APRIL/MAY 2018
Fallin’ 4 Falls SNOW BUNNIES & SO MUCH POWDER
Rallying Around
Making a big difference in your Sh!tb@x
Mountain Confessions Vintage cars and indulgence in the Blue Mountains
AusBiz.
The new Aussie business mag
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Learn about the history of the Huon Valley apple industry
Enjoy a Willie Smith’s cider paddle
Take a tour of the Charles Oates Distillery
Visit the Saturday Artisan & Produce market
Visit the home of Willie Smith’s cider where you can enjoy a great meal and a cider paddle, visit the Huon Valley apple museum, get up close and personal with a working distillery, peruse the Saturday Artisan & Produce Market.
Hobart Hobart Huonville
Contact
25mins
Huonville
www.williesmiths.com.au appleshed@williesmiths.com.au (03) 6266 4345 2064 Huon Hwy, Grove, TAS, 7109 25 minutes from Hobart
Welcome. WE’VE TAKEN OFF IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2018, which has included adding some new destinations in Australia, new operational bases and new additions to our Fokker fleet. Diversification will continue to be our focus this year. In February, Alliance announced a three-year contract with JTB Corporation, Japan’s leading tourism agency. We will be providing JTB with aircraft charters to a number of destinations throughout Australia and allowing them to create their own individual itineraries. Our recent contract extension with Newmont Mining has seen the Alliance team expand its operational footprint into Darwin, Northern Territory; and in the next few months, Alliance will be introducing two high-end Fokker aircraft to its fleet. The Fokker 70 VH-KBX and Fokker 100 VH-VIF will offer an exclusive private air charter service yet to be experienced in Australia. We’re excited about how this year is progressing and it wouldn’t have been achievable without the superb team we have. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our direct and indirect staff who continuously contribute to the success of Alliance Airlines. If you have any feedback about our flights or would like to make a charter enquiry, feel free to email our team at media@ allianceairlines.com.au.
EDITORIAL
Publisher: Michelle Hespe
publisher@publishingbychelle.com Editor: Riley Palmer editor@publishingbychelle.com Art Director: Jon Wolfgang Miller National Sales Manager: Robert Desgouttes advertising@publishingbychelle.com Lifestyle & Travel Sales Manager: Sonja Halstead sonja.halstead@publishingbychelle.com Sub Editor: Sally Macmillan Editorial Assistant: Sarah Hinder
CONTRIBUTORS
Darren Baguley Ken Koerner Ian Lloyd Neubauer Karl Peskett Daniel Scott Ben Smithurst
PRINTING
SOS Print + Media 65 Burrows Road Alexandria, NSW, 2015 APRIL/MAY 2018
Fallin’ 4 Falls SNOW BUNNIES & SO MUCH POWDER
Lee Schofield Chief Executive Officer Rallying Around
Making a big difference in your Sh!tb@x
Mountain Confessions Vintage cars and indulgence in the Blue Mountains
AusBiz.
The new Aussie business mag
Alliance is published by Publishing ByChelle (ABN: 78 621 375 853 ACN: 621 375 853) Suite 8, Level 8, 100 Walker Street North Sydney, NSW, 2060 (02) 9954 0349 publishingbychelle.com The reproduction of any content, in whole or part without prior written permission by the publisher, Michelle Hespe, is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the content are those of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the publisher. All information in this magazine was believed to be correct at the time of publication, and all reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Publishing ByChelle cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. We apologise if we don’t get back to your email, as we do receive a large volume of communication via various online channels. Some images used in Alliance are from istock and Getty images, and we make every effort to credit all contributors.
APRIL/MAY 2018
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Eco-friendly products
24
We round up sustainably made, ethically produced green goodies available now on the market.
Cover Story
Falls Creek in Victoria’s High Country is a snow sports adventure playground for those after some of the white stuff this winter!
In this issue. upfront
Features
09 Alliance Route Map
30 Romantic Getaway
Alliance is the largest charter airline in Australia. Check out where we fly!
11 Alliance News
Alliance grows the inbound Japanese tourism market, while Variety SA’s Footy Jet takes off for the fourth year, and Alliance sets up a base in Darwin.
Luxe accommodation, beautiful food, vintage cadillacs, art and the great outdoors: the Blue Mountains offers up a perfect getaway.
36 Philanthropy
Who doesn’t love an excuse to try to drive a shit car through the Outback with a bunch of mates in the name of raising money for cancer research? It’s time to get into the Shitbox Rally.
AB8 MINING JOBS A renewed sense of optimism has returned to the mining sector. AB12 MINING With the advent of off-the-shelf virtual reality headsets, mining simulators are set to take off. AB22 CYBERSECURITY With the Internet of Things, it is important to pre-empt future attacks.
13 Meet the team
Meet Honey Ford, Rostering Officer, Alliance.
14 Destination News: South Aus
If you’ve finished a long hard shift and want to enjoy some great food, wine and outdoor adventures, look no further than South Australia.
AusBiz.
30
AB26 INFRASTRUCTURE We look at five of the country’s buildings that demonstrate long-term sustainability goals and commitments.
APRIL/MAY 2018
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KIMBERLEY FINE DIAMONDS
Top Destination with Top Souvenirs
93 Konkerberry Drive PO Box 20 Kununurra, Western Australia 6743 Phone: +61 (08) 9169 1133 Fax: +61 (08) 9168 1188 Freecall: 1800 852 144 (within Australia)
KIMBERLEYFINEDIAMONDS.COM.AU
PUBLISHER’S
Welcome to our second issue of Alliance magazine. We hope you enjoyed the first issue, and that we’re inspiring you with our features, investigative reports and news in the travel, food, wine, sport and business spheres. We love a good yarn by a local, so we’ll also always strive to bring you stories from the mouths and minds of Australians who are making a difference. We know how hard you work, so we have compiled a great adventure story about Falls Creek, which to those of us who don’t live in Victoria, is one of the lesser known ski regions of Australia. We can’t wait for winter to roll around! Falls, as they call it, with its beautiful Alpine village sitting way up there, 1,600 metre above sea level, is a stunning winter playground that is considered one of the best places to snowboard and ski for the more experienced snow bunnies due to its many awesome black runs. But if you’re a beginner, you can’t go past its wide-open easy cruising slopes. If it’s time to up the romance factor in your relationship, why not indulge in a weekend in NSW’s Blue Mountains? It’s an easy drive that you can do under two hours from Sydney, and it’s packed with amazing things to do. Going there is like stepping back in time, and we all know we could do with more time off tech when we’re not at work. We haven’t forgotten sport and cars! We take the Mercedes Ute for a spin and remember some mad World Cup moments. Some we’d rather forget actually. We also meet the founder of the Shitbox Rally — what a way to get Outback! — and we’ve compiled a bunch of eco resorts and lodges so that next time you need a break, you’ll have plenty of ideas. So, sit back, enjoy, and drop us a line anytime — we love hearing from you and are always keen to learn more about the stories you’d like to see in Alliance magazine.
Safe and happy travels
Michelle Hespe and the team at Publishing ByChelle P H O T O G R A P H E R C R E D I T: A N T O N G
Variety Footy Jet takes flight!
The Variety Footy Jet takes flight
number of children in need in our State,” said Variety SA CEO, Mark McGill.
80 guests will travel to watch the footy in style on this sameday return flight from Adelaide to Etihad Stadium to watch Port Adelaide Power take on the Essendon Bombers.
‘’With an increasing demand on our funding, this has never been more important, and on behalf of the kids this will help, we say thank you’,’ he said.
again on Sunday 15 April, thanks to Alliance Airlines.
Kids just like Isabelle (8) and It is bound to be another great day Charlotte (7) who were born with polycystic kidney disease. Very out, with on-board refreshments, happy and playful girls, the sisters coach transfers, AFL reserve rely on hydrotherapy as the best seating at the game, not to form of exercise to gain strength mention the banter and friendly rivalry on board generated by the whilst catering for their enlarged internal organs. FIVEaa call team. With all proceeds going to help kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs, there no better reason to get involved. ‘‘Generosity from corporates such as Alliance Airlines means that we are able to create more opportunities to help the growing
However, the hydrotherapy visits were nearly a two hour round trip and as future organ donor recipients, they would be unable to visit public pools in the future.
continue hydrotherapy at home and enjoy the opportunities other kids can, as well as enjoying valuable family time together. Mum, Renee says, ‘‘It is a gift that will change our lives forever,” and the whole family is very thankful to companies like Alliance, whose generosity allows Variety to continue the work they do. If you would like to donate, or get involved, please visit varietysa.org.au to find out more. - Variety Radiothon, Friday 25 May - Variety Annual Themed Ball, Friday 15 June, Adelaide Convention Centre
- Variety SA Bash - 30th Variety funded a hydrotherapy spa Anniversary, Adelaide to Port for the family of six, valued at more Lincoln, 11 - 18 August than $20,000 to allow the girls to
Route Map
Where we fly. Alliance Airlines is Australia’s leading air charter services operator. CHRISTMAS ISLAND G R O OT E EYLANDT
Private charter
Alliance Airline CAIRNS
TOWNSVILLE PORT HEDLAND K A R R AT H A
CANNINGTON
CAPE PRESTON ONSLOW ROCKHAMPTON GLADSTONE
KEY
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
BUNDABERG G R O OT E EYLANDT
Private charter flights
SUNSHINE COAST
MOOMBA
Alliance Airlines & Virgin Australia commercia BRISBANE
CAIRNS
TOWNSVILLE
PORT MACQUARIE
PORT HEDLAND K A R R AT H A
CANNINGTON
PERTH ONSLOW
SYDNEY ROCKHAMPTON GLADSTONE
ADELAIDE
BUNDABERG
SUNSHINE COAST
MOOMBA
BRISBANE
NOTE: MAPS ARE NOT TO SCALE
CAPE PRESTON
PORT MACQUARIE AUCKLAND
PERTH
SYDNEY
ADELAIDE
key
WELLINGTON
Private charter flights Alliance Airlines & Virgin Australia commercial flights
APRIL/MAY 2018
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Alliance News. Stay in the know with what’s happening with our airline and in our industry.
Alliance expands further into the inbound tourism market On 14 February, Alliance Airlines and Tokyo-based JTB Corporation signed a three-year contract to provide aviation charter services throughout Australia. In conjunction with JTB’s Global Destination Campaign, this partnership will increase promotional activities and product development to significantly grow the Japanese tourism market travelling to Australia. The first tour will commence in April and will provide a unique experience
Variety SA’s Footy Jet takes off for the fourth year running Alliance Airlines and Variety SA will take flight on 15 April to watch Port Adelaide Power take on the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium. The exclusive package includes a fully hosted event with private jet flights between Melbourne and Adelaide, luxury coach transfers, reserved AFL seating and delicious refreshments throughout the day. All ticket sales and proceeds go toward helping children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. If you are interested in our Footy Jet service or would like to donate directly, please visit variety.org.au.
for JTB’s customers, allowing them to make a day visit to Uluru. These tours will depart from a number of Australian destinations — including Cairns, the Gold Coast and Brisbane — in the morning, spending up to eight hours visiting Uluru and returning to their originating port that evening. This special charter will maximise tourism opportunities on the ground and also minimise overall travel time between destinations.
Contract extension leads to new operational base In February 2018, Alliance announced it had signed a contract extension with Newmont Mining for a further period of three years. Alliance has been providing services to Newmont since 2012. Lee Schofield, Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Alliance is delighted to continue our relationship with Newmont. This contract extension will see Alliance providing Newmont with air charter services from our bases in Perth, Brisbane
and a newly established operational base in Darwin. “With Alliance undertaking flights between Darwin and the Granites itself, rather than through a subcontractor, it increases our flying for Newmont by approximately 25 per cent. We are very proud of this extension and consider it a great acknowledgement of our ability to provide Newmont with safe, reliable and cost-effective services.”
APRIL/MAY 2018
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Africola, Adelaide
Alliance News
Photo of the month Thanks to our wonderful crew for going above and beyond for TSC World Travel in New Zealand!
