTEL MORNINGTON

FRANKSTON AND SOUTH EASTERN WINE SHOW

Saturday 25th June Portugal is one of the great unsung wine heroes of Europe.

With outstanding fruit intensity that rivals Australia, coupled with the earthiness and savoury tones of the old European continent.

Flinders Hotel, Cnr. Cook & Wood Streets, Flinders.

Ph 5989 0201. flindershotel.com.au

Friday 15th July, 2016 10 years, four albums, three E.P’s, American and European tours. Broken teeth, broken bones & broken records.

2016 sees the release of a brand new record ‘Live at Helldorado’ an Eastcoast tour and European tour. Come and see what the fuss is all about.

Grand Hotel Mornington 124 Main Street, Mornington. Ph 5975 2001.

Sunday 28th August, 2016.

Come down to the open amateur winemaking competition organised by Frankston Amateur Winemakers Guild showcasing home-made wines from fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs and red/white grape wines.

Competition categories to be judged. The Barn at the Briars Historic Park, 450 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha. Ph 5975 5757.

Sundays 7th and 14th August Heritage steam train trips from Moorooduc to Mornington.

Departs Moorooduc: 11.00am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm, 3.00pm Mornington Railway 460 Moorooduc Highway, Moorooduc.

Phone 1300 767 274. morningtonrailway.org.au

RESTAURANT & LOUNGE BAR Catering for Functions and Parties • Corporate Bookings • Lounge Area for Tea & Coffee • Water Front Dining 1 LUMEAH ROAD, SOMERVILLE | PH 5977 3735 yaringa@live.com.au | www.yaringarestaurant.com.au

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Winter 2016

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THE KEEPERS OF THE LIGHT

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Winter 2016

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

F

or 20 years Tony and Prue Sheers have been keepers of the lighthouse at Cape Schanck, upholding a tradition of a long list of lighthouse keepers who have had the torch passed over to them.

As watchers over the lighthouse, the Fingal couple have had the rare privilege of guarding and protecting one of the areas most precious treasures at thesouthern end of the peninsula, and upholding a tradition that is steeped in history.

For the Sheers, having occupation ‘lighthouse keeper’ stamped in their passport was an unexpected surprise in their lives, and came at a time when the couple were considering semi-retirement.

“One day Tony just came home from work and said ‘How would you like to run a lighthouse?’” said Prue with a laugh. “That was 20 years ago and we are just finishing up now.”

As a couple who have been involved in hospitality and running b&b’s all their life, taking over the lighthouse was a piece of cake, and with Prue’s fascination for history it was a match made in heaven.

“I love history so immediately delved into the history of lighthouses, how the Australian lighthouse families lived and how our lighthouses operate differently to overseas,” said Prue of the lighthouse that has been shining since 1859.

“It is the last one in Victoria to run to full capacity,” said Tony, whose job has been to maintain the lighthouse and be a tour guide with wife, Prue. “We took over two decades ago from Rod Tilly. “It is one of the only lighthouses to have the clockwork mechanism that still works. Most of the lighthouse keepers would have literally thrown them over the cliff and into the ocean when they were phased out by electric mechanisms.”

The Cape Schanck Lighthouse starts beaming at dusk and works on sensors and mains power electricity, with a backup generator.

“We are known as a landfill lighthouse which is used as a backup for the GPS which most boats have now. But if they sink or start taking in water, the GPS can fail and so we are here for old fashioned navigation,” said Tony.

“Even with GPS, the Tasmanian ferry uses our light as a landmark to turn right towards Tassie.”

“One day Tony just came home from work and said ‘How would you like to run a lighthouse?’” said Prue with a laugh. “That was 20 years ago and we are just finishing up now.”

In the early days of the mid 1800s it took three families to look after the lighthouse, but fraternisation was frowned upon, according to Prue. “They were trying to avoid any nasty love continued next page...

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Winter 2016

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triangles forming,” she says with a laugh. “Food supplies were bought for the three families via boat but the Cape Schanck lighthouse keepers were lucky enough to also have local farmers in the area for supplies.”

A far cry from all those years ago, yet you can still feel the history as you walk up the 59 spiral steps to the lighthouse tower, constructed of pure limestone where the original counterweight still hangs down the centre.

“The beam still shines 27 nautical miles out to sea, or 48 kilometres in layman’s terms, and is 21 metres tall. It has a 1000kw globe and still sits in its original mercury bath. We have so many original features, we could crank up the mechanisms and have it working like the old days,” said Tony. “The lighthouse keeper used to have to wind the handle 88 times to ensure the light kept shining; now we check it out three times a day. The light characteristic is the Morse code letter ‘N’, a long signal of 10.8 seconds followed by a flash. Depending on the bearing of the light, the colours are either white or red. The powerful lantern is a million candela and a first order Fresnel lens, which was installed in 1915. It was also the first lighthouse tower to be built with stone stairs.”

While the light still shines bright across the sea every evening, in late April lighthouse keepers, Tony and Prue had to say goodbye to their beloved lighthouse, B&B accommodation and its wonderful living history, but the memory of their two decades there burns brightly in their hearts.

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Winter 2016

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SCULPTING TOWARDS

THE FUTURE

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Winter 2016

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

W

hen Neil Williams studied art and sculpture in the UK in his youth, he would never have dreamed that he would be curator of the Montalto Sculpture Exhibition on the other side of the world.

However life took a wonderful turn for the artistic soul who met his wife Heidi in the UK and went on a travelling adventure together in 1997. The couple decided to move to the peninsula to be closer to the family business, Montalto, and the rest is history.

Now, a father of three, Neil spends his days between Montalto and his Cook Street Collective Art Gallery in Flinders, and is very proud of the way the sculpture exhibition has evolved.

“The Montalto Sculpture Prize is an acquisitive award open to all artists working in any medium that began in 2003, after about 12 months planning,” said Neil. “John Mitchell, Montalto owner, had purchased a sculpture from Jason Waterhouse and loved the material and how it reflected the building. I had studied sculpture in the UK and knew how much it could add to the landscape and from that the idea evolved. At the time McClelland Gallery was just starting and we thought we would try our hand at having a sculpture exhibition.”

That was 13 years ago and, with the recent announcement of the 14th Montalto Sculpture Prize winner, it has become one of the most renowned art events on the peninsula, with local and international artists submitting their works.

“Being an outdoor sculpture exhibition, it is a very interesting week when the installations are being set up. We have to hire forklifts and equipment to get some of the sculptures into place on the property,” said Neil. “We have had artists who have driven down from Queensland, dropped their sculpture off, and driven back. We had one artist this year who took a week to erect his installation and he camped on the back hill while he did it. It’s a very interesting time.”

While the exhibition started with prize money of $8000 and 50 entries in the first year, these days Neil and the team are inundated with entries from across the country and overseas. This year the prize money is $30,000 and the exhibition has been extended to run eight months from February to October.

“This gives artists the opportunity to show their work for a longer period of time and hopefully sell some pieces. We have sculptures that range between $8000 to $40,000. We love being able to introduce restaurant and piazza visitors to the wonderful art works we have here, with the whole philosophy of a wonderful food, wine and artistic experience,” said Neil, explaining that everyone is an art critic. “It’s great seeing people check out the sculptures and often having strong opinions on their favorites and which should have won. This is another reason we have the people’s choice as well. The winning piece is often controversial and we often have people asking why a certain piece won but then come back later and can see the beauty in it.” continued next page...

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This year, the Montalto Sculpture Prize went to James Parrett for M-Twentyfour (Biggest). Like all James’s work, it is inspired by the aesthetic potential of the circular form and what can be achieved through the dissection and reconfiguration of radial arcs.

M-Twentyfour is displayed proudly on the lawn of Montalto where diners and wine lovers can sit and enjoy its stainless steel splendor.

With sculptures dotted across the Montalto acres, the back hill stands out with its wonderful piece by Hastings artist, Ben Carroll, called Mare’s Tails, inspired by the wispy clouds that appear in the sky when a change of weather is on its way.

“The Montalto Sculpture Prize has been designed to encourage artistic pursuit, and to allow guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the property in association with the wonderful creativity of the sculptures,” said Neil.

“Keep an eye out on the Montalto website for 2017 applications. It is sure to be a good one.”

Montalto is at 33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill.

Phone 5989 8412. www.montalto.com.au

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Winter 2016

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Winter 2016

Sorrento’s Own Original

SKIPPING GIRL

By Melissa Walsh

F

or eight decades the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign has delighted children and adults alike with the neon sign lighting up the streets of inner city Melbourne. Now the mystery of the girl known as ‘Little Audrey’ has been solved as we discover the original Skipping Girl right here on the Mornington Peninsula.

Mrs Barron says she remembers skipping for hours to help the other designers work out how the famous neon rope should move.

Irene Barron, 94 and living in Sorrento, was the model for the iconic sign after working as a young artist for Neon Electric Signs.

It was 1936 when the original sign was erected over the Skipping Girl Vinegar factory in Abbotsford and it remained there until the late 1960s.

“I was nearly 14 when I started there after winning a drawing competition. The prize was thar you got to work there,” Mrs Barron said. “I was the smallest there and so they wanted someone to skip for them so they could see what the movement of the skipping rope was like and how my dress moved as well.”

“My mum made a dress for me to wear so they could get the movements right, and we had to climb over it when we were working on it because it was so big. It took up a lot of room,” she said.

“I would get the train home every night and see the sign flashing from the carriage. I would look at it and think ‘Wow that’s me’,” Mrs Barron said. continued next page...

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“My mum made a dress for me to wear so they could get the movements right, and we had to climb over it when we were working on it because it was so big.

It took up a lot of room,” she said.

When the Skipping Girl Vinegar factory was moved in 1968 and the building was demolished by Whelan the Wrecker to make way for the MFB Building in Victoria Street, Abbotsford, Little Audrey sat dormant for years in a panel beater’s shop.

As fate would have it, a couple of years later she was discovered by another Melbourne icon, Barry Humphries. Soon public calls were heard for her restoration and by 1970; a new sign was made and restored in Victoria street just 200 metres from the original site.

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Winter 2016

After being switched off in 1986 and again in 2001, the Skipping Girl sign was restored once again with thanks to AGL, the National Trust of Australia, the Heritage Council of Victoria and the Melbourne Restoration Fund. In her 75th year she was given solar power and now keeps on skipping brightly.

Although the last time Mrs Barron saw her was in the 1970s, the memory of her still burns bright as day.

O P E N 7 DAY S @ 7A M 2 COLCHESTER RD, ROSEBUD | PHONE 03 5981 2520 | WWW.BLUEMINI.COM.AU

Winter 2016

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Peninsula

PINOT NOIR PRIDE

By Melissa Walsh

M

ornington Peninsula Vignerons Association (MPVA) is excited to announce the eighth Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration will be held on February 10 and 11 next year. This biennial event will once again be hosted at RACV Cape Schanck and various local wineries. Once again a wide range of Australian Pinot Noir will be featured in a Walkabout Tasting, and included in wine brackets selected by media commentators and sommeliers, apart from a strong 2015 Mornington Peninsula vintage selection. The international selection will include wines from Burgundy which will be featured in a sensational line up of two exceptional Domaines – Meo Camuzet represented by Jean Nicolas Méo as well as Comte de Vogüe represented by Francois Millet.

“I am particularly pleased that the focus on the development of Pinot Noir in Australia at our event in 2015 was incredibly well supported by producers as well as being well received by those attending,” said Chairman, Lindsay McCall. “Therefore in 2017 we will continue to focus on the Walkabout Tasting and provide more space and time for all involved to participate fully. Indeed Australian Pinot Noir has come of age without a doubt. To also include two domains of such high esteem from Burgundy is another exciting first and I am sure tickets to the event will be highly sought after.”

