Ruby Summer

Summer 2016 the thinking women’s magazine

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Women understand.

"We may share experiences, make jokes, paint pictures, and describe humiliations that mean nothing to men, but women understand.

The odd thing about these deep and personal connections of women is that they often ignore barriers of age, economics, worldly experience, race, culture - all the barriers that, in male or mixed society, had seemed so difficult to cross.”

Gloria Steinem, New York Magazine, December 1971 ‘Like’ us at MagazineRuby

contents

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Ruby Health

Ruby Psychology

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Ruby Food

Ruby Tuesday

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48

Ruby Loves

Ladies who Lunch

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54

Ruby Style

Ruby Travel

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64

Ruby Business

Ruby Kids

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74

Ruby Insight

Ruby Book Club

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rubymagazine.com.au 04 Ruby Summer

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ruby section

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06 Ruby Summer

ruby editor

c

ter to

DREAMING OF A LITTLE

cts

Me Time I

have a long-held theory that any political party that introduced tax-deductible time-outs for busy working mothers and carers – preferably somewhere warm and sub-tropical with a swim-up bar - would be on a winner. Sure, plenty of people would moan and whinge about yet more middleclass welfare, etc. but honestly, forcing women to take some time out once a year to totally relax would return the costs of such a measure in spades. I’m sure the same could be said of most men as well, but they can fight their own battles.

Think of the mental and physical benefits, the boosts to productivity, the reduced downtime and sick leave. Not to mention the generational benefits of not having a screaming harpy wiping away the tears as she stuffs yet another Tim Tam in her mouth and wails, ‘What about me?’ loom large in your childhood memories.

I know that I’m coming to the end of the year in a virtually catatonic state, and I am surrounded by women who are as

equally exhausted. Life is just so, so busy.

Although, I am sincerely heartened to think that if you are sitting down – hopefully in a comfy chair, relaxing cafe or in a lovely shady spot outdoors – and reading this summer edition of Ruby, you are very rightly and sensibly taking some time out just for you. You wise, wise woman.

From burnt chop syndrome to rushing women’s syndrome to the inevitable neighbourly conversations where you blushingly apologise for the morning tantrums only to find your neighbour was just about to say the same thing to you, almost all of us know what it is to feel the cup of life overflowing with stuff to do.

In between the tantrums and the exhaustion, I genuinely believe being busy is good for us, for the most part. It keeps our minds active and engaged, it keeps us socially connected and it goes a long way towards propping up our sense of self. But too much of a good thing comes with its own problems and I can’t help thinking, as

I reflect on the rapidly closing year, that at some point this crazy pace of life has got to give.

Will 2016 be that year? The one where we actually grasp that long-held dream and make it a reality? Because all of us have that little voice inside that whispers, “I wish …”

So, dear Ruby ladies, my wish for you for 2016 is that you find and hold on tight to nothing less than your heart’s desire. I hope you have the time to enjoy the very best parts of your life, whatever they may be, and that the very worst parts take up as little of your time as possible. I hope you find the time to just be you.

To the French motto, that is such a profoundly simple reminder of all that is important in this uncertain world of ours, I would add: Liberté, égalité, fraternité … time for me.

Davina x

words davina montgomery 07 Ruby Summer

E L G N I S OR : D E L P U O C E RELATIONSHIP DE TH I V I D S U T A T S

08 Ruby Summer

ruby psychology Which team are you on? The single side, where you find yourself constantly being bombarded with ‘sound’ advice on how to become un-single? Or the side that gives the ‘sound’ advice, coupled (not meant to be a pun) with the tinge of pity? Although, do singles generally feel it’s their role give ‘sound’ advice to twosomes about how best to un-partner? I think not.

L

et’s have a look at the singles first.

Well-meaning coupled friends are so eager to offer condescending advice like, “you’ll meet someone when you least expect it,” (this is the cue to roll your eyes) or, “go online – everybody does it – it’s nothing to feel embarrassed about,” (cue the rolling of eyes again).

You are just too nice to shut them down.

Remember my column in the last edition of Ruby about being too nice and trying not to offend? Well, you didn’t learn did you? I know this because here you are listening and nodding your head as your well-meaning friend spews out all this drivel about how to be partnered-up, while your brain is screaming out, ‘Shut the ‘duck’ up!’

Back to the elephant in the room - the partnerless elephant, that is. After a brief web search, I see much has been written about the benefits of the single life.

Evidently: you stay trim and fit, oh yeah, is that conducive with eating a nightly tub of ice-cream on the sofa alone; you have a healthier social life, how is that possible without a plus-one, dare I ask; you are less likely to drink, oh really you think; you have a better sex life, enough already, now this is becoming ridiculous.

Who did this research anyway, one half of a deluded twosome fantasising about the overrated singles’ life?

Then I read about the research that tells us stuff we don’t really need to know.

Oh dear, single people have higher levels of depression, anxiety, adjustment problems, and other psychological distress. No wonder friends are trying to get you hitched, no one wants to be friends with this poor sap. Further, people who have always been single are 58 per cent more likely to die prematurely than married people. Now that’s a worry, but that journal article is from 2006 after all.

I’d hazard a guess that we have moved on a great deal since then, and besides, if you are single and reading this you’re definitely not a statistic. As you know stats can be manipulated so it’s up to you to disprove this hypothesis and shoot off an angry email to the researchers.

Well, that’s if they are still in the land of

the living. So, if in the last nine years any of this team has found themselves single, there is a 58 per cent chance your email will bounce back. Makes a person question whether wedding rings offer some amazing invisible protective force field, like something from a 2009 Star Trek episode, doesn’t it?

Not content with the above, I sought out more recent research. Fortuitously, I found research claiming the opposite. Go figure! You’d think I’d know better, but I kept searching. A 2015 UK study tells us that single people report a 21 per cent satisfaction rate with their lives, where couples report a 58 per cent satisfaction rate. This really is too much information

Should you should find yourself feeling alone or lonely during the festive season, and the muchoverrated New Year’s Eve - don’t despair – recognise this condition isn’t exclusive to either team. for a singleton to cope with. So, may I suggest to all you solo flyers to cover all your bases, head down, finger at the ready and quick smart back to Tinder and swiping right. Looks like your very life depends on coupling up.

Anyway, back to the coupled population, with their smug life satisfaction and protective factors. There is a lot to be said about being a ‘we’ or an ‘us’ – it’s socially acceptable and apparently health inducing. Obviously, there are quite a number of benefits that come into play to be so blessed, like having that special someone to generate good times with, which if I may hazard a guess, is usually well documented with Facebook posts and a running tally of month-a-versaries.

Then there’s the open and intimate communication that surely produces a sense of security in an unpredictable world, that is, reciprocal texting 103 times in an hour with cute smiley emoticons and coloured hearts – so sweet. Let’s not forget the physical side of things too; it’s particularly therapeutic to experience the regular release of oxytocin, the love hormone also-known-as the cuddle chemical. Evidently, oxytocin is also a cardio-protective hormone - no wonder couples live longer!

My advice then, to the single folk, you best cuddle your cat like crazy and get your hit of oxytocin. This looks like a guarantee to avoid a premature call from the grim reaper chappie. The cat will probably benefit too – well, until he goes into withdrawal when you acquire the obligatory partner.

It seems to me that we can easily imagine that the other side is having all the fun.

But it’s probably just an illusion. We can be somewhat wired toward wanting what we can’t have. It’s probably about the old ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ adage, which seems to raise its ugly head at different times in our life. It’s like that thing that happens when you’re out for dinner – we’ve all been there – where you’re in two minds of what to order, and when the meals come out, darn it, the pasta was what you should have ordered, not the steak. The lucky consumer of the seafood marinara is the envy of all those chomping through their steaks. But is this contented looking recipient of the revered dish secretly coveting your steak, or about to experience the after-effects of a dodgy crustacean? You’ll probably never know, but food for thought perhaps – oops, sorry, another pun.

So, with that said, should you should find yourself feeling alone or lonely during the festive season, and the muchoverrated New Year’s Eve - don’t despair – recognise this condition isn’t exclusive to either team. If you want my considered and professional advice - just eat the damn steak and get on with it!

Wishing you all, dear readers, of whatever persuasion, a New Year full of wonderful times and dreams coming true.

words charmaine morse, psychologist, charmainemorse.com.au 09 Ruby Summer

ONE GORGEOUS SATURDAY MORNING, I HAD A REALLY GOOD JOG / WALK / JOG / WALK / WALK / MOAN / WALK / COLLAPSE AND THEN PROMPTLY FELL OFF THE WAGON INTO A PILE OF DONUTS …

10 Ruby Summer

ruby tuesday

WHERE WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO HAVE CARPET BURN? Another Run Geelong has come and gone and I was, once again, a virtual runner rather than an actual runner. And, once again, I had that pang of another year gone and my plans of getting fit having wobbled away.

Running has never been my thing, but I have for a long time wanted it to be. I’d love to feel the exhilaration of my legs eating up the road - to just keep running.

To be honest, I would get a buzz out of being able to run more than 500 metres before pulling up in a red-faced and exhausted pile of breathlessness.

But hey, anyone can run, right? So I did what all the learn to run advice seemed to suggest. Start with daily walks of increasing length, then start intermittent walking and jogging. It was going along well, and I started to hit those small moments of exhilaration where it felt easy, even fun. This is what I remembered from those post-school, pre-babies years, when hitting the gym was my go-to me time … when shopping never came with the question, ‘does my bum look big in this’.

Ha! For a moment there it sounded like I used to be really healthy, but the truth is I’m probably far healthier now. My previous daily breakfast of black coffee and cigarettes (it was all the weekend bender stomach could cope with) have been replaced with probiotic rich morning shots and super greens. At 7am on the weekends I can be found sipping a quiet morning cuppa and reading before the kid-tsunami strikes (a.k.a.

THEY wake up) rather than emerging from a last-stop club, blinking in the light and staggering into the nearest café for coffee, hash browns and bacon, trying to ignore the small furry animal that had not only taken up residence in my mouth, but was, by the smell, farting in there as well. Never mind, I could always sleep it off in a solarium session or two during the week… Honest proof that

the appearance of healthy living can be anything but.

So there I was, reminding myself of the joy of fitness, and I could feel myself getting stronger, in between the puffing, moaning, and stoic nods at the people going the other way – most of whom were at least two decades older and light years ahead in cardio capacity. There is one gent that reminds of my granddad, with a penchant for running shorts and the kind of stringy fitness made famous

by Cliff Young and his gumboots all those years ago, that is still running after I’ve staggered back to the house, my face with that pulsating red glow that is the special gift of ginger-ninjas the world over, collapsed on the tiles, drank a litre of water, had a cold shower and stretched on the couch in front of the TV. I actually started looking for excuses to pull on the compression pants and runners, and turned into one of those people for whom this is acceptable day wear. Then, one gorgeous Saturday morning, I had a really good jog / walk / jog / walk / walk / moan / walk / collapse and then promptly fell off the wagon into a pile of donuts …

Not long after that ignoble tumble off the fitness track I think I managed to pull a hamstring watching one of my boys play basketball. I can’t explain it. Is there such a thing as sympathetic exercise injuries?

That was the last straw, and it wasn’t the one that I’d pulled out of a G&T. With my leg still warning that the running track would have to wait, I did what all women should be doing to stave of osteoporosis, heart disease and all those other indignities of ageing, I started weight training.

Many years ago, I found myself inexcusably lied to about a writing assignment. I was to undertake exercise bootcamp and write about my experience. This was during the gym years, so I was unfazed. Huh, I’d

crush it. And I might have, if it hadn’t involved getting out of bed at the crack of 5am to climb ropes (two-feet was my record), pull car tyres loaded with another bootcamper along a beach (I couldn’t even pull the tyre, let alone a man or womaned one), and run the steps of Simonds Stadium while a short be-muscled bald man bellowed at me to embrace the pain (I bellowed back some of my best work, so effectively he actually paled under his ridiculously orange tan and tattoos). It was six weeks of soulsucking hell, but I did learn how to use everyday park benches, steps and my own admittedly low bodyweight to train outside of a gym.

So I pushed aside the painful memories and pulled out the ‘how to start weight training at home’ ones. It was way better than trying to run and felt a little like my desk-atrophied muscles remembered what to do. Sure, having to stop every couple of minutes to explain to your concerned children that Mummy wasn’t having a seizure, she was just exercising, was slightly off-putting. And no, doing sit ups on the bedroom floor with my feet up under the bed frame could have been more comfortable. And definitely, digging out the old yoga mat would have been a wise move. Because what started as a slightly warm sensation on my butt turned out to be third-degree carpet burn, courtesy of my what-I-waswearing-to-bed leggings, right where nobody wants carpet burn.

My dearly beloved thought it was hilarious. I had nappy rash.

The next week, in between limping around on my dodgy hamstring, sitting on an improvised hemorrhoid cushion made from a blanket rolled into a donut, and incredibly awkward regular application of Curash power, I seriously started to question the wisdom of exercise being good for you.

Embrace the pain? I think I’ll take the donuts!

words tuesday jones 11 Ruby Summer

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DEAR RUBY LADIES, We don’t want to know what you did last summer – we want you to show us what you’re doing this Summer!!

Find and follow us on Instagram (ruby_magazine) then hashtag us (#RubyMagazine) to get your Summer image printed in the next issue!

We will publish a top pic + a selection of other Summer faves and since we LOVE giving our fabulous readers lots of chances to WIN stuff – there will also be a prize for the winning Summer pic.

So get snapping ladies! We can’t wait to see what you’ve all been up to on your holidays.

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If you would like to stock Ruby Magazine in your business please contact us abbey@adcellgroup.com.au 13 Ruby Summer

ruby insight

(GOD HELP THE OUTCASTS) Being a teenager can be hard. No doubt about it.

We go through high school dramas, attempting to fit in with the social normality of your peers, puberty and a whole lot of emotional rollercoasters (more issues than Vogue, am I right?) And being a teenager with Asperger’s doesn’t make the job any easier.

Something I really love to do is explain things through stories; something I also really love is Disney.

I don’t know how many of you have seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but I think I can best explain myself through the use of this movie.

Now, before you start pondering to yourself, “why on earth is she bringing this up?”

Today, while I was meant to be studying, I stumbled across the lyrics to one of the songs from this film called “God Help the Outcasts”.

For those of you who don’t know, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the story of Quasimodo the hunchback who is treated awfully because of the way he looks. A single person, Esmeralda, the gypsy girl, shows Quasimodo kindness and it changes his life. Esmeralda sings the song “God Help the Outcasts” as she wanders through the church where Quasimodo lives.

She sings: God Help the Outcasts, the tattered, the torn Seeing an answer, to why they were born, Winds of misfortune have blown them about You made the outcasts Don’t cast them out.

When I was younger, I always felt like an outcast. While I didn’t have a hunchback or a disfigured face like Quasimodo, I could relate to how he felt rejected to society.

People would laugh at me, call me names, whisper and tease me openly to the point where I’d run off the back of the school library and hide there until the final school bell went; and I’d come home in tears each and every day.

While I would be gutted and heartbroken at the words, which would pull at the metaphorical strings of my self-esteem, I’d come to the (wrong) realisation that this would be my life: an outcast. A frizzy haired, green-eyed girl who would rather chat aimlessly to the cat who would walk by on the footpath rather than even look at another child my age.

As I reached high school, and talking to stray cats and singing Disney songs in public places wasn’t so normal anymore, that’s when things started to change. That’s when I began to feel that maybe I did have some sort of hunch back, a limp in my walk and a disfigured face, because why else would I feel like such an outcast?

My name is Chloe, and I was diagnosed with Asperger’s at the age of thirteen.

Finding out I had Asperger’s was a whole lot of confusing feelings and emotions. Ass Burgers?

Asparagus? I’d never even heard of the word before, and now I’d been diagnosed with the damn thing! But that’s another story.

My psychologist told me that Asperger’s is basically a lot of different quirks and personality traits that have all joined up together. Everybody has different quirks and personality traits, mine’s just considered ‘different’ from other people.

words chloe hayden

Chloe Hayden is a local, artistic, fun loving, creative, sensitive and unique young woman and is also an Aspie. This article was first published on Chloe’s Princess Aspien blog: https://princessaspien.wordpress.com

14 Ruby Summer

And being different isn’t a bad thing.

Everyone’s different in one way or another, that’s what makes the world so beautiful. But, for some reason, the sort of different I am just happens to have a cool name that goes with it, which I’m honestly quite glad about. I like putting a name to things.

And now here I am, at the age of eighteen.

I’m still the same frizzy haired, green eyed girl who would rather chat aimlessly to one of my four cats, refuses to eat with a proper spoon, can’t eat red food, and breaks into Disney musicals in the middle of [the supermarket]. But I’m not worried about it anymore, because this is who I am, and this is who I’m meant to be.

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15 Ruby Summer

ruby business

20 Years

OF FUNERALS BY WOMEN

I

t has been 20 years since the launch of my mother’s business, Louise King Funerals by Women. Louise followed in the footsteps of my father’s mother, Madge King, who dedicated 40 years of her life to funeral service after an early career as a travel agent.

Underpinning the work of Louise King Funerals by Women is an amazing team of women who have given so much to provide the families in our care with beautiful and fitting funeral services.

Along the way, we have had several team members who’ve served the community with us for more than a decade. We are so grateful to them and to all the women who have been in the team for any part in the journey.

Louise’s genuine interest in people’s stories and in honouring their lives has filtered through the organisation, as well as our parent brand Kings Funerals. Every

funeral is an opportunity to learn more about the social history of Geelong and we are so fortunate to be invited to share in this with bereaved families.

Arranging a funeral when someone close has died can be very stressful and painful.

People are often vulnerable and confused and some find comfort in working with a team of women at this time of loss and grief. The most important skills of the Louise King Funerals by Women team are the abilities to truly listen and empathise with the families they serve.

Louise King Funerals by Women has enabled many special requests from families over the years. One common theme has been to give ownership of the process back to the family if that is what they need at that time. The funeral experience can seem like a great big express train that is sucking them up in its wake and that they have no control over. words beth king, bking@kingsfunerals.com.au

16 Ruby Summer

Many people expect the day of the funeral to be a depressing, painful experience and they are often surprised at how uplifting and healing it can be when memories, even precious funny stories, are shared.

The whole team at Louise King Funerals

by Women know what a privileged position they are in to be able to help at a time when everyone else feels helpless, to create an event that can be remembered and treasured and to help families feel they have done their relative proud as they begin their grieving process.

As women business leaders, we value the partnerships that we have built with women’s organisations in Geelong and look forward to developing new relationships as we move into our third decade.

Well done Mum on the journey so far! I love you and am so proud of you.

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ruby musings

WOMEN, WINE & PATSY CLINE What is it about Patsy Cline’s music, that can turn sensible, intelligent women meeting for lunch, into blubbering, alcohol swilling caricatures of themselves?

M

aybe we should go back a step, before Patsy got airplay that day.

Let’s set the scene; seven women of varying ages from early 40’s to late 50’s met for lunch. These women were friends and all were attractive and dressed to impress with seemingly only one flaw in today’s social climate, they were single.

The lunch date had been arranged for a Sunday afternoon, and as we settled in, the wine started to flow. The conversation was bright, infectious, and very funny, as we ate, talked and drank. Someone had news about a change of job, another news about her children, and so the day wore on.

The conversation took an abrupt turn when one of the women told of how she had been dumped, unceremoniously, by her boyfriend of two weeks. Apparently, a rival for his affections - younger than my friend, of course - had ever so reluctantly told him her exact age. You would think we were talking dog years! This man did not seem to object to her ‘age’ while in her bed, but, somehow, in the cold light of day, her substance as a woman seemed to be 18 Ruby Summer

gauged numerically in this man’s mind.

What could we say to her? How could we explain to her that she was gorgeous, a real catch, and that age is only a number when we all felt that we were walking the same tightrope? The frustration of this situation is mind numbing, as there is no answer. We might tell each other that he was a creep and that there is a good man out there waiting to meet her, but the desperation in her eyes was reflected in our own vision of our future. That’s where Patsy Cline comes into her own. We, as a sisterhood of single women, can just crank the volume on the iPod and blast this guy and his shallow, age prejudiced views out of the water.

After we laughed about some horror stories from the dating scene at the other side of 50, we all started singing along with Patsy.

Now she was a girl who understands our plight! Even the titles of her songs say it all, and for women who have been dumped, left, or are permanently single this is the one CD you have to get. It helps to share the words with Patsy, and you can cry, drink, then cry some more, as the songs leave an

indelible impression on your brain. Lyrics like, “I’ve got your picture, she’s got you”, leave you wondering if this singer knows what actually happened to you.