Passenger Feedback Hi Folks, Last Tuesday, I flew with your airline from Port Macquarie to Brisbane on VA 2980. The flight for me was a very enjoyable experience. The aircraft, a Fokker 70, was one of the most comfortable, quiet and pleasant I have travelled on in recent times. The interior was fresh and well presented and the service provided by the friendly and welcoming cabin crew was excellent. I will be recommending your airline to my travelling friends who I am sure will enjoy the experience as much as I did. Congratulations and keep up the good work. Regards, Carl Pitt
Honey Ford
Position: Senior Rostering Officer (and it’s not just because I’m older!) Location: Brisbane Head Office
q&a
Briefly describe your role: I do the rostering for Alliance Airlines’ pilots. I also plan and manage pilot and simulator training as required. Can you tell us about your professional background? Before working for Alliance, I ran the rostering for Airservices Australia in Brisbane for 16 years. I like rostering — it’s a big puzzle to find the best solutions for the company and its staff. What is your favourite film, and what is it about? The Rocky Horror Picture Show — it’s about aliens from Transsexual, who are on earth to party. Two of the master’s servants want to go home, so they stage a coup. It’s a lot of fun to watch, and the music is so fabulous!
What do you feel has been your greatest achievement? Writing a book, Since You’ve Been Gone: A Year of Firsts, about my daughter’s battle and subsequent death from brain cancer. My book was three years in the making, and that’s just because I didn’t want to let go. I was never any good at English in school and kept nicking off from class — and it showed in my writing. My editor had a lot of work to do!
APRIL/MAY 2018
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Alliance News
So much, so close in South Australia South Australia is bursting with culture, flavours, events and entertainment. Taste your way through applauded wine regions, soak up the sun on blissful beaches, hit the city for a dose of retail therapy or spend the night exploring fabulous restaurants and bars. From the hills to the city and the sea, there’s so much to discover on your next visit to South Australia.
paradise. There's the Adelaide Fringe Festival, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Festival, Santos Tour Down Under and Adelaide 500. There's much more — the Cabaret Festival and Guitar Festival warm up the (very mild) winter months, while OzAsia, film festivals and Feast Festival kick off in spring.
CULINARY JOURNEY
Joining a handful of major global cities, Adelaide has been recognised as one of nine Great Wine Capitals of the world. With 200 stunning cellar doors only a short drive from the city and 18 world-renowned wine regions nearby, it’s no surprise why. Sip South Australian history at the Barossa’s Seppeltsfield, taste unbeatable sauvignon blanc at the Adelaide Hills’ Shaw + Smith cellar door, or settle in with a glass of rich red at McLaren Vale’s Wirra Wirra.
Adelaide deserves its reputation as one of Australia’s great foodie cities. Gouger Street, Rundle Street and King William Road are home to buzzing restaurants, where some of the country’s most creative chefs can be found at establishments such as Bistro Blackwood and Concubine. Meanwhile, Leigh and Peel streets and Ebenezer Place are small-bar hotspots, with achingly cool boltholes tucked in basements, behind secret doors and down unmarked alleys.
FESTIVAL CAPITAL In January, February and March, when nights are at their longest and warmest, Adelaide becomes a partygoer’s
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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE
WINE TIME
UNIQUE & BOUTIQUE South Australia punches well above its weight when it comes to luxe lodgings. The Mayfair Hotel, Hilton Adelaide and Playford Hotel are top city picks,
while Mount Lofty House, Kingsford Homestead and The Vineyard Retreat McLaren Vale add a touch of elegance to your South Australian stay. If you’re after something extra special, the state is home to three of Australia’s most jaw-dropping retreats: Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, The Louise in the Barossa and Arkaba in the Flinders Ranges. All three are members of Luxury Lodges of Australia and offer world-leading accommodation in stunning surrounds.
ISLAND HOPPING Kangaroo Island may only be a short flight from the Australian mainland, but this slip of land in the Southern Ocean is a world away in ambience and natural drama. From the Remarkable Rocks to Admirals Arch, dazzling scenery — home to sea lions, echidnas, koalas and, of course, kangaroos — abounds. Plus there’s an incredible variety of food and wine when it’s time to refuel. Visit boutique distilleries, sample honey or order a rock lobster for an introduction to the flavours of the state. southaustralia.com
A Room with a Zoo...
Jungle Bungalow
WINNER - Best Deluxe Accommodation in Australia* Unforgettable Dining
Giraffe Treehouse
Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra offers 3 very different accommodation facilities and is amongst the most unique animal lodges in the world. You can stay in uShaka Lodge with its own shark tank, in a Jungle Bungalow virtually built into the habitat of a bear, lion, tiger or cheetah, or in a Giraffe Treehouse where you hand feed your tall neighbour. Included are afternoon and morning tours, 5 star accommodation, gourmet meals and fine wines. Dining is in the uShaka Lodge tropical rainforest cave where you may be joined by magnificent white lions and hyenas. Ph: 02 6287 8444 | Fax: 02 6287 8403 Email: info@jamalawildlifelodge.com.au Web: www.jamalawildlifelodge.com.au Address: 999 Lady Denman Drive, Canberra ACT 2611 * 2017 Australian Hotels Association Awards for Excellence
What's on. Our pick of the very best gigs, festivals, and cultural and sporting events from around the country.
4–15 April 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Melbourne, Vic One of the top-three comedy events on the world stage, MICF is filled with an outstanding program of stand-up comedy, theatre, cabaret, film, radio and visual arts. comedyfestival.com.au
13–15 April 2018
4–15 April 2018 Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
Gold Coast, Qld Our sunny Gold Coast plays host to the muchanticipated 2018 Commonwealth Games in April. Accompanying the Games will be a city-wide cultural festival featuring international theatre, musicians, dance and Indigenous arts. gc2018.com & gc2018.com/festival2018
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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE
Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival
Julia Creek, Qld This line-up of top homegrown Aussie music talent is supported by quirky events, from bog snorkelling to Australia’s Best Butt dancing challenge. It’s rough-hewn, but it brings the best of the Outback to travellers from far and wide. dirtndust.com
16–21 April 2018 Targa Tasmania
Tasmania Tasmania plays host to the world’s largest and toughest
tarmac rally, where competitors behind the wheels of touring, sports and GT cars compete across 2,000 kilometres with almost 40 stages. targa.com.au
23 April–20 May 2018 Perth Comedy Festival
Perth, WA This comedy festival delivers a line-up of outstanding Australian and international talent to venues across the city. This year’s program features special events and showcases, plus the Gala at Subiaco’s Regal Theatre — always a festival highlight. perthcomedyfestival.com
Events Calender
23 April–20 May 2018 Sydney Comedy Festival
Sydney, NSW Showcasing some of the world's funniest comedians at famous Sydney locations as well as smaller venues across the city. sydneycomedyfest.com.au
25 April 2018 ANZAC Day at the Australian War Memorial
13–22 April 2018
Canberra, ACT A proud tribute to the soldiers who’ve served our country, the official ANZAC Day commemorations at the Australian War Memorial include the Dawn Service, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony, the Veterans March and the Last Post Ceremony. awm.gov.au
Tasting Australia
Adelaide, SA Tasting Australia is an outstanding showcase of South Australia’s food and wine culture. The program is a paradise for gourmands, including activities such as a writing workshop by Le Cordon Bleu, not to mention a masterclass on sparkling wine and Champagne. tastingaustralia.com.au
27 April–6 May 2018 Canberra International Music Festival
26–29 April 2018 Tjungu Festival
Yulara, NT Ayers Rock Resort’s Tjungu Festival celebrates the best of Indigenous culture, from bush tucker and art to traditional and contemporary musicians. There’s also the Tjungu Short Film Fest, uplifting AFL at the Tjungu Cup, and a dining experience with renowned chef Mark Olive. ayersrockresort.com.au
Canberra, ACT From Bach to Bernstein, this is a program of 23 ticketed concerts, musical walks, site-specific events and free sessions. cimf.org.au
27 April–12 May 2018 Groovin’ the Moo
Wayville, SA; Bendigo, Vic; Bunbury, WA; Canberra, ACT; Maitland, NSW; Townsville, Qld A community-minded music festival with a line-up that includes The Amity Affliction, Flight Facilities, Duke Dumont, Grinspoon and Royal Blood. gtm.net.au APRIL/MAY 2018
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Events Calender
10–27 May 2018 Anywhere Theatre Festival
Brisbane & Sunshine Coast, Qld Backyards and back alleys are transformed into pop-up theatres, concert halls and comedy haunts for more than 500 events aimed at challenging traditional structure and access to theatre. anywhere.is
11–20 May 2018
20–21 May 2018
Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster
Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend
East Kimberley, WA This community celebration showcases the talent of the East Kimberley region. Highlights include the Kimberley Moon Experience, degustation dinners under the stars and regional tours. ordvalleymuster.com.au
17–20 May
25 May–16 June 2018 Vivid Sydney
Sydney, NSW Sydney is artistically transformed each winter in a city-wide festival of free events, art installations and light displays that make the Harbour City come to life. Join the Vivid Ideas program for thought-provoking workshops or wander the sparkling streets through night markets and forests of light. vividsydney.com
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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE
Clare Valley, SA The Gourmet Weekend shines the spotlight on the region’s awardwinning wines and local food. Hosting a range of special events, including degustation dinners and gourmet markets, some 25 regional wineries are set to take part. clarevalley.com.au
Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival
25–26 May 2018
17–20 May 2018
26–28 May 2018
Noosa Food & Wine Festival
Perth International Jazz Festival
Gold Coast, Qld Australia’s largest free music festival is held on Broadbeach’s vibrant streets. Among this year’s headliners are The Screaming Jets, Jon Stevens, Lloyd Spiegel, Eilen Jewell and Charlie A’Court. bluesonbroadbeach.com
Noosa, Qld Noosa Festival highlights include foodie events on Noosa Main Beach, the annual Long Lunch and a bustling Festival Village of the best tastes, craft beer and cider Noosa has to offer. noosafoodandwine.com.au
Uluru Camel Cup
Uluru, NT An exciting weekend of camel racing, this carnival hosts outback games, a Fashions on the Field parade and a true-blue Frock Up & Rock Up Gala Ball where guests hit the red desert dance floor. ulurucamelracingclub.com
Perth, WA Presenting an eclectic mix of ticketed and free jazz events across the city, this three-day festival brings you celebrated local and international artists. perthinternationaljazzfestival.com.au
Regional News. Find out what’s going on in the communities of Australia.
Rural assistance for mental health A recently launched text counselling service has received an overwhelmingly popular community response from members of the community. The innovative service allows people in remote parts of Australia to directly connect with qualified mental health clinicians via SMS, email, phone and face-to-face. Though it is well-recognised by BeyondBlue that farming is a physically and psychologically demanding occupation, characterised by high rates of stress, injury and suicide, people living in Australia’s rural areas often face significant
barriers in accessing healthcare and mental health support. This is where Virtual Psychologist has stepped in. In a first of its kind, the SMS service, launched in February 2018, has already been met with a resoundingly positive response, particularly among rural men. The initiative is at the forefront in breaking down both the stigma of men’s mental health and barriers of access faced by regional Australians. Rural people can access the service via text on 0488 807 266, or through its website virtualpsychologist.com.au/home.
Tech trial aids learning in the NT The way students in the NT learn is about to be transformed thanks to NBN Co’s Sky Muster Multicast Services trial. Created to enhance online learning for students in remote areas, the new technology creates virtual classrooms that can be accessed by students and teachers in high-resolution, from home. The goal is to help close the education gap between rural and urban students. “Multicast allows schools to send data once to one place, and NBN Co then distributes it to everyone that is listening — rather than having it being distributed many times over,” said Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Regional Communications. The trial of the broadband service will span several months in 15 locations across the NT, including the School of the Air in Alice Springs, Katherine and Ludmilla.
Fast Facts
29%
Darwin’s population increased by almost seven times the rate (29 per cent) of the rest of the Northern Territory (4.4 per cent) and was the fastest-growing capital city in Australia between 2006 and 2016.
There was an increase in school attendance by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across all age groups between 2006 and 2016. In particular, attendance for young men and women in the 15 to 17-year age group increased from 51 per cent and 54 per cent to 70 per cent and 73 per cent, respectively. Attendance at university or other tertiary institutions also increased (by almost 100 per cent) for 18 to 24 year olds.