Significantly, the MPVA has confirmed 2017 will see the first of an annual Australian Pinot Noir Challenge (APNC), to be hosted in the week leading up to the celebration, also held on the Mornington Peninsula but for wines from across Australia.

Along the lines of the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge the inaugural APNC will be held on February 8, 2017 with Philip Rich as Chairman.

For further details go to www.mpva.com.au.

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Winter 2016

VISION

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Winter 2016

AN UNLIKELY

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

E

rin and Alyssa were never friends at school. It wasn’t that they hated each other; they just hung out in different groups. Alyssa was a bit of a loner and Erin was more out there despite having a policeman for a father. Cut to September 2014 and this unlikely duo create quite the stir in the male dominated tattoo industry, with the opening of Hen’s Teeth Tattoo Company.

“It’s funny how life takes you in different directions,” said the 28 year old tattoo company owners. “We both went to high school in Rosebud and now years later run a shop together down the road in Dromana.”

The wonderful thing about Hens Teeth Tattoo is it’s surprisingly feminine. Walking into the waiting room at the front is like walking into a beauty spa with wonderful mirrors, bright pictures, black and white photos and a cool wallpaper mural. And the girls are welcoming too.

Both individuals still but sharing this incredible passion for tattoo art.

“I got my first tattoo at 18,” explains Erin. “Much to my father’s horror who has been a police officer for 40 years. The tattoo was a dragon fly on my wrist. I always knew I wanted to be tattooed but Dad didn’t talk to me for a while.”

A self-confessed needle and blood test hater, Erin admits the first one did hurt but she loved the results she just kept going back for more.

“I am a bit of a sissy and still have to psych myself up to have it done, but I just love the result and the pain is only fleeting. Once it’s done it’s done and it just feels like sunburn.”

These days Erin has her own style of glam – a stunning Hollywood makeup with rockabilly edge and of course lots of brightly coloured tattoos.

Somewhat more sedate Alyssa shines with her own style, her tattoos darker and her look more mainstream.

“I was a total nerd at school and didn’t have any tattoos or knowledge of the industry for a while. I had just dropped out of a science degree and came down to see my mum here. We were at the café next door to where Erin was working and I saw the sign they had a job advertised so I went in and got it,” says Alyssa, who found her passion for tattoo art and creativity from that serendipitous meeting.

While the two girls worked together and loved expanding their skills, it was only a matter of time before the idea of a joint business came up.

“The tattoo industry has always been male-dominated but times are changing. We wanted to do things our way and create a place where women and men could come and feel comfortable to have their tattoos done. We found this shop in Dromana and it was perfect. It all came together very quickly,” said Erin.

Now the girls are flat out with clients of all ages and backgrounds coming for their individualised work. continued next page...

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“We do everything from the smallest tattoo like a love heart on the finger to full body work. I guess the ratio is about 60-40 women to men,” said Alyssa, explaining that she had recently tattooed a woman who was 72 and wanted a commemoration of her son.

For Erin, her dad is now cool with her tattoos and has even had a couple of small ones himself.

“Dad even helped us with the practical side of getting the business ready,” said Erin, of the studio which has private rooms, a welcoming waiting area, is excessively clean and a great place to relax.

“We are on a mission to create a place that is comfortable and welcoming to everyone. So come on down, say hello and we look forward to putting some beautiful work on your skin,” said the girls.

Hen’s Teeth Tattoo Company is at: 7/143 Point Nepean Road, Dromana. Phone 5981 4649. www.hensteethtattooco.com

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Winter 2016

TATTS A FACT • The Online Etymology Dictionary traces the word “tattoo” back to the Polynesian noun tatau, meaning “puncture, mark made on skin.”

• Prison tattoo artists use materials such as cd player motors, springs, pens and soot (among other found materials) to create tools and inks for tattooing fellow inmates. In some Russian prisons, they make ink with melted boot heels mixed with urine or blood.

•

The first tattooing machine (the precursor to today’s tattoo gun) was patented

by Samuel F. O’Reilley in 1891. It was actually just a modification of an invention designed for autographic printing, first patented by Thomas Edison 15 years earlier.

•

Toy maker, Mattel, made a Barbie with a butterfly tattoo on her stomach in 1999. It was called Butterfly Art Barbie but taken off the market after complaints from parents.

• Between the years 1961 and 1997, it was illegal to get a tattoo in New York City.

It was banned by the Department of Health after an outbreak of hepatitis B. • When receiving a tattoo, your skin is pricked between 50 and 3,000 times per minute by a needle in the tattoo machine.

• Tattoo machines have been around since the late 19th century, and surprisingly, they haven’t changed much in 100 years.

• Most tattoo machines consist of four parts: The needle The tube that holds ink An electric motor A foot pedal to control the movement, similar to how a sewing machine works.

• Uniformity is paramount when it comes to tattoo application: Too-deep punctures result in pain and bleeding, while too-shallow ones create uneven lines.

• Often misspelled “tatoo”, the word tattoo is one of the most misspelled words in the English language.

• The top 10 most popular spots for tattoos are 1) lower back, 2) wrist, 3) foot, 4) ankle, 5) armband, 6) back-piece, 7) arm, 8) chest, 9) breast, and 10) neck.

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Our Peninsula‌

UR ANZACS

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Gary Sissons and Yanni

T

he elderly, the young and the very young joined together on Anzac Day to commemorate our brave soldiers. From Sorrento to Mornington, across to Flinders and Western Port, families and friends gathered to celebrate the efforts of those gone before us and those still with us. Peninsula Essence photographer Yanni was there to capture the scenes.

continued next page...

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LEST WE FORGET * Originally, the term ‘Anzac’ was used to mean any soldier who was a member of the army corps that fought at Gallipoli. While typically thought of as just Australian and New Zealand nationals, the Anzacs included officers from India, Ceylon, the Pacific Islands, England and Ireland. However, the term has subsequently been broadened to mean any Australian or New Zealander who fought or served in the First World War. * A soldier named Alec Campbell was the last surviving Anzac. He died on 16 May, 2002. * The most significant time to remember the Anzacs is at dawn, as this is when the original Gallipoli landing occurred. The dawn service was first started by returned soldiers in the 1920s and originally, dawn services were only attended by veterans. Today, anyone can attend a service. * One of the key reasons for the failure of the Gallipoli offensive was the fact that the boats carrying the Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed at the wrong spot. Instead of finding a flat beach, they faced steep cliffs, and constant barrages of fire and shelling from the Turkish soldiers. * While the battle itself was a crushing defeat, the Australian and New Zealand soldiers were relentless and displayed incredible courage and endurance, even despite the most horrible of circumstances. This is how the Anzac legend was born. * The Gallipoli battle itself ended in a stalemate, when the Anzacs retreated after eight months of battle. * The Anzac spirit is wonderfully represented by a brave man – Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick. He was a stretcher bearer in the Australian Army Medical Corps, and spent his nights and days rescuing injured men from the battle lines in Monash Valley. He transported them back to the safety of Anzac cove on his donkey. He is thought to have rescued over 300 wounded soldiers. * Another man who epitomised the Anzac spirit was Charles Billyard-Leake. In 1914, he was living in a large manor in the UK – which he turned into a hospital for Anzac soldiers. During the war, and for a while afterwards, over 50,000 Australians stayed at this Harefield Hospital. * The Last Post was typically played during war to tell soldiers the day’s fighting had finished. At memorial services, it symbolises that the duty of the dead has finished, and they can rest in peace. * Anzac biscuits were believed to have made an appearance during the Gallipoli offensive. Made of oats, sugar, flour, coconut, butter and golden syrup, they were hard and long- lasting, and were ideal for troops in the trenches. They were apparently eaten instead of bread.

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LIVING DESIGN With the harsh Australian weather conditions, one thing that really suffers is the old door and window frames of the family home. That’s why a couple of switched on lads decided to bring Living Design Double Glazing to the Mornington Peninsula.

Living Design manufacture the best REHAU German engineered UPVC Windows and doors available in Australia, and are the only REHAU Heritage double hung manufacturer in Australia.

“We locally manufacture our windows and doors at our factory and we welcome visitors to come in and see the extensive range of affordable products,” said Kim Larmour, of Living Design.

“The windows and doors are high performance, maintenance free and double glazed. If your windows are rotted, it’s the perfect time to get the boys to come out and do a free quote. The REHAU windows and door frames are perfect as replacements for your tired old windows and doors. They maximise energy efficiency, sound proof and significantly reduce noise, keep in heating and cooling, and you will never have to paint again.”

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“Give us a call to do a free measure and quote, or come into the showroom and check out the extensive range, so you can understand fully the product range and its benefits,” said Kim. Living Design Double Glazing was established in July last year by Simon Craig, Del and Kim Larmour, who are all highly skilled in the industry, with Simon a REHAU Manufacturer since 1988, and Del a qualified carpenter since 1994.

“We totally understood the benefits of the product having come from Europe and growing up in Scotland, moving to Australia about 10 years ago.

We knew the system would be perfect for the Australian climate and have already got incredible feedback from people who have replaced windows and doors,” said Simon and Del. “It is great being able to provide a high performance German engineered window and door system that is perfect for the Australian climate”.

REHAU has tested their window systems in Australia and they are designed specifically for

the Australian climate.

Unlike many imported brands, Living Design Double Glazing Windows & Doors are Australian made and designed specifically for the Australian climate, so assured to withstand weather extremes. Living Design Double Glazing is also an Australian Window Association member which means the AWA fully guarantee all work.

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The Living Design team provided an “ excellent level of service in making

and fitting my whole house with a complete set of bespoke windows that are of exceptional quality, and they did everything within an amazingly short timescale that I didn’t think would be possible. I couldn’t be happier and would have no hesitation in offering my recommendations to anyone who was considering quality double glazing...

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ARTIST WITH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED BORDERS

By Keith Platt

E

NGRAVER Perry Fletcher found his niche in the art world after completing a five-month tour of Vietnam during his two years as a national service conscript, or Nasho.

Now living in Mt Martha, Fletcher says he was in need of rest and inspiration after those two years of army life and went to Europe.

While touring the galleries and studying art he realised there was no shortage of good painters but saw few exhibited engravings “and none of any significant size”.

Returning to Australia in 1970 he moved into a one-room flat in Hawthorn and bought five feet by two feet piece of brass.

Six years later The Last Supper and Borders was complete, bringing praise and elevating Fletcher’s name to that of the forefront of the art world.

Hailed a masterpiece, The Last Supper and Borders is seen as possibly being the largest engraving completed on a single piece of brass in modern times.

Its completion led to Fletcher being written about internationally and his work being shown in Queens Hall, Parliament House, Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital.

Fletcher used a dentist’s drill to accomplish the engraving which took more than 3000 hours to etch out the 370 figures, 500 scrolls and 30,000 dots. He worked early mornings and late nights between his day job as an engraver.

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d an R epe Pt N Rosebud

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d an R epe Pt N

Port Phillip Plaza

Also known as “Fletcher the Etcher”, he still uses a dentist’s drill on a variety of mediums for his art: glass, goose eggs, wax seals and brass as well as trophies for the Australian Open, the Olympic Committee, Vermont Football Club, Bonville Golf Resort and Collingwood Football Club.

Fletcher is also a painter (landscapes, seascapes, animals, waves) and a poet.

He has “interpreted” Van Gogh and Monet and other impressionist masters.

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Dromana Cemetery

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ne of the most popular cemeteries on the peninsula, the main entrance is on Arthurs Seat Road, but the gates are closed at sunset and open at sunrise for security reasons. While there are no longer any new grave sites available at Dromana, arrangements can be made for a memorial on the cemetery’s Memorial Wall. Opening in 1863, the Dromana Cemetery is in a spectacular location above the town with beautiful views of the bay. It was gazetted in 1863 as a circular site designed to fit neatly into the land contours and is considered a valuable example of early and unusual cemetery design.

