EDITOR re you cold, dear readers? I know I am. I know people, and I’m sure you do too, that just love winter, and can be seen sporting short sleeves and smiling under the sky of bruised clouds. This issue has not been written with these people in mind. This issue is for the hibernators, those of us that can feel our mood steadily falling in sympathy with the barometer. With that in mind, we have filled our winter issue of Ruby with cosy stories, such as projects for long, cold winter nights, and warming winter recipes, as we try to remind ourselves that there is joy to be found in winter (next to a roaring fire, for example, with plenty of dark chocolate and red wine!). And, as you would already have guessed from our beautiful cover (thank you to Nick for bringing our idea together in a way that was so much better than even we thought it would be!), we are also talking weddings in this issue. Winter is a particularly busy time for soon-to-be spring and summer brides, and with the world still in the grips of royal wedding fever, what better time to take part in an age-old tradition – ripping off ideas from royal weddings! In general, I am not a great fan of formal weddings – the ceremonies drag on, the seating arrangements are always a nightmare, the speeches interminable, and by the time dessert comes round, everyone is well into party mode and you end up missing out on the delicious-looking sticky date pudding. However, I do love a royal wedding. I love the pomp, the ceremony, the tradition, the outpouring of celebration and the even greater explosion of kitsch wedding souvenirs, memorabilia and - of course – the flood of imitations.
RUBY, an Adcell Print Group publication, is mailed to more than 5000 businesses in the G21 region. If you would like to be added to the Ruby mailing list please contact us. PUBLISHER - Maureen Tayler ISSN: 1838-1456 MANAGER - Caroline Tayler EDITOR - Davina Montgomery davina@adcellgroup.com.au FOR ADVERTISING Vinnie Kerr M 0409 427 473 vinnie@adcellgroup.com.au Adcell Print Group T (03) 5221 4408 F (03) 5221 3322 203 Malop Street, PO Box 491, Geelong, VIC 3220
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April 29 saw the girls from the office glammed up in tiaras, plenty of bling, gloves, hats and faux fur and arriving with some splendour and no pomp at all at our intrepid publisher’s beautiful home (thanks Boss!). After the usual argy bargy over who gets the prime seats, we all settled down to take in the wedding coverage – helped along by a few bubbles and a feast of ‘Best of Brit’ curries prepared by our still-a-bit-Brit-Boss. When the coverage unceremoniously ended, there was the usual dissection, including the question: “If you could choose to have just one thing from the wedding, what would it be?” No one said the groom, a couple of the ladies said they would have liked the carriage for their wedding, one or two said they would love to be married in the grandeur of somewhere like Westminster Abbey, the overwhelming majority said they’d like Pippa’s dress, and one lady said she’d take just Pippa (funnily enough, no one wanted to marry the Prince!). So, whatever your plans are this winter – whether you are planning a wedding, planning a project or simply planning to stay warm and pray for an early spring – we very much hope this edition of Ruby will bring a little warmth into the dark days ahead.
Davina Montgomery
CONTENTS
Ruby Tuesday
4
Fashion
6
Spotlight
8
Medical
11
Psychology
12
Fitness
13
News
15
Money
19
Business
22
Interiors
24
What’s Hot
26
Cover Story
30
Feature
36
Food
46
On Show
48
On Page
49
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RUBY TUESDAY
JUST ANOTHER Manic Monday Sometimes it pays to just stop and take a look around … I was reminded of this only a few weeks ago. It hadn’t been a good start to the day. We had recently moved into the house we will be renting while we build a new home, and with two little munchkins, made sure we had the old gas heater serviced and tested for leaking carbon monoxide as soon as we moved in. Everything was fine and the heater was given a clean bill of health. Then, a few short weeks later, the heater just stopped working, late on a Sunday night. We piled blankets on the beds and settled in for a restless night’s sleep – interrupted by the kids’ coughing (yep, they had colds, perfect timing!). The next morning, feeling none too fresh, I woke to find that we’d slept through the alarm. Have you ever noticed that the harder you try to hurry to get out of the house, the slower the kids seem to go? Well, this Monday morning, they were moving slower than legless sloths, and my patience was wearing thin – not aided by the fact that of the five gas fitters I’d called, the soonest one could come and look at the heater was Thursday. Finally, I managed to stagger out the door, loaded up with day care bags, kids jackets, my handbag and laptop. Stopping half a dozen times on the three metre walk to the car (sadly, this is not an exaggeration) to look at the puddles on the path, talk to the cat, pull a beanie off, put a beanie back on, and a tearful whine over which side of the car each of them was going to go into, I had the little angels buckled in and ready to go. Tottering on the sharply sloping drive in my work heels, I jumped in the driver’s seat and reached for the keys. They weren’t there…
You know the feeling, your heart starts thumping, your cheeks flush with heat and you get that awful sinking feeling somewhere around where you stomach normally sits. ‘Please don’t be in the house. Please don’t be in the house,’ I muttered in a kind of crazed mantra. They weren’t in my bag, in the back seat with the kids, under the car, on the roof of the car (I’d learnt my lesson on that one!) or anywhere along the path from the car to the front door. Then, typically, it began to rain. Not sure whether to scream, swear, cry or be sick, I called the local locksmith; who was at least two hours away in Melbourne. He was very sympathetic locksmith promised to text me the numbers of a few other options. I was settling into acceptance at this point, and, by some miracle, the kids were calm and chattering away to each other in the car, when I realised there might yet be hope of getting the car out of the drive. I’d spotted a small glass louvre window high on the drive side of the house, but would I be able to steady the ladder in amongst the rampant plot of agapanthus? It was then, clearing a space for my McGuyver-esqu break-in plan, that I heard a familiar tinkling; and there they were. They must have flown out of my bag as I was wrestling Number Two into his car seat and landed in the tightly planted mass. The chances of me ever finding them were so slim, yet there they were. Thank you, thank you god (or goddess) of impatient and disorganised mothers! The next morning, after a good night’s sleep - thanks to the newly purchased portable heaters - I woke up early, made a cup of tea and sat outside to listen to the birds and enjoying the newly dawning sun. Oh, what a difference a day makes.
by Tuesday Jones
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FASHION
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When it comes to cosy winter wear, you can’t beat the brands that cater to the ski crowd. So we called the lovely ladies at Roxy, to find out what is ‘hot’ in cold weather gear this winter. Roxy’s nature inspired military pieces hold a textured vintage appeal this winter 2011. Mesh sleeve, plait and oversize pocket detailing, anorak style jackets and skinny cargo pants are paired with relaxed styling and military inspired logos, cleverly merging fashion with the surf. A colour palette of khaki, navy, and icy pastels with a highlight of red is key.
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FASHION
Utilitarian Sweater $99.99
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SPOTLIGHT
VITAMIN D in winter Vitamin D in Winter: What you need to know. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer but also the best natural source of vitamin D essential for strong bones, muscles and overall health. Vitamin D is made when the skin is exposed to the sun’s UV rays. Short exposures (a few minutes) to the sun is a better way to produce vitamin D, as prolonged time actually results in the vitamin D being broken down. Also, given the intensity of our UV in Australia, time outside without sun protection will increase your risk of skin cancer. It is therefore best to expose larger amounts of skin for shorter times. In Victoria, average UV levels are below three between May and August, making it a great time to get some sun to help with vitamin D levels. At this low level, the UV is generally not damaging to the skin and sun protection is not required unless in alpine areas, near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or if you are going to spend extended periods of time outdoors. People with fair to olive skin should aim for two to three hours of sun exposure to face, arms and hands or equivalent area of skin. Importantly your exposure time should be spread across the week, not all at once. We spoke to the Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart Manager, Sue Heward, to find out more about what you need to know about keeping up your vitamin D levels this winter.
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What do we know about the changing requirements for vitamin D at different ages? A baby’s vitamin D levels at birth are determined by their maternal stores. Babies are at risk of low vitamin D if their mother has low vitamin D during pregnancy and/or if they have naturally very dark skin. Breast milk contains very little vitamin D. Also, when we reach our senior years, circulating levels of vitamin D decrease. This may be a result of age-related factors such as reduced capacity to produce vitamin D, diminished sunlight exposure, reduced intake, decline in renal function, disorders associated with abnormal gut function, or reduced synthesis or enhanced degradation of 25-OHD. Are the requirements different for women and men? Low vitamin D levels can be common in pregnancy. There is increasing evidence that pregnant women should get their vitamin D levels checked at their first antenatal check up. Levels can be checked via a blood test and then options such as supplementation can be discussed with your GP. Men who cover most of their skin for cultural or religious reasons are a group at risk of low vitamin D and may need to visit their GP to get their levels tested. Maintaining vitamin D levels amongst people who have been ill in hospital, residing in aged care facilities and those who avoid the sun is also a concern. For these
SPOTLIGHT people, time in the sun is not often possible. Are vitamin D supplements the only answer for these people? From May until August In Victoria, most people need two to three hours of sun exposure spread over a week. This can be difficult for older people and those people who are housebound, therefore placing them in the high-risk category for vitamin D deficiency. Relying solely on sun exposure during this period may not be enough to meet their vitamin D needs.
The SunSmart iPhone app is a handy, free tool that allows users to find out if they are getting enough sun from May to August to help with vitamin D levels and alerts the user of their daily sun protection needs. For more information on vitamin D and resources for health professionals skin cancer, UV and sun exposure recommendations, go to sunsmart.com.au
Small amounts of vitamin D can be obtained through diet but most Australians obtain less than 10% of their daily requirements from diet. Only a few foods naturally contain vitamin D (some fish, eggs). Margarine and some types of milk have added vitamin D. People at risk or concerned about their vitamin D levels should visit their GP. Do we know anything about the efficacy of vitamin D received from the sun over supplements, or vice versa? The sun is the best natural source of vitamin D. Some parts of the population are more at risk on low vitamin D and deficiency including People with naturally very dark skin, babies and infants of vitamin D deficient mothers (especially breastfed babies), people with little or no sun exposure such as those who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons, older Victorians and people who are housebound or in institutional care are at risk of being deficient in vitamin D. People at risk or concerned about their vitamin D levels should visit their GP for testing and to discuss options suitable for their situation such as supplementation. While rare, high doses of vitamin D can cause toxicity. Cod liver capsules are not suitable for vitamin D supplementation, as they contain high doses of vitamin A, which may lead to toxicity.
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SPOTLIGHT
SUNSMART gains Royal tick of approval The team behind Victoria’s renowned SunSmart Program was delighted to meet HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the first International Conference on Ultraviolet (UV) and Skin Cancer Prevention this May to share some top Aussie tips on best practice when it comes to sun protection and skin cancer prevention. Princess Mary is an official patron of the international conference, which was held in Copenhagen last week and co-sponsored by the SunSmart Program at Cancer Council Victoria. Over 140 skin cancer and UV professionals attended, bringing together the best international expertise on the topic and going down in history as the largest conference ever held on skin cancer. In her speech at the closing ceremony of the conference, the Princess acknowledged Australia as leading the way in sun protection. ”Like most people from Australia, I have ‘respect’ for the sun and when I first came to Denmark, I was quite surprised to discover a very different attitude to the sun,” said Princess Mary.
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SunSmart Manager, Ms Sue Heward, said: “Since the SunSmart Program began over 30 years ago, it has achieved significant results, including the prevention of over 100,000 skin cancers and downward trends in skin cancer rates, making it one of the most successful programs in Australia. “SunSmart has grown to become a world leading program in UV protection. Our role as co-sponsors of this international conference is further confirmation of how far we have come since the iconic Slip! Slop! Slap! Campaign.” Ms Heward, presented the Princess, who is originally from Tasmania, with some Australian gifts for her young family, including long sleeved clothing and sunglasses, so they can protect their skin and eyes during the European summer. The major cause of skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation from the sun and other artificial sources, such as solariums. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world with at least two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. For more information about SunSmart, sun protection and vitamin D, visit sunsmart.com.au.
MEDICAL
CHILDHOOD obesity on the decline A Deakin University study has revealed that rates of obesity and overweight in Victorian preschool childrezn are declining. The study, by researchers with Deakin’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, analysed Victorian maternal and child health service data on a total of 225,430 children aged 2 and 3.5 years between 1999 and 2007. The researchers found that the rates of overweight and obesity dropped by 3.1 per cent for 3.5 year olds (18.5 per cent in 1999 to 15.4 per cent in 2007) and 1.1 per cent for 2 year olds (13.5 to 12.4 per cent). The results are published online in the International Journal of Obesity. Deakin obesity expert, Professor Boyd Swinburn, said the results of the study were a sign that it is possible to turn the tide on obesity, but noted that the levels of childhood obesity are still very high and that there was no room for complacency. “These results show promising signs that not only is overweight and obesity declining in some groups, but that it may be possible to slow, even reverse, the wide-spread increase in obesity seen in recent years,” he said. As the study was conducted retrospectively, it is difficult to pinpoint the reasons for the decreases, Professor Swinburn said. “There has been a lot of media awareness of childhood obesity over the last decade and there has also been a range of initiatives promoting good nutrition and active play in early childhood settings in Victoria. There are probably multiple contributors to the decline.
and parents are also very receptive at this stage. Healthy food and active play policies in kindergartens and day care settings, plus the education and advice from maternal and child health and primary care services, seem to be lining up to support parents, which is very positive indeed,” he said. The decline in overweight and obesity in preschool children may be occurring in other parts of the country and Professor Swinburn hoped that this study would stimulate other states and territories to examine their routinely collected data from maternal and child health services to see if this was the case. An earlier study by the Deakin University team also showed, through a three-year project called Romp & Chomp in Geelong, that this decline in overweight and obesity in preschool children could be significantly accelerated with low cost community support programs. However, Professor Swinburn warned against thinking that the battle to reduce childhood obesity was over and renewed calls for stronger policies to support parents by restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. “The marketing of junk food to children which drives the pester power is still an enormous force undermining parents’ attempts to create healthy diets for their children and regulatory action by government is long overdue,” he said.
“Early childhood is a critical stage for embedding healthy habits
Ruby | 11
PSYCHOLOGY
THE PURSUIT of happiness “Is there a secret to being happy that I’m totally oblivious to? Well, that is the question, isn’t it? Generally speaking, it is a question we have all asked ourselves at some point in time, or perhaps even on a regular basis.” A person only has to log on to Facebook to have confirmation that their own lives are sadly wanting and deteriorating by the second. It seems that everyone you know, and even those you don’t know, are doing the most wonderful things and enjoying life to the absolute fullest. Just have a squiz at those jovial faces – holidays here, parties there, friends and family in abundance, everything is soooo fabulous and punctuated with a plethora of exclamation marks!!! Some have a hundred-plus Facebook friends so they must be really, really happy people. So, if we do compare ourselves with others, is this then our point of reference of what constitutes happiness in today’s society? Don’t be seduced by this type of social media – the mundane and boring don’t usually make much of an appearance on Facebook, and if they do, human nature being what it is, we overlook it and focus on what confirms our beliefs. I was wondering about the definition of ‘happiness’, which then had me pondering its antonym, ‘sadness’. But let’s look at one thing at a time. What is the definition of being happy – is it joy, elation, pleasure; is it tangible; and is it different for each of us? It is probably all of the above and more. What barometer do we use to measure it, or is it an illusion and intangible? Maybe we don’t think much about it until someone asks us to rate our subjective well-being? If I asked you right now how happy are you - what would you answer? Can the complexities of your life be reduced to a three point happiness scale: very happy; pretty happy; not too happy? Psychologists love assessment tools and we are programmed early on in our career to measure just about everything! After a little research I see that there are many happiness measures, each assessing different facets, such as health, job, finances and relationships etc. If you ask a child if they feel happy, you’ll probably get an honest and direct reply. Children don’t seem to brood over abstract concepts such as the meaning of life or life’s ambiguities. Perhaps as adults we have a tendency to over-think almost everything. Maybe Bobby Mc Ferrin had the right idea when he wooed us with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. What I can be sure of is that we all want some of this happiness stuff, as elusive as it may be. It may also be that the majority of us don’t think we get enough of it and don’t want others to know we are falling short in the happiness stakes. That’s probably why we can put on the happy face and pretend everything is just fine. Now to the flip side of the coin, if you are not happy does this mean you are sad? Just because you’re feeling blah it doesn’t
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necessarily mean you are somehow defective or faulty. It usually means you are just like everyone else. I hope you noted that I didn’t use the word normal. I’ve come to the conclusion that normal is best used only in the context of a setting on your washing machine. Along with the current seasonal change as we move into winter many people experience a drop in their mood. Summer happy :) – winter sad :(. Are you with me? It makes perfect sense to me. Yes, there is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which many folks claim to have. Sorry to disappoint you, but according to the psychologists’/psychiatrists’ bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-VI, SAD is not classified as a separate disorder but as a specifier within the pattern of major depressive episodes. In other words, no, you are just struggling with what it means to be cold and miserable underpinned by a lack of sun-filled sparkling summer days. Studies have found that things like money, education, or the weather do not affect happiness as we might expect. Psychologist Martin Seligman, of Positive Psychology fame asserts that happiness is more than just external and momentary pleasures. His research indicates that we are happiest when we have pleasure, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishments in our lives. You knew there wasn’t going to be a simple answer, didn’t you? You worked that out through your own life experience, but you also hoped that I had the secret. Now doesn’t that sound familiar? Did you read that book, The Secret? It claimed that if you were positive enough you could get all the stuff that would make you happy? Gee, that sounds so easy – yeah right. Mental note to me: find out if all those millions of readers found the elusive wealth, health and happiness. Dr Russ Harris, Australian author of The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling Start Living, believes ideas about happiness are misleading, inaccurate and are directly contributing to our current epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression. Dr Harris is an exponent of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help individuals achieve two main goals; a) to effectively handle painful thoughts and feelings; and b) to create a rich, full and meaningful life. So, there it is again readers – you’ve got to work at it – and isn’t this true with anything worth having in life? Do you know what, there are some days when there is nothing worth posting on Facebook, and it doesn’t have to mean anything more than that… by Charmaine Morse Psychologist
FITNESS
TAMING the beast Every month is the same; your tummy blows up like a football, you snarl at the kids, overdose on chocolate and cry at the slightest thing. “Is your period due, love?” your brave husband asks. “No!” you shriek. Inevitably, the following day you’ll be curled up with a hot-water bottle, popping painkillers and whimpering apologies because your period has indeed arrived. If this sounds familiar, you’re probably one of the 40 per cent of Australian women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS describes a host of physical and emotional symptoms that can occur in women for part of their menstrual cycle – usually the time between ovulation and the onset of bleeding – each month. Physical symptoms include sore breasts, fluid retention, migraines and stomach cramps. But it’s often the emotional ones that are hardest to bear. These can include moodiness, food cravings, aggression, irritability and tension. Most women experience one or two symptoms. But 10 per cent of sufferers have as many as five or more. This is called premenstrual dysphoria (PMD). The cause of PMS is still not fully understood, so there is no cure, only a management of symptoms. “Hundreds of studies have unsuccessfully tried to show hormone imbalance as the cause of the problem, but a big part of the picture lies in the brain,” says Professor John Eden, director of the Sydney Menopause Centre and Natural Therapies unit at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney. “It’s an urban myth that oestrogen dominance is the cause.” Dr Elizabeth Farrell of the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health agrees. “When you think about such a complex set of
symptoms, how could brain chemistry not be a central cause?” she asks. PMS is more common in women over 30, worsens with age and disappears at the onset of menopause. There’s some evidence a family history may be a factor, but science is yet to find any true common denominator. Dr Farrell explaines, “The women with the most severe form, PMD, say they feel like a different person. They can’t care for their family or go to work, they feel like a bitch, some have feelings of self-loathing while others want to lock themselves away.” There’s no single treatment. At one end of the spectrum, exercise brings relief; at the other end, antidepressive medications such as Prozac may work wonders. “There are three parts to the story,” explains Professor Eden. “We can manipulate the menstrual cycle – women who don’t ovulate don’t get PMS. We can deal with the altered brain chemistry with antidepressants. We can deal with everything else – stress, relationships, exercise, diet.” “A diet that’s high in fibre, fruit and vegetables around the time of the PMS stage of the cycle can help,” says Dr Farrell. “Unfortunately, it’s usually a craving for sweet things that many women experience. Exercise can also minimise the impact of symptoms. Vigorous exercise can improve brain chemistry and how the brain functions with an increase in the endorphins being released.” Acupuncture, relaxation, and massage can also help. The oral contraceptive pill may relieve symptoms by preventing ovulation. The same result can be achieved from injected contraceptives. “They flatten out the cycle, help brain chemistry and ease symptoms,” says Dr Farrell. If you suffer from PMS, see your GP for help.
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Ruby | 13
FITNESS
GOLF fore women There’s a new vibe in the air about something refreshing and exciting. Golf for women in the Geelong region is building a momentum in participation that has not been seen for many years. Suffering from a steady decline in club membership now for well over a decade, and with female golfing numbers at many clubs at precarious levels, golf’s policy makers faced some tough decisions. Either get more women playing the game or face a virtual takeover by men’s golf. In Australia, only twenty per cent of golfers are female, although in the Barwon Region that figure is slightly higher at twenty five per cent, due to high golf course numbers and a population demographic suited to golf. The gender imbalance in golf has deep roots in a sporting culture, born of Victorian English values, and has remained unchanged for most of the past century. In this environment, women’s golf, along with nearly all sporting achievements, was seen as inferior to men’s activities. This era also saw many more women in domestic situations as wives and mothers compared to the abundance of professional career women today. Although equal opportunity legislation about twenty years ago finally gave equal rights to women in golf clubs, the reality is that women are still fighting not only for recognition, but for access to golf courses at times which suit modern female society. At club level, there is widespread compliance with the law, but the practicable reality is often still quite different. This is particularly prevalent in busy larger clubs, many of whom confuse prestige and tradition for hubris. This arrangement may have suited “leisured” women of the day, but is now under constant scrutiny. Against this stark and unwelcoming foundation, women’s golf has lain stagnant.
Today in Australia, almost half the workforce is female. This created a problem for golf by reducing the ability of a large population grouping to enjoy golf as a sport, because Saturday was for men’s golf; but within that problem may also be the salvation of golf in this country. The membership crisis currently faced by many clubs and clearly demonstrated in the recent demise of The Geelong Golf Club has forced some of the “traditions” of golf club life to change. Golf clubs, and governing bodies have finally realised the opportunity in the gender imbalance and there is now a collective effort to embrace a fresh direction. Women in sport are finding their voice at ever increasing volume. In golf, at the official level, the message is now loud and clear. Within the Geelong region there are now excellent opportunities for women at nearly all clubs and public courses. The clubs need players and have seen the opportunity of attracting more women to golf. Many club professionals conduct women’s golf coaching either as individuals or in group clinics. And too, the local district women’s golf administration have been regularly touring many smaller clubs on a voluntary basis, conducting group lessons with the aim of introducing the game to a new and increasingly interested group of golfing women. Junior programs for both boys and girls are becoming more common and club membership arrangements, handicapping, competitions times and course availability are at increasing levels of equity. The game itself ought to be a fantastic pastime and sport for women and girls, due to the very nature of the game. Importantly, the social, physical and emotional benefits offered by golf to many women create a strong case for the sport. It really is fun to play, with the thrill of seeing your ball soaring through air quite infectious. Golf is a great way to share laughter with girlfriends or share quality time with a loved one. It feels great to be outdoors in beautiful surroundings, getting some easy exercise and as for the stress of the week; gone!
by Martin Stolz Martin Stolz is a 30 year PGA member and also a MBA graduate with vast experience in local golf as a previous head professional at Barwon Heads. Along with his wife Rebekah, they have created Caddie’s Golf and Sport for Women. Caddie’s is a women’s only sport store in Pakington Street which specialises in golf equipment, fashion and lessons and also caters for women’s tennis and fitness apparel.
14 | Ruby
NEWS
INSURING MUMS for housework It is an undervalued job, and perhaps even we don’t realise its full value. But if you’ve been watching any television over the past month or so, chances are you’ve seen the ‘Super Mum’ ads promoting a new insurance product created with Australian mums in mind. Million Dollar Woman is a new name in the Australian insurance market, and this new approach to insurance has plenty of people talking – including my kids, who just love the ads. The insurance product offers up to $900 a week for up to 13 weeks to cover the cost of unpaid housework if mums become ill or are injured. Yep, up to $900 a week for someone else to do the cleaning, cooking, laundry, shopping and child care (are you thinking of hitting up the hubby for a raise?). According to Million Dollar Woman, there is a stark need for this type of insurance. The company said that research has shown that in the last six months, around 1.7 million Australian women were unable to perform essential housework due to illness or injury. “This has taken 100 years, but the housework that Australian mums perform every day is finally being recognised and valued,” says Million Dollar Woman Chief Executive, Lynette Argent. “This unpaid work is crucial to the Australian economy, as it has traditionally allowed the primary breadwinner to dedicate themselves to their paid job.
Falling was the most common cause (27%), closely followed by hitting something - or being hit by something (20%). And apparently it’s the younger generations that are more accident prone, and also more likely to administer their own medical treatment when compared to Baby Boomers. “For more than a century products have been offered that cater for the main income earner of a household, typically men, if they get sick or injured,” Ms Argent said today. “We will pay women up to $900 a week if customers are hurt or ill, which could be spent on a cleaner, cook, nanny or to pay someone to do their grocery shopping while they rest and recover. Ultimately the choice is theirs. “Million Dollar Woman is a new brand that helps mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and girlfriends embrace financial security and independence.” If you want to find out more, check out the website: www.milliondollarwoman.com.au for information and details. DISCLAIMER: Million Dollar Woman Living Insurance is issued by SLSL. Any advice contained in this document has been prepared by SLSL without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs. For that reason, before acting on the advice you should consider the appropriateness of this product in regards to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
“We will insure housework for as little as $2.503 a day. This has never been offered in Australia like this before.” Newspoll research reveals that of the 8.6 million Australian women aged 18 and over, approximately 1.2 million were injured so badly in the last six months they were unable to clean their own house. Other common household duties they were unable to perform include shopping for groceries (970,000), laundry (800,000), cooking (770,000) and caring for their children (250,000). Key research findings Dislocations, sprains, torn muscles or ligaments (15%) were the most common injuries, followed by serious cuts, open wounds or bruising (12%).
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NEWS
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FLEXIBILITY is key Finding more senior roles that offer flexible work arrangements is the top problem for parents looking to return to work after taking parental leave, according to the results of an Australian careermums.com.au survey. The national survey of working mothers, aged between 25 and 50, covered workplace challenges for parents, barriers to returning to work and the availability of flexible work. 57% of the respondents hold either a bachelor degree, an MBA or Masters degree, and close to 60% have more than 10 years experience in their field. “Getting flexible work arrangements in roles that match their qualifications and experience is a major issue for 60% of mothers who are looking to return to work, closely followed by the cost of childcare. Over 70% of respondents wanted to find a or a more challenging role to advance their career.
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“This blows the perception away that parents returning to work are only interested in roles with less responsibility,” says Kate Sykes, founder of Careermums.com.au. “Disappointingly, more than half of our respondents said it was easier to find flexible work options from new employers, than their existing ones.” According to Ms Sykes, companies are being perceived by their employees as not trying to retain their staff. “55% of working mothers said their existing employer didn’t make an effort to retain them while on parental leave. That’s quite a significant number of businesses that still don’t communicate with staff, involve them in work events, or talk to them about their flexibility requirements when they take parental leave. And this is despite the new employment law that provides parents with children under 5 with the right to request flexibility.” Elizabeth Nunez, Director of Human Resources at Melbourne accounting firm, Pitcher Partners Advisors, says flexible work arrangements policy and support programs for staff on or due to take parental leave is key to achieving a 100% return rate from maternity leave over the last three years. “With a gender mix of 47% female, we realised we needed to do more to support our staff,” she said.
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For the last 10 years, the firm has introduced a host of initiatives including flexible arrangements for returning to work, a Working Parents Network Group, an On Site Crèche (managed by an external provider), as well as Preparing for Parenthood and a Transitioning Back to Work Programs. “From a HR perspective, it saves us time on recruitment and training, resourcing gaps and lost productivity. We also have a greater commitment from staff who feel supported and nurtured during their careers with the firm. Our employees stay with the business for longer so it means we can keep our best talent, knowledge and experience within the business,” says Ms Nunez. Careermums.com.au is Australia’s first dedicated careers centre and jobs board for working parents and parents returning to work.
NEWS
STAY OUT of the laundry Progressive women are happy to wave goodbye to the cleaning, ironing and cooking, but when it comes to the laundry, even their partners are told to back off, according to new research from the University of Western Sydney.
as a prime example of where this attitude is applied, with 85% of women refusing to relinquish the task; not trusting it to anyone else, even their partners. “Women who participated in the research say they are making executive decisions at home, with 73% using smart tactics and routines to get it all done,” says Dr Howell.
The Wringing Out The Future report* was conducted by Dr Gwyneth Howell of the University of Western Sydney on behalf of new Biozet Attack Ecosmart liquid laundry detergent. The report canvassed the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of progressive women towards their careers, lifestyles, household management and the environment.
To manage household responsibilities, the majority of women employ smart rituals including; implementing a family roster (14%), outsourcing the cleaning (22%) and purchasing timesaving appliances, such as a dishwasher (72%).
“Women account for more than half of the Australian workforce and some work as much as 70 hours per week. However, the workload between men and women at home remains largely one-sided,” says Dr Howell. According to the report, progressive women are doing double the housework of their partners, completing an average of 10 hours per week and taking the lead for 86% of the laundry, 84% of the cleaning, 71% of household finances, 64% of the cooking and a staggering 91% of the parenting. However, there are some tasks, such as the laundry, that women would simply prefer to do themselves. On the whole, women feel society has raised the benchmark for success, with 84% stating they believe more is expected of them than their mothers at the same age; in terms of career, lifestyle and household tasks. For those that are now mothers themselves, 42% feel their workload increased by up to 60% after they gave birth. “While women are under the pump at work and at home; hiring a chef, butler and personal assistant is not the quick fix solution women are looking for. “The research found that two out of three women want to excel at work, at home and also contribute to their local communities. Pushed for time, these women apply a ‘get it done right the first time’ attitude to everything they do,” says Dr Howell. The Wringing Out The Future report highlighted the laundry
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“Women aren’t striving to be high performers at work and domestic goddesses at home. By working smarter, not harder, they are balancing work, family, community and the environment all at once,” concludes Dr Howell. Some key findings: 1. 66% of women want to balance their career, family, lifestyle and actively contribute to their local communities. 2. 84% of progressive women believe more is expected of them at the same age, in terms of career, lifestyle and household tasks, than was expected of their mothers. 3. Women spend 50% more time on housework than their male counterparts. 4. 59% of women believe that feminism is highly relevant to the modern woman as she juggles career and household responsibilities. 5. 43% of women are driven by peer pressure to maintain a well-ordered household. 6. 73% of progressive women implement smart tactics and routines to complete household tasks efficiently and effectively. 7. 85% of women would prefer to do the laundry themselves to ‘do it right the first time’. 8. 52% of women seek the opinions of their friends via Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites when confronted by a household challenge.
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Ruby | 17
NEWS
ALL HAIL, JULIA - Prime Amazon It never serves to start an article with an apology, but I apologise for this one. I have been travelling in the Mediterranean for the past three months and trying to keep up with the business research and writing a daily article. Ruby is my favourite magazine; I like the sentiment and drive that is harboured in each edition. But try as I might, I couldn’t get the article right. In the end, two things made up my mind to scrap my fourth draft. First was that at some time you have to recognise that a dead duck is just a dead duck and is never going to fly; second was the ghost of a comment my mother made when she said I was a communication engineer and ever able to dig a deep hole in conversations! So, at 168 minutes to deadline and at the point where desperation is washing over inspiration, I got to thinking about the Greek experience that had been filling my brain – surely there must be an idea in there. I had been flooded by these wonderful Greek tour guides and, every day, they would inundate us with stories of Ajax, and Hermes, and Gary Ablett, to the point that I lost whether track of whether the hero was Greek or Roman or just a legend. But all these characters were brawn and impulsive action kind of gods. Sadly, even the goddesses, such as Hera, were twodimensional and their escapades just simple moralistic stories. I expect this was a product of ever increasing red wine episodes held by the tour guides as they prepared for the next wave of visitors. However, never a session would go by without the idea of the Amazons being proudly touted. Apparently, if you are a Greek, there is an undeniable passion for the Amazons – the true women of power. Okay, this is where this writing gets twisted, because in my mind I was trying to find a present day analogy of an Amazon. So sorry, but I could only come up with our dear Julia Gillard. (Sorry editor, I did think of you as well, but I fear your sword handling capabilities). I know I am this could get a little twisted, and I definitely don’t have courage to describe the effects of turning Julia into a real Amazon. For safety, I would just get Elle Macpherson dressing Julia in a Myer single-breasted suit and leave the visuals there. But now, stage left, come the three powers that Julia, our new Prime Amazon, would possess: First, as boss of this fair country, much of her current agenda is determined not by her powerful visions, but moping up the slops of adversarial government. In this fantasy, we have to let Tony slide, as he doesn’t fill a role in an Amazon world. I think Australia and Julia would work better with an up-dated Malcolm in the chair. Further, I think that Julia would stop adversarial politics forever and give the guy a contribution to make. Think about it! We never have more than half our government
18 | Ruby
working for the good of the country at any one time. (I know I am being generous here, but stay with me.) What would happen if Julia offered Malcolm a real role? For example, building the alternative energy industry and, if the ideas were approved by her team, the projects get put it into play? Instead of being stuck in the mould of cutting things down, the opposition have a chance to add their considerable brainpower to the betterment of the country. Hey, radical Amazon thinking at its best! The next power is to use some of the economic bounty that Australia is experiencing and put it towards some long-term prosperity. So much of what governments have been doing over the last few decades have suffered from being short-term and immediate reactions that fail to have a practical multi-decade view. Australia is a mature country now, and it needs some strong, powerful, long-term strategies to ensure that our wealth is shared and stored for the future. Our population understands saving and investing, it is time that we such had a lead from our Prime Amazon and we are sick of short-term twitching politics that offer momentary gains. After all, Greeks built things for millennia, not electoral cycles! Give us a longterm future. The last power comes from the unshakeable confidence that is dripping from each Amazon, which causes them to always be firm but fair. (Or so say the legends, as told by my Greek guides). Our Prime Amazon would build a passionate and caring country that treats our poor and disadvantaged with compassion and understanding, and would definitely open welcoming doors to refugees. There is no excuse for the way that our scared and fearful politicians insist we lock up innocent women, children and men that mean us no harm. It is a disgrace on the world stage. We are a country of plenty and, if this bounty is well managed, we can afford to share at least some of it with people of the world who have far, far less. The shallow thinking of greedy people, who say that a few thousand refugees are going to damage Australia’s economy, is wrong. An intrepid Amazon just might send those people back to behavioural school to learn to play nice and share. But now my little daydream has come to a close and I promise to get back to mortal reality, and leave our friend Julia alone, but I do think I can see her with bow in hand and a lofty aim for her arrow…
by Clint Jennings Clint is a founding partner of the Australian Business Development Centre. www.abdc.com.au
MONEY
YEAR END tax planning Effective tax planning is a year-round, lifelong activity, and though constantly changing tax law can make planning a challenge, making it a priority will pay off with lower taxes. Consider Making A Superannuation Contribution If you intend claiming a tax deduction for the contribution then you need to consider the concessional contribution caps. If you are under 50 years of age you can only contribute up to $25,000 per year to a superannuation fund and claim a tax deduction, for 50 years and over the threshold is $50,000. If you are over 65 years of age, you need to also pass a work test of 40 hours in a 30-day period. Once you pass the 28th day of the month after you turn 75, you can no longer make concessional superannuation contributions. The caps quoted include the amount your employer has contributed for you. If you are an employee, you cannot make tax deductible contributions for yourself unless only 10% of your income is from wages. Employees can effectively get a tax deduction for their super contributions by salary sacrificing into superannuation through their employer. If you are an employee and have made a large capital gain on a rental property, you cannot contribute that gain to a superannuation fund but you can live of it and instead salary sacrifice you wages into superannuation, still limited by the cap. The small business concessions allow business owners to make larger contributions when they sell an active asset. For example, if they qualify under the small business retirement concession, they can contribute up to $500,000 into superannuation from the s
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sale of an active asset without it being taxed in the hands of the superannuation fund. Further, the capital gain up to that amount is not taxable. The 15 year exemption goes even better, not only is the gain not taxed, but they can put $1.155 million of it into superannuation as a non concessional contribution. Though the $1.155 million is reduced by any retirement exemption (the $500,000 cap) already utilised. (Note: the $500,000 and $1.155 million cap is over the taxpayer’s lifetime, intended as a once off catch up for business owners that invested in their business instead of superannuation.) The government will make a co-contribution of up to $1,000 into your superannuation fund if you contribute $1,000 out of your after tax pay that you don’t claim a tax deduction for. Neither yours nor the government’s $1,000 will be taxed in the hands of the superannuation fund. The co-contribution is reduced on a pro rata basis if you contribute less than $1,000. Your assessable income needs to be under $31,920, if it exceeds this but is less than $61,920, you will still get some co-contribution. The $1,000 shades out at the rate of 3.333 cents for every dollar over the $31,920. In all cases above, make sure the money is actually in the superannuation fund before 30th June, 2011. Year End Tips For Property Investors Borrowing Costs: Borrowing costs may be written off over the lesser of five years or the term of the loan. Personal Expenses: Ensure that any claims or interest on borrowings for investments can be clearly separated from interest on borrowings of a personal nature. Renovations By Previous Owner: You may be eligible for a
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MONEY deduction for depreciation on the cost of improvement by a previous owner, provided items are identifiable and itemised in a depreciation schedule. Capital Gains Tax: The ATO is closely monitoring undisclosed capital gains, including gains from disposing of assets to invest in superannuation. Ensure any capital gains on the sale of property are correctly recorded. Get The Help Of A Quantity Surveyor: Having a depreciation schedule prepared by a qualified quantity surveyor may help add a significant tax deduction for depreciation. The cost is also tax deductible and helps substantiate any capital allowance claim you may have. Be Able To Prove Your Claim: Make sure you keep receipts to prove your deduction and show why the expense was incurred to derive assessable income. Pre-pay Interest: If allowed by your lender, this is a strategy to defer the payment of tax. Factors such as anticipated future income, interest rates and cash flow impact should be considered fully beforehand. Short Term Holdings: If you have renovated a property with the view to selling it at a profit in the short term, you may find yourself taxed as a ‘profit making scheme’. This means you will not be able to take advantage of CGT concessions. Year End Tips For Business Owners Staff Bonuses and Commissions: Bonuses are only deductible when they are incurred and a business is committed to paying them. Legal Costs: Identify any legal costs that relate to regular operations and separate them from costs relating to capital items.
business assets. Review your potential concessions this financial year. Work From Home: Taxpayers that work from home may be able to claim a percentage of home related expenses. These expenses must be directly related to the earning of taxable income. Repairs & Maintenance: Review all spending during the year to determine if all items are deductible or if they are capital by nature and need to be depreciated. Bad Debts: Write off bad debts before year’s end. It must be bad, not merely doubtful, and must have been previously included as assessable income. Obsolete Stock: The year end stock-take should involve a review of all stock and a decision made in relation to its value from both a tax and commercial perspective. Obsolete stock may be scrapped or valued below cost subject to specific guidelines. Data-Matching & Benchmarks: The ATO uses data matching to cross-check information provided by taxpayers. Benchmarks for specific industries have been developed to help identify taxpayers who report income or expenses different to similar businesses. by Renée Jovic Owner & Managing Accountant, Jovic Bantacs Accountants Pty Ltd DISCLAIMER: This article is for guidance only, and professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. Neither the writer, publishers nor the distributors can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of the contents of this article.
Small Business CGT Concessions: Individuals operating a small business may be eligible for CGT concessions on the sale of
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MONEY
INSURANCE - General Knowledge 101 Here are a few little lessons that we’ve learned along the way and wish to share. If you park your car or motorbike in your garage, it does not automatically insure it under your house policy. It does need to have its own insurance and the same goes for your boat, caravan or airplane! (However, some contents policies will cover unregistered off road motorbikes less than 250cc and small boats less than 4.0m in length, ask your advisor to make sure). Not all things are covered at your home, just because they are inside the house. Policies will have a specific list of items that are and aren’t covered. If you have something out of the ordinary, or are unsure, then ask. A guard dog or cat (unless it’s a lion or tiger) is not adequate enough security to give you a discount. However, a good monitored alarm, while adding extra security, could give you a discount on your home insurance. Not all insurance policies cover your belongings away from home. Even having things in your car parked out the front of your house, may not be covered. Higher excesses can reduce your premiums. However, there is a ‘sweet spot’, where if you did have to make a claim you’re not too much out of pocket. Ask for other excess options next time you get a renewal or quote. Be careful when you are told yes the policy has ‘accidental breakage’. Be sure it covers more than just broken windows. Call and arrange your construction and liability insurance before you start building your new home or
renovating. If your builder says he has ‘it covered’ ask to have a certificate of currency to show your home is insured. If you have learner drivers or drivers under 25 driving your car make sure your car insurance covers them. Having the right insurance will avoid more grey hairs! If you don’t have any young drivers you might be able to save a dollar by excluding them on your car insurance. If you run a business from home, make sure your household policy covers your business, if not you will need to arrange separate cover. Business insurance is a very specialist policy, with different sections for theft, broken glass, fire, money, business interruption, taxation audit cover, liability etc. You need to talk to your advisor and they can help you with any concerns you may have. Besides helping with insomnia, the policy books help with understanding what is covered and what is not covered. Make sure you read them and are happy that the cover you have is right for you. Remember. Having the right insurance is no accident! :)
by Melissa Vella Agent of Allsure Insurance Agencies Pty Ltd. DISCLAIMER: This article is for guidance only, and professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. Neither the writer, publishers nor the distributors can accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of the contents of this article.
Having the right insurance, is NO accident!
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BUSINESS
WHEN POSSIBILITY meets opportunity When Di Dahm joined Business and Professional Women (BPW) Geelong in 2005, she did not conceive that six years later she would be president of one of Geelong’s premier membership organisations, hosting a breakfast for more than 350 people.
Di then joined Leaders for Geelong to learn more about how to make the difference she had discovered she wanted to make. “I knew that I wanted to make a difference to women in the way that being a part of BPW Geelong had made a difference to me. And I was excited about the role BPW could play.”
Di’s purpose was much simpler: to meet other business women and develop more confidence in business environments. Her journey shows what can be done with a dash of confidence, a spark of ambition, and an abundance of great people to encourage and support you.
Armed with this new sense of self purpose and determination, two years ago Di became President of BPW Geelong and has spent this time understanding what women in Geelong need from organisations like BPW. “The values of BPW internationally – of developing the potential of women through advocacy, mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment – are as applicable in Geelong as anywhere in the world. But our priority is to focus on what our community needs right here, right now.”
In 2005, Di Dahm was operations manager at the family building business. While her role offered all the rewards and challenges of a successful, growing company, it was also isolating. The building industry association meetings challenged Di’s confidence and networking skills, so she looked for an environment that allowed her to meet and share her experiences with other business women. Di describes her first meeting at BPW as ‘energising’. “I wanted to take our business to the next level, which can be scary. There were a number of people in BPW who had been on that journey. It was great to be able to share with other women and know that what I was feeling was normal, that it was part of the journey.” After about 18 months, Di joined the mentoring committee, supporting new members at meetings. Another 18 months later Di stepped up to Vice President. “I really respected Marilyn Bickerdike, who was President at that time, and wanted to support her. She encouraged me to take a lead role introducing speakers at events. I remember my first event. My voice was quivering. But having people there to support you when you’re moving out of your comfort zone is really powerful.”
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And Di’s focus has been rewarded with BPW Geelong doubling its membership each year of her presidency, and its events regularly attended to capacity. “There’s always more we can do, and we’re looking at better ways we can support and mentor, provide professional development, and promote awareness of women’s issues across all the demographics represented in Geelong.” Looking back, Di is appreciative of the opportunities provided by BPW Geelong. “Women share very openly about issues. We mentor people often without realising. Having someone listen to you and encourage you to try something differently, or just encourage you to go for it, really makes a difference.” by Jenny Gretgrix BPW Geelong jenny@yourprojectoffice.com.au Ph: 0421 856 955 www.bpw.com.au
BUSINESS
A EUROPEAN love affair We all have our car preferences – just ask any die-hard Ford or Holden fan. Then there are those who are passionate about their European built car – think Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Citroen, Fiat, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot, Renault, Saab, Skoda, Volvo or Volkswagen. European cars are in a class of their own and their owners expect nothing less than exceptional service from those they trust to maintain them. “The quality of a European vehicle is exceptional and the features and drive are second to none,” says European car lover and operations manager at European Affair, Pamela Dorward. “A European vehicle is an investment and it needs to be looked after by qualified people who know and understand European cars.” Pamela speaks from experience. She and business partner, Paul Loughnan, established European Affair (then known as Newtown Prestige) over fifteen years ago to meet the needs of luxury car owners looking for a mechanic to maintain and repair their special car. It was a natural fit for Paul, who began his working life as an apprentice at Trevor Stanley Volvo. “The passion Trevor had for Volvos was passed onto Paul, as well as his love of motorsport,” Pamela says. “This passion has developed over the years for all European vehicles.” Now, European Affair - located in Autumn Street, Geelong West offers an all-inclusive service to European car owners, including new vehicle servicing without affecting new car warranties. “Customers can drop their vehicle in for a service or other mechanical repairs, as well as have their tyres or windscreen replaced, car detailed, electrical issues attended to and so much more,” Pamela says.
“Life is busy and people rely on their car to carry out everyday tasks. We aim to minimise the impact of not having your car for a day by offering many services in one location. And our location is a good one: the train station is within walking distance, as is the CBD, and Pakington Street offers many shopping opportunities as well as cafes.” Pamela says a large percentage of European Affair’s customers are women. “Women tend to be the person who does the household budget, the running around with the children, school, sporting activities and the like, so they are often the person who brings the car in for servicing,” she says. “And many of our customers are business women who like the convenience of our location and the quality of service we provide.” Trust is also a vital part of the relationship between a woman and her mechanic. “As a woman, I believe we’re all looking for someone to provide a friendly and trustworthy service. We want someone who will advise what needs to be done to our car to ensure it is safe and economical so we’re not spending more money than we need to,” Pamela says. “Service is very important to me and I feel that owning a European car requires attention to detail and good service. I love my car and expect the people who work on it to have the same passion. Our customers feel the same and we work hard to meet their expectations.” European Affair is located at 34 Autumn Street, Geelong West. Drop in to discuss your European car’s service and maintenance needs or call 5224 1405
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INTERIORS
STYLE & SURPRISES from Italy Buono! Bellissimo! Magnifico! Splendido! The Milan furniture fair is the biggest event in the interior design calendar, and Susanne Anthony was there in 2011 to see the latest and greatest in design trends from Milano.
prospect of their designs being cheaply replicated in China, and instead are quite complimented by the large number of people appreciative of their designs.
I would have needed 2 weeks to see everything! The fair ran for 4 days and there were 2,720 companies exhibiting. In addition to the huge fair grounds at Rho Ferra, there were hundreds of related events in showrooms, galleries and warehouses all over Milano city.
One of the trends I loved was the absence of solid timber or 2-pak beds, replaced with soft, tactile upholstered beds, in natural linens or eco fabrics, with detailing such as random contrast buttons, French pleats or oversized piping. I have already begun the process of creating these beds with our upholsterers and look forward to having them in store. Multiple smaller coffee tables grouped closely together, linked by their shape or colour or material were also popular, they added much more interest than a traditional solid square coffee table, and of course this is much more user friendly, they can easily be moved to suitable spots for guests.
In the vast exhibition halls, the booths were as magical as the furniture, many stands did not appear temporary, for a mere 4 days, but were indeed comparable to small warehouses on their own.
“Green” and “Eco” were the buzz words, a table made from old Kauri timber from New Zealand was generating a lot of interest … how lucky are we here in Australia, where we have no problem recycling timber for our furniture.
As with any design show, there were extremes, but on the whole, our boutique furniture stores here in Australia are pretty up to date with the gorgeous European designs. Interestingly, the European prices were not dissimilar to our better quality Australian furniture prices; however, the cost to freight the larger items was outrageously expensive.
The exhibition halls displaying lighting were amazing, LED technology will shape light fittings in the years to come, and hopefully as the technology becomes more mainstream the prices will decrease.
This year, Salone del Mobile in Milan celebrated its 50th year. Fortunately, nature did not intervene in 2011 as it did last year, when numbers were down due to the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano.
Unlike our Australian Trade Fairs, there was no objection to the use of cameras and everyone was happily snapping away ... possibly the European designers are not concerned with the
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I look forward to attending again, to being overloaded with new ideas and designs to create.
by Susanne Anthony Susanne is the lady behind the fabulous furniture and home living accessories at livingetc.
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Create a cosy haven this winter with soft fabrics, sensational splashes of shimmer and some special pieces that make your heart sing. Think sink-into-it soft couches, warm lamps and gorgeous designer cushions. Scattering around special pieces reminiscent of warmer climates will also help you to forget the winter blues. And when the weather proves too cold to head into the garden, our thoughts turn to indoor projects. Make the most of time inside to sort out the kids rooms and brighten up those tired rooms. Available from: Livingetc Corner of High St and Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont Ph: 5221 5222
Shimmering Style Over Sized Arm Chair design your individual chair, select a colour theme and the design team at Livingetc will select 9 different fabrics and custom upholster your very own one-off chair.
Instant Dramaa Table Lamp with drama, wooden hand carved base, white linen shade with ostrich feathers.
Statement Cushions Cushions by Pony Rider a brand new Sydney based textiles label by friends Jacqui Lewis and Kelly Searl. A similar aesthetic and bowerbird tendencies cemented the partnership alongside a desire for both girls to make their mark with a creative project they could call their own.
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Eastern Dreaming Budha Always adds a touch of calm. madee from f rom rom terracotta, ro t rra te rracot otta, ta,, lac acck combination. coombi m nat mb nation ion. ion on. hand glazed in rustic brown/black Stoneware Jar Timeless blue and white stoneware storage jar, r, hand r, ha d painted han pain a ted by tradtional methods in China - a piece to add that at finishing f ini in shi s ng sh n touch. t uch. tou h h. Porcelan Ginger Jar A sophisticated and individual piece, stunningly nnni ningl nglly beautiful. bea tiful. beau Hand Chinese artist, finished with quality Hand painted pain pain a ted t byy Ch Chine nese s art rtt ist i , fini n she hedd w ithh a qu ith qualit qua lit ityy gglaze. it l e. laz
Available from: m: Kudos Trading ng House Hous usee us 66 Pakington n St, St, Geelong St Geel eelong ee ongg West Weest Ph: 5221 52222
Bold Statements Pot The pot is hand crafted from quality terracotta, glazed and finished with a rustic feel. Flemings The flemings are hand carved from mahogany wood and decorated with printed Batik design on a fine fabric in subtle colours. Ideal decorative piece with no fuss.
...g reat st yle is not about obey ing rules it’s about forgetting the rules and finding what works for you... Available from: Forty Winks 118 Gheringhap St, Geelong Ph: 5221 4399
Versatile Solutions Loft bunk Single Study Bunk $629 Nova Single Bed $399 Nova King Single Bed $499
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Available from: Banksia 11-13 Gordon Avenue, Geelong West Ph: 5229 2167
Curl Up & Get Cosy Natalie Sofa soft deep seating for curling up on in the winter. Naples Modular luxurious leather modular suites available in many combinations.
The Look FENDI (436R) EYEGLASSES RRP $640 Fendi began with bags in 1925 with Eduardo and Adele Fendi, who had five daughters. Together with Karl Lagerfeld, the brand expanded to include clothes, shoes, eyeglasses and homewares. Eyegallery carries a beautiful selection of Fendi eyewear. Vera Wang (Helene) Sunglasses RRP $420 Eyegallery carries a beautiful range of Vera Wang eyewear. Vera Wang was born is a Chinese American who was born in 1949 in Shanghai but grew up in New York. She studied Art History in Paris and was a competitive figure skater. When she didn’t make the Olympics she turned to fashion and started her own brand which includes homewares, crockery (Royal Doulton) clothing and bags.
Denial is as good a coping measure as any when winter has us in its grip. So put away the drab and dreary tones and style it up with plenty of colour and designer fabulousness. Splash out on some designer sunnies and hit the course, the track, the court or the trail in super stylish, light and bright sportswear. And if you can’t bring yourself to stare winter straight in the face and smile, there is always another alternative. Jump into your jammies, curl up on a cosy couch with a blanket, an old favourite movie, and settle in with some wine and chocolate! Available from: Eye Gallery Shop 4/226 Pakington St, Geelong West Ph: 5229 0202 87 Barrabool Rd, Highton Ph: 5243 5600
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Pure Comfort Babies are a Pure joy. eeni meeni miini moh’s Pure newborn collection is a contemporary, unisex range of apparel, linen and accessory products for babies aged from newborn to three months. Available in classic ‘Pure White’, the latest Pure newborn collection features an all-over ‘Welcome to the ‘World’ print in a beautiful soft grey. Produced from premium quality natural fabrics such as pure cotton, wool and cashmere, the Pure newborn collection is extremely durable and easy to care for. Perfect for bringing baby home from hospital in and baby’s first photos as well as an ideal gift for family and friends.
Available from: Maternal Instinct 235 Moorabool Street, Geelong Ph: 5229 2293
Sporting Style Throw away the dreary trackies and hoodies and step out in bright and beautiful sporting style this winter.
Available from: Caddies Golf & Sport for Women 95 Pakington St, Geelong West Ph: 5222 2168
Sweet Dreams yuu 2 piece sleepware set soft viscose/elastane Melbourne Designed
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I Do, I Do, I Do... D Colombian emerald surrounded ounnde ou n d nded by two rows of diamonds. s.
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Burmese ruby and diamond ondd cluster. c ustter. cl e Designed by Brett’s Artworks. s.
Available from: Milana’s 125A Pakington St, Geelong West Ph: 5229 1228
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A WEDDING TO REMEMBER If imitation is the greatest form of flattery then the newly titled Duchess of Cambridge must be the most flattered woman in the world. With just a quick internet search, you can find imitations of her sapphire engagement ring, her engagement and wedding dresses, and a flood of articles promising the secrets to recreating Kate’s “look”. Now, I know that the frenzy that has surrounded the wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton has caused eyes to roll in epidemic proportions around the world (a condition inflamed, it would seem on casual observation, on passing magazine stands). What I believe these people are missing, sadly, is a sense of humour. A royal wedding is great fun, and this one of Wills and Kate has been more fun than any I can remember. As well as an infectious outpouring of celebration in the pomp, the ceremony and the tradition surrounding the event itself, there have been some truly spectacular examples of British wit and humour. While you may or may not approve of the idea of royal wedding condoms, the labelling of the packs as “The Crown Jewels” and instructing users to “lie back and think of England” was a stroke of comic genius. Even the eye-rollers were catered for, with greeting cards, coasters and mugs that played on the British war slogan of “Keep Calm and Carry On”, with “Keep Calm It’s Only A Wedding”, “Don’t Panic There’s Still One Prince Left” and “Calm Down You Can Still Marry Harry” slogans. And proving that remains some strong similarities between the Aussies and the Poms, many in the crowds around London could be seen sporting “Thanks for the Day Off ” t-shirts.
While wearing a replica of a royal wedding gown would not for everyone, the blending of traditional and modern elegance created by Alexander McQueen designer, Sarah Burton – working closely with the bride to be – is deserving of imitation. And it is a grand old tradition of royal weddings to spawn countless similarly designed dresses. White became the most popular colour for wedding dresses after Queen Victoria wore a white gown when she wed Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Victoria, it is said, chose white for her gown in order to incorporate some lace she was particularly fond of. The publication of the official wedding portrait spawned the trend that continues today. Prior to the Victorian era, brides wore gowns of all colours, including black, and while she certainly inspired the modern tradition of a white wedding gown, there were other royal brides who also chose a white gown. According to Wikipedia, Mary Queen of Scots wore white when she married her first husband, Francis Dauphin of France in 1559, as white was said to be her favourite colour. Interestingly, at the time, white was the colour of mourning for French Queens! In England, Philippa of England was the first documented princess in history to wear a white wedding gown for a royal wedding ceremony, when she became the Queen of Denmark, Sweden and Norway in the early 15th century.
So in this edition of Ruby, we thought that we would embrace the grand old tradition of openly ripping off ideas from a royal wedding and gather some wedding tips that brides-to-be can steal too!
Kate Middleton’s may have been understated in the history of royal wedding dresses, the gown that was reminiscent of that worn by Grace Kelly when she wed Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 was undeniably elegant – and the high neck and long lace sleeves are bound to appear on brides around the world. And when it comes to taking the lead of a royal wedding dress, this trend is one that brides can wear with pride, unlike those enormous sleeves of Princess Diana’s enormous 1980s uber-meringue!
The Dress
The ‘Look’
It is the centrepiece of every wedding at the core of every bride’s wedding plans – it’s the wedding dress. It is also the most imitated part of a royal wedding, and with dressmakers across Britain and across the world going into overdrive, work began on imitation Kate Middleton wedding dresses as soon as the blushing bride appeared.
‘Catherine chose to do her own makeup’, the message went around the world almost as fast as the hint of a royal scandal. The bride is said to have wanted to look like herself so that her groom would recognise her, and it worked. Kate’s smoky eyes, perfectly groomed brows, pink cheeks and nude lips and soft hairstyle was a beautiful, natural look. So yes, brides to be, if you are confident in picking up your own palette, you too can ‘be yourself’ on your wedding day. And don’t believe any makeup ‘professional’ who tells you that heavily caked-on makeup is what ‘all brides wear’ – just take a touch up bag instead!
Lightinthebox.com is offering a replica wedding gown for US$499 (where you can also pick up a replica of Pippa Middleton’s sexy sheath bridesmaids gown for US$149, and a copy of Kate’s reception gown for US$129).
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A WEDDING TO REMEMBER
“The dress that launched a thousand squats (each week in the lead up to the big day that is!)...Pippa Middleton looked amazing in her figure-hugging sheath, complete with elegant cowl neckline and va-va-voom tiny, round … buttons!” The Jewels
The Best Man
And the bride wore – bling! Gorgeous drop earrings, a ‘something new’ gift from Kate’s parents, were a beautiful accompaniment to the ‘something borrowed’ tiara that was originally the Queen Mother’s. Your wedding day is the perfect occasion to bling it up, and if you can’t afford diamonds, never fear, stores and the internet are awash with fantastic fakes. Check out moimoi.com.au for gorgeous imitation designs, or simply head to the nearest shopping centre…
Cheeky, cheeky, cheeky … Prince Harry was every bit of it and viewers across the world just loved it. While Harry who lapped up the role of Prince Charming, cracking jokes to lighten the mood, clearly enjoys a good laugh, I wonder if he would have thought the souvenir wedding mug that had his portrait instead of his brother’s next to Kate’s was a good joke or a bad one?
The Bridegroom Okay, chances are the guy at the end of the isle isn’t going to be an actual prince – but he just might be your Prince Charming. Besides, if you think you get pressured by the in-laws, just think about what Kate has in store! The Bridesmaid The dress that launched a thousand squats (each week in the lead up to the big day that is!). Yep, Pippa Middleton looked amazing in her figure-hugging sheath, complete with elegant cowl neckline and va-va-voom tiny, round … buttons! Now here is a trend to be celebrated, that of putting your bridesmaid/s in something flattering, and just a little bit sexy. Be gone the frumpy horrors of bridesmaid’s past and bring on the babes – you know the groomsmen will thank you for it! I have a very dear friend who has been the victim of bridesmaid-cruelty on not one, but two occasions (thankfully, neither of them was at my own wedding, at least I hope not!) Her sister embraced the tackiness of the 80s when she insisted her bridesmaids don apricot pink taffeta disasters, complete with cream lace frills at the neck and cuffs, and more puffs than a patisserie. Then there was what the girls have since referred to as the poo brown monstrosity – a monstrosity of a plain brown shapeless gown with an orange sash. This was one of the worst cases of the bride making sure her bridesmaids wouldn’t outshine her on the day that I have ever heard of. So, take the high road, because gorgeous and fashion-savvy bridesmaids will only make you look better and have everyone applauding your exquisite taste!
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The Venue My dad once told me that he’d always dreamed of driving his little girl up to the church in a horse-drawn carriage on her wedding day. As it turned out, I wasn’t a horse and carriage, or a church sort of girl, so when the day arrived, we rolled up in a beautifully restored 1930s Chevy to the gates of the Botanic Gardens instead, and I like to think it was every bit as special. The truth is, and this isn’t something brides-to-be hear a lot: it really doesn’t matter where you get married, just who you marry. So, whether it’s in the grandest of cathedral, on a tropical beach, in the park or even in your backyard, just make sure you enjoy every moment of it, because if your lucky, you’ll only ever get married once. The Guest List At the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Kings and Queens, Princes, Princesses and Presidents and Prime Ministers and even celebrity royalty were joined in the crowd with Kate’s local butcher, and childhood friends. Personally, royalty, celebrities and political heavy-weights all seem a little high maintenance, but surrounding yourself with people who are important to you and your hubby to be will only add to the joy of the day. The Invitations Perhaps the only thing about the royal wedding that was simple was the
A WEDDING TO REMEMBER
“...fashion commentators lambasted the Princess’s choice of millinery, unflatteringly likening it to a pair of antlers, a toilet roll holder and a pretzel...” invitations. Crisp, clean elegant white card, reading: The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by The Queen to invite ……………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………….. to the Marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, K.G. with Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on Friday, 29th April, 2011 at 11.00am
It was Princess Beatrice’s startling silk Philip Treacy creation that had everyone talking, and the clearly playful 22 year-old granddaughter of the Queen took gossip frenzy firmly in her stride, putting the spiraling headpiece up for auction on eBay – with all proceeds to go to UNICEF and Children in Crisis. While fashion commentators lambasted the Princess’s choice of millinery, unflatteringly likening it to a pair of antlers, a toilet roll holder and a pretzel, eBay bidders went into a bidding storm over the “unique sculptural celebratory headpiece” with bidding at the time of writing soaring to 75,000 pounds (A$120,000)! Hats are always a great talking point, and making millinery de rigueur at your special day is a simple way to add a sense of fun (not to mention making for some truly unique wedding photos!). The Vows
A small footnote requesting a reply and ‘Dress: Uniform, Morning Coat or Lounge Suit’ completed the design, which was headed by The Queen’s emblem.
As royal protocol dictated, William and Kate were wed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a centuries-old ceremony. The thoroughly modern young royals also brought their own personal touches to the ceremony – including the removal of the vow ‘to obey’ – and the pair wrote their own prayer:
If multi-layered, elaborately folded, beribboned, or bedazzled invitations aren’t your style; you could do a lot worse than a simple printed card. And a magnet on the back is not a bad idea either, so guests can easily pop it on the fridge (which is, I’m sure, where Posh and Becks kept theirs)!
“In the busyness of each day, keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and energy.”
Dress Code
The words were touchingly personal, and it is moments such as these that bring real romance to a wedding, and the best part is, heartfelt words will cost you nothing more than some time and thought. Think about the things that are important and your relationship, and celebrate them in your vows to each other.
Female guests of the April 29 wedding at Westminster Abbey were requested to wear hats. Many were lovely, stylish examples of the milliner’s craft, some were fabulously and a few were absolute frights – and it was these that really set tongue’s wagging.
weddingsanniversarieschristenings birthdaysretirementsengagements partiesdinnersweddings anniversarieschristeningsbirthdays r e t i r e m Let e n t s eus n g help a g e m eyou ntsparties d i ncelebrate n e r s w e d d iany n g s aoccassion nniversaries christeningsbirthdaysretirements e nLyndon g a g eGrove m e n Receptions t s p a r t i ePhs d5241 i n n1629 ers weddingsanniversarieschristenings
Your Place or Ours
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A WEDDING TO REMEMBER
“It was the hottest party ticket in the world, as 300 invited guests made merry with the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, complete with dancing, nibbles and plenty of champagne.” The Reception It was the hottest party ticket in the world, as 300 invited guests made merry with the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, complete with dancing, nibbles and plenty of champagne. After all, once the formalities are over with, a relaxed party is a great way to end the day! The Wedding Feast Wills and Kate had a ‘Best of British’ menu of delicate morsels (sized no larger than two bites, according to one of the glossy mags!) While it’s unlikely that you will be measuring place settings or having footmen serving dainty mouthfuls from golden platters, the thought of using the best of fresh local produce for your wedding feast is one well worth using. And by basing your menu on ‘the best of the region’ food and wines – hit the farmer’s market (details at www.geelongaustralia.com.au) for inspiration and you would be well on the way to creating a truly memorable event. The Speeches The speech from the Best Man is traditionally the highpoint of hilarity at a wedding, and by all accounts, Prince Harry lived up to expectations, with his tribute to ‘the Dude’ and ‘the Duchess’. In Britain, the Daily Mail reported that in his speech, Harry joked: ‘William didn’t have a romantic bone in his body before he met Kate, so I knew it was serious when William suddenly started cooing down the phone at Kate.’ His highpitched impersonations of Kate calling William ‘Billy’ and
his brother calling Kate ‘baby’ apparently also got plenty of laughs. But if the reports are true, it was Harry’s tribute to Kate, saying she is ‘like a sister’, and that Wills and Kate’s long romance inspires him that really brought the house down, and the hankies out! While the heir to the throne, and host of the post-wedding party, Prince Charles, was reported in the Mail to have quipped: ‘The thing about growing older is that your children get taller than you so they can see your bald spots. Now in my case, I can see his,’ to which William retorted: ‘You got there before Harry!’ to much laughter. The Groom meanwhile, introduced his wife as ‘Mrs Wales’ and remembered to thank everyone involved – right down to the florist and the chef. A Parting Gift From high end to hilarious, wedding memorabilia goes into overdrive around a royal wedding, and that has never been truer than for the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. Just a quick internet search will also bring up an enormous selection of souvenirs – from the right royal, to the riotous, to the plain ridiculous (“The Royals” Wills & Kate: The Graphic Novel, for example). There are the expected mugs and tea towels, and collectible spoons and plates, but there were also some very inventive entrepreneurs, such as the brewers behind the ‘Kiss Me Kate’ beers, and the German manufacturers of Royal Wedding tea bags. Wedding souvenirs, or bonbonniere, are seldom treasured by anyone but the bride and a few close personal
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A WEDDING TO REMEMBER
“While the heir to the throne, and host of the post-wedding party, Prince Charles, was reported in the Mail to have quipped: ‘The thing about growing older is that your children get taller than you so they can see your bald spots...” friends. So why not have a bit of fun with it? There are a myriad of fun ideas on the net, and you can get almost anything custom printed these days – so why not come up with your own wedding mugs or tea towels, beer or wine custom labelled bottles. Or perhaps you could take advantage of these cold winter nights to get creative and fashion your own wedding favours. See our story in this issue on the return of Victorian era crafts for ideas.
In general, I am not a great fan of formal weddings – and would not hesitate to encourage loved up couples to escape the hoopla for a tropical sunset beach, or not to bother at all if weddings just aren’t your thing - but I do love a royal wedding, and it has been a real joy reliving it again with all of you. And if you are preparing to take the plunge, then best of luck and enjoy every minute of what is, however you choose to celebrate it, a very special day. by Davina Montgomery
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Ruby | 35
FEATURE
TO MARKET, to market... organisers, running Geelong’s first second hand baby market as a fundraiser for the Geelong Area Multiple Birth Association, of which both were committee members. “I was sleepless the night before, wondering if anyone would turn up,” Janina remembers. People did of course, about 600 of them, and a business was born. In March last year, the Baby Markets welcomed a sibling – Piccadilly Market. Celebrating all things handmade and unique, Piccadilly Market is run solely by Janina and is the realisation of a long-cherished dream. “I’ve spent a lot of time living in Asia, Europe and the United States and Piccadilly Market was inspired by all the markets I visited in that time,” she says. “I wanted to start it for quite a few years, but with young children and being a single parent I had to wait until I felt it was going to work with my family. Then I read a great quote: ‘fear feels better than regret’. And it’s so true! I knew I wanted to run my own business and follow my dreams, and I was terrified. I was in no financial position to lose money but I decided I needed to take that leap of faith.”
Markets are increasingly popular places to shop for fresh produce, clothing and unique handcrafted items. They have also helped establish the small businesses of countless stallholders, many of them “mumpreneurs”, while contributing thousands of dollars to the local economy. Chief among them are Geelong’s regular Baby and Children’s Market and Piccadilly Market, both the brainchild of local woman, Janina Lear. Janina Lear is a self-described market junkie, with some of her earliest childhood memories featuring Redhill Community Market on the Mornington Peninsula. In 2005, Janina and her business partner, Susan Geall, turned from market browsers to
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The success of the market has since upheld that faith, but 20 minutes before the first Piccadilly Market opened, Janina lay on the floor hyperventilating, wondering if anyone would come and if the stallholders who had taken a chance on her would be happy. People came in their droves and now, on the eve of the sixth Piccadilly Market, artists from around the country are contacting Janina and asking to be involved. “My stallholders come from many different avenues,” she says. “I’m very lucky to have a lot of crafty, clever friends in my life. Three of my amazing stallholders are mothers at my children’s school, one is a very close friend and some are friends of friends. Others are people I’ve admired and followed over the years. I want to make sure I always have a great range of products on offer and that it is constantly changing.” Markets are becoming big business and are the perfect incubator
FEATURE for many small businesses. You only need to read local magazines and newspapers to see the number of mumpreneurs in particular, who have embraced markets as a way to sell their handcrafted goods, from children’s toys and clothes to exquisite jewellery. As a mumpreneur herself, Janina is pleased to provide a vehicle to help other businesses reach their customers. “There was a time that craft was seen as something that little old ladies did, or mums with their children. Now craft is the new black and making its way into a lot of people’s homes,” she says proudly. “Piccadilly Market started with 25 stalls. In August, there were 42 and November saw us almost at capacity with 76 stalls. The last market had around 4000 people through the door and about $75,000 changed hands. This kind of shopping supports people in the local community instead of the big stores, meaning that so many small local artists are making a living. A lot of them are crafty mums doing what they love and doing their bit to contribute to their households.” Running the Piccadilly and Baby and Children’s Markets is how Janina contributes financially to her own household, and it is more than a full-time job. She has also recently become a social media consultant, launching Be Socially Savvy to help businesses implement a social media presence on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. Janina says she often works all hours of the night, fitting in what needs to be done around being a single parent to Jonah and twins, Bella and Lola. While 12 years as a travel agent taught her how to multitask and be “incredibly organised”, it was when she found herself with a 20 month old toddler and newborn twins that she discovered anything was possible. “I can cook dinner, answer phone calls, check my emails and help my kids do craft all at the same time,” she says cheerfully, but admits that raising three, now school-age, children while running two markets and holding down a job can be a challenge. “The children don’t always understand that Mummy is working and that Mummy absolutely has to take a phone call. School holidays are tough - I need to keep working on the business and
I need, and want, to spend quality time with my children. “Organising Piccadilly consumes a lot of time and energy. The actual running of the event is a huge job, but the marketing of it is also a big undertaking. Having an amazing event is only going to work if people come, so getting the word out there is important and, at this stage, it is just me doing all aspects of the business.” She smiles ruefully. “I wish I could have an assistant, but it is still early days.” In the meantime, Janina takes advantage of technology to help her stay in touch with stallholders and advertise the markets. “The internet is a huge part of my business. I deal with most people via email, which makes it a lot more viable for a busy Mum to run a business. I update my blog regularly and find it a great way to market Piccadilly and for people to get a sense of what type of market it is and what kind of person I am. I blog about cool products and artists from around the world and try to introduce my readers to things they may not ordinarily find. Facebook is also important for marketing and I have just started tweeting on Twitter. For any business to survive these days, it must have an online presence – that’s one of the reasons I started Be Socially Savvy. “And,” she adds a little defiantly, “I could not live without my iPhone. I know some people are rolling their eyeballs, but a lot can be accomplished on an iPhone while waiting at school pickups.” [Sidebar] Piccadilly Market (piccadillymarket.blogspot.com): Deakin Waterfront Campus, Sunday July 31st from 10am to 4pm with 80 stallholders selling women’s and children’s clothing, jewellery, home decor, stationery, wall prints art and more. The July market has a winter theme with lots of winter goodies to buy, including gourmet food and coffee, and a DJ to entertain you while you browse. And it’s undercover – what better excuse to get out of the winter weather? It’s usually busiest from 10 -12, so if you have a pram or are not fond of crowds, perhaps come a little later in the day.
by Judy Baulch
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FEATURE
HOW to hibernate Bears do it. So do snakes and insects and some frogs hibernate that is. And I think they have the right idea. I think it’s telling that the majority of dictionaries, online and off, can’t define hibernation without adding that it’s something done during winter. As the glorious, sunny days of autumn turn into short, dark dull days and the sun sleeps in longer every morning, aren’t we all tempted to roll back under the doona and just stay there? Unless you’re one of those who describe cold weather as “invigorating” and 5oC as “brisk”, how nice would it be to ‘pass the winter in a sleep like-condition’ or ‘to remain inactive or indoors for an extended period’. It’s cold out there. Workers leave home in the dark and return home in the dark and wait until weekends to see their houses and gardens in daylight. Our collective thoughts turn North, to warm breezes and beaches and our fingers start searching the internet for cheap airfares. Things come to a stop in winter: exercising, eating salads, gardening, home improvements. Some of us, men and women, stop shaving. We stop wearing bright colours and shoe string tops and skirts without leggings. The black clothes creep from our closets, coaxing out boots and sensible shoes as they go. Like frogs and bears, we lie quietly in our burrows and dens waiting for spring to breathe life back into our houses and wardrobes. It’s not surprising Tennyson thought spring the season when a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love, because in winter his thoughts are more likely to be focused on Friday night football! And the parties stop. A girlfriend once described our group, quite literally, as “fair weather friends”: we only come out to
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play when the sun is shining. In summer, we see each other all the time, impromptu fish and chips at the beach, weekend BBQs, bike rides around the river. Come winter, we embody another definition of hibernation: ‘to keep away from social activity’. Who wants to go for an early morning walk and chat when it feels like the middle of the night at 7am and the temperature outside matches the time? Who wants to picnic at the beach when it’s too cold to get out of the car and even the seagulls are thinking of migrating? Even when the idea of some sort of activity is attractive, like a girls’ night in with a DVD, it often falls at the first hurdle – who gets to stay in and who has to go out in the cold and dark in order to be ‘in’ at someone else’s house? Let’s face it, when the Tim Tams and other forms of chocolate are gone and the DVD is over, someone gets to wave goodbye at the front door and go straight to a warm bed and someone else drives away in a freezing car that may or may not heat up by the time they reach home. It’s a much more attractive idea to stay in on your respective couches with individual packets of Tim Tams while simultaneously watching the same DVD and instant messaging during the scary/sad bits. But not everything stops during winter. It bears repeating: eating chocolate is an all year round activity. So is eating cupcakes. Eating salad is not. Comfort food, however, comes into its own in winter. Coax those fair weather friends out and hold a comfort food evening. Think casseroles cooked in slow cookers, anything with dumplings - savoury or sweet - and selfsaucing puddings. Draw straws to find out who gets to host
FEATURE while everyone else comes out in the cold. Everyone bring some comfort food and have a good time, then go back into hibernation. You’ll feel better for it, I promise. If nothing else, winter is a wonderful excuse to lie around on the couch (in your pyjamas, if you like) with a book or movie of your choice, guilt free. If it’s cold, raining and blowing a gale outside, no can seriously expect you to be weeding the garden, mowing the lawn, painting the house, washing the car or exercising, now can they? However, unless you are already one the four million people (according to Life and Style Weekly Magazine) who own a “cult blanket with sleeves” aka: a Snuggie, [my] research shows you can’t hibernate properly. Blankets and throw rugs, whether polar fleece, mohair or knitted by Nan, are all out. If you read Reject Shop catalogues, or those magazines delivered anonymously to your door that feature gadgets you never knew existed but can’t possibly live without, you’ll know all about the ubiquitous Snuggie. If not, let me, with the help of graysonline. com, enlighten you: “The Snuggie keeps you totally warm and gives you the freedom to use your hands. So now, you can work the remote or read a book in total warmth and comfort, use your laptop without being cold, or enjoy a snack while staying snuggly warm. No more cold feet. With Snuggie, you can get up and still stay warm. The deluxe edition is 50% thicker than the regular version PLUS it has convenient pockets! You’ll never look for the remote control again.” And, you can buy two (yes two!) deluxe Snuggies for just $19.99! That’s a spare one for when friends do come round, or one to have in the wash while you’re wearing the other. Unfortunately, when I went to order mine,
they were out of stock. Guess I’ll have to make do with my multi-coloured, crocheted-by-Grandma knee rug while I wait! Other essentials to have on hand when hibernating are comfort food, tissues for the sad parts of your book or movie, your mobile/and or cordless phone, comfort food, and a pen for doing the crossword. I have it on good authority that those pockets for the remote control can also be used to store your iPod (although probably not comfort food, unless maybe a packet of M&Ms). You might also need a cat or dog to curl up on your feet, just to keep you company. And did I remember comfort food? Winter is upon us. It’s a bit like Christmas: you can’t stop it coming and it’s not all bad. Until spring comes again, let’s embrace winter and all the things it brings that we can only enjoy when it’s cold – the feeling of warmth and cosiness that waking up to the sound of rain on the roof brings with it; the slightly smug sense of wellbeing we experience while watching hail bash at the windows knowing there is no earthly reason we need to go out in it. Unlike bears, we can hibernate by choice and when we’ve had enough of it, we can rug up in a coat and beanie and scarf and walk out in the “invigorating” weather, even if it’s just to the local café to enjoy a hot chocolate and marshmallows with a “cold weather” friend. PS: For your amusement while hibernating, check out snuggiesightings.com to find all out the things you can do in a Snuggie that you can’t in a blanket, although I have been advised – by someone who has tried it? – that, no matter how much you want to, a Snuggie should never be worn to the football. Apparently, it just isn’t the done thing…
by Judy Baulch
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FEATURE
THE MOST FUN you can have on four legs Are you a sucker for a furry face? I’m not talking a bearded Brad Pitt, but about woman’s best friend – the humble pooch. Sunday, 15th May, saw pooches of all shapes and sizes take their owners on a stroll around the Eastern Gardens Circuit, all in aid of the RSPCA. The Million Paws Walk is one of the RSPCA’s largest fundraising events, involving thousands of people and their dogs registering, fundraising and participating in walks held all across Australia.
The Million Paws Walk was first started in 1994 in Queensland by Dr Cam Day, who believed a special event involving animals of all types walking together could be a ‘win-win’, situation, providing a fun day out for pets and their owners, while promoting responsible pet ownership and raising much-needed funds for the RSPCA. Since then it has expanded, with over 70 events held nationally. And as an animal-loving town, people from all over Geelong gathered with their special creatures – great and small – in a display of canine solidarity for those in need!
Every year, the RSPCA gives shelter to 155,000 animals, conducts inspectorate services and provides community education on animal welfare issues.
RSPCA Volunteers.
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Pooches on Parade.
FEATURE
Clockwise from top left: The Cross family’s beloved family member Rani gets a special carriage ride. Lassie would be proud. Steff with Gully, Phoebe & Zoe. Scout, the picture-perfect pooch. Zoe gives owner Leigh a high-five for a treat. fortywinks.com.au
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FEATURE
RECYCLING the old Victorian way It’s declared elsewhere in this edition: craft is the new black. What used to be something done by old ladies and mothers with their children is now part of a movement that encourages small businesses and creativity and provides a way for people, particularly women, to connect and embrace a sense of community. It also taps into our modern desire to reuse and recycle, or “reclaim, rework and rethink” as Madeleine Grummet, doyenne of Melbourne craft store Do Re Me, puts it. “Our generation has different reasons and motivations for crafting than those of the past,” she says. “Craft today is about picking up a skill, forgotten in the flurry of life. It offers a chance to reconnect with your own creativity and to connect with others in a non-threatening way.” It seems we’re experiencing a collective yearning to learn skills from the past, to learn how to create things for ourselves. We want unique pieces that tell a story, that carry a part of us. We’re tiring of the mass produced and we want to reuse things rather than dispose of them. We want to spend our quiet winter evenings with projects that satisfy both our creativity and our sense of responsibility to the environment. For women in Queen Victoria’s era (1837 – 1901), the skills we use in craft projects today weren’t just for fun. Many of them were necessary for creating things to be used in daily life – quilts and tablecloths and rugs for the floor. However, just because these items were functional, didn’t mean they couldn’t be beautiful. Perhaps that’s what lingers today: the sense of creating something beautiful and, in the case of quilting and rag rugs, for example, making something beautiful out of used items that carry their own stories. Although we tend to think of upper class women stitching at intricate needlework when we picture Victorian craft, for the poorer classes, reusing, recycling and rethinking was a daily occurrence. Clothing, for example, once it was good only for rags, might find a new use in rag rugs or quilts. “The men and women of Victorian England were one of the most sustainable generations in British history,” writes Matthew Delman in Victorian Era Recycling at steampunkwriters.ning.com/profiles/blogs/victorian-erarecycling. They had to be, because “the average Victorian man’s salary barely covered rent and food … if you lived in Victorian England, then you made darn sure you used what you had until it fell apart.” Often thought of as an early American settler craft, quilting is in fact an ancient skill and one that has been practiced all over the world. Patch working took off in the 1840s, when the
textile industry began producing readily affordable fabrics and silk and velvet crazy quilts seem to be synonymous with Victorian England. Many people though, would have been making do with what they had on hand, the good parts of worn out clothing and blankets, pieced together to make something new. Something interesting stories have survived about those Victorian quilts, according to Judy Anne Breneman at womenfolk.com. “Charm quilts”, in which every piece of fabric was different, are said to have their base in the custom of young Victorian girls collecting buttons on a string. The young man who gave a girl her one thousandth button (or contributed the thousandth patch of fabric to her quilt from a worn out shirt) would be her true love. Another story, which creative mothers today might find useful, was to include two identical pieces in a charm quilt, so that ill, bedridden children could occupy themselves searching for the “matching pair”. Today, quilting and patchwork are again popular and making a quilt (or a cushion cover, or bag, or even a set of bed clothes for a little person’s Barbie) is a great way to spend winter evenings recycling worn out, favourite clothing. There’s also an endless supply of fabrics designed especially for making quilts and shops and groups dedicated to their creation and creators (try The Geelong Patchwork and Quilters’ Guild Inc at www.geelongpatch.org.au). Another Victorian skill born of necessity was the making of rag rugs, again from scraps of worn out clothing and bedding. Strips of fabric were braided, knitted, crocheted, woven, or hooked through a backing such as hessian and christened with intriguing names describing their manner of manufacture. In England and Australia, “hooky” and “proddy” rugs are made from hessian backing with the fabric hooked or prodded through them with specially made tools. In the US, rag rugs are known as peg rugs, snip rugs or memory rugs. The craft was brought to Australia by the early settlers, according to Miriam Miller, NSW rug maker, teacher and author. “In those days everything was used,” she says. “Clothing was precious and, even when it was worn out, good pieces were recycled. Hessian bags or sacks, from sugar and other foodstuffs, were reused as a base. Tools were made from whatever they could find. People didn’t worry much about design, or colour, they just used what they had.” Like quilts, rag rugs are experiencing an upsurge in popularity and are now often more decorative than purely functional. Rug Crafters Australia, the Australian Guild, was formed in 2009 and has about 150 members across the country, although the renewed interest in the craft began in the 1990s.
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FEATURE “I think in the 90s there was a resurgence in recycling, and that is why people became interested in rug making,” says Miriam, who formed her own rug making group in 1994 and is one of the pioneers of the craft’s Australian revival. She remembers her grandmother making rag rugs to cover the floors of her childhood home in the north of England. In those days, she says, rugs were drab, made of old clothes and considered a craft of the poor. “Years ago people didn’t appreciate their rugs. The new one was put in, say, the front of the living room fire and then gradually, over the years, moved from room to room, and finally to the kitchen, where it was thrown out when the next in the line replaced it. They were dirty and heavy. Now we have a selection of brighter colours in our clothes, and the rugs are works of art. In overseas countries they hang in galleries, libraries, and hospitals.” Although drawing on a long tradition, Miriam says Australian rug makers have developed their own style. “Our rugs are quite different to the American and Canadian designs, which are mostly hooked, and narrow cut with new materials. Australians have a ‘do anything attitude’ and the results can be magnificent.” Because the materials for rag rugs are mainly recycled, they cost little to make. “To make rag rugs today you need material for the base – [fabric stores] have hessian, which is good for this,” Miriam says. “You need a progger or hooky tool, which you can make yourself or source from Ireland, America or England [Miriam also sells a range of these tools]. Then you
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need used clothing. Track suits are fine, or T-shirts, blankets, or dressing gowns. More serviceable material is best for floor rugs, but anything can be used for wall hangings, like plastic, silks and glitz materials. Then all you need is sharp scissors, or a rotary cutter and board, and a marking pen to draw the pattern.” It doesn’t sound too hard once you have the hang of it and the perfect winter project – a recycled, beautiful item equally at home on the wall or the floor, although too pretty to wipe your feet on! Although quilts and rag rugs are crafts that have always been based on recycling and reusing, crocheting is an example of an old skill that is finding new life through the recycling of modern materials. It predates the Victorian era, but the Victorians made it their own, embracing it wholeheartedly as an inexpensive substitute for lace. Cotton thread was cheap, making crocheting an affordable way to create doilies for furniture and door knobs (apparently to keep the dust out of keyholes), as well as edgings for towels and table and bed linen. The Victorians, says Mary Schlueter at victorianembroidery-and-crafts.com, also crocheted their Christmas decorations. According to Mary, crochet is a known stress buster and, “you can crochet just about anywhere. It takes very little space and very few materials are needed … it’s practical, too. It turns guilty feelings of ‘not doing anything’ into moments of pleasure, creating home décor and gifts”.
FEATURE
“Our generation has different reasons and motivations for crafting than those of the past... Craft today is about picking up a skill, forgotten in the flurry of life. It offers a chance to reconnect with your own creativity...” Crocheting doilies for door knobs and edging sheets and pillowcases could alone fill up your whole winter, but if you want to recycle, reuse and rethink while crocheting, check out projects such as a sling bag crocheted from VHS tape (you can find the pattern at www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/04/09/ crocheted-sling-bag-of-recycled-vhs-tape/).
Old clothes to quilts, rags to rugs, plastic bags to shoes. The motivations for creating such items may have changed, from necessity to a desire to leave a smaller footprint on the earth while creating unique pieces, but recycling and reusing to create beautiful, useful items can only be a good thing, whatever the era.
“It’s a great way to recycle those old VHS tapes that you may have stashed away and you don’t know what to do with,” says the bag’s creator, blogger RecycleCindy, who also has a range of crocheted bags, hats and babies’ bibs made from recycled plastic bags, cassette tape and reclaimed fabric. You can also crochet yourself a pair of sandals from old grocery bags using the pattern at www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=87737. msg827719;topicseen
Miriam Miller lives at Narrawilly Farm near Milton in NSW and is the author of “Proggy and Hooky Rugs”, a guide to making rag rugs. www.shoal.net.au/~narrawilly/index.html Do Re Me, Elsternwick: www.dorememelbourne.com by Judy Baulch
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SOUPS, slow cooks & puddings As we head into our cooler months, the kitchen fills with smells of slow braised meats, hot pots and aromatic soups. Golden brown puddings pulled from the oven warm the air with permeating aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and caramel. Caramelised raisin and chocolate follows. With slow cooked dishes, it is important to plan ahead and gather your ingredients, then all that needs to be done is some simple preparation and to sit back and let the cooking do all the work. Slow cooking reduces all the beautiful contents and juices to a utopia of concentrated flavours. Soup is not only nutritional but also comforting; make plenty so you can put some away in the freezer for a quick dinner. All you need to add is some crusty sourdough and some good wine in front of the fire and you’re in heaven. One of my favourite soups is tomato and red lentil with cumin, garlic and drizzled with lemon oil.
Food with Richard Kelly
We recently completed a fantastic birthday dinner where we started with our amazing BBQ chilli marinated king prawns, spiced date and sweet potato pastries, and slow cooked honey and rosemary lamb pies. We followed up with a classic roasted Victorian grass-fed eye fillet of beef with a parsnip rotolo, shiraz glaze and dotted with bĂŠarnaise sauce. Accompanied with baby beans tossed with torn oyster mushrooms and caramelised onion in nutty brown butter. To finish was a dessert no body can resist. Chocolate and raisin bread and butter pudding with salted caramel and double cream. So get out your joggers, as I have included the recipe below. You would all have your favourites, but this, I think, covers all bases. If you have a sexy dish that you would like to share please send it to richard@therkgroup I hope that whether you are cooking, hosting or attending a party, it soon brings you enjoyment, fun, passion and pleasure. Good Food, Good Wine & Good Friends.
by Richard Kelly Managing Director, THE R K GROUP corporate & event catering.
Richard Kelly is the managing director and executive chef of THE R K GROUP corporate & event catering in Geelong.
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It is fantastic to be a part of RUBY, this smart, stylish and sophisticated magazine being filled with informative reading. With this article I endeavour to bring some catering tips to each season that may assist your next sojourn to the kitchen for what ever the catering occasion may be.
Choc Raisin Bread & Butter Pudding (Serves 6) 8 slices fruit loaf, thickly sliced 90g raisins 1/2 cup dark choc buttons 2 tbl brandy 6 eggs 250ml milk 300ml cream 60g caster sugar zest of 1 orange 1/2 tsp cinnamon 2 tbl vanilla essence 60g butter 2 tbl apricot jam Combine raisins and brandy, warm gently, then set aside. Combine eggs, cream, milk, sugar, orange, vanilla and cinnamon. Whisk together and put aside. Butter bread and cut in half lengthways. Lightly grease a small oven-proof dish (approx. 1.5lt). Layer bread into dish, scattering brandied raisins and chocolate between each layer. Pour cream mixture gently over bread slices and stand fo approx 1 hour, compressing bread gently until all mix has absorbed. Bake in a preheated 160-degree oven until custard is firm and pudding is golden. Remove pudding from oven and glaze with apricot jam. Portion and serve immediately with vanilla bean icecream and salted caramel sauce (see recipe), or simply serve by itself with lashings of double cream.
Salted Caramel Sauce (Makes approx. 300ml) 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 2 tbl glucose (or light corn syrup) 3/4 cup thick cream 80g unsalted butter 1 1/2 tsp Maldon or other good quality sea salt Combine sugar, water and glucose, bring to the boil (stirring constantly). Boil over a high heat, brushing the sides of the pot with a damp pastry brush, until sugar is a dark golden amber. Remove from heat and (carefully!) whisk in cream and butter. Let the caramel cool to room temperature, add salt and serve.
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ON SHOW
IF YOU go down to the woods today... LA Traviata Relive some childhood joy at the 20th Annual Geelong Doll and Teddy Show this winter. On Satuday 25th June, collectors will bring out their muchloved dolls and teddy bears. From the cute to the highly collectible – there will be an enormous array of vintages and styles of dolls and teddies on show, as well as all their accessories, jewellery, miniatures and hand made cards. The Doll Doctor will also be in attendance and refreshments available. So put on your best Antique’s Roadshow voice, and hop, skip or jump along to the Geelong West Town Hall. Quota International of Geelong will be presenting the event from 10am to 5pm, with proceeds going to the Women & Children New Arrivals Geelong Project.
Opera Australia returns to Geelong this July, with a wonderful new production of Guiseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, sung in English and performed with a chamber orchestra. Money makes the world go round. This is the bleak truth behind Violetta Valery’s life of champagne, silk dresses and extravagant parties. No matter how she feels inside, when the music plays and the admirer pays, she must perform. So when she finds herself falling in love, her very livelihood is threatened. Can the beautiful songbird escape her gilded cage? Can she leave her past behind? La Traviata epitomises what the world loves about Italian opera: it is an enthralling story, full of fascinating characters who sing devastatingly romantic music. This new production, directed by Rachel McDonald, brings Verdi’s unforgettable music to the stage with an elegant and searching new look at opera’s favourite working girl. La Traviata is on at Geelong Performing Arts Centre, The Playhouse, on Saturday, 30th July. For more information and tickets, go to www.gpac.org.au
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ON PAGE
A Line of Dogs by Gary Morris A Line of Dogs introduces an extaordinary new talent in Australian fiction. It is nothing less than superb storytelling – a rollicking tale of adventure and adversity, patterned with hope and despair, and underpinned by truly wonderful characters that capture the spirit of Australia’s European origins. The tale begins in Ireland, in 1847, where the once proud land of Erin is being ravaged by the devastating potato famine and the greed of Victorian England’s landowners. Beautiful young Mary McGrath must leave the only home she has ever known, saying goodbye to her ailing grandfather, and travelling to England to work as a housemaid for distant, wealthy relatives.
Arriving in London, Mary finds herself enslaved by her cruel relations, and is finally violently abused. Fleeing her tormentors, Mary finds an unlikely friend in a well-known London ‘lady of the night’. The arrival of Mary’s Irish rebel cousin however places them all in danger. On a transportation ship, bound for Australia, Mary proves invaluable to the ship’s doctor, and it is during the journey she meets the love of her life.Based on historical events, this grand IrishAustralian saga is fraught with tension. Beautifully told in rich, evocative prose, Morris has proved himself to be one Australian author to watch. You won’t want to put it down! Buy online at garymorris.com.au
* For your chance to win a signed copy of ‘A Line of Dogs’, head to www.adcellgroup.com.au
Those in Peril
Smut
by Wilbur Smith
by Alan Bennett
Smith has always known how to spin a tale of adventure and danger, and he’s done it again with Those in Peril. This time around, a security chief must save his billionaire boss’s daughter who has been taken by terrorist Somali pirates. Smith is a master storyteller. [Graphic content]
One of Britain’s leading dramatists and screenwriters and the creator of Talking Heads and The Madness of King George, Alan Bennett has two ‘unseemly tales’ that, I found at least, made me smile. Naughty, honest and very, very funny.
The Life
Headstarts
by Malcolm Knox
by Dr Cindy Pan & Vanessa Woods
One of the most vibrant voices in Australian fiction, Malcolm Knox tells the story of a one-time champion surfer, Dennis Keith - now bloated and paranoid and living at his mother’s retirement village. Then a would-be biographer appears, wanting to talk about ‘The Life’.
Dr Cindy Pan and Vanessa Wood have distilled the latest scientific research into 100 easy to digest, simple and non-judgmental tips on a wide range of subjects to help you choose what is best for you and your kids. A book that offers parents no-nonsense advice.
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ON PAGE
The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher
Once upon a time, there was a young man who was in love. He asked his beloved to marry him, but she refused as her family didn’t think he was good enough for her. So the young man built a house, stone by stone, all alone, night and day, not even stopping to sleep. After a year, the house was complete and he gave it to his beloved as a gift. She fell so deeply in love with the house and the young man that she defied her family and married him. The lived to be a hundred and when one died, the other died a week later, brokenhearted.
Heidi had grown up with miraculous stories of how the house in Provence had brought love and healing to her family. Heidi believed in love – real love – and had found her true love. Then a terrible accident took her love away. Now Heidi tells her eightyear-old son love stories at bedtime, ‘Henry’ stories about his beloved father, and Heidi’s beloved husband. Maybe the house has one more miracle to give, if only Heidi can believe that real love can come twice in a life.
Private London by James Patterson & Mark Pearson The king of the action thriller returns, with the latest offering in the Private detective agency series. Teaming up with British television scriptwriter, Pearson, James Patterson delivers all the edge of the seat thrills and spills that readers have come to expect. Eight years ago, Jack Morgan, owner of Private, rescued a terrified young girl from a horrific kidnapping. With his little girl now a young women, Hannah Shapiro’s wealthy father employs Private to protect his daughter when she travels to England to study at a London university.
Morgan is under sophoena in the United States and cannot leave his hotel room. So he turns the job over to the head of Private London, former Military Police Sergeant, Dan Carter. Of course, things don’t go to plan. There is a serial killer in London and Carter’s ex-wife, DI Kirsty Webb is on the case. Then, in a brutal attack, Hannah is once again kidnapped. But nothing is as it seems and Carter must decide who to trust and find the truth. The plot travels at breakneck speed and all this book will ask from you, the reader, is to hold on tight and enjoy the ride.
Tales from the Tower Vol. One by The Wilful Eye Gathered by Isobelle Carmody and Nan McNab, The Wilful Eye bring us six retellings of classic fairy tales, each told as such tales once were and full of horror, terrifying antagonists, brave heroes and heroines, with tricks and magic at every turn.
of Rumpelstiltskin must survive in the wake of her vapid mother and vain father’s disastrous decisions, faced with a murderous (or worse) king, Moth uses her ingenuity and strange skills to find the true name of the treacherous dwarf. In a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, a beautiful young girl is betrayed by her family, Vivid and full of strangeness, these are but finds a way to take her revenge. The Snow definitely not children’s stories, and things are Queen, Babes in the Wood and The Steadfast both familiar and disturbingly different. The Tin Soldier all receive a magical, menacing soldier from The Tinderbox becomes a twisted reworking. and disturbed survivor of war, filled with greed and lusting after power and money, Emerse yourself in the enchantment (and, just smoothing his path with his gun. The heroine maybe, leave the light on after dark!).
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ON PAGE
releases that might help keep them happily inside on cold winter days.
Edie Amelia and the Runcible River Fever by Sophie Lee
Edie Amelia Sparks is nine-years-old, a very neat girl with very messy parents, and she is a detective. When a mystery illness starts spreading through the town of Runcible, where Edie Amelia lives, her detective’s instincts are sparked. Adding to the mystery are a series of strange thefts, a new craze for pleather jumpsuits and some shady behaviour by Edie Amelia’s neighbour. Aided by her best friend, Cheesy Chompster, and her French bulldog, Mr Pants, Edie is on the case.
Sophie Lee has starred in classic Australian films (Muriel’s Wedding and The Castle), authored a biographical novel (Alice in La La Land) and this is the second in her Edie Amelia detective series for children aged 7+ (following Edie Amelia and the Monkey Shoe Mystery). Lee is a mother of three small children and she knows how to write a book that will make children (and adults) laugh. A wonderfully fun read!
The Spook’s Battle by Joseph Delaney In large letters on the back of this book reads the following – ‘Warning – Not to Be Read After Dark’. It’s a fair warning, as Delaney’s ‘Spook’ series are seriously scary books! Young Tom, the Spook’s apprentice, is learning the craft of the Spook, but it is dark and dangerous work. Tom has already overcome murderous witches, boggarts and wraiths, but now he must prepare to battle his greatest challenge by far. In the nearby district of Pendle, three powerful witch clans are a rumoured to be uniting. The power of one witch clan alone is dangerous
enough, but united, the Pendle witches could wreak unimaginable evil on the land. It is time for Tom to return home to the family farm, to finally discover the secret his mother left for him. But when he returns to the home farm, his brother and his pregnant wife and young daughter are missing – taken by the witches. Now there is more at stake than ever before. Delaney is a terrific writer for readers who love to scare themselves silly.
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