Urban Life Magazine issue 6

OCTOBER 2016 VOL. 1, ED. 6

HOT TRIPS

Aussie adventures thrill Danish A-League star

BOUTIQUE BATHROOMS • INTERIOR DESIGN 101 • ESTATE PIONEERS DINNER LADIES’ DELIGHTS • GARDENING ADVICE • PRACTICAL MAGIC

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contents

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OCTOBER // 2016

WELCOME T

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FEATURES 04

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SUITE LIFE Bathrooms and en suites are receiving the luxury hotel treatment, for good reason VELLA VILLA A Keysborough South family have created their dream home in Somerfield Estate INTERIOR DESIGN 101 Learn how to revamp your home with the basics of colour, fabrics and mood boards at design school HE’S A KEEPER The A-League is back in town, with Melbourne City’s Thomas Sorensen providing a bigger presence than most WORKING SMART The Dinner Ladies say home cooking is a matter of good time management and planning ahead

REGULARS 02, 47 INSIDERS 08 OBJECTS OF DESIRE 22-23, 43 PRACTICAL MAGIC 48-49 INDUSTRY NEWS 51-53 LAND ESTATES, DISPLAY HOMES DIRECTORY

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HE weather’s getting warmer and thoughts of the great outdoors are again foremost in our mind.

It’s natural for our thoughts to turn to spending time in our gardens. Master landscape designer Liz Filmer answers the eternal question of whether to water or not to water your fledgling garden, particularly after last month’s deluge.

The end of the AFL and NRL seasons herald the start of a fresh sporting landscape, with the Spring Racing Carnival and the cricket and A-League seasons back in focus.

We speak to Melbourne City’s Danish goalkeeper about his experience of moving from Europe and his extensive travel and extra-curricular adventures with his family since arriving Down Under.

Speaking of experience, the recently renamed Victorian Planning Authority revisits its work in Cranbourne East to evaluate its success in how its development is going to plan.

It’s a bumper issue with all our regular features, such as tea time in Practical Magic, Industry News and Objects of Desire, plus we feature some award-winning HIA regional dwellings from Victoria’s eastern, northern and western regions.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Ross McGravie EDITOR

SCAN ME! Download the Urban Life app and scan when you see this icon throughout the mag with a mobile device for a unique interactive experience (see page 33 for details) PUBLISHER Ross Copeland // MANAGING EDITOR Ross McGravie // SUB-EDITOR Cassy Polimeni ART DIRECTOR Kylie Mibus // NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Steve Kunesevic // ADMINISTRATION Gina Copeland

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INSIDER

What attracted you to the industry (and when)?

I always had an interest in interior design from a young age. I had subscriptions to design magazines and would imagine the changes to homes and spaces when I walked into them for the first time. When I left school, I delved into Art History and the history of architecture, deciding thereafter to study interior design and decoration at RMIT. I was always attracted to the industry due to its creativity and imagination. While we are seeing new and great things every day, these all have a link to the past in some way.

What do you love most about the industry?

I love fostering relationships and rapport with new clients and those who make our ideas turn into reality (builders, tradesmen). I love the idea of impacting on someone’s life and making it better. We spend so much time at home that it can very much display the way we feel, so it’s important to surround ourselves in a space where we can be completely free and comfortable.

I love coming up with a concept in my mind and being able to portray it to a client in a way that they feel comfortable in building it and, in doing so, achieving their dream home.

designer’s advice. This would make the process a lot easier for them.

What’s the biggest misconception people have when building a home?

Not everything has to be a feature. There is a misconception that everything selected from a home must stand out or the house will be ‘boring’. Most often, less is more. The more features added, the more confusing to the eye. It is much simpler, and generally more cost-effective to change accessories than fittings. Selecting the base tones of your house in neutral tones does not mean your house is boring.

Long term, it gives you more flexibility to alter your spaces.

If building tomorrow, what feature would you most like incorporated in your home?

Natural light, but with enough walls to decorate with artwork; wallpaper; a spacious kitchen; beautiful built-in cabinetry; and timber flooring to warm up the home and give a feeling of cosiness.

Felicity Smith

What do you consider your proudest moment?

My proudest moment would be the first time I saw one of my designs come to fruition. It is so exciting to see something in reality that only you could visualise in your mind.

ARDEN HOMES

Worst trend?

Following trends. While the latest trend looks great in a magazine or on TV, you have to remember that it may not be in vogue by the time your house is built. You will achieve a better sense of style if you stay true to your own tastes and your home will age with you, not before you.

Best change?

Indoor/outdoor living. With summers lasting as long as they do, it’s a great idea for us to live as easily outdoors as inside - because we are increasingly living in more built-up areas.

If you had the power, how would you improve the process of building?

Having the ability to add finishes to generate rendered images so clients can see what their finished home looks like, on the spot. Many clients struggle to visualise what their house will look like, and do well to put their trust in a

What should prospective buyers look for when choosing a builder?

Looking at display homes is a great space to start. You really get a sense of how you could live in the space, how you feel, and the proportions and features you love. Visiting display homes sparks conversation and excitement. It is also important to find a builder where people care about your building experience, are flexible, and offer great advice from the minute you begin to look at plans until you have the keys.

What do you think building a home will be like in 2030?

It’s exciting to see the advances in technology that enhance the way we live, and the way we build. Energy storage devices, like the Tesla Powerwall, will become the norm as people look to reduce their monthly outgoings. Building products that reduce build times and dependence on trades in short supply, like Hebel, will become more prominent as will low-maintenance products such as perma-timbers.

Ultimately, though, the most important thing will be the ability to adapt to a client’s changing needs and to provide a great experience. These fundamentals will never change.

Interior Designer 2 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

What tips would you give for future-proofing a home?

If you were to tip a house upside down, all of the things nailed down should be in neutral tones. It is much easier to inject colour through cushions, artwork, rugs and accessories than to tear out and re-fit a kitchen, for example.

Suite life 4 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Long gone are the days when bathrooms were best known for their functionality. Spoil yourself with a touch of luxury to live happily after

INSIDE

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YLVIA Plath once said, “There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them”.

In confirming what most of her peers felt, the celebrated poet and author expressed simply her love affair with the bath.

Kylie Minogue merely confirmed the sentiment more than half a century later when she uttered the words, “I love to have a bath with beautiful, relaxing music on and have no rush to do anything.

It’s a wonderful indulgence, and it helps me to calm down and stop my mind running overtime.”

The good news is that the bath has returned in a big way to bathrooms of the 21st century – and in many cases it is now elevated to centre stage as a design feature.

Together with the removal of toilets from many bathrooms and a transition to stylish powder rooms, the freestanding bath is also moving into en suites, rather than taking pride of place in the family bathroom.

It’s all part of the quiet revolution transforming bathrooms.

ALL ABOUT ‘ME’ MAZZEI Homes director Daniel Mazzei said en suites and bathrooms were generally becoming larger and more luxurious.

He attributes a greater product accessibility, the proliferation of online resources and the creation of a ‘Me” space as the main reasons driving the trend. “(In relation to products) there has been a recent increase in retailers and wholesalers providing special fittings and fixtures from across the globe - everything from expensive handcrafted European items to well-made and affordable Chinese alternatives,” Mazzei said. “Retailers, such as Reece, have really lifted their game in the past couple of years by creating beautiful showrooms that entice customers to think beyond what they might have previously.”

Mazzei said websites, such as Pinterest and Houzz, that showcase the latest trends had also raised the standards of what clients can expect from their wet areas.

But the rise of a “Me” space is perhaps the greatest factor in the desire for luxury.

“En suites (in the main bedrooms) are increasingly being viewed by clients as more than just places to get ready in the morning,” Mazzei said. “They are being treated as breakaway rooms. A glass of wine, a good book and a beautiful freestanding bath create the perfect relaxation space and clients are taking full advantage of this. There’s no better way to unwind from a stressful day.”

Last, but not least, is the Keeping up with the Jones phenomenon.

“Now that it seems that everyone is investing in a luxurious bathroom, no one wants to be left behind. The more clients see these next-level bathrooms, the greater the demand becomes,” he said.

HOTEL CHIC HAVING watched bathroom trends come and go for more than 45 years, Signorino Tile Gallery managing director John Signorino said the Nordic and minimalist style currently in vogue was focusing heavily on a monochrome black-and-white palette.

Signorino said bathrooms were increasingly being given a “day spa” style for a “luxury hotel, home-away-from-home” style. This includes using earthy materials, such as limestone, with simple textures and calming colours.

“Mixing materials such as wood, stone and concrete are becoming quite popular in bathrooms. Limestone would provide a rougher earthy texture, whereas wood and concrete would provide smoother contrasting surfaces,” he said.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 5

HEAT IS ON AS much as the aesthetics dictate the look of your bathroom, there are also practicalities to take into account.

For example, there is nothing like a cold morning to remind us of the worth of the humble heat lamp.

And thanks to Geelong-based IXL Appliances, its heat lamps have added another level of sustainability to the already energy-efficient range of Tastics.

The incorporation of LED globes to IXL’s Eco Tastic and Tastic Easy Duct models means reduced energy use in households, with 80-90 per cent less energy used compared to a halogen light, as well as a longer lifespan, which means changing globes become far less frequent.

FLUSH WITH SUCCESS SIMILARLY, the humble toilet is often the butt of jokes, pardon the pun, but it’s a serious business.

In fact, the World Toilet Organisation estimates that the average person uses a toilet 2500 times year, or six to eight times daily.

Thankfully, the evolution of the toilet has come a long way from digging a hole in the backyard or the great Aussie thunderbox. The advances are best demonstrated by the water-saving half-flush and soft-closing lids becoming commonplace in recent years. It progressed to the wall-faced hidden cistern suites available today.

But after spending more than two years of research, Caroma has recently won an Australian Design Award for its latest innovation – Cleanflush.

Caroma describes it as ”our most effective and hygienic toilet”. As its spiel contends, “The rimless bowl removes the hiding places for germs and Caroma’s latest flush & flow innovations give you a more powerful whole-bowl clean.”

VANITY FARE GETTING down to the nitty gritty, Allure Bathrooms suggests vanity size is another important consideration.

“As much as you might like to choose the prettiest one, keep in mind … if it’s too large it might restrict movement, while if it’s too small you might not have enough countertop space and storage. And the wrong material might result in maintenance issues,” its Facebook post warned.

Thankfully, many of these issues will have been considered in the design of your new home. But they are particularly relevant if future updates or renovations are on the agenda.

TAPPING IN WHILE at the vanity, there’s no secret that tapware is back in black – and in a big way. Black tapware specialist Meir is thriving as a result.

LIGHT FANTASTIC IF you’re aiming for industrial chic in your bathroom, Maria Tadic from Go Lights recommends using outdoor lights as wall lights as they are IP (Ingress Protection) rated and contain waterproof material.

Generally speaking, the higher the IP-Rating, the better the protection.

It’s rarely mentioned, but lighting should always be zoned in wet areas.

Lighting around the mirror should be bright for applying

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make-up or shaving, but should have the flexibility of soft, ambient light when the time comes to relax.

When lighting the vanity, Tadic recommends that a dimmer downlight be positioned directly above the sinkhole. This avoids any glare or shadowing when looking at your face.

Bar or spotlights should be placed above the mirror and directed down to create a wash over the mirror. This helps to reduce glare, as you don’t want them shining directly on your face.

As for the mirror, using LED strips can provide an even glow from behind the mirror. Most are self-adhesive and come with waterproofing.

Pendants should be placed on either side of the mirror but be sure not to place them in the way of any door or heated towel rail.

For safety reasons, it is best to avoid 240-volt pendants or fittings where the lamp holder is exposed above bath tubs, next to showers or in open wet areas.

“It is optimal to use a 12-volt fitting or change a 240 volt to a 12-volt fitting by asking your electrician to add a transformer or purchase a 240-volt pendant where the lamp holder is sealed within the shade,” Tadic said. “It is important to have appropriate ventilation (this can be exhaust fans or windows) that will help extract moisture from the air and circulate the steam. This will help to ensure the longevity of your fittings. If your bathroom has no ventilation and your fitting is decorative it may cause peeling of material, discoloration and life deterioration.”

INJECT SOME COLOUR, NATURALLY STYLIST Julia Green said towels were an inexpensive way of adding colour in your bathroom, while accessories such as toothbrush holders, soap dishes, hand wash dispensers, tissue box holders and even art can also brighten up the space.

Plants can also liven up the room, and particularly those that thrive under steamy conditions. They can be placed on a shelf or a benchtop, hung from the roof or even trailed around shower rails or frames.

Plants are best left to their own devices, so consider an area in which it won’t be disturbed and have room to grow.

Reece Plumbing & Bathrooms (Reece.com.au) asked the opinions of Charlie Lawler and Wona Bae from Loose Leaf plant store (looseleafstore.com.au) about the top five plants most suited to a bathroom environment.

Listing Boston Fern, Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant), Peace Lily, Birds Nest Fern and Philodendron, the experts said some plants improve air quality by filtering out pollutants, such as formaldehyde that can be found in flooring glues and paints.

“A lot of indoor plants don’t like direct light, but they do prosper in bright rooms with lots of indirect light,” Loose Leaf advised. “A bathroom with a warm, steady, year-round temperature is a great place for a plant to flourish. Each plant has different requirements which you can check with your local florist, nursery or online. As long as you follow those instructions and a consistent watering (but not overwatering) schedule, your plants should survive and thrive.”

Just make sure you leave some space for an array of candles and a music player, which will make bath time the pleasure it should be.

Just ask Kylie!

OPENING PAGE: Porter Davis ‘Hillside 38‘ with Classic Hamptons interior at Romsey OPPOSITE PAGE (clockwise from top): Bates Smart Prima in conjunction with Signorino Tile Gallery; IXL Appliances’ Tastic Eco Triumph provides warmth and light; Porter Davis ‘Rochdale’ at Woodlea; Dorf’s Epic Bloc basin mixer in black and rose gold; Eden’s bamboo-topped wall mount vanity; Porter Davis ‘Marbella’ at Craigieburn; Porter Davis ‘Waldorf’ at Brighton East

INSIDE

TREND WATCH •

Freestanding bath

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Oversized showers with fixed-glass panels (mostly without doors)

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Non-standard porcelain or marble floor and wall tiles

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Floating vanities with twin basins

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Black tapware

(Source: DANIEL MAZZEI)

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 7

O B J E CITNSS IODFE DR E S I R E

Home front

By Nicole Bittar

When you construct from the ground up, building your dream home is infinitely easy to achieve

The premier properties of Melbourne’s master builders, in sprawling single-level luxury or sky-high penthouse style, are within reach and on budget.

Solid construction values, beautiful, natural fixtures and finishes and long-term warranties are the ultimate reward of the new housing investor.

These featured homes epitomise the sparkling qualities of your aspirational lifestyle.

Simply move in and revel in your lavish new surrounds.