As the songs became louder, and we sang with more gusto and less adherence to the melody, we dried our friend’s tears and tried to heal her heart with more champagne.

Although some of us may never find our new love, we have resilience and a strength that has come from heartache, betrayal and loss.

Women are survivors, we give life and we sustain life, no matter how hard things might become. We love our children enough to let them go and find their own way, but always with a grip on that elastic tie that will stretch and stretch but never break. It seems some men have a harder time of dealing with loss, heartache and loneliness. They, of course, don’t have Patsy to rely on when times get tough!

Men seem to be more insular and have a more stoic outward demeanour than women, which makes it harder to accept change and move on with their lives. Of

ruby musings

course men hurt, are vulnerable, and don’t really know what their role is after divorce or separation. They flounder around with their “heads in a mess” not able to commit to any woman, but somehow always seem to revert to their primal needs…

So, what then becomes of these seven women at the lunch?

Have we passed our use by date? If this example rings true,

It seems some men have a harder time dealing with loss, heartache and loneliness. They, of course, don’t have Patsy to rely on when times get tough! and men of a similar age only want younger women, what is left for us? Where do we look for love and romance? Where do we look for sex? Is the idea of a new life with a loving partner dead and gone for these women; is Patsy right, will we always be “searching for you” as the song says?

I hope this is not our future, as our lunch table is multiplied across the world every day, with women of all shapes sizes, cultures and colours. We all have love to give and a life to share with a person who loves us and wants to be with us. Patsy may be just what we need in times of heartache and self -doubt, but surely there has to be someone else we can sing with when times are great, when we feel empowered, feminine and sexy.

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I think Beyonce says it best, with words like “If you like it then you should have put a ring on it” and “don’t call me baby”. Her lyrics are for today’s women - strong and independent women who know what they want and go out and get it. The only problem is, today’s women are younger than those women at the table.

Maybe the difference in attitudes and cultures of these two generations of women towards life love marriage and sex, cannot only be seen in the lyrics of Patsy and Beyonce, but in this case, perhaps the difference should be measured in dog years.

words denise donaldson 19 Ruby Summer

ruby style

TIMELESS DESIGN,

modern luxury

Exquisite craftsmanship can’t be imitated and the understated elegance of Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen pieces is unmistakeable.

The leading Danish atelier - and yes, Crown Princess Mary is regularly spotted wearing Ole Lynggaard pieces – has just released a new range of stunning designs inspired by nature.

The Lotus rings are synonymous with Ole Lynggaard, with the delicate satinised gold rings featuring delicate overlapping leaves and smoothly polished centerpiece precious stones.

Ole Lynggaard Cophenhagen is a family business, with founder, Ole, and his daughter, Charlotte, as the lead designers, and is one of the largest jewellery houses in northern Europe.

The timelessness of these designs are the antithesis to outrageous bling and destined to become heirloom pieces, passed down through the generations.

Charlotte Lynggaard’s ‘Golden Forest’ designs feature pavé-set miniature acorns, large hand-satinised acorn pendants and hand-engraved oak leaves, with flashes of rose and yellow gold and the sparkle of diamonds. One of two stunning new rings in the range features 187 miniature diamonds. A whole new range of leather and silk bracelets are the epitome of luxury bohemian style.

Whimsical and intricate, the collections are designed to be worn in a myriad of combinations – with rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pendants that can stand alone or be layered in a combination that evokes your unique style. And with more than 3000 different elements across the entire Ole Lynggaard range, your look really can be just your own.

Exclusively available at Artworks Jewellers.

Perfect for summer, the Aqua collection reflects the myriad cool colours of nature – where blue and green are not only seen, but shine. Featuring green aquamarines, white moonstones, green tourmalines, Swiss blue and sky blue topaz, the collection features a few show-stopper pieces, including the magnificent Midnight Sprouts, exquisite Dew Drop filigree earrings and a variety of delicate Dew Drop and Sweet Drop pendants set with Swiss blue topaz and green aquamarines.

1 3 5 P A K I N G T O N S T, G E E L O N G W E S T V I C 3 2 1 8

20 Ruby Summer

ruby style

I GOT SUNSHINE ON A CLOUDY DAY Have you ever wondered why some people seem to see the world as a shinier, happier place, or as a greyer, duller place than what you view? Sure, personality and general wellbeing may have a role to play in our perspective, but so can what we are looking through.

Colo

Just as scratchy, grimy old windows cut the light and can make your home feel dull and dreary, the lenses in poor quality sunglasses can make those bright summer days appear, well, just a bit blah.

At Maui Ji

But then came a revelation, sunnies that make those bright summer days appear even brighter, like amping up the contrast on not just a selfie (because none of us would do that) but on everything you see.

your life w

reduce gla

Yep, it’s the next best thing to actually having sunshine on a cloudy day.

Jim Sungl

For avid fans, Maui Jim are the bee’s knees, the cat’s pyjamas, the bomb or just the Best. Glasses. Ever.

the way yo

What’s behind the hype? Patented PolarizedPlus2® lens technology present brighter colours than you see with the naked eye, making the world looks sharper, crisper and cleaner, without glare and protecting your eyes from harmful UV.

Re

The lenses come in four shades: Neutral Grey, reduces light glare so you just see bright, sharp colours; HCL® Bronze, for a warm sunny feel to any kind of weather; Maui Rose®, the highest available contrast, great for high speed sport and, well, they are rose coloured glasses; and Maui HT®, high transmission means that even on overcast days when other lenses would be too dark, you see the world better.

Maui Jim was born in 1985 on the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui (in case you hadn’t guessed) where the lush, tropical tranquility can be hard to see in the intensity of the harsh sunlight. Creating lens technology that goes beyond just protecting your eyes from glare and UV but actually enhances the view in front of you became the mission.

The results are a range of shades, all available with MauiPassport prescription lenses that deliver the same colour enhancing technology as non-prescription lenses, that people can get a little intense about.

Celebrities are known to wear them without endorsements. Oh, and there’s a whole lot of pictures of someone who looks a lot like the American President wearing them too …

Got a glasses crush yet? No? Then this might just tip the scales, the lab where all the lenses are produced is absolutely waste-free. All excess lens material is recycled or reused.

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21 Ruby Summer

ruby real estate

GET YOUR GLOVES OUT GIRLS

With the summer season here, so comes the fire season and we are being warned that this year is going to be a harsh one.

I

t is important to take care of your property. Landlords and tenants have a duty of care to maintain the property.

Each party needs to take responsibility in guarding against fire hazards.

As a tenant you need to maintain your gardens on a regular basis, so don’t let the weeds get out of control. Notify your agent or landlord in writing if you think there is a fire hazard.

Landlords and home owners should ensure that gutters are cleared on a regular basis to keep them clear of leaf litter. This may reduce any fire hazard and may also

reduce possible leaking and damage to internal ceilings.

Owners should also prune trees and shrubbery on a regular basis, especially if the branches of trees overhang onto your guttering in order to reduce a build up of leaf litter and damage through breaking branches.

If you live in the country area, it is especially important to keep the surrounds of the property clear of clutter and debris as this can be high risk in the event of a fire and an attraction for snakes and spiders.

words gina tobolov, westendrealestate.com.au

22 Ruby Summer

Remember to regularly check your smoke detectors. If they are not working, notify your agent or landlord. Don’t remove the batteries for the kids Christmas presents!

Have your fire plan ready to go. Check out the local Displan (disaster plan) areas and educate others in your household on your evacuation plan.

If you need more information about what to do, or evacuation plans during the bushfire season, go to http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ Remember to remain vigilant and stay safe during the summer season.

ruby business

DELIVERING QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE

I

t is the responsibility of a business to ensure they are not selling shoddy or unsafe products or services. However, whilst they would like every customer to be fully satisfied with their products or services, the reality is that sooner or later every business is going to have some unhappy customers.

It is sometimes easy to dismiss unhappy customers as chronic complainers. Try to think of any complaint or question as an opportunity to improve products, services, and/or performance. By developing a customer feedback and complainthandling procedure, businesses can turn negative situations into opportunities and build customers for life. In any feedback program, incorporate some or all of the following principles:

Acknowledge As an initial step, acknowledge customer concerns. Regardless of how a problem has arisen, simple recognition of a

Every business has a basic obligation to provide customers with quality goods or services. That is, quality in the sense of delivering on a promise to a customer.

concern will make the resolution process far more effective.

Apologise Saying “sorry” to customers is an important first step in letting them know their problem is taken seriously and will be dealt with.

Do not blame the customer When a customer is blamed they often view it as a personal attack. Misunderstandings can occur due to a business creating false expectations in the minds of their customer.

Admit your errors and solve the problem

feel powerless and intimidated. The first step in any resolution is to ensure that customers feel they are on equal ground.

Empower employees to solve problems When businesses do this, they generally find they have happier staff, and save customers a bureaucratic nightmare.

Encourage feedback Make it easy for customers to give feedback about how they feel. Providing feedback cards allows customers to rate products or services of a business. It also gives them a chance to provide positive feedback.

Every business makes mistakes. Be determined to get to the root of the problem, make it better for the customer, and prevent the problem occurring again.

Do not win the battle and lose the war

Don’t use the ‘company policy’ excuse

There may be a small percentage of customers who will take advantage of a business, but the majority will be loyal if they know the problem will be fixed.

No phrase is more dismissive than ‘it is the company’s policy…’ It makes the customer

Trying to save a few dollars but losing a customer is penny-wise and pound-foolish.

words renée jovic, owner & managing accountant, jovic accounting 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 by any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of this article. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• Property • Property Investment Investment • Business • Business Solutions Solutions • Accounting • Accounting • Taxation • Taxation

“Providing “Providing Solutions Solutions to to Businesses, Businesses, Individuals Individuals and and Property Property Investors.

Investors.

With aWith a Personal Personal Approach” Approach”

80 Pakington 80 Pakington Street, Street, Geelong Geelong West West E: admin@jovicaccounting.com.au E: admin@jovicaccounting.com.auwww.jovicaccounting.com.au www.jovicaccounting.com.au P: 03P: 5222 03 5222 6962 6962 23 Ruby Summer

ruby money

HAVE A PLAN & REAP THE REWARDS

A

s a young professional, retirement seems so far away. I’m busy trying to achieve the balance between work, study and a social life, so as to enjoy what many would call the prime of my life. Women are living longer than men, are still getting paid less than men, and are more likely to have gaps in employment due to taking on carer roles. So, although my retirement may not be in my immediate future, the financial planner within urges me to plan.

Especially because I am female.

Everyone’s plan is different but the basics are the same.

Another vital part of your plan should be protection. People don’t question insuring their car or their house, but if you ask them if they have Income Protection they don’t understand why they need it. You are the money machine, and if you are not able to work and earn an income, where is the money going to come from? Insurance is important. It is no longer your partner’s or parents’ responsibility to safeguard your future. Insurance is easily obtained and some of it can even be funded through your superannuation.

At Income Solutions, we believe the best investment you will ever make is in yourself. Further education offers you a great advantage over your colleagues. It can give you the confidence to apply for that promotion, or to request a pay rise and breach the gender pay gap. Whilst working full-time and studying is not an easy feat, once you have achieved a balance it is definitely worth it.

Develop a budget. I know budget sounds like a dirty word and no one wants to know how much they spend, but it is important. It is not about not spending money, it is about knowing how much you do spend. It is one of the most important aspects of your plan. Many of the banks now have budgeting tools in-built with your internet banking and this is a great place to start.

You can’t plan to invest in the future without knowing how much you spend.

Now comes the fun part: planning. Think about your goals. Write them down. My goals have always been to travel and I have been fortunate enough to see quite a bit of the world. The downside to this is that the list of places I still want to visit keeps getting longer. I know I am going to need to work hard and invest to have

an income large enough to support this lifestyle. Family is also important to me and, one day, I would like to have one of my own. Due to this I know that I will fall into the same situation as many women who take breaks in their employment and work part-time in order to raise a family.

One thing that is not on my list of goals is buying a house. Many of my friends and family cannot understand this. I hear the phrase from them ‘rent money is dead money’ all the time. This is not true. Interest is dead money. I know I can rent a nicer place than I can afford to buy and will not be paying interest to the bank to do so. I can invest the difference in what my rent is as compared to what mortgage repayments would be for the same house and build up my investments that way. One day in the future, my investments will be able to fund my travelling adventures. My friends will own a house that is simply costing them money, not making them money. I know this strategy is not for everyone and if it is your goal to own a house it should be planned for and structured the right way.

Income Solutions have a variety of presentations - Income Solutions for Women, First Steps to Financial Success, Common Sense Investing, and Common Sense Estate Planning. If you want to find out more about us and how we can help you, head to our website and register for one of our free information sessions or simply book a free appointment. By the way, our coffee is so good it’s worth just popping in for that!

words elise ryan, financial planner, income solutions DISCLAIMER: The advice in this article is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances.

Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information.

24 Ruby Summer

T c e s

B

Bec Lethbridge, the business owner, took a leap of faith in October 2010 to create this boutique salon in the affluent town of Queenscliff. She began this journey as a one women show, and then two months later her team grew.

The business name ‘Ivy‘ has been named after Bec’s Nana, Ivy Kathleen, who suddenly passed away just three days after the salon opened. She was a huge part of Bec’s life and her hairdressing career and her legacy lives on through the salon.

Ivy Creations is run by a team of 5 women, let us introduce you…

Sammy Rogers

“Ivy Creations has been created for our clients to take time out of their busy lives and relax, unwind and enjoy some ‘me time’, whilst having their hair styled, cut and coloured. The very purpose of my salon is for clients to have the best possible experience.”

Bec Lethbridge, Salon Owner.

Lisa Marshall

enjoys the area of styling and loves taking the time to ensure clients leave the salon feeling glamourous with a beaming smile.

has a passionate and creative flare in the salon and outside of work. Lisa enjoys all aspects of hairdressing, especially getting creative with balayage, colours and cuts!

Simone Peace

Amelia Raleigh

has a very good eye for detail, is very passionate about delivering high quality service and has a very bright, bubbly personality.

is our second year apprentice, she is extremely passionate about working hard to be the best hairdresser she can become and looks forward to her future in hairdressing.

The colours used in the salon are CHI, which is ammonia free. If you’re wondering what ammonia is, it is a colourless gas with a very distinct and unpleasant odour. CHI ammonia free colours are also a safe option for expecting mothers. A massive tick there! So, whether you are in need of a new style, a touch up or occasional styling, the girls at Ivy are well equipped to look after you.

Bookings are essential - please call the salon to book your appointment today.

Phone (03) 5258 4764 4/6 Wharf St Queenscliff ivycreations.com.au 25 Ruby Summer

ruby careers

Women

THE WISDOM OF

Spring saw the release of the 13 Wise Women book, a collaboration of thirteen local women who have opened up their lives and their thoughts, sharing their knowledge and experience, in the hope of creating positive change for other women.

Some of these extraordinary ordinary women told us about what it was like to be a part of the project.

Gail Mortimer (project facilitator) Q: How did 13 women all work so well together?

Everyone had the same “bigger picture” if you like and that really did help to keep us all focused on our target market and the Why the How and the Outcome and on the same page.

Facilitating this project was easy. When you work with empowered and focused women dedicated to a project, supporting each other all the way, the outcome can only be positive. The most rewarding part of the project for me was watching each and every one of these ladies, step out of their “comfy zones” and deliver their chapters.

I also learned so much from each and every one of them, and will be forever grateful to them all for helping me realise my dream of inspire and encourage women to shoot for the starts and live their dreams. They are all extra ordinary women and all have of them have been inspiring, insightful, have honest stories to share, with tips and words of wisdom from the experiences, all written from the heart.

So, to answer your question, all of these women worked so well together because we did it with love and a “bigger picture” and enjoyed ourselves.

26 Ruby Summer

Mary Petherick Q: What was your experience of putting your life into words?

I came into the 13 Wise Women book project later, as I was overseas when the group started. With limited time and a looming deadline I thought the best way to write my chapter was to take a week off, take myself away to somewhere off the grid to think, reflect and write.

And that is what I did.

I loved writing my chapter, because I actually love to explore and express ideas through the written word. It was a unique opportunity to reflect on just how far I had come and how much I had achieved. However, in writing your own story you also leave yourself a little vulnerable to others interpretations and opinions.

My biggest challenge and fear was the weeks leading to the launch of the book. This is when I suddenly realised others would be reading my story. As the launch date loomed I started to become more anxious. I am a very private person and I had spent years deliberately not sharing my health issues and hardships. But what I realised after publication was that my story actually resonated with so many.

It created a rare connection with them, where they got a glimpse of where I had come from and why I do what I do. And that has been wonderful.

Lara Walsh Q: What was your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge in being a part of the 13 Wise Women book was making sure I had the time to be fully committed to the project.

Juggling a busy family and growing business along with taking on a new project such as this was always going to be a challenge. I think it is character building to try new things and go outside your comfort zone, I tell this to my kids all of the time.

However, my personality is such, that if I am going to do something, I want to do it well. I want to give 110% and be fully committed. There was a time in the project where the “hard part” writing the chapter - had almost been completed, however knowing the industry, I also knew the amount of hard work that was required to get the book to publishing stage and beyond.

I was worried that I would not have the time and energy to give to the project moving forward.

Gail was a great mentor and really encouraged me to stick with it. Of course, I found the time - I made the time - and really enjoyed the opportunity to work on the branding and the whole look and feel of 13 Wise Women, which is what I love to do. And I guess, in essence, that’s what this book is all about. Making time to try new things, reach for the stars and just give it a go.

ruby careers

Shayne Sullivan

Fiona Skene

Sharon Hill

Q: What did your learn about yourself during this process?

Q: What did you take away from working on 13 Wise Women?

Q: What did your learn about yourself during this process?

I was contemplating creating a children’s book but had no idea how to go about it when I received an invitation to contribute to 13 Wise Women, and I realised it was the perfect opportunity for me to experience the writing process first hand.

It has been an amazing ride, with phenomenal women and I have been blessed by the experience.

Until pen is put to paper the reality of the learnings and achievements to date can simply be a culmination of doing what you do, being who you are, meeting and overcoming small insignificant hurdles, one day at a time, to meet the needs of others. Be it family, friends, colleagues or clients these interactions are shaping us, challenging and strengthening us, laying the steps to something bigger and greater than our current selves.

It was the very first time I was accountable to others for what I hadwritten on a personal level.

I wasn’t prepared for the emotions that consumed me when I was expected to hand over ‘my baby’ (and my inner most thoughts) for others to share.

I learnt that we were all in the same boat and it was a perfectly safe environment in which to do so, and from this intimate sharing new connections and friendships prevailed.

We are 13 busy women, each with our own agendas, joys and challenges faced before, during and after the penning of our chapters.

I will be forever grateful that my path has crossed 12 others, especially Gail, in the creation of this first of many books by many other wise women.

When Gail asked me if I wanted to be a part of this experience I knew that it was exactly what I was meant to do.

Also having a program of Self-Defence that was named the same (WISE), made the decision even easier.

It was going to be a challenge for a girl that struggled and nearly failed English at school. When I started to write, it was a process of writing from the heart and I knew that the rest would take care of itself. I wanted to share the experiences of life, love, forgiveness and belief to women who may think that it is not possible for them. By sharing my own experience, and giving them a starting point, as I did in my life, I wanted to show that all things are possible if you put your mind to it.

I always worked from the point of view that life happens for you, not to you. I also wanted to let others know that to change is just a step away. Life is short and it is too precious to live with regret.

I wanted others to find belief in themselves instead of waiting for other to give it to them, and thanks to the courage of all the women in the book whom shared their brokenness to their joy, that it is there for everyone and that you are not alone.

Michelle Winckle Q: What did you think when you were asked to take part in 13 Wise Women?

I was honoured to be involved in the writing of 13 Wise Women and a little bit daunted at the same time. The thought came to mind instantly as to, “why me,” and, “what am I wise about?”

I decided the strength in my story came from my hardest time in my life and,

by sharing the good and the bad, this would really help people to see that anyone can become successful if they love what they do.

When I started out following my dreams it was those that shared the good and bad that truly helped me the most, so I stepped out of my comfort zone and shared the real story behind what gives me my “why”.

For a big part of my life I have let life drive me. Writing my chapter for 13 Wise Women helped me to realise the gravity of the choices made and that I, like everyone, am the ultimate creator and driver of the life I want to live. That daring to dream big and seemingly insurmountable dreams has enabled me to create new services to add value to the Geelong business community and to the lives of people in the Geelong region.

