TrulyAus – June-July 2023

New route launches are always something special for an airline.

They represent not only the obvious expansion of a carrier’s network but also symbolise a significant step forward in its growth aspirations. At Rex, we have launched seven routes since we began domestic jet operations in March 2021. All have been proud days for us, full of excitement and expectation: the culmination of the tireless efforts of our Rex staff who continue to make big things happen. That’s just what we do, always meeting impossible deadlines and demonstrating just what teamwork and hard work can achieve. Yet again, this has enabled us to spread our wings just a little bit further with the upcoming launch of yet another new route. From June 29 we’ll be flying between Sydney and Adelaide, the eighth route added to our domestic network in just over two years.

And it’s not just our route map that’s getting bigger: our fleet of Boeing 737-800NGs is also growing with the imminent arrival of another two 737s, our eighth and ninth jetliners. They’ll enable us to add even more destinations in the months ahead. They’re also the type of aircraft our latest batch of Rex Cadets will one day hope to fly. Sixteen of our cadets recently graduated from the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) in Wagga Wagga, NSW. AAPA is Rex’s $30 million purpose-built facility which has produced more than 250 pilots for Rex since it opened in 2007. Today, Rex remains the only airline in Australia

to operate its own airline pilot training academy and for the most recent graduating cohort, the ceremony had added poignancy as it included the inaugural winners of the Max Hazelton Award. Named after one of the founding fathers of the airline and aviation pioneer who passed away on April 9 shortly before his 95th birthday, the award was bestowed on the most outstanding student in each of the two graduating classes. Fittingly, Luke Kelly and Luke Morris were presented with their awards by Max’s son Toby, an accomplished pilot himself. In front of immensely proud family members and friends, with VIPs looking on, the sheer joy and excitement of all the cadets was both palpable and very moving.

The graduates are now fully qualified professional pilots who joined Rex as First Officers on our fleet of Saab 340 turboprop aircraft. They succeeded because they were all driven by passion, commitment, determination and an impressive work ethic that enabled all of them to realise their dream to become aviators. They represent the future of aviation in Australia, the product of a secure supply pipeline pioneered by Rex – and one which continues to produce pilots of the highest calibre more than 15 years after the very first one took to the air. My warmest congratulations to each and every one of them.

Neville Howell Chief Operating Officer

EDITORIAL

Publisher & Editor: Michelle Hespe publisher@trulyaus.com

Deputy Editor: Emily Riches editorial@trulyaus.com

Designer: Ryan Vizcarra

Sub-editor: Claire Hey

ADVERTISING publisher@trulyaus.com

CONTRIBUTORS

David Harvie

Jess Makarewitsch

LJ Charleston

Matilda Meikle

PRINTING

IVE Print Sydney

81 Derby Street, Silverwater, NSW 2128

Truly Aus is published by Publishing ByChelle, (ABN: 78 621 375 853 ACN: 621 375 853) Level 1, 3 Westleigh Street, Neutral Bay, NSW 2089 publishingbychelle.com

The reproduction of any content, in whole or part without prior written permission by the publisher 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 TrulyAus are from iStock and Getty Images, and we make every effort to credit all contributors.

STEP

INTO A WORLD FAR, FAR AWAY

A PLACE WHERE WILD WONDERS AND PEACEFULNESS RESIDE

Ettrick Rocks Luxury Retreats offers guests a choice of three different villas – all of them perched on a wonderfully wild landscape above the ocean on remote King Island. From the peace and warmth of your abode you can look out as the Roaring Forties winds play with the waves and the native Australian landscape. It’s a space where you can truly relax while appreciating the power and beauty of Mother Nature.

W: ettrickrocks.com.au • E: info@ettrickrocks.com.au • P: 1300 195 596

ETTRICK ROCKS

LUXURY RETREATS

It’s no secret that I have an unquenchable thirst for travelling Australia, and with that comes a love of remote, quiet places. I am always on the go with work, family and travel, and so on those rare occasions when I can slow down and step into a world where there is no rush to get anywhere, I can truly unwind, slow down and soak up the small things that make life the joy it can be.

One such place in Australia is King Island. I was recently lucky enough to revisit this Tasmanian outpost for the third time, and meet many of the locals, who are so passionate about their home and the produce that comes out of their working agricultural island. It’s not all about the cheese and beef, you know! Golfers, surfers, foodies, artists and twitchers all love the island’s many offerings, and there are no crowds – unless you count the people at the King Island Bakehouse in Currie, waiting for a coveted pie.

Speaking of remote, another place that we also checked out for you this issue is Quilpie in Outback Queensland. Here you can also dive into the many offerings courtesy of Mother Nature, such as birdwatching, yabbying, opal fossicking and exploring the region’s fascinating dinosaur history. And who would’ve guessed it, but another thing that Quilpie has in common with King Island is its renowned meat pies! OffShears Bakery is a must-visit – with the traditionally

made meat pies baked by World Champion Women’s Shearer Cathy Wendelborn.

We’ve packed plenty more in this issue, including winter-inspired getaway ideas in Port Lincoln (there’s more to this region than great whites and seafood, although they are both amazing drawcards), an Indigenous journey around Perth, an arts-focussed experience in sunny Kempsey, and some ideas for the chilly months in Melbourne.

We also have some great stories in AusBiz. – from pine nuts and finance, to the impact of AI on jobs and underwater boulders nurturing our marine life – but I would like to take this moment and this space to farewell a true legend in our industry: aviation pioneer Max Hazelton.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Max last year, and we enjoyed some cookies and a cup of tea at his home in Orange, where we talked for hours about his life, planes and the industry he dedicated his entire life to. He will be sorely missed but I know his legacy will live on forever, not only in the pages of history, but in the hearts and minds of so many.

AN AVIATION PIONEER

Spending time with Max Hazelton in Orange.

56

Inside TrulyAus

upfront

13 Rex News

Rex farewells aviation pioneer Max Hazelton; Spend a day with an Air Ambulance pilot; 16 Rex Cadet Pilots graduate with flying colours.

Features

26 K ing Island: wild and peaceful

A stunning remote landscape, world-class golf, amazing produce and a few local favourites await visitors to Tassie’s King Island.

32 Port Lincoln and beyond

The Southern Eyre Peninsula is famous for beautiful deserted beaches and its delicious array of seafood, but it’s also a joy to visit in winter. Explore some of the amazing offerings in the cooler months.

AusBiz.

Check out AusBiz. at the back of our magazine.

66. FINANCE

How do cognitive biases affect your investments? Saxo Australia finds out.

72. AGRICULTURE

We look at the possibility of a thriving pine nut industry in Australia.

74. BUSINESS

How to future-proof your career during the AI revolution.

40 Indigenous Perth

Take a tour with a First Nations guide and see the city in a different light.

44 Cafe culture on the NSW coast

Art, culture and coffee on the Macleay Valley coast.

48 Pacific Inspiration

Immerse yourself in the colour and culture of PNG’s best festivals.

52 Discover Quilpie

There’s so much happening in Quilpie and Outback Queensland this winter.

60

84. MINING

Thinking Critical South Australia awards five mining start-ups.

88. ENVIRONMENT

Marine boulders and coffee cups pave the way for a greener future.

FREEZE THE DAY: Embrace the chill in Melbourne with our top picks of winter activities. Image: Visit Victoria.

WINTER WARMERS: Check out the best new Aussie-made products for winter.

Stay connected on the fly with Wi-Fi

Time to sit back and relax with entertainment and internet at your fingertips on selected domestic flights operated by our Boeing 737-800NG.

Enjoy a great selection of free blockbuster movies and addictive TV shows or stay connected by purchasing Wi-Fi Passes and surf the net in the sky – complimentary for Business class passengers.

Step by step: How to connect onboard

Choose network. Turn on device’s Wi-Fi and connect to the Rex Wi-Fi network “REX”.

Welcome. Browser should open automatically. If needed, open your internet browser and navigate to wifionboard.com to connect.

Once connected, passengers can access complimentary in-flight entertainment.

Wi-Fi Passes available for purchase

Regular speed for browsing

Suitable for simple web browsing, email, instant messaging and social media (excludes video and app stores).

30 minutes from $6.50* Entire flight from $9.99*

High-speed for streaming

Suitable for a faster connection speed supporting video streaming services such as YouTube (excludes app stores).

30 minutes from $9.75* Entire flight from $14.99*

Purchase a Wi-Fi Pass to start streaming (free for Business Class).

Have a question?

For any questions or troubleshooting, live chat is available 24/7 to assist you.

*Prices are subject to change at any time. Please access the Rex in-flight web portal for more information. Terms and conditions apply.

BAGGAGE

Carry on baggage

CHECK-IN

Online check-in

You can check-in online through the Rex website, rex.com.au, on your desktop or mobile devices between 48 hours and 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.

Airport check-in

If you have checked baggage, we recommend that you arrive at the airport for check-in at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure of your flight at all airports except Burketown, Queensland (90 minutes before).

Rex check-in closes:

• 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at Burketown airport.

• 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Queensland airports (with the exception of Burketown above).

• 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at regional airports in NSW, SA, Tas, Vic and WA.

Special requirements:

Passengers with special requirements must check-in at the airport (online check-in is not available) no later than:

• 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights and flights departing from Burketown.

• 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure for regional flights departing from major cities and all Queensland regional airports except Burketown (please see below).

• 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure in NSW, SA, Tas, Vic and WA regional airports.

REX AIRCRAFT FACTS

* no one piece may weigh more than 10kg

Checked baggage

Passengers with international connections (within 24 hours) are permitted a 23 kilogram baggage allowance upon presenting a valid itinerary or ticket.

Please refer to rex.com.au for more baggage allowance information.

Excess baggage

Additional checked baggage allowance may be purchased during booking.

For baggage presented at check-in which is over the baggage allowance, excess baggage is subject to capacity and a surcharge of $5.50 (incl GST) per kilogram is applicable.

Karratha

Barrow Island

Rex: Our heart is in the country

Abra

Meekatharra

Carnarvon

Monkey Mia

Karara

Perth

Plutonic Jundee Cue

Mt Keith

Leinster Laverton

Leonora Sunrise Dam

Tropicana

Murrin Kalgoorlie

Nova

Esperance

Tabubil Port Moresby

Rabul (Tokua) Madang

Lae Goroka Mt Hagen

Bamaga NPA

Gulf

Normanton Burketown Doomadgee

Mount Isa

Coober Pedy

Jacinth Ambrosia

Ceduna

Cairns

Boulia Bedourie Windorah

Birdsville

N2

Mornington Island (Gununa) Julia CreekRichmond

Winton Longreach

Quilpie Charleville Roma

Thargomindah

Prominent Hill

Carrapateena

Port Augusta East Jaurdi

Whyalla

Port Lincoln

Adelaide

Albany

Rex Domestic Routes Rex Regional Routes Operated in partnership with NJE FIFO/Charter Routes

NJE Freight Routes

Pel-Air FIFO/Charter Routes

Pel-Air Freight Routes

NEW ADL-SYD domestic route from 29 June

Members

of the

Broken Hill

Mildura

Townsville C1 W2

Moranbah Hughenden

St George Cunnamulla

Toowoomba Wellcamp

Coffs Harbour

Armidale

Dubbo

Parkes Orange

Griffith

Narrandera-Leeton

Wagga Wagga

Brisbane Gold Coast

Port Macquarie

Sydney

Canberra

Mount Gambier

King Island

Albury Devonport

Burnie

Moruya

Merimbula

Melbourne

INFLIGHT INFORMATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

As you sit back in comfort en route to your destination, the Rex crew hope you enjoy this entertaining and informative light reading.

Q. Why do the flight attendants insist that all window blinds be up for take-off?

A. The most critical phases of a flight are the take-off and landing. In the most unlikely event of a situation that requires an emergency evacuation, it is important that crew and passengers are able to have a clear view of the outside conditions in case of obstructions. For example, before exits are opened, staff must check for fire or other obstacles that may present potential hazards during the evacuation.

Q. Why do I have to stow my hand luggage in the overhead lockers, under the seats or in the seat pockets for take-off and landing?

A. Flight crews are required by Civil Aviation Regulations to secure the cabin as well as possible for take-off and landing. As mentioned, these are the most critical phases of the flight, and securing as much hand luggage as possible ensures that, in the unlikely event of an emergency, the exits and aisles stay as clear as possible, in case evacuation is necessary. It is also important to keep hand luggage secure whenever possible to ensure heavier items do not become airborne within the cabin. This is especially important when the aircraft is experiencing turbulence.

Q. Why do I feel so tired from flying?

A. As the aircraft altitude increases, air pressure decreases. As the pressure decreases, the body absorbs less oxygen than it would at sea level – so, it must work harder to supply oxygen to the body’s cells. As the body is working harder, it becomes more tired.

Q. Why do I sometimes feel pain in my ears or sinuses during ascent or descent?

A. The sinuses and middle ear are air-containing cavities that connect with the nose via narrow channels. As aircrafts ascend and cabin pressure drops, air passes out of these cavities (without any effort from the passenger) to balance the cabin pressure. It is a different matter during descent, as the cabin pressure increases. The channels close down and must be actively opened by holding the nose and blowing to inflate the cavities. Facial and ear pain can occur during descent if re-inflation does not occur, and this is much

more likely if the passenger has nasal congestion. If you must fly with hayfever, use a decongestant nasal spray before descent and buy some ‘ear planes’ to plug your ears.

(Information contributed by Dr Daniel Hains, ENT surgeon.)

Q. When can electronic equipment such as laptops, iPods and mobile phones be used?

A. All Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) must be placed in flight mode if access to the tarmac (including by bus) is required during boarding or disembarkation, and when instructed to do so by the cabin crew. Small handheld PEDs weighing less than 1kg, such as mobile phones, can be used in flight mode during all stages of flight. PEDs over 1kg, such as laptop computers, must be stowed appropriately for taxi, take-off and landing, and are permitted to be used only during cruise when the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign is switched off. PEDs cannot be used while crossing the tarmac.

Q. What is the average speed of the aircraft when cruising in flight?

A. Our Saab 340 has an average cruising speed of approximately 500 kilometres per hour. The Boeing 737-800 NG has an average speed of 830 kilometres per hour.

Q. Why do I have to get permission from the Captain to move to a vacant seat?

A. The aircraft’s take-off speed is calculated by the weight and balance of the aircraft, and many factors need to be considered for a successful take-off. Factors include the weight of passengers and where they are seated, the weight of cargo, freight and fuel, the distance available on the runway, etc. For example, if there are 100 or more kilograms of freight in the cargo, the balance of the aircraft will be better maintained if passengers are seated in the forward rows.

AIR TURBULENCE

Q. Aircraft often experience air turbulence, but what causes it?

A. Imagine the air around the aircraft is water in a stream. We can see how water is disturbed around rocks

or when two streams converge. Turbulence in the air is similar: as the aircraft passes through cold air or in the vicinity of terrain that has disturbed the airflow – often incorrectly referred to as ‘air pockets’ – the aircraft climbs and descends in the same way that a boat moves on water. Though turbulence can be uncomfortable, it poses no threat to the aircraft and is akin to driving on a rough or unsealed road. More severe turbulence can be associated with developing thunderstorms. Aircraft have a sophisticated weather radar that pilots use to avoid these areas. Occasionally, a flight attendant will discontinue serving passengers in turbulent conditions; this is a precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.

Q. Why should I keep my seatbelt fastened even when the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign is switched off?

A. On occasion, the flight crew cannot foresee turbulence or it is not picked up on the flight-deck radar. Because of this, we could unexpectedly experience turbulence at any time. The company recommends that you always keep your seatbelt fastened while you are seated – for your safety, just in case unexpected turbulence is encountered.

ENGINE NOISES

Q. Why do the aircraft’s engine noises change during the flight?

A. Aircraft need more power to climb than to descend, in the same way that a car needs more power to go up a hill than down one. Rex aircraft have more than enough power to climb, so shortly after take-off you will notice a change in noises as the power is reduced. The pilots also control the pitch angle of the propellers for various stages of the flight, and as they ‘change gears’ this can also be heard in the cabin.

Q. What should I do if I see or hear something that does not look or sound right?

A. Please advise your flight attendant. The flight attendant may be able to answer your query and allay any fears. If not, the flight attendant will contact the flight deck and advise the pilots of anything unusual. Rex encourages open communication and will always treat a passengers’ concerns with the utmost seriousness.

Queenslanders will soon see the National Jet Express (NJE) colours hit the sky! In exciting news, NJE will be setting up an operational base in Brisbane after winning a new contract in Queensland with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), one of the world’s most respected mining operators.

The coast with the most Explore WA with Rex - rex.com.au

Local,

sustainable, agile. The future of FIFO

For more than 30 years National Jet Express (NJE) has provided fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) services in support of mining, oil and gas projects throughout Australia.