3. Waldorf Grange, lot width: 15.2m plus lot depth: 32m 4 bedrooms, 4 living zones, 4 bathrooms, 2 cars $392,000 at Aspect Estate, Greenvale. porterdavis.com.au 1. Ivanhoe Apartments Apt 1301, Penthouse with city views Level 13 118sq m, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 cars $1.1 million caydon.com.au 2. Capri 2200 – with Dowd façade on display at The Heartlands Estate, Tarneit $182,000 base price plus Dowd facade upgrade: $5000 Total: $187,000 burbank.com.au

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4. Indigo 4700 – with Monet façade on display at Warralily Coast Estate, Armstrong Creek. $324,100 base price plus Monet facade upgrade: $3000 Total: $327,100 burbank.com.au

5. Kyalami 370 374.40sq m/40.30sq (as displayed) Displayed at Mernda Villages: 22-26 Stradling Rise, Mernda From $279,900; as displayed, $494,000 bentleyhomes.com.au

HOME LOAN SPECIALISTS HOME HOME LOAN LOAN LOAN SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS HOME HOME LOAN SPECIALISTS HOME LOAN SPECIALISTS

PLANNING

Checklist Charlie Buying a home can seem like a daunting experience with so many things to look at. MANVEEN MAAN shares the basics in this first-home buyer checklist

B

UYING a home is equated with undertaking a fair chunk of work – often it’s a case of “so much to do, so little time” and a large slice of the first-home buyer population starts out with the best intentions, but ends up succumbing to that familiar overwhelming feeling of “this is way too much info”.

Fret not. We’ve come up with a list of the basics to buying a house to combat the neverending stream of new-home owner information out there.

but a realistic budget where you can ascertain what monthly or weekly repayments you are likely to be able to afford. Once you have started doing that, it’s time to get those pennies together and start saving a deposit.

Generally speaking, the bigger that amount is, the better off you’ll be (as you’ll have to borrow less from the bank). It’s time to start eliminating unnecessary expenses (like that “last drink” at the pub) and start putting it towards the ‘Future Home Fund’.

ALL ABOUT THE MONEY

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

First things first, get a budget sorted - not one that you’d aspire to have,

Research is key to anything in life really, and real estate is no different. Online

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resources are often quite extensive, with loan information and tools to determine your borrowing limit, along with price guides and sales history by suburbs. There’s also information on the First Home Owner Grant, which is always handy for those looking to save a penny or two. In Victoria, if you are buying or building a new home valued up to $750,000, you may be eligible for the FHOG of $10,000. It’s also worth looking at various homes and the areas you are interested in buying a home. Ask yourself some pertinent questions - will you enjoy living in the neighbourhood? Is it an area that’s likely to experience capital growth in

the coming years? These are allimportant things to think about when it comes to choosing a home. You may also want to buy a house that has good resale value.

Once you’ve identified the house, think about other factors that affect it.

Is the type of home suited to you at this stage in life? Do you plan on doing any renovation to it at any point in the future? Make sure you cover all bases when it comes to doing your due diligence. In this case, the more questions asked, the better.

MORTGAGE FRIENDLY Shopping around for a mortgage lender

which will give you a good idea as to whether a lender is likely to provide you with a mortgage or not. It is important to note that there are two types of interest rates, fixed and variable, with each having their own benefits. A fixed interest rate is a steady one, while variable interest rates allow for your rate to rise and fall over time. It may mean paying more interest at a certain point, but it also means you stand to benefit from an interest rate fall at any point. It’s also possible to split both interest rates over the course of paying off your mortgage, so it’s best to speak with your lender to find out which option suits you best.

Image: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

HOME SWEET HOME

that fits your requirements is vital.

Check out your loan’s interest rates (generally speaking, the lower they are, the better), its term, and any other special features that might affect your decision. Your deposit is your down payment on the house, and if you have less than 20 per cent of the real estate’s purchase price, you’ll need lenders mortgage insurance, so make sure you factor that in as well. If a deposit is out of your reach, you may be able to enlist a guarantor (such as your parents) for their financial support. You could even try getting a few steps ahead and applying for pre-approval with a lender (like a bank or credit union),

It’s always a plus to know or get a better idea as to what kind of home you’re after. Townhouses and apartments may be a better bet if you are making your entry in the real estate market. Buying townhouses and apartments off the plan has a few benefits, including a usually discounted price and potential stamp duty reductions. Maintenance in the beginning would also be less in a new property, however it is important to note that after you move in, there is a timeframe (set by the builder), to identify defects and fix them. It’s also pertinent to note that new homes often come with 6.5-year structural warranty, so if there are any major issues that occur in that time, you know you are covered. Building your new unit or house gives you the freedom to choose the design of your home, and the option of customising the interiors and exteriors before construction begins. Better technology and modern designs often mean lower energy costs and higher efficiency so you can look forward to lower energy bills. The difficulty with purchasing an off the plan home is that you have to wait for about a year or more to see the finished product. You may not be able to physically walk through the home; however there will be through homes and display suites to replicate the look and feel of your future home.

There is also the possibility of the apartment or townhouse development falling through due to market forces or other factors, so it is best to speak to legal representatives about potential repercussions and precautions.

Building a home comes with its

stresses, although this happens with any home, not just a new one.

SOLD! When purchasing a new home, the price is usually set but you may have room to negotiate on fittings and fixtures. There are many steps in the conveyancing process that your adviser will take care of, which helps to safeguard you. Once you’ve got all your finances in check, get ready to sign the contract.

BILLS, BILLS, BILLS Just when you think all the hard work and saving has been done, a wake-up call arrives in the form of other expenses! It is good to be aware of what costs there will be so that your savings covers more than just a deposit.

Check sro.vic.gov.au for more information on stamp duty concessions and costs.

Finance and insurance costs can

come in the form of lenders (banks) who can impose costs like application, valuation and settlement fees.

There are also insurance costs to consider – as mentioned earlier, lenders mortgage insurance may apply if you need to borrow more than 80 per cent of the purchase price of the property.

You may also consider mortgage protection insurance to cover your mortgage if illness or injury prevents you from keeping up to date with your repayments.

It is also important to note that the property owner usually covers council rates, strata and owners corporation fees (for apartments) and utilities after settlement.

Landscaping costs are also usually not included in a standard building contract, and many estates have guidelines when it comes to what you can or cannot plant around your home.

Good luck!

BURBANK’S TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

Burbank ‘Capri’

BUDGET – Make sure you get your finances sorted! Find out how much you can afford to spend.

LAND – How deep and wide is your land? Will the home you like fit on your block, and in the best orientation?

DESIGN – What do you need and want in your new home? How many bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas and car spaces do you need? Does she need extra closet space? Does he need a man cave? What will you need in five or 10 years’ time?

DECORATION – How do you want your home to look and feel? What colours, appliances, fixtures and fittings appeal? What about window and floor coverings? Look through magazines and visit display homes for inspiration – you can never do enough research.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 11

The Vella family can’t speak highly enough about their home in Somerfield Estate and their experience with its builders, Arden Homes

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Photography: NICK FLETCHER / Stylist: CLAIRE CAU-CECILE

Somer

E S TAT E P I O N E E R S

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EAVILY pregnant at the time, Carmen Vella won’t easily forget the incessant rain that hampered moving into her new Keysborough South home in November 2013.

“Day one was crazy. I was eight months’ pregnant and we had so many people help us move in. It was raining and we didn’t have the driveway concreted yet, so it was a bit crazy,” Carmen said. “It had been raining for days, so everything was wet. We had some help from our friends and my family, which was a Godsend. We had to lay old carpet down in place of a driveway. That worked for a little bit, but I was constantly getting people to take their shoes off when going upstairs because of the mud.”

Together with her husband Emmanuel, she still remembers it as if it were yesterday.

“We had a few neighbours. We’d only met one at this stage and they were lovely,” Carmen said.

It wasn’t all plain sailing over the seven-month journey from buying land to the lock-up stage of the four-bedroom beauty. But Arden Homes smoothed the path for the couple every step of the way. Thankfully, everything was connected by moving day, with the exception of Telstra – due to a plumber breaking the fibre connection for the internet, free-to-air TV and phone line.

“Because we are in a Telstra Velocity estate, we had to wait for Telstra to connect the service … Arden had this sorted out promptly by arranging for the plumber to repair the damage. But it took a few weeks for Telstra to connect their services. This is what delayed the laying of the concrete for our driveway, intercom and airconditioning (very frustrating in the blistering summer heat and being so pregnant).”

It didn’t get much calmer once they moved in, with a baby shower scheduled within a fortnight – a deadline that Arden Homes met with aplomb.

“We had to get unpacked and make the home our home in less than two weeks as my sister had organised a baby shower for me on December 8,” Carmen said. “Our site manager knew this, so he ensured we were in by the 22nd. Otherwise he had agreed to host the baby shower for me. It was hot and I had 70 women in our garage (for the shower) – a lovely occasion, but not a great day for it.”

It has all since faded into a distant memory. For two months it was just Carmen and Emmanuel, then their son Micah was born.

Speaking about the building process, Carmen said it started on a high and ended with an equally impressive surprise.

“When we signed up with Arden … a huge bunch of flowers was delivered to our home with a lovely note that we still have.

We also were given a coffee machine as a gift when we got our keys,” Carmen said. “I guess from our experience with Arden if ever anything popped up, we knew that they would find a solution that would meet both our needs.”

IF IT wasn’t for a friendly coffee vendor, Carmen and Emmanuel Vella may never have discovered Arden Homes.

Carmen said the discussion was somewhat fortuitous.

“Before moving to Keysborough, we lived in a tiny 13-square home in Noble Park that we had renovated. We knew we had to move into a bigger home as we were planning a family, so we started looking at established homes beach side. We looked for some time, but there was nothing out there in our price range that met our requirements. So we decided to look for land and build our dream home,” Carmen said.

IMAGES (Clockwise from left): Emmanuel, Carmen, Micah and Evie outside the ‘Vella VIlla’ built by Arden Homes; Carmen enjoys relaxing in her chic kitchen; the kids have enjoyed bathtime in the light-filled family bathroom; and Evie’s spacious nursery gives her plenty of room in which to play

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 13

E S TAT E P I O N E E R S

(Clockwise from top): Micah finds an ideal space for some privacy and screen time on the carpeted staircase; kids of all ages can move into the comfort zone for TV viewing in the family room; the balcony off the main bedroom provides scope for indoor/outdoor living.

OPPOSITE PAGE Escape reality and go Back to the Future in the luxurious home theatre

“We fell in love with the new Keysborough South area, so we looked at a few blocks and eventually found the perfect block of land that would accommodate most types of homes.

We started looking at display homes and (embarked on the quest) to choose a builder.

“Once we did a walk through with a particular builder, we both felt like we were getting the hard sell with no substance. When we received a quote, we were dumbfounded by it. We left the display home and ran into a mobile coffee vendor, who recommended Arden.

We thought we’d give it a go. After walking into their display home we both fell in love.”

As it transpired, they bought the land in June, started building in July, received the keys on December 22 and moved in a day later.

“Emmanuel had built twice before, but this was my first time,” Carmen said. “Emmanuel did mention that this build with Arden was seamless and not as painful as his other builds. The

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customer service and attention to detail was flawless.”

Carmen said they were so impressed

by Arden that they gambled on building without seeing a display home built in the Votivo style.

“We took a risk and built our home from just a plan. Arden hadn’t even finished building the display home, but the plans were laid out in a way that we both agreed it was exactly what we wanted. We walked through Arden’s other displays and knew we were going to receive a quality job, so we took a chance and went for it,” Carmen said.

Carmen said that keeping open the lines of communication had been central to the Arden experience.

“We had two different site managers and they were both great. We worked better with the second manager as he had a great communication style and constantly kept us in the loop. If there was an issue, he was straight on the phone to Emmanuel and vice versa if we had an issue. He even did the final walk through a day earlier so we could just

move in on the 22nd. We had the same communication with Arden. If there was an issue, they did their utmost to fix it and most of the time it was at their expense. We had a total of 15 variations and they all got sorted very quickly.”

This included an unforeseen change mid-build from evaporative to refrigerated cooling and a tailored compromise that suited all parties.

J

OKINGLY referred to by Arden staff as the ‘Vella Villa’, the Votivo design “has everything we both dreamed of”, Carmen said. “We absolutely love it when people come to visit for the first time and their first words are that it’s so homely,” she said.

“We both think that is a true reflection of what we have created with Arden.

Arden built us a home we are so proud of. We know that we will love bringing up our two children in this lovely home for many years to come.

“We love the open space downstairs.

When we entertain we have enough room for our big family and friends. All

our living areas upstairs are also very generous and this comes in extremely handy for when the kids get older as they have an area they can hang out in.”

The arrival of their second child Evie has changed the home for the better, Carmen said.

“It’s cluttered with their toys. We love it … they have a park at their disposal and a safe street to play in when they get older,” she said.

Outside, the “very low-maintenance garden” was completed as both she and Emmanuel have “black thumbs”.

Carmen said it was important to provide a “safe and fun environment” for the kids and for entertaining. On the downside, Carmen said she was not a fan of the front door, though “Emmanuel loves it”.

“Maybe we would have installed a sunlight in our en suite and included a shower downstairs. Apart from that, we are both so happy with all our choices.“ CARMEN didn’t have to think too hard about buying in the area.

E S TAT E P I O N E E R S

“I grew up in around here and Emmanuel fell in love with the area, so we didn’t think twice about building in Keysborough. In addition, the fact we were only a 10- to 15-minute drive to a decent beach was attractive,” she said.

“The estate had been around for

as Emmanuel’s family all live in the northern suburbs. The streets are quiet and everyone is so friendly. You go for a walk and most people have a few minutes to spare for a quick chat. Emmanuel also likes the fact that he is only a minute from the CFA

BOTH said they wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Arden Homes to would-be buyers.

“Speak to Arden. They have some amazing designs and are so easy to work with. We spoke to other builders who were not as truthful. We both felt so

We took a risk and built our home from just a plan ... but the plans were laid out in a way that we both agreed it was exactly what we wanted some time, so when we purchased Edgecomb we had a few neighbours but there were two empty blocks to the side and adjacent to us. There was empty parkland, with the promise of a park and barbecue area. This was another reason we decided to purchase our block in the street we are now living in.

“We particularly love that it’s close to the beach and within minutes you are on a freeway. This is handy

(Keysborough brigade) as he has been an active fire fighter volunteer to assist the community when in need.

“Somerfield Estate was the right decision for us and has lived up to its expectations. New bus services are available now, and a shopping centre is under development close by. The only challenge we have is hopefully a primary or high school will be built within close range soon.”

comfortable with Arden. We never at any point felt like we were given the hard sell or told any lies,” Emmanuel said. “Make sure you get a comprehensive quote and know what you are getting for your money. Definitely when building from a plan, make sure you know where your switches and any network ports are placed (i.e. for hanging up a TV). Look out for short cuts (not that short cuts ever occurred during

our build). We also ensured pre-wiring was sorted for our theatre room. It’s very hard to hide wires once you build a double-storey home.