In sharing our stories, I hope many other people will dare to dream big, step up and make valuable contributions to their communities when it’s their time to shine.

This was a big leap of faith, as once it’s printed you can’t take it back. I hope that by sharing how low I have been in the past encourages others to never give up believing they too can have more.

You can find out more or buy a copy of 13 Wise Women online at 13wisewomen.com

27 Ruby Summer

ruby fitness

FITNESS IS THE NEW BLACK Move over Orange, an active lifestyle is now the New Black. While women stretching it out at Yogilates is nothing new, there are a number of innovative fitness trends taking over across Geelong to accommodate the influx of the sportsluxe (fitness wear as fashion, for the uninitiated) from tri-coloured Nikes to Lululemon lycra.

A

n active lifestyle is now part of the holistic journey to good health and wellbeing. From hot mat Pilates to Roller Derby, women are getting together to sweat, laugh and look after their health.

Putting a twist on the classics we know and (questionably) love are activities to bring back childhood memories, play the gender game and, above all, have fun.

THE TRENDS Hooping Remember using a hula-hoop in school sport class circuits? Well, it’s having a famous comeback thanks to three bloggers who decided to share their passion for hooping – the art of manoeuvring a hula-hoop around the body as a form of exercise. Also referred to as a flow art, hooping shares the same lineage as juggling and has taken the fitness world by storm… again. The exercise helps to build strength, balance and flexibility while improving cardiovascular health and burning calories, (approximately 200 calories can be burnt from a thirty-minute session) Hooping can be found at local gyms and community centres, but if you’re

28 Ruby Summer

keen for a solitary spin there are some great YouTube tutorials to build up your hooping know-how.

AcroYoga AcroYoga, in other words, is stretching with a human touch. Beautifully blending the art of yoga with acrobatics, this form of exercise brings the connection we share with humans to the next level by physically and metaphorically picking each other up.

There are two different types of AcroYoga; the first including elements of dance while the other with a Thai massage addition.

AcroYoga is practised in a small group consisting of a flyer (in the air), a base (on the ground supporting the weight) and a spotter (on the side for safety), with the ultimate goal of combining a myriad of exercises to connect and communicate freely. Allowing adults to tap into their innerchild, this playful form of fitness is a team effort and taught in most yoga schools throughout Australia. A popular slogan linked to AcroYoga is to “Put your phones down and pick your friends up”. Whether it’s figuratively or literally, the global practice of AcroYoga helps bring people together to physically and emotionally unite.

Adult gymnastics Remember swinging on those freakishly high bars, completing your first tumble roll in front of mum and dad, or having way too much fun bouncing off a trampoline into a big pit of foam? Gymnastics doesn’t have to remain a mere childhood memory, with plenty of health clubs and local venues offering adult gymnastics programs. Suitable for all fitness levels, adult gymnastics helps encourage adults to get active and use their bodies in new, interesting and fun ways to have a positive impact on overall health and wellbeing.

Women’s AFL We have girl power at its finest with the rise of a Women’s AFL league. Australia could have up to six women’s clubs by 2017, with the AFL supporting the push to boost elite women’s football. Female football participation has tripled in the last five years and accounts for 19 per cent of total participants (195,000 women). As females make up approximately half of an AFL game’s audience, it only seems natural to support, promote and share the playing amongst genders.

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THE TECH SUPPORT Fitness trackers From the Apple Watch to Jawbones and Fitbits, there is now a way to track your every physical movement, bite of food and wink of sleep, leaving little excuses available for being out of shape.

Fitness trackers offer information, inspiration and support in a seamless sync to your smartphone. Arguably more effective than a gym membership and noticeably cheaper, this tech support helps keep tabs on your health and fitness progress, monitor your eating habits, offer free workout tutorials, tips and ideas as well as helping set realistic goals to achieve. Sounds just like a personal trainer, right? And remember, wearing the tracker with your latest running gear from 2XU doesn’t make you fit (despite how fabulous you will look) – but using the products in addition to exercise and healthy eating sure will.

To enter please email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with FIRM ME! in the subject line; or head to our Facebook page /MagazineRuby Competition closes midnight January 1st 2016.

Winners notified via entry method.

Health apps Your smartphone can be the gateway to achieving optimum health and wellbeing thanks to a little thing we call apps. RunKeeper essentially speaks for itself, with 45 million members in its online community to help you create, train and reach your running goals.

And did I mention you get rewards for reaching them? With a variety of tips, information and incentives for you to stay on track, RunKeeper, amongst other running apps like Nike+ Running and Lorna Lane will help you maintain a commitment to (and enjoy) that morning jog. For those after more of a connection between the mind, body and spirit, Pocket Yoga allows you to flow through yoga in your own time, bringing a studio to the comfort of your home while saving money and the stress of a membership commitment.

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Digital influencers From YouTubers and Vloggers sharing self-confidence tips, to Instagrammers and fitness bloggers posting the latest workout for a toned tum, there’s ample online content to suit your wellness needs. Take Kayla Itsines for example. The Australian Institute of Fitness graduate with 1.4 million Instagram followers launched a 12-week nutrition and exercise Bikini Body Guide, sharing tips, transformations and inspiration on a daily basis. From Bianca Cheah’s downward facing dogs at the beach to Karlie Kloss’ workout guides for Vogue.com, the answer that was once only located in a gym is now readily available from a single swipe, as digital influencers help us to grow, shape and maintain ultimate health and wellbeing.

words alexandra mcmanus

Before

After

Tilly lost 34.9KGS and 221cms in 12 months Samantha Meade T: 03 5221 9310 M: 0419 775 584 E-mail: geelong@thefirmslimming.com.au Web: thefirmslimming.com.au Address: 87C Little Malop Street, Geelong, Vic, 3220

29 Ruby Summer

THE

ANTIAGEING BREAKTHROUGH REVEALED M ore and more women are looking in the mirror, seeing those oft-quoted visible signs of ageing and exclaiming, ‘Bugger this for a bunch of bananas’ and doing something about it.

That advanced skin treatments are now widely available outside of Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills or Harley Street in London is empowering a generation of women to throw off the sensible shoes of cardigans of generations past and embrace their older years.

That for too many of these women the heady rush of taking their skin’s destiny into their own hands leads them towards procedures they are not fully prepared for, and, because they are not fully prepared, end up with the kinds of nasty complications and inevitable disappointments that dominate reviews online.

After a brief chat with Australian Skin Face Body about their new CO2 fractional laser – otherwise known as DOT therapy, so called because it uses dots of laser energy – I did what we all do, I Googled it. It’s been hailed as ‘the anti-ageing breakthrough of the decade’, but when I sat down with ASFB dermal therapist, Rebecca Harrison, I had a long, long list of questions, around what the procedure was, who it was suitable for, the all-important down time and results, but most of what I wanted to know was in response to those scary online reviews.

30 Ruby Summer

First of all, I was very relieved to find that not all CO2 laser treatments are the same. There are two main types of laser resurfacing therapies, fully ablative CO2 laser resurfacing, and CO2 fractional laser resurfacing. The ASFB therapy is the latter of the two, and while both are highly invasive skin treatments – the kind you might turn to when you aren’t getting the results you are looking for with LED light therapy or peels there are significant differences in the treatment themselves and the after-effects.

Patients turn CO2 laser therapy when they want the obvious results – that kind that have friends commenting on how amazing your skin looks.

It is particularly effective for older, more lined skin and is typically used for wrinkle reduction, blemishes, stretch marks, scars, sun damage and hyperpigmentation. It can be used to treat skin ageing or damage on the face, hands, neck and décolletage. And, being highly invasive it is rarely a first treatment option.

What is really appealing about the flexibility of this procedure is that it provides a solution to the ageing Hollywood actress conundrum – you know, where their face looks amazing, but their neck, chest and hands are a dead giveaway of their real age. It’s also an option to minimise that telltale v-shaped wrinkle that is a special surprise for side-sleepers over the age of 37, when it just seems to appear overnight.

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ruby health

Rebecca, cutting through the Google tsunami of horror stories intermingled with gushing accounts of lives changed, explains that the fully ablative laser is like ripping up the grass, while the fractional laser used at ASFB is like aerating the grass, leaving plenty of healthy tissue around the laser site making for a much quicker healing time.

What I had seen on my Internet search were tales of months of red and swollen skin, with reports of end results of the kind of waxed appearance that tends to get a regular run in gossip mags and celebrity news sites. Complications of the older-style fully ablative lasers can include permanent hypopigmentation or waxy white discolouration.

Fully ablative treatments take off layers of skin, hence coming with after-effects similar to a burns victim for two to three months post-therapy. It’s not a pretty sight and more than enough to put you off your afternoon tea and Tim Tam (or raw cacao protein bar).

The fractional laser therapy still comes with downtime, somewhere in the order of 8 to 10 days, before you comfortably slip on some BB cream or mineral foundation and face the world.

Basically, rather than stripping back

the skin (I know, flayed for beauty is such a frightening thought) the fractional laser puts tiny holes in the skin, delivering the laser energy deep into the dermis, stimulating collagen and elastin as the treatments activates the skin’s healing process.

The laser is drawn to water, so dehydrates the skin, so it also acts as a deep peel, pushing out the dead skin to rebuild from the bottom up.

The results can be pretty staggering, with heavily wrinkled skin significantly and very noticeably plumped and smoothed, scarring heavily reduced in appearance and big improvements in skin tone and appearance. But how effective the treatment is depends on proper pre- and post-procedure care and an ongoing cosmeceutical skincare regime. Your skin is one area where it really is true that you get out what you put in.

Rebecca says that patients wanting CO2 fractional laser therapy will need a consultation at least four weeks prior to treatment. Pre-treatment care includes a skin care regime rich in Vitamin B (boosts the skin’s immunity and is anti-inflammatory), Vitamin C (helps to lighten and brighten the skin and boosts collagen production) and

Vitamin A (boosts cell turnover, collagen and elastin production and is the skin’s anti-ageing vitamin) as well as a good quality sunscreen. Having healthy skin before the treatment not only improves the treatment results, but also prevents the chances of side effects and helps the healing process. Patients who are prone to cold sores can have a dose of antivirals prior to the treatment, and there are certain medications that need to be avoided close to the procedure.

The treatment is booked in 100-minute sessions, with numbing cream applied an hour before the procedure and then 20 to 30 minutes with the laser. The procedure is not comfortable, but less painful than say Infini radio frequency micro needling.

Typically, and it always pays to remember that all of us heal and respond to treatments differently, patients will experience was looks and feels like a bad sunburn for between 12 hours and 2 days post-treatment. Ice for swelling and barrier cream is useful at this stage.

The appearance of sunburn, including peeling, lasts for the next seven to ten days. Everyone responds differently, but Rebecca advises allowing at least four to five days off work or usual commitments, and around ten days if you want to look like your (albeit refreshed) normal self.

words davina montgomery

Skin resurfacing and wrinkle reduction treatments are now even better.

Introducing our new fractional laser for the ultimate in skin rejuvenation.

Australian Skin Face Body Plastic Surgery, Skin & Laser Clinic 50 Western Beach Road, Geelong Telephone 5221 2238 www.asfb.com.au AusSkinFaceBody

We also offer treatments for: facial pigmentation, acne & acne scarring and specialised skin conditions.

31 Ruby Summer

‘ h B t t

“My Brax awning has completely changed the way my family and I spend time outdoors” - Julia Green “We all love an Aussie summer, but that sun can be a scorcher. My Brax awning has completely changed the way my family and I spend time outdoors as it offers respite whilst still looking über stylish! That’s a win win in my book - entertaining and enjoying lunch under the awning is a complete treat for all of us thanks to our local friends at Brax!”

Visit our Showroom: 332 Pakington Street, Newtown, VIC www.braxwt.com.au or call 5221 5533.

ruby living

OUTDOOR STYLING ‘Styling’ seems to be a bit of a buzzword at the moment – it’s all about how you ‘style’ your home, or rooms, if you’re a contestant on The Block. Do you have a personal decorating style? Do you like to follow the trends and change things around or just like to do things once and then live with it?

I have to admit that I like to change things around a bit, which is often just a case of using the same accessories in another room for a bit of a different look. I pore over home décor magazines and rummage around online looking for inspiration – and for things that I can actually afford.

especially with your outdoor areas, to choose items that are easy to look after.

It’s no good going to all that effort to have an outdoor entertaining area if you end up spending all of your time cleaning it or can’t use it because it’s too hot and sunny, or gets hammered by the wind.

There are just so many options available for decorating our homes, and now there’s also a huge range for decorating your outdoor living spaces. As Australians, we do like to spend a bit of time living outdoors, but haven’t our yards and gardens come a long way since the 70’s? … Although, 70’s style is very fashionable at the moment.

Before you embark on decorating your outdoor area, take some time to think about how and when you will use the space. Will you need sun protection or shade? Think about the times of the day when you will be using it most – will an umbrella give you the protection you need or would a retractable awning work better?

As a nation, we seem to have really embraced outdoor living or alfresco areas, and these areas are now both important and integrated parts of our homes.

Does it get really windy? This can be a tricky problem to solve – we all know umbrellas and awnings aren’t great in the wind – perhaps you need to look for more solid screening or can plant densely to help provide some protection. Of course, this doesn’t always work if you have a view to enjoy.

I love getting a glimpse of all the beautiful homes and outdoor areas in the glossy magazines – they always look amazing – but we need to remember they are set-up to look great for the photos. It’s important,

Investing in quality fabrics for outdoors means that they will last. Fabrics that are

designed for outdoor use will be more resistant to fading and mildew so are easier to care for too. Most can simply be hosed down – and now there are lots of great outdoor fabrics available at really affordable prices, so you can add some instant colour with cushions.

Whatever size your yard is, or even if you only have a small balcony area, styling these areas nicely makes the space so much more enjoyable to use. With the range of options available today, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do so.

So, decorating or ‘styling’ your home should also extend outdoors – stick with a similar style to indoors for a more cohesive feel, but you can really have some fun while creating a space that you enjoy relaxing in – because it’s really all about what works best for you and your lifestyle!

words cal stewart 33 Ruby Summer

ruby insight

LOVE

THE SKIN YOU’RE IN Amber Gwynn is one amazing woman, not only is she gorgeous, but she wants ALL women to feel gorgeous with the real them, not the airbrushed micro-sized fantasy them.

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he started her own fashion label for plus-sized women, Nyata, because she wanted all women to be able to enjoy fashion and feel fabulous. She is a plus-size model and the founder of the website nonairbrushedme.com dedicated to celebrating real bodies, just as they are.

And, as a busy modern woman living with Multiple Sclerosis, she is a champion for living well.

Born and raised in Werribee and moving to Geelong five years-ago, Amber lives in Teesdale with her partner Tim and her beautiful dogs, Albert and Sumi. She is a registered nurse, and specialized as a qualified mental health nurse. She worked as a District Nurse in London and these days works at the Transport Accident Commission supporting those who have been severely injured from transport accidents. She is also a curvy model for BELLA Model Management and has represented brands such as Simone Perele, Pacific Brands, and Target.

“I have always been creative and wanted to pursue this in a way I feel can help others.

I understand that to feel amazing on the outside we must first feel amazing on the inside. Fashion is just the finishing touch to beauty,” Amber says.

Finding out she had MS came, she says, like a bolt out of the blue.

“After a year and half living in London, I came home for Mum’s 50th birthday. The day after her party, I woke up with blurred vision, which progressively got worse over a few days. I went to the Eye and Ear Hospital and was then advised that it was highly possible I had MS.

34 Ruby Summer

“Having just returned from travelling to over 32 countries throughout the world and being fiercely independent, I was not prepared for the diagnosis and just went about life as usual. Until, a couple of months later, I woke up and could not feel anything from the waist down. It was at this time I was diagnosed with MS.

“I want people to see that [MS] does not affect people only in the way that we see it portrayed in the media; that having this condition does not stop you living the life you always wanted and following your dreams. I want to be the person to talk to that I never had at the time of my diagnosis.”

“Having only ever seen this condition portrayed so negatively in the media, only ever having seen worst case scenarios, I actually went to Tasmania where my parents live and had a block of land at the time, and had a disability accessible house plan drafted, ready to move there, ready to be in a wheelchair.

Amber says changing how she saw herself has brought some loving and beloved new friends into her life.

“It was the scariest time of my life. Having spent my whole career supporting those with mental health conditions including depression, I never really understood it until it happened to me.

“My parents advised that until I smiled again, I would not return to Melbourne. Through their love, support and absolute positive reinforcement that I would be okay, I woke up one day and thought, “I am amazing, strong and powerful and I will beat this”. And that is exactly the mindset I have sustained from that day forward.

“I actually was an MS Ambassador for a total of about three weeks. I found it hard to be surrounded by other ambassadors who were so negative about the condition, and thought I don’t need to stand and give a speech at a Rotary Club about this condition; I just needed to be me and represent this condition in a positive light in the community.

“I am so blessed to have met others who have MS, have known others with MS, or just in general through chasing my dreams through Nyata.

“In a strange way, I see my diagnosis as the best thing that has happened to me, because it has given me a unique appreciation for my body, and to appreciate every moment. It has been the catalyst to me chasing my dreams.”

Amber has a simple message for other women diagnosed with MS: “You are amazing, powerful and a warrior.

You need to surround yourself with loving people, rid yourself of anyone who does not 100 per cent support you.

“Change your career if it is not fulfilling your soul. Be aware of your body holistically, look after it, nourish it with good food, exercise regularly, sleep well, do things that make you feel good.

“Don’t be afraid to share your diagnosis with others. The world needs to see more normality around living with this condition and you can be your own kind of ambassador.

ruby insight “Life is amazing, every breath you take is a gift, live in the moment and be grateful.”

Launching Nyata was one of those dreams for Amber and, having always been a curvy lady and always having loved fashion, she explained the joy of helping other women feel better about themselves.

“I have found it hard over the years seeing people not confident in who they are, hating their body and not expressing their true beauty into the world.

“Having always been curvy, I saw the gap in the market for beautiful boutique wear for plus size women, and having been a model for various brands, never understood why there is a need to compartmentalize standard and plus sizing.

“I believe that all women are real (Nyata means real in Indonesian), all women are equal and all women deserve to look their best, and we should not be segmented into size categories. And so I launched Nyata, a fashion label that caters for equivalent of Australian sizes 8-30.”

“Working fulltime, modeling and managing a fashion line as a one-woman business – albeit with the tremendous support of my partner – is tough. Owning a small business is tough and there is so much to do behind the scenes. It really is non-stop, there is always something to do.

“I think I have surprised myself with my capabilities in balancing all of these things, and I’ve realized an incredible strength within myself that I never knew I had. I am forever having people ask me, “How do you do it all?” My response is, “because I want to and I can.”

But the more time she spent in the fashion industry, the more she questioned how the media, fashion and modeling industries can perpetuate unrealistic body images.

Amber shares her thoughts in an honest, open celebration of what it is to be proud of your non-airbrushed body, her nonairbrushedme blog.

From nonairbrushedme.com: Today, on this very day, I could look in the mirror and see 2 options Option 1. A girl with hairy eyebrows, freckled arms, acne scarring, hair regrowth, a large tummy, big bum, cellulite, stretch marks, a few pimples, chipped nails and chapped lips.

OR Option 2. A girl with eyebrows I have grown for a long time and am proud of, arms that work, glowing skin I take great pride in, a hair colour I finally love, a tummy which my partner loves to cuddle, a bum that helps me dance, pimples which reflect the goodness of easter, nails which show a day well spent doing gardening because I take pride in my home, and lips which allow me to smooch all that I love.

I chose option 2.

Nyata’s size names are not the standard 10, 18, 30, they are: Beautiful, Natural, Jaw Dropper, Gorgeous, Amazing, and Stunning – and yes, there is an equivalent Australian size guide.

When we spoke to Amber she was getting ready to fly off to Indonesia for a Nyata shoot, and I asked her about her connection with our northern neighbours.

“I have traveled extensively, yet Indonesia feels like home to me. It is where I feel my happiest, healthiest and radiant self. I am always inspired by so much over there, and always find my inner peace.

“Indonesian tailors and seamstresses are world renowned for their amazing techniques and high quality, as well as having beautiful fabrics.

“All of our products are manufactured in Indonesia, our tailors are all ethically employed under Australian equivalent standards, including superannuation, which is of high importance to my label.

“Our bold, seasonal prints are hand screen printed, bringing individuality to every single piece.”

Running a business and launching a fashion label is a long way from nursing, and Amber said the learning curve has been a steep one.

“I want women to start viewing their bodies in a different way.

