Atrium. The name behind some of Perth’s finest homes. Why not put it in front of yours? Atrium Homes has been designing and building prestigious luxury homes in Perth for many years. We are renowned for our exceptional quality and attention to detail - not just by our valued customers, but also by our peers. Our long list of awards is testament to our standing in the West Australian building industry. Whether you select one of our stunning display homes, or allow us to design a unique home that perfectly reflects your lifestyle, our commitment is always to excellence in design, outstanding quality and exceptional customer service. If these things are important to you too, talk to us today on 9455 7888 or 0418 941 415. • Exclusive range of award-winning single and double storey designs • Innovative and unique custom homes • Narrow and small block specialists • 2013 MBA Display Home of the Year Award winner
For more information, scan the QR code or visit atrium-homes.com.au today to view our full range of luxurious home designs.
2013 Display Home of the Year ‘The Bluegum’
atrium-homes.com.au
Builder Reg No: 7897
WH51858
contents issue 02 â—? winter 2013
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21
12
profile
travel
page 12
page 17
life after the abyss
my secret sanctuary
contents issue 02 â—? winter 2013
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31
34
40
70
68
47
travel
taste
pininfarina
fashion
page 21
page 39
page 52
page 65
the italian job culture
the man who brought us m o ma page 26
escape to margs
series 5
fashion
page 40
page 56
page 68
labour of love
the high life
page 43
page 60
page 70
bmw 328 - mille miglia
page 34
jean genie
music
page 31
faust food
five star upgrade
mini cooper d clubman
free wheeling
taste
perfect fit
drink
culture
right on song
a meeting of minds
one thousand miles of class page 47
songbird flies home music
oh, you, pretty chitty bang bang page 62
riding high property profile
the comeback kid page 74
the drive of my life
amy zempilas page 76
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The Premium Terminal in Doha
introduction
PUBLISHED BY CANDY CUSTOM MEDIA PTY LTD Perth P.O. Box 444
Northbridge WA 6865 (t) (08) 9381 1295
EDITOR
Gabi Mills gabi@candymedia.com.au
welcome to Classique W
e are living through one of the most exciting chapters in BMW’s history. The automotive industry’s gradual revolution in drive technologies – from combustion engines to electric drives and beyond – is swallowing a large share of development costs both at BMW and across the industry as a whole. More and more, BMW is spearheading a technological revolution even though its image has always been strongly linked to powerful spirited petrol engines. Before the year is out, the first genuine series-produced, battery powered electric BMW i3 will make its way off the production line. It’s not only the drive system and brand name that will be new. The BMW i3 will be the first car in the history of automotive mass production to feature a carbon fibre passenger cell. The BMW i3 will be the world’s first fully networked electrically powered car. No other model boasts such far-reaching exchange of information features between the vehicle, its driver and the outside world. A SIM card is fitted as standard in the BMW i3 where drivers will be able to use the BMW iRemote app to share information with their car at any time using their smartphone. The aim of this intelligent networking is to enable maximum driving pleasure in a car emitting zero local emissions. Along with all of this new industry direction, BMW has had time to redefine ‘premium’ in the executive class with the new BMW 5 Series. First released in 2010, the current BMW 5 Series sedan has been a game changer with the range selling well over one million vehicles worldwide and has brought new levels of driving pleasure, technology, style and refinement to consumers that rival brands have struggled to meet. Later this year, the iconic BMW 5 Series range is about to break the rules again. Details of the significant mid-lifecycle update were announced today, and it is clear BMW is determined to surprise and delight prestige vehicle customers and expand the appeal of the segment. The overall vision of the new BMW 5 Series has been to deliver precise modifications to the design with enhanced engine performance and innovative technologies to raise the appeal of the BMW 5 Series range even further. And the best news for our customers came with an announcement from BMW Group Australia confirming a significant increase in specifications, right across the entire new BMW 5 Series range. These enhancements now represent the zenith of style, comfort and performance. Thank you to our very loyal customers who continue to support us. Please enjoy this issue of Classique Magazine for your automotive reading pleasure. Happy and safe motoring!
Darrin Brandon Director/ Dealer Principal 10
CREATIVE DESIGN
Barbara Bertoli design@candymedia.com.au
JOURNALIST
Elizabeth Palmer elizabeth@candymedia.com.au
SALES MANAGER
Cornelius Curtin conny@candymedia.com.au
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
sales@candymedia.com.au
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
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GENERAL ENQUIRIES
info@candymedia.com.au
Classique Magazine is published in Western Australia by Candy Custom Media Pty Ltd © 2013 Candy Custom Media.
Auto Classic drive your desire
From the moment you walk in our front door, it A Peter Stannard Home is more than bricks and mortar, it is a culmination of careful thinking and clever design all brought together through skilled craftsmanship to give you something very unique. Come and see why every Peter Stannard display home “feels like home�.
Ph: (08) 9446 5500
peterstannardhomes.com.au
BRN 6583
profile
12
Beyond the profilie
abyss Phil Britten has become synonymous with one of the most brutal examples of terror in recent times – the Bali Bombings of 2002. But 11 years on, the man who lost so much has fought back – and how
“
I was flat on my arse. I lay there for a split second, pushed up hard against the bar. It was pitch black and there were bits of the wall, pieces of roof and, I started to realize with horror, body parts all over me. It felt as if I’d been hit by a bulldozoer.” So the opening of ‘Undefeated: The story of Bali Bombing survivor’ by Phil Britten (with Rebecca Britten and Malcolm Quekett) hits you right between the eyes. If you know nothing else about the devastating bomb which claimed so many young lives in Bali’s Sari Club, you probably know that many members of the Kingsley Football Club – the club which Phil Britten captained – were lost that evening. Somehow, amongst all the mayhem however, Phil survived. Terribly injured with burns all over his body, his bloodied picture spread across the newspaper pages around the world came to represent a version of a kind of universal indomnitable spirit, a hope in the face of despair. For Phil, 11 years on from that fateful night, it’s been a long journey from that destroyed dance floor, and a slow realisation that what he experienced is something “you never fully recover from”. “I wear my scars as a badge of honour,” he says, tanned arms flecked with the burn scars, fading now but still present. Life for Phil, pre-bombing, was easy. “I was tanned, had long hair and a beautiful girl by my side,” he says. “I was self-absorbed, just like any other 22 year old.” Working as a fridge mechanic by day, footy was his real love, living and breathing the lure of the oval whenever he had a spare moment. “I was called by Darren Harris, the head coach of the Falcons, the week before we left for Bali, so I just said we’d be back in a week, let’s talk then.” It was going to be a week that would change everything, not least the death of any ambitions he would subsequently have to play football at the highest level. “Twenty of us went from the Kingsley Football Club. Seven died. I was the captain so felt responsible for the guys, and thanks to my injuries I missed out on their funerals.” » 13
profile
LIFE CHANGING: Above, much of Phil’s body was badly scarred following the bomb at Bali’s Sari Club in 2002, and right, Phil sits upright for the first time.
During his first year of recovery, Phil floundered, unsure about how to keep on going. “I tried to go back to my old job, but couldn’t do it. I’d changed. I battled with what I wanted to do, and had nobody to compare myself to. I’d lock myself up in the darkest room in the house, just wanting to disappear.” However, despite the despair that would wash over him, Phil began to take small steps towards a recovery which would, by anybody’s standards, be astounding. “I started playing footy again six months after the blast in a full length pressure suit. I began to change the way I thought of myself – not a victim, but a survivor – and then my granny Claire suggested I go out and talk to a Lions Club, to share my story.” This was to prove to be a turning point in Phil’s life. “It was tough talking about things for the first time, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as I received a standing ovation. It was that wave of appreciation which really switched something on in me, and gave me the boost I needed to take the next steps.” By 2005, after some reckless months of drinking too much before making the choice to reject that road to oblivion, Phil met Rebecca, his wife-to-be. “I thought I was unlovable during that reckless stage, but she proved me wrong.” The pair married in 2009, and have two children, Ben (3) and Riley (1), with another due at the end of the year. As something approaching normality returned to his life, Phil developed a new passion for martial arts. “I started training and teaching it – kids would ask me what happened, 14
and thought I was famous.” In charge of 30 staff with 1000 students at his two martial arts schools in Greenwood and Currambine, Phil is growing the business into another success story with business partner Graham McDonnell. “Martial arts suit me – there’s a positivity and never give up mindset you need to be successful. I like to think that I’m now in the business of changing lives.” Ten years after the bomb, Phil published his book with UWA Publishers and the gift he’d displayed in the early days after the bomb for public speaking again came to the fore. “Speaking gigs started to stack up,” he says. “The door was opened to me to make speeches at Year 12 Leavers’ occasions at schools all over Perth, imprinting on those young minds the importance of mateship, tenacity and a belief in the future.” Despite his terrible injuries which will remain with him forever, Phil wouldn’t change a thing. “I couldn’t think of any other version of the Phil I am now. Of course I wish my mates were here, that the burns were never there, but what happens, happens. You choose the path you’re given from then on.” Rather than refusing to confront the horror of his past, Phil has revisited Bali ten times, visiting those who saved his life, as well as watching the trial which would see the perpetrators of the Bali Bomb receive their just desserts. “When I got to the court however I wondered why I was wasting all this energy on anger I felt towards them. I realised it was time to move on.” Phil has taken his interest in young people’s futures further,
launching a programme called Dream, Believe, Achieve. “I talk to high risk youths, kids of immigrants, those who lack positive role models, and help them focus on positives because what you give is what you get.” It’s the kind of drive which has resulted in Phil being recognised as a mover and shaker in the business world, winning the Most Inspiring Man of the Year Award at this year’s Men In Black Ball, and for his wife Rebecca, who shares his passions, included in the 2009 100 Women Hall of Fame for her work with the Bali Peace Park. The next challenge on Phil’s to do list is no less impressive. “I played in the Mainwaring Match last year for Geelong with the Telethon Adventurers’ Rick Parish, who heard that I’d completed the Kokoda Trail last year, raising funds for Telethon. I told him that I had thought the trail would be tougher, so he suggested I join the next adventure with him and a group of fundraisers.” So by the end of July, Phil will be climbing yet another mountain – this time literally – in Chamonix, France, as ambassador for the Telethon Adventurers – adding his considerable presence to an already formidable bunch of battlers. As ever, however, for the man who is the living proof that the human spirit will not be subjugated, no matter what, this is just all part of the new version of Phil. “I like to be part of something bigger than me. That’s what granny Claire taught me, and it’s how I’m living my life these days.” ● Undefeated by Phil Britten (UWA Publishing), $24.95, part proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Fiona Wood Foundation.
resort & country club
4vouchers golf for friends and family when full membership is taken out
Vines Members enjoy a range of benefits that others can only envy. For starters, there are 36 magnificent golf holes that champions such as Norman, Els, Westwood and Scot have all graced.
Membership benefits include:* • Transferable Memberships - All memberships are transferable unless otherwise specified in the Club Constitution. • Non Specific Membership Categories - All male & female members enjoy equal playing rights full access to Wednesday & Saturday organised club competitions for all members. • Members’ Guests - Members are encouraged to bring guests to the Club according to the Rules of the Club. Subject to approval, Members’ guests can play in certain Club competitions. • Members’ Discounts - A range of Members’ discounts apply to the Resort Shop and The Novotel Vines Resort & Country Club. • Credit Facilities - Credit facilities and charge accounts are available for approved Members outlets at The Novotel Vines Resort & Country Club. • Reciprocal Clubs - Members have access to other prestigious Clubs, interstate and international reciprocal arrangements
Contact the Vines Club Office during business hours on (08) 9297 0701 or email membership@vines.com.au for further information.