“The only things we changed before building was to remove a room from the back of the lower level because our land wasn’t big enough to accommodate it.

Also, at frame stage I noticed that there was a wet area when you came into the home. Luckily we caught it in time – a variation later and it was all fixed.”

THE neighbourhood has evolved over the past two years and will continue to do so in the next two years.

“There are a few of us in our pocket of the street that invite each other to family events, birthdays, ‘just because’ parties.

We also attend a few functions at the pirate park, which are fun for the kids,” Carmen said.

“Our pocket of the estate is nearly completed. With a bit of luck, the shopping centre will be open and we will have access to a primary and secondary school for our kids (within five years).”

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 15

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Interior Design

101

KYLIE MIBUS goes back to school at Coco Republic to rediscover colour theory, mood boards and fabric selections

18 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

LEARNING

A

NYONE who is lucky enough to own a home - apartment, townhouse or new house - will often have thoughts of transforming it, regardless of whether it’s pristine or just plain rundown. It’s even better when it can be achieved on a tight budget.

It’s why I’m keen to discover the ins and outs of interior design in an accelerated five-day course at Coco Republic Design School at Porter Davis World of Style at South Melbourne, under the tutlelage of Stephen Dwyer.

Having worked in graphic design for more than a decade, it’s always a challenge to see how these skills transfer into a similar design scenario.

I’m impressed by the course’s practical elements and aim to deliver on the design brief we are given.

THE DESIGN BRIEF We are given a design brief at the start of the week that we refer to throughout our practical exercises.

The brief is to create our interpretation of ‘New York’ in the main bedroom and lounge for a newlywed couple in

their new house in Melbourne’s urban growth zone. We are told that they want a classic look with a cool, contemporary twist using a mid-tone palette with highlighted details of chrome and glass, low-line sofas and art gallery-inspired black-and-white photography. Overall, the look should have a masculine edge that looks cool but sophisticated.

SETTING THE MOOD Beyond the course overview, we dissect the role of an interior decorator, interior trends and the steps involved in creating a mood board.

Mood boards are a designer’s best friend and are used to arrange images, materials and text to project a style or concept. They can contain as few or as many inspirations as you’d like, ranging from favourite images and colours to keywords that contribute to a general feeling you’d like to achieve, such as peace, relaxation or joviality.

It’s best to “curate” this board rather than simply “collecting” to a central theme. Many people use A3 paper or a folder, but a corkboard is equally

suitable – the main consideration is being able to see all the images in one view. Not only should the mood board reflect the aesthetic qualities of your idea, it should also complement the client’s regular activities, such as going to cafes, cycling or leading an active lifestyle.

Most of all, the mood board is used as a reference for your decisions throughout the design process.

COLOURFUL LANGUAGE It’s not long before we are given an Introduction to Colour and Colour Wheel theory and practice.

What I learned ...

• Start with creating a mood board as this is the key to a successful, visually cohesive interior. This collection of ideas helps you stay on track through your project • Make sure you are happy with your flooring and window treatments (curtains blinds etc) as this is the most significant and most costly thing to rectify if you change your mind. You can easily change the look of your room with less-expensive items, such as cushions and art • When choosing furniture there’s several things to consider besides how comfortable it is. Is it next to a window? If so, the fabric’s lightfastness needs to be taken into account. Some fabrics require regular maintenance. And double-check the size of your furniture - it needs to fit in the door • Pinterest is great for collating your ideas when researching. It makes it far easier to trace the supplier • Don’t be afraid to ask for samples to take home and test • If you like a furniture store’s style, consider using one of its interior consultants to come to your home for advice. A good consultant will point out things you may never have thought of

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 19

Images: CHLOE PAUL, DANIEL SHIPP

This entails learning about different colour theories. For example, complementary colours are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel such as red and green, or blue and orange.

Then there’s triadic colours, which is a scheme that uses colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel.

Last but not least are monochromatic colours. They are the various tints, tones and shades of a single colour.

Most people know that colour influences your mood. For instance, using blue instils a sense of calm, while using red symbolises a sense of passion or warmth.

DESIGN ESSENTIALS Day 2 brings with it more surprises as we’re tackling the elements and principles of design.

Separately, these concepts appear abstract but with a brief explanation each description makes perfect sense. Essentially, the elements (line, space, shape, form, textures, pattern, colour and tone) are selfexplanatory and the principles of design (balance, rhythm, repetition, emphasis, proportion and unity) explain how the elements are applied, or the technique used. In other words, elements are the ‘ingredients’ and the principles are the ‘recipe’.

If anything, the theory makes me more analytical, continually mindful of inquiring

20 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

if my inspirations fit the ‘New York’ design brief.

FLOOR SHOW The next challenge is to create the backdrop with wall and floor coverings.

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt so far, interior design is so much more than creating mood boards. Practicalities have to be addressed. Take rugs, for example. When buying a rug, ensure it is wide enough to accommodate chairs when they are slid back.

When it comes to selecting floor coverings (vinyl, rubber, linoleum, cork, carpet and rugs) and calculating costs, there is so much to choose from. The basics of fabrics boil down to durability, wear and tear, creasing and fading.

Stefan Tyra and Vicki King from South Pacific Fabrics come in to talk about fabrics. They are a supplier of highend, beautiful fabrics from around the world. Vicki tell us that some fabrics are available for $3000/sq m, but my budget allows for only a tiny fraction of that – but there’s nothing wrong about daring to dream!

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

By Day 3, everyone is back in the groove, collaborating with each other, and ideas are flowing freely.

Next on the agenda is window treatments, how to select them and what they cost. In essence, it’s all about making the most of your window and the natural light that flows through it.

Hard window furnishings, such as shutters and venetians, contrast with the soft furnishings, such as blinds, curtains and drapes, to control light, heat, privacy and acoustics among other things. There’s also cost, maintenance and insulation to consider.

A rough estimate of costing a curtain is multiplying the width (1m) and height (2m) of your space by 2.5 to determine the total material required. For example, 1m x 2 x 2.5 = 5sq m. The project cost is then calculated by using the 5sq m x the fabric cost (i.e. $100/sq m) = $500.

By the afternoon we’ve advanced to furniture selection for the space.

I’ve always had the belief that having a focal point on one main piece in each room, and it’s comforting to know

Images: CHLOE PAUL, DANIEL SHIPP, KYLIE MIBUS

LEARNING

that’s one component I have right. And after factoring in the furniture styles (traditional, provincial, contemporary and eclectic), my mind is made up.

COMPLETING THE VISION Day 4 and 5 is applying the finishing touches to our design brief.

We’re invited to show our flair with soft furnishings by selecting fabric for our project. Then it’s all about finishing the jigsaw puzzle by selecting and arranging furniture and accessories in our spaces.

Luckily, Katicia Roncevic from Coco Republic pays us a visit to guide us through this process. She explains the role of accessories in interiors is to create a personalised, lived-in look in the form of books, vases, lamps and objects that can tell a story. She also explains the most versatile accessory is cushions, which change the look of a room. They are best placed with those bearing the largest patterns at the back and the smallest pattern at the front.

Her greatest piece of advice is to tell us is that if you’re decorating for someone else, it’s vital to never lose

sight of what they want, and never let your personal style dictate the final product. In short, don’t fall into the trap of designing for yourself. And don’t hesitate to hire specialists in areas such as lighting or sound - in which your expertise doesn’t extend.

Once we have finalised our soft furnishings and accessories selection, we are shown how to assemble our sample boards for our presentation to the class. The aim of a mood board is to show a real feel for what the space will look like by displaying samples of flooring, paint, curtains, fabrics and images of furniture selections.

THE END RESULT After five days of theory and practical excercises, I apply my new knowledge to my brief. I use a cool blue and grey palette and the same dark timber flooring in both rooms for consistency. In the lounge room the low-profile navy couch is the central feature with a series of paintings and photos hung above for an art gallery feel.

In the bedroom I balance a patterned rug with plain bed linen, and introduce

a feature mirror that reflects the subtle circles in my accessories and furnishings (bedside tables) to introduce a subtle feminine feel to the space.

Recessed curtains help make the most of the floor-to-ceiling windows to make the room appear taller.

THE VERDICT In a word, awesome. I’m thrilled with the positive feedback I’ve received and now feel armed with enough knowledge to turn my home ideas into reality.

Packing in so much information into such a small time frame is a challenge, but we’ve managed to do it with aplomb.

And having seen the presentations of my fellow class mates, it’s clear the lessons learnt from Stephen and others have started the creative juices flowing in many budding interior designers.

Course Rating: 9/10 The writer was a guest of the Coco Republic Design School For more details: cocorepublic.com.au/ design-school

OPENING PAGE: Students are guided through fabric selections; sketching and planning ideas are an important part of the design process; using the internet is an efficent way of sourcing items for your interior OPPOSITE PAGE: The course incorporates many practical excercises, such as fabrics, paint selection and colour theory THIS PAGE: Creating a sample board; selecting furniture and flooring; my sample board presentation to the class; learning is hands on; a work in progress with my sample board

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 21

Swing Time bird feeder by Fred thedesigngiftshop.com RRP: $19.90 Amalfi Cubus vase amalfihomewares.com.au RRP: Contact Amalfi

Amazonia black and orange cushion arthouse.com RRP: Contact Arthouse

Step into spring Arko letterbox bright green/white arkofurniture.com.au RRP: $349

Cactus-marsala fabric basket en.dawanda.com RRP: $50.75

White geometric pot plant miafleur.com RRP: $34.95

Lanna terracotta garden shelf arkofurniture.com.au RRP: $199

22 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Emporium Joy giftbox candle jar emporiumhome.com.au RRP: $14.95

PRACTICAL MAGIC Ivy muse nest - black and peach eggshell norsu.com.au RRP: $170

Orla Kiely yellow linear watering can annabeljames.co.uk RRP: $69.58

Gold hanging planter miafleur.com RRP: $17.35

Garden fork and garden trowel yellowoctopus.com.au RRP: $34.99 each

Spring Splatter Tree wallartprints.com.au RRP: $31.99

‘LUXE’ garden hose /lavender downthatlittlelane.com.au RRP: $250 Deltona yellow outdoor lounge chair zanui.com.au RRP: $249.95

Yellow Black Hello cushion cover downthatlittlelane.com.au RRP: $44

Drape outdoor table arkofurniture.com.au RRP: $1299

If you’d like to feature a product in Practical Magic, email urbanlife@publicitypress.com.au

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 23

show stopper

There’s nothing like a Dane to bring the A-League to the attention of the world.

ROSS McGRAVIE talks to Melbourne City’s well-travelled goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen about his many adventures 24 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

COVER STORY

H

E’S ridden his push bike 4000 miles across America for charity, played golf with Olympic gold medallists, been in pit lane for a V8 Supercars race in Townsville, taught goalkeeping to kids in Abu Dhabi, and rubbed shoulders with rock stars. And that’s just in the past year or so since Thomas Sorensen moved from England as a high-profile signing for A-League team Melbourne City.

At the time of signing, Sorensen admitted “a change of scenery” was a great thing after 20 years in England.

After all, he played 171 games for Sunderland, another 139 for Aston Villa and 99 for Stoke City.

“I had no hesitation when the opportunity arose because it’s an ambitious club with good players, and the chance to win trophies was too good to ignore, he said. “I want to win cups and work with the best, so it’s a great opportunity.”

Needless to say, Sorenson seized the opportunity with both hands, playing an integral role in propelling Melbourne City to the verge of its first A-League Premiers Plate. The Cityzens fell short at the penultimate hurdle, losing to eventual winners Adelaide United, but that has only made him more determined to succeed in the 2016-17 season, starting this month.

BEING PREPARED

If there is a central theme to what makes Sorensen tick, it’s embracing change with 150 per cent effort. “Always up for a challenge” seems to be the motto of his life. Moving to the other side of the world was one challenge he was happy to undertake. And he has succeeded with flying colours.

“Denmark and Australia are very similar. Even though we are far apart, we still have relatively small populations, the people are very down to earth and show great respect for others. And with the Royal connection with Princess Mary, we have a connection that others do not,” he said. “The adjustment was probably hardest for the kids and the thought of leaving their friends behind, but they have settled in well and are starting to enjoy everything we’ve been lucky to experience here.”

I

T’S an understatement when Sorensen says that being a professional footballer is, “a great way to make a living”. But his 20 years at the top haven’t come without sacrifices, such as moving his wife Maria and their kids Marcus and Celine out of their comfort zone.

“Everyone has settled in well. Even before signing (for City) we decided as a family that we were ready to look for something different. We made a conscious decision that we wouldn’t

UPROOTING your family to move to the other side of the world can be daunting, but Sorensen said preparation was the key.

“It’s important to have something or someone to go to (when venturing elsewhere), and help get you started. By getting your foot in the door, it’s easier to meet people and get things in place. But you must be organised and always be ready to plan.

“Knowing in advance what things need to be sorted, whether it’s housing, furniture and schooling for the kids, makes it so much easier.

“In simple terms, it’s knowing (in advance) what you need to do and who you need to see.

For example, it’s not easy to get furniture from Europe as it can take six to eight weeks for it to be transported. “(When we moved) we took a few necessities – things we knew we needed – left most of our furnishings in storage and bought a few things when we got here.”

just sit in our home but instead get out and explore and we haven’t been disappointed,” Sorensen said.

“When you come from Europe, we’d all heard about the Great Barrier Reef, Opera House in Sydney and Ayers Rock.

But we have been really surprised with what’s on offer in Melbourne and Victoria. There are so many things to see and do. We’ve been lucky to sample the Grampians, Beechworth, the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island to name just a few destinations, but the best aspect about them is you don’t need a week to go there. In most cases, you can drive for an hour or two and stay for a day or a weekend.

“At some point when I’m no longer playing, I’d like to take six months and take time to see the wide, open spaces of this country. But whatever’s possible before then, we’ll try and do.”

Sorensen said there was so much more to cross off his Australian bucket list, but time was the biggest enemy in the short term as he prepares for another A-League season.

“Until you start travelling in Australia, you really don’t realise how big it is.

Flying for a game to Perth, for example, is similar to flying to northern Africa from northern Europe for European games or international commitments.

But we get to enjoy the best of both worlds here,” Sorensen said. “It’s nice to see the sun at training. Mentally it makes a big difference, looking out the window and seeing a blue sky. In the UK, most days are cold, grey skies and windy or raining. Melbourne isn’t as hot as other places in Australia, so it has been easy to adjust.

“On a really, really hot day, it can be quite draining. Playing against Brisbane in the humidity can be tough, but it’s not something we haven’t done before. We play most games in the evening (rather than the heat of the day), so it’s fine so long as we hydrate properly. And I’d much rather play in 40-degree heat than in -2C in Stoke.”

There is more than a touch of irony about this statement.