“Having experienced what I have with my condition and having had various loved ones touched by chronic and terminal illness, as well as supporting those in my work at TAC who may not be able to shower, eat, walk independently, when someone complains about the size of their arse they need to put this into perspective.”

And Amber doesn’t hold back from telling it like it is online, an approach that attracted plenty of criticism on social media.

“I have been called a fat lard, a bag of oil, a Wendy’s hotdog lover. You name it. I guess you expect it when you put yourself out there, and, lucky for me, I love and embrace my body and myself too much to let it affect me. Although, these people who are heroes behind their own computer screen can really cause damage to those who may not have the same outlook on themselves and their body.

“Cyber bullying is a real issue that needs to stop.”

“I see the negative behavior of others online or in real life as their own issues, not mine. And I will never let anyone bring me down or stop me doing what I do.”

credits (above) Blessed Pixels, Photographer - Makeup by Belinda, HMUA (opposite) Georgia Wiggs, Photographer - Makeup by Jess Jeanes, HMUA 35 Ruby Summer

ruby spotlight

Storage has never been so sexy There isn’t a lot I envy about the lives of the rich and famous … the benefits all seem to come at too high a price. But there are the occasional things, like the exotic holidays (albeit with your cellulite thoroughly documented by sneaking paparazzi), having someone who tidies up after your kids before you sprain an ankle tripping over the Legostrewn floor (they would probably sell the story of your slothfulness and your children’s unruly behavior), but it’s really the dizzying wardrobes that have me seeing stars; the beautiful, drool-worthy clothes, bags and, Oh. My. God. The. Shoes.

Back in reality, I can barely deal with the meager shoe collection that I have (well, meager by celebrity standards) and regularly play shoe roulette, where I can find one black and one red but neither of both. So, it was with genuine excitement that I watched Nigel from Cabinetmaker’s Choice open what looked like an ordinary (if ordinary came beautifully laminated in a gloss wood finish) cupboard only to reveal a kind of pullout pantry for shoes. It was shoe nirvana, with room for more than 40 pairs of shoes, including boot shelves, and even room for your significant other to have a couple of rows, if you’re feeling generous.

In the opposite corner, a spinning Lazy-Susan cabinet that just begged to show off those special bags and shoes, with a in-built ironing board on the side, complete with hanging rack.

36 Ruby Summer

Everywhere I looked there were storage surprises. A glasstopped bamboo cabinet to show off a tie or scarf collection, with soft-close drawers on concealed runners underneath.

All the drawers pulled all the way out – so no more getting your wrist caught trying to reach to the back. There were pullout trouser racks; jewellery display cases hidden in drawers and lighting in the cabinets, because who has a window in their wardrobe?

A feature that particularly appealed to me – a short person living in a house with high ceilings – was an 8-foot storage unit, with push close drawers and fully-extending jumper racks below a high hang rail with a pull-down lever. Seriously!

It actually feels a little disrespectful to the generations of women who have been dragged around hardware stores to be enthusing about cabinet fixtures, but there it was.

Enthusiasm. Over hinges and drawer sliders and pull-down clothes rails, noting that not even our favourite silk scarves wouldn’t get snagged on the super-smooth 2-pac finish on the bamboo storage unit.

I had seen some of these amazing Hettich storage solutions in my regular forays into Home Beautiful, Home, Belle and Vogue Living. To see it in action was so much better. It was the like being in a magical wardrobe that didn’t need a secret panel to Narnia to get my imagination firing. My inner child was spinning so fast she was going to need to have a lie down soon.

Back in the days when my most spectacular shoes were plastic dress up Barbie heels, there were few more consistently thrilling ways to pass the time than sneaking into my mum’s wardrobe, putting on a dress that was at least a foot too long, hanging on every necklace and bracelet I could find, and, of course, clomping around in Mum’s going out shoes. I couldn’t help imagine doing just that in this wardrobe.

The innovation on show is bang on trend, but the experience behind it is three-decades of cabinet making. And there is definitely a touch of 1980s indulgence about secret compartments in a wardrobe, with shelves that spin around or hidden accessory drawers or the very, very fabulous shoe pantry. The clever invention of it reminded me of another fabulous wardrobe full of tricks, created by a down-and-out carpenter, played by Kurt

Russell, for the yacht of the extraordinarily wealthy and snobbish character of Goldie Hawn, in an outrageous 80’s rom com Overboard.

If you haven’t seen it, YouTube the Overboard Shoe Cupboard for a glorious 1980’s flashback, it will make you want your own secret shoe pantry so much more.

www.cabinetmakerschoice.com.au • • • • •

Cabinet doors & hardware Decorative boards & laminates Custom & prefabricated wardrobes Timber veneers Benchtops & more!

Unit 1, 124 Grove Road Grovedale 3216 (03) 5244 3631 www.cabinetmakerschoice.com.au 37 Ruby Summer

ruby wellness

TRAVEL WITH PASSION, LIVE WITH SUCCESS

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one are the days when a holiday meant a week of doing nothing, battling Europeans for sunbeds or traipsing around an unknown city. Now, we have options. We can indulge in a yoga retreat, climb Everest, discover meditation, come back with a boob job or begin the next Great Australian Novel.

In other words, we’re all fed up of working 48 weeks of the year only to waste the other four. Now, the creatives among us can take our pick from textiles workshops in Peru or painting lessons in Paris, acting classes in New York or a ceramics course in Scotland.

Unique Wellness Retreats and Healing Clinic We INSPIRE and EDUCATE to enhance wellness and create healthy lifestyles with CREATIVE self exploration and FUN

Jo Surkitt | Revitalize Lifestyle

0417 549 218

The fitness nuts and adrenaline junkies can choose between cycling through Tuscany, rock-climbing in Alaska, black water rafting in Rotorua or sky diving in Turkey. Food fan? You can indulge those cravings on a French patisserie course, experiment with beer making in Dublin or learn about spices in Mumbai. And for Wellness retreats, they are everywhere to suit anyone, popular places include Bali and Thailand for yoga and meditation, the Maldives and Queensland for the top to tail in wellbeing or the newly popular ‘F&%k It’ retreats in Italy.

The world is our oyster, and many of us are opting to spend our holidays indulging our wellness habits. As a result, Wellness Tourism is becoming one of the fastest growing sectors in the global travel industry. Closer to home, Australia’s health and wellness sector has grown by nearly 5 per cent year-on-year since 2010, and is now generating more than AU$387 million a year, according to IBIS World. And that’s before we’ve even covered medical tourism, which includes everything from dental work to cosmetic surgery, and is a field that’s getting more popular by the day.

And why not? Our daily lives are dominated by fast food, stressful jobs, air conditioned offices and long commutes. Investing time and energy in the things that excite us makes it all worthwhile.

These little travel successes help keep us charged. They remind us to stay true to ourselves and make sure we remember just how important it is to live for our passions – even if we only do it a couple of times a year.

‘Jo Surkitt of Revitalize Lifestyle is a qualified wellness expert who has over 20 years’ experience in both the travel and wellness industry and has explored six continents. Jo runs a Wellness Centre and Retreats in Torquay.’

www.revitalizelifestyle.com words jo surkitt 38 Ruby Summer

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Find everything you could want for the perfect christmas under one roof at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.

Dear Santa, I've been a very good girl, For Christmas I would like: Swimsuit (that make me look fab) Beach towel Sun hat Some juicy summer reads Gorgeous sandals Sunglasses ‌ well, you get the idea :-) xoxo

39 Ruby Summer

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ADAIRS 1. Home Republic ‘Sly’ desk lap (75cm; copper) $129.95 2. Home Republic ‘Flinders Madison’ velour towel (violet) $39.95 3. Mercer & Reid Christmas Reindeer tea light holder (small; silver) $14.95ea 4. Home Republic ‘Criss Cross’ ceramic bauble (assorted) $9.95ea 5. Mercer & Reid ‘Glitter String’ bauble (gold) $7.95ea.

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HOME SURPRISES 6. Wood frame (6x8; white) $5.50 7. Wire waste basket (copper) $40.50

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WILD CARDS & GIFTS 8. Half coloured wall clock (white) $49.99 9. Urban Products tea light holders (marble look) $8.99 10. Marble canister (12cm) $24.99 11. PT ‘metal grid’ fruit basket (copper) $34.99

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ADAIRS 1. Mercer & Reid ‘Joy’ standing timber decoration (natural) $16.95 2. Mercer & Reid ‘3D Mirror’ Xmas decoration (blue) $14.95ea 3. Mercer & Reid ‘Scandi’ cushion (pastel grid) $49.95

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HOME SUPRISES 4. Bell wreath (light gold) $6.50 5. Apple LED candle (silver) $2.50 HOUSE 6. Alex Liddy sauce dish (6.5cm; white) $2.99ea 7. Soffritto gingerbread man cookie cutter $7.99ea ROBIN’S KITCHEN 8. Marie Claire ‘Brilliance’ mug & bowl set (dots) $24.99p/set 9. Marie Claire ‘Brilliance’ mug & bowl snack plate (dots) $9.99

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THE REJECT SHOP 10. Glitter tree with beads (assorted) $12 THIS AN THAT 11. Tall vase (blue) $34.99 12. Thatch vase (blue) $14.99

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WILD CARDS & GIFTS 13. Artique wall clock (white/rose gold) $27.99

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Address: 173-199 Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds VIC 3216

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ADAIRS 1. Home Republic adult Santa sack (red) $24.95 2. Home Republic ‘Fox & Tree’ laser cut bauble (clear) $7.95 3. Home Republic ‘Santa & House’ laser cut bauble (clear) $7.95 4. Mercer & Reid ‘Christmas Wreath’ tea towel (2pce; gold) $14.95 5. Home Republic ceramic hanging disk (assorted) $4.95 HOME SURPRISES 6. Cheese knife set (3pce; red) $14.99 HOUSE 7. Alex Liddy ‘Noel’ star plate (24cm) $19.99 8. Alex Liddy ‘Noel’ star plate (18cm) $11.99 9. Alex Liddy ‘Noel’ star plate (24cm) $19.99 10. Alex Liddy ‘Noel’ mugs (2 pce) $19.99 11. Alex Liddy ‘Castella’ cutlery set (4 pce) $139.99 ROBIN’S KITCHEN 12. Ambrosia pudding bowl (2Ltr; red) $16.99 13. Alex Liddy felt coasters (red) $9.99p/set; Alex Liddy felt placemats (red) $29.99p/set THE REJECT SHOP 14. Glitter tree (assorted) $6 THIS AN THAT 15. Ridge vase (white) $29.99 16. Flowers (red) $6.50 p/stem

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WILD CARDS & GIFTS 17. Up In Lights illuminated letters (white) $29.99ea

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ADAIRS 1. Mercer & Reid ‘3D Mirror’ Xmas decoration (silver) $14.95ea BAGS ONLY 2. Disney ‘Mickey’ embossed trolley case (24”; hot pink) $169.95 3. Kardashian Kollection ‘Neutron Dance’ Xbody bag (yellow) $48.97

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BRAS N THINGS 4. Sporty bandeau set (light green) $69.99

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DICK SMITH 5. Oppo ‘R7 Plus’ smart phone (white) $599 HOME SURPRISES 6. Light up bauble tree (blue) $28 7. Picture frame (8x10; assorted) $6.99

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NOVO 8.‘Unique’ peep toe heels (black & white) $69.95

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TONIK 13. Nixon ‘Blaster Pro’ (gold/ black) $189.99 14. Billabong ‘Mayfair’ wallet (cool whip) $29.99

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Phone: 03 5244 2580

www.waurnpondssc.com.au

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PRICELINE 9. Marc Jacobs ‘Daisy’ (4pce mini; 4ml) $69 10. Nude by Nature ‘Complexion Supernature’ makeup set $99.95 11. Revlon Gel Envy nail polish (assorted) $16.95ea 12. Nude by Nature ‘Pressed Perfection’ makeup set $69.95

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WILD CARDS & GIFTS 15. Urban Products ceramic bulldog (large; pink) $12 16. Up In Lights illuminated letters (white) $29.99ea 17. Cotton Candy ‘Mankinny’ gnomes (assorted) small $27.99; large $47.99 18. Urban Products picture frame (4x6; yellow) $34.99

41 Ruby Summer

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ADAIRS 1. Mercer & Reid ‘3D Mirror’ Xmas decoration (silver) $14.95ea

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BAGS ONLY 2. Tony Bianco ‘Slash & Burn’ tote (tan) $83.97 3. Kardashian Kollection ‘Neutron Dance’ passport wallet (black) $48.97 4. Tony Bianco ‘Slash & Burn Silas’ wallet (tan) $48.97 5. Kardashian Kollection laser cut passport wallet (black) $55.97 HAIRHOUSE WAREHOUSE 6. GHD ‘Limited Edition’ Arctic Gold drying gift set $200 7. Ninety Nine brush (black) $18.95 NOVO 8. ‘Auckalnd’ handbag (black) $49.95 9. ‘Seoul’ sandals (black) $59.95 PRICELINE 10. Paco Rabanne ‘1 Million’ (50ml; 2pce) $79 SPENDLESS SHOES 11. Wildfire ‘Penny’ heels (black) $49.99 TSG 12. Home Elements ‘Moviecam’ ornament (gold) $32 TONIK 13. Rhythm ‘Pocket’ hat (black) $39.99 WILD CARDS & GIFTS 14. Up In Lights illuminated letters (white) $29.99ea ACCESSORIES TONIK 1. Billabong ‘Essential’ bag (assorted) $29.99 2. Billabong ‘Kick Back’ thong (white) $19.99 3. Hurley ‘O+O’ trucker cap (peach) $25.99

42 Ruby Summer

1.

Address: 173-199 Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds VIC 3216

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ADAIRS 1. Mercer & Reid ‘3D Mirror’ Xmas decoration (silver) $14.95ea DYMOCKS 2. World of Numbers by Adam Spencer $34.99; Fast Food for Busy Families by Pete Evans $39.99 TONIK 3. Billabong ‘Hamilton’ thongs (iron) $19.99 4. Billabong ‘Bazza’ hat (straw) $19.99 5. Rip Curl ‘Pivot’ surf watch (black) $99.95 6. Dragon ‘Roadblock’ sunnies (copper/silver) $179.95 7. Billabong ‘Exchange’ wallet (black) $39.99 8. Element ‘Mohave’ pack (black/flint) $69.99 TYPO 9. ‘State of Mind’ Campus A5 notebook $6.99 WILD CARDS & GIFTS 10. Ultimate pocket toolset (silver) $29.99 11. Watermark ‘Mini’ water bottle (charcoal) $14.99 12. Gibson Original ‘Fishin Pole’ BBQ lighter $34.99 13. Up In Lights illuminated letters (white) $29.99ea

Phone: 03 5244 2580

www.waurnpondssc.com.au

43 Ruby Summer

ruby food

RUBY

FOOD DARIUS SARKIS Head Chef, Baveras Brasserie Originally trained in French cuisine, Darius enjoys the lighter side of Asian cuisine and tries to combine a blend of both in his cooking.

After commencing his career at Mietta’s in Queenscliff, Darius has worked at Harry’s, Finnigans Place, and Riviera on Yarra before starting with Baveras Brasserie in 2012.

With 19 years’ experience now under his belt, passion continues to drive Darius to evolve in the craft of cooking as he inspires his team and customers at Baveras Brasserie.

W

ith the anticipation of Christmas building early in December we are fast hitting holiday mode, flooded with thoughts of hot Summers days, beach and backyard cricket, fresh fruit platters, BBQ’s and salads (oh and maybe a cheeky cocktail to boot!).

The huge variety of succulent fruit and crispy vegetables that is available at the markets during this time of the year is almost overwhelming!

The festive season is celebrated and we should all be taking advantage of summer’s abundance of beautiful fresh fare.

Here’s our top picks from the markets this Summer…

FRUIT

VEG

HERBS

Apricots

Vegies:

Parsley

Berries

Avocado

Mint

Cherries

Chilli

Dill

Figs

Eggplant

Watercress

Nectarines

Spring onion

Chives

Peaches

Sweet corn

Plums

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Zucchini

44 Ruby Summer

ruby food

GRILLED LEMONGRASS AND TURMERIC CHICKEN 1 cup coconut milk 3 shallots, chopped 3 garlic cloves 2 lemongrass stalks (bottom third only, tough outer layers removed), finely chopped 2 green chillies, seeded 3cm piece ginger, peeled, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons tamarind juice concentrate or 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon turmeric 1.3 kg whole chicken halved Vegetable oil (for grill) Lime wedges PREPARATION Combine coconut milk, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, green chillies, ginger, lime juice, tamarind juice, fish sauce, salt, turmeric, and 1 cup water in a blender. Purée mixture until a smooth marinade forms.

Place chicken in a large baking dish. Pour marinade over; turn to coat evenly. Cover chicken and chill overnight.

BUCKWHEAT NOODLE SALAD Packet buckwheat Soba noodles 200g snow peas, trimmed, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 Tbs pickled ginger 4 spring onions, thinly sliced

GINGER DRESSING 2 tablespoons pickled ginger juice 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon sesame oil

In a medium size pot bring some water to the boil and then add the buckwheat noodles and cook for about 8-10minutes. Once noodles are cooked remove from pot and refresh under cold water, drain and lightly coat with some oil so that they won’t stick together and then put to the side. To make the dressing, place all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk together until combined.

Place the cold noodles in a bowl, add your sliced snow peas, pickled ginger and spring onions and lightly toss. Add your ginger dressing to the noodle salad and lightly mix ensuring that you don’t break your cooked noodles. Serve with the grilled lemongrass and turmeric chicken.

– 5222 6377 –

Remove chicken from marinade, shaking any excess marinade back into dish. Transfer chicken to a large platter. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Transfer marinade to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until marinade thickens, 10-15 minutes. Pour half of marinade into a small bowl; set aside for basting chicken while it grills. Keep remaining marinade in saucepan; cover and keep warm until ready to serve the chicken.

Heat grill or char grill to medium heat, oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill chicken, turning every 5 minutes and basting occasionally with marinade in small bowl, until fat is rendered and skin is nicely charred in spots, 30-35 minutes. (The key here is to turn the chicken often so the skin doesn’t burn.)

Continue cooking chicken without basting (so it will get crisp) until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes longer.

Transfer chicken to a large platter and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Squeeze lime wedges over chicken. Transfer marinade in saucepan to a small bowl. Serve warm marinade alongside chicken as a dipping sauce.

Best seafood ~ platter ~ in the region 45 Ruby Summer

ruby wine

IT’S BEGINNING TO TASTE A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS! Two of the region’s leading winemakers have got your celebratory season food and wine pairing sorted. . .

Darren Burke Winemaker – Leura Park Estate & Yes said the Seal

Nyall Condon Winemaker – Jack Rabbit Vineyard

I would recommend starting the day with a glass of the 2009 Yes said the Seal Blanc de Blanc which works incredibly well as an aperitif or with natural oysters with a squeeze of lime juice. The lime juice lifts out the green apple and brioche notes in the fizz.

Christmas is a time for celebration and lucky for us Christmas is Summer in Australia! There's no better way to toast the festive season and the year gone by than with a glass of bubbly. That’s why the Jack Rabbit Reserve Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay is at the top of my list to kick off with. A premium bottle of fizz like this lends itself to going with all types of dishes but is perfect to enjoy with snacks, seafood canapes and creative Christmas platters alike.

As you move through the day still with the seafood theme we could progress to some lightly grilled calamari which would work devilishly well with our just released 2015 Leura Park Riesling. The balanced acidity and fresh citrus drive of the Riesling would bring everything together nicely.

If Riesling is not quite your thing you cannot go past the 2015 Leura Park Pinot Gris which is everyone’s favourite right now at Cellar Door.

The wine has a real exotic bent which when served with a fragrant Thai inspired salad or heaven help us curry the planets align!

When we hit summer I just can’t get enough Rosé. The modern dry style of Rosé that many producers make now works so well with food across the board from sea and surf to paddock and beyond. The 2015 Yes said the Seal Rosé is made predominantly from Shiraz and has intense and vibrant fruit flavours and fragrance which means it sits comfortably with barbecued meats and laden antipasti platters.

Now is the time to get serious with what the Bellarine does best when it comes to reds, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Long lauded as making Pinot Noir’s of distinction, many highly qualified wine aficionados now suggest that perhaps Shiraz is the jewel in our region’s crown. I will let you decide that!!!

The most significant factor regarding Shiraz and Pinot Noir from the Bellarine is that they are both medium bodied wines with depth, richness, tannins and balance. This means they don’t overpower or dominate food.