Happy stays, happy days! With 21 parks perfectly positioned in a touring route across coastal and inland NSW and QLD, Ingenia Holidays offers the perfect place to stay for a night, a few days or your whole holiday!
There’s something for every style of traveller with plenty of accommodation options including cabins and camping with a selection of powered, unpowered and ensuite sites – we’ll even welcome your four legged friends.*
p 1300 790 758 ingeniaholidays.com.au *Subject to participation – sites only (conditions apply).
City & Regional Bites. Henry Summer, Perth Gorgeous greenery courtesy of hanging and potted plants, a light-filled industrial dining room with plenty of space for you (and your dog), food that is as much about style as it is about substance — what’s not to like about Henry Summer, the sixth establishment from the Lavish Habits group? If we’re being honest, the fact that it is dog friendly is reason alone to come here; there are even healthy kangaroo jerky treats on the menu so your pooch doesn’t go hungry. The human food options are far more indulgent. Begin
Burger Project, Melbourne Celebrated chef Neil Perry can do no wrong with the Burger Project, his cheap-and-cheerful chain that is taking Australian cities by storm. The fourth Melbourne outlet has just opened, and it’s head and shoulders above the rest — literally. The soaring two-storey establishment on Bourke Street has space for more than 170 diners, who come here for the bulging chicken and beef burgers with all the trimmings. Menu highlights include the Bacon Project, which is a grass-fed beef patty topped with “loads of bacon”, cheese, pickles and a secret sauce, perhaps only outdone by limited-edition burgers, available for a couple of weeks. If you like your burger sans bun, there is also the option to order creations sandwiched between two crisp iceberg lettuce leaves. Pundits may frown, but that just means more space for sides, including chips seasoned with Sichuan salt and served with chipotle mayo, and note-perfect thickshakes in flavours like salted caramel and Valrhona chocolate. 555 Bourke St, Melb, Vic; burgerproject.com.
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with incredible crispy chicken and mushroom dumplings, a flavour combination you won’t forget in a hurry, before moving on to an epic seafood platter: there are king prawns, oysters, mussels escabeche, blue manna crabs, clams, bugs, poached crayfish… and is the perfect accompaniment to a grilled haloumi and watermelon salad. The drinks list is just as impressive, with flavourful spritzes and signature cocktails alongside a great range of Australian beers, wines and ciders. 69 Aberdeen St, Northbridge, Perth, WA; lavishhabits.com.au.
D’Arenberg Cube Restaurant, McLaren Vale, SA One of two restaurants in d’Arenberg winery’s dramatic new Rubik’s Cube-like cellar door, this fine-dining establishment is dedicated to seasonal degustations. South African husband-and-wife team Brendan Wessels and Lindsay Dürr helm the kitchen, having spent years travelling and working in Michelinstarred restaurants. Together they transform South Australian produce into imaginative bites that are playful and stimulating, yet still full of flavour. The duo offers two levels of dining: the Sisypheanic Euphoria long menu is $160, and the Pickwickian Brobdingnagian extra long menu is $190, both of which can be augmented with wine pairings from d’Arenberg’s own (vegan-friendly) cellar as well as select imported wines. Like the exterior of the building — a patchwork of green and white glass topped with umbrellas — the space is a riot of colour and whimsy, uniting vibrant chairs, tables crafted from oak barrels and eclectic pieces of art. Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale, SA; darenberg.com.au.
Fish Dining, Point Frederick, NSW On New South Wales’ Central Coast north of Sydney, Fish Dining is the second project from Cameron and Haylie Cansdell. And like its sister restaurant Bombini in Avoca, this newcomer is all class. The light-filled, blindingly-white dining room and bar overlooks Gosford’s waterfront and is the perfect perch to enjoy Cameron’s inspired seasonal dishes that celebrate seafood, sourced sustainably from around Australia — think mud crabs from the Northern Territory, barramundi for
Western Australia, salmon roe from the Yarra Valley and kingfish from South Australia. Dishes on Cameron’s — who won the prestigious Electrolux Best Restaurateur 2016 award — menus are hard to choose between, but highlights include a Mooloolaba king prawn curry in coconut, fresh turmeric, kaffir lime, galangal and bunya nuts; and pipis with housemade XO sauce, native saltbush and oyster mushrooms. 61 Masons Pde, Point Frederick, NSW, fishdining.com.au. APRIL/MAY 2018
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fallen for falls Some people scoff at Australian ski fields, especially if they’re accustomed to Japanese or European powder. But Falls Creek punches way above its weight. Up there on the Victorian high plains, there’s no shortage of fresh snow, black runs and, most importantly, fun. WORDS: Michelle Hespe
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Adventure Sports
FAST FACTS
luckily, Falls Creek never runs out of snow because it has snow-making machines. Ray Meyer, chief surveyor of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, recognised the skiing potential of Falls Creek 71 years ago. Meyer and six other State Electricity Commission staff secretly built a 'hut' that was the first ski lodge at Falls Creek.
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T
here’s nothing quite like those bright days after a heavy night snowfall, when everyone on the mountain is pumped, grinning from ear to ear as they pull on boots, clip into skis or strap on the snowboard. With music blasting from speakers and a sky huge and blue above seemingly endless white terrain, it feels like game-on in a winter playground. I fell for Falls Creek many years ago. There’s nothing not to love about it. There are only 5,000 beds in the village, so you don’t get endless queues to get on a chairlift, and it’s a twohour drive from Albury (an easy flight from Sydney or Melbourne). The resort is filled with pine and gum trees, is as pretty as a picture of a European alpine resort, and it’s 1,600 metres above sea level, with the highest point for skiing up at 1,780 metres. But one of the best things about Falls Creek is that it’s ski in, ski out. Often, the snow piles up on the hotel steps, making it easy for many people to literally ski off from their breakfast straight onto the roads that lead down to chairlifts.
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Falls, as it’s affectionately known, has 14 lifts, 92 runs, a beginners’ run that’s a fave for families called Wombats Ramble, and of the 450 hectares of terrain, 23 per cent is dedicated to black runs. The longest run is three kilometres, there are 65 kilometres of groomed trails and for those keen on working on their winter tricks, there’s a cool terrain park often used by pros practising their skills.
SKIS AND SNOWBOARDS ASIDE… Most of us take a ski holiday to hit the runs or to shoot in and out of the trees on the off-piste spreads, but there’s a surprisingly long list of other things you can get up to at Falls. It is the home of cross-country skiing in Australia and you can skate across fast corduroy trails, explore fresh terrain in the national park or strap on your back-country boots and get out to the back of the resort, where you’ll barely come across another person. Or, pop on your snowshoes and hike the snowy trails to your heart’s content. On the more adrenalinepumping side of things, Falls now has fat biking. Never heard of it? It’s a fairly new trend that combines mountain biking with snowsports. You can rent a fat bike (with fat wheels, obviously) that’s perfect for cruising down snowy trails. You can also hire a snow bike, which has one ski at the front, a comfy saddle seat and two skis at the back. Getting your balance might take a bit of work at first but once you’re settled in, it’s a load of fun and giggles and there’s no pedalling here folks!
beyond anxiety
If you’re more James Bond than Lance Armstrong, there are chopper flights between Falls Creek and Mt Beauty seven days a week. Serious powder hounds can experience nearby Hotham as well as Falls in one trip because you can use the same lift pass in both resorts. The trip only takes six minutes and it’s a six-seater chopper, so you and your mates can all go for a joy flight and be deposited at just the right spot for some action-packed runs. Another recent addition to Falls Creek are snowmobiles. They’re great for kids aged five and up to get out there and have a bit of a zoom about in a well-groomed, supervised patch. Speaking of kids, highlights for kids and families include the night shows every Thursday night during July and August. They kick off at 8pm and you can watch some of Falls Creek’s best skiers doing night runs while the fireworks go off. Little ones will love meeting Falls Creek’s mascot, Pete the Snow Dragon. He’s a (real, of course) 1.8-metre-tall blue dragon who does the rounds in search of good selfies. This page, top to bottom: The kids love the tubing circuit in the Village Bowl, Falls Creek; Enjoy some of the best dining in Falls Creek at Elk Restaurant; Spring skiing makes everyone smile. Opposite page, top to bottom: Cross-country skiing at Falls Creek; There’s nothing like a hot spa after a big day on the slopes at Trackers ski lodge; The newly renovated dining and lounge area at Trackers ski lodge.
“wrap up your day with a fat marshmallow stuck on a stick.” If you want the kids to have a permanent smile on their faces during a day of skiing (and let’s face it, it can be tiring no matter what age you are, or think you are) then swing by Snonuts, at the base of the main chair lift on the Halleys Comet run. As the name suggests, it’s a doughnut café, and let’s just say that the staff don’t believe in small servings. The Holey Moley is a cinnamon doughnut with whipped cream and strawberry or chocolate topping, and it’ll have the kids leaping about and wanting another run or 10. For big kids, it’s the ultimate pick-me-up.
NIGHTLIFE Night skiing is a popular pastime at Falls. For families, Wombats Ramble is lit up like a Christmas tree every Wednesday and Saturday night, so you can keep going long after the sun goes down. If you’re with a bunch of mates, it’s top fun getting up there and screaming down the run with the stars shining brightly above. And there are plenty of bars and pubs at the base, where music is always playing and mulled wine or cold beers offer the best antidote for sore thighs and cold limbs.
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Adventure Sports
As everyone who loves to ski knows only too well, at the end of the day, good, tummy-warming food and a soft landing on a cosy lounge or bed are high on the priority list. An open fire is the icing on top. Introducing Trackers, which is an institution in Falls Creek. It’s been around for four decades and its loyal clientele book year after year, because staying here is like being reunited with family. Every night, guests gather in the newly renovated lounge and dining room, where hearty meals are served up by the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet. There’s a bar with a lovely wine list and a great selection of beers and hot drinks, and the entire length of the room looks out over summit skiing and the mountain ranges beyond. Trackers also runs yoga sessions during the summer months — what could be more relaxing than doing the downward dog in a field of native flowers surrounded by mountains soaring about you like a scene from The Sound of Music? For a beautiful dinner in a modern restaurant that prides itself on top-quality produce, you can’t beat Elk at Elk at Falls ski lodge. The centrepiece is a roaring log fire behind glass. With rustic wood-panelled walls, stylish white Eames chairs and snow piling up at the windows, you could be in an Austrian alpine village. But it’s better than that, because you can order a perfectly cooked Australian steak and enjoy it with a big Shiraz from a Rutherglen winery, or dine on lamb cutlets and wash them down with locally brewed craft beer. Then, as any wise snow bunny knows, it’s mandatory that you wrap up a day on the mountain with a big, fat marshmallow stuck on a stick — toasted until it’s all gooey inside and crispy on the outside. Simply head to the fireplace, nod, and the staff will hand over the good stuff.
Fact File Where to eat: Snonuts fallscreek.com.au/dining Elk Restaurant elkatfalls.com.au Where to sleep: Trackers trackers.com.au Falls Creek is open for business from 9 June 2018 and the season runs until 7 October. Last year, the snow came thick and fast throughout August and September, and the resort had some of its best snow in decades. fallscreek.com.au
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FAST FACTS
The signature blue tinge of the Blue Mountains is caused by the dispersion of volatile terpenoids (oils) released by the eucalyptus trees.