One of football’s most quoted sayings of the past decade was Sky Sports TV pundit Andy Gray infamously remarking that Lionel Messi could dominate in the Spanish league but would struggle to score on a cold, wintery night at Stoke. In hindsight it is something of a compliment considering Sorensen was the No.1 at the time.

OPPOSITE PAGE: A jubilant Thomas Sorensen greets Melbourne City fans after a win at AAMI Park THIS PAGE: No.1 for advice, Sorensen says football has completely changed since he first moved to England, with meticulous planning integral to the team-first philosophy Images: ALEKSANDAR JASON aleksandarjason.com

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 25

Image: JAMES PIPINO

R

AROUND the world in 380 days ...

Sorensen receives a warm welcome in Wisconsin as part of his charity ride; in the Channel 9 TV studio for the International Champions Cup in Melbourne; golf with Olympians in Denmark and showing his basketball skills in the US with son Marcus Pictures: INSTAGRAM

26 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

ETAINING a sense of humour is one way Sorensen has navigated the highs and lows of football.

City pulled off a great April Fool’s joke when it published a story on its website that Sorensen had accepted a role as an ambassador for the Great Dane Club of Victoria – “a match made in heaven”.

Sorensen, who it also joked had become a Victorian tourism blogger with his regular posts on Instagram, was quoted as saying he was proud to be named an ambassador for the group and he would be barking mad if he didn’t accept the honour.

“When they first approached me, I thought I couldn’t let this opportunity go because it just makes sense,” Sorensen said.

“The name is one thing but I also believe that my character is very much like a Great Dane – who are gentle giants with a great nature.”

BORN in the small town (population nearing 40,000) of Frederecia, whose other famous residents include a Lego chief and a Eurovision Song Contest contestant, Thomas Lovendahl Sorensen has been standing out among his peers

for more than 20 years. And it’s for reasons other than his 1.95m height (or 6 foot 5 inches in the old scale).

Now 40 years young, the veteran goalkeeper was dubbed the “new Peter Schmeichel” when playing on loan in the Danish Superliga in 1995-96, and it didn’t take long for the athletic young keeper to make his mark.

In fact, it was the Manchester United legend Schmeichel who recommended his fellow Dane to Sunderland, then in England’s second tier. But within a year, Sorensen’s 29 clean sheets had swept the Black Cats to the League Championship title. Capped 101 times

by Denmark between 2000 and 2012, including European Championships and two World Cup finals, he even experienced an FA Cup final with Stoke City.

But playing in the glamorous world of professional football hasn’t come without incident. He came close to losing his eyesight after a clash with Tottenham’s Alan Hutton in October 2008, broke an arm in 1996, dislocated an elbow in 2010 and has received numerous minor injuries.

He’s the first to admit that playing

OPPOSITE PAGE: The Sorensen family (Thomas, Celine, Maria and Marcus) has adapted seamlessly to the beach life in Melbourne THIS PAGE: Thomas Sorensen puts on his game face for a derby showdown against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park BELOW: Have tram, will travel ... Promoting the game with young fans and City teammates Bruno Fornaroli, Tim Cahill and Neil Kilkenny is part of the duties of an A-League player Images: ALEKSANDAR JASON aleksandarjason.com

through pain was part and parcel of playing professionally.

In an interview with Fox Sports’ Simon Hill in April, Sorensen conceded he kept playing after breaking his hand in the A-League.

“I broke it against Western Sydney at home — a fractured bone in my hand — it was painful but manageable.

I couldn’t punch the ball for a few months, but luckily it didn’t really affect my game. I had good treatment here and it’s fine now. Sometimes you just have to work through it, if it’s at all possible, and it was.”

H

ARD work is something that has never worried Sorensen – on the pitch and on two wheels. And his heritage certainly came in handy last year. It’s said that cycling is to Denmark what Vegemite is to Australia, so it seemed natural for Sorensen and his family to embark on the trans-American ride for charity before venturing Down Under.

Describing the experience as the best form of sightseeing, he rode 130km a day for 50 days in a taxing journey that raised 70,000 pounds ($120,000).

“Cycling is part of the upbringing in Denmark. You ride your bike to school, to work and to football, but it hasn’t gone hand in hand with football – mainly due to the risk of injuries if you crash,” Sorensen explained.

“As a family we love an adventure, so we spent a year and a half in preparation for the ride. It was hard work but well worth it, as it was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

“We had a good team and were well prepared. The things that we saw, the experiences we had and the people we met and created special bonds with, were unforgettable.

“Mentally, it was a constant grind.

The toughest was when you get to Day 25 or Day 30 and know you still have a couple of weeks to go,” he said. “Looking back, travelling on a bike really is the best way to see the world … you can see, feel and smell everything wherever you go. In a car you can wind down the window and catch a brief glance, but you don’t get a true sense of what the place is like.”

AGE has certainly not wearied Sorensen.

In the 2015-16 season just finished, he

was voted the A-League Goalkeeper of the Year.

“In my final year at Stoke I didn’t play in the first team, so there were always doubts that you can still play to a level to match your own expectations,” he said. “Looking back at it, I was very pleased with my first (A-League) season.

Winning the award was nice, but the target for me – as it always has been – is to win a trophy for the team.”

But I really enjoyed the hero-to-zero pressure of being a goalkeeper. Being the last line of defence, I always enjoy the big stage and seem to perform best under pressure,” he said. “As a goalkeeper you have a grand view on the pitch and can see everything in front of you. Your job primarily is keeping the

P

LAYING goalkeeper wasn’t a fait accompli for the Dane, who said there were benefits to thinking inside the (penalty) box.

“I’m glad I don’t have to run around too much,” he joked with Fox Sports’ Simon Hill in a tantalising teaser of what could be his next career move – working in TV. He has already appeared for the ICC tournament in July and also fronted the cameras for the Euro 2016 in France. It’s his ability to adapt to changing circumstances that has stood him in good stead throughout his career.

“Up until I was 10 or 12 I played all different positions. In and out of goals, I was told I had some talent.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 27

ball out, but orchestrating the defence and having that understanding (and communication between keeper and defence) makes a massive difference.”

With goalkeeping role models such as Italy’s 40-year-old World Cup-winning captain Dino Zoff and Australia’s Mark Schwarzer winning back-to-back Premier League titles at the age of 43, Sorensen hasn’t ruled out extending his deal beyond this season.

“I wouldn’t be playing at 40 if my body or mind wasn’t up to it. It gets harder and harder (in training) the older you get but so far, so good. I haven’t got any (injury) niggles and you can enjoy

Lars Hogh and Peter Schmeichel, who helped me and supported me. You pick up many things from people you respect along the way, but always take advice on board.

“I’d want any young player to have people that they look up to, and to aspire to great heights – but then to look at me and know he’s working his socks off (to be where he is),” Sorensen said.

“It’s important that these young players never take their talent for granted. They have to seize their opportunities and not just throw it away. You only get to the highest levels if you sacrifice many things.”

Image: JAMES PIPINO

I wouldn’t be playing at 40 if my body or mind wasn’t up to it.

It gets harder the older you get ... but so far, so good

28 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

football. I’ve seen too many people drag themselves to and from training (and not enjoy themselves) and that’s not where you want to end up. It’ll be sad when I’m no longer playing, so that’s why I’m enjoying every day and every game I play.”

The Dane, who turned 40 in June, said the game had changed irrevocably since he was a teen.

“When I first went to England there was still the old culture of going out after training and having a drink, but that has gone totally out of the game now. There’s just so much more attention to detail in the modern game.

Everything is planned, with the sole goal to gain an advantage, tactically and physically. The game is quicker and players are fitter.

“And with the rise of social media, there is nowhere to hide. Everyone gets analysed, so it’s harder to be a footballer now because there are so many more things to deal with when you’re under the microscope 24/7.”

His advice to youngsters hoping to make their mark in the World Game is simple.

“If you want to make a career out of football, at the end of the day, you must make your own way. I was lucky to have fantastic mentors, such as

A

S HE eyes the closing chapter of his playing career, Sorensen is focusing on still more sacrifices as he prepares for the A-League season, with hopes of obtaining his coaching qualifications being placed on the backburner for the time being.

“It’s a good league. It has a core of very good players. The biggest issue is the small squads and salary cap, and if the teams get injuries the depth of squads can be tested,” he said. “What the league needs is great players like Tim Cahill and others to create excitement and bring crowds in. Last season the entertainment factor was fantastic, with the goals scored and the style of attacking play.

“My main goal this year is football and winning trophies, building the club and helping out where I can help. Since turning 40, you realise you’re not young any more, so it’s all about enjoying the moment, appreciating the simple things more and getting the most out of everything you do.

“When I make that judgement (to retire) I want to look at myself in the mirror and still be able to compete at the highest level. At this stage, it’s one year at a time, making sure the body can still cope and then determining what’s best for the family.”

BECOME A PART OF THE CITY FAMILY MELBOURNE CITY 2016/17 MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW JOIN OR RENEW TODAY www.melbournecityfc.com.au

Ottowa

The

A First Home Buyers Dream

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C A SHBACK

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The Central Kitchen is at the hub of the family friendly Ottawa. With three bedrooms, (master at rear with ensuite), a large open plan living and dining area, the Ottawa has everything you need for everyday family living or entertaining. The main bathroom and a separate laundry are conveniently located between the two other bedrooms and there’s a double garage with internal access. The Ottawa is an ideal choice for the first home buyer.

LDRY

BATH ENTRY GARAGE BED 3

Ottawa 17 PORTICO

*$10,000 Cashback Terms and Conditions can be found on the inside cover wrap of this magazine or on page 59 of the Porter Davis Advantage + Brochure.

Image shows upgraded items not included by Porter Davis.

ONLY E M I T D E T I M LI

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K C A P E X U L D E D U L C IN 7,999 VALUED AT $

Luxe Pack Interior • 20mm Silestone® Benchtops – To Island and rear bench in kitchen to give a sleek upmarket finish. In lieu of Laminex®.

• Technika Dishwasher (TDX7SS) – Clean up easily after family dinners or entertaining with this stylish addition.

• AFA Undermount Double sink – Gives you a seamless look with drainer hidden underneath. In lieu of Base MK2 double bowl sink.

• Technobili Veggie Spray (T7300) – Makes washing up easier and gives your kitchen that modern feel. In lieu of Flick Mixer Tap. • Glass Splashback – Adds a sleek look to your new kitchen.

In lieu of tiles.

• Soft Closers to Kitchen Cupboards – The peaceful sound of no banging doors.

• 20mm Silestone® Benchtops to Bathroom & Ensuite – Add a little luxe to your private oasis. In lieu of Laminex®.

• Base Shower Rail and Mixer Tap to Ensuite and Bathroom – Add a touch of class to your shower. In lieu of standard shower head and taps.

• Timber Laminate to Entry and Living Areas – Get that richer and warmer feel of wood look finish floors. In lieu of tiles.

• Palandri Carpet (Category 2) to remainder of home – A plusher and smoother carpet pile that feels great under foot.

In lieu of Category 1 carpet.

• Vision Glide L4 Front Entry Lever Set. • Flush panel hinged and latched door to ensuite (design specific).

• Lockwood privacy set to WC. • Towel Ring and Toilet roll holders to ensuite, bathroom and WC.

Luxe Pack Exterior • Bricks – Move to a Category 3 brick in lieu of the Category 2.

• Flyscreens – Keep all the unwanted insects at bay with Flyscreen to all openable windows.

(Excludes sliding doors, bi-fold doors and louvre windows.)

• Key Locks – The added security for the family with keyed locks to all openable windows.

(Excludes sliding doors, bi-fold doors and louvre windows.)

• Stained Wood Front Door – Create a stylish entrance with a stained wooded front door. In lieu of painted front door (Model MAD104 – Contemporary and Resort. Model MAD101 – Classic and Designer).

• Timber Look Garage Door – Give your home real street appeal with a stylish timber look garage door. In lieu of painted garage door. 2 transmitters included.

^Your Luxe pack will be applied in your selected theme to the interior and exterior of your new home. Themes cannot be mixed and matched; homes must have the same exterior and interior theme. E.g. Resort Exterior and Resort Interior. The designated Luxe Pack colour palettes within each of the four styles are pre-determined and cannot be altered in any way by the client. ≈The Free Luxe Pack is not available with any other Porter Davis Range or offer. The Free Luxe Pack will be incorporated into your contract. For full Advantage+ terms and conditions, please see the Advantage+ brochure dated 30.07.16. Porter Davis reserves the right to cease, alter or extend this promotion at anytime without notice. Porter Davis Homes takes no responsibility for changes that occur after this date, errors or omissions. Please check currency of information with your Sales Consultant.

1800 PORTER (767 837) PORTERDAVIS.COM.AU

RECIPE

Vietnamese Chicken Salad

FOR us, this is the definitive Asian salad: healthy, low-fat, low-carb and packed with flavour, crunch and other positive, go-getting qualities. If you poach the chicken breasts and prep the vegetables and dressing earlier, the whole thing comes together in moments – perfect for a midweek summer dinner.

Make ahead: The chicken can be poached up to two days ahead and kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Alternatively, poach a few breasts at the same time and, when cool, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or put them in a zip-lock bag and freeze for up to three months – pull one out to defrost whenever you need some for a salad or sandwiches. The dressing may be made up to a week ahead and stored in an airtight jar in the fridge. The salad, minus the dressing and the nuts, can be made up to two days ahead and kept, refrigerated, in an airtight container.

Ingredients 500g chicken breast fillets 1kg Chinese cabbage (wong bok), end removed, quartered lengthways and thinly sliced 300g carrots, coarsely grated or cut into very thin matchsticks 6 spring onions (scallions), ends removed, thinly sliced 1 large handful mint, leaves only, coarsely chopped 2 large handfuls coriander (cilantro), leaves only, coarsely chopped 50g (1/3 cup) unsalted roasted peanuts, lightly crushed 2½ tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted Vietnamese dressing 2 long red chillies, seeded and coarsely chopped 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 100g (½ cup lightly packed) light brown sugar 2 tablespoons white rice vinegar (or substitute cider vinegar) 100ml lime juice (about 4 limes) 100ml fish sauce To serve: prawn crackers (optional)

Method Trim any visible fat or sinew off the chicken breasts. In a wide saucepan, bring 1.5 litres (6 cups) of well-salted water to the boil over high heat and then add the chicken breast fillets. Turn the heat down to a low simmer and gently poach the chicken for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off, cover with the saucepan lid and let the chicken continue cooking for a further 10 minutes.

Remove with tongs and allow to cool until it’s stopped steaming, then cover and refrigerate.

For the Vietnamese dressing, mix all the ingredients in a small food processor bowl or a stick blender container and blitz for a couple of minutes, until well blended. Taste for sweet/ sour/salty balance and adjust to your liking.

When ready to serve, shred the chicken breasts with your fingers into rough, bite-sized pieces.

Mix the Chinese cabbage, carrots, spring onions, mint and coriander in a large bowl. Add half the dressing, half the chicken and half the nuts and seeds and toss it all together.