FINAL RESTING PLACES ON THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA

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Flinders Cemetery

ocated within the township of Flinders on Stokes Street, the appeal of this cemetery is for families who prefer the traditional monumental cemetery. Flinders cemetery can also offer sites on the Memorial Wall for cremated remains. The Flinders Cemetery opened in 1864. In 1988 the red brick Bicentennial gateway was dedicated to “the Pioneers and early settlers of the Flinders District whose families are buried in this Cemetery�. Fifty-eight families are listed on two plaques.

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

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Tyabb Cemetery

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lso known as the Hastings Cemetery, this cemetery is in a quiet corner of the peninsula, is small and appeals to the families of the Western Port area. Located in Cemetery Road, Hastings, it offers monumental grave sites to families that wish to have a monument to their loved one, Opening in 1862, this is a cemetery with dispersed memorials, many of which date from the 1920s and 1930s. The first known burial is that of Alex Mackay in 1866. The cemetery contains a marker to commemorate the Hastings fishing industry, a shelter from the 1930s and inter-war memorials.

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Mornington Cemetery

ornington Cemetery is located in Craigie Road Mt. Martha . It was surveyed by Mr. H. Permein the Government Surveyor in 1855, and was originally called the Mt. Martha Cemetery, then the Moorooduc Cemetery. In 1891 when trusteeship was transferred to the Shire of Mornington the cemetery name was changed to Mornington Cemetery. The religious denominational sections are now closed to burials, but a walk through reveals a rich history of wonderful local characters. Sadly, but as a reflection of the era, some of the earliest burials at Mornington Cemetery were of young children.

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Rye Cemetery

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ye was proclaimed a township in 1861, and the cemetery was gazetted in 1868. However, the oldest identifiable headstone is dated 1859, Eliza Bennet 8 months of age, and a number of other burials are known to taken place prior to 1859. The government of the day used a section of the far north western corner to bury unidentified bodies classed as ‘lost souls’. The cemetery has many graves and memorials relevant to the district’s history. Notable are the graves of Richard Barry and Patrick Wee, 2 of 5 young men who drowned in the Boxing Day tragedy of 1869.

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Sorrento Cemetery

orrento Cemetery first opened in 1886 and is one of the more beautiful cemeteries on the southern peninsula, with a hilly outlook.

While a wander through the cemetery reveals many important historical people, a modern notable grave is that of actress Sophie Heathcote, born December 25, 1972, and died January 5, 2006. She is best remembered for her televsision roles in A Country Practice, Bordertown and Water Rats. She passed away in Connecticut from of an aneurism at the age of 33.

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Crib Point Cemetery

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azetted in 1916, this cemetery was established for the burial of naval personnel and the public, with 5 acres (2 ha) set aside for each, but there is little evidence of service personnel burials among its diverse monuments. It was known as Hanns Inlet Cemetery until 1921. At that time only one burial had occurred, with two more the following year. When paths were established and gravelled in the early 1930s, there were still only thirty-four burials. The earliest burials, dating from the 1920s, include John and Catherine Buckley, Charles and Marian Malouf, Edward and August Haebich and the Peterson family.

PUSHING UP DAISIES

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

W

hen you visit the Crib Point Cemetery, it’s not unusual to see Clem Kleinig hanging around there. He might be 83 but he is still as active and switched on as when he first started working at the cemetery in 1961.

“The only difference these days is that sometimes I need a bit of a lie down after a while, so I go and have a rest on the spot that is marked out for my wife and I,” says Clem with a laugh.

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With Crib Point Cemetery celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Clem would have to be the longest serving volunteer, starting out with the job mowing the cemetery lawns in 1970.

“It all started when I wanted to buy a Victa Lawn Mower in 1961. The man at the store asked me if I would like a job mowing the cemetery and I said yes. It was then I discovered the wonderful work all the volunteers do and we have such an amazing committee who give up their time

for free,” said Clem who, these days, arranges the burials and grave numbers, and works alongside the nine volunteers to prepare the grave site for burial laying out mats and making the area look respectable.

“It is all about loving people and having respect for them,” says Clem. “I have always been taught that and believe it is very important to be involved in the community and give back.”

Even at 83, Clem still carries around the cemetery phone and will be available to answer calls about grave enquiries, funeral bookings and all manner of cemetery business.

“I am very proud of our cemetery here in Crib Point. We are one of the few volunteer-run cemeteries and are able to keep our costs to a minimum,” says Clem. “Even the ledgers are all hand-written.”

Wandering around the cemetery, the pride he and the committee members take in its upkeep and history is second to none.

“We have the Lone Pine planted to commemorate the Anzac day landing. We have the first soldier killed at Long Tan buried here. Pte Colin J Whiston, who died at aged 21, killed in action of gunshot wounds.”

A long-time member of the Uniting Church, Clem and his wife have made friends with many people, one of whom is buried at Crib Point, and was a total cat lover.

“Linda Ivy loved her cat Duka and we have a large headstone here with a cat on it where she is buried. We bring her flowers every Christmas and Easter,” says Clem. “We also realised there were people who wanted to have somewhere to grieve their stillborn or miscarried baby and so built a memorial for their children. Many people come down here and bring teddies or toys and just sit and reflect. It is wonderful for them to have somewhere to come to pay their respects.”

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STILT WALKING

Goddess

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

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eonie Deavin-Joseph definitely walks tall, the 43-year-old wife and mother of two making her living as a Stilt walker and loving it. Moving from Tasmania to pursue a dancing career in 1993, it all went different to how she had planned, and she now runs successful Nova Star Productions providing high end professional entertainers for events all over Victoria and interstate.

How did you get into stilt walking?

I was a professional dancer and studied for five years full time but then I was informed that I had to have both my feet operated on due to injury so that became a huge hurdle and stopped my dancing career. That was in 1993. A couple of years later I was approached by a circus group in Sydney who were searching for a choreographer. They needed someone with a good eye to blend their multi-skilled artists into smooth running shows with acrobats, stilt walkers and the fire guys. So I moved to Sydney in 1995 and we went on tour for 6 months up to Darwin. The first show we were about to do the stilt walker hurt her knee badly during rehearsals and they asked me to fill in. I said ‘I don’t know how to do that!’ and they said they would give me a quick lesson on how to fall and walk, so that day I spent three hours learning to perform on five foot stilts.

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How was your first experience?

Terrifying. I had only had a couple of hours to practice so when I got out there I just froze. I was standing in front of 500 people who were just sitting there looking up at me from their tables and when it was my moment to enter into the show I just held onto a the wing of an aircraft (perfect height) in the hangar that our performance was in and smiled glamorously. The next two months I trained every day and we ran workshops for dancing, circus skills, music, storytelling and choreography until the tour ended and we arrived back in Sydney.

What size stilts do you use now?

I use two or three foot stilts now as we interact with children all the time and spend our time bending down to them having a giggle, giving high fives or catching bubbles. The 5 foot stilts are very tall and not really necessary unless you are working in a parade where they look spectacular and adding amazing costumes to create a magic effect. It took me two hours solid to learn but having a performer’s background and dancing background I already had the core strength so it was just about learning the craft itself.

How long have you been a stilt walker and how did your company Nova Star Productions evolve?

It will be 21 years in August! I moved back home to Melbourne after the circus tour and word gets around pretty quickly that there was a new girl in town on stilts. I was approached by another stilt performer Paul McCluskey (who is still one of my stilt partners) and we performed on a four week contract for Crown Casino at their Grand Opening. We roamed throughout the new establishment for four hours every night for four weeks.

It was amazing with costumes designed by Rose Chong who has created some of Melbourne’s most elaborate costumes for the Melbourne Opera Company. That was the start of it for us and it was quite a journey, beginning something very new in the industry of stilt walking. We pioneered the idea of wearing very glamorous costumes.

Where do you get costumes?

I always employ Melbourne designers and there are a couple that I work closely with depending on what is required as they have different styles and techniques. I have a beautiful LED Angel costume that was made by one of the designers from Dancing with the Stars. It lights up and is embellished in Swarovski Crystals and lace and is stunning at night when the wings and dress are lit up. It was completed just in time for Christmas just gone and I have another one on the way. continued next page...

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for the opening party of the Olympic Games in Sydney. It was the link up party at Rod Laver – an enormous event for Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne. I had been working in the industry for a while with roving artists, magicians, circus performers, and musicians, so I had the contacts. I thought if I’m doing the Olympic Games I probably should start a business. There is a huge variety of events other than parades that we work at such as Awards Nights, Gala Dinners, Festivals, Agricultural Shows, Spring Racing Carnival, Birthday Parties, Opening Nights such as Cirque Du Soliel (pre show entertainment), Fundraisers, Charity Events, Garden Shows, Markets such as the Queen Victoria Night Market where we are have a regular appearance throughout winter, Shopping Centres, Santa’s arrivals, City Of Melbourne events, TV such as the Footy Show Players Review and the list goes on.

What sort of events have you done as a stilt walker?

With my team over the years we have performed at all major events in Melbourne such as the Australian Open Tennis Championship for many years, the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park for over 10 years, Melbourne Cup Day Parade for over 10 years, Caulfield Cup Day, and the biggest one is New Years Eve for Docklands, City Of Melbourne, Crown Casino, Southbank. We have worked at the Moto GP at Phillip Island, Hamilton Island Race Week and lots of corporate functions at the Palladium Crown Casino for many large companies. We have performed many times in the Moomba Parade and the Carnival along the river. We are about to be flown up to Port Douglas for their Carnivale and are regular performers at country shows such as Wonthaggi and Red Hill. It keeps us very busy throughout the year with Melbourne being one of the most supportive City’s of the arts and entertainment industry.

When you do the tennis or Grand Prix, is it hard to walk around people on stilts?

Some of my headpieces are two foot tall. I use a few designers and it depends on what theme I’m after. I usually invest in 2 or 3 costumes made every year so you can imagine my wardrobe of costumes over 20 years has grown very large.

Apart from parades, how do you earn a living as a stilt walker?

I have my company Nova Star Productions which provides professional performing artists in all areas of entertainment such as face painters, balloon artists, acrobats, roller skaters, statue artists, roving musicians, magicians, fairies, jugglers, as well as stilt walkers. I started my company 15 years ago and manage that and all the artists. It was established in 2000 after I was asked by a major event company to organise 35 performers

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It’s not a problem at all after years of experience; I’ve worked in front of 100,000 people on many occasions and crowds that engulf you and trying to get a photo with you. New Year’s Eve is huge, as is the Chinese New Year for the City Of Melbourne where I have always stilt walked in their massive parade, the people line the streets through Melbourne city for about 3 blocks and there are no barriers for most of it. The parade gets really thin in stages of it closer as the crowds become narrower and closer to all of the parade marchers and they just want to reach out and touch you and attempt to get a photo with you. It’s such a great feeling making people happy and seeing the smiles on their faces. We perform every school holidays at Luna Park in St Kilda for over 10 years, which is a magic time for everyone.

How may costumes do you have and how many stilt walkers work for you?

I have about 40 costumes and seven stilt walkers, and last Christmas we worked 45 days straight. We do so many of the Santa’s arrivals starting with the major arrival for

David Jones in the Bourke Street Mall and lots of shopping centres, including Southland, Doncaster, Point Cook, The Glen, Benton’s Square, and Centro.

Has the industry changed much over the 20 years?

It’s pretty much the same. We use lightweight aluminium stilts. Previously, the majority of them were traditional wooden ones which are still used around the world. I actually am able to dance on the stilts easily now as the light weight of them makes a difference.