The residents and the local council of Katoomba have fought several successful battles to keep fast food chains such as M c Donalds and KFC out of the Blue Mountains. Subway is the only fast food outlet in Katoomba.Â
Wicked Weekends
There’s no need to feel guilty about a luxurious, romantic getaway filled with endless indulgence when you have a confessional booth on hand. WORDS: Michelle Hespe photography: David Hill My partner and I are walking hand in hand down Cat’s Alley. The walls are a dramatic blood red and a row of Asian lanterns hang above us, emanating a golden glow. No, we’re not in a Tokyo café but rather, in a long corridor of the Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains. This historic property has been meticulously renovated and decorated to appear just as it did back in the racy 1920s. This hallway, filled with velvet couches and silk cushions, was where ladies gathered to gossip, dressed to the nines in kimonos, flapper dresses and silk trouser suits, waving their cigarette holders in the air, little hats and feathery ensembles askew on their tightly curled hairdos. Cat’s Alley was the only way the men could reach their smoking and drinking parlour, so they were fair game for the women. Another name for the corridor could have been Gossip Lane, but Cat’s Alley has a certain ring to it. APRIL/MAY 2018
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Boutique Collection Of Luxury Escapes
Style
ICONS
| A P L AC E AND T I M E Y O U’ L L NE V E R FO RG ET
The Convent Hunter Valley
C www.lilianfels.com.au
www.echoeshotel.com.au
www.hydromajestic.com.au
www.parklands.com.au
www.convent.com.au
Wicked Weekends
If it was the 1920s, we’d most likely be lovers, rather than an official couple, says our guide on the way to high tea in the Winter Garden. “Let’s just say that the hotel ledger was filled with Mr and Mrs Smiths,” he laughs. “We have many antiques in the café and store, and one remarkable piece is the portable confession booth. A bell would ring at about 3am and that was a reminder to get back to your own room, if you get my drift. Then, before making their way back to Sydney, the men could pop into the confessional and be redeemed for their sins.” Seriously? Our guide nods. “This was a playground for Sydneysiders who could, ah, afford to have fun and indulge, darling.” We’re escorted into Winter Garden, where it’s a hard job deciding which is more impressive — the jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Megalong Valley or the majestic room itself, complete with Art Deco ceilings, high-backed golden chairs, a roaring fire and a man dressed in a tux playing a grand piano. And then the high tea arrives — a third party vying for the most attention. The three-tiered silver tower of treats — scones, jam and cream, petite pastries, macarons, fruits, cakes, finger sandwiches and chocolates — can be enjoyed
with tea or coffee, of course, but if you’re going to embrace 1920s extravagance, why not Champagne? Who doesn’t love an excuse to sip bubbles at 10 in the morning? After drinking in the superb views and wiping the tiers clean of any evidence, we hit the road and make a beeline for the Megalong Valley. Before we know it, we find ourselves in rainforest that gives Jurassic Park a run for its money. Who’d expect true rainforest less than two hours from Sydney? And to make the place even more incredible, we’re surrounded by towering sandstone escarpments. Half an hour later we pop up out of the valley and cruise into the breathtaking, quintessentially Australian property that is Dryridge Estate. The vineyard slopes gently away from the cellar door that is perched atop a hill, where we meet the estate’s owners and passionate wine-lovers, Emma MacMahon and Simon Doyle. The couple offer guests a lovely platter of cured meats, cheese, olives and crackers (we need more food after a towering high tea) with tastings of their wines. Being a fan of light, mineral-led dry wines, we sip the crisp, lemony pinot gris and the chardonnay, which has strong citrus fruit character and touch of French oak to balance it out. A big thumbs-up.
Opening spread: The wonderfully dramatic hallway, (aka Cat’s Alley), in the stunning Hydro Majestic Hotel. This page, top to bottom: Cat’s Alley in all of its glory; A delectable dish from Darley’s restaurant at Lilianfels Resort & Spa; Cruising in a 1920s Cadillac with Blue Mountains Vintage Cadiallacs.
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This page clockwise: High tea with bubbles in the Winter Garden restaurant at the Hydro Majestic Hotel; Cadillac cruising through the Blue Mountains; Inspiration for a nightcap at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. Opposite page, top to bottom: The Swing Katz performance troupe; Fireside dining at Darley’s, Lilianfels Resort & Spa.
The day is young, so we drive back along the winding roads to Katoomba, once again ogling the enchanted rainforest that opens up all around us like a kid’s pop-up book. In Katoomba we gleefully explore the piles and aisles of exciting antiques, memorabilia and collectible pieces at Mr Pickwick’s Fine Old Books and the Katoomba Antique Centre, and then, for modern inspiration, head to Platform Gallery, where the focus is on handmade pieces by artists and designers. You won’t leave empty handed. Look out for the Mountains Made logo (MTNS MADE) as it’s a great way of identifying products made locally. We’ve been told to not miss Lost Bear Gallery, a wellestablished art gallery that supports hundreds of upcoming and established artists. Located in a turn-of-the-century house featuring original stained-glass windowpanes, it feels as though you’ve walked into a welcoming home. And you have, really, as owner Geoff White and his affectionate dog spend most of their lives here. We take time exploring the 12 different exhibition spaces and get an impressive running commentary on many of the incredibly talented local artists and some of Geoff’s personal favourites. Feeling full of art and somehow ready for more food, we head off to Blackheath because we’ve heard word on the
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street that Fumo is the place to be for a hearty weekend lunch. The little café revolves around an antique centrepiece — a 100-year-old Scotch oven that chef Joe Campbell has well and truly mastered. He’s a bit of a local legend and everything he prepares is made from scratch. Food-lovers swoon over the sourdough bread and roast potatoes that have to be some of the best on the planet (that’s a big call, we know). Joe is always concocting intoxicating dishes with unusual Asian and Middle Eastern elements. His casserolelike meals and spicy curries are ideal for Blue Mountains winter weather. What better way to explore the mountain with a full belly than to have someone else do the driving for you? In true style, we hop into a 1920s Cadillac La Salle (one of only a few in the world) and drive back in time. Every road we tootle down, there’s another person waving and smiling as we sail on by. We putter through local villages, take in views of the iconic Three Sisters, and start to feel as though we had another life in the 1920s. As evening falls, we manage to fit in a cocktail at The Polar Bear of Leura. It’s really just another excuse to indulge in divine mountain-made offerings. But before settling in, we wander around the delightful town, with its attractive cafes, galleries and homewares stores. The Polar Bear is famous for its pizzas but as we have a big dinner booked, we opt for a cocktail. You simply tell the guys what you like, and they come up with something lip-smackingly good that’ll put rouge in your cheeks.
Wicked Weekends
Fact File Hydro Majestic Hotel hydromajestic.com.au Dryridge Estate dryridge.com.au Platform Gallery platformgallery.co Lost Bear Gallery katoombafineart.com.au Mountains Made mtnsmade.com.au Blue Mountains Vintage Cadillacs bluemountainsvintagecadillacs.com.au Lilianfels lilianfels.com.au Our day couldn’t have ended on a more romantic note than our dinner at Darley’s, the hatted restaurant and pride and joy of Lilianfels, the Blue Mountains’ grand dame of accommodation. Regal, sophisticated and oozing glamorous old-fashioned English style, it’s the kind of place you can imagine the Queen being very happy in. Chef Lee Kwiez is a food purist and his modern dishes might seem at odds with such a seemingly genteel setting.
“it’s the kind of place you can imagine the queen being very happy in.” However, as his exquisite creations are delivered, along with a lovely anecdote, snippets of history and a knowledgeable explanation, we quickly realise that the fresh produce, wonderful taste combinations and the flair with which the dishes are created result in a seamless experience that is as gracefully presented as the surrounds. If you’re up for taking a final hint from a true lady’s checklist, do yourself a favour and dig further into your
wallet. Simply stay the night at Lilianfels — you can roll one another down the wide corridors to one of the gorgeous suites with views over the misty mountains. Or, if you truly are as decadent as the couples who partied hard in the Blue Mountains when it was classy to smoke cigarettes and dress like a gangster, then head back down the road to the Hydro Majestic and sip a whisky in the front bar. From there, it’s only a toddle up the grand staircase to the newly refurbished, sleek suites that have French windows you can fling wide open to take in more of the Megalong Valley. That’s what we did. If truth be told, in the late morning, while still a touch bleary eyed, we visited the infamous confessional booth. I personally had no choice: I had to confess to eating, drinking and being more indulgent than I had been in a very long time. So, in the spirit of atonement, I whispered: “God, please help me to have the strength to do that all over again.” APRIL/MAY 2018
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James Freeman and his rally family have a strange fondness for shit cars. But these cars, and the diverse, strong individuals that drive them, are fighting cancer as they race through the Australian Outback. words by RILEY PALMER
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Philanthropy
James Freeman is a man who does things differently. The driving force behind the largest independent fundraiser for the Cancer Council, the Shitbox Rally, he brings fun and humour to what is otherwise a horrible disease. “You don’t think cancer and then think humour,” he acknowledges, “but I believe that’s one of the reasons why Shitbox has been so successful. It’s completely ridiculous and for Australians, it taps into that psyche and ethos of giving things a bit of a go and seeing what happens. And it works.” Now in its ninth year, the Shitbox Rally was founded by James after both his parents died from cancer within a year of each other. It is a challenge for small groups of friends or family to procure a car worth less than $1,000 and drive it across some of Australia’s toughest roads — to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Over the rally’s five-day course many vehicles break down and some don’t make it at all, but as James says, “that’s all part of the fun”.
“You don’t think cancer and then think humour, but I believe that’s one of the reasons why Shitbox has been so successful.” — J A M E S F R E E M A N , S H I T B OX R A L LY F O U N D E R
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Philanthropy
“Every year vehicles turn up that are hysterical, which is such a good way to break the ice. There are always lots of laughs.” — J A M E S F R E E M A N
Starting a large-scale fundraising venture isn’t the way most people support a cause they believe in, but James explains that he wanted to do something that expressed how much his parents meant to him. “I wanted to do something more significant than just giving a certain amount from a salary to the Cancer Council each month,” he says. “I wanted to do something to highlight how much cancer affects families and to create something that could have some longevity.” An added bonus is that it raises significantly more money than James could possibly come up with on his own. Earlier this year, the Shitbox Rally crossed the $13 million threshold in total funds raised for the Cancer Council, something James is incredibly proud of. While fundraising is the ultimate goal of the rally, one of its other big successes is the
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FAST FACTS The first Shitbox Rally, in 2009, had 18 cars and raised $104,000. The 2017 rally had 214 cars and raised $1.64 million. By the age of 85, one in two Australian men and women will be diagnosed with cancer. About 17,500 more people die each year from cancer than 30 years ago.
community it creates. “Most people come on the rally because they have a connection to cancer, or a cancer story themselves,” explains James. “They want to do fundraising in that person’s memory or with that person in mind.” Unsurprisingly, spending a week on the road with people who share similar heartaches is like being in an incubator that breeds meaningful connections. “I say that everyone becomes part of the rally family, and they do,” says James. “The rally creates this environment where you can openly and comfortably talk about grief and the disease, and that’s unique. So at the end of the week, you’re surrounded by 550 of your newest best friends that you didn’t even know you had. It’s pretty amazing.” But not everyone who takes part in the rally has a cancer story. “There are people who come along because it looks like a lot of fun and that’s totally fine," says James. "It is an enormous amount of fun.” Having competed in every single rally since the event’s inception, James speaks from experience and he has a particular fondness for the crazy cars. “We’ve had a multitude of crappy cars,” he laughs. “Every year vehicles turn up that are hysterical, which is such a good way to break the ice. There are always lots of laughs.” And then there’s the appeal of getting off the beaten track and into Australia’s spectacular Outback. So far the rally has traversed every state and territory in the country. “I really enjoy showing people parts of this incredible country that they would never usually get to themselves. We’ve been to beaches and deserts and Mars-like landscapes that have nothing on them,” says James. “The Outback is vast and there are so many beautiful places there for us to explore.” This year, the Shitbox route is from Brisbane to Darwin, through remote towns of Outback Queensland and the Northern Territory. James is already gearing up to meet new members of the rally family and introduce them to some of the nation’s most raw and beautiful settings. With laughter, fun and solidarity, this little family will be giving funds to the Cancer Council and doing what it can to eradicate this insidious disease. The 2018 Shitbox Rally will take place from 19–25 May. shitboxrally.com.au
Philanthropy
“The Rally creates this environment where you can openly and comfortably talk about grief and the disease, and that’s unique.” — J A M E S F R E E M A N
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The Aboriginal Artists Project combines the fashion accessory designs of Catherine Manuell with the artworks of many wonderful women artists from remote Australian communities. Shown here is the Bush Yams artwork by Evelyn Pultara from the Utopia region of Central Australia. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these products goes directly to the artists.