As a trusted and long-term provider within the resource sector, we are investing for the next 30 years as part of the Rex Group, introducing more modern, fuel efficient, reliable and comfortable aircraft.

Our fleet of Q400 and E190 aircraft offer outstanding airfield performance, enhanced operational reliability and low carbon emissions: A sustainable choice for FIFO in Australia.

Member of the Group www.nje.aero

Photo Credit: Tourism Australia

Monkey Mia

Albany

Photo Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Vale Max Hazelton 1927-2023

THE REX community was saddened by the recent passing of Max Hazelton.

Max had long been regarded as Australia’s greatest living aviation pioneer whose legendary exploits revolutionised regional and agricultural aviation.

From humble beginnings in a paddock at Toogong, near Orange, Max planted the seeds of his aviation dream as a crop duster pilot, pioneering the spraying of cotton crops at night to avoid the winds that made daytime flying near impossible.

His exploits in rural aviation led to the development of Hazelton Airlines which grew from one single-engine Auster Aiglet aircraft in 1953 to a passenger airline in 1975. Within three years, rapid growth of scheduled passenger services and continued success of other services made Hazelton the largest general aviation company in Australia, carrying 400,000 passengers per annum by the year 2000.

Along the way, Max’s leadership and effective lobbying of the thenDepartment of Civil Aviation led to a raft of regulatory changes that helped fast-track the development of both agricultural and regional aviation.

Max set flying endurance records, locked horns with Bob Hawke and the ACTU by defying a union ban to fly live Merino sheep out of Australia, flew medical mercy flights, fought bushfires in his planes and campaigned vigorously for Sydney Airport’s third runway. He brought safe, affordable and reliable air services to regional areas.

“Max’s heart was always in the country which is why this sentiment is emblazoned on our aircraft and remains the ethos on which this company has been built.”

In light of his contribution to aviation he was awarded an OBE in 1980 and an AM in 1991.

Hazelton Airlines, along with Kendell Airlines, was eventually absorbed by Ansett not long before the carrier collapsed in 2001 with Rex emerging from the aftermath the following year.

“We have lost a true national treasure,” Rex Deputy Chairman and close friend the Hon. John Sharp AM said.

John said Max was a quiet, humble man who would be forever remembered for his unbridled passion for, and love of, both aviation and his family.

He wasn’t afraid of hard work, with his dedication, determination and drive underpinning his many extraordinary achievements.

Max’s legacy lives on today across the Rex Group and is reflected in the values of the family business culture Max and his wife, Laurel, established when they started a charter airline 70 years ago.

“Max’s heart was always in the country which is why this sentiment is emblazoned on our aircraft and remains the ethos on which this company has been built,” John said. “We have lost someone very special who meant so much to so many.”

We extend our sympathies to Max’s wife Laurel, their children Toby and Carolyn (deceased), grandchildren, and all the Hazelton family, as well as Max’s friends and colleagues across the country.

We pay tribute to aviation pioneer Max Hazelton AM OBE, one of the founding fathers of Rex.

Max and his wife Laurel .

Max Hazelton.

A day with an Air Ambulance pilot

FOR MORE than two decades, Rex has been a lifeline, helping Australians battle the tyranny of distance. However, we’ve spread our wings to become more than just a regional airline.

The Rex Group comprises five companies, including Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline, as well as pilot training, propeller maintenance, air freight and charter services.

While everything we do is about connecting Australia, our aeromedical operations are one of our most unique aspects.

Rex subsidiary company, Pel-Air Aviation, has been providing fixed wing air ambulance services to Ambulance Victoria since July 2011, and took over the New South Wales Fixed Wing Air Ambulance service based out of Mascot, Sydney, in January last year.

Using a fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft, Pel-Air facilitates ambulance

services in providing critical care to patients by transporting patients from regional and rural areas to the closest hospital or specialist care, as well as delivering medical crews to remote patients in need.

Daniel is Pel-Air’s Senior Base Pilot for Mascot. Having been a regular transport pilot, he now oversees flight operations for Pel-Air’s New South Wales Ambulance contract.

“There isn’t really a typical day at the Air Ambulance,” he says.

Given the 24/7 coverage, a sign on could be in the early hours, or into the night.

“Flying for the air Ambulance is a brilliant combination of sightseeing, technical skills and teamwork.”

“When the shift officially starts, a call is made to the control centre to check in and receive a tasking. Today we’ve had crews travel all over NSW on a variety of missions. From Sydney to Bourke, Dubbo, Walgett, Taree, Inverell, Williamtown and Albury.”

Along with Pel-Air’s team, there are dedicated professionals on the ground and in the sky. Patients are treated by exceptional flight nurses and doctors from NSW Ambulance while onboard the aircraft, truly making this service a “hospital in the sky”.

Meanwhile on the ground, the control centre is in constant communication. It coordinates any other medical support that may be

required on landing as well as the road ambulances and paramedics to meet patients on arrival.

“Flying for the Air Ambulance is a brilliant combination of sightseeing, technical skills and teamwork,” says Daniel. “When the phone rings, it’s all hands on deck. Pilots are preparing the flight plan, the ground team reconfigure the aircraft with the required medical equipment, and often the flight nurse is still filling you in on the patient details as the aircraft door is closed and the engines begin turning. Our teams are very good at what they do.”

After graduating from high school, Daniel joined the Rex Pilot Cadet Program at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga,

Rex celebrates as new pilots soar

eventually flying for Rex subsidiary Pel-Air on the Saab 340.

Following a rotation in medical retrievals with Pel-Air, his interest in medical flying “really took off”.

“The introduction of the medical element to the work certainly takes some adjusting to. While this can be quite confronting, knowing that if someone is in need of help in a town like Cobar at two in the morning, the arrival of the Air Ambulance means they get the help they need, and that we’ve made a difference – it makes it all very worthwhile.”

For our dedicated pilot group, ground staff, and engineers, it is not only their unwavering passion for aviation that drives them, but also their commitment to making a positive impact.

As Daniel says, “I get to spend all day looking out the window at the beautiful Australian countryside, while using a career’s worth of skills to help people. What’s not to love!”

We’re thrilled to congratulate the 25th and 26th batches of our talented pilot cadets on their graduation from our flying school, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA).

Sixteen cadets officially received their wings at a graduation ceremony attended by

the Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator the Hon. Carol Brown; the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon. Jenny Aitchison; and Toby Hazelton, the son of late aviation great Max Hazelton.

L-R: Senator the Hon. Carol Brown, Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastucture andTransport; the Hon. Jenny Aitchison, the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads; Rex 26 Cadets and Chris Hine, Executive Chairman of AAPA.

Daniel is Pel-Air’s Senior Base Pilot for Mascot.

20 22

Australia's Best Ski Boutique Hotel

june 17-July 23

Outback Queensland Masters

Various locations, QLD

Australia’s most remote and richest amateur golf series, spanning an epic 2,000+ kilometres from St George to Mount Isa. Join the tour for your chance to win the million-dollar hole-in-one! outbackqldmasters.com

june 7-18

Sydney Film Festival

Sydney, NSW

Immerse yourself in the magic of the big screen with over 200 movie screenings acrosss the city at the 70th Sydney Film Festival. Championing Australia’s best filmmakers, the festival highlights the talent and diversity of our film industry with something for everyone: from tense thrillers to lighthearted comedies. sff.org.au

What’s on & what’s hot

Our pick of the very best gigs, festivals, and culinary and cultural events from around the country.

june 8-12

Gutsy Kangaroo Island

Kingscot, SA

A deep dive into the skills of Kangaroo Island’s best producers. Enjoy a roaring fire, and plenty of wine, spirits and cider as you savour fresh, quality ingredients. kangarooisland.com.au

june 8-22

Dark Mofo

Hobart, TAS

In its tenth year, Dark Mofo celebrates the winter solstice with provocative art, music, fire, food and light by the beautiful Hobart waterfront. darkmofo.net.au

june 9-12

Tatts Finke Desert Race

Alice Springs, NT

A two-day off-road race for bikes, cars and buggies in the beautiful Red Centre. Join racers from all over Australia in the red sand, and stay for the food and fun at the finish line. finkedesertrace.com.au

june 9-12

Barunga Festival

Barunga, NT

A festival for all ages championing authentic Indigenous culture, music and sport. Enjoy workshops, performances and much more. barungafest.com.au

Compiled by: matilda meikle

june 10-12

Orange Winter Jazz Festival

Orange, NSW

With 50 exciting jazz artists performing across the weekend, jazz lovers can delve into good food and great wine in this stunning region. owjf.com.au

June 20-23

Sea Week

Christmas Island, WA

Celebrate the beauty and power of the sea at this week-long festival which includes everything from talks about turtles to beach clean-ups. View the Ocean Film Festival, attend turtle and sea bird talks, discuss the importance of recycling and enjoy the Family Fun Day at Flying Fish Cove. It’s a great time to visit Christmas Island! christmas.net.au

June 24

Hunter Valley Wine and Beer Festival

Hunter Valley, NSW

Perfect for lovers of wine and food, this festival brings together the region’s best producers for tastings and demonstrations. Plus, bring the kids along for an abundance of activities including a carousel and petting zoo. huntervalleywinefestival. com.au

June 28-July 30

Illuminate Adelaide

Adelaide, SA

A new event, Illuminate Adelaide is a spectacle of light and art throughout the city. Local and national artists work together to create showstopping displays, highlighting the power of creativity and technology for all to see. illuminateadelaide.com.au

June 29-July 9

Festival of Voices

Hobart, TAS

Australia’s biggest celebration of song. Join an audience of over 30,000 people as choirs, bands and singers serenade the public, bringing people together through the power of music. Plus, develop your own skills and be inspired by the best of the best. festivalofvoices.com

June 30-July 1

Mould

Sydney, NSW

A travelling cheese festival highlighting the best artisan producers from around the country. Enjoy wine, beer and cheese tastings, as well talks by expert cheesemakers and vendors. mouldcheesefestival.com

July 1-2

National Indigenous Art Fair

Sydney, NSW

Held in The Rocks, this event celebrates contemporary Indigenous art and design. niaf.com.au

July 1-2

Gold Coast Marathon Gold Coast, QLD

Runners of all abilities are encouraged to take part on this flat course through Queensland’s Gold Coast. goldcoastmarathon.com

July 20-August 6

Fifa Women’s World Cup

Various locations

An unmissable event! For the first time, 32 countries will play 64 matches in Australia and New Zealand. With games all over the country, everyone has the chance to be part of history in the making. fifa.com

Regional locations. Local experience.

Embark on your regional adventure with Rex Airlines and rest easy knowing that your Quest accommodation awaits in one of the many vibrant regional destinations of New South Wales and Victoria.

ORANGE

GRIFFITH

WODONGA

WAGGA WAGGA

ALBURY

DUBBO

NATIONAL INDIGENOUS ART FAIR

Celebrate Indigenous art, culture & performance

Gadigal Land

Overseas Passenger Terminal

The Rocks • Sydney

10 am - 5pm Sat 1 & Sun 2 July Gold coin entry

niaf.com.au

Escape the cold this winter and head north to the Brisbane Airport Hotels Group

Whether you are travelling to Brisbane to soak up the beautiful balmy weather or just transiting through on a winter escape holiday, look no further than the Brisbane Airport Hotels Group.

There is no better way to match the warmth of the Queensland sun than experiencing the comfort, convenience and friendliness of the 3.5 star ibis Brisbane Airport, 4.5 star Novotel Brisbane Airport or 5 star Pullman Brisbane Airport.

Conveniently located within a five-minute walk of the Domestic Terminal and only a short drive to the International Terminal, the ibis Brisbane Airport offers affordable

accommodation and is designed to tick all the boxes. For those who aren’t keen to venture far, delegates can ‘hang ten’ at the Cribb Island Beach Club, a modern bistro with a funky beach club twist.

Adjoining the ibis, guests can experience a five-star luxury escape at the award-winning Pullman Brisbane Airport. Voted Best Airport Hotel in Australia/Pacific in 2023 as well as Sixth Best Airport Hotel in 2022, the Pullman Brisbane Airport will meet the needs of even the most seasoned traveller. Step out onto the resort style pool terrace, refresh with a dip in the swimming pool or just relax in the winter sun with a signature cocktail.

Located next door to the DFO shopping precinct, the Novotel Brisbane Airport is designed to meet all your needs. The hotel features modern, spacious guest rooms, a gym and sauna, as well as Catalina Restaurant & Bar. For those travelling to warmer seas, the Novotel Brisbane Airport is ideally located only a short drive to the Brisbane Cruise Terminal and offers hassle-free cruise accommodation packages so you can relax before even setting sail. Visit bneahg.com.au/

Artist: Theo (Faye) Nangala Hudson of Warlukurlangu Artists

Watch, read & listen

books

Compiled by: MatildA meikle

Chinese Fish by Grace Ye

June, Giramondo Publishing, Poetry

Spanning three generations from the 1960s to the 1980s, this poetry anthology tells the story of one family’s journey from Hong Kong to New Zealand. A powerful exploration of gender and identity, Chinese Fish is a provocative and honest tale presented through the eyes of women living in unaccepting communities, and how they overcame adversity.

On a Bright Hillside in Paradise

by Annette Higgs

July, Penguin, Fiction

Winner of the 2022 Penguin Literary Prize, this beautifully written novel follows a family of convict descendants living in Tasmania in a place called Paradise. When a group of strangers show up on their doorstep, they face everything from injury, to loss, and even death, leaving readers questioning everything they know about faith and family.

Wifedom by Anna

Funder

July, Penguin, Biography

From award-winning author Anna Funder comes the biography of George Orwell’s long-overlooked wife Eileen. Told with compassion and care, Wifedom takes readers on a journey of discovery as the life of a powerful woman is revealed through the pages. It’s bound to leave you pondering what it means to be a wife, and an author.

On the Beach

18 July – 12 August

Roslyn Packer Theatre

Based on Neville Shute’s classic novel, On the Beach imagines a community living in Australia after a nuclear fallout, forced to choose between their duty to their loved ones and to all humanity when they receive a mysterious distress call. Produced by Kip Williams and Tommy Murphy, it’s bound to be the show of the year. roslynpackertheatre.com.au

Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse

June, Sony Pictures Entertainment

The long-awaited sequel to Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse is finally here. Join Miles Morales on another adventure as he encounters a team of spider-people tasked with saving the universe and everyone in it. Packed with amazing action and incredible animation, this film is perfect for children and adults alike. sonypictures.com

The Coldest Case in Laramie

Narrated by Kim Barker

Hosted by investigative journalist Kim Barker, this podcast revisits the 1985 murder of a young woman that occured in Kim’s hometown of Laramie, Wyoming. Full of twists and turns, listeners will be on the edge of their seats as Kim unveils a web of lies and deceit that spans decades. Who committed this horiffic crime? And how are the police involved?

podcasts.apple.com.au

THEATRE PODCAST film

FROM THE HEART

Gamilaraay artist Juanita McLauchlan’s first major solo exhibition gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also explores family connections and dual histories.

Words: Emily Riches

Inside Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, blankets printed with leaves and sewn with possum skin breathe from the walls. Sculptural necklaces are soft and beautiful, begging to be handled.

This mesmerising work is part of Juanita McLauchlan’s exhibition gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also, created with the support of Wagga Wagga Art Gallery’s Regional Artist Development Program and the 2022 Windmill Trust Scholarship. The title is a nod to Juanita’s family connections and dual histories, and her focus on personal belongings and body adornments.

As a trained printmaker, the love of art and printmaking has been with her from an early age. Having lived on Wiradjuri Country in Wagga Wagga for 20 years with her husband and five kids, she feels the pull of Country guiding her artmaking practice.

Juanita uses local native plants and eco-friendly dyes to create large contact prints on woollen blankets.

“So I’m still printing,” she observes, “but it’s just in a totally different way.”

The woollen blankets she uses are sourced from op shops. As she says, “they’ve all had a history of some sort. Most of them have holes in them and are classed as ‘unworthy’ blankets, but they’re beautiful, and they’ve had a life.”

This attention to history, the power of objects, family and identity are central to Juanita’s art practice, as she celebrates and explores both the Aboriginal and European sides of her family heritage.

Her fifteen sculptural necklaces, titled “Standing at the heart of seven generations II,” look both forward and back, to the generations who came

both before and will come after. To create the necklaces, she cuts the dyed blankets into strips and stitches them with red cotton thread, a European fibre, and possum fur ethically sourced from New Zealand, a material used traditionally to make cloaks and blankets.

“The stories of the plants printed onto the fibre is actually rolled up and hidden in that necklace,” she says. “In each of the works, there’s something hidden that only I know is there. That idea of being hidden came from my grandmother’s side of the family, who didn’t talk about her being Aboriginal.”