Do you have children?

I have a daughter who is 12 and a son who is 9. I was breastfeeding my daughter and my husband would bring her to gigs so that I could feed her on my breaks. I was pregnant as well while stilt walking, just had my costumes adjusted. I stilt walked till I was 7 months pregnant; it was quite fun to have a big baby bump and performing.

These days my children come to a lot of my events, and they love it. I’m just mum to them. They love hanging around all the unicyclists, the jugglers, magicians, and the face painters, it’s a magical world and they are very privileged to see everything that goes on back stage in our dressing rooms.

Do they want to follow in your footsteps?

Our daughter learns ballet, contemporary and jazz and is with a musical theatre company in Mornington. Our son is more into tennis and music, (learning the drums and

guitar), he is also doing gymnastics and learns Kung Fu. He sings and performs in the Musical Theatre group as well – they are performing in “Fame” at the end of term 2. They have both been to circus camp and have spent time doing many circus workshops and have their own stilts and hoola hoops and circus toys. I think Show Biz is on the cards. My husband is a great supporter of everything that we do although he is very happy with his own Landscaping Company.

What is the most important thing you need to learn when stilt walking?

The most important thing to learn is how to fall properly.

If you are great at falling, you become a very confident walker and can explore many tricks at ease of knowing you can come down to the ground safely and with charisma even. That’s my thing when I teach others, and it was drummed into me and has served me well over the years.

That is what I pride my training on and I have taught many people over the years. I have shared these methods for others to now teach and pass on.

Follow Leonie and her amazing company on social media and for bookings head to her website www.novastarproductions.com.au www.facebook.com/novastarproductions www.instagram.com/novastarproductions

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Alex & Elle Scandinavian designer fabrics

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PENINSULA Winter PERFECT AND PURE

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AUTUMN Winter 2016 2016

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“The colour of springtime is in the flowers, The colour of winter is in the imagination.”

Terri Guillemets

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By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

W

hen mother of three, keen gardener, and former school teacher, Karen Panton, moved to the peninsula 20 odd years ago, she would never have dreamed of one day running her own winery. But as life often takes us on a journey we least expect, Karen has used all her talents and lots of hard work to create a successful and thriving business at Panton Vineyard in Shoreham.

Overseeing the 11 hectare property with six hectares of grapes is a full time job which the 53 year old thrives on.

“I love creating an experience for friends, family and guests with wonderful wine and tasting plates and know this is exactly where I’m meant to be,” says Karen, sitting at her cellar door looking out over the vineyard. “I have tried to create an experience like being in Tuscany, with a long wooden table under the trees overlooking the grape vines, and a casual and welcoming atmosphere.”

Overseeing and living on an 11 hectare winery in Shoreham is as good as it sounds, according to Karen, who lives a life most could only imagine, where her day begins waking up with the sun, putting on her boots and doing the rounds of the property with her dog, Bear.

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“That seems to be my routine with Bear most days. We feed the chooks, and do a lap of the property, feed the horse and go right down to the lake and do the rounds. Usually when I do that I start formulating my idea of what I’m going to do that day. By the time I’ve had my breakfast I have a plan for the day. It could be doing a few hours in the vegetable garden, working amongst the vines, setting up for wine tasting, garden maintenance or even bookkeeping. Although I tend to be keener on the outdoor activities,” she says with a laugh. “This time of year I start pruning the vines and making plans for winter improvements. We will close after the winter wine weekend and then reopen at the end of September. That way we can get all the projects done we have in mind.”

Although Karen was born in the UK and lived most of her life in cities, she has always had a penchant for the country life.

“When we lived in Horsham many years ago I loved the country people and decided to move to the peninsula after that for the rural lifestyle. I always felt the most at home on farms and loved this property from the moment I saw it. It was very run down continued next page...

UPGRADING YOUR

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is currently being introduced at Mornington Peninsula Library Service.

RFID self-service technology is becoming the standard technology for Australian libraries and will provide library members with additional and improved service options.

RFID will improve customer service, privacy and security, and convenience for library users by enabling: · quick and easy borrowing, · faster customer service, · more access to the expertise of librarians, · even greater privacy for borrowers, · improved security for the collection, and · improved services and library spaces.

Mornington and Rosebud Libraries will need to close for a short time so that RFID infrastructure works and installation of equipment can be completed as part of the final stage of this exciting project. There will also be a redesign of some library spaces to make room for more services and create new opportunities for

reading, relaxing, learning and studying. Hastings and Somerville Libraries have reopened.

LIBRARY

OUR

Libraries

Ideas. Information. Inspiration.

Mornington, Hastings and Rosebud Libraries will also receive some minor refurbishments such as new carpet and furniture.

Library chutes will not be accessible during the temporary closures but we have extended loan periods to ensure that library items will not be due for return during the closures.

To find out full details, please visit our website at www.ourlibrary.mornpen. vic.gov.au.

When the libraries reopen, users will benefit from the ability to check-out multiple items at once and greater access to library staff.

This new system allows library staff to spend even more time with our customers, so we can provide you with the latest on the best books, help you find what you are looking for (even if you are not sure what that is) and support you with excellent customer service.

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inside and out as it had only been used as a holiday home but had a lot of appeal,” said Karen. “It wasn’t long before Tucks Ridge approached us to use the land for vines, and that was the catalyst for the winery.”

That was 19 years ago when Karen and her family started planting a vineyard for Tucks Ridge who helped establish it and guaranteed buying the fruit.

“The first vines were the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and then a year later the Pinot Gris and Sangiovese,” said Karen, who had grown up with an appreciation for food and wine. “You learn a lot by talking to the people and doing the jobs on the vineyard. We ended up employing a man who worked for us full time. As the years went by and the seasons, I learnt about maintenance, did pruning, harvesting, and ten years ago I did a wine technology course.”

For a lover of gardening, Karen found she had an innate understanding for growing grapes.

“I’ve always been very hands on in the garden growing fruit and vegetables so I had a sense for grape growing. I knew this was where my heart wanted to be as soon as I moved here and haven’t looked back,” said Karen, who went on to do a wine making course, and 18 months ago opened a cellar door. “I had a vision from when we moved here. It was more a feeling of how I would like it to be with the notion of one day opening a cellar door to showcase all the work we had put into the vineyard over the years.”

As winemakers and winery owners know all too well, there is nothing better than putting your own label on your wine and that’s exactly what Karen did, starting slowly 10 years ago.

“Our wonderful winemaker Kathleen Quealy made a small amount of Sangiovese for us to share with friends and family. It gathered momentum five years ago and now we have our own label of Sangiovese and Pinot Gris.”

It was these two wines that Karen opened the cellar door with to ease herself into the process.

“I wanted a small amount of wines in the cellar door so I could learn as I was going. The following year I introduced two more wines from Stonier with their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.”

Within 18 months of opening the cellar door, Karen says the response has been incredible from visitors and locals alike.

“I have had a delightful response since I opened here, letting it evolve in an organic way and it’s been wonderful, with people who have stumbled through the gate and just discovered it getting a lovely treat when they walk around the corner and see the view, and then another treat when they taste the wine. People love sitting on the long wooden tables under the trees looking over the vineyards and rolling hills, enjoying a glass of wine and a tasting plate in true alfresco style.”

Panton Vineyard is at 11 Shoreham Road, Shoreham.

Phone 0418 551 066. www.pantonvineyard.com.au

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COUNTRY BOY

By Melissa Walsh

IN THE CITY

T

im Bates’ love of the high country is palpable, as he talks about his beloved mountains with a passion that one might suspect flows through his blood. However, this cowboy in the well-worn Akubra and drizabone is a born and bred peninsula lad, and the only boy amongst four sisters. His fair dinkum love affair with the high country started as a young boy in the scout’s movement 40 years ago, where camps and hiking trips took him far away from the suburban Frankston streets he was used to playing on.

“My passion for the high country comes from going through the scouting movement right till I was 16, hiking over the mountains and seeing places I didn’t know existed. Back then it was such a remote place, with fresh air, the bush, birds, and mountain views that take your breath away,” said Tim, who seems like a country boy stuck in the city. “I am the only one in the family who loves the bush and try to get into the high country most weekends.”

With the country in his soul, it was a natural progression for Tim to start his own 4WD Adventure Tours, make a number of travel DVDs and eventually his own TV show “Postcards from the Bush” which aired on Channel 31 to an enormous following.

Tim’s love of the outback and its people had already taken him on adventures across the country, working on cattle stud farms, and breaking in cattle for Royal Agricultural shows.

“The last property I worked on was in the remote inland town of Texas in Queensland. That was about 30 years ago and was a massive experience working with Brahman cattle. To grab a beast get a rope around its neck and then break it is a great experience. It takes days and sometimes weeks getting the beast to have confidence in you. It’s very rewarding when it happens.

When they have trust in you, you can do anything and they go from these often angry aggressive animals to docile,” said Tim, who then ended up back on the peninsula raising a family and working as a brick-layer.

“Six years ago I was approached by a 4WD Magazine in Sydney to make travel DVDs for them. We got a big following fairly quickly and it was a great way to show people the awesome things to do and see in the high country,” said Tim, who admits it can be a daunting thing having a camera stuck in your face at first.

“It wasn’t long after that my mate, Simon Denny, and I decided to start our own series, and that’s how Postcards from the Bush came about.” continued next page...

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That was 2014 and the dynamic duo made six episodes, travelling across the high country starting in Mansfield where Tim got to speak to locals about the 1917 unsolved murders.

“It was all about giving people the opportunity to learn about Australia’s history that is right here on our doorstep. It is not just about the country but the amazing people you meet along the way,” said Tim. “The stories you hear from locals in the pub to the passionate historian are incredible. I could sit listening to them for hours. Sure you learn to read the countryside and the weather conditions which is great but there’s nothing like meeting the fair dinkum country people along the way.”

For Tim, one man in particular stands out – Charlie Lovick, the fourth generation cattleman from Mansfield, who taught “The Man from Snowy River” actor Tom Burlinson to ride, and who helped Eric Bana brush up on his riding skills for the Hollywood movie, “Troy”.

“I got to sit around a fire with this bloke and just let him talk. He has so many stories to tell and a guy you can learn a lot from. He was definitely an inspiration,” said Tim, who explains you learn a lot about yourself and the countryside as well. “It might be a beautiful place but it is very dangerous if you don’t treat it with respect. It can be very unpredictable and things can change in a second. When I take people on tours I stress the most important thing is to be respectful. Stay on the tracks and watch out for changing conditions.”

While knowing the bush like the back of his hand, this country lad at heart says you can’t beat one particular spot that became well known

from the “The Man from Snowy River” movie. Craig’s Hut is among the top places Tim loves to go and take fellow adventurers.

“There’s nothing like the view from Craig’s Hut, which was built in the early 1980s for the movie. It’s a magical place with the best sunrises and sunsets. If you can set up camp the night it is the best, under the snow gums, sitting around a camp fire, having a few drinks and enjoying the whole atmosphere,” said Tim. “One New Year’s eve I took a group up there. We had a TV screen on a generator and watched The Man from Snowy River right there on the spot where it was filmed.”

When it comes time to be alone, as all true blue country boys must do, you can find Tim on the top of Mount Stirling watching the sunrise and cooking himself brekkie on the open fire, like one of Banjo Paterson’s immortal souls at one with the land.

“I make it a point to get up there by myself at least once a year. I feel myself change when I get into the country. The hustle and bustle is gone and it’s so peaceful. That’s one of the things I want to share with others which is how the 4WD Adventures started. There’s nothing like getting a group of people up on the mountain and seeing them change. The kids run around and explore, and everyone relaxes taking in views as far as the eye can see. There’s no technology, just the natural surroundings and enjoying each other’s company. It’s something every family should experience.” www.timbates4wdadventures.com

Photo: Yanni

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LIKE LIKE SON

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

W

hen Lenny Richardson was growing up, his mum always encouraged him to go skateboarding, because she could see how happy he was when he was on the board.