Arrange on a platter and scatter with the remaining chicken, nuts and seeds, drizzled with the rest of the dressing.

Serve the salad on its own or with prawn crackers.

SERVES 4–6 / PREP TIME 30 MINUTES / COOKING TIME 20 MINUTES

32 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Recipe and image from The Dinner Ladies by Sophie Gilliatt and Katherine Westwood (Murdoch Books).

It’s easy & free!

A unique interactive experience:

1 2 3 The Urban Life app is compaTibLe wiTh aLL android and os devices

Simply download the Urban Life Magazine app from the App Store.

Open the app and then hold your phone over the advertisement or editorial page (those marked with the Urban Life app Icon).

The app will then seamlessly deliver you to the digital link behind the page. This may be a competition offer from us; a builder’s website offering a virtual reality display home tour; it may take you to a selection of new home or interior ideas; or you might find rich media offerings, like video related to the page you scan.

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Simple steps to dinner peace

COOKING Timing is everything when it comes to preparing food. Luckily, the Dinner Ladies are here to serve up some excellent advice You advocate cooking in large quantities so other portions can be used later.

Given we are all time poor, when do you find is the best time to cook?

We love Sunday afternoon, when there doesn’t seem anything else too pressing to do. As the afternoon wears on into evening, a glass of wine makes a pleasing accompaniment to the cooking.

What’s the biggest mistake that people make when cooking in large batches?

It’s probably putting in too much liquid and not seasoning to taste. As far as safety goes, it’s not dividing the food quickly into smaller portions to cool down and/or putting it in the fridge when it’s still steaming hot.

How can any cook be better prepared before cooking?

A good clear out of the fridge and freezer is a great start before batch cooking. You’re going to need lots of room for your neat, labelled tubs. If you’re planning on cooking a few dishes in an afternoon, schedule your time as if you were in a professional kitchen; get the slowest dish on first, then the second slowest and so on. Have lots of plastic litre takeaway containers to store your prepared dishes, plucked and prepped vegetables and herbs, and sliced, marinated meats for stir-fries.

They stack beautifully and are cheap and easily available.

What’s the best way to defrost your pre-prepared dishes?

It’s safest to defrost in the fridge, but who among us is that organised? If you’re pushed for time, the defrost program on the microwave is fine or you can use a sink and running roomtemperature water, as long as you reheat the dish till piping hot within four hours of it beginning to defrost.

What ingredients are staples in your pantry?

Australian extra-virgin olive oil (we use the purple Cobram Estate by the bucketload), whole spices for toasting and grinding, any of our chilli

condiments (we make a harissa, a tomato sambal and a sweet chilli sauce) to fire up tame dishes, loads of nuts and seeds for toasting and adding as a final flurry of flavour and texture to your marvellously organised prepared dishes.

Any tips when shopping (for large quantities)?

It’s fine to shop at the supermarket when you’re on your way home from work and time is short, but you’ll get better produce and prices if you buy in bulk from markets for fruit and veg. Try to find a wholesale meat supplier that also sells directly to customers, too.

There are a few around.

The rise of MasterChef, My Kitchen Rules and other food programs has raised the bar for home cooks. Have we made cooking too complicated that people are afraid to try it?

Those shows are great in that they make people interested and aware of the fun and pleasure of cooking, but they can overemphasise presentation and the latest whiz-bang techniques, which shouldn’t really be a feature of home cooking. It is more about flavour, traditions and comfort. For us, the greatest thing about cooking is sharing food with family and friends, laughing round the dinner table, and certainly not about feeling stressed or competitive.

times. It may be that a family member is in hospital or that they’re recently bereaved or feeling overwhelmed by babies and small children. If they are eating nutritious, delicious food that has been made with care, it restores harmony to (at least) one part of their lives and gives them more ability to cope with the rest. The letters of gratitude they write us often move us to tears.

What is the greatest kitchen appliance/ invention?

Home food processors now are almost as good as commercial ones for things like julienning as well as chopping. Most of our cooked recipes start with chopped onion and other vegetables and we’re making a lot of different crunchy slaws at the moment. It’s possible to do it by hand, but not nearly as easy.

Cooking for kids is always difficult.

What’s your secret?

Even among our children we have so many different, warring tastes – one who won’t eat cheese, one who hates potatoes. It’s sometimes not possible to please everyone all the time, so some

handy single-serve prepared standbys in the freezer mean that everyone can be eating together but not necessarily the same thing. Also dishes like burritos, rice paper rolls, kebabs in flat breads give everybody the chance to assemble their own dish, choosing only the bits they like.

They’re great if you have one vegetarian member in a family of omnivores.

If you were forced to survive on only one dish for a year, what would it be?

I think it could be our super foods salad – it’s a perfect package of nutrition, colour, flavour and texture. Definitely survivor-worthy.

You’re heading to the park or beach for a picnic. What would you be packing in your basket?

I’d keep it super simple with a beautiful fresh Asian salad, like our Vietnamese chicken salad, with the dressing on the side to keep everything crisp till the last minute and then maybe finish by enjoying our marbled choc fudge and raspberry brownies. Oh dear, now I want to leave work and go on a picnic with just that menu …

What’s the easiest dish in the book that you feel that anyone can cook?

Every dish in the book is within the grasp of any home cook but one of the simplest recipes, which makes a disproportionately large impact, is brined chicken. Once you brine a chicken overnight in a salt/sugar/water solution, flavoured with a few herbs and citrus quarters, you can just stick it in the oven for an hour and the result will be the best chicken you’ve ever tasted – we promise!

Food breaks down many barriers and brings people closer. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Helping people get through difficult

The Dinner Ladies – Sophie Gilliatt and Katherine Westwood - provide a delivery service in Sydney but their tips are available at dinnerladies.com.au

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 35

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR BUDGET OR LIFESTYLE, YOU’LL BE SPOILT FOR CHOICE WITH BURBANK Led by father and son team Eddie and Jarrod Sanfilippo, Burbank has been making great Australian dreams come true for over 30 years.

Starting out as a small home building company in Melbourne, Burbank is now one of Australia’s most trusted builders, with offices in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory.

vision “to deliver a wide range of home solutions through exceptional service”, Burbank is more than just a traditional home builder. While it’s true that Burbank is most well known for their stunning range of detached homes, with over 80 displays located in more than 30 estates across Victoria alone, Burbank is making waves in the high and medium density space.

Part of the innovative Burbank Group of Companies, Burbank Homes is getting bigger and better every year. But, for Burbank, it’s not just the number of homes that’s increasing, but also the type of homes. With a company

Partnering with high profile developers such as LendLease and Cedar Woods, Burbank is responding to market demand for low maintenance homes that combine the convenience of city living with fresh, modern floor

plans that don’t cost the earth. Burbank has numerous townhouse and apartment projects across metropolitan Melbourne, including Greentree Signature Townhouses in Williams Landing, MV1 Apartments in Roxburgh Park and the award-winning Mosaic apartment complex in Dandenong, which took out the coveted UDIA award for excellence in the ‘Urban Renewal’ category in 2015.

The great news for homebuyers is there’s plenty more projects in the making, across both the Melbourne metropolitan area and regional Victoria, with Burbank townhouses set to launch

Mosaic Apartments, Dandenong

Greentree Townhouses, Williams Landing

You won’t believe it’s Burbank

COLOURS AND CUPBOARDS AND CARPETS, OH MY!

• Mosaic apartments in Dandenong • Greentree Signature Townhouses in Williams Landing • Forte Townhouses in Dandenong • MV1 apartments and townhouses in Roxburgh Park • Parkway Townhouses in Tarneit • Denton Mills apartments in Abbotsford

all the way from Torquay to Clyde.

So, whether you’re a first homebuyer or investor looking to get your foot in the door of the property market, a growing family seeking a home with stacks of space, or a second or third homebuyer with plans to build your ultimate dream home, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Burbank.

For more information, visit burbank.com.au.

How to make the most of your Edge Selection Studio experience The team at Burbank pride themselves on offering a unique and completely integrated customer experience, so it’s no surprise that this streamlined service extends to interior and electrical design. With their very own Edge Selection Studio in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, Burbank offers a specialist interior design service aimed at helping customers personalise their home, inside and out. Burbank’s Edge Selection Studio manager, Sharon Parker, shares some insights on what to expect from the team at the Edge.

What services does the Edge offer?

The Edge offers a complete interior and electrical design service, with expert designers on hand to guide customers through selections for their new home. The studio is stocked with everything needed to tailor a personalised design outcome - from floor coverings, lighting, appliances, bricks, paint and more. The Edge is open to the public every weekend from 10am to 4pm. So, whether you’re in the process of building with Burbank, or you just want to have a look at what’s out there, we welcome everyone.

What tips can you give for people to get the most out of their Edge selection experience?

One great way to prepare is to create a mood board, including images of colour palettes, products and styles you love. Whether it’s on a digital platform like Pinterest or Houzz, or simply cutting out images from magazines, this really helps us understand the look and feel you’re aiming for. Don’t forget to revisit your favourite Burbank display home and make a note of any special features. If you already have furniture for your new home, it’s also a good idea to bring in

pictures. Also, know your budget, bring a pen and leave the little ones with a family member or friend so you can concentrate 100% on your selections.

What are the most important things to consider when choosing the following items?

Tapware – Strike the right balance between style and functionality. Consider things like ease of use and safety, especially for children, and the purpose of the tap.

Floor coverings – When it comes to floor coverings, think about maintenance. Large, white floor tiles might look luxe, but they do require more cleaning than floor boards or darker coloured tiles.

Benchtops – This is your chance to make a real impact. Benchtops are a permanent feature and island benches often become the hero of a room.

A great looking benchtop will not only enhance the overall look and feel of your home, it will become the most used part of your home and is always worth the investment.

Doors – Most people are surprised by the range of doors on offer. Consider whether you prefer a stained or painted finish, then think about features such as glazing options and panels or trims.

Handles – Touch the handles and see how they feel in your hands. Are they comfortable and functional for the room? Do you prefer the clean look of no handles on your overhead cupboards?

Colours – The most important thing that brings a scheme together is colour. We are moving away from all white interiors, instead layering different shades of one colour for a great new look. Have a think about whether you prefer a warm or cool palette, and whether you like a natural look or something more modern and bold. These are great starting points for your interior designer to work with.

OUTDOORS

You little dripper

Images: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Landscape designer LIZ FILMER digs deep on the issue of irrigation when planning your new garden

38 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

A

QUESTION I am often asked by my clients during the planning of their landscaping project is “Do I need an irrigation system?”

Many assume the answer will be yes, however in my time I have observed more gardens dying from over-watering than under-watering, a case of too much of a good thing.

In the past irrigation systems were often programmed during the summer months and then forgotten about, so the same amount of watering continued all throughout the year regardless of whether it was needed or not and often to the detriment of the garden, not to mention a waste of water.

Thankfully, the modern watering systems available today are equipped with technology to prevent this, but more on that later.

Whether you will need an irrigation system will be governed almost entirely by the type of plants you wish to grow and their suitability to your environment.

By selecting drought-tolerant species of plants many people can quite easily have a garden that will survive on only the water that falls from the sky.

Your money may be spent more wisely on improving the soil structure with the addition of compost or contouring the land to divert water run off where it’s needed most.

People are surprised when I tell them I don’t have an irrigation system in my garden. The only plants I water are my vegetables, as required. I have birches, maples, citrus, hydrangeas, ferns and palms all growing happily.

It’s due to the soil type, plant location, what else is growing around them and allowing them to ‘tough it out’.

By ‘tough it out’, I mean waiting for it to rain.

More often than not, after a few days of hot, dry conditions a change in the weather arrives and nature waters the garden for me; I’ll always check the weather forecast before watering.

Plants require the most water during establishment. Inexpensive temporary or manually operated irrigation systems may be quite useful for the first 12 months of any garden’s life.

If you are time poor, have a large garden that’s exposed to the elements - perhaps with poor soil and undulating topography - and you wish to have fruitand vegetable-producing plants, exotic

trees and shrubs and green grass in summer, then a watering system will be money well spent.

The next question to ask yourself is, “Do you have a reliable water source in summer? If not, are you prepared to pay to get one?” Gone are the days when mains water was cheap and plentiful.

Tanks, bores and dams are all expensive to set up.

During drought conditions, when your garden needs water the most, your dams and tanks could well be empty unless they are sufficiently large.

Once you’ve established you need an irrigation system, it is wise to get some expert advice.

If you are planning to install it yourself, get a plan drawn up by a consultant. This will help ensure your system works efficiently and is easy to maintain.

Yes, an irrigation system should be maintained, filters should be flushed, sprinklers checked for damage, and pipes checked for leaks. I have found

marquee pegs, stakes and shovels have a habit of being drawn to underground irrigation wiring and pipes.

Keep a written or photographic record of the location of underground pipes, wires and valves as they are being installed. Trust me, you will forget where they are located.

Today’s irrigation controllers, when coupled with a weather sensor, can apply the appropriate amount of water to your garden throughout the entire year without any program adjustments made by you.

A microprocessor records and processes weather data; this coupled with geographical information, plant and soil type, sprinkler style and location entered initially into the controller combines to establish appropriate watering schedules. How good is that?

Liz Filmer is a master tradesman and member of Landscaping Victoria. lizfilmerlandscaping.com.au

Clockwise from top: Plants require the most water during establishment; drought-friendly plantings ensure you use nature for your water supply; pop-up sprinkler systems are just one option to keep your garden looking its best; it’s important not to over-water your new garden

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 39

H I A AWA R D W I N N E R S

Get in Q

Q Designer Homes

Q DESIGNER Homes has won the 2016 HIA Western Victoria Regional Home of the Year Award for its Viridian Torquay display home This design incorporates an elegant stained cedar and crisp-white render facade and a functional open-plan layout that includes four bedrooms (luxurious main has en suite and dressing room), living area, impressive kitchen with cafe bar and walk-in butler’s pantry, and study nook.

Eliminating wasted space, the floorplan allows for ample storage and a seamless connection from the living space to the courtyard. The latter has a fireplace and built-in barbecue.

“This home is an example of up-to-the-minute design and brilliant workmanship,” judges said. “It delivers a visual feast and a level of

Q Designer Homes

practicality that others should now aspire to.

“It’s a pleasure to visit a home that is presented in a completely refined state, with an immediate feeling of comfort, style and luxury on a scale that belies the cost of the build.”

Q Designer Homes will now go on to compete against other display homes from around the state at the 2016 HIA CSR Victoria Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards in November.

Projects are judged on workmanship, design effectiveness, visual appeal, innovation, environmental sustainability and market relevance.