She says: “I blanket stitch around them twice, to represent both worlds and the idea of holding each other tightly. They also resemble umbilical cords, representing life and connection. It’s multiple layers of family: acknowledging the past and both sides of my heritage, Aboriginal and European, and how everything works together. Possum fur and woollen blankets are both for nurturing, protection, warmth and love. It’s acknowledging that we’re proud of who we are.”

The necklaces are textural and tactile, which for Juanita is extremely important. “I’m a very hands-on person,” she says. “We actually made some pieces for the people who come and visit the gallery space to touch and handle. They are things that are supposed to be worn.”

Her work engages with continuity and traditional artmaking practices, but also gestures to the future. As she notes: “Traditions are made and passed down, but traditions also evolve and change with each generation. I think it’s quite important to understand that.”

gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also is curated by Julie Ewington. See it from 13 May-20 August at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, a cultural facility of Wagga Wagga City Council. TA

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Juanita McLauchlan. Image: Jackie Cooper; gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also exhibition views. Images: Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.

big FROM LITTLE ISLANDS,

things grow

King Island is renowned for exquisite cheese, sensational beef and being home to some of the best golf courses in the world. However the real magic happens when you combine these with some other island offerings such as whisky, lobster and luxury accomodation.

WORDs: Michelle Hespe

IT’S a common sight on King Island: a light shower sweeping across the green slopes that are as smooth as jade carpets, a rainbow arching over the fields beyond. Then the sun shines, and out on the putting greens, a peppering of golfers look up to the heavens – no doubt praying for a perfect putt, or perhaps for Mother Nature to stop playing havoc with their usually steady drives.

They’re already challenged by the winds barrelling in off the coast where the Roaring Forties have whipped the waves up into a white-wash frenzy.

There’ll be laments about how it has to be one of the toughest (yet one of the best) golf courses in Australia, and as the rain disappears and the sun shines bright once more, a crow might dive down to pinch a ball from the beach bunker or from the grasscovered slopes. The birds often mistake the balls for eggs and it adds another level of difficulty.

Anyone serious about golf will notice right away that Cape Wickham Links on King Island (which is ranked as Australia’s number one public access golf course and 24th in the world) is reminiscent of the place where golf began 600 years ago: St Andrews Links in Scotland.

It has the same beautifully barren landscape meticulously transformed into undulating green slopes that glide down to meet the rocky escarpments and then the ocean, in a remote part of the world where the wind blows wildly and the rain is frequent.

At the northern tip of King Island, Cape Wickham Links sits on one of the most remote parts of this remarkable 1,098 square-kilometre island. It’s about 40 minutes north of the main town of Currie, and there is nowhere else out here to buy lunch or have a drink, so it’s a good thing that the course has a clubhouse with some of the best views in the country, and simple yet stylish cabins that sit along a ridge overlooking the course.

Most people who visit King Island to play golf take advantage of all three assets, and then head south to enjoy the other award-winning golf course – Ocean Dunes Golf Course.

While on the island’s tip, check out the 48-metre-tall Cape Wickham Lighthouse – established in 1861 – and take a drive out to some of King Island’s many shipwreck sites.

Sadly there’s a tragic, gripping history of shipwrecks off King Island, with close to 100 ships having crashed into its shores and reefs, claiming a total of more than 1,000 lives. This is largely due to the treacherous seas and the fact the Roaring Forties winds took sailing vessels across the bottom of King Island – captains often thought they were coming into mainland Tasmania or the bottom of Victoria, and instead hit King Island.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Happy golfers heading out to tee off; Rock lobster (or crayfish as the locals call it) is readily available for locals and visitors – just order ahead; The verdant slopes of Cape Wickham Links.

As Luke Agati, President of the King Island Historical Society, explains: “Captains and seafarers used to call it ‘the Eye of the Needle’, and if you didn’t go through that eye perfectly, you were slammed into King Island.”

The Cataraqui shipwreck – which claimed 400 lives – is still the worst civil maritime disaster in Australian history. You can visit the memorial further down south, where it occurred.

DOWN ON THE DUNES

About half an hour down the road from Cape Wickham Links is Ocean Dunes, which also boasts some of the best views possible on a golf course. It was ranked number five in the country in 2023. It also has a clubhouse with breathtaking views over the 18 holes and the ever-changing vista of Bass Strait and the Indian Ocean.

ABOVE, THEN TOP TO BOTTOM: King Island Golf & Bowling Club in Currie is a members club, but all are welcome; King Island is also famous for its amazing beef (Kramer Photography);Wonderful whisky from King Island Distillery. Image: Jasper Da Seymour.

It’s only 10 minutes from Ocean Dunes to Currie, where there’s plenty of accommodation, and a few luxury lodges out of town set amid the wonderfully wild landscape.

As with Cape Wickham Links, you can book a package of transport, accommodation and golf, and then most groups make time to check out other local venues and institutions, including a smattering of restaurants, the local pub in Currie, the museum and Currie lighthouse, as well as the famous bakery renowned for its delicious pies and sausage rolls.

The King Island Golf & Bowling Club in Currie is worth a visit, as not only can you join in on a game with the locals (book online), you can also dine above the ocean and one of the world’s best 9-hole golf courses, at the popular View Dining Restaurant.

PEACE AND HARMONY AT ETTRICK ROCKS

There are retreats, and then there are incredible spaces paying homage to some of the world’s most remote and

wild places – the harmony between them being a well-considered yet organic equation.

Step into any of the three Ettrick Rocks villas on the spectacularly rugged coast about 20 minutes out of Currie, and the views that King Island is famous for unfurl before you like oil paintings in constant motion.

If the loungeroom with its sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and cleanlined architecture was a cinema, the only film you’d want to watch is the waves rolling, crashing and seeping

into the rocky landscape that is awash with green and grey native grasses.

The coastline is so exposed to the ocean surges and constant salt spray that only really tough species such as sea celery, bower spinach, sea box, coastal spear and salt grass thrive on the island – jostling and swaying for attention.

A dining room with an elegant, fine-lined table and chairs in ash hardwood offers guests another place to linger longer and indulge in the great outdoors while enjoying a meal

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cape Wickham Lighthouse (Kramer Photograph y); Serene suite at Ettrick Rocks Luxury Retreats; the Australina villa sits on the wild coastal landscape; Heidi Weitjens at her King Island Distillery – the tenth distillery in Tasmania and the first for the island. Image: Christian Fitzpatrick; The Restaurant With No Food's quirky interior.

cooked in the expansive kitchen. Or there’s a barbecue area outside where you can fillet fish, flash-fry some rock lobster or flip some local King Island steaks to your heart’s content.

The bedrooms are a haven of muted tones that tie in with the natural landscape – the king-size beds and bay window lounges offer more relaxing vantage points to drink in the rugged beauty of the landscape.

Aside from the almost-camouflaged wallabies dotting the landscape, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d been transported to the other side of the Earth and deposited on a far-flung Scottish Isle.

That’s just one of the many things that makes King Island special: it’s utter remoteness.

The island might only be 65 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide, but as they say, from little things, big things grow. And even if you don’t play golf, you might just want to give it a whirl, as then you can walk off some of the whisky, beer, gin, meat pies, cheese, lobster and beef that you may or may not have consumed. After all, what happens on King Island, stays on King Island. Including your score, if it’s not your finest, of course.

Rex flies to King Island

GET INTO THE GOOD STUFF

If you are a whisky or spirits lover, look no further than King Island Distillery run by local Heidi Weitjens. Heidi has been on a decade-long journey perfecting the art of gin and whisky, with the mentorship of none other than the grandfather of Tassie whisky, Bill Lark. Swing by her tasting room on the outskirts of Currie and you’ll most definitely want to take home more than a wee dram. She also produces a tongue-tingling limoncello that has enough zing to make you sing, and a coffee spirit that rivals any of the cold brew martini mixes on the market. Her gins are as clean and crisp as King Island’s water, and her Tiger Tonic Spirit is a signature drink like no other – the first garlic spirit, made with local manuka honey, lemon garlic and ginger. It comes together beautifully to offer an antibiotic tonic that tastes so much better than some of those European stomach tonics on the market.

GO CRAY CRAY FOR LOBSTER

King Island crayfish (aka southern rock lobster) is some of the best in the country, and just like the cheese, whisky, beer and beef, if you plan ahead you can make a meal of it while you're there. Make time to wander down around Currie Wharf where you’ll see fishing boats coming in and out – it’s the buzzing hub of the island’s thriving seafood industry. Pre-orders can be arranged and both King Island FoodWorks and IGA sell

cooked crayfish, with 24 hours' notice for orders. As with booking any activities on the island, plan and book/order well ahead.

RESTAURANTS WITH FOOD (AND THE SPECIAL ONE WITHOUT)

There are some great places to dine on King Island. The King Island Hotel restaurant is fun and cosy, and it has an extensive menu and wine list. Next door, you’ll find the quirky Legs café and diner, which also has great coffee, a bar and takeaway meals.

At Oleada in Currie, you can fine dine in a 16-seat rustic restaurant with a European-style ambience and great service dished up by local husband-and-wife team Heidi and Max. Over at Grassy you can check out Wild Harvest, which also runs food tours to show visitors all of the amazing produce from the island that they utilise in their wonderful dishes.

If you want to buy your own local produce and prepare it yourself, look no further than The Restaurant with No Food – a bright yellow boatshed that local artist Caroline Kininmonth lovingly restored and filled to the rafters with eclectic art, and bits and bobs in wacky ensembles that are enough to make anyone smile. Help yourself to glasses, plates and cutlery then settle in and watch the buzzing harbour while you dine with the ocean breeze in your hair. Clean up after yourself and make a donation before you go. Even better, you can snap up a piece of Caroline’s art – you’ll see it all over the island, bringing joy to many.

Winter wanderings on the

Southern Eyre Peninsula

The Southern Eyre Peninsula is famous for beaches and its amazing array of seafood and local produce. It’s also a joy to visit in winter, so here are some of the awesome offerings in Port Lincoln and beyond.

WORDs: Michelle Hespe

BACK TO NATURE

Winter on the Southern Eyre Peninsula has the sky and ocean turning a brighter shade of crisp blue, and the air is so pure, it’s enough to put a rosy glow in your cheeks and a bounce in your stride.

It’s the ideal time to pull on your hiking boots and explore the region’s two national parks – Lincoln National Park and Coffin Bay National Park. Both have more than their fair share of natural beauty: picture-perfect beaches adorn the coastline, and quintessentially Australian campsites are filled with gum trees, wattles, mintbush and even orchids.

Lincoln National Park sits on the south-eastern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, and if you are up for an adventure in the great outdoors, this is where you should be.

Go 4WDriving, boating, fishing, swimming, whale watching, mountain biking or hiking. The wildlife is abundant, so there are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching and honing your photography skills. The park contains the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area, which is home to a pure white sandy beach surrounded by breathtakingly rugged mallee and granite outcrops.

Coffin Bay National Park is one of South Australia’s best-kept secrets – although the locals all know how amazing this part of the region is. This vast coastal wilderness with magnificent limestone cliffs, undulating coastal sand dunes, an abundance of wildlife and pristine sandy beaches is a nature lover’s paradise.

THE WONDERS OF WHALERS WAY

Some of the most spectacular, dramatic coastline in this region can be explored at Whalers Way, which has been privately owned since 1887. The land is on the tip of the Southern Eyre Peninsula, around a half hour’s drive from Port Lincoln. As soon as

you drive into the park, you’ll be met with an incredible view of the Southern Ocean and the beginning of the Great Australian Bight. If you’re lucky, you’ll encounter Australian fur seals chilling on the rocks. With its wonderland of cliffs, active blowholes, caves and golden beaches, it’s a photographer’s idea of heaven. There’s even a swimming hole at the end of a narrow road where vehicles can be parked. An enclosed steel ladder has been fastened to the cliff’s edge, which takes you down to a trail that leads to the swimming hole.

WONDERFUL WINERIES

For food and wine lovers, nothing beats visiting vineyards in winter –having a wander among the vines and

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Spectacular cliffs at Whalers Way; Pack a picnic of local produce; Guests enjoying Boston Bay Wines; One of Lincoln National Park’s spectacular glamping grounds.

then tucking into some wonderful food while drinking in the views.

In 2020, Peter Teakle Wines’ spectacular restaurant Line & Label and cellar door opened. With a wonderfully curved aesthetic to reflect a trio of wine barrels, it has to be one of the most visually appealing winery restaurants in the country.

Step on to the property and be wowed by the family-run local institution that takes its wines as seriously as its approach to friendly, professional hospitality. Founder Peter Teakle created the business based on the philosophy that to create the best product you need the best produce and people. Now led by Peter’s son Ben, and overseen by chief winemaker Liz Heidenreich, the grapes, grown on-site, are blessed by the region’s unique maritime climate.

Less than a 10-minute drive from the heart of Port Lincoln, you’ll find Boston Bay Wines on the eastern hills

DRINK UP AND CHILL OUT SOME MORE MUST-DOS

Jump Ship Brewing is a brew pub and taphouse. It is a great place to pop in for a pint or stay all day. Book a tasting experience with a group of mates.

Beer Garden Brewing in Port Lincoln is a top spot to enjoy local beer on tap. It’s super dog-friendly and the owner champions local products including food, wine, coffee and music.

West Coast Distilling Co. is a great place to sample local spirits along with some simple meals such as toasties and pizza. Relax and enjoy a cocktail and some great tunes in a laidback joint made for fun.

overlooking gorgeous Boston Bay. The ocean is so close you can sip on a wine or two while watching whales cavorting and dolphins frolicking. Boston Bay Wines was recently bought by the owners of Barristers Block Wines in the Adelaide Hills, after they discovered it basking in the glorious Eyre Peninsula sun. They fell in love with the location and the wines, and intend to continue the long legacy of pairing the region’s exceptional produce with some of the finest wines in South Australia. Cosy up inside and admire the ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, or rug up and enjoy the cool ocean breezes from a table outside on the ample lawns.

SWIM WITH MAJESTIC GREAT WHITES

The Neptune Islands Conservation Park – which is 139 kilometres from South Australia’s Spencer Gulf – is the only place in this part of the world where you can cage dive with mighty great white sharks. Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions and Calypso Star Charters both offer trips from Port Lincoln, and it’s an experience no one ever forgets.

The boats leave in the morning and take guests out to the islands where these incredible creatures live. After being kitted out in a wetsuit complete with weights, you climb down into a cage that is attached to the back of the boat. The weights help you to stay standing on the cage bottom so that you can look through a gap in the cage, straight out into the watery depths. Sharks are curious, so they swim around the cage, meaning you can see them up close. The operators are eco-certified and are passionate about shark conservation – so guests and sharks are kept very safe.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Shark diving at Neptune Islands; Jump Ship Brewing ‘s restaurant and bar.

TWO REMARKABLE WINERIES. TWO INCREDIBLE LOCATIONS

Born from salt-of-the Earth farmers, the Allen family began their chapter as vignerons in Wrattonbully, where the battle for the “Barristers Block” was fought and won.

Returning to their roots in 2006, you’ll find their Barristers Block cellar door in a converted Adelaide Hills dairy at Woodside, and the Boston Bay Cellar door overlooking the water at Port Lincoln.

Barristers Block is beckoning

The Adelaide Hills is a pristine, vibrant region and a destination of choice for lovers of fine wine and dining. Here, the Woodside vineyard produces Tempranillo, Sauvignon Blanc, Fiano, Chardonay and Pinot Noir, and it is home to Barrister Block’s cellar door and Vignerons Villa Bed and Breakfast. The fertile red sandy loam soils at Barristers Block’s Wrattonbully vineyard produces award winning Shiraz and Cabernet varieties. Come and be seduced by the wine and the scenery.

Down by the sea at Boston Bay Wines

The grapes grown at Boston Bay Wines in Port Lincoln are the products of pristine air, ocean breezes and the rays of the South Australian sun. Bring family and friends and sip on world-class wines while taking in the breathtaking scenery, including the sight of dolphins playing and whales swimming by. You’ll be hard-pressed as to which ones to try – Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvigngon, Merlot, Shiraz or Sparkling? Whatever you choose, food, wine and friends great and an amazing blend.

SUMPTUOUS SEAFOOD AT TOP EATERIES AROUND TOWN

Port Lincoln is known as the ‘seafood capital of Australia,’ as the pristine waters of the Southern Eyre Peninsula and Spencer Gulf provide ideal conditions for plentiful catches of premium seafood, including southern bluefin tuna, yellowtail kingfish, King George whiting, snapper and other popular fin fish. Additionally, prawns, Boston Bay blue mussels, southern rock lobster, southern calamari (squid), and green and black lip abalone are seasonal and of the highest quality. This means you can enjoy some of the best seafood in the country at the city’s many eateries and bars.