Now twenty years later, while his mother has passed away, Lenny has handed on the tradition to youth on the peninsula with Janice Earth Skateboards.

“I was lucky enough to have a wonderful positive role model in life in my mother, Janice Maria Richardson who was a local primary school teacher on the Mornington Peninsula,” said Lenny, who named his store after his mum. “She was an extremely positive person and always out to look after the underdog or struggling student. Believing all people no matter where they came from, their education level or status in society, have something positive to offer the world. And will do so given the chance. This is the essence that is Janice Earth.”

Identifying that skateboarding had a positive influence on Lenny and his friends, Janice would always say if he was having a bad day ‘go see your friends and go skating, you’re always happy when you do’.

“Janice Earth Skateboards is more than just a brand and a shop.

It is to honour my mother and try and encompass the spirit and essence of her and her kind-hearted work,” said Lenny, who came up with the design for the Janice Earth logo with the planet and the

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recycling arrows - to represent both skating and giving back to our planet. “I was going to go online with a store, but decided to open a Janice Earth skateboard shop in the old ice cream store across the road from Rosebud Skate Park. I wanted the shop to have an old board shop feel which I think we achieved. Having the Xbox set up for free gaming in the shop as well as a pinball machine and small pool table, meant the shop on wet weather days acted almost like a rec room and safe hang out for all the local skaters, especially the younger crew. It felt like the old pinball arcades I grew up with.”

Before long Lenny was finding people coming to him with creative ideas and all age groups contributing to the evolution of Janice Earth. Before long the ‘Janice Earth Community’ 1st began to form, with people donating their time and skills to the charity.

“We had monthly competitions with free BBQ’s, DJs and musicians providing entertainment in the shop. People also started to design stickers, skateboard decks and art pieces. It was overwhelming and in 2013 alone we were able to assemble and donate just under 50 complete skateboards to charity. They actually went to Geelong and were given out via Judy Moyle a community worker over there to underprivileged youth and some refugees,” said Lenny, who soon discovered that Janice Earth was not just a store but a vehicle to bring people together for fun healthy times and good.

Back in the real world rent rates were increasing and after two years the store was to close but, like his determined mum, Lenny was not giving up.

“I was concerned Janice Earth would die. I needed to come up with something to keep the name and movement going. So I came up with an idea to run a large annual skate festival. It would be known as ‘Wax the Park’. At this point I met Jeanette Hursley and Nick Hosay from the YMCA and Rye/Peninsula youth, who agreed to co-host Wax the Park with Janice Earth. It is now held annually in January and is entering its 4th year with about 30 contestants and over 300 spectators at ourJanuary festival. Ron Vincent kindly provides live acoustic and singing for entertainment bringing with him a real festival vibe,” said Lenny. “These days the Rosebud Salvation Army provides a free BBQ at all our events and we have assembled a project to install a skate rail in Rosebud Skate Park.

We also raise funds via our collection tins and donations to design and install a quarter pipe and seating for skaters and parents in Rosebud Skate Park before our next festival in January.”

For Lenny, skateboarding is a way kids and adults can express themselves, whether on their own or in the skateboard culture.

skill and age. With all the skate parks available to use now, all you need do is visit one to witness and feel the good vibes. It is a load of fun but also just such a positive outlet and lifestyle, it can really help people to deal with hard times in their life.”

For Lenny and his skateboarding family, the next exciting adventure is the skate crate which he is setting up at the new headquarters in Sorrento. “”It is a 20 foot steel shipping container from the Docklands which is currently being renovated into our new Janice Earth headquarters, office and shop, set to take off from where our old shop ended. Opening mid-October this year and sitting behind Three Palms overlooking the Sorrento Skate Park, James McPherson and the members of the Janice Earth Community strongly believing it will be a positive place for the community and skateboarding.”

Janice Earth Skateboarding can be found on Facebook, Instagram and donations can be made via charity tins, Rosebud, Dromana and Rye Bendigo bank.

“There is also a sense of family in the skating community. It’s a worldwide group that accepts everybody - race gender, religion,

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Style File WINTER FASHION ON THE PENINSULA

When the temperature drops and the days become shorter, it’s a great excuse to break out the winter woollies. Winter fashion is something to be excited about with layering and textures high on the fashion radar. Check out the peninsula’s trendsetting looks to keep you warm and on point with the season’s style.

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Bella On Main Alexander McQueen silk tank $129 Sportsgirl cardi $59 black pants $99

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Nude shoes $129 Winter 2016

Bella On Main Country Road black trench $129 Sass & Bide jeans $79 Mr & Mare shoes $129

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Winter Fashion Fun J

ust because the weather is getting gloomy, doesn’t mean we have to be under a fashion cloud with our winter wardrobe.

Here’s a few cool winter looks that won’t break the bank but wil put a spring in your step.

Minimalist Look

Bo Ho

Achieve the classic Audrey Hepburn look with key pieces like a: turtleneck, blanket scarves, midi pencil skirts, feminine blouses, a-line skirts, flared trousers, longline coats and capes. Colours vary from black, cream and white to charcoal. You can even get sassy with a vibrant red or olive green.

Winter doesn’t mean maxi dresses are out. Wear a long sleeve maxi or a summer dress with long sleeve tops or layering over the top. Jumpsuits have a boho feel as well with sheer fabrics, fringing and tassles giving that fabulous boho vibe to the chilliestt day.

Romantic Get romantic with soft dops and dresses with high neckliines and bell sleeves, frills in rich terraccott and nude colours. While away the winter hours in soft flowing skirts and bell trousers.

Knitwear

Denim & Military

One of the best parts of winter is being able to throw on a sloppy jumper and this season we are spoilt for choice with oversized baggy jumpers, high neck and crew neck, slinky tight styles, tied waists and off the shoulder knits creating a huge impact.

Bring out the jeans this winter, with flares, skinny, bootleg and wide leg all in style you cannot go wrong. Denim skirts are back with a vengeance as are denim shirts, tops, shirt dresses and jackets. Add a touch of military flare to any denim ensemble with a trench coat, utility pants or shirt and you cant go wrong.

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Bella On Main Chloe silk blouse $149 fur vest $229 Zara jeans $80 Seed suede leather boots $79

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Bella On Main NWA MAXA black dress $109 Wittner leather boots $189

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Melissa Walsh Winter 2016

Eyewear As Individual As You Are Frankston has been the home of controversial MP Geoff Shaw, a Footy Show joke with Sam Newman’s Street Talk over the years, called Frankganistan and other wildly negative names, but here’s a few fun facts you may not know about this beachside town that is the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula. Frankston is home to one of the biggest events on the international sporting calendar with the annual Asia-Pacific ironman championship.

It plays host to the largest sand sculpture exhibition over the summer period with 3500 tonnes of sand carved each year.

Frankston has the largest stage in Victoria outside the CBD of Melbourne. And in 2011 and 2012, Frankston beach was named Victoria’s cleanest beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful Awards.

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FOLLOWING THE

By Melissa Walsh

W

hen “House Rules” renovators Claire and Hagan Rice decided to apply for the show they had no idea what would be ahead of them. The Mornington Peninsula couple was a perfect fit for the home reno show - young and full of enthusiasm - but with undoubtedly the smallest house ever seen.

“We saw an ad for House Rules on the TV and I said to Hagan we should enter. Ours house was so small and we had ourselves and the two children living here. We didn’t think much of it but then the next day he said ‘Let’s enter’,” said Claire.

Hagan, a born and bred peninsula boy, grew up in Rosebud and still plays footy for Rye Football Club. The couple decided to moved down to the peninsula together as it was the best place to raise a family.

“We moved down here four years ago when we had Matilda.

We bought our little house because it would make a perfect hair salon at the front and home at the back,” said hairdresser, Claire.

“We set up the business straight away. Hagan as a plumber did a lot of the renovations and got lots of tradesman mates to help. But we never really got to the back of the house. We were living in a one bedroom home and then found out we were pregnant with our second child, Darcy.”

For the young couple it was a no brainer to enter the show, with the four of them living in a one bedroom house with a tiny en suite for years.

“It didn’t really hit us that we were on the show until we travelled to Sydney,” said Hagan and Claire. “All of a sudden it was so real.”

The couple both agree the worst part of being on the show was being away from their two children.

“We would skype chat the girls and end up in tears, but we knew it was worth it as it was a wonderful experience,” said Claire. “At the start it was hard for me and Hagan seemed okay but he soon missed seeing them.”

Although Hagan’s initial reservation about the show was that

they would fight too much, Claire says it was great for their relationship in the end.

“We both really enjoyed it and it brought us closer. We also made heaps of friends and have much better renovation skills,” she said. “It was physically hard work for me. Being a plumber, Hagan was used to physical labour, but it was mentally challenging. We did get very tired especially when we had to do the challenge in a tent. We love camping but this was altogether different.”

For hairdresser Claire, getting dressed up and doing her hair and makeup is an important part of her routine and she was determined to maintain it during the filming.

“Keeping up with the hair and makeup is part of my job and I just figured I would go and keep doing my usual routine. It’s funny though when I look at the show sometimes it doesn’t look like I’ve even done my hair,” she said with a laugh.

While the show brought the couple closer, there were some moments when tensions were heightened and Hagan says this was one of the worst things for him.

“I hated arguing with Claire and the other teams on the show but, apart from that, it was an awesome experience and definitely challenging being away from the kids and giving up work for a while. You really do put your life on hold,” said Hagan, who has a renewed interest in renovating homes these days. “I wouldn’t mind starting to renovate a few homes on the peninsula. We love it down here and there’s a good market for it as well.”

While the show is currently airing on Channel Seven, it was filmed early 2015 so the young family are well and truly back into everyday life, with one large exception- their living quarters.

“The biggest thrill was walking into our newly renovated home. We have never felt anything like it and it made the whole experience a thing we will never forget,” said the couple. “The kids even have their own bedroom.”

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FIRE! THE TRAGEDY AT SOMERS

By Peter McCullough

I

n 1952 all of Australia was shocked by the news that a fire at the Somers Migrant Camp had taken the lives of five young children.

In Canberra stony-faced politicians were overcome as the details were conveyed. This is the story of that terrible night at Somers: 9 September, 1952.

The Camps at Somers It would be difficult to write a history of Somers without mentioning its various camps.

The first of these was initiated for legacy children by Stan Savige, a young returned officer who rose to the rank of captain in World War 1. (He emerged from World War Two as Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savige.) Savige bought land in Tasman Road and by 1926 a clubhouse was erected. Six sleeping huts and and an ablution block followed. Boys were happy to attend the camp as there were no rules or punishments and it would be the only opportunity for most of them to have a holiday away from home. The use of the buildings ceased in 1951 after the Legacy Board decided that they would prefer the Legatees to go to country clubs and houses. Some time later the Methodist Church Prahran Mission decided that they needed a holiday venue for the suburban elderly and

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youth groups and they purchased the camp site that had belonged to Legacy. It was eventually disposed of in 1981.

Lord Somers Camp was established in 1931 by the then Governor of Victoria on some land donated by J. S. Feehan who owned “Coolart”.

Lord Somers was passionate about community development, particularly in youth. His aim was to create a more inclusive society where all people had the opportunity to be happy. To do this he created Lord Somers Camp, which introduced young people to their peers from diverse backgrounds.

When he returned to England soon after the first camp, the local residents renamed the area “Somers” in his honour; previously it was known as Balnarring East.