OTHER WESTERN VICTORIA WINNERS INCLUDE: Metricon

Q Designer Homes

CUSTOM BUILT HOMES Up to $350,000 Greg Smith Homes Buninyong $350,000-$500,000 Mackkcon Homes Penshurst

Signature Homes

40 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

CUSTOM BUILT HOME OF THE YEAR

Over $400,001 Q Designer Homes ‘Viridian’ (Torquay)

DISPLAY HOMES

DISPLAY HOME OF THE YEAR

Signature Homes Highton

Up to $250,000 Metricon Homes ‘Delta 255 Maine’ (Drysdale)

$500,001-$700,000 Pivot Homes Connewarre

$250,001-$300,000 Hotondo Homes Ararat ‘Marcoola 209’ (Ararat)

Over $700,001 Signature Homes Highton

$300,001-$400,000 Forever Homes ‘Hampton 236’ (Portland)

Q Designer Homes ‘Viridian’ (Torquay)

TOWNHOUSE VILLA Trevor Homes (Portarlington)

H I A AWA R D W I N N E R S Bright Alpine Builders

2016 HIA NORTHERN VICTORIA WINNERS: CUSTOM-BUILT HOMES Up to $350,000 Sapphire Sky Homes Wodonga $350,001-$500,000 J & J Carroll Builders Wodonga $500,001-$700,000 McCarthy Homes Strathfieldsaye Over $700,001 Bright Alpine Builders Killawarra Custom Built Home of the Year Bright Alpine Builders Killawarra

DISPLAY HOMES

spark

Up to $300,000 Sapphire Sky Homes ‘The Bellevue’ (Wodonga) $300,001-$400,000 Hadar Homes ‘Vancouver’ (Wodonga)

BRIGHT Alpine Builders has won the 2016 HIA Northern Victoria Regional Home of the Year Award for its Killawarra residence Built on the edge of a state park at Killawarra, its rural location inspired the clients and designers to bring the outside in while maintaining year-round climate comfort.

Locally sourced rammed-earth walls, polished concrete and stone flooring meld with native Australian timbers and floor-to-ceiling glass to frame extensive valley and mountain views.

Clever use of electronically controlled aluminum louvres provide light and shade, effectively taming the harsh Australian summers and warming winters.

High thermal value material structures, bolstered by a geothermal mass heating and cooling that uses dam water, has created an additional climate-control system.

Bright Alpine Builders will now go on to compete against other custombuilt homes at the HIA CSR Victoria Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards at Crown Towers in Melbourne next month.

Metricon

$400,001-$500,000 Metricon Homes ‘Botanica 32 Ascent’ (Kialla) Over $500,001 McCarthy Homes ‘The Saxby’ (Strathfieldsaye) Display Home of the Year Hadar Homes ‘Vancouver’ (Wodonga)

SMALL COMMERCIAL PROJECT Lockstar Homes Mildura

TOWNHOUSE VILLA DEVELOPMENT J & J Carroll Builders Yackandandah McCarthy Homes

Sapphire Sky Homes

PROJECT HOME B & H Homes Tabletop

GREENSMART ENERGY EFFICIENCY J & J Carroll Builders Yackandandah

BATHROOM Flair Cabinets Whorouly

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 41

H I A AWA R D W I N N E R S HIA Eastern Victoria Regional Home of the Year COJACK DEVELOPMENTS

HIA Eastern Victoria Regional Display Home of the Year SIMONDS ‘DAKOTA 2814’

OTHER WINNERS INCLUDE: CUSTOM BUILT HOMES Up to $500,000 Latitude 37 McCrae

Gilpip Homes

$500,001-$700,000 Swell Constructions Balnarring $700,001-$1million Marklew Housing Mornington $1million-$2million Lowe Construction Mt Martha $2million-$4million S. Smith Builders Portsea

DISPLAY HOMES Latitude 37

Up to $250,000 Metricon Homes ‘Amira 2A Aspen’ (Warragul) $250,001-$300,000 Green Design Homes ‘Coogee 253’ (Warragul) $300,001-$400,000 Simonds ‘Dakota 2814’ (Traralgon) Over $400,001 Simonds ‘Bolton 3016’ (Traralgon)

TOWNHOUSE VILLA

Metricon

Gilpip Homes Mornington

PROJECT HOME Latitude 37 Mt Martha

GREENSMART ENERGY EFFICIENCY Simonds

Eastern Victoria 42 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

EcoLiv Buildings Wonthaggi

BATHROOM Marklew Housing Mornington

PRACTICAL MAGIC

Morphy Richards kettle from the Accents range morphyrichards.com.au RRP: $129.95

Smiley Face Winky Mug gyrofish.com.au RRP: $14.95

Teefilter Flamingo design-300.de RRP: $22

Zhena’s variety sampler stack tin oxfamshop.org.au RRP: $14.95

Tea Freak tea towel downthatlittlelane.com.au RRP: $24.90

Cute-tea Double chocolate cupcake thecupcakequeens.com.au RRP: From $2.20

Sophie Allport Alice In Wonderland tea cosy sophieallport.com RRP: $23

Retro kettle wall clock hardtofind.com.au RRP: $55

Audrey tea strainer - Koziol (white/red) optocoonline.com RRP: $30

‘Octeapus’ tea infuser yellowoctopus.com.au RRP: $19.99

If you’d like to feature a product in Practical Magic, email urbanlife@publicitypress.com.au

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 43

PLANNING

Cranbourne East: a case study

Six years after Cranbourne East first started to be developed, it is growing at a rapid pace. VPA chief executive Peter Seamer reflects on the suburb’s successes and areas for improvement

O

UR Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) paint vivid pictures of future communities: replete with town centres, schools, parks, community facilities and public transport routes.

However, while town planners are well versed at casting their minds into the future to imagine an area’s potential, all some people see is a big patch of grass.

Therefore, to shed a little light on Greenfields planning, I thought it would be useful to reflect on one of our former PSPs, to analyse whether the area is

44 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

developing in the way we had conceived.

Cranbourne East was one of the first PSPs our organisation (then called the Growth Areas Authority) completed.

We turned our attention to this southeastern hinterland in 2007, at the request of the Minister for Planning.

The government of the day, and the City of Casey, had a vision for a thriving new suburb that would provide affordable housing to Melbourne families, in an area previously used for farming. It was our job to realise this aspiration.

While it is true that some Melbourne

suburbs have been developed incrementally, without an overarching plan, Precinct Structure Plans ensure land is reserved for vital community infrastructure.

To inform our plan for Cranbourne East, for two years we conducted detailed studies into the region’s history and topography. After much public consultation, in May 2010 our Cranbourne East Precinct Structure Plan was formally adopted.

This plan stated that the area would eventually have 6600 dwellings, with a density of at least 16 dwellings per net developable hectare. It reserved land for two primary schools, two retirement villages and three town centres, all within proximity of a future train station.

Furthermore, Cranbourne East was one of the first Melbourne suburbs to apply the Victorian Government’s PSP Guidelines, created by the VPA in 2009.

These guidelines placed a particular

emphasis on delivery of accessible, quality open space, stating that most residences should be within 400m (or a five-minute walk) of parkland.

Additionally, unlike many suburbs created in the 1980s and ’90s, designed with winding ‘spaghetti’ roads that are difficult to traverse, the guidelines state that new suburbs should be designed with a grid-like structure, making it easy for future residents to get around.

So, six years after our Cranbourne East plan was endorsed, has the suburb lived up to expectations?

I am pleased to report that, for the most part, it has. Indeed, Cranbourne East is now the fastest-growing suburb in all of Melbourne, with the population increasing by 88 people per week last financial year.

There are now over 3800 approved lots in Cranbourne East, making it around 60 per cent developed, and this continues to rise. It has two retirement

Cranbourne East is about 60 per cent completed, with 3800 approved lots. Six years on, the suburb includes the Shopping on Clyde shopping centre (left and below right), with plans for more retail precincts within the three planned town centres. The skate park (right) has also been a hit with the area’s kids

villages; a Catholic primary school and Catholic secondary school; a terrific athletics complex; and two town centres with shopping arcades. Construction of the government ‘Heather Grove’ primary school has also recently commenced and is expected to open in 2017.

Roads are well-connected grids, and there are regular bus services from the north of the suburb to Cranbourne central, introduced three years after the first residents moved in.

Furthermore, Cranbourne East is meeting its affordability ambitions, with the median Cranbourne East house costing around $439,000 – much lower than the Melbourne median house price of $725,000. We have also been seeing a variety of residences being built, particularly near the town centres, providing people with greater options about the type of house they choose to live in, and contributing to the suburb’s affordability.

Indeed, a recent study by RMIT University and VicHealth (in which the VPA was a key partner) revealed that residents living in the Selandra Rise housing estate in Cranbourne East were largely satisfied with their community.

Residents reported that they appreciated the “ease and pleasance of walking” in the area – perhaps a result of the PSP Guidelines on open space and green areas – and were satisfied with community facilities, which provided them with opportunities to meet new people.

One resident told researchers: “I think [Selandra Community Place] and the events that happen there regularly is one of the best things … it was really helpful in knowing the neighbours.”

However, I am by no means suggesting the VPA can take full credit for Cranbourne East’s success. Much of the reason the suburb has proved so popular is due to the inspired

work of the City of Casey, which has implemented many great community amenities in the area, such as the Casey Fields outdoor sporting complex.

Much of the infrastructure in the area has been funded through development levies, which are given to the City of Casey to help pay for community facilities.

Also, Cranbourne East still has a way to go to reach its full potential. The suburb does not yet have a train station or a bus service from the south, and would benefit from a third town centre.

Additionally, residents in the Selandra Rise study revealed they were largely dissatisfied with the amount of time it took them to travel to work, with more than a third of residents travelling for an hour or longer each way.

There are also challenges in completing the bus network and pedestrian and cycle connections, as different parts of the suburb have been

developing at different rates.

Long commutes have been shown to have negative impacts on people’s health, as time spent travelling in cars affects time that could otherwise be spent exercising.

The VPA realises that long commutes are an issue for many people living in Melbourne’s Greenfield areas, and this is something we are trying to address through our plans for suburban job hubs in areas connected to growth regions, such as Monash, Sunshine and Latrobe.

We are not claiming that Cranbourne East is the perfect Melbourne suburb.

However, when we consider how far Cranbourne East has come in six short years, we can’t help but feel pride about what has been achieved.

Cranbourne East demonstrates that in a short amount of time, an area can be transformed into a great place for people.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 45

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is a State Government statutory authority that acts under the direction of the Minister for Planning.

Victoria is growing, with a projected population of up to 10 million people by 2051. The VPA helps manage this growth, so that Melbourne and our regional towns and cities continue to be great places to live.

The VPA facilitates long-term integrated land use and infrastructure planning, to ensure Victorians have equitable access to employment, public transport, attractive public space and affordable housing.

If you would like to share your views on the future of Victoria, please call Rachel on 9651 9600 or email info@vpa.vic.gov.au

vpa.vic.gov.au

INSIDER

What attracted you to the industry (and when)?

I grew up in a family of estate agents and started selling old houses in Kensington in the mid-1980s. I was constantly frustrated because I could see ways of improving the houses that would have earned the vendors so much more money, but back then none of my clients were interested in listening. In the late ‘80s I was given the opportunity to work on the design and sale of a townhouse development and that started my 30-year love affair with developing land and new homes.

What do you love most about the industry?

It’s twofold - the people in the industry, and being able to help people fulfil their home dreams. I work with highly respected professionals and they are all driven by a desire to improve people’s lifestyle by creating healthy, hi tech and very liveable and affordable communities. I am naturally creative and this job gives me the opportunity to be just that.

sophisticated. At Dennis Family we are very aware of the need to create community play space and nature trails, precincts with exercise trails, water play and passive recreational spots where you can sit in a park and read, so people don’t miss out on what I grew up with.

If you had the power, how would you improve the process of buying land?

There’s too much red tape. If only we could streamline the development permit processes (and costs) so land was more affordable, and then streamline the borrowing and settlement processes, life would be easier for buyers.

Ruth Ritchie DENNIS FAMILY CORPORATION

What do you consider your proudest moment or greatest achievement?

Having been involved with so many award-winning developments, the thing I like best is being able to drive back through them and hold my head up high, proud of the beauty of the streetscapes and the obvious success of the development. Developments always look raw when they’re first built. It takes time for the community to blend, the landscape to mature and for people to really feel at home. Going back years after I’ve done my job and meeting people who still love the home I sold them is a real thrill. I feel like I leave a little bit of my soul in each estate.

Biggest regret?

Not buying into more of the estates that I’ve been involved with. Melbourne property prices have done so well and almost always reward people for taking the leap of faith.

Worst trend?

I’m saddened that people are so time poor they only want small “low-maintenance” blocks these days. I’d love children to have more outdoor play space at home. It’s an affordability issue.

Development is a costly business and land close to the big cities is expensive, so people are only buying tiny pieces of it.

Best change?

The master planning of estates is now so much more

What’s the biggest misconception people have when buying land?

People fall in love with a display house and then try to find a block to fit it on, or choose where they want to live and then find the house. Both ways, they’re looking to fulfil their dream and they lose track of what they can afford. It’s important to be realistic so you don’t finish up disappointed.

If buying land tomorrow, what feature would you most like incorporated in your estate?

I’d be looking for facilities and amenities to suit my lifestyle. If investing, proximity to public transport, good road links, schools and existing amenities would be most important. Manor Lakes would be a great choice because it has a railway station on site, and kindergarten, childcare and schools already.

What do you think new housing estates will be like in 2030?

Land sizes will keep getting smaller. Community open space will be critically important, while housing construction will be Scandinavian-style flat pack, where houses are built in factories and delivered to site like an Ikea product.

The opportunity for a buyer to be creative in their house design will only come with a very big budget.

Powerwalls (batteries storing solar energy) within houses will be common, as will electric charging stations for cars, community bicycle schemes and car-sharing programs.

Exercise trail stations will have computerised systems to record your activity.

Smart-wired communities and homes with highspeed internet, keyless entry, more surveillance and even tech concierges to assist with smart wiring or wifi home entertainment setups will be an expectation, not a luxury.

Sales and marketing manager URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 47

INDUSTRY NEWS

Stockland tops for Green communities STOCKLAND has created more Green Star-rated communities than any other developer in Australia, after the Green Building Council of Australia certified six new communities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Stockland has achieved 6 Star Green Star Communities ratings, representing “world leadership” in the design and delivery of sustainable precincts for three projects, including Cloverton at Kalkallo in Melbourne’s north.

In addition, 5 Star Green Star Communities ratings, equivalent to “Australian excellence”, were awarded for three projects, including The Grove at Tarneit in Melbourne’s west.

“Stockland is leading the charge in its commitment to sustainable communities and this leadership will transform the shape of Australia’s cities,” GBCA’s chief executive officer Romilly Madew said.

“Tens of thousands of Australian families will live in Stockland communities that were designed to be environmentally sustainable, and to be liveable, prosperous and resilient places.

“For most Australians, a home is the biggest investment they are likely to make in their lifetimes. A Green Star rating gives home owners confidence that their community was designed with good transport links, access to local employment opportunities, is close to shops and services – and is ultimately a great place to live.”

There are more than 50 Green Star Communities projects around Australia.

Gen Y elevates solar expectations MILLENNIALS expect to be able to invest in and benefit from solar power, even if they don’t have a rooftop to install it on.