The Port Lincoln Hotel is a local institution. Family-owned, it is a sprawling hotel with an awesome beer garden and thriving restaurant and bar. The Luxury and Spa Suites have spas and large balconies, so you can have oysters and sparkling wine delivered to your room while taking in the views. At Sarin’s

Restaurant you can feast on the region’s fresh-as-it-comes seafood, and the best seasonal produce that the Eyre Peninsula has to offer. Sharkys Bar is great for a drink or a quick feed with mates. Pull up a stool and watch the footy with the locals. You’ll feel right at home as soon as you walk in the door.

Del Giorno’s is another local institution – an award winning café and restaurant located on Tasman Terrace in the heart of Port Lincoln, overlooking Boston Bay. The owners pride themselves on having close relationships with all of the local producers in order to serve up delicious dishes made with the best seasonal produce.

Pier Hotel is another favourite for locals and visitors as it is in the middle of town on the foreshore, and it’s a great place to have a drink and enjoy local seafood as well as all the pub favourites. The Hotel Boston is the grand old dame of the local eateries – built in 1929, it has sweeping manicured lawns and an alfresco area right on the foreshore of Boston Bay. TA

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE

The Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre is in the heart of Port Lincoln CBD and open seven days a week. Its team of friendly and dedicated tourism information consultants can provide you with excellent recommendations for itineraries, tours, bookings and more. They also have top tips for bucket-list experiences, as well as fantastic places to eat, stay and play.

E: info@portlincoln.com.au

Ph: 1300 788 378

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kingfish carpaccio at Del Giorno; Lobster fresh from the sea; Steak dished up at Sarin’s Restaurant, Port Lincoln Hotel.

Rex flies to Port Lincoln

Southern Eyre Peninsula

✔ Dive with Great white sharks – the only place you can do it in Australia

✔ Try our local premium seafood – the Southern Eyre Peninsula is a seafood lover's paradise

✔ Explore Lincoln & Coffin Bay National Park – both have picture-perfect beaches and are amazing for off-the-grid camping with friends, 4WDriving, boating, fishing, swimming, bird watching, whale watching and nature walks.

What’s not to love about the Southern Eyre Peninsula in Winter? Come on down and we’ll wrap you up in everything to warm your heart and soul.

The Southern Eyre Peninsula is the Southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula and includes the towns of Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay, Kiana, Mount Dutton Bay, Koppio, Port Neill, Cummins and Tumby Bay.

Indigenous PERTH

Indigenous culture in Boorloo (Perth) is an important part of everyday life. The Whadjuk Noongar people, the Traditional Owners of southwest Western Australia, have cared for this land for over 60,000 years. There are many ways to experience ancient Indigenous culture in Perth, and engage with the people who maintain strong connections to land, history and culture.

Words: Emily Riches

YAGAN SQUARE

One of the busiest pedestrian areas in the city is Yagan Square, named after an iconic figure in the fight for Noongar rights and recognition. Yagan was a resistance fighter during the early 1800s, when Perth was still known as the Swan River Colony. In 1833, Yagan was declared an outlaw and killed at Upper Swan – where the Yagan Memorial Park is now situated.

In Yagan Square, you’ll find a monument to Noongar culture: a nine-metre-tall sculpture of an Aboriginal warrior, titled ‘Wirin,’ which symbolises the cultural longevity of Aboriginal people. ‘Wirin’ is the Noongar word for spirit and represents the eternal sacred force of creative power that connects all life. According to the artist, Tjyllyungoo (the traditional name of Lance Chadd), the sculpture embodies the spirit and cultural values of Yagan.

KINGS PARK

Kings Park, or Kaarta Gar-up, has been a place of great significance to the Noongar people, serving as an important ceremonial and Dreaming place. On the banks of the Swan River, Kings Park comprises parklands, native bushland and the Botanic Gardens. At 400.6 hectares, it’s one of the largest inner-city parks in

the world.

E xplore the park with tours such as the Nyungar Tours King Park Yorgas Walk, led by local Noongar woman Kerri-ann Winmar. She will take you through her strong family connection to the country, the use of traditional medicine and women’s stories.

You can also take the self-guided Boodja Gnarning Walk, which highlights trees used for making tools and weapons. There is also the wheelchair-friendly Yorga Track, which focuses on women’s roles in gathering food and medicines.

GO CULTURAL TOURS

One of Perth’s best and most wellknown tour operators is Go Cultural with Walter and Meg McGuire. They offer 90-minute tours of Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park and Mt Eliza, as well as tours on Wadjemup (Rottnest Island). The tour begins with a traditional Noongar welcome and ochre ceremony, followed by Dreamtime stories and songs. Walter will introduce you to Indigenous language, the traditional way of life of the Noongar people and their spiritual connection to the country, rivers and animals of the area.

SIX SEASONS GALLERY

The Art Gallery of Western Australia has a permanent exhibition space for Aboriginal art which is free to visit.

OPPOSITE, THEN CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Nyungar Tours; Go Cultural Tours in Elizabeth Quay; Aboriginal Bush Tucker Experiences with Dale Tilbrook; Wirin in Yagan Square. Images: Tourism Western Australia. Wadumbah Dance Group. Image: Wadumbah Dance Group .

TOP TO BOTTOM:

Six Seasons Gallery – named after the Noongar calendar’s six seasons – is dedicated to showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from the State Collection. Under the eye of Indigenous curator Carly Lane, the nearly 3,000 pieces in the gallery’s collection – including dot paintings of traditional Dreaming stories, and contemporary art from the likes of Vernon Ah Kee, Michael Riley and Fiona Foley – will be sure to surprise, challenge and inspire you.

BINDJAREB PARK TOURS

Bindjareb Park, an hour south of Perth, is a nature sanctuary offering cultural and bush tucker tours of sacred and historic Aboriginal sites. Local Traditional Owner and cultural consultant Karrie-Anne Kearing will take you for a walk through bushlands where you can learn about traditional uses of plants, local Dreaming stories and Aboriginal history. You can even try specialties such as spicy nut kangaroo, native herb-crusted kangaroo with native pepper, or lemon myrtle and Tasman pepper squid. There’s also a gallery with arts and crafts and a shop to introduce some native herbs and spices to your own kitchen.

MAALINUP ABORIGINAL GALLERY

Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery in the Swan Valley, just 35 minutes from the Perth CBD, is owned and operated by Dale and Lyall Tillbrook. Meaning “place of black swan,” Maalinup offers cultural activities, talks, performances as well as beautiful artworks and hand painted objects by local Aboriginal artists. They also sell their own range of bush tucker, including native herbs and spices such as pepper berry and native basil, as well as sauces and oils infused with Australian flavours.

YIRRA YAAKIN THEATRE COMPANY

Yirra Yaakin, meaning “stand tall” in the Noongar language, is one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal performing arts organisations. It exists to share Aboriginal stories and promote Aboriginal culture. Since 1993, the team has commissioned and premiered more than 50 major presentations. One of its long-running creative and educational projects was the Noongar Shakespeare Project, which in 2012 translated Shakespeare’s sonnets into Noongar language. It went on to translate all of Macbeth, performed as Hecate in 2018. Take a front row seat and enjoy some award-winning, world-class theatre with a message.

WADUMBAH DANCE GROUP

James T. Webb, known by his traditional name Gumbiardi, established Wadumbah Dance Group in 1995. The name comes from the Walmatjerri people of the Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley, where he grew up, and means “big flood waters.” The group’s aim is to help people understand and enjoy Noongar culture through traditional music, dance and storytelling. TA

Rex flies to Perth

Maalinup Gallery and Dale Tilbrook Experiences, Henley Brook in the Swan Valley; Painted bowl at Maalinup Gallery. Images: Tourism Western Australia. Yirra Yaakin’s production of Hecate. Image: Yirra Yaakin.

MACLEAY Cafés and culture on the Valley Coast

The Macleay Valley Coast in New South Wales is famous for its breathtaking beaches and world-class waves, but this vibrant region is also buzzing with local cafés, galleries and markets to explore.

Words: Emily RicheS

GET CREATIVE IN KEMPSEY

The main hub of the Macleay Valley – which stretches from Crescent Head in the south to Grassy Head in the north – is Kempsey, famed for being the home of country music legend Slim Dusty.

The Slim Dusty Centre celebrates the life and career of this Aussie icon, with objects, paraphernalia and photos from the Kirkpatrick family’s extensive archive. It’s a wonderland for country music fans, and a great place to visit to appreciate Slim Dusty’s impact on Aussie music: producing over 100 albums and the first number one hit by an Australian musician internationally, ‘A Pub With No Beer.’

In South Kempsey, the DunghuttiNgaku Aboriginal Art Gallery showcases the works of Aboriginal artists who maintain a strong connection to the region. The gallery always has new and fascinating pieces on display, and you can pick up a souvenir from the gift shop to support local artists.

Take a stroll down to Kempsey’s Riverside Market on the first Saturday of the month to stock up on farm-fresh fruit and veggies, enjoy stellar coffee and live music, or browse locally made art, relishes and handmade soaps.

If you love street art, don’t miss the colourful murals in the heart of Kempsey on Elringtons and Savages Lane. Part of Kempsey Shire Council’s innovative laneways project, the murals were created by 10 exceptional artists to celebrate the natural beauty and shared history of the region.

GORGEOUS GLADSTONE

Known as the ‘cultural heart of the Macleay,’ Gladstone is a charming riverside village a short drive north of Kempsey with 19 preserved historic buildings, a heritage pub and plenty of cafés and galleries to explore.

The Macleay Valley Community Art Gallery is one to visit here. With two gallery spaces that host rotating local exhibitions, it’s a great place to discover both established and emerging artists in the area.

You also can’t miss The Gladstone Hub: built in 1897 and painted an eye-catching shade of red, it now houses a collective of local creative businesses. Showcasing sourced and handmade items, from accessories, decor to health food and jewellery, and providing holistic services like yoga and sound energy healing, there’s a lot to discover.

If you’re sticking around for lunch, follow the signs to Steam and Cedar in the The Gladstone Hub garden for fresh food, coffee and drinks. Make sure to sample some of the delicious toasties and smoothies.

On the third Sunday of each month, the Gladstone Quality Markets come alive on the banks of the Macleay 

Getaway

River. It’s a fun day out where you can browse through stalls selling locally made jams and preserves, fresh produce, chutneys, ceramics, plants and more. Grab a coffee or snack on a gourmet pie while the kids are entertained by facepainting and the jumping castle.

COASTAL-CHIC IN CRESCENT HEAD

Surf culture runs deep in the seaside town of Crescent Head, evident in the town’s cool, laidback cafés and coastal-chic boutiques. Get your morning caffeine fix at Point Break Café before hitting the waves. Located on the beautiful beachfront at the base of the surf club, it specialises in tasty bites and barista coffee. Grab an acai bowl and enjoy one of the best views on the Mid North Coast.

Situated in the iconic old bakery site, Pandanus Garden Bar and Restaurant is a one-stop emporium in paradise.

Swing by for sumptuous seafood and steamed dumplings in the garden, or take a look through the shop for local artisan products.

Hidden down a laneway in Crescent Head, you’ll find Ikigai: a creative collective of artists and makers. As an open studio, it is an evolving space for locals and visitors to connect through the joys of making and sharing. Pick up handcrafted, painted and sculpted pieces by local artisans for a truly unique souvenir.

GO GALLERY-HOPPING

Housed in the heritage-listed Pilot’s Residence, the South West Rocks Art Gallery lies right in the heart of the town’s Maritime Precinct Hub. Pop in to explore the latest exhibition from Macleay Valley artists and you’re likely to unearth some treasures. Meanwhile, take your time exploring the Maritime Hub, which includes a museum, arts and crafts room,

a men’s shed and a charming Visitor Information Centre.

It’s rare for visitors to get the chance to meet local makers, but at The Yarrahappini Studio Gallery you can do just that. Located along Stuarts Point Road, the gallery features the work of local artists Dave and Pamela Jones.

Dave is a designer and maker of contemporary custom furniture and timber giftware, while Pamela is a design artist whose hand-worked textile art panels, lino prints and works on paper reflect the colours and textures of local landscapes and native flora. The gallery is open by appointment only, so be sure to phone ahead.

FABULOUS FREDERICKTON

Fredo Pies and Café is a must-do when visiting Frederickton, the village just north of Kempsey. The famous pitstop has been drawing visitors from far and wide for 25 years to taste its famous crocodile pies.

Wander along the banks of the Macleay River to dine at one of the restaurants or cafés. The fantastic Garden Bar and Kitchen has unbeatable views of the waterfront. The venue, which was once the Old Cheese Factory, has been beautifully refurbished, offering laidback lunches to late-night wining and dining. TA

Rex flies to Port Macquarie

FROM TOP LEFT: Ikigai, Crescent Head; Crescent Head Mosaic Towers; Gladstone. Image: supplied.

Acolourful calendar

Thousands of years in the making, the culture of Papua New Guinea is unique and untouched. Home to hundreds of tribes and thousands of different traditions, the country is bursting with cultural events, each more extraordinary than the last.

THIS PAGE: Enga dancers at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show. Image: David Kirkland.

Pacific inspiration

In the remote villages of PNG, visitors will find tribes that passionately maintain their traditions through art, initiations and ‘sing-sings.’ At singsings, tribes and villagers gather to demonstrate customary dance, music and traditional costume. Sing-sings provide the opportunity for visitors to witness tribal traditions in an explosion of colour and sound. There are regular sing-sings featured at cultural festivals held annually throughout the country. Here are some that are not to be missed.

NATIONAL MASK & WARWAGIRA FESTIVAL

The National Mask and Warwagira Festival began in 1995 to promote the mask cultures of Papua New Guinea. The traditional masks are inspired by tribal mythology and ancestral spirits. The National Mask and Warwagira Festival has evolved to showcase mostly the culture of East New Britain, particularly the Tolai, Baining and Pomio people. The Tolai people are the largest tribal group in the province, and the ‘tubuan’ and ‘duk-duk’ masks remain a potent part of Tolai culture. Strict ceremonies and rituals are observed, and shell money called ‘tabu’ is still highly valued and exchanged.

SEPIK RIVER CROCODILE & ARTS FESTIVAL

Crocodiles are an important part of the Sepik River cultural heritage, and symbolise strength, power and manhood. In the East Sepik Province, man and crocodile share a special bond built on reverence and fear. In fact, many men boast of scars cut into their skin from shoulder to hip during initiation, which resemble the back of a crocodile. The Sepik River Crocodile & Arts Festival is held annually in Ambunti. Communities living along the Sepik River come together to perform traditional dances and pay

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Boats at the National Kenu and Kundu Festival; Performer from Milne Bay Province; Traditional dress at the Goroka Show; Performers at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show. Images: David Kirkland.

homage to the crocodile. The East Sepik Province is also renowned nationally for its master carvers and ar tisans.

MOUNT HAGEN CULTURAL SHOW

The Mount Hagen Cultural Show was first staged in 1961 by many different tribes from the Western Highlands Province. The purpose of the show was to share cultural experience and diffuse the ever-present tensions

by bringing tribes together in one positive cultural event to celebrate the unique cultural diversity of the Highlands.

GOROKA SHOW

The Eastern Highlands Cultural Show, known as the Goroka Show, is a significant event in the province and one of the most well-known tribal gatherings and cultural events in Papua New Guinea. Held annually in Goroka Town, the event draws more

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

papuanewguinea.travel/cultural-events

MONTH EVENT LOCATION

July National Mask & Warwagira Festival Kokopo, East New Britain Province

August Sepik River Crocodile & Arts Festival Ambunti, East Sepik Province

August Enga Cultural Show

Wabag, Enga Province

August Tama Festival Autonomous Region of Bougainville

August Mount Hagen Cultural Show

Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province

September Goroka Show Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province

September Fr angipani Festival Rabaul, East New Britain Province

September Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival

September Hiri Moale Festival

October Morobe Agricultural Show

L ake Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province

Port Moresby, National Capital District

L ae, Morobe Province

November National Kenu & Kundu Festival Alotau, Milne Bay Province

ENGA SHOW

Staged in Wabag Town in the Enga Province, this Highlands festival celebrates the unique cultural heritage of the people of Enga. Enga is the only province in PNG where the people are known to speak one language. The province also has intriguing historical and cultural attractions such as the Take Anda Museum and Art Gallery, and the ancient Mulisos Yokonda Salt Ponds.

NATIONAL KENU & KUNDU FESTIVAL

than a hundred tribes and cultural groups from all over the Highlands to participate in sing-sings and riotous displays of colour and sound. At over 60 years old, it is the longest running annual cultural festival in PNG, bringing thousands of tourists to the country every September during the week of the nation’s Independence Day celebrations. It has been described as "one of the most colourful shows on Earth.”