In 1940 82 acres of land was acquired under the National Securities Act alongside Lord Somers Camp to form the site of the camp for No. 1 Initial Training School for the Royal Australian Air Force as part of the Empire Air training Scheme during World War 2. The first intakes were accommodated in Lord Somers Camp but the new area soon contained sleeping accommodation, work rooms, administration buildings, equipment sheds, and a parade ground. The Lord Somers Camp continued to be used as the Officers’ Quarters. At Somers the recruits learned the fundamentals such as mathematics, navigation and aerodynamics. Initially, however, the camp had no phone so trainees had to cycle or walk up to the store to make a call! In total 12,984 trainees,

1271 WAAF recruits and 702 Physical Education instructors passed through the Somers Camp.

The specially built camp was sold in 1947 and operated for a short time, though not very successfully, as a holiday resort (“Feature Holidays”) before it was reacquired in 1949 for 145,000 pounds to provide accommodation for post-war immigrants from Europe.

Somers Migrant Camp Families disembarking at Port Melbourne were sent to a reception centre at Bonegilla. Here the men were interviewed and given two year contracts working for government instrumentalities (such as the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, the State Electricity Commission, or the Gas and Fuel Corporation), large industries, or anywhere requiring manual labour. The families were then dispersed to Migrant Camps throughout the state, including the one at Somers.

The isolation of the camps must have been overwhelming for the European refugee mothers. Although some husbands had found work locally, most fulfilled their contracts some distance from the Camp. In some cases families might not see the father for months at a time, and then perhaps only at weekends.

The children, however, enjoyed their new freedom, even though they had to attend school in the Camp where fourteen teachers coped with 250 students. Their task was compounded by the fact that there was a variety of nationalities: migrants came from the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and even Russia. Older children went to Frankston High School.

The variety of backgrounds and traditions created tensions at times, and this was exacerbated by insecurity about the future. However for the most part there was a great deal of camaraderie amongst the women.

At its peak the camp held about 1,300 but this declined as work contracts were fulfilled and families moved out, often to locations on the peninsula where work was plentiful.

Subsequent migrants came from Holland, Germany, and then single men from Greece and Italy. By 1957 there were only seven children at the school which closed shortly before the camp itself was shut down.

Far left: Empty cots stand among the blackened wreckage of the hospital.

Inset: Jan Telegner and his daughter Ingrid. Mr Telegner, a Polish immigrant, saved three baby girls from a room near the centre of the fire.

Above: Lord Somers (left) and F. S. Feehan, owner of “Coolart” who donated land for the Lord Somers Camp.

Top right: Stan Savage, as a young Captain in World War One. Middle right: Part of the original Legacy Camp.

Right: Somers Camp in the late 1940’s.

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Fire!

Thirty one patients, including one adult, were in the Camp hospital when fire broke out soon after 3 a. m. on the morning of 9 September, 1952. The hospital was lined with a fibrous board which burnt quickly, while fibrous plaster sheets on the roof crackled in the flames and exploded into small pieces.

The resident medical officer, Dr. Prentice, said a male nurse checked on the children at midnight and, although he was sleeping only a few feet away from the fire, he did not wake until he heard the fibrous sheets popping in the flames.

Firefighters at the Camp reached the hospital within three minutes of the alarm being sounded. However the tender wagon at their disposal was designed mainly for fighting grass fires and had poor water pressure. To compound the problem the men were unable to get one hose as it was in a hydrant box which had been locked to prevent children playing with it.

Although lashed by rain squalls, they fought desperately to contain the blaze.

While it was suggested later that the brigade at Flinders Naval Depot (now HMAS Cerberus) should have been called upon to assist, it was Hastings Fire Brigade that was contacted. Hastings had a problem: it had a splendid Worthington Simpson pump suitable for the occasion, but no means of conveying it to Somers! Fortunately the brigade captain, Harry Gibson, was one of a long line of leaders with which this brigade has had the good fortune to be blessed. The pump was quickly dismantled, the local baker and draper were aroused, their vans “requisitioned”, and with only minimal delay the pump was on its way. Meanwhile members of the brigade rushed to Somers in their private vehicles.

Left: Harry Gibson. Captain of Hastings Fire Brigade from 1951 until 1957.

This picture taken some thirty years later.

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The Hastings brigade’s pump was more powerful than the equipment belonging to the Migrant Camp, and the extra pressure helped prevent the fire from spreading to the remainder of the hospital. In spite of his brigade’s contribution, Captain Gibson expressed his discontent. The next edition of The Argus, which carried a detailed account of the disaster, quoted him: “We might have been able to save those two wards if we had our own truck. We have been battling the Country Fire Authority for eight years to get a truck for the brigade. We were there half an hour after we got the call this morning, but we should have been in action within fifteen minutes.”

Meanwhile the three nurses on duty-Anna Koschwitz, Mrs. Klisserow, and Valaria Priede-fought desperately to rescue the patients. Mrs. Klisserow, her head and hands bandaged as a result of burns, later told reporters: “I am near the children’s ward when I see light coming from the ceiling when there should be darkness. I rush into the children’s section and it is filled with smoke. I rush out with two babies under my arms, and then go back for two more.” By this time the fire had spread and children were screaming in terror. “Then I cannot go back into the burning building,”Mrs. Klisserow said.

The director of the Camp, Major A. Kershaw, later praised the efforts of the three nurses on duty, and also Jan Telegner who smashed his way through a window and carried three baby girls to safety. Telegner was a Polish migrant who lived at the Camp with his family and worked at Flinders Naval Depot.

Rescued children were given to residents of nearby huts which led to desperate mothers rushing from hut to hut to see if their sick children had been saved. Loudspeakers called constantly in many languages asking those who had taken in patients to report their names.

In spite of the hazardous situation and the confusion, 25 children and the adult were saved. Of the children, 16 were polio victims, many of them in splints. Unfortunately five young children perished:Latvian boy Martin Cauce, 5, Polish children Josef Handerek, 5, Edward Staszezwk, seven months, who had been born in the Camp, and Rita Szmigrodski, 6, and Ukrainian child Barbara Kowalczuk, 7.

In circumstances such as these it is inevitable that misunderstandings would occur. The mother of Martin Cauce, Valea Cauce, said she went to Ward 10 desperately searching for her son, but found that the door was locked. However in a tragic error she was told by Nurse Priede that all the children from that ward were outside. Nurse Priede told Mrs. Cauce that she did not know where the children had been taken: “We carried them from the hospital, and different people have taken the children to their homes. You will have to go and look for yours.”Subsequently Nurse Priede said she had been relying on what she had been informed by others. As Mrs Cauce was to later tell the coroner : “If Mrs. Priede had not told me what she did, I would have rescued my child myself.”

The damage to the hospital was estimated at 600 pounds; not only were two wards destroyed but an X-ray unit, the hospital’s dispensary and administration section, and a boiler room were badly damaged.

After the fire was extinguished, ambulance men treated a number of helpers for burns.

In these tragic circumstances it may sound inappropriate to write “It could have been worse.” However at the height of the blaze a strong gust of wind sent a heavy water tank from a roof, narrowly missing several firemen. Furthermore five highly explosive oxygen cylinders were noticed to be in the path of the blaze. Four were dragged clear; the fifth was later found in the ruins-unexploded!

Top right: A mother comforts her small daughter, still wearing her polio patient’s harness, after the child had been rescued from the burning hospital.

Right: Captain Gibson’s official report of the blaze. No mention is made of the loss of life.

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Left: Nurses Mrs Anna Koschwitz, left, Mrs Klisserov and Valaria Priede were on duty the night of the fire and later cleared of any blame.

Below right: The funeral for the five children who died in the fire. The graveside procession was a scene of heartbreak as people sobbed over the five small blue coffins.

The Somers immigration centre is used for the accommodation of the wives and children of foreign migrants whose breadwinners are employed elsewhere. The parents of the children who died arrived in Australia under the Displaced Persons Scheme and have been here for varying periods.

The sixteen post-polio patients in the hospital had been taken there as part of a policy of concentrating them near specialist attention.

I am sure the honourable members will wish me, on their behalf, to express to the bereaved parents the deepest sympathy of this House in the grievous loss they have sustained.”

In October the coroner’s inquest got under way in the Hastings Public Hall. It was reported as one of the longest ever held in Victoria as 29 witnesses gave evidence in six different languages.

The Aftermath On the evening of 10 September members of Parliament listened in silence when the acting Minister for Immigration, Mr. Beale made his report: “It is with very deep regret that I have to inform the House that five young foreign migrant children lost their lives in a fire which broke out in the early hours of the morning in the hospital block of the immigration centre in Somers, some 50 miles from Melbourne.

The cause of the fire is not known but an immediate inquiry is being made by technical experts of the Melbourne Fire Brigade.

Unfortunately the weather was squally, with the wind blowing on to the front of the building in which the administration section is situated.

Efforts were therefore concentrated on confining the fire to this portion.

GPO HOTEL MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Dr. Prentice, the Medical Officer at the Camp, informed the hearing that a few weeks before then fire he had received a “peremptory order” to reduce his staff by eight; if more than three had been on night duty the fire might have been discovered sooner.

Mr. L. P. Whitehead, Chief Fire Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, rattled off a long list of deficiencies: “..the building was completely unsuitable to use as a hospital”, the alarm was given too late, the locked door to Ward 10 precluded rescue attempts but any attempt would have been “hopeless” anyway, the kerosene heaters were a “distinct hazard”, the building materials were highly inflammable, there was no evacuation plan, and the camp fire truck was inadequate. Mr. Whitehead did concede that “..considering the speed of the fire, I don’t think the summoning of the Flinders Naval Depot brigade could have saved the victims.”

Rebranded, Refurbished, Refined Kitchen open all day - Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Upcoming entertainment and current menus at www.thegpo.com.au 1003 POINT NEPEAN RD, ROSEBUD 5982 3200

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Nurse Priede was subjected to intense cross-examination, particularly by Mr. Cauce, father of Martin. When she took the stand Nurse Priede told the coroner that she had been subjected to much “unpleasantness”:she had been called “murderer”, posters blaming her had been put up around the Camp, and stones had been thrown at her by children.

The coroner, Mr. Downey, found that the children had not been burnt to death but had died in their cots from carbon monoxide gas and smoke. Then three nurses on duty were pardoned from any blame for the deaths. Mr. Downey stated, “Mrs. Priede did not fail in her duty and the other two performed their duties very commendably.” The coroner concluded: “If blame is to be attached to anybody, it must be in respect of conduct before the fire was discovered, such as failure to provide automatic devices for detecting or giving warning of fire...The evidence did not show whether the fire originated accidentally or otherwise.”

The Long Goodbyes.

Traffic was stopped on Friday, 12 September as hundreds attended Springvale Cemetery for the funerals of the five young victims.

Special buses brought most of the migrants who were residing in the Somers Camp.

Most of the New Australians sobbed as five small blue coffins containing the children’s bodies were buried. Any ill-feeling between national groups was cast aside. Small children, and old women with bunches of lilies and wearing black scarves, were among the crowds

of mourners who walked through the cemetery to the graveside where prayers were said in Polish and Latvian.

More than 200 wreaths were piled on the small coffins, including ones from the Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies), the acting Immigration Minister (Mr. Beale), the Opposition Leader (Dr. Evatt) and his Deputy (Mr. Calwell).

Postscripts 1. Although the Legacy/Church Mission Camp has long since disappeared, the other two camps continue to thrive.

The Lord Somers camps continue today, providing personal and community development opportunities for young people. Those attending could be in sporting, religious, study or hobby groups, or belong to a corporate organisation. School groups, both primary and secondary, are also catered for. During the year there is a camp for “Special Kids” and their carers.