An Accenture survey found Gen Y energy users want to monitor and control their energy profiles – like their social media profiles – via their mobile phone, Onestepoffthegrid.com.au reported.

More than three-quarters (76 per cent) were interested in a “connected” home energy service, while 60 per cent were likely to sign up for an app that remotely monitored and controlled their home energy use.

Another 67 per cent said they were interested in an in-home system that automatically limited electricity usage during peak periods, in return for bill credits.

More than half (56 per cent) of Gen Ys were likely to invest in solar panels within five years. Among this group, 73 per cent expected to be able to sell the excess power their PV system produced, while 77 per cent said they would use battery storage to hold it, for self-consumption.

In summarising, Accenture said “the time of energy as a commodity is over. It is now about engaging the whole consumer. Consumers expect providers to care for their individual values and needs.”

Solution surfaces on benchtop germs LAMINEX is tackling the issue of hygiene head on with its Protec+ technology.

The innovative antimicrobial surface inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungus on benchtops, giving protection against microbes in the home.

“Our research shows cleanability and hygiene rate high on the list of criteria for new benchtop surfaces.

Around homes, the growth of bacteria and fungus cause health hazards. And no one wants to “pick up germs” out of the home either, with schools, cafes, hospitals, aged care facilities and sports clubs frequently cited as areas of concern,” its website said.

Available in more than 200 decors, Laminex Protec+ is built into the surface, so the protection won’t wash off or leach out. It comes with a seven-year limited warranty.

Rethink urged on apartment standards Cloverton Estate at Kalkallo in Melbourne’s north

The Grove Estate at Tarneit

48 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

SIZE and design excellence are omissions from the long-awaited better apartments draft standards released by the State Government in August.

The Australian Institute of Architects welcomed the design standards and the liveability initiatives but believed they don’t go far enough.

“We are disappointed that no guidelines or recommendations have been included in relation to apartment sizes and that the Institute’s focus on mechanisms for ensuring design excellence, such as a parallel Design Review Panel process, has not been included,” Victorian Chapter president Vanessa Bird said. “While we agree with Minister (Richard)

Wynne that size is not the only determiner of good design, design excellence and innovation must be demonstrated before deviating from minimum metric standards.

“It’s clear that change is required.

Minimum sizes protect the public from the worst of the worst, while the design review process enables innovation and flexibility.

Certainty is a key component of good legislation and decision-making. Certainty in the planning process, that makes referral to VCAT the exception rather than the rule, reduces the cost of housing. We are keen that affordability is not confused with profitability when we are setting the agenda for the future liveability of our city.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

HIA predicts fall from record high

New identity THE Metropolitan Planning Authority has been expanded Victoria-wide to boost planning support for regional cities and towns.

The Victorian Planning Authority will work on the long-term plans needed to cope with the state’s growing population, set to reach 10 million people by 2051.

The 2015-16 Budget included $2.1 million to fund a specialist unit to work with regional councils and communities.

The VPA will work with councils to design new suburbs, identify new development opportunities and increase housing in regional areas.

Around Melbourne, the VPA will design new suburbs and urban renewal

sites, encourage different housing options and boost affordability through consistent land supply.

“We know that good planning is vital to the success or otherwise of a city, and the VPA working to deliver strong growth in our regions along with great amenity, quality infrastructure and affordable housing,” VPA chief executive Peter Seamer said.

“This new authority builds off the excellent track record of the MPA in carefully planning for Melbourne’s growth for over a decade, leaving other states lagging behind.”

VPA unveils Arden plans

THE 2016 calendar year will be a record for new dwelling starts, according to the HIA New Home Sales Report, but it could look very different in 2017.

HIA chief economist Dr Harley Dale said the short-term outlook for healthy levels of new-home construction remains intact, but the longer-term prediction is not as bright.

“The monthly HIA survey of Australia’s largest volume builders reveals that total seasonally-adjusted, new-home sales fell by 9.7 per cent (6 per cent in Victoria) in July, following an increase of 8.2 per cent in June,” Dr Dale said.

“The overall trend decline in newhome sales is accelerating, and signals a drop (from a record high) in new dwelling commencements from 2017.

“New-home construction has been the kingmaker of the Australia economy, but the cycle has peaked. In all likelihood we will experience sharper falls in new-home construction in 2017 and 2018.

“We would do well to remember that this down cycle is following a record high that is 24 per cent higher than the previous (1994) peak and that there is an unprecedented degree of uncertainty this time around as to how the next few years of new home building unfold.”

Family ties A RESIDENT of The Heights in Geelong has taken word of mouth to the next level, referring her son, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and best friend to also buy in the master-planned community.

Bozena Kozina said she and her husband were downsizing but couldn’t resist the location and privacy of The Heights and bought in Stage 1.

New faces on UDIA executive NORTH Melbourne’s Arden precinct will be home to up to 15,000 people and up to 34,000 jobs, with plans released last month for the $7 billion development over the next 30 years.

Draft plans to create a new commercial and residential precinct across 56 hectares in North Melbourne, between Macaulay Rd, Dryburgh St and the Upfield rail line, will have the new Metro Tunnel underground train station at its heart.

Protected by a heritage overlay, the plans set out a vision for changing land uses, street and open space design, access for pedestrians and cyclists, and the revitalisation of Moonee Ponds Creek.

The Victorian Planning Authority created the Arden Draft Vision & Framework with the City of Melbourne, and the council is also working on a neighbouring residential precinct, Macaulay.

You can now have your say on the Arden Draft Vision & Framework, which is available online at shapevictoria.vic.gov.au.

DAMIEN Tangey from Birchgrove Property has been elected president of Urban Development Institute of Australia (Victoria)’s executive committee.

Newly elected and re-elected directors included David Payes (Intrapac Property), Tangey, Jason Shaw (Stockland), Elysa Anderson (Mirvac) and Frank Nagle (Biggin & Scott Land) and Ashley Williams (Evolve Developments).

The board election results were announced at UDIA’s annual general meeting last month before the annual football launch.

The executive committee also comprises: Vice-President: Bettina Sheeran (Maddocks); Treasurer: Shaw; Company Secretary: Williams; and

Immediate Past President: Payes.

Michael Fox (CostaFox Developments), Rory Costelloe (Villawood Properties) and Luke Hartman (Metro Property Group) were thanked for their contributions upon retiring from the board.

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 49

DISCOVER THE HERE AND NOW! AT MANOR LAKES

ASHBURY ESTATE (G)

LAND ESTATES NATIONAL PACIFIC PROP. (Open seven days, 11am-5pm) Bayview (G) Centennial Blvd, Curlewis. bvbellarine.com.au Eliston (S) Discovery Centre: 20 Pattersons Rd, Clyde. eliston.com.au.

Open 11am-5pm, seven days Hartleigh (S) 100 Pattersons Rd, Clyde. hartleighclyde.com.au Kallo (N) Cnr Donnybrook Rd & Langley Park Dr, Donnybrook. kallo.com.au

Ashbury (G) Sales office: 460 Boundary Rd, Armstrong Creek. ashburyestate.com.au.

Open 11am-5pm Westbrook (W) Sales Office: Leakes Rd (near cnr Morris Rd), Truganina. westbrookestate.com.au Open 10am-5pm Modeina (W) Sales Office: 6 Lexington Drive, Burnside www.modeina.com.au By appointment

ABIWOOD

Park Central (S) Rix Rd, Officer. parkcentralestate.com.au

Cherrington (S) 320 Princes Hwy, Officer. cherringtonliving.com.au

Wellington Rise (N) Blackwattle Court, Mernda. wellingtonrise.com.au

Clarinda Park (S) 630 Hall Rd, Cranbourne. clarindapark.com.au

DENNIS FAMILY CORPORATION (Open seven days) Manor Lakes (W) Sales Office: 2 Eppalock Dr, Manor Lakes. manorlakes.com.au.

Open 10am-5pm

Clydevale (S) 660 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd (Cnr Hardys Rd), Clyde North. clydevaleliving.com.au Gera Waters (Berwick) (S) gerawaters.com.au Silverbark (S) Cnr Wedge & McCormicks Rd, Carrum Downs. silverbark.com.au

CIVIL construction works have begun at Dennis Family Corporation’s Ashbury Estate at Armstrong Creek.

Designed to maximise its prized Armstrong Creek location, the master-planned 107ha community will feature 1400 lots.

The development will be sold over the next decade.

Dennis Family Corporation chief executive officer Peter Levinge said Ashbury Estate would eventually be home to 4000 residents.

“With a welcoming country atmosphere, Ashbury has been carefully planned to celebrate the very best of its wonderful location in the Armstrong Creek growth corridor,” Levinge said.

“Offering families an opportunity to escape the city and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, interest in the new release of land (Stage Four) is expected to be strong, with Ashbury having already sold all of its available lots in Stages One and Two, and only a handful left in Stage Three.”

More than 30 hectares has been set aside for open space, parklands and conservation areas, wetlands and 18km of walking and bike paths.

The Ashbury master plan also includes a future community complex, including childcare, maternal and child health, a local activity centre, including retail and dining, and a future state primary school and kindergarten.

Levinge said Ashbury launched sales in August 2015 and began civil construction works in mid-2016. Civil construction works on Stages One and Two are due to be completed in the second quarter of 2017, after which the construction of homes will start.

Ashbury’s first residents are expected to move in to their new homes in late 2017 and early 2018.

“Ashbury’s first residents are still a little while off, however we have already established a community herb garden and created a quarterly newsletter. As with all Dennis Family developments, there are plans for a community fund to assist not-for-profit groups in the local area,” Levinge said.

From a construction perspective, civil works on Stages One and Two have begun, with Stage Three starting soon.

More than 100 lots at Ashbury will be completed this financial year, with plans also in place for a conservation park within Stage Six, as well as the finalisation of the wetlands.

Website: www.ashburyestate.com.au Block sizes: 272sq m to 715sq m Price: From $149,000 Address: 460 Boundary Rd, Armstrong Creek Open: 11am-5pm, seven days

The Radius (S) 291 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Clyde North. theradius.com.au

DACLAND Kingsleigh (W) 46 Alfred Rd, Werribee. kingsleigh.com.au Open daily, 11am-5pm Lochaven (S) 665 Hall Rd, Cranbourne West. lochaven.com.au.

Open daily, 11am-5pm

Manzeene Village (G) 5 Manzeene Ave, Lara. manzeenevillage.com.au.

Open Sat-Wed, 11am-5pm Rothwell (W) Dohertys Rd, Tarneit. rothwellvillages.com.au Open daily, 11am-5pm Wynbrook Wyndham Vale (W) Cnr Ballan & Hobbs Rd, Wyndham Vale. wynbrook.com.au Open daily, 11am-5pm

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 51

HIGHGROVE ESTATE (S)

DENNIS Family Homes has updated its Beaufort 283 as part of its Inspirations Series. Suitable for blocks at least 16m wide, its floorplan includes four bedrooms and a central kitchen, meals and family area that links to the rear games room and side al fresco. The display showcases the premium specifications available on all Inspirations Series homes, which include a butler’s pantry and large island bench as standard inclusions. It is open daily from 11am-5pm. The Beaufort is available in three sizes ranging from 27 squares to 30 squares.

Price: From $215,900 Moxham Drive, Clyde North

DISPLAY HOMES

DIRECTORY ARDEN HOMES (Open seven days, 11am-5pm) Clyde North (S) Cnr Flowerbloom & Lilydale Ave, Berwick Waters Estate Keysborough (S) Cnr Westwood Blvd & Alderberry Rd, Somerfield Estate Point Cook (W) Cnr Gramercy Blvd & Flagstaff Cres, The Address Estate

Mernda (N) 22-26 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Truganina (W)

4-6 Nova Ave, Gateway Estate

BURBANK HOMES (Open seven days, 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 11 Coastside Dr, Warralily Coast Estate Clyde North (S) 30 Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters

Wollert (N) Cnr Bloom Cres & Dundee Rd, Lyndarum North Estate

Craigieburn (N) 18 Dashing Rd, Aston Estate 3 Montreal Circuit, Highlands Estate

BENTLEY HOMES

Cranbourne East (S) 23 Bathgate Cres, Livingstone Estate

(Open weekdays noon-5pm, 11am-5pm weekends)

Cranbourne North (S) 5 Lucinda Lane, Tulliallan Estate

Craigieburn (N) 11-13 Montreal Circuit, Highlands Estate

Cranbourne West (S) 3 Erindale St, Clarinda Park Estate

52 // URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE

Dandenong (S) 70 Cheltenham Rd, Metro Village 3175

Rockbank (W) 5 Rush St, Woodlea Estate

Doreen (N) 1 Mensa Circuit, Plenty River Estate Epping North (N) 14 Corbett Ave, Aurora Estate Greenvale (N) 20 Destination Dr, Aspect Estate 46 Flourish Circuit, Greenvale Gardens Keysborough (S) 3 Olivetree Dr, Somerfield Estate Lucas (R) 18 Eleanor Dr, Lucas. Open Mon-Wed 11am5pm, weekends 11am-5pm Melton (W) 1 Willandra Blvd, Willandra Estate

Sunbury (N) 10 Rosenthal Blvd, Rosenthal Estate

Melton South (W) 10 Ladbroke St, Atherstone Estate Mernda (N) 18 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Mickleham (N) 515 Mount Ridley Rd, Trillium Estate Closed Thu-Fri 48 Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate Norlane (G) 1a Yooringa Ave, New Norlane.

Closed Thu-Fri Officer (S) 20 Hardwick Pl, Timbertop Estate Point Cook (W) 64 Boardwalk Blvd, Boardwalk Boulevard Estate 12 Gramercy Blvd, The Address Estate

Tarneit (W) 56 Heartlands Blvd, Heartlands Estate Taylors Hill (W) 25 Peppermint Grove, Taylors Hill Estate Truganina (W) 18 Everholme Dr, Allura Estate Wantirna South (S) 2B Appledale Way, Harcrest Estate Werribee (W) 3 Charter Rd, Riverwalk Estate 5 Billeroy Way, Harpley Estate Williams Landing (W) 7 Harvey St, Williams Landing Estate Wollert (N) 24 Bloom Cres, Lyndarum Estate

CARLISLE HOMES (Mon-Fri, noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 3-7 Decourcy Way, Warralily Coast Estate Craigieburn (N) 26-30 Valiant Cres, Aston Estate Clyde North (S) 19-25 Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate 9-15 Newbridge Blvd, Highgrove Estate 18-20 Welsh Cres, Clydevale Estate

Cranbourne North (S) 4-6 Lucinda Lane, Tulliallan Estate Greenvale (N) 2-4 Petal Close, Greenvale Gardens Estate Keysborough (S) 2-8 Olivetree Gr, Somerfield Estate Mernda (N) 15-17 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Mickleham (N) 52-54 Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate.