One of the most exciting cultural celebrations is the National Kenu and Kundu Festival in Alotau. Boats (kenu) and drums (kundu) are the pillars of this event, as tribes from the 600-plus islands of Milne Bay Province come together to dance, sing, trade and, most importantly, race. The canoes and kundu drums widely used in Milne Bay culture are meticulously crafted from special woods under strict customs. Expect to see incredible dancing, canoe racing, traditional and contemporary arts, and plenty more at this festival. TA

Quilpie:

A JEWEL IN THE OUTBACK

Spectacular sunrises and sunsets that only the red earth at the heart of Australia can deliver await travellers to Quilpie Shire, along with an abundance of natural beauty and events providing an entirely uniquely Outback experience.

AS THE sun rises across the Quilpie Shire, a natural choir of birdsong welcomes the new day. This Outback region is teeming with wildlife following heavy summer rain: silvery grey ‘dancing’ brolga and pelicans dot the waterways, with colourful vegetation – including spectacular wildflowers – peppering the red earth. Here, days are filled with activities as varied as yabbying, opal fossicking, exploring dinosaur history and enjoying the country hospitality of a township renowned as one of the friendliest in the Outback.

SONGBIRD UNDER THE STARS

Adding to this natural majesty, Quilpie also serves up a world-class side of arts and culture. On August 26, experience a special performance by renowned classical performer and songstress Mirusia.

Set in one of the most spectacular ‘venues’ in Australia, Quilpie’s Baldy Top Lookout will be the backdrop as Mirusia performs her best-selling ARIA Australian Classical Crossover 2022 album of the year ‘Songbird’ under the stars, with a classical spin on iconic songs such as Jolene, Amazing Grace and The Long and Winding Road.

One of the most sought-after sopranos in the world, Mirusia has toured for more than a decade with the legendary André Rieu and the Johan Strauss Orchestra at stadium sized concerts – and is looking forward to the uniquely Australian setting and more intimate audience in Quilpie.

In the lead-up to Mirusia’s extraordinary Quilpie performance, travellers on an extended Outback odyssey will be able to take in

polocrosse in both Toompine and Quilpie, with the popularity of the restored Toompine Hotel – ‘the pub with no town’ – continuing to grow as a must-visit watering hole and dining destination.

For tickets, see visitquilpieshire. com/event/mirusia-under-the-stars.

SPORTS, SCARECROWS AND STREET PARTIES

Quilpie is also a popular stopover point for travellers making the annual pilgrimage to the iconic Birdsville Races on September 1-2, giving travellers the opportunity to dust off their race-wear finery to attend.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Kangaranga Do Street Party will be staged on Tuesday August 29 in Quilpie following Mirusia’s performance. The street party is a pre-races fun-filled family night of music, bars and entertainment, including a bathtub derby and the popular “get your rocks off” competition.

For the sporting minded, the Quilpie leg of the Outback Queensland Masters will be staged on July 1-2 – or if those dates don’t suit, why not come to town and sign up for the Quilpie Golf Open on August 19-20? Keen golfers can enjoy the unique fun of hitting a few rounds on a red earth course, recognised as one of the first and best established in the Queensland Outback all year round. 

Rounding out a bucket-list trip are the renowned Quilpie and District Show and Field Days, with Australia’s oldest scarecrow competition and rodeo on September 8-9 for travellers making the return trip from the Birdsville Races.

OPPOSITE PAGE, THEN TOP TO BOTTOM: A family takes in the views from Baldy Top, Quilpie; Kids fishing in Bulloo River. Images: Leon O'Neil; The Eromanga Natural History Museum. Image: Steve Young.

BY THE LAKE

While Quilpie offers a range of boutique accommodation options, one of the best ways to see the region is by camping – whether that’s in a van, a motorhome or with a simpler tent set-up – with several campground options available, boasting fantastic outdoor bath experiences.

The Lake at Quilpie has awardwinning camping facilities, a spectacular lake flanked by huge old river red gums that remains full after summer rainfall as well as an abundance of bird life and yabbies. The Lake is also home to a herd of Kalahari goats and some resident rescue kangaroos and emus, and is an ideal spot just out of town for star gazing.

“At the moment the smell of fire pits and freshly cooked fish and yabbies is something we get to enjoy on a nightly basis," saya Louise Hoch, co-owner of The Lake at Quilpie.

“There’s so much to explore and see during the day from swimming and kayaking to exploring the wool shed and property, and then the nights are made for warming up by a fire and enjoying the fruits of a day spent fishing and yabbying on the lake.”

The Lake’s freshwater yabbies are easily trapped – and the two local supermarkets in town have you covered with all BBQ supplies, while yabby traps are sold in abundance from a number of local businesses for those who haven’t brought their own.

TOUR THE TOWN

In town, the locals favourite OffShears Bakery is a must-visit stop – with the traditionally made meat pies baked by World Champion Women’s Shearer Cathy Wendelborn. Locals recommend eating the legendary pies ‘Quilpie style’ by pulling the lid off and dunking it in the delicious thick gravy.

After kickstarting your morning with wholefood treats at the renowned Unstable Coffee horse float coffee cart, wander down Brolga Street and enjoy a coffee at the Old Empire Café. If opals are your thing, visit the incredible opal altar at St Finbarr’s Catholic Church or take the popular Mulga Walk.

The Visitor Information Centre sells fossicking kits for only $9.50, so pick one up and try your luck at the Free Fossicking Area – and with Quilpie remaining the largest opal producer in the world, lady luck is often on the side of hopeful fossickers. No trip to the region would be complete without visiting the Eromanga Natural History Museum –home to Cooper, the biggest dinosaur yet discovered in Australia, found locally at Coopers Creek.

Eromanga also has a number of motel, cabin and caravan park accommodation options for those wanting to take in a family dinosaur prep session and museum tour.

For further information on Quilpie Shire, see visitquilpieshire.com TA

Rex flies to Quilpie

ABOVE AND BELOW: Baldy Top at sunset; Kids playing in Quilpie wildflowers. Images: Leon O'Neil.

Chilling out in

MELBOURNE MELBOURNE

Melbourne is known for its amazing art, footy fever and delicious foodie delights. This winter, there’s even more to discover as the city comes to life with amazing festivals, pop-up experiences and crowd favourites.

WORDs: Matilda Meikle and Emily Riches

CATCH AN AFL GAME

One of the best winter activities in Melbourne for footy lovers is to head to an AFL match. Victoria is the home of football, and the atmosphere during footy season is electric. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is where it all goes down. Likened to a giant cauldron and able to accommodate 100,000 punters, the MCG (or just the ‘G), is arguably one of Australia’s most iconic sporting venues. Make sure you rug up, grab a pie, a hot jam doughnut or a beer, and feel the roar of the crowd.

SHOP AT THE WINTER NIGHT MARKET

Running every Wednesday night from 7 June to 30 August, the Winter Night Market is an after-dark experience that’s not to be missed. It brings together food traders, brewers, entertainers and artisans for nights of winter-themed fun. You’ll find roaring fire pits to keep you warm, winter comfort food, as well as a variety of entertaining performances and events, including the famous silent disco. Entry is free, so the only condition is that you come ready to eat and enjoy seemingly endless cups of spicy mulled wine.

SEE THE MELBOURNE WINTER MASTERPIECES

Escape the cold in Melbourne’s worldclass galleries, with two amazing blockbuster exhibitions showing right through to October. At the National

Gallery of Victoria, Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Madhavi presents the colourful, emotive work of celebrated 20th century painter Pierre Bonnard with the immersive scenography of award-winning architect and designer India Madhavi. Meanwhile, at ACMI in Federation Square, you can catch Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion, which salutes the groundbreaking achievements of cinema’s leading revolutionary women. Think Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Marilyn Monroe and Geena Davis: women who challenged stereotypes and defied expectations. The exhibition features never-before-seen costumes, sketches, interactive experiences and iconic outfits.

RISE UP WITH RISING

Melbourne does arts and culture festivals better than anywhere. Immerse yourself in RISING, showcasing art, performances,

live music and foodie feasts. Running for 12 nights – from 7 to 18 June – the city comes alive with an extensive program of events. Sit back and enjoy a choral performance in Fitzroy Gardens, or see jazz drummers battle it out at Melbourne Town Hall.

You can test your ice-skating skills at the enormous rink on the banks of the Birrarung, or book a ticket to an immersive First Nations exhibit on the upper floors and ballroom of Flinders St Station. Traverse a world music program, and see Weyes Blood and Paul Kelly performing at The Forum, or engage with story through movement with Bungul, Tracker and shock-horror show TANZ

BE DAZZLED AT LIGHTSCAPE

An immersive, after-dark event, Lightscape is set to take over the Royal Botanic Gardens this winter from 16 June to 6 August with an all-new, reimagined light show.

OPPOSITE, THEN CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Melbourne tram; NGV water feature; ACMI at Federation Square; the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Images: Visit Victoria.

THIS PAGE: Lightscape installation. Image: Lightscape; Sense of Self spa. Image: Martina Gemmola. Winter Night Market; NGV forecourt; Mork hot chocolate. Images: Visit Victoria.

Experience the two-kilometre trail around the lake, featuring a mesmerising eight-metre spire filled with more than 20,000 moving LEDs and a range of colourful installations, including singing trees, a flickering fire garden, soundscapes and large-scale illuminated sculptures. You’ll get lost in this colourful natural wonderland. Make sure to rug up and grab a bite to eat at the various food trucks and bars at the Lightscape Welcome Zone, or dotted along the trail.

SOAK IT UP AT SENSE OF SELF

Pencil in a visit to the luxurious Sense of Self spa, a light-filled Mediterranean-style bathhouse tucked away in Collingwood. Lower yourself into the 39-degree mineral bath to soak your winter chills away, or get steamy in the Finnish sauna. Jump into the plunge pool or have a cool pail shower in between for an extra bit of invigoration. For the utmost relaxation, there are three massages on offer – remedial, relaxation or pregnancy – which you can customise with either a gua-sha facial or scalp and foot treatment.

WARM UP WITH WINE TASTINGS

Based in the CBD, Fitzroy and Brunswick, ReWine is a local cellar door, selling wines direct from the winemakers. This winter, ReWine’s famous mulled wine is back in various markets across the city and in all stores. ReWine sells this warm, soulful drink straight from the barrel into specially made bottles, which can then be brought back and refilled in store for a more sustainable experience. All wines can be tasted for free, or enjoyed with a delicious slice of pizza to chase the cold away.

FREEZE THE DAY AT ICEBAR

For those wanting an evening with a difference, IceBar is the perfect place for you. This sub-zero bar is not for the faint hearted, and all visitors are provided with snow capes and gloves on arrival to help them keep warm. Once inside, you can check out the hand carved ice sculptures, take some photos beside the icy walls, and enjoy a chilly drink. Standard entry includes one icy cocktail, and the 45-minute session time is designed to make sure you stay comfortable in the freezing temperatures.

ENJOY THE BEST HOT CHOCCIE

Mörk created its first hot chocolate blend in 2012, and has been crafting perfect drinks ever since. The Mörk chocolate brew house is dedicated entirely to specialty chocolate. Guests can sit back and relax with a hot drink, and choose from an array of cakes and cinnamon buns, baked fresh on site every day. One of its most popular options is the campfire hot chocolate, served in a cloud of dramatic maple smoke, and including charcoal salt and a sticky toasted marshmallow. Need we say more? TA

Rex flies to Melbourne

TrulyAus Products

STAY WARM AND COSY WITH OUR TOP PICKS OF AUSSIE-MADE PRODUCTS FOR WINTER.

Compiled by: Emily Riches

1. Summer Land Camels – Camel Milk Vodka

Each batch of this awardwinning vodka consists of just 300 bottles, carefully crafted and triple distilled from camel milk whey in Queensland’s Scenic Rim. With a smooth and delicate character, this sustainable vodka’s distinctive taste is perfect to enjoy on winter nights. summerlandcamels.com.au

From $119

2. Bondi Sands – Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk

Keep up a gorgeous sun-kissed glow throughout the colder months. Enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E, this gradual tanning milk will build up a long-lasting golden tan over time, leaving your skin looking healthy and glowing. bondisands.com.au

$19.95

3. Waverley Mills – Alpaca Throw

From Australia’s oldest working textile mill in Launceston, Tasmania, these alpaca throws are soft and warm, perfect for a cosy winter night in. Each and every piece is unique, luxurious and handmade with love. Pictured is the alpaca throw in the colour Lustre in Forest. waverleymills.com

$349

4. Mabu Mabu –Wattleseed Hot Chocolate

Is there anything better than a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day? The rich hot chocolate powder from this Indigenous-owned label is flavoured with the nutty aroma of wattleseed, aniseed myrtle and raw sugar. Simply stir into hot milk and enjoy.

mabumabu.com.au

$15.50

5. Shōjō Shot – IMMUNE+ Tonic

Boost your immunity and strengthen your defences to fight off pesky colds this winter. With carefully curated and highly concentrated ingredients – including 1,000mg of vitamin C and natural Manuka honey – this 100ml shot packs a big punch. shojotonics.com

$23.95 (six pack)

6. Fair Dinkum Dogs –Waterproof Dog Coat

Keep your best mate safe from the elements this winter. This waterproof coat is handmade in Castlemaine, Victoria from premium black oilskin with a warm Sherpa fleece lining. There are four designs to choose from and can be adjusted to suit any breed, shape or size. fairdinkumdogs.com.au

From $79.99

Handmade in Melbourne and handpoured in the Southern Highlands, Mojo’s ceramic range is available in two sizes and five colours, each with a different, beautiful fragrance. Re-use the vessel as a mug, vase or planter – or send it back for a refill. mojocandleco.com.au

From $74.90

The warmest, snuggliest dressing gown for those cold winter mornings. Made from 100% superfine Australian Merino wool, it feels wonderful against your skin, with two deep pockets and a tie-up belt. You may never want to take it off! smittenmerino.com

$499

Slip these on and see where the night takes you – likely to bed, because you’ll be so downright relaxed. Perfect for wearing around the house, these handmade 100% Australian Merino wool slippers will keep your toes toasty and your feet fashionable. wildwoolaustralia.com

$139

The onset of winter usually heralds dry skin. This luxurious cream works to nourish dehydrated skin, replenish moisture and restore your skin to a radiant glow. With Vitamin E as well as native botanicals, this will have you saying goodbye to dry skin in no time. muktiorganics.com

From $39.95

Gather the family, toast some marshmallows and make some memories over this striking metal fire pit. With a naturally rusted finish, each piece is unique and handcrafted in Melbourne. No installation is required: simply unpack your fire pit and enjoy. entanglements.com.au

$1,860

Fruity and peppery, this creamed leatherwood honey has crushed Tasmanian wild pepperberries, a native bush food full of herbal flavour with a spicy kick to warm you up. Eat on toast, paired with cheese or straight off the spoon. honeytasmania.com

From $14

7. Mojo Candle Co – Ceramic candle collection

8. Smitten Merino – merino Wool Ponte Dressing Gown

12. Honey Tasmania – creamed Leatherwood & Pepperberry Honey

10. Mukti Organics – Marigold Hydrating Creme

11. Entanglements – fire pit with rail

9. Wild Wool Australia – Corduroy Classic Slippers

Connecting to nature with KOALA ECO

We spoke to Koala Eco co-founder Jessica Bragdon about eco-friendly products, the importance of sustainability and keeping in touch with nature.

Words: Emily Riches

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BRAND?

I’m originally from the US. While studying in New York, I met Paul, who grew up on a sheep and wheat farm in Western Australia. When we got together, and especially when we started our family, it was our shared preference to use natural remedies and solutions as part of our household routines and lifestyle. We looked for safe, non-toxic household cleaning products that also worked well, but we couldn’t find what we wanted. In 2017, we decided to start a company to make plant-based products for the home and body, using beautiful aromatic essential oils from Australian native botanicals.

HOW HAVE YOUR FORMULAS AND RANGE DEVELOPED?

In terms of the fundamentals – plantbased, 100% pure essential oils primarily from Australian native plants, biodegradable, not tested on animals – nothing has changed. Our range has broadened considerably, however. We started by launching cleaning products for the home and laundry and then introducing products for the body. Since then, we’ve released spray mists for rooms and linen, hand and surface sanitisers and even a natural dog wash.

WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY SO FUNDAMENTAL TO YOUR BUSINESS?

We don’t want to use or do anything that harms our loved ones or the

planet, and we want to be transparent about this. Our bottles are made entirely from rPET collected locally and shipped to you in a recycled cardboard box. rPET plastic is entirely recycled and recyclable. We also offer concentrates, glass bottles and refills. We’re making products developed from nature for nature, and we think we’re offering people a strong alternative to the usual choices.

WHY IS CONNECTING WITH NATURE KEY?

Connecting with nature is one of the easiest, cheapest and most meaningful ways to invest in personal wellbeing. It’s medicine. Our company mantra is essentially ‘More Nature, Feel Better,’ and our purpose is to help people bring more nature into their everyday lives. One easy way is to use household and personal care products that not only are made from nature, but are also environmentally friendly.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR KOALA ECO?