Call us on 03 9486 4066 for help or a little personal service, or email: info@catherinemanuelldesign.com
www.catherinemanuelldesign.com
Sustainability Special Events
Portable fridge Little Sun Diamond Solar Light Pocket-sized and lightweight, this solar lamp is incredibly useful for travellers while supporting an organisation that has passionate sustainable development goals. For every Little Sun product sold, one goes to its partners in rural Africa, where the company trains local sales agents and brings solar energy to those who need it most. $49; littlesun.com
The Dometic Waeco CFX portable fridge/freezer models are extremely energy efficient and have excellent cooling performance, even in high ambient temperatures. The CFX comes in various sizes, is robust and ready for action whatever the conditions. You can live off the grid and run the CFX off the Dometic PS180A portable solar panel and Dometic RAPS44 battery pack. From $999; dometic.com
Ethical & sustainable products Minimise your travel footprint with these stylish, yet sustainable, gadgets.
Frank Green VisapayWave SmartCup Through their honest approach to sustainability, Frank Green products are stylish, functional and great for the environment. Choose from the Original SmartCup and innovative Next Generation VisapayWave design, which allows you to pay for anything under $50 from the base of your cup. $32.95; frankgreen.com
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Kitchen Sink An ultra-lightweight kitchen sink that's small enough to fit in your pocket and light enough to barely leave a trace on a set of scales. Perfect for collecting water for purification, cooking, washing dishes or personal bathing. The PVC-free sink can hold up to 10L. $44.95; seatosummit.com
BioLite SunLight This portable solar-powered device is an effective travel light. Providing up to 50 hours of run time per seven hours of solar charge, the device combines the ultimate portability with maximum functionality. $24.95; row.bioliteenergy.com APRIL/MAY 2018
custom menswear www.georgeandking.com.au
Photographer: Julian Lallo
George & King
Sustainability Special Events
Black Diamond ReVolt Headlamp
Wacaco Nanopresso One of the most innovative portable espresso machines on the market, the Nanopresso brews a high-quality espresso, wherever you are in the world. All that’s required is ground coffee and boiling water; the rest is taken care of by the Nanopresso’s manual (and newly patented) pumping system. It’s light, ergonomic and exceptionally eco-friendly. US$79.90; wacaco.com
A revolutionary waterproof and USBrechargeable headlamp, which also runs on standard AAA batteries, the ReVolt is a fully featured, hybrid-power headlamp that produces a whopping 200 lumens of light. $59.95; blackdiamondequipment.com
Klean Kanteen Insulated Classic Water Bottle This forward-thinking design uses double-wall vacuum insulation to keep liquids hot for 20 hours and iced for 50 hours. Made from environmentally responsible materials, available in a variety of sizes and exceptionally durable, Klean Kanteen water bottles are perfect for people and the planet. $30.95; kleankanteen.com
Eva Solo SunLight Bell
Rig Tig BOX-IT Bread Box Made of bamboo melamine with a solid bamboo lid, this stylish box keeps your bread fresh for longer. The useful appliance fits smartly into any kitchen, with its lid conveniently doubling as a chopping board. $125; top3.com.au
Designed in Denmark, this highly energy-efficient, solarpowered lamp will provide atmospheric lighting anywhere around your garden or patio. Its dawn-todusk sensor means charging for eight hours will seamlessly provide 20 hours of illumination. The lamp also has a rechargeable battery, which can be charged up to 500 times. $199; top3.com.au APRIL/MAY 2018
Sustainability Special
Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret (2014) Cowspiracy is a groundbreaking documentary that looks at the environmental impact of animal agriculture, a leading cause of carbon emissions, global warming, deforestation and species extinction. The film also addresses why the world’s environmental organisations are too afraid to talk about this. Available on Netflix or for download at cowspiracy.com ($4.95).
Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack Specifically designed to prevent leakage, the design of this lightweight sack allows any disposable garbage bag to be placed inside it. The Dry Sack works well as a garbage container in the car, boat or attached to the outside of a pack. $34.95; seatosummit.com
A5 Memobottle Aiming to educate and initiate conversation about the ways we can reduce our overall global consumption, Memobottle’s intelligent slimline design fits smartly into your briefcase, bag or pack without adding any bulk. With more than 50 billion single-use water bottles sold globally last year, Memobottle is striving to change the tune for our planet. $49.95; memobottle.com.au
Sea to Summit Liquid Soaps & Wilderness Wash These concentrated formulas are both airline and environmentally friendly. Choose from shampoo, body wash, sanitiser and shaving cream. Or, opt for the multipurpose Wilderness Wash, safe for use on fabrics, skin and dishes. All are biodegradable, phosphate-free and comply with carry-on airline regulations. $6.95 each; seatosummit.com APRIL/MAY 2018
WATERTIGHT SEAL
Non-wicking roll-top closure for waterproof security and convenient adjustable shoulder strap
DRY STORAGE BAGS LIGHT, STRONG AND WATERPROOF From our featherlight Ultra-Sil® Nano Dry Sacks to our super burly Hydraulic™ Dry Bags, our dry storage solutions keep your gear dry, organised and sand-free on land and sea based adventures. seatosummit.com
LIGHT AND DURABLE
Technical treatments and PVC-free fabrics purpose built for most outdoor activities
STRONG AND RELIABLE
Reinforced stitching at all stress points for greater seam strength
Sustainability Special
Hemp It Up Australia’s first Hemp Kombucha Starter Kits are now available following the end of Prohibition and hemp being allowed back on the menu. Be among the first in Australia to brew your own low-sugar drink, Hemp Kombucha. Everything you need is in the kit. Those who join the club at hempoz.com.au will receive a free ‘Chill It's Legal’ t-shirt. $99; hempoz.com.au
Light My Fire MealKit 2.0 & Pack-up-Cup This convenient kit is ideal for your backpack, boat, bike or picnic basket, helping you reduce waste while saving space. The MealKit 2.0 comes with a collapsible Packup-Cup, also sold separately. $39.95 ($9.95 for Pack-up-Cup); lightmyfire.com
Compact Cooling Dometic, the world leaders in RV upright refrigeration, introduces RUC8408X upright refrigerators; a range that combines compact design and excellent refrigeration performance. The T-rated cooling systems ensure excellent performance in both high and low ambient temperatures, making these refrigerators an excellent choice for the demanding Australian climate. $310; dometic.com
Copperhead Water Heaters Copperhead Water Heaters are designed and manufactured by PV Water Heating, and are the world’s only portable solar-powered water heaters. The shower head turns the Copperhead Water Heater into a hot shower. It features a two-metres hose, waterproof on/off switch, adjustable water speed, carry bag, hanging clip and suction cup. $649; copperheadwater.com.au APRIL/MAY 2018
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Agribusiness
Agribusiness
The organic rush WHILE THE JURY IS OUT AS TO THE MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOOD, CONSUMERS ARE INCREASINGLY PREPARED TO PAY A PREMIUM FOR THIS PRODUCE. On a lush subtropical ridge overlooking Currumbin Valley in the Gold Coast hinterland, fourth-generation farmer David Freeman sells organic bananas, mangos, avocados and other fruits to motorists at prices up to 50 per cent more than the cost of regular supermarket fruit. Freeman says the markup is justified by his fruits’ superior flavour, texture, high nutrient value and healing properties. “In 2014 when I was in the army, doctors discovered a malignant tumour. I was supposed to have 12 months of chemotherapy but the oncologist told me to go back to my farm and eat some healthy vegetables before I started the treatment,” he says. “When I got back 12 months later, I was in the clear. That’s why I believe in growing this nutrient-dense produce on this beautiful soil to help the community eat healthily.” There is no scientific evidence of the medicinal value of organic food, while evidence about its allegedly superior nutrient value also remains slim. After compiling the results of 250 different studies that compared the nutrients in organic versus regular foods, researchers at Stanford University in the US found very little difference between the two. Organic produce was found to have 30 per cent lower pesticide residues, but pesticide levels in regular foods tested also fell within allowable safety limits. Nevertheless, a significant minority of consumers in the developed world are willing to pay extra for organic food that addresses not
Ian Lloyd Neubauer With nearly 20 years’ journalism experience, Ian is abreast of global news as it happens.
APRIL/MAY 2018
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Agribusiness
only health but ethical and environmental concerns. Australia’s organic farming sector grew 17 per cent over the past five years, according to market research firm IBISWorld, with 2,300 certified organic businesses generating $742 million in farmgate value in 2017. And with hundreds of new organic producers now graduating from the lengthy certification process, IBISWorld believes the sector’s farmgate value could leapfrog to $1.2 billion in less than five years. But how difficult is it for producers to become organically certified in Australia? What kinds of organic foods will see stronger demand? And what challenges or threats will organic farmers face in the future?
A tale of two farmers
We spoke with two organic farmers on different sides of the country who have seen very different results. The first, grazier Rob Lennon, is a soil-health fanatic and owner of Gundooee, a 1,000-hectare cattle station in Leadville in Central West NSW. “I like the passive approach to organics,” he says. “It’s about trying to understand natural processes rather than controlling them and creating more problems.” As Australia’s only certified organic grass-fed Wagyu farm, Gundooee cannot meet demand. Its mince retails for $30 a kilo while T-bones sell for $60 a kilo — about twice the price of regular Wagyu — and is sold via high-end butchers in Sydney and on suburbanpaddock.com.au, the online store of a small collective of non-competing organic farmers in the region. “The reason organic beef is more expensive is because we don’t feed animals a high-energy diet so we have to graze them for longer,” Lennon says. “It’s a more sustainable method of production and the result is meat with a higher amount of unsaturated fats and Omega 3s, which is where all the flavours and nutrients are.” Ian James is a farmer from Western Australia’s Wheatbelt who has been preaching the benefits of organics for 30 years. Five years ago, he ran as a political candidate for the Greens on a no-GM (genetically modified) seed platform in the seat of Durack. James didn’t win the election, while his experience with organic wheat farming has been hit and miss.
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Are GM foods bad for you? Genetically modified (GM) foods are those with ingredients made by inserting foreign genetic material into the genetic material of an existing organism to give them a new characteristic, such as insect resistance. Currently, there’s only one genetically modified-approved food crop in Australia: GM canola. However, a wide array of GM foods, ranging from potatoes and rice to soybeans and corn, are certified for consumption. The GM Free Australia Alliance estimates genetically modified organisms are found in 60 per cent of processed foods. So one way or another, the majority of us are consuming GM foods daily. Are they safe? The truth is we really won’t know until long-term studies are published in coming decades.
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Agribusiness
“We are a fairly large grower; we grow about 300 tonnes of grain per harvest,” he says. “But organic wheat processors in our area can only handle 25 tonnes at a time, so we have to bear the cost of storing it in our silos. Processors say they need more organic growers to justify more infrastructure for larger volumes of grain. But it’s a case of which comes first, the chicken or the egg?”
Getting certified
When Lennon bought Gundooee 20 years ago, it was a conventional cattle farm with straight Angus cattle. The idea of raising Wagyu evolved after a barbecue at a Wagyu ranch next door. “I thought, ’These steaks are good! They have a superior flavour,’” he says. “I wondered if could make them even better by raising the cattle organically.” Lennon ran Gundooee as an organic farm since day one but only became certified in 2006, two years after he sold his first organic Wagyu carcass to Sydney’s TJ’s Quality Meats. He used his resume to sell Wagyu to TJ, who used his resume to on-sell to customers. But when Lennon’s business grew, he needed a way to share his organic credentials with the mass market. It took Lennon the usual three years to gain certification with Australian Certified Organics (ACO) — one of seven groups accredited by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to dispense organic trademarks. These trademarks assure consumers products are free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, hormones and antibiotics, that livestock is pasture-fed, seeds are non-GM and farming processes are water efficient and biodiversity friendly. “The process is pretty straightforward so long as your soil samples come back OK,” Lennon says. James agrees: “There’s a lot of misunderstanding among farmers about the accreditation process. But it’s not that difficult to get your head around it. The real problem is that organic food is not being marketed well in Australia. We can grow it well, but reliable demand doesn’t exist.”