Open Thu-Fri by appointment only Officer (S) 1-3 Marwood Way, Timbertop Estate Point Cook (W) 345-351 Point Cook Rd, The Address Estate 267-273 Sneydes Rd, Featherbrook Estate

EIGHT HOMES (Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 103-104 Lampard St, Warralily Coast Estate Craigieburn (N) 7-9 Montreal Circuit, Highlands Estate Cranbourne East (S) 13 Bathgate Cres, Livingston Estate Cranbourne North (2S) 268 Alisma Blvd, Tulliallan Estate

Clyde North (S) 40 Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Craigieburn (N) 6-8 Star Way, Aston Estate Cranbourne (S) 39-41 Bathgate Cres,Livingston Estate

Bendigo (Regional) Swanson Blvd (off Strathfieldsaye Rd), Imagine Estate Brighton East (S) 333 South Rd

Cranbourne North (S) 805D Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Tulliallan Estate

Clyde North (S) Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate Callow Ave, Highgrove Estate

Lara (G) 121-123 Flinders Ave, Lara Central Estate

Craigieburn (N) Valiant Cres, Aston Estate

Melton South (W) Cnr Bridge Rd & Astley Dr, Atherstone Estate

Cranbourne East (S) Lineham Dr (off South Gippsland Hwy), Mayfield Estate Cranbourne West (S) Red Maple Dr, Casiana Grove Estate.

Open Sat-Thu 11am-5pm

Rockbank (W) 6-12 Woodlea Blvd, Woodlea Estate

Greenvale (N) Destination Drive (off Amira Blvd), Aspect Estate

Sunbury (N) 2-4 Rosenthal Blvd, Rosenthal Estate

Keysborough (S) Westwood Blvd, Somerfield Estate

Truganina (W) 23-25 Bolte Dr, Elements Estate.

Open Thu-Fri by appointment only

Lucas (R) Eleanor Dr, Lucas

Werribee (W) 11-13 Billeroy Way, Harpley Estate Williams Landing (W) 10-16 Opsum Way, Williams Landing Estate

Melton South (W) Ladbroke St (off Atherstone Blvd), Atherstone Estate

Wollert (N) 28-30 Timble Court, Eucalypt Estate

Mernda (N) Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages

DENNIS FAMILY HOMES

Officer (S) Grandvue Blvd, Grandvue Estate.

Open Sat-Thu 11am-5pm

(Open 11am-5pm daily. Ph: 1800 336 647) Armstrong Creek (G) Coastside Drive, Warralily Coast Estate.

Native Ave, Armstrong Estate Burnside (W) Lexington Dr, Modeina Estate.

Open Thu & Fri only Clyde North (S) Flowerbloom Cres, Berwick Waters Estate Moxham Dr, Highgrove Estate Craigieburn (N) Dashing Rd, Aston Estate Cranbourne East (S) Bathgate Cres, Livingston Estate Cranbourne West (S) Red Maple Dr, Casiana Grove Estate Diggers Rest (N) Sully Court, Bloomdale Estate Greenvale (N) Flourish Circuit, Greenvale Gardens Estate Mernda (N) Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Estate Mickleham (N) Newmarket Pde, Merrifield Estate Mount Duneed (G) Native Ave, Armstrong Estate Ocean Grove (G) Sacramento St, Oakdene Estate Officer (S) Penshurst Cres, Timbertop Estate

CLYDEVALE ESTATE (S) GROWING families will appreciate the space and versatility of Burbank’s Palladium 4600 display home that has opened in Clyde North.

Burbank’s managing director Jarrod Sanfilippo said the doublestorey delight was part of Burbank’s sustainable Future Collection, in which every home achieves an above-average seven-star energy rating. Features, such as double-glazed windows and water-saving tapware, are included as standard.

The ground floor has a large Cranbourne West (S) 14-16 Erindale St, Clarinda Park Estate Melton South (W) Ladbroke St, Atherstone Estate Mernda (N) 23 Stradling Rise, Mernda Villages Point Cook (W) 20-22 Liverpool Street, Upper Point Cook Estate Rockbank (W) 14 Panning Circuit, Woodlea Estate Tarneit (W) 36-38 Bandicoop Loop, Habitat Estate

Rockbank (W) Panning Circuit, Woodlea Estate

Williams Landing (W) 61-63 Sayers Rd, Williams Landing Estate

Williams Landing (W) Harvey St, Williams Landing Estate

JG KING

Wollert (N) Timble Cl, Eucalypt Estate

(Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm)

Wyndham Vale (W) Dalrymple Blvd, Manor Lakes Estate

Armstrong Creek (G) Lampard St

kitchen, meals and family area, separate living room, theatre room, study and an al fresco area.

Upstairs is a main bedroom suite with walk-in robe and en suite and three bedrooms with walk-in robes.

“There’s so much space for parents to rest and relax, which still keeping in close proximity to the kids’ rooms,” Sanflippo said.

It is open from 11am to 5pm, daily.

Price: From $330,400 Murphy St, Clyde North

Point Cook (W) Gramercy Blvd, The Address Estate Rockbank (W) Woodlea Blvd, Woodlea Estate Romsey (N) Melbourne-Lancefield Rd, Lomandra Estate Sunbury (N) Rosenthal Blvd, Rosenthal Estate Tarneit (W) Bandicoot Loop, Habitat Estate Upper Point Cook (W) Liverpool St, Point Cook Wantirna South (S) Appledale Way, Harcrest Estate Werribee (W) Charter Rd, Riverwalk Estate

Mernda (N) Stradling Rise (off Galloway Dr), Mernda Village

Williams Landing (W) Cnr Palmers Rd & Opsum Way, Williams Landing Estate

Mount Duneed (G) 465 Surf Coast Hwy, Armstrong Estate 18-20 Coastside Dr, Warralily Estate

Wollert (N) Bloom Cres, Lyndarum Estate

Point Cook (W) 333 Point Cook Rd, The Address Estate

URBANEDGE

Rockbank (W) Lot 45-46 Woodlea Blvd, Woodlea Estate Greenfields Blvd, Lomandra Estate Romsey (N) Greenfields Blvd, Lomandra Estate Werribee (W) 150 Billeroy Way, Harpley Estate

PORTER DAVIS (Open daily 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) Armstrong Blvd, Armstrong Estate Ballarat (Regional) Eleanor Drive, Lucas Estate

(Open Mon-Wed noon-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm) Armstrong Creek (G) 9-11 Decourcy Way, Warralily Estate Cranbourne North (S) 264 Alisma Blvd, Tulliallan Estate Greenvale (N) 21-23 Destination Dr, Aspect Greenvale Estate Keysborough (S) 5 Olivetree Blvd, Somerfield Estate Williams Landing (W) 65-69 Sayers Rd, Williams Landing Estate.

Open seven days

URBAN LIFE MAGAZINE // 53

BENDIGO

Maiden Gully

Strathdale

HWY

Golden Square

McIVO

Strathfieldsaye

R HW

21

Y

STRAT HF I

WH ER E TO FI N D EL

DSAYE

cI

M

CALDER

WY N H

White Hills

R VO

HW

RD

Y

CALD ER H WY

PORTER DAVIS

Maldon

HEATH C O TE

A HWY

A HWY

- MALD WATER BRIDGE

- KY NTON RD E

ON RD

10 MIDLAND HWY

Maryborough

Huntly

CAMERONS LN

BEVERIDGE RD

CAMERONS LN

BEVERIDGE RD

Eaglehawk

Epsom White Hills

WIMMER

WIMMER

A HWY

Greenvale Diamond Creek

Jerichco

STRAT HF I

DSAYE

WY

8

Y

ER H

Diamond Creek

Warrandyte

R HW

CALD

BAC HUS MA C

Doreen

Strathfieldsaye

RD

13

McIVO

21 EL

9

14 Wollert

Strathdale

Golden Square

LDON RD

Greenvale

11 12

Doreen

BENDIGO

Maiden Gully

HWY

RN BO

13

R S H - G IS

Wollert

Marong

- MA WATER

Plumpton

5

Wonga Park

Warrandyte

Park Orchards

Maldon

Wonga Park

Mt Rowan

4

15

21

Cardigan

CANTERBURY RD

7

2

Invermay Park Nerrina Gong Gong

Lake Gardens Soldiers Hill

Alfredton

Williams Landing

t Cook

22

- KY NTON RD E

Habitat Tarneit

TE

6

CANTERBURY RD

HEATH C O

Sulky

Park Orchards Maryborough

3

21

15

KNOCKDOWN & REBUILD D I S P L AY

Delacombe Smythes Creek

Warrenhelp

Canadian Rendan Mt Pleasant

Bonshaw

Dunnstown

Magpie

Point Cook

Cambrian Hill

Mt Helen

Scarsdale

16 20 18 17

19 Clyde North

16

Aspendale

20

Edithvale

18 17

Glengarry

19

Sulky

22

Trafalgar

Gong Gong

Lake Gardens Soldiers Hill

Delacombe Smythes Creek

Rendan Mt Pleasant

Bonshaw Magpie Cambrian Hill

Traralgon Morwell

Hazelwood North

Alfredton

Canadian

23

BO

1

Cardigan

Moe

RN

Yarragon

Invermay Park Nerrina

WY

SH

CE

IN PR Mt Rowan

Yallourn North

Clyde North

E RD

Edithvale

Warrenhelp

Churchill Dunnstown

Mt Helen

R S H - G IS

Aspendale

BAC HUS MA C

11 12

14

E RD

A HWY

BRIDGE

3

WIMMER

WIMMER

CALDER

Marong

Scarsdale

Mirboo North

Map is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.

Jeeralang North

FIRST HOME BUYER’S GET

0 0 0 , 0 $1 C A SHBACK

*See over pa

ge

NLY O E M I T D E T I LIM ^

FREE

K C A P E X LU D E D U L C N I 7,999

VALUED AT $*See page 31 for details

ON

A D V A N T A G E

$10,000

*

C A SHBACK

YOU CAN OWN THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM WITH THE

A D V A N T A G E RANGE * $10,000 Cashback Offer. The $10,000 Porter Davis Advantage+ cashback offer is applicable to those meeting the set criteria (outlined below) when purchasing a Porter Davis Advantage+ House and Land package and selecting one of the four pre-determined colour themes (no variations) outlined in the brochure. First Home Buyer’s with their own land can also qualify for the Porter Davis Advantage+ $10,000 Cashback providing they select from the floorplan/design options in this brochure (no variations) and choose one of our four interior designer pre-determined exterior/interior colours themes (no variations). Your own land must be within the Porter Davis Build Zones and surcharges may apply. Porter Davis will assess the suitability to build the chosen Advantage+ home on your block and reserves the right of refusal to proceed, based on our internal assessment. Important: The $10,000 cashback offer does not apply in any circumstances if you choose to attend our World of Style Showroom to undertake a personalised exterior/interior colour selection appointment. The $10,000 Cashback does not apply when you make any design changes over and above the design options listed in this brochure. The $10,000 Cashback is not available with any other Porter Davis Range or offer. The $10,000 cashback is inclusive of GST and is payable to eligible Porter Davis Advantage+ first home owner clients within 10 working days of their settlement payment. Funds will not be released prior to settlement payment. The $10,000 cashback will be made by way of a cheque that will be posted to the new home build address. The $10,000 cashback offer only applies to people who make final settlement payment on their Porter Davis Advantage+ build. Anyone who deposits on a Porter Davis Advantage+ home during the promotional period but then cancels or fails to make the final settlement payment for any reason whatsoever, is disqualified from receiving the $10,000 Cashback. For First Home Buyers wanting details about the First Home Owner grant, please visit http://www.sro.vic.gov.au/first-home-owner. Image shows upgraded items not included by Porter Davis.

PORTER DAVIS

D I S P L AY CENTRES

WEST REGION DISPLAY CENTRES

NORTH WEST REGION DISPLAY CENTRES 8

ATHERSTONE ESTATE Ladbroke Street (off Atherstone Boulevard), Melton South T 03 8407 4990 | OPEN Sat-Weds 11am–5pm

15

HARCREST ESTATE Appledale Way, Wantirna South T 03 8820 3100 | OPEN Sat-Weds 11am–5pm

9

ROSENTHAL ESTATE Rosenthal Boulevard, Sunbury T 03 8747 1604 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

16

SOMERFIELD ESTATE Westwood Boulevard, Keysborough T 03 9701 8965 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

17

MAYFIELD ESTATE Lineham Drive (off South Gippsland Highway), Cranbourne East T 03 5915 9126 | OPEN Sat-Weds 11am–5pm

18

BERWICK WATERS ESTATE Flowerbloom Crescent, Clyde North T 03 5915 9107 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

19

HIGHGROVE ESTATE (Advantage+ Display Home) Callow Avenue, Clyde North T 03 5915 9111 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

20

GRANDVUE ESTATE Grandvue Boulevard, Officer T 03 5919 6105 | OPEN Sat-Weds 11am–5pm

21

BRIGHTON EAST 333 South Road, Brighton East T 03 6268 0326 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

NORTH REGION DISPLAY CENTRES LOMANDRA ESTATE Melbourne-Lancefield Road, Romsey T 0408 231 492 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

ARMSTRONG ESTATE Armstrong Boulevard, Mt Duneed T 03 5242 5212 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

10

RIVERWALK ESTATE Charter Road, Werribee T 03 5250 5442 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

11

THE ADDRESS ESTATE Gramercy Boulevard, Point Cook T 03 8750 3096 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

12

ASPECT ESTATE Destination Drive, Greenvale T 03 9999 2160 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

4

WILLIAMS LANDING ESTATE Cnr Palmers Road & Opsum Way, Williams Landing T 03 8751 2115 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

13

LYNDARUM ESTATE (Advantage+ Display Home) Bloom Crescent, Wollert T 03 9408 1048 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

5

WOODLEA ESTATE Woodlea Boulevard, Rockbank T 03 8750 2924 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

14

MERNDA VILLAGES ESTATE Stradling Rise, Mernda T 03 8750 4208 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

6

HABITAT ESTATE (Advantage+ Display Home) Bandicoot Loop, Tarneit T 03 8737 9012 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

7

UPPER POINT COOK ESTATE Liverpool Street, Point Cook T 03 8750 3095 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

2

SOUTH EAST REGION DISPLAY CENTRES

ASTON ESTATE Valiant Crescent, Craigieburn T 03 5250 6326 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

REGIONAL DISPLAY CENTRES IMAGINE ESTATE Swanson Boulevard (off Strathfieldsaye Road), Strathfieldsaye, Bendigo T 0457 606 613 | OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

22

LUCAS ESTATE Eleanor Drive, Lucas, Ballarat T 0408 920 851 or 0417 375 255 OPEN 7 Days 11am–5pm

23

STOCKDALE FIELDS ESTATE Cross’s Road, Traralgon T 03 8786 9786 | OPEN Sat-Weds 11am–5pm

1800 PORTER (767 837) PORTERDAVIS.COM.AU

Dunedin 31 with King Island faรงade Upper Point Cook Image shows upgraded items not included by Porter Davis.