We’re continuing to research and develop products in the lab. During

2023, we’re formally launching the business in the US. We’re focusing on spreading the word about the mental and physical health benefits of caring for and connecting with nature, and sponsoring initiatives that help make that happen.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO TRAVEL IN AUSTRALIA?

From our home in Sydney, it’s about a five-hour drive south to Eurobodalla National Park. It reminds me of my childhood summers in New England. We also love heading back to WA to visit family as well as the Margaret River Region. Prevelly Beach is just pure heaven! TA

74. THE AI BOOM

It’s natural to feel a little uneasy about the rise of artificial intelligence. But fear not! We discuss strategies to future-proof your job in the AI revolution.

Automated exam assessing

Macquarie University is developing an AI system capable of marking student exams.

Australia is experiencing critical teacher shortages and increased workloads. Conventional exam grading is a time consuming and expensive process, which uses precious resources many schools can’t afford to waste, such as labour.

In an attempt to combat this, researchers from Macquarie University’s Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence have been given a $500,000 grant to put towards developing algorithms that can be used to mark student papers.

This program will be developed by analysing previous exams, lectures and other materials to identify and evaluate patterns in responses. Using this information, AI will be able to accurately, quickly and more efficiently mark exams.

According to Professor Amin Beheshti, director of the Centre for Applied AI, this new grading system has many benefits for student learning.

“It will save time and resources, allowing educators to focus on other important tasks. It eliminates human bias, ensuring all students are graded fairly and accurately, and it provides immediate feedback to students, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and improve their performance in future exams.

“Another key benefit of using

SUPER SATELLITES

Apple’s text-for-help initiative has been launched in Australia.

Focused on preventing injury and fatality in the bush, the service allows stranded Aussies to send for help even when they have no signal on their phone. Apple users can connect to Globalstar’s 48 low-Earth orbit satellites, allowing them to call emergency services under this satellite coverage.

The initiative was first launched in the US and Canada in November 2022, and has already supported the search and rescue of individuals in three US states.

According to Greg Joswiak, Apple worldwide marketing senior vicepresident, the technology was inspired by a desire to increase safety for users in rural areas.

“Some of the most popular places to travel are off the beaten path and simply lack cellular coverage,” he says.

generative AI to automate exam marking is its ability to detect plagiarism. By analysing and comparing the answers provided by students in the same exam, as well as previous exams, generative AI algorithms can identify similarities that may indicate plagiarism.”

This will promote academic integrity and offer a fair examination of all students’ work. The program is still in its early stages, but it indicates a renewed focus on the education sector and the continued integration of technology into everyday life.

“Our teams worked tirelessly to tackle a new set of technical challenges to bring this service to life.”

However, some issues still remain when it comes to accessing this important service. Only Aussies carrying an iPhone 14 currently have the ability to use the remote connection, due to hardware limitations on older phones. This limits the effectiveness of the program for many users who possess older models.

Luckily, researchers are continuing to work on this technology in the hopes of expanding coverage to all Apple phones in the near future. Similarly, Google and Android are expected to announce similar services later in the year. Apple’s text-for-help initiative needs improvements before all Aussies can be confident in their ability to call for support no matter where they are, but it does speak to an exciting future for digital connection and safety.

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST EXPENSE MANAGEMENT TOOL KEEPS ON GROWING

Sharon Nouh, CEO of ProSpend (formerly expensemanager) is so much more than her current job title. A ‘women-in-tech’ pioneer in Australia, a single mum, an innovator, a two-time entrepreneur, a pet parent, interior design enthusiast, art collector… the list goes on. Sharon’s story is inspiring, to say the least.

The tech industry across the globe, is predominantly male led so Sharon’s success is a testimony to the fact that gender doesn’t determine one’s ability to be successful in the software industry.

Having worked for travel agencies and set up her own in Adelaide and Sydney, she saw first-hand the difficulties her clients had with manual and paper reconciliation of travel and entertainment expenses. After the merger of her travel agencies with a travel technology company, Sharon saw this as her opportunity to use technology to

solve this manual process. She designed and led the development of Australia’s first expense management tool, launching with its first customer, KFC, which took a leap of faith in Sharon and her minimum viable product (MVP). This was almost a decade ago, and KFC remains a ProSpend customer today.

Sharon didn’t just stop at automating expenses, knowing that businesses would want to automate all of their business spend processes. Today the ProSpend platform digitises and automates business expenses, invoices, purchase orders, budgets and its most recent launch is a treasury module that includes virtual debit cards and payments.

As a complete business spend management platform, ProSpend is now a partner to more than 550 customers across Australia and New Zealand.

“I hope my success will inspire other women and girls to pursue careers in technology and to challenge the perception of VCs that backing women-led technology companies is worthwhile,” says Sharon.

We have been providing highly skilled and experienced heavy mobile equipment maintenance personnel to our clients in the resources sector for over twenty years.

We are always on the lookout for dedicated mechanical tradespeople, whether you are highly skilled and experienced or just starting out, we will find the right job for you; and what’s more, we will pay for your interstate flights and accommodation, or fly you to any destination for your R&R, including overseas.

Make the change, feel the difference!

Business enquiries welcome.

1300 65 75 45

MIND GAMES AND MONEY: ARE YOU MAKING THESE SIMPLE MISTAKES WITH YOUR MONEY?

How can cognitive biases impact us when managing our money? Saxo Australia takes a deep dive into the role of our cognitive biases in behavioural finance.

words: David Harvie

Buckle up! We’re plunging into the harrowing abyss of cognitive biases in behavioural finance. These mental tricksters are like sirens luring us towards the rocks, attractive, deceptive and ultimately destructive. But have no fear: we have the answer! In this case, knowledge is power and the more we know the better we can navigate these treacherous waters. So, let’s meet these beguiling beasts.

First, let’s get this straight – our brains are treacherous liars. They’re wired with a cocktail of cognitive biases that lead us astray, particularly in the complex world of finance. These mental shortcuts, born out of eons of evolutionary survival, can steer us off cliffs in today’s financial landscape. Understanding them is akin to decoding the madness that governs the market.

BRING ON THE BIASES

Take the ‘confirmation bias,’ a devilish little demon that has us cherrypicking information to support our preconceived notions. You think gold is on the rise? You’ll start seeing signs everywhere – a glint in your bartender’s eye, a golden sunset. Meanwhile, you’re ignoring the critical data that screams it’s going to crash.

Then there’s the ‘overconfidence bias.’ This is the swaggering cowboy of biases, convincing us we’re sharper, smarter, luckier than the rest. It’s the voice whispering that you’re the next Warren Buffett, even as your investments burn to the ground. You can feel this bias when you hear that voice in your head telling you this is the best idea you have ever had and you should go all in because you are so smart; we have all heard this sneaky little voice.

And let’s not forget ‘loss aversion.’ It’s the primal fear of losing what we have, often causing us to make irrational decisions. It’s the gutwrenching instinct that convinces you to hold onto a plummeting stock, praying for a miracle, instead of cutting your losses. It is the same instinct that that keeps blackjack players at the table long after they should have folded and gone home for the night.

Then we have ‘hindsight bias:’ the ‘I-knew-it-all-along’ phenomenon. This nasty critter has us believing we predicted past events with impossible precision. Made a lucky bet on a skyrocketing stock? Hindsight bias will have you convinced you’re a clairvoyant, completely ignoring the fact that you were throwing darts blindfolded. As the old saying goes, ‘even a broken clock is right twice a day.’

Why does this matter? Because it fuels overconfidence. It tricks us into believing we can predict the future based on the past. But remember, the market is a wild beast and predicting its movements is like predicting where a balloon will land in a hurricane. Don’t

let hindsight bias fool you into thinking you’ve tamed the storm. Next, we have the ‘anchoring bias.’ This is the mental hitching post where we tether our decisions, usually to the first piece of information we come across. Say you hear a hot tip that a certain stock is worth $100 a share. That figure becomes your anchor. Even if subsequent information suggests it’s overvalued, you’ll be reluctant to adjust your expectations. This can lead you to make misguided decisions, clinging

a bitter pill to swallow, but it just might save you or make you many thousands of dollars.

Remember, the market doesn’t give a damn about your biases. It’s a ruthless, uncaring beast, ready to devour the unwary. So, arm yourself with knowledge, tread with caution, and never ever let your guard down. Economist and investor Benjamin Graham said, “in the short term, the market is a voting machine, over the long term the market is a weighing machine.”

Your biases will lead you to be part of the voting process, trying to make decisions that are popular or smart based on poor information. Knowing and challenging your biases will guide you to the weighing machine, a machine that is famous for redistributing wealth out of the pockets of dumb investors to smart investors applying knowledge about the market and themselves to make longer term decisions.

stubbornly to your anchor while the ship is sinking. In the frenzied seas of finance, adaptability is survival. Don’t let anchoring bias chain you to a sinking ship. Anchoring bias is another reason investors throw good money after bad trying desperately to prove their original idea was true and correct.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Don’t think you’re immune, because you’re not – unless you’re not human. We’re all dancing to the tune of our cognitive biases, whether we admit it or not. They’re lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings deep in our minds, turning the rational world of finance into a chaotic circus.

As we said at the outset knowledge is power – and awareness is the first step towards liberation. Learn to recognise these biases. Question your motivations. Challenge your assumptions. Strip away the illusions and confront the cold, hard reality. It’s

BECOMING A BETTER INVESTOR

Congratulations! In learning about biases, you are now in a better place to be a better investor. You can make your own calls and hold your biases in better control. But if this is all too much for you and you don’t have the time, patience or interest to keep track of and challenge your biases then there is another way.

Why not employ an expert to do this for you? Someone who is trained professionally to track their biases as well as the market and make smarter decisions rather than emotional ones.

Managed investment portfolios, run by professionals, expertly crafted by seasoned money minds and soulless algorithms could help chart an even course through the boiling seas of market uncertainty. A steady captain at the helm, one trained to handle choppy waters, makes a journey well worth taking. Stay sharp, stay sane, stay invested.

“In the short term, the market is a voting machine, over the long term the market is a weighing machine.”

Building an effective payroll is key to protecting company data and creating a positive workplace culture. By improving performance in this area, businesses can expect increased wellbeing for workers and stronger overall outcomes.

But why is payroll so important? And how can you ensure the best outcomes for your business?

THE IMPORTANCE OF PAYROLLS

Payroll is the process of determining how much money is owed to each employee based on their work. However, the shortcomings of Australia’s current payroll systems are becoming more evident due to factors such as the continued

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PAYROLL

Businesses across the country are constantly searching for ways to streamline and improve their workplaces. An often overlooked but vital aspect of this growth is proper payroll processes.

words: Matilda Meikle

impact of Covid-19, as well as labour shortages in almost every industry.

Experts from leading payroll services suggest that evolving these programs from unpredictable and reactive to data-focused and driven might be the key to solving a majority of problems and future-proofing Aussie businesses.

They argue that finding qualified, hardworking professionals has never been more challenging. However, by paying attention to the wellbeing of employees, companies can set themselves apart and encourage applications. It all starts with a strong payroll. Having a quality system can reduce stress and highlight the reliability of your business.

As such, leading payroll service

provider ADP has put together a list of strategies that businesses can employ to improve their payroll system and grow their organisations as a whole.

TECHNOLOGY

One of the simplest ways to streamline the payroll process is by investing in technology designed specifically for this purpose. By integrating a cloud-based, unified system, the payroll can adapt and grow alongside your business. Luckily, there are so many options for digital support in a modern age – however finding the right model for your business can be a challenge.

To ensure you make the right choice, focus on how the system

will build on your current operation, whether it has been designed with the specific purpose of supporting business development, and whether it can help the company reach its individual targets.

RELIABILITY

Beyond just finding a system that simplifies payroll processes, you also need to focus on the reliability and accuracy of the software. While reducing cost and tax penalties is important, ensuring the payroll program complies with labour-related legislation is a fundamental way to avoid unnecessary complications. Fines for non-compliance can be some of the biggest blows to reducing overall cost and mitigating errors. By doing the research when establishing your payroll scheme, you can avoid complications later down the line.

VISIBILITY

When running a business, you can’t protect what you can’t see. As such, it’s vital that your payroll system works alongside all other HR and accounting programs. By ensuring smooth interdepartmental collaboration, employees can feel comfortable making decisions, and unnecessary confusion will be reduced. By fitting your payroll program into other programs already in use, you will encourage seamless transactions across your business and reduce issues caused by a lack of communication.

AGILITY

For the best outcomes, it is important to introduce payroll systems that can adapt to new markets and expand as your business grows. This comes by focusing on agility.

Having a versatile system means you don’t have to worry about transferring data or adopting new programs as you expand. Instead, you can feel confident that your payroll will suit whatever situation you find yourself in. It also means the company can predict problems and changes in pay-related trends before they occur, so that your business can pivot and avoid issues before they arise.

COMMUNITY

Perhaps most important to developing a strong payroll system is finding a solution that works best for your teams and departments.

With so much to consider, it can seem simplest to turn the entire process over to digital programs and online servers. However, payroll is an issue that effects all departments and workers, meaning it’s important to listen to feedback from staff, such as those working in HR and finance.

Moulding your payroll to suit the values of your team is key to improving its effectiveness and ensuring it speaks to the needs of every team member. However, it’s also vital to increasing the wellbeing of your staff. Maintaining an open line of communication reduces payrelated anxieties, encouraging a happier workplace culture.

Clearly, payrolls are more important to running a successful business than they first appear. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure your company is in the best position for growth and development, while also reducing costs and promoting a positive workplace. Navigating the business world becomes a lot simpler when you start with a strong payroll system.

THIS PAGE: OPEN COMMUNICATION ABOUT PAY CAN LEAD TO A HAPPIER WORKPLACE CULTURE.

“Moulding your payroll to suit the values of your team is key to improving its effectiveness and ensuring it speaks to the needs of every team member.”

New Trinity Pro survey drone available from Position Partners

Next Generation drone from Quantum Systems expands operational capabilities, reduces risk and provides industry-leading aerial intelligence.

Position Partners is pleased to announce the availability of Quantum Systems’ new Trinity Pro remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) for the Australian and New Zealand market.

The new model, with its broad range of sensors, further improves the ROI from its highly successful predecessor the Trinity F90+, and firmly places itself as the premier fixed-wing VTOL drone.

“Having seen the new model in action during an exclusive distributor pre-release event in Germany last week, the team at Position Partners is excited to introduce this highperformance VTOL solution to our local market,” said Gavin Docherty, RPAS Product Manager at

Position Partners, Quantum Systems’ Australian and New Zealand distributor.

ADDRESSING THE EVERCHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMERCIAL MARKET

The Trinity Pro, with its state-of-the-art flight control system, allows for continued adaptation and evolution to meet ever-changing industry requirements.

Designed with the needs of tomorrow’s data consumers in

mind, the Trinity Pro provides an expanded feature set, capturing and delivering more data in less time than ever before. The Trinity Pro transforms drone capabilities, while remaining easy to operate and simple to integrate into existing workflows.

With minimal downtime and low maintenance requirements, the Trinity Pro positions itself as the easiest to use, and highest performance fixed wing/VTOL drone on the market today.

FOCUSING ON HARDWARESOFTWARE SYNTHESIS

The Trinity Pro is an advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to adapt to changing demands, provide additional connectivity and accelerate decision-making. At the heart of Trinity Pro is the Quantum-Skynode autopilot, utilising a Linux mission computer. This provides additional onboard computing power, increased internal storage, versatility and seamless interoperability. These advanced avionics systems enable AI-readiness for the platform, support for downstream integration of nextgeneration sensors and provide cutting-edge safety features during field operations.

Included in the Trinity Pro system is Quantum-Systems’ proprietary operations software, QBase 3D, and an ever-expanding portfolio of industry workflow and software integrations, which eliminate complex mission setup processes and maximize ROI in terms of cost and time efficiency.

The Trinity Pro’s new capabilities include planning functions for missions requiring take-off and landing at different locations, allowing for efficient and safe long corridor flights and BVLOS operations. The platform also incorporates advanced self-diagnostics to ensure smooth and safe operation.

Trinity Pro launches alongside a new customer portal, an online solution for managing individual drones and fleets, training and support activities. Users can easily access support, training materials, documentation and online courses to enhance their skills and earn certifications.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

Trinity Pro now includes an enhanced terrain-following system, which significantly improves safety during operations. Additionally, improvements to trigger point calculations results in improved

image overlap and higher data quality. Trinity Pro also features automatic wind simulation for crash avoidance in bad weather and a linear approach for landing.