Premium price-point
ACO chairman Andrew Monk says organic farming has strengths and weaknesses. “There’s great demand for anything organic in dairy, especially with China in
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our backyard,” he says. “There’s also been significant movement with dried fruits; thousands of hectares are about to be harvested. And the price for red meat, well, that goes through its own cycles, though I believe it’s doing rather well right now. “But grain is a real challenging one because of the high cost of production and problems meeting consumer price points.” It’s not only the price of organic bread that leaves most Australian consumers baffled. “We estimate total organic food retail sales in Australia will reach $2 billion this year,” says Monk. “But that’s just 1 or 1.5 per cent of total food sales in the country. In Europe and the US, market share for organic food varies from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent.” Organic food prices in Australia may drop marginally this year as next-generation producers come online. But organic farmers like James say consumers shouldn’t hold their breath. “There are big advantages using chemicals and fertilisers for farmers. They get a bigger yield,” he explains. “And we cop a yield penalty for not using them. So the cost differential is here to stay.” Lennon agrees, saying the solution lies not in charging consumers less but educating them more. “If I had time I’d write a blog about why food quality has gone downhill and why it costs more to produce organically so consumers can understand why they should pay more,” he says. “Right now, I don’t think they know.”
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Green shoots of a mining recovery Darren Baguley An agriculture, tech, mining, energy and business specialist.
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AS COMMODITY PRICES STABILISE OR IMPROVE, THERE IS RENEWED OPTIMISM IN THE AUSTRALIAN MINING SECTOR. A RECENT HAYS RECRUITMENT REPORT SHOWS THAT DEMAND FOR MINING JOBS IS GROWING AGAIN.
Mining The Australian mining and energy construction boom that peaked in 2012–13 was a once-in-a-generation event. But as with all booms, it was followed by a bust. As the mines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects were completed, the mining and energy industry transitioned abruptly from the construction phase to the production phase. At the same time, coal and iron ore prices tanked due to a perfect storm of oversupply coupled with reduced demand out of China. For more than five years, mining in particular and the resources sector in general were in survival mode, with gold and lithium being the only bright stars in an otherwise dark firmament. The green shoots of a recovery, however, are finally apparent. According to BIS Oxford Economics’ report ‘Mining in Australia 2017 to 2032’, Australia's mining industry is expected to more than double this financial year. The report predicts that mining production growth will more than double from 2.5 per cent in the 2016–17 financial year to 5.5 per cent in 2017–18. This growth is expected to continue for the rest of the decade; even without Adani’s controversial Carmichael mine in central Queensland’s Galilee Basin, which, the report suggests, is unlikely to proceed. Nevertheless, Deloitte Access Economics is circumspect about any marked lifts in mining investment. In its December quarter ‘Investment Monitor’, Deloitte Access Economics lead partner Stephen Smith says that despite more than 18 months of broadly better news on commodity prices and a lift in exploration expenditure, mining investment isn’t expected to increase substantially. “Miners appear focused on controlling costs, so recent strong profit results are more likely to be returned as dividends than laid out on new investments,” Smith said. In contrast, recruiting experts Hays’ January 2018 ’Jobs in Demand’ report has flagged a decided uptick in several key areas of employment within the mining industry. Hays Australian Director for Resources & Mining, Chris Kent, says that renewed optimism is driving increased demand across Australia’s mining industry to the point where skills shortages are starting to emerge again. “But it is a very different workforce now to then,” said Kent. "When a mine is in the construction phase, we’re talking construction trades, construction engineering and
construction know-how, which draws on a very multicultural, international workforce. Many of the people who [built the mines during the boom] work on a project-specific basis all over the world and move to where those new projects are.” According to Kent, once a mine transitions into the production phase, the workforce is more like the construction or manufacturing industries, whereby there are permanent positions that are there for the life of the mine. “Once a mine is in production there are different sorts of rosters, because it’s not all about how fast you can get something done, it’s actually how efficient and productive something can be. So just as we struggled to find construction engineers in 2012, now we’re struggling to [fill roles] such as mechanical fitters that can keep trucks on the road to carry the ore from pit to port.” Not only are different jobs and workers more in demand than at the height of the boom, but the dynamic between employee and employer has changed. During the dizzy heights of 2011–12 there was a real war for talent, and talent won. Today, says Kent, “A fair bit more power and influence is in the hands of employers than in the heady days of the mining boom. In the past three to six months, skills shortages have started to emerge again, but it’s no longer ’hire at all costs’ because mining companies are still running tight. Commodity prices have returned to solid levels but are not at all-time highs or anything like we saw back then.” One of the notable trends, says Kent, is the push for more diverse workforces. “Mining companies are trying to get more female workers into the mining sector and more indigenous participation. They’re also trying to add more value to communities where the mines are operating to improve the mining companies’ social licence to operate.” Kent named underground engineers and maintenance planners as areas of high demand and quipped that exploration geologists — one of the hardest-hit areas during the downturn — “are finally getting out of their Ubers and getting a job in exploration again”. He attributes that trend to miners having a renewed appetite for exploration. “Exploration is the first stage of the life cycle for a mine, which bodes well for sustainable job creation over the next few years. If a company is exploring and it finds something, obviously it will take it to market. Gold and lithium are the
Fast Facts
5.5%
The predicted mining production growth in Australia for 2017–2018, up from 2.5% in 2016.
$56.5
The 2017 value of Australian coal exports, in billions of dollars. It's a new peak, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. APRIL/MAY 2018
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Mining
main areas of demand but increasingly for copper and even nickel and zinc as well. That is exciting because we’re not completely reliant on iron ore and coal, which are obviously two of our bigger exports.” Demand for blue-collar jobs such as dump truck drivers, mechanical fitters and excavator operators is starting to ramp up again. “These are pretty straightforward roles,” says Kent, “but during the downturn, wages got cut and working underground especially is still a pretty difficult job, what with the rosters and being away from family.” With the reduction in wages, mining has had to compete with other industries to retain those people. “Take, for example, someone working in an underground coal mine in regional Queensland. There is the threat of black lung and all sorts of health risks but they’re only earning a few bucks an hour more than in a factory just outside Brisbane, where they go home to their family every night.” As a result, Kent says wages for low-level blue-collar roles are starting to go up as mining companies realise they can’t attract people to the sector. For that reason, he expects the first stage of wage inflation will be in the blue-collar space in the coming year. Even with wages destined to go up, Kent believes it will be difficult to entice people back into the sector. “Workers
weren’t treated brilliantly when there was that quick reduction in commodity prices, there was a bit of panic, rosters were cut, wages were cut, conditions were cut and there were years of negative press about the mining sector. The challenge for the industry is to bring some of those workers back and bring new workers into the industry. “There is a marketing piece to be done about the career opportunities in the mining sector. Mining companies need to reassure people who doubt that there are opportunities that it’s possible to make some competitive money but there are also opportunities for career advancement, that mining is a cutting-edge industry that embraces a diverse culture.”
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Mining Simulators
Virtual mine management and training SIMULATORS HAVE BEEN USED IN MINING FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES, BUT WITH THE ADVENT OF OFF-THE-SHELF VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSETS, THE TECHNOLOGY IS SET TO SOAR. In recent years, the mining industry has figured out what those in aviation have known since World War II: using simulators saves time, money and lives. Whether it’s for the passage of trucks on a haul road, driving a haul truck itself, or for drilling and blasting, simulation technology is becoming more widely used. In one of its more unusual applications, it’s wound up being a valuable training tool for crane drivers. While we don’t normally associate cranes with mining equipment, the reality is that many mine sites use them for construction, and for relocating equipment and overhead cranes in processing areas. According to Keith Bishop, General Manager – Marketing at crane hardware specialist Nobles, the advent of relatively inexpensive virtual reality (VR) headsets — such as the Oculus Rift — has made the technology even more appealing. “The first generation of crane simulators were like flight simulators, with lots of screens and
Darren Baguley An agriculture, tech, mining, energy and business specialist.
controls mocked up like a crane cabin,” explains Bishop. “But they weren’t very well received since they were large, immobile and expensive because they had all that gear associated with them. And they still didn’t provide a very realistic experience of operating a crane. “This VR technology takes simulation to a whole new level: you put a headset on and you’re immersed in a crane cockpit, with a 360-degree view of everything that’s going on, as if you were sitting in a crane,” says Bishop. “And the controls you operate are OEM specified crane controls, which are exactly the same as the major levers you’d use in that crane model, in real life. This combination makes for a very realistic simulation, and training experience.” Not surprisingly, registered training organisations (RTOs) make up one of Nobles’ main consumers of their simulation product. Since cranes cost millions of dollars and often only one vehicle is
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Mining Simulators
ADAM PRICE, RPMGLOBAL
Mining Simulators
allocated per 10 or more students, training to a baseline of skill on a simulator means RTOs can maximise crane time for their students. Elsewhere in training, simulators can be used to improve the competency of existing operators. Just as air forces, airlines and navies do, companies with large fleets of cranes can use simulators to expose their drivers to hazards they wouldn’t normally encounter in an operational environment. By practising in the simulator, operators are better equipped to know what to do if something should go wrong, and at the same time valuable machinery is not being tied up or put at risk of damage. In addition to RTOs, Bishop says large construction, mining, oil and gas companies with strong site safety compliance and control policies are interested in the VR system as a competency tool. “They need to be able to verify that all employees or subcontractors are compliant and capable of using heavy machinery like a crane, before letting them onto their sites,” explains Bishop. By using off-the-shelf technology, such as the Oculus Rift VR headset and a high-end gaming laptop, Bishop believes companies such as ITI are democratising VR technology. “One of the benefits of this type of system is that it uses existing off-the-shelf technology that can then be applied [to meet a variety of needs, whatever they may be]. As the technology improves and the price decreases, the cost of providing it as a service will also decrease, and the benefit of higher resolution, et cetera, will be passed on to users,” says Bishop. “The system is incredibly simple and easy to operate — as simple as pressing a button to turn on a PlayStation, and it loads up straight away. There’s no complex set-up routine; the most complex part is plugging in all the cables.” A similar trend is evident in mine management simulation programs such as RPMGlobal’s HAULSIM, says Adam Price, the company’s Simulation Product Manager. “In the past, any simulation undertaken at a mine site has been done by a simulation expert — not a haulage expert — and the simulation model was not for a specific project,” he explains. “This is an expensive way to run simulations, and you’re left with a static model that isn’t kept up to date.” HAULSIM uses a gaming-inspired 3D model based on the user’s unique mine site, providing an accurate visual representation of their scenarios. According to Price, this approach gives users a more holistic view compared to traditional models. In addition, HAULSIM’s Discrete Event Simulation (DES) software models mine haulage systems by simulating equipment interactions and infrastructure, allowing users to navigate current operations and future mine plans. “Using HAULSIM and its powerful DES, a gold mine in Canada was able to reduce the time taken to create scenarios from over a month to under a week,” says Price. “This allows mining engineers to move away from
programming and instead focus on adding real operational improvements that will have an impact on the bottom line.” While safety is the highest priority on a mine site and products such as HAULSIM help to identify high-risk situations, simulation technology — such as Nobles’ crane simulator — also saves mining companies big bucks. However, RPMGlobal’s Price contends that many mining operations are making decisions worth several thousand dollars without a model to support the decision — and simulation can provide that data. “Often decisions are based on a gut feeling rather than data,” says Price. “We’ve found the answer after running a simulation is obvious after we’ve done the analysis, but the simulation often produces a different result to what we were expecting. Customers who use simulation have a much deeper understanding of their haulage systems, as they are able to test all possible scenarios, such as widening a road, decreasing the maximum queue lengths or adding a stop sign to a particularly congested route. They save money since they’ve investigated all other viable alternatives, and have only spent when their return on investment is proven.” With new technology comes fresh challenges, and VR and 3D simulation are no exception. “There’s been a bit of suspicion from some of the more experienced crane operators, who question whether the technology will actually be able to simulate a real crane operating environment,” says Bishop. “But as soon as they get on the gear, they quickly realise it’s very close to the real-world experience of driving a crane. So, one of the main ways to get over some of the challenges is to just get people to drive it and see for themselves that it’s not a toy, but a sophisticated education and training tool.” For RPMGlobal, Price says it’s the mine sites themselves that provide the greatest challenge, since they are all so dynamic. “If you’re simulating haulage, the road network is constantly changing, and the movement of equipment around that network depends on the demands of the day,” explains Price. “That’s why RPMGlobal has developed the largest public equipment library available in HAULSIM, to provide accurate load and travel calculations that keep up with the demands of an ever-changing environment. The network can be updated so that the model is always current and precise.” Despite fluctuations in commodity prices, the use of simulation technology by mining companies appears to be on the up and up. Price attributes this to the fact that simulations such as HAULSIM play a significant role in identifying areas for improvement and opportunities for increases in production. “Although commodity prices have risen, the same cost-cutting mentality exists and will continue even as the commodity prices rise further,” he says. “This means the use of simulation will continue to grow as mining companies search to lower their costs.” APRIL/MAY 2018
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Parkes - Centre of Australia's Transport Future The Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail line will transform freight movement in Australia – and Parkes will be central to this opportunity In one of the biggest investments ever seen in regional Australia, the Federal Government will fund the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project with $8.4 billion in equity to be provided to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Inland Rail will complete the spine of the national freight network, delivering freight from Melbourne to Brisbane in less than 24 hours with competitive pricing and extremely high reliability. Parkes is central to Inland Rail and to Australia’s transport future. Parkes is the only place in Australia where the north-south Newell Highway, the eastwest rail-line and the Inland Rail line ALL INTERSECT. Parkes is capitalising on its potential to become a major national transport node. Already, more than 80 per cent of Australia’s population can be reached in less than 12 hours from Parkes, creating a valuable competitive advantage for companies looking to develop logistics, distribution and manufacturing operations. "The Parkes National Logistics Hub has been designed to operate 24/7 as a multi-modal transport facility with buffer zones and has been in the planning
for decades. Parkes is geographically located in the centre of NSW and at the epicentre of the national's transport and logistics network. Inland Rail will be a catalyst to change freight movement in Australia,” says Parkes Shire Council Mayor Ken Keith, OAM. The announcement by the Federal Government to start construction on Inland Rail has led directly to investment in Parkes, with Pacific National in October 2017 committing an initial $35 million to commence development of the company’s Parkes Logistics Terminal, which is set to be one of the largest private sector investments in freight infrastructure in regional Australia. Once fully operational, Pacific National’s Parkes Logistics Terminal will have the capacity to process approximately 450,000 cargo containers each year, including the ability to haul
double-stacked containers from Parkes to Perth. SCT Logistics has been operating in Parkes for over 10 years and they are now in the process of planning for the development of a ‘Logistics City’. SCT Logistics CEO Glenn Smith says “When the Inland Rail is completed one of the great aspects of Parkes will be the ability to receive trains from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Ports and even Adelaide ports - they are all overnight by rail (to Parkes). SCT sees great opportunities for importers, exporters and manufacturers, who have a requirement to move freight efficiently." The Parkes National Logistic Hub consists of nearly 600 hectares of land, and can offer a diverse range of investment opportunities for companies looking to leverage from Parkes’ key strategic advantages. APRIL/MAY 2018
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Finance
How can financial wellbeing help us ‘live the dream’? Historically, the Great Australian Dream was the belief that home ownership led to a better life and was seen a symbol of both prosperity and success. Over time, our understanding of happiness and ‘living the dream’ has changed. A report by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Australia (‘Live the Dream’, 2017) found that only 41 per cent of Australians see home ownership as living the dream. To most of us, this now means having the lifestyle of our choice (57 per cent) and having financial freedom and independence (54 per cent). Rather than objects such as a house, we are now placing more value on experiences and the freedom to forge our own path. However, even with these changes, only one in four Australians describe themselves as ‘mostly’ or ‘definitely’ living the dream. About 48 per cent of us admit that having a low bank balance is holding us back from living the dream. Many of us also admit to having regrets about not saving enough and making poor decisions (37 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively). Some 73 per cent of Australians find it hard to plan their lives, with 36 per cent attributing this to not knowing what we want. It’s clear both money and the self-awareness to see we want from life play a huge role in living the dream.