The Air Force/Migrant Camp was purchased by the Victorian Education Department and altered by the Public Works Department to the requirements of a school camp which opened in September, 1959. It still operates on this basis.

2. It is difficult to believe that there could be any upside in this tragedy but, if there was one, it is recorded in “History of the Hastings Fire Brigade – The First 50 Years” written by Allan Monti.

The “spray” delivered by Captain Harry Gibson and reported in The Argus was obviously not lost on the CFA for on 6 October, 1952, the Brigade took possession of a 1942 Chevrolet truck.

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Max’s

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MEANDER

Winter 2016

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

I

t’s Saturday morning in early June and a crisp chill fills the air as gastronomic adventurers gather at Max’s at Red Hill for the annual Mushroom Meander. Rugged up in scarves, hats and waterproof jackets, an excited chatter fills the air as we ponder what might be in store on this fungus picking adventure.

Escorted by chef and owner, Max Paganoni and MP Experience tour guide, Danielle, the Mushroom Meander brings together a diverse group of food lovers, from a young Langwarrin girl who wants to relive mushroom picking days with her father, to interstate foodies, a gallery curator, and truffle farm couple who spend much of their days between the city and Main Ridge.

We all pile into the MP Experience bus and journey down the road in search of edible mushrooms, Max explaining that there are 5000 species of mushroom in Australia, but only three that he knows of that are edible and identifiable. These are field mushrooms, saffron milk caps and slippery jacks, the latter two that we are most likely to come across on our walk.

“I assure you, by the end of our walk, you will all be able to pick mushrooms with confidence,” says Max to the group of enthusiasts. continued next page...

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“Being Italian and a chef, I have been foraging for many years and love searching for mushrooms, and creating dishes from these freshly picked ingredients.”

Exiting the bus, we have already seen a woman walking along the side of the road in search of mushrooms and, armed with our wicker basket, we all follow Max and Danielle with eagle eyes to the ground in search of the elusive edible mushroom.

Like excited school children, we start spotting them everywhere and the first ones we see are particularly poisonous, red with white spots, like something in a fairy garden.

“Anything with red on top is no good,” explains Max. “There are only two varieties that are safe to pick and they are the slippery jacks and saffron milk caps that grow under pine trees.”

Within a few metres, Max points out a cluster of slippery jacks, picks one with his trusty mushroom knife and passes it around for us all to feel. True to its name, it is slippery on the top and actually pretty slimy but, as we discover later, completely delicious when cooked in butter and garlic.

“The slippery jack’s botanical name is suillus lutes, and grows to a maximum of 10 to 12 cm in diameter. The pores are spongy and very absorbent, and lemon in colour. The spores are olive brown and the stem is golden yellow above a pale yellow ring, becoming dark as it gets older,” says Max, who gives us a true insight into mushroom picking from the chef ’s point of view. “Being Italian and a chef, I have been foraging for many years and love searching for mushrooms, and creating dishes from these freshly picked ingredients.”

After opening his restaurant, Max’s, 22 years ago, mushroom picking and foraging quickly became a part of his life again, making the most of the seasons and peninsula produce.

The other mushroom we learn to identify is the saffron milk cap, botanical name lactarius deliciosus, a more petite, not slimy mushroom that has a smooth cuticle, and alternates light and dark saffron, with gills that are the same colour as the cap and pale yellow spores. It grows to 15 cm in diameter.

After an hour of walking amongst the pine trees, picking mushrooms and enjoying the wonderful ambience of the Red Hill countryside, it’s time to head back to Max’s for a well-deserved glass of pinot and Max’s famous mushroom treats.

We get back and warm ourselves by the open fire place with a glass of white or a red and then sit down in the restaurant to Max’s scrumptious mushroom soup and bruschetta with saffron and slippery jack mushrooms.

All in all a wonderful morning has been had by the group, who have come together in true European style, after foraging for mushroom treats, to rest by the warmth of the fire, and share a glass of something special and the unique gastronomic treats that Max has become quite famous for.

To enjoy the informative saunter through Red Hill in autumn and discover Max’s favourite mushrooming spots, book online at www. mpexperience.com.au

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Max’s at Red Hill is at 53 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South.

Phone 5931 0177. www.maxsrestaurant.com.au Winter 2016

WINE FOOD FARMGATE TRAIL

By Melissa Walsh

W

inter is a wonderful time to rug up and get out on the Wine Food Farmgate Trail. The ground cools down

and winter veg comes into its own; ideal for soup and hearty roasts.

And while busy harvesting all that delicious produce, our farms and kitchen gardens are also busy preparing the ground for spring plantings. Orchards and vineyards are pruning, pruning, pruning; vignerons are busy bottling this year’s wines, and releasing the next vintage of wines. There is joy in finding makers of hot crusty bread and locally made pies that really hit the spot on the colder days.

Brisk walks along country lanes, making time for fireside dining, or discovering some of the great winter events and special offers.

Wine Food Farmgate reveals the Mornington Peninsula’s most delicious secrets where you can eat, forage, sip, shop, learn and tour the very best of this region.

Now in its third year, the Wine Food Farmgate trail is the brainchild of Tracey Cooper, chairman Regional Tourism Board, and has already received state awards as well as the Australian tourism award this year.

“It started when I noticed that our wonderful tourism venues weren’t pulling together to produce an entire Mornington Peninsula tourism experience. This gave them an umbrella to work under and it has proved very successful, already winning two state awards and the national award last year,” said Tracey. “In its third year, this project is designed to give the community and visitors’ insight into what is available on the peninsula. We are constantly building the content and have recipes and stories so if you want to continued next page...

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know something about our region you just go straight to the site.”

Since its inception, Wine Food Farmgate has had millions of visitors each year, due to the commitment to provide all the information people need for a drive or a walk through the peninsula.

“We wanted to make sure there was enough variety from high end restaurants with our many chef ’s hatted venues to a farmgate snack, to foraging or shopping and taking back home to cook.

The Wine Food Farmgate trail has helped the peninsula be recognised as a wine and food destination with a sheer variety of products there is nothing like it in other regions. We have hatted restaurants, cherries, strawberries, olives, apples and our amazing ability to produce quality produce is second to none,” said Tracey.

The Wine Food Farmgate initiative brings together most of the producers, restaurants, wineries in the Mornington Peninsula area to provide you, the explorer, with an experience that will delight your senses as I found out. Basically, you can buy a trail kit and then work out all the places you want to go and plan an itinerary, collecting food and wine and eating on each stop. www.winefoodfarmgate.com.au

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Recipe

GPO BRISKET BURGER SMOKED BRISKET 5kg Piece of Brisket ( we use Cape grimm) Olive oil Red gum wood/yellow box/ Apple wood Sea Salt Black Pepper COLESLAW ½ White Cabbage ½ red cabbage 3 carrots 200ml buttermilk 200ml (whole egg mayonnaise) ½ bunch of chives (sliced thinly) squeeze of lemon Sea salt Cracked Black pepper POTATO CHIPS OR FRIES (we use a Beer a battered Variety) Burger Brioche buns

1. This recipe relies on a good quality piece of brisket; ask your butcher for a piece ranging from 4kg-6kg with the ‘fat cap’ still on. This will allow your meat to stay moist during the cooking process.

2. You will also need a smoker. We are fortunate to have two at the GPO and use

an off-set Yoda smoker imported from the States.

3. Season your brisket with olive oil , salt and pepper.

4. Start your smoker with heat beads and your choice of wood, once the smokers at 100 degree mark put your brisket in fat side up.

5. You want your brisket to stay at this temperature until the internal reaches around 65 degrees , at this stage you can pour some apple cider over the top for flavour if you wish.

6. Cover with foil and bring the temperature back up to 100 degrees inside your smoker and cook until internal temperature of the brisket reaches 90. This whole process can take up to 6 hours but is well worth the wait.

Test it by putting a skewer in, it should slide in quite comfortably.

7. Thinly slice your cabbages and shred your carrot (can grate). Mix your buttermilk, chives and mayo then season with lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Fold through your dressing with your cabbage m ix to make the coleslaw.

8. Cook your chips and heat your buns in the oven.

9. Thinly slice your brisket, arrange on buns with the coleslaw. We use pickles and mustard on ours. Grab a beer and enjoy.

The GPO Hotel - 1003 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud. Phone 5982 3200 www.thegpo.com.au

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Dishes

must try

Red gum smoked king salmon, warm bacon and lentil dressing and brussel and fennel slaw The GPO Hotel 1003 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud.

Phone 5982 3200. www.thegpo.com.au

Roasted local vegetables salad with cracked freekeh & Red Hill fresh curd

Brisket burger

Merricks General Wine Store

1003 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud.

Phone 5982 3200. www.thegpo.com.au

3460 Frankston Flinders Road, Merricks Phone 5989 8088 www.mgwinestore.com.au

The GPO Hotel

Brown sugar quince parfait

Warm rice pudding

Flatbread

The GPO Hotel

Corner CafĂŠ And Catering

Blue Mini Eatery Emporium Events

1003 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud.

Phone 5982 3200. www.thegpo.com.au

1455 Pt Nepean Road Rosebud.

Phone 5982 1455 www.bluemini.com.au

2 Colchester Road (cnr Boneo Road), Rosebud Phone 5981 2520 www.bluemini.com.au

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FRESH AND FABULOUS @ THE GPO HOTEL

By Melissa Walsh Photo: Yanni

M

oving from the city five years ago to start a new foray into beachside dining, Patrick Bowring, head chef at the GPO Hotel Rosebud, quickly settled into the peninsula lifestyle.

As a chef, husband and father of two young girls, living in Rosebud has turned out to be an unexpected blessing.

“I had worked in mostly inner city pubs and restaurants from the time I did my apprenticeship under Andrew McConnell. I had always worked behind the bar but had a real interest in the kitchen. The head chef at the time said I would have to start out doing dishes so I did and I was soon doing my apprenticeship learning modern European cuisine at Circa which went from two hats to three, the highest award for a restaurant,” said the chef who now boasts experience from not only Circa, but The Kingston and The Pavilion to name a few.

Patrick is not shy to introduce new flavours and styles whilst not letting go of traditional pub specials, and has set the GPO Hotel alight with his yearn to set the trends, not follow them.

With a very down-to-earth attitude, Patrick admits that, like most chefs, he really just fell into it.

“I think it’s a common story. A lot of chefs start out because they didn’t really know what they wanted to do. Then you develop a passion for it,” said Patrick, who was 18 when he decided to delve into the culinary world.

Since starting at the GPO Hotel in 2014, Patrick has been involved in a huge refurbishment and rebranding which included evolving the menu into something unique and well sought after in the area.

two smokers where we smoke our meats in applewood, yellow box or red gum,” said Patrick. “We do a whole fish smoked on the wood and break it up on hot tortillas. We do nachos with pickled chilies, dishes that seem simple but a lot of technique is involved. Our emphasis is on good quality ingredients and we don’t turn food into something it’s not.”

At the GPO Hotel there is a lot of shared dishes and tapas style food as well as tasty vegetarian entrees.

“We do lots of seafood as well, and pork belly with corn bread, smoked beans and southern style American food.”

With winter upon us, Patrick and his sioux chef will be out foraging for mushrooms to add to their fabulous dishes.

“We both enjoy foraging around Red Hill and use the mushrooms in dishes like our pasta with local pine mushrooms so have more earthy food.”

While a lot of the focus is on creating hearty modern dishes with fresh ingredients, Patrick says the desserts are also second to none.

“We make all our own desserts, like the ricotta donuts, brown sugar quince parfait with shards of meringue and chestnuts,” said Patrick. “The GPO Hotel is a driving force in establishing Rosebud as a reputable food destination. Romantic dinners, family reunions, and special occasions are all catered for here.”

