THE BIRTH OF SOMETHING NEW AND DELICIOUS

Not many women would dream of opening a café when pregnant – let alone when pregnant with their third child. But for Elise Rowe, creating a human being and a café at the same time was an enterprise she was ready to tackle head on.

“It was all hands-on deck to open the doors, so I was renovating and supervising, and there were some long days and nights,” she recalls. “But we made it! And that is one of the biggest accomplishments I think.” Elise and her husband Sam are the owners of the highly coveted Hydrant Food Hall, a warehouse café they opened a little over two years ago adding further life to Ballarat’s growing café culture. “I am loving that the city is growing, offering so much to our locals and visitors,” Elise proudly exclaims.

The always-bustling, family-friendly eatery is housed in a former fire hydrant store down one of Ballarat’s elusive laneways. While the husband-wife duo fully renovated the historic brick building, Elise says it was important they also paid tribute to the site’s heritage and showcased the remnants of its former self. “When we found the building, I was drawn to it immediately,” Elise says. “The history that the building offers, the stories it could tell, and the genuine rustic atmosphere it oozed – I felt that it needed to be opened up to the public to bring some life back into it, and the laneway.”

The Hydrant boasts a seasonal menu that showcases the best ingredients of the western region and serves up some of the smoothest cups of coffee this side of the state.

This autumn, Elise says diners can expect to see flavours synonymous with the change in season. “We aim to offer our customers a warm and friendly service, and the fun-loving people who work for us means that customers have an enjoyable dining experience. “The Autumn menu will hold many of the favourites from the summer menu, including the apple crumble pancakes and The Hydrant 3.0 (halloumi, avocado, beetroot hummus, cherry tomatoes, on seed and sprout bread). Autumn to me means pumpkin, ginger and chai, so diners may just find something new and interesting.”

THE BEAUTY OF GARDEN WITH THE WONDERS OF ART

Each weekend from Saturday 4 April to Sunday 3 May plus Eater Monday, the spectacular gardens of Mica Grange will be open for their Autumn Sculpture and Garden Art Exhibition. Mica Grange is an absolute labour of love for Bede and Mary Gibson who after taking over the running of Mica Grange from their daughter have poured many hours and hard work into developing the glorious gardens that not only showcases what can be achieved with time and energy, but also the excellent artworks of very talented sculptors.

The exhibition brings together sculptors from all around Victoria plus a wide range of garden art. The exhibition provides garden lovers with an abundance of ideas on how they can add to the beauty and enjoyment of their own gardens. There is also a wide range of plants for sale and delicious preserves from the orchard and vegetable garden. With prices ranging from $5 to $6000 the Mica Grange Open Garden provides something for everyone. After meandering around the gardens you can enjoy morning tea, light lunches or afternoon tea served on the decking with its panoramic views across the Sutton Grange valley. Entry is $7 - children free. Group bookings are available during the week.

The Mica Grange Sculpture and Garden Art Exhibition will be open each weekend from 4 April to 3 May, 10am to 4pm. Located at 373 Faraday Sutton Grange Rd. Sutton Grange. More information at 5474 8262, 0499 897 242 or visit www.micagrange.com.au

SculptureExhibition MICA GRANGE OPEN GARDEN Open each weekend 4 April to 3 May (plus Easter Monday) 10am to 4pm Group bookings available during week Morning Tea, Lunch & Afternoon Tea Garden Art, Plants, Preserves available www.micagrange.com Entry $7 Children free 373 Faraday Sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange Ph: 5474 8262 & 0499 897 242

ALLENDALE NURSERY

Specializing in herbs & vegetable seedlings.

4141 Creswick-Newstead Road Allendale Phone 0411 551 550 allendalenursery@gmail.com Find us on Facebook Catch me at the following markets from October: 1st Saturday of the month Woodend Farmers Market 1st Sunday of the month Gisborne Olde Time Market 2nd Saturday of the month Kyneton Farmers Market 2nd Sunday of the month Daylesford Farmers Market 3rd Saturday of the month Creswick Market 3rd Sunday of the month Talbot Farmers Market 4th Saturday of the month Lancefield Little Treasures

Antique s & Co l lec t ables Explore the Bendigo Region

bendigoregion.com 1 Bookshops & Eclectic Co f fe e Shops

Explore the Bendigo Region

bendigoregion.com

1

YOUR GUIDE IN YOUR POCKET

MOUNT ALEXANDER

Castlemaine – Stoneman’s Bookroom Stoneman’s Bookroom has been a Castlemaine landmark since the early 1960s. Its wide range of titles, authors and genres makes it a treasure trove for book lovers from near and far. Stoneman’s Bookroom is a proud independent bookseller and is well loved in this Central Victorian Goldfields town.

Located at 101 Mostyn St. www.stonemansbookroom.com.au

LODDON

Bridgewater – The Church Op Shop The Church Op Shop, - known locally as the Bridgy shop. The Church Op Shop is part of the Helping Hands Mission Inc. a not for profit organisation providing emergency support to Victorian families in need. The shop offers a vast array of high quality and affordable clothing, shoes, linen, books, bric-a-brac, toys and household goods. Located in the former Uniting Church. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am. 15 Main Street, Bridgewater.

CENTRAL GOLDFIELDS

Talbot – Slightly Bent Books Slightly Bent Books is a literary lover’s world of books, new, old and antiquarian. Visitors will find books on art and antiques, fiction and history and lifestyle. Open weekends from 11am to 3pm, Slightly Ben Books is on the corner of Scandinavian Crescent and Camp Street, Talbot.

BENDIGO

Peppergreen Farm A two-hectare site close to the heart of Bendigo, PepperGreen Farm offers a range of enriching experiences for visitors. PepperGreen Farm, is passionate about growing quality produce while showcasing the culture and heritage unique to Central Victoria. As part of the Access Australia Group, the farm promotes skill development and personal growth for people with disabilities including microbusiness, horticulture, retail, tourism, hospitality and creative manufacturing. peppergreenfarm.com.au