Let us
that we love
TAKE YOU TO THIS PLACE
3948 Caves Road, Wilyabrup, WA 6280 | Phone: +61 (0) 8 9755 6226 | mail@woodlandswines.com | www.woodlandswines.com
travel
My sweet sanctuary Cape Lodge is so special, those in the know could be forgiven for hoping it remains their own undiscovered secret. This is the kind of place, after all, where crowds are someone else's problem 17
travel
PRIVACY GUARANTEED: Cape Lodge has its very own vineyard, and when the weather is kind, it’s hard to think of a more idyllic spot to spend time unwinding from city stresses. Right, the free form pool and decor of The Residence.
A
perfect Margaret River winter’s day – crisp, blue skies that stretch all the way to the ocean, and karri trees bowing their crowns as we drove up the driveway to Cape Lodge’s main reception area, just off the Caves Road. We knew the reputation of the five star boutique small luxury hotel and gourmet retreat of course; seclusion, intimate accommodation and world class cuisine. What we didn’t know was how much we’d fall in love with the divine location, and in particular The Residence. An imposing, freestanding private home, with azure blue wooden detail set against creamy stone within the grounds of Cape Lodge, The Residence can accommodate ten guests – but in an act of unadulterated luxury, it was just the two of us this time around. Having recently enjoyed a magical makeover by Jenny Jones, the interiors are frankly to die for. Light, understated with homely fabrics, sofas to collapse into with a glass of the limited edition shiraz from the resort’s very own vineyard, artworks on each wall by Bec Juniper and Jenni Doherty – this is the kind of home you’d have if you had a. great taste, b. a generous budget, and c. a location second to none. There’s echoes of France’s Provence which struck us as we
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parked in The Residence’s private honey stoned courtyard, admiring the rolling three acres of grounds to the front of the property which lead to a lake, and a quirky golf hole (plus bunker) just for you and your resident golf tragic. There’s a separate Residence guest house if the four double bedrooms in the main house isn’t enough to cater for your party, as well as a generous outdoor seating area complete with BBQ setting. Our master suite, with a balcony opening out over the reflective lake had its own lounge area, walk in wardrobes which, thank you Cape Lodge, have ruined me for life because of their sheer scale, storage space and drawer wizardry, and a chic private ensuite. The remaining bedrooms are equally luxurious; it’s definitely the kind of place to leave the kids with the grandparents and spend a lazy weekend with old friends, a Scrabble set and plenty of wine in the fridge. Of course The Residence isn’t the whole story at Cape Lodge – although it certainly contributes a pretty decent chapter or two. A highlight of any stay has to be lunch or dinner at the Cape Lodge Margaret River Restaurant, run under the highly creative eye of executive chef, Tony Howell. If you think you’ve eaten well before you take your seat at the lakeside restaurant which, when we visited, was
travel Join Tony Howell and Serge Dansereau at the Cape Lodge Epicurean Master Class Weekend of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September:
Saturday 20 September ● Food Session – with Serge Dansereau ● Cheese Master Class – Nick Bath Blue Cow Cheese Company ● Double Act Wine Dinner – Serge Dansereau and Tony Howell Sunday 21 September ● Gourmet Breakfast with Huon salmon and Yahava coffee
Cape Lodge Epicurean Master Class Package
From $495.00pp Includes overnight accommodation, Food Session with Serge Dansereau, Cheese Master Class, Double Act Wine Dinner and Sunday Gourmet Breakfast.
toasty warm thanks to some roaring fires, think again. Tony’s the kind of chef who will respond on a daily basis to the best local produce that comes his way, and in our case, it was an unusual ingredient to say the least. “Did you enjoy the pig’s head last night?” he asks me over a morning coffee after possibly the best meal of my life. “Pig’s head, I don’t...” I’m trying to frantically recall working my way through that particular porcine delicacy and failing. Tony laughs and reveals that a local producer had turned up at the kitchen’s back door with such a tempting collection of piggy noggins he couldn’t turn them away. However, thanks to pig’s head not being a particularly glamorous ingredient, he didn’t exactly announce it’s starring role in the terrine he created from the ingredient - and what a terrine it was, with sensational texture, memorable ‘mouth feel’. A delight in fact. “Ah, that was the pig’s head,” I say, nodding sagely. That morning Tony was about to jet off to Jakarta with a gaggle of other WA top chefs to fly the State flag in Indonesia, encouraging visitors to take a chance on a foodie holiday in the Big State. It’s something he’s more than familiar doing – promoting both his beloved Cape Lodge restaurant, but also WA as a whole, acting as an
Double Act Wine Dinner Only $195.00pp
Residential Weekend Package $395.00pp twin share
Extra Night Accommodation From $200.00pp twin share
Special offer
Save 50% for a Luxury Cape Lodge weekend Per Couple: $449.00 per night This offer includes: Complimentary upgrade to a Luxury Spa Suite; two nights’ accommodation; a 3 course dinner for two on one evening; daily gourmet breakfast; gift bottle of Cape Lodge Estate Wine; wireless internet; a selection of fine teas and coffees with freshly baked muffins served daily in the lounge; Cape Lodge Estate wine tasting; welcome chocolates.
TICKETS ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED T: 08 9755 6311 FOR RESERVATIONS
enthusiastic ambassador for the region and its produce. Other star chefs are attracted to this hive of culinary activity too, and in September, Serge Dansereau (head chef of the iconic Bathers’ Pavilion on Balmoral Beach) will join forces with Tony to host an Epicurean Master Class Weekend, which will include a masterclass in cheese from Nick Bath of the Blue Cow Cheese Company, as well as a five course menu designed specially for guests. And just like last year, Cape Lodge will play a major role in the Gourmet Escape weekend, being the digs of choice of many of the star chefs who will be appearing at the event including, says Tony, one very special guest indeed. “Heston Blumenthal will be staying in The Residence for the duration of the event,” he says. Wow. I’ve almost shared a pillow with the Fat Duck’s head chef, I think. It’s worth noting too that breakfast is a special affair if you’re staying at The Residence. Instead of schlepping the five or so minutes up the drive to the main restaurant, you can call for your bespoke breakfast to be delivered to your door, piping hot, thanks to a clever use of some special wheels; a golf cart. Now that’s service. ● 19
Solid Investments. Positioned for Success.
With over three decades of experience, Psaros is a robust, diverse and respected developer: one capable of delivering strong outcomes, architecturally-considered built forms and consistent craftsmanship.
MARQ APARTMENTS
EDGE APARTMENTS
SELLENGER APARTMENTS
West Leederville
Perth
Perth
Psaros developments are strategically positioned in growth performing areas. High quality specifications with sustainable living, ensure each development is well positioned for a return on investment.
SOLID RETURNS MINIMAL DEPOSIT PRIME LOCATIONS
Upcoming opportunities not to be missed: Bagot Road, Subiaco Oxford Street, Mt Hawthorn Newcastle Street, Perth Great Eastern Hwy, Rivervale Brewer Street, Perth
Bob Johnston
Carissa Kanakis
Office: 6380 3000
M 0419 946 601
M 0487 123 444
psaros.com.au
travel
The Italian job Palazzo Versace is a shining example of Italian elegance in the heart of the Gold Coast’s glitzy shoreline, the perfect place then for a weekend of indulgence, adventure and a spot of bling watching 21
travel
C
ruising along the highway in my black Mini cabriolet, Queensland was putting on the glitz and living up to its Sunshine State moniker. Despite it being winter, the roof was down and the sunnies were well and truly in place as I drew up to my digs for the next few nights. And what digs they were. Palazzo Versace, a haven of Italianate opulence clinging to a little strip of land known as the Spit just beyond Surfer’s Paradise, was about as far away from the kiss-me-quick tacky souvenir shops found in that collection of concrete and glass as you can imagine. The familiar Versace shield was everywhere, from the mosaic on the driveway to the bottom of my solid crystal glass in the mini bar. This is branding with attitude, and it works because it reinforces all the time the fact that you are staying in a hotel with design at its heart. You’ll spot the trademark Versace print on the soft furnishings, the
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luxurious accessories which make taking a bath something out of this world, and probably the best dressed waiters in the business. My lagoon-facing room, complete with Juliet balcony, overlooked the enormous azure pool. Double bed cabanas were ready and waiting to host visitors keen to stretch out in the sparkling sunshine. A bar side pool was well stocked with Veuve Clicquot, the fizz of choice these days. There was a bath big enough for two – complete with its own menu of pampering ‘bath bliss’ options (for instance a bath full of rose petals, champagne and a strawberry chocolate fondue to enjoy while languishing in the ready filled tub), and a powerful shower too. There was a thoughtfully presented gift – two mini bottles of Versace perfume in a chic little black organza bag, as well as an invitation to enjoy a couple of complimentary drinks in the bar because, as the invitation said, “you’re marvellous.” Who am I to argue, I thought,
as I investigated the fully stocked mini bar and navigated my way through the entertainment system before putting on some glad rags for a pre-dinner cocktail or two. Dinner was always going to be a special occasion, not least because there was a new head chef in charge at the hotel’s flagship restaurant, Vanitas. Chef de Cusine Paul Froggatt, a serious food professional whose career has taken him to top establishments in Singapore, Hong Kong and France, had created a special five course gourmet menu, just for my guest and I. It was an incredible culinary journey which showcased his impressive skills, matched course for course by the knowledge of the sommelier’s wine suggestions, including an amazing dessert wine which knocked our socks off. By the morning, we realised this was the kind of place which makes a point of remembering each and every guest’s name, and as we took our place for breakfast in Il Barocco, we
travel
GLAMOUROUS: The enormous floodlit pool (above) is surrounded by luxurious loungers and cabanas (top right). The Versace flair for design to die for is everywhere in the hotel from the crystalware (right middle), to the well appointed rooms’ furnishings (bottom right). Even the mosaic in front of the hotel’s entrance is emblazoned by the designer’s emblem (bottom left).
were beginning to feel very much at home. This was a breakfast feast on another scale – the kind of breakfast, we felt, that the Ceasars of ancient Rome would be satisfied with. Freshly toasted waffles with maple syrup, eggs cooked to order, dreamy pastries as well as every other variation in between was on offer. Just the thing to set you up for a hard morning of poolside cabana dwelling. We wanted to make the most of the wall to wall winter sunshine and admired those brave souls who took the plunge in the chilly but invitinglooking lagoon-style pool. Lunchtime drinks were delivered on cue, and as the afternoon crept by, we watched as tables filled up with parties of six, eight and more, all intent on enjoying a little slice of Versace glamour for afternoon tea. Incredible patisserie creations emerged from the kitchen, nestling on silver cake stands; dinky cream horns, tiny sandwiches, delicate whispers of pastry and fruit. It was almost enough to make a girl hungry yet again.
We had an invitation to attend a Gin and Jazz evening in the main bar so it was time to change out of bathers and into something, well, gin and jazz appropriate. A wedding party was in full swing in a neighbouring banqueting lounge which we considered crashing but were lured instead by the house band’s jazzy renditions of classics. Our bar waiter waited patiently as we argued about which martini to try – hers (dirty), mine (with a twist) – all the while enjoying the steady cavalcade of glamourous co-bar flies enjoying the vibe. Fortunately we drew a line after the third martini – after all we had big plans for the morning. An adventure in the Mount Tambourine hinterland complete with Versace gourmet picnic packed in the Mini’s back seat for lunch on the run. Another gorgeous day meant it was off with the Mini’s roof as we programed the helpfully provided by the hotel TomTom stuck to the windshield. Our drive up the gradually ascending road into rainforest country was unforgettable, hair »
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Winter Wanderlust Package
This winter, guests can warm up with luxurious accommodation, bountiful breakfast for two and a $200 voucher to use towards either the rejuvenating Aurora Spa Retreat, dining at one of the haute hotel’s award-winning restaurants or premium putting with 18 holes at the nearby Glades Golf Course, Robina. THE WINTER WANDERLUST PACKAGE INCLUDES: ● Luxurious overnight accommodation ● Bountiful buffet breakfast for two at Il Barocco ● $200 voucher to use towards one of the below: » Relaxing at our sensual Aurora Spa Retreat » Dining in one of the hotel’s award winning restaurants » Practising your swing at The Glades Golf Course, Robina Package from $539* for two per night
Scarlett Seduction Package
Palazzo Versace is helping guests ignite their romance over the cooler months with the Scarlett Seduction package. Complete with champagne, chocolate fondue, strawberries and an in-room bath service, the haute hotel proves that true romance is never out of fashion, whatever the season.
pin bends backed on either side with towering trees, vines hanging down impossible slopes and tempting side roads leading off to artisan producers selling fudge, wine and boutique galleries. The mountain is all that’s left of a vast ancient volcanic peak – Mount Warning – and there’s a definite feeling of stepping back in time here. We took the Skywalk, right up in the rainforest canopy, learning more about the local flora and fauna and taking a few goofy shots at the end of a worryingly wobbly bridge, hoping to catch a shot of the elusive koalas said to lurk in the shady boughs. After that, we stumbled across a
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gathering of paragliders, waiting for the right moment to take a flying jump off the side of the mountain. In comparison the bravest decision we made was when and where to have lunch – an amazing collection of crayfish, salads, cheeses and patisserie all wrapped carefully up in our esky. The Palazzo people had even included a demister spray for each of us, just in case we needed a spritz before tucking in. Then it was time to wend our way back down the mountain, taking a final spin along Surfer’s Paradise before we reluctantly said ‘ciao’ to Palazzo Versace for the final time. ●
THE SCARLETT SEDUCTION PACKAGE INCLUDES: ● Luxurious overnight accommodation ● Relaxing in-room spa ‘Bath Bliss’ experience ● Chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice ● Decadent chocolate fondue with fresh strawberries ● Bountiful buffet breakfast at Il Barocco ● Late checkout option Package from $629* for two per night *Subject to availability at time of booking. Terms and conditions apply.
Perth The Old Perth Technical School Level 1 / 137 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Telephone +61 8 6465 4314 perth@lintonandkay.com.au
Subiaco 299 Railway Road (Corner Nicholson Road) Subiaco WA 6008 Telephone +61 8 9388 3300 subiaco@lintonandkay.com.au
Linton & Kay Galleries is dedicated to exhibiting collectable, contemporary and Indigenous art by established and emerging artists from Australia and around the world. The Galleries offer a unique events space, and a range of art services including collection advice, transport and installation.
lintonandkay.com.au
Left to right top to bottom: Yvonne Zago MR the Boy and His Donkey Oil on Canvas 138 x 168cm | Arthur Boyd Shoal Haven River bank and Yacht Oil on Canvas 183 x 161cm | Karlee Rawkins Toodee and Brobee Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas 167 x 213cm | Larry Mitchell The Nook Abrolhos Oil on Canvas 153 x 153cm | Bec Juniper Double Hills Ridge Mixed Media on canvas 75 x 100cm | Andy Quilty Australia Day #2 Jimblah Ball Point and Aerosol on Arches | Min Woo Bang The Wind 2 Oil and Acrylic on Canvas 180 x 180cm | Francesco Villicich The Well 4 oil on linen 100 x 150cm
culture
Venetian born Stefano Carboni, director of the Art Gallery of WA is a long way from home but thrilled to be introducing Perth’s art lovers to another slice of New York’s iconic Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in the next installment of a three year collaboration between the two art institutions
The man
who brought v
us MOMA 26
culture
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culture
I
t’s an exhibition with more than its fair share of superstars – 96 artists who were jointly responsible for transforming modern art in the twentieth century, their names reading like a roll call of some of the most familiar in the art world. Van Gogh. Dali. Picasso. But for gallery director Stefano Carboni, it’s also an exhibition that he hopes will draw visitors to the Art Gallery of Western Australia for other reasons too. “I don’t like the concept of a blockbuster,” he says from his booklined office in the heart of the gallery. “I prefer a longer term, educational vision for sharing the great collections of the world with our visitors. A blockbuster exhibition necessarily makes visitors disengage with the resident collection and once it moves on, I still have to count on people living here to come and see us.” When Carboni arrived in Perth in 2008, he realised that he could increase footfall through the permanent collection in one easy step. “The permanent collection was on the first floor, while visiting exhibitions were on the ground floor, meaning that people would visit and perhaps never venture upstairs. I swapped that around, so that now the permanent exhibition is the first that people see on the ground floor, with visiting shows on the first floor.” It’s a smart move from somebody with art galleries running in his blood. Born in Venice, Carboni took his first university degree in Arabic, specialising in Islamic art. His journey to WA was a circuitous one, via London, Cairo and eventually the Met, where in 1992 he became the curator in the feted institution’s Islamic art collection. “My eye had been caught by languages, and from the very beginning I loved it and combined with art history, you could say I fell in love with the subject.” This combination of knowledge of the region’s language, cultural and artistic influences saw Carboni “rise through the ranks” at the Met, adding to the Islamic art collection before being given the responsibility for the early 7th to 14th century section of the collection. “I jumped into the new challenge, and became interested in how a gallery works, delivering exhibitions and keen to move out of my little department. I
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realised that it wasn’t only my expertise in a certain field that I enjoyed, but also the museum world as a whole.” Carboni’s world – like so many others – was rocked in 2001, as post9/11, a spotlight fell on his “little department” more than ever. “It was our mission to show the culture and arts of a region which was in the process of being demonised. We organised a beautiful show – The Glass of the Sultans – with the trucks full of the exhibits actually ready to deliver to us from the Corning Museum of Glass on September 11. We had to decide whether to go ahead with the exhibition at the Met – there were concerns that it may become a target, but I argued that people could find solace in the exhibition in light of all the tragedy. I was supported by this, and the exhibition went on to garner great press coverage.” However, outside forces conspired to decide Carboni’s fate in New York. “A restructuring of the museum’s wing began afterwards which meant our galleries were closed in 2003 for renovations.” It may have appeared to the outside world that this closure was in response to negative antipathy caused by 9/11, Carboni admitting that it provided a “journalists’ field day”. “My role switched from a curatorial to a more educational one, as we tried to communicate and educate the public, but after some ongoing delays in the renovations it seemed the right time for me to move on.” With two young children, Carboni and his Chinese-born Russian Australian wife on board, Stefano decided that he was most certainly “a museum person”. “I felt that I could contribute more to the life of a gallery than just remaining a dedicated academic.” Carboni and his family decided that the idea of leaving New York to live somewhere else in the US wasn’t “appealing”. “My wife’s relatives were in Melbourne, so it happened that I was in Melbourne in 2008 delivering a paper and discovered that there was a headhunter in Sydney who was looking for the head of the Art Gallery of WA. I googled it – I had no idea what to expect from Perth, and sent my CV, emphasizing my Islamist and medieval art interests.”
Fifteen minutes later the headhunter had arranged an interview and the rest, as they say, is history. “For me, it’s the ideal first position to run this gallery. Although my role at the Met was very demanding, it was a position without many worries. I’ve since realised that you don’t sleep much as a director.” Thanks to his previous experience at the Met, working with other senior curators, Carboni has been able to bring a wealth of connections to the Art Gallery of WA. “The curators of MoMA create the exhibitions for us and with us – it’s a three year partnership – and my view is that it’s a great chance for all of us here at the art gallery for professional development. Each exhibition we’re running with MoMA is therefore paired with one of my curators, and deciding what is on the list and refining the choices has been wonderful. “We know our own space, they know their collection, so it’s a great collaboration.” Thanks to a healthier balance sheet than in the past, Carboni is adding to the permanent collection to maintain ongoing interest in the art gallery’s loyal fan base, and although the current visiting exhibition includes works which are familiar to the public, eventually he hopes to show work drawn from cultures the world over. “Perth is a relatively young city so from a cultural point of view, it lacks confidence,” says Carboni. “It’s geographically distant from other capital cities, and I’m determined that the identity of this place shouldn’t be defined by the fact that somehow we’re catching up with other cities in Australia. We have a very localised regional artistic hub, and I’m confident the MoMA exhibitions will open things up for us. I’m looking at building engagement with mining companies to encourage more funds to invest in art, such as the Desert, River, Sea project we’re working on with the aboriginal Kimberley communities, backed by Rio Tinto. “And of course in time, I’d love to feature works from my first love – Islamic art. I’d love this gallery to be seen as an innovator in the art world.”
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culture
MASTERPIECES: (from top left) Anna Zborowska (Amedeo Modigliani), Self-portrait with Cropped Hair (Frida Kahlo), La Goulue at the Moulin Rouge (Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec), Still Life - Glove and Newspaper (Joan Miro) and Violin and Grapes Ceret and Sorgues (Pablo Picasso).
The World Reimagined
Throughout the exhibition, three key themes are explored: portraiture, landscape and still life. “These three different types of artistic expression have had different interpretations but always within the constraints of traditional approaches,” says Carboni. “Even within Cubism, we are still dealing with those themes. We start with the great challenge of post-impressionists to late twentieth century artists – the concept has changed so dramatically. It’s a journey through that process – not so much about the individual artist’s works, but more about the fast pace that each one of the three genres has developed.” If pushed, Carboni admits to loving Cezanne’s ‘oranges’ – “at the time it was such an innovative still life” – and Fischer’s half pear, half apple which is left to rot. “We have to change the fruit every few days – it’s a ‘living’ still life which Cezanne could never have envisaged, and for me, the whole point of the exhibition. As the fruit rots, the viewer engages with the work in a different way every time. It’s wonderful to watch visitors discuss and enjoy the piece.”
Van Gogh, Dali and Beyond: The World Reimagined runs at the Art Gallery of Western Australia until 2 December 2013. For more information visit www.momaseries.com.au, or visit www.artgallery.wa.gov.au for opening times. 29
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culture
Right on
song Esteemed opera maestro Joseph Colaneri’s three year tenure as Artistic Director at the West Australian Opera began this year, and the success to date of the 2013 Year of the Divo has cemented his standing in the local opera community as one of its favourite adopted sons 31
culture
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oseph Colaneri – who began his career at the New York City Opera in 1983 as a Course Master and Conductor for 15 seasons – has found that guiding the artistic direction of the state’s opera company has been an obvious progression as Guest Conductor since 2006, and represented a “wonderful new opportunity”. “I always loved the company and felt I had a very, very good rapport with the staff and was very kind of keyed into the mission of the company,” he said. The chance to spend more time working in Perth was a drawcard for the American maestro, who is full of praise for the city. “I like the city of Perth very much and love coming to Australia. When the position was available I thought ‘wow’. “I really enjoy my time there so much. I enjoy working with the company, with the orchestra, all the singers.”
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The 2013 Year of the Divo features four of the classic operas, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Don Giovanni and La Bohème. The concept focusses on the four central male characters in each of the works, and was timed perfectly as it coincided with composer Giuseppi Verdi’s 200th birthday. Colaneri said it was very important for the West Australian Opera to mark this event. “Verdi is certainly one of my favourite composers. I revere the works of Verdi, and his work is central to the opera repertory. Without him, we’d have a huge hole in the repertory.” His interpretation of Verdi’s operas have been “very well-received” by audiences, with Rigoletto performed under the night sky of Perth’s Supreme Court Gardens. “La Traviata was also a wonderful success, the audience was very taken with the beauty of the production
especially,” Colaneri said. With Mozart’s Don Giovanni to be performed in July, and Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème in October, Colaneri is looking forward to bringing to life another two operas that “deal with love and its different kind of guises”. Based on the greatest lover of all time, Don Juan, Don Giovanni is a “very powerful production” full of emotion, which Colaneri believes is necessary for one of Mozart’s greatest masterpieces. “It’s filled with very, very powerful, dramatic situations and some of Mozart’s most powerful – and even I would dare day darkest – music. The production matches that musical style very, very well.” La Bohème is “probably one of the most beloved operas in the world” according to Colaneri, and takes on a different tone to the love theme central to the Year of the Divo.
MELODY MAKERS: WA Opera has hit its stride with a series of colourful productions, including Rigoletto, La Traviatta and Don Giovanni, under the artistic direction of Joseph Colaneri (bottom left).
“It’s an extraordinarily beautiful opera, beautiful music filled with wonderful emotional situations, a wonderful warm story – a tragic story – and music that’s very human,” Colaneri said. While the four operas performed this season are classics, one of the challenges Colaneri has found as Artistic Director is maintaining a balance between these works and modern ones. “There are sometimes newer works, or unknown works that we would like to present. On the other hand, we have to be sure to present very, very strong artistic interpretations of the core repertory because those are the works that are the backbone of any great opera company.” For Colaneri, performing famous operas as well as lesser-heard works is important so the West Australian Opera “can help expand the experience of our audiences”. Unsurprisingly this is paramount for the maestro, who has embraced technology to enhance his audiences’ enjoyment and understanding. He has created podcasts for the West Australian Opera’s website, and uses videos and high definition technology in the theatre. The company even has a Facebook page which is updated regularly. “It’s important to help spread the art of opera around and we can use technology to help us do that,” Colaneri said. The company is also committed to nurturing and developing local talent through their Young Artist Program, with performers such as James Clayton, Rachelle Durkin, Paul O’Neill and Katja Webb being alumni of the program. Colaneri brought back baritone Clayton for the title role in Rigoletto, having worked with the “very, very talented artist” several times. He is also appearing in Don Giovanni and La Bohème. 2007 Young Artist graduate Katja Webb also features in three of this season’s operas, including the principal female role of Violetta in La Traviata. “These are wonderful singers and people whose careers we have helped to nourish and develop, and we need to continue to do that,” he said. “We’re always looking for opportunities to bring our former Young Artists back into the company.” It’s not only talented singers that Colaneri is willing to include in the program; pianist Lochlan Brown is the recipient of this year’s Bendat Scholarship. Colaneri is excited to expand the 2013 Young Artist Program to include a two-week stint in New York with him and his colleagues for additional coaching and study. His passion for Western Australia’s arts extends beyond the opera community and is further proof that Colaneri is ideally suited to his role. “Perth is a wonderful city, but it’s certainly a smaller city than New York, so it’s important for all of us to work together to collaborate as much as we can and to support each other.” ●
For more information about WA Opera and its program of productions in 2013, visit www.waopera.asn.au.
La Bohème
October 29, 31 and November 2, 7, 9 at 7:30pm November 5 at 1:30pm His Majesty’s Theatre Puccini’s beautiful opera will carry you away with its melodic richness and big hitting arias
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photos: Š Barbara Bertoli
taste
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taste
The alchemist of food
Herb Faust’s impressive credentials put him at the head of the pack of Perth’s talented roll call of culinary superstars – after all he’s the only Australian chef who has taken on the Iron Chefs – and won
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taste
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t’s hard not to be seduced by Bunbury-born Herb Faust’s attitude to cooking. The gently spoken driving force behind Herb Faust Food learned to appreciate the “simple things” thanks to his Thai mother’s devotion to her Buddhist community. “Every Saturday mum, my three siblings and I would go to Serpentine Monastery to provide the monks with their daily meal. They weren’t allowed to feed themselves, and had to eat before lunchtime.” Herb’s mother’s unselfish and joyful approach to feeding others has undoubtedly left its mark on the chef ’s approach to cooking, whether it’s for a high end private dinner party, a corporate breakfast or a one off event, such as last year’s inaugural ‘An Evening For the Animals’ fundraiser. “It’s important to me that I make as much as possible from scratch, that I use ingredients which have a relevance
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to the season and perhaps introduce my clients to a new taste or flavour.” His seasonal menus certainly reflect this commitment – expect locally produced White Rocks veal breast, served with a tuna tartare, confit of potato aioli and green harissa, or a coconut ice cream made entirely dairy free yet still packing an incredible creamy punch. It’s fair to say that Faust shares his literary’s namesake talent – he’s a sorcerer indeed. Herb’s skills have been honed under the tutelage of some of the best in the game. “During college, I was mentored by David Hamilton – formerly of Rottnest Lodge – then after a stint at the Wildwood Brasserie in Yallingup under Aaron Carr, I came back to Perth to work under Hamilton again at E Cucina.” Two years with “passionate” Scotsman, Graham Arthur, followed, providing an “amazing
grounding” for the young chef. “It laid the foundations for the kind of chef I wanted to be, drawing on my Thai influences but using the freshest ingredients and maintaining a balance at all times.” Not adverse to a little snow on his shoes, Herb also spent three winters at Thredbo, again working with Arthur, developing his fine dining style and achieving a collection of accolades during his time on the slopes. “After that I worked at Kerry Packer’s polo farm, with heaps of catering events and even the chance to cook a steak burger for Kerry himself,” he remembers with a smile. Finally the lure of his hometown proved too strong and Herb took the head chef spot at his old alma mater, E Cucina before swapping the “crazy” hours of the commercial kitchen for a more family-friendly option as head chef at Scotch College.
CULINARY KUDOS: Herb in action as he creates dishes from his home dining menu, using the best local ingredients available.
taste Herb Faust’s Rice Milk Ice-Cream I use this base to make my coconut rough ice-cream for my current winter menu. I set the ice-cream in a lamington tray, freeze, then cut into bars. It is then triple crumbed with puffed rice, my own dried black rice and coconut and finally, it’s deep-fried. Sublime.
Rice milk
● ½ cup brown rice, soaked in water overnight ● 800ml coconut milk (I use Chef’s Choice which has no emulsifiers) ● 200ml coconut cream (I use Mae Ploy which has no emulsifiers) Blend the drained brown rice with half the coconut milk until smooth. Pour into a heavy based pot with the remainder of the coconut milk. Bring the milk to the boil, whisking constantly then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Pass the milk through a very fine strainer, extracting as much of the milk as possible. Discard the rice pulp. To finish, stir through the coconut cream into the rice milk and set aside.
Ice-Cream
● 8 egg yolks ● 300g caster sugar ● 1 qty of warmed rice milk In a heavy based stainless steel pot, mix the sugar with enough water to form a paste. Brush down the sides of the pot with a little water to get rid of any excess sugar. Bring the sugar to a soft boil (115˚C). Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks on high in a mixer to a very thick consistency. Slowly and carefully pour the soft boiled sugar into the egg yolks while whisking. Reduce the mixer speed and slowly pour in the rice milk. Continue whisking on a low speed until cool. Transfer the mixture to a freezer safe bowl in your freezer. Whisk every half an hour for up to four hours or until set. Freeze overnight.
“Feeding 170 hungry boarders was wonderful, and I used the same processes I would have done in a restaurant, yet with a more appreciative audience,” says Herb, who has two children with wife Deanna, Jackson, 9 and Jasmin, 6. Channel 7’s 2010 series of Iron Chef Australia gave Herb the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of a national television audience, going on to win the tough competition against My Kitchen Rules regular, Guy Grossi. “Lamb was the key ingredient, and I created four dishes – a ‘lambscape’ portrait, a late night lamb sandwich, a chico roll and a lamb roast.” It was a menu which won on the night, and propelled Herb further
towards his ultimate goal of being one of Australia’s premier chefs. Nowadays, Herb is concentrating on building his own venture, which provides the well heeled suburbs of Perth with unique dining concepts, whether it’s an intimate dinner party or larger special occasions. “I create a seasonal degustation menu and bring all the food, equipment, crockery, napery and staff to serve our clients in their own homes.” Herb has also created a sensational new range of salads and ‘grab and go’ items for the Herdsman in Churchlands, offers a ‘Hands on with Herb’ opportunity to learn how to prepare a three course meal in your own home, as
well as ad hoc large scale catering events – such as the recent Breast Cancer Care WA long table lunch – which have a habit of wowing all those lucky enough to be in attendance. A book is in the pipeline, as well as personal appearances at WA’s burgeoning foodie festival scene, but it’s all par for the course for one of Perth’s most modest high achievers. “I love taking my mother’s dedication to feeding the monks as my starting point in my career – I think she would have been proud of what I’ve achieved. ●
For more information about Herb’s menus and events, visit www.herbfaustfood.com. 37
Escape to Margs for gourmet treats After last year’s huge success, it’s no surprise that 2013’s Margaret River Gourmet Escape is the hottest ticket in WA for gourmet travellers
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his year, the star-studded line up will include Fat Duck chef Heston Blumenthal, Rick Stein, Alex Atala and Sat Bains as well as a plethora of internationally acclaimed talent such as Shane Osborn (St Betty, Hong Kong), Luke Dale-Roberts (The Test Kitchen, Cape Town) and Al Brown (Depot Eatery, Auckland). Joining Neil Perry in the Australian charge is Guillaume Brahimi (a recent addition to Crown Perth’s foodie offering), Tetsuya Wakuda, George Calombaris, Adriano Zumbo, Darren Robertson, Matt Wilkinson, Jock Zonfrillo, Adam D’Sylva and WA’s own Matt Stone, Tony Howell, Dany Angove, Aaron Carr and Nigel Harvey. In addition, thought leaders of the global culinary world Harold McGee (American food author on food science and NY Times columnist), Miles Irving (UK forager) and Joost Bakker (co-creator of The Greenhouse, sustainable architecture, restaurants and products) will feed the mind of food thinkers throughout the course of the festival. For wine appreciators, Singapore-based wine writer Ch’ng Poh Tiong, Master of Wine Lisa Perotti-Brown, UK wine critic Stephen Brook and leading Australian wine expert Nick Stock will take part in wine tastings, dinners and masterclasses. One of the must see events will be The Forager a uniquely Australian experience. Set in the forest, diners will eat from a rare menu celebrating native ingredients as Wardandi man Josh Whiteland and chef Jock Zonfrillo share their stories, skills and know-how, unlocking the unique and delicious native flavours of the region. Passionate about using native and locally sourced ingredients, Josh and Jock will be joined by international and Australian talent including UK forager Miles Irving and chefs Alex Atala, Al Brown, Sat Bains and Darren Robertson among others, and guests will participate in intimate Q&A sessions with visiting chefs. The highly regarded Fraser Gallop Estate will open its doors for a one off exclusive French inspired long lunch, with the menu created by Guillaume Brahimi, wine by Fraser Gallop Estate, Woodlands Estate, Moss Wood and Cullens and accompanied by the insight of international wine master Lisa Perotti-Brown. And then there’s yet another highlight – dinner at the stunning Voyager Estate where Shane Osborn, Tetsuya Wakuda and Voyager’s own Nigel Harvey will collaborate to bring an inspiring menu using unique Western Australian produce – each course expertly matched to WA wines. There’s a program of insightful panel discussions including Heston Blumenthal and Harold McGee discussing the science of cooking; Luke Dale-Roberts and Joost Bakker talking about the creative process; Miles Irving, Alex Atala and Matt Wilkinson on whether insects really will feed the world and much more. But the heart of the festival is the Gourmet Village itself,
open over the weekend and set in the iconic Leeuwin Estate. Here you’ll find a vibrant hub featuring all of the culinary talent including masterclasses, wine tastings, West Australian premium wine and produce and cooking demonstrations at the Siemens Chef ’s Theatre with the Margaret River Gourmet Escape chefs, including Cape Lodge’s own Tony Howell. ●
Tickets available through Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au, but be quick as tickets are limited for all events so early purchase is recommended to avoid disappointment. For event information: www.gourmetescape.com.au 39
drink
Photos: Michael Stewart
Labour of love
A little distillery in the Great Southern is beating the big boys in Scotland at their own game when it comes to producing award winning whisky
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n a region famed for its wines and overlooking the picturesque Princess Royal Harbour in Albany, founding director Cameron Syme set himself quite the challenge eight years ago when he opened the Great Southern Distilling Company, the sole whisky producer in Western Australia. Syme spent 16 years researching whisky making before the distillery began to create their signature drop Limeburners, which has since won numerous awards and made the whisky world take notice of the boutique distillery at the south-western tip of Australia. To become a fully-qualified distiller, Syme had to become certified in the UK and honed his craft with Bill Lark of the Lark Distillery in Tasmania, which boasts the majority of whisky distilleries in the country. “There wasn’t a lot of knowledge at that stage really within Australia about producing whisky,” he said. The decision to open a distillery in Western Australia wasn’t an easy one for Syme – who working at a multi-national energy company in Perth – but after becoming
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“disenfranchised” with his job, felt the timing was right for the “big gamble”. “I preferred whisky over beer or wine, and I thought, ‘Well Australia makes great wine and beer, why don’t we make whisky here?’ So I thought maybe I could.” The seed was planted early on, as Syme boasts a somewhat dubious ancestral connection to whisky making back in the spirit’s motherland. “I’d also grown up with a family urban myth story: My grandfather came out from Scotland when he was 12 – so that’s where my roots come from – and the family back in Scotland supposedly had an illicit distillery. Although they owned a water-driven flour mill and were stonemasons and pillars of the community supposedly, they still had this illegal distillery.” With an ambitious philosophy of trying to produce “the best whisky in the world”, Syme entered his very first Limeburners whisky – Cask M2 – into the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London in 2008, and surprised everyone (himself included) when it medalled in what he considers “a bit like the Olympics” for whisky makers.
“It was up against essentially Scotch whiskies that were three years old as a minimum and it brought back a bronze medal. I was quite stoked with that for our first release and it only being two years old,” he said. The Limeburners First Release is now worth $1800 a bottle. The bar was set high from the beginning, so careful consideration has been taken every step of the process as well as a commitment to using locallysourced products where possible. The grain used to make Limeburners is grown just north of Albany, and it’s all about quality over quantity. “We started very small, we’ll never make huge volumes. To give you some idea around that, Jack Daniels do two thousand barrels a day, the average Scottish distillery does 350 barrels a week, and we do two barrels a week. So a tiny, tiny scale compared to everybody else. “But it’s all about watching each stage of the process and focussing on getting the very best out of it we can.” Syme now lets his whiskies mature in casks until they’re at least three and a half years old, and they have continued to win international awards despite competing against “Scotch whiskies that
drink
CAMERON SYME’S WHISKY TIPS Serving whisky: “For me, I think just with water on the side, so that people can then add their own water to it. All spirits should be diluted, they’re not meant to be drunk neat in my view.” Drinking 43 per cent strength whisky: “I’d add around a third water to it to bring it down to around 30 per cent. 28 to 30 per cent – it’s a beautiful flavour.” Drinking 60 per cent (cask strength) whisky: “You can add equal parts water to whisky and that will bring it back to about 30 per cent alcohol, and then it’s again that really nice flavour. It doesn’t have that unnecessary nasty burn.” Adding ice: Syme advises against it. “You get less flavour out of it essentially... Whisky liqueur, I would have ice with that though, it just increases the viscosity of it and makes it more luscious.”
Selecting a quality whisky to drink: “Any reputable brand is going to be pretty good. I think any Australian single malt would be very good – you’d be hard pushed to actually beat an Australian one. That said, Japanese whiskies are fantastic too, their single malts are really quite amazing. Ultimately I’d come back to a whisky that you like. I don’t think you should ever listen to someone who’s a whisky snob. If you don’t like a whisky, you don’t like it. Find one you do like.” Selecting a whisky to keep: “There are a number of Scottish distilleries that no longer operate. If you can find a whisky that’s been made at a closed distillery, that’s a good one to collect because they’ll never make any more of them.
For more information on the Great Southern Distilling Company and Limeburners whisky, visit www.distillery.com.au or www.limeburners.com.au HIGHLY COVETED: The team at the Great Southern Distilling Company have carved a niche for themselves in the super competitive whisky industry.
Limeburners to produce their official whisky a few years ago. “Jack Daniels do two “I was quite touched that these guys that I would consider are Australian thousand barrels a day, the heroes would want to be using our average Scottish distillery drink,” he said. And while Syme is does 350 barrels a week, and incredibly proud to be producing we do two barrels a week. So whisky for the Regiment, it’s obvious he deeply reveres this association. a tiny, tiny scale compared “We are permitted to say we are to everybody else.” suppliers by Select Appointment to the CAMERON SYME SAS, but I want to be really careful with owner of the Great Southern that – because due credit to people who Distilling Company put their life on the line for their country. To me it’s not a marketing thing.” Whisky lovers have embraced are 15, 18 to 30 years old”. Praise for Limeburners’ products. “One of our Limeburners has also come from the cask strength whiskies – one of our most respected names in the industry. recent ones, N61 – I think we sold out “Jim Murray, in his Whisky Bible within about two weeks. It was only has rated us 92 out of 100 – 92 and quite small, there was only about 105, a half maybe – and said, ‘Look you’re maybe 110 bottles in the barrel but meant to start with a really crap whisky it was just so beautiful,” Syme said. and slowly get better’,” Syme said. “We produce about 120 bottles per “The world’s second-leading whisky barrel of our peated whisky – we sell critic, Dominic Roskow, in the last six out of that – and we had people premonths referred to us as ‘a frontrunner of ordering that, playing $250 a bottle just world whisky’ and he’s rating our whiskies so they can get one in two years’ time.” at very high gold medal [standard].” 2013 will be the biggest year Awards and critical acclaim aside, so far for the distillery as their perhaps the greatest honour for Syme highly anticipated Limeburners came when the Commanding Officer seven year release – which is still from Australia’s elite Special Air maturing in a Margaret River wine Service Regiment (SAS) commissioned barrel – will be made available.
“This is a pretty rare whiskey for us that’s only stayed in one barrel,” Syme said. The Great Southern Distilling Company also produces vodka, brandy, gin, absinthe and liqueurs using grape spirit from the local region. Syme joked that he “got bored while I was waiting for the whisky to mature”, so diversification was necessary. Their Tiger Snake sour mash whisky (bourbon) is also very popular with customers – Syme himself was a bourbon drinker before moving on to whisky. Working as a lawyer with a staff of 16 in Albany to finance the distillery, Syme still makes time for whisky making. “I would devote certainly a couple of hours each day on this job. You sort of have to stay on top of things. I’m very lucky I’ve got some really good staff here as well who are committed to the quality.” And the labour of love seems to certainly have paid off, but the dream is far from finished. “It’s about trying to leave something, a great legacy for my kids and for my grandkids. I’d like to think by that stage we’ll have whiskies that will be 30, 40 years old.” “It will be quite a ‘whisky house’ as they call it, something for my kids to enjoy as they grow up as well.” ● 41
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Free wheeling
Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler were travel pioneers when they packed up their Minivan in 1972 and set off on a journey that would change their lives. Forty years on, a new set of wheels is following in their footsteps, trailblazing a path through new destinations, to celebrate the world famous publishing brand and the part Mini played in its destiny
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MINI COOPER D CLUBMAN
ICONIC TRAVEL: (left) Lonely Planet at the Swiss Alps in 1972; (above) Lonely Planet at the customs compound, Afghanistan in 1972; Lonely Planet at Mount Ararat, Turkey, 1972; (right) The latest incarnation of Mini’s Clubman. © BMW Group
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o celebrate the 40th birthday of the iconic travel publishers, Lonely Planet, two travel writers from the company have been given the enviable task of setting off on an unforgettable adventure in a Mini Cooper D Clubman, driving from London to Istanbul on the first leg of an epic 10.000 mile journey across Europe, Asia and Australasia. The trip celebrates – and emulates – the seminal trip from London to Sydney made by Lonely Planet cofounders Tony and Maureen Wheeler
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in 1972, which began in a classic Minivan and led to the publication of their first guidebook, ‘Across Asia on the Cheap’, published in 1973. The book’s success led to the genesis of Lonely Planet, resulting in a global publishing phenomenon of guides for almost every country on earth. The Wheelers paid just £60 for their ten year old Morris Mini Traveller, which they drove from London to Kabul in 1972. It had a gentlemanly top speed of 70mph and with its timber option would have cost £552 new. By contrast, the 2013
Mini Cooper D Clubman, which the Lonely Planet team are driving from London to Istanbul, has a top speed of 122mph, a 1.6 litre engine putting out 112bhp and an average fuel consumption of 72mpg, costing around $40,000. Travel has changed dramatically in the last 40 years and the 21st century journey reflects this, as the writers set out to prove that original and imaginative travel experiences are more accessible than ever before. The trip will be documented on the road using social media, blog entries,
MINI COOPER D CLUBMAN
map updates, photos, videos and magazine features. The innovative approach will see the writers call on Lonely Planet’s great network of travel experts and online community for suggestions of new and imaginative experiences to try along the way. “This is an incredibly exciting project for Lonely Planet,” said Lonely Planet Traveller editor Peter Grunert. “Forty years on we are still seeking the world’s most original experiences out there on the road. “The world has changed immeasurably in
the past 40 years, with borders opening up, transport links improving and new technology available. We are recreating the trail blazing spirit of Tony and Maureen’s first trip, using a similar Mini and route, but with a 21st century twist to reflect the world of travel today.” “I’m really excited to see how the trip turns out,” said co-founder of Lonely Planet Tony Wheeler. “Travel has changed so much since 1972, with new destinations emerging such as Myanmar and others, like Afghanistan, no longer open to tourists.
“This is a great way to celebrate the heritage of Lonely Planet by recreating how it all began but with new technologies and ways of travelling for the 21st century. “For me, Lonely Planet has always been about the journey, so it’s great to still be out there on the road 40 years later.” ●
The journey can be followed at:
www.lonelyplanet.com/across-the-planet, on Twitter @LP40trip and in forthcoming issues of Lonely Planet Traveller magazine.
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bmw 328 - mille miglia
One thousand
miles of
class
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bmw 328 - mille miglia
There’s a long lineage of history which connects BMW to Italy’s famous Mille Miglia endurance race – and in the race’s 75th year, the BMW 328 held its head higher than ever 48
bmw 328 - mille miglia
KINGS OF THE ROAD: The BMW 328 recently completed the legendary endurance race, Mille Miglia, crossing the finishing line in Brescia, Italy after clocking up 1000 miles without a hitch.
S
eventy five years after its debut in the legendary Mille Miglia endurance road race, the BMW 328 recently completed the latest edition of this tradition-steeped reliability trial in similarly impressive style. In signing up a total of nine BMW 328 models for this year’s event, BMW Group Classic once again demonstrated the close ties that bind the BMW brand to the Mille Miglia. All the examples of this historic sports car that lined up at the start of the world’s most celebrated classic event made it to the finish, displaying
the same reliability that had helped the BMW 328 on its way to class victory in its spectacular premiere back in 1938. To the applause of eager spectators, the BMW Group Classic contingent reached the start/finish point in the north Italian town of Brescia after completing all three challenging competition stages without any technical hitches. “To witness the BMW 328 on this highly traditional route is a fascinating experience every time,” said Dr Ralf Rodepeter, Director of the BMW Museum and BMW
Group Classic Marketing. “The thought of those 1,000 miles being clocked up non-stop and at top speed 75 years ago commands the utmost respect from any motor racing fan following this event. “We are very proud to be able to present in such authentic form today the vehicles that achieved those feats all that time ago.” It’s all down to the gearbox of the historic BMW 328 that has to survive extraordinary loads during the Mille Miglia. As a result, all the competing »
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bmw 328 - mille miglia
BMW 328 models were equipped with a faithful reconstruction of the original transmission – a recent addition to the BMW Group Classic range. This elaborately manufactured replica was developed in close collaboration with the FIA, the world motoring governing body, and FIVA, the world governing body for historic vehicles. As such it is an authentic replacement for the gearbox of the 1930s sports car classic. At the 2013 Mille Miglia, the new transmission provided persuasive evidence of its reliability. The Mille Miglia was first held in 1927 and was soon rated as the world’s greatest motor sport challenge. Up until 1957, the cars drove on public highways and narrow urban streets, and partly also along unsurfaced roads. The most famous racing drivers of their age – Tazio Nuvolari, Stirling Moss, Rudolf Caracciola, Juan Manuel Fangio and Fritz Huschke von Hanstein – used the Mille Miglia as a spectacular stage for their talents, while car companies who acquitted themselves well in the race were able to demonstrate the prowess of their products in conspicuous style. The BMW 328 first took its place
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at the starting line in 1938. From the word go, the teams driving a BMW 328 scored a clean sweep of first to fourth places in the 2.0-litre category. Thanks to its reliability, efficiency, low weight and outstanding handling characteristics, the Mille Miglia novice also managed to leave most of the far more powerful sports cars trailing far behind. In the end, the British team of Fane/Williams not only secured a class win but also finished in eighth place overall. Just two years on, BMW would celebrate outright victory: driving the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé, Fritz Huschke von Hanstein and Walter Bäumer completed the Mille Miglia 1940 as overall winners. Memories of the achievements and triumphs of the past are revived each year in what has since 1977 been staged as a 1,000-mile reliability and regularity trial. This year’s route, which the organisers measured out at exactly 1,555.24 kilometres (966.38 miles), took its cue from its historic predecessor. After the start in Brescia, the first stage led to Ferrara. The following day the route continued via Ravenna and San Marino to Rome, where the BMW
328 models among a field of some 400 contestants received a rapturous welcome in front of the Castel Sant’Angelo. On the final and longest stage, the historic automobiles passed through cities such as Siena and Florence before arriving back at the finish point in Brescia. Alongside five original BMW 328 production models, the BMW Group Classic line-up included four highly exclusive one-offs. Among them was the winning car of 1940, the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé, which was this year piloted to the finish by Hanns Werner Wirth and co-driver Christian Geistdörfer. The BMW 328 MM Roadster, which came third in 1940, again made an eyecatching appearance in the 1,000-mile round trip. A further blast from the past came in the shape of the 1937 BMW 328 Berlin-Rome Touring Roadster, while the compelling vintage fleet was rounded off by the BMW 328 Kamm Coupé, whose aerodynamically honed lightweight body still bears eloquent witness today to the engineering skills of a bygone era. All proof, if proof were needed, that reliability and excellence are part of the BMW 328’s DNA. ●
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PININFARINA
A meeting The heavenly combination of BMW’s aesthetic and classic design house Pininfarina’s high end refinement reaches its zenith in the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso CoupÉ. Start dreaming, people 52
PININFARINA
g of minds B
MW and Pininfarina are two of the most tradition-swathed names in the motoring world, each a byword for cutting-edge technology, style, dynamics and aesthetics. As the two companies unveil the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, the results of this amazing collaboration is clear to see. The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé is a one-off and represents the exclusive interpretation of a luxurious BMW Coupé as seen through the eyes of Pininfarina. Working in close consultation, the two design teams have created a car brimming with character and ready to join the high-end luxury class – typically BMW while sporting the distinctive signature of Pininfarina. Pininfarina ranks as one of the most time-honoured names in
automotive design. What began in the 1930s as a ‘carrozzeria’ building one-offs and limited editions, alongside the visual refinement of high-end automotive technology, has today become one of Italy’s leading design companies, with simplicity, harmony, and innovative functionality at its heart. With the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, the BMW Design team took up exclusive design aspects such as luxury and elegance and fed them into a creative exchange with the team at Pininfarina. “The appeal of this collaboration with Pininfarina is that you get another, very different and special angle on facets like luxury and exclusivity,” said Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design. “After all, the Italian company has always been a byword for these
criteria in particular, demonstrating time and again its keen sensitivity and exceptional finesse in these areas. In Pininfarina we have found the ideal partner to lend shape to this vehicle concept.” Fabio Filippini, head of design at Pininfarina agrees. “The result of this cooperative venture is far greater than the sum of its parts. “When two such tradition-rich and experienced brands join forces to turn a vision into reality, something utterly new and exciting emerges. From start to finish, this project was defined by a mutual respect for the identity of the other company.” Typical BMW proportions – a long wheelbase, stretched bonnet and set-back greenhouse – suffuse the »
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PININFARINA DYNAMIC: The strikingly elegant interior design of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé radiates class.
BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé with imposing dynamics even when stationary. At the same time the car exudes balance and harmony: BMW values such as technology, dynamics and precision are complemented by the skilled craftsmanship of Pininfarina to create a very special holistic experience. With its broad, wheel-focused stance, the front of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé radiates an impressive presence and dynamics. The hallmark double-kidney grille and the roadfocused headlights with their suggested twin circular look reveal at a glance the family bond with BMW. At the same time the distinctive Pininfarina elements have been interpreted with Italian finesse to lend the front end a special flair. The trademark BMW kidney grille forms the central element of the front-end design, and all surfaces and lines take their bearings from it. It symbolically points to the engine at the heart of the vehicle, its size reflecting the power of the V12 unit nestling behind it. The “kidneys” are angled towards the road, citing the typical BMW “shark nose” and lending the front end an even more dynamic look, particularly when seen from the side. Viewed up close it discloses highly accomplished detail work: the front part of the bipartite kidney grille is made of matt-sheen aluminium, while behind it an identically shaped part in highgloss black adds visual depth and makes for an exciting contrast of materials. The designers at BMW and Pininfarina set particular store by creating the right proportions. The car’s surfaces display the elaborate form language of BMW while being sculpted with a clarity that is hallmark Pininfarina. Within a powerfully present silhouette, convex taperings on 54
the side add a dynamic elegance and give the body a tautly athletic shape. At the same time the reduced, precise contours stretch the vehicle and underline its exclusivity with a contemporary touch. The high shoulder line extends almost horizontally along the entire side of the car, imbuing the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé with stature and presence. Above it the long roof line flows elegantly into the rear to define the short tail end. Below the shoulder line, a striking countersweep to the roof line emanates from the Air Breather behind the front wheel. Ascending towards the rear, it lends the back section of the car a light and dynamic appearance. All the lines have been designed with keen sensitivity: as they trace their course they become stronger or weaker and, through the changing play of light and shadow, show off the surrounding surfaces to their best effect. The elongated side profile – complete with trademark BMW detail, the Hofmeister kink – leads to a slender and elegant tail end. Striking horizontal elements imbue the entire rear end with a very broad, flat impression. At the same time, the generous surface design of the rear lends it a powerful presence. Between the surfaces, precise contours and horizontal lines break up the rear aspect, resulting in a clever interplay of light and shadow that partitions the entire design and brings it alive. An eye-catching detail is the transition from the roof to the rear lid: two elaborately shaped struts extend the roof pillar towards the rear, ensuring an elegantly fluid transition of the roof line into the tail section. Extending from the sides, the tail lights embrace the rear end in a single sweeping gesture that brings the side
and rear together visually. They are set – jewel-like – within high-grade trim in matt-sheen aluminium. The interior of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé melds sportiness, exclusivity and comfort, making for a unique interior experience. The fluid underlying geometry of the interior design by BMW takes on an individual character courtesy of the Pininfarina touch. With a special colour concept, choice materials and geometrical details in the doors, centre console and dashboard binnacle, Pininfarina lends further emphasis to signature BMW elements such as the driver focus and layering principle, providing the highest levels of comfort. Finest leather and kauri wood aged more than 48,000 years lend the cabin of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé a special stamp of quality. The high-grade leather from the Foglizzo leather factory – in black and a light shade of Tobacco Brown – creates a warm, exclusive ambience. Metal highlights in black chrome set a technical counterpoint to the extensive application of natural materials. All the wood elements in the cabin are sourced from a single piece of kauri wood selected by the Italian timber experts of Riva 1920 exclusively for the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. Kauri wood has a unique grain and shifts in colour from gold to red to brown, depending on the incidence of light and angle of view. Simply polished and oiled, it exudes a particular warmth and naturalness in league with the exclusive leather surfaces of the interior. Native to New Zealand, kauri wood is among the rarest timbers in the world. An entirely appropriate choice, considering the rarity of the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé. ●
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HALLS CREEK
series 5
Five star
upgrade BMW’s 5 Series has uploaded a raft of innovations to the range, building on the collection’s reputation for innovative driving pleasure
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series 5 SIGNATURE STYLE: The BMW 5 Series best selling range has enjoyed an upgrade with new features designed to delight and excite future owners.
F
or those in the know, the BMW 5 Series already contained all the signature ingredients of a bestselling model at the premium end of the executive segment. Dynamic ability, comfort, efficiency, aesthetic allure and a profusion of innovations designed to enhance driving pleasure – these were all at the driver’s fingertips already. Indeed, consistently rising sales figures have sealed its position as the global leader in its class, with over one million units of the BMW 5 Series Sedan, BMW 5 Series Touring and BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo notched up worldwide since the launch of the current generation. And now another new chapter in this impressive success story is poised to begin. Precise modifications to the cars’ design, new engine variants and innovative additions to the range of available equipment as well as BMW ConnectedDrive technology all raise the appeal of the BMW 5 Series model family a step higher still.
Additional contour lines for the surround of the BMW kidney grille and newly structured lower air intakes reinforce the sporting appearance of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and new BMW 5 Series Touring. On both variants, the accentuated width of the rear end is underlined by an extra crease in the apron, as well as slim, sharply contoured creating even more striking rear lights. Meanwhile the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo boasts a modified front apron exuding presence and solidity. Its redesigned rear end creates a longer and lower-to-the-ground impression. A three-dimensional surface design for the area around the licence plate holder and a chrome strip in the rear apron add further depth to its dynamic character. Xenon headlights are fitted as standard on all models, while Adaptive LED Headlights take their place on the options list for the first time alongside LED fog lamps. Also new in the BMW 5 Series are the BMW Luxury Line and BMW Modern Line packages containing
exclusive design and equipment features. And an M Sport package tailored to each model variant can also be specified. For coffee lovers, there’s good news too. The storage compartments and cup holders in the centre console of these models have increased in capacity, making it possible to upgrade the morning cup of chai. A revised rear section increases the boot capacity of the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo by 60 litres to 500 litres, while new exterior paint colours, lightalloy wheels, upholstery colours and interior trim elements for all the BMW 5 Series models enhance their appeal and increase the scope for individualisation. We all like to stay in touch while on the move, so it’s no surprise that there’s been some innovations in this part of the range’s delivery. The host of innovations included on the options list and in the range of BMW ConnectedDrive technology allow the new BMW 5 Series model family to underline its standout position in the areas of connectivity, » 57
series 5
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series 5
infotainment, convenience and safety. The new BMW 5 Series offers customers a new rear-seat entertainment system with tablet-style displays, a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system and a new version of the ambient light option with a facility which allows the interior lighting to be alternated in tone between orange and white. And for those who like everything at the touch of a button, the function of the optional Comfort Access system, which allows the tailgate to be opened hands-free, has been extended to include a closing mechanism, which means that a movement of the foot under the rear apron can now be used to prompt the tailgate to close as well as open. In addition The range of BMW ConnectedDrive business solutions and driver assistance systems is more advanced and richer in variety than ever. The BMW 5 Series enables a scope of intelligent connectivity unique in the marketplace,
allowing it to set the benchmark for in-car use of office applications. Alongside the globally unrivalled Concierge Service for hotel reservations and a selection of other services, BMW ConnectedDrive also offers an unusually extensive suite of office functions, including internet-based services. The dictation function, for example, provides a convenient way of entering text for SMS messages and emails during a journey. The array of search, travel, office and social media services can be accessed via the car’s integrated SIM card or the customer’s smartphone. And Online Entertainment sees BMW bringing internet-based flat rate music services directly into the car. The optional Navigation system Professional makes use of an optimised menu display and allows access to Real Time Traffic Information. A new controller with a touch-sensitive surface now allows the use of characters to
program in a destination or access other functions of the iDrive operating system. BMW offers Intelligent Emergency Call as standard in a large number of markets. Finally, for those who hate to sit in traffic, there’s great news. From November 2013, the optional Traffic Jam Assistant will be on hand to make life easier for the driver, significantly increasing the scope for relaxation in monotonous motorway tailbacks. This system automatically keeps the car in the same lane, even when the road bends around a corner. It’s part of the Driving Assistant Plus option, which also includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and Collision Warning with braking function. The cruise control function, underpinned by radar sensors and a camera, reacts with even greater precision to the driving situation at hand and also to stationary objects, making the range as intuitive as the driver behind the wheel. ●
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music
Sydney-born musician Sarah Blasko is bringing her unique talents to four intimate shows in Bunbury, Geraldton, Margaret River and Albany in August, showcasing her new album, ‘I Awake’
Songbird
flies home I
t’s quite a culture shock for Sarah Blasko, as the daughter of Christian missionaires returns to her homeland after several months gigging in Paris. She’s spent time in Europe promoting her new album and performing across the continent, but now it’s time to bring her long time band back home and begin an extensive regional Australian tour as well as appearing at Splendour in the Grass in Queensland alongside the likes of Mumford and Sons, Empire of the Sun and Bernard Fanning. Sarah’s fourth album builds on the success of her career to date and develops a distinct musical style which has made many muso journalists sit up and take notice both home and abroad following her third album’s release, ‘What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have’. There’s a new single too – ‘All of Me’ with an accompanying video created with Wilk, a visual artist who has collaborated with Sarah on many occasions and whose work she much admires. Sarah says that the two set out to create something “pure but unsettling” together, a performance-based video that was at once equally beautiful, and strange. More akin to the art house films of Bèla Tarr and Michelangelo Antonioni than to that of a pop video, Wilk says of the process: “I took the song literally, lyrically and emotionally. Sarah wanted something
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intimate, simple. The result is an unconventional single take video. The altered state of Sarah’s appearance and her apparent nudity is in purpose devoid of sexuality, replacing it with honesty, bravery and intimacy.” One of the nation’s more original performers, Blasko agrees with Wilk’s assessment of her work. “We wanted to blur the border between the natural and the unnatural,” she said. “The song itself likens falling in love to the purity of being a newborn but love is also at its best when it comes from a place of understanding and experience as expressed in the opening lines: ‘I’m wide-eyed like a new life shaking in the breeze. Enraptured by the world, unsteady on my feet. I fall in to a place that I have only dreamed and I’m the woman that I’ve always longed to be...’” ‘I Awake’ was written partly in Brighton, UK before being recorded and mixed in Stockholm with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, and the creative process was clearly no easy thing for Sarah. “At times I thought this record would kill me,” she writes on her website. “It was a behemoth.” But she persevered and in creating this “avalanche of sound”, she hopes that all those who hear the work will “feel something”. ●
music
For your chance to experience a truly exciting performer, visit www.sarahblasko.com Friday 9 August – Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury Saturday 10 August – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton Monday 12 August – Cultural Centre, Margaret River Tuesday 13 August – Entertainment Centre, Albany
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music
Oh, you, pretty Chitty Bang Bang The world’s most expensive theatrical prop will be flying into Perth later this year, taking a starring role in a much lauded production of the children’s classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The musical version of the beloved children’s classic novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be coming to Crown Perth in September, bringing with it a marvel of machinery – the Gen 11 vintage racing car – designed to enthral audiences and impress motoring enthusiasts in equal measure. The ‘flying’ car holds the Guinness World Record for being the most expensive stage prop in the history of British theatre, valued at almost $1.2 million. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was written by James Bond author Ian Fleming, so it seems almost fitting that Gen 11 is priced around the same as many of 007’s luxury vehicles. Following successful seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, the multi-million dollar musical heads west and boasts a local connection: it is produced by Tim Lawson, a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Renowned Australian performers David Hobson and Rachael Beck lead a company of 80, bringing to life the adventures of the magical car that is able to fly and also sail the seas. It is also the longest running musical to ever play at the London Palladium in the famous West End theatre district, proving that Chitty’s charm is still strong today. ●
The Perth season runs for three weeks from 3 September. Tickets are on sale through Ticketek (www.ticketek.com.au)
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music
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tailor-made
The high fashions of Europe can sometimes feel a world away from Western Australia but suit makers Canali are changing all that. One of their bespoke tailors will be flying out and giving their most valued customers the full Italian experience at the Perth boutique in September
Perfect fit
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tailor-made
L
SEW BESPOKE: Owner of Canali Khoon Tan is looking forward to welcoming an Italian tailor to the store in September, giving just ten customers the chance to have a handmade suit crafted for them by the maestro.
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ocated in the historic Bank of New South Wales building in Perth’s CBD, Italy’s Canali label is a brand with a rich heritage, stretching back almost 80 years and specialising in men’s suits and accessories. Quality Italian made products are synonymous with the brand, and even though the Hay St boutique is still in its infancy, owner Khoon Tan is committed to bringing Canali’s years of expertise to its customers. For the first time, one of their master tailors from Italy will be coming to Perth, and a select number of their clients will have the opportunity to be measured for a Canali bespoke suit. “We’ve got one day set aside for it – only one day, 3 September – and we will have probably a maximum of ten appointments available. That’s it,” said Tan. With a limited number of bookings available, it seems almost like a ‘money can’t buy’ opportunity, but those customers who will be fitted by Canali’s expert Italian tailor can expect to part with a few thousand dollars at the very least. “It all depends on the fabrics,” Tan explained. “We’ve got a range of options. “Just to give you a basic guideline, if you picked the entry price point suit (which is still a good suit) made from a fine wool fabric it starts from about $3500. It can go up to $15,000.” Although the average price for a bespoke Canali suit is between $3500 to $4500, Tan recalls that they made one “a couple of months ago for about $13,000”. Each Canali store has at least one made-to-measure tailor on hand, however there are “around 10 [Italian] tailors that go around the world” carrying out fittings for their clients. Tan would like to see this become a yearly event he can offer his Perth clientele. “We hope to grow that side of the business a bit more,” he said. “There’s currently probably between five to ten per cent of our customers buying Canali bespoke suits. It’s quite high at the moment. I think that’s because it’s special. “The majority of people who choose made to measure is because they can’t get what they want off the rack. They want something a little bit different – the style or the fabric, they want it to be different from everybody else – and that’s where made-to-measure comes in.” And while the boutique is a long way from Canali’s homeland, it’s certainly still a valued part of the business according to Tan. “When we first opened the boutique in Perth, Mr Canali – who is the grandson of one the original Canali brothers – actually came out. And he comes out here every year. So yes, it is important to them. They see the
tailor-made
Perth clientele as part of their family.” And Tan is adamant about passing on that personal experience to Canali’s customers in Perth. “We don’t have people coming in here every five minutes, but we’ve got people that come in who we look after regularly,” he said. “So it’s quite a different experience when they come in here. I think that’s what it should be, that’s what Canali is all about.”
KHOON TAN ON SUIT TRENDS
Having been involved with several other high-end fashion houses including Hugo Boss and Versace, Khoon Tan has a discerning eye when it comes to men’s tailoring, and can “definitely” tell the difference between bespoke and ready to wear suits. We asked him his thoughts on... WHAT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MADE-TO-MEASURE SUIT AND ONE OFF THE RACK?
“The main difference is basically each suit is made for one person, instead of made for a thousand at a time. That
suit only fits you. We can have readymade suits and do the final fitting and still fit you 95 per cent. But that five per cent is where the made-tomeasure element comes in; the suit is actually made for you and you alone.” WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING AT THE MOMENT?
“It depends on which country you’re talking about. Various countries in Europe, Asia and Australia, they’re quite different in terms of their styling – America as well too. For example, in America they are very much on the bigger side of things. They see the suits as more like armour. The blocks are a lot bigger, and they’re more into double breasted [jackets] and pleated trousers – the double breasted look – which is quite different. “As far as trends in Australia as such, they’re still pretty much on the two buttons [jackets], there are some going into three buttons. Three buttons does make it a little bit higher; a little bit more of a formal sort of look. Asia tends to go into more of a three button, or higher two button – you can have a lower two, or you can have a higher two – but the two button suits our climate quite well.”
DOES AUSTRALIA FOLLOW A PARTICULAR REGION?
“We are closer to Europe, more from a UK point of view because a lot of our population is from there. The Italian products are becoming more and more popular because of the fit – it seems to be slimmer – a slimmer fit is the trend of the last two or three years and is becoming increasingly important. People over here like to have something fitted, something smaller. The slim fit is becoming a big thing over here. A black suit is not just a black suit anymore. A black suit is now all about the slim black suit for the younger generation of up to about 30 or 40 [years old]. That is one of the trends that has been quite obvious in the last few years.” DOES PERTH’S CLIMATE INFLUENCE FABRIC CHOICES?
“Definitely. Obviously cashmere is not huge here, the people buying cashmere are usually travellers, they either come from overseas from Asia, from China or people who are going to Europe. All the wool for Canali is virgin wool, a fine wool, lightweight – you might have a bit of silk sometimes just to give you a little bit of texture – which is something that Canali is known for: that special sort of fabrication.” ● 67
fashion
Jean genie For anybody who has ever given up hope that they will ever find a pair of jeans that actually suit their shape, despair no more. Nadine Saleh, creator of WA’s newest fashion house, Dene Helas, has conjured up the perfect fit
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t’s impossible not to love Nadine Saleh – she’s got that infectious, transatlantic brand of enthusiasm (she’s from Canada originally) which just makes you want to hang out with her and chew the fat. And now that the personal stylist turned fashion designer has opened her first store for label Dene Helas in Carillon City, expect a steady stream of regulars to join her fanbase. “The name is based on my name – Helas is Saleh backwards, and Dene is from Nadine,” she says, putting the finishing touches to her shop’s window display. The only WA-based designer of jeans (she believes), Nadine has based her first collection of casual but infinitely wearable clothes on her many years spent styling clients. “I’d spend so much time trying to find basics, like jeans and t-shirts but often they just wouldn’t fit the body properly. It occured to me that I could do those items better because I understand body types and what works in terms of colours.” The result is a versatile collection
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of jeans (from around $160), tops and deeply desirable furry jackets, all destined to be on the must have list of discerning fashionistas who love the feeling of the perfect fit. “The majority of women have longer legs than their torso, but you’d be surprised how many shops cater for the exact opposite of that. I have created styles of jeans that f latter the most common figure types, making the torso appear longer, and therefore slimming the top half of the body.” Perhaps it’s Nadine’s background which gives her designs an analytical edge. She is a qualified actuary having studied at the University of Toronto and spent many years in the corporate world. “My mathematical brain is part of what makes my ability to design f lattering clothing so strong,” she says. “Proportions in the clothing and the physics behind colour and how it ref lects light are all important elements in creating beautiful clothing.” Citing French fashion house Balmain as one of
her inf luences, she says: “The cut of their jeans and use of angles and lines is very f lattering to the figure.” Nadine meticulously chooses each pattern and detail for her collection, with a particular focus on creating a line of jeans which will become her customers’ favourite pair to pull on, whatever the occasion. With plans for an online store in the pipeline, as well as a growth strategy which includes the Dene Helas line being stocked in David Jones and Myer stores in due course, Nadine is thrilled to be able to share her design philosophy with the shoppers of Perth. “Every so often I would sit down and make a list of what I really wanted to do, and design and fashion would always come at the top of my list. Well, now I’m doing what I always wanted, and can’t wait to help make everybody who buys my clothes look and feel fantastic, no matter what their body shape may be.” ●
Dene Helas, Level 2, Carillon City
fashion
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BC3 is jockeying for position to become the premier dealers in yearlings worldwide, and for CEO Craig Cameron, it’s a mission that has got off to a cracking start thanks to one very big deal indeed
Š Bruno Cannatelli
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the high life
Riding high
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the high life
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ot 131. Stated blankly, it doesn’t sound that exciting. But for the horseracing community, it was a lot number tinged in stardust. It was a lot number which made even the non-horseracing community sit up and take notice. Lot 131, you see, was the colt of Redoute’s Choice, making him Black Caviar’s half brother, and in April 2013, he was put up for sale. It was dubbed the sale of the century and did not disappoint, says BC3 Thoroughbred’s CEO, Craig Cameron. “We weren’t going to get beaten,” said Cameron. And beaten they were most emphatically not, stumping up a record $5 million for the half sibling of such a famous steed. “He was sold pretty much the day after, and in fact we could have sold him three times over.” Nicknamed around the stables as ‘Jimmy’ (named after James Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge’s brother), the beautiful bay colt joins his sister Belle Couture (nicknamed Pippa – “because she’s related to royalty and has a nice arse”), another high value yearling costing $2.6 million in 2012. Jimmy is now owned by eight or nine investors, but 10% share of the horse remains in BC3’s hands – like many of the yearlings who pass through the business’s hands. BC3 has created an interesting business model in racehorse ownership – and it’s one that’s different from the usual race horse ownership syndication operation. “We’re different because we have our own training farm in Geelong, a 44 acre property complete with a pre-training track. It means we’re able to offer our clients a total training service, which means we’ve shifted from merely buying and selling horses to offering the thoroughbred full service.” BC3’s US-based co-founder, Utah-born John Brocklebank is keen to expand the business beyond Australia’s shores, building up a customer base in America thanks to the major yearling sales which occur in Kentucky throughout the year. “We’re also buying weanlings (less than one year old), and bringing them up to yearling sales,” says Cameron. With three pedigree experts on hand to give their ratings on potential purchases, BC3 is well placed to pick the cream of each year’s crop. And thanks to their experience in dealing with some of the top young colts and fillies in Australian, potential owners put a lot of trust in BC3’s experience when it comes to choosing the ‘right’ horse for them. When clients approach BC3, an important part of the process, according to Cameron, is to assess what they want from the race horse owning experience. “We cater for a whole spectrum of clients, giving people who
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© Bruno Cannatelli
© Bruno Cannatelli
aren’t sheikhs the chance to own a thoroughbred, spending from $60k to $5m. We’ll find out what their motivation is, and introduce a whole parade of different horses to them. “I’d say it’s 90 per cent an emotional decision which horse they pick.” Once a client has picked their horse, BC3 will put together a price package, including the horse’s price, and the percentage they’ll pay – whether it’s 100 per cent or less. “We will give them all the costs involved in looking after the horse up until their two years old (including vet fees), and then once they’ve turned two, they will go to an outside trainer.
Training fees can either then go to them or us – it depends entirely how hands on they’d like us to be.” As for Jimmy, after the excitement of April’s sale, it was important to the team to allow him to be “treated like a horse.” “Those who look after Jimmy and the other 35 or so horses live on the Geelong property with them – it’s quite an isolated spot, and the horses would go off their nut without the chance to ‘be horses’.” Cameron’s background is, he says, inextricably linked to the sport of kings – and sport in general. “It’s my father’s fault,” he says, smiling.
© Bruno Cannatelli
the high life
EQUINE ROYALTY: Jimmy is enjoying ‘just being a horse’ at BC3’s private training estate in Geelong, Victoria, with the hotly tipped colt set to re-enter the spotlight after he turns two.
“My birthday’s in November and we used to live out in the eastern suburbs at Sandown [VIC]. My birthday present was invariably to go to meetings there. I took an interest, studied bloodlines and found that it fascinated me.” A career as a media buyer followed before he was asked to do “some recruiting for the AFL”. He took up a position at the Fremantle Dockers in 2004 as part of the team’s recruiting network with Phil Smart, before moving to become Richmond’s GM for five years (and was responsible for recruiting troubled ex-West Coast star Ben Cousins at the end of 2009). “Then I was introduced to Bill
Vlahos (who bought the business and brought the model over to Australia), we developed a great relationship, and he asked me to be CEO.” Now, however, it’s all about the turf, and the four legged stars that break hearts after every race. “I reckon we’re only at base camp,” says Cameron about the potential BC3 has for future growth. “It’s the tip of the iceberg, especially now we’re getting into the breeding side of the game too. I’ve been invited to take horses to horse sales in China and that’s a huge market we’re only just beginning to touch.” Despite the stratospheric sums
paid for Jimmy, Cameron isn’t phased by the silly money paid for such valuable bloodlines. “Lot 131 wasn’t the zenith, but in terms of our business, and the publicity that it generated, it’s been responsible for attracting a lot of interest from potential owners. We always knew Jimmy was going to be special, but for now it’s wonderful to see him just running around a paddock, enjoying being a horse.” ●
For more information about BC3, visit www.bc3.com 73
property profile
The comeback kid Paul Tonich, one of Perth’s top real estate agents, knows all about life being a rollercoaster, but is currently reaping the rewards of a buoyant property market in his hometown
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ten year old boy falls out of his warm bed at 3am, pulls on his work clothes, and toils alongside his father as dawn breaks, tending the family’s market gardening business in Perth. It’s a vivid illustration of how one of Australia’s most colourful property identities, Paul Tonich of Altitude Real Estate, became the man he is today, because it’s an early indicator of a remarkable work ethic and moral compass which would serve him well during his darkest hours. “My parents never employed anybody to work on their land and shops,” says Paul Tonich. “They just had more kids.” One of five in the family, Paul would go on to become one of the youngest detectives in WA’s police force at 23, before a controversial, not to say, spectacular fall from grace in 1998 ruined a promising career leading straight to a stint in Casuarina Jail for intimidating a suspect. However, the boy with the “magnificently entrepreneurial upbringing” courtesy of his Croatian parents would rise once again, to become one of the nation’s most successful real estate agents, with a lucrative line in motivational coaching on the side. It’s a story which seems incredible – Perth’s a small town in many ways, and if you sully your workbook, it can be hard to regain reputation and credibility. However, Tonich credits his ability to thrive despite intense media interest around his departure from the police force on the fact that he made every critical decision on what “mum and dad might do” in the same situation. Their voices in his ear allowed him to survive four months in jail as a detective who was still required to present evidence at 15 court cases, endure a Christmas Day riot, and leave without incident, the day before his wedding. “I thought I was unemployable at that stage,” says Tonich, “But Robert di Prinzio, who had known me as a young
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man, offered me a lifeline, saying he had no doubt of my character. He took a massive chance by taking me on with his brand [Torrens Real Estate], but from day one, I excelled as a real estate agent.” It was the leg up Tonich needed to take him from a man facing a brick wall, to one with possibilities once again. “I had learned so much during my time inside – that nobody will save you, that pity pushes you backwards, and most importantly, I learned the value of finishing things well. I apply those same principles at work – I don’t lapse or become incompetent even as the deal approaches completion.“ He also learned the importance of a strong network – who you know can, in many cases, be the difference between survival and oblivion. “I use that lesson now in my ability to manage our social media and networking presence to the maximum effect. 30 per cent of our web traffic comes through our Facebook page, resulting in generating over $500k of income over 18 months.” It’s this skill to spot early possible revenue streams which has helped make Tonich WA’s most successful real estate agent for seven years in a row, servicing many high profile, repeat customers – sometimes from both sides of the law. “I created a virtue out of the fact that I was perceived as a trouble shooter agent. It all comes down to preparation, doing my homework, spotting opportunities early, building trust, and applying myself with energy with every single sale.” Tonich’s idea of ‘doing his homework’ was based on his years in the police force, where he learned all about human behaviour, strategies and above all, reading and governing emotion – often in the most extreme situations imaginable. “If you weren’t prepared, then you’d get into trouble – so I use the same approach with potential clients who already have the desire to sell their house.” Any real estate agents who
would like to work alongside Tonich better be prepared for some unusual recruitment techniques too. “Sometimes at the end of an interview, I’ll ask them to stand up and tell me a joke,” he says. “This shows me how they’ll react to something surprising, their tonality, and if they can think on their feet.” Another task involves persuading a stranger on the street to take money off a recruit (not as easy as you might think), he doesn’t believe in company reward schemes (“what’s the point of pitting sales guys against each other?”) and is happy for his staff to Facebook and eBay in the office to their hearts’ content. “It’s about trust. My guys will write up to $1m in commissions per year, they only have to show up to the office for an hour and a half a week, but I expect everybody who works for me to consistently bring something to the table of value.” In addition to helping make Perth’s real estate market one of the most buoyant in the country with partner cousin Nathan Tonich at his side at Altitude, Tonich is also a registered sports agent, and an international corporate coach. “We haven’t even touched a small part of what we can achieve yet,” says Tonich, a father of two. “We want to be the most important social media brand of attraction in the property industry nationally. People come to us for help, not just for real estate issues. It’s all about sustainable behaviour these days – putting health, wellbeing, family and relationships first – and then your career. Business won’t tolerate any other version of this model nowadays.” Family, as ever, remains central to Tonich’s very being, and it seems the next generation is a chip off the old block. “My ten year old son was at the beach with six of his mates and negotiated with the ice cream van guy to sell them $2.50 ice creams for $2 each. I was so proud.” ●
property profile
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amy zempilas
The Drive of My Life
Amy Zempilas, fashionista, Telethon Adventurers Ambassador and wife to Channel 7 Sports Presenter and AFL commentator, Basil Zempilas, is also mother to Ava, 2, with another baby due in August. The creator of popular parenting, beauty and fashion blog, Absolute Amy, shares her driving passions. 1. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE? I drive the family car which is a Range Rover. When we fell pregnant with our first child, my husband wanted something that would be safe and suitable for our growing family. I loved driving the BMW X3 too, it’s very smooth and the navigation system is fantastic. I also really enjoyed the Bluetooth audio streaming. The X3 is super efficient, looks elegant and is a breeze to drive. 2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR AND DID YOU LOVE IT OR HATE IT? My first car was a Honda Civic Hatch called Henry and I loved him. He was so reliable and zippy, and he was pretty good looking too. It was a sad day when I had to sell him because I was moving overseas. 3. WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST DRIVING BUG BEAR? It really annoys me when people don’t indicate, and lazy drivers also drive me mad. I have the responsibility of driving with our daughter in the car, so if people pull out on me because they haven’t bothered to check their blind spot – I get annoyed. I have very precious cargo after all. 76
4. HAVE YOU EVER GONE ON A ROADTRIP – AND IF SO, WHERE TO AND WITH WHO? I’ve had a couple of fun road trips, the most memorable being a drive back from a holiday in Bunker Bay where we’d just found out we were having our first child. As we were making our way back to Perth, it was announced that Julia Gillard had just become the first female Prime Minister – so it was an eventful road trip and one that I’ll always remember. 5. WHAT’S ON YOUR LONG DISTANCE DRIVE PLAYLIST? Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars, Emeli Sandé and some fun old school dance tunes to keep me alert. 6. WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR 2013? Our biggest plan for 2013 is the birth of our second child in late August, but apart from that I’ll be spending as much time as possible with my family, continuing my work as a Telethon Adventurers Ambassador and working on my blog Absolute Amy. 7. SUM UP THE KIND OF DRIVER YOU ARE IN THREE WORDS. Assertive, courteous, careful. You can read Amy’s blog at absoluteamy. com, and if you would like to support the Telethon Adventurers current campaign to raise funds to help fight childhood brain cancers, visit www.theadventurers.com.au