The GPO Hotel is at 1003 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud. Call 5982 3200. www.thegpo.com.au

“I have modernized the menu but kept the core of fresh foods, and lots of local produce. We lean towards more a tex mex style of food and have Autumn 2016

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CHOPPER HEAVEN

By Melissa Walsh Photos: Yanni

S

The first bike he refers to is a custom built Bobber, which he spray painted blue by turning his garage into a spray painting booth.

“I’ve been playing on bikes since I was a small kid, riding BMX and motocross and always wanted my own motorbike but couldn’t justify the cost so decided to build my own,” said Jamie, from his Mornington garage where the bike building magic takes place. “I built my first one in 2012. It took about six months to do spending every spare moment on it.”

“I like to do everything myself and built the bobber in the winter of 2012 to get through the boredom of the cold weather.”

creaming down the road on his newly built chopper, Jamie Bullows continues to follow his dream of custom building motorbikes and couldn’t be happier. The Mornington Peninsula truckie has loved bikes since he was a kid, winning BMX and motocross competitions from the age of six.

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“I got metres and metres of tarps and spray paint in the exact colour and basically set up my garage like a professional spray painting area. I started this bike with the basic frame you buy from America but I make all the handle bars and fenders and all the metal work myself,” said Jamie, who admits he is very old school when it comes to building his bikes.

The second bike Jamie built is an absolute knockout – a 1975 Corvette orange GM.

“This one is custom-made as a copy of General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. I do everything as a replica of the car; the exact same colour, the number on the side, the same wheels and even small side mirrors like the car,” said Jamie who now takes his bikes to Hot Rod shows and has them used in magazine shoots. “I did a shoot recently for a publication and spent 45 hours just cleaning the bike, pulling everything apart so it is perfect everywhere. I even pull out the motor and clean it all.”

Jamie even points out a little GM bell underneath the bike and explains this is called the Devils Bell.

“The devils bell is there so all the demons get sucked into it and rattled off on the road and that’s where pot holes come from,” he explains.

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Puzzle Corner DOWN

ACROSS 1. Diver’s breathing tube 6. Connective tissues 11. Emotionally empty 15. Public profile 16. Tropical vine 17. Wither 18. Disgustingly 21. New York/Ontario falls 22. Linked to the web 23. Mistreat (3-3) 24. Crazy 28. Resound 30. Dark blue 32. Goes out of date 35. Striped cat 37. Sing-along entertainment 38. Brazilian dance 40. US president, ... Lincoln 43. Truncate 45. Carnival, ... Gras 47. Pungent bulb 48. Tagging 52. Tearful gasp 53. Reminders 56. Straighten (rope) 58. Itchy rash 60. Purgative 61. Actress, ... Streep 62. Taunting 64. Soak (up) 65. Cremation vessel 67. Flags 69. Separate 72. Immobility 75. Russia’s ... Mountains 77. Measure of length 78. Decorates (cake) 79. Flying saucers (1,1,2) 81. Feeling of unease 83. Portable light 84. Ground porridge flakes 86. Bawled 87. Body sacs 90. Computer input device (1,1-3) 92. Astronaut, ... Armstrong 93. Alice In Wonderland star, ...

Bonham Carter 95. Floating frozen sheet (3,4) 96. Nuisance 98. Hut 99. Nominated 100. Cite author 101. Famous UK school 102. Baghdad is there

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103. Cordon ... cookery 104. American air force (1,1,1,1) 106. Data 110. Urge to action 113. Virile man 115. Philippines capital 116. Partial refunds 117. Rubber 118. Snip 119. Distant scene 122. Swarms 125. Snares 126. Worried 127. Immature insects 129. Harness 130. Narrow valley 131. Cambodia’s neighbour 132. Ancient harp 133. Mediterranean volcano 134. Captivate 137. Laconic 138. Looked upon 142. Catch glimpse of 143. Amateur 145. Aquaplane (5-3) 146. Pseudonym, ... plume (3,2) 149. Arose (from) 151. Faces up to 152. Engraves 154. Terrestrial 156. Poetic term for pasture 157. Pendant shapes 159. Musical pace 161. Showery 163. Revolutionary 168. Andes nation 171. Fables 172. Snagging 176. Native animals 177. Exhumes (4,2) 180. Parsley or sage 181. Sure-fire thing 183. Lowest 187. Daffodil colour 188. Violet antiseptic 190. Titillating material 191. Guarantee 192. Bridge over gorge 193. Welsh vegetables 194. Master of Ceremonies 195. Daytime show 196. Cut into three 197. Acupuncture spikes Winter 2016

1. Seaweed-wrapped snack 2. Hideous monsters 3. Actor, ... Spacey 4. Inflatable mattress 5. Fleshy ear part (3,4) 6. African republic, Sierra ...

7. Mooring weight 8. Weather feature (2,4) 9. Deviously 10. Japanese warrior 11. Dog, Great ...

12. Ethiopia’s Addis ...

13. Approaches 14. College supervisors 19. At your ... & call 20. Exist 25. End of pen 26. Conscious 27. Likely touchdown time (1,1,1) 29. Cluster of bananas 31. Similar 32. Scientist’s workplace 33. Diva, ... donna 34. Cardiac monitor (1,1,1) 36. Desire to succeed 39. Underground room 40. Competently 41. Egotist 42. Updated 44. No trouble 46. Tiny island 47. Follow directives 49. Betray secret 50. Abandon 51. Fisherman’s jumper 53. Hopping marsupial 54. Volley of bullets 55. English garden county 57. Jolt 59. Hold tightly 63. Screeches harshly 66. Diabetes preparation 67. Coated with gold 68. Spruce up 70. Scornful cry 71. Lavishly 73. Exempt from, ... to 74. Subtle difference 76. Stimulant drug 80. Former site of London’s press (5,6) 82. Swindle 85. Slugs 88. Cruel people

89. Crooner, Frank ...

90. Orchestra member 91. Want 94. Maritime 97. Early anaesthetic 104. Nervy 105. Starvation period 106. Move restlessly 107. Grotto 108. Dim-witted 109. Robs, ... from 111. Annoyance 112. Served (soup) 113. Perceived 114. Expels (lawyer) 120. Recognise 121. Concertinaed 123. The works 124. Most humid 127. Powerful 128. Lace hole 135. Nephew’s sister 136. Roguish 139. Revive (interest) 140. Antelope 141. Mideast region, ... Strip 144. Debauched Roman emperor 147. Peace prize city 148. Costly 150. Quarrel 153. Operator 155. Timber fasteners 158. Peruses 160. Impoverished 162. Pimply condition 164. Arabian folk hero, ... Baba 165. Rock band equipment 166. Postponed 167. Painter, Leonardo ... (2,5) 169. Car for hire 170. Military operations 172. Chopped down 173. Fixate 174. Culturally revered 175. Fine gravel 177. Fantasy 178. Thin mortar 179. Confederation 180. Raise up 182. Trifled (with) 184. Wise saying 185. Balanced 186. Ballet skirts 187. Harvard’s rival 189. Unfluctuating

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Frankston

on

Frankston City is a local government area in Victoria about 40 kilometres south of the Melbourne CBD. It has an area of 131 square kilometres. Population estimate for 2016 is 137,041 and is forecast to grow to 152,494 by 2036.

FRANKSTON FACTS The city is located on the eastern shores of Port Phillip, and is bounded on the north by the City of Kingston and the City of Greater Dandenong, on the east by the City of Casey, and on the south by the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.

The boundaries of the City are defined largely on the north by Eel Race Road and Thompsons Road, on the east by the Dandenong-Hastings Road, and on the south by a complex boundary featuring Baxter-Tooradin Road, Golf Links Road and Humphries Road.

Despite its similar area and name, Frankston City is a different entity to the former City of Frankston which existed from 1966 until 1994, which was a continuation of the former Shire of Frankston and was abolished under the Kennett local government reforms.

Frankston Memorial Park (Frankston Cemetery) is located on the corner of Cranbourne Road and Moorooduc Highway (McMahons Road), Frankston.

Land was set aside for a cemetery in Frankston in 1864-65. The first recorded burial was 1878, although there were almost certainly burials prior to this date before the keeping of records.

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Winter 2016

The City of Frankston was created in 1994 out of the remains of three abolished councils — all but the suburb of Mount Eliza from the former City of Frankston; the suburbs of Carrum Downs, Langwarrin and Skye from the City of Cranbourne; and part of Carrum Downs from the City of Springvale.

The major part of the City was first incorporated in 1860 as the Mornington Roads District, which became a shire in 1871 and was renamed Shire of Frankston and Hastings in 1893, losing its western riding to form the Shire of Mornington, which has since been amalgamated into the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. On 19 October 1960, the Shire of Frankston and Hastings split in two, with the western part remaining as the Shire of Frankston, and the eastern part being incorporated as the Shire of Hastings.

Frankston was officially proclaimed as a City on 24 August 1966.

Frankston City is one of six Central Activates Areas (CAA) being developed by the State Government.

It has attracted significant public funding for urban renewal,

COFFEE SAFARI Fresh brewed coffee is a must have for weekends away and Frankston coffee is second to none with great coffee haunts around the town. Here are a few to check out when head down to this beautiful end of the world.

VADA CAFE 465 Nepean Highway, Frankston Organic, fair trade coffee and brekkie served in a laid-back cafe that supports social projects. Vada Café is about ‘more than just coffee’. It is about creating a great café experience in support of a great concern for the poor.

Vada Café delivers great coffee, great food, and great service - and a direct involvement in issues of poverty, injustice, fair trade and charitable works.

ROCOTILLOS CAFE 36 Wells St, Frankston Mediterranean brekkie and lunch menus, served in a modern setting with red decor and outdoor tables. Ingredients are sourced locally and ethically and most food made at the café, with a menu that is a rich mix of rustic and authentic Mediterranean dishes with a unique Rocotillos twist, that changes with the seasons.

THE COFFEE CLUB BAYSIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE 21 Wells Street, Frankston All-day breakfast and cafe lunches, plus signature coffee blends, in an established, casual chain. Wonderful range of delicious coffees to choose from in a relaxed, casual setting.

Winter 2016

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PENINSULA

Janine Harrison,

the key to all your real estate needs this Winter Call Janine today for personalised service and professional real estate advice.

Janine offers free market appraisals, with an extensive knowledge and passion for the stunning Mornington Peninsula and surrounding areas.

landscaping and community facilities with some major projects planned.

Median house price in Frankston is $435,000 for sale, and $340 per week rent.

Frankston is a modern city, fronting Port Phillip Bay. The commercial centre of Frankston incorporates the Bayside Shopping Centre and the Bayside Entertainment Centre that includes cinemas, eateries and fashion outlets. A short distance east is the Karingal Shopping Centre and Star Zone, an entertainment precinct featuring Village Cinemas, restaurants, indoor play centre, gym, TAB, hair and beauty stores and free parking Frankston has a thriving arts and theatre scene with the popular Frankston Arts Centre and several galleries. A visit to the McClelland Sculpture Park & Gallery is a great experience.

The beaches around Frankston are mainly calm and sandy, perfect for swimming, boating and other water activities. To the south, the sandy beaches make way for rocky cliffs and headlands. Panoramic views can be enjoyed across Port Phillip Bay and north along the beachside suburbs from vantage points such as Olivers Hill.

The Frankston Waterfront precinct incorporates Frankston Pier, a visitor information centre, restaurant/cafe, a scenic boardwalk that extends to the boat ramp at the base of Olivers Hill to the south and crosses the Landmark Bridge to the north and ends at the Waves restaurant.

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Contact Janine on 0487 000 666 or 9787 0028 Janine@allensre.com.au to start your campaign!

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Winter 2016

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PENINSULA

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