The 2014 Yes said the Seal Pinot Noir is perfumed and vibrant exhibiting suppleness and verve whereas the 2014 Leura Park Shiraz gives us spice, pepper and blackberries both of which match impeccably with pork, turkey and our old favs, lamb and beef on the Christmas table.

Whew, please show me where I can lay down now!!!

46 Ruby Summer

Another top option is of course the special release Jack Rabbit Sparkling Cabernet Sauvignon (only very limited volumes are ever made but this wine is Christmas cake in a bottle!) With loads of dark berry and fruit characters and hints of chocolate & spice this wine won't disappoint for any occasion.

Because we will all eat way too much, it's important to balance the rich Christmas foods with crisp clean wines. Jack Rabbit Pinot Grigio and Riesling are both very diverse in their matching abilities and enjoyed chilled are an easy choice over lunch or while laying around the pool, down at the beach or at a picnic with friends and family.

Another wine I have to suggest is the Jack Rabbit Rosé as it's the most ‘summery’ wine choice for most. With its delicate Pinot Noir backbone, it goes well with just about anything, from cheese boards and main meals to ice cream and equally, enjoying just on its own.

To cap out the evenings or the main event, if reds are your flavour then Pinot Noirs from our region are a must and the Jack Rabbit Pinot Noir is at the top of the picking order. Consistently awarded for its excellence, this wine is a great example of why our region is being recognised as super premium. If you’re after slightly more weight and a subtle punch then the Jack Rabbit Shiraz is a show stopper. Rich, deep red hews and notes of blackberry, violets, liquorice and plum plus savoury white pepper finishing with silky smooth tannins. Sure to round out the evening while reminiscing of the past year.

ruby wine

Yes said the Seal

2009 Reserve Blanc de Blanc

Jack Rabbit Vineyard 2011 Heritage Reserve Sparkling Cabernet Sauvignon

An immaculate wine delivering intensity, verve and style. Lovely straw in colour with flecks of gold.

A splendid bouquet displaying nougat, brioche, quince and a wisp of aldehyde. It is no surprise that with 48 months on yeast lees this wine boasts a very refined, dainty bead and excellent mousse.

A compelling acidic nucleus convenes with pleasing baked stone fruits, lemon tart, nougat and some aldehydes from bottle age to deliver a wine of depth and complexity. Cleansing talcy tannins ensure the wine finishes fresh and crisp.

Crafted from premium Bellarine grapes, this luxurious sparkling Cabernet sauvignon has been indulged by yeast lees for more than 4 years. It shows great complexity with mocha, spice and tobacco leaf aromas. The palate is medium bodied with succulent berry flavours alongside a medley of savoury notes and fine tannins. A sophisticated dryer style is complemented by fine persistent bead and delicate mousse.

Leura Park Estate

2014 Jack Rabbit RosĂŠ

2015 Riesling

Vibrant and racy, this is a wine of scintillating acidity and freshness. Sassy inflections of lime and lemon alongside nuances of pomegranate and ruby grapefruit provide a thrilling experience for the Riesling lover. Precise balance of acidity and residual sugar delivers a wine with impeccable poise and ethereal length. While drinking beautifully now, this wine will evolve over the ensuing decade.

www.leuraparkestate.com.au

A vivacious RosĂŠ that empowers the palate from first encounter with fragrant nuances of strawberry, cherry and cheeky red currant.

Delicious, distinctive toffee apple and citrus notes also abound and precede a rounded finish with a delightful nudge of astringent bounce.

www.yessaidtheseal.com.au

www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au 47 Ruby Summer

ruby yum

It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and nothing is truer when entering into the Denny Lascelles National Wool Museum Geelong.

It is here that you’ll find nestled in between the buildings’ bluestone walls and exposed timber beams Dennys Kitchen: authentic Italian restaurant.

Recent renovations by award-winning designers draw inspiration from the iconic 1872 historic building, creating an atmosphere that’s warm and relaxed.

Dennys is a place where memories are made around a dinner table, whether you’re seeking an intimate meal for two or a feast for the family.

It’s where new friends, old friends and colleagues are able to meet and enjoy an affordable authentic Italian meal or select a drink from the wine menu which includes local and imported (Italian) wines, beer and ciders.

Its philosophy is to create simple rustic-style food to be enjoyed and shared by the entire table. The traditional Italian menu has been hand crafted by award winning head chef Richard Hooper, his team of chefs and resident Nonna, Carmela. Only the freshest locally sourced seasonal ingredients are used, then simple cooking techniques are mastered to enhance the natural flavour of the food.

The new summer menu is exciting and has been cleverly designed to suit the needs of those who must eat and run, or for those who can indulge in staying a little longer to enjoy the range of shared tasting plates, starters, followed by main meals and desserts. A children’s menu is also available upon request.

Ladies who Lunch

From lunching hotspots to hidden gems, gather the girls and get together at one of these LADIES WHO LUNCH destinations

Dennys boasts an extensive selection of handmade pastas, (zucchini and sweet potato ribbons available as a lighter alternative), wood fired oven pizzas and a range of fresh seasonal salads and side dishes. Our cold grilled chicken salad (pictured) is the perfect summer dish with great contrast of sweet and bitter with the sweetness of the blood orange complimenting the bitterness of the radicchio!

Also passionate about food and good service, the welcoming staff are ready to accommodate large groups and functions.

Telefono: (03) 5223 2536 manager@dennyskitchen.com.au National Wool Museum 66 Brougham Street Geelong 3220 www.dennyskitchen.com.au

48 Ruby Summer

ruby yum

Gourmet Food, Gifts & Wine Merchants The beautiful and genuinely unique Darriwill Farm in Highton is one of those go-to places that just make you smile every single time.

Located on the corner of Highton Village, the café is renowned for its sumptuous, fresh and delicious food, and the array of kitchen home wares and provedore supplies means diners can feast their eyes while their meal is taking care of their appetite.

New owners, Fleur and Jim Whelan, are old hands at the hospitality game and have brought a whole lot of love to what is a favourite spot for locals. The café is boasting a fresh new look and an ever-fresh new menu, all served up with the same exceptional service and quality.

The carefully balanced menu means that varying dietary requirements are catered for, but never in a boring way or as an afterthought. Think sweet potato rosti, gluten-free salt and pepper calamari, vegetable frittata and a changing daily specials board. There is also a kid’s menu for family time. Or, if you’re meeting up with the girls or that extra special client, the wine menu is fabulous!

With their signature navy blue ribbon, a gift from Darriwill Farm is one you always know will be received with pleasure – and not a little amount of real joy. From Le Creuset cookware and high quality imported products, to an enticing selection of the finest local produce, you can find something for even the most hard to buy for giftees.

Step inside Lucy Locket’s 261 and enjoy a warm and welcoming venue.

A family run business that is child friendly and licensed, we are open 7 days 8am-4pm. We aim to create a hospitable atmosphere and invite you to try new and exciting dishes or enjoy the all-time favourites across our menu.

Breakfast is served all day and there are many lunch and takeaway options available. We encourage you to compliment your meal with a local Geelong wine or boutique beer. We pride ourselves on using only the freshest ingredients and work hard to produce coffee that leaves an impression.

We are the exclusive partners with 9BAA, a certified fair trade organic coffee made up of four beans that is a smooth and easy to drink blend.

The coffee is roasted in Gnarwarre, within a working woolshed – to which the name from derived from.

Sweet, savoury, small or large- our fridge offers additional delights for all appetites. Our cakes are house-made or locally sourced, and cater for all dietaries.

Our chef Daniel Spiteri is passionate about each and every one of his dishes he serves with a menu that is continually changing. Our specials board is frequently moving as we experiment with new ingredients and trends. We enjoy working with local suppliers within the region. We also offer a children’s menu with many different items to choose from.

We are now available for catering with a huge range of options for any event of any size. From canapés to corporate luncheons- weddings to 21st birthdays, we have done just about everything! We work closely with the clients and can tailor a menu to suit any budget and occasion.

Contact us to assist in your next special event.

7 Days | 8am - 4pm DARRIWILL FARM Open: 7 Days 7.30am - 5.00pm Address: 65-71 Barrabool Rd, Highton VIC 3216

5241 2933

CONTACT Phone 5229 8399 lucy@lucylockets261.com.au 261 Myers Street, East Geelong 3219 www.lucylockets261.com.au 49 Ruby Summer

ruby yum

CAFÉ BOCCA Serving home style food, made with all the love and care that the squashed sandwich and bruised apple that you usually manage to throw together before running out the door in the morning is missing, Café Bocca has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of yum.

The delightful family owned and run café is one of Geelong’s best kept secrets … well, it was, but now the word is getting out about this go-to lunch and snack spot.

Mum; Sue, and daughters Carlee and Holly, freshly prepare sandwiches, rolls and wraps – chicken schnitzel or roast for those really hungry days, lovely fresh salad when you’re being good – as well as homemade sausage rolls, daily special casserole and pasta dishes, and plenty of sweet treats to beat down the 3 o’clock cravings.

Nestled on Ryrie Street directly opposite University Hospital Geelong, city and hospital workers throng to the friendly café for great coffee, a takeaway bite to eat, or just a snug spot to catch up.

The Ruby ladies can highly recommend the Zucchini Slice (best Zucchini Slice ever), our takeaway salads that we get to show off how good we’re being, the sneaky bit of roast pork and crackling when we’re not, and the divine homemade yo-yos and red velvet cupcakes - because calories don’t count on deadline.

Edge offer an all-day dining experience for any occasion to perfectly accompany their spectacular waterfront location.

The venue boasts large bi-fold windows, outside decking and an alfresco area with views of the world class Geelong Waterfront and Corio Bay. The seasonally inspired, modern Australian-style menu incorporates classic favourites as well as innovative on-trend dishes suiting all tastes and budgets. Edge aim to always deliver enticing dishes utilising fresh ingredients and supporting local suppliers and producers. Their new menu boasts healthy and tasty options suitable for a snack, light lunch or something more substantial!

Dishes such as the ‘Lightly dusted salt and pepper calamari tossed through a fresh tomato, cucumber, capsicum, mixed lettuce salad and drizzled with lemon dressing’ (pictured), the ‘Pearl cous cous salad with fresh pumpkin, artichoke, chilli, sunflower seeds and roquette drizzled with pesto oil’ or ‘Tuna steak with avocado, capsicum, roquette salad & a balsamic glaze’ highlight their approach to deliver fresh and healthy options for summer.

Many of their dishes cater for dietary requirements and include a range of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. All of the meal options can be paired with beer or wine from local or international regions, which is the perfect way to enjoy your lunch while you sit back, soak up the sun and enjoy the water views.

Edge is also family friendly and offer a range of meals to keep the little ones satisfied. From Tuesday through to Friday afternoon, they offer a Mums & Bubs play room that can be utilised by kids of all ages providing toys and activities to keep them busy while you relax!

Live entertainment is also provided Friday-Sunday with local acoustic duos performing from 5pm and DJ’s to get your night started from 9pm.

Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Edge is the place to be this summer!

CAFÉ BOCCA Open: Monday to Friday 7.00am – 3.00pm Address: 281 Ryrie Street, Geelong.

Phone. 5222 4930

50 Ruby Summer

03 5222 2666

manager@edgegeelong.com.au 6-8 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC

www.edgegeelong.com.au

ruby events

GREAT AUSTRALIAN BEER FESTIVAL 2016

Saturday 6th February 2016

Great Beer, Great People, a Great Day ... that is the Great Australian Beer Festival. Returning bigger and better in 2016.

homebrewers there are masterclasses, equipment tips on finetuning your techniques and creating a better brew.

Now into its fourth year, Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival has quickly established itself as one of the country’s leading celebrations of everything beer & cider.

Add live music, two stages, beer cabaret, visual arts, an annual keg rolling competition, barbequed treats and delightful tucker from local restaurants & food trucks, and this festival has all you need for a beer filled weekend.

Brewers and beer lovers from Australia and beyond make the annual pilgrimage to the city by the bay to join with locals and experience first-hand what makes GABF a unique social day out.

Step into a beer lover’s paradise, wander through pop up bars, lounge in terraced gardens while tasting well over 200 Australian and international brews.

Learn to appreciate beer and ciders even more than you already do at free seminars throughout the day.

Discuss mouth feel with friends or possibly even with the very person that brewed it. For keen

Organisers are expecting over 5,000 people to attend the full day of tasting at Geelong racecourse, many within social groups and school reunions. Locals have embraced the event as their own dressing up in costumes and making it an ideal social event to kick of their year.

GABF is a truly great summer event to attend, a delightful journey of sipping, sampling and socialising. Great Beer, Great People, a Great Day ... that is the Great Australian Beer Festival!

Tickets cost $29.50+bf and are on sale now.

Visit www.gabf.com.au for more information.

GE E LON G RACECOURSE

gabf.com.au 51 Ruby Summer

rampant ruby

WORKPLACE GENDER AND EQUALITY STRATEGY PROJECT We hear the term ‘gender equality bandied around a lot. Sometimes, it pops up in considered, balanced, thoughtful conversation. At other times, you just want to roll your eyes and sigh. But there are some very real, very tangible, very logical reasons why gender equality needs to be at the forefront of the agenda for governments and businesses. Researchers from the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Workplace Leadership produced a report recently that highlighted those reasons.

For instance, did you know that Australia’s gender wage gap is above the OECD average? Or that women make up around 26% of the top three management layers in Australian organisations with 100 or more employees?

Research shows that more diversity in senior leadership roles has a positive effect on a range of workplace indicators, including staff satisfaction and productivity. But despite this, only 13% of Australian businesses have a strategy for implementing flexible work policies that take into account family and caring responsibilities, and only 7% of Australian

52 Ruby Summer

businesses take a strategic approach to gender equality.

The Commonwealth Department of Employment commissioned the Centre for Workplace Leadership to examine how we can better support Australian organisations to instill gender equality into their workplaces.

Laura Good, one of the researchers on the project, said gender equality at work is important for many reasons.

“When we talk about women and men having access to the same opportunities, resources and rewards in the workplace, we are looking at an indicator of where Australia stands more broadly on equality between women and men.

“The Global Gender Gap Report (wgea. gov.au) shows that Australia is ranked first in educational attainment for women but 51st in terms of labour force participation, highlighting the scale of potential being wasted as women receive insufficient support to stay at work and progress in their careers.

“Gender equality at work is also part of a broader struggle for social justice. Australia has a proud history of women’s rights campaigners

advocating for women to have greater independence and a bigger role in decision-making in politics, the workplace and all facets of society.

“Importantly for organisations, workplace gender equality makes good business sense. Research shows that a diversity of men and women in the workforce and leadership can lead to improved organisational performance. Greater innovation can come about through better problem-solving, leveraging different perspectives. Offering flexible work can help attract and retain the best talent. All these facets are important elements of gender equality at work.

These aspects also feed into each other, which is why it is important to take a strategic approach to achieving gender equality.

“Our report is designed to be an illustration of how organisations can take the next steps in making their workplace more inclusive. We outline a range of different ideas from 10 workplaces across a variety of industries, focusing on different issues, such as workplace culture, building a business case and retaining talented women.”

rampant ruby

Dr Deborah Towns, who also worked on the project, said that by changing the status quo in regard to gender equity in the Australian workforce, individuals, families, businesses, and society benefit.

“The traditional ‘Harvester man’ Australian male breadwinner model is being challenged as increasing numbers of women - particularly women with young families - are remaining in the workforce.

However, equal pay is not here yet, and the gap is widening.

“Greater transparency in pay rates within businesses is one way to address the issue of equal pay. The number of women in leadership roles in business is plateauing, and this is not only a social justice issue but a waste of their talents.

Australia has more women graduates than ever before, surpassing the number of men graduates. However, in the workforce, women are not rewarded equally with pay or promotions when compared to men. ‘Merit’ is often brought up as the reason why women are not promoted. ‘The ‘merit’ principle is based upon a false and traditional ideal of meritocracy which needs to be challenged. Organisations are beginning to do so and those that participated in the Gender Equality Project were concerned about changing their workplace culture by addressing the unconscious bias throughout their workplaces.

“Women continue to be the main care givers in the Australian community despite working full-time or part-time which can be accompanied by stress and other personal and family pressures,” Dr Towns said. “At the same time, today’s younger men are more interested in being directly involved in caring for their children compared to the older generation, but if men apply for flexible work they are more likely than women to be refused as their work managers decide that care work is for women not men.

“To generate and maintain gender equality in the workplace, the ways to develop a level playing field for women and men in each workplace need to be considered.

The ten case studies conducted by the Gender Equality Strategy Project show how the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA) Gender Strategy Toolkit can be used to tailor gender equality strategies for particular workplaces.

“As Dr Andrea Iffland, Regional Director of the Asian Development Bank and one of the participants in the Gender Equality Workforce Project, stated, ‘We were pleased to be part of this project because women’s empowerment is a critical part of our work in economic development in the Pacific’.”

Dr Towns said many organisations have ad-hoc flexible workplace opportunities, with or without stand-alone flexible work policies in Australia. ‘Flexible work’, could be available in a range of ways, according to the needs of the employer or the employee. Flexible work may take a number of forms: job sharing, parttime work, working a traditional week’s hours over fewer days, purchased leave, changed starting or finishing times,

“AUSTRALIA IS RANKED FIRST IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT FOR WOMEN BUT 51ST IN TERMS OF LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION, HIGHLIGHTING THE SCALE OF POTENTIAL BEING WASTED…” working additional hours for time taken off, transition to retirement, taking rostered days off in half days or more flexibly, flexitime/time-in-lieu time off work instead of overtime payments, telecommute/virtual teams working from home or other location so as not travelling to work every day, etc.

“Recently, the Australian Government has joined other countries and introduced new legislation under the Fair Work Act encouraging formal flexible workplace policies with ‘right to request’ working arrangements. Employees have the ‘right to request’ flexible work arrangements when they: care for pre-school and school-aged children, have broader care responsibilities, are aged 55 and over, are victims of or related to victims of domestic violence,” Dr Towns said.

“However there are ongoing problems for staff preferring flexible work, despite the

new legislation. Leadership opportunities can be limited as traditionally leadership roles are considered to be full-time. In particular, even though employees have a ‘right to request’ flexible work, it is their employer, HR manager or line manager who makes the decision. An informal flexible work arrangement can be tenuous, because agreements with one manager may not be honoured when managerial change occurs.

“Recently the WGEA found that approximately half of Australian employers had a flexibility policy, but only 13.6 per cent had a flexibility strategy. The gap indicates that ‘flexibility is not treated as a strategic tool that can achieve business benefits, so for many organisations the challenge is real’. In a few international companies, HR managers are looking at flexible work from the positive perspective of ‘What job can’t be done flexibly (instead of what job can be done flexibly)?’ For example, Telstra and PricewaterhouseCoopers have decided to extend flexible working to all roles.”

Laura said that it’s important to keep in mind that all organisations have different issues in relation to gender equality and no one is perfect, as best practice is constantly being updated and looks different in different contexts.

“In the Gender Equality Strategy project, we worked with organisations already doing some great things, but looking to be even better. There was a hospitality business looking to build a business case for more focus on gender equality, a scientific research organisation trying to have more women in leadership, and a financial services company focused on building a more inclusive culture, among other stories.

“We helped them to develop a more strategic approach, giving suggestions like ensuring the talent pipeline of emerging leaders includes both women and men and doesn’t exclude employees working flexibly.

More stories and information on the cases in the report can be found at www.workplaceleadership.com.au/ genderequality For the WGEA’s guide to building an organisation-wide approach to implementing and managing workplace flexibility: https://www.wgea.gov.au/lead/ strategic-approach-flexibility

words davina montgomery 53 Ruby Summer

ruby travel

SEARCHING FOR THE

SUN

FOR MOST OF US, THE IDEA OF HAVING OUR ENTIRE HOME RENOVATED IN ONE LONG GO IS THE DEFINITION OF A WAKING

NIGHTMARE.

FOR

JUDY

BAULCH HOWEVER, THE UPHEAVAL AT HOME WAS THE PERFECT CHANCE TO HIT THE ROAD WITH HER .FAMILY FOR A CENTRAL AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE.

54 Ruby Summer

J

une 1: The first day of what will turn out to be a winter of record breaking cold and dreariness. We are not grey (much), but we are becoming nomads for three months, joining the endless convoy of homes on wheels heading north in search of warmth that soaks into the bones. Along the way, we’ll form our own little convoy consisting of two camper trailers, one caravan, six children and seven adults, with friends who will join us from Perth and Sydney. Our joint destination before we head home via Outback Queensland and the East Coast, and they head back west, is Darwin, that warm and laid back city where the locals shiver if winter temperatures drop below 25°C. We have spent months setting up our home away from home – a pre-loved, used-once-before-deciding-“glamping”was-more-their-thing, camper trailer. It’s essentially a family-sized tent that folds off the side of a garden trailer fitted with a tailgate masquerading as a kitchen. After much internet research and YouTube watching, my husband has made clever storage boxes and a nifty foldout bench for the kitchen, so it has everything we need, including running water. Having travelled up the Centre and around the West with our then toddler children five years ago, we are determined to do things differently this time and make sure we don’t take more than we need (looking at you, bread making machine).