Furthermore, Trinity Pro is equipped with a downfacing LiDAR scanner that provides highly accurate ground avoidance and landing control. The system features USB-C ports for faster data transfer. Trinity Pro is protected against dust and water damage and features increased wind limits of up to 14 m/s in cruise mode (handling gusts up to 18m/s) and 11 m/s during hover.

“Hundreds of customers across various industries, including mapping, surveying, forestry, utilities and construction, rely on the Trinity platform in their daily operations. The new capabilities of Trinity Pro make it even easier for professionals to expedite data collection and management, operations, and ultimately improve decision making. Through an enhanced user experience and a streamlined integration of future technologies, we are building on the success of the Trinity platform to help customers take advantage of aerial intelligence at scale,” said Florian Seibel, CEO of QuantumSystems GmbH.

BUILT ON THE LEGACY OF THE TRINITY F90+ UAS

The Trinity UAS (launched in 2017) was designed to streamline the complex process of collecting aerial data. Since then, the Trinity platform has continued to improve in its performance and functionality, and additional features have been introduced to make the technology even more accessible and usable for daily operations.

With drone adoption continuing to rise, worldwide customers are utilising the Trinity platform to gather more aerial data than ever before to optimise their business processes. The platform has already accumulated over 75,000 flight hours and continues to innovate in response to the increasing demand for automation, data quality and safety assurance.

This announcement builds upon Trinity’s established success in supporting professionals across various industries, and it introduces novel solutions to meet even the most demanding requirements of commercial users.

For more information about Position Partners, visit positionpartners.com.au or call 1300 867 266.

THE POWER OF PINE NUTS

Pine nuts could be Australia’s next big industry, but there are a few thorny challenges to overcome first.

words: Matilda Meikle

Last year, AgriFutures Australia released the Australian Pine Nut Strategic RD&E Plan (2022-2023).

This 10-year scheme highlights the benefits of developing a national pine nut industry, both economically and environmentally.

With Australia importing such large quantities of pine nuts every year, it’s easy to see how creating a local economy could benefit the agricultural sector as a whole. But in order to build this new industry, we need to start now.

REPORT REVELATIONS

AgriFutures’ plan for developing a thriving pine nut industry identified five areas that need to become a

priority in order to meet production demands over the next decade. These suggestions included increasing the output of the Italian Stone Pine (Pinus pinea), a Mediterranean stone pine primarily grown in Southern Europe.

Currently, Australia has only two commercial-sized pine nut growers. This includes Richard Zwar, who began growing crops almost 22 years ago.

“Our market is very much a boutique one but with strong demand, and we sell a recognised clean, green Australian product that doesn’t battle with the pest and disease issues that face overseas markets that grow them,” he says.

AgriFutures’ plan also promotes the introduction of an industry body, and

a nut-growing manual. By implementing these steps, they suggest Australia could see a booming pine nut industry in the near future.

A LONG GROWING TIME

The main challenge hindering the possibility for an Australian industry is the time it takes to produce pine nuts.

According to Richard, “it’s approximately seven to 15 years before you get a reasonable crop, so there’s definitely work to be done around how to bring that first harvest forward.”

In order to decrease the amount of time it takes to produce a strong yield, more research needs to be done on

grafting trees. There is currently a limited amount of information available to potential growers, hindering their capabilities.

With such a long growing time, many farmers are put off by the idea of dedicating land and resources, when the results may take years to emerge. However, AgriFutures believes that the positives far outweigh the negatives.

POTENTIAL OF PINE NUTS

With other nut industries thriving all over the country, including everything from almonds to pistachios and macadamias, it’s easy to see how pine nut production could be beneficial for Aussie growers. Pine nuts are a relatively expensive product, usually selling for around $50-$100 per kilo. If farmers can begin harvesting this crop, the potential for profit is high.

According to AgriFutures Australia Manager Emerging Industries Laura Skipworth, “there is a global demand for pine nuts and production in Europe is declining, so it’s an ideal time to be investing in the potential of this industry.”

While the long growing time is a hindrance to quick development, experts believe rotational cropping could be the answer. For established farms, planting pine nuts around other crops limits the amount of land dedicated solely to these plants, and stops them from becoming a hindrance.

Pine nuts will also stand up to the harsh Australian climate, making them a safer investment in the long run.

GREEN GROWERS

As well as economic and industrial benefits, the Pinus pinea also provides environmental incentives.

THIS PAGE: THE PINE NUT INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA MIGHT BE SMALL, BUT ITS POTENTIAL IS MUCH BIGGER.

The plant is known as a carbon sequester, meaning it captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Farmers can therefore reduce their carbon footprint simply by growing it.

According to Laura, there are other environmental benefits as well.

“After kernels are retrieved, pinecones can be used for oil extraction and the residue can be used to produce biochar, thereby leaving minimal waste productions to deal with. This makes it a really environmentally conscious crop.”

The pine nut industry in Australia may be small, but its potential is much bigger. In order to capitalise economically and environmentally, AgriFutures believes the time to invest is now. If we can promote the introduction of a pine nut industry, the results could be highly beneficial.

“The plant is known as a carbon sequester, meaning it captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Farmers can therefore reduce their carbon footprint simply by growing it.”

HOW TO FUTURE-PROOF

YOUR JOB IN THE AI BOOM

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent, it’s natural to feel a little uneasy about the future of our careers. But fear not! With the right approach and mindset, you can adapt to the AI revolution and ensure your career remains relevant and thriving.

Words: LJ Charleston

With machines performing tasks at unprecedented speeds and with unparalleled accuracy, it seems like the days of human labour may be numbered. However, let’s explore strategies to keep your job from becoming an AI casualty, and how to stay ahead of the game and thrive in an AI-dominated world.

EMBRACE CREATIVITY

Creativity is always going to be a vital skill. The unique cognitive processes that drive human creativity remain beyond the reach of robots, making it an essential tool for anyone determined to maintain their job security. By focusing on creative pursuits, you’ll be in a better position to ensure you’re indispensable and irreplaceable.

According to McKinsey & Company’s ‘State of AI in 2022’ survey, business adoption of AI has more than doubled since 2017. More than 20 per cent of respondents in 2017 claimed they adopted AI in at least one business area, but now it stands at 50 per cent.

The good news is that the survey found jobs requiring creativity are less susceptible to automation, with only 4 per cent of roles with a high degree of creativity seen as being at risk of automation.

HARNESSING HUMAN EMOTION

Machines might excel at crunching numbers and analysing data, but they still struggle to understand human emotions and nuances. Fostering empathy, active listening and effective communication will help you maintain a strong human connection in the workplace, which can be invaluable in a wide range of industries, especially when you’re frequently dealing with clients.

Emotional intelligence (EI) – the ability to recognise, understand and manage our own emotions and those of others – is an indispensable skill that AI cannot mimic. By harnessing EI, you’ll be able to build strong connections and navigate complex social situations.

It goes without saying: human emotion plays a significant role in decision-making, relationship building and communication.

ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

As AI’s role in our lives grows, so does the importance of ethical considerations. Human judgement is essential for assessing the potential consequences of AI-driven decisions, such as their impact on privacy, fairness and societal values.

“Machines might

excel at crunching numbers and analysing data, but they still struggle to understand human emotions and nuances.”

THIS PAGE: AS AI BEGINS TO STREAMLINE MORE PROCESSES, STRONG TEAMWORK AND NETWORKS ARE CRUCIAL IN DRIVING ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS.

By cultivating a strong ethical compass and understanding the implications of technology on society, you can play a crucial role in shaping responsible AI adoption and navigating complex ethical dilemmas.

A Capgemini Research Institute study found that organisations with high EI levels outperform their counterparts in various key performance indicators.

According to the study, “this includes customer satisfaction, employee engagement and revenue growth.”

CRITICAL THINKING AND COMPLEX PROBLEM-SOLVING

For all its advantages, AI lacks the capacity for nuanced understanding and context-sensitive judgement. Critical thinking is quite human as it involves the ability to analyse and evaluate information objectively

to make informed decisions, while complex problem-solving requires identifying and addressing underlying issues.

So, if you’re able to fully develop these skills, you’ll be better placed to tackle intricate problems in areas such as strategy, operations and management, where human intuition and judgement are so important.

COLLABORATION AND TEAMWORK

AI-driven tools can streamline many processes, but human collaboration remains a crucial factor in generating diverse ideas, fostering innovation and driving organisational success. As work becomes increasingly interdisciplinary, strong teamwork and collaboration skills will be crucial. Focus on effective communication, active listening and conflict resolution to excel in teambased environments and you’ll be seen as a valuable team player.

THIS PAGE: EMBRACING LIFELONG LEARNING IS A SURE-FIRE WAY TO THRIVE IN AN AIDRIVEN FUTURE.

If you embrace lifelong learning, foster human-centric skills and adapt to the changing landscape, you can not only safeguard your career but you’ll be able to thrive in the AI-driven future.

DEVELOP A MULTIFACETED SKILL SET

Set yourself a goal of developing expertise in multiple disciplines, as this can make you an invaluable asset. By combining knowledge from various fields, you can approach problems and projects with a unique perspective that AI systems – which often specialise in a single domain –cannot replicate.

Interdisciplinary expertise allows you to contribute more holistically to your business, making you a vital resource in roles that require broad knowledge and diverse skill sets.

CULTIVATE A STRONG PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

Another thing AI isn’t able to do is build a robust professional network. A strong network is invaluable because it can give you great access to new opportunities, resources and insights that can help you stay ahead in your industry.

If you’re actively participating in networking events, conferences and online forums, you’ll be in a position where you can develop relationships with peers, mentors and thoughtleaders – all of whom can support your career growth and open doors to new possibilities. Networking also leads to opportunities for collaboration which, once again, highlights the unique importance of human connections: something that’s truly worth its weight in gold.

“AI-driven tools can streamline many processes, but human collaboration remains a crucial factor in generating diverse ideas, fostering innovation and driving organisational success.”

SHELTER, SAFETY AND SELF DETERMINATION

These Aussie charities are bringing communities together and making the world a better place. While each organisation is unique, they are united in their goal to make real change. By supporting each other and those who are less fortunate, these wonderful programs are doing their bit.

Words: Matilda Meikle

BACKPACK BED FOR HOMELESS

In 2019-2020, over 82,000 requests for shelter from people experiencing homelessness in Australia couldn’t be met. This is the reality Tony Clark hoped to change when he founded Backpack Bed in 2007. With his wife, Lisa, he designed Backpack Beds: both a shelter and bag to store belongings. It’s water and wind proof, rolls up into a backpack for easy travel, and offers protection for all seasons. Now, Backpack Bed for Homeless has delivered over 36,000 of these life-saving beds to people sleeping

rough across the country. They have also partnered with over 800 homelessness agencies to offer mental health support, emergency shelter, and outreach programs focused on helping Aussies get back on their feet. The not-for-profit is all about offering dignity and protection to everyone, with a mission to see all people experiencing homelessness set up with a Backpack Bed in the future. They also deliver hypothermia packs to protect individuals from harsh weather and keep them warm during the night.

In 2011, Backpack Bed was awarded the Australian Human Rights Award

TOP TO BOTTOM: BACKPACK BED FOR HOMELESS. IMAGE: BACKPACK BED FOR HOMELESS. WALTJA DIRECTORS (BACK ROW, L-R): ENID GALLAGHER, SANDRA WINDY, MARY TILMOUTH, MARGARET CAMPBELL.

(FRONT): IRENE NANGALA. IMAGE: WALTJA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION.

DONATE HERE

for Best Community Organisation, demonstrating its commitment to helping everyone, and its life-saving work in the homeless community. By donating, you can ensure homeless Aussies have a warm, comfortable place to sleep, and help Backpack Bed and its partners continue providing support across the country.

WALTJA TJUTANGKU PALYAPAYI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

Waltja is an organisation that works with Indigenous communities in central Australia. The directors are all Indigenous women Elders who come from remote communities, giving them the knowledge to find the best ways to support locals. Waltja focuses on the gaps these remote communities experience in receiving crucial services for children, youth, Elders and people with a disability.

The organisation is based in Alice

Springs, however its services extend all across the state to around 13,000 people in nine different language groups. Waltja means ‘family’, and is all about supporting members of Indigenous families and communities, focusing on social issues that are overlooked by other organisations. Each project aims to promote selfdetermination and capacity in the area.

These projects include the Reconnect Program, which helps young people at risk of homelessness to reconnect with their family and community. This is achieved by helping them to set up bank accounts, and training for them to be job-ready.

Another recent Waltja program targeted suicide prevention in women and young girls. Delivered by Elders, it was all about building a long-lasting support network in several different towns.

You can donate directly or purchase artworks and jewellery made by Indigenous artists from its Alice Springs shop.

BRIGHTSIDE FARM SANCTUARY

Founded in 2006 by Emma Haswell, this not-for-profit animal shelter is located on 50 acres of farmland in Tasmania’s Huon Valley. Primarily, Brightside Farm Sanctuary rescues sick and neglected animals and rehomes them with loving Aussies. Each year, around 400 animals find new families to support them. The farm also serves as a permanent home for around 250 farm animals, offering services including medical treatment, vaccinations and food.

As well as protecting animals in need, Brightside also offers education programs to nearby schools. Around 30,000 students have had the opportunity to learn about animal welfare and the impact of factory farming. Students are welcome to visit the farm and meet the animals, or Brightside will come to them with its staff of passionate animal-lovers. Emma and her team also campaign regularly to end animal cruelty.

To support the farm and the animals, you can make a donation via the Brightside website. Or sign up for the adoption program and welcome a furry friend into your home.

THIS PAGE: EMMA HASWELL OF BRIGHTSIDE FARM SANCTUARY. IMAGE: BRIGHTSIDE FARM SANCTUARY.

“Waltja means ‘family’, and is all about supporting members of Indigenous families and communities, focusing on social issues that are overlooked by other organisations.”

ENABLING A MENOPAUSE FRIENDLY BUSINESS

MENOPAUSE FRIENDLY WORKPLACE RECOGNITION

Menopause Alliance Australia has a team of experts in the field, including our Directors –gynaecologist, endocrinologist and fertility specialist, Professor Roger Hart; gynaecologists Dr Bernadette McElhinney and Dr Jennifer Pontre; women’s health specialist, general practitioner and menopause specialist, Dr Lesley Ramage, and highly experienced business professionals.

Menopause Alliance Australia can help you enable a menopause friendly business by:

✓ Engaging and providing guidance with implementing a workplace policy to reflect menopause.

✓ Certified evidence-based education and training.

✓ Advice and valuable support options tailored to your workplace.

✓ Online resources.

menopause can offer many rewards. Growing awareness of the problem and fem-tech could lead to better-run companies delivering higher returns.”

Be recognised with our endorsement badge as a MENOPAUSE FRIENDLY WORKPLACE by the expert panel of Menopause Alliance Australia.

“Investing in

Financial Times

THIS PAGE: NINA’S RAINBOW DIAMOND NECKLACES TIDAL AND AURA. IMAGE: SUPPLIED.

RAINBOWS, ROSES AND PEARLS

Nina’s Jewellery offers some of the most unique pieces on the market, living up to its reputation as the coloured diamond specialist. We chat to Shivangi Modi, General Manager of Product and Finance, about the Rainbow Collection, rose cut diamonds and South Sea Pearls, and what the future looks like for Nina’s.

Nina’s launched the Rainbow Collection early in 2022. What has the reception been like so far? It’s been one of our most successful collections. One person every three days buys a piece from the Rainbow Collection. The most popular pieces are ones with the full colour spectrum of rainbow diamonds. We make sure that all the coloured diamonds we use have the same vividness and colour intensity as the Argyle pink diamonds.

That’s the secret of designing this collection: if you put pink in between yellow and green it pops even more. Now, we’ve expanded the collection from rings into pendants and earrings as well. We’ve also got pieces at all price points, to make it more accessible.

Rose cut diamonds are a vintage style that is coming back into fashion. Can you tell us about your rose cut diamond collection?

Rose cuts are very unique to the Australian market. They have been with us for 500 years, but gained popularity in the last few years (thanks partly to Jennifer Aniston’s engagement ring!).

The name comes from the triangular facets which look like the petals unfolding in a rose. Compared to a brilliant cut diamond, which has 57-58 facets, a rose cut diamond has between 3 and 24 facets. It has a flat bottom, rather than a peak, which allows it to sit closer to your finger.

The best part is that, because of the flat bottom, they look larger on your hand than a brilliant cut diamond. The light also passes through it more subtly: it’s calm and has a warmth to it.

Another thing that’s really unique about rose cut diamonds is the different geometric shapes you can source, like round, cushion, hexagon and trapezium cuts.

Your South Sea Pearl collection is sourced from the waters off Broome and the South Seas. What should people look for when buying pearls?

If you’re buying pearl earrings, you need to first make sure that the

earrings are sitting well on your earlobe. And, of course, you also have to look at the quality and lustre of the pearl.

With our South Sea Pearl collection, customers were looking for something fresh, modern and valuable. We wanted to make the collection really wearable, so you can complete your entire look with just one piece of jewellery. It’s the perfect finishing touch for a professional woman looking for understated elegance.

It has certainly been an exciting time for Nina’s. What does the year ahead look like?

This year has been so exciting for us, and we’ve come up with so many different concepts and styles. We are looking at creating more ranges

tailored to the online market, because it has doubled from last year. We are very popular in Western Australia, while Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are our other three main markets. But because of our online presence, we have gone international too.

We take a lot of inspiration from nature, such as the texture and shape of basalt rocks in our South Sea Pearl collection. We’re also developing a range based on quandong seeds, which are native to Western Australia, which will be coming out for Christmas.

We are also designing more of our Crown Jewels collection, which are one-off, once-in-a-lifetime pieces. It includes pieces ranging up to $200,000, and they are designed to be exciting, aspirational and like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

“It’s the perfect finishing touch for a professional woman looking for understated elegance.”

ABOVE AND BELOW: NINA’S ROSE CUT DIAMOND BRACELETS ROSA AND ROSETTE; NINA’S SOUTH SEA PEARL ATHENA NECKLACE AND ATHENA EARRINGS. IMAGES: SUPPLIED.

STRIKING GOLD IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S MINING INDUSTRY

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Launched in November 2021, Thinking Critical South Australia aims to uncover innovative and creative individuals and companies who can boost the state’s mineral capabilities. The Department for Energy and Mining South Australia partnered with Unearthed Solutions to create this crowdsourcing challenge, and it has already resulted in several major developments in the mining sector.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

Each year, companies compete in Thinking Critical South Australia to demonstrate how their idea is a valuable investment for the development of the mining industry. Although it has only been live for two years, the competition has already reached 200 participants and resulted in 40 unique proposals.

The first round of the challenge involves the judging panel selecting 11 shortlisted teams, who then go on to develop and present their proposal plan. From these proposals, five winning groups are chosen.

Each of the lucky winners receives a $50,000 prize, as well as support in business development through specialist advice and marketing opportunities. The aim is to help these businesses turn their pitches into viable products that can be used to support South Australia’s booming mining industry.

A recent South Australian program is helping to foster significant development in mining technology.

Matilda Meikle

THIS PAGE: COOBER PEDY IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA, A FAMOUS OPAL MINING TOWN.

“South Australia is a ‘gold mine’ of critical minerals. It is home to 65 per cent of Australia’s graphite resources, as well as the world’s biggest zircon mine.”

A STATE OF SURPLUS

South Australia is a ‘gold mine’ of critical minerals. It is home to 65 per cent of Australia’s graphite resources, as well as the world’s biggest zircon mine.

Already, the state has invested significant resources into exploring and extracting these minerals. It established the Australian Critical Minerals Research Centre in the University of Adelaide, the first of its kind in the country. In fact, most South Australian universities are at the top of the game when it comes to geoscience and resource processing.

It’s no surprise then that the government is eager to hone the technology employed in mining ventures. By supporting these start-ups, it is investing in increased capabilities and efficiency. There is also a large focus on businesses that offer solutions for environmental protection, meaning the planet is a priority as well.

INGENUITY AND IMAGINATION

Last year, five well-deserving companies took home the prize, and they are already making waves. This includes businesses such as QL Space, based in Perth. Its idea stemmed from a desire to improve exploratory drilling using artificial intelligence (AI), satellite images and sensors. These tools allow the company to interpret the collected data and produce structural and geological maps that can help mines target rich deposits. They can also improve efficiency by monitoring the supply chain and providing suggestions.

Another winner changing the game is CBSM Mining Services, which has created the South Australian dry and wet comminution technology. Its invention is called the Gyratory

Rolls Crusher (GRolls), a machine that can operate in dry or wet conditions to break down geological materials into fine and ultra-fine particles while reducing power and water consumption. This means it is better for the environment and isn’t impacted by the conditions of the mine. Workers can save energy and time when working with this prototype.

Thinking Critical South Australia is still a relatively new initiative. However, it demonstrates Australia’s commitment to sourcing new technologies and programs that could improve the efficiency of our mines, while also protecting our precious environment. With new start-ups continuing to emerge, it will only be a matter of time before the next round of winners emerge to support mining in South Australia.

RIGHT: THINKING CRITICAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA. IMAGE: SUPPLIED.

“In fact, most South Australian universities are at the top of the game when it comes to geoscience and resource processing.”

Cheriton Valley: A PICTURESQUE HAVEN AND THE PERFECT CITY ESCAPE

Nestled in the beautiful Cheriton Valley just minutes north of the town of Gingin, an exclusive country address with an idyllic lifestyle in a safe, close-knit community awaits. It offers the best of countryside living while being on the fringes of Perth.

Country Heights Estate has been developed to an exceptional standard with fast-speed internet, scheme water, power and sealed roads, whilst retaining its rural charm and natural beauty – with stands of mature gum trees and untouched bush adding to its appeal.

The stunning estate is home to 313 exclusive 1-hectare lots, plus rural residential homesites with utterly breathtaking views of rolling hills and sweeping valleys.

Claymont Chairman Jerry Goh says fully serviced large hectarage home sites having scheme water in such close proximity to metro areas are a rarity, with the homesites being 25 times larger than the average suburban home site, for a better price.

The enchanting estate aims to deliver an improved quality of life with plenty of fresh air and wide-open country spaces for the whole family to enjoy, while also offering enough space for large pets to roam and play.

ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, WITH THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Country Heights Estate is easily accessible via the completed NorthLink Tonkin Highway extension. With this new development, travel times to myriad metro areas with high-density work places and shopping centres have been significantly slashed.

Joondalup, Wangara, Malaga, Morley, Balcatta, Ellenbrook and Midlands are between 30 minutes to 45 minutes from the estate, and the airport and Perth CBD are an hour or less away.

“With its excellent accessibility, Country Heights Estate offers a unique opportunity to live the ultimate lifestyle with the best of both worlds – healthy living in a safe country community on large hectarage home sites, and the ability to work in metro areas with an easy commute,” says Jerry.

As a result of the lockdown experienced during the pandemic, there is a growing popularity with city-dwellers seeking a lifestyle change to regional areas which are within easy commutable distance to the city. It gives them more room and space to spend quality time at home, with more flexible work-fromhome lifestyles.

“The availability of high-speed internet here is perfect for those who desire a rural work-from-home lifestyle, making Country Heights Estate an ideal place to live and work partly or fully from home,” Jerry says.

The nearby Gingin town has every a tree-changer could possibly want – including great schools, a medical centre, post office, bank, hotel, cafes, shops, and numerous recreational and sporting facilities.

Ideal for the building of a family home, retirement, an investment, or to claim your own weekender on the edge of the Darling Scarp, the estate is also within easy reach of coastal communities such as Lancelin, Seabird and Guilderton on the pristine Moore River.

WHAT’S ON OFFER

Stage 1 included 45 homesites that were well received, as it is now sold out. The next 61 homesites will be released in Stage 2 comprising Stage 2A, 2B and 2C with titles expected early in 2023. Selling prices start from $215,000 to $305,000 for premium elevated homesites with stunning panoramic valley views.

Take a scenic drive to Country Heights Estate to see it for yourself.

For more information, please visit countryheightsestate.com.au (or use the QR code below).

Alternatively, contact our agents Tom Cabassi: 0429 095 864 or Rob French: 0401 970 997.

THIS PAGE: SYDNEY HARBOUR, SPECIFICALLY LAVENDER BAY, IS THE SITE OF THE NEW LIVING BOULDERS PROJECT.

ROCK ON

Artificial boulders housing rockpools have been dropped into Sydney Harbour in an attempt to preserve local marine life.

Words: Matilda Meikle

Living Boulders are the result of a collaboration between marine scientists, Sydney by Kayak and North Sydney Council. Dropped into the waters of Lavender Bay, they will serve as a home for marine organisms and a solution to the continued impact of coastal development and erosion.

BRILLIANT BOULDERS

Coastal development includes activities such as building harbours, stabilising shorelines and introducing other man-made structures. This has resulted in the destruction of many marine habitats, and a loss of marine biodiversity along Sydney’s shores.

In order to combat this, scientists have developed Living Boulders. The boulders have been designed to echo the success of Living Seawalls, structures which provide marine habitats to flora and fauna in overdeveloped areas.

The boulders are intended for

breakwaters and revetments where marine habitats are being steadily destroyed. By acting as a home for a variety of wildlife, they should help to restore biodiversity.

According to project leader and marine scientist from Macquarie University Professor Melanie Bishop, “Living Boulders contain rock pool mimics, providing a critical but otherwise missing intertidal habitat for organisms along the modified Lavender Bay shoreline, and we expect them to increase biodiversity in the area.”

Rockpools are an important ecosystem, serving as a nursery habitat for young marine animals, and host to a diverse network of life. They also offer short-term protection to animals isolated from the sea. By introducing new rockpools within these boulders, Melanie and her team are hoping that the surrounding ecosystem can flourish.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KAYAKERS ON SDNEY HARBOUR; A LIVING BOULDER IN LAVENDER BAY. IMAGE: ARIA LEE; LIVING BOULDERS PROVIDE A HABITAT FOR MARINE LIFE LIKE SEAWEED.

MAKING A SPLASH

So far, 15 Living Boulders have been placed in Lavender Bay. They each weigh around 130 kilograms, and are made from specially designed 3D moulds. Each boulder houses several rockpools, and has a surface that mimics typical erosion patterns in those rockpools. The rough texture is ideal for seaweed and oysters, which then attracts other wildlife.

“Our designs for these boulders are informed by nearly five years of research from our successful Living Seawalls program, and they can either be incorporated into existing coastal defence structures, or be built into new structures,” says Melanie.

The boulders were created using an eco-blend concrete which was designed by Alex Goad from Reef Design Lab in Melbourne. This eco-blend is a moist material perfect for native seaweed species. In turn, seaweed acts as an ideal habitat for fish and other small animals.

The first 15 boulders were funded by Sydney by Kayak, which facilitates paddling tours around Lavender Bay and Milsons Point. The team are dedicated to protecting Sydney’s coastline, and viewed this project as a great way to encourage further conservation.

“Living Boulders can reintroduce rock pools, an essential habitat to marine life, in areas fortified by breakwaters and other structures, and protect life from predators and environmental stressors,” Melanie adds.

The project will be monitored closely over the next 12 months. If successful, experts are hoping similar projects can be introduced to other areas of Australia, ensuring our coastlines and marine life are protected for the future.

“Living Boulders can reintroduce rock pools, an essential habitat to marine life, in areas fortified by breakwaters and other structures, and protect life from predators and environmental stressors.”

THIS PAGE: THE PROJECT WAS A COLLABORATION WITH SYDNEY BY KAYAK, NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL AND LIVING SEAWALLS.

PAVING THE ROAD FOR A GREENER FUTURE

What started out as an inventive idea could help to permanently reduce national waste levels and protect our environment.

Words: Matilda Meikle

A new partnership between an asphalt company and a green group has resulted in Australia’s first road made from recycled single-use coffee cups. The 50-metre strip of asphalt has been laid in western Sydney, and is already standing up to the unrelenting nature of Aussie traffic.

The program is an attempt to ‘close the loop’ on waste, creating a circular economy where landfill is used in other products instead of being destroyed. It could help to reduce carbon emissions and create a greener future for all.

COFFEE CUP CONUNDRUM

Every day, 2.7 million single-use coffee cups are thrown away in Australia. This means around 1 billion cups end up in landfill every year. Because of the plastic lining on the inside of the cups, they can’t be recycled using traditional met hods.

In total, coffee cups are the second most common waste item after plastic bottles. According to experts, people aren’t being properly educated on how to dispose of them, which is leading to increased emissions and energy use in order to get rid of them.

THIS PAGE: IN AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST, A 50-METRE STRETCH OF ROAD IN SYDNEY HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED OUT OF SINGLE-USE COFFEE CUPS.

“It’s not until you’re actually buying back the products that are made out of that reused material that you’re properly recycling.”

A SECOND LIFE

That’s where State Asphalt Services comes in. Thanks to Closed Loop, which works with businesses to improve their environmental impact, it has partnered with the recycling company Simply Cups to work on an initiative using these overlooked cups.

Usually roads are held together with cellulose imported from international manufactures. But the team have found that the same material can be sourced from the plastic and paper found in coffee cups. So far, the road made from this new material has been tested as rigorously as any other. This includes withstanding Aussie heat and traffic, as well as being put through a machine that flexes it until it fails.

According to John Kypreos, director of State Asphalt Services, “it’s a better performance product than what we were producing before.”

CLOSING THE LOOP

Testing began on this new material in an attempt to achieve net-positive

waste. Net-positive waste occurs when an item has more positive than negative impact on the environment. This doesn’t mean it has zero negative impacts, but rather the raw materials are used in new ways instead of ending up in landfill, reducing the need for energy and greenhouse gases.

However, for this system to work, someone needs to be buying these recycled products. And that’s where the partnership comes in.

According to Rob Pascoe, founder and head of Closed Loop, “it’s not until you’re actually buying back the products that are made out of that reused material that you’re properly recycling.

“It’s not just a matter of lifting the lid on your yellow bin at home and putting stuff in the bin and saying, ‘I’ve done my job.’”

To make an environmental impact using this recycled waste, three main things need to occur. First, a product needs to be made from the waste.

Then, the product needs to prove useful for some purpose. And finally, it has to be commercially viable. The asphalt made from coffee cups is a great example of this plan in action, as an everyday item that is easily collected and recycled has found a second purpose which has proven sustainable in the long term.

THE ROAD AHEAD

By reusing waste, Australia could see significant environmental and economic benefits. In fact, for every 10,000 tonnes of waste that’s reused or repurposed, 9.2 jobs are created. This is compared to the 2.4 jobs created by sending the same material to landfill.

While turning coffee cups into roads is just the first step towards eliminating carbon emissions, there’s still more work that needs to be done. The more we invest in recycled products and invite inventive solutions, the stronger our environment will become.

“The asphalt made from coffee cups is a great example of this plan in action, as an everyday item that is easily collected and recycled has found a second purpose which has proven sustainable in the long term.”

Experts from Macquarie University were trying to find a faster way to anneal silicon when they discovered that microwave radiation can replace traditional recycling methods for solar panels. By selectively heating the silicon in a microwave until it softens, it can be removed mechanically from the rest of the solar panel. This means that materials including glass and aluminium can be recovered and recycled, rather than being destroyed as they usually w ould.

Research suggests that one million solar panels will reach the end of their lifespan in the next 20 years. Current methods of recycling are considered time consuming and inefficient, often resulting in much of the panel being crushed and disposed of. This new method of recycling could be the solution the industry has been searching for. Estimates suggest this microwave technology is 40 per cent

SAVVY SOLAR PANELS

Words: Matilda

more effective than the current processes. If this practice is adopted by the industry as a whole, it would make it easier to retrieve valuable substances like silver from solar panels.

“We are using very little energy just to soften the plastic,” says Dr Veetil, head researcher and senior lecturer for the School of Engineering at Macquarie University.

“At the moment about 50 per cent of the value of recycling a solar panel comes from the silver content. The glass is not regarded as valuable because it’s crushed, and then when you try to extract the silver, it comes to around 0.06 per cent by weight.

“But if you are able to remove the glass intact, the silver content in the remaining materials is 1.46 per cent. That’s about 25 times more than we get now.”

This has several environmental and economic benefits. The uncrushed glass can be reused in other projects, and the collected silver adds profitability to the solar panel recycling process, which previously held little value for the industry.

Turning this discovery into an everyday practice, there’s still work to be done. Dr Veetil and his team are now concerned with improving the efficiency of the process by developing a mechanical system that can remove the glass from the solar panel while microwave radiation is in use. This requires a compact and affordable design, and will take time to achieve.

However, if this new method can be implemented, it could be a major step towards reducing Australia’s carbon footprint. What began as a happy accident is now an exciting environmental discovery.

A happy accident has increased solar panel recyclability.

Meikle

The next great thing from King Island – whisky made with love

Local King Island resident Heidi Weitjens was the tenth person to open a distillery in Tasmania, and the first to do so on King Island. Inspired by King Island’s incredible produce, made with love, and guided by the mentoring of The Godfather of Tasmanian whisky – Bill Lark, Heidi’s Distiller Choice is a whisky to watch, and it’s already a whisky to love.

King Island Distillery also produces native gin, ruby grapefruit spirit, Bella Chella Limoncello, a cold brew coffee martini that rivals any on the market, and Heidi’s signature spirit, Peerless Point cask aged vodka. And the first ever garlic spirit – local manuka honey meets lemon garlic and ginger to create an antibiotic tonic.

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