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With so many of us confused about our goals, how do we realise what we want out of life? The answer lies in financial wellbeing. The best part about improving financial wellbeing is that it’s unique to everyone and attainable to all — regardless of your bank balance. There are two key aspects to financial wellbeing that come into play: selfawareness and planning. Becoming self-aware by recognising your relationship with money is crucial to financial wellbeing. This way you begin to understand your life goals and what truly motivates you. The next step is to create a plan to help you reach your good life. With 29 per cent of Australians too time poor to map out a plan for their future, many have turned to financial advisers. In fact, those who report they are living the dream are three times less stressed about money and three times more likely to see a financial adviser, compared to those who do not see themselves as living the dream. Of those who received financial advice, 79 per cent claimed their financial wellbeing had improved since seeing an adviser. The ability to plan for and reach our goals is undeniably linked to our happiness, making financial wellbeing a major determinant in whether we’ll ever see ourselves living the dream.
Ryan Watson Tribeca Financial's CEO knows all about money management.
Financial Wellbeing in Australia
60%
Would invest in building a better future for their families if they had the money.
40%
Are scared that they won’t have enough money to retire.
1 in 4
Have not mapped out a plan for their financial future at all.
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Securing the Internet of Things Darren Baguley An agriculture, tech, mining, energy and business specialist.
WITH TECHNOLOGY MOVING AT A RATE OF KNOTS AND THE IOT ENABLING ALL MANNER OF DEVICES TO BE CONNECTED OR AUTONOMOUS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO PRE-EMPT FUTURE RISKS.
It’s lunchtime on a bright, sunny day at a primary school in the Australian wheat belt. Right on the edge of town, the school’s playground overlooks crop fields and many of the children watch a harvester at work as they eat their lunch. Twenty minutes into lunch, the sound of the harvester changes. Instead of working up and down the field as it has all morning, it is moving towards the school fence at top speed. A quick-thinking student realises it's heading straight for the playground and notifies the duty teacher before calling a warning to his schoolmates. The teacher dashes into the school building to sound the alarm minutes before the harvester crashes through the fence, across the playing fields and into a toilet block before coming to a stop. Three young children are injured, one of whom later dies in hospital. The subsequent police investigation discovers the automated harvester had been hacked into by a terrorist organisation that turned it against the school to cause mass casualties. In 2018, this scenario may seem unlikely, fanciful even. But high-end harvesters and
tractors built in the past few years by major manufacturers such as Case New Holland, John Deere, Deutz-Fahr and Fendt are capable of autonomous operation, straight off the showroom floor. So while this equipment, currently in use on many large Australian crop farms, is capable of autonomous operation, every piece always has a human ‘machine minder’ in the cabin. According to David Lamb, University of New England’s McClymont Distinguished Professor (Research) Precision Agriculture Research Group, the legal framework to allow this to happen — put simply, who would be liable if something went wrong? — is not yet in place. Nevertheless, with the capability being widespread, it’s only a matter of time
Cybersecurity
“In the security space we've known security comes at a cost, and that's just the way things go.” —
James Turner, IBRS security advisor and founder of CISO Lens.
APRIL/MAY 2018
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Cybersecurity before tractors and combines are working their way up and down Australian broadacre crop fields without a human in sight. In the case of the transport industry, much of the publicity has been generated by Google’s driverless car experiments. However, driverless trucks are likely to start appearing on our roads long before we all have our own robotic chauffeur. A convoy of automated trucks has already platooned across Europe and reports by organisations as diverse as consultancy PWC and merchant bank Morgan Stanley suggest that at least the long-haul part of long-distance truck and train drivers’ jobs may be a thing of the past within two decades.
Future present
Science fiction writer William Gibson once said, “The future is here, it’s just not evenly distributed,” and there is no truer example of this than in the mining industry. Because a mine is a closed, contained environment compared to a farm or a highway, automation has been an easier task for engineers and the technology is well developed. As a result, the mining sites of the big three miners in Western Australia’s Pilbara — BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals — have all deployed automated
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trucks and drill and blast rigs with trains due to be rolled out later this year. Mining companies are not just looking to automate vehicles; crushing plants, conveyor belts, coal and ore loaders have all been automated and all mines, both open cast and underground, are increasingly being covered with internet connected sensors. This tendency toward automation is being collectively known as the Internet of Things (IoT), and it represents both an opportunity to make our lives better by eliminating dangerous, mundane, repetitive tasks and a threat to human life.
Economic fallout
While some people may consider the threat to human life an exaggeration, others believe it’s only a matter of time before there’s some sort of catastrophic event involving the IoT. While attacking a school with a harvester or crashing a truck into a school bus could involve heavy loss of human life, there is also the possibility of economic loss. In 2002/3, Venezuelan oil workers used a virus to shut down the country’s oil terminals for eight hours as part of a bitter and protracted strike. In 2010, the Stuxnet virus — widely believed to have been developed by US and Israeli intelligence — was used to attack key supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems in Iran’s nuclear program. It’s quite possible to conceive that an unscrupulous company may seek to gain commercial advantage over a competitor by unleashing a stream of cyber attacks that disrupts its supply chain and causes it to default on a high value contract. Industry analyst, cyber security advisor with IBRS and founder of CISO Lens, James Turner, doesn’t discount the possibility of any of these sorts of things happening. “A few years back … Australian banks were being attacked by a botnet made of webcams and the Mirai botnet attack was made up of millions of devices, including personal digital recorders. Given that it’s absolutely predictable that anything electronic or mechanical will get connected to the internet, we have to plan for what happens when these devices are either targeted themselves or become collateral in an attack against something else.” If we accept the risk that automated
devices could be compromised, then this begs the question whether it is possible to secure the IoT? Turner believes that it is, but he doesn’t downplay the difficulty of doing so. “[When] we come to the Internet of Things, there are several challenges. There is the sheer scale of the problem and the cost that comes with that. Whose job is it to ensure that instead of the 20-cent microprocessor, the 40-cent one with inbuilt security is used? “When it comes to an organisation deploying 20 million sensors, the ones with inbuilt security double the cost. That can be a tough pill to swallow for people who don’t appreciate what’s at stake. In the security space, we’ve known that security comes at a cost, and that’s just the way things go.” A further issue is the sheer number of devices already out there. Turner explains that when looking at people’s home computers, the security industry recommends keeping operating systems up to date, using current security software and using two-factor authentication and a password that is unique for any website that matters — such as your bank. For most people who regularly use computers, these measures are common sense. The issue with the IoT, however, is that “these IoT devices are being deployed with a basic level of capability,” says Turner. “That means often a default username and password, which also means when you know the default password for one device, you know it for them all. And unless someone changes them all away from the default, then a hacker can write a script and take control of all of them.”
Risk versus cost
Whether it’s a mine site that may have thousands of devices ranging from trucks to sensors on the haul road or individual harvesters, tractors or prime movers, Turner poses the question, “When making any decision we balance risk versus reward versus cost. Security is a moving target because the risk may be worth it to one person, but not to another. [Nevertheless], whose job is it to make sure that each of these devices is running the latest software, and that the password is changed from the default?” Turner believes that organisations know securing the IoT space is important,
but he questions whether “we’ve yet to experience sufficient pain to drive a change in behaviour. We still want all the reward with low cost and to ignore the risk.” While that may be true in some industries, it is perhaps not the case in the mining industry. According to Hays Regional Director for Resources & Mining, Chris Kent, mining companies definitely recognise the risks inherent in the IoT. “If you look at all the big miners — Rio, BHP, FMG — they’ve got their control centres in Perth. [But the result of this automation is that] cybersecurity is obviously an issue. A lot of the new SCADA equipment is essentially at risk of hack if the appropriate security is not in place and as a result, the heads of technology of these big companies now have cybersecurity teams.” There’s an old Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times!” While the IoT offers a myriad of benefits to industries, there are also risks and only time will tell whether these are outweighed by the benefits. APRIL/MAY 2018
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Infrastructure
Sustainability gets the green light AUSTRALIA IS NATION-BUILDING ON A SIGNIFICANT SCALE. HERE, FIVE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITIES AND CITIES.
Riley Palmer A writer and editor, Riley loves sinking her teeth into juicy news and sharing tales of the land.
images: the Green Building Council of Australia With population growth and climate change on the top of people’s minds the world over, sustainable living and infrastructure are becoming both an expectation and a necessity. In a nation like Australia, which is prone to extreme weather conditions, conserving energy, water and resources is a must. As a result, the adoption of green building practices has skyrocketed, especially since 2002 when the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) was established to assess the design, construction and performance of buildings, and subsequently grant them a one- to six-star rating — six demonstrating global leadership. Since then, sustainable buildings have become far more commonplace, with the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark consistently ranking the Australian real estate market as the world’s greenest. While the environmental benefits of creating sustainable buildings are clear, as many individuals and organisations advocate for best practice, the social and financial advantages are becoming increasingly obvious, too. Green buildings routinely improve the health and productivity of occupants, increase building values and reduce operating costs. We speak with Romilly Madew, CEO of the GBCA, who shares insights into five of the nation’s greenest buildings, and the features that set them apart.
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Ingkarni Wardli
Location: Adelaide, South Australia Year: 2010 Architect: DesignInc Rating: 6 Star Green Star, Education Design & As Built v1 The University of Adelaide’s Ingkarni Wardli was the first education building in Australia to attain a 6 Star Green Star rating. The eight-storey building provides contemporary teaching facilities and honours the Indigenous land it stands on — its Kaurna name means ’ place of learning or enquiry’. What differentiates it from other teaching facilities are the environmental strategies incorporated into design. “This was undoubtedly a test case for a range of sustainability innovations,” says Madew, “from the geothermal energy storage system to the underfloor air distribution system, which provides 100 per cent fresh air.” There are also sun-shading louvres, thermal chimneys, hydronic cooling loops, a rooftop tri-generation plant that powers the building and rainwater-harvesting into underground tanks. Madew believes that the most interesting legacy is Wardli's status as a ‘living laboratory’ for engineering students, giving them real-world experience without impacting operations.
Infrastructure
IMAGE: DIANNA SNAPE
Council House 2
Location: Melbourne, Victoria Year: 2006 Architect: DesignInc Rating: 6 Star Green Star, Office Design & As Built v1 When Council House 2 (CH2) was built, it was at the cutting edge of sustainable infrastructure. “The most important thing to emphasise about CH2 is its significant role as a beacon of sustainability,” says Madew. “The building’s energy efficiency and energy-production features, including solar photovoltaic cells and integrated wind-turbines ... were revolutionary, and delivered an 87 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to buildings of similar size. This alone helped to establish the business case for green building. When coupled with the productivity improvement, which saves Council an estimated $2 million a year, it’s easy to see why this building remains a green icon.” A CSIRO report a year after CH2 had been built showed staff productivity had increased by 10.9 per cent. “Indoor Environmental Quality matters,” says Madew. “Our thermal environment and air quality, our visual environment and acoustics ... affect our health and ability to perform daily tasks.”
One Central Park
Location: Sydney, New South Wales Year: 2013 Architect: Foster and Partners, Ateliers Jean Nouvel and PTW Architects Rating: 5 Star Green Star, Multi-Unit Residential Design & As Built v1 One Central Park has been recognised on an international level, winning the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s award for the best tall building in the world in 2014. This accolade was largely due to its vertical garden, which, at 150 metres, is the world’s tallest. “External green walls have a lot of benefits,” explains Madew. “Aside from being attractive, they clean the air of pollutants, can reduce the surface temperature of walls, limit solar gains and with it, the need for artificial cooling. Green walls have also been found to boost health and wellbeing, and biodiversity.” One Central Park’s commitment to sustainability is further evident in its tri-generation power plant, a water recycling and blackwater treatment plant. Each apartment is also fitted with smart metering screens, which provide real-time monitoring of electricity, gas and water consumption. APRIL/MAY 2018
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I M A G E : F I L I P P O D A L L' O S S O
Infrastructure
“The Sydney Opera House dispels the myth that it’s ‘too hard’ to improve the sustainability of older buildings.” — Romilly Madew, GBCA
Sydney Opera House
Location: Sydney, New South Wales Year: 1973 Architect: Jørn Utzon Rating: 4 Star Green Star, Performance V1 When reflecting on how green a building is, it’s important to consider not just what the building takes, in terms of resources such as water and energy, but also what and for how long it gives — which is why the Opera House is one of Australia’s most sustainable buildings. Pioneering features implemented include a seawater cooling system, which powers the heating and air conditioning. “An early interpretation of the ‘chilled ceiling’ remains in the Drama Theatre, to help control air temperature,” says Madew. “The building was designed with durable materials to meet a 250-year lifespan. Over the past decade, it has welcomed more visitors than ever, but has reduced energy usage by 10 per cent through a lighting retrofit. For example, LED lighting in the Concert Hall has cut electricity consumption by 75 per cent.” Furthermore, the building maintains its heritage while also meeting sustainability benchmarks through its ecofriendly cleaning methods. “Baking soda is used for concrete cleaning and olive oil for bronze restoration,” says Madew. “The Opera House dispels the myth that it’s ‘too hard’ to improve the sustainability of older buildings.”
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Fast Facts
350
There are 23 green walls on One Central Park, spanning 1,200 square metres. There are 350 species of plants used in the green walls alone.
$1.85b The New Royal Adelaide Hospital is 258,000 square metres, and is valued at $1.85 billion.
New Royal Adelaide Hospital
Location: Adelaide, South Australia Year: 2017 Architect: DesignInc and Silver Thomas Hanley Rating: 4 Star Green Star, Healthcare Design v1 The New Royal Adelaide Hospital has 800 beds and 40 operating theatres, designed for the needs of the 80,000 patients it sees annually. Some of the building’s environmental innovations include water and power metering to track consumption, lowVOC paints, flooring and acoustic insulation, and a co-generation system that turns waste heat into energy. “It generates far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than standardpractice healthcare facilities,” says Romilly. The design of the hospital, with more than 70 courtyards, terraces and sky gardens, is optimised for daylight, which has been proven to aid patient recovery and decrease the length of stay. “It offers the best possible healing environment with greater levels of privacy, comfort and infection control,” says Madew. The hospital is also one of the most technologically advanced facilities of its kind: it uses robots to deliver food and equipment, has a wireless patient–nurse call system, and — able to operate self-sufficiently for up to 48 hours and designed to prevent a structural collapse — it is earthquake proof. “It’s one of the most cutting-edge and technically complex Green Star buildings in Australia,” says Madew.
Ben Smithurst A lifestyle, motoring and travel writer with a penchant for the humorous.
Look Ma, no hands! DRIVERLESS CARS ARE COMING. JUST HOW QUICKLY MIGHT SURPRISE YOU…
This year, Audi will reveal its new fourth generation, rootand-branch overhaul of the A8 sedan, a giant luxo-barge of an executive (non-stretch) limo. This would normally be news only to motoring enthusiasts and businessmen who expect never to drive their car, as more than half of all day-to-day A8 drivers are ‘the help’. They work either for hire car companies or are private chauffeurs. The owners sit in the back, barking orders like any respectable corporate titan. The Audi A8’s main rivals are similarly lavish, $200,000-plus German luxo-barges: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 7 Series, or an English Jaguar XJ or Lexus LS. This is the ultra-refined, ultra-high-tech end of the market, where companies’ shiniest, most impressive new gadgetry debuts. At this level, choices aren’t made on price but on whether you’ll fit in at the car park of the Australian Club. That halo technology eventually filters down to more utilitarian everyman vehicles. Otherwise, though, the release of an all-new Audi A8 would be less than news to most of the motoring public, except for one thing — it drives itself. Or
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rather it can, up to a point. The new Audi A8 is the world’s first production car capable of Level 3 autonomous driving. Which, to paraphrase Ron Burgundy, is kind if a big deal. There are six ‘levels’ of autonomous driving. Established by SAE International in 2014, the stages were defined to be used as common reference points to assist legislators, engineers and the public in understanding just how capable a particular vehicle is (see Level Up! box). In the new A8, and its more stylish but mechanically identical A7 sibling, the driver needn’t pay much attention to the road — in some (very well defined) circumstances. In traffic, for example, on well-marked roads or on the autobahn, the driver can read a book, use a laptop or eat cereal. Audi’s slick limo will steer itself, accelerate and brake, turn and cruise, and avoid other traffic, whether or not you’re paying attention. If it needs you to take over, it will give you 10 seconds warning before you need to take control. It scans the road ahead, negotiating the world with a combination of GPS, cameras and sensors, including Lidar, a
Man & Machine
sort of radar-by-laser. One day the machines will rise up and destroy us all, and this will be considered a significant step. But for now, we’re still in charge! The self-driving car has long been a holy grail of automotive manufacturers. While public perception has recently caught up, Audi and its rivals have been building development cars that perform incredible feats sans driver for decades. In 2010, an autonomous Audi TT used precision GPS to complete Colorado’s Pikes Peak hill climb in just 27 minutes — about 10 minutes slower than a professional racing driver would have managed in the same car. But still, not bad. This was considered a curiosity by most of the car-buying public, if they’d heard of it at all, and even by the automotive press. However, as US tech bible Wired noted in January, “in the past five years, autonomous driving has gone from ‘maybe possible’ to ‘definitely possible’ to ‘inevitable’ to ‘how did anyone ever think this wasn’t inevitable?’” Every significant motoring marque is pursuing the tech,
keen to rebrand as a ‘mobility provider’ before the concept of car ownership goes kaput and 90 per cent of us Uber to work in driverless mobility boxes. Google’s self-driving car project launched in 2009, but Intel and Apple, among others, are working on their own tech. Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Tesla; basically everyone, really, has debuted concept cars that show where they’re going, mapping out a rough timeline to get there. Last year, Elon Musk announced every Tesla would feature eight cameras, radar, a dozen ultrasonic sensors and a powerful super-computer, declaring (in trademark fashion, well ahead of his tech teams’ progress) that self-driving Teslas were soon to arrive. In January, Toyota demonstrated a Lexus LS 600L, an Audi A8 rival, that used Lidar to ‘see’ 200 metres in every direction. Things are happening in Australia, too, regardless of, or sometimes as a challenge to, infrastructure and laws. Last year, the Mercedes-Benz autonomous driving program team took a development test S-Class from Sydney to Melbourne. It showed similar abilities to the new A8: steering indefinitely on freeways, changing lanes when prompted, slowing for bends on winding roads. It passed with close to flying colours — although, like anyone not familiar with Melbourne, was eventually baffled by hook turns. It was also not strictly street legal; Mercedes received special permission to conduct the test, within strict boundaries (someone was always in the driver’s seat). Which points to the main roadblock to the progress of self-driving vehicles. Worldwide, tech is moving much faster than legislation. Road laws are even less in sync in Australia. While autonomous test cars are already cruising roadways from California to London, there are issues. Foremost is infrastructure: cars must be able to read road signs and understand non-uniform road markings. In Australia, the A8’s full suite of capabilities will be disabled until legislators are convinced it is safe. Second involves moral and ethical issues. Namely: if a car crashes, who is at fault? Audi got around that simply last year: by owning it. The brand’s boss of pre-development of automated driving, Dr Thorsten Leonhardt, told Australian journos that his company was confident in its technology and would accept the insurance liability risk. Leonhardt didn’t explain what a car’s AI would do when faced with a choice of, for example, either ploughing into a crowd to save the driver or driving off a cliff to save the crowd. Level 3 capability is already here. Levels 4 and 5 are anywhere from a few years to a decade away. Audi, and the rest, have time to figure it out. For now, it’s the boss barking orders from the back seat. Eventually, it’ll be all of us. APRIL/MAY 2018
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Puzzles
CROSSWORD
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SOLUTIONS:
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PANTS PREGNANT RADIANT RELIANT TENANT VACANT
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CHANT CONSTANT CURRANT DEFIANT DESCANT DISMANTLE
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ELEPHANT ENCHANT GIANT INSTANT PANTHER
Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally. Theme: ANT WORDS
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ANTELOPE ANTENNA ANTIQUE BRILLIANT CANTEEN
WORD SEARCH
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DOWN 1. Monotony 2. Become tattered 3. Unknown writer 4. Refreshments booth 5. Widening 6. Light-bulb inventor 9. Niggling worry 11. Documents fastener 13. ... sleeping dogs lie 15. NE US state 16. Personal money order 18. Dally 19. Director, Woody ... 21. Assignment 22. Prison
T T C U R R A N T E L P Q
ACROSS 1. Lovers’ squabbles 7. Undid (skirt) 8. Fear 10. Children 12. Rissole 14. Yemen port 16. Burlesque actress 17. Exerted (oneself) 20. Intensifying (of war) 23. Relieved 24. All of space, the ... 25. Situate
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Indulge in the region’s vibrant local festivals, beautiful gardens, sporting pursuits, fresh produce, rich culture, arts community and heritage. Spring
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