We have a few days before we meet our friends in Port Augusta, so we stop in the exquisite South Australian town of Melrose to ease ourselves into life on the road. It’s not much warmer here than at home, so we are wearing beanies to bed and covering our sleeping bags with doonas and blankets. On the first night, I realise that I don’t know how to hook up the gas bottle to the stove and I somehow can’t find any dinner essentials in the food box or giant Waeco fridge. A meal of some sort eventually makes it on to the camp table and I fall into bed immediately afterwards. “What time is it?” I mutter as my family begins the first of a million games of Skipbo for the trip. (It’s kind of a kids’ version of the card game 500 and it can go on for HOURS). “You don’t know want to know,” they chortle. It’s only 7.33! I don’t care.

I’m asleep.

THE RISING MOON IS YELLOW AS A FREE-RANGE EGG YOLK AS IT COMES UP OVER THE HORIZON. IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING, IT’S SILVER AND BRIGHT ENOUGH TO CAST SHADOWS.

We love Melrose, with its lovely pubs and friendly locals and the ruins of the amusingly named (to a seven and nine year-old) Jackass Brewery, but it’s time to move on, especially as the coming weekend is the annual Melrose Fat Tyre Festival when more than 200 people and their mountain bikes will descend on the town and our camping spot will be required for those who pre-booked it for this weekend 12 months ago.

For the first night we stop at a free roadside stop and make camp looking over the endless landscape, watching the sun go down until it is dark quite suddenly and the stars come out. Hello stars!

We’re back! For the rest of the trip I will try to find just the right words to describe the stars in the heart of our country and fail.

Without light pollution (the headlights of approaching cars that can be seen for kilometres don’t count, although I have to wonder who are all these people and where are they all going between Woomera and Port Augusta at this time of night?) the stars are clear and white, the sky is unfathomably black and the milk in the Milky Way stands out more clearly than I’ve ever seen it. The rising moon is yellow as a free-range egg yolk as it comes up over the horizon. In the early hours of the morning, it’s silver and bright enough to cast shadows. I realise again, but not for the only time in the next four weeks, how difficult it is to avoid clichés in describing this land, the sky, the subtly ever-changing views out the car window.

The desert is not dry this year, there is water lying everywhere beside the road and in creek beds that were dry last time we passed this way, and the land is green. Lake Hart, a giant dry salt pan five years ago, has water in it. We walk its blinding shores, crunching over the glittering crystals. The salt turns every twig it encrusts into tiny sculptures.

Coober Pedy is exactly as I remember it, a strange lunar landscape with mullock heaps rising against the blue, blue sky and strange frozen dinosaur-like creatures that are actually some sort of opal mining equipment. It’s still chilly, but warmer than home. Our caravan park has trees and flowers and is appropriately called The Oasis. The trees, apparently, are not natural to Coober Pedy and the hole for each had to be drilled through rock and sandstone. I look at them with new respect and admiration.

We take the children to the Old Timers Mine - an award-winning tourist attraction located in an old opal mine. It’s all underground, not good for claustrophobics, but endlessly fascinating in its history of this unique town, opal mining techniques and the dugout home that looks as if the residents just stepped out but hasn’t been lived in since the late 1980s. Afterwards, we have the opportunity to “noodle” for opals in the mullock heap outside (regularly topped up by the owners).

We wake early and pack up in the dark for the mammoth drive to Uluru. Nine hours and a state border later we arrive at the iconic symbol of Australia’s identity. It’s been raining here recently too, so there are still rivulets running down from the top, filling the waterholes at the bottom that each play a part in the creation stories of this area. At the Yulara camping grounds I remember again that these are the narrowest toilet and shower cubicles in Australia and I’m very grateful that this time I don’t have to have a three year-old crammed in with me in either of them.

We spend a day exploring the Rock, learning its geological and political history, the stories of its people, how they lived in its shelter in a symbiotic relationship. Standing right underneath it, close up to its curves and wrinkles and sides stained black with eons of water rivulets it strikes me again as a huge slumbering beast, easy to designate as sacred. For the kids, it’s one enormous classroom – geology, natural history, cultural history, current and historical politics, another chance to learn that there are other ways and places to live.

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), misty in the distance, makes my heart leap. Iconic the Rock may be, but the mysterious domes of Kata Tjuta I could explore every day. There are places like these that contain their own peace and stillness, that always are hushed, regardless of how many busloads of tourists and small children chattering about how much they love tuna and mayonnaise are roaming about. Kids can be very focused. “Look, did you see that butterfly?” “Yes, it’s pretty, Mum for my birthday party in six months’ time can I have…?”

We are trying to get them out of their world, our world. We are trying to leave all that behind and participate in the present, feel the wind on our faces, the ancient ground under our feet, but kids are kids.

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ruby travel I might be endlessly fascinated by debates over what exactly caused that geological formation and the symbolism of that particular rock painting, but sometimes all that matters to a seven year-old is lunch, no matter how spectacular the view.

After Uluru, we set off for Kings Canyon. Our friends were here on a family holiday 28 years ago and are keen to see it again; our family has never been. It leaves us breathless, and not just because of the steep, 20 minute walk to the rim. It is breathless to watch children race right to the edge of a cliff (especially for adults who don’t like heights or edges), it is breathless to be on a plateau so high and ancient, looking down into a canyon carved through red rock, looking out to what could be the edge of Australia.

Five hours of walking, from the walk into the canyon itself, as far as tourists can go before encroaching on sites sacred to the traditional owners, then up to the top and around the rim and down again and not a complaint from any of the children, not even the almost five year-old. They go all day, they climb the highest rock formations (I can’t look), they skip over boulders like mountain goats. They talk about tuna and Beanie Boos

restocking and repacking. The next day we head into the West MacDonnell Ranges, starting with Ormiston Gorge and working our way back to Standley Chasm. We drive out in fog so heavy we can barely see the side of the road, wondering if we’ll be able to see anything at our destination, but it clears as we arrive to a beautiful winter’s day in the desert. All the gorges are oases, all of them are breathtaking. The clichés take over again, I have to just open my mind and let all the images of ghost gums clinging to red cliffs against blue skies and white clouds flood into my consciousness.

The next day is set aside for the Alice Springs Desert Park, an absolute must-see that doesn’t disappoint. The Birds of Prey show thrills us all as wedge tail eagles brush over our heads and my son’s continuing obsession with lizards begins with the Thorny Devils exhibition. At midday the sky clouds over again and we make a run for our cars in pelting rain. The caravan park is ankle deep in water by the time we get back. On the other side of town they have a hailstorm that leaves drifts of ice. Half an hour after the rain stops, the water is all gone. Where does it all run away to?

IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU’VE SEEN KAKADU’S ROCK ART IN TOURIST BROCHURES – NOTHING PREPARES YOU FOR THE TIMELESSNESS OF THE REAL THING, THE STORIES BEHIND THE ART TOLD

BY AN INDIGENOUS GUIDE WHO HEARD THEM FROM HIS GRANDFATHER WHO HEARD THEM FROM HIS GRANDFATHER…

and what they’ll be when they grow up and they read all the signs about the history and geology and animals and birds and traditional owners and ask lots of questions we can’t answer and we are exhausted but very proud of them. We’ll all sleep well tonight…

Alice Springs greets us with an unseasonal thunderstorm and torrential rain. We can see the storm approaching from kilometres away because it’s the only thing between us and the horizon and we’re treated to an incredible, if unnerving, display of lightening. At the same time, we’re musing that we really are back in the Territory, because all along the side of the road is a controlled burn-off that no one is really paying any attention to.

We have to get used to this all over again, us Victorians who become uneasy at the smell of smoke and panicky at the sight of flames, this age old practice of “cool burning” to prevent hotter burns later on, particularly as we get further north into the Top End. But here we are in the heart of the centre, Alice Springs, waiting for the rain to stop so we can set up camp. When it does, we get organised as quickly as possible, and it’s a good thing we do because it rains all night and the canvas of our tent, while it doesn’t leak, becomes so saturated we get wet if we brush against it. We tip litres of water off the roof of the annex and then everything dries out as we spend the day in town 56 Ruby Summer

We pack up still wet next morning and head up the highway again for the Devils Marbles/Karlu Karlu, one of my favourite spots in the world. It seems to be getting warmer and there is a stiff wind blowing. Within an hour of setting up everything is dry again. We’re only here overnight, but it’s enough to watch the domes turn orange against the setting sun. We toast marshmallows over the campfire and marvel again at the clarity of the stars, then are up early to watch the domes glowing in the sunrise and to say happy birthday to the youngest child of our tribe who has reached the magical age of five.

One of the pleasures of living in a tent is restoring the link between sleep patterns and night and day. We go to bed early because it’s dark; we wake as it gets light and step outside into the freshness of each morning. When we’re not in the car, we’re outside, part of nature in a way we rarely get to be at home, certainly never for this length of time. I can feel myself unwinding and expanding, my lungs can take in more air, my eyes see further…

We all expect to be warm when we get to Mataranka; that’s the dividing line between desert and tropics as far as we’re concerned. It’s still not as warm as it could be, but we’re all in bathers and heading for the hot springs within half an hour of arrival. We’re camping at Bitter Springs in the Elsey National Park, with the actual springs about a ten-minute walk away.

ruby travel If being gently carried with the current through 33°C water clear enough to see my shadow on the sand below is not a definition of bliss and total relaxation, I don’t know what is. Over and over, we let the current carry us to the bridge at the end, then run shivering back up the path and back into the water. The air that night is balmy and the kids treat us to the long-awaited concert with songs and highly choreographed dances, running jokes, a stage manager who won’t do as he’s told and “The Three Aliens” skit. We laugh till our sides hurt and clap till our hands sting and hope for our fellow campers’ sake that they enjoy it as much as we do.

Mataranka is always hard to leave, but we’re on a tight schedule and Katherine and more magnificent gorges in Nitmiluk National Park are next on the itinerary. Last time we took a boat tour down the Katherine River, this time we decide to walk around the top of the Gorge. There are so many wild flowers, so many unexpected glimpses of the river and its tour boats winding below. It’s wonderful to have the different perspective. Next time, we’ll try the helicopter ride!

by an Indigenous guide who heard them from his grandfather who heard them from his grandfather… Although I’ve seen it before, the more than 2000 year-old painting of the Tasmanian Tiger in the main gallery at Ubirr stops me for long moments, contemplating time and unknowable history before we continue walking to the Plateau and gaze out over the wetlands.

Crocodile warning signs are everywhere in the Top End, and especially in Kakadu, and with six tasty morsels (children) in tow we are extremely wary around any waterway. Despite that, we’d like to spot some of these prehistoric reptiles from a safe distance but sightings of them in their natural habitat on this trip are few and far between. Even at guaranteed hotspots like Cahill’s Crossing we wait 45 minutes before one lazily, but somehow suddenly, appears on the surface of the river. So we decide, as our last activity on the road together, to visit Spectacular Jumping Crocs on the Adelaide River, about an hour out of Darwin.

As we float down the murky river, the all-female crew tells us fascinating facts about crocodiles that increase my respect, which was already healthy, but does nothing to lessen my fear.

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Our last days touring together are spent in Kakadu. Our first time here we didn’t have a four-wheel drive and tended to agree with those we heard describing it as “Kaku-don’t”. Now our trusty Pajero tows our four-wheel drive camper trailer over corrugated kilometre after kilometre to spectacular waterfalls and plunge pools like Gunlom and Maguk and isolated campsites that are somehow still full of people (guess they all have four-wheel drives, too!)

A crumpled and overturned car on the side of one of the “4WD Only” roads alarms us, until we get close enough to see that someone has scrawled “Not recent” in the dust on the crushed bonnet. Surely no one could have survived that? We drive more slowly the rest of the way, marvelling at the vehicles people are attempting this road with as we are left in clouds of dust

by Barinas and Corollas travelling at high speed in the other direction.

We have several days in Kakadu and spend a lot of it walking – up and down rocky creeks and gorges to get to famed waterholes, over easier paths for tourists to see famed artworks.

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen Kakadu’s rock art in tourist brochures – nothing prepares you for the timelessness of the real thing, the stories behind the art told

Out there, the guide tells us, for every croc you see there are five more under the water that you can’t see. Great, there’re 15 enormous crocs lurking under the river’s surface. I hope the boat doesn’t sink. I’m still processing the information that if you sat in the water doing nothing except breathing, a croc could pick up the vibrations of your heartbeat from a kilometre away.

Yes, they’re impressive, amazing creatures uniquely adapted to their environment, but I’ve never been so glad to get myself and my children off a boat and safely to shore.

And then it’s time for goodbye. We will spend two weeks in my sister’s home in Darwin, sleeping in real beds, showering in a real bathroom and enjoying instant access to the internet before heading off again across outback Queensland. Kate and Ben and their crew will spend a couple of nights in a caravan park and then head home through the Kimberleys. The children are all very sad at the parting of the ways. The adults are all very sad. We have developed a rhythm of being together on the road; we have nicknames for each other’s cars. We will miss the camaraderie and card games.

I wonder if the next six weeks will be as easy for us without four other children to entertain ours. Time will tell. Right now, the sky is blue and we have found the sun!

words judy baulch 57 Ruby Summer

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BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE * Some readers may find the graphic detail of the following story disturbing.

Imagine you live life with an invisible steel collar around your neck. You are controlled physically, emotionally and socially.

Domestic violence is perpetrated through control – and while we are horrified by the physical violence women experience at the hands of their partner or ex-partner, often there are no bruises, no medical history of fractures and injuries. The reality is that a lot of the violence that is perpetrated against women is in the form of controlling behaviour. It is economic abuse – taking control of all the household finances and leaving the woman with no financial resources. It is emotional abuse – targeted, vilifying and hateful outbursts of verbal abuse and threats. It is social isolation – separating the woman from family and friends, controlling phone and internet access, refusing or discouraging family and friends from coming to the house or their partner going out. Often, women don’t realise at the time that what is happening to them is domestic violence.

It is a crime that lives in the shadows, in shame and fear.

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For other women, the violence is physical and all too often deadly. Imagine being forced to provide anything and everything for your loved one – and if you don’t – you are punished. You are beat with a baseball bat, hit across the face and smashed into a wall. This is your life, day after day, until you courageously weigh up the risk of death with breaking the vicious cycle of domestic violence.

THE REFORMS Domestic violence became a national political priority. Australian of the Year Rosie Batty is leading the charge after her son, Luke, was murdered by his father. Since this and other terrible cases have ignited public outrage, Victoria has launched a Royal Commission into Family Violence and the Turnbull government has made a $100 million funding announcement to tackle domestic violence.

Funds have been allocated to regional areas that lack proper counselling, refuge and support services for victims, along

with GPS trackers for perpetrators and extra security for women at home. Shortly after this national announcement, the NSW Baird Government unveiled a $60 million initiative for specialist police squads to focus directly on violence perpetrators and support for victims.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey, one in three Australian women have experienced violence from a current or former partner.

This year alone, over 65 women have been killed by their partner or former partner. While we have extensive national support and continue to take big steps to tackle the issue – an incredibly long road remains. Violent relationships cost the Victorian economy approximately $3.4 billion a year and the nation over $13 billion a year – the social costs are unfathomable Domestic violence touches us all in some way and real change needs to happen in order to help break the vicious cycle.

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THE SURVIVOR I meet Susan (*not her real name) while the sun is shining, the birds and chirping and the air is fresh with spring warmth.

As we sit down I notice her long beautiful eyelashes, but discover that she views her face in a heartbreakingly different way.

She sees the scar on her forehand, the permanent damage to her left eye from repeated impact and feels perpetual anxiety that everyone looking at her knows exactly what has happened to her as a victim of domestic violence.

“I constantly wonder if people are looking at me and what are they thinking. I’ve got a scar on my head here [points], and one of my eyes is darker, [points again]. Obviously this was his dominant side [points to side] so it copped the most. This is the side I’m always trying to hide, wondering what people think of me, if they notice that I’ve been bashed.”

Aged in her early twenties, Susan describes with the vicious cycle of domestic violence: the honeymoon phase, progressing to a violent phase and cycling back to a forgiveness phase. By getting repeatedly sucked back in with forgiveness, the cycle repeats itself again and again.

“For three and a half years I was controlled by someone. I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere, I wasn’t allowed to see anyone, I always had to be with him. He told me what I could and couldn’t wear. If I didn’t do something right then I would cop it.”

When I ask Susan what she would like to refer to her former partner as, after a moment of thought she looks at me with a stern yet bereaved face and says, ‘The Devil’. She says they initially met through mutual friends and clicked instantly; she was completely unaware of what was to come “I’ve been in most situations.

I’ve been locked in a cupboard, knocked unconscious, strangled, spat on, I’ve had knives held at my throat, glass broken on me, punches, kicks, slaps, head butts.

I’ve been in a car with him driving 200kms about to hit a pole – everything.”

Balancing her life personally and professionally proved difficult. “Sometimes, he belt me up then I had to go to work.

It would even happen three to four hours before and I’d have to wait for my swelling to go down, keep icing my face and try and cover it with makeup. Then off I’d go to work, like nothing had happened. And after work finished, just go back to him like it was all okay.”

She remembers the point distinctively when she first decided to walk away. “We had a fight over what we were having for dinner.

It got way out of hand and he wanted me to drive him to a friend’s house because he didn’t want to look at me or be around me. In the car he just kept going and going and I would just sit there and cop it, because it’s like walking on eggshells. If you say something wrong, you could turn that switch in their head and make them flip out at you. Then I said something and he just started screaming, trying to get the wheel and drive me into a pole. He got that angry that he pulled my rear vision mirror straight out, it just detached from the roof and smashed my whole windscreen. I then put the car in park, put the hand break on and just started running. I don’t know where I was running to; I was just running.

MANY WOMEN WHO REPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DISCLOSE BEING CAUGHT IN A CYCLE OF FEAR AND LOVE. THEY LOVE THEIR PARTNER, THEY DON’T WANT THE RELATIONSHIP TO END, BUT THEY DO WANT TO THE VIOLENCE TO STOP. IT IS NEVER AS SIMPLE AS JUST LEAVING.

“From that day I didn’t see him anymore and he kept trying to contact me and see me and I didn’t want a bar of it. For about six months I was happy, going out, just doing whatever I wanted, I had freedom.

But I was constantly pretending that I was happy. I knew deep down that I wasn’t…I realised that I miss him.”

Many women who report domestic violence disclose being caught in a cycle of fear and love. They love their partner, they don’t want the relationship to end, but they do want to the violence to stop. It is never as simple as just leaving.

“A week to two into seeing him again, I knew he was the same person and that he was just going to treat me the way he always had. I was stuck again, and then I found out he was cheating on me again.

I couldn’t do it in person, I was too scared of his reaction, so I rang him and said ‘I know everything; I don’t want to be with you anymore’. He pretty much said ‘no, you will either be with me or I’m going to kill you’. I was at my friend’s place and he broke into the house, threw me around a bit and put my head through the wall.” Susan then decided that enough was enough – he wasn’t going to get away with it anymore.”

She called the police; reported the violence and made a statement. She said he was charged with assault and breaking and entering, resulting in an 18-month community corrections order, 120 hours of community service and a $500 fine. I ask Susan if she believes he should have been punished more severely.

“Yes. It’s the justice system failing. That night when it happened and I made my statement, I spoke to the officer and said this isn’t the first time and that I’ve put up with this for a long time and I need to do something about it. When it all went to court I just got pushed to the side and I felt like they were on his side.”

Seeking further justice, Susan got in touch with Victims of Crime. She was asked why the investigation and court case didn’t go into detail about the previous violent incidents or obtain other statements. “[The Victims of Crime counsellor] said it would have helped me and they would have been on my side – maybe he would be locked up.” Susan was told that she should have had opportunities to lay everything out on the table. “That was the first I had heard of that and [they were] shocked that I didn’t know.

While her abusive former partner had a prior violent conviction, it didn’t influence the charges Susan made against him. “[Before this] he was locked up and put away for assault, but they turned around and said it wasn’t assault against a woman, so this was his first offence against a woman. But he’s just going to do it again; I know he will; a leopard doesn’t change its spots.

“He got it into my head that I was nothing but a fat slut and that no one would want me. I think even though it was a very physical relationship, violently physical, it was majority mental. It was like being stuck in a maze, trying to get out and no matter which way you go you just keep taking the wrong turn. There’s no escape. Until that day, I finally got out. It was a bad maze, but I got out.”

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ruby spotlight THE SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS Victims of violence in the community can find immediate support from Geelong’s Family Violence Unit. “The Geelong Family Violence Unit has a range of strategies designed to address family violence.

We conduct home visits to victims and respondents of family violence to provide them with information pamphlets and encourage them to engage with local support services such as Minerva and Bethany. We conduct specific operations targeting [repeat] family violence victims and respondents, and the enforcement of intervention order conditions,” says Sergeant Megan Williamson from the Family Violence Unit at Victoria Police.

The unit also works with violence perpetrators to ensure the support is widespread to all parties involved in a case. “We conduct visits to family violence offenders who have been recently released from gaol in order to provide them with information and access to support services. We have very strong relationships with our external stakeholders (such as Minerva, Bethany, Salvo Connect, DHS and Office of Corrections) in order to provide a holistic approach to breaking the cycle of violence for some of our most vulnerable victims.”

Despite this immediate support, it is argued that there is a disconnection in the support services offered as they run out of different departments, making the process of obtaining help more difficult for victims.

There are also conflicts when pressing charges, creating another roadblock for convictions.

“The Family Court is currently instructed to maximise contact between children and their fathers but this can be a major problem where the father has been an abuser. The belief that a man who abuses is his wife is not a threat to his children needs to be tested, for example. We also need better facilities in the courts to keep women and children safe,” says Professor Swain.

Despite these difficulties, there are a variety of local services and programs providing women and children refuge from violent relationships and perpetrators the opportunity to change their behaviour.

These organisations need proper funding with the correct structures, processes and regulations. Here are a few around the Geelong community:

Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Barwon CASA has office locations in Geelong and Horsham and services the four local government areas in the Barwon area and seven local government areas in the Wimmera. With 40 staff delivering services in Barwon and the Wimmera, Barwon CASA provides short and longterm therapeutic counselling and support services to empower people to lead 60 Ruby Summer

lives free from violence and abuse. The organisation also offers sexually abusive behaviour treatment service.

“We know from our work in Barwon, the Wimmera and more recently in the Pacific nation of Kiribati that working together in partnership can interrupt the insidious cycle of violence and trauma and that we can work together to improve gender equality, and prevent violence from occurring in the first place,” said Barwon CASA CEO, Helen Bolton.

“The current interest and public focus on addressing violence against women and children is welcome, important and overdue. It is one of the biggest law and order issues facing our country and communities, one that we see the human face of on a daily basis.

“This year our staff across Barwon and Wimmera offices supported approximately 2000 cases of sexual assault and family violence. Of these, around 40%, were aged under 21 years. Of all clients, 83% were female and 17 % male. They are disturbing statistics, they are real people, representing 40 people per week coming to our service, and another 40 the next week and so on.

I commend and have great respect for our staff who show such dedication and commitment to the work they do. They are absolute professionals and highly skilled and knowledgeable; this is a heartfelt area to work in and I know the commitment and passion they hold to this work.”

The uniqueness and expertise of Barwon CASA has come to the fore this year; as one of the few organisations to provide specialist sexual assault and family violence services from a feminist and trauma informed perspective; and to span the continuum of primary prevention and response services; to being a training provider and; to operate within a multidisciplinary centre.

“But what does this really mean? It means we operate from a human rights framework and acknowledge that gender inequality, in all its forms, is a cause and consequence of violence against women and children, and that the work of prevention is generational and long term.

“Sometimes it’s hard for people who are not in the field to understand that sexist jokes and gender inequality contribute to violence against women,” Helen said.

Minerva Community Services Minerva is a free and confidential crisis service for women and children experiencing family violence. They have had a 20 per cent increase in referrals in the last financial year, resulting in 2,500 referrals overall. Of these referrals were 8,000 contacts with women affected by all forms of family violence. There is no waiting list as it’s a crisis service. They support women throughout the legal process at court to

receive intervention orders for the violence inflicted on them.

“Our core business is risk assessment and safety planning, often with very complex situations involving children,” says Pauline Wright, CEO of Minerva. “Most of the women who come to our service come via the Police but they can refer themselves as well. We see it all at Minerva.” Pauline explains the key underlying causes of family violence are gender inequality, adherence to rigid gender stereotypes and male privilege. “Men who choose to use violence to exert power and control and use fear to threaten women and children need to be accountable for such behaviour. It is never a woman’s fault if a partner or ex-partner chooses to use violence against her.”

Bethany Community Support Bethany provides counselling, education and advocacy services to individuals and groups. “Family violence is an issue which touches many service areas and agencies.

Support services are very effective in keeping women and children safe if they are sufficiently resourced and well-coordinated.

One of our biggest challenges is dealing with the demand for services, which is increasing at an alarming rate,” says Grant Boyd, CEO of Bethany.

Bethany provide a variety of family violence services, including a Family Violence After Hours Service and Outreach Service for regional families, a Specialised Family Violence Service for women and children, a Men’s Behaviour Change Program, a Men’s Case Management Program and a Risk Assessment and Management Panel (RAMP). “Support services should deal with both sides of the coin that is keeping women and children safe and working to changing perpetrator behaviour and holding perpetrators clearly to account for their use of violence.” Grant explains their main concern is the demand for male support.

“The demand for services is acute and in Men’s Behaviour Change program there are long waiting lists so opportunities to work with Men to change behaviour are lost.”

Bethany views specific funding as another underlying issue. “Funding for family violence needs to be created as a dedicated funding line with government departments and not as an add on to other programs areas such as homelessness services. The level of demand for services indicates to us that funding needs to be increased significantly to match the scale of this problem in our community.

“At the heart of the problem is a need to change the culture of our society so that the gender inequality that exists now becomes a thing of the past. At the end of the day it is men’s attitudes to women that are the root cause of family violence. Until this is addressed then the demand for family violence services will continue to grow.”

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ruby spotlight THE RULES AND REGULATION

THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

THE MEN

The Royal Commission into Domestic Violence addresses the need for extra police funding. This funding will improve the efficiency of real-time uploading of intervention orders and bail conditions into the centralised database, as well as adequate sharing of crucial information about perpetrators across all specialist agencies.

Senator Cash emphasises that reducing violence against women is a national priority, which has been elevated to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). “The COAG agenda is underpinned by National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-22. This is a 12-year plan that all governments are actioning through the Second Action Plan.

Violence against women and children isn’t a women’s issue, it’s a whole of society issue and we all need to be just as much a part of the change. Appropriately targeted support programs for perpetrators must have success rates and the accessibility to be rolled out nationally. How we think about healthy relationships, the kind of language we use in everyday conversations and the kinds of jokes we tell are all part of the broader change needed if we really want to prevent the violence, not just talk about it after it’s happened.Police crime statistics indicate almost one in four family

“The Royal Commission is a good start in terms of highlighting the issue and constructing the evidence base from which the services required can be changed,” says Professor Shurlee Swain, who has made a representation at the Royal Commission on the impact of domestic violence on children.

“Resources are always an issue, or more accurately a rational, evidence based allocation of resources rather than kneejerk reactions to specific crises. Any government that is elected on a promise of reducing government spending is likely to exacerbate the problem as the private sector has no interest in addressing this area,” she adds.

ANY GOVERNMENT THAT IS ELECTED ON A PROMISE OF REDUCING GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS LIKELY TO EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS NO INTEREST IN ADDRESSING THIS AREA While extra funding is crucial to effective change, so is improving attitudes towards domestic violence. “All women and children must be safe – in their homes, on our streets and online. We must elevate this issue to our national consciousness, and make it clear that domestic, family or sexual violence is unacceptable in any circumstances,” says Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women.

We need the police, doctors and hospital staff to respond appropriately and seriously to domestic violence. This includes having accurate evidence for accountability, as well as making prompt referrals and offering much-needed support to victims and perpetrators. The process from beginning to end must be effective to seek fairness and justice for all.

“The Commonwealth Government is spending $100 million over four years supporting the implementation of the Second Action Plan, including funding to 1800RESPECT, OurWatch, and White Ribbon.”

By the end of this year, the COAG will have implemented the following: • A national Domestic Violence Order (DVO) Model Law Framework, where DVOs will be automatically recognised in any state or territory of Australia and share progress on a national information system prototype.

• Consider national standards to ensure perpetrators of violence against women are held to account at the same standard across Australia, for implementation in 2016.

• Consider strategies to tackle the increased use of technology to facilitate abuse against women, and to ensure women have adequate legal protections against this form of abuse.

The Advisory Panel, chaired by the former Victorian Police Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay APM, is advising the COAG on reducing violence against women and children. The Panel’s Deputy Chairs are 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, and the CEO of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, Heather Nancarrow.

“The Commonwealth Government is already responding to the advice of the Advisory Panel. The Women’s Safety Package announced on 24 September – over $100 million – is the first part of the Government’s longer-term response to addressing domestic and family violence. An important focus of the package is to improve support and services for women.

The package will improve frontline support and services, leverage innovative technologies to keep women safe, and provide education resources to help change community attitudes to violence and abuse,” Senator Cash said.

FOR MOST OF HUMAN HISTORY WOMEN DID NOT HAVE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ...

FEMINIST MOVEMENTS OVER THE LAST 150 YEARS HAVE CHANGED THAT STATUS BUT ATTITUDINAL CHANGE HAS BEEN SLOWER TO FOLLOW violence offenders have faced similar charges before, and a terrifyingly high number of repeated domestic violence perpetrators have never even been jailed.

While there isn’t a simple fix for the issue – targeted behavioural change programs can significantly help to improve the situation.

“For most of human history women did not have individual rights but were rather the property of their husbands or their fathers.

Feminist movements over the last 150 years have changed that status but attitudinal change has been slower to follow.

Men who are unaware of, or feel threatened by women’s rights can see violence as a protection of their own rights and this is a belief that needs to be challenged and changed at every point at which it occurs, not only through education programs in the schools but through the media, in targeted programs for men, and in actively counteracting the view wherever it is presented. This includes occasions where men’s rights groups grab the attention of politicians and the media to assert that violence is two-sided. There are instances where women are violent towards men, and/or their children, but the statistics are overwhelmingly one way and it is women who are dying as a result,” Professor Swain adds.

words alexandra mcmanus 61 Ruby Summer

ruby legal

STOP in the name of

LOVE FAMILY VIOLENCE - INTERVENTION ORDERS STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE was a catchline used by the Office of Women’s Policy in the Northern Territory in 1997 to promote its family violence strategy. Its purpose was to draw attention to the fact that family violence cannot be depicted as an expression of love, but is a serious crime. This message remains relevant today.

I

n 1997 I regularly appeared in the Magistrates Court in Darwin for women who sought protection from their loved ones. Fast-forward to 2015 and I continue to appear in the Magistrates Court family violence list, only now in Geelong.

Over the years I have experienced young aboriginal girls being rejected by their mothers and community for daring to speak out about being sexually assaulted by a family member. Women having boiling water thrown at them. Toddlers suffering STD’s. Young girls bearing children to their father. Women suffering brain damage. Women, girls and children being maimed and murdered. The gamut of suffering cannot easily be described. It seems little has changed in 18 years.

Community awareness has certainly increased in recent years, however, and etched in my memory are many occasions appearing before various Courts where comments by Judges and Magistrates such as: 62 Ruby Summer

“In the scheme of things, this is not on the scale of bad violence.” My client had been imprisoned by her former husband with both her arms broken for several days.

“If I exclude the husband from the home it means he will have to live elsewhere.”

When it was pointed out to the Magistrate that if he failed to exclude the violent husband from the home it would mean the victim and her children would be homeless, he gruffly made the Order, enabling the victim and children to remain in the home.

When opposing an application by a man to have contact with his biological daughter, I told the Magistrate the man had sexually assaulted his step-daughter.

The Magistrate said, “But he would not do that to his biological daughter.”

These are just three examples of many disappointing experiences that I have come across that caused further disempowerment and prejudice to victims of family violence.

Each week we read of the abuse, degradation and murder of women at the hands of people who they loved.

Family violence is endemic in our society.

This has been recognised by the State Government with the implementation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and the Commonwealth Government implementing policies to deal with the pandemic.

There has been considerable public attention and discussion given to how we can all address this scourge. But what do you do now if you are subjected to violence by a family member?

The purpose of family violence intervention orders is to help protect a person from a family member who is violent towards them. It is an Order made by a Magistrate in the Magistrates Court.

The law regarding Family Violence Intervention Orders is set out in the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (“the Act”).

ruby legal Family violence is not restricted to physical violence. It is behaviour that is used to control, threaten, force or dominate a family member through fear and includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse and financial abuse.

If family violence or part of its aftermath, such as the police arriving at their home, is witnessed by a child, the child can be covered by the law.

Family members are described in the Act quite broadly as being: •

People who share an intimate personal relationship, being married, defacto or domestic partners, irrespective of whether or not there is a sexual relationship.

•

Parents and children, including children of an intimate partner.

•

Relatives by birth, marriage or adoption and people you treat like a family member, such as a carer, guardian or someone related to you within your family or cultural structure.

If you have violence perpetrated upon you and there is no family relationship between yourself and the perpetrator, you may be able to obtain a Personal Safety Intervention Orders pursuant to the Personal Safety Intervention Order Act 2010.

How to Apply for an Intervention Order The first step is to attend at a Magistrates Court and complete an application form naming the person who is behaving in a violent way towards you and setting out the Orders you need. The Court Registrar provides assistance with this. Alternatively,

if the police attend at your home they may apply for an Intervention Order on your behalf.

If the Court Registrar believes your safety is seriously threatened they can arrange for a warrant to be issued. This is an order compelling the police to arrest the perpetrator of violence and to deliver him to court.

The Registrar at the Court types up your application and a summons and lists your application to return to the court on a future date. If your matter is urgent the magistrate can make an interim order if you need immediate protection.

The police then serve a copy of the application and summons on the person who has behaved violently towards you. On the day of the first hearing, if the other party agrees with the Order being made, then the Intervention Order will be made with the consent of both parties and the proceedings will end. If there is no agreement the matter will be listed for a further hearing. At the final hearing, after considering all of the evidence of each party, the Court will decides if an Intervention Order should be made.

If the Order is made a copy is provided to you before you leave the court.

What type of Orders can be made?

you by any means and approaching or remaining within a certain distance of you.

Going to or remaining at a place where you might live, work, attend or go to school.

Getting another person to engage in the above behaviour.

An Order can also include conditions compelling a party to return jointly owned property, surrender firearms or weapons or can vary or suspend any existing parenting orders.

What happens after an Order is made?

The police can assist a person who has an Intervention Order by arresting the other party and charging them with a criminal offence if they disobey the conditions of the Order. The police can also search for and remove weapons. If the police receive a report of family violence they must respond and do all that is necessary to ensure your safety.

Need Help?

The Legal Aid Commission and Barwon Community Legal Service offer assistance to people seeking to obtain Intervention Orders.

Legislation versus reality

The following conditions are often included in Intervention Orders stopping the offending party from: Committing family violence. Intentionally damaging property. Attempting to locate, follow or keep a person under surveillance.

Publishing on the internet, email or by other electronic communication anything about you. Contacting or communicating with

It is clear Intervention Orders prevent many offenders from causing ongoing violence towards others. It is also clear they do not provide the panacea. Women die each week at the hands of people who they loved. It is hoped that the outcome of the Royal Commission into family violence will provide additional solutions and funding that see an end to this ongoing national tragedy called family violence.

words robyn davis *Robyn Davis is the principal lawyer at Greater Geelong Legal and is a Board Member at Barwon Centre Against Sexual Assault (BCASA) and Minerva Family Violence Services.

GGL

Small Business Law, TAC, Personal Injuries & Family Law.

Ph: 5222 8986 | Mob: 0447089763 Suite 1 Level 1, 27-31 Myers Street, Geelong Vic 3220. e: robyn@greatergeelonglegal.com.au greatergeelonglegal.com.au

63 Ruby Summer

ruby kids

My Mother’s Group IS A BIT SHIT SO I’M SECRETLY MAKING MY OWN

I don’t know about you, but in those first few weeks of blissful baby love, when that sweet, smelling little bundle – wait, sorry, I was channeling someone with a baby who slept for a moment there.

Let me start over.

I

n those first few weeks when you struggle to find a t-shirt without baby vomit on it that actually fits over the enormous breastfeeding boobs that have not settled down yet, and you find a new hairstyle that does not require more than fortnightly washing, some bright spark created a system where you then have to leave the house to MAKE NEW FRIENDS! Yes, I know. Two problems there, firstly, actually having to leave the house to be anywhere on time, and then the big one, hang out in a room with a dozen other women who also share the same postcode as you and are also desperately hiding the look of terror reserved specially for new mothers.

It is a very weird situation when you think about it. Your whole world has been completely turned upside down, even the best friendships and closest family relationships have shifted a bit since the new arrival – for better and worse in most cases. So, to go and make friends with other women who have also just had a 64 Ruby Summer

baby can be exactly what you need, or exactly what you don’t. And it all comes down to the kind of women that walk through that door, and how much of themselves they reveal.

Some mother’s groups are a raging success; these mothers keep hanging out long after their children are busy at school and some even attend their children’s weddings. For others, each week is a struggle and the minute those compulsory meetings finish, you are out the door before anyone can get their hands on your surname to find you on Facebook. And it all depends on the kind of women that walk through that door.

You may recognize some of these from your own group, or have heard about them from others. Or, like me, who lives in a small town, they might be entirely fictional and in no way resemble the women who were in your mother’s group (wink wink).

THE -IT-ALL KNOW makes

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t every I sincerely hope tha If you don’t you . se the of e on s group ha meeting with a few tly cre self se might also find your ntact with, let alone dared make eye co of the women you times tells it like The Laugher some . ers mb nu ge an exch in agreement u all nod furiously it is and makes yo t you. She knowing it’s not jus and smile gratefully, be able d an y funny person might be a naturall ell sm the of s regardles to light up a room, ll wi e Sh m. bu y stink of a small person’s d at you were worrie wh t ge for u yo ke ma y da to me co t ready to about when you go u yo t tha ful ate so gr and, instead, just be house. the ve lea to le ab were

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d ig an gh g your u o t , a past d is es, rhoo on your or babi e h t Mo nding aby lived ur b e dep port, yo u have sup long yo irth and how , your b ersonal here r own p ecome you gle to b sure to ll, o s strug the pre ake its t eks e t r, e n h a w t c ter e w a mo sed up se first f look af wn s o i l o t th ur o ll b ed be a lly when . We ne out of o more cia us get ard espe really h eed to o needs help. Be n e h o e b t w can ones, w ognize e need o these t c e W thes s and re them. nd listen the e d a d b e a e e y e h e n genuin we ma g to. w n e n e tha talki st, b caus hone en, be they are wom ly ones on

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Everyone needs a village, a tribe of their own, where they feel they can just be. Dirty t-shirts, bought cookies, crying babies and, later on, annoying toddlers; it doesn’t matter, because these are women you will wake up sleeping babies to come and visit. If you haven’t found them in your Mother’s Group, don’t worry, you will find them and then you can secretly meet at your house for coffee with the ones who ‘get you’ – you won’t even have to invite them, they will just be there when you need them to.

words laura gordon Laura writes the hilariously honest parenting blog, Poo, Spew and Superglue on Aussie Blogs, poospewandsuperglue.wordpress.com. She is raising two small hell raisers, with the third, and final, and scariest, having just arrived to really make things interesting. She lives in Jan Juc and will be a regular commentator on the beauty of parenting (snort) in Ruby magazine.

65 Ruby Summer

The

Magic WIN of the Theatre ruby kids

ass to

yp a famil

rey o t S 2 The 5ehouse Tre * at GPAC

The magic of the stage…

The thrill of the curtain call …

The stomping of the boards …

Well, you get the idea. There really is something special about watching the little (and not so little) people in your life becoming enthralled in a live show. And there is a whole lot of magical, family-friendly fun coming to the stages of GPAC in 2016. Here are just some of the culture-shots that are waiting in the wings for young theatregoers.

Let your spirits soar with Mary Poppins

2016 Love Central Geelong Family Magic Program

Geelong’s Footlight Productions will bring in the new year with one of the most magical children’s stories of all time, Mary Poppins.

GPAC’s 2016 Love Central Geelong Family Magic Program returns in 2016 with four fantastic family productions, kicking off in March with The 52-Storey Treehouse, a play by Richard Tulloch, adapted from the outrageously funny best-selling book by the powerhouse Australian children’s literature duo, Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton.

Mary Poppins is the story of the Banks family of Cherry Tree Lane in London.

Things are not going well for the family, the children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny.

Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents – and in particular Mr Banks – are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that, in the most peculiar way, she is the answer to their prayers.

Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she has a profound effect on. Even grown ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises, “anything can happen, if you let it.”

Following on from the success of this year’s Miss Saigon and other recent shows including My Fair Lady, Cats and Les Miserables.

Mary Poppins will be playing at the Playhouse Theatre for 12 shows from January 22 until February 6.

Tickets at GPAC, www.gpac.org.au

66 Ruby Summer

*

The production follows the huge success of The 26-Storey Treehouse in 2015 and the 13-Storey Treehouse in 2013.

Andy and Terry’s Treehouse is now 52 storeys high, with yet more fantastic inventions: a rocket powered carrot launcher, the disguise-o-matic 5000 and even a ninja snail training academy!

Andy and Terry set off on a crazy adventure tackling a world of startling obstacles including a hungry caterpillar, an angry vegetable kingdom, and a 100-year ninja-snail epic voyage. Will they solve the mysteries and survive the dangers that test even their ingenuity?

This crazy, imaginative and engaging play is perfect for children aged 6-12 and their adults.

In June, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre will bring to life The Little Prince for a new generation. With its timeless message about the importance of friendship, The Little Prince is an adventure story that celebrates the richness of human feeling and imagination.

One of the most widely read books in history - 140 million copies sold worldwide and printed in more than 250 languages and dialects, including braille - it tells the story of a curious prince who leaves his tiny home planet and journeys across the universe, discovering that adults have very strange ideas about the things that really matter.

Then, in July, it’s a special school holiday production of HIPPO! HIPPO! A BIG NEW Musical Adventure!

HIPPO! HIPPO! A BIG NEW Musical Adventure! is based on the phenomenally successful children’s classic, There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake, written by Australian children’s author Hazel Edwards and illustrated by Deborah Niland.

The final Family Magic production in 2016 will be the September school holiday presentation of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie.

Adapted from the iconic books by May Gibbs, this new stage adaptation will spark the imagination and sense of adventure in 5-10 year olds and their families as they experience the timeless charm of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie.

Tickets for all Family Magic performances are $20 each or $18 for groups of 4-plus.

For performance dates, times and bookings, go to www.gpac.org.au

WIN a family pass (2 adults, 2 kids) to see The 52-Storey Treehouse at GPAC in March 2016. Enter via Facebook @ MagazineRuby or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au with your contact details. Competition closes 1 Feb 2016

School Holiday Fun!!

Our Vacation Care program has been very popular, jam packed with lots of fun and entertaining activities for school children!!

We have been busy preparing our program, bringing back our most popular activities as well planning new and exciting ones for you to enjoy!

Our stimulating, unique and fun program is designed to keep school aged children entertained by providing creative and challenging activities that are specific to your child’s interests with a focus on leisure and recreation.

If you want your child to participate in fun, engaging and unique activities, now is the time to book them in.

Secure your position now, online or by phoning us.

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67 Ruby Summer

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A PR E T T Y STA N DA R D ‘ WO R K F R O M H O M E DAY ’

The Bean

“Oh, I’d love to work from home…” Yep, you’ve either said it or had it said to you. And yes, it sounds the perfect balance of the domestic and the professional. The reality for many young professional mothers can be, well, perfect might be stretching it a little too far…

Bible

Madelin Baldwin shares what it’s really like to be living the dream.

6.30AM - Wake up with Evie singing to me from her cot. Singing is a nice way to put anyway. It’s mostly loud shouting. And no matter how many times people say to me, in jest, ‘Well, she is your child!’, it doesn’t make the ‘ba DA DA DA LAAAAAAAAAA’ any easier before the coffee has entered my veins. Retrieve beautiful sweaty chubby child from her cot and bring her in for some morning snuggles, where she does more of pulling daddy beard than he would like, but is easily forgiven.

7.00AM – Chris’ alarm goes off for work.

We get up to make coffee, make Evie’s bottle and cereal (which she has just started having and loves, which is weird, because it is prune flavoured), and make Chris and I both a smoothie from my fancy new Nutri Ninja, purchased after last weekends shenanigans in a bid to have a ‘life cleanse’.

8AM - Checking social media, for myself and for my jobs - The Bean Bible, The Geelong Club, Stuck On You and Penny Scallan - with the two latter having scheduled posts needing to go up at this time. Give Evie her ‘Sophie’ to play with while I do all of this, and simultaneously check the news (on an App of, course, what is a newspaper anyway?)

9AM - Put Evie in the pram, pack some nappies, a spare bottle, some baby sunscreen and walk up the rail trail to meet Mum for coffee. Deal with a customers booking that has gone haywire over night

for my Travel Agent position (that I also do from home). Rack up a phone bill trying to call Bali and rejig accommodation to suit new flights that cancelled for two weeks time - BRILLIANT! Remember my own trip coming up in a few weeks and do a mental day count to make sure I have everything booked and under control, because if there is one trip I’ll forget to book things for it will undoubtably be my own.

10AM - Finish coffee and walk into town to get blood tests done. Have been feeling rubbish lately with incredibly aching joints.

Am having blood tests to decide if I have some sort of disease, or just a disease of being a working Mum. Remember to buy iron tablets as well and make mental note to buy steak on the way home to really replenish my ever dwindling iron count.

12PM - Trekked home, Evie is awake, time to give her some lunch and remember to make myself something - Leftovers or a chicken salad is the flavour of the moment, and I spent all weekend prepping salad and smoothie ingredients in fancy snap lock containers in the fridge. Check all social media again, reply to a few comments on Facebook, email my client who’s holiday was nearly ruined and let her know I have worked some magic and everything is completely fine.

1PM - Evie has been playing in the Jolly Jumper (her flavour of the moment) and ranges between completely happy to

entertain herself, and needing my constant and full attention at all times. Feel like I need a nap or a wine, but must hang out the second load of washing and get something out of the freezer to defrost for dinner.

4PM - The last few hours have been a mix of Evie needing to be wrapped in a particular blanket and rocked to sleep, a walk to the Supermarket to get some more things for dinner, choosing an entire new template for The Bean Bible and uploading a new website look, writing a blog post, putting away more clothes than I knew we even owned, back and forth emails with the Bali client and then realising that Hallelujah, Christ finishes work at 4PM and should be home soon!

7PM - Evie has had her final bottle for the night, I have cooked dinner, folded some more washing, checked all social medias again replying to a few necessary comments, managed to have a shower and am settling in on the couch to watch a few episodes of Narcos - our new binge worthy show we have discovered - I feel like it’s OK though because it’s basically like a doco. With cocaine. And prostitutes. And Pablo Escobar.

9.30PM - Bed. Check Social. Send photos to Chris’ Mum and Dad in England. Prepare 4AM bottle and make sure monitor has volume turned up just enough to hear, but not enough to wake me if she rolls over.

Kiss my darling (Chris) good night, and get ready for another day.

Disclaimer - This was a recount of a real mid week day this week, NO I am not a Nutri Ninja rep, merely a ‘I drank too much booze last weekend and need to cleanse my life’ convert, and YES I do 2 office days as well as these home days so YES I’m tired. It was a bad week to give up mid week wines. But, is there ever a good one?

68 Ruby Summer

words madelin baldwin from The Bean Bible and Le Monde Entier

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KIDS RE A DS THEIR FRACTURED LIGHT Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF Want your kids to be busting to go to bed so that they can read? There’s nothing like a book that will have them giggling naughtily to do just that. This collection of side-splitting short stories by some of Australia’s most acclaimed children’s authors offers up buckets of fun – from a Choco-pop robot, organic rodent pies, a face that’s stuck, an out-of-control imaginary fairy, a nit epidemic, and five kids and one chimp on space.

Amongst those who let their imaginations go to some strange and hilarious places are Andy Griffiths, Frances Watts, Andrew Daddo (yes, he got out of Africa just in time to write for this book), Lollie Barr, James O’Loghlin and Randa Abdel-Fattah.

The New York Times bestselling Starbound trilogy comes to its absorbing conclusion that will have young (and young at heart) fans glued to the final page.

MR CHICKEN LANDS ON LONDON

YOLO JULIET

Leigh Hobbs

William Shakespeare and Brett Wright

For Euro travellers who want their little people to love the Brit capital as much as they do, introduce them to Mr Chicken on his latest travelling adventure.

Mr Chicken can’t wait another minute, so he finishes his breakfast, collects his camera and flies to London. He wants to see everything and, on each bright and beautiful page, he shows young readers his favourite city in all the world.

Beloved Australian children’s author, Leigh Hobbs, takes us on a brand new journey that will have little people marveling at the big world Mr Chicken gets to explore.

Hobbs’ Mr Chicken books include Mr Chicken Goes to Paris, which remains a bestseller at Paris’ Louvre Bookshop.

Giving literary text a whole new meaning, YOLO Juliet is the reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tale of romance, only in this version, everyone has a smartphone, complete with relationship status updates, calendar events and emojis.

The trials of forbidden love (>sigh. k, whatevz), exquisite insights into character (Ur a luvr, not a h8r) to the ecstasy of love requited (ENOUGH. I get it).

A classic is reborn in this fun and funny adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. The perfect gift for hip theater lovers and teens.

You just know @JulieBishopMP and @SenatorWong would

it!

A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now-infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness LaRoux Industries’ corruption. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were the only survivors of the Icarus shipwreck, forced to live a double life after their rescue.

Now, at the centre of the galaxy on Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players in the fight against LRI. With their lives, loves and loyalties at stake, only by joining forces with the Icarus survivors and Avon’s protectors do they stand a chance of taking down the most powerful corporation in the galaxy - before LRI’s secrets destroy them all.

Beware; disappointment when you get to the end of a series you’ve loved is inevitable. If it’s too much to bare, go straight back to the first book and start all over again.

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WIN

A DOUBLE PASS TO

Georgy Girl The Seekers Musical

visit our Facebook page @MagazineRuby or email abbey@adcellgroup.com.au and tell us your favourite Seekers tune and why.

Entries close December 15.

Hey There, DECEMBER 30

eorgy irl

Georgy Girl – The Musical has its World Premiere at Her Majesty’s Theatre on December 22. This uniquely Melbourne story is an intrinsic piece of Australian music history, and the musical that returns that story to its spiritual home was announced to the world at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl earlier this year. The venue was the scene their legendary 1967 concert that still holds the record for the largest concert crowd in the Southern Hemisphere with 200,000 flocking in to see what was one of the biggest bands in the world.

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eorgy Girl - the Seekers Musical follows the story of Judith Durham, Athol Guy,Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley, from their folk and jazz beginnings in Melbourne to their meteoric rise to world pop stardom in the ‘60s, to today. This brand new musical is produced by Richard East, an originating producer of Mamma Mia!, and Dennis Smith, producer of Dusty – The Original Pop Diva, who are thrilled to be bringing this new production to Melbourne for its world premiere.

“There is no other city in the world we could have opened this in,” said Richard East.

“Melbourne is the home of The Seekers, and where it all began for Judith, Athol, Keith and Bruce in 1962 before they went on to capture the hearts and conquer the charts of the rest of the world.”

With hits like “Georgy Girl” (Academy Award® nominated), “The Carnival Is Over” (No. 7 in the Top 10 UK Hits of the 60s), “I Am Australian” and “I’ll Never Find Another You” (to date more than 13 million hits on youtube.com). The popular quartet was the first Australian act to achieve major chart success in the UK and US, and they became the first group ever to reach number one on the UK charts with their first three singles, “I’ll Never Find Another You”, “A World of Our Own”, and “The Carnival is Over”, which outsold The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Influential UK music magazine New Musical Express voted The Seekers 1965’s ‘Best New Group’ and the following year, Georgy Girl became the first number one song for an Australian group in America.

In 1968, the group members were named joint “Australians of the Year” for 1967 – the only group to be honoured with this award - and were each awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

In July 1968, Judith announced she was leaving The Seekers to pursue a solo career and the group disbanded.

The Seekers’ Greatest Hits album was released and spent 17 weeks at number one in Australia, and six weeks on top of the UK charts (remaining in the UK Top 40 for 125 weeks).

Georgy Girl – the Seekers Musical spans the decades from selling millions of records and topping the charts around the world, breaking up in 1968 and eventually reuniting in 1993, when they reformed for their ‘25 Year Silver Jubilee Reunion Celebration’ tour, and to a sold-out UK tour last year for their 50th anniversary ‘Golden Jubilee’ tour (including two capacity concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall).

Starring as Judith Durham, lead singer of The Seekers, is Pippa Grandison, who appeared in The Graduate alongside Jerry Hall, Mary Poppins and playing the role of Elphaba in the Sydney season of the smash hit Wicked.

Phillip Lowe joins the cast as Keith Potger, the band’s 6 and 12-string guitarist. Appearing in the original Australian production of Crazy For You, Phillip has gone on to star in Show Boat, Cabaret, The Producers, Dusty, Mary Poppins, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and has just appeared in the Hayes Theatre production of High Society.

Mike McLeish, best known for his portrayal of Paul Keating in the hugely successful production of Keating! The Musical, will play 6-string guitarist, Bruce Woodley. Mike has also appeared in Eddie Perfect’s Shane Warne: The Musical, Chunky Move’s Two Faced Bastard and recently performed at the Hayes Theatre in the revival of Nick Enright and Max Lambert’s Miracle City.

Playing Athol Guy, The Seekers’ double bass player, Glaston Toft appeared in Shout! and My Fair Lady, and received rave reviews for his performance in Jersey Boys as Four Seasons member Nick Massi, playing the role for more than four years and 1300 performances.

Written by Patrick Edgeworth with script consultant Graham Simpson, Georgy Girl - the Seekers Musical tells the incredible story of one of the country’s true national treasures. A band whose modest beginnings at a café in South Yarra took them to the concert stages of the world.

It’s a journey full of laughter, a few tears, but most of all, featuring the magnificent songs we all know and love.

A MESSAGE FROM THE SEEKERS:

“We are absolutely delighted that the story and the music of The Seekers is being brought to the stage as a musical.

The idea of a musical based on the story of our group was first raised over four years ago by someone very familiar to us – Patrick Edgeworth, the talented scriptwriter is Judith’s brother in-law, and knows our story well. He consulted with Graham Simpson, who has been part of our team for many years, and wrote Judith’s life story in his best-selling book ‘ The Judith Durham Story - Colours of My Life’.

“In August 2014, Richard East and Dennis Smith asked us to be part of an invited industry audience at a workshop presentation of the musical. The response from the audience was amazing - a standing ovation. It was everything we could have wanted and more.

“We hope you will share and continue to enjoy our journey, as our story comes to life as a brand new Australian musical.”

– Judith Durham, Athol Guy, Keith Potger & Bruce Woodley, The Seekers

Georgy Girl – The Seekers Musical is in Melbourne for a strictly limited 14-week season, before heading to Sydney in April. For more information visit GeorgyGirlTheMusical.com. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketek: www.ticketek.com.au

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SUMMER READS

SIMPLY NIGELLA - Nigella Lawson ‘Part of the balance of life lies in understanding that different days require different ways of eating…’

I have a shelf of beautiful, much salivated over, and almost entirely unused cookbooks in my kitchen. My Nigella books, however, have avocado smeared pages, shiny butter streaks and the occasional lump of pastry or batter that I missed on the clean up. There are scraps of paper shoved in higgledy-piggledy to mark favourite recipes and my family knows what’s coming when I pull one of them off the shelves – unabashed yumminess.The British food temptress understands that I want to enjoy making it as much as I enjoy eating it, and that means keeping it simple.

Simply Nigella brings a new treasure trove of everyday goodness (Cauliflower & Cashew Nut Curry, Thai Noodles with Cinnamon and Prawns, Lemon Pavlova, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pots) in a calm and glad celebration of food to soothe and uplift.

THE LAKE HOUSE

Kate Morton In June 1933, the Edevane family’s country house, Loeanneth, is polished and gleaming, ready for the muchanticipated Midsummer Eve party. Alice Edevane, sixteen years old and a budding writer, is especially excited.

Not only has she worked out the perfect twist for her novel, she’s also fallen helplessly in love with someone she shouldn’t. But by the time midnight strikes, the Edevane family will have suffered a loss so great that they leave Loeanneth forever.

Seventy years later, after a particularly troubling case, Sadie Sparrow is sent on an enforced break from her job with the Metropolitan Police.

She retreats to her beloved grandfather’s cottage in Cornwall but soon finds herself at a loose end. Until one day, Sadie stumbles upon an abandoned house surrounded by overgrown gardens and dense woods, and learns the story of a baby boy who disappeared without a trace.

Meanwhile, in the attic writing room of her elegant Hampstead home, the formidable Alice Edevane, now an old lady, leads a life as neatly plotted as the bestselling detective novels she writes.

Until a young police detective starts asking questions about her family’s past!

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WILDFLOWER - Drew Barrymore Celebrity biographies … blah, blah, blah … anyone who has been anyone for longer than the average human gestation period seemingly has written a memoir these days. But, every now and then, comes a real story, with depth and genuine fascination. And there are few Hollywood stories more fascinating, or more authentic, than that of Drew Barrymore.

Wildflower is a portrait of Drew’s life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and how laundry may have saved her life), getting stuck in a gas station overhang on a cross country road trip, saying goodbye to her father in a way only he could have understood, and many more adventures and lessons that have led her to the successful, happy, and healthy place she is today.

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NATURAL BORN KELLER - Amanda Keller ‘Oh, I just love her.’ It’s what springs to mind whenever mention of Ms Keller is made, isn’t it? In this brilliantly titled autobiography, the whip-sharp mind of the 30-year veteran of Australian television (she started on Simon Townsend’s Wonder World!) and radio tells her story, from her teenage years as a self-described dag and Barry Manilow tragic in suburban Sydney; the happy, stimulating period she spent at a country university; her romantic encounters from ‘going around with’ boys in her teen years to her marriage; her struggles with IVF; and the highs and lows of public life.

Amanda also takes readers behind the scenes of TV and radio with hilarious anecdotes about her adventures and mishaps. From her days working with Ray Martin on The Midday Show to the years as a reporter on Beyond 2000, radio co-hosting with Andrew Denton and Amanda and Jonesy. to Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation and The Living Room, the inside goss is cut with flashbacks to the fashion, music, TV shows and films of the sixties, seventies and eighties.

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THRILL SEEKERS

… for those that like a few chills on hot summer days FALL - Candice Fox If Detective Frank Bennett tries hard enough, he can sometimes forget that Eden Archer, his partner in the Homicide Department, is also a moonlighting serial killer.

Thankfully, their latest case is proving a good distraction.

Someone is angry at Sydney’s beautiful people – and the results are anything but pretty. On the rain-soaked running tracks of Sydney’s parks, a predator is lurking.

While Frank and Eden chase shadows, a different kind of danger grows closer to home. Frank’s new girlfriend Imogen Stone is fascinated by cold cases, and her latest project – the disappearance of the two Tanner children more than twenty years ago – is leading her straight to Eden’s door.

And, as Frank knows all too well, asking too many questions about Eden Archer can get you buried as deep as her past …

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN- Paula Hawkins In case you missed it …

The Girl on the Train is being hailed as the new Gone Girl, only better.

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens.

She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life, as she sees it, is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough.

Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.

Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…

HESTER & HARRIET - Hilary Spiers Hold on to your tea cups girls, things are about to get interesting.

When widowed sisters, Hester and Harriet, move together into a comfortable cottage in a pretty English village, the only blights on their cosy landscape are their crushingly boring cousins, George and Isabelle, who are determined that the sisters will never want for company. Including Christmas Day. On their reluctant drive over to Christmas dinner, the sisters come across a waif-like young girl, hiding with her baby in a disused bus shelter. Seizing upon the perfect excuse for returning to their own warm hearth, Hester and Harriet insist on bringing Daria and Milo home with them.

But with the knock at their front door the next day by a sinister stranger looking for a girl with a baby, followed quickly by their cousins’ churlish fifteen year-old son, Ben, who also appears to be seeking sanctuary, Hester and Harriet’s carefully crafted peace and quiet quickly begins to fall apart.

With dark goings-on in the village, unlooked-for talents in Ben, and the deeper mysteries in Daria’s story, Hester and Harriet find their lives turned upside down. And, perhaps, it’s exactly